Heavens! You have no idea how trying all of the past few weeks have been...
When last we left our intrepid adventurer: I was writing from Jef and Sharon�s house preparing for a long series of events and tribulations... but let me back-up and begin again...
Riki and his not-girlfriend at the funky formal in GA, in June
Riki and his not-girlfriend at
the funky formal in GA, in June
I wrote in my�last journal�about a little trouble I had fallen into in Georgia... specifically Peachtree City. I can now tell you what it was. I got my first, (and only) arrest for DUI.
My former groupie, (now friend) Laura had driven up to the Atlanta show to help me celebrate my birthday. She arrived late the night of the 12 of May, so we went to visit another one of the birthday girls at her restaurant. The girls hit it off well, and Angle invited us to go across the street to a bar for drinks afterward - drinking ensued.
At one point I tried to cut myself off, but I was caught up in the moment. As we left the only bar open in that teeny little town, the cops were waiting. A classic set-up: ready to pounce.
I am not going to try to pretend I was innocent, especially since I view this as a wake-up call... I was definitely under the influence, but legally, I was barely so... Imagine my terror when I was handcuffed and deposited in the back of the cruiser. Poor Laura had been in town for less than three hours, couldn�t drive my huge, stick-shift truck (which was subsequently towed) and was having a petit mal seizure to boot. An interesting note: all of my friends possess cell phones, and the phones at the jail will not allow you to call collect to a cell phone! Jef and Sharon and Riki were also all out of town.
As I was carted off to the slammer, poor Laura had to find her way home to my trailer at the fair in a cab (a ride she got for free, due to her epilepsy) and when she recovered later she arranged my bail
Another interesting note: I had enough money in the bank that I didn�t need a bail bondsman, but when you are in jail you cannot get your own money!
Meanwhile, I was carted off to jail, frisked, failed my�Breathalyzer, had to take out all of my jewelry, (including the ones in those most sensitive areas...yikes!) and finally allowed to call a bonding company... they said they would be right over, and then never showed up.
More interesting notes: fame has its price. The fellows at the jail recognized me - mortifying! (Actually, charmingly enough they originally mistook me for a fellow who plays in a band at the fair called�The Lost Boys... heheh
I was jailed over night Laura and I arranged bail with another company in the morning... I was out and had my car back by much later that afternoon.
I still managed to celebrate my birthday!
I have dealt with all of the legal ramifications of this, but I did not want to let you kids know until AFTER the trial. I have gotten in some trouble, and am now dealing with it.
Another interesting note; When you are going to your DUI trial... do not drive yourself!
My lawyer points out to me, and the court, that they cannot suspend my Florida driver�s license... but the court pointed out that they�could�and�had�suspended my privileges in Georgia.
Oops!
My trial was June 9th, right after the end of the�Atlanta show. But Riki and Jef had already headed out of town. Imagine my consternation: I not only had to get myself and my truck out of the parking lot of the courthouse... I also had to get my truck and trailer/home over the state line... if I was caught driving, it was jail-time-for-Ronn-zo!
Thankfully there was a Melissa in my life, more on her later (with photos). And Jef and Sharon offered their home - so here is how it all worked out:
I rode down to Florida with Melissa; I left my truck and trailer at a storage yard a mere three miles away. No one wanted, or was able to drive my massive rig, so I risked it myself, and wouldn�t you know it, only three miles away and a cop dropped in right behind me! He veered-off, leaving me safe, and poor Melissa in tears.
I enjoyed the wild-ride down to Florida; Melissa is great company... though I didn�t enjoy either the blowout that took out most of her trucks fender-wells and side panels. Nor did I enjoy the fact that her spare was faulty... the AAA guy said, "It�might�make it."
Shit!
We did make it, seven in the morning on Thursday, Melissa had to continue driving that night, and we Twins had to fly out Friday AM for the�Iowa show.
I bought Melissa a brand new tire, and sent her on her way to Lauderdale; she hid little love notes all though my luggage while I was away. The next morning Jef and I flew out
We arrived back in Florida Monday night went out for drinks and sushi (I think) and I actually got to relax that night and the next day. However on Thursday we headed down to Ft Lauderdale... Jef and Sharon to celebrate a surprise birthday party of an old friend, me to visit this Melissa girl... don�t worry, more on her later.
