Windy DC

These blinds show how much my office is swaying in the wind. The walls are constantly creaking very loudly and they've never done this in the 4+ years I've worked here. While I am not generally afraid of heights or wind, this is legitimately freaking me out. I hope this mobile video post comes through...

Goodbye Bohemian Caverns Mural

I came home to find two men repairing the badly weathered wall behind the Bohemian Caverns. They appear to be covering the old brick with a layer of concrete. I asked if the mural would be repainted, but they didn't speak English. Using my rough Spanish, I determined they didn't really know if it would be replaced. Click here for a pic of the damaged mural before repair.

I will miss my historic view if they don't bring it back!

Lonely

I am apparently the only person going to work today. The U Street Metro station is completely abandoned with nobody waiting for a train in either direction.

I'd bleed for you two...

Fun holiday times!

We might be the only people left in the city, but there are no complaints! We be making friends at Cobalt's bear happy hour looking thin, young, and cute!

Sweater Head

T2 thinks the sweater head mannequin is scary but she jumped right up on the opportunity to pose with it! I had to visit Macy's to do a little clearance shopping and exchange some gifts. Time for some weekend drinking with the 3 other people left in the district this holiday weekend!

Name My Nephew

Please comment on this post with first & middle name suggestions. Lets help Steve & Lisa name the baby! This is pic was taken this morning with 127 days to go!

Good Christian Panties With a Godly Cotton Panel

It is Sunday morning and I have nothing to do but listen to Cynthia and Cynthia bitch so I've barricaded myself into the guest room in search of YouTube church. This will do...

Happy Holidays!

I predict fun times with friends and family and will follow with a holiday road trip summary. I decided at the last minute not only to decorate, but also to throw a "Leftover Party" on Christmas day. We will be partying with the people "left over" in the city. Since our U Street trailer is so petite, it is best suited for gatherings of this size and most everyone I know has escaped, or will be going out of the District for the holiday.

So...this week:

• I dined with friends at ThaiTanic on my day off (Wednesday.) I haven't previously been to this restaurant and found the food to be unbelievably delicious. The Bangcock Sunset was tasty too. We had an enjoyable discussion of the decor. RJ speculates the Angel dolls hanging from the ceiling represent the victims who went down with the ship...
  
• The Prince of Petworth praised Solly's Tavern with a profile on my friend, the one and only John 'Solly' Solomon!
• There was drama on 11th Street Tuesday morning; just a few blocks South of U Street, a gay man was shot and killed walking home from places where you might find many of my friends on any given night. Scary.
• Last Saturday, while we peacefully cocktailed with peeps at Ulah Bistro, an 18 year old girl stabbed someone in the U Street Metro just a few steps away from us. This is yet another reason to keep underage people out of the bars...nice work Republic (formerly Republic Gardens) at bringing inexperienced and immature bar kids into my neighborhood.

The Beyonce Experience Truck on U St.

The ladies of leisure are lunching on a day off. Something tells me this one had a different kind of 'Bouncy' experience last night!

The Alternative Reindeere

Sighted in Shreve, Ohio...Rudolph and eight tiny John Deere prepare for Santa

Happy Birthday!

When Grandpa chooses the restaurant for his birthday, you drive a long way to eat at Perkins. Surprisingly, they served up a delicious breakfast and it was so cheap I would almost consider it free. There have been many a DC brunches where the gratuity alone surpassed the entire bill for our party of 6.

Grandpa is 63 today, but he swears he's only in his late 50s. There is certainly a theme of age denial in this family! I rarely get home for his birthday being so close to the holidays so it is a very special treat for all of us.

Sometimes...

...when nobody else is dancing the dentist just has to work it out on the floor

editor's note (Fri AM): apparently The District just can't stay in for a quiet night...at least he went to bed in time to get up for a productive work day!

The Falls!

I had no idea the actual falls were under the hotel! Beautiful!

No falls in The Falls

My Aunt Katie canceled our dinner and ice skating plans in Cuyahoga Falls due to a little confusion with the dates. I thought about going alone but it is FREAZING here. The rink is tiny and filled with children going in all directions anyway. I decided to dine in the hotel and will turn in early. The plan is to catch her next time around.

