GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DAY 6

Aerial View - Glasgow!

Saturday, Sept. 10 10:15am

Landing in Glasgow, we got through the customs gauntlet fairly quickly, and immediately tracked down the nearest Starbucks! Enjoyed a long-overdue cup of real coffee, outdoors on the patio, waiting on the shuttle to the car-rental. The sun was trying to temper the bronze morning haze, and it was a beautiful 65-70 degs.


Glasgow Airport

Over coffee, we studied our driving directions, preparing for the three roundabouts, on the way OUT of the airport - driving on the left! And while we're at it, Glasgow is pronounced "Glesca" and Haggis means egg McMuffin! (Not really)!


Know Yer Haggis!

We got to Glasgow's downtown, making it past all the busy roundabouts, with only a couple of wrong turns. We parked across from the Royal Concert Hall . . .


Royal Concert Hall

And walked to the main shopping district.


Bustling Buchanan Shopping District

Our first order of business was to visit the tourist office, to try to find a Double-Decker Bus tour.


Double-Decker Bus Tour

We were in luck, as there was a bus tour every hour on the half-hour, and we were just in time for the next one, and it left practically right in front of the office, right in George Square!


First Double-Decker Bus Tour

If you ever go to Britain - you HAVE to ride the double deckers, while they're still around! It is quite a treat! They tell you all the major spots and attractions, and you really get a feeling for things, so you don't miss anything!

We went all through Glasgow, learning about all the important historical parts, namely, St. Andrews; . . .


St. Andrews Church

The Tollbooth; . . .


Cross Tron Tollbooth Steeple

Glasgow Green, containing the world's largest terra cotta fountain; . . .


Verdant Glasgow Green

The People's Palace, formerly the estate of a wealthy tobacco baron; . . .


People's Palace

The 3 major shopping districts, (Sauchie Hall, Argyle and Buchanan); . . .


Buchanan Shopping District

Glasgow Cathedral; . . .


Glasgow's Rennaisance Cathedral

The world-renown University of Glasgow; . . .


Beautiful Grounds of University of Glasgow

Kelvin (as in Kelvinator) Art Museum; . . .


Spectacular Architecture - Kelvin Art Gallery

The Hunterian Museum on the University Campus; . . .


Beautiful Hunterian Museum


The SECC Science Center, Imax Center and Tower ("Needle"), "The Armadillo", and Finneston Crane, along the tranquil River Clyde; . . .


Science Center

The BBC; . . .


BBC at night!

The Tate Modern Gallery; . . .


Beautiful Tate Modern Gallery

And so much more! I should have taken notes, there was so much compacted into that short time!

We finished our bus tour around 4pm, and headed back to Buchanan St. for tea at the Buchanan Tea Room. Then took a stroll through the Buchanan Gallery (Indoor Mall), and did some shopping, before departing for Edinburgh, where we'd be staying for the next week!

Glasgow is the most awesome city. You don't want to miss it!

Next: Edinburgh

June 22 Dream

You've had some interesting dreams! Marcella and I appeared to show you we still love you! How wonderful is that??? I, too have had some interesting dreamscapes, worthy of writing down. . .
First one dated Sun, 5/30/05 (on the same sheet of paper dated - exactly one year, earlier - 5/29/04 - midnight!) . . .
I was half in a waking state, & caught a glimpse of the wall between the spiritual world and the physical, and was pondering on what things I should bring 'back'. I clearly saw myself shoving papers, certificates, or "Dossiers Secrets", if you will, into the narrow space where the wall meets the 'other' world. As if 'stuffing' my pockets with info or 'goodies' - and this was a very real possibility and an acceptable action - all you had to do was think of it.
I had just been 'shown' what the perfect woman consisted of, in the physical world. As one would create her to have maximum impact / influence upon society. . . An instructor's voice was telling me - "she would be in her 30s, smart looking, somewhat sassy (these were literal words), and then a picture of her came, along with a description - short hair, some highlights, lean, fit, cute smile, nice teeth, outspoken, tan, then, I was shown a pic of Tom Cruise, and there was a whole episode of the dream where men were women, and how they switched.
This perfect woman, though, would be here, now, to influence the world in some big way - she would be the most believable specimen. So, whoever knows this, will have a significant advantage in discerning some cosmic truth. I have seen that look in a young Martha Stewart, Princess DI, and even the new neighbor, (Vickie), we met at our Aunt Zona's, last month. . .
Just before that, there had been a fire at my grandmother's house, and we were going through some boxes of jewelry - silver bracelets and bands, and fun things - I found a white Christmas stocking and put all the items in there, which were dear to us, to take with us - they were a comfort to us on our journey. . .
Going back to sleep, I saw someone walking some dogs, all on leashes, I counted them - exactly 12, thinking of the disciples, perhaps?
Thurs 7:34 am - 6/16/05 . . . This is perhaps the strangest dream yet. Many mysteries. A hint of a secret religion. There was a cult where all the women had the same hairdo - puffy on top and on sides, with a cut line separating the top and side, like a poodle with a scar. I went into a secret room, where the men were playing strange rhythm instruments. One was a piano. The women were on the side, chanting strange incantations. They took up a collection. We all deposited a bill into the collection plate.
There was a hidden language of sound, or energy. A woman opened a secret closet, and spellings of names, "Qum, Run, & Quth, and Ruth" were of importance. There was a deep root , or layer in everything - sort of a quantum principle. There were many words containing "A" and "AA" together. starting with "A." There was a secret power that could be untapped. It came from within, somewhere "under" some layer of energy. There was a teacher - science - not physics - he didn't do that, anymore, he said.
I remember I wanted a transponder for my birthday. My mother got me one. I went to this cult-place where the women with the strange hairdos were. I was reading the instruction manual. I opened it up, and several bills fell out $300 approximately - birthday money from mom. As if it were a birthday card.
This transponder was some kind of communicatioin system that would act as a sort of - phone. It would be installed on top of the house. But, I would still need the rgular phone.
My friend (like a "J") used the phone to call our teacher (the science teacher), to ask him a question about the transponder. He answered, but don't remember that part.
Anyway, one lady was trying to explain how to say my name in the secret language - it had 2 variatioins - one was something like SteSteStavon and the other one could cause insanity, if you tried it. But, she showed me, and in the dream, I was fine.
I went to this sorcerer's house to learn about my new transponder. He and his house have been recurring scenes in dreams. I associated him with my father, or wanting my father to meet him, or to see his house. This time, the father was clearly absent. So was the sorcerer. I had to leave and come back, leaving the door unlocked, after dark. It wasn't smart. There were many valuable secrets, inside. A neighbor was outside, walking his dogs - I heard his keys jingling, and ran into the house and hid, because I'd left the door unlocked, and I didn't want him to know.
The end . . .

