Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia is a movie that I anticipated for months. My good friend, Marilee told me about it filming nearly a year ago. When she ran down the list of cast members, she was not so certain about Meryl Streep, but was thrilled about Christine Baranski playing the part of Tanya. Without even seeing a trailer for the film, I agreed whole heartily. Christine Baranski was absolutely born to play that roll.

Last summer Marilee, Josh and I went to see the touring Broadway cast of Mamma Mia. During the ending remix section, we all jumped up and danced like crazy fools. It was incredible. We were at the front of the theater and didn't even care that the whole crowd was watching. In fact, several others jumped up and joined in. The music is so infectious.

When I visited Germany for Christmas, I wanted to see a Broadway play, hoping it would be one I had seen in English so I wouldn't be completely lost. It ended up that Mamma Mia was playing in Essen, about a 20 minute drive from Schmachtendorf. We went having purchased tickets in the middle section (approx. $250 USD for both tickets), but were invited by an usher to move up into the top price seats. Germany has a wonderful rule that once the doors are closed to a play, they are closed and late comers are not admitted. In that case, Josh and I benefited from someone's misjudgment of time or were moved to seats that hadn't been sold. The why didn't really matter as I enjoyed the more expensive seats without feat of someone asking me to move back. Even though the show was in German, I did understand the plot and knew some of the language. Some of the songs were in English because "Money, Money, Money" for example sounds better than "Geld, Geld, Geld." Some of the dialog, especially Donna's rantings blurred together as just screaming, but since we had seen the show in Salt Lake a few months previous, it was a wonderful experience. Yes, we jumped up and danced again at the end. I really enjoy listening to the German soundtrack. It brings back a wonderful memory with Josh in Germany and I'm ever so pleased with myself when I recognize a word here and there.

Having just returned from the movie (2nd viewing), I thought it best to give a comment before getting off to bed. Overall, I thought the movie was wonderful. They switched around a few things, including my favorite song, "Take a Chance on Me" and added a song the followed the wedding near the end. The movie critic on CBS Sunday Morning suggested Pierce Brosnan sounded like a moaning water buffalo when he tried singing. I can see that, but thought he did a fine job. Meryl Streep (one of my favorite actresses. Adaptation with Chris Cooper was very good and she was robbed of the Oscar for Ironweed. Eww, that Cher--who also did a fabulous job that year in Moonstruck) was a great Donna. At my first viewing, I thought her acting while singing was too melodramatic. During my second viewing, however, I remembered that Donna is like that to an extent. She has dealt with a lot on her own raising Sophie and running a hotel alone. She is surprised by three men from her long-dead past and no one until the end is talking. I appreciated her performance much more the second time around.

A note on Donna's friend Rosie, played by Julie Walters. Rosie was by far my favorite in the cast and not just because she sings, "Take a Chance on Me." She is smart, independent and very witty. The first time I saw Mamma Mia on stage, the actress was heavy and when she sang that song, it hit so close to home. She was asking a man who had just rejected her advances to put snap judgments aside, to look deeper and to take a chance on her. In the end, her persistence pays off. How wonderful. That one song gave me enough hope that I, as a heavy fellow, used it to ask a friend out that I was pretty confident would say yes if I worded it correctly. He said no and despite initial attempts at remaining friends, we haven't spoken to each other in over a year. His loss. Anyway, the weight of the actress really brought the song to life for me and even though it didn't work out once doesn't mean it won't next time. In subsequent stage versions and indeed with Julie Walters in the movie, the actresses have been thin, but have retained their spunk. The actress in Germany was much thinner than Donna and was nearly to the point of Tanya. That casting didn't work for me. But Julie Walters really sells the roll and makes me believe no one else could have possibly done the part. I need to join the Julie Walters fan club. I've thought that ever since she was nominated for an Academy Award for playing Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot. (Incredible movie. If you haven't seen it, let me know and we can watch together.) She was also Mrs. Weasley in the Harry Potter films and I can't wait for #7 as she has a kick-ass roll in the final battle.)

The story is silly and weak, but then again, it is pretty good for trying to string together a bunch of independent songs. Not sure which is your father? It's called a paternity test. Maury specializes in them, especially during sweeps. But if you can look past that part, the scenery is stunning and the music a lot of fun. One final note on cast--Dominic Cooper was really good as Sophie's fiance. The gay twists were welcomed and the final moments of the wedding when most of the guys strip off their Aphrodite well-water soaked shirts off and dance about hugging was very much welcome. I loved Mamma Mia and hope you'll go see it. I'd love to see it again, so if you'd like to go together, let me know.