The $1 ATM

I am thrilled to be feeling better and mobile blogging. We hit the street in an attempt to eliminate the caged feeling and catch up on Toya's travel adventures. Tonight's discovery was this new freestanding ATM between the Madjet Restaurant and Solly's Tavern on U Street. I'm curious to see how long before it is ripped away and intrigued by the advertisement claiming it disburses in amounts starting at $1. How much in bank fees for a single dollar withdrawal?

DC's Abominable Water

Today's Gay List Daily prompted a little research on our tap water quality. The most recent reference (August) from Andy Dehart, Director of biological programs at the National Aquarium, said, "D.C. water is abominable. It cannot sustain life..." Apparently they use DC tap water to fill the tanks, but put it through an extensive purification process first. We are supposed to drink it?

I've never been to the National Aquarium and don't even know where it is...perhaps something for the "to do" list. I'm assuming it isn't a world class aquarium since I haven't heard a single friend talk about it in 4+ years in DC. I just realized I passed the four year mark! I moved to DC on December 5, 2004! Perhaps I'll have to wait for January to officially celebrate since I was stuck in corporate housing until closing on my condo in the city. As much as we judge the B&Ts, I best not try and count my first 2 mos across the river as actual time in the District! I digress...

Earlier in the year, Sustain Lane ranked DC's tap water as endangered. It is apparently worse than both Cleveland and Detroit. I know they have the Great Lakes next door, but the Nation's Capital should be able to set an example. Last year, the EWG wrote about high levels of toxic chlorination byproducts in our water and recommended carbon filtration.

I guess the solution is either to go on using my Brita filter or to buy $14/bottle Christian Lacroix limited edition Evian as suggested by Gay List Daily. Who buys limited edition bottled water? It IS fabulously ridiculous.

Anticipating Toya!

Toya left for mad adventures in Central and South America back in August. I can't believe she's been gone so long, but she is scheduled to return 'home' tonight! This was her final going away pic as we documented her trudging down 11th Street with enough gear to last her 3+ mos. in the wild. I don't know how she did it! I'm anxious to hear what is next on her global agenda!

We're excited to have her stay with us over the holidays. Thankfully, we had time to clean the house from top to bottom over the last few days in preparation for her arrival. I guess being on sickness lockdown does have some nice side effects. No money rolled out the door this weekend and the house is sparkly. There are only a few more things to do after work today and it will be finished!

Unfortunately, we did make the painful decision to forgo holiday decorations this year. With all the pending travel, and the hassle to get them out of storage, it just doesn't make sense. Thankfully, Steve & Lisa have offered to let me 'share' their tree during our visit as long as I bring along at least one ornament. Done and done.

44 Days 'til 44th President!

I am looking forward to the free Let Freedom Ring concert featuring Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center. I discovered this while researching things for my family and friends to do in DC on Inauguration Weekend. Market Watch published a Destination DC press release featuring 44 things to do until the 44th President is inaugurated 44 days from today. Check it out! Oh yes...and 143 days 'till Baby H!

In case you missed it, Loretta Lynn's concert at the 9:30 Club has received positive reviews on the street. Sister Disco reports how our mutual friend was disappointed there were so many gays and not enough hard core country straight boys for him to look at while Rita Jean couldn't get past the tour bus without blogging...I recovered at home with a bad movie, but finally got a chance to watch MTV's Britney: For The Record . Timmy thought it would never end...and then I watched the fan feedback special. There are three TVs up in this trailer; he had options, but I think secretly enjoyed it.

Jason Dottley Sucks?

I don't understand my fascination with Jason Dottley, but I owe no explanation for this position. He, however, may need to explain this series of photos from Mavrixonline.com. Is it a penis substitute? Is he trying to be a candy kid? He isn't dressed like he's coming from a rave? Is it an ecstasy reference? WTF? Perhaps it was just to get silly people like me to look...Click the thumbnail for the full article and all the pics.

