Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Happy belated birthday (it was yesterday) to an absolutely delightful Tonga Room companion!! Here's wishing you all the very best in the year to come.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Aw shucks - you say the nicest things! I made an entry in the 'thanksgiving' thread about my weekend in santa barbara. But the fun is just beginning. On wednesday I leave for key west for my 7th annual participation in a local pirate festival. And yes, it's a long story. Without delving too deeply, I've become an integral part of producing this really fun festival, and my involvement has deepened over the years. So I was torn recently when I was up for jury service that was to last for two months or more. I have a jury-duty benefit with my employer that's more than generous, and when I was selected for the jury, I was enthusiastic about the whole project for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was two months paid leave from my job. But the downside was that it prevented me from going to key west this year for the fest. Truth be told, this year's festival calendar is on the small side anyway, and this annual event could be in it's final year. But we've been saying that for the past three or four years, so who really knows? Darn the luck, the jury was disbanded after only three weeks, and they called us "tainted" to boot! Not through any action of our own, but a complicated tale of two cases that had been merged together only to be split apart again during the trial. I was disappointed, but the silver lining was that I could now attend the festival this year. Only problem was that I'd already been 'MIA' at my desk for over three weeks. Asking for more time off to go drinking in the keys seemed like a bit of a stretch. But fortune smiled upon me. During my absence, one of my co-workers had been suddenly canned, and it had been done very poorly from management's standpoint. The backlash was that my boss was summarily being transferred to an "out office" - career siberia. As a result, he was more than softened up for my request for additional time off - I could go to the moon for all he cared. It also helped that I've been very vocal with my co-workers about my involvement in this project over the years, and that I'm more of an event producer than a participant. And surprisingly, that argument worked. So I'm flying out on wednesday night on a red-eye, and arriving MIA thursday morning at 5:15am, renting sumthin' and driving to key west - about a four hour drive. The wonderful hotel on the oceanfront that has provided us with comp rooms for the past many years is now sadly bulldozed into oblivion, to be replaced by condos. But I'm told that a "lesbian-friendly" guesthouse has agreed to put me up for my visit. I have no idea what to expect, but I'll smile and say thank you to everything. I return on the following monday. R/T airfare $350 non-stop direct SFO-MIA, american airlines - not bad at all. Next up is PA for the holiday week with family. So I've got a lot on my plate, but I'm happy, I'm healthy, I'm working (when I can get to it), and I've got a lot of blessings to count. Thanks for your well-wishes, it's working.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Happy Belated Birthday my fellow Bay Arean. Hope the Pirate Adventure is terrific!
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch Wow, that sounds like it's going to be quite and adventure. Hope you had a wonderful birthday.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka A belated Happy Birthday, zuux. Sounds like you're going to have a wonderful time.
Originally Posted By Tinkeroon Hope your birthday was great! Sorry for the late wishes but hope the year ahead is a wonderful one for you. Happy Birthday!
Originally Posted By Shiva gadzuux, Happy belated Birthday. I hope it was wonderful! Wishing you all the best in the coming year.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Happy Birthday gadzuux! It's nice to hear about what's going on with you. And I'm glad that you are able to make it to the festival after all. Have fun, and happy birthday!