For your convenience, I'll include a copy of the movie trailer.

Oompa Loompa Doopidy Do

Yesterday was a very frustrating day. I was in downtown Salt Lake City shopping for little souvenir jars of Utah honey to send back to friends in the Philippines. A colleague, Natz, is visiting from IHG's center in Manila. In a few days, she will return home to the team I have given assignments to for over a year. When Natz arrived, she gave Kent, Sanna (co-workers here who work with the team in Manila) and I a package of chocolates and mangoes to share. Some was very, very good (cloud 9, for example) and some was certainly interesting.

I saw the jars of said honey at Cox Honeyland during my birthday adventure (see full post in the June section). With time restraints and current gas prices what they are, I hoped to find them in Salt Lake. I called Cox Honey and was given several tourist places in Salt Lake where the jars are supposed to be sold. Yea (I thought)!!! But, not so much. Yesterday I went to several of the places, but no one had the honey jars. Parking was a nightmare and after going round and round the many blocks, finding a spot and walking fast, I found one store had closed 2 minutes before I arrived. I pleaded with them to let me in, but, to my dismay, they only had a plastic bear filled with honey. The bear, though cute, is soft and would probably not last the trip. Natz would not appreciate getting honey all over her things. One highlight, though. I met Miss America Samoa 2008 during the search, who was at the Grand America for a pageant of some sort. She asked about the support stockings I wear as her dad could use a pair. She was disappointed when I explained they were hand crafted in Germany, but bolstered when I further explained they were simply prescribed by my doctor here in town. Nice and really pretty. Sorry, but no pictures. And, no honey.

I was wearing my bright blue Equality Utah shirt as I walked block after block throughout Salt Lake (which is on a huge hill that looks flat when driving in the car--as Josh and I found at the Shakespearean Festival, "it was an illusion.") My point with all this is that in the windows, I looked like Violet Beauregard from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. My fat little legs and arms flailing uncontrollably around the large blue mass that was me. Walking past all the windows gave me a good view of what others see. I hoped the windows were designed like carnival mirrors, adding 50 or so pounds. One or two, maybe, but all of them? As I passed the homeless, I thought I heard the Oompa Loompa song and I looked around for the little scary men with orange faces. Unfortunately, if they were coming, I couldn't get away as my runty little legs couldn't carry me anymore. I had to stop several times and rest on planters and other sidewalk decorations. If the Pride parade had been yesterday, I would never have been able to do it. Can you imagine my physical state has declined so much in six weeks' time? The Pride parade was not a cake walk, but I did it. Yesterday, I couldn't make it up three blocks without fearing a heart attack or worse, falling over and rolling down the hill, probably stopping in Murray around where the smoke stacks used to be.
EPILOGUE: I was so depressed from joining the Oompa Loompa club and striking out several times on my quest for honey jars that I went home and ate ice cream. You probably thought I would be inspired enough to go home and get on the exercise bike or Sweat to the Oldies with Richard Simmons, but no. I cried into my ice cream and now weigh even more. =)

Founder's Day -- A Celebration

The 24th of July for me has always been special. It is Utah's "other" July holiday and was my Aunt Georgia's birthday (before her brother killed her, but that is a post for another time). It is Utah's celebration recognizing the Mormon Pioneers 1847 arrival in the Salt Lake valley after trekking across the plains. Because the founding of this valley and subsequently, the holiday, are inextricably linked to the LDS church, many of my co-workers refTheuse to celebrate. Instead, they trudge along at work--without me, because I'm enjoying pancakes in the park, a nice jaunt to the cool mountains and watching a parade go by. Some who know the Church's stance on homosexuals urge me to leave the church officially (at this point they have only asked me not to return, but they keep coming around asking for fast offerings, so I know I'm still on the records) or at least stop enjoying myself on the 24th of July. Nonsense. Although I was once "the best little Mormon boy" around, I can not reconcile their discrimination of me and people like me because of something we have no control over. When did they decide to be straight? But, this doesn't get in my way of taking the day off work and having a party like so many others in town. Let me explain. Despite the ties this holiday has to the LDS church, I view the day as a founder's day celebration. Every small town in America has enjoyed a founder's day for many decades (meaning I saw one on Little House on the Prairie). For other towns, it means a time when people of all faiths come together and "party hearty" for a day. They celebrate for formation of their community even though they do not always agree religiously or politically. Why should Utah be any different? The pioneers had a hard life and their journey should be congratulated by Mormon and non-Mormon alike. Tuacahn once reminded us that there were non-members who made the journey. Their story often (or always) gets forgotten. Were there gay pioneers? Survey says: probably. Were they out as much as I am? Probably not. Today, there are gays in every corner of society now from rich to poor, skinny to fat and from every ethnicity and cultural background. Why would that have changed? So, I celebrate the 24th for the gay pioneers who probably just needed a date. I'm here, just 161 years late. Hell, I'd still go out with them after they had a shower and a breath mint. As hard as life can be for a fat, bald gay man, can you imagine how much more so it would have been back then? Closet cases. But, if you get two closeted gays in a closet, watch out. =) That being said, I have included a few pictures of this year's celebration. Hope you enjoy. If you don't, or don't like my philosophy with the Church or how I celebrate as a gay man, I'm not going to cry. This is my blog. Get your own. =)

