LA Haunted Hayride...

I have wanted to check out LA's Haunted Hayride for a few years now.  Jay had gone the year before and raved about it, and I had heard good things from other people as well.  So, last weekend I got my chance!

Julie/Gabe/Amber and I had gone to the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor last year and were very disappointed.  We discussed other options and decided to check out the Hayride this year which we did!  I got to chatting with a co-worker of mine who is also a horror fan and he joined us for the fun.

Amber and I carpooled and as we drove up the mountain to Griffith Park where it was held, the fog was rolling in and the entire area just had a creepy feel to it.  I started getting super excited.  We parked in the first lot we found and I was stunned we didn’t have to pay.  Yay!  We didn’t have to walk too far and wandered around the place while we waited for the others to arrive.  The maze (You paid an additional $10 for) was right at the beginning.  There was a hanging area, but we never did see a hanging, a place you could pose for pictures with a car, one food vendor, a soda vendor (flavored soda mind you!) and then the growing line for the Hayride.  Behind that was another area with more stuff but we didn’t get to see that until we were “in”.

Taylor arrived next and we took a selfie:

Then Julie/Gabe arrived and we got in line.  As we waited a few monsters startled us.  I was quite excited to see Taylor react.  I love going to these things with new people!  I apologize for the grainy-ness of all these photos, but it was at night with my iPhone and those always come out funky.  Anywhoo here’s some from line:

The line moved relatively quickly and we were soon in the hay area portion of the line.  We realized later it was a good thing we got there right when it opened because this line got a lot bigger as the night progressed.  Monsters startled people in this line as well.

When we got to the end, there were severed talking heads I was bummed I didn’t catch a picture of, but we were being herded into a cage.  Yes a cage.  They cram a bunch of you in a cage.  Too funny.  This is where they tell you the rules, etc.  There were then multiple tractors pulling these trailers.  They were low to the ground and full of hay.  We were all herded onto the back of the next one.  My only complaint of the whole night was I wish the hayride was longer and I wish these trailers were better equipped to sit in.  If they improve both of those things that would rock.  We were really smooshed in and I had to crane my neck a lot during the ride.  Anyone with back/knee issues would really have a problem.  I had hoped it was more of a “sitting on a hay bale” sort of thing, but oh well.  Most of us surrounded the outer edge and a few folks sat directly in the middle.  It was certainly cozy.  No pictures of the hayride because I couldn’t get to my phone. 

As we rode up the hill we passed a long fence with body parts, mostly hands sticking out.  I so wanted to high five one.  Then these monsters ran past us in a choreographed manner to the back, behind us, stopped, faced us, then their mouths glowed red and they attacked.  Awesome.  It wasn’t too scary because we already saw them, but some people did get a fright.  Next was a rendition of the Wicker Man.  Rad.  These guys threw themselves into the “fire pit”.  The “corn” folk that attacked us I have to say – beautiful bodies!!!  The guys had such rad 6 packs!  I was so distracted by that I didn’t even appreciate the horror portion of that one!  Tee hee!!!  Then there was a “Satan Church”.  The pastor guy was a demon and he rose up and up and up and as he went up his red cloak got bigger and longer.  It was rad.  Then of course all of the church goers that were hooded turned and faced us at the same time and attacked.  Rad.  There was another area that had these two giant trees that attacked.  That was cool because you certainly weren’t expecting that!  A lot of people jumped.  We went through a place that was “experimenting” on people and they had giant jars with people in them.  Pretty cool.  Then we were attacked by people in bags.  I want to say there was another one or two here, but of course my memory fades so quick now.  The finale was the best; we pulled into a church looking place and were being attacked by clowns.  I say Taylor tense up.  The ran to the back and were holding a large black sheet.  “No way!” I screamed.  “We’re going to get covered!!!”  Sure enough they ran over us and blanketed us in this sheet.  So now it’s dark.  All of a sudden there are clowns everywhere with flashlights under their chins freaking the hell out of everyone.  Especially Taylor who jumped about 3 feet.   So great!  I was dying laughing.  When the sheet was pulled off there was a Soulful Clown gospel band singing about being saved.  Fantastic.   The hayride came to an end and I was sad it was over but my back and neck and knees were glad it was. 

We then wandered around the after area and they had this rad “Scary Go Round”.   I of course could not go on it, but it ran backwards!!!

