A post in which it is the day after

I had to be up at some point today. Cole was in town for the weekend, and I wanted to see him. I had told Dad and Eve I would take him to the flea market this morning, but good boy that he is, he decided he should go to church. I would have loved to see him, but I was rather grateful for the change in plans when I woke up. I got up, cleaned up, and ironed a shirt. The revised plan was that we would go to brunch. Since we were going some place nice, and they were coming from church, I didn't want to embarrass them.

It turns out I needn't have bothered. They over-slept and ended up missing church. Eve, who has lectured me on appropriate clothes for most of my life, was wearing a fancy sweatsuit. The brunch was nice. I didn't get to spend much time with Cole though. The service was slow, and he had to be home, plus he and Dad were going to get some driving practice in today. But I was pretty wiped, and needed to lay down for a while. On the way back, AI heard about their adventures in car shopping. Dad is doing his best to buy the boy a car, but he's so shy he won't tell Dad what he wants, or pick one out. Sigh. I gotta have a talk with that boy.

I was glad to have some time to lie down. I wasn't hung over, but I was feeling pretty drug out. A short nap put me pretty much to rights though.

The plans for tonight had changed several times during the course of the weekend. I told Nicole that I would spend the evening with her, thinking I would just take her to Spartanburg with me. Then I was told that Amanda was having a party tonight. I love Amanda, and I like her house and all, but she is really far out. Her house is a good hour from mine, and 6:30 comes early on Monday morning. Plus I wasn't in stellar shape from last night really. Billy is still in the show tonight, and Russ said he wouldn't be able to make it up. With all that combined, I just decided to stay in town tonight. I took Nicole over to Russ's and we went out for pizza buffet.

But Russ and Billy have a friend staying with them at the moment. It's a long and complicated story, but he's having electro-shock treatments. He's a nice enough guy, but he's straight. And odd. He ended up going out to supper with us. Nicole apparently felt comfortable with Russ, and I was glad about that. I was less thrilled when she went out to smoke with Russ and left me at the table alone with the Guest. While he was making sexual comments about the waitresses disturbingly muttered under his breath. It was kiiiinda creepy.

But we got back to the house, he went on to bed, and we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and visiting on my favorite back porch. Lovely. It was just over too soon.

A post in which it is the night of the big party

We had made all the plans last night for the party tonight. But I couldn't lay around all day today. I really wish I had gotten moving a little faster today, but I did get up and get going eventually. I decided what to cook, made a list, and went to the store. When I got home I turned on the creepy movie marathon on TCM and made my lunches for next week. I got the kitchen all cleaned up, ate lunch, and had a little time to rest before it was time to get ready.

Fortunately, Russ and Billy really came through for me on the costume. They had a full fireman's fall-out suit they told me I could borrow, and it fit. When I got to the house though, Willie was running late. We hung out and waited until he got there. His friend John was going too. I was kind of sniffing around him. He's about the right age, and a nice looking guy.

When Willie got there we went to Miyako for sushi. It was excellent, as always, and I thought it had been far too long since we had been over there. Russ was passing out candy to people and telling them Happy Halloween, since I had brought two bags over to the house, and they never have any trick-or-treaters. I thought that was a great idea, and everyone smiled when they got candy. I found out over dinner that I have actually gone out with John before, years ago, before I met Michael. I don't remember, but he was nice about it.

Then we headed for the party! We were too late to help set up, but we got there shortly after the party started. The house was decorated to the nth degree, as usual, and in fact I think it was better than usual this year. There were more regular light bulbs than usual this year and it was easier to find your way around. The light was needed though - there were even more people than usual this year and the house was very crowded.

The weather was gorgeous this year, perfect for a Halloween party, and we enjoyed sitting out on the deck meeting people as they came through. In the fireman's outfit I was quite comfy, and didn't even need a jacket. The costumes were great. My favorite was a guy dressed as a kissing booth. I thought it was very clever, although I understand the guy wearing it isn't the nicest person. It was quite a make-out event this year and several guys asked for kisses I was quite glad to bestow. They were mixing the drinks really strong too, and some of the guys were blitzed. John seemed to relax some later on. I would like to go out with him again, and told him so. He seemed amenable. We'll see what happens.

