So sad I am missing the NY anniversary tomorrow. I just couldn’t pull it off this year. Today is my son’s dad’s birthday and he put in a request to go away so I had to oblige since my schedule has been so hectic and he is always accomodating.

This is the first NYC anniversary I have missed in 22 years.

By the way, 2 am I was getting texts from Daniel ” The NYC bar is flooding.” ” Lil really it is.” Urgh.  It appears that a pipe burst in the 3rd floor apartment and came all the way down to us. Always something.

I signed up for a short triathlon tomorrow. It’s been super cold in the mornings. I may bag the swim and do the bike and run. Dinesti and Daniel ( our swim coach) both bailed on me. So it’s just me. Not quite as fun.

” Mom I would rather be a janitor in a NYC Subway station then my high school. Jackson has had me laughing hysterically. ” Mom today’s principal’s bullet points for the day started with ” the person or people that have been throwing feces in the boy’s bathrooms will be facing severe disciplinary consequences.” Oh god so gross. Of course I told Kevin and Lee . Kevin seemed to think this was normal behavior. ” When I was on the wrestling team they would throw pooh in the shower and call it pooh bombs. ” So f gross.  I think there must be mental illness or a mental handicap for someone to do this. HMMM Kevin?

Mardi Gras is officially over. The bars did well. Also the traveling team in New Orleans rocked!!! So nice to get so many positive reviews. I am sure I will be hearing some funny stories from them. ( after they sleep and regroup)

Congrats to Justin, VP Of World domination, A new Precious baby girl. So happy for him. A Fat Tuesday baby. And today my trainer Jim and his wife had a baby boy. Happiness is all around us.

This is the sunset from my house. So nice to be home.

Home from Mardi Gras. My Bar, 2 balls, and a million parades done! A lot of fun but my god I need to stay in and veg all week after that. The Endymion Ball.  If you don’t know what this event is let me give you a visual description. Think Mardi Gras and mix it with Lollapooloza. Now take that visual and then add 10,000 peopl all wearing full length ball gowns and tuxes. WILD WILD WILD. Note to self : NEVER wear a mermaid gown to a mardi gras ball. I had to shuffle half steps to walk and there is no way to go to the bathroom without removing the whole dress!! Today San Diego Mardi Gras. The bar will be packed all day! Two bars are going to have sick numbers today!!!

A lot going on today at work. There is a person who has sent me many gifts at the San Diego bar. After a year of sending me gifts , I met him in person for the first time at the anniversary party and verbally thanked him. Today Dinesti called to say that this same guy has sent a pillar of pastries and jewelery for me. I am very appreciative for anyone that thinks of me in such a kind manner but I feel like it’s time for these gifts to stop. I very rarely talk about my personal life but I do have one and these gifts would be better for someone more available.

Always something. San Diego had an incident last night. Reading the emails going back and forth. Oh brother.
Can’t seem to access any of the logs. Something screwy with my phone. I am guessing they will all say that we netted millions of dollars at all the bars. Everyone had an incredible time. And each manager has been awarded a key to their various cities.
Big weekend in New Orleans. Mardi Gras, A festival I always dreaded when I lived there. Now I am spending thousands to go back to check on the bar and go to several Mardi Gras Balls. Plane tickets, 2 ball gowns, 6 VIP Tickets to Endymion, and 2 Bacchus Ball tickets. This weekend is costing me a fortune.
I didn’t realize that I scheduled the NY anniversary the same weekend as my son’s dad’s birthday . Sorry but I will miss the 22nd anniversary party. I always feel so guilty when I can’t go to the anniversaries. LIFE has been hectic .

” Justin make some miracles happen!” Hoping Justin can close on South Africa, Tokyo, London, and Australia this year. That’s my goal for him! Bars did really well on Saturday. OKC showing some life and Nashville back on top. Nice to see things running well.
Some guy stole checks out of the Denver bar’s mailbox. Not only did his full face get recorded on our security camera. He went to his bank and deposited our checks using his real name. That’s a whole new level of dumb.
A bit overwhelmed today . This will pass

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Nothing like perserving a moment on the San Diego security cameras. This is Kevin tripping on his own crutches at the San Diego 1 year anniversary party. The best is Mac laughing in the backround.
Very fun night in SD. A really wonderful break from crisis

Back to work. Thank goodness. I need to get back to routine. A million calls about Key West today. Talks about managers.( Daniel, I can’t stand anyone right now. Can we talk about the great porters over the years to put me in a better mood?” Blah blah blah The Grind.
” Daniel why aren’t you getting the stuff Kevin specified?” ” Because Kevin thinks I am mentally handicapped and incapable of getting it.” Well if it makes you feel better he thinks everyone is incapable. Worst mistake ever was giving Kevin an intern. He wouldn’t allow the guy to even get coffee.
Ok my photos came back from the photoshoot. Well my body looks good Butta Face. An ex boyfriend used to say Block or More. ( She looks really good from a block or more away) ” Lee can you superimpose anyone’s face over mine? ” Regardless I like theses two pictures!!

Yesterday at my sister’s house after the funeral my mother spoke to me through one of my sister’s friends ” Liliana, here’s my lipstick. I think you should go put some on.” I have never liked wearing bold lipstick or blush but my whole life into my 40s my mother would greet me when I visited ” You need some lipstick and rouge. ” So I wore that bright lipstick proudly to honor my mom.
” Lil this might not be a good time but I need to talk to you about work.” Really? This was a letter I received from Marsha yesterday. ” Really Marsha we need to speak about work on the day of my mother’s funeral?” LOl you have to laugh at that.
Back home now. Going to get back into the rythym of life.

I am incredibly moved . There is a weird loniness I have felt after my mom died. My parents and sister moved to Raleigh when I was already an adult living in NYC. I didn’t know my mom would die this week so I didn’t bring my son . My sister has her family and friends surrounding her . For whatever psychological reason that has made me feel very alone . Kevin rushed here last night . Jackson arrives tonight . And I just found out they Lee , Jeff, and Jeremy are arriving tonight . Jeff said ” Lil I have known you since you were 18 years old. I want to be there when you have your mom’s funeral ,” wow I am so moved . Thank you so much ! I don’t like to show it but sometimes I need consoling too. So thankful !
Austin anniversary was awesomr last night from what I heard . So sad not to have gone .

Rest in Peace Mom!
adiós. Papá está esperando

Heading to Raleigh in the morning. My mom’s condition has worsened. Hospice has now been set up. I had to call my mom’s family in Colombia. Very difficult. The doctor said she can go today or it can be months. She’s unconscious , nonresponsive. The body is a mystery. The world does not stop when death hits. If my mom dies tomorrow or in a week or in a month, the banks still open. The bars still open. We move on.

Rock and Roll Half Marathon and the New Orleans 13 year anniversary on the same day. Not one of my wiser decisions but an incredible day. I was rocking till mile 10 then I started cramping up. 2:14 total time . I will do better next year . Party was great . Saw a lot of old friends . Great time