A Few Pics...

Aunt Tonya has arisen and has almost pulled herself together for breakfast, so Miss G decided to take a moment to post a couple of pics of Amsterdam Pride from the last few days. First is a shot of the awesome crowds in and around the canal for the parade. This canal actually circles around the city center, so this scene was repeated for miles. Miss G hasn't had time to dig through the "weareproud.nl" website to determine the number of people viewing the parade, but it wouldn't surprise Miss G to find out it numbered around a million! If you dig around the website, click on the british flag for English. I guess the Brits do far outweigh the Americans here!

Next is the hottie who was hanging out with his pals in the boat right below us. As a teaser to keep you coming back to TFBOMGG, I will throw out there that Miss G has video of this hottie. Shirtless! Stay tuned!

And just so you know that we really were here, I present this shot of Miss G, Aunt Tonya, and MeeMaw. Though looking at the pics I realize that it could be taken just about anywhere in the world! And it was actually taken in Dublin! But we were so busy "oohing" and "ahhhing" at the parade it never occurred to us to snap photos of ourselves!

More later! Off to brekkie!

Miss Ginger has a FABULOUS Day of Dutch Pride!

Miss G can barely even figure out where to BEGIN to tell you about the FABULOUS day of Pride she had here in Amsterdam!! Miss G, MeeMaw, and Aunt Tonya got moving around 11am-ish, had a quick brekkie and then staked out a spot along the canal route, toward the beginning, not far from our hotel. Clever Aunt Tonya had thought to buy a bottle of Absolut at the duty free on her way in, so all we needed was a mixer to keep us flawlessly beveraged during the parade without having to scramble to find a bar, stand in line, etc. We discovered 2 liter bottles of Orangina, the yummy little orange fizzie drink you can only buy in the US at expensive cafes in little tiny bottles. So, we poured off the top of the fruit juice, replacing it with vodka, and made the yummiest drink ever! You really should try it!

Just remember, ORangina. A mistake could have tragic consequences!

Miss Ginger cannot BEGIN to describe the spirit, feeling, and atmosphere in Amsterdam on this very special day. The mood is exhuberant, and EVERYONE is partying, celebrating, and having a good time! The spirit is more like Mardi Gras than Gay Pride, in that EVERYONE is included, not just "the Gays". Anyone who is Gay or loves someone who is Gay should make a point to experience Gay Pride in Amsterdam at some point in their lives! It's unlike anything Miss G has seen elsewhere!

In talking about the positive mood, we realized that what sets Amsterdam apart is how extremely positive the attitudes seem to be. There is no mention of equal rights, or gay marriage, or fair treatment, or non-descrimination- those things are simply a given here. Many of the issues and controversaries that seem to dampen and polarize our American Pride celebrations simply don't exist here, leaving the people of the Netherlands to openly, loudly, and enthusiastically share their pride with the rest of the world!

We found a great spot along a railing at the end of a bridge crossing the canal that the parade would travel. Once we situated our selves, scoped out appropriate "facilities" (right around the corner!) and prepared our beverages, the parade began! And what a great parade! Miss G has almost 2 hours of video, which she needs to edit, crop, and combine, but she will try to get a little teaser for you together soon!

We also had the immense pleasure of having a boatfull of HOTTIES just below us, and Miss G has some great shots of that as well!

After the parade, we popped into our favorite little cocktail spot, Prik, just ahead of the crowd. Perfect! After polishing of 750ml of Absolut, we needed potties and toddies to keep the day going!

We had a couple of cocktails there, then headed

over to The Queens Head for more drinking and partying on the streets. The street was really crowded, and by this point Aunt Tonya was getting a bit "full", so we found a great spot in the back of the bar, with windows that overlooked the canals. By then the parade was over, and all the boaters and party barges were just crusing the canals, waving, drinking, and having a good 'ole time! From our perch in the window, MeeMaw and Miss G waved and smiled at the boaters and had fun trying to get them to wave and smile back at our camera. Video to come of that, also. Aunt Tonya practiced her Spanish on the Germans, and smoked a lot.

After a while the bartender made us close the window, and we decided we were hungry anyway, so we went to a little steak place that had a table available, and then headed back to the hotel for showers, disco naps, and costume changes. While Miss G is AMAZED that she wasn't drunker and more tired (how much IS 1 third of 750ml, anyway?!) she certainly would welcome a shower at that point, and a disco nap seemed like a good idea, especially if she had any intention of discoing any time this century.

We made plans to muster in the lobby at 11:45pm, then head over to "the Cockring" to ogle the crowd there. Miss G actually awakened and reported as planned, but, unfortunately, Aunt Tony apparently had been a tad overserved, and was down for the count. MeeMaw needed to stay at the hotel to take care of her, so Miss G decided to call it a night as well, giving her a chance to report in to you lovely people, and maybe do a little research on what kind of trouble we can stir up tomorrow! Meanwhile, I promise to catch up on your blogs and such some day real soon! Love to all!

