The Trials of Man Solo - Getting Smog Testy

So, because of a series of age induced incidents involving my car's health,
I had to leave it at the shop for the full day, leaving me to find alternate transport to work and back at the end of the day.  I have a bus card, so that was my option of choice.  Because I had no patience for an unknown bus schedule, I decided not to stand and wait, so I walked from Franklin Ave to Santa Monica Boulevard- a good 15 minute walk if a brisk pace is kept.  Once I got a bus on Santa Monica, it was pretty easy and I was dropped off right in front of my work place.
At the end of the day, I did the same thing in reverse.  I walked from Santa Monica to Franklin again, because I had no idea when there would be a bus and I wanted to be sure to get there before they closed.  Of course, after arriving and waiting about 20 minutes, and they were almost done, another problem came to light.  My car would have to spend the night.  The shop hadn't called me to say my car was ready, I  assumed it would be ready by the end of the day and it almost was.  So there I was stranded, exhausted, with no one to blame, but myself.  I also had no one to call.
Please don't say, "Call a friend... Call Uber..."  I know I could have made those calls, but instead I decided to sit and wait however long it would be for a freakin' bus to come down Highland.
It took at least 20.  I sat and played Soda Crush feeling a little sorry for myself.  It was just one of those little moments when I thought, "Golly, it sure would be nice if I could just call my boyfriend and say,'Honey, come pick me up.'"  ...But I don't.

Such are the Trials of Man Solo; when unexpected inconveniences arise, we have to deal with them on our own.   I don't mean this to sound like I sat on a bus bench crying into my iPad, it was just a little thought and a little twinge, and I certainly wouldn't jump into a relationship, just so I would have someone to pick me up on short notice.   In actuality, had I warned a friend that I might be calling for a ride, I might have been more inclined to call someone and inconvenience them for a ride.  Also, I don't want to surrender to Uber or Lyft, just yet.  So there I am, sitting on that bench for half an hour, waiting for a bus that seems to never be arriving and it could have been sad, except that I had my Soda Crush and a great view of the guy still repairing my car, whom I was crushing on on Tuesday.   I might have felt guilty if I had a boyfriend...

DISCLAIMER: My crush is not the fella pictured above. (I wouldn't say no, though)

This Is Why I Am Single - The Crucifixion of Mr Punch

Mike Regan created this piece.
It is in my home.
This Is Why I Am Single.

This Is Why I Am Single - Fizzleworks!

So, yesterday was the 4th of July and I enjoyed a few good times with friends.

First up was a mandatory viewing of 

MAGIC MIKE XXL

which did not disappoint.

It was a simple movie with one simple goal;

make you smile.

It worked on me 

and I really appreciated

that the highest stakes in this movie 

were whether or not the guys would have a good time.

That was followed up by a 4th/Birthday

celebration cook out.

I took some fun pics.

Finally, I joined a few friends for a view of fireworks

all over the city

from Runyon Canyon.

Unfortunately, we were busted by the rangers

and forced to leave.

Sure, things didn't go as planned, 

but it was still a good time.

It wasn't until today,

when I was posting & tagging pics

from the cook out that a little drama arose.

There were two guys there who had recently broken up

and being in photos together was painful for them

so I went back and removed the pics with them sharing a frame.

Sometimes your holiday doesn't go as planned,

as evidenced by the pic above,

where a giant gust of wind knocked over 

the table with all of our prepared food on it

a few years ago.

And while that was a little horror on it's own, 

I've never experienced the pain of sharing mutual friends with an ex

for the holiday.

This is why I am single-

or at least, not looking among my friends acquaintances 

for future mates.

4th of July,

among other holidays,

would probably suck if I had to go to my good friends' home

just to be reminded of the love that wasn't to be.

I didn't mind taking down the pics,

I just felt for the wounded parties

and hope that they recover from it soon.

No one likes to feel that ickiness.

Anyway, the whole thing reminded me of one of my favorite songs:

FOURTH OF JULY, by X

Sometimes,  a holiday is all your relationship has going for it...

I HOPE IT WAS SUPER SWELL!

He Don't Even Know - Can That Boy Fox Trot

I love "Edgar" so much!

Edgar is a dancer

and I literally imagine he caught my eye

when I went to see my good friend

in a bad show.

The performances we pretty good, 

but the show was so badly put together

you could see embarrassment

in everybody's eyes on stage.

Except in Edgar's!

He didn't have any lines

and didn't sing a note,

but he was dancing like he was on the biggest 

stage on Broadway.

While the other dancers on stage gave just enough,

Edgar was selling his moves

as if there were a multimillion dollar bidding war for them on eBay!

After the show,

as I was congratulating/consoling my friend,

Edgar passed by and I said,

"you were great!"

and it came out like I really really meant it

(which I did)

which was more than I meant to reveal.

Edgar smiled shyly and said,

"Thanks.  I like your stuff, too."

I was thrown off and got all shaky,

and gave what I'll assume was a shy smile and said thanks.

I never imagined he'd seen me do anything.

"You're funny," he continued.

"Aww, well, that's easy, I could never dance like you,"

I countered.

"Sure you could.  I'll show you."

Edgar took me back to his place where we shared a late drink

and he showed me moves

I'd never seen before.

He taught me I had a rhythm I never knew I had.

It was so exciting,

even though we never got around to dancing!

This Is Why I Am Single - Late Dinner

I had rehearsal tonight in Burbank and I don't work tomorrow.  We finished just before 10:00, and it occurred to me that I could drop by the Bullet Bar on the way home for a drink and perhaps meet the man who would be my husband, instead I went directly home to watch HANNIBAL.  It's a show about Dr. Hannibal Lechter, the character from the Thomas Harris novels/movies RED DRAGON, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL.  It's a beautifully produced show about a dreamlike multi-layered cat & mouse game that keeps you guessing, even though you (think you) know the eventual outcome.

This Is Why I Am Single; I'd rather come home and watch a beautiful & bloody television show, than stand amongst potential suitors.  Then again, what if a Jeffrey Dahmer type is at the bar and I was saved from a serial killer by a serial killer?  That's awesome!  Thanks, Hannibal!

Too Busy For Love -Taco Angel Horse

Yep, it's happening still,
Drag Season is dragging on into July, so I can't join you at the local lake for
a fancy fireworks display.  You see, I'm rehearsing for two shows at once.
First up is TACO KISSES

on July 3.  I'm doing three quick numbers as Frieda Laye with Chita Parol, who 

has choreographed a little something for me to stumble to.  Maybe if we weren't performing the same moves simultaneously, it wouldn't be so obvious when I mess up.  Yeah, I'm fairly certain I'm gonna mess up.  

Then I'm gearing up for SADDLE UP

On July 11.  This is a fundraiser for LIFE GROUP L.A. and I will be attending as Reba Areba. I'm looking forward to performing, but I'm more looking forward to enjoying some BBQ!  I hope I'm not expected to ride a horse... Reba has a donkey, and she wouldn't want him getting jealous.

It all leads up to the July 16th opening of Chico's Angels' summer run

of CHICAS IN CHAINS.  So, for five weeks, I'll be cha cha heeling the boards during the most fun hours of the week.  That means I can't go see all the great movies opening, or shows touring or great parties.  Thanks for asking, though!

If you wanna see any of these shows, or go hoseback riding & enjoy BBQ, you can get tickets here:

TACO KISSES

SADDLE UP

CHICO'S ANGELS 

The first two Saturday nights are sold out... so don't be waiting, buy these tix soon!