The always amazing Kinsey Sicks have a great take on the new TSA Gate Rape procedures!
(for the young'ens out there, this is a spoof of Rocky Horror's "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me.")
Monday, December 06, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
speaking of lead pipes,
Costumes encouraged. Tickets are going fast. Use the code word "candlestick" for a discount at checkout (to a mere $11 per ticket total).
won't you join me on a 'capade
GODS I love San Francisco.
Tonight, at the ice rink at Union Square, from 8:00 to 9:30, it's Drag Queens on Ice!
I don't think this has any "official" sanction, which makes it that much better. I hope one of them has a lead pipe.
Tonight, at the ice rink at Union Square, from 8:00 to 9:30, it's Drag Queens on Ice!
I don't think this has any "official" sanction, which makes it that much better. I hope one of them has a lead pipe.
know your wireless
You know all those adds from Sprint/Verizon/T-Mobile bragging about their 4G networks. Complete and total crap. And they know it. At best, these networks run at a rate of a tenth to t fifth of 4G speeds.
The Myth of 4G.
By the way, AT&T service coverage in San Francisco continues to be an oxymoron.
The Myth of 4G.
By the way, AT&T service coverage in San Francisco continues to be an oxymoron.
winter weight
Overheard at work:
"That looks nice."
"Thank you! See? I can still fit into some of my clothes!"
We were talking about scarf.
Of course, I hear this after I read a dozen friends' Facebook posts about being at the gym ridiculously early this morning, and starting my own unhealthy addiction to those awesome chocolate treats that come in big tins and show up in offices everywhere this time of year.
Well, it's one degree above criminally cold in my apartment building these days so a nice layer of blubber may be healthy for survival. Or something.
"That looks nice."
"Thank you! See? I can still fit into some of my clothes!"
We were talking about scarf.
Of course, I hear this after I read a dozen friends' Facebook posts about being at the gym ridiculously early this morning, and starting my own unhealthy addiction to those awesome chocolate treats that come in big tins and show up in offices everywhere this time of year.
Well, it's one degree above criminally cold in my apartment building these days so a nice layer of blubber may be healthy for survival. Or something.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
comfy
Today I'm thinking that laurels may be a perfectly fine place to rest.
Better than resting on your failures I say. And it's just resting for heaven's sakes. It's not like you're making it a permanent residence. Just sayin'.
Better than resting on your failures I say. And it's just resting for heaven's sakes. It's not like you're making it a permanent residence. Just sayin'.
just cinch it.
Ah, Winter. Sweater weather. I generally love sweater weather, but this vintage ad has me rethinking that love.
Because what every good sweater needs is a belt...
WTF?
Lower center: Love the hair, young Jedi.
Lower right: I'm guessing he has some primo weed and shrooms in his van, which is painted with scenes from the Hobbit.
Via Philthy's Diversions.
Because what every good sweater needs is a belt...
Lower center: Love the hair, young Jedi.
Lower right: I'm guessing he has some primo weed and shrooms in his van, which is painted with scenes from the Hobbit.
Via Philthy's Diversions.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
civil unions, a love story
Seriously. Marriage is a civil right. Within religion, it is only a rite. One, actually, has nothing to do with the other. Marriage was a legal contract long before it was a religious one. When Americans are free to marry whomever they love, we will all be freer, and it won't affect religion, freedom of religion, or religious marriage at all. To claim so is just a petty, greedy grab of "mine! not yours!"
Let freedom ring.
The appeal on the unconstitutionality of Prop 8 before the 9th Circuit starts Monday.
Monday, November 29, 2010
ceci n'est pas une pipe
But THIS is a pipe!
