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Pray For Tucson - Conclusion
I'm feeling a bit better tonight. I think this cold, the big going away gift from Fiesta is starting to fade. it's interesting to see that other people got the Fiesta Bug as well. Poor people.
Well, it's been days now, so I need to wrap this mess up, and in doing so, I realize that the normal blow-by-blow (so to speak) way of covering things will take to long, and be way to boring, so I'll just tell a few tales to hit the high points (I've covered the low, I think). So, without delay here's:
Ten Short Stories about Fiesta
1. Franks is now the de-facto place for cool brunch hangouts. On Friday CJ (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
prowlerbear) and Charlie took us out to Frank's in their giant Escallade. I mention the car because it held six of us easily, and was almost bigger than the restaurant itself. Frank's is very small, with a open grill up front and, like most places in Tucson, and area for outside dining. The walls were covered with pictures of patrons (and we forgot to take one for them) and posters for old bands and circus freaks.
Part of the charm was Carla, our tattooed, Deadhead waitress. She treated us like royalty. Of course the decent food and cheap prices helped seal the deal. Carla kept apologizing to me that they only had a Dr. Pepper knock-off, when really, I didn't mind. Since Matty (mattycub), Tom (invisiblebear) and I, with a changing crowd went back on Saturday and Sunday, Carla got good at spotting us. She told us that several other "large, hairy guys" had come in as well, and we spotted other folks eating there as well (like Vinny (mtzlplck) and Fergus (gusmacroy), among others).
Since Carla doesn't work Mondays we didn't go.
2. Sean (schnitz_mi) is one of my favorite people. He's exactly the kind of person I wish was a neighbor. He's got a wicked sense of humor, and I love it when he's around. On Friday Sean managed to change clothes a matter of six times. Almost every time we saw him, different outfit.
One was his new Kilt, sewn by our friend David (scotbear). It was a kilt that I tried on last year to see if it fit me, but it did a much better job on Sean. Still, I did get fitted for one of my own. Of course, you have to learn how to wear a kilt. One gentleman was actually wearing his, also sewn by David, backwards, with the pleats up front. David had to tell him that it was wrong.
Of course, I'd be remiss to mention that I beat Sean (and Tom) at trivia, courtesy the NTN screens at Woody's. Since that's all we did at the bar, I can truthfully say that none of us are bar people.
Of course there was the story about Sean's big shriek, brought on by a practical joke not meant for him, but if you ask him, he'll deny it.
3. In Texas, Chuy's is a pretty good chain of Tex-mex restaurants (and where the Jenna Bush was arrested), but in Tucson, it's a pretty bad chain of burrito joints. Saturday Night's meal at the Hotel was jambalya, not exactly a favorite of mine, nor others. So Sean, Matty and John and I jumped into Sean's rental SUV and went into town. We started for steak, but only seemed to find Chinese, and after finding an over-crowded Italian restaurant with a long line, we settled on Chuy's.
The moment we stepped in we knew that we had made a dreadful mistake. Still, it was either that, or McDonald's. Chuy's was like Joe's Crab Shack without the actual charm of Joe's Crab Shack. The menu was limited, and we sat at the table for several minutes before the waitress (or whatever she was, she didn't wait on us) told us we ordered up at the bar. You have to get your own drinks, and get your own chips and salsa, too.
Probably the oddest thing was once you got your order, they gave you a stuffed animal rather than a number. Sean and I were the graduation star, while Matty and John got Scooby Doo. I could see this place being big with the plushy set. Still, I think the stuffed animal might have been a better meal than the burritos that followed.
4. Waiting for Pizza allowed me to get to know Matthew (mamoosh) and Richard (bear_with_me) better. After a long time of being social, David (mnsourcer) actually suggested Pizza. Even Randy (lostncove) was surprised, since David obviously gets plenty of Pizza being around Randy.
It was already around 1am and you know, there's only so much you can be around the pool. We went up to Matthew's room and ordered. The pizza took so long, that Matty had to go to bed before it came. Matthew told stories of the road, and agreed with me that Subway is the devil's playground. Subway's have plagued his truck driving career as it seems that every truckstop has one. I guess they're taking over the traditional truck-stop cafe, since I'm sure a Subway franchise is cheaper to run.
