Anyone Up for Las Vegas? - A colleague of mine just returned from Sin City and I had an opportunity to check out the programme of the latest Cirque du Soliel performance, Zumanity. It is totally different from the performances I've seen there and here in the city. Both guys and gals are in their finest high drag, fetish gear or just plain nothing and it's both quite scintillating and titillating. Check out some more pics.
| Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs June 16, 2005 through November 15, 2005 |
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Great News! - Today I heard the Tutankhamun exhibit returns to Los Angeles (check out the article in upcoming exhibits) next year after 27 years! When I was 10, all of LA County's school kids were bussed to see this incredible exhibit which was an incredible feat by itself. The LA school system was pretty organized to start us off a couple weeks ahead as we studied and learned everything about the ancient Egyptians from their diet, to the games they played, to the ritual of mummification. I vividly remember many of the pieces of the exhibit and it was pretty personal which was the start of my fascination then and now. I remember being separated from the funeral mask by only a piece of glass, and as I had the notion to look from underneath, I was amazed at the hammered hieroglyphics throughout that was never intended for human eyes much less mine. I remember the Isis and Anubis statues that served to protect the 18 year old king in his afterlife. I look forward to journeying down south to see this marvelous exhibit - certainly once in a life experience if not for a second time! I just so happened to come across the inventory of contents found in King Tut's relatively unpilfered tomb which was a rarity in itself.
Thanks to Hal for the heads up!
Days Go By - I've had a fun past couple weeks - it's amazing I've had time to work 40 hours a week and get some much needed sleep! Carter and Kelly took off for a vacation in Slovenia (with a pit stop in Amsterdam) but we had a chance to get together and play some card games before I bade them adieu. I miss them, as they will be gone for the remainder of November and beginning of December.
Our title office has been the top producer in business over all our other 5 branches in San Francisco, so management treated us to a dinner Thursday night at The Slanted Door at the Ferry Building. Although my colleagues and I invariably lead different lives, it certainly is pleasurable to share some good wine and food and laugh the stresses of the corporate world away.
Last Saturday, Hal and I traveled to the Flower Mart. I haven't been there for several months, so that is the quintessential kid-in-the-candy-shop event for me. If there is any place for Rich to frenzy, this is the place. I bought these two new oncidium orchid hybrids and we picked up a rosemary bush resembling a small christmas tree. I certainly got my fix without going overboard..
Sunday night was a hilarious hoot as Hal, Mike and I ventured to Theatre Rhino to watch Matthew Martin perform as Margot Channing in "Awe about Eve."
I've known Matthew since I was 18. He used to wait at Cafe Flore in the mid 80s and was a true performer back then. As the years have passed, I've been privileged to seeing him perform at the now defunct Josie's Juice Joint, Cable Car Theatre, as well as unforgettable performances during Mark Huestis Presents at the Castro Theatre. Through Matthew, I have been priviledged to befriend the likes of John Epperson aka Lypsinka, as well of other performers. Matthew used to be one of the roommates of Anne Rice's previous residence in the Castro (subsequently sold and everyone evicted) where they used to host dinners and holiday parties filled with piano playing, tap dancing, singing and anything anyone had to offer. I wish I could put video on xanga somehow for clips of Matthew's unforgettable performances.
Tuesday night Mike invited me to attend an Academy of Friends networking event benefitting LYRIC. I used to be a member of LYRIC when I was in my early 20's and I was glad I had a chance to speak to the coordinator and let him know I would be interested in volunteering in some capacity. I received an email yesterday to let me know they were going to contact me in the next two weeks. I would prefer to be a facilitator with a group of youth as opposed to solicitating contributions so I hope that works out.
Wednesday, I had the pleasurable opportunity to meet up with Samael7 at Harvey's for a couple manhattans and munchies. I hadn't seen Samael7 since the end of September so it was so awesome to catch up with each other. We had planned and eventually headed down to his place to play xbox like we did this past summer. The game of choice was X-Men (I forget the subtitle). It was great to see Bella (or so I noticed, Bellisima), Allie and Bailey scurrying everywhere. I told Samael it was interesting to be there, like time had stood still, although now in a new context, if that makes sense. Next time I'll bring over my two new games, my highly anticipated Halo 2 and Star Wars Battlefront (woo hoo!)