I saw a lot of people I hadn't seen in years, including a man I knew that I asked about his wife, only to be told he'd been divorced for 16 years - and is gay. There was just no way to salvage that.

Eventually, though, we were partied out. The fireman's boots, which I had thought fit so well when I put them on, felt as if they were full of bloody hamburger. We waited for a taxi to turn around to carry some folks off, and passed yet more inebriated guests saying goodnight to the cars as they pulled out, and headed home. I had a good time, but I was profoundly grateful to get in my bed. It was pretty late.

A post in which plans change

Alan sent me another creative idea for yet another weekly Power Point presentation that he thinks will be a good idea. As usual, it landed in my in-box this afternoon with no backup, no example, and a fairly vague outline of what he wanted, but apparently I'm just supposed to be able to psychically intuit how to do this. This after the week from hell, and inheriting a ton of accounts that haven't been worked for a year. Sigh. Not a good way to end the week.

I had looked forward to tonight all week. I was supposed to be having a pizza night with Miss Kat and dana, but they weren't able to keep the date.

It turned out fine though. I called Russ. He was free because Billy's still in the show. He invited me over to hang out and drop in on a party. Well the hanging out part we have down, but the party proved to be a bit of an issue. We couldn't find it. After driving around for a while (I was quite enjoying the ride, but Russ was getting stressed out) we were both hungry and decided to get some Japanese take-out.

When we came out of the restaurant though, Russ's car wouldn't start. We hit a really bad speed bump while we were lost and apparently it turned off the fuel pump. We thought we were stranded, and Russ texted Billy to leave the show to come get us. There was a re-set button though, and in an unexpected burst of butchness, I was able to find and use the button to get the car running again. Russ said "You've been spending too much time with dana." I found that incredibly funny.

The evening salvaged, we went back to the house and finished out the evening hanging out - our specialty. It turned out to be a nice evening after all.

A post in which I spend the evening at home

When I got off work today, I had things to do. I’ve been out every night this week. First I went by the pet shop to pick up stuff for the cats. I decided to top spot them. I bought a rug at the flea market the other week, and I am afraid it had fleas in it. The cats are driving me nuts – you’d think they had the plague. Of course Jinx hasn’t had a flea in at least nine years, so she’s losing her mind. If that’s what it is.

Then I went by the grocery store for vegetables. Since I was so lazy last weekend I didn’t make lunches, and I’m out of stuff from the freezer that is homemade. I picked up some broccoli and some Halloween candy. Whether I’m home or not, I’ll just give it out where I am. I almost forgot to do that. I was wandering around the store, knowing I needed something, but unable to put my brain on just what it was, while at the same time trying to resist the call to by yummy fattening stuff I didn’t need (I was starving). I finally gave up and got in line, but then overheard the checker say something about Halloween, which reminded me.

I got home, put in a load of laundry (the hamper was overflowing), fed the cats, ate a huge salad, and put the broccoli on to cook. I have some saffron rice in the freezer I’ll pair it with for lunch tomorrow.

There was a great old movie on TCM tonight, called Dead of Night. It’s a frame tale of stories of the supernatural, and I guess pretty tame by today's standards, but I enjoyed it. I had seen part of it before, but this was the first time I had seen it all the way through. A creepy part with a talking ventriloquist’s dummy had put me off of it before. I can’t stand stuff with clowns, dolls, kid’s toys, or dummies in it. Bleah. Gives me the willies. But I enjoyed it, and it was perfect timing. They never show Bette Davis stuff in prime time, but they’re showing Whatever Happened to Baby Jane this Saturday night – while everyone will be doing Halloween. I have it on DVD, so I guess it doesn’t matter to me.

After that, Rebecca came on. I love that movie, and went to sleep watching it.

A post in which I have supper with the rents

Work continues to be horrible, but at the end of the day I got to see the little kids come in to trick-or-treat. The company has employee’s children in every year, and we decorate our cubicles and give out candy. Of course part of it is people trying to make sure their child is the cutest. There were some really adorable children through tonight.