The New Year - Jan 1 - 8

Sunday night we had a great dinner and movie night, out! Went to the "Mexican Cafe" and then, walked over to the brand new Century Theatre (state of the art) in Evanston, to see "Finding Neverland" (Johnny Depp is up for Best Actor, and the movie is up for Director, Screenplay and also Sound.) Not a dry eye in the house, when the little English boy (Peter) shed his first tear. I won't give away the plot, here. You HAVE to see this movie! That's all I can say. It is based on the true story of how Peter Pan was conceived. And who doesn't know of Peter Pan? By adults, about adults, mostly. Adjourned to "Scott's" on W. Wilson, for a little afterglow, before calling it a night.


It rained, Monday, so we couldn't go ice-skating, as planned. Instead we ran down to the passport office, and got the paperwork started for that. Then drove up to the North Shore to see "Ray" - Jamie Fox is up for Best Actor for the Golden Globes, next week. The Ray Charles story. Excellent movie!


I dug out my notes from when I interviewed him back in 1976 for the college newspaper. (See next blog). Memorable quotes: "I never wanted to be famous. I want to be great." . . . and . . . "I always wanted to make a move" . . . (which I don't believe he never did). Until now. . . and . . ."I don't live in Beverly Hills [that was later], I live in the city [Los Angeles]." . . . This plays out in the move! Ah, well.


We had a big snowstorm on Wed. I ran up to Evanston to pick up sandbags for the back of my truck. It is THE WORST vehicle on snow and ice. Slides all over the road! I stopped at the new Bally's on Howard, right at the "L" stop, for a workout, since I was up that way. I've been wanting to check it out, it is very convenient for when it's nasty out.


I liked it, and went back on Thurs. Although, the train signals were out, and we were stuck on the train at least 15 mins.! At least the heat was on, and we got to sit in the sun and soak in some Vitamin D to battle our winter "scurvey"! lol
Thursday, they were playing nothing but gang-banger crap on the overhead, and I almost complained to the manager. But, then I looked around, and they all looked like they were enjoying it, so I shut my mouth, for once. I'll give it another try, next week, they tend to alternate the music a lot, at all the other Ballys.
Back to work on Friday. Doing web work, and blogging, this weekend. See next blog for the Ray Charles interview . . .

New Years Eve

It's been a whirlwind, the past couple weeks! 2 trips to Southern Illinois in Dec. so far. Christmas at mom's, last week was fun. I had asked mom to dig out my birth certificate so I could get my passport. (Scott had a surprise, which required a passport . . .) Anyway, my sister, bro-in-law and nieces came down, and we had our family Christmas on Wed. The girls were being angels, knowing how excited they were to open all their presents under the tree. They sat at the family room table with me all evening, while I worked on Scott's book, and we made a book for them to color, too! Then we all came back to Chicago on Thurs. (I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

An Arctic blast zapped the midwest that week. I was lucky and didn't get stranded. (The National Guard was called out to rescue people off the highway I take, a stretch, just East of where I travel on I 70.)


Scott and I met our friend Richard (aka "The mayor") at the Drake for High Tea, the Monday before Christmas week. It puts Marshall Fields to shame! A model train in a snowy Christmas village, in the upper lobby area, a huge Christmas tree decorated with gigantic ornaments, ceramic angels flying from the ceiling, giant wooden soldiers flanking the great staircase, carollers in authentic turn-of-the-century English clothing, a harpist - spectacular event! The "Mayor" brought me back some cigars from S. America - (he just returned from a trip where he hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, then on up to Lake Titticaca - the "Lake in the Sky".) I brought a box of liqueur - filled chocolate for him. We opened gifts to the strains of live-carollers, beneath the bubbling fountain, center-stage, having tea and those little finger sandwiches and biscuits with clotted cream and marmelaide!


We said our goodbyes, and Scott and I walked over to Marshall Fields to see the Jackie "O" Christmas Tree from the 1962 White House. Walked down State Street to see the beautiful decorations, shopped for gifts at Carsons, had a really nice time!


Scott and I had our Christmas on Monday, when he got back from his folks (Carlinville - downstate Ill). He really loved his handmade book/art ablum I made, including original artwork of his new kitten, photos and an original story! I got him a silver cannister to put the kittens registry papers (Tonkanese) in, when they come, next month, a Parker Bros. game from back in the 70's (Ouija Board), a big box of Omaha Steaks, and a bottle of champagne to sip while we opened gifts!

I got a new Andrew Marc leather thermostat jacket, the latest from NY, a matching Mont Blanc pen to go with the mechanical pencil he got me last Christmas, a box of assorted and sinful Teuscher chocolates from Switzerland, 2 dozen WOODEN coat hangers (my wire hangers were driving him crazy! lol) - AND . . .

. . . Passport mystery solved! The surprise of my life! Scott handed me an envelope after we were done exchanging gifts, and said, "Oh, by the way, here is a little something, not much of a Christmas present, but just a little something . . ."

I opened the envelope, and it said "Merry Christmas from Scott" - a two-week European vacation to a destination of my choosing - with some suggestions, printed from an Internet travel board, like- biking the Chambord region in France, Vienna/ Salzburg, Italy, Scotland/Iceland - England, etc! Stay tuned for that. (It's leaning towards the Iceland biking adventure, right now!)

I got home that night, and was talking on the phone with my friend Ed (who was in on all the Christmas mischief) - and as I was unpacking the gifts, I came upon a small envelope . . .

Inside were 2 tickets to Lyric Opera's "Tosca" (which I've never seen) - on - of all days - VALENTINE'S DAY!) OK - we had tears. Sorry, I never do that - but they were just welling up inside, by the end of the day - and boom! Tears of joy - how often does THAT happen???

I've been on cloud 9, for obvious reasons! Well, the Sunday after Christmas, I got off work a couple hours, and went to Caribou for a couple hours to finish up Scott's Christmas book. (Backtracking just a little, here.) But, I met the most interesting guy, Martin - a rancher from Texas. We sat and talked for another hour. My friend Joel - one of Caribou's most fascinating clientelle - dropped by, and I introduced the two of them, and we had a wonderful time.


I was so wired on caffeine - that I stopped by the Jail House for a drink, on the way home, and met another really interesting guy - Jim (Jimmy) - in from the far-west suburbs. He was off all week for the holiday. We had a great time talking, and we ended up walking over to Sidetracks for a night cap! So, the whole evening was one of those where everybody just clicked and jived. Not often, that happens!


So, the next week . . . Monday, Scott and I did our Christmas . . . Tuesday, I met our friend Ed for more coffee, at the new Caribou. Talked about his trip to Minneapolis - where it got down to 30 below and were hit by that blizzard. He counted 96 trucks off the road on the Interstate! I walked him to his house, and went grocery shopping and spent the night in.


