I worked at Disney in college. They had a few rules, but the one I love the most this week was “no politics with the guests, no world affairs, nothing, not ever, no way, no how.”
This week we can all use that. I’m heartbroken and I have nothing left, so every thing I’m telling you to do this weekend is absolutely apolitical. I wanted to suggest the LGBTA protest in DTSP Sunday night, but if you’re reading this, maybe you already know about it or maybe you have high hopes for our next president. I can’t care anymore this week where you stand. I’ll care again Monday, but I need some serious downtime (and dog time) before I can get there. Which is why the first thing I think we should all go to the Happiest Place on Earth. No, I’m not joking. There’s booze there, if that’s something that you need.
Anytime
It’s your last gasp for EPCOT’s Food and Wine fest, although you’re going to fight some hellacious crowds. Nevertheless, totally worth it — look, if I spent time running down all the things I loved there, I’d run out of Internet. Two tips, though: One, last Saturday the line at the main gate was 45 minutes to an hour log, so park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and take the boat (or walk) to the back gate. What, you didn’t know there was a back gate? Pffft. Amateurs! Two, go to Germany — inside, by the wine, which I can’t stand — and get the $5 cheese plate that comes with more cheese than one person should need (note I said “should”) and pretzel things.
Friday
Tracy Morgan! He got me telephone pregnant…No, not really, but I did get to interview him. We talked octopi and crayons. He’s at the Mahaffey Friday night, where I suspect it won’t be as tame of an evening.
Saturday
Game Time’s pretty cool, and I feel like I don’t show them enough love sometimes. Aside from watching all the sports there — and being able to drink all the things — they have something special happening this weekend: Raise Your Hand for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. No, not the nineties show that I can recite line by line, but the local org that helps parents prepare for the birth of a Down’s Syndrome baby. All you do is make a small donation, decorate a hand turkey (you remember first grade, right?) and bam, the dishes are done!
On the other side of the bridge, Suncoast Animal League’s Dogtoberfest celebrates dogs with a costume contest, alumni parade, lure coursing and, my favorite, the Running of the Wieners. My favorite hound, Calypso’s, been training all month. Can she win? I don’t know, but she loves to run (especially when I have treats waiting for her!), so, tails crossed everyone.
Saturday night, you have way too many choices and I don’t want to miss either, so, you know, good luck hitting all the places. Over at Leslie Curran, Steve Kenny and David Figuera open Striking a Balance, and I want to see that but I also want to head to the Planter’s Ball at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm. And then, of course, there’s some theater things that make me want to forget reality — On the Bench, Stupid Fucking Bird and, oh, most definitely Toby’s Game.
Sunday
I’m not reading the paper. I’m not going on Facebook. I’m going to sit and watch movies and read books. Oh, and maybe brunch at Largo’s Speggtacular, because they have crepes.
Look, whatever you do, try and enjoy it, OK? Some days, that’s the best you’re going to get.
This article appears in Nov 10-17, 2016.