The holiday has certain prescribed events that my family just does (within a range of variance, of course). The 24th of July parade is a huge production number, ranking right up there with the Rose Bowl and Disney's Christmas parade. Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is in a league of its own. That happens any time you add balloons to the mix. My family (meaning Mom, Michelle, Rebecca and I) like to visit the float preview party. We can get up close and personal (touching is not allowed, unless you are named Steven and have a certain curiosity to fulfill) with the floats without necessarily venturing out into the typically 100 degree (Fahrenheit) weather if we don't want to. Before going in, Rebecca and I exchanged funny faces to make sure the camera still worked.

At the preview party, we met Mom's friend from work, Kathleen. She has been Mom's friend for a long time, enjoying lunch together on Mondays. Kathleen was in charge of building a float for her local LDS stake. They chose a Noah's Ark theme and had some very cute animals poking out the windows. At the Bountiful Handcart Days parade (another Founder's Day celebration worth taking part in), we saw this float in action. The elephants (one on each side) sprayed water into the crowd and the hippopotamus blew bubbles. Cool. Noah waved from the front, but people in costume freak me out, so I didn't get a picture of him.

The Polynesian community in Salt Lake is quite large and while viewing the floats, several of them performed a hula dance. In 1998 while in Hawaii, I learned that hula dancing started with the men, not the women. To my delight (I'm gay after all, hello!), men played a very prominent role in this display. A few of them gave me odd looks as I took my 23 and 24th pictures, but so? They must have known people would look at them and take pictures of the hot guys when they agreed to strip down to nearly nothing and jiggle their hips around.

As mentioned above, we always go to the Bountiful Handcart Days celebration the night before the 24th (usually the 23rd unless a Sunday gets in the way) for the parade. I'd tell you where we always park and where the perfect spot to watch the parade (yes, in the shade) is, but then I'd have to share--and I really don't like to share. Sorry. It was fun to see Kathleen's float in its full glory. Afterwards, we went for Cowboy burgers and a root beer freeze at Pace's (again, I'd tell you where, but there were already SO many people in front of me-including two mean lesbians-that I had to wait much longer than I'd prefer. Fireworks end the night off right. We are clever and quite pleased with ourselves about the parking for said fireworks, but again, I don't like to share. Selfish? Yes. My best and worst qualities, some say.

The morning of the 24th is an early one, though not as early as Mom would prefer. We start the morning off with pancakes in the park (I LOVE pancakes in the park--so down home special). We will sometimes go swimming (free from 8:00 - 10:00), but this year we didn't. Mom and I went back to her house and watched the end of the big parade (sometimes we will go from the breakfast and swimming down to the parade in Salt Lake, but we enjoyed the KSL televised effort this year). We were just in time to see Kathleen and her float be highlighted on the screen. The hippopotamus was blowing bubbles proudly as Kathleen marched along side to help navigate. The float really looked good on television and when it boils down to it, that's what matters.

