Prouded...

No, not pounded, but that's exactly how I feel after the three days I had.  You can stop giggling now.

Anyway, I survived my first Pride weekend.  Woohoo!  What an experience!  It was incredible!  Fantastic and hectic!  I can't wait to tell you all about it!  Later!  I know; I'm such a tease.

While I take some time to recover (so my supervisor doesn't come up to me again tomorrow to ask me if there's something I want to "talk about") I'll quickly tell you about the Pride kick-off events I went to last Thursday:

Went to the Pride kickoff cocktail party at the Museum of Sex.  Ah.. what better way to throw a kickoff Pride party then to fill a room full of fags with naked men on the walls and gay porn playing on the televisions.  Too bad the boys from Naked Boys Singing weren't naked.  Boo.

Then it was off to the NEXT magazine party with Amnesia Sparkles at Duvet!  Thanks Special K!  (his account of the night)  Since the pictures I took are far more descriptive than what I could come up in my current state of mind, just look at them instead: slideshow.

Does Jai look different than the last time I took a picture with him?  Oh wait, that's Amnesia.

Six Months Is

six months is a lifetime
six months is the pornography anniversary
six months is a wonderful surprise
six months is too short
six months is the maximum amount of leave time you can take in a twelve month period
six months is recommended
six months is networking
six months is usually a good time to give your baby a sippy cup
via googlisms

six months is the amount of time I have been out of the closet, today.
via Jase

Wow.  Six months.  How coincidental that it falls in the middle of NYC's Pride weekend.  It seems like a lifetime that just passed by in an instant.  I feel so fortunate at the people I've met and the experiences I've had that I can't imagine my life being different as it is now; nor would I want to.  Well, that is unless that other life includes Brad Pitt.

When I came out, I was asked for advice on how I did it.  Thinking about it, I can pinpoint my most important realization: Live your life the way you want to (as long as you're not hurting anyone else).  If you truly believe in that, that is where your drive for living will come from; and things have a way of working themselves out.

I've been doing that for the past six months, and so far, it's worked out for me.  (Disclaimer: I waive any and all liability for the advice in this post; especially if you want to marry enter into a civil union with your dog.)

So Gay!

I went to my first WYSIWYG talent show [about] last Tuesday.  Theme?  Three words: G. A. Y. or 'I Love A Parade: Even Gayer Tales of Extremely Gay Gayness'.  Being Pride month, they even warned me that it was going to sell out; but did I heed anyone's advice?  Duh, no.

There I was, day of the performance, standing outside the pearly gates to the magical auditorium, sad and sulking at the lost opportunity to see my friends, God and the Magical Cow, perform their pieces.  Until the Good Witch swooped down from.. where good witches swoop down from.. and saved me from my eternal suffering!  Immediately, the Good Witch dialed the Handsome Traveller on the mystical cellphone to secure my entrance to the prom magical auditorium!

So.. uhm.. thanks Hugo!

It was a great show.  Talent was amazing.  Stories, only so-so.  Okay, they were knee-slappin', side-grabbin', neighbor-punchin' hilarious.  And since I can't afford don't like to steer people away from my blog, I'm not going to tell you to visit the blogs of Hanne (crotch coffee, anyone?), Emily (girl on girl, anyone?), Joe ("I'm resting!"), Matt (I actually touched him), Bradford (I touched him, too!), Jane (SO not a baby), Joel (SO gay), or Dan (poor, poor Michael).

And wouldn't you know that I forgot my blogger autograph book at home.

What a week!

Two Sunday's ago, I saw Movin' Out.  It was okay.  If it wasn't for the fact that I actually touched John Selya, I would have fallen asleep during the second act (I was out late the night before).

What am I talking about?  First row, center baby; I love rush tickets and my college ID.  Sitting so close, I could see the sweat fly from the dancers' muscular bodies as they spun around.  I even made eye contact a few times with the super cute faux Billy Joel, Michael Cavanaugh.  Oh Michael...

Then a week goes by and all I can remember doing is working.  Sometimes, I wish work didn't interfere with my life.

Credit: Aaron

Friday I saw The Phantom of the Opera.  It was a great production with amazing vocals.  I sat rear mezzanine so I didn't get a chance to violate any cast member this time; though if I had it my way, I would have violated the strapping, young stud that sat five seats to my right.

Me + Saturday + Central Park + picnic x camera-snappin' Flickr folk = one crazy-ass time titled flickr nyc 2005 june picnic or Aaron's damn event [photos].  With the perfect weather, I'm glad I dragged Byrne to come along.  This is by far my favorite photo; when I see it, it flawlessly invokes the mood and emotions I had.

Yesterday (Sunday), I worked up the courage to go to Folsom Street East.  Of course I was scared; wouldn't you be if you were the little Asian in the midst of a few hundred huge, hairy, tattooed and pierced, boozed-up leather daddies in harnesses, chaps, and who-knows-what underneath?  Actually, I know what was probably underneath because they were selling them right there on the street.

