I'm a gambler, and I will take you by surprise
Halloween weekend was fun, but the ever-present rain kept a lot of activities indoors. It's been raining every weekend for the past three weekends, I've had it! Anyway, the Miss Adams Morgan pageant didn't disappoint, but I didn't put my costume on because it was frikkin' hot in there. Have you ever noticed Halloween costumes are usually warm and don't breathe well? I guess they'd be our normal outfits if they were comfortable...
To balance all that drag, I went over to the rugby team's Halloween party and eventually got into costume. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a hit, although many had opted to go as part of Tolkien's Fellowship. Damn, wrong genre, maybe I'll get it right next time.
Again, rumors of the death of gay culture are overstated. Magazines are dying and being reborn every day, and the loss of The Advocate doesn't mean we won't see a spewing of more journalistic garbage in the future. I can't begin to run off all the titles, but bad writing can't even kill the magazine industry. As long as somebody needs something to read on the ferry to The Pines, there will always be gay rags. While we are integrating somewhat, we will still always need to occasionally gather and identify.
About a year ago this week I was in the panhandle of Florida, role-playing animal disease outbreaks and exploring swamps, sinks, rises and runs. I had some good times at Wakulla with the manatees too. This year work is sending me to Kansas City in December. My supervisor who is from there will kill me if I do not go to certain barbecue joints, but that's about all I'm adding to the work schedule. I know from experience the Midwest is far from wondrous that time of year.
But as I discovered last year on my November trip to Dublin, a late fall or early winter trip really eases the winter blahs, and seems to make the gloomy days in DC go by faster. This year I'll be going to Las Vegas with the rugby team for our final match of the year. I'm not much of a gambler but I'll make the best of it I'm sure.
KC barbeque? Arthur Bryant's. There is simply no comparison.
One thing to remember when you're in Vegas:
Never count your money while you're sitting at the table!
Ooooo... HELP me, Obi Wan Kenobi!
I just came back from Vegas, first-time visit. Not a gambler, didn't play at all, just wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. The best part was day-trips outside Vegas, rent a car. Easy trips are Red Rock Canyon, 20 minutes West of town, a 13-mile scenic drive; Hoover Dam, go first thing in the morning when it opens, otherwise you are in a massive traffic jam and huge crowds, the full tour is worth the $30; if you want to make it an all-day trip, drive North along Lake Mead to the Valley of Fire park (awesome), then come down I-15 back to Vegas; another all-day trip is to Death Valley, the best part of my trip, go into the South end of DV on the the Badwater Road and drive up the Valley, stopping at Furnace Creek Inn (not Ranch) for lunch in the Historic Lodge, then keep driving North and cut over East to the Rhyolite Ghost Town, then back down 95 to Vegas. Vegas during the day is ugly, it only comes alive at night with all the hotels lit up. Eat at In-n-out Burger!
You may have missed this little gem this year...You just might appreciate:
http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2009/10/400-costumes-to-die.html
Slightly better than leaving a costume up to chance.
You are welcome.
random question, but exactly how does one go about getting tickets to the miss adams morgan event? hope you had a good time - looks like it was fun!
Wakulla? Isn't that where they filmed 'Creature From the Black Lagoon'?
Re: Vegas. I don't really gamble either, but here's what I love to do. Find a comfy spot at a video poker machine (nickel, if possible) along the path of a cocktail waitress. Tip her well the first few rounds, and you'll be set to drink for the night. Planet Hollywood has the biggest drinks on the strip, BTW...
Well, the midwest can indeed be dull, but it's a good place to pick up some early winter birds you won't get in the east - although you may already have some of them. Don't forget to at least pack your bins and a field guide and check the KS/MO listservs for good birds in the area.