Richard just has a rich, wicked streak of black humor that's simply mesmerizing. It's hard to explain.
5. So you travel several hundred (thousand?) miles to go to a bear run, and you end up spending 4 hours watching football? Yep. Patriots vs. Colts. Although the game was fine, it was really the company. I sat with Tom (furmusbulk) and Pete (trapezebear), both New Englanders. At times Matty, Tom and others would come in and watch. For me, although the game was good, but the company was better.
I think Pete was the person I looked forward most to meeting, and I wasn't disappointed. Pete's funny, urbane and smart. I had some nice conversations with Pete. We waited again, for Pizza during the game and just cuddled on the couch in the bar area, watching the game.
Of course, about the time Pizza arrived, whatever was going on in the hotel's conference room had opened for a break. They watched some of the game, and one girl kept going on about being Ms. Brady (The Quarterback). I finally chimed in "not if we get him first" (beat, laughter). Still, as the group reconvened, they were joined by nuns. That's right, nuns, in full habits. I thought that was stranger than having the American Association of Christian Councilor's in the hotel for TBRU.
I couldn't figure out if I should feel weird about snuggling up with Pete when they were around, or if I should just kiss him in front of them. Taboos are so fun.
6. Pie is baked, Pie is eaten, Pie will come again. After dinner, and as the nuns left, there was the Pie ceremony. It was an odd version of street theater and pastry. I was handed a candle, one in the tall glass holder, but strangely missing Our Lady of Guadeloupe (or perhaps for this, Our Lady of Key Lime). I was to cary this as we proceeded down the street to the local diner, chanting about Pie.
150 Bears coming down the street is odd, especially as they are chanting (off and on) with candles. Several motorists honked, I suppose exception that we were having some sort of vigil. It also appeared that they had seen vigils before. When we finally got to the street crossing, everybody crossed at once, jaywalking into the busy street. One of Tucson's finest decided to stop traffic for us so the last of us could cross the street. I was surprised that they didn't ask what the hell we were doing. (Why am I always feeling odd about explaining bear runs?)
The diner was filled by us, and the three tables with regular folks in them, well, they were brave for staying. Not that we weren't well behaved, with guys helping out the overworked wait staff. Still, there was a list of what was available, including chocolate cake (because the diner, although warned we were coming, didn't have that much pie). Tom was elated.
We slowly filtered back to the hotel, and I got a call from Jason (t8r), it was too hard to explain. Still, I knew that we could create more of a spectacle next year if we created a mock protest group for our pie worshipping fellows. I could see a group across the street with signs that say "God Hates Pie!"
7. I really can't make a pass. Cute guys really confound me. I made a pass at a fellow LJ'er, and what do I find, the LJ'er admits that no one made a pass at him all weekend. Hell, i thought I was being too blunt, but i guess i just can't be the guy to just out right say, "let's go fuck."
Really, lots of cute guys, some that might even have been interested, and I couldn't seem to be able to tell them, hey, my bed awaits, let's do it. Perhaps I'm just not the type to be able to lure people in with a cheap offer of Whataburger taquitos, but dang it, I would have loved to have gotten to know a few people better, even if it means having an intimate moment on the weekend of our first meeting. Hell, I've done it before.
Heck, I finally told someone, yet another LJ'er that I'd like to spend more time with him. Of course, this was monday when the event was ending. Better late than never I suppose. Now, while this does come with the caveat that I do find him sexually attractive, but I'd be happy just to actually spend time getting to know him. I respect that not everyone I find attractive finds me attractive (as seen when several Daddybears were taking interest in me Sunday night in line for dinner), but I felt I should try.
Since I already signed up for a room next year, perhaps this will be easier then - I won't be the new bear on the block.
8. Where's Bill? Randy was looking all Friday night for Bill (blakes_7). Everytime I saw Randy, he was looking for Bill. I saw Bill once, and then he was gone. Carlos, Bill's boyfriend, who's a great guy was around for most of the weekend and was a really nice guy.