Back to the Real World!!!

Miss Ginger had a great time in Ireland, and although she may have previously described her hotel there as "rustic" or "cozy", since checking into the Amsterdam Sofitel she will honestly say that it was a dump! She is SO HAPPY to be back in the lap of luxury with a huge room, fabulous toiletries, a cozy bathroom, and a WORKING INTERNET CONNECTION!!!! Back to the real world!

The trip here was gruelling. Although the Aer Lingus Airbus was nice enough, and it was only a two hour flight, Miss G was unable to get the richly deserved sleep she desired on the plane for numerous reasons. The extremely handsome members of the EUFA football team (that's really soccer, but Miss G is feeling tres continental!) that occupied the five seats behind her chattered insessintly (and loudly) in their native slavish toungue, and they giggled and cut up like high school girls. Miss G couldn't understand a word they said, but she's pretty sure they weren't talking about her extreme beauty. In addition, a small child about 6 rows back squalled the entire flight! Loudly! I kept thinking surely the poor dear would exhaust himself, but apparently he had too much sugar a breakfast so he had lots of energy. Thankfull I was in 1C so I was the first one off!

The first day in Amsterdam has been lovely. We caught the Drag Queen Olympics (Miss G is pretty sure she will be back to compete next year) and then did a bit of bar hopping. Miss G got just got back to the room a few minutes ago (2:30am local time) and she's planning on sleeping in tomorrow! More later, but I leave you with the "uncut" version of the opening ceremony from the Drag Queen Olympics!

Checking in from Ireland!

Miss Ginger is having a great time in Ireland even though things have not gone totally as planned. The flight from Houston to Newark was comfortable enough, but the one from Newark to Dublin was grueling, as expected. It might not have been so bad, except, due to the weather in Newark, we sat on the ground in New Jersey for over 2 hours before we took off for our trek across the pond. So the 6 hour flight turned in to an 8 hour flight. To top that off, Miss G bought one of those obnoxious toilet seat shaped neck cushions for the trip, but when she tried to tear the tag off of it, she tore open the seam and tiny Styrofoam beads spewed everywhere. Miss G tried to shove the pillow into a plastic bag, but the more she struggled to get the thing in the bag, the more white pellets spewed forth. Of course, they all have a static charge, so there sits Miss G, acting nonchalant and looking like the abominable snowman. I think she still has Styrofoam beads in her crack 3 days later!
After the plane landed (2 hours late) she realized she had missed connecting with B&T at the airport, and would have to cab it herself. No big deal, except she, for the life of herself, could not remember the name of the hotel. And she didn’t have it written down anywhere. Her laptop wouldn’t get a signal, so she exchanged money (damn, that hurt!) and used an internet kiosk there at the airport to log onto Expedia and get her confirmation info.
Once she got to the hotel, she got settled in, grabbed a snack, took a foot tour, and then relaxed on the bed for a couple of hours. Upon arising, she hooked up with B&T and headed out to find the gayborhood. We’re in it. Real close, anyway. The only thing between us and the gayborhood is shopping. Not a bad locale at all! We had drinks at the George, dinner at SoHo, and called it an early night, and Miss G slept like a baby!
Miss Ginger has declared things here in Dublin lovely, yet somewhat “random”. The hotel, for instance. It’s been created from a series of 5 story Georgian townhomes, interconnected to become a rather large hotel. It appears to have been renovated sometime in the early 80’s, so the very old building seems more dated than modern. Miss G’s room is clearly an attic space, that while clean and spacious, is not particularly well appointed, and it has only a Velux roof window in its slanted ceiling for light and ventilation. Perfectly serviceable, yet quite random. Miss G’s room is on the 5th floor, in a building next door to, and not interconnected with, the main building. Upon entry, one takes 3 steps down to a landing, and then takes the elevator up 3 floors- as high as it goes. After that, one has to walk up 2 flights to Miss G’s room. Not bad, just random.
The day after our arrival, we took the double decker bus tour of the city. It was a nice spin around town and it gave us our bearings. After a nice lunch of Irish stew, we did a bit of shopping and headed back to the hotel to recharge. The hotel’s wireless network is blocking facebook and blogger, so I’ll keep these updates offline and feed them in as I have time!
So after the afternoon “freshen up”, we headed back out to see what we could see. We went to the old library at Trinity University to see the Book of Kells and the other illuminated manuscripts they had on display. Truly amazing that they were written and illustrated by hand, and that they have lasted so long!
After that we had drinks at the George, and a lovely 3 course dinner at a place called Leon. Then we went to the Dragon to see the “Calendar Boys” contest hosted by Veda Deville at 10pm. Well, as Miss Ginger has noted before, things are very different here in Ireland, and the bitch actually started on time. The show was pretty much over when we arrived at 10:30, and Miss Veda was just sort of DJ’ing the post show set herself along with her BFF, Peaches. Occasionally one of them would do a number. Both were lovely girls, but again, strangely enough, they don’t tip their drag queens here in Europe, so the girls were on stage largely unappreciated by the very young audience. Miss Tony decided that, since the 1 and 2 euro denominations are represented by coins rather than notes, the girls would leave the stage either clinking or bruised, neither of which would be a good situation. Miss G personally thinks the EU should print a limited number of “1 Drag Euro” notes for the exclusive use of tipping drag queens. It’s the only civilized thing to do!
Yesterday afternoon was drizzly and cool, not quite rainy. Today is gorgeous, and what this southern girl would call “chilly”. More later, including pics, but I want to get this up while I have a wifi connection!