Snubby J and his homemade PVC pipe "slap organ" (what I'm calling it). This is fun, and very cool for a garage/dorm room hobby thing to design and build. Useless sure, but cool. Here's his talent show playlist:
-Office Theme Song (0:18)
-Linus and Lucy (0:38)
-Turkish March (1:13)
-Mario Brothers Theme (1:27)
-In the Hall of the Mountain King (1:54)
-Bad Romance (2:07)
-Viva La Vida (2:50)
-Like a Virgin (3:03)
-Crazy Train (3:23)
-Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (4:01)
-James Bond Theme (4:15)
-Pirates of the Caribbean Theme (4:35)
-The Final Countdown (4:56)
Snubby J and his homemade PVC pipe "slap organ" (what I'm calling it). This is fun, and very cool for a garage/dorm room hobby thing to design and build. Useless sure, but cool. Here's his talent show playlist:
-Office Theme Song (0:18)
-Linus and Lucy (0:38)
-Turkish March (1:13)
-Mario Brothers Theme (1:27)
-In the Hall of the Mountain King (1:54)
-Bad Romance (2:07)
-Viva La Vida (2:50)
-Like a Virgin (3:03)
-Crazy Train (3:23)
-Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (4:01)
-James Bond Theme (4:15)
-Pirates of the Caribbean Theme (4:35)
-The Final Countdown (4:56)
I'm sorry, Tina.
But we really do need another hero.
Here's a nearly excellent post from i09 regarding why the idea of a Buffy remake is so crappy: we don't just need another hero, but what we've been starving for since Buffy left is some actual heroism.
Here's a nearly excellent post from i09 regarding why the idea of a Buffy remake is so crappy: we don't just need another hero, but what we've been starving for since Buffy left is some actual heroism.
concern for the kneedy
Unfortunately, Dad got a bit damaged over Thanksgiving—he fell on his knee on the bathroom tile and was significantly injured. Thankfully, nothing is broken, but he has been in the hospital for several days. Alert Reader and Fantastic Friend Margaret McAllister was up to Nashville from Atlanta for Thanksgiving and along with her parents visited Dad in the hospital. She sent me a photo of Dad's condition—no one else would, it is pretty horrific. Even the jaded students who come through on rounds involuntarily gasp and take a half-step back. Much to my father's delight mind you. I hear he's gotten quite adept at milking the tension-reveal moment for all its worth (again, LOVE my dad).
Adding, well not insult but perhaps inadequacy to injury, of course the hospital is on a holiday schedule so none of the usual doctors or staff are available, and the continuity of care is severely lacking (nurses are working 12-hour shifts and so far none have been seen twice). Today things are purported to return to their "normal" schedule and there will be more news about his condition and expected treatment.
Thank you all for your loving concern and these will be passed on to Papa John.
On the upside, he remains in good spirits. Dad generally generally has a really good attitude about things when he can. He's been joking around a lot and I think this photo captures the dichotomy between his injury and his mood.
Every shift they ask him lucidity questions such as "Do you know here you are?" The answer they want is "in the hospital" but he was usually over-specific in his response, along the lines of "Vanderbilt University Medical Center." Although with the preponderance of students attending to him, he has switched his response to "Vanderbilt University Medical School." That is, when he is not having a little fun at their expense.
"Do you know where you are?"
"Why, are you lost?"
Lotsa love to Papa John!
Adding, well not insult but perhaps inadequacy to injury, of course the hospital is on a holiday schedule so none of the usual doctors or staff are available, and the continuity of care is severely lacking (nurses are working 12-hour shifts and so far none have been seen twice). Today things are purported to return to their "normal" schedule and there will be more news about his condition and expected treatment.
Thank you all for your loving concern and these will be passed on to Papa John.
On the upside, he remains in good spirits. Dad generally generally has a really good attitude about things when he can. He's been joking around a lot and I think this photo captures the dichotomy between his injury and his mood.
Every shift they ask him lucidity questions such as "Do you know here you are?" The answer they want is "in the hospital" but he was usually over-specific in his response, along the lines of "Vanderbilt University Medical Center." Although with the preponderance of students attending to him, he has switched his response to "Vanderbilt University Medical School." That is, when he is not having a little fun at their expense.
