July 23-25 - No Beach, Just streets, but what nice streets they are..

Started work on Friday a little early, The electical power was being shut off at 6pm so I got in a little earlier than usual.  Except for some lunchtime Domino's pizza drama the day passed quickly.  I hung out with my workmates at the place downstairs (Ole) and had myself two drinks. Unfortunately, going to bed late the night before (mixing music) and having two drinks before my commute just didn't seem to mix.  I usually save any naps for subway ride home but something about that seat on the PATH train made me think I could catch a few winks on the ride into Manhat.  Of course I instead awoke at the same station I just left, on the opposite platform, heading back towards Hoboken.   I barely got off in time  and then waited for the next train heading back towards the WTC.   Of course the retrip meant I had no time for the gym but hey I've worked myself over hard enough all week and I still ran up plenty of stairs (just like everyday).  With the rainy weather as forbidding as it was a trip out to the beach was not going fit into our travel plans.  We cancelled our Fire Island Hotel stay and instead stayed in the city, where no matter what the weather,  its  all good.  The rain had slowed down to a light drizzle by the time we headed into the city and with our normal parking spot next to Old Navy pressed into, we  made our way inside.   Now the boys at Splash were filling up the space with a nice cross section of the boys of New York in appearance.  Our doorman Ray let us in and DJ Alex Lauterstein had the tribal grooves kicking.  I danced everyplace there was a space and made some new ones for myself too.  The party was definitely in high gear and with barman Brett keeping the drinks flowing the night went deep, and far, and late.  But it was all good.   We partied with Steve and Rickey and saw a few friends in the space as well.  No magazines picked up but with the downstairs still under construction everything was in different spaces so we had another day to wait for something to read. 

Woke up the next day with Pais already gone to court, but with something to drink, and some vitamins the path to recovery was well  underway.  Once Pais returned we had a delivery of Dominos and some barbecue chicken and proceeded to chill out the rest of the afternoon. Pais had to do another case in the Bronx but I had a Justice League movie on 22 and time to clean up a little after mixing some music, and the night came quickly.  Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti and more chill time.   Picked out a new outfit, washed up and prepared to head into the mix. 

The Roxy beckons and after a parking lot park and a long line in front we made our appearance inside with the music.  Master of ceremonies DJ Peter Rauhofer has become a guaranteed fun time for all and all the boys were feeling the mood.  After the lights were lit and the beat was stepped too there was no doubt as to where the good time was.  From Pais to Jimmy, Steve and Keith and myself, all the boys from all over the city and NJ and even BK packed the house and danced far into the night.  Once we heard Nina Sky "Move Your Body (Bout it Girl) remixed, the party was completed and the night was OVAH.  That deserved a dance on the speaker along with all of the other places where appearances were made over the course of the night.   With my final dance on the speaker facing the stage while my boys danced on the main floor where all the boys go we brought the house downtime.   We left around 4:30 and after picking up the mags we headed over to the next ave. to get a car home.   After a nice ride home another party weekend is a wrap and we give shout outs to all of the boys that hung out with us and made it a nice night.

We were not the only ones to have drama over the past year but we still saw so many people who made it through and were ready to live it live and enjoy what was out there.  I came into the night feeling drained and getting too old to have any more of  a peak left to climb.  After the night was through and all the way into the next day where a screening of Halle Berry in "Catwoman" confirmed my up vibe I knew that there are some things that are still left to be done and experienced.  My life is definitely not on its way downhill and with a nice group of friends, some projects in the pipeline and plenty of  places left to go and lots of friends to roll with the possibilities are still endless. With the light rays still streaming off of the brightness of the bling, we gots some stuff to do.

Foot Loose and Fancy Me

Only midway through the summer and the summer is good.  Work is work but the weekend is the weekend and we have been having a great time of it so far.   Friends to hang with, drinks to drink and places to dance, its all coming together to make it just what its supposed to be.  The summer that is... mine.  Got off of work and made my way from NJ through the Path station at WTC into the subways of Manhat and into the depths of BK.  Was able to hit up the gym, get a pump on give a quick kiss to Pais and then headed down the block to the taxicab co.  Was a quick ride into the city (free Battery Tunnel ride) while I caught up on some CNN News on my cell phone, (poor fired CSI chickens) and showed up at the door at 11:55pm.  DJ Mark Tarbox had the boys of Splash dancing and whistling and cheering for more.  With such retro gems as Information Society "Running" as well as new tracks from Mis Teeq "Scandalous" I have not seen the boys in the place that excited in a long time.  Though the downstairs is undergoing renovation we were still able to have plenty of fun upstairs and even got an impromptu peep show through the now missing tv spots over the urinals.  Silly dancing boys.  Anyway the night was another great one and even though poor Steve ended up less than happy with his choice of new buds the evening was definitely a cool night out.
 
