Philip, boat boy Allan and I joined Corey and Claudia for lunch at Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro. It was fulfilling to be able to hang out with them in a non-cabaret environment!

After lunch I went over to the gym where Donna works to drop off all the Demeter "gin & tonic" scented products that I got for her and her husband Jeff (a.k.a. Varla) for the holidays / housewarming / one-year-anniversary / birthday... Donna was away from her desk, so I just left it there for her to find. Sexy meteorologist Dave Bernard (who we first saw at the Forum for Equality Awards where our friend David Tyree got an award) was working out. He didn't cruise me like he did at the award ceremony... which goes to show, I only look good to weather-men when I'm very dressed up.

Speaking of dressing up (which I don't really enjoy) part of my holiday gift parade to Philip involved dressing up. I've been able to keep it a surprise, but I'll tell ya more about that below.

Philip also got one of his gifts early yesterday as he was adding fake snow to his nutcracker display near the door in the hall. I told him to open the large box under the tree. It was a King Charlemagne nutcracker designed and signed by Christian Steinbach. Philip LOVED it. It's a nice addition to his collection.

Okay, now back to today... Friday. I told Philip we had to drive to Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi for a show that begins at 9pm. We got there just after 7pm and had a gourmet meal at their non-buffet restaurant, Tuscany. We shared the grilled mushroom appetizer... I had veal canneloni... and the pistachi cream cake... all dishes were exquisite.

Now the whole ride down and all the way up into the casino Philip didn't know what show we were coming to see. His instructions were not to look at any billboards or posters... but leaving the restaurant we were confronted by a huge display advertising... "Charo's Cuchi-Cuchi Xmas"! Yes! We saw Charo peform last year in Las Vegas the day before Donna and Jeff's wedding... and then I saw her a second time with the wedding party the night after the wedding. Philip and I both love Charo... so I couldn't pass up the chance to surprise Philip and see her again, so close to New Orleans.

The show was nearly the same as the one we saw in Vegas... but with half the number of dancers... and Casino Magic's theatre had awful acoustics... Charo's classical guitar playing sounded horrid... but she was magnificent, despite sound problems related to the performance space. And she ended the show by singing "Feliz Navidad"! I had been wanting to hear her sing that ever since she sang it for "Pee Wee Herman's Christmas Special" way back in 1988. Ah, what a fun night.