Wednesday, we had a coffee outing with one of my groups. Ed met me and we had a nice time learning what a 'small world' it is. They knew "Our Doug" and we had a good time comparing notes. I left after an hour . . . I had previously made dinner plans with Nina to have our Christmas dinner. Even tho she is Jewish and Buddhist! We dined at Cornelia's and had a great evening.


Well, that pretty much brings us up to NY Eve, today. Our plans kinda fell through for tonight. Scott ended up having to work till late, and has to go in early tomorrow, so we decided to skip it, this year. We can't top last year seeing the B52s at Navy Pier, champagne, and fireworks across the Chicago skyline!


Monday, we plan on going ice skating down at the Garfield Park Conservatory, then a nice dinner somewhere and a movie. He is invited to the Golden Globes, on Jan 16, so he wants to try to catch up on some of his movies. . . Happy New Year, to you, may it be the BEST YET!

November 15 - December 15, 2004

Dream Blogs


Hi! Welcome back! A lot has happened since I last blogged . . . The weather in Chicago has been beautiful. Spent Thanksgiving at my sister's in W. Chicago. Mother drove up in a blinding rainstorm from Southern Illinois. My friend Ed and I drove out from the city. We each brought a dish, and had tons of food. Turkey, stuffing, (called "dressing" in So. Ill., chicken and noodles, (like our Grandmother Rhodes used to make), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes w/marshmellows, apple salad, green beans, lima beans, and 3 home-made pies! Yumm!


I had to be at work on Friday, thru the weekend, but it was slow at work. Got a lot done on my websites.


The next weekend we went shopping downtown for some new clothes for the holidays. Found just about everything at Nordstrom on Boul Mich, lunched at Papa Milano's on Rush.


Last Friday, we had our first big party of the season. The annual Dr. Teplica Christmas party. He hosts a big bash for 300 people at his mansion in Buena Park, right next door to the mansion formerly owned by former Gov. Thompson. This year, we feasted on Coho Salmon, capers, ham, and ostrich! (There were 40 ostriches according to the catering staff!) A live choir entertained with Christmas songs, as we entered the main foyer, upon arrival, and the place was already starting to fill up at 6:30pm!


We saw our friend David Campbell, (from the Scottish Campbell Clan, one of Dr. David's models), and his beautiful wife Lisa, (managing editor for The Reader), who we met at the party 2 years ago. We had fun catching up out on the porch during smoke breaks! (Last year David wore his plaid kilt, (showing of his skier legs,) which he left at home, this time.)


We met a couple upstairs (in the airline industry), in the master bedroom, where we were mugging for the cameras, rolling around on top of the covers of the original and ornately carved 4-poster (to the ceiling) bed of King George II, whose canopy had to be removed, as well as the chandelier in the ceiling, in order to accomodate it! Stair steps had to be installed in order to climb into it, btw!


Downstairs, we spotted Chuck Renslow, (IML founder), who came up to chat, when we were saying "hi" to Dr. David. Chuck was dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, which looked very out-of-place in the more formally - dressed crowd, and had some haggard-looking man, with him, trolling about. He came, ate and left. Surprise - surprise!


Dr. Teplica is a world-renowned plastic surgeon, and an accomplished professional photographer. Most of his subject area centers on twins, and nudes. He has travelled the world, photographing the most interesting people, and has several coffee-table books he's had published.

So, later, after having champagne and wine, (Dr. Teplica flies in twin-blonde bartenders from LA, every year to serve us) - we migrated over to the lavish dessert tables for coffee, and Swiss Chocolates (piled up to the ceiling), and circulated among the diverse crowd, and noshed. We toured the sizable mansion (used solely for entertaining, accomodating out-of-town-guests, and the Doctor's offices, NOT his residence, btw) - laughing until it hurt, we roamed the massive halls and rooms, took pics, and finally said our goodbyes, around 10pm - and made a quick exit.


We hopped a cab, out front, down to Sidetracks, where we met our friend Ed, who was hosting an out-of-town guest - Cameron - a 20-something single ex-co-worker of Ed's - from Minneapolis. We had a great time, there, talking and watching videos on the giant screen. After about two hours of that, we decided to go over to (of all places) Little Jim's - since Ed had never been. (We all had just enough alcohol in us to venture the 1 block hike. lol) It is kind of an institution in Chicago!


We no sooner walked in, when we ran into Barry Allen, aka Paula Sinclair - an old friend, who used to live, coincidentally, in the upstairs apt. of Ed's building, on Buckingham. We had a great time 'catching' up, and he invited us to his 'live' show at "Circuit", next Sunday. (Which we missed.)


We finally called it a night, and had to get home and get some sleep, since we were getting up early to go down to Southern Ill to see Scott's mom's Christmas choir, the next day.


We got up and had a quick breakfast in W. Loop, fed the kittens, and got on the road. We got to his parents house around 4:30pm - sat and visited with his folks and his brother, then got changed and went to the concert.


Scott's brother came up from SIU (where he is the purchaser, there, for the univ.) He and their Dad, went with us into town, and toured the Macoupin County Courthouse, circa 1860, before the concert. It is a massive structure, on the scale of the State Capitol made of solid iron doors each weighing one ton, and iron staircases, leading up to the main courtroom.
No expense was spared in erecting this behemouth! (The sole purpose in building it to such proportions, was to "break" the County [budget], in order to block splitting the County in-two, back in the mid-1800s!)


The concert was really good, and we all went out to eat at a local pub, afterward. We got home and called it a night.


Sunday night they had their belated family Thanksgiving feast, and we had a wonderful time sitting around the family Wurlitzer piano, singing Gospel songs and Christmas Carols (his mom brought home the score from the concert, which included a medley of the Charlie Brown Christmas Program) - The next day, we visited some more, went and had a nice 'goodbye' breakfast in town (Carlinville) - and we made the 4-hr. trek back to Chicago, with no problems. We were both exhausted, and after looking in on the kittens, called it a day!


Tuesday, I worked out, then met our friend Ed, Our Doug, and a friend at Buck's. Stayed out way too late, but had a great time.


Wednesday, we had an Executive Bd. Mtg, at the condo, and Tommy (Board Prez) and I went out to grab a bite, afterward at Chicago Diner (great vegetarian place) and talked with our waiter-friend, Robert who is an actor, here in Chicago. Stopped by Buck's, again for a nightcap, then back home. We ran into Joe (prop. supvr.) and filled him in on the goings on of the mtg, earlier. Got home way too late, again.


Thurs, I called my friend 'the mayor' and we got together for lunch at Butch McGuire's down on Division. (http://drdolphin.com/index2.html) We had a great time catching up. He just got back from Machu Pichu, where he hiked the Inca Trail up the mountain to see the spectacular ruins, there. Then continued on to Lake Titticaca - the 'lake in the sky', also in Peru. He was on his way to Rotary Club - where he was helping with a children's benefit, that afternoon. We set a date to have High Tea at the Drake, in 2 weeks. . . (Stay Tuned) (Pics forthcoming).

