Dinah Shore 2007

Denise and I made our way to Dinah Shore in Palm Springs last weekend. We decided that we did not want to partake in the whole weekend, so we drove up Saturday and stayed through Sunday.

For those few out there who are wondering why in the world we would waste a perfectly good weekend at a golf terminant, Dinah Shore is so much more than it seems. It has become what many refer to as "lesbian spring break," or "lesbians gone wild." I must say, it deserves both those titles. The first lesbian Dinah Shore lesbian fest was, I learned this past weekend, in April 1991 and it has been going strong every year since. In general, it involves pool parties during the day and dance parties with "special guest" performances at night. However, amoungst those activities are tops flying off, alcohol being guzzled, and random sex taking place in pretty much any location you can think of. Yes, it is insane.

Actually, it was last year at Dinah Shore that Denise and I really got to know each other. NO, not in that way, we just talked. ;) Before that our conversations had been the casual bar talk and nothing else. It took Dinah to show us we had a lot in common. So, this year was in some ways a bit of an anniversary for us.

Anyway, we really didn't make up our minds about going until the last minute, so Denise could only get us a hotel about 16 miles from Palm Springs, and it was a shithole. hahaha! The box spring was exposed on our bed, the comforter had a hole in it, and it seemed some hillbilly serial killer would knock on our door at any minute, it was fun. :)

Why did we wait until the last minute you ask? Well, the main reason being is the promotors of this weekend have raised the prices to a ridiculous point. (please excuse me while i begin a small rant.)

There is the option of purchasing pre-passes to the Dinah Shore weekend. This totals over $200,00! What do you get for that $200.00? You get to enter a pool party at a hotel with a DJ and at various points live music. At night, you get to go into a section of the hotel with a DJ, go go girls, and at times live music. Basically, it is a larger version of Girl Bar here in LA and I only ever pay $5.00 to get in there. Perhaps you don't want to go to all the events, so you want to pay when you get there for activities you want to attend. To get into a pool party alone it is $30.00, and for that large Girl Baresq party, it will cost you $75.00!!!! Can you believe it?!

I just feel this is an example of lesbians exploiting the lack of lesbian centered events in the gay community. In all cities I have lived in, including LA, there are specific clubs for gay men everywhere. Lesbians are lucky to get a darkly lit bar at the end of the street, or if they are really good, a certain night just for them at a local gay bar. This is why these ladies that come to Dinah Shore from all over the country are willing to shell out major cash just to see a go go girl at a dance club and listen to Crystal Waters belt out "100% Pure Love." It really pisses me off. Obviously I realize this is ultimately a business and these women want to make money, but given all the advertisements and promotions I was exposed to over the weekend + the money people spend on drinks, food, etc. , I think these lesbians would do just fine charging, for example, $10 for the pool party and $20 for the night stuff. Lets help each other out instead of contributing to the oppression lesbians face in the world as it is people. Anyway, I digress...

After all that, what did I end up paying for over the weekend? One pool party. :) We didn't go to the pool party Saturday, cause we were late. That night, we were struggling with paying to get into a party because of all the arguments above. We entered the hotel to see just how much a pass was (we did not know the $75.00 price yet). It was chaos as everyone was rushing to see some L word thing, so we just kind of stood there looking confused. I went off to see just how much it was to get in, and when I looked back at Denise and our friend Brody they were frantically waving at me to come back. Someone had just given them bracletts for free to get into the dance party! So, we didn't pay a thing. To make it even better, our friends had a room at the hotel, so we would just go to their room to pee, refill our drinks, and walk right back into the party with a full glass. Ultimately, Denise and I were so drunk that we ended up taking a nap in the back of her pick-up truck (I know, at truck, how lesbian:) to sober up before we drove back to our hotel. It was great. The next day we went to one of the pool parties, and reluctantly paid the $30.00. We swam, we laid out, and we tried to ignore Betty who was performing on stage. Around 5PM or so was made our way back to LA to recover from the weekend. All in all it was pretty fucking fun. :)

Leslie Rocks my World!

Last night we went to see Leslie and the Lys at the UCLA Hammer Museum. She was awesome and has expanded her show to include dance routines and Internet celebrity guest stars! It was so much fun and she has so much energy it is incredible. Plus, to add to the awesomeoness of Leslie, she is from IOWA!! For the uninformed, I am originally from Burlington, IA. I wouldn't say Burlington is a happening place, but Ames, IA obviously is because it produced this genius act. Anyway, if you are unfamiliar with Leslie and the Lys, check out her web page: http://www.leslieandthelys.com/

After the show, Denise and I rushed home (as much as you can rush in LA traffic) to watch LOST. Yes, it is Wednesday again already! Anyway, it was a good episode, which was to be expected because it involved John Locke. Locke is such an interesting character because he is so attached to the island. I can understand why of course. Before the plane crash he was a paralyzed man with shattered dreams. After the crash he could walk and fulfill his dreams of becoming a bush man. Anyway, we found out how Locke became paralyzed (his dad pushed him out the window), and discovered that he doesn't want anyone getting off that island. He blew up the submarine (which really did exist) and now Jack can't leave either. No one can. John is pretty selfish when it comes to considering others (not the bad "others", just others.:) Anyway, at the very end, creepy Ben opens a door and who is behind it? None other than John's dad, all tied up and ready for a beating. Should be interesting...