My parents and I went for an afternoon jaunt to the cool mountains as it was 97 degrees Fahrenheit in the valley today. With gas prices what they are and everyone busy in Salt Lake, we decided to visit Mirror Lake in the Uintah mountains. In past years, we have gone to the Salt Lake canyons, but they are too crowded on holidays for anything but generating a stress headache. The trip was costly ($.99 each for string cheese. Can you imagine anything more outrageous? I know!) The ride through the mountains was so beautiful. Words can't really describe the peace and beauty of nature. We stopped at the Provo river falls overlook and Mom learned how to take my picture without including my huge belly. Incidentally, these falls were where my good friend Jared and I amazed other visitors by speaking what we call German as they passed by. It wasn't German, of course, but it definitely sounded European to the Utah tourists. Today, nearly 20 years later, I know only a little more German than I did back then. It is unfortunate that intention can't match skill. The trip to Mirror Lake was really nice. Beautiful wildflowers and a peaceful lake. I'd love to go back and camp, but have a hard time sleeping in a tent since the recent bear attacks. I'm much more a fan of camping at the Holiday Inn and driving to the mountains.

We ended the day with a barbecue at Michelle's house where she made homemade ice cream (yum) and I pretended to be strong on Dave's weight machine. I'm still sore. That was the first time I ever ate ribs (due to the mess factor). They were very yummy and not really messy. As I drove home, the nearby Rocky Mountain Raceway was just starting the finale of their fireworks show. In past years I have watched them from my back balcony--sometimes without underwear, but always without pants. =) What? Yup, you read it right. Don't judge me. You try being 400 pounds, then tell me how comfortable clothes are. Clothes for fat people are meant to be ugly, uncomfortable and, yes, expensive. But don't worry, I'm usually not naked. I wear a shirt or at the least my leg things. I don't want to scare the neighbors too badly. Doesn't this just make you want to run right over and sit on my couches? Anyway, if the neighbors didn't like the show, they wouldn't keep watching. And that's all I have to say about that. =)

For those of you who were out of town, I'd love to take you along next year. Celebrating Founder's Day is much more fun with other people, despite my reluctance to share. Thanks for reading, or at least enjoying the pictures.

99 Balloons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

This is a YouTube video my brother showed me. To be honest, it was hard to watch and you may not want to see it, which is why I have only added the link. My heart goes out to Eliot's parents. I don't know them, but am thankful they offered me this glimpse into their lives. I can feel their pain and can benefit from their faith and positive attitude.

We don't always understand why bad things like this happen, but one thing is clear: the quality of the time spent with loved ones is much more important than the amount. Even those separated by great distances can call, email, text and send packages. It is apparent that Eliot's parents love him as much or more now than when he was with them. Separation doesn't make love die or loved ones to be forgotten. Love will carry them through the dark days and cold nights until they can see their son again.

Life can be cruel at times and the obstacles we must overcome may seem relentless. Pain is very personal. During periods of grief, soothing words from even the closest of friends and family can do little to amend our sorrow. It is easy to get bogged down wondering why I'm carrying more burdens than my friends and neighbors. Then little things like this video help remind me that everyone has what I call "hurdles to happiness." It would have been easy for this family to curse God and become bitter. How wonderful it was that they instead decided to appreciate and value the time they shared with Eliot. He taught them about love and patience -- lessons we all need to learn and be reminded of from time to time.

Memories, Memories

This was something fun on Josh's blog that he was passing on. Now it is my turn. In a way, this reminds me of attending my own funeral. I'm a strong supporter of practice funerals, meaning we shouldn't wait until someone is dead to say nice things about them (same goes for crabby old ladies who need to know they are being a pill).
This picture was taken when I picked the rotten egg card while waiting for the fireworks on the 4th of July. Everyone knows that rotten eggs ruin any batch of cookies. Some memories are good and others deserve a sour face. In the end, they all roll together and shape who we are inside.

Here's the low down:

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember, as long as it doesn't embarrass me...

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

The Drowsy Chaperone

It should not come as a surprise to any of you that I LOVE going to the theater. There was a time I wanted to run a theater, maybe act a bit when the mood struck, but now I enjoy watching from the audience. For most of the past fifteen years, I have had season tickets to the touring Broadway shows, and for the past few years have enjoyed a seat on row A (behind two rows of folding chairs whose great claim to fame is the chance of getting spit upon. My seat is on the aisle with lots of leg room. My favorite line from Cabaret comes at the first of the second act when the emcee waived up to the balcony and said, "Hello poor people." Now every time I go, I make it a point just as intermission is ending to stand, turn around and wave. I LOVE that. I also play a game called, "Spot the Queers," but that is really just my trying to get a date and doesn't really fit in this explanation. Needless to say, I'll be homeless before I give up that season seat.

