"Where Everybody Knows Your Name"

There are those days that you just want to be at the local watering hole "where everybody knows your name." Today was one of those days.

As soon as I get the text confirming my grandson is on the plane to Los Angeles, I will be able to relax. Nerves got the best of me when I was suddenly confronted with the fact that neither father nor mother had a birth certificate of the kid so he could board the plane (he's flying alone) and it made me mad, especially since I bought the ticket weeks ago and TOLD the mother MAKE SURE DAD HAS THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Although the kid was born in Los Angeles and I knew that I could send mom down to the county recorder's office to get a certified copy of the damn birth certificate, I was pissed that they BOTH waited until two days before he was supposed to fly here to suddenly realize neither of them actually had his birth certificate. Dummies.

Anyway, I told the mom to ask the dad how he enrolled the kid in school without a birth certificate, dooooaaah. So, dad was able to get a copy of the birth certificate, and I made mom confirm with the airline that a "copy" was ok. Whew.

So, here's my song for the night, as I had to go to a place to get some comfort!

Back From Chicago

Whirlwind short visit. Had its ups and downs, but overall, it was a very pleasant visit. Too many pictures taken to even start to put online. I did get to see the Robin Hood protestors crossing the river in their row boats, though, live, so that was way fucking cool! Went to the Baha'i House of Worship at night when all the lights are on. It is really a fabulous building, and I actually cried like a baby inside. I hadn't been there since I was 16, and it is such a spiritual part of my whole life that to be there (there is only one House of Worship in each country, so they are very special) overwhelmed me. My daughter, of course, loved Wilmette area, but it's way over her price range (sweety darling!). Rogers Park is like a cross between the East Village and the West Village, but with a lot more trees. That's where my grandson has been living.

Flight there was a breeze, getting around was easy, flight home was delayed a bit, today was hell trying to catch up to work.

Will post more over the weekend, both political and personal.

By the way, hat tip and shout out goes to my new favorite (Chicago) bar, Duke's! I was only one of two rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago on MNF, and it was a hoot! I had called around the Rogers Park area to talk to the bars to see where my daughter might like to go hang out after she had to bring her son back to the babysitter or the dad (although, I have to say, the dad let my grandson spend the night with her a few nights while she stayed at the motel, so props for that), so when my daughter got there and called Dukes (I told her since it was a GLBT bar, she'd probably have more fun), the bartender tells her "hey, your mom called us last night!" How funny is that? They sent someone over to her motel to walk her to the bar. That doesn't happen at most places EVER! So on Monday night, I hung out with her at Dukes. First time I was so so so drunk, but REMEMBERED everything! No blackouts whatsoever! And it was cool walking back after the bar closed (they gave me my drink "to go") we stopped off at another bar, the Glenwood, that was closed, but the bartender from Dukes knew the bartender Wally, so he opened up and poured us a round! Very friendly neighborhood, I have to say.

For not flying in 11 years, I had no problems, no gripping of the seat handles on take off, no headaches upon landing! I'm ready to get back into the traveling game.

Manic Monday In Chicago!

Flying to Chicago to see Zaire. Leaving Sunday at midnight, arriving at about 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Just another Manic Monday - trying to navigate the subways, trains, bus systems from O'Hare to Rodgers Park. Of course, knowing ME, I've already set myself up at Duke's Hideaway bar for Monday Night Football (lol) and am in their pool as well. Damn, I'm good! And friendly, don't forget.