Pride and More

This weekend was Gay Pride in the Twin Cities. Though I did not used to go, it is now a tradition for Chad and I. We park in the same place, watch the parade from the same place, and then tour the festival at Loring Park. Because I am proud of who I am, I think Pride is important for me to go to now. I do not go to wrap myself in rainbows, wear glittery lipstick, and call everyone I see "guuuurrrrrl." I go because it is the one time each year that Chad and I can hold hands in a public place and be in the majority. For once, each year, it feels safe and comfortable to be just one of the many, instead of the token.

That said, I still cannot believe some of the shenanigans that go one. Women dressed as men, men dressed as women, woman going shirtless except for little sparkly things over their nipples, and don't even get me started on the amount of rainbows! I am gay, and I am proud... but I still do not see why Pride turns into this weird-o naked thing for some people. I mentioned the topless Lezbos... what about the men in barrels who want to show you their junk, of the guys who wear these TINY banana hammocks that leave nothing to the imagination. I just don't understand. Be out, be proud, be gay, but why do you have to be so weird.

I love Pride, but I also realized it is part of what gives many of us a bad name. For better or worse, that is how it is. I am glad I went, I will continue to go, and I will still hope that one day what is normal for me, is normal for the rest of the "straight" world.

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Some Random Thoughts

For lack of anything to say, but in the interest of giving my loyal readers something to read... here are some random thoughts:

- I miss Herzl and cannot wait to go next week

- Will & Grace is my favorite thing to watch before going to sleep

- I wish my back, tailbone, feet, etc. were all better than they are

- I bought something called a "Tush Cush" for my tailbone... lol

- Flavoring your water makes it easier to drink more

- It is almost 100 days until the wedding

- I wish you were entitled to unlimited days off at work, provided you still get your work done

- My family has been doing so much for the wedding, and I really love/appreciate them

- This month I tried fried green tomatoes, alligator, green beans, and bratwurst

- I am going fishing today and HATE fish (both touching and eating them)

- I really dislike when people around me use speakerphone... LOUDLY

- I get bored easily

- I also have a secret

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Thanks For Last Night

Hey Anna, thanks for last night! What a blast!!!

So last night, Anna Simon invited a bunch of Herzl alumni over for a potluck, in honor of Flip Frisch and her daughter, Scout, being in town. It was SO much fun! First, as promised, I have to give a shout-out to all of those in attendance. Apparently, a lot of them read this blog, which I love. So, here is all of the people who attended:

Robyn (Friedman) Wetter, Stacy (Kaplan) and Jesse Simon, Jesse Zimmerman, Cory and Jenny Friedman, Hope (Frisch) and Jeremy Kalin, Rachel (Tolles) and Sam Rosen, Marlene and Jim Bukstein, Roni (Kornblum) and Mike Falck, Kim (Schneider) and Aaron Gelperin, Debra Fiterman and Alex Arbit, Jon Gilbert, (Jenny) Javitch, Alyssa and Barry Golob, and of course Anna Simon, Flip Frisch, Chad, and me!

My sincerest apologizes if I left anyone out or misspelled any of the names.

So, it was a great crowd. As everyone arrived, we were all catching up. Someone of us have not seen each other in MANY years... others get together on a regular basis. It was so fun schmoozing and chatting with everyone. At one point I commented on all of the occupations there... doctors, lawyers, politicians, IT professionals, camp directors, teachers, and several non-profit workers. It is so fun to see what people choose to do with their lives.

We all talked for a long time, mixing between the groups, going from one circle to the next. There was a ton of food there, though my only complaint is I wanted to know who made what. Next time everyone needs a little table-tent in front of their dish saying what it was and who made it. The curiosity of it all was too hard on me. lol

Eventually, those who were left, made our way to the grass. We sat in a circle, Flip busted out the guitar, and we had a little lights-out song session. It was great. Following that, it was time for Havdallah. Who does Havdallah every week? No one, which is why it was so nice and special. After that, we all helped clean-up and we were on our way.

Herzl is a magical place. You spend umpteen years there as a child and then as a staff member. After camp, you go your separate ways, but eventually, it always brings you back together for a little potluck, song session, and Havdallah. It links you to these people forever and that is a powerful thing. On the drive home, Chad commented on how much he wishes he had something like this growing up. He cannot believe how close and tight people are, even after they have not seen each other for years. There was also a huge age range, but everyone was together as BFFs and it was so fun. Chad also commented that he wants to donate more money to Jewish camps because it gives kids who cannot afford it, the chance at a lifetime of memories. And that, is the power of Herzl Camp. Chad and I are going up for a weekend July 2-4, and I am so excited... as is he. He got his own Taste of Herzl last summer at alumni camp, but this year he will get to see camp in action. A full on, white filled, Herzl Shabbat. And while he is not a 10 year old boy, I already know that these Herzl experiences, will give Chad a lifetime of Herzl memories.

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New Orleans Reviewed

Well, sorry everyone. I just wrote a VERY long and detailed re-cap of my trip that took about a half hour to write. But then, something got fucked up when I went to post it, and it vanished. I am NOT about to re-write everything I did, but suffice it to say.... it was a SHITTY place that I never plan on returning to. Chad feels the same way. Here are a few bullet points as a re-cap:

- Disgustingly hot a humid weather... heat index of 107 each day
- Found a place we liked to eat called Gordon Biersch
- Another great restaurant was Louisiana Pizza Kitchen
- Got a bobblehead after a long and exhaustive search
- Stayed across from the casino
- Had a king size bed despite being told we could not get one and would be in two double beds
- Took a city tour that included Katrina destruction
- Walked the French Quarter
- Have beginets and cafe au lait at the world-famous Cafe Du Mond
- Stopped and took pictures at Brad and Angelina's house... someone was watching TV inside
- Took a tour of the Laura plantation
- Got first class seats and a free ticket on the way home to give up our seats; we will use the free ticket to go visit Chad's family sometime next year.

And that is pretty much the condensed version minus a lot of detail. NOLA sucks... big time!!!!

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Off to the Big Easy

On Sunday, Chad and I are going to New Orleans for the week. He has a conference there, and I have never been, so I decided to tag along. I am looking forward to it, as I love to travel, and often enjoy new places. However, the weather is supposed to blow. It is supposed to be in the 90's, high humidity, and stormy the entire time. So basically, I will get really used to seeing the inside of our hotel room. Which, by the way, only has two double beds. That pisses me off, but the entire hotel is booked and that is what they have us in. I am hoping when we check in they will have something better. I would even settle for a queen at this point.

So, that is pretty much it. I won't be blogging from New Orleans, but will certainly write when I get back in a week. Have a wonderful week, and thanks for reading.

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