May 2007 Archives

Memorial Day Weekend, St. Louis – 2007

Intermittent showers did not deter me from riding my bike to the Rib America Festival in downtown St. Louis this weekend. This annual event offered the quintessential American experience: Morris Day, Night Ranger, Pat Benatar, succulent grilled pig (smothered in hot sauce) and $7 lemonades.

Unlike years past, I did forgo the deep-fried Twinkie.

As much as I delight in all-things battered and submerged in scalding-hot oil, I found myself enjoying roasted sweet corn and savory baked beans instead.

I could attribute this choice to better-living, afterwards, as I made my way to The Royale, smoking a cigarette, dodging cars, all-the-while singing Love is a Battlefield, it occurred to me that I shouldn’t congratulate myself for avoiding boiled sponge cake. I just needed to avoid folks hopped-up on beer and guitar rifts.

It is with some disdain that I have to report the shoddy conditions of Soldier's Memorial (pictures below). A stroll around the monument revealed that the brickwork around the building has fallen into outrageous disrepair. There are huge chunks of shattered brick, weeds and invasive moss on the east and west sides of the building.

While a group of veterans have made it their mission to landscape the memorial, the signs proclaiming “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE” only brought to mind: “Neither is Tuck-Pointing.”

Speaking of restoring buildings, it is also fascinates me that across the street, The Ford is being rehabbed, with units starting in the $400’s.

How affordable!

*ahem*

This building is also one block from a park where countless homeless veterans sleep at night, given that the homeless shelter around the corner is filled to capacity. I can’t help but wonder when this luxury residence is finished, if the rocking street festival and the homeless folks will be forced out.

Clench your teeth and say, "Rat-tails and riff-raff...really!

As downtown continues its so-called renaissance, it is disheartening to see that the aspirations of the well-heeled are making very little difference to those fortunate enough to have shoes at all.

- - - - - - -

Link: The Music Slut

Now I lay me down to sleep...

Hey, kids!

Stop by for a refreshing beverage of your choice and support the work of Pets Are Wonderful Support. PAWS (get it?) is a program for folks living with HIV/AIDS that provides pet care, pet food and vet assistance.

Thursday, May 17, 2007 6-10 pm

The Royale Food and Spirits
3132 S. Kingshighway

Spinning Out on the Patio: DJs Dial-Up & Fernandez

The Royale will be donating 15% of each customer’s beverage bill to PAWS, a program of Saint Louis Effort for AIDS. Saint Louis Effort for AIDS is the oldest AIDS service organization in the Saint Louis area and provides education on the prevention of HIV infection and comprehensive support services to those affected by HIV/AIDS.

In addition to not counting the number of people who die in bombings in Iraq - media coverage of the violence (video and photographs) has now been outlawed, as well.

Nice, huh?

We live in a day and age where Lindsay Lohan's crotch receives (ahem) wide-spread coverage, but the horror of this war is being minimized by the people responsible for starting it.

People are violently exterminating each other, but Britney has a new wig, y’all.

I'm not sure who is the more callous of the two, those who build the sand boxes with the intent to deceive, or those who thrust their heads into the sand, willingly.

This nation is increasingly becoming a nation of complicit cowards.

It is a disgrace to those who have died in service to our country and those who go into unnecessary combat each day.

Stop this war and bring our soldiers home.

This week I started contributing a weekly column to A Socialite's Life, excerpted below.

- - -

Shanghai Surprised, Queens on Parade and God Goes Glossy!

....the country that brought us Ikea and Abba has produced a glossy magazine retelling the stories of The Old Testament in fabulous, fashionable four-color format.

The magazine, The Book: The Bible Illuminated, utilizes numerous contemporary images - smoggy cities, soused socialites - to give the old book a new feel.

One that feels like we're still going to hell - but I digress.

You can learn more here if you know Swedish - and if you don't, English info is here.

Please note: the cover image does not feature Adam and Steve, much to the chagrin of fundamentalists and the disappointment of homosexuals.

Oh. And Madonna.

There are more images below, but to the right is the Jonah and the Whale spread -- one part allegory, one part American Eagle, one part where's the ambergris?

Oh, Clara Peller!!!!!

The English translation is coming soon, as is the New Testament version later on this summer.

That, of course, begs next's week trifling question:

What will Jesus wear?

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways...

- - -

Link: 34 renditions of Love Will Tear Us Apart

Don't you people know that the best part of a chicken is the bones?

Link: Mitchieville.

Derby Day 2007

I was sitting here thinking about the tales I could tell -- the fantastic, absurd and delightful moments of how I spent my Saturday afternoon (and Sunday morning, for that matter).

But, at this moment, I have no desire to dismantle the mechanics, the narrative, the intricate aspects of an absolutely perfect day.

It's just nice to know they're still possible to have.

It's just another day in Palestine.

American International School bombed in Gaza

Internal violence has increased, including killings, theft, attacks on property, terrorizing people for political and ideological reasons and violent confrontations between Hamas and Fatah. Today, Palestinian society is simply a mess and there is no law and order. This warns of a bigger and unavoidable catastrophe if the situation remains as it is.

Photos from A Tasteful Affair 2007

I was tickled to once again volunteer for A Tasteful Affair and hustle sponsorships for the agency's Monday Lunch Program.

Hopefully, I reached my $3,000 goal...numbers are still being tallied.

Given that the event's theme was based on a diner, here, in full-color-glory, is documentation of this year's outfit.

Getting Ready

What's Your Pleasure, Treasure?

The Face Painter

The Full Get-Up.
The table weighed about 25lbs. this year - with all the diner essentials.

Kiss My Mitts!

And then...the Rooftop After Party

Off Comes the Wig!
Notice the welt marks on my forehead - and my name-tag is about as cock-eyed as I was by this point.

*Sigh*

If only every day could be filled with flashbulbs, charity engagements, penthouse views and guest lists.

And then...Let's Go Out for Just One More.
Famous Last Words.

Home...after a 13 hour shift slinging social change.

Ouch!

The sisters who do this every day have my respect.

Polyester and pantyhose.


Ring around the collar.