Week of November 7 - 13, 2004

Dream Blogs

Hi! Today I started blogging, again. What's New with me?


This past week, I got out for a short bike ride - in the 50's here in Chicago. The week went well:


Tonka at 11 weeks!

- Sunday - That evening after work I went to Scott's to see his new kitten. Baby Tonka arrived and is 11.5 weeks old. Weighing in at just over 2.5 lbs! A little bigger than a teacup! (But that is another story!) He is a rare breed called Tonkanese - (cross between Siamese and Burmese) - mostly white as kittens, with a little 'dirt' on his nose, paws and tail. The markings of a blue-point Siamese. His eyes are gorgeous pools of aqua, the color of the Caribbean! Loves people - bold as brass - comes right up to perfect strangers - very active - like a little monkey! His other cat, Jordan, is about 2 yrs. old, and she was hissing and growling at her new baby brother! I was afraid for Baby Tonka's life!


- Well, after we had a nice home-cooked dinner over at Scott's, we went back to my place, before my allergies kicked into high gear from the kittens! We visited our friend Tommy (who is our Board President at Hollywood Towers). He had just come home from the hospital on Friday. He was walking around, (having been in a wheelchair for nearly 2 weeks) - someone was on the phone, and he had his tax lady (Patsy) sitting in the dining room! I guess you could say he is doing well, with all the activity at 11:00 on a Sunday evening!

- Monday, we had a quiet day. Had a late lunch at Papa Milano's on Rush, then went shopping at Bloomingdale's for kitchen items - William Sonoma is there.

- Got a call from our friend Ed - saying he was having dinner with "Our Doug" - at Nookies - inviting us to join them. We were on our way to the pet store to pick out some toys for Tonka, and some Healthy Choice for my Puss puss - (who is getting fatter by the week!) We declined the dinner invite - and stopped in at Big Chick's (in my 'hood) for a nightcap. Nice crowd, not crowded. Everyone was eating off the menu, and watching "Sex in the City" on TV. Which I hate! That stupid woman and her shoes and whiney voice. Gimmeabreak! I'd been up for something like 20 hours, so my patience for low drama in bad taste was very marginal!

- Tuesday - Took the train to the gym. Bally's on Clark/Diversey. Nice walking to and from train. Worked abs, biceps, back and 30 mins on the ski machine. Took about an hour. Weighed in at 175 - the same I've been all summer. Then took the "L" back home to start domestic errands, make dinner, read my new book. (Just finished John Berendts book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" - Ed loaned me - a juicy Halloween tell-all, set in quirky Savannah, Georgia. I had seen a review in the Times, last week, and turns out both Scott and Ed have read it - it is a cult classic - so he let me borrow it last week! I give it an A+, btw!

- Wednesday - Made coffee in the 'big' pot for the first time in years. I plunged headlong into domesticity - laundry, cleaning, cooking. Hopped on my bike for a round of marketing in the 'hood' and came back and started a big pot of chicken soup. Also made a green V8 in the juicer (part of my Alkaline-boosting-cancer-preventive-immune-boosting-diet)- made of celery, spinach, carrots, tomato and a designer apple. Settled in for the night to read Clive Barker's thriller "Coldheart Canyon" - about a haunted house in the Canyon above Hollywood. (It lies parallel to Laurel Canyon) - inhabited by ghosts of dead starlets and moguls - intriguiging sub plots involving a silent film star (100 y/o) but still looks in her 20's - something to do with a secret room they call "Devil's Country" in the house in Coldheart Canyon, so named because the owner Katya is/was such a cold-hearted bitch! Boy (30s) meets girl (100s) fall in lust, she scares him off, she connivingly gets him back, they almost drown in the Pacific, he goes back . . . to be continued!

Note: Clive Barker's Abarat Paintings are now on display (until Nov.14, 2004 - Admission Free!) at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cgo!




Thursday - A little chilly out - took the express bus downtown to meet my sister, bro-in-law and 'mieces' at Navy Pier - we took them to the Children's Museum, now that they are both old enough to appreciate it a little more. (3 & 5 y/o). We had lunch at Joe's Be-Bop Cafe, a favorite spot. (I was good, ordered a wilted Spinach Salad - sticking to my new diet.) We colored with crayons, played tic-tac-to games from their kiddie menus, and sipped pink lemonade. There were two little birds flying around, (they had the patio open, the day before, it was so warm out) - and the nieces were laughing at my 'silly talk' about the birds hopping around on the stage like jazz musicians!

We spent nearly 2 hours at the Museum, and stopped for Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry's, on the way back to the car. I managed to injure only ONE of my mieces, that day - scraping her frail belly on my belt buckle, sliding her down from my arms to order ice cream! (Soo Jin ordered plain chocolate, and Chae Rin ordered plain vanilla, btw!) Sister and bro-in-law ordered sweet sweet sweet desserts, and I ordered a coffee. (Not on my Alkaline diet, but not fattening, anyway)!

I walked them back to their van, I picked up the new blazer my mom had sent UPS to sisters, (early Christmas)- along with a couple of books - "Life 101" which she thought I had left at her house ??? Not!- and a cookbook. Sweet of her! I haven't even BEGUN Christmas shopping! I used to have everything finished before Halloween, back in the old days B4 child support! I don't know HOW I manage!

- Friday - back to the weekend grind at work. So far it's been a fairly peaceful work-weekend. Scott met 'Our Doug' for dinner at some tacky roach-infested Chinese place over on Argyle (near where Doug resides) -

I told Scott that Pablo Picasso's grandson was speaking at the Art Museum at 6pm - and he would surely touch on the subject of the inspiration for the sculpture sitting in Daley Plaza - which no one has the slightest clue as to what it is suppose to be! Turns out, it is likely inspired from a blond female model, he knew back in the 50's - the pipes behind the horse's head - most likely to be the tresses of her pony tail! I would have been distressed if I'd taken a vaca day and had to pass that up to go sit at some smelly hole-in-the-wall dive to talk about Doug, Doug and more Doug! Ed told him the other night that we're getting tired of hearing 'all about him' ad infinitum! I had to laugh. I told Scott to leave the therapy up to his shrink, and just try to enjoy their time together. He said they had a pleasant time, and Doug had nothing but good things to say about the both of us. My expectations were no different, tho.

- Looking forward to Sunday night - my Friday - I really like that night! I want to pay a visit to Baby Tonka and Jordan - see how they're getting along. Ok Laters !:@>

From: Spencer
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 09:27:09 EDT
 
" . . .Interesting dreams for you. I never thought much about people combining themselves with others in dreams. It makes sense but they usually just turn from one person into another or just pop away as fast as they pop in.   I had one the night before last where Matt from Perk Fiction was like you and like Jesus at the same time. He gave me a Kinkajou (right spelling?) that was evolving and growing before my eyes and the little pup claimed Matt/You/Jesus and me as its parents. It was quite an active energetic little love bucket. . ."

