This is Monkey Mitch. I’m with my nephew Shane in Spokane.

I'm very proud to be uncle to 12 wonderful nieces and nephews.

My blog is back...only now I'm Monkey Mitch from San Francisco. My mate for life the Bingo calls me Monkey so I'll become Monkey Mitch for the Blogs sake. I like when he calls me Monkey. It's better than some of the other things I've been called. Maybe I dance like a monkey or maybe he just likes the way I screech when he tugs on my banana. In any case, Monkey Mitch is alive and well and living in San Francisco. I'm more of a bear than a monkey and there is a place called Monkey-Bear Falls which is located somewhere in Washington. Maybe I'll become Monkey-Bear instead of Monkey Mitch. Sometimes the Bingo will call one of our dogs or cat Monkey and then I get upset and tell him "I'm the Monkey." Little Arty and Tuffy don't mind being called by their real names...save Monkey for me I tell him.

We had a contest at work. I'm a meeting and event planner for a government agency in the State of California. We are very busy but still find some time to work up some contest entries for the "Guess Madonna's New Look" contest. If you have any ideas...please pass them on. I'll be featuring some of our ideas on my blog. I went to Madonna's Reinvention Tour 3 nights while it was in San Jose. Twice with the Bingo and once with my dear friend Chris. 2 nights I was in the dance pit on the stage and both nights I was touched by Madonna. It was exciting as I'm a big fan. Both times she touched the right hand.

My left hand has touched the hull of the Titanic while it was on tour in Seattle. The guards were a challenge to distract but it was done and the touch was made. With both hands I've touched Boy George during the curtain call of Taboo in NYC. Now, how many folks do you know who have touched Madonna twice, touched the Titanic and Boy George? Yea...just what I thought...now one else!

I've seen Taboo 4 times and could have seen it 100 more times. I saw it twice in London, once in Brighton Beach, England and once in NYC. The London shows were the best. I got his autograph on the CD at the London show. Wow...it was fantastic. I could have gone to the closing night of Taboo in London but opted to go to see Chicago with the Bingo and our friend Darrel. What a mistake that was...Chicago was not worth missing Taboo. When I first arrived in London I felt kind of melancholy and out of sorts. I didn't know what I expected from a trip to London but I did think it would be more magical. Well, the minute Taboo started and cast started singing, I was lifted to a place of pure magic. I left that theater feeling like coming to London was the best thing I had ever done. I went back again a few nights later and was just as moved. Being a 80s kid, Taboo really hits home. After the show in NYC, where the Bingo and I got front row center seats, Boy George came out for his curtain call and took both of my hands and bowed. It was really fantastic. Touched by the hand of cool as they say in the song. We were surrounded by folks who had seen 10, 20, 30 or virtually every performance. It was magic again for me. I hope it comes to San Francisco. I think it would be perfect for a June (gay month) run here in the City. If you want to know more about Leigh Bowery and Taboo, visit Leigh's website.

When the Bingo and I saw Taboo at the Theatre Royal, in Brighton, England, they had a Leigh Bowery exhibit. Many of his self designed outfits and accessories were on display. Yes, I touched every piece of Leigh Bowery that I could get my hands on. It was all out on a table in the lobby with a big DO NOT TOUCH - THANK YOU sign but I couldn't help it. So, I've touch Madonna, Boy George, the Titanic and Leigh Bowery's self designed garments. The Taboo music is very good and all written by Boy George. The NYC Show received 3 Tony nods, Best Actor, Best Costume and Best Original Score. I think it won for Best Costume. Well, day 1 of blogging is complete. I'll now go back to work on my real job stuff. I'm off to the Embarcadero YMCA and then to our home in the Sunset district near Golden Gate Park. Until tomorrow. - MM