Miss Ginger Goes Fashion International!

Did you know last week was Fashion Week... in Bangalore, India?! Miss Ginger didn't even know they had a fashion week, but I guess it makes sense, since you're probably not going to be seeing anything like this in Paris or Milan. Or even in one of Fern Mallis's white tents!

They even have designer nehru jackets for the guys! Zoolander, eat your heart out!

And, it's nice to see that their models are a little bit better fed than Kate Moss!

So, who's ready for Project Runway, Bangladesh?

Kinda Freaky!

Here's an article from the TV station website in my little home town of Lake Charles, La. The first article seems like a mundane enough crime article....

James Hill of Lake Charles is shot and killed in a stand off with Alabama police officers
By Adam Hooper - bio email
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - Almost two years ago we reported on the robbery of the Saint Landry Bank in Scott Louisiana. The man police were claiming was responsible was James Alan Hill of Lake Charles. In October of 2007, chief Don Dixon and the Lake Charles Police department arrested Hill, who was charged with a chain of bank robberies in the state.
"One of the things we did do on him as a result of a search warrant is take DNA evidence which we will try an link with some of the other robberies," said Chief Don Dixon in October of 2007.
But to no avail, the charges were dropped after Hill spent 18-months in jail. Hill said the DNA did not match.
"I told him my DNA shouldn't be on nothing because I didn't do it," said James Hill in May of 2009.
But, nearly two years later James Hill is back in the spot light. On Thursday afternoon Hill held up the RBC bank in Mobile Alabama. When police got involved an eight mile chase ensued, a chase that would end in gun fire, and as a result, Hill was shot to death. The gun in Hill's possession turned out to be nothing more than an air pistol. Officers on the scene said it appeared to be something far more dangerous.



But here's where is gets freaky to me:




Neighbors react to Hill's violent death


LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - James Alan Hill lived on 22nd Street in Lake Charles for a number of years and still has family living there.
"This was a very bad case of mistaken identity." That's what James Alan Hill told a Lafayette TV station earlier this year when he was released from jail saying he had been cleared of all charges. "I told them my DNA shouldn't be on anything because I didn't do it."
Hill had been arrested by Lake Charles Police in October 2007 when he was believed to be a serial bank robber involved in as many as seven bank robberies and who had eluded authorities for months, until Lake Charles police served a warrant from Lafayette and took him into custody. Now, about three months since his release from jail, family members including his children still live at the house where he was arrested at 1617 22nd street. At this point, the family speaks through their attorney Satrica Williams: "After speaking with the family, the family has instructed me to let the news and the public know that they don't have any further comments to make to you all, that they are in grieving and they would ask you to respect that."
Word of Hill's violent death came as a huge shock to neighbor Norma McFatter who was of the impression Hill was serving time for bank robbery. "I'm shocked because I thought he was incarcerated and I felt safer. But now, knowing that he was out it's scary. Because you just never know who your neighbor is. She says they didn't know he had been released from jail."










1617 22nd Street is 2 houses down from my childhood home!!! We lived at 1701 22nd Street! This house belonged to a family name the Isles when we were kids! They were an older couple with no kids, but Mrs. Isles would always buy candy bars or light bulbs or whatever else the band or boy scouts were selling. They were very sweet, and I'm sure have long since passed, but how freaky that their house was sold to a bank robber! I also remember Mrs. McFatter, the lady quoted in the article! OMG! I wonder what kind of criminal is living in momma's house now!?

Miss Ginger considers the DQO!

What is it?The Drag Queen Olympics are the world’s premier Drag Queen sporting affair with events including the Handbag Throw, the 100m Stiletto Sprint and the Tug-of-War. Last year's competition saw 26 ladies from all corners of the globe come to compete in the Dutch Capital, with many world records shattered. Drag Queen competitors wanting to take part can turn up from 5pm at the Homomonument with wig and heels.

I'm just not sure this ole queen can chuck a handbag as far as she used to! Still, it could be fun to say I competed!