OakMonster’s Den

Master Greg and his friends joined Brandon and I last night out on the hard stone grounds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center for “The Muppet Movie” under the stars. The movie was free, however the parking was $8 a car. Brandon and I had to drive separately so it wasn’t too “free” for us. But if I didn’t leave early like I did, we wouldn’t have any place to sit down. And thanks to a tip on Yelp, we did bring enough cushioning to sit comfortably for the hard floor.

The grounds was packed with both outer and inner children of all ages. Everybody STILL loves the Muppets!

I remembered watching the Muppet Movie a long, long time ago. Again, one of those I saw before I understood English properly or any of the humor. What I remember most is the fact that I was freaking out at seeing Kermit’s legs! Him riding the Schwinn terrified me for a few moments. And then I remember the “Fork in the Road”. I didn’t know what that means, but I remember seeing that fork on the road and wonder, why was there a fork in the road? Americans are so funny.

Being there with 3 gay guys, of course, any mentioning of “bears” was hilarious. “Patriotism swells in the heart of the American bear,” got the most giggles. Added, predictably by our band of chorus, “Guess what else in the American bear swell?”

More giggling ensues at Dr. Bunsen’s lab in the ghost town outpost.

Floyd Pepper: [about the growth solution] What else do these pills make big?
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew: Oh, they work on anything, but the effect is sadly temporary.

The adults in the audience cracked up all over the grounds. More importantly, it took grandpa in front of us a few seconds to get what all the other dirty minds were thinking, then he started laughing. That set us off into an entirely different giggle.

Throughout the show, we were singing along and interjecting our own sound effects. There’s nothing like the crowd going “Hiiiii-yah!” when Miss Piggy went kung fu on the baddies or “A-ni-mal! A-ni-mal!” growls at any time Animal was on.

Good fun for everyone last night.

ETA: We also never realized how much of a drag queen that blondie in Electric Mayhem is!  Good god.

This is what I wrote to OCTA in support of my bus driver, Gunny.

Hi there,

I ride the last 701 bus out of Downtown LA daily. I only know my driver as “Gunny”, but I’m sure you can find out who that is.

Gunny is a safe driver, something I can’t really say about some of the past drivers we’ve had. He is also always courteous to us regulars as well as others.

Once we picked up a couple of foreign tourists. Gunny was extremely helpful in clarifying where our bus was heading and if this was the right bus for them. Once that was figured out, he even helped them figure out how to connect from the Golden West station to wherever it was they were going.

One other occasion of extraordinary service from Gunny was when the bus was ordered to reroute. Something happened in Downtown and he said we had to take a detour. But instead of just leaving the folks at the stops we had to bypass behind, Gunny asked if we’d mind being a little late getting home so that he could go around and pick those folks up. We didn’t have any problem with that at all. And so we took another 15 minutes to go around the blocks to pick up at least 2 more riders who might have been left stranded if it wasn’t for Gunny coming back for them.

However, I did overhear one of the riders we came to pick up complained about the bus being late, not acknowledging the fact that a) traffic was horrible on its own, b) we were ordered to go around, and that c) we DID come back for him. I’m sure that guy would have complained a lot worse if he was stranded.

I just want to let you guys know that Gunny followed YOUR order to detour and yet still went out of his way to make sure he didn’t leave anyone behind. Once a Marine, always a Marine. It’s true. (My husband is a Marine as well.)

And that brings me to the most recent praise I have for Gunny.

If I can speak on behalf of everyone on the bus on July 3rd, I would like to say that OCTA should be extremely proud to have Gunny as your driver. There were American flags hanging on the bus along side the USMC flag. I’m not an American citizen and even I puffed up with American patriotism and pride. Here’s a man who fought for this country and for our freedom. Of all of us on the bus, he’s probably the only one who actually earns the right to fly the American flag on the bus, and not only on the eve of Independence Day. It was such an honor to be driven by a Marine.

I just want to drop a line and let you know that of my two years on the bus so far, Gunny might just be the one I trust most to get me home safely.

Thanks!

- Your 701 regular

ETA: Just a little back story. Us on the bus got words that someone has called OCTA to complain about Gunny’s display of flags on the bus on the eve of Independence Day, specifically the USMC flag. OCTA reportedly checked that off as a complaint against Gunny, 3 of 5. The other two, although unreasonable but that’s a story for another time, are actually related to his driving. This one is not.

