Last evening, Chris' parents took out for a delightful evening in Forest Park - one of the many remarkable places in St. Louis. We had dinner, and then strolled across the street to The Muny, which is an outdoor theater that seats 11,000. The evening's performance was Miss Saigon.

The experience was amazing - despite threats of rain all evening, the weather cooperated. The production was really a class act, and certainly superseded the previous performance I had seen in Melbourne. Chris even thinks it was better than when he saw it on Broadway. Having real trees on stage, watching the sunset, a large remote controlled helicopter flying over the audience, etc - it all came together to create a very memorable experience.


Miss Saigon is a beautiful story, up until around the next to last scene. Which even if you subscribe to the notion of 'one true love', is an unnecessarily tragic ending that could have been solved with just a *touch* of communication.

As with the last time I came away from seeing this musical, I'm left with the preoccupation of wondering just how many plot lines would be significantly impacted with any level of social acceptance of relationship solutions other than monogamy.

The last inspector has left. All contingencies on the house sale have cleared.


I will spend the day canceling services to the house. Closing papers have been sent to me for Monday arrival, notary is lined up to get them signed and sent right back. At about the same time I wake up for the first time in the Oliver Thursday morning in Hohenwald, Fritz will be at the closing and I will no longer own a house with a concrete foundation. How's that for timing?

*shiver*


Wow. When I left Florida, I never dreamed that the house would sell so quickly after that in this market! Literally, the offer came in the first morning I woke up in St. Louis. I just needed to do what was necessary to pursue my calling, and trust that things would fall into line. Thank you Universe.



I think it's safe to start showing some excitement now.

I have been searching for an appropriate name for my new MacBook Pro. My last two computer names were Gir and Serenity, so I definitely have an affinity for naming after geeky shows and characters. I wanted to break at least a touch away from that this time.

My first inclination to name her Nicky Travis - which would have been my porn star/prostitute name (name of first pet and street I grew up on). This would have been appropriate since my father used to always tell me he'd rather see me sell my body on the street than ever use a Mac. But the name just wasn't sticking for me.

I played around with Athena, and variations there of. Goddess of Wisdom. Cool concept, but.. it just wasn't sticking either.

And next was Simcha, the hebrew word for 'Joy'. This plays on my tradition of integrating joy into the names of lots of things in my life. It also didn't stick for me.




I was driving back from the post office this morning, and the thought came to my mind that I should keep an openness to a name that honors someone who has recently passed from my world.

Just moments later, I read of the passing of Zamis, the beloved family member and kitty of roadriverrail and nancyblue. Zamis' name came from a very influential sci-fi movie of my youth, Enemy Mine. The character of Zammis is symbolic of bridging cultures and communities, a mission of mine in my travels and also well represents my father coming around to accepting his daughter owning a Mac. And Zamis the kitty brought much love, joy, companionship and loyalty to my dear friends.

The name could not be more appropriate for me, and blessings have been given to honor the kitty's memory in this way.

Oliver sent us new pictures today:




We have solar panels! Double pane windows! A/C! A door! Awning! Cell booster! Vent fans!



And custom graphics by invisibleink151!!!!


And tile!