Nurse Timmy

After 16 mos. of grueling pre-reqs, Timmy took his nursing school entrance exams a few weeks ago. You might recall this caused him to miss the Madonna concert. Yesterday he received an acceptance letter from the University for their RN program! I believe they only selected between 25-30 people for this program out of 90+ applicants that qualified for the test. This is an excellent accomplishment! Kudos to Timmy!!!!

Now, I have a suggested training video for him (NSFW / NSFS) but I'm sure he'll be too busy for that while he takes all those crazy medical classes that gross me out. And no RJ, this doesn't mean he can now write scripts. For the 19th time, even when he's finished with school, he will not be able to write your hall passes to the Wrong-Aid! You need a Dr. friend for that!

Speaking of Doctors...I may have to go back to mine. We tried to go out for a celebratory cocktail at the P-Rat last night. Timmy finished his single beer, but I could only get down about 20% of my cocktail. That cold dry air just tore up my lungs on the 2-1/2 block walk. My chest is now getting worse again and I just took my last anti-biotic. Uggh. I hate this.

BTW - in my search for today's graphic, I came across a picture of Dean Thorpe dressed as a nurse. The frightening things you find on a google image search....

P-Rat Defined

We have our beloved neighborhood haunts and many of you have picked up on my utilization of "P-Rat" to describe a particular rat infested, but dear to our hearts, watering hole. In an effort to ensure we hadn't "outed" the owner's skank sanitation, I searched the term. While there are no stray references on any of our blogs, I was led to this definition on Urban Dictionary. I didn't realize that "prat" was a defined word, but oh how the definitions fit our little place on U Street!

Holiday Gift Giving 2008

First, I thank god for antibiotics and pain pills. My chest is nearly normal after only two days of treatment for this nasty infection. While it is probably too early to do so, I'm going in to the office for at least part of the day. Working from home when sick is no treat. I won't, however, be my normal green Metro riding self. I need as much climate control as possible so Ms. Louise will be taking me to and fro.

Now for the holiday giving. I rarely purchase gifts for friends, my siblings limit our gift giving to something cheap or fun to open, often a silly something-or-another, and Tim's family has finally stopped exchanging gift certificates for the same amount each year. That futile exercise got a bit ridiculous. This leaves me with my parents, my partner, and my daughter.

My parents have little and want for less so they are fairly easy to please. Mom may not actually use half the things we buy her, but at least she appears appreciative. My partner and I have agreed to do a token exchange (again to have something to open) as we'll use our holiday dollars for vacation expenditures. My daughter, well, she needs a lesson in excessive consumerism. I plan to give her a few small green items and a dairy goat since she is so blessed to have more material things at age 14 than many adults. No designer purses or jewelry from Tiffany & Co. this year.

You might ask what she'll do with a dairy goat....it doesn't exactly go to her. The goat will go to a family in Kenya, Haiti, or some other less fortunate country. There are several organizations that do this, but I've decided to go with Heifer International. They are the most comprehensive in their efforts and are not religion based as many of them. While I don't universally knock the religious organizations, I have no idea what they are teaching and it generally doesn't include diversity. Click Over to their site and check out the options available at various price points for a meaningful holiday gift.

I know a farm animal gift does not suit most of your buying needs. That being the case, you may want to follow the Gimme Gimme series over at The Mango & The Jayhawk for more suggestions. Please also consider HRC's Buying for Equality guide and make your purchases from fair minded businesses. Finally, don't forget to buy local products. That hemp handbag may appear green, but you can't imagine the carbon footprint created if it was woven in China!

Sordid New Years?

I'm terribly excited about this silly New Years Eve party. It appears Jason Dottley and Dell Shores are opening their home (pictured here) and selling tickets for a Sordid Lives themed New Years Eve Party. For $275, you can buy a ticket on eBay. Now that GlitterGirlTiff is moving back to the OC, I could surely stay with her, but dare I consider such a wasteful expenditure in these lean times? (Hopefully Glitter Girl will be blogging her cross country moving adventures with Little Ricky.)

Surely this doesn't mean Dell is trying to boost his cash flow with the end of Sordid Lives as implied by TMZ's coverage back in October when he first sold memorabilia on eBay. According to a Sordid Lives Fan Blog, LOGO ordered Season 2 with 18 episodes back in August, but I haven't yet been able to find any formal announcements or press release that this happened. I will be sad if it goes away. If you've heard otherwise, please let me know!

