RandomCha

I’m going to see:

M83 @ The Empty Bottle, tonight
Laurie Anderson @ The Vic, October 27th

Quandry: my friend Steven told me that he will probably have an extra ticket to see Franz Ferdinand @ The Riviera, Sept. 30th. BUT that’s also the night of the 1st presidential debate. I’m kinda hesitant to miss it. Advice?

(And if anyone suggests TIVO, they get a bitch slap).

upsidedownblue posted this recently in his own LJ, and because I agree with it heartily and have been feeling a lot of it myself recently, I’m reposting it here:

I am sick to death of Democrats whining about John Kerry’s campaign. This is so typical of liberals. Because we see the world in shades of gray. But get over it. We have to win this election. This is why the conservative Right has risen to power…because when push comes to shove and our candidate needs us most, we get worried little belly-aches and lose our shit too soon.

Why am I voting for John Kerry? Because I anticipate the Executive Order that will come on his first day in office. Back in January 1993, on the day Clinton took office, he issued an Executive Order. After a decade of Reagan and Bush senior ignoring the reality of the situation, Clinton issued an Executive Order that US aid groups could give condoms to people in developing nations who could benefit from them.

On W’s first day in office, he reversed that Executive Order with one of his own making it illegal for US aid groups to give condoms to women in Africa…

Kerry will reverse that…and he will save lives. He will save more lives than were lost in Mr. Bush’s War. That is reason enough to vote for him. Because a common sense administration in the Center for Disease Control will make real, sensible sex ed and HIV prevention methods available to you, your friends, your family, your neighbors.

And I’m sick and goddam tired of Democrats and liberals who belly-ache about the Kerry campaign and who basically have thrown in the towel.

I would say to all of you who belly-ache about Kerry’s handling of the campaign…how many undecided voters or Republicans have you personally convinced to vote against Bush and for Kerry? Yes, Kerry needs to be clearer and stronger in his campaigning, but really? How many? How many conversations have you had that can effect this campaign in the grassroots? In your hometown?

Until you’re willing to personally fight against Bush…then shut the fuck up already.

Haven’t heard from anyone (except svenny) about DVD night tomorrow at my place … anyone coming?

Wake up early. Coffee. Rouse Andy. Hurry up, finish coffee. Walk to Broadway. Hot and dark out. No bus. Bus. Slow. Wait for train. No train. Fuck, we’re going to be late to the airport! We are not late to the airport. Chaos at baggage check-in. Walk to gate. Plane is board, board plane. Take off. Andy leaves marks on my arm from grabbing it so hard. “I’m not ever doing this again,” he says. I try to sleep. he wakes me up, “I’m sorry but I need you.” We land. Luggage. Shuttle to Alamo. Pick up rental car. In the line, we watch TV about Frances and dead Russians. Get a shiny 4-door silver car, with CD player. Only Andy brought CDs, so we listen to his music all weekend. Pull out onto the highway & I learn how to drive again. Heheh. We only miss one turn-off; Mapquest gives good directions. On the way to Estes Park we stop at the Coffee Urn in Erie, Colorado. Inside they have a plaque that says their flag outside has been dedicated to the Colo. Army Nat’l Guard. We both get absolutely stuffed for $10; the coffee is excellent; the biscuits are wonderful. Drive to Estes, through the mountains, Andy saying, “God, this is beautuful” and “Don’t drive so fast.” Get to the Merry Mouse Lodge. Andy says, “It’s so huge!” Mom comes outside to eet us. She hugs me, hugs Andy, I nearly faint. I give Andy the house tour. He is amazed. Dad gets home. We eat buffalo burgers for lunch. Then naps. Sleep solid for 2 hours. I wake up fresh and clean. Talk and then dinner time; bulgoki, God it’s good. Pecan pie ala mode for dessert. I have visions of gaining weight over the weekend. Andy sleeps upstairs, I sleep downstairs.