To: Spencer

Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 05:36:53 -0700 (PDT)

" . . .Many vivid and revealing dreams, overnight. The first thing I remember was being some Irish guy, perhaps a middle-ranking soldier. Dark hair - name was Patrick. I was drinking at a party with my friends. Really drinking! I then remember that being a past memory. Now in the future, I was suddenly aware that all the people in my life were people I really, really loved from somewhere in my past. But they were somewhat amalgams of past loves, not just one, here and there. Very strong feelings for all of them. I came to the realization that we should all be nicer and gentler to each other, as we had been to each other in the past . . . "

4th of July, 2004

Today, back at work. Had a great 'weekend'! Went to Willster Hamster's 4th of July party on Sunday, after work. Private beach, great food, interesting people, great fireworks. We saw the Evanston fireworks (many of them purple for NWU) and to the S. we watched the Saddle and Gun Club fireworks. They were everywhere! Party ended promptly at 10, so Scottpup drove to Sidetracks, afterward where we watched retro videos and had a nightcap.
Then, Monday, we slept in, and rode our bikes to have coffee at 'Metropolis' in the 'hood. (They roast their own beans, one of only 2 places in Chicago to do so.)
Rode W. via Rosehill Cemetary and I showed him where Kathy Osterman (our former Alderwoman and activist) was buried, right 'on' the pond-front. (It looks as if the spot were created just for her, since there are no other graves that close to the water)!
We came home and changed, and left for Warrenville. Scott drove us out to Warrenville, where his 'X' lives. He'd invited us out for a BBQ. I brought pussycat toys for his 2 Siamese kitty's They are a sister and half-brother to Scott's 'Jordan'.
Tim BBQ-d steaks (I brought my Seattle Suttons chicken breast) - and we sat out and had a nice, fun conversation, in the backyard. Until the rain came. We went back in to eat our meal, watched an episode from the new Dame Edna DVD, and left around midnight.
Then, Tues, we went for about a 20 mi. bike ride up to the North Branch Trail, via Touhy. Stopped at 3 forest preserves, looking for the entrance. Fun adventure. Made it back by about 5:30pm and Scott headed out, to be up for 'Biata Wednesday' (the cleaning lady.)
Wed., I had coffee at Cafe Boost, in the 'hood - met a writer who wrote two books, 'Winds of Carpethia' and 'The Fall of Stara Ves' - both classified as Historical Romance. Taking place from about 1814 up to WWII. About the Soviet Regime, Czech Resistance, and the Holocaust. His Great-Grandfather was a Czech baron who lost everything in the Resistance. Sort of a Dr. Zhivago, or Gone with the Wind, set in Eastern Europe.
http://www.booksonline.com - Search for author Alan Bickel. Good reading!
I got in a little bike ride, after coffee, but then went home, as it looked like rain.
Thursday, I stopped by Starbucks in Andersonville, had my Seattle Suttons over coffee, then rode my bike to take in some sun back by Hollywood Beach.
That pretty much sums up my 'weekend'. Had some dreams last night, will write those when I get back . . .

Today, back at work. Had a great 'weekend'! Went to Willster Hamster's 4th of July party on Sunday, after work. Private beach, great food, interesting people, great fireworks. We saw the Evanston fireworks (many of them purple for NWU) and to the S. we watched the Saddle and Gun Club fireworks. They were everywhere! Party ended promptly at 10, so Scottpup drove to Sidetracks, afterward where we watched retro videos and had a nightcap.
Then, Monday, we slept in, and rode our bikes to have coffee at 'Metropolis' in the 'hood. (They roast their own beans, one of only 2 places in Chicago to do so.)
Rode W. via Rosehill Cemetary and I showed him where Kathy Osterman (our former Alderwoman and activist) was buried, right 'on' the pond-front. (It looks as if the spot were created just for her, since there are no other graves that close to the water)!
We came home and changed, and left for Warrenville. Scott drove us out to Warrenville, where his 'X' lives. He'd invited us out for a BBQ. I brought pussycat toys for his 2 Siamese kitty's They are a sister and half-brother to Scott's 'Jordan'.
Tim BBQ-d steaks (I brought my Seattle Suttons chicken breast) - and we sat out and had a nice, fun conversation, in the backyard. Until the rain came. We went back in to eat our meal, watched an episode from the new Dame Edna DVD, and left around midnight.
Then, Tues, we went for about a 20 mi. bike ride up to the North Branch Trail, via Touhy. Stopped at 3 forest preserves, looking for the entrance. Fun adventure. Made it back by about 5:30pm and Scott headed out, to be up for 'Biata Wednesday' (the cleaning lady.)
Wed., I had coffee at Cafe Boost, in the 'hood - met a writer who wrote two books, 'Winds of Carpethia' and 'The Fall of Stara Ves' - both classified as Historical Romance. Taking place from about 1814 up to WWII. About the Soviet Regime, Czech Resistance, and the Holocaust. His Great-Grandfather was a Czech baron who lost everything in the Resistance. Sort of a Dr. Zhivago, or Gone with the Wind, set in Eastern Europe.
http://www.booksonline.com - Search for author Alan Bickel. Good reading!
I got in a little bike ride, after coffee, but then went home, as it looked like rain.
Thursday, I stopped by Starbucks in Andersonville, had my Seattle Suttons over coffee, then rode my bike to take in some sun back by Hollywood Beach.
That pretty much sums up my 'weekend'. Had some dreams last night, will write those when I get back . . .

Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 06:04:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Steven Rhodes"
Subject: Caring and Crying . . .
To: SixthRomeo@aol.com

Good AM, MS!

A trying week, but many good things to report. Didn't make it to the 'Taste'. I might go next week. Made it back to gym, Wed. Nice biking day. Got some sun down by Fullerton rocks.
Have been a little 'under' due to the bank taking over half my paycheck for OD fees, during the week I was sick. A small charge went thru, beginning the chain reaction to hell.

Then my pup came to my rescue and to my surprise, wrote out a check for the entire amount to deposit. Making me feel even worse. I purposely did not tell him about that, right away, but he probed, and I needed to be honest with him. Then he must have felt sorry. Oy! I let him do in on the condition that I pay him back. He is so sweet for doing that. Whataguy! Eh?

I am definitely getting a part time job. This is for the birds. And not the ducky kind. But, I can't do anything until after our July trip. I promised I wouldn't cancel on him. I can't meet my financial responsibilities, but I can still keep my word to him about everything else. Oh, and I am one payment away from getting evicted on my assessments. I am showing $1500 in the rear, on the ledger, (which is sent after I make my late payment for the month,) but it is only $1000 I am behind. I will get a letter from the atty., before that happens. So, I just can't be late paying late. Yes?