"Do you know where you are?"
"Why, are you lost?"
Lotsa love to Papa John!
Literary Reading: The Farallon Review
TONIGHT!
There is a launch party for the third issue of the Farallon Review literary journal tonight at 7:00 at the Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission Street (between 21st and 22nd).
Flyer below:
There is a launch party for the third issue of the Farallon Review literary journal tonight at 7:00 at the Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission Street (between 21st and 22nd).
Flyer below:
Sunday, November 28, 2010
soup of the gods
Oh Yeah. I can cook. That turkey soup took two days to make and is pretty incredible. I may sound a bit arrogant tooting my own horn like this, but this is some serious soup. Hammina.
And again, when certain someones found out it was going to be another day of home cooking at Studio 54(5), they kept me company (they in the living room and and I in the kitchen) while I happily cooked most of the day. All four seasons of Designing Women DVDs and a screening of The Hangover later, we were filled with hilarity and some rocking turkey soup with warm biscuits made from scratch. They did bring their own wine and hors d'ouvres this time as my cupboards were freshly bare. Now THAT was a relaxing way to spend a holiday weekend. No insane Black Friday nonsense for us.
Turkey 3.0. I think we have officially launched a new three-day tradition.
And again, when certain someones found out it was going to be another day of home cooking at Studio 54(5), they kept me company (they in the living room and and I in the kitchen) while I happily cooked most of the day. All four seasons of Designing Women DVDs and a screening of The Hangover later, we were filled with hilarity and some rocking turkey soup with warm biscuits made from scratch. They did bring their own wine and hors d'ouvres this time as my cupboards were freshly bare. Now THAT was a relaxing way to spend a holiday weekend. No insane Black Friday nonsense for us.
Turkey 3.0. I think we have officially launched a new three-day tradition.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thanksgiving 2.0
I have been looking forward to Thanksgiving leftovers all week, but disappointed that I would not have any as I wasn't hosting Thanksgiving dinner. I particularly wanted turkey bits and to boil the carcass to make turkey stock and try my hand an creating a turkey soup to rival that of Bread & Company in Nashville.
So the day after Thanksgiving I roasted my own turkey just for the "leftovers" and the stock fixings. And since I made gravy from the pan drippings I had to make some homemade mashed potatoes. Certain friends got wind of this plan and offered to keep my company while I cooked and Thanksgiving Dinner 2.0. Good company and good food. I will say my turkey came out pretty well for my first ever attempt (and I have learned that a dinner party, particularly with family, is NOT the time to try preparing a dish for the first time).
Two seasons of Designing Women and all the white wine I had in the house later, Thanksgiving 2.0 was a roasting success. At one point we all started reading aloud from the giant folder I found on my last trip home containing all the letters I received during my JYA in Scotland, Spring 1992. Some of these (mostly from fraternity brothers) were hilarious, enough so to call up one of the authors on Skype, getting him and his wife out of their EST bed for a quick chat before we went out to the Lookout for a little post-Thanksgiving Friday fun time. But that is what the Command Center is for.
Shout out to Sean & Meg in South Carolina, and to Ryan Donovan for ultimately getting us out of the house and into the neighborhood.
So the day after Thanksgiving I roasted my own turkey just for the "leftovers" and the stock fixings. And since I made gravy from the pan drippings I had to make some homemade mashed potatoes. Certain friends got wind of this plan and offered to keep my company while I cooked and Thanksgiving Dinner 2.0. Good company and good food. I will say my turkey came out pretty well for my first ever attempt (and I have learned that a dinner party, particularly with family, is NOT the time to try preparing a dish for the first time).
Two seasons of Designing Women and all the white wine I had in the house later, Thanksgiving 2.0 was a roasting success. At one point we all started reading aloud from the giant folder I found on my last trip home containing all the letters I received during my JYA in Scotland, Spring 1992. Some of these (mostly from fraternity brothers) were hilarious, enough so to call up one of the authors on Skype, getting him and his wife out of their EST bed for a quick chat before we went out to the Lookout for a little post-Thanksgiving Friday fun time. But that is what the Command Center is for.