After a while, it wasn't so scary.  They were out to have fun and I was having fun watching them have fun.  Most of them were nice.  I don't know where I got the impression they were rude, mean, yelling, spitting, spanking crazies.  Probably from porn.

I also saw some bloggers; but was too shy to approach them.  Then I got to wondering (about leather, not bloggers): what it would feel like to wear a leather harness.  And some chaps.  With or without something underneath.  Hehe.

Just kidding!  (Or am I?)

Pride

June is Pride month.  And it only took me until mid-June to realize this.

I suppose there were some signs... NewFest, Pride parade, rainbow flags everywhere, references to Stonewall, how every gay publication reminded me that June was Pride month.

Being out for nearly six months, what is pride to me?  The truth is, I have no idea.

I listen to the stories from friends and read them in magazines and I can't fully relate.  Must I be a victim of a hate crime or discrimination then arise from it stronger to fully appreciate being proud?  Can I be proud only in the face of opposition?

I know one thing for sure: I'm proud of myself for coming out.  Does that mean I'm proud of being gay?  Or that I had the courage to be open and honest about myself?  Is that one in the same?

Hopefully things will become clear when I attend the New York City Pride parade.. or more blurred because of the alcohol.  Either or.

Birthday Party Over Here!

The morning of my birthday party, dubbed 'The Main Event', I received a birthday gift from U., delivered to my office - chocolates from Richart.  It was a sweet prologue to what would happen that night.

They are absolutely amazing.  And I'm not just saying that because they were expensive; that was only part of it.

I had taken it upon myself to plan the main event.  To put a twist on it, I also made it a birthday celebration of two other Gemini's.  The evites were sent, the venue was notified, the cake was ordered, the party was set.

At first, I wanted to purchase birthday tiaras for the birthday boys, but finding how expensive they were, I opted for a cheaper, tropical ornament - leis!  In the end, I think the necklace of rainbow-colored flowers was much more noticeable, not to mention more gay.  Happy with my purchase, I picked up the cake, headed to XES, and the party was underway.

Some joined the celebration early, some late.  I was extremely happy that I had the chance to share in the celebration of so many friends.  With so much around me, am I selfish in feeling disappointed that others weren't able to show?  A few times I caught myself looking toward the door in hopes they'll walk in at that moment.

I didn't let that bother me as there was going to be cake, drinking, and dancing!  Yes, in that order.  I chose Billy's for it's proximity to XES and read the praises of their banana cake.  It was absolutely wonderful.

The night was filled with drinks, dancing, and the traditional frosting-smeared-on-face.  I received gifts from my friends, birthday wishes from other patrons in the bar, and some even gave me their 'free' drink tickets.  The bartender was also nice enough to give us birthday shots.  I thanked him by giving him a birthday cupcake.  Then I gave the cuter bartender a cupcake, too.  Hehe.

At one point, my lei was torn by a drunken woman clawing at my neck.  I was sad for a moment, but realized it was the only way for us to play 'Flowers Everywhere!' and 'Stuff Them Down Your Shirt!'  When that lost it's charm, I substituted the fake fabric flowers with ice cubes.  That really livened everyone up.

Enough of this, check out the pictures yourself!

The Main Event

The main event was last night and it was awesome.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and I had a great time.

I even realized a few of things:

• When in a rush, four blocks can seem like forty.
• It's better to have too much cake than not enough.
• When you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
• 'Apple juice' is not for kids.
• You don't need a dance floor to dance.
• Lei's make a nice ornament, but it's when one breaks can one start a game of 'Flowers Everywhere!' (and 'Down Your Shirt!').
• Ice is fun.  Really fun.
• One birthday party is fun.  Three is better.  Celebrating them at once is fncking amazing.
• And lastly, I know some really amazing people.

Scandalous Pictures coming soon.

It Goes On and On...

Just dropping in to say Thank You for the Birthday Wishes!

This year, I've decided to pack in two weeks of events.  Why?  Well, why not?  So if you forgot to send me birthday wishes, we're just rounding the end of week one!  There's plenty of time!

Here's what's happened so far:  Read more [+/-]

My birthday celebration started two days before my actual 'birth day' when D. and M. took me out for a delicious dinner at Nooch, a Jap-Thai-fusion restaurant in Chelsea.  Afterwards, I convinced my two girl friends to head into the porn shop a couple of doors up the street; I blame it on being tipsy from happy hour (which in itself is a story).

I proceeded to drag them downstairs to the 'viewing booths' where we met some colorful characters; one who asked D. if she was "the stripper".  A bit odd taking into account the store location and abundance of gay porn.  I was drunk and loving it.

