got some interesting news last night for the Paseo people.  Ed and Mandy have signed a lease on 1,300 square feet at the south end of the street and will open an eatery with pizza and beer, vegan plates and other goodies.  It’s hush-hush about the name of the new place, but it’s supposed to open around Sept., if I recall what Ed told me.

Watermelon Slim was loud and proud at the GSpot last night, but my own best moments were in the back patio at Isis, almost deserted and out of the wind but still with a strong blues beat from Slim and the Workers next door.  Oz and Deb, Rachel, the lovely Juliet and I wasted away some time rather pleasantly back there while the GSpot smoking crowd fought for space on the sidewalk.  Caught Jenny W, spouse Frank, Mabry O, and others celebrating the 21st  (hmmm.  maybe a later version of 21, I”m not real sure)birthday of Gail Sloop, who assures me she’s happy to finally get legal.

As usual, it was a blessing for me to get to spend some time with Lucky.  Sure wish our craziness matched instead of clashed, but that’s the way of the world.

Saw my hero, Mike Mutt, having a few with friends on the sidewalk, so it must have been the place to be and I was glad to be there with all the other cool people.

I understand I missed a good time at Red Cup listening to Terry Purcell play guitar and gossip with Kat’s Mom and MCARP, but I was busy a little north of there telling a long story about my drinking days and my sober days that followed and how they compare.

tiny nina took a pass on my activities last night so she could go to a Hornets game, but I’ll catch up with her tonight.

I thought I’d have some good fun with DeShan yesterday afternoon.  We’d made elaborate plans for a “kidnapping” and I took the time and effort to gather a film crew and props and get all dressed up and we got the director, cinematographer and me all over at her studio at the appointed hour and … and … no DeShan.  Called, no answer.  Knocked, no answer.  Finally got her on her cell phone and she was down in Norman.  “I forgot,” she told me.  when I say John X was vexed, it’s my own understated way of stating what was the obvious.  In the end, it was just Lisa being Lisa and I was satisfied because I got her to promise to make the next appointment include filming some nudity.  A Sweet Potato Queen promise?  Stay tuned.

dinner for 10 last night at Irma’s deck was pretty cool from my perspective because Sonic Sharon brought her son, Cole, who was a student at HH when I taught there.  He’s grown into a fine looking young man.  Tall Ed and Book’emDanO shared the Corona beer special and the rest of us had varied dishes, including my catfish blue plate special, some burgers and a chicken, peppers and avacado sandwich the lovely Juliet had recommended.  Aside from all that, the onion rings are killer.

UCO’s Kathleen was at the Paseo festivities before dinner, but said she had a date and didn’t tag along.

I need to make a very small confession here.  Sometimes, late, I go out to Lake Hefner to get a whiff of humid air and taste the winds from the south and see the water.  It tends to calm me, somehow.  It seems to make me feel connected to the earth, sky and water.  It doesn’t matter, but I like it and it’s something I do.  Anyway, the moon’s been full lately and it shines in a lovely way across the water.  Last night’s moon was occluded by clouds, but it was still plenty bright to see wind-pushed waves lap onto the dam.  Last night, the winds were strong enough to make whitecaps.  I love the sound of the water when it’s up enough to intimate the ocean.  Last night, it seemed to wash away at least some of my worries.  I spent almost all day yesterday with friends, all last evening certainly.  when I got to the lake last night, I felt like a very lucky man, maybe even the most lucky guy in Oklahoma City, if not the whole world.  Sometimes, I get oppressed by the common irritants of life, but I felt caressed by friends and life itself last night at the lake. 

Speaking of friends, I need to use just a sentence to say “thank you” to the Pink Lady for being a friend.  Glad you’re back from Montana, now shut up and sell me some of those cigarets in the green box. Let me also say thank you to the lovely Juliet and Lucky, who both came to see me speak last night.  It was comforting to see you there.  Finally, let me say thank you to SuzArt for being a friend today. I know I can always count on you to be a wise and caring counselor and friend and you didn’t let me down. Suz, you are a treasure.