Shout out to Sean & Meg in South Carolina, and to Ryan Donovan for ultimately getting us out of the house and into the neighborhood.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family, be they biological or chosen (and it has been a week of comments of enduring the former and celebrating the latter), and I raise my glass and a plate of heavy starches to you all.
Since the second year after my move to SF I have avoided Thanksgiving travel at all costs. As a local "orphan" I have enjoyed many wonderful Thanksgiving dinners with my local San Framily. This year's family time was hosted by Daddy Tony and his husband Mikey, and it was a wonderful mix of family, friends, and generations.
Of course, when a professional leather daddy hosts a family dinner, the household "to do" list features some particular additional items.
I love my Framily. Happy Thanksgiving!
Since the second year after my move to SF I have avoided Thanksgiving travel at all costs. As a local "orphan" I have enjoyed many wonderful Thanksgiving dinners with my local San Framily. This year's family time was hosted by Daddy Tony and his husband Mikey, and it was a wonderful mix of family, friends, and generations.
Of course, when a professional leather daddy hosts a family dinner, the household "to do" list features some particular additional items.
I love my Framily. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mystery Date: Toddler Rave
I LOVE Kevin's Mystery Dates! No sooner than I got Mac, Emily and Leland off to the airport did people begin showing up at my place at 3:30 for pre-drinks before a 5:00 mystery date. The only clue from Kev was "it's not theater, but it's a show." We got to Billy Graham Auditorium and Hells Yeah: Yo Gabba Gabba. OMFS—it was a total toddler rave, complete with psychedelic performances and glow sticks. And enthusiasts in costume. We were calling it Burning Toddler.
Unfreaking believable. I have mathematically-approaching-zero knowledge of Yo Gabba Gabba, but I understand it has to do with a giant red studded dildo with one eye who entertains kids under three.
Of course we loved the show.
Of course we brought flasks (as instructed by Fearless Leader).
Two highlights: The Party in My Tummy with what was supposed to be a drumstick but just looked like a nugget with an enormous ball sack:
And OMFBS: WE LOVE BLACK SANTA.
The hands-down best part of the show was in the second act when the tiny kids would sit on Big Black Santa's lap and mimic a beat. Awesome.
And people wonder why when Kevin asks me to reserve a date, I do with no questions asked.
Yo Gabba Gabba Doo.
Unfreaking believable. I have mathematically-approaching-zero knowledge of Yo Gabba Gabba, but I understand it has to do with a giant red studded dildo with one eye who entertains kids under three.
Of course we loved the show.
Of course we brought flasks (as instructed by Fearless Leader).
Two highlights: The Party in My Tummy with what was supposed to be a drumstick but just looked like a nugget with an enormous ball sack:
And OMFBS: WE LOVE BLACK SANTA.
The hands-down best part of the show was in the second act when the tiny kids would sit on Big Black Santa's lap and mimic a beat. Awesome.
And people wonder why when Kevin asks me to reserve a date, I do with no questions asked.
Yo Gabba Gabba Doo.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
thankful
So Mom called, and Dad fell last night/early this morning. He fell in the night in the bathroom, landing on his knee on the cold, hard tile. Mom wrapped it up and waited until dawn before calling the doctor next door for advice. By then it was terribly swollen, and after much deliberation and logistical maneuvering, eventually the fire department had to come negotiate him out of the house and to the hospital.
Nothing is broken, and for that I am thankful today, and tomorrow. He is banged up terribly badly though, and will be in the hospital for a while, followed by a stay in the physical rehab facility. Mom is going ahead and hosting thanksgiving for the extended family as planned, as that's what she does. She manages all. Reigning Queen, with no thought of abdication. She's got skills that one; hold the world together as far as I can see. Anyway, she has lots of help hosting dinner, hired and otherwise. And as Dad is off the mind-enhancing meds, I don't think he's clued into that he's missing anything, so there is that to be thankful for too I suppose.
