So much to do after work today: laundry, gym, packing, dinner. bed. Brief synopsis for tomorrow:

3.45 AM: I get up first, shower, wake Andy, make coffee, get ourselves together
4.45: catch bus then train to airport (Midway)
6.00: arrive at Midway
6.50: plane takes off, Andy digs fingernails into my arm
8.30 (local time): plane lands at DIA Denver
9.00: pick up of rental car, breakfast, Andy takes first drink from flask, drive to Estes Park
11.00ish: arrival at Merry Moose Lodge (my parents’ soon-to-be bed & breakfast), exchange of hugs and/or polite handshakes, and gifts AKA bribes, lunch (Buffalo Burgers I’m told)
12.00ish: Andy and I retire to our SEPARATE bedrooms for naps

And who knows what after that.

It took some convincing for Andy to take this trip (chief reasons: he hates to travel, time with my parents is anticipated to be at least somewhat awkward, etc.). But, in the end, he agreed. Boy, I love love love him. He’s so amazingly thoughtful, considerate, kind, accomidating. (Hafta gush here). I can’t think of anyone else, really, who would willingly sequester themselves for a weekend in the mountains with my parents, who are still mildly homophobic, 24-hours-a-day Fox News watchers, rabid Republicans, very religious, and Teetotallers. Religion and politics will be off-limits. My but there will be advantages. As I’ve told Andy, “You’re going to eat WELL.” My Mom is a somewhat obsessed cook. Food, food, food. Gorgeous mountain scenery. Plus, I get to drive him around my old haunts from growing up. He’s never been to Colorado.

We are staying up in Estes Park until Monday morning, when we will drive back down to Denver. Meeting my aunt & uncle for coffee, then my grandmother for lunch at the Imperial (still the best damn Chinese restaurant I’ve ever been to). And then, afternoon, meet up with my friend Alf (staying at his place Monday night). Dinner and many, many drinks (Andy will be needing those alright and the chance to vent), perhaps some club-hopping around Denver’s limited gay scene. Tuesday morning there’s breakfast with Alf, then Andy & I will drive around Arvada and Golden (burbs) and see all the sights (my old house, high school, yadda yadda). We fly back to Chicago Tuesday night.

And there ya have it. Whirlwind. I really wish I was not at work.