Thoughts on my last short weekend home...

It's a warm and sunny Saturday here in Seattle and I am happy to be sitting in the living room in my dirty white robe thinking about one more week as a Nickel-Plated Wayfarer. I hadn't been back for a good month, since that first weekend in New Orleans which seems like so long ago. I got to visit Niagra Falls again, this time from the Canadian side, which is much more misty and beautiful:

Niagara Falls is great for honeymooners and swinging singles alike!

I also had a great time spending a weekend in Minneapolis, where I celebrated Mother's Day with my wonderful family.

Grandma Alice May, who was all the rage and Bennigan's for a late lunch and 2-fers.

It was good to see nothing much has changed in my hometown besides the slow and progressive changes that come with time: toasting my little sister Betsy's last remaining weeks of college, toasting my dad for the end of a chapter putting three kids through college, toasting my old friend Jody's birthday party during a surprise visit Tuesday night:

Justin drinking a blow-up bottle of rum at his lover's birthday party in Minneapolis

Coming home to my friends in Seattle has been the best part of this job. In my few days home I've grilled hot dogs at dusk around a bonfire at Golden Gardens and chugged beer at a ragin' kegger.

My fake brother and my real brother in front of the Buckaroo in Fremont

We'll see you in Ohio for my last four days of work.

Springtime in New York Doesn't Smell as Sweet

Well, back in New York. Two more weeks and my travels are through! I need the break. Having been gone from friends and family for the past three weeks has been rough...even though I don't have my own bed to sleep in, backslapping and wisecracks are all I need to feel at home. I miss all my pals and look forward to returning to Seattle in about a week to catch up (and pick up my long overdue drycleaning). But what perfect timing to be home in Minneapolis this weekend! I'm looking forward to a fabulous Mother's Day with my mom and Granny Alice May, along with my dad and Lil' Betsy.

A lonely dinner last night at Max's in Buffalo

Yesterday morning I opened up my window shades and saw ten stories below me some picketing protesters marching in front of my hotel and felt like I was at an abortion clinic. When I approached them, the protesters politely gave me shit for patronizing a hotel that wouldn't allow its employees to discuss unionizing. I thanked them for their time and had my lunch across the street at a Chinese buffet.

Rise up against the evil forces of the Rochester Plaza Hotel!

Also this week, I got an email from Adam Bale linking his first feature story on "The Film School" for the Seattle Channel's TV show, CityStream. I was impressed by his ability to use a journalistic voice in his narration and know I'll whip his butt when I get back into the production scene.