All Night Boozin' Approved

According to the Washington City Paper, DC City Council approved extending drinking hours to 5 A.M. during inauguration weekend with a 9-4 vote. They also approved late night drinking for nightclubs with an 8-6 vote.

I don't know about you, but with my history of self control around holidays, vacations, and special events, I appreciate a "last call" to remind me it is time to stop...or at least think about stopping. I just hope the bridge/tunnelers & tourists don't fux with my fun that weekend.

Britney, All Night Booze, and Pain

Laugh if you wish, but I would like to see Britney Spears on tour. Unfortunately, we'll be on vacation in South America when she's in this part of the country, and I can't justify flying somewhere to see her. Bummer. To see if she'll be coming to a city near you, head on over to BritneySpears.com! Apparently, typing "IheartBrit" into the special offers box will allow you to purchase presale tickets through 12/5 at 10 PM. (BTW...Happy 27th Birthday Britney!)



Thanks to Kevin for posting this article from the Examiner. I'm not sure why he's reading that paper, but this is interesting information that could spell death for all of us during inauguration week. It is gonna be fun!

"...A measure put forth today by D.C. Councilman Jim Graham - who represents the party-friendly Adams Morgan neighborhood - would allow bars and restaurants licensed to serve alcohol to keep pouring until 5 a.m., and to keep doors open 24-hours per day between Jan. 17 and Jan. 21..."

Now back to sleep. I had such serious pains in my chest that I nearly went to urgent care last night. With Nurse-in-training Timmy's assurance that it wasn't my ticker and I wasn't dying, I waited until this morning. The doctor tells me it is likely pneumonia. Since I am able to breathe, a treatment on a machine, some antibiotics, an expectorant, and some ibuprofen should do the trick. He didn't think an x-ray was necessary because the anti-biotics will get it regardless what kind of nasty infection it is. I guess with the bloody phlegm and severe pain, it is beyond the common cold or flu which I've been suffering for a week.

Who the champ?

There must be an event...or Something to bring this trainload of WT cursing kids from VA. They brought along a WWE Champion belt on the train and they are passing vile gas and talking about wrestling autographs and collectibles. Hard core dolls most likely.

All I want to do is take my sick azz home and sleep. My lungs and throat now hurt so bad from coughing that I might croak.

A Champagne Cart!

The presence of a champagne cart and a bloody mary bar tell me we've made a worthy journey. Sister Disco, Timmy, and I made a trip to Mon Ami' Gabi in Reston Town Center to burn up my door prize gift certificates from the Habitat for Humanity charity breakfast. They won't let us park the cart at our table.

Happy Holidays

They may be putting up a tree in Boston, but I only have enough energy to holidize my background this weekend. Hopefully next week I'll make it to the storage bin to bring out the tree! I think the font colors are adjusted appropriately so you can still read it. Let me know if you hate it or love it.

The New Gay says "Girls Only"

I respect the alleged concept of TNG, but having friends that know the original group, it appears they are no different than every other clique (gay or otherwise) and probably just want to get laid. I inadvertently attended a few of their events at Solly's and despite the fact I rarely have trouble brewing a conversation with anyone and don't generally give a F about what people think, it was awkward. There were gays, straights, boys, and girls, but overall it was a homogeneous group of twenty somethings that all looked alike in their hipster uniforms. Here's an excerpt from their "What Is The New Gay" description page:

...we try to inspire male/female integration and create a friendly environment where gay people (and their straight friends) can drop pretension or social awkwardness and treat one another as people instead of objects. That's the theory, anyway. We're working on it.

You ask why the post? I recognize there are issues that affect men and women differently. I recognize a need for some gender specific events and discussions. TNG specifically positioned their group as different. Now I read about their first Women's Party. Note I said PARTY - not something that needs to be gender specific like an issues meeting, seminar, etc. This is further proof they are not promoting the integration of various groups; they plan to have another one in December. Before long, they'll have TNG bear parties, TNG twink parties, TNG Subaru excursions, etc. TNG will have completely lost the alleged basis for their group in the first place. It's a shame; I hoped they would break down some stereotypes and barriers in our community.

