Back when I worked in television journalism it was commonly known that when one celebrity passed away, soon two more would follow.  We would often joke about it but rarely did an instance happen when this wasn’t the case.  And this week, its happened again.  Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.

Michael Jacksons death saddened me quite a bit this afternoon.  I’m a child of the 80’s (proud one at that) and I vividly remember when Michael was at the  top of his  game.  Hell, I remember watching the Jackson 5 back on the Flip Wilson show.  Whether you liked or loathed him, you gotta admit that the man was a dancing and musical genius.

Back in 1984 I was lucky enough to see him in concert during one of three sold out shows at Arrowhead Stadium.  I vividly remember that night like it was yesterday.  I’ll Be There, Billie Jean, Rock With You, the songs, the lighting and special effects, and Michael  moonwalking like there was no tomorrow.   It was truly a magical night.  I still have the ticket, lol.

Thanks for the music Michael,  and for paving the way for so many young performers that followed in your footsteps.  God speed.

This image is one of the most powerful images I have ever seen.  I was working in a news room when the protests at Tienanmen Square took place and I vividly remember watching video of The Tank Man over and over in one of the editing bays.

No one knows what ever became of The Tank Man.  I’ve read that he was executed, that he still hides in mainland China, and that he lives in Taiwan.   Who knows.  But I do know I’d like to shake the hand of The Tank Man who’s image still touches me 20 years later.

Yesterday (Saturday) was National Train Day 2009 and Amtrak was offering quadrouple points for riding any train in the national system.  So. . . . I thought I would spend the afternoon riding the rails and picking up a lot of points for the long distance trip I plan to take later on.  I ended up driving out to Lees Summit and catching the Missouri River Runner for a 35 minute ride back to Kansas City Union Station.  I hung around the station for a while and then jumped on the eastbound train for a ride back.  Overall, I had an enjoyable afternoon and for the points I will get, it will certainly be worth it.  The picture was taken at the station in Lees Summit right after I got off.

In other happenings, A and I had lunch together earlier today.  It was the first time we’ve seen each other in a long time.  The first thing I noticed when I saw him was some new ink poking out from his shirt sleeve.  I asked if he had gotten a new tattoo and he smiled.  When he lifted up his sleeve I couldn’t believe how big it was.  Not everyone can pull off tattoos, A can though.  This is the second tattoo he’s gotten in the past year or so and he already had 3 others when I met him.  Anyway, we had a nice lunch and it was good to catch up.  I miss the little shit sometimes.

Last night I went to a very popular gay nightclub here in KC.  It’s rather large and attracts a variety of people including twinks, leather guys, transsexuals, drag queens, alcoholics, jocks, college guys, older men, and straight girls. . . lots of straight girls.

Anyway, as a friend and I were talking on the patio a procession of staight girls stumbled through led by a very intoxicated bride to be.  Yup, it was the dreaded bachelorette party.  For some reason, this bar is a very popular spot for bachelorette parties and there is at least one, if not more, each weekend.  At first I didn’t think anything of it, but as I continued to watch them drink out of their penis straws I thought, “what the hell?”  Here I am, a gay guy in a known gay establishment who does not have the right to marry, and in front of me are people celebrating that very right.  Loudly flaunting it in the face of every gay person in that bar.  The more I thought about it the madder I got.

It wasn’t their fault that gays in most of the US are denied the right to marry, and they were probly very open minded and would be for it.  Maybe.    But until all Americans are given the same right to marry, I think bachorette parties should not be allowed in gay establishments.

Maybe I’m overreacting.  Nah, I don’t think so.

2:10pm

I’m sitting in the Metropolitan First Class Passenger Lounge waiting for the Southwest Chief #3 to take me back to KC.  R and I have had a fun trip up here.  We did the usual, shopped on Michigan Avenue, saw some sights, and of course hit the bars.   I always enjoy my short trips up here, its a great short weekend trip to break up the hum drum.

From what I’m hearing KC has a snow and ice storm hitting and R just called to tell me his flight was cancelled.  R was flying back and forth because he doesn’t care for riding trains like I do, says it takes to long.  But while American Eagle is grounded, snow doesn’t stop Amtrak.  Hope he makes it back ok, he is supposed to give me a call soon to let me know what’s up.