I stayed for a bit, and then headed out to meet Dad and Eve for dinner at Portofino’s. I just love that place. We went back to the house afterwards and visited and talked. The visit went well tonight, and Dad and I didn’t get into it. I’m trying to see them once a week. Part of it is loneliness (although that certainly hasn’t been an issue this week), but part of it is wanting to do the right thing and spend some time with them too. I’m trying to decide if I get any altruistic credit for doing it, or if it’s just selfish. I can’t decide.

On the way home Michael (the new guy on the coast I’ve been talking to) texted me and we talked for a bit. He’s three and half hours away, but he seems like a nice guy.

A post in which I go to a party

I had another beastly day at work today. Alan is back from Beijing, but didn’t come in to the office. I really can’t blame him. I had three yellers today. That’s an unusual number. By the time I got off work I was ready to get the hell out of Dodge.

Not that that was possible. The traffic near the office was even worse than usual. I also made a wrong choice. It took me about 20 minutes to get to the freeway, a distance of about a mile and a half. That’s aggravating, but I’m used to it. The problem today was that I was on a tight schedule. Billy wanted me at their place by 6 to go to Brian and Vince’s Glee party tonight. Since there is no way I can make it to their place by that time if I have to go home first, I negotiated out until 6:30. Since this was a second-hand invitation (the party was for the cast of the Warehouse Theater production of Rocky Horror, which was how Billy was invited) I really felt that I could at least be there on time.

I rocketed home, stressed out all the way, and screeched in to the driveway, only to be confronted by a panhandler. In my own front yard. This is one of the great drawbacks to living on the wrong side of the tracks of late. There was another guy who actually came up on my porch and knocked on my door to ask for money this past weekend. I understand when I’m out in public I have to put up with public stuff. That occasionally involves a beggar. I HATE it when they ask me for money. If I give it to them I feel like an idiot, and if I don’t I feel like I’ve just told Jesus he can’t have a dollar. Not that she was asking for a dollar, mind you. She wanted ten. I was aggravated and in a hurry. I just gave her the money, since that was the easiest thing to do. Even if she did have French tips on her pedicure. So I don’t even get a star in my crown in heaven for it. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. I was a notably put-out giver tonight.
That done, I raced into the house, changed, fed the cats, and hit the road. I was on time for Billy.
We ran by the grocery store to pick up some dessert, and when we got to the party I found out that I needn’t have rushed. The arrival didn’t even start until 7 and everyone was late. The party was to watch the Glee version of Rocky Horror, which was cute (with the notable exception of some awful changes to the lyrics of the song Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me), but really it would have been just as good to watch the movie if not better.

Russ and I didn’t fit in too well with most of the theater people (who all knew each other from weeks of rehearsal), but a couple of them were quite nice. The smokers always bond across lines of mutual persecution. But it was raining, and of course there was no smoking in the house. Shortly after the program was over, so was I. It was very nice to have something to do, and I always enjoy seeing Brian and Vince, plus I was dying to get a look at their condo since they did extensive re-modeling; but between the crowd in the house and the rain outside, I was just ready to be home. So I went there.

A post in which I get my costume

The BIG Halloween party is this weekend. We went last year, and it is amazing. It’s like a party that you see on television or something. I suppose it should, since the hosts have spent literally thousands of dollars on decorations. The price for going to such a party is that you are required to show up in costume; even the straight guys. It does make for a great party, but I hate wearing costumes. When I’m at a party I want to be able to move, eat, drink, and smoke in an unrestricted and comfortable fashion. There are notably few costumes which allow for this.

I spent a lot of time last year working on my costume, only to have the rest of the gang show up in a pretty lame group-theme thing, so this year I was determined that it would be easy. Billy got in touch today and I asked to borrow one of their togas. He and Russ have a costume closet with all the stuff for numerous outfits. They’re always off to one event/gala or another that requires fancy dress. Billy said that was fine, and invited me to come on over tonight to get it.

Willie was going to be there already, and we were cheerfully going through the costumery when Russ came in from work. I was sorted out quickly, and Willie, Billy, and Russ all had work to do on their costumes, so we just adjourned to the garage for a work session. Billy wore me out working with very sharp knives and thick cardboard. He has had so many hand injuries in the past year it was all I could do to watch him work with a blade.

We ordered in some pizza, of which I ate a shameful amount. Then we just hung out and talked and visited while they worked. They were still hard at it when I left for home.