October of 2011 was my last posting? Why have my blog fans not demanded that I write another entry? Where is the outcry? Where is the public demand? Don't worry gentle readers, I know you have been busy with your what-nots and your whooz-its. So, "Why the hiatus from blogging?" you might be asking! Life, my gentle readers, actually living it has gotten in the way of writing about it! More specifically, last fall I joined a doctoral program at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, a scant eleven miles from my doorstep. After 5 classes, lots of soul searching, and some big bucks, it became clear this was the wrong program for me. My last doctoral program focused more on a broader definition of educational leadership, this program really focused on site specific issues and a narrowly defined imagining of educational leadership.
I did meet some really nice people and had time to reflect on my leadership style, so it was a pretty good experience. I have learned one thing about myself that most probably already know, I hate to quit anything! We have many months of catching up to do so gentle reader, grab a cuppa, sit back, and peruse the highlights. Oh and let me know you're still out there with a comment or two!
Last Thanksgiving I spent a chilly week with my family and East Coast Posse in North Carolina...My most excellent fag hag, Donna Bailey, opened up her home for a gathering and we spent the evening over indulging on snacks, cupcakes, and fine spirits. Rusty wasn't there but good times nonetheless.
Stop number one upon my arrival in North Cack-a-lacky! Those that live in the area do not know of the pain searching for a decent biscuit in the land of fruits and nuts!
Cupcake deliciousness! What gathering at Donna's would be complete without dessert.
Mrs. Lewis I presume! Not particularly impressed with whatever smart ass comment I have just delivered.
An evening of Tacky Supper Club with former coworkers. The purpose of the club is to get away from children and spouses for an evening of debauchery and of course bitching about work! A perfect evening if you ask me.
Lovely smiles hiding devious souls to be sure.
Leaving North Carolina produced a degree of bittersweet agony. Having my heart in two different states always means I'm leaving someone behind! Upon returning, Rusty dragged me to an NC State basketball game at Stanford. We were talking with some Stanford fans that were amazed at the number of State fans showing up to the game. It was great to meet alumni and despite the rash it caused, don the red for the pack!
In the absence of the light blue, I have been known to cheer for the red!
Go Pack!
State fans!
Soon after, December rolled around and as everyone knows, December is the time we can expect a visit from a very special holiday visitor...I'm speaking of that man dressed in festive garb...you guessed it...the Krampus!
The Krampus is a demon traveling with St. Nicholas, according to European lore, punishing the children that have been naughty. Some parts of Austria and Germany have a Krampus parade in which children are terrified by people dressed in devil-like outfits. As an educator I am shocked and appalled at this, but those of you that know me realize I have put this on my "To Do" list and will one day find myself standing on a snow covered Austrian street watching the spectacle.
Speaking of spectacles, this year Rusty and I managed to pull out the Santa outfits and join Santa-con in San Francisco. Very few bars can accommodate the massive amounts of Santas so the organizers have set Santa-con zones and the entire city of San Fran becomes Santa-Con. We converged on North Beach at one point and most of the following pics are from that convergence.
A few stories of note, we tried to take the cable car, but stood in line until the cable car broke listening to a religious zealot decrying gay people. Almost comical as Rusty was in his Disco Kris Kringle outfit. Most tourists were amused and we actually met some nice Aussies while in line, a nice contrast to the typical Aussies (I think we all know I'm going to get a Di Drew beating for that comment).
Civic Center Pandemonium...in front of City Hall...a very popular and much photographed Disco Santa.
The burner factor and the douchebag factor were both pretty high during the course of the day...two very different crowds merging together and finding common ground in red velvet!
Santa-Thug and Jagermeister Santa!
Aunt Charlie's for PBRs and some Tenderloin scary realness! I think a hooker on our way to the bar was ready to shank Rusty and snatch the earrings from his cold dead ears.
Washington Square Park.
Holiday adornment on one of the forefathers! Somehow I think ol' Ben might not be too upset about this revelry.
Santa-con always reminds me that no matter how serious life becomes, there is time to bar hop in a Santa outfit. "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving!" Santa-con allows me to dip my toe into anarchy. So folks, don't think about when, just do it, whatever your brand of anarchy.