Any way, love to you all, and to all of your loved ones. Hold them close. Keep them from falling if you can. And tell them how thankful you are to have them. I am thankful that we say this lovey-dovey stuff to each other all the time. And mean it with each utterance. Thanks be. Peace out.
Nothing is broken, and for that I am thankful today, and tomorrow. He is banged up terribly badly though, and will be in the hospital for a while, followed by a stay in the physical rehab facility. Mom is going ahead and hosting thanksgiving for the extended family as planned, as that's what she does. She manages all. Reigning Queen, with no thought of abdication. She's got skills that one; hold the world together as far as I can see. Anyway, she has lots of help hosting dinner, hired and otherwise. And as Dad is off the mind-enhancing meds, I don't think he's clued into that he's missing anything, so there is that to be thankful for too I suppose. Any way, love to you all, and to all of your loved ones. Hold them close. Keep them from falling if you can. And tell them how thankful you are to have them. I am thankful that we say this lovey-dovey stuff to each other all the time. And mean it with each utterance. Thanks be. Peace out.
Leland Landing
Mac, Emily and wee Leland were here for several days this cold and rainy weekend. Full report to follow, and hopefully a video, once I go through the 200 or so photos and clips.
So much fun and I am ready for a Thanksgiving weekend blocked off with no plans. It's been a month of non-stop travel or entertaining. I hope I can make myself sit still and watch a movie or something. Y'all have a good turkey-filled weekend. I bought all the makings for my own dinner just so I can have leftovers and make a good turkey soup!
So much fun and I am ready for a Thanksgiving weekend blocked off with no plans. It's been a month of non-stop travel or entertaining. I hope I can make myself sit still and watch a movie or something. Y'all have a good turkey-filled weekend. I bought all the makings for my own dinner just so I can have leftovers and make a good turkey soup!
silent but deadly
And end of an era—Brain Farts will be closing with the end of 2010. While we'll miss our little trivial family and smart-ass comments, I wonder if we'll still be up for 80's night at Trigger if we are not already out and next door when it starts? Those drink specials and nostalgia dance moves are kinda hard to resist. And as long as Oliver Twist is in his corner, we'll still keep getting temporary ink.
I just got back from Nashville Monday night (well, last Monday night) and we went straight from the airport to the Castro. A double-dose of Pollo and Testarossa was just what I needed to dunk myself back into my SF world. That, and the lovely surprise guests Jim and Troy, who joined me for a discount Absolut round or two with a little Duran Duran and body paint.
A typical Monday night in the City. Is this what my friends in Nashville were talking about?
I just got back from Nashville Monday night (well, last Monday night) and we went straight from the airport to the Castro. A double-dose of Pollo and Testarossa was just what I needed to dunk myself back into my SF world. That, and the lovely surprise guests Jim and Troy, who joined me for a discount Absolut round or two with a little Duran Duran and body paint.
A typical Monday night in the City. Is this what my friends in Nashville were talking about?
Nashville November
I have been trying to make it back home to Nashville every other month now, and maximize the quality family time I have left with Dad, and spend time with my niece and nephews as they grow up 
so quickly. Bradley is a senior in high school now, a sports writer, and radio sportscaster. While not yet "a" man he is well underway to being "the" man. Ellen is a freshman and so rapidly becoming a young woman it makes me nervous at times, and then she bounces like a playful little girl again with silliness and crafty things and all is right again with the world. Leland will be four on New Year's Day and is a manic little bit of alternating hilarity and trouble.