Our family had a little squabble while we were down on the east coast, and I got an unexpected extra day with a girl I like so much, (which was good) and had to scramble to find less controversial housing back in St Pete when I eventually returned, (not so good). While I was down in Lauderdale, I had a wonderful time, including attending, with Melissa, an Invite-Only anniversary party at an�amazing�strip club...yay!
I was stranded upon return to St. Pete, (remember that my truck and home were away in Atlanta, and I couldn�t drive in Ga. anyway) Laura once again came to my rescue, taking me first to a hotel for the evening, and then to John�s house. John was off the next morning to Maryland, preceding me by a few days for preparations for his wedding, he and his lovely Fianc�e Luz (It means "Light" in Spanish) were kind enough to lend me their apartment for a few days before and after my flight out to Maryland. John even lent me his rocket car... now that�s a friend. So I had a ride and a bed... all I had to do was farm out "Satan Kitty" to a good friend to watch while I was away.
Sunny Lauderdale
Sunny Lauderdale
I got a few mildly stressful mildly boring days and nights at John�s place ... wait let me review:
Thursday 10 June - am:�arrive in Florida from GAFriday through Monday 11 thru 14 June:�Iowa and traveling
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - am (16-18 June):�Lauderdale
Friday 18 June - pm:�Hotel
Saturday and Sunday 19-20 June:�rest and pack at John�s...
But not really relax, because on Monday, I had to fly back to Atlanta, and be picked-up by my good-friend (and other birthday girl) Angel, and her new boyfriend so I could go to JAIL!
Yes, part of my probation/sentence from the DUI conviction: Mandatory 24 hours in jail!
I had to actually buy an airplane ticket to Georgia, pay gas and food, (and buy underwear for my stay in the Fayette county Jail) pay hotels etc. etc. etc.
This is a cautionary note: I have been drinking and driving for a while...and as I said before this is certainly a wake-up call. I would easily have made it home and thought no more about it. So let�s think of it this way: when you factor in legal fees, probation costs, transportation, fines and all of that...�my last round that night cost me about seven thousand dollars.
There are going to be changes... there already are.
I arrived early Monday morning to spend my 24 hours in jail, got picked-up, had breakfast, and with the advice of those who knew, bought fresh underwear before being dropped off at the Fayette County Jail. My plan was to be picked-up around 26 hours later, so I could catch a late Tuesday flight back to Florida.
Finally my luck had changed: I fully expected to spend a scary 24 in jail, but with the two-for-one policy the county jail had (I dunno, but who am I to argue?) and the seven hours I was incarcerated before, I had a mere 5 to serve. I was out by 2:30 pm.
I watched most of a movie, read half of a novel, got locked-down twice, ate a very bad meal (scary voice: "you gonna eat that�corn bread?")
When I got out, called my lawyer, called Riki, Jef, and Melissa, and then called a very surprised Angel (and her very cool boyfriend Trevor) to pick me up.
Dinner at a restaurant, sleep in a hotel, changed my ticket to leave early, and back to home.
So:
Ronn and Teddy
Ronn and Teddy
Monday and Tuesday June 21, 22:�Jail / AtlantaWednesday 23:�pack for next trip: to John�s wedding!
Thursday - am:�I had the Shuttle pick me (and my single carry-on bag... I always overpack, but not this time... wow!) up and take me to the airport. On the trip I talked to a wonderful woman who was commenting on the fact that nothing is new. Specifically she had been reading about a �new� trend from Japan, spray on stockings... girls who don�t want to actually wear hose in the hot summer are spraying on a form of paint... Now this woman had survived the German bombardments of her home in the UK. There were no stockings to be had so the girls just painted them on... she also mentioned that they drew on the seams with eyeliner... I am so blessed to meet the folks I do.
I carried my Teddy bear... I am 39 years old, I have done things that can only be written about in�Penthouse Forum, and recently had three girls for my birthday. And I sleep with a teddy bear every night. Even when I have a girl, or girls over... I sleep with the girl and the bear. One day I will write to you guys about the name of my bear.