As we were wandering a giant jester on stilts was leaning on a tree.  Julie and I both got scared by him because we didn’t think he was real!  So awesome!  Next up was the maze.  This was a bummer for me.  They let you in in small groups.  One person had a lantern.  Well this was pointless because we lost our person in about 2 seconds.  It started out cool – a movie of a man getting totally slaughtered in the house that you’re standing next to – hilarious.  We walk into a black dark maze and there is only a strobe light.  The ground is also uneven.  This is where I realized I wasn’t going to make it.  Normally strobe lights don’t bother me, but this didn’t stop and I started to get dizzy, then sick and knew I had to get out.  So after only about 5 minutes I found an emergency exit, turned to Amber and said I had to leave and went out.  A monster found me and pointed me the way.  I was super bummed but also super glad I was able to get out before I got really sick.  My head and tummy simmered down and I never hit the point of no return (That point I get sick and am fucked).  I waited at the exit for everyone else and found out through them that it was pretty much just the dark and strobe but it ended with a very claustrophobic like exit.  You went through these halls that the walls were blown inward and a monster waited for you at the end.  There was also a chainsaw wielding monster (I found out later was a friend of mine) that chased you out.  I laughed because Amber was in tears and Julie had apparently fallen down.  Damn!  I missed it! 

We decided to head back to the carnival area to see what we missed.  We watched a portion of the Demonology guy talking about real life hauntings.    I had no idea the Griffith Park had a history of curses, etc.  Pretty interesting!  We then headed over and watched this guy who was a sword swallower.  He was fantastic.  Very funny.  Very charming.  Julie actually got brought up onstage to help him out at one point.

He put on a fantastic show.  I’ll never know how someone figures out they want to do that, but hey – it works out for those who like to watch.  Such a trip!  There was a mirror funhouse but it looked strobe light like so we skipped it.  Another really cool thing they had was a tent saying “Photo Opportunity”.  I thought this might be one of those things that blow air and scare you like Jay and I had at Haunt but instead it was prop areas.  They had about 6 set ups of different scenes that you could pose and take pictures of yourself.  No charge!!!  I’m so used to places gouging you for money and this wasn’t.  I wish I had a better camera for this but you can see the fun ones we chose.  My poltergeist one had been a hit on Facebook! 

 Amber - Off with her head!

 Julie and Gabe - Yikes!

 Don't go into the light Jami!

 Taylor pulling the switch!

 RIP Julie!

Amber eating the meat grinder man!! 

So all in all the LA Haunted Hayride rocked.  I really did have a great time and we had such a great group!  I will totally do this one again!!! 

Wedding Weekends...

I had a back to back weekend of weddings this month.  Let’s start with Wedding #1.

This is the wedding of Sean and Dea.  A very special union to me because I know both of them from two totally different avenues of my life.  Sean I knew back in the OCC and early Hunger Artists days.  Dea I met working at the opera.  Funny enough they started dating.  So here we are to wedding one.

I got my save the date early summer as did one of my besties – T.  We decided to treat ourselves to a girl’s weekend.  See the wedding was in Palm Springs!  So I was imagining spas and wine and relaxation all weekend.  We did get a bit of that but it turned out to be more of a weekend college reunion party.  It was rad.

I had budgeted the money to pay for the weekend and even put a little extra aside to get my hair brightened up a bit so I could look my best for both weddings.  The day before my trip my truck took a shit and cost me $1200 to get her up and running again.  So much for budgets.  My reaction could have gone one of two ways.  “Oh poor me I have no money ever” or “Fuck it.  Charge it.”  I obviously went with the latter.  Yes it blows.  Yes moving the portion of the loan I have paid off to cover the charges this last month panged me but such is life.  I just get to start over. 

Friday late morning I got my hair done and picked up T about 2 and off we went into the desert.  We opted to stay at the hotel the wedding was being held because with the deal the wedding peeps got it was really the best and easiest deal.  The Riviera it was called.  Very beautiful hotel.  It used to be where old Hollywood stayed and partied apparently.  You can see where they refurbished the place a bit but it still has a lot of the old charm.  Very cool and Very trippy.

Marilyn watched me sleep:

Our room was fine.  Nothing really special and we were a little disappointed we got a non-balcony room.  Honestly for what we paid I had higher expectations but it wasn’t horrible.  The hotel had two pools and at each was a bar, towels, chairs, etc.  It is deemed a resort so this fits.  They also have great little alcoves throughout the place to chill.  One downside is they only have one restaurant and all the bars, serve this food.  It did get kind of old by day 3 since it was a bit on the pricy side.

When we checked in and got settled we headed down to take a tour and grab a drink.  We ran into the bride and groom and a few of the party that had come in as early as we did.  Lots of hugs and congrats and excitement filled the air.  The bride/groom were off to a family dinner so T, I and my friend David (one of the bridal men) sat out on the patio of the restaurant and had dinner.  I had lobster mac & cheese, we had a bunch of different appetizers we shared and then split a chocolate soufflé cake thing.  Plenty of wine later I was about to explode.  David picked up the tab because he rocks and I started hurting.  I have to say – the hurt was worth it!  We ran into some more folks just arriving and I decided to peace out.  T headed out with the crew but my overstuffed tired ass was done.

