So much going on

First a comment: The laptop is generally great, but the touch keys are so sensitive. I just tried to wipe away a hair and triggered the DVD player.

Anyway, for a weekend that is supposed to be about honoring labor by not performing any, there's a lot going on. Called my dad last night for his birthday (which he, a lifelong Democrat, is none too happy to share with John McCain) and he said that Michael Martin Murphey is going to be at the big Labor Day festivities in my hometown. That prompted me to start singing "Wildfire" to Stanley and head to iTunes, where I purchased "Will It Be Love By Morning."

This morning my sister called to announce that she had sold a painting. She has always been a good artist (I grew up loving a picture she had painted in high school), but now that her only child is a married father and she's somewhat disillusioned with her career, she's gotten really serious about painting. She's joined an artists' collective and taken tons of classes. Her work is now being exhibited in several places.

Back here on the coast, both the film festival and the blues festival are in town this weekend, with another community celebration up in the little town where my boss has her weekend cabin. Stan got up early to go stump for the No on 8 campaign, and now he's getting the oil changed (something we're 1,000 miles late in doing).

But the thing I am MOST excited about, of course, is the first weekend of college football! I feel like going into the office, just to watch ESPN (though I have plenty to keep me busy if I do actually go in). That seems to violate the spirit of the weekend, though, so I guess I can wait another 45 minutes for ABC's coverage to start. In the meantime, I'm listening to "Jock Jams."

My thoughts exactly

Great post

Vegas Vacation

Well, I've got Vegas out of my system. It was hot (110 on Friday), my feet were killing me, and I'm over Cirque du Soleil.

We went to a couple more ultra-lounges, as well as another gay club. We had Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues on Sunday. We shopped. We gambled. And then there were the shows...

Le Reve was amazing, but we were disappointed with Mystere (we had the worst seats in history, and Cirque seriously needs to re-examine their policy on seating latecomers). Cher, however, was just unbelievable. It wasn't so much a concert as a multi-media extravaganza. There were videos, acrobats, and of course music; I'm glad we saw it last, or we would have been really let down by the others.

We also went to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. From that vantage point, you can really see all the construction.



It's somewhat of a miracle to be able to post these photos, though. Last time we went to Vegas, the camera battery was fried. This time, we lost the camera bag at the Miracle Mile Shops! Luckily, someone turned it in to mall security.

One of the highlights of the trip for The Husband (who did not do well on the slot machines this time) was that he found another new hat.

I've caught it

Alright, I admit it. I am afflicted. I have Olympic fever.

The opening ceremonies were AWESOME. I am excited about the U.S. medal sweep in women's fencing. I cannot wait for Michael Phelps to swim again.

You have to understand: this hasn't happened to me since the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games. I remember watching part of the '84 games in L.A. I can't even remember where they WERE since then. Atlanta, right? Seoul. Athens. Sydney. I still thinking I'm missing one, and don't you dare ask me to put them in correct order. Point being, I haven't given a crap about international sports competition in my entire adult life. After all, the Olympics are mostly boutique events like badminton instead of football.

So why now? Because it's China? (The goose-stepping soldiers unfurling the flags at the opening ceremony brought to mind another historic totalitarian showpiece Olympics - the 1936 games in Berlin.) Because we got into badminton at the Outgames in Montreal? (And it now looks like we probably won't be going to next summer's games in Copenhagen.) Because I'm in the middle of a three-day weekend and the games are more interesting than "Saved by the Bell"? Who knows.

In other news, I have bronchitis. I'm taking some medicine which is not supposed to be taken with antacids. So, I am off my normal regimen of Nexium in the morning and Zantac at night. I haven't had heartburn in so long I'd forgotten what it feels like. I guess my GI tract hasn't been magically fixed.

I'm pretty much packed for Vegas, even though we don't leave 'til Thursday morning. So far, the digital camera is working (knock on wood), but I'm not sure if I'll take it or not. We've got Le Reve tickets for Friday, Mystere on Saturday, and of course Cher on Sunday. Plus, our friends from down south are meeting us again. Should be fun!

Dang, the Latvians are leading in men's beach volleyball!

There is no secret ingredient

Went and saw Kung Fu Panda at the discount theater this afternoon. Really good movie. I'd actually consider buying it. Ooh, wait - I wonder if I could get it on iTunes. (I'm listening to Hank Williams right now.)

Anyway, here are a couple thought-provoking articles:
A Tale of Two Weddings
Domestic Partners

Tonight we went to the new gay coffee house here in town. Cheaper than the bar! Unfortunately, they're going to close early most nights. Guess I'll still need Starbucks for after-dinner coffee.

Speaking of after-dinner coffee, last night we went to the chi-chiest restaurant in town. After three years in town, it was about time. Excellent food. Won't be three years before we go again!