Dear Diary,
It's been four months away from South Philly's "fat food" and I'm happy to report that I've lost 10+ pounds and 5+ inches since I've been a resident of "the thinnest state in the US." I don't know if it's the altitude or just being around all these crazies who get up at the crack of dawn to train for their marathons, bikeathons, hikeathons, triathalons and any other "thon" you could possibly think up EXCEPT a shopathon. Anyway, who cares how it happened? The important thing is that some of my clothes got a little obscene and "spinny" so I've been going on some nice bargain sprees for new clothes. Men, just skip over this part as I know you don't understand; but, for the ladies ...I'm almost in a size 10 pants AND I bought a size 8 jacket! I have not worn a size 8 in TEN years! My improv classmates think Colorado is my "fat camp" and that I'm preparing to return to Philly to "wow" everyone. Not.
Anyway, speaking of my improv class...Diary, you won't believe this!
Now that we've all become official after-class drinking buddies, the truth comes out. Their first impression of me was that I was a tough, hard core lesbian hitting on another tough chic in the class. Now does everyone understand what a bad haircut can do to a person?I mean I tried wearing bright pink lipstick for a few weeks until it grew in; but, the pink lips evidently did not pierce the South Philly 'tude. Take the girl out of Philly but, holy crap, don't take the Philly outta the girl!
In other news...I'm finally a regular at a local drinking establishment! The bartender knows my name -- and my drink. She has my Stella waiting on the bar for me when I walk through the door. I think I could get used to this.
Although the beer guzzling seems to be going pretty well, there is some sad news, Diary. I've only met one other Bon Jovi fan. I'm bribing someone to go with me to see Jon Bon at Frontier Days in WY this weekend. I don't even know where WY is ... toward or away from the Jersey shore?
In other concert news ... I have become the Intrepid Concertgoer as no one I know stays out past 10 pm because they all have to "THON" in the early dawn hours. So, I run around town seeing lots of great acts by myself for anywhere from 1/3 - 3/4 the price of a Philly tix. So far I've seen: Rod Stewart, Keane, Morrissey, The Police and Lucinda Williams. I'm thinking the Rocky Mountain News should give me a concert column...who else stays up late enough to see the encore?
My first South Philly visitor came last week. He didn't go to the mountains but went, instead, to the Gay Rodeo. This town has a gay rodeo but no Bon Jovi fans?! Why didn't I get the memo on this before I packed the RV and headed west?
Anyway, since the only part of me that seems to be assimilating is my waistline, I got a dog thinking I'd find my niche through the pooch community. But, since BJ, the 10 pound Bishon/Maltese mix, wants to eat all small children and large dogs, it's not working out so well. I'm thinking of training one of my cats to walk on a leash.
So Diary, that's the update. Before my next entry I hope to get a good haircut and an air conditioner and some sun screen ... no one told me about the 100 degree temps and the possibility of getting a burn just going out to get the mail!