On Friday, my co-workers took me out to a overpriced fancy Thai lunch!  I have to admit it was unexpected considering I haven't known them long.  They surprised me with a birthday dessert and the waiters even sang "Happy Birs-day" (that's right, birs-day).  They love me; they really love me!

Saturday was my birthday and I had a family barbecue.  I did all the grilling, which bothered me.  I wouldn't mind doing it any other day, but it was my day and I would have rather sat back and have everyone cater to my every whim.  Next time I'll have it catered.  with cabana boys.  wearing only banana leaves.

That night, a friend invited me to some book party.  You guessed it, bookmarks and paper-cuts everywhere!  Just kidding.  It was a celebration at the Hammerstein Ballroom for the largest book publishing event in the US, BookExpo America!  Riviting, I assure you.  The most surprising moment was when I got a whiff of that mary jane.  Hm, I guess it wasn't that surprising.

And then I went to a house condo warming party down by City Hall.  I danced and partied and didn't get home until 5 in the morning.

Sunday came too soon, but I had plans to see two programs at NewFest, The 17th New York, LGBT Film Festival, so off I went!

The first program was Foreign Exchanges, a collection of foreign shorts; which I enjoyed more than the last time I saw someone's shorts... wait, that didn't come out right.

I enjoyed the second program more, which consisted of the movies Straight Acting [official website] and Original Pride.  Both dealt with gay men finding a support group, and from that finding who they truly are.  The former focused on sports teams and the latter was about the Satyr's Motorcycle Club.  Topics which I hope to discuss in a later post.

Monday, after work, I went back to NewFest for the screening of a wonderful comedy, 29th and Gay [official website].  It showed with a Casper Andreas short, Mormor's Visit (who also has a new movie, Slutty Summer, coming out soon).  Both were just wonderful and enjoyable.

Whew!  And week two is just about to start!

My Birthday Post

Another year older and I don't know why people keep calling me a baby.

A Memorable Weekend

The Friday before Memorial Day, I had planned to take full advantage of Fleet Week.  How so?  Read more [+/-]

Head around the city and hunt for cute sailors to take pictures with!  Notice how I didn't fall into the 'seamen' pun like other gay blogs.

Taking a half day from work, D. and I, in my El Diablo t-shirt, scoured Times Square for some prime, ripened beings just docked from a long voyage at sea, full of pent-up sexual energy bright-eyed wonder, ready for me some big city action.  And find some we did!  I think I'm still drooling.

My Saturday schedule included a house barbecue followed by a night on the town.  Being preoccupied with grilling, it was the perfect setup to surprise me...  Read more [+/-]

...with a birthday cake!  I was pleasantly surprised; and even more so when I found out it was chocolate chocolate chocolate cake with chocolate fudge and chocolate frosting.  I didn't expect it at all, it being a week before my birthday; however, I had a feeling it was born from a passive-aggressive complaint.  Well, it worked.

After Taboo and Dance Dance Revolution, I got ready for my first time at the Roxy.  The perfect opportunity to wear the super low jeans I bought (which turns out to be women's) and look super gay.  Mission accomplished, wouldn't you say?

I met up U. and M., and with my John Blair membership card in hand, proceeded past the bouncer into the pulsating nightlife of the Roxy.  Red streamers and American flags hung from the ceiling while go-go boys danced half-naked on the bar.  The crowd was decent, cute boys speckled here and there.  If I had courage, I would have tackled and hogtied approached them.

Instead, I danced to house music, tipped a go-go boy, and stopped some guy who was grinding my ass.  I got home at 5 in the morning.  Good times.

I rested most of Sunday, waking up well past noon.  I knew I was going to need the energy that night.  Read more [+/-]

My first stop was unplanned: Faluka's, a hookah bar in the city, where R. was with friends.  The music was fierce and fast and I dazzled the crowd showcasing my belly dancing skill.

Next on the agenda was to meet one of my girlfriends at Cockfight @ 6s & 8s - a Daniel Nardicio (link NSFW) event.  Never been to his events, I didn't know what to expect and it's safer to have backup.  But the stupid bitch bailed on me.  Now I'm glad she did.

In short, it was an orgy and a half with naked go-go boys on the bar and guys standing around staring quietly, mouth slightly agape; like they were watching an art film.  All I could think was "This is SO unsanitary", "Where's my Purell?", and "I wonder who here is looking for a long-term relationship."  Then I started laughing.  At least the music was good.  I stayed until 3 in the morning.

I was paying for my late night out Monday morning.  I had made plans with D. to hunt out more sailors.  This time we would go straight to the source.  Read more [+/-]

That means boarding the USS JFK.  Dressed in my homo versions of the American flag colors (pink, periwinkle, and pearl), I was ready to seek out my future life partner.  Those that I found, words do them no justice.  Having said that, I present to you my future husband, and the Sluti I keep on the side.

Photos from Fleet Week