My mother remains, as ever, the matriarch, and accomplishes more than I ever could every single day. Despite her schedule of volunteerism, serving on at least a dozen boards, caring for her brood, and eking out only slivers of time for herself, she has also become the full time care-giver for my father, whose Parkinson's and other ailments take more of him away from us each day. Yet he too remains in good spirits and I enjoy just hanging out with him when he can. (However, now I fear for his daily moods as I was told the reason he was in such good spirits was because I was home.) I meant to get a lot of family photos this trip but only managed one or two.
I was home weekend before last for my not-Thanksgiving visit. Travel this week is just a nightmare, never mind the new TSA gate-rape policies, and is just too much time and trouble to go through for dinner. Since I moved to SF I believe I've been back for Thanksgiving only once or twice, which is fine by me. I do enjoy returning during November, and try to coincide my fall visit with the weekend of ArtRageous. And luckily for me, despite the drought, trees still clung to their leaves and great swaths of boulevard were transformed into a terrestrial fireworks display of autumn colors. I nearly drove off the road once or twice for the splendor, but failed to catch any of it on film. Weeks later, the bright yellows and flaming reds remain blazoned upon my memory. I did manage to pull over one afternoon to snap this pic of a late whatever-is-the-opposite-of-bloomer just now turning red on top while still dark green on the bottom. Eventually it will be a primary yellow like its kin.
Because getting flights was so difficult (Veterans Day and all) this was a short trip: Friday to Monday, and I reserved Friday night and Sunday as family days. My first night Mom and Dad and I went to one of their favorite restaurants down the street—Whitfield's, which was remarkably both formal and casual and featured their favorite musician, whom they invited to play at their Golden wedding anniversary last year. Dinner and dancing was just what my mother really needed and we had an absolutely marvelous evening just the three of us. Dad, of course, could not dance, but thoroughly enjoyed watching the young women dance and felt free to tell them so. Whitfield's also featured impeccable service and possibly the best pork chop I've ever had.
I did not get to see Mac, Emily or Leland this trip (they really need to start paying attention when I tell them I am coming to town) but I did get some quality "hang" time with Jay, Steff, Bradley and Ellen. After Hardcastle family time I was hijacked over to Carrington's for "cocktails and to see Sinclair's new tattoo" because they thought if I knew they were inviting me to a baby shower I wouldn't show up (they being right of course). Like Fran the Man, Carrington also has three rowdy boys, and between me and Sinclair we had lots of rough and tumble play. And were introduced to the "stinky bat" left over from Halloween. Ew.
ArtRageous was pretty dampened by the cold and the rain. And it was clear that night that ArtRageous is pretty much over. Numbers have been steadily dwindling and it is far too much effort for the amount of money it was going to bring in. They redesigned it a bit this year trying to pull all of the participating galleries closer together downtown, so instead of a bus this year we just used Jeff's penthouse near Printer's Alley as our party HQ. Unfortunately, that meant that the nearby galleries were nearly empty until those in the buses had visited the outlying shows. The "walkable" gallery tour and late party were washed out by freezing rain, which just sucked all the way around. Add to the mess that the late party was at War Memorial on vast stretches of wet, polished marble and it was a parade of bone fractures waiting to happen. DJ Ron is always awesome, but his dance area was under a hastily-tented area outside with a rain-slicked marble floor not ideal for dancing. Inside featured wonderful cabaret-style performances, but the sound system was so jacked and the stage direction so fumbled that it felt more like half of a high school talent show rather than top-billable performers. Other facets of the usually fabulous late party were disappointing too—lack of food in the general areas and poor choices in the VIP area, and pissed-off VIPS who paid hundreds of not thousands of dollars but were faced with a no-host bar, paying $9 (with tip) for both tiny and weak cocktails while the beverage sponsor provided free booze at the hosted galleries. Bars were hard to get to and frustratingly inefficient. Despite the enthusiasm, most people just said "fuck it" and either went home, back to their party HQs, or off to Tribe and the after party at Play.