6:45pm

Just got back from dinner in the dining car and had a really good time talking to a couple who were headed to Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  I had the flat iron steak and it was actually not too bad.  Were going to be crossing the Mississippi River any moment now which means I’m about half way home.

R called me back earlier and said that all the flights into KC were cancelled.  He was wanting to come down to the station to catch the train with me but there just wasn’t enough time.  I’ve tried to call him back a couple times but he hasn’t answered his phone.  Not sure what he’s doing.  Maybe he was lucky and found a flight.  Guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out .

11:27am

Right now I’m sitting on the lower level of the observation car of the Southwest Chief. There’s no one down here except me and the snack attendant who is busy putting supplies away.

We just left Ft. Madison, Iowa and are still running on time.

I’ve been talking quite a bit to the guy sitting next to me back at my assigned seat. Didn’t take long for us to both clock each other as being gay. He seems like a pretty decent person and it’s always nice to find someone to talk to.  That’s the best part of taking a train, people are always so friendly.  Maybe its just because we all know we are going to be on here for a while and we might as well enjoy it.  Anyway, should be in Chicago in about 3 1/2 hours.  We may even get there early, that’s certainly never happened before.

Oh, and I didn’t mention that one of the car attendants is a hottie! Good scenery always helps the time pass! lol

8:00pm

Ok, so I got a better look at the hottie car attendant and I changed my mind. Not so hot.

I’m at the hotel now waiting for R to show up. His flight should be landing any time now so I imagine he will be here in an hour or so. The train trip went very well. We were on time to early the entire trip until the final hour. Freight delays and braking problems killed the early arrival but we still managed to get in just a couple minutes late.

Right before we pulled into Chicago Union Station, the electricity went out in our car. That wasn’t problem while we were out in the sun, but Union Station here is underground so as we pulled in the car went completely black! We practically had to feel our way to the stairs to go down as there were no emergency lights on. Several of us had our cell phones out using them as flashlights.  Was kinda funny and then of course as the last (including myself) couple of people were finally getting off, the lights came back on. Never a dull trip on Amtrak.

Tomorrow morning I am once again climbing aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief for another trip up to one of my favorite cities, Chicago. R will be joining me this time although he will be flying up later in the afternoon after he gets off work. He took the train up with me a couple summers ago and really didn’t care for it anyway. That’s ok, I’ll enjoy the ride as I have many times before by myself.

So far, the Chief is running only 5 minutes behind which means I should be set for a 7:45am departure. It’s been running early into Chicago the past couple of days so hopefully that trend will continue. It’s always easier to carry the luggage on the El before rush hour starts.

Hope I get up on time, 6:30am will roll around awful quick and I’m always scared I will oversleep.

Found a website that helps you track where you’ve been by state or by country. Looks like I’ve been to 50% of the states here in the U.S. I’m hoping to add a couple more this summer. Would love to add some countries to that list in the near future also.

visited 25 states (50%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Gots to get me one of these!

Last night my friend S and I headed down to the tragic lesbian bar turned gay, turned straight, turned what the hell is this mess to see Coco Peru.  She put on a pretty good show and S and I had a good time hanging out together.  Something we haven’t done in a long time.  I’ve seen more drag perfomances in my lifetime than I have cared too but overall Coco did a good job.  Don’t think she cared for all the loud talking that was going on but hey, thats just us rude KC people.  (hangs head in shame)  Next week The Lady Bunny will be in town and I’m really looking forward to seeing her.  I caught her act many years ago and she is funny as hell.  S and I will be returning to the same hole next Sunday to catch the bun.  I’m really looking forward to that one.

Tonight I caught up with my good friend N on Facebook and we chatted for a bit.  I’ve never chatted with anyone on FB so it was kinda new and fun to me.  He’s moving to a new area of town in Atlanta soon and I’m planning on making another trip later this Spring/Summer to visit.  It will be nice to see him face to face again.  I miss N being here in KC, but am happy for what he’s doing now.

It’s late and the wind is blowing outside my bedroom window.  Will be so happy when Spring makes its first appearance.