9. I missed watching the Fast and the Furriest with bitchy bear commentary. I'm actually very sad I did, because I was sitting in the lobby trying to see if Craig wanted to...well, get it on. We had already done it, so I was trying to go back for seconds before the trip was over. Fun, no? again, it was the problem of being to embarrassed to get to the point. As someone mentioned before, Matty can blink and eye and get someone in bed. I however, cannot.
Part of the problem is that there were other people in the lobby, including someone else who was interested in Craig. I didn't just want to blurt anything out, so I spent an hour listening to people prattle on about, airports, real estate and department stores. Dry and boring. Once I finally got to talk to Craig, he needed to go to bed for his early flight, and I walked the walk of shame off to Matthew's room for some stove-top hot chocolate and Randy's music videos (courtesy Best Buy).
We went around the hotel, seeing who was still up on this last night of the run (who's desperate now!), but went back for more chit chat. Maybe that was where I belonged, after all.
10. Going home. After a nice lunch outdoors, the goodbyes began, and kept going for a while. Tom and I eventually had to go, so we packed up Jerry and sadly left Tucson for Phoenix, and my flight back. I had a cheap burger at the airport Burger king and then said my goodbye to Tom, my host for the trip.
I reached the gate, and realized the gate across from me would be where Sean would take off - a quick call to Sean told me that he was still returning his rental car, and wouldn't make it before I boarded my plane. The interesting point is that Sean had left earlier and had looked at houses in Tucson, considering it as one of the places he would consider relocating to from cold Detroit. It was telling, as i think we were all impressed by the city, and it's friendly, cute and sexy bears.
On the plane, I went back to reading Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, the same book Brian (brianmn) was reading. I lucked out and got a row where the middle seat was empty, and a flight with a cute, bearded flight attendant.
Still, when the gentleman in the aisle seat opened up his Bible and read it for the rest of the flight, I knew I was going home.
Well, it's been days now, so I need to wrap this mess up, and in doing so, I realize that the normal blow-by-blow (so to speak) way of covering things will take to long, and be way to boring, so I'll just tell a few tales to hit the high points (I've covered the low, I think). So, without delay here's:
Ten Short Stories about Fiesta
1. Franks is now the de-facto place for cool brunch hangouts. On Friday CJ (
prowlerbear) and Charlie took us out to Frank's in their giant Escallade. I mention the car because it held six of us easily, and was almost bigger than the restaurant itself. Frank's is very small, with a open grill up front and, like most places in Tucson, and area for outside dining. The walls were covered with pictures of patrons (and we forgot to take one for them) and posters for old bands and circus freaks.Part of the charm was Carla, our tattooed, Deadhead waitress. She treated us like royalty. Of course the decent food and cheap prices helped seal the deal. Carla kept apologizing to me that they only had a Dr. Pepper knock-off, when really, I didn't mind. Since Matty (
mattycub), Tom (invisiblebear) and I, with a changing crowd went back on Saturday and Sunday, Carla got good at spotting us. She told us that several other "large, hairy guys" had come in as well, and we spotted other folks eating there as well (like Vinny (mtzlplck) and Fergus (gusmacroy), among others).Since Carla doesn't work Mondays we didn't go.
2. Sean (
schnitz_mi) is one of my favorite people. He's exactly the kind of person I wish was a neighbor. He's got a wicked sense of humor, and I love it when he's around. On Friday Sean managed to change clothes a matter of six times. Almost every time we saw him, different outfit. One was his new Kilt, sewn by our friend David (
scotbear). It was a kilt that I tried on last year to see if it fit me, but it did a much better job on Sean. Still, I did get fitted for one of my own. Of course, you have to learn how to wear a kilt. One gentleman was actually wearing his, also sewn by David, backwards, with the pleats up front. David had to tell him that it was wrong.Of course, I'd be remiss to mention that I beat Sean (and Tom) at trivia, courtesy the NTN screens at Woody's. Since that's all we did at the bar, I can truthfully say that none of us are bar people.
Of course there was the story about Sean's big shriek, brought on by a practical joke not meant for him, but if you ask him, he'll deny it.