Wake up, make coffee for everyone. Then after breakfast & getting dressed, drive with Mom to Loveland. Through Big Thompson Canyon. Almost scary. Eat at Bear Rock Cafe (like Panera but not as good). Go to the Factory Outlet Mall. After much deliberation, Andy buys a pair of black jeans, khakis, and a damn swanky jacket from Geoffrey Bean. I buy 2 shirts. My Mom buys more junk for us to eat from Harry & David. Stop off at Flea Market on way back. Having big sale; I buy mint condition paperback by George Saunders for $1.47. Have nap at home. Help parents move furniture. We hear an elk bugling. Leftovers for dinner. Parents go to evening service at church. Andy and I stay home and watch MTV and other naughty channels while they’re gone. More pie. Bed.

Wake up, try to make coffee for everyone and break my parents’ stupid cheap little grinder. Make coffee anyway. Later we drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. We see a herd of elk, and a herd of tourists looking at the herd of elk. . The road is closed after 8 miles because it has snowed at the top of the pass, blocking the road (!). We get out, take pictures, Andy stays away from the edge of the road because we’re very high up and he’s suddenly afraid of heights. Get back, more furniture movement, I set up their big TV and home theatre. Dinner. More pie. We watch “The Manchurian Candidate” on the big TV. Dad falls asleep but Mom actually likes it. Bed.

Wake up. Shower, pack, coffee. Say goodbye. Drive to Arvada. Quick tour on the way to my aunt & uncle’s house. They welcome us, make coffee. My aunt gives me a late birthday present: The Andy Griffith Trivia Game. Go to meet my grandmother, Rosemary. Take her out to lunch. Imperial Chinese. Sesame Chicken sends me into bliss. Extra spicy. Andy loves Rosemary, she loves him. Go back to her place, help her run an errand and drive her to the gas station. Rosemary starts calling Andy “my new grandson.” Back to her place for a bit, spumoni. Hugs. Drive into the city. 1234 Washington, Alf’s address. Sit around his place, catch up. I nap briefly. Walk around, Taste of Colorado going on, looks kind of junky, new wing of Art Museum being built. Looks awesome. Beer at English-style pub. Mediocre food & margaritas at place called Benny’s. Andy goes back to apartment, Alf and I have quick drink (gimlet) with my friend Scott at R.J.’s, which is like a puny version of Sidetrack. Bed.

Wake up. Coffee at Penn Street Perk. Drive to Arvada for breakfast, Ralston Road Cafe. Drive around. Show old high school, grocery store, thrift store. Get lost driving to my old house because everything looks so different. Get to old house, looks really really nice; they’ve kept it up. Go to Black & Read, Andy buys Souixsie & Banshees CD. I buy nothing. Go to Wax Trax and browse. Back to Alf’s, say goodbye. Fill up tank, drive to airport, drop off rental car. Waiting for our flight, we eat at a sit-down place right by our gate: the Front Range Grille. I have a $6 Guinness. It’s worth it. We both fantasize about having 1 more day of vacation, but it’s back to work. I tell Andy I love him. We get on the plane. Yadda yadda.

More about my trip later; first …

In celebration of Autumn, the first 5 people to email me at randomcha@earthlink.net with their mailing address will receive a FREE copy of my “Autumn Serenade” mix CD, which contains tracks by:

Miles Davis
Julee Cruise
Ben Webster
The Innocence Mission
Nick Drake
Cesaria Evora
Bobby “Boris” Pickett
Billie Holiday

and several others! 70+ minutes of deliciously melancholy and wistfully blissful tunes ideal for autumnal daydreaming. So act now!

Ciao! Thanks for all your well-wishes and watch for me next week!

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.

Holy ugh. The less I pay attention to the Republican National Convention this week, the better off I’ll be.

Meeting up with my friend Jeremy after work today for a quick drink at Gentry on State. Damn it, I need a gimlet FAST. (Gin, of course). It’s been that kind of a day.

Ahhh my allergies are under control again. It feels extraordinary to breathe again. I think the huge rainfall last night had something to do with it. Andy is very afraid of thunerstorms and lightning, so last night around 2 when it started pouring he grabbed for me in my sleep and between the sudden touch and the lightning flashing right outside the window I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Coffee this morning was great. We’re going to see “Playtime” at the the Music Box with giant_hogweed and then it’s on to the housewarming party. Do I feel like getting smashed tonight? It’s a cool enough day to where I can wear my awfully gay party shirt if I want to.