May

July

Lost Weekend is coming up next week, but Bob was here in Saint Louis this weekend so Trayce and I got together with him (well, he was staying at Trayce's after all) and had a brews and food at Growlers. It was like having a Lost Weekend warm up party. It was kind of cool because after visiting with my college chums I usually don't expect to see them for another year. When I left last night, all I had to do was shake Bob's hand and say, "See you next week."

Went to the Zoo with Larry. We ate some Dippin' Dots, "The Ice Cream of the Future." I think we should send it back to the future. Larry, ever the inquisitive one, barraged the poor teenager peddling the ice cream of the future with questions like, "which is best?" and "what are these made of?"

Went on a cleaning spree, plus finally got around to hanging the rest of my pictures on the wall. Then Mike and Zach came over. We watched the Simpsons until all I could see was yellow skin and blue hair.

Zach left his cell phone at my house, so today they were over again. No more Simpsons though.

Picked up the new Moby today. It's pretty mellow, but I really like it.

Lost Weekend VII is starts tomorrow! Trayce wants me over at his house in the wee hours of the morning so he can make a 1:28pm tee time at Hueston Woods. Since I do not play golf, I get to wander around Oxford by myself until check-in time for the cabins, which is 4:30pm.

I had to make an emergency run to Lowes to get a spare set of keys for Mike, who will be house-sitting for me. Is this a mistake? Will I return to Saint Louis with my house burned to the ground?

Also, I had to mow the lawn, because it would be out of control by the time I return from Ohio. I picked the wrong day to lower my mower setting a notch (up until now I had it on the highest setting). The rain from the previous days made mowing difficult. Meanwhile, I also had to do my laundry, pack my bags, and do the dishes.

LOST WEEKEND VII: DAY 1

Aussi got me up at 4:30 this morning. He wanted to show me something outside. I guess "Meow" translates as: "Look there's a rabbit in the yard and can't get to him so I am going to walk on your head until you pay attention to me and distract me from the rabbit outside the window." On the plus side, I had no problems getting over to Trayce's for our early morning departure.

Saint Louis to Oxford is about a six hour drive. Unless you take a short cut that involves closed roads, like we did last year. But no matter, Trayce took driving duty for the way there, so I got to catch up on missed sleep - this time without a cat walking all over me. But we did try another shortcut this year that worked out pretty well except Trayce took a wrong turn at one point and killed a slowpoke Robin with my car. Amy, as my car is known, is now a murderer!

Arrived in Oxford with plenty of time to spare. Seavey and Byron were already there and Doug showed up right after us. I hung with them for a bit while they putzed around before their tee-off. After about 20 minutes though, I was on my own. So I went to my favorite place in the whole wide world for a drink: Mac & Joe's. Mac & Joe's is Oxford's oldest bar, it was around when my parents went to Miami. Well, it has maintained the same name all these years at least. I'm betting management has changed more then a few times. Other places are gone now though, and a lot of new ones have sprung up. Last year Ozzie's, a college favorite, was turned into The High Street Grill.

But for now, Mac & Joe's is still there, thankfully. So I took my copy of The War of the Ring and marched inside and ordered a Guinness. My plan was to only stick around for a bit, but the beer was good, the place was quiet and I was settling back into my old digs quite nicely.

Several beers later... I found myself buzzing quite a bit more then I expected to be. I know this because I think I was hitting on the cook. That was my signal to slow down. So it was nearly 5:00pm before I left there. I went directly to the lodge to check in. I had to attempt to pass myself off as Trayce, but I was unsuccessful. But the clerk let me check in anyway.

I was the first one in the newly renovated large cabins: in addition to two bedrooms, a full bath and a kitchen we now we had a fire place and three cable TVs. First thing on the agenda: hook up the XBOX and play Gauntlet. Yeah, baby, this is what I came to Ohio for...

Eventually, the golfing crew came back to the cabin before anyone else arrived. To me, that is when Lost Weekend VII really started - and already we were arguing about where to go. I wanted to go back to Mac & Joe's. But there was also a big SDS pizza contingent. Traditionally wings were Friday night, SDS was Saturday night at the bowling alley. I don't like to break tradition (plus I wanted to see more of that cook). But this weekend would be a weekend with a lot of tradition breaking. However, this was not one of those times - Sean & Bob made a call-in vote from the road for Mac & Joe's and pushed my side over the edge. Plus, they had already told Dave (the Lost Weekend "virgin") to meet us there so we didn't really have a choice.

Carnage then ensued at Mac & Joe's for the rest of the evening while the remaining brothers pulled in. First Dave, followed by Sean and Bob and finally Tom. The feasting included the traditional wings (I had Chernobyl, every one else just settled for hot), "garbage" nachos, and a burger for Doug. Oh yeah - there was also beer, beer and more beer.