Yesterday, I had lunch with a dear friend of mine, DoveJoe, who was a client of mine when I sold securities some years back. How I am glad we kept in touch over the years. DJ comes to the city from Santa Rosa, so this time we met up at Zuni Cafe. I had this fantastic salad with shaved persimmons and pomegranate seeds, and a spicy kale soup with a poached egg - heaven. I have to find an equivalent recipe online for the soup when I have time.
After work, Hal and I attended one of his client's book signing (Small Bites, Big Flavors). Tori Ritchie has her own show on the Food Network, I've learned. I was pleased to meet such a friendly down-to-earth personality (and a SF native to boot), and will look for her schedule on tv. Later in the evening, Rick D., Rick C., Rich M., Mitch, Mike, Hal and I amongst a few others met up at Home, a monthly get together of friends organized by Mitch, and a nice dinner ensued before it was time to go home.
Needless to say, this weekend will be quiet and relaxing before the social calendar starts again!
Separated at Birth? - Has anyone noticed Bush's nomination for education secretary, Margaret Spellings, could pass as Annette Strean of Venus Hum?
Gotta Update my Xanga: Meanwhile - thanks Hal for this link!
The Channel 4 Gay-O-Meter has calculated that Rich is 56 percent gay! Find out just how gay you are with the Channel 4 Gay-O-Meter
With A Little Help From My Friends - It's amazing how I feel time is starting to fly by, and I'm trying with full intentions to stop and smell the proverbial roses before the colder weather, before the remaining seasonal holidays and end of 2004. Last week as half the planet was treated to a view of the lunar eclipse, Mike and I met up at Martuni's and after a couple of martinis, headed to South of Market to a friend's art showing at Patisserie Cafe. The event was festive, and the artist was well received and was in his glory. Afterward, we headed for some sushi at Sushi Groove, very hip and the sushi was delicious. I really enjoyed the wait staff who came around to check on us often and shared plenty of sake with us (and also one of the rare restaurants I've enjoyed with all the commotion.)
Thursday was another game night with Kelly and Carter (and Bongers the cat.) That night we played Scene It, which was pretty fun, but gee, I have to brush up on my movie trivia - I didn't do so well! I think all of us were feeling pretty taxed from the workweek so it was a much needed early night for all.
Saturday night, Hal and I went to Jay and Marc's home here in the city for a Halloween party - err, actually we caught the tail-end of the party because I dressed up Hal in drag and he had fake eyelashes that refused to stay put until we used the heavy arsenal, spirit gum. Didn't help that those lashes were about three inches long! We circled Alamo Square (the hood of M&J's home) for about a half hour before we ended up double parked in front of their place and then made an appearance. Thanks to Carter for coming through on a costume for me, I wore an outfit kind of like a Mardi Gras butterfly guy.
OMG - I just saw the first trailer of Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith! Dang! I have to wait for the movie until May 2005 ??
Redding Weekend - Hal, Rex and I left the city right after work and sped on up to Redding to rendevous at Jay and Marc's home in the country. For being a Californian, I never knew the Central Valley extends far north; I always thought of Bakersfield and Fresno whenever I heard of the term. It took about 3 hours to get up there (one food stop for us, one pit stop for Rex) but we had plenty of cds to pass the time. Considering we were going 80-100 mph the whole way, it was a smooth trip. J&M's home is located on a 260 acre parcel, with cows, deers, squirrels and the like. As soon as we started to unload the car, we saw bats hanging around the front entrance and some bird was disturbingly smacking itself against the porch light and front window like a moth. It was cloudy and it started to rain so there were no stars to be seen and I had to pass on the Orionids for another year. What I did see were all the little critters of the night - crickets, tiny frogs, lizards and those creatures I loathed as a kid growing up in LA, niñas de la tierra. As we were settling in for the night with a glass of wine in hand, Rex of course had to pee in front of our hosts. Aye!!! He, of course, was tethered an arm's distance from me for the remainder of the evening. J&M's home was built with the best construction and high end amenities 1983 had to offer: cathedral ceilings, large fireplaces, a sunken living room, large atrium windows beyond the kitchen counters, ornate study with wood spiraling stairs leading to a walkway above. Each of the bedrooms had a little "balcony" above that you accessed through what looked like a closet and then a ladder - kind of like storage with a view. The sound of the rain, and the warm fireplace and good red wine made me very relaxed and happy to be away from city lights and sounds.
