Now that Twin Cities Pride is over, it’s time to relax.

So, I’m taking my first real vacation trip in two years. I’m trying to recall when I had a nice relaxing vacation. Well, I had a nice relaxing trip to Iowa City in March, 2003 when I met up with my friend Scott Schumacher down there.

So, guess where I’m heading to this Friday? Iowa City. But, that’s just the first stop. Scott and I are heading down to a place somewhere in Northeastern Missouri. It will be a good opportunity to do some planning for some future projects and just retreat from the hubbub of everyday life. Scott has been working on having us meet with a communal farm nearby that is involved with sustainable living on many fronts. Otherwise, I believe it would be a well-deserved getaway.

Later in July, Scott has finally convinced me to visit Des Moines while he attends DemiCon. For those of you who know Scott, he loves going to Sci-Fi conventions in his home state of Iowa. It is also a great opportunity for him to catch up with his friends who attend them every year. Am I going to this Con? Nah, but we’re staying at the Con’s hotel in downtown Des Moines. Instead, I will be meeting up a friend from Madison, Wisconsin, who used to work with me for a former employer of mine, and his boyfriend. No, they won’t be attending the Con, either. In fact, his boyfriend lives in Des Moines. It will great seeing Jason again and meeting Bill for the first time.

Speaking of Madison, I’ll be heading back to there in mid-October to help promote Autumnbridge Media at ‘Zine Fest during the Wisconsin Book Festival. This will be the weekend of October 14-16. I will also do a reading at Motherfools, a coffeehouse on Willy Street (that’s Williamson Street for those of you looking on a map), on Sunday, October 16 at 7:00PM. I would like to thank Jon Hain and Stephanie Rearick of Motherfools for opening their doors for Scott and myself to do this.

So, what am I doing for the rest of the summer? Stay tuned…