Wiping the dance floor?

Editor's Note - The pic doesn't show it very well, but this very cocktailed woman came out of the 941 Saloon bathroom with toilet paper stuck to her shoe. She must have danced for a good 10 minutes before it fell off - I can't imagine what was serving as the adhesive.

The Nick Lecker

As we do...

Editor's Note: A mandatory stop at Images Bar resulted in a go-go boy attack after purchasing a round of sugary shots from him. Girl was not thrilled...

Friday in the Burgh!

I had An excellent time with Whitney today, visited Jeffrey and his family, and now made it to Pittsburgh. Bert & Girl have a fab new home (jealous,) but Bert is working so we are going out with the boys. Oh yeah, check out sexy Winston pupster!

I Survived Thanksgiving Dinner

Baby Lisa cooked a delicious breakfast and I laid around watching the parade. It took some effort, but I finally left for Grandma T's at around 1:30. We were supposed to eat at one, but I know my family. I arrived around 2:00 and was followed by several other families. I believe it was nearly 3:00 before the prayer. I made my Grandma Hazel's peanut butter bars and they were a hit. It is unbelievable how a simple recipe can bring back so many memories and put tears in people's eyes. Those fond memories are such a critical part of the Thanksgiving spirit.

Fortunately (for my sake,) the family drama was swept under the rug and we had a great day. My baby girl wouldn't respond to text messages, but surprised me by showing up in the early evening. She stayed several hours and posed for this four generation picture with my Mom and Grandma! It's so unpredictable with a teenager. I overheard her describing herself as nearly 15; she's only been 14 for five months. I can't judge - I wanted so hard to be 16 from the moment I became a teenager. I don't remember at what age it shifted the other way, but if the math is correct, I'm also nearly 15. Despite her sinus infection, Whitney enroute to spend the day with me before I head out tonight. I am thrilled!

Pittsburgh peeps...I'll see you tonight on the way back to the District!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Bitches!

For the two people who actually read insidethedistrict and the one concerned; I am alive. I broke my phone in Philly last week and wasn't able to mobile blog. Unfortunately, I've been so buried with recovery, work, & life that I haven't had time to write. Please tell me why I feel compelled to catch up at this hour? Ugh...insomnia sucks.


There were essentially two choices for a holiday blog photo. The one selected shows where I'd like to be seated with my happy friends. The other was NSFW but makes me laugh hysterically. In reality, I'll be seated at a table of family members. I love most of them, but found out yesterday about some new family drama. I am wholly pissed off and I have a feeling it will be fuxed up Thanksgiving. I can't understand why people let their personal pride get in the way of common sense. As Jeffrey would say, "Just throw some money at the problem." I'm fairly certain it will take a village of people throwing money to solve this one. To top it off...my baby has a "sinus infection" and probably won't see me this week. She'll surely be daddy's girl as we get closer to Christmas and she starts positioning herself for holiday gifts. I might have fallen for that trick last year, but just wait till you see what I have planned for the princess this holiday season.


Since the last post, we had a rockin' good time at the Madonna concert. Squirrely and I were completely satisfied since it was our virgin experience. RJ & Javier were less pleased. Having seen 8 & 10 previous concerts respectively, they thought she wasn't "on." Considering her divorce was finalized in London only a few hours after the concert, I imagine she was pre-occupied. I, however, would have been perfectly happy if she stood up and sang acapella for 20 minutes in a moomoo. It's Madonna for Christ's sake.


You'll have to ask RJ about the pine chip potpourri experience and his new tattooed friend who plans to make a DC pilgrimage for the Dec. 6 Loretta Lynn concert. Yes, she's still alive; I checked. Most surprising, according to Wikipedia, is the fact Rolling Stone named her 2004 Alternative Rock album 2nd best of the year in some category. She was 70 when it was released. Alternative Rock? I might have to pony up the cash and go see this 74 year old train wreck.