Saturday morning arrived and T and I headed into Downtown Palm Springs to get some breakfast and try to find somewhere to get a pedi.  I had really wanted to get a spa treatment done but time and money wasn’t really allowing.  After much hunting around trying to find this little place T was hell bent on eating breakfast at we finally found it.  A little place called Farm.  It looked like a little house had been converted into a restaurant.  The food was outstanding.  Our coffee was served to us in a French Press and there were little sugar cubes!  Our napkins were dishtowels.  The place was adorable. 

After breakfast we wandered into a place called Rafael’s for a mani/pedi.  We chose this place because the name made us laugh and we kept picturing a swishy fabulous Italian welcoming us.  Sadly this turned out to be bad choice.  The place was nice enough but we sat on this long bench as the girls worked on our toes and it took FOREVER.  Not a good forever.  Like the forever that the girls seemed to always be having to get up and look for stuff, to stop working to tell me a story using her hands, etc etc.  The pedi was fine.  My mani was not good and we were worried we weren’t going to make it back in time now for the Saturday evening cocktail party that we had RSVP’d too.  So sadly my “spa treatment” I wanted for the weekend didn’t happen as I had hoped. 

Saturday night was AWESOME.  From 5-7 the bride/groom through a cocktail party.  All the folks that came into town that day were invited (The wedding was Sunday).  This is where I realized the weekend had turned into an OCC reunion.  We never left the bar.  At 7pm the bridal party was off to the rehearsal dinner and the rest of stayed and drank and snacked and caught up on each other’s lives.   It was so absolutely amazing to see all of these faces I love!  I made a few new wonderful friends and got to hug and squeeze so many old ones.  Stories were shared.  Laughs were a plenty.  It was a magical evening!  Below are lots of fuzzy pictures that sum up the whole evening. 

Sunday morning arrived and T and I hit up Lulu’s in Downtown for breakfast.  We had seen it the day before and it looked yummy.  It was!  I had French Toast!  I can’t remember the last time I had that!  So good!  We headed back to the hotel so T could recover a bit and I decided to take advantage of a little pool time.  It was lovely.  I parked it on a lounger and relaxed in the sun for a little over an hour.  3pm was the big time so we decided to be ready a bit early and grab a snack at the bar beforehand.  This is where T and her nifty filters too this awesome photo of me that I love!

We made our way over to the wedding area and visited with everyone.  The ceremony began and it was just beautiful.  Dea looked amazing.  The blue and yellow colors were perfection.  Most of the bridal party on both sides were guys which was so much fun to see.  Andy (another dear friend of mine) officiated the ceremony beautifully.  He even teared up.  I am still giving him shit for that.  Dea and Sean opted to do the sharing of the wine tradition but instead with a Black and Tan.  Awesome.  The ceremony was short and sweet. 

Andy officiated

 The Groom!

 C24 & Noel

 Renee looked gorgeous!

 Damon and Russ

 David!

The beautiful bride!!

 My favorite pic I took!

Afterwards followed cocktails.  This was a great time to chat with the people I hadn’t seen yet and re-visit the old.  Great wine to by the way!

The reception was held in a ballroom and looked gorgeous.  They had a first dance and later a mom/son and father/daughter dance.  All up beat.  They did cut a little tiny cake surrounded by cupcakes but that was really the only traditional stuff.    The best man and maid of honor gave brilliant speeches and the night consisted of wonderful food which I of course stuffed myself full of, and Italian cookie table, cupcakes, and lots of wine.  This was the day I probably pushed it a little too hard.  I drank and ate more than I have in a very long time.  They also had a vinyl record theme.  Our invites came like little vinyls in a case, our centerpieces were actual vinyl and you signed vinyl as the “guestbook”.  Friggin awesome!  Our table rocked.  I got to catch up with so many people and we had an absolute great time.

 DIY party favors!  Coasters made of vinyl!!

 These two are Wedding #2!

 Loved the red under her dress!

 Italian Cookie Table!

I was cracking up...everyone on their phone!

After the wedding ended a handful of us hit the bar.  Some dancing ensued as we arrived then we all collapsed in an area and ate and drank till we couldn’t stand on our feet any longer.  Totally awesome night.

Monday morning T and I packed up and headed down to have breakfast with about 15 folks still standing. 

Then homeward bound!  A beautiful wedding with two wonderful people that couldn’t be happier and more in love with each other.  An awesome reunion for the rest of us and so much fun and laughs and drinks and love!!!


Wedding #2!