The final feeling of this year's ArtRageous was that there would be one more, hopefully headed by the man who started it all and there would be a grand farewell to a great tradition and then we'd come up with something all new to raise money for Nashville CARES.
While ArtRageous did not manifest into its usual outrageousness, our crew was not lacking for effort. While Jeff was kind enough to absentee-host in his penthouse while he hosted at his own participating gallery, Keith put together a little make-a-mask arts and crafts project to unify our group in keeping with this year's theme of Gems & Jewels. I, of course, had already crafted for the theme and don't do masks other than face paint so I just glued or painted bits to my face and called it macaroni. Someone brought temporary tattoos that did work well on faces and necks, although some still asked for my brush as my designs could be both more elaborate and more easily removed. Which of course I loved.
I didn't get many pics, but I snapped a quick one with me and the also in-from-Cali Sparkle Josh, and the cute party boys who were still at Vanderbilt. I cannot imagine being out and social as such when I was in college. These guys are having such a different experience growing up that it made me feel a bit old, and somewhat dirty-old-man. I think J may have picked up on this as later in the evening as he grabbed my face and planted a long, wet one; which I'll admit sort of made my night.
Speaking of college, I ran into Lee McKeever whom I hadn't seen since Davidson, who hired a body painter to decorate her guests at her ArtRageous pre-party.
Again I failed in my picture-taking plan. Fortunately, Keith has loads.
The rest of the November 2010 was consumed with the usual wholesome Nashville weekend fare: Sunday brunch with Mom and Dad, hanging out and watching football at Jay & Steff's, Showtunes night at Tribe with the Grizzlies (here is a suitably "awww" photo of David and Van)...
...and you know, other wholesome activities... like writing love messages in lipstick on a hot guy's chest.
Life is good.
so quickly. Bradley is a senior in high school now, a sports writer, and radio sportscaster. While not yet "a" man he is well underway to being "the" man. Ellen is a freshman and so rapidly becoming a young woman it makes me nervous at times, and then she bounces like a playful little girl again with silliness and crafty things and all is right again with the world. Leland will be four on New Year's Day and is a manic little bit of alternating hilarity and trouble. My mother remains, as ever, the matriarch, and accomplishes more than I ever could every single day. Despite her schedule of volunteerism, serving on at least a dozen boards, caring for her brood, and eking out only slivers of time for herself, she has also become the full time care-giver for my father, whose Parkinson's and other ailments take more of him away from us each day. Yet he too remains in good spirits and I enjoy just hanging out with him when he can. (However, now I fear for his daily moods as I was told the reason he was in such good spirits was because I was home.) I meant to get a lot of family photos this trip but only managed one or two.
I was home weekend before last for my not-Thanksgiving visit. Travel this week is just a nightmare, never mind the new TSA gate-rape policies, and is just too much time and trouble to go through for dinner. Since I moved to SF I believe I've been back for Thanksgiving only once or twice, which is fine by me. I do enjoy returning during November, and try to coincide my fall visit with the weekend of ArtRageous. And luckily for me, despite the drought, trees still clung to their leaves and great swaths of boulevard were transformed into a terrestrial fireworks display of autumn colors. I nearly drove off the road once or twice for the splendor, but failed to catch any of it on film. Weeks later, the bright yellows and flaming reds remain blazoned upon my memory. I did manage to pull over one afternoon to snap this pic of a late whatever-is-the-opposite-of-bloomer just now turning red on top while still dark green on the bottom. Eventually it will be a primary yellow like its kin.
Because getting flights was so difficult (Veterans Day and all) this was a short trip: Friday to Monday, and I reserved Friday night and Sunday as family days. My first night Mom and Dad and I went to one of their favorite restaurants down the street—Whitfield's, which was remarkably both formal and casual and featured their favorite musician, whom they invited to play at their Golden wedding anniversary last year. Dinner and dancing was just what my mother really needed and we had an absolutely marvelous evening just the three of us. Dad, of course, could not dance, but thoroughly enjoyed watching the young women dance and felt free to tell them so. Whitfield's also featured impeccable service and possibly the best pork chop I've ever had.
