Man, I was gone for about three weeks out of five this summer, and never got around to posting much of any it. Fun times almost always happen away from a computer. So before the summer is over, here is the Steeplechase 2012 recap—
Having had
such fun with Lance and Margaret
last year, I invited them to join me in Mom's box again this year. We wanted to fill the box with fun people as this was also the first Steeplechase without Dad. Mom had her good friends Patsy and Bob, and Peggy from across the street. Brother Jay rounded out the set. Just the day before Jay had flown to DFW where Bradley was finishing exams, so he could drive the 15 hours back with Bradley—straight through—so Brad could be back in time to go the Steeplechase with his friends. We are those kind of Steeplechasers.
It was a really fun week in Nashville with some good quality time with the family as well as friends. While looking for a new gig in the art world, Lance is managing some of the Mynt restaurants, including Suzy Wong's House of Yum. I got some action shots. And some good visit time with my Nashville Gays.
It was also Tribe's 10th birthday party, with all sorts of festivities, including a
show by New York's Queen of Green, Hedda Lettuce.
Leland "graduated" from his pre-school at Vandy where his mother works, and this is the only class he's ever known, so their year end picnic and sing was bittersweet. And expectedly
adorable. Plus, I got some great pics of Franna and Leland sharing a moment.
Adding to the cuteness factor of the weekend was Ellen's 17th birthday dinner, which was slightly overshadowed by the three rescue beagle puppies in residence. It was like someone melted cuddly in a spoon, heated it, and put it in a puppy-shaped syringe.
Once the puppies were pooped, we embraced the cliché,
...and let them lie.
Ellen, ever musical, had a variety of new instruments on her birthday wish list, including a tambourine. Having enough Nashville musical friends, I knew to go to Fork's for anything percussion, and found out there is a whole lot I didn't know about tambourines. That is to say there is a lot to know and I knew zip. There's open, half moon open, closed-closed with skin and closed with synthetic, and three types of jingles and three types of jingle material, each with their own range and resonance. Who knew? I got her a "basic" one, and a gift certificate so she could come back and explore, educate, and get another one to suit her sound. She was impressed that I knew about Fork's. Now that she is of a mature age, I may need to set her up with my creative friends from my 20s. That might blow her mind a little.
Then again, she has recorded in Ben Folds studio and played with the youngest of Hank Williams Jr's kids among other next generations, so she has her own level of cred.
Steeplechase race day itself was eagerly anticipated and I woke up around seven in the morning...to stare in the mirror and projectile vomit. I chalked it up to food poisoning and was determined to make it through the day. I couldn't look at saltine and had all the strength of wet toilet paper. But I looked good. I rallied as best I could for the rainy day, and Lance and Marg were total troopers. My energy would come and go, and at one point I had to go to the car and pass out for about an hour. After that, much was righter with the world. As I tried to be amiable and visit with all the people I had come so far to see, I kept hearing over and over, "Oh, so-and-so cant be here because he or she is at home throwing up." Apparently we all caught the same 24-hour stomach bug, and I hoped I hadn't spread it further around the races.
It did zap most of my energy and I was not the usual Race Day Dan that I enjoy. I was also supposed to write about race food for
Nfocus but I couldn't look at a
platter without getting dizzy and I had to ultimately bail and go home.
But damn if I didn't make a showing of it at least. I do love Steeplechase, even in the rain. I am very much my mother's child in this respect. And I love that even in a raincoat my mom looks fabulous.
Always at treat at the races is the Murray box right behind us, hosted by Carter Murray Dawson and her husband Chris.
That is not Chris in the photo, but one of their friends who come up every year from New Orleans with his wife and spends hours the night before crafting what they call the perfect Bloody Mary. They are not wrong.
You may remember Carter from one of my all time favorite Steeplechase pics: "Must be present to win."
That started in 2005, and has led to some good follow up photos. Including this one from 2010 in which the singles in the box bets have matured into 20s:
This year she showed me how they themselves have matured, and now bring a "proper bet bag" in which to keep the pot in lieu of her cleavage.
Which frankly, I don't care how gay I am, is a little disappointing.
Another delight was running into my
Swan Ball Belle from last year who was also in town for the races.
Despite being nearly comatose and dizzy most of the day, it was still a good race day, as is any day spent with Fran, Jay, Margaret and Lance. Super happy fun time with a side of fainting.
