STEVEN SPILLS #95

STEVEN SPILLS © 95

GOING HOME

So maybe there is something to what Beyonce says as she croons about girls running the world during her erratic neck-thrower “Run the World (Girls).” During my recent visit back to Nashville not only did I unknowingly schedule my adventure during the Country Music Awards festivities (Kimbol and I sat next to Sugarland at lunch at Noshville delicatessen!) but also during an outbreak of cicadas. As you may know or not, these buzzing females breed quite loudly with the males and then they die while the girls head back down into the ground dropping eggs in twigs and bark to hatch for the next round. All along the grounds were the crunchy carcasses of males gone to a better place.

I arrived in Tennessee after American Airlines delivered me safely back south via a painless layover in Dallas/Ft. Worth. They knowingly schedule flights with definite space between since the airport is so spread out and a transit monorail is necessary for moving along to other terminals. Calling it out for what it is… traveling makes me horny. There was no easy way to put it so if you’re an adult you can handle the truth. Maybe it’s all the strange men that I don’t know, many traveling alone or with business buddies. Nonetheless, I’ve always got whiplash by the end of my travels and a full camera phone.

The Hyatt Place Brentwood housed me once again and generously provided me a media rate when other hotels in the area reneged on original offers. I won’t even go down that road but after a certain hotel found out I write for a gay magazine my rate mysteriously and unfortunately shot up $40 overnight. Their loss. The Hyatt Place has a great pool, big suites and large screen televisions. Having stayed there before I immediately asked if the view was the front or back lot once I got my room key and politely asked to be moved since I would be there four days. Travelers tip: Don’t ever be afraid to nicely ask about something you’re interested in or desire.

My first night’s finale was quite interesting. Mom and I did our traditional southern barbeque with cornbread at Bar-B-Cutie before I dropped her back off with her new HP laptop that I took for her all set up and ready to go. At a very excited sixty-eight it will be her first personal computer. Having it locked and loaded before my arrival saved a lot of time allowing us to be doing other things like the continual cleaning out of excess in her house providing me time to visit good friends and also take her out on the town.

On my way home from having a drink at Tribe (ugh, they closed at midnight!) I sadly saw a deer that had been hit and was laying on the side of the road. I called 911 but was informed I should call the non-emergency number. As I whipped home in my KIA Spectra rental car I tapped Google on my iPhone, got the number myself and called to report poor Bambi’s demise. Always the reporter, that’s me! I didn’t figure anyone else would have taken the time it was so late at night and I felt compelled to do something so I did.

The stifling humidity in Nashville was about as thick as comedian Tracy Morgan’s nerve with temperatures reaching above 90-degrees. I was able to visit with friends that I don’t always have the luxury of doing. It was wonderful having dinner with Shanda, Stacey and Cathy from my dancing days at CDS. They’re my family. Seeing Ron and Dolly was definitely like “old school” times! Thanks Loves! Kristy, my BFF from high school and born one day after me, dished about old friends, her crazy trip to the plastic surgeon and seriously brilliant daughters. At eight and ten years of age they sound smarter than many adults. We enjoyed a variety of small plates at Arnold Myint’s Suzy Wong’s House of Yum on Church Street. Afterwards I stopped by Play to catch the drag show. My lovely friend Nichole Ellington Dupree served up chocolate decadence while transsexuals Sara Andrews and Deception made me question my love for masculine real men. Their bodies are right on point and their man-made racks perfect.

With all that said, going home is emotionally draining. If you’re like me, in doing so we are faced with decisions that we’ve made in life and the consequences that have become. Sometimes we must answer for things. Other times with real family everything is understood and there’s no need for discussion. I love returning but by the end of the trip my system and soul is yearning for the comfort of my home here in Palm Springs. I’m blessed to have come all this way because the only option I’ve ever really had was to keep going. Growing up is really the only thing any of us can and must do. I have and continue to.

2011 © PULP