I’m married to a Marine. Bill on The Bus has son who is currently serving in Kuwait. The rest of us that we talked to support Gunny…and the 1st Amendment. Bill showed his support on the bus today by posting up a picture of his son and other Marines on the window next to him. If I had known, I would’ve brought my USMC shirt (thanks, Justin!) and hang it up on my window too.

ETA 2: I texted Brandon of the whole shenanigan on Wednesday, and Brandon texted me back this: “Tell gunny to tell the commies that they can fucking walk home”.  Well said, honey.

We have been busting out our credit cards a little bit too often these few months.  But all for the things we do need and we’re willing to eat Top Ramen for a while for.

First was my commuter comfort purchases.  My lovely red briefcase got here today.  I’m going to adore its candy red shell for a few more weeks before slapping on one of my Emily the Strange stickers.  Hehee.

Then was the birthday party.  Instead of me cooking, we ordered a party pack from Naples Rib Company.  To our surprise, for $100 from Naples can feed about 15 people easy.  While a visit to the restaurant with 3 other friends might have cost just about the same.  Next time we crave barbecue, we’ll have to get a group together to be worth it.

Brandon’s birthday present is also an online steal.  He desperately needs a new office chair.  His back pain alone is worth every dollar I was to plunk down to get him the chair.  We found one at Staples and I came home to comparison shop.  I managed to find the same chair on Staples website with $50 off and no delivery charge, plus an online coupon that roped me 10 Arbor Day canvas bags for zero dollar.  That’s right.  10 bags for free.  I have enough to supply everyone I know back home with a “Gift of the U.S.”!  (And it’ll be made in China…I’m sure.)

And speaking of Thailand, the big daddy of them all are the prices of our tickets home.  Brandon and I will be in Bangkok the week of Thanksgiving with Brandon returning the Saturday after Thanksgiving and me the Friday after that.  With his bad knee, we have to get bigger seat of Economy Deluxe on EVA.  But then again, regular Economy on Thai already costs more than that even if it’s a real direct flight.

Oh, and good job on Thai Airways in luring people in.  On their website, it lists the flight I want at $903, but miraculously there are fees that makes the ticket in the $1600 at the end of check out.

Flight costs are going to be crazy, people.  It is already unpretty out there when even China Airlines hits the $900s to go to Bangkok when it’s all said and done.  And I thought I was clever for buying the tickets now.  Should’ve bought them in March or something.

Happy 36th Birthday, my darling Brandon!

This year marks his 3rd cycle, as Thai people call it. He was born on the year of the Rat, and it’s the year of the Rat again. Hence, 3rd cycle.

Here’s what they say about the Rat.

People born in the Year of the Rat are one of the most industrious and hardest working in the zodiac.

Forever busy in pursuit of an ambitious personal goal, at times they may become difficult to work with since they are born perfectionists. Rats must ensure that every “i” is dotted before completing an assigned task. As a result, they are often successful financially, and are good providers for their family and those they cherish most dearly.

Loyal and loving, Rat people inspire loyalty in others who are close to them. They are essentially honest individuals and loath to betray a confidence. However, their quick wit and restlessness can sometimes lead to chattiness, and they can often be relied upon at large social gatherings for a good story or a juicy bit of gossip.

Their energy levels and expert organizational talents are such that it is a rare thing to see a Rat person sitting idly by with nothing to do.

They may even sometimes be viewed as opportunists who cajole others into helping them accomplish a great ambition. In their careers, Rat people can find much success as business leaders or politicians.

Rats are most compatible with : Dragon (That’s ME!!!), Monkey, Ox

Famous people born in the Year of the Rat : Charlotte Bronte, Truman Capote, Catherine I, Prince Charles, Sasha Cohen, Eminem, Peter the Great, Mata Hari, Scarlett Johansson, Wolfgang Mozart, Plato, William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, George Washington.

I’d better get cracking. We’re…well…I’m throwing a party, don’t you know.

Zut, je suis bon!

Frenchy can correct what Google Translate told me to say. Foux du feh!

That’s Brandon’s birthday party invite. He’s a rat. This year is his 3rd cycle. Important to me, not much to him, but given the past few months of emotional roller coasters on his part, this boy needs a good party.

It was hot as hell at AIDS Walk Long Beach. But we did it.

Yey, us!

We went to see Kung Fu Panda with Erik on Saturday.  (I only have one word for you, “Skadoosh!” I’d see it again a million times!  Do sit through the credit for a little cute snippet at the end.)  Then I left to surprise my friend Amber at her little sister’s graduation party at her mom’s house.Amber’s mom is a genius.   First she got me, who fetched Nora.  Then she got Michael, Amber’s best gay and my prom date.  Nora and I arrived late when both Mike and Amber were already buzzed.  The look on Amber’s face when Nora and I came through the door was priceless.