This is all because I am running at a $100 deficit each month, and I cashed out everything to have my operation. Then child support. Then the family-insurance deduction was forced. Then 2 separate 18 month freezes at work, Etc, etc. . . Am dealing with it as best I know how. A learning experience. Backward learning, but that's the way the cookie . . . I am lucky in many ways, so this is not rocket science to figure out a solution. lol!

Had a really bad dream, Wed. Collusion, conspiracy, being lied about in court, by the "B" in a custody suit. Oy! Last night had some better dreams. I should have written them down. Now I forgot. *(See note below) Had a good night's rest, tho.

It rained, yesterday, so I had to drive to run errands. The garage manager offered to bring in his sledge-hammer to pound in my back bumper. (Which my insurance company refused to make the person who did it - pay for. It was nice of him to offer to do that. It's been almost a year with it looking like crap trash.

*Note: Remembered dream:


" . . .Remembered part of the dream from yesterday . . . I was taking a train back to a familiar station. Then, the connecting train had stopped for the day. I met someone from work, as he was leaving. He offered me a ride. In the car, he bent over to pick something up, and started groping me 'down there'! When we got to his house, he asked if I would live with him, since it was right by our work. I told him I was 'taken' and that was that. I woke up. I sized him up, and thought he fell fall short of my pup. Funny, these dreams?

And, no you have not met Scott. But, you've talked on the phone. And seen pics. So, it's almost like knowing him. He appeared on July 20-21, last. As St. Paul to Carunia by Angels. Santiago - Santi-Scott-Pup. . . My hero! I need to do something really special for him, our anniversary and everything. . .

Yes, flying to Boston. We will stay across from the park next to Boston Commons - so we can see the Commons from our hotel room. He has found a nice 2-hour tour for us to take. We'll spend our anniversary night, there. Awwww! Then off to Ptown by Ferry. We will rent bikes and see the island on our own. Toga party and Leather n Feather parties Fri and Sat. Fun, fun!

Well, no Marine today - vaca. day. We will enjoy peace and quiet. Ahhhhhh - what a breath of 'fresh' air - in more ways than one! Then Dale will be gone a half-day, tomorrow. After techie Sunday is well-underway. Maybe even over with for those ill-mannered, snot-nosed nerd-heads. . . ."


---------
From: SixthRomeo@aol.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 09:10:49 EDT
Re: #-) Good Morning, MySteveMan! Re: Popping and Clocking . . .
To: cubstryper@yahoo.com

Good morning, MySteveMan!

Happy hump day to you! Cute dream, your telling someone that you are "spoken for." Its a good omen coming this anniversary month for you. Traveling and vacationing together for that is a good idea. Boston will be nice to see, eh, I don't have to remind you to take pictures. I just visited your photo site, some really nice pictures of you and ScottPup.
A relatively quiet day for you at work, that's a good thing, marine swimming in other ponds.

I didn't go out yesterday evening. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't feel I had the energy to take the hike so I didn't.


I didn't see Father Aaron at Perk Fiction yesterday. Brer Matt said Aaron was up really late; celebrating or commiserating I don't know.


Yes, meeting someone new. In Chicago there was the young man named David who hung out at the Starbucks at Pearson and State. Here, a new Steve but I don't want to think about it. More 1st anniversaries hitting, preying on my heart. I think they are coming with a biorhythm low or are causing one.


I believe JT is in a dark funk with Fiorella's departure for Peru. He was really hoping that this would be "the girl" with whom he would share the future. Once she was here, he knew differently. She doesn't have the same feelings as he. JT will be spending the 4th of July weekend in Ft. Lauderdale with friends.

Hard Day's Night Dream

I awoke, singing "It's Been a Hard Day's Night" - Beatles - I'd been singing it in an echo chamber. I'd been re-recording hits and making money hand-over-fist.
My new house was huge - in an "L" shape. No one could believe how rich I was.
On the property were things I'd never seen. People couldn't understand how that was possible.
There were businesses going on that were "solid gold" financially.
Someone was going crazy. Shooting off two guns, one in each hand.
I remember having some problem adjusting and I suddenly realized that rich people just went to therapy. Poor people had to go to work. But, they kept busy and got better and stronger and became useful members of society.
I had this 'elated' feeling, like I had no more cares or worries. It felt so great!
Oh, somewhere in there, I went over to my father and reassured him that everything was okay, and was able to calm him down. He was upset because no one was helping our mother with dinner. He went away.
- The End!

Tues. May 11, 2004 - Words in a Dream:

- Clear, audible words in a song in my head - very loud and strong:
"Well, just help me nothin', you'll get by".

Saturday, May 1, 2004

Dream: Mean, Lean, Limo Machines . . .
Part I: Last night, there were these extremely evil black spirits swirling amongst us in space. We were not in human form. We all swirled past the same black, perilous sinkholes that had the power to suck us into them. Almost like hidden icebergs at sea.
We saw others fall into them . . . some survived . . . but were weaker, when they came back to our plain. We were glad when we realized that those major evil beings, or creatures all fell into the crevices and were gone. We were free, or at least we would not fall into the black holes, now that the black creatures were gone.
Note: Almost as if they were a 'sacrifice' to some god or gods, providing us safety.

Part II: We had a brand new stretch limo. And I mean S-T-R-E-T-C-H - sixty feet long! A gleaming platinum plated groundship on wheels. It was radiating a pastel pink-ish-lilac-lavendar aura. It was the most beautiful and sleek vehicle in existence. I took the remote control and pushed the button, and the roof slid up, over it and the engine silently purred/ hummed, as if it were nuclear powered, and it began to accelerate!
Inside, we sat on luxurious leather sofas, and were aware of how priceless our limo was! We 'became' what we were riding in! There was a special TV inside. It was also over-sized and state-of-the-art. It was visible to the folks on the outside, who stared and gazed at us.
I was also aware of how hard it would be to travel in anything less, now that we were accustomed to THIS!
Part III: There was an elite group of ultra hot, beautiful mega-models. They posessed magic powers of enchantment. I saw that my mother was with them. As if she were their 'leader'. There was one other, who stood out. She was dressed in an ultra-tight dress with shimmering legs. She was more beautiful and glamorous than anything human. Almost like a goddess, or an angel.
They were competing with the glamour of our car. I was aware of their trying to outdo us, but it did not bother or affect me, in the least. Even 10-million angels couldn't cast a shadow on the aura of this car!
Then the women started chanting and dancing around, arms intwined, in a circular pattern. Maybe trying to cast a spell? Well, whatever it was, it annoyed me enough to go over to the most beautiful one and start yelling in her ear. Syllables, or words, over and over, to drown out their chanting, - interrupting their 'chain' of tought or control. It worked. We began hitting them with these boards, until they stopped chanting and swirling. We didn't 'hurt' them, but they stopped.
While we were in the limo, I remember Belinda appearing, out of the blue, wearing a business suit. She was on her cell phone. She hung up and said to me: "You will be getting a call from our Madison Ave offices - they want to sign your book deal!" - Then I woke up.
Later in the morning: I heard two voices say "There was no single winner in the powerball today."

