Guten Tag Sweet Friends!

Last night, I was lucky enough to be invited to the box for the Rod Stewart concert here in Koln. My friend Beatrice knows everyone in town including the manager of the Lanxess arena, so she scored me a ticket to the concert in his box. WOOHOO!!

I have to say, to be in 70 years old, Rod did a great job. His current tour is completely old school, a walk down memory lane. He did a lot of his oldies but goodies as well as covered several Motown hits. He had an almost all girl band too. Three female backup singers (who need some new choreography), two female horn players, a female harpist, and a female violin/fiddle player. He also brought about 12 female violinists from Koln onstage for his acoustic set. Local girls from the orchestra is my guess. I guess he likes surrounding himself with beautiful and very talented women! Anyway, his band was awesome and his set was way cool. It was a very good show and we had a great time. I also had the opportunity to meet a bunch of new people and as always I was welcomed warmly and treated most kindly.

Today is of course the July 4th, but instead of BBQ’s and fireworks, here in Koln we are celebrating Germany’s win tonight in the world cup and Christopher Street Day or Pride weekend. Over in Old Town Cologne, several squares are blocked off and stages are set up for bands all weekend. The pride parade is on Sunday, but there are parties all weekend. Gay techno music is blaring in bars around the square, vendors are selling everything from pride t-shirts to rainbow wigs, and of course beer tents are everywhere. I walked through the square this afternoon people watching and found a costume shop! Well of course I went in!! Duh. It was huge and I was happy. I bought some rainbow leis to wear Sunday at the parade and just wandered around. I left all my costumes and wigs in Hawaii. Sigh. How I miss them. Although I did manage to sneak two in my suitcase!

But, I miss my gay boyfriends. It’s no fun going to gay pride festivities without my GBF. Where are Rickey and Todd when I need them??? Where are Randy and Randall and Art??? I need to carry a sign with me that says, “looking for a GBF” but it wouldn’t be the same as having my real GBF’s here. Missing my boyz!

So, while I’m missing my boyz, the fireworks, the SUP race in Haleiwa (shout out to my friend Linda who is paddling today!!!), and all the red, white and blue, I sure am enjoying the rainbow revelry here. So whatever colors you are sporting today, wear them with pride my friends. Be proud to be an American, a German, gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, fat, skinny, tattooed and pierced. Be proud of what you are, who you are, and love those around you who are different than you.

Love the one you’re with!! That’s my motto anyway!! 😉