The Hunt for A Cool October

October 1 and Houston is still a sticky, humid, 90 degrees plus. It’s a busy weekend here; many events that were postponed during the hurricane were re-scheduled for this weekend, others are just playing out as promised. It’s a four-show weekend, plus a pre-matinee rehearsal for “Evita” today. It’ll be a busy 48 hours for me, as I try to catch up with everyone I missed because of last week’s events. We head to Orange County on Monday morning.

The Doubletree Hotel is across from San Houston Park which sits along the Bayou on the western side of downtown Houston. This morning 25,000 women and families gathered in the park for the “Race for The Cure” to benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. The festivities, the run, began at 6:30am (Did I mention it’s hot?:) So, did the music.The national anthem woke me up, sung in screeching three-part harmony. I managed to go back to sleep, but was reawakened by the strains of, “Play That Funky Music White Boy” at 9am. I figured it was time to get up:) Fellow cast members Heidi Dean, Natalie Ross and Gabriel Burrafato ran the 5K race.

I’m a little achy-breaky this morning as Joel Briel and I went out two-steppin’ at the Brazos River Bottom after the show last night. Joel had never been; but he had a quick learning curve and did an admirable job on the dance floor. The bar, which has been in the same location for over 30 years, was hopping as Houston is host this weekend to the Texas Gay Rodeo. The unexpected surprise was coming face-to-face with a friend from my college years, a fellow former Singing Cadet. He’s an Episcopalian Priest. Ken told me that he's never had a relationship. When he had prostate cancer a couple of years ago, he decided that it was time to out there; to get about the process of living his life honestly and fully. I can’t argue with that! I’m glad he made the decision and was delighted to share a dance with him.

Yesterday, all of my plans were canceled during the day:) I wound up going to my old roommate’s home off of 290. I took Coy to lunch and he let me do laundry at his house. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to catch up; the extra perk was getting to play with his Yorkie, Martini and his yellow lab puppy, Bailey. Coy reminded me that our friendship isn’t conditional. That’s important information:) After our visit, Coy headed out to entertain at the Johnson/Rayborn Dinner. He was singing “If I Only Had A Brain” to a George Bush dummy. (Isn’t that redundant?)

I just came back from dinner between shows with tkn1114. Thanh and I met for the first time. He's energetic, brainy and passionate about a number of subjects. We found a lot of common ground. In other news, my Dad is doing well. He had stents put in yesterday to bypass his kidneys till the stones can be broken up with lasers. Luckily, that procedure will happen Monday. My college doctor friend CH and his wife Sheila will see tomorrow’s matinee and between shows I’ll have dinner with oft-times "theater wife" Marybelle. (We've done about 15 shows where we played husband and wife:)

Finally, I wish everyone a terrific time at today’s Live Journal Convergence Picnic in San Francisco. Many of you, whom I met at last year’s picnic on 9/11, have become very dear to me. Enjoy! I’ll be celebrating with you in spirit. Meanwhile, I’ll be trying to stay out of Houston's wet heat and lead the hunt for a cool October:)

The Hunt for A Cool October

October 1 and Houston is still a sticky, humid, 90 degrees plus. It’s a busy weekend here; many events that were postponed during the hurricane were re-scheduled for this weekend, others are just playing out as promised. It’s a four-show weekend, plus a pre-matinee rehearsal for “Evita” today. It’ll be a busy 48 hours for me, as I try to catch up with everyone I missed because of last week’s events. We head to Orange County on Monday morning.

The Doubletree Hotel is across from San Houston Park which sits along the Bayou on the western side of downtown Houston. This morning 25,000 women and families gathered in the park for the “Race for The Cure” to benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. The festivities, the run, began at 6:30am (Did I mention it’s hot?:) So, did the music.The national anthem woke me up, sung in screeching three-part harmony. I managed to go back to sleep, but was reawakened by the strains of, “Play That Funky Music White Boy” at 9am. I figured it was time to get up:) Fellow cast members Heidi Dean, Natalie Ross and Gabriel Burrafato ran the 5K race.

I’m a little achy-breaky this morning as Joel Briel and I went out two-steppin’ at the Brazos River Bottom after the show last night. Joel had never been; but he had a quick learning curve and did an admirable job on the dance floor. The bar, which has been in the same location for over 30 years, was hopping as Houston is host this weekend to the Texas Gay Rodeo. The unexpected surprise was coming face-to-face with a friend from my college years, a fellow former Singing Cadet. He’s an Episcopalian Priest. Ken told me that he's never had a relationship. When he had prostate cancer a couple of years ago, he decided that it was time to out there; to get about the process of living his life honestly and fully. I can’t argue with that! I’m glad he made the decision and was delighted to share a dance with him.

Yesterday, all of my plans were canceled during the day:) I wound up going to my old roommate’s home off of 290. I took Coy to lunch and he let me do laundry at his house. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to catch up; the extra perk was getting to play with his Yorkie, Martini and his yellow lab puppy, Bailey. Coy reminded me that our friendship isn’t conditional. That’s important information:) After our visit, Coy headed out to entertain at the Johnson/Rayborn Dinner. He was singing “If I Only Had A Brain” to a George Bush dummy. (Isn’t that redundant?)

I just came back from dinner between shows with tkn1114. Thanh and I met for the first time. He's energetic, brainy and passionate about a number of subjects. We found a lot of common ground. In other news, my Dad is doing well. He had stents put in yesterday to bypass his kidneys till the stones can be broken up with lasers. Luckily, that procedure will happen Monday. My college doctor friend CH and his wife Sheila will see tomorrow’s matinee and between shows I’ll have dinner with oft-times "theater wife" Marybelle. (We've done about 15 shows where we played husband and wife:)

Finally, I wish everyone a terrific time at today’s Live Journal Convergence Picnic in San Francisco. Many of you, whom I met at last year’s picnic on 9/11, have become very dear to me. Enjoy! I’ll be celebrating with you in spirit. Meanwhile, I’ll be trying to stay out of Houston's wet heat and lead the hunt for a cool October:)