When I was half-awake, after trying to write the above stuff down, I was aware of a pale-green, patina shape, forming a consistency around my head, as if it were a magnetic field. It half-solidified, to the consistency of divinity or soft candy, and the shape kept shifting as it formed swirling patterns making a sort-of elongated hood over and around my head, sort of like a figure eight. One end was more pointed, the other was brouder around.

That is all.

Many vivid dreams, last night. . .

I was driving in an old - time limo or Rolls - with someone's grandmother - who was also my grandmother, but I didn't really know her, here, (not like I knew my grandmothers in St. Elmo.)

She was also the Queen Mum! We had a disagreement. I told her I was leaving, and stopped the car, and got out, leaving her there. The car began to roll, and it crashed, then burst into flames, killing her! I remember feeling bad, but also a sense of - "oh well, what are ya gonna do? She was bein' crabby and stubborn, and wouldn't listen!" She has decided her own fate.

Then, everything changed with the Royal family. I was part of it, more of an elder position, a mentor. I remember we were coming back from Easter Holiday, walking down some long, winding hill.

There were children. They were special royal children. I was teaching them guiding them, so they would grow up to be well behaved and responsible. I really loved them lots. They were so wonderful and innocent. One of them was acting up a bit more than the others, but I sort of let him get away with it, more than I should have, because he was so cute, so sensitive. Hahah!

We got back to the house, more of a compound, really, and I heard everyone say that the police were coming. They were investigating the old woman's death. I did not care what they did, so long as they were quick about it. I told them to come in, get to business, then leave. They made a big, federal case out of everything, and put this bright blue sterile plastic over everything in my house, (there's that color, again,) from front to back, and they wanted me to stay in my room, until they were done.

Well, I ignored them, and walked down the hall, anyway, to see what the hell they were up to. They yelled at me, as if I were some schoolboy, and they said: "Didn't you read the sign, you were not to come down here"?

I wasn't the least bit concerned with their idiotic rules, and kept walking. So then, they told me to go into some holding area and put a guard on the door to watch me. Then the dream changed, or I woke up, one. Probably my way of saying - "We'll see about that!" lol

Friday April 9, 2004 -
Dreamscape:
Last night I had a short, but clear dream, near waking in the morning. I was at church, and Madonna (the pop one,) was also a member of our church. I was pleased that she invited me to her house, that night.
I remember talking with her, as if meeting for the first time. We were in her house. It was an enormous house with many unusual rooms. More like a modern-day castle. I remember looking carefully at the layout, so I would remember how to tell everyone about it.
There were many people staying there. There was one guy I was sitting next to, and had a conversation with. (Marine is reading his email aloud, at volume 10, and I cannot think of his name, right now.) But, this guy was in her band. He played guitar. He had long black hair, and was 30-something.
Madonna's mother was there. She was helping us with some craft-y type project. Okay - marine is shouting about "F@#$ing Muslim's" now, so I will stop, here. I cannot think with this racket going on.

Friday April 2, 2004 -
Dreamscape: Had a very clear dream last night - I remember I was back in my Elementary School, in St. Elmo - I was sitting in the hall at a desk, working. An older, grey-haired lady, about 5'5 with a jolly, round face - I had seen once before in my dreams came in and unlocked the Kindergarten Room door and said hello, and went inside. A friendly encounter.
Then, this guy drove up in an open-top Jeep. Blonde, German or Scandinavian looking. 20-something - muscular build. I think he was trying to pick me up! HAHAHAH! He was asking directions, and didn't know the area. But, he kept talking, after I told him the directions, wanting me to get in, or get closer. So, I ended up getting in the Jeep with him to show him. Once I was in the car, I looked at the time, (for once!) . . . and decided it was lunch time. That meant, I could go on a mission-of-mercy-adventure with him, and not be missed from work. So it was, and we drove off.

He was looking for the Sherwin-Williams Paint store. He mentioned some street numbers, and I took him to the closest one, in Lincoln Mall, (where Scott and I went on our impromptu road-trip, two weeks ago.) I remember telling him he was almost there. He was on the right path. When we got there, he stopped the car, and we kissed, but neither of us wanted to do anything more than that. I was taken, [Scott]. He respected that.
Well, suddenly, that wasn't the right paint store, and I had to eat, yet. [it was still my lunch hour] We were in a big parking lot - which was at my high-school, but also on my college campus - where the cafeteria was - [both places merged in my mind, what can I say.]

He looked at his directions, once more, and I noticed that the address to his paint store was actually in Oak Forest - way North of where we were. I said goodbye, and got out, rather hurriedly, pointing him in the right direction. He drove off, and I remember thinking - why doesn't he just go get a map? He was college-age, and I just figured he didn't have enough money. But, he had money for some frivolous thing in his jeep. [trying to remember] So I didn't feel too bad. But, when I woke up, I felt bad for just getting out, and not showing him where the new paint store was. I was where I needed to be, so I just didn't give his problems any more thought, after that.

Well, I remember going inside a building - and my friend Martha was there. She wanted me to work on painting an airplane. I was actually doing the painting. [another paint reference, here] - her live-in boyfriend was there, and made a comment - "I really like our new bed." Then she made a comment - "Well, I guess it could be your bed, too, since I bought it."
There were other friends there, and they heard that comment and thought it was typical "Martha" style. Sort of selfish or self-important - sounding. Controlling, maybe?
Anyway, I started painting the airplane, and was choosing pale-yellow-ochre shades from the small paint tubes. They were from one of the extra water color sets that was in the drawer. When I was choosing the right tube, I was all-of-a-sudden concerned about using all the paint for this project, and thinking I might run out of paint for MY water color book project. Now, it was for Jamie (my son,) so I didn't mind. (For Martha, I think I would have minded.)
We finished up, and left Martha's, and walked outside with all our friends. They were saying, "Did you catch Martha's subtle comment about the bed? And how she made sure that the BF KNEW it was HER bed, not HIS?"
Then, some old, grey hairyed guy - a chauffer - a jolly Irish-looking face, came walking up, (from the North of the parking lot at school - what directions, eh???) He was an old friend of mine. I think he also knew the Kindergarten Lady, from earlier. Then, his wife got off a bus, out front. He slapped her on the butt, as she was walking. They were playful. We were all walking away. Then, I woke up.
The End.

Friday Night, March 26-27, 2004
DreamScape: Last night all I remember was being in a big cemetary, flying around, looking for my grave which was supposed to be in a semi-circular design, taking up the spaces of about 100 graves. It was next to Chopin and Beethoven! HAHAHAH! But, I landed on the ground, and went up close, and all I could find were pairs of candles (like those candles in the tall cylinders we see at Christmas.) They were wedding candles. I remember seeing 3 pairs sitting on this stone shelf, with a bunch of other candles. One of them was mine, and the matching one - to my partner??? Then I woke up.