Never a dull moment on a trip with my friends! We awoke Friday in time for some shopping and a fabu lunch at Continental Midtown. Cynthia collected us and took us to Phoenixville. A trip highlight occurred at MZ's house. We had a drink(s) and read to each other from the Tucker Max book, I hope They Serve Beer In Hell. We about pissed our pants laughing and then hit the village for some viddles and a rockin' good time. I have no idea what hour we went to bed, but RJ, MZ, & Squirrely were having a Cher sing-a-long and we could hear them loud and clear from the guest room three floors up. One thing for sure, we'll bring group reading back.

Thanks to Javi for sending this photo from the concert. I was so naked without a camera phone.

Sold!

Everything is down, the stock market, GM, and the value of Sticky & Sweet. This man, Javier, the GM of this place just got a bargain deal and paid me 150 for a 350 plus fees ticket. Such is life.

Willamena Rose

In case you didn't hear, she was born on 11/17 and she's gorgeous like her momma!

Philly!

Yes Ma'am, we had a three course meal and Rita Jean is having the brownie. Sinful.

The Parking Lot

Work in Cleveland...am looking forward to a few days off after 22 degree mornings

I guess I might die now?

If you've read Sister Disco's blog, you know she is spending Mondays cooking her meals for the week. I too have been watching my intake, but have done it the easy/lazy way. For the last several weeks I have taken a pilgrimage to Harris Teeter and purchased 'healthy' microwave meals every Monday to stock my work freezer for the week. When I say healthy, that is comparing these entrees to the other choices near my office: Chevy's, Arbys, McDonalds, Chipolte, Big Buns, Sbarro, etc.

Here's why this may have been a bad idea and why I may die. I purchased the Lean Cuisine, Mediterranean Chicken last week. It was delicious. While sitting in the airport, waiting to board my plane for a business trip, I got a phone call from Harris Teeter today advising me that my Very Important Customer Card (VIC) shows I purchased this recalled item and that I should return it immediately for a refund.

What does one do if it is already consumed? Will the 'blue plastic' contamination kill me? What now? I guess Sister's method is better. I am not sure how I feel about this information in general. I guess I should appreciate big brother's call? Time to fly.

Johnnie mcgovern is fatter than i thought he'd be

Rock Stars

Hope he comeas on stage soon

TOWN

We've had a good night. An opening for a fabulous show of photographs, charity party for the pediatric aids foundation and now the drag show at town. There were a few bars in netween and later we're gonna see Johnny McGovern, but right now we are watching KO with a drag queen

Bye Bye Jane

As frequently as I change vehicles, one might think there is no attachment. In reality, I do love every one and today is a bit sad for me. I will likely stick with my new road companion, Louise, for a long time; at least until this economy turns around. Today, however, it is time for Jane to return to her Mazda family. She was a bit thirsty and I remembered how much of an SUV person I am not, but two years of faithful worry free service were greatly appreciated.

Madonna For Sale

Friends - Timmy gave me Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour Tickets for my birthday in June. Unfortunately, he will be stuck in DC with school obligations on Thursday night (11/20.) I need a date. I'm hoping to get face value ($375) for the ticket but it may be negotiable...it is a great seat!

If you're my friend, then you're welcome to stay with me in Philly. Squirrely is flying in from Cincinnati and Rita Jean will also be there. I will pay for the hotel. We're staying at a swanky new place in Philly's gay ghetto.

If there aren't any takers, then I'll try Craigslist or Stub Hub....I just hate the hassle of going that route. Please contact me if you or anyone you know is interested. Watch the little temptation video below!

I'm in trouble

How not to get take out

We had a quick casual dinner and some cocktails with friends at Ulah. This person apparently tried to go to Quiznos by the U Street Metro in their car. T made sure there were no bodies before I snapped this shot.

100 beers

I didn't have any beers last night, but did manage to get to a place on the interweb previously undiscovered. I found a bar in Manila that boasts 100 beers. I am guessing that Bosox Siobhan would not be able to enjoy a single one of them...considering who works there.

