July 2003 Archives

While I guess it should come as no surprise in this post Post-Modern era, that folks feel the need to have their beloved pets digitally rendered as subjects of classic, Masterpiece paintings...petobsessed.com makes me both giggle and grasp my forehead in total disbelief.

I picked up photos from my trip home last night (a couple of my niece and Dietrich are posted here) and went to dinner at Modesto. Both expereinces left me very happy. Grace is doing an amazing job with the menu there - and I was ticked to see the photos of my super bratty, yet absolutley adorable niece. Dietrich's pic is pretty nice too -- such good teeth! He took a couple of me and my mom -- but I haven't used that roll up yet. I need a photo assignment for this weekend. I'm mulling over that one. I'm mailing the doubles home to my mom. There's some especially good one's with my niece climbing a tree-- very Xenaesque.... It's so wonderful having nice and pleasant memories of home for a change.

Over the 4th of July weekend, Dietrich and I headed out of the city and down to Hodgenville, Kentucky, birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and, well..me.

I had a great time. Actually, I had a super-wondeful-amazingly great time!

I got to visit with my mom and my niece and nephew; went to see the fireworks in Louisville; headed out to an arts and crafts fair; ate at the Whistle Stop ( a local favorite and a bit of a legend), and to top things off - I went to church with my mom this morning! That was a tad surreal - as I hadn't stepped foot in a Baptist church since my dad died, and in this particular church since my grandmother's funeral. The preacher wasn't nearly as scary as I had imagined him to be - but it still stirred some old memories and emotions from days gone by. Baptist guilt is still alive and strong in rural Kentucky -- but today's service recognized the veterans of the area. My mom lit candles for both her brothers, and she got a little teary-eyed. Overall...it was tolerable - but mostly, I was very glad to be there to support her. Thanks, Dietrich for the encouragement to go!

I'm a tad sleepy...and I'm sure there's more to say. I'll post some more info after I get several rolls of film processed. I'll post the pictures in a few days!

Just Beeeeee

First I have to admit that I'm just a little shell-shocked today. This past weekend was the big "Just Be...2003" PrideFest ballyhoo here in St. Louis. We passed out thousands and thousands and thousands of copies of the paper and our telephone directory over the weekend. I also marched in the parade with some friends and got a killer sunburn. I thought my costume would have protected me - I was clearly in error. I have burn/strap marks from my little vinyl number.

I spent yesterday sleeping and doing laundry, as well as mopping the kitchen and bathroom. It was such mindless, routine sorta work, it was actually very satisfying. I did go to Charlie's Angels Full Throttle which I enjoyed very much. A different kind of mindless, but terribly entertaining.

I only went out one night during the whole super gay weekend. There's a funny little bar called Clementine's -- the crowd I was hanging out with were just a bunch of good natured drunks. I sipped on my diet coke, while they sipped martinis in Dixie Cups. Not exactly Stolis at the Ritz, but it was nevertheless amusing.