Thursday night, March 25-26, 2004.
The Mayor (our friend, Richard), was in the last one . . . he had come to visit us in some big hotel. But, he died in his room, and we couldn't get anyone to come and take his body out! I waited all day, and no one came for him. So, I went into his suite, and was looking around his room. I found his famous little black book, and tried to find anything he didn't want anyone to see, and get rid of it. I found nothing bad. But . . . I found a bag full of Christmas presents - the first one I pulled out had my name on it, then there were many more presents I pulled out and laid on the bad. I was just ready to go back and call the 'family' and 'kids'? together, and I saw him moving! He was alive!
He woke up, and I was so happy. I told him what I'd done, and how nice it was for him to bring us all gifts!
Then, he was speaking at a luncheon, and I remember going up to him and giving him a big hug, and telling him how glad I was he was not dead. I was actually crying crocodile tears! He was with some big financial bigwig, who was ignoring me, because I wasn't 'important' enough to bother with me. I was still very sad at almost having lost the mayor, when I woke up! The End!

St. Patrick's Day 12:51 am Sat 3/1/2004
Part I
- We were at a St. Patrick's Day Party. But it was a continuation from the "big-star at an awards ceremony" dream. I had earlier.

- This time, tho, there were many boyfriends - I was to choose which one I'd go out with. There were two Rick's, and about 5 others,k I liked them all, but they kept disappearing. [as I write this the very eerie sound of an English ambulance goes by - "Woo-ahh, woo-ahh, woo-ahh" and changes pitch, as it fades off into the distance.

- This is pretty much the sound of our American ambulance, but we rarely hear them on Sheridan road (residential), especially when there is no traffic, that early in the am.

- Okay, so back to the dream - this last Rick comes back, and we are quite enamored with each other.

- He is gorgeous, wearing a tan cowboy hat with the corners turned way up on the sides. Blue jeans.

- He is a building contractor, and we talk a bit about fuildings.

- We are given an assignment - we are to draw a picture to express our love to each other.

- He goes off and I create mine.

- There were some really cute guys from the health club there, standing in line - they were there to get their hair cut, or colored, or something drastic.

- Rick came back and fought them off. He was really trying to impress me.!

- So, now we go to look at each other's drawing. I was shocked to see how elaborate his was.

- There was a castl, and details like a blueprint! He was a very good artist - an architect, in fact!

- Well, this girl appeared. She was putting on her black stockings. She had gorgeous legs - I recognized her and said "Oh, Hi, you're Crystal Rogers aren't you? (An older girl in H.S.) But it was not her. Her name was something else, (I forgot).

- She hung out with the popular girls, but they did some drugs. Just then, one of the drug lords came up and tried to woo me and get me to smoke with him.

- I told him "No - you're on drugs" Then I threatened if I ever found out who was doing these, I'd make their lives "so miserable", etc.

- He got up in my face "or what" - arguing with me. Finally, he went slinking off.

- Rick came back and we danced, ate at the buffet line, and even skated on the floor. He had a sculpted body and "killer" face. Gorgeous, cowboy type.

- I wasn't going to choose him, at first, but this was part of the elimination round, and he was starting to win me over.

- I was quickly falling for him.

- Well, in typical fashion, he disappeared for awhile, and we couldn't find him ANYwhere!

- There was this older, Polish woman, or maybe Russian?? She came up to me, bitching and screaming right up in my face and wouldn't shut up, till I slapped her.

- Then, she went and told her big, burly husband, and he got to punch me. I deserved it, for letting her get to me, like that.

- Then, someone in the crowd - one of my spies, said "Oh, I just saw Rick out in the lobby - he was talking on his cell phone" - meaning he was talking to one of his other boyfriends - which meant that he disappeared to make his little phone calls.

- He became quickly distracted with me, and that was all I needed to see. I saw my Sister and some other friends coming my way. I called to them.

- Just then, I saw Michael Laridon sneaking out to go see his friend, Joe Kordan. I called to him, but didn't have time for all his nonsense - I went with my sister and the Coxes (H.S. friends of our parents) out the main door, and we left the party together.

- Once outside, I ran into my dad - standing outside this shrine (see Part II) . . .
--------
Part II
- The repeat of a dream - a secret temple in the woods.

- But a tourist stop. Inside the shrine, an immensely evil man. His pictures hung on the walls - he posessed many evil powers. Things in the house moved.

- Cabinets contained mechanized functions - statues moved about - music played - similar to German cuckoo clocks.

- There was a piece like a bird - it was an owl. It came out of its cabinet like the cuckoo in a clock while you were looking at something else, and just as your attention was about to be free from another display, ending, the owl/cuckoo came out and turned around 180 degs., and went back inside it's case - only this time it ran down and stopped. It stood there with its back turned, as the music and the clock, inside stopped.

- I had seen my dad, Phil, standing outside the shrine, and I told him that I'd show it to him. That it was okay, I'd been there before, that I knew it well, and my health club was in the basement, inside.

- We actually were doing something together, peacefully.

- So, I took him up the pyramid-like entrance, and I was all excited to be giving the tour.

- I showed him a small room that had a door on the opposite side, which looked through to the portrait room.

- This small ante-room was lined with thick oak or walnut panelling - elaborate carved mouldings and doorways.

- It was Victorian, but American, however, the "Count" who lived there was older than time,itself - almost like a vampire.

- I am one of the only people that ever witnessed him. He was too evil for most visitors. He hid behind the walls, so no one could find him.

So, anyway, we walked through the little ante-room, into the main hall or chamber - we were captivated by all the movement and music boxes playing all around.

- I was about to show my dad the evil portraits, with the "living" eyes

- But, now they were gone.!The place was being renovated and re-decorated. They were putting out vases with flowers and replacing the tapestries of evil.

- There was a woman standing in the front - sort of a hostess, or open-house tour guide. I think her name was Becky. She spoke with a cultured, yet slightly Southern accent.

- We discussed what the evil master looked like - I said he reminded me of a very good-looking rock-star.

- The lady said "yes - he was related to many famous people - a famous actor named ???" (I forgot. - And also to Mick Jagger and Keith Moon.

- But, this guy had a very demonic evil - it was more powerful than anything we could describe.

- It was described by both of us as severely "bi-polar!" (She agreed with me - "yes a bi-polarness).

THen I woke up - Puss puss was at my head on my pillow!

Notes: One of the names that sticks out was "Oberweiss" as in the dairy. (This is also Election Primary time, and he was a candidate in the news a lot.) Also, the girl's name I said I forgot, was "Luanne Rhymes" - (not Lee Ann).

The actor's name was something like Richard Chamberlain, or Lee Marvin. That era.