Santa-con was foreshadowing for the pandemonium of the Aussie invasion that happened right before christmas. That's right, Ms. Drew arrived with a handsome young stud, Dan the man. Dan is a delight, and quite open minded for an Aussie bloke.
Our guests were here less than a few hours before we ran over to Harvey's in the Castro for some Bloody Mary's. I'm sure Dan was quite impressed with what we call the San Francisco pour...you know, not lots of mixer to get in the way of the booze.
After Bloody Mary Number two, the jet lag began to hit and our guests suffered droopy eyes requiring about 12 hours of sleep to recover.
A night time San Francisco trip was next for our intrepid travellers...city lights...always a nice sight.
Aunt Charley's did not disappoint. The drag was fierce. Of course the Lady with the Liquid Spine, Vicki Marlene, was missed. She had passed away in July and her passing is certainly a loss to the San Francisco community.
Dan and rusty getting their freak on!
Christmas morning, and the Krampus is in for a visit.
Oh princess, barely awake but ready for pressies.
Like a kid in a candy store! And by candy of course I mean nifty electronic gadgets.
Hooray, presents...
What would Christmas Day be without martinis!
Master chefs in the kitchen preparing the traditional Christmas Cioppino.
Christmas dinner.
Mauled under the mistletoe!
Intrepid Aussies braving the winter briskness, ready for Alcatraz!
Just after Christmas Day, we dragged the Aussies through Yosemite headed to Vegas. Not an easy detour but well worth the long drive!
A frozen lake in Yosemite!
Dan braving the ice.
Next on the agenda, Vegas baby.
Lots of warm sunny days during our trip. Happy and well rested due to the upgrade from Caesar's Palace. Enjoying the lap of luxury for a few days was well worth the trip.
Old school Vegas. Trashy people, cheap drinks, flashy lights...we all felt at home of course!
'Nuff said!
Hendrick's gin? Maybe just a sip!
To me, sunset is the most beautiful time in the desert...
After a long night of drinking gin and tonics in the old part of Vegas, a spicy bowl of Pozole was exactly what we needed on our way back to Oakland. We checked Yelp for restaurants in Bakersfield and low and behold, a restaurant was recommended with the best Pozole in the area. After a few minutes, we were seated in the middle of the restaurant and were ordering food as three different long tables around us stared filling up with people obviously there for birthday parties. As we were eating nachos and drinking caffeinated drinks to survive the long drive home, one of the now full tables started to sing Happy Birthday as the entire staff approached the table singing Happy Birthday in Spanish, banging on a loud tambourine and carrying a huge blue drink with lights and dry ice immediately behind Di. Not five minutes later the next table started up, and you guessed it, a few minutes after that another table. Obviously the big blue drinks weren't enough for each of the respective tables because the waiters were also carrying around the same blue drink in a dispenser shaped like a miniature antique gas pump. The waiters were certainly taking a chance for an Aussie tongue lashing when they tried to pressure Di to take a drink. The owner could tell that Di was through with this mess and sent over a beer as a mini apology. We were lulled into a fall sense of security thinking we could finish our Pozole in peace when directly behind Di, the mariachi band began to play for one of the Birthday Tables...check please.
After another fun filled week Di and Dan returned to Australia. Currently, they are residing almost as far North in Australia as one can get, in Darwin. They are both doing exceptionally well and seem to be enjoying their new adventure. Di is enjoying the constant warmth expected when living so close to the equator.
Prepare yourself for sad news gentle readers, but in March Rusty's mother passed away. Even though she was struggling with cancer, this was somewhat unexpected to Rusty and myself. I am so very grateful that Rusty was at the house when she passed as he was able to spend a day with her while visiting from California. Sandy Bishop was the epitome of a strong southern woman blessed with graciousness and generosity. After Rusty came out to her, it took her awhile to decide she was OK with it but regardless, she always treated me as one of the family. Rusty is doing OK, grieving is a long process but being back in California and in the regular routine has been helpful. A few good friends have been particularly helpful in helping Rusty through the grieving process (most notably Matt and Khristi). Although quite frankly, everyone has been generous with their outpouring of kind words and love.
So gentle readers, I am sorry to end this blogpost on such a negative note. As spring is in full swing, I can sense change in the air. Keep posted for all the news fit to print.
