Here’s a fun link to sum up your 2005.

Hugs from afar.

Christopher

Hola! It’s been sometime since my last post but we’ve been busy. Sick really. But, better now! So, Christmas past has been better, but I’m just happy to be up and around! I wish the sun were out. We’ve had really bad rain here the last couple of weeks, but hopefully it will subsided some and not wash us out! The Corps of Engineers has promised we’ll be fine, but after those poor folks in New Orleans.. who knows if you can believe or not!

We spent the evening tonight with our good friends Kelly and Anthony. That was so nice, since we haven’t seen them (or I haven’t) in sometime. I was feeling guilty about it.. I mean, I’m only across the river. But, more importantly – let me know how your Christmas Holiday was.

Ciao for now

3DollarBill
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Alright..

My friend Matthew’s memorial service is this weekend. His family are Soldiers for Christ in the Salvation Army. I forgot what a homophobic organization they are, but slowly but surely, I’m being reminded.

We’re putting together a photo-montage of his life. We have oodles of pictures of Matthew but they have made us take out the drag pictures. No cross dressing photos allowed. (Hello. That’s a good chunk girl!)

Then they won’t allow us to have his partner’s poem at the service (male to male poetry?).

We’re abiding by all this to respect his family of course. The last thing we’d want to do is turn his memorial into a protest but I am reminded of what we can do as individuals.

The photo above is a 3-Dollar Bill (as in: queer as). I used to print these out several Christmas’ ago and drop them into the kettle in front of the department store when I passed those seasonal bell ringers. I thought it was a vocal, and non-confrontational way to remind them that there are donors out there who are unable to contribute to some of the good work they do because of their homophobia.

Of course, now that Ms. Kroc (of McDonald’s fame) has provided them with the largest donation in U.S. history, they probably don’t even wince at my folded three dollar bill. But, if ALL of us did this, across the U.S. EVERY Christmas, eventually over time, maybe they’d do the math of how many real dollars they’re missing out on. Even die hard Christian’s do math in dollars and cents don’t they?

http://www.cultureandfamily.org/articledisplay.asp?id=336&department=CFI&categoryid=cfreport

I, for one, will be resuming this practice, I hope you might too. Be well. I love you.

http://www.glaad.org/eye/stories.php

Matthew D.
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

We were…

in San Diego at our cousin’s home of Carlos and Karen. I wasn’t feeling well and we almost came home early. But Karen and Carlos were very gracious and set me up with comfy pillows, ginger tea and home made soup!

But, then we received a flurry of calls from Northern California letting us know that our good friend Matthew D. had passed away in an accident in his home. We were horror struck and immediately packed and came home to be with our friends in the fellowship.

Matthew was 28, just getting ready to graduate from college, putting the finishing touches on his home remodel, had been working full time and partnered to a wonderful man Bobby T.

He stole the show in our video production at our conference (rcru.com). He was one of those folks that ALWAYS said ‘yes’ to every call for assistance. He made everything fun fun fun and we’ll miss him so.

Today, December 6 he would have celebrated 5 years of sobriety. We love you Matthew.

Foster Lager Nelson
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Not all..

days are sunny in bright in California. Contrary to what you might have heard. It’s blustery today and Rob and I are heading the car towards San Diego this morning. We leave momentarily.

The photo above is of Foster who unfortunately, passed away yesterday. He had cancer and had been limping around for a couple of weeks. My sister and family are distraught because he’s been such a big part of the family. We’ll be going to chop down our christmas tree next week and it won’t be the same without the sound of my neices and nephews laughing as they run through the trees with Foster barking right behind them.

I hope the weather in San Diego is nicer than here! It’s likely to be. I hope you all are well. And my next report will be from Southern California.

Back from Houston…

After the most wonderful time I’ve returned back to California for a brief stay in my own bed before heading to San Diego. I’m in Northern CA so, San Diego is like a 10 hour drive.

Here’s a recap of one of the best conferences I’ve attended:

Wednesday:
 
I arrived at the airport early and made my way over to the terminal ‘I thought’ David C was arriving at.  After asking each other on the phone over and over again ‘where are you? Where are you?’ .. come to find out we’re in two different terminals.  (Houston Airport is Texas big).  Our FABULOUS host Miss Cisca (Cisco but I prefer to call him Cisca which is much better than his roommates nickname for him “B.G.”) wisked us away to our overnight accommodations and then we went to Barnaby’s.  It’s the café we went to last time I was in Houston and is a terrifically fun and delicious eatery with a touch of camp atmosphere.  We met several nice folks including Brandon, who I hadn’t realized played Eddie Haskel in last year’s musical production at the Houston Conference.  Great fun, what a cutie.
 
Thursday:
 
In the morning we ate.  Well. Actually. I ate.  The Empress, David C. doesn’t do much of that.  Food in the morning turns her stomach so coffee is all she can manage but I didn’t let that stop me.  Of course.
 
Miss Cisca picked us up and took us to the Lamda Center.  Great fun. I saw David D. who was SO gracious last year and treated me to a lovely dinner and showed me what Tex Mex really was. We saw others too from last year and it’s so nice to make those connections and then be able to hang on to them! Our Thursday night speaker at the Round Up was Michael from Dallas. What a great speaker. He was better than when I heard him in Miami. And, easy on the eyes too. 🙂

The musical was not to be believed. They always do such a great job at the Round Up in Houston. They have Texas-Sized talent there, that’s for sure!~

Friday:

I spent the morning watching Empress gulp her third coffee for breakfast. I almost felt guilty for eating food. Almost. We heard Jim from Minneapolis and spent some additional time getting to know the crew from MN. Also Cece from Atlanta spoke and she did fabulous – as I knew she would. I spoke with her in Seattle and just love her.