3. In Texas, Chuy's is a pretty good chain of Tex-mex restaurants (and where the Jenna Bush was arrested), but in Tucson, it's a pretty bad chain of burrito joints. Saturday Night's meal at the Hotel was jambalya, not exactly a favorite of mine, nor others. So Sean, Matty and John and I jumped into Sean's rental SUV and went into town. We started for steak, but only seemed to find Chinese, and after finding an over-crowded Italian restaurant with a long line, we settled on Chuy's.
The moment we stepped in we knew that we had made a dreadful mistake. Still, it was either that, or McDonald's. Chuy's was like Joe's Crab Shack without the actual charm of Joe's Crab Shack. The menu was limited, and we sat at the table for several minutes before the waitress (or whatever she was, she didn't wait on us) told us we ordered up at the bar. You have to get your own drinks, and get your own chips and salsa, too.
Probably the oddest thing was once you got your order, they gave you a stuffed animal rather than a number. Sean and I were the graduation star, while Matty and John got Scooby Doo. I could see this place being big with the plushy set. Still, I think the stuffed animal might have been a better meal than the burritos that followed.
4. Waiting for Pizza allowed me to get to know Matthew (
mamoosh) and Richard (bear_with_me) better. After a long time of being social, David (mnsourcer) actually suggested Pizza. Even Randy (lostncove) was surprised, since David obviously gets plenty of Pizza being around Randy. It was already around 1am and you know, there's only so much you can be around the pool. We went up to Matthew's room and ordered. The pizza took so long, that Matty had to go to bed before it came. Matthew told stories of the road, and agreed with me that Subway is the devil's playground. Subway's have plagued his truck driving career as it seems that every truckstop has one. I guess they're taking over the traditional truck-stop cafe, since I'm sure a Subway franchise is cheaper to run.
Richard just has a rich, wicked streak of black humor that's simply mesmerizing. It's hard to explain.
5. So you travel several hundred (thousand?) miles to go to a bear run, and you end up spending 4 hours watching football? Yep. Patriots vs. Colts. Although the game was fine, it was really the company. I sat with Tom (
furmusbulk) and Pete (trapezebear), both New Englanders. At times Matty, Tom and others would come in and watch. For me, although the game was good, but the company was better.I think Pete was the person I looked forward most to meeting, and I wasn't disappointed. Pete's funny, urbane and smart. I had some nice conversations with Pete. We waited again, for Pizza during the game and just cuddled on the couch in the bar area, watching the game.
Of course, about the time Pizza arrived, whatever was going on in the hotel's conference room had opened for a break. They watched some of the game, and one girl kept going on about being Ms. Brady (The Quarterback). I finally chimed in "not if we get him first" (beat, laughter). Still, as the group reconvened, they were joined by nuns. That's right, nuns, in full habits. I thought that was stranger than having the American Association of Christian Councilor's in the hotel for TBRU.
I couldn't figure out if I should feel weird about snuggling up with Pete when they were around, or if I should just kiss him in front of them. Taboos are so fun.
6. Pie is baked, Pie is eaten, Pie will come again. After dinner, and as the nuns left, there was the Pie ceremony. It was an odd version of street theater and pastry. I was handed a candle, one in the tall glass holder, but strangely missing Our Lady of Guadeloupe (or perhaps for this, Our Lady of Key Lime). I was to cary this as we proceeded down the street to the local diner, chanting about Pie.
150 Bears coming down the street is odd, especially as they are chanting (off and on) with candles. Several motorists honked, I suppose exception that we were having some sort of vigil. It also appeared that they had seen vigils before. When we finally got to the street crossing, everybody crossed at once, jaywalking into the busy street. One of Tucson's finest decided to stop traffic for us so the last of us could cross the street. I was surprised that they didn't ask what the hell we were doing. (Why am I always feeling odd about explaining bear runs?)
The diner was filled by us, and the three tables with regular folks in them, well, they were brave for staying. Not that we weren't well behaved, with guys helping out the overworked wait staff. Still, there was a list of what was available, including chocolate cake (because the diner, although warned we were coming, didn't have that much pie). Tom was elated.
We slowly filtered back to the hotel, and I got a call from Jason (
t8r), it was too hard to explain. Still, I knew that we could create more of a spectacle next year if we created a mock protest group for our pie worshipping fellows. I could see a group across the street with signs that say "God Hates Pie!" 7. I really can't make a pass. Cute guys really confound me. I made a pass at a fellow LJ'er, and what do I find, the LJ'er admits that no one made a pass at him all weekend. Hell, i thought I was being too blunt, but i guess i just can't be the guy to just out right say, "let's go fuck."
