Family and "Family"
Well, it's been a great weekend I gotta say and it even started a little early which was a bonus. On Thursday I had dinner and some Buffy with a local gent whose company I enjoy. Later that evening beefurjoe arrived and as always, I was super happy to have him here even if his sexy partner John couldn't make it down this time. Joe's here for a bowling tournament and he'll head back North tomorrow. We grabbed rrumm and bearxxl on Friday evening and went to Fillipe's for dinner. A great evening dominated by discussions on religion and politics (what a surprise). After we finished we came back to my place for some YouTubage before heading to PECs where it was full on packed with a double whammy crowd of bowlers and bears (the BEARSSD group is having their bear weekend this weekend). Had a few drinks, ran into post-cruise Kevin/Mike and talked with a lot of folks I don't see often enough. It was like old times.
Joe from SF - Check him out! - Boned Salt, that's hot
Saturday I got a decent start on my trip up to Bakersfield. Of course, the 5 was closed in both directions because of the wildfires in LA so that meant taking the back way (15, 215, 138, 14, 58, 99) to Bako which took me through all of the parts of CA you sort of forget about and that rarely make it into a tourist brochure. Got to my Mom's with a need to pee and realized I didn't have a key. She was at the movies with my nephew but luckily they got home not too long after I had arrived.
Headed out to Chipotle to have dinner with my Dad, his wife Melinda and the Reverend and wife of the Episcopalian church Dad was getting ordained as a Deacon to. Neat people. We talked about - wait for it - religion and politics mostly and it was great to hear these people of faith, religious leaders, and their awesome thoughts about what is fair and right.
Headed back to Mom's to get dressed for the big shindig and then headed to the church. Was in a nice little chapel and I sat with my sister and her husband. My sister looks great! She changed her hair a little and I mean - she sorta looks like she belongs int he Dixie Chix or something. I behaved myself - no politics or anything - but I will admit that at one point, while we were talking, I looked at her and felt like I didn't know her at all. It was an odd feeling. But it passed quickly and I was really happy I got to see her. Truth is, I've drifted from her and I need to get a handle on that drift. She's way too important to me not to. She's been so busy (almost a nurse!) with school and her family life I really just need to cut her some slack and schedule some brother/sister time for 2009. Maybe a weekend trip somewhere.
As the service ended (lots of standing and sitting, incense, etc) people headed out to the reception. A man approached me and asked if I was Vern's son. I said yes and he went on to tell me what an amazing man my Dad is and how he has brought so much energy and life and hope to the church they've started in Bakersfield (a new sort of splinter sect of the Episcopal church). Made me feel a bit more proud. I will give points to these Episcopalians - they had both Dos XXs and Rolling Rock beer at the reception.
Dad gets the nod from the man in the funny cap - Me and Dad after a few drinks (notice his Rev'd collar in shirt pocket)
From there Dad and Melinda and I headed to a place called Woody's to have a few drinks. What followed was about two hours of some of the most enjoyable conversations I've had with heterosexuals in a long, long while. I know I've said this a lot recently but I'll just keep on saying it - I'm so glad to have my Dad back in my life in a bigger way. We just understand each other - and continue to. I wrote in a card for him that the phone call I made to him earlier this year was the smartest thing I'd done in a while. After he read the card he looked at me with moist eyes and said "I made a phone call like that when I was your age and it was one of the smartest things I've ever done too". I'll see them again at Thanksgiving and then once more for my sister's nursing "pinning" ceremony in December. Something to look forward to for sure.
This morning I woke up and pretty quickly pulled all my stuff together and hit the road. I was worried a bit about further closures of the 5 so I wanted to get while the getting was good. I made awesome time (about 3hrs 15mins with a stop for grub) so that was great. It's nice to be home. It's really warm today and The Hole is calling.
Wildfires from a distance - Portion of the fires closer up (if you bring the photo up you can see a plane dumping retardant on the area)
To my friends who marched yesterday - your phots, vidoes, and stories are inspiring. Thank you all so much for getting out there and making it all happen. You were on my mind all day and into the night. I know you understand why this time around I couldn't join you.
And Happy Birthday shortstackbear - I'm glad you liked your present. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to help break it in. Love you!
Joe from SF - Check him out! - Boned Salt, that's hot
Saturday I got a decent start on my trip up to Bakersfield. Of course, the 5 was closed in both directions because of the wildfires in LA so that meant taking the back way (15, 215, 138, 14, 58, 99) to Bako which took me through all of the parts of CA you sort of forget about and that rarely make it into a tourist brochure. Got to my Mom's with a need to pee and realized I didn't have a key. She was at the movies with my nephew but luckily they got home not too long after I had arrived.
Headed out to Chipotle to have dinner with my Dad, his wife Melinda and the Reverend and wife of the Episcopalian church Dad was getting ordained as a Deacon to. Neat people. We talked about - wait for it - religion and politics mostly and it was great to hear these people of faith, religious leaders, and their awesome thoughts about what is fair and right.
Headed back to Mom's to get dressed for the big shindig and then headed to the church. Was in a nice little chapel and I sat with my sister and her husband. My sister looks great! She changed her hair a little and I mean - she sorta looks like she belongs int he Dixie Chix or something. I behaved myself - no politics or anything - but I will admit that at one point, while we were talking, I looked at her and felt like I didn't know her at all. It was an odd feeling. But it passed quickly and I was really happy I got to see her. Truth is, I've drifted from her and I need to get a handle on that drift. She's way too important to me not to. She's been so busy (almost a nurse!) with school and her family life I really just need to cut her some slack and schedule some brother/sister time for 2009. Maybe a weekend trip somewhere.
As the service ended (lots of standing and sitting, incense, etc) people headed out to the reception. A man approached me and asked if I was Vern's son. I said yes and he went on to tell me what an amazing man my Dad is and how he has brought so much energy and life and hope to the church they've started in Bakersfield (a new sort of splinter sect of the Episcopal church). Made me feel a bit more proud. I will give points to these Episcopalians - they had both Dos XXs and Rolling Rock beer at the reception.
Dad gets the nod from the man in the funny cap - Me and Dad after a few drinks (notice his Rev'd collar in shirt pocket)
From there Dad and Melinda and I headed to a place called Woody's to have a few drinks. What followed was about two hours of some of the most enjoyable conversations I've had with heterosexuals in a long, long while. I know I've said this a lot recently but I'll just keep on saying it - I'm so glad to have my Dad back in my life in a bigger way. We just understand each other - and continue to. I wrote in a card for him that the phone call I made to him earlier this year was the smartest thing I'd done in a while. After he read the card he looked at me with moist eyes and said "I made a phone call like that when I was your age and it was one of the smartest things I've ever done too". I'll see them again at Thanksgiving and then once more for my sister's nursing "pinning" ceremony in December. Something to look forward to for sure.
This morning I woke up and pretty quickly pulled all my stuff together and hit the road. I was worried a bit about further closures of the 5 so I wanted to get while the getting was good. I made awesome time (about 3hrs 15mins with a stop for grub) so that was great. It's nice to be home. It's really warm today and The Hole is calling.
Wildfires from a distance - Portion of the fires closer up (if you bring the photo up you can see a plane dumping retardant on the area)
To my friends who marched yesterday - your phots, vidoes, and stories are inspiring. Thank you all so much for getting out there and making it all happen. You were on my mind all day and into the night. I know you understand why this time around I couldn't join you.
And Happy Birthday shortstackbear - I'm glad you liked your present. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to help break it in. Love you!