Party on. . .

And then Hunters afterwards.

We'll miss you

The FedEx gang at Matchbox for Kristina's going away party.

Fat Tuesday

Being that yesterday was Tuesday, I decided to go to Streetbar after 9 for some karaoke. The parking lot behind the bar was kind of full, but I found a nice space just steps away from the back door. I went inside and saw so many people, all wearing beads. Oh, yeah, Mardi Gras. I went to the service bar, and Paulie greeted me and gave me two strands of pink beads. I walked around, and said hi to Lyndsay. He told me that they have a guy doing a show with a keyboard, but he was on his last set and then they would begin karaoke. I was kind of thinking I was cool without singing that night, but all you have to do is twist my arm. I decided to say hi to Senor Doug, and see how he was doing. He told me that he was performing at the Wednesday cabaret at Hotel Zosa. I was very interested in going, but it is my late night at work and my gym night. As it turns out, I didn't go. I then saw Michael from the chorus, and decided to say hi. Chuck J. was also there, sitting next to him. Laz, the waiter, saw that I was there and greeted me warmly. There was one guy, standing in front of Michael and Chuck, barely wearing anything with a mask on. He was an older guy, but I bet he was quite a looker in his day. The body has kind of gone south, but he had a huge bulge in his tiny shorts. He actually pulled his stuff out at one point and let it hang for all the world to see. My, oh, my. What a big boy. He eventually went away, and there was a rather nice looking guy in a tank top hanging out with them now. He seemed interested in the two guys, but sensed they weren't into him. Of course, he made his way towards me. We flirted, and he worked his charms on me. We did kiss a lot during the night, and he really wanted me to take him home. But, seeing as I had to work the next morning, that just wasn't going to happen. I did give him my cell phone #, and he was supposed to text me today. Nothing yet, but I don't think I well put much weight into it. He was from Riverside, which is an hour away. I didn't even realize he was Latino until he told me at some point. I just saw an attractive guy, with no labels. He said that he was unemployed and wanted to be clear about that. Well, at least he seems honest...

Hope for Prop 8 repeal

Rumford

Seems that California had a proposition before that was overturned after an "overwhelming" majority approved the measure. Prop 14 allowed discrimanation against blacks and other minorities regarding property ownership and rentals. Very interesting stuff indeed. Most interesting is that Ronald Reagan supported the measure. Just like he would have same-sex marriage.

End of an Era

After much drama and false hope, the chorus has been a victim of the current economic crisis. We just don't have enough money to go on, and even with a pledge drive from the chorus members and an artistic director generously willing to forgo payment for the next concert, we just won't be able to produce the next show. I've been in the chorus non-stop since Jan 2001; which means I have been in 28 concerts, and two trips to GALA. It's been a very big part of my life, but now I think it's time to move on. I do need a break, and was actually looking forward to it, but really did want to finish out this season. There are some people who want to form a "splinter group" to continue singing, but I just don't know how that is going to work. People tend to think I'm negative, but I'm just pragmatic. I guess it's a way to protect myself.

Life is just a bag of carrots...

So after a brief nap, I'm ready to make my pasta sauce Sunday afternoon. I get all the ingredients ready, but can't find the bag of carrots I just know I bought at Ralph's. I looked all over the fridge, then finally checked the receipt. No carrots on it. They must have fallen out of the cart somewhere. I ended up making the sauce anyway, and put an extra green pepper in it. The olive oil smelled great warming up, a nice perfume coming from it. While I was adding the tomatoes to the pot, Art gave me a call. He asked me out to dinner. We decided on Indian, and made arrangements for me to pick him up at 1930. I showered, dressed, and was out the door with time to spare. I waited till 1935 on the street, then got out on the sidewalk to see if I could see him. I had a feeling I might not be at the right building. I could hear a slight sound, which I finally realized was my cell phone. By the time I got it out, the call went to voice mail. It was Art. I called him back right away, and got to speak to him. I did stop too soon, but it was all good. We got to the restaurant, had a nice time. My okra was too salty, I couldn't even finish it all. We then went to Streetbar, where we were waiting to hear from his friends. He could not get a hold of Nick, the guy he was staying with, but he did manage to talk to Jay. He is the straight multi-millionaire who we were supposed to go back to his house in Andreas Hills for drinks. That didn't happen, and I finally had to leave some time after midnight. Work in the morning. I did make sure Art had my email so that we could keep in touch. His flight left a little after 1030 this morning.
I went to the gym after work today. Really good workout, I increased my weights by 5 lbs. Good run on the treadmill. Was good to finally get home.