With some water, vitamins, a nice breakfast, and some rest time the Saturday moved along quite nicely.    Pais had to report for duty at the field of the BASL and despite the teams best efforts the guys lost 3 separate games to 3 different teams.  I don't show up to the games and it all goes to hell.  Well still plenty of time to order in Domino's Pizza (Cheese Steak, hmm..) and get some rest before it was time to head out.  After a quick visit from Mom, sister and new nephew (and some baby gift giving) it was time to clean up and head out into the night once again.   
 
We caught the same parking spot as last week (nice omen) waited on line again (strange deja vu) and walked in on another great beat as right after I got my first drink I was on a speaker dancing to Beyonce and seeing the place pretty full at only 12:30.  The night at Roxy was another great time with DJ Manny Lehman making sure everybody got their groove on with a definite upbeat mood, plenty of energy and some on point mixes that had everyone on the floor till all hours of the night.  We stayed at the party till 4:50 am and caught a ride home most easily.  Lights out boys.
 
Next day after a trip into the city, a Wendy's lunch, some shopping at Century and walk down the block we caught up with Will Smith in "I, Robot".  Good summer movie and some great special effects.  The story was just OK, but the robots looked mighty good and it was definitely worth seeing.    I laughed a few times, was surprised a few times and had a good time.  Afterwards, a shopping trip in the rain and then some cooking while watching tv and then it was time for Chicken Parmesan and Six Feet Under.  Dinner and a movie, Another great show, and then with a little icing of Entourage and Ali G I had seen enough.  Well not really a little midnight snack of Adult Swim on channel 22 but I eventually went to bed.    I guess... 
Another great weekend comes together.  Next week, another road trip...

July 9 -11 - Feel the Energy... Remember the Dance

Another short workweek thanks to July 5th off work. Then back into the weekend for us. Back from the gym, grab a quick steak dinner, touch up the haircut and make sure all is set to go for another Friday night. Arrived at the place to be around 12:15 and watched as the new till boy (cashier) held up the line as he got used to keeping up the flow. Despite the wait we eventually made it inside and enjoyed the sounds at rolling out at Splash with DJ David Knapp. Surprisingly some of the songs I had already tagged and are on my last Summer Mix CD were played live for the boys to kick and groove. Both Rickey and Bartender Brett commented on the great music selection and the upbeat vibe of the evening. From the Stage next to the DJ booth. The space near the front bar and speakerbox with a great groove for the boys all the way up till 3:45am.

We didn't have to wake up early as there were no softball games (our opponent team was forfeiting due to lack of available players) and we determined instead to have a day of hanging out, shopping, fixing up the house and resting ourselves up for our Saturday night out. We got to hit off Century 21, The Vitamin Shoppe, KFC, and Modells. My only dark moment of the day was a run in with a crack head old lady in the depths of BK While I had a bottle of soda in one hand and 3 shopping bags in the other she accused me of hitting her. She chased me across an intersection and told me "I'm not your mother" and then hit me with her paper crack bag. I was shocked. I'm used to people giving me space and not being accused of wild mess in just about all situations. Only in Bklyn and only with crazy crack women running the streets talking to themselves. Even Pais called her out after we got into the car and drove up the block. Even old white ladies can have issues. I will definitely retire to my dancing shoes before I crack like a DDT egg. Don't wanna burn it all out too soon. Take your lessons where you find them. Now into the night...


With some new clothes and some new kicks we headed out into the city and after finding a great parking spot down the street on 10th Ave. we arrived at the place at 12:20. Walking into the Roxy is always an event and after a strangely involved wait at the door while various discussions happened, Doorman Derek parted the velvet rope and we made our way inside. For some reason the coatcheck-turned-wristband wrap was right near the door but it was no big deal and afterwards we made our way inside and headed into another stellar night in and around the dancefloor. DJ Peter Rauhofer segued into the night with some classic house ala-Peter and then began with his now trademark hip and fun groove that had the place packed by 1:30 and totally alive by 2am. We started out at the front with my best Bartender Barker and began to circulate as the night progressed. We checked out the area in front of the DJ booth early in the evening and saw how the crowd was picking up on the cues thrown out by the lights and by the DJ and then hung out by the back bar. We met up with Troy and discussed upcoming circuit events (this Fall , The Black and Blue) as well as checking out why my laser pointer was not shining as brightly as usual. After a quick shaking in my pocket after a nice dance in the asian section the