Recently I went to see The Drowsy Chaperone as it toured through Salt Lake. It is a wonderful show that didn't really get the press or audience support it deserved. If it comes touring through your town, you simply must go see it. It takes a spectator's view of what we love about theater and reminds us not to take life too seriously. I won't ruin it for you, but the line about the poodles is absolutely classic. I absolutely loved this show, especially when the "man in chair" told us to ignore the words to the lament song, but to enjoy the music. The silly words go, "Monkey, Monkey, Monkey" but still.

When I heard the soundtrack for the first time, I recognized the distinctive voice of Georgia Engel. Many of you know her from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Everybody Loves Raymond. Absolute perfect casting. On the picture, she is the one on the far right.

When the show was announced to visit Salt Lake, I hoped the touring replacement for Ms. Engel wouldn't suck too bad. Mrs. Tottendale is a minor character, but no one could have played that part better. Replace the entire cast if you must, but keep Georgia Engel. The whole play could have been ruined if someone else had wandered out to ask why she was in her fancy dress. Good news!!! Much of the cast, including Georgia Engel, was straight from the now-closed Broadway show. That is another reason you should seek this play out as it tours and go. You won't regret it.

Miss Shirley D. Licious

If you recall from my previous post about the Gay Bingo, I was so taken by the shenanigans of the Cyber-Sluts that I simply had to become one. Auditions were in May (can you imagine auditions to become something so foul?) First, let's clear the air. No, I'm not a typical cross dresser. No, I'm not going for "the" surgery. And no, I do not dress like a woman just because "that's what gay men do." Despite what you see (yes, those are rainbow colored fake eyelashes), this is an example of breaking the stereotype. I have never had interest in putting on women's clothes. There was once where I played with mom's makeup. When I came out, mom later told me she had started to wonder about my sexual orientation when she saw that light blue eye shadow so beautifully applied. Unfortunately, really liking boys was the last thing on my mind at the time. I put it on then because my life sucked (and not in the good way). Kids at school were constantly teasing me for being fat and boring. To help fit in, I decided to create a back story where I was a trapeze artist in the circus. I wanted desperately to spin through the air with glittery sequins like those hot guys on Circus of the Stars. Isn't that what all nine year old boys want to do in their spare time? It didn't mean I was gay, did it? I planned to wear the makeup to school the next day as a way of impressing the other kids with my "interesting" life of the circus, but my dumb brother ratted me out.

Back to point, this past Friday, I made my debut as Miss Shirley D. Licious at the Utah Cyber-Slut Bingo. The theme was "Trailer Trash," which Shirley did NOT have a problem fitting right into. I see her as someone who believes in her heart that she is the top of fashion and elegance, but comes across as just plain wrong. For example, my elegant evening gown was a house dress from the Wal Mart store. I had nylons for that touch of class, but what really set Shirley D. over the top was the jewel studded flip-flops (also from the Wal Mart store). I figure one can't do "trailer trash" without flip flops and the jewels were simply radiant. They reminded Shirley that she is a princess. A rather randy lesbian visiting from Texas complimented my flip-flops, but chastised me for needing to be reminded about being a princess. I told her, "Honey, my boobs are so big and my shoes so far away that I need all the reminding I can get." Incidentally, the flip-flops were about 4 sizes too small and were incredibly uncomfortable. But, does one sacrifice for fashion? I (and Shirley D.) say yes.

This bingo card was from last month when I brought my mom. Free space is never free - it must be called just like all the other numbers. When playing bingo, I have a knack for picking lousy cards. You may think this was a clear card before a game began, but it wasn't. We were well into a game looking for a horizontal bingo. We were playing a horizontal bingo last Friday as well and a lady didn't understand. She called BINGO with a vertical bingo, not horizontal. This constituted a party foul. As such, she had to put on the "wig of shame' and dance around, working the crowd for money. The Cyber-Sluts help the shamed collect money. The naughty lesbian (mentioned above) gave me her money, but then promptly took it back. She then proceeded to "stuff" my already stuffed bra (eww, I hate that word). In the process of trying to stuff the dollar in, she ripped my house dress open. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was mostly bare until I had finished dancing around the room. Oh well. I guess they all got a show. Of course, seeing a fat man giggle without the benefit of a house dress in between may explain why I wasn't able to collect any more money that round.

