An Intimate Evening with Linda Eder

The palace of fine arts is a hidden gem tucked in behind the Palace of Fine Arts and it is a great place for an intimate concert.

We used Gold Star to get tickets to see Linda Eder. This is actually the second time I've seen her, though the first time I had a group of McAteer students in tow, a tired co-chaperone and a partial view of the show, Jekyl and Hyde.

As it turns out, Ms. Eder was a Star Search success story and got her role in the Broadway show based on largely on her success on the show. Of course, and I do not give her delivery justice, she went from playing Mother Superior to playing a prostitute for three years!

Her voice is gorgeous and aside from a little rude interaction with the audience, some guy did not feel that her rendition of Judy Garland's Over the Rainbow was up to snuff.

"Judy did it better!"
"You are absolutely rude ..."
"It's true ..."

Linda Eder: "I am simply stunned."

She then went on to sing the song. If you get the opportunity to see her live, do so.

Linda Eder's Official Website

Easter Weekend - Ta-Tas, Nibbles, and Sisters

Pictures: Click here to view.

The weekend started with a little adventure with Jeff. He had tickets to SF Gay Men's Chorus' presentation of Bump and Grind Cabaret. I thought it was going to be in the Regency Ballroom, instead it was upstairs in the Regency Lodge. This was not my first time in the room. Miss Kris and I went to a holiday party for her company several years ago and now she's married (assumably doing a little bump and grind action herself!).

The room was reminiscent of a speakeasy. There were tables and things kicked off with the Twilight Vixen Revue and the introduction to Cabaret, Wilkommen.

This was not my favorite show. It was fun hanging out with Jeff, but there is something wrong when there are more ta-tas on display (see the Vixens website). At one point, the host donned a dress and in a monotone delivery, stated, "You didn't think I would go an entire evening without putting on a dress." Drag Queen, especially those on stage should have a personality. This poor thing used cue cards and was so dull that I had to question the sanity of the bear sitting next to us, who bellowed with such joy, you'd think someone put cake in front of him. After the show, we to see some other show girls at Divas ... can't wait until my brother is in town to take him on a tour. Of course, he's busy trying to kill himself in Utah, but that is another story.

Taste of Yountville

The Mustard Festival is always fun. We usually head to Calistoga but we stopped mid-valley to enjoy the festival in Yountville. Wine, food, and a walk in the sun.

Not a bad way to spend the day ... though my car is starting to sound like a Southwest airliner that hasn't seen it regular checkup.

We also took the opportunity to check out the new Iranian winery ... hmm ... tacky comes to mind. But that would be judgemental and I that just wouldn't be right on Easter weekend.

Speaking of tacky ... we visited the garden of the French Laundry and use the bathroom. It was lovely!

Easter morning Frank and I decided to head over to 2223 for brunch. This was followed by heading down to sister's 29 annual celebration. Duboce park was packed with celebrants ... and there was a sighting or two of Jesi.

Happy Easter!

Doing My Civic Duty - Jury Duty

I just spent two days sitting in a court room listening to very smart people question not so smart people. Unlike my criminal trial where I sat on the jury, these lawyers were prepared, eloquent, and passionate about what they were doing. I started a chart to determine who I felt would be selected and based on my initial guesses, 7 of the 12 were selected. Luckily, I was not one of them. To be honest, there was not a lot of drama in the court room. I was impressed with the breadth of people in the room. We represented the entire city, all ethnicities, and economic levels.

Walking in San Francisco is always an adventure. My first day of jury duty found me walking from our house on Noe Street all the way to Civic Center via Market Street. I stopped for coffee at Peets coffee and was informed that I was still wearing a sales tag on my jeans. Oops. What was worse was the detail that the man tried to tell me from his car but I was to absorbed in my iPod.

I finished listening to my NPR podcasts, the weekly radio address from the president, and called my sister to chat prior to entering the court house. As I approached City Hall, I saw what appeared to be a festive protest or demonstration. It almost sounded like a New Orleans jazz band and there were woman carrying red umbrellas dancing about. One woman looked like she was wearing a series of flags from around the world. Once I was close enough to see the details, I noted that the woman was indeed wearing a garment made from flags from around the world. She looked like a grandmother! The sign on the steps stated, "Rights for Sex Workers = Human Rights!"

I just spent two days sitting in a court room listening to very smart people question not so smart people. The interview segment of the trial was a bit dull. It was obvious which jurors were trying to be excused. This is interesting since they basically did not want to be inconvenienced, which if they were to be excused would then inconvenience someone else. I started a chart to determine who I felt would be selected, the top 12 even had inappropriate sketches representing notable facial features. I was not selected.

Outside our courthouse another protest began. The California Supreme Court was hearing the same-sex marriage lawsuit and the Bible thumpers were out in force. The usual banners were on display (see quotes below). During our lunch break, I watched as the hate-mobile drove circles around the Civic Center. The van had a giant cross, the admonition of hell for homosexuals, and the traditional "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" quote. In addition to the pictures of two men kissing in hell fire, there were pictures of the Twin Towers in New York City in flames from 911.

Aside from the hostile words, it was all quite peaceful and one bicyclist rode by saying "shame, shame, shame!" to the protestors. All the while, an apparently homeless rasta-man was yelling about how rape was wrong and this includes both men and women, and the establishment was not talking about it.

Signs Seen Outside the California Supreme Court House

• Sodomy is sin
• Re-Criminalize Sodomy
• Stop Using Jesus to Promote Hatred
• Majority Voted 4 Marriage
• Marriage = 1 man + 1 woman
• Moral Wrong Cannot be a Civil Right
• NO Gays
• "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?" Matthew 19: 4-5 (It should be noted that Jesus was responding to a question by a pharisee regarding divorcing one's wife.)
• "The men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:27
• “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
• God is not mocked (pictures of news headlines where God sent earthquakes, etc.)
• Stop ignoring being Gay is not a choice
• Your religion is not my goverment
• Gay (HRC Symbol) = Pervert
• Reverend King said, "Christianity sets forth a system of absolute moral values."
• We oppose bigotry and discrimination
• Gay bashing and hate mongering is not welcome in SF

Annie Leibovitz and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Frank and I went to a Member's Only event at the Legion of Honor to see the opening of the Annie Leibovitz exhibit. I really enjoyed the exhibit, though the Legion needs to work on their flow design. For a limited number of people, there were too many dead ends and the wee ones (short people who don't consider other people being able to see or not), kept dodging in and out blocking our view. Here's one of her famous pictures of Queen Elizabeth.

On our way out, Frank saw a sign for a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. It was not an overwhelming exhibit and we had the room pretty much to ourselves. The exhibit included glass, pottery and a segment of Psalms 119. I know they told us what section of the dead sea scroll was included, but I got shooshed by a guard, when I tried to call mom and share.

Here are the verses I believe I saw.

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,to keep your righteous rules.

Frank gets Hitched!

A Taste of Aloha!

BOOGIE Boarding on Hawaii

It is time to boogie!