Tomorrow morning I head back to my company’s office in Bethesda for a few days of training. This will be my first time back to the D.C. area since Thom and I moved away a year ago. My early-morning flight leaves from Oakland, not nearby SFO, which means I have to leave the house really early. There’s a part of me that’s actually looking forward to the pre-dawn traffic-free drive (provided I don’t fall asleep at the wheel). At least I’ll arrive at BWI at a reasonable hour in the afternoon and will have the evening and a full night’s rest before going in to the office the next day.

For now I guess I better finish packing and get a few hours of sleep!

This afternoon Thom and I went to the gay pride festival in San Francisco and wandered around for a bit. Lots to see, as always. So many people out and all having a good time. Here’s Thom in front of City Hall:

Also we came across a free photo booth sponsored by Yahoo. For each photo they are donating $1 to The Point Foundation, so there we are having a bit of fun for a good cause. Cute, no?

By the way, June 21 is the day we like to consider our anniversary; it’s the day we first met four years ago. So last Thursday we celebrated by having dinner at Garibaldi’s and then watching Queer Wedding Sweet, a fun cabaret-like show at the Jewish Community Center. Here’s to many more years together!

Last Saturday Thom and I had some friends over for a tiki party to celebrate a few things, mainly both of our birthdays. Since my thirtieth birthday was in May and Thom’s forty-fifth is in July, we decided to have a party sometime in the middle, in June. He called the party “Hawaii 3−0−4−5,” which I love. (It also sounds like one of those old phone numbers with words for the exchanges.)

Our go-to book was Trader Vic’s Tiki Party! which gave us lots of ideas. By the time we were done decorating, our living and dining rooms were 1950s tiki-tastic. We made a whole bunch of appetizers and pitchers of tropical drinks. It was a lot of work — imagine us frosting cakes and so forth the night before at three in the morning — but when the party got going we all had a great time! It was nice to see everyone, especially some folks I hadn’t seen in ages.

Here are a few photos from Julie; more are in her Flickr set:

That cocktail in my hand is a scorpion (rum, orange and lemon juices, orgeat syrup, and brandy). We also made mai tais. Man, those were some strong drinks! This, ladies and gentlemen, is the virtue of throwing your own cocktail party: no need for a designated driver; your trip home is a walk down the hall!

Earlier today Thom sent me this heartwarming story, which totally made me smile (and sniffle a little): “A Craigslist Wedding.” Love it. And “Praise You” on accordion? Yes.

So You Think You Can Dance has started up again, and yes, I am watching. I like it, ’cause there’s so much talent on there (once you get past the open auditions). Though, I find it half-depressing and half-inspiring to watch. Once upon a time (basically most of the 1990s), I danced regularly, mostly jazz, and while I certainly wasn’t at the level at some of the better dancers on the show, it was fun, and I miss it. All of my dancing was through classes and workshops at school, so now that I don’t have that structure, I guess I just need the motivation to get up off the couch and take it up again on my own. Eventually.

Anyway, this guy is one of my favorites on the show so far:

Speaking of dads not supporting their dancer sons, there’s this guy (the clip has some video glitches in the middle):

Though the judges acknowledge that he doesn’t have much experience for such a grueling competition, he does eventually make it to the next round in Las Vegas.

I’m thankful that my parents were supportive of me doing dance and theater; if they had any objections, it was only that those activities were taking too much time away from schoolwork and sleep. Would my father have preferred I play sports? Maybe. But armed with the camcorder like a stereotypical stage parent, he dutifully came to each of my shows and enjoyed them, as far as I could tell. And for him, that was pride enough.