Really, lots of cute guys, some that might even have been interested, and I couldn't seem to be able to tell them, hey, my bed awaits, let's do it. Perhaps I'm just not the type to be able to lure people in with a cheap offer of Whataburger taquitos, but dang it, I would have loved to have gotten to know a few people better, even if it means having an intimate moment on the weekend of our first meeting. Hell, I've done it before.
Heck, I finally told someone, yet another LJ'er that I'd like to spend more time with him. Of course, this was monday when the event was ending. Better late than never I suppose. Now, while this does come with the caveat that I do find him sexually attractive, but I'd be happy just to actually spend time getting to know him. I respect that not everyone I find attractive finds me attractive (as seen when several Daddybears were taking interest in me Sunday night in line for dinner), but I felt I should try.
Since I already signed up for a room next year, perhaps this will be easier then - I won't be the new bear on the block.
8. Where's Bill? Randy was looking all Friday night for Bill (
blakes_7). Everytime I saw Randy, he was looking for Bill. I saw Bill once, and then he was gone. Carlos, Bill's boyfriend, who's a great guy was around for most of the weekend and was a really nice guy. 9. I missed watching the Fast and the Furriest with bitchy bear commentary. I'm actually very sad I did, because I was sitting in the lobby trying to see if Craig wanted to...well, get it on. We had already done it, so I was trying to go back for seconds before the trip was over. Fun, no? again, it was the problem of being to embarrassed to get to the point. As someone mentioned before, Matty can blink and eye and get someone in bed. I however, cannot.
Part of the problem is that there were other people in the lobby, including someone else who was interested in Craig. I didn't just want to blurt anything out, so I spent an hour listening to people prattle on about, airports, real estate and department stores. Dry and boring. Once I finally got to talk to Craig, he needed to go to bed for his early flight, and I walked the walk of shame off to Matthew's room for some stove-top hot chocolate and Randy's music videos (courtesy Best Buy).
We went around the hotel, seeing who was still up on this last night of the run (who's desperate now!), but went back for more chit chat. Maybe that was where I belonged, after all.
10. Going home. After a nice lunch outdoors, the goodbyes began, and kept going for a while. Tom and I eventually had to go, so we packed up Jerry and sadly left Tucson for Phoenix, and my flight back. I had a cheap burger at the airport Burger king and then said my goodbye to Tom, my host for the trip.
I reached the gate, and realized the gate across from me would be where Sean would take off - a quick call to Sean told me that he was still returning his rental car, and wouldn't make it before I boarded my plane. The interesting point is that Sean had left earlier and had looked at houses in Tucson, considering it as one of the places he would consider relocating to from cold Detroit. It was telling, as i think we were all impressed by the city, and it's friendly, cute and sexy bears.
On the plane, I went back to reading Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, the same book Brian (
brianmn) was reading. I lucked out and got a row where the middle seat was empty, and a flight with a cute, bearded flight attendant.Still, when the gentleman in the aisle seat opened up his Bible and read it for the rest of the flight, I knew I was going home.
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On passes : Yeah, I'm bad there too. I've talked to more than one person I've met previously who's said, "You were interested? I had no idea. You shoulda said something!" D'oh. So if it helps, y'aren't alone.
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Reference #7
There was a time that this seemed so easy for me. Now I am so much more reserved about this. Luckily I had one bold pass at me, that helped break the ice. Then, the guy I really wanted to "get to know," and I had been staring and drooling over since I had arrived, came over and started the "petting". That went on for two days and finally I just said, "hey, wanna go upstairs." LOL, he was saying yes before I had finished my question. I don't understand why that was so hard for me. Then again, maybe I do *looking across the bedroom*
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For the record, you were right up there at the top of my list of must-meets too. I'm thrilled we got so much time to hang out. Cuddling with you during the Pats game was great. Sorry you won't be around when Tom
And for all your totally understandable angst about making passes, I just want to go on record that you're evidently not as shy as *I* am. :)