Believe it or not - Terri and I threw this bitch!  That's right!!  We can add wedding planner to our repertoire!  This is the wedding of Dave and Pete!  So after Prop 8 was finally smashed, my dear friends Dave and Pete who have been together for 19 years can finally officially tie the knot.  Dave stated Terri and I were planning the wedding.  I thought it was a joke, but he was serious.  The boys are very low on funds right now and they wanted it to happen soon.  I mean Hell, they've waited 19 years!  So T and I put our heads together and made it happen.  We met with the boy a few times to get an idea of what they wanted.  We suggested a "Raise the Barn" idea.  We had seen it successfully work for another friends wedding.  Basically the guests arrive with their picnic baskets, pop a squat and the wedding just sort of happens.

We chose this particular date because it fell during the time one of their closest friends would be in town from England.  Terri and I started scouting parks and Yorba Regional Park was the winner.  We found the perfect location at the very end, very secluded, it was perfect.  We figured we'd be ok with no permit...just think of it as a big party at a public park!  Well the boys invited ALOT of people and I was a little worried we were going to have an issue but we'll deal with that when it comes.

The boys did want a bridal party and we were told to wear black and white with a red accent.  I became the mediator between the boys and the party and kept everyone well informed.  I also made sure they knew they were going to work!  T put together this great backdrop thing with black and white and red ribbons floating down for the boys to get married in front of.  She got 96 paper lanterns and we borrowed some pop up tents, tables and chairs (chairs for the elderly).  My mom decorated the boys table and Jill took on the task of the dessert table.

We had a rehearsal the night before and Dawn sprang for tacos from my friend Cesars' biz and we ran through the day of game plan with everyone there.

I was up at 5:30 am the next morning.  Keith arrived at my place at 6am to load my truck and off we went.  We arrived at the park at 7am to get there right when it opened and get our spot.  I pulled in to see T pleading with the park ranger.  Oh Shit.  We found out later we should have had a permit.  The woman was super cool and let us go ahead but if there were issues with parking we needed to fix them.  Well, we urgently Facebooked for people to park across the street (which we had already encouraged via the invite) and all was well.  The bridal party and a few other helpers arrived and we began the set up.

T took some hilarious selfies of our stress and our success:

Mom set up the boys table!

We made these adorable directional signs and I ran around setting them up:

We got everything set up in just the nick of time.  People started to arrive and set up.

We assigned bridal party members to keep two aisle ways while people sat up.  Kristina who was officiating took her spot at the stand and the boys arrived at 10:20am.  We corralled everyone to their spots and went right into the ceremony.  We walked down the aisle to Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles and danced our way to our places in sort of one big group coming in from both sides.  The flower girls were 1st and as each of us bridal party members approached we were handed a green carnation (This was symbolic back in the days of Oscar Wilde if you were gay) and took our spots.  The boys came down, Pete in a traditional Filipino blouse and Dave in a kilt.  The were so many cheers and applause as we began.  As I stood there watching the ceremony begin and looking at the love and happiness in the boys eyes it hit me.  FUCK DOMA.  FUCK PROP 8.  Tears ran down my face as I really realized my fight for equal rights was winning.  We still have a lot of states and countries to go but California finally got our head out of our ass.  NO MAN OR WOMAN SHOULD BE DENIED THIS.  This day was so full of love it felt like my heart was going to burst.  The ceremony was full of laughs and love and cheers.  Kristina did an amazing job.  When they kissed my heart wanted to burst with happiness.  It was all worth it right at that moment.  All the stress and time and craziness of putting this thing on was made worth it right at that second.

After the ceremony we gathered to the side for quick pictures then the boys sat at their table and never left.  The line of people never stopped.  I made sure their food was in front of them so they could sneak bites when the could (another friend Tracie brought their picnic basket of lunch).  I collapsed in my chair and waited until break down time.  The exhaustion was creeping in.  We set up a photo booth pretty much using me and Terri's costume pieces and of course got in on the action:

My only regret was I wasn't feeling 100% and I was running around so much I didn't get to visit with as many people as I would have liked. Otherwise the day went off without a hitch.  It was perfect!!  I didn't take too many pictures, all the ones above were quick snaps with my cellphone but below are some great ones taken by other people and hopefully I will add more as they arrive:

After the wedding wrapped up the boys wanted the bridal party to come out for a drink.  So we broke everything down in record time, packed up our vehicles and headed to Don Jose's.  We all had a drink and a laugh and came down from the day.

I hit a new tired I didn't know I had but it was all worth it.  The boys had a great fucking wedding if I may say so myself.  T and I rock!

And that my friends is the end of my back to back wedding blog!  I blog to remember and blog to share.  Hope you enjoy!  As T would say "Yay love!!!"