Oh yea, it looks like next week someone dies, and Sun's dark side might be revealed. Tune in next week, same bat station, same bat channel.

"Thank you momma for giving me gold pants." *Leslie Hall

Home Sweet Home

When I was younger I used to think of myself as a person who was willing to crash anywhere that had a blanket and a pillow. I once told my mother that even when I was in my 80s I was going to have sleep overs with my friends (now that I reflect on that comment, it seems to make more sense.:) Anyway, as I have gotten older, I am beginning to accept that I REALLY get attached to my living space and my BED!

My friend Jess was house-sitting for her boss while he is away on set filming in Louisiana. Last week he asked if Jess could come to visit him, so we said we would take over the house-sitting for the time she was gone. So, here we are, at this peaceful, beautiful, movie lovers dream, and all I want to do is go home. I missed my bed, my animals, and just relaxing after I get home and not needing to go anywhere. We both pretty much slept like shit for all 6 nights, and I plan on going home today after work and sitting in my bed with a big smile on my face. :D On a happier note, we did take full advantage of the large projector room and screener DVDs. I FINALLY was able to see BABEL which was very good and watched LOST on the big screen in HD which was awesome. Also, I loved the kitty there, Cleo.

Speaking of LOST, it was a pretty good episode last night. It was a Claire flashback which was nice because we haven't really seen much of her story for awhile. To sum it all up we learned that she and Jack are half-siblings!! This is due to the fact that Jack's dad has trouble keeping it in his pants when he is in foreign countries. Anyway, that was a nice little revelation (and yet another LOST survivor connection) but the really interesting stuff was with Kate, John, Sayid, the French woman and Mr. Patch Man. They all find the perimeter to where the Others are staying. There are these huge metal poles which have what look like ear muffs on either side that go all around the complex. John pushes Mr. Patch Man past the barrier, Mr. Patch Man says, "Thank You," and there is some sonic sound that explodes his brain, nice... I think John pushed him to kill him because earlier Mr. Patch Man was about to tell everyone John used to be paralyzed. Anyway, the rest of the crew decide to use a large tree to set upon the metal poles to climb over them as to not activate that little brain exploding alarm. Genius! Finally, in the end they get to the Others complex in their final step to save Jack, and who do they see? Well, Jack himself playing a little game of football with one of the Others. HHhmmmmm...brain washing, all part of his plan, who knows, but it made for a GREAT ending. I must say, Kate looked PISSED!

Next week is a John episode, which is usually pretty good stuff.

No updates on the office situation....we are cutting it close.

Songstress

We went to see Patty Griffin last night...she was amazing. However, I did not go to be until after 1 AM and woke up for some odd reason at 4 AM. I am SO tired today I can barely keep my eyes from shutting. I do not have the capacity to write...I will get back to you after a nap.

Tori Amos has a new album coming out!! I'm oh so very excited if you can't tell. I'm very intrigued by this poster. This woman in the middle of what seems to be suburbia Nevada style, but there is a storm a comin! She has released some tour dates but so far they are only the Europe circuit. I will see her in concert this time! Last time she was in LA I was back in Burlington, IA doing my maid of honor duties for one of my friends I have known since I was 2, so I just didn't feel right telling her she was going to have to find a replacement because I had a date with Tori. Anyway, details to come....

As for work, I have been incredibly busy lately because we have a filing deadline for immigrant petitions known as H-1Bs. These are petitions by employers which employ foreign nationals on a temporary basis. Foreign nationals can be here in the US on these visas for a total of 6 years (in 3 year increments), unless they have another application pending, but that is a whole other story. Anyway, the US government puts a cap on the # of H-1Bs can be issued each year. So, April one is when the new H-1B numbers become available, so EVERYONE is rushing to get all these petitions put together so on March 31 they can send them out so they arrive at immigration on April 1 so they can get in there before all the numbers run out. phew! That is what I have been spending my time doing, getting these ready.

I don't mind the business however, because it makes the days go by. I can also tell that I'm becoming more confidant in my immigration knowledge. Not that I don't have a LONG way to go, but at least when someone asks me a question I am no longer completely clueless.