When I auditioned, I mentioned that I wanted to be a slut so I didn't have to worry about committing a party foul. The others said just showing up in character would be foul enough (mocking themselves as much as myself). The flat fact is that I make one ugly woman. But so are the other sluts. That really is the point. This isn't regular cross dressing where we try to become beautiful ladies. We know we are ugly and foul. We do that on purpose, going so over the top that we are really cartoon-like characters. I don't consider the dress as a dress, but as a costume. Now, people in costume freak me out (remember the chocolate bar incident?), but if I am one of them, I can concentrate on being Miss Shirley D. Licious raising money for charity. As Shirley D., I helped raise over $500, which will be divided between the Utah Pride Center and the No More Homeless Pets foundation. My family is still not so sure about this decision (especially my dad who won't even look at the pictures), but we have a lot of fun raising money for charity. What could be better? For those who know me, this is huge for me as social situations usually intimidate me to the point of not even going. Now, not only do I go, but I am one of the "attractions." This picture was taken during intermission. The girl in the middle was having a birthday and wanted a picture with the sluts more than anything. When the crowd saw we were taking pictures, we had an instant line of really hot guys wanting pictures of me and my slutty friends. Can you imagine? We were more than happy to oblige.

Gay Bingo, as my mom found out, is attended by a lot of straight people. It starts at 7:00 PM on the second Friday of each month at the Columbus Community Center in Salt Lake. Again, we raise money for charity while having a wonderful time. You should come next month. August's theme is a Beach Party. Dress up and you might win a prize. If you need a ride, let me know.

When I'm feeling blue...

When posting the fireworks for Josh, I wandered across these short films. They were passed around work a few years ago and I could NOT stop laughing. Yes, I'm cruel and heartless. You may have seen them before. I make no claim of creation or originality, though I did live in Michigan for a time. I enjoy watching them whenever I'm feeling a bit blue, though I'll admit seeing the ice fishing clip lightens even my cheeriest of moods. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Fireworks - Part II

Growing up, my family went to several different firework shows at various city parks, ball fields, race tracks, you name it. It was interesting to see how the displays would differ from city to city and company to company. We learned in about 10 minutes a score of years ago, for example, that paying admission into Lagoon to see their fireworks show was an expensive mistake. For the past several years, we have gone to Murray City Park, thanks to the suggestion of my sister-in-law, Shannon. Few know about our spot where we have a perfect view only short walk from the parking lot and can be back on the road only minutes after they have concluded.

This year, when we arrived at our designated spot, we were concerned because the wind and clouds were strong enough to blow our cookie ingredient cards away (more about that in my 4th of July wrap up post). Just before 10:00 PM, however, the winds calmed and we enjoyed a marvelous, lengthy fireworks show. With the 3-D glasses (see my previous post), we simply could not contain our "eww's" and "aww's." The family on the next blanket was so moved by the awesome display (without 3-D effect) that they joined our chorus of appreciation. I filmed a bit of the show with the 3-D glasses and then the finale without. Again, the fireworks are primarily for Josh's benefit who didn't get to see a real show this year. Honestly though, who can't appreciate a good fireworks show regardless of what their name is? Enjoy.

Fireworks for Josh

This post is really for the benefit of my good friend, Josh. He moved to Germany last December. Germans celebrate many things, but the 4th of July is not one of them. The company I work for (IHG) is based in England and the British don't take too kindly to our "holiday" either. It reminds them of when they lost the war and who wants to celebrate that? Yes, that means I will be working today, but not until AFTER I enjoy pancakes in the park and watch a parade pass by. The official IHG line is that we are a global company where "the sun never sets," but we all know the truth. Seems some are still a little bitter about losing even though it was 200+ years ago. Talk about holding a grudge. Get over it!



So, while Josh is living a dream of being back in Germany, there are a few fundamental elements of the day he will miss. While I can't ship pancakes from the park or the excitement felt as the patriotic floats or crepe-paper decorated bicycles pass by in the parade, I can do my part to make this July 4th special for Josh. No, it isn't the same as being there, but Josh, maybe you can just sit back, relax and pretend you are in a smoke-filled field with hundreds of people (don't you just love that firework smoke smell? I sure do.) It might help create the moment if you say (out loud or to yourself) the occasional "Eww" and "Aww." Crowds don't say that as much as when I was a kid when such verbal sentiments were required to show the local municipalities their budget was well spent and appreciated.

Josh, I wish you could be here to enjoy the day with me. But since that isn't possible, I'm bringing the next best thing to you via the blog. Enjoy.