I'm a little depressed this morning because I missed the Obama party train. With the work duties and efforts to stop my body's downward physical spiral, all I've done is work, travel, run, go to the gym, and sleep this week. On Friday morning, my new trainer, Jarrick, encouraged me to stretch my tense body while watching TV and relaxing at home. This reminded me of the two weeks worth of shows DVR'd. When do I get to relax? My trainer of 3.5 years, Erwyn, has abandoned me. With his full time work as a firefighter and a baby on the way, he's scaling back his hours to spend more time at home. Unfortunately with both of our crazy schedules, a new trainer was the only way to ensure I would get my sessions in. Due to my required flexibility, I am left with a 22 year old trainer. I didn't mind paying so much for Erwyn with his extreme body, his extensive education, and his historic results. I'm apprehensive about paying the same price for a newbie. I'll give him a few weeks and evaluate the situation.

Speaking of babies, Julia is due today!

By Friday evening, all my peeps were partied out from a week of celebration and nobody was left to mark the occasion with me. I couldn't even find anyone for a day of beauty and shopping on Saturday. I was forced to go for the wax, the manicure, and the pedicure all alone. These things are excessive, but they were well deserved after such a harried week. I miss last summer when this was a biweekly description of Saturday - we all have to sacrifice under these economic conditions. I never made it out to shop and lounged away my afternoon on the sofa with intermittent napping. When people did surface late in the evening, I had no energy to motivate.

My sleep was interrupted by several dreams last night. Erica was still dead, but was present in one of them. Everyone could physically see her and she was trying to figure out how to leave the living and move on. Erica rambled on about the stupidity of the political situation we are in and counseled me that the Obama administration will only work if everyone believes in him. While she didn't say this was impossible, her body language and delivery didn't give me much confidence. I could always read her. I wish I could remember exactly what she said because it made so much sense in the dream; it was as if she delivered the solution. If Erica was still alive, I have to believe she would be very passionate about where our country is going. The most significant thing about the dream was touching her. She was so cold and I was so sad that she was trapped. I hope that is not her reality.

Since I've been up for nearly 3 hours, I guess it is OK to brew up a Bloody Mary. It is time for my own celebration (perhaps a little self medication) and I'm not waiting around for the rest of the world to wake up.

Lady Bunny

We saw this video in a New Orleans bar and I forgot to put it up for your pleasure. Skip past the first 40 seconds and check out her parodies. Hilarious.

Vergie will LOVE this one 4 sure.

YES WE DID

Want a free Obama sticker to celebrate our victory? It's designed by Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic HOPE poster. And MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free. Click here or on the picture above to get yours.

Friday Tune Time

I love the chorus on this Justin Moore song...it plays at about the 30 second mark - just enough time to turn your sound up and listen!

"Back that thing up. Throw it in reverse and let Daddy load it up. Honey, back that thing up..."

I have visions of interpretive line dancing at Remingtons.

Editor's note
I took down the annoying auto-play; click here to here this song.

Ken Stewarts

Bubba convinced me to swing by Ken Stewarts on the way home. I ran into Cindy, who we had drinks with earlier, so it was sorta ok that he left after a sip of his cocktail before I arrived.

I am not sure if it was not ok because of the bar filled with McCainanites or if it was the Holiday decorations. When I say "holiday," I mean Christmas as in Christ and definitely no other religious holiday is recognized up in this joint. (and then there's the giant cow thing on the wall)

Akron again

Just a few with friends (Bubba & Chad) after dinner then back to the hotel for sleepy time without street celebrations to keep me up.

WE DID IT!

Barack Obama will be our next President!

Unfortunately, we had to leave our election party early. This, however, permitted us to walk through hundreds if not thousands of people gathering at 14th / U in NW DC. We walked in the door just in time to turn on CNN and see their official prediction. The noise is unbelievable as people begin to pour into the streets. I've never seen such screaming and excitement; black, white, brown, young, old, rich, and poor, all rejoicing together. I didn't have a camera while walking, but this picture was taken of the crowd gathering at 11th / U in front of Bohemian Caverns.

It is a beautiful day - I am proud to be an American!

Now I have to figure out how to block out the noise and go to sleep so I can make my early flight - who scheduled a business trip on the day after this election?

I voted!

Voting complete and the line is even longer now. Obama vote is cast.