The evening was capped off by going back to the cabin and watching Austin Powers 2. A good movie for the likes of us to watch. Trayce, Sean, Tom and Bob stayed behind to walk around uptown. After an hour or so we began to get worried - but then they called - from SDS. They had ordered a pizza for themselves but someone pretending to be them got there first walked off with their pizza. So I told them to double their order and hightail it back with my pizza.

Soon we had SDS pizza hand delivered to our cabin by Sean, Bob, Trayce and Tom. SDS Pizza is perhaps my favorite pizza in the world. This is probably why it is also the most unhealthy food item on this planet. As if that piece of infamy was not enough, Sean ordered double pepperoni on them. You need to understand that SDS (which by the way stands for Student Delivery Service) has never been known for skimping on toppings. Double pepperoni means doubly deadly.

It amazes me that back in the school days Sean and I would eat a whole large pizza, fighting over the last pieces. Now that we are over 30, both of us had to stop after three pieces. After that third piece I don't remember much. The magical SDS food coma that kept me from studying on many an evening had returned to me and I fell asleep.

LOST WEEKEND VII: DAY 2

Another thing that starts to happen as you get older: you just can't sleep in any more. We were all up before 10am. Tom beat us all by getting up at 6:30am and going into Oxford for coffee and coming back, all before anyone was up.

Traditionally, Saturday morning means golf at Lost Weekend, but this year, we chose to do something a little different: paintball.

Yes, I said paintball. I may as well have just worn a big shirt with read and white concentric circles on it. In the first game Seavey was already telling all the paintball players, including perfect strangers, to take me out first. So, not surprisingly, I was the first one out. I didn't even get one shot off. What really irks me was that is was probably some 12 year old who took me out. All in all though, I really enjoyed the game. I think it was a lot more fun for everyone then golf, since many of us are not golfers.

One thing that surprised me: it's a lot more physical then I thought. Somehow I imagined it would be a lot of sneaking around and sniper action. You know, like Halo. Mostly it was shoot, shoot, shoot and hope you hit something. Of course, the fact that the temperature was in the 80's and I was wearing multiple layers of clothing that completely covered my body, PLUS I had to wear a mask that cut my oxygen supply in half, might have made it seem tougher then it was. After the first "3 - 2 - 1 GO!" I tried to sprint to the nearest bunker, slipped in the mud, fell on my face and couldn't get up - because I couldn't breath. When I finally got to the bunker, I squatted down and was trying to locate someone when almost immediately - bang! - I was shot.

After paintball it was back to the cabin for some quick cleanup and then uptown for lunch at Skippers. Skippers was the same as always, great gyros and cheese fries (for those that like cheese on their fries, that is). We discovered that Skippers Top Deck would be airing the Tyson/Lewis fight that night. I didn't think any of us would be interested in that - but I was wrong.

After Skippers we went to the book stores to get some new Miami memorabilia for the next year. I had lost my old Miami umbrella, so I purchased a new one for this year. Outside of the bookstore we ran across another Lambda Chi - Randy, who is from my A.M. (aka "pledge") class. So when I walked right past him and didn't recognized him he accused me of ignoring him. We chatted with Randy for a while, but eventually his wife made him go away. Makes me glad I don't like women - I don't think I would handle a wife well.

At this point we split up again. Doug had to go home to Cincinnati, and Trayce, Bob, Byron and Seavey decided they just couldn't go on without more golf, so they headed back to the links. So Tom, Sean, Dave and I headed up to UDF for some malts - where I just couldn't get what I wanted. My first choice was out of stock, then my second choice was freezer burned. This was probably God trying to remind me that I am now lactose intolerant, but I was determined and finally I got a mint chocolate chip malt. 20 minutes later I declared it was time time to go back to the cabin. Immediately.

Back at the cabin we played some XBOX and then Tom, Dave and Sean decided to go see Attack of the Clones, but I declined using my anxiety as an excuse. Of course, the real reason was that mint chocolate chip malt. So I got to sit around and wait for the golf crew to return. I played Gauntlet. I'm an addict, what can I say?

Since the movie wouldn't get out till after 10:30pm, once the golfing contingent returned we headed uptown for dinner and decided to go to First Run, since they had the patio. Still suffering from an upset tummy, I order a simple fish dinner. Didn't stop me from starting on the Sapphire & tonics though.

About halfway through dinner the people at the table next to us started making a ruckus. Water had suddenly appeared around their feet. Upon closer inspection, they realized that is was actually bubbling up from between the bricks in the patio. The next thing we all realized: this was not just plain water. This was sewer water. Nothing like a sudden whiff of sulfur as I am biting into a grilled Cajun catfish filet. We relocated to the other end of the patio, but the wind was not with us and our relief was only temporary. The pungent smell of what runs first out of First Run's bathrooms had hunted us down again. Within a few minutes, the patio was deserted.