I did not get to see Mac, Emily or Leland this trip (they really need to start paying attention when I tell them I am coming to town) but I did get some quality "hang" time with Jay, Steff, Bradley and Ellen. After Hardcastle family time I was hijacked over to Carrington's for "cocktails and to see Sinclair's new tattoo" because they thought if I knew they were inviting me to a baby shower I wouldn't show up (they being right of course). Like Fran the Man, Carrington also has three rowdy boys, and between me and Sinclair we had lots of rough and tumble play. And were introduced to the "stinky bat" left over from Halloween. Ew. ArtRageous was pretty dampened by the cold and the rain. And it was clear that night that ArtRageous is pretty much over. Numbers have been steadily dwindling and it is far too much effort for the amount of money it was going to bring in. They redesigned it a bit this year trying to pull all of the participating galleries closer together downtown, so instead of a bus this year we just used Jeff's penthouse near Printer's Alley as our party HQ. Unfortunately, that meant that the nearby galleries were nearly empty until those in the buses had visited the outlying shows. The "walkable" gallery tour and late party were washed out by freezing rain, which just sucked all the way around. Add to the mess that the late party was at War Memorial on vast stretches of wet, polished marble and it was a parade of bone fractures waiting to happen. DJ Ron is always awesome, but his dance area was under a hastily-tented area outside with a rain-slicked marble floor not ideal for dancing. Inside featured wonderful cabaret-style performances, but the sound system was so jacked and the stage direction so fumbled that it felt more like half of a high school talent show rather than top-billable performers. Other facets of the usually fabulous late party were disappointing too—lack of food in the general areas and poor choices in the VIP area, and pissed-off VIPS who paid hundreds of not thousands of dollars but were faced with a no-host bar, paying $9 (with tip) for both tiny and weak cocktails while the beverage sponsor provided free booze at the hosted galleries. Bars were hard to get to and frustratingly inefficient. Despite the enthusiasm, most people just said "fuck it" and either went home, back to their party HQs, or off to Tribe and the after party at Play.
The final feeling of this year's ArtRageous was that there would be one more, hopefully headed by the man who started it all and there would be a grand farewell to a great tradition and then we'd come up with something all new to raise money for Nashville CARES.
While ArtRageous did not manifest into its usual outrageousness, our crew was not lacking for effort. While Jeff was kind enough to absentee-host in his penthouse while he hosted at his own participating gallery, Keith put together a little make-a-mask arts and crafts project to unify our group in keeping with this year's theme of Gems & Jewels. I, of course, had already crafted for the theme and don't do masks other than face paint so I just glued or painted bits to my face and called it macaroni. Someone brought temporary tattoos that did work well on faces and necks, although some still asked for my brush as my designs could be both more elaborate and more easily removed. Which of course I loved.
I didn't get many pics, but I snapped a quick one with me and the also in-from-Cali Sparkle Josh, and the cute party boys who were still at Vanderbilt. I cannot imagine being out and social as such when I was in college. These guys are having such a different experience growing up that it made me feel a bit old, and somewhat dirty-old-man. I think J may have picked up on this as later in the evening as he grabbed my face and planted a long, wet one; which I'll admit sort of made my night.
Speaking of college, I ran into Lee McKeever whom I hadn't seen since Davidson, who hired a body painter to decorate her guests at her ArtRageous pre-party.
Again I failed in my picture-taking plan. Fortunately, Keith has loads.
The rest of the November 2010 was consumed with the usual wholesome Nashville weekend fare: Sunday brunch with Mom and Dad, hanging out and watching football at Jay & Steff's, Showtunes night at Tribe with the Grizzlies (here is a suitably "awww" photo of David and Van)...
...and you know, other wholesome activities... like writing love messages in lipstick on a hot guy's chest.
Life is good.
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