VD

as in Valentine's Day. I didn't do much today; finished putting away the laundry that I did the other day. Had lunch, and went to Trader Joe's. Stopped at Michael's on the way back, but they have a pretty small yarn selection. They have signs promising a new section in the Spring. Let's hope so. John came back from his traffic school and we ended up going out to Rubio's for dinner. Boy, was I full. Also felt gassy. Watched "Burn After Reading" on cable, one penny ondemand movies. It was a little quirky, not as good as all the critics said, in my opinion. I then left the house, and went to Streetbar. I was too late to see the "First Timers" drag show, but saw many of the participants around the bar. Steve looked good, and very over the top. Andy's friend/co-worker Doug was there, and he is so skinny. Looked great, but I couldn't get over how tiny he is. Saw a guy who looked like another Doug that I met months ago at the bar. I asked him if that was his name, but he said it was Zach. He was younger and I told him he looked like Robbie Williams. He thanked me. I don't know if he even knows who that is. He was with his partner and some friends. They own a landscaping business and shuttle back and forth between LA and here. Nice guy.
Art showed up, as I was hoping he would. I went over to say hi to him, and whatever guy he was talking to suddenly had all this drama. I was glad when that guy left. I hung out with Art until they kicked us out at almost 2AM. We tried to get a hotel room, but that wasn't happening. I drove us back to my house where we spent the night in my bed. It was nice. Stayed in bed late, finally drove him back around noon. Now I need to make my soup and pasta sauce. Man, I am tired.

Canada, eh?

Monday was good; went to the gym after work and was able to take up where I left off. Tuesday I stayed later at work so that Cuqui could go to her diabetes class in Redlands. I didn't have chorus rehearsal, but we were told to plan on going to karaoke at Streetbar around 9PM. I was supposed to have dinner with several chorus members beforehand, but that was cancelled when Jim called me to say he couldn't go due to a headlight burning out in his car. I ended up going to Matchbox and getting a pizza and Chianti. Nice quiet time by myself. I then went to Streetbar and saw some of my chorus friends. I put in a couple of songs for karaoke. Ended up meeting a guy from Vancouver, and there was mutual attraction. Spent most of the night hanging at with him, until his friend decided it was time to go.
The next day, Wednesday, we were asked to go to Hotel Zosa for the cabaret show. One of our sponsors was there singing, and we needed to show our support. It was a nice show, I had a couple of red wines. Towards the end, I decided to go to Streetbar. My voice at this point was starting to go. I thought maybe it was from all the singing on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. It ended up being congestion in my chest. Art, the guy I met the previous night, was there at the bar and came over to say hi. He told me how his friends said that I was pursuing him the other night. Ha, and so what. We ended up spending the whole time together, and I drove him back to where he was staying after his ride left. He invited me in, but I had to refuse because I needed to go to work in the morning, and I really don't feel comfortable in going back home with someone who is a guest of another. Talk about an uncomfortable situation! He gave me his business card with his phone number written on it. The next day, I could not find it. I thought that it slipped through the seam in the center console. Good luck ever finding it there. Saturday, I finally looked again in the car and found the card on the driver's side next to the seat & center console. I sent him a text message, but I don't know if he will get it, or if he even cares at this point. I'm not too concerned. But he was a nice guy. I was telling strangers at the bar that he was my partner of 20 years and he was playing along with it. I love messing with people like that! The strangers, not him. I'm not a total scamp!

Success!

Last night's show went quite well. My quartet did very well, and some have said it sounded better than the other one. I think our blend was spot on. It was a shame for them, because they sounded so amazing in all of their rehearsals. Maybe they peaked? Or nerves..
Went to Streetbar afterwards to celebrate and had a couple of Scotch & Sodas. This bartender makes them a lot weaker than Paulie does, which was a good thing. Didn't get as buzzed or hungover this next morning. I spoke to Jim S, who is on of the directors of the Thorney Theatre. He had his partner ask me if I was interested in being in their production of "Dangerous," an all male stage version of "Dangerous Liasions." I asked if there was full nudity, of which he responded, "Of course." I think their plays are better attended if there is nudity. I told him that I didn't feel my body was ready to be put on display like that. Maybe a little more time in the gym and I will get there.
This morning I made a pot of lentil soup, and am going to hop in the shower. Need to be at the hotel by 1300 for our matinee show.

Almost Showtime!

This week wasn't bad at all. Monday was busy at work, and I just didn't have much energy at the gym. Couldn't do all my reps on the weights with certain exercises, and had to step down my speed on the treadmill. Tuesday rehearsal went well, nailed "Apple Tree" which sounded great. Stayed late at Streetbar, almost closed the place down again. Laz, the waiter, kept on saying, "Am I going to have to drive you home again?" like he did last week or something. I think he likes me, but I just don't think it would work out between us. Not really into the "twink" type, which he may fall under. Nice guy, but I guess I like someone with a little bit of an edge to them. Wednesday was our teaser at Bella Da Ball's cabaret show at Zosa, so I had to delay the gym for one day. The gig went well, very well received by her sell-out crowd. It will be a good show Sat & Sun.
I went to the gym Thursday, and had a great workout. Did all my reps and all my sets, even did some AB work, which I sometimes don't get a chance to do. I had so much energy on the treadmill, and no aches or pains to speak of. I actually felt like I could do some more running after the cool down. Awesome feeling. I went to take my shower, and Mr. Blackberry came in to get ready for his workout. No eye contact or anything, even though I was parading nude around him. Oh well, I guess it just isn't meant to be. There was another guy who got into the shower stall across from me, and he had a nice body. And nothing to be shy about in the downstairs department. I didn't catch him once looking over at me. Just wasn't my night I guess!
The latest prospect on Adam seems to be flaking out on me. He seemed really nice, but now he is never online. He was supposed to return my phone call from last Saturday, but hasn't. Well, this weekend is too busy for me to be concerned about it. Maybe after my shows are over. It sure would be nice to date somebody again.