Inside, we got to watch game three of the Stanley Cup finals. Detroit and Carolina were tied 1 to 1 and I could just tell it was going to go into overtime. Then the Hurricanes scored but somehow I knew they wouldn't be able to hold the lead and sure enough the Redwings tied it up again just in time to ensure overtime. Somewhere during all this, I might add, I had something I have not had in years and years: a Long Island iced tea. It was probably the best thing I did that night, since it prepared me for the next place we went: Skippers Top Deck for the Tyson - Lewis fight. People were packed in tighter then a gay nightclub on Halloween. If it wasn't for the "Long Island buzz" I had going, I probably would have flipped out with a giant anxiety attack. Fortunately, I can handle crowds when drunk. Go figure.

Thank heavens for overtime though. Two of the TVs at Top Deck were still playing the hockey game, so I didn't have to actually pay much attention to the fight. I also played some Galaga - another fond Oxford memory. Although I played it at Ozzie's balcony. I never really went to the Top Deck much in college.

After the fight, we headed back to the cabin, and finished the off the hockey game. The movie goers came back late, since they had gone to Bruno's after the feature. I kind of wished I had been there for that. At least, I did until I discovered the price of a slice had doubled since my days from fifty cents to a WHOLE DOLLAR! That's highway robbery for a pizza they cut into slices with a giant pair of scissors.

After the game was over, we put in The Matrix, but none of us made it much further then 40 minutes before going to bed.

LOST WEEKEND VII: DAY 3

Sunday morning was over faster then ever. Usually after checking out, we head out to Phillips 27 for breakfast where I devour a Farmer Jones Special. After breakfast we would all head over the Res and leave some presents behind for the students that we had been brewing up all weekend. That is how the weekend usually ends.

But Sean and Bob were going to do a mountain bike race and couldn't afford the time of the grease. So we left checking out to them and said good-bye. Not before getting the obligatory group picture of course. (Which should have been done the day before when Doug was still around.)

The remaining crew headed up town instead of to Phillips 27, which is probably just as well, since Framer Jones is largely responsible for those extra chins I have been working hard to lose. But where to go uptown? How about someplace uniquely Oxford. Like, oh, say ... Starbucks. Yes that's right. It's finally happened. There is now a Starbucks at Miami. So the six of us - myself, Trayce, Tom, Sean, Seavey, Dave and Byron - sat around and chatted over double decaf espressos about stuff (mostly Hawaii, as I recall) and then Lost Weekend was pretty much over. From there we all headed home. Except for Trayce and me. We went over to the Res and kept one little tradition alive.

As we drove out of town we stopped by a couple of new additions to the Miami landscape: a new clock tower and a baseball field. After that it was straight home to Saint Louis, which was an uneventful and mercifully quick drive, since I was quite tired and had to do the driving this time.

When I got home I found the house still standing, if a bit messy, but that was to be expected. Mike was still at my place and so too was Zach - which was also to be expected. Geoff came over and we all watched Adult Swim, which has been disappointing lately because they are not playing enough Aqua Teen Hunger force.

Dropped off the pictures from LW7 tonight. They have some new developing deal where I get a password when I pick up my prints and can use that password to download my pictures off the Internet. If this works, it should be a piece of cake to get the pictures posted to the website.

Today I spent most of my time catching up on my journal. I hadn't had the opportunity to write anything during the past weekend, so everything you see above I actually just finished typing. It's late now and I have not proof read it. But I am going to post it anyhow after a quick spell check. Hopefully it doesn't need too much revision!

Nothing happened today.

Today is my dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!

I mowed my back yard today but quit when I burned my hand on the stupid motor. There wasn't even a "HOT" warning. I should sue Honda, just like that lady and her McDonald's coffee.

Geoff came over tonitght and I drank way too many gin and tonics. Between the two of use we finsihed off a fifth of gin. Plus I had a martini before I even opened that bottle. Then there were the Guinesses.

Hungover. Worked it off by finishing mowing my lawn. Later Mike came over and whined at me to take him out to get a shake. He spent all night at my house chatting on Gay.com. I went to bed at around 1am. At about 4:30am I awoke to here Mike talking, so I stumbled into my living room to find out that there was a stranger sitting in my living room! Mike simply looked at me and said: "He brought me a shake."

Went over to Mike's mom house where they served up burgers for me! I took this oppurtunity to chastise Mike for bringing strangers into my house.

I went for a bike ride today after work. I am starting to discover how to get around all the twisted roads on the east side of Kirkwood.

I did nothing today. I played a little Gaunlet, because I have only one more secret character to unlock, but I was unsuccessfull. So I put in HALO. Still being used to Gauntlet controls, the first thing I did was throw a gernade in my face.

