Note to self:
IF you ever meet Prez43 avoid his hands, he'll thump you on the back much like his dad, Prez41, did.
Sidebar comment:
Prez43 is obviously not at ease with people of the creative genre. During his post-unveling speech today in Austin, TX he said to the audience that they would find the artist who painted his gubernatorial portrait odd (as well as the artist's artist bro) but that 'they do what they do well.'

Homework assignment to self:
Re-watch and watch again Audrey in that charming black & white movie to glean some hot tips for upcoming international adventure.
To date all I know about Roma is that it's teeming with fluffy felines and is built over spooky spooky bones and such.
Oh, and shoe, scooter and vino emporiums are everywhere. I think.

Finally, the Goo Goo Dolls hit the historic stage - a brief set of six. The biggest hitz, of course. Afterwards went to the "catered" (a loaf of bread made to look like a snake with an apple in its mouth made by nuns amongst the spread) VIP party, more of a fanly media-style affair than post-GGD gig fetes usually are. I watched as swarms of VIP partygoers circled around wherever a Goo was, a crush wanting a look, a touch, a sharpied signature on a bejeaned thigh. Me and my cohorts were there late and able to talk to the band once the riffraff departed. Johnny held a caricature scribbled on a paper placemat out to me, bossily asking Who is this? It was underbited Dave Schulz of Taxicab Confessions fame. One reason why I didn't take that MTV cab challenge with the fish in my mouth. One interesting thing: as time marches along Robby is becoming the healthier and cuter one, but John is still handsome in a different way. Fame has changed him and I step back from the famously changed: in my own limited regional infamy I know that public observance can be crushing.
And now.
New Year's Day and dig this: a Mass. lotto had these winning numbers: 2002. What a far-out positive omen.
Tour directed last night, the big EVE: documented the rather lame First Night Buffalo which featured a torch relay for thee Olympics. Then FIREWORKS which had me shouting my biggest YAHOOS. My friend Jen had a doppelganger and I thought jeesh, there's Jen making new friends. Then I directed all of us to pour into my Outback and we rolled along to Voelker's Bowling Lane for cheap drinks, arcade games and a white trash buffet. For midnight we hit our first house party and I handed out party poppers (not of gay bar fame) and bubbly and danced around and reveled. I got delicious long distance phone calls from those wanting to touch partying greatness. Onwards.
One more party, several delicious sips from Nate's secret silver flask and a near melee between three guy friends (2 well-dressed, 1 well in a drunk fester) and then a few points beyond. Off to a famed New Year's Day gathering where Tom & Jerry make a special visit.