AMTRAK? What was I thinking?

I don’t know what possessed me to take Amtrak from Chicago to NYC but I think I’ll stick to the friendly skies for business flights.



The idea was that since I fly constantly I thought I might take a train and get some writing done. I have always found trains restful and have done some of my best writing on a train. They can even be romantic. My first and last long distance train trip was many years ago with my , then, sweetheart and I went from Portland Oregon to Chicago. It was on a lovely double decker train with a restaurant and a view car that was all glass with swivel chairs. A movie playing in the corner of one car if you wanted to watch it. I personally like looking outside. It’s incredibly beautiful especially through the Rocky Mountains in Montana. WOW!
We played card games with some nice people we met in the café car. We then went back to our sleeper for a complimentary bottle of wine. I haven’t stopped thinking of that wonderfully romantic trip.



I decided this would be a good time to do it again and even though I’m alone I could get some work done. WELL! It’s not the trip I remember that’s for sure. Last night when I left Chicago it was 11 degrees. The train is rather empty so I am able to spread out and that I do, remember I am one long lady. The trains have a lot of leg room which is always an enticing element for me when traveling.



After about 2 hours into the trip all the heat does out in my car and after trying to battle the cold ( remember 11 degrees outside) I move to another car and that car is HOT! I opt for the hot car which actually slipped me into a deep coma and I ended up sleep for the next 12 hours. I NEVER SLEEP let alone 12 hours. When I wake up I find out that we are 3 ½ hours behind schedule. Some bridge froze in Indiana and we had to wait for the guy to wake up, show up, and fix it. Thank god I slept through the whole thing. Now my “restful romantic” trip is a 24 hour HELL!



I’m trying to be professional now and get some work done and every time I get someone on the phone I hit another rural area and the signals gone.



I used to get worked up about these things but I have learned to SURRENDER. I now SURRENDER to travel and have no expectations and it is so much easier. You have to any more. Traveling is difficult, annoying and expensive which can easily equate and escalate to irritating!



I have only an hour left in my drama and I’m running home to hug the things I hug when I get home. (vague huh) Then I’m going to eat cause this food on Amtrak is TERRIBLE! I’ve eaten all the vegetarian items and even my own little sack of apples, nuts and wasabi dried peas from Trader Joes. I’m STARVING!



Best travels this holiday season!

Happy New Year!


Edie

I love the PussyCat Dolls

Ok last night was wild. I got a phone call from Shequida asking me if I would like to be on the opposing panel of Faggot Feud at XL playing against the PussyCat Dolls. I said "The Pussycat Dolls"? She said "yes, girl". The PussyCat Dolls are all over NYC promoting their new album. Shequida decided to call us the Pussy-less Dolls. I didn't love it but it got some laughs. Before we started there were a few magazine photographers there to take our pictures. Then we heard over the loud music
"LET THE GAMES BEGIN" and the famous Family Fued music started and we all ran to our places. The game was a riot and perfectly hosted by Richie Rich of Heatherette and Amanda Lapore. I haven't laughed that hard in a while and even shocked myself when asked "Whats the first thing you do after sex?" All the good answers were taken and I popped up with "Walk Home!" We were beating the PussyCat Dolls and I guess we weren't suppose to. They started giving the Dolls some points and answers that weren't on the board and in the end, they won. Grief! But I had a blast and the Dolls brought a check for $3000.00 dollars for the Ali Forney Center (www.aliforneycenter.org) which I am a huge supporter of. The gorgeous Carl Siciliano, founder of AFC, accepted the money and it set the tone for a perfect evening. I stayed after and had a drink with my dear friends Knighten and Jonathon and we ended up at the Monster for a night cap.

The PussyCat Dolls were incredibly beautiful and gracious and until last night I didn't really listen to them or care that much(is that mean?). But that all changed after I met them. I fell in love and became a fan.

Ok I'm off tomorrow morning to perform on the Atlantis gay cruise (www.atlantisevents.com) to the Mexican Riviera. I'll write to you from Mexico! Ole'

Today is the first day of the rest of my Blog

Well today is the first day of the rest of my Blog. I am so happy to get rid of my Diary and replace it with Blog. When the Gardiner Brothers (my web masters) called me and asked me if I wanted to start Blogging, I said “I’d love to! Let me get my tap shoes and violin and I’ll be right over” They explained to me that my Diary was old and tired and that I needed a easier way to update my dialogue with all of you, my dear friends. They were right. So I am now a sophisticated, high-tech lady who will be blogging often and I’ll be able to update it wherever I am performing around this gorgeous Globe. And Gorgeous it is! I just returned from three Atlantis Cruises in a row. The first was a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Athens, The second was an Alaskan Cruise out of Vancouver BC with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau. And the third was another Mediterranean Cruise which was amazing with stops in Sitges, Rome, Piza, Florence, Mykonos, Crete, Nice and Naples. I love being a performer for Atlantis. I have had such an amazing time and am honored to have been with them for almost five years now. After coming home from the last cruise I was surprised with a baby Chihuahua. He’s absolutely perfect and I too (like Paris Hilton) am going to love him and hold him 24/7 so he never develops leg muscles and will just be an extension of my arm. No, I’m just kidding! I do love him and have decided to name him TOBY. But his full name is SCOTT TOBY REAL. ( get it?) LOL He’s all white with a tan forehead and a couple tan spots around his tail. He’s learned to use the pee-pee pad (most of the time) and gets along with my cat, Booger. I’m one proud mother. Well now that I’ll be blogging often I don’t need to try to cram everything in all at once. Though I’m excited to tell you so much stuff. Until next time… I can’t wait!

Much Love

Edie

S.B. (Soap Box)
As the weather gets cold and we start buying our winter clothes please remember… DO NOT BUY FUR! It’s hideously cruel and I beg you to try to refrain from it. Even a little around your hood. STILL CRUEL! Even a little around your gloves, STILL CRUEL! Shaved and turned insideout is STILL CRUEL! I just heard some tired Fashion critic say “ Fur was all over the runway” SO WHAT? Then we all run out and buy it? NO! It’s still absolute torture and anyone who does wear it has no conscience. I just ask you to think about it. Thanks!