Saw Scooby-Doo tonight. The movie, not the cartoon, which I see almost every night thanks to Cartoon Network. I was expecting to be severly disapointed, but it was actually pretty good. I mean, it wasn't great or anything. I probably won't even buy the DVD. But it was entertaining. I wasn't all that distracted by the CGI Scooby, which from the commercials just didn't look right. I was a little disapointed because I was able to figure out who the bad guy was really easy, since the only two clues were places back to back so it was easy to make the leap.

I made the leap today. I installed Windows XP on my laptop. It sure is pretty. I guess I like that. we'll see how my hatred for it will develop of the next week or so. Already I think it's slower then Windows 2000. But from what I heard it's better to do a clean install then an upgrade, which I chose to do.

Later I went to the best restaurant in Saint Louis. Heck, one of my favorite restaurants ever - Pho Grand. I had good old 21.06: Cari Muc. Also known as Calamari. Plus two spring rolls (best spring rolls - ever!) And a Miller Lite. Me so full and happy! *burp*

Tried mowing the lawn after work today, but it was too damn hot. Geoff over tonight. More drinking and smoking.

Got up and finsihed mowing bright and early before the heat set in again. Pridefest is this weekend, but I can't find anyone to go with me! So I stayed at home in the air conditioning and played Gauntlet. I really need to find a new game.

I ran out of cologne about a month ago, and I was relating to Bill the other day about this cologne I had smelled before that I really liked. Based on my description, Bill new exactly what I was talking about. This cologne, as Bill so eloquently put it, "smell like sex." I think it smells more like baby powder and sex, but that's just me.

At any rate, the cologne in question is by Jean-Paul Gautier, that french freak. It is called "le Male" and as if the name isn't silly enough, it comes in this ridiculous bottle shaped like a man's torso:

And yes, that tin can is the packaging. It was so over the top I almost couldn't bring myself to buy it. But it just smelled too damn good. So I had Bill pick me up a bottle while he was at work (at Famous-Barr). I wanted to smell good at Pridefest tomorrow!

Still couldn't find anyone to go with me to Pridefest today! But it only comes but once a year and if I had to I was going to go alone. So a covered myself in "le Male" and headed out by myself. PRidefest was hot and loud and my visit was comprised mostly of me apologizing to people at HRC and PROMO for being such a slacker this year. Ever since I moved into the house I have found it more difficult to do volunteer work.

Later, Geoff and his girlfriend came over, with another friend of theirs and we all went out to eat at the Ice & Fuel. I saw a great picture of Geoff in drag but I was forbidden to ever post it on the Internet. (But at least I can talk about it!)

Ants, ants and more ants. My kitchen has been invaded by ants. Time to buy some ant traps.

I was going to buy a game to replace Gauntlet today, but I decided to be more practical.

Ever since moving into the new house I have had microwave problems. Although my kitchen is large, there is not a lot of counter space. So I had to put the microwave on top of the refrigerator, which meant the share the same outlet. So every time I try to pop some popcorn or whatever, I trip the circuit breaker and half the house goes out. I have to reset my alarm clock and all the info in the digital cable box gets wiped out (including my favorites). It's a royal pain in the butt.

So to resolve this problem, I have to turn off the refrigerator whenever I want to use the microwave. This works just fine, but of course, I am an idiot with no short term memory. Once the microwave is finished, my mind shifts gears ("mmmm popcorn...") and I forget that the refrigerator is turned off. So as I was cleaning up melted fruit juice bars and pouring out all the water in my ice cube bin the other day, I decided it was time to do something about this problem.

So tonight, instead of buying something I wanted, I bought something I needed. (what an idea, huh?) I bought a microwave cart! Now I can plug the microwave into a different outlet.

I ordered myself a cordless optical mouse for work the other day and today it arrived. Of course, it's "ergonomic." That is, it's ergonimic if you arn't left-handed, like I am. I was using it for five minutes and my hand had already started hurting. Why the hell don't they make left handed mouses??

I couldn't hold out. I replaced Gauntlet today with Morrowind. This sounded like a great game is is getting really good reviews all around. Also, it sounds like something I can get thousands of hours of enjoyment out of before wanting to smack down another $50 for an Xbox game.

Went out with Mike to the boys' clubs tonight. Some old fart at Attitudes would not remove himself from the service area, keeping everyone from getting drinks in an orderly manner. Mike dubbed him "the Spider" because the guy had like 8 claws and for some reason he thought I wanted them all over me. I had to go lock myself in the bathroom to hide from him. Fortunately, for some inexplicable reason, Attitudes has a nice comfy pleather chair in one of their bathrooms.

Most of the day, I am (sort of) ashamed to admit, I either slept or played Morrowind. But that night Bill & Don had a party and Mike, Geoff and I all want over there and watched Bill get snot-flinging drunk.

Played more Morrowind. Tried calling Bill, but he isn't taking any calls for some reason.