Flatlands

So I was able to spend some time at home before heading out to Tampa. Going home is always about business. I had a few business meetings, visited with some friends (all great actors themselves), and had a nice time off. I almost never have enough time to do everything.

"Business meetings?" you say? I may have a few things to announce in the near future... stay tuned.

But Tampa, Florida: home of The Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey team), beaches, and... for all intensive purposes, not much else thus far. Tamps is very flat, and very spread out. If you want to get anywhere, you really have to drive. Yes, you have to drive much further than in LA. I drove almost 40 minutes to get to a camera store that didn't even have the lens I wanted... yeah right, boo hoo.

If the ocean was warmer, I would spend more time at the beach, but the ocean is not warm this time of year. So far, all I have found have been bars, restaurants, and shopping.

Matt Bailey and I are living together in a fantastic condo a few miles from the theater, and have been frequenting Channelside, a little restaurant/bar area, with a bowling bar called Splitsville. We've been known to hang around there for a drink. Last week, we actually were able to get the whole cast out for a few games!

But Tampa is still new for us. I'm sure I'll have a few more things to say by the end, even after a visit to my friend in Orlando (who is currently in Blue Man Group), or trying out Ybor city.

I don't know. Got any ideas of what to do in Tampa?

I will not swim with manatees.

Presidential Gun Collection

Well folks, Houston came and went. We finally got some great days of sun and heat. FINALLY.

I first of all, want to thank the people of Houston for being so kind to us. You really made us feel like rock stars.

At first I was worried when we got to Houston. Our first audience was very polite. They weren't as vocally responsive as some of our other audiences. It seemed as they wanted to applaud in the right places and for the appropriate amounts of time. But by the end of that night, and for the rest of the run, people returned to what we love: whistling, dancing in the aisles, singing along, etc. You, the audiences, really made Houston feel great. Thank you so much.

And for all you superfans out there, I think you found out about my little Sherry Tour secret before I officially told everyone (sorry... ya'll) what happened.

Yes, we met President George H. W. Bush, and Mrs. Barbara Bush:



President Bush came to our matinee (on Super Bowl Sunday), and visited us backstage during intermission.

And I know what you're saying:

A) I love George H. W. Bush!
B) I hate George H. W. Bush!



Well, everyone has their own opinion, but here's how I felt:

Regardless of your opinion, it is a rare chance to meet a President, and I have to tell you, they were very nice to us, which was important to me. He was patient with us, and took pictures with everyone who wanted to take one. He even invited us to his office!

So, a few days later, we went to his office. We were greeted with smiles and handshakes from his staff. We were given a tour of the office by President Bush himself, and he was very proud of the new Aircraft Carrier named after him.

After a tour of his office, with his many pictures and trinkets from his tenure as President, he took more pictures with us, before taking us into his conference room.

In his conference room, he has two glass cabinets FULL of guns: glocks, sigs, shotguns, etc. He asked if anyone wanted to see the guns, and of course, we did. I assumed we were just going to look at these extremely detailed guns from behind the glass.

And then he opens a cabinet, and starts handing out guns.

Needless to say I was surprised. And then totally stoked.



So we all touched plenty of his Presidential guns, but the visit had to come to an end. So he let us go, with a parting gift: Presidential Seal cufflinks!

And that was our experience with President GHWB.

As for the rest of Houston, I ate a lot of Houston cooking. We spent our time in and out of BBQ restaurants, two of which I remember well: Otto's, and Pappas, both, I believe, to epitomize the BBQ experience of Houston. Also, we would make a weekly trip to Kenny and Ziggy's, a fantastic NY style Deli in Houston.

A big thank you to the people of Houston, thank you for your Southern Hospitality.

So that was Houston... doing shows, eating, holding guns, Hanging out with The Bushes, and before all had been said and done, we start our trek to Tampa!

Hope to see you there!