Lunch With Bailey and More!

I have had such a wacky schedule this week that I have not even begun to catch up on all my photo sources.  Therefore there will be no Best of the Web This Week, however BOTWTW will return next week.  For today, I would like to share an amazing slam poetry performance, and the truly remarkable conversation Bailey, Super Teen and I shared.

Bailey and I, as you know, have been corresponding for the last year an a half, however we had never met face to face.  We rectified that yesterday when we met up at Salsa Fuego around 2 PM.  We both came bearing gifts and started talking as we were walking into the restaurant like we were old friends that had lived next door to each other forever.  We covered a wide range of topics, some mutual and some not, with Super Teen trying to get a word in edgewise.  Did I mention that we had chocolate?  She had brought me an autographed copy of her book Chaps and Hope, along with a copy of Dan Savage's new book American Savage and I had brought her Snickers bites and Turtles for her travel bag.  We were greeted and seated by Salsa Fuego's owner, Carlos Rodriguez, who explained a couple of things and answered our questions, then sent Juan over with our chips, salsa and the queso (three cheese blend, pico de gallo, roasted green chilies, white wine) appetizer we had ordered.  Juan had to come back a couple of times before we had quit talking enough to look at the menu.  I knew what I wanted already which was the Hand Made Pork Tamales served with pico de gallo, feta cheese, cilantro oil, poblano rice and refried beans.  Super Teen had the Cheese Enchiladas and Bailey ordered the Veggie Enchiladas.  We also had Juan bring us some soft flour tortillas with the meal.  The food was quickly and beautifully presented, with generous proportions of the entrees and sides as we continued to cover the universe with our conversation.  By the time we had devoured our entrees and solved the problems of the world we ordered some desserts.  Bailey and I shared a humongous slice of Chocolate Mousse Cake (which neither of us could manage to finish off) while Super Teen ordered the Key Lime Pie.  We also had Juan bring us some made to order Sopapillas that were rolled in Cinnamon, drizzled in Chocolate and presented with whipped butter and honey and could honestly be considered sin on a plate.  We could not get to the bottom of those either.  I thought for sure they were going to have to wheel us out on dollies or stretchers as we were all stuffed to the gills.  If ever you are in Fort Worth and want some Superior Mexican Food, I would highly recommend Salsa Fuego on Alta Mere just south of Camp Bowie in the West Side.  You will receive a gracious greeting, quick and courteous service, and generously portioned, delicious food.  Oh Bailey and I had frozen Margarita's too which were absolutely perfect.

I had brought my Nikon Cool Pix and took the photos below while we were there.

 Bailey goofing with Super Teen

Bailey and Me

Super Teen

 We had a grand and glorious time which I will cherish, looking forward to the next time we can get together either down her way (she lives near San Antonio) or up here.  Bailey was effusive in her commentary on my ability as a writer and encouraged me to get on with writing my book (or more). She feels I am articulate with enough stories to entertain the idea of becoming a published author or being able to self publish here on the web.  I promised her I would make a sincere effort to get it down on paper and she said she would nag me until I do.  So tell me, would you buy a book from me about my many adventures over a lifetime?  I would be most interested in your comments on this subject.  

Now here is that slam poetry I mentioned earlier which features Elliot Darrow, performing for University of North Carolina during finals at the 2013 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational.  

 Poem Text

What if I told you God is gay?
Do you think belligerent bible-belters
Would still holler hate speech to the hilltops
In His name?
Or do you think they would reread the scriptures
They say they swear and survive by
See, I've been reading the Bible again lately
And I think I've taken a leaf from their holy book,
Picking passages for my purpose
Which is in short
To let you know it's very possible God is gay.
I mean think about the book of Genesis
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
And it wasn't just good, it was fabulous.
I mean what else is our planet but the pinnacle
Of exterior design, and I don't mean to generalize
But it certainly seems like that the Garden of Eden
Was designed by queer, I mean divine eye for the straight guy
But some Christians would go as far as to call
God's creations abominations
Heretics calling themselves faithful
When their faith is full of belief that only God may pass judgment
Matthew 7:1 Judge and you too shall be judged
Luke 6: 37 Condemn not and you shall not be condemned
Fred Phelps 2006: You're going to hell! God hates fags!
A history lesson: A faggot is a bundle of sticks
Originally used as kindling for fires that engulfed gays
When they were burned at the stake, people were firewood
But Moses came across wood on fire and saw God in it,
What is a burning bush but bundles of branches
On fire, isn't it funny how faggots and God can look the same sometimes?
Keep in mind Jesus had two dads and turned out just fine
In fact, Jesus had two dads and a surrogate mother
That never had sex with either of them,
Maybe Mary was a lesbian
And I remember the prayer going
"Hail Mary, full of grace"
Not full of sin,
"Pray for us sinners"
For we have become blinded by bigotry.
And forgotten that God gave us the rainbow
As a promise that we will never be flooded again
Either with rain or ignorance
And now all the homosexual Homo sapiens
Stand more united under God's rainbow
Than all of his denominations do around the cross.
I was brought up believing that my Savior loved us all
And never had to specify "no homo"
But if you have hate in your heart
Say it don't pray it
Don't teach it and for the love of God don't preach it
Because I am tired of these fire and brimstone sermons
Slinging slurs when they're not firing brimstones
From voices that should be filled with love and praise
Instead of raised with hate and rage
I am a Christian, and I believe in saying the Christian thing.
Which used to sound like "Love thy neighbor as thyself"
But now sounds more like hate at the top of your picket signs
The closest thing to God being "Hell, is waiting for you"
They're passing out damnation pamphlets
Filled with out-of-context Bible verses
Trying to define God
When his meaning is clear.
He is acceptance, He is pride, He is humility, He is just,
God is perfection, God is protection, God is love,
But most importantly
God is gay

Then for your final Musical Reprise, we cap the week off as we began, with music from the Master, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 3 performances by The Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. The first is the Bassoon Concerto in B Flat, KV191 featuring Michael Chapman on Solo Bassoon. Next up is the Sinfonia Concertante for Winds in E Flat, K297b featuring soloists Aurèle Nicolet, Flute; Heinz Holliger, Oboe; Hermann Baumann, Horn; and Klaus Thumermann, Bassoon. Concluding this play list is the Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra Number 1, K299 featuring soloists Sir James Galway on Flute and Marisa Robles on Harp.

I did not forget the eye candy either with this beautiful collection of Illuminating Iconography of the Male Form your examination and appreciation.  Thanks for sharing part of your day with me here at Nichevo.  Hurry back and bring your friends.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!