After most guests have gone, we even got to have a beer with the conquering graduate with a few swear words thrown in for good measures.  We finally welcome no-so-little-anymore Alicia to the adult table.  Haha.

Alicia graduated from that other university across town.  I promised not to stir any rivalry pot when I showed up and someone would start picking on me a bit.  And I would mention the truce and we all had a good laugh at the expense of the lone Trojan in a bruin’s den.

I later showed Alicia what I stowed into the fridge as her graduation present.  It’s a little puke blue and pale yellow tote with pockets.  I’m sure the real intention was for a new college student to carry their stuff to the shared dorm showers.  It just happens to perfectly hold a 6-pack of beer in paper carrier.

I happily fit a 6-pack of Red Trolley in it.

“Now, that’s grown-up beer I bought for you,” I told her.  “You graduated from college and therefore graduating from college beer.  Enough with the Miller and Coors and Corona crap.”

Alicia laughed.  “I still can’t believe you actually bought a UCLA tote.”

“The cost of my Trojan pride had better be the best damn present you’ve gotten today, little one,” I looked up at Alicia.

Yes.  Up.  This “little girl” who used to hang around with us back in high school is damn near 6 foot tall now.  The next thing we’ll know is Amber’s little girl Brittany, who is 9 and bigger than me, will be graduating college in a few blinks of an eye.

I had a fantastic time with Amber, Michael and Nora.  I played some piano and we sang a bit.  We joked around and walked down memory lanes, laughing our butts off.  I am once again reminded of the value of true friendship.  Across states and continents, and across time, when you have it, you have it.

On the contrary, today is what Thai people call a “Just Grandpa-Grandma” weekend.  It was just me and my B.

I made breakfast. He ran the laundry.  I put it away.  He let me hawk the couch.  I let him play his game.  We started on Lego Indiana Jones game, and went to see The Incredible Hulk.  (Very entertaining, by the way. Not as much fun as Iron Man, but I did like it.  Oh, and you don’t have to sit through the credit for this.)

Low key.  Low stress.

…which doesn’t explain why my head hurts and my skin is sensitive.

I think I’m coming in hot with a fever.  And I didn’t even do anything that would warrant it this weekend!

Hopefully it’s going to contain itself overnight.

How was YOUR weekend?

Woke up feeling the blues and didn’t want to put on the happy, personal mask for the day, I stayed home and worked on designing web pages for work.  A combination of homesick, having talked to my dad last night and emailed with my brother this morning, feeling the odd sense of loss, and missing Brandon quite fiercely.  As it was proven, it was really good to be alone today.

Ate leftover pasta for lunch on the couch, watching re-run of Firefly on Sci-Fi channel.

Ran to Fresh & Easy to pick up single serving of rib eye steak, a little baggy of salad, a thing each of chocolate mousse, rattatouille and mashed potatoes, and other groceries.

Made steak and egg dinner with a little salad.  Had a glass of wine.

Watched…and watching all a girl would want to watch when she has the control of the television: Steel Magnolias, Sex and the City re-runs (I mainly watched the Aiden period), and, naturally, Monty Python and the Flying Circus on BBC America while waiting for Dr. Who and Battlestar Galactica.

Can you imagine what it was like for me when I was single and without cable?  LOL.

Sunday. Justin graduated from medical school and Olaina finally became a doctor’s wife.

Monday. Brandon set off to Pennsylvania.  It was his dad’s birthday.

Today.  Brandon’s grandfather passed away.  It is also Brandon’s little niece Cheyenne’s birthday.

Tomorrow. Brandon’s niece Lauren graduates from high school.

The funeral is set for Saturday afternoon.

It’s a heart wrenching week all around for Brandon.  I am all this far away and my heart is heavy for him.  I want to be right over there and just hold the man for a little while, the way he was there to hold me when I came home the day mom died.  This is what it means that you want to be with someone so badly it physically hurts.

I did look into a flight out of here, but Brandon insisted that I stay put.  They can’t possibly add another body into grandma’s house at this point.  And another body is just going to be too many cooks in the kitchen.

Please continue to send more love and good mojo to Brandon and his family.  I really appreciate it.

Brandon’s grandfather passed away this morning.  More information coming.

Please send your good mojo and prayer to my beloved husband and his family out in Pennsylvania.