11 December 2002

CHEESE & PORN

When travelling on I-94 through Chicagoland and upward into Wisconsin, the first thing you encounter when crossing the state line are numerous cheese shops and "adult" shops. I find it entertaining. It makes me laugh.

You see I travel that route alot. When I say a lot, I really mean it. (I've driven that way 4 times in the past month.) I perform there. (www.renfair.com/bristol) I have friends there. And, as of late, it's been the place I've had the greatest amount of happiness. See, things have been pretty crappy here in Michigan, so I've been venturing northwestward to spend time with people who make me smile. And I've discovered Milwaukee is a really fun city. (Now that I sound like a travel commercial....)

This past weekend, my best friend, Kevin & I drove the now familiar drive into Cheeseland for a Christmas party. What a great weekend!

Paul, (no website for Paul...but you can check out where he works. www.genesisarchitecture.com) who has become a dear friend, took us to get into the Christmas spirit by visiting the Victorian mansion built by the beer mogul Mr. Pabst in the 1890s. It was beautiful, of course, though we were disappointed in the far too modern Christmas decor provided by local florists. (www.pabstmansion.com) It was worth the price of admission ($8) if nothing more than to drive Paul crazy with my incessant need to try to find trap doors and decipher (read: mutilate into my own translation) the turn-of-the-century German proverbs.

Perhaps we were inspired by the mecca built on alcohol, but we then proceeded to drink out way through the city. After passing the now defunct Pabst brewery (It seems Pabst felt the need to cease brewing in the city it was founded on about a year or so ago. As much as I detest American swill, i.e. beer, I found this deplorable.)
We made our way to The Safehouse. It is an absolutely amazingly fun spy-themed restaurant/bar that requires some special knowledge to get in (and out) of the secretly located building. James Bond definately would have been impressed. I'd tell you more, but then I'd have to kill you. (www.safe-house.com)

Feeling no pain, we swung in Cathedral Square, and threw snow at Kevin. I'm certain it was only because of Paul I didn't bleed. But since it was cold, Paul decided we needed to warm up at Club Havana, a cigar & martini bar. Well, none of us smoke, so Cosmopolitans it was! (they rivaled mine...mmmm.)

A quick change and we were out the door again to Paul's friend Matt's birthday celebration & many many more drinks. All I have t say about that portion of the evening is someone said I was fun and should join a bowling league. That was the cruelest thing ever said to me.

04 December 2002

LITTLE THINGS
Appreciate the little things in life.
Good things come on small packages.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
"Short People ain't got no reason..."

I've always hated those phrases. I hate the mocking nature of being small. I hate that people talk down to kids. Even more so I hate people who show prejudice against those of us who are short. I can't begin to tell you the amount of times I've been out shopping with a tall friend, only to be completely ignored by the salesperson. As if short people don't spend money? It's one of the prejudices people are never aware of. And no one thinks there is anything wrong with teasing a short person. Guess what? We hate it. And yet,I am strangely attracted to tall men. I've had boyfriends of ridiculous heights. (6'2", 6'4", 6'6") I'd be tall if I could be...but science doesn't seem to see height augmentation as a real priority.

03 December 2002

Today I signed a new client at work. The Majestic. (www.majesticdetroit.com) It's a great place in the cultural district of downtown Detroit. Well, as much of a cultural district as Detroit has. It's a restaurant, the oldest bowling alley, and a concert venue/theatre. It's my favourite place to go after a day at the art museum. (www.dia.org)

I like my job. These days I know not alot of people can say that, but I do. I work with a really cool group of people. (www.pridesource.com) I work for an "alternative" newspaper, though I'm the "alternative" one around here. (being the hetro in the gay world) And they accept me as the different one. I think more people should be the "alternative" one now and again...perhaps it would force them to be more accepting of difference?

02 December 2002

HELP, I'M TRAPPED IN A FORTUNE COOKIE!

Inspired by a roommate of my best friend, I've chosen to record here...for anyone who cares to indulge me...random babble and perhaps an occasional flourish of inspiration. It's pretty hit and miss, and who can really know what will happen. Consider it therapy, and you are the lucky therapist who chooses to help this crazed lady. It could be a good thing.

Me...I suppose that's always the place to start.
At the moment home in Michigan proves to be less than thrilling. Or happy. But it's where I am for now. My sites are set elsewhere...Milwaukee, perhaps? Or Chi-town? London being the ideal. But for now it's Michigan, so hold on, it's a bumpy ride. (The roads in this state are the worst in the nation....just one of the many "worst in the nation" that Michigan holds the record for.)

I'd like to say I'm in some sort of happy, yeah it's the holidays, sort of state, but this year, I'm far from that. Money..the evil scrooge of lifehas put me in a trap of which there is little escape. I hate that I am forced to be sooo greedy right now, but the truth of the matter is, I'd knock down a little old lady if it meant I'd get a few thousand dollars.

I suppose I should state that this greedy isn't motivated by want...but sheer need. I need a place to live, a place for myself and my daughter. That's what the money is all about. That said...I'd love to be able to also go crazy mad buying Christmas gifts for the world. But necessity can't be met.

Now that you know the low...here are the highs.

A really groovy kid. My daughter will be 9 in 19 days. She rocks. Smart, pretty and funny. And these days actually very helpful. As someone who never cared about having kids, I have to say, she's my joy.

Friends. Groovy friends. I have some that are among the best in the world. I say this knowing that's what most people think, but it really is true. There is one in particular whom I'm frustrated to hell with, but I'm certain he'll redeem himself soon. The rest should now they are appreciated. Life is too short and unexpected to not say it.

Family. Anyone who knows me will find this to be a surprise statement, but sometimes you just have to be glad there are those people who you are forced to love but sometimes have to hate.