Saturday:

Empress was a little nervous and I convinced her she was going to do just fine. Went to the workshops. I also made it to every candlelight meeting. Love those late night meetings. In Sacramento, you can usually find me at the all nighters..

We had a nice luncheon and heard a woman from Eucless TX. I think I spelled it correctly. I’ve not been there. Hanging out with Millard and David from last year was great fun. They are the nicest folks!

Empress spoke and did the most phenomenal job. After he stepped down and sat down, before the count-down. We both just cried and cried. I think we both had the realization that life has changed. We know that sobriety ebbs and flows. People move on, new life experiences are undertaken. But it’s clear he’s not likely to return to Sacramento and the truth is, who knows if even I’ll be there. I’ve been searching for a new place in life and as I spoke in many of the meetings there, I don’t know where I’m going. It was just one of those moments where we realize we’ve been best friends but it’s not likely we’ll ever have those days of serving on committees and running around North Hall terrorizing newcomers and oldtimers alike.

Sunday:

The Round Up wound down. We said goodbye to good friends some we only just met. We went to Barnaby’s (of course) to say farewell to the MN gals. We went to the cast party and David said adieu as he departed to North Carolina. I’m not sure when we’ll cross paths again. He’s talking about going to Miami but the next stop I’ll probably make is the Austin Round Up.

I went to the meeting and heard Betty D chair. I was tired and so enjoyed my plum tea and chatty conversation with Cisca and Charity after a lovely dinner. I was so ready to come home. It seems like it’s been more than two months since I’ve spent time with my husband Rob. Maybe because it HAS been more than two months. We’ll be taking a much needed time-together and drive to San Diego. I’ll report more later! Be well.

DSC06599
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Well. I just received the news I’m done here. It came as a surprise but not really. I’ve been telling you it’s been slowing down… so it was inevitable. I’m sorry that I’m the first of my team to head home, but the good news is I get to be with all of you! I was hoping I’d stay longer, but maybe next time – if there is one.

I have had the MOST amazing experiences. Unbelievable and cannot be duplicated. I hope that some of you reading have gotten a little understanding of the impact of the event on the lives of so many. It’s not even relatable through the medium of the internet. My hope is that you’ve caught a glimpse of how awful this has been. How thousands and thousands have been displaced. I don’t know how all of these folks will eventually recover. My hope is that they will, my faith in God tells me that many will serve as an example to me and others how to overcome what today seem insurmountable.

I’ve just been honored to meet some of those folks.

Cheap Truck
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

It’s Monday and everyone here is eatin up a storm. Some nice folks brought in some Boudan (pronounced Boo Dah) I think. The ladies just laughed and lauged because I said “Bow Dan” and my co worker said thanks for the “Bee Day”. Neither of which is correct.

It’s a sausage of pork and rice in a casing and it’s very garlicky and very delicious. The ladies were very nice and have been through a tough time because their parents tombs have been washed away and so they are distraught that their family plot is not there any longer.

The picture above is a truck, one of many vehicles, left on the side of the road. This one at least had a humurous sign which said “no warranty”.

I hope you are all well. I spoke with many folks from Sacramento this week who indicated that the RCRU conference went well. And, my Mother’s surgery went well too. She’s resting at home and that makes me happy.. that she’s better!

Scoreboard Black and White
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

I’m hanging in the center between clients. It’s slower this afternoon but it was a busy morning. I had a client who spoke of her house as though it were gone since she kept referring to the cement slab that once was her house. When I made reference later to her house being destroyed, she and her husband spoke at once.. ‘oh it’s not destroyed’.

Confused, I looked at them and said ‘I thought you had indicated that it was gone?’. ‘Oh. It’s gone’. They said.

Still confused, I just looked at them and then they explained it was still intact .. just FIVE MILES AWAY! Amazing. It was still intact with the pictures still on the wall, the pots and pans still on the stove! It’s sitting in a marsh/swamp and some folks went inside and found the mounted deer head with a plaque inscription with the family name on it and came to tell them that these peoples’ house was in their marsh.

Wow.

Then I had another woman who had the perfect before and after snapshot of her house. Sitting there, recently remodled. And the next week. Completely gone and replaced by water and a broken tree. Sad.

I am doing alright. I’m going to Houston tomorrow night to spend some time fellowshipping and missing Sacramento as the River City Round Up begins. I hope you’re all well. I’ll see you all soon! Hugs.

Gaters in the Sun
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

MMmm MMmm Mmmph.

I had a very good lunch today. I was having a difficult day the other day when I was working with a client.. and I let out a sigh. Miss Lillian asked me if I was ok, and I said I was thanks. She said “Oh. Don’t lie to Miss Lillian. I can tell. You need a big bowl of coon-ass food. You have any lately?” I confessed I hadn’t. She said. “I’ll bring you some”.

That was the day before yesterday, and I had forgotten about it. But she came by today with enough chicken gumbo with okra and potato salad to feed the whole center! It was so tasty too. God Bless Miss Lillian! I feel better 🙂

The picture above is a gator hanging out on the banks of the canal here in Cameron Parish Louisiana. If you look close you can see the smaller one in the water. He scampered back into the canal when this picture was taken. A local told us to be careful. (Duh-Hello! This was snapped with the zoom lens! We’re yankees sure, but NOT dumb enough to walk right up on em). He said the big one just hangs out and the smaller ones run because the smaller gaters think you’re looking at them as food. The bigger ones don’t run. They hang out to see if you’ll come any closer because they’re looking at YOU as food.

Thanks for the advice!