On Saturday, our hosts left to tend to their errands so Hal, Rex and I decided to walk down to South Cow Creek, which flows through their property, to watch the salmon do their thing. There were not many of them swimming upstream yet, but the ones I saw were HUGE! In my mind I was thinking I could carve a life out in nature like this (as long as I had the essentials: spears, nets and clubs and a saber-tooth sheltie at my side.) I didn't get to see the wild turkeys this time but maybe the next. That night we all dined at the World Famous Sky Room at the Redding Airport. It was certainly popular with the Reddites, yet I was wondering to myself and members at the table where were the airplanes landing?? Well apparently I made a joke because Redding Airport has only six flights coming in or out a day and by 7:00 pm the airport terminal was closed. We didn't venture to the only two small gay bars that night; I was told I wouldn't miss anything.
On Sunday we all slept in late and later in the afternoon Hal and I decided to stop by one of the attractions of Redding, the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, which spans the Sacramento River, before heading back home. I think I did pretty good because my megalophobia didn't kick in as I crossed the expansive width of the river and I approached the sundial portion of the bridge. Heck, if the screaming kids running around trying to upend the suspender cables with all their might didn't seem to mind, why should I?
Hal and I made it back to the city in record time. We actually had time to meet up again with the guys and friends for a couple of beers before heading home. It was a relaxing weekend and I look forward to visiting Redding again. The only downer about this weekend is I see how Rex is getting along in his older days - not well. He's fine in spirits, but his body is noticeably going to the dogs (he'll be 14 in December). His hearing is not well, his eyesight is only slightly better through his opaque eyes. More than once I had to help him when he would splat like a frog when making a wrong choice of steps, or missteps. Life lately has taken us to new environments and I see that doesn't suit him. I literally had to pull him with all my strength out of brambles by the creek that did not want to give him up. I had to carry him all the way back to the house and he's not a light dog. Since I've been back to the city I've looked into dog backpack carriers, but they only seem to be sized for dogs 10 pounds and lighter. Rex is about 25 lbs. I don't mind to sling him on my back but maybe the internet might churn up the right website soon.
pics to follow
Last Week Update - Last week rolled by rather quickly. Wednesday night I met up with Mike at the Met to watch the Red Sox claim their victory ticket to the World Series. I haven't advanced to jumping on my chair and hollering victory chants, but I'm sure Mike is determined 
Thursday night was game night with Carter and Kelly. Carter and I met up while Kelly finished his gym workout and we did takeout from Squat and Gobble before heading over to their pad to play Mille Borne, the French Auto Racing card game I grew up playing my siblings. Even after all these years it was so easy to pick up! Later after a few games (and a few margaritas) we decided to play blackjack and then some poker (heh). I'm glad I met such fun new friends and we even talked about doing some traveling together.
Tom Y.'s Birthday Party! - Friday night, friends celebrated Tom's 30th birthday at the Metro. What a blast! Enjoy these pics!
I'm looking forward to this upcoming weekend as Hal, his friends, the Rexster and I are heading up Friday night to a nice relaxing (and fun) getaway up to Redding to be a part of nature, watch the leaves change color, (hopefully) see the salmon spawn, check out the wild turkeys in the trees and see the stars from beyond the city lights.
Rich's First Football Game - Can't believe in almost 20 years of living here in the Bay Area, yesterday was my first time to Candlestick (actually it's now called Monster Park) At first, I really didn't want to go as I thought I would be overwhelmed with the amount of people and they certainly did pour into the stadium as Mike, Jeff and I "tailgated" before the game. It was quite a social study I thought to myself. The game was fun to watch, plus the $8 beers certainly alleviated any anxieties in the throngs of 80,000 people. Mike and I headed back to the city during the 3rd quarter so it was a breeze to get back before the mass exodus. We headed to the Metro and finished watching the game with familiar faces.
Last week, I headed over to Carter and Kelly's (new friends of mine) to play Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture Edition. I think we are going to have a weekly game night time to time, plus it's been fun getting to know them, as well as Bongers the cat I also had fun hooking up with Hal Friday night and we went to Esta Noche of all places - haven't been there in a long time but Hal's friends with the two owners, before we headed to his place to watch Mean Girls - a really hilarious high school movie. I see why Lindsay Lohan is the "now" girl - she is so infectiously cute and sweet and I recommend watching it for a good laugh. Saturday night, Mike and I had dinner at Catch (oysters - yum!) before meeting up with Rick D., Rick C. and Mitch at the Pilsner for a few pints and a lot of laughs!
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