I missed LOST last night because I was out, but I have it on tape and plan on sitting down with a glass of wine and watching it tonight. I'll let you know what I think.

Finally, I called last night to talk to one of my best friends, Liz (that crazy stinky diver), but she was not home. Instead, I talked to her husband for a bit. They have rental properties, and he told me the drug task force thinks one of their tenants has a meth lab inside the house. Gotta love Iowa, meth capital of the world!! (oh, and in Burlington the curviest street in the world!)

The Ways of Hollywood

Last night Denise and I were supposed to go to a screening of the new film "Zodiac." I was very excited because it was directed by David Fincher, the man who did "Se7en" (which I LOVED), and the previews made it out to seem like quite the suspense thriller. Anyway, the passes said to be there a little early (movie started at 7:30). The film was at the Archlight (AMAZING theater in Hollywood) which is right down the street, so we figured 7 PM was good. Obviously we were delusional. When we approached the table a man was telling everyone there were no seats left for this viewing, and he sounded a bit on edge, so we decided not to push it. We were about to leave when we saw a friend of Denise's, Eugene, from work. Eugene said he had some friends in line already, and to follow him.

Ah, the joy we felt as we walked by all the people waiting in line knowing that we had somehow beat the system and were going to see this film despite being told there were no more seats. Eugene's friends were near the front of the line, so we got in with them and gleefully waited. As we were about to reach the front to get our tickets, a woman informed us all that they were at capacity! Ugh! I could not believe it, all that for nothing. Heavy hearted we left the line saying good bye to everyone, except Eugene who was distracted talking to the woman. Denise said, "How about dinner?" I perked up because I was starving, so we went to sushi. (Being a vegetarian, sushi for me consists of veggie rolls in soy paper, but I love the wasabi and soy sauce so it's fine with me.)

Anyway, after all that, Denise IM's me this morning telling me Eugene has a friend who works there that he demanded to talk to after he was told we could not go in, and he got all his friends + a co-worker and his son into the VIP section! He asked what happened to us because he would have gotten us in too. Oh well, as Denise said, we have to learn that when Hollywood peeps say something is at capacity, they only mean at capacity for the common folk. So, looks like we will have to stick with Eugene. Haha!

I didn't really forget to write about LOST yesterday, I just didn't feel like it because once again, not much happened. Hurly's story was sweet, and I enjoyed some optimism on the show, but overall it was a snoozer. Oh, but at the end the French woman came back and Kate told her the Others have her daughter, Alex. No shit?

She'll be Comin Around the Mountain

Work has been busy, which is why there have been a few days between posts. My boss was under the impression that although her lease was up in April, she would be allowed to pay month to month until she found another space. Well, last week the landlord says she has to be out by April 1 because someone wants her space. EEKKK! So, she is scrambling to find office space plus attend to clients, so it is a mess. Anyway, lets hope she finds something because as of April 1 we better be out.

This last weekend Denise and I went to Big Bear which is a place in the mountains with skiing, cabins, shops with endless amounts of crap you don't need, etc. We stayed in a Cabin with 4 other friends and was SUCH a good time. We didn't end up skiing because the mountain was CRAZY being it was the first good snow in awhile, so it sold out! Also, Denise and I weren't sure we wanted to spend the $$$. I think we will go up another time when it is less crowded and nuts so the skiing will be more pleasurable.

Instead, we found a place on the mountain where no one was! We could not believe it given all the people there. Our friends Cathleen and Rhonda met us there and we sled down the hill on our plastic orange saucer that Baron (Denise's dog) thought was a large Frisbee he was destined to destroy. We got some great video and had tears coming down our faces from all the laughing we did. After that, we built a snow woman complete with large tits of course and then posed with her in inappropriate manners. What else would you expect from a bunch of lesbians. ;)

We had a hot tub outside our cabin, so both Friday and Saturday nights we got in even though it was 15 degrees!! For someone living in LA, this is quite a personal feat. :)

Finally, Sunday we went to the "Snow Play" mountain. (I know what it sounds like, but there were kids there...I mean, kids were there but nothing was happening, I mean....I'm retarded).

Anyway, you can rent tubes there and slide down this hill of snow individually or as a group. We went many times as a group grabbing each other's legs, arms, or any appendage you could get your hands on. It was SO much fun...we laughed, we cried, we injured ourselves, it was great.

Denise and I headed back to LA exhausted just in time to make it to my friend Jess's Oscar party at a fabulous house in the hills that she is staying at. It comes fully equip with a private screening room, projector screen, tivo, and a Bugs Bunny themed bathroom. Pretty much perfect. :)

Well, that is all for today...I'll keep you updated on the office sit.

Over and out...