I arrived at the airport, and took the subway to meet John near the Smithsonian... I love subways, and I love big cities... The subways in DC are so much swankier than those in Berlin. While I was in Lauderdale, with a little extra free-time I finished my travel-diary from my trip to Berlin... In it I asked if the people being thin, and bustling was a city thing, or a German thing... I am sad to report that it must be a German thing... Hey America, get off your fat ass! Atkins won�t work if you are eating a bag of �Low Carb Brownies� while sitting on the couch.
A new family
A new family The Groom at work
The Groom at work already similar
already similar
I got to hang out with John�s brother, and his beautiful Japanese wife (No, really!) Also with John�s stepson Christian. He is a very bright young man. And both he and john really relate well. Luz�s good friends came in from Venezuela, (except her husband was from Sweden) ... It was like the United Nations in there. John�s ex girlfriend (and a great friend of mine) Jennifer was there as well,
The wedding was wonderful; the whole time with the family was wonderful. I was so honored to be John�s best man, and apparently even did a great job with the toast. Can anyone tell me, does your family have a tradition that the Best Man is supposed to tell an embarrassing story about the groom?
Finally it was time to leave, and as if to prove that my luck had changed: I offered to volunteer to give up my seat on the flight back. I was very polite to the gate attendant... so polite in fact that as the plane was boarding she called me over to the podium. 'Young man' she said ... and she gave me an upgrade to first class.
The reception
The reception A new son
A new son Awwww...
Awwww...
A free upgrade and 'young man'! My luck has definitely changed!
I met an amazing woman on the trip back. Older, doctor, Born in Poland now living in Israel. We talked languages and history while the stewardess kept bringing me wine. As a Dermatological doctor she was horrified about the tanning beds I frequent.
I arrived at the Tampa airport and was picked-up by none other than April, ex-girlfriend number one.
I had had her rent a car in Charlotte, and drive down to Florida, so that the following morning, we could drive to the GA state line...(where she would have to drive) and on to the storage lot in Atlanta. Dropped the car off at the airport (big hassle about billing... I was lied to). A taxi-ride back to the Storage lot. And then April drove my house and truck northwards, out of Georgia.
So:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday:�Maryland, wedding and to-and-fro.Sunday - pm:�Rest and pack
Monday:�Drive to Georgia get car; leave GA
By this point I had been weeks without my truck and my home. My most precious belongings trapped in a hostile state. So I was so damned relieved to finally be out of the clutches of GA.
We drove late into the night and I stayed in Charlotte in the parking lot of April's apartment.
After all of the drama, cost, and finagling, I was finally captain of my own destiny right? I had my car; I was in states I could drive.
Things were great until my clutch vaporized coming out of the hills of West Virginia.
There are those out there that really envy the life we lead, and trust me it is pretty cool... if not for everyone. But when you are living in a Wal-Mart parking lot... your trailer-home stranded and your truck being repaired at a great cost... then you have to wonder where you went wrong in your life plans.
It cost me 1300 dollars, and for the first time I have had to use my credit cards as I am actually broke!
Believe me when I finally arrived at my comfy, campground in Ohio... all I wanted to do was relax.
Okay I guess that wraps it up...
What? Melissa?
Oh. I will have to tell you more in my next Journal - here�s the short form:
I Love this cute, brilliant, fun funny girl.
I get along very well with her amazing son... I have even changed diapers.
The three of us went to the Funky Formal in Ga. as�The Three Blind Mice�to fit with the Fairy Tale theme... She is a wonderful girl.
Ronn and Isaiah
Ronn and Isaiah Two blind mice
Two blind mice What's-her-name
What's-her-name
Even Riki likes her, and he doesn�t like anybody except for this 'not girlfriend' he keeps company with.
But we both travel, and are at separate shows most of the year. I visited her in Bristol earlier this month, and she plans to visit me in Minnesota... things are very up-in-the-air... and you guys know how comfortable that makes me.
I am still sort-of on the market, but not really... I am still kind of looking... but not really.
Stand by we�ll talk more later. Just know for now I am busy, comfy, looking forward to Minnesota... and once again resenting the job, just a little.
