Real quick...before I start...I'm buzzing on Smirnoff and this probably isn't a good idea but what the hell. Brian told me he had some people asking about me and why my blog hadn't been updated...of course I didn't believe him. Actually, I hope people are reading this. So here's a test...I will leave my email to see manuel_grover@hotmail.com

Anyway, to recap this past weekend, where I went home...I had a blast. Which of course is completely unusual with a hometown population of only 20 thousand. I saw some friends at Kicks (a sort of out-of-the-way bar and dancehall that is the only form of entertainment in town) I hadn't seen in ages...Im talking 12 years or more. I ran into JS and sister ES I use to work with at Dominoes while in high school and community college. They told me about our manager Ann who died 3 years ago of lung cancer and about all the other kids who had come out of the closet. And TW which I hadn't seen in like 18 years. She use to be our neighbor on Azalea Street. I couldn't believe it! Nor could she...she almost shit and kept telling me how I wasn't old enough to be at the club because I was only a baby the last time she saw me. When I told her I was thirty she almost fell on the floor. We all exchanged numbers and emails.

I spent some quality time with Mom and Dad...we played 10,000 and I actually made them breakfast on Sunday...the kitchen radio had been swiped by my brother Albert so I sang "Respect" while cooking with my Mom laughing and Dad pleaing for me to stop! It was too fun.

At times like those I tend to forget my Mom is dieing of a rare liver disease. Damn it! Why? She has never hurt a fly in her life but because of bad genes she must watch what she eats and swallow a million pills a day and listen to her doctor tell her she is going to eventually die without a transplant that my father cannot afford...and if he could that, because the donor list is so long, she would probably die waiting. Sorry...

On a more lighter note...I finally met my best friend (from High School) JD's daughter GD. I still consider her my close friend and I hope she feels the same way. Her daughter is beautiful!! We went to mutual friend's (LH) house warming. His home in Pearland was just beautiful...they had a ceiling fan in the master bathroom for christ's sake!!!! We had so much fun just catching up. Well I better go to bed. Night.

The weekend ended too soon. Ernest, Jenn, Robert, Jordan, and I went to Schlitterbahn Water Park on Saturday. After work on Friday, we picked up Manja Pizza and headed to San Antonio where his family was staying the weekend. We chatted away in the hotel and on Saturday we went down to the Central Market where we had breakfast tacos (I had the chorizo and egg and babaccoa) Then we headed to Schlitterbahn. For those who have not been…oh my, it is unbelievably fun. Lots of water slides, pools, tube shots, and eye candy. For pete’s sake there is a bar in the middle of one pool. We had a great time. I got split up with everyone when we first got there…which didn’t bother me a bit. Fun times. Ernest and I drove back late Saturday so we didn’t have to leave early on Sunday because we both had to be in our offices. I know working on Sunday…but hell it’s overtime.

This past week I didn’t do much but paint and call some old friends. I called AF and she’s doing great with her Misses. I miss her. I e-mailed Mr. MD and in his response he seemed depressed about something going on in his life…I hope I can help. He deserves so much. I wanted to tell him I still remember the day I walked him down those huge DFAS corridors to see him off for the last time and wondering if we were going to see each other again…and at the same time thinking and knowing I was going to miss him. That’s one thing about the military…you only have your friends for a little while because everyone’s from different parts of the country. I can remember so many wonderful people I served with and it always makes me feel helpless not being able to have a stronger connection other than a random e-mail here and there.

Subject change...too depressing...

I'm listening to Madonna's Dick Tracey soundtrack...I love it. Its one in a few CDs where I can listen to every song and enjoy each track.
Others: 10,000 Maniacs' Unplugged,
REM's Green & Out of Time,
the first cd by The Cranberries,
and second Hooverphonic,
The Doors soundtrack,
Depeche Mode's Violator,
The Smith's The Queen is Dead,
ABBA Gold,
and of course every cd The Cure has put out!!! (well more than I thought...that's good)

Im about to hit the sack. Going home this weekend...and I NEED to get a hold of Nicholas to find out what the hell they are going to do about Isabelle (that big ass bitch out in the Atlantic).

It’s been too long. I have no excuse…I’ve just been lazy-there I said it. Anyway, I guess I should start with my Family Reunion. It went really well…a lot of tubing, eating, chatting and laughing at old photos. Just looking at childhood photos of myself…I can’t believe no one knew. There is one particular photo where I’m standing next to my sister and cousin and I’m lifting my right leg up and it’s going across the left side of my body…I look like a Vegas Showgirl (course minus the E.T. t-shirt and hat and those old style Adidas shorts with the two white stripes down the sides…and oh yea, old-school kangaroo sneakers).

I was able to see a lot of family I hadn’t seen in a very long time so that was wonderful. The area, Canyon Lake, is just beautiful with its hills and rocky cliffs. The Guadalupe River runs through has well so we went tubing. All-in-all, we had a great time. My cousin told me they want another one around Easter , but this time they are going to have a committee consisting of one person from each family...well immediately I volunteered my sister...she wasn't happy.

Ernest's family came in has well. So we entertained which I don't mind doing because his family is so awesome! Ernest got his Jetta on Saturday and on Sunday I went with them to the river in New Braunfels. They have this awesome rope I love swinging off...and all these drunk college frat boys try and swing off and practically kill themselves in the process...they don't seem to comprehend the fact they need to let go in order to land in the river but instead they seem to want to eat bark as their ass slams up against the tree. I don't mind being a spectator or instructor.

Finally, this past weekend (which should catch you wonderful people up with my weekends because I'm not about to bore you with my weekday drama) I finally made it to the Warhol Exhibit at AMOA. It was fabulous!! I saw a couple of prints I'd never seen cataloged or even knew he did. It was so refreshing because I thought I'd seen everything.
For instance, I knew he did a series of self-portraits done in different colored camouflage...but never knew he did a series of just different colored camouflage on canvass...it was nice. And I finally got to see a Mao print he not only silk-screened, but where he later applied paint he supposedly ran his own fingers through to create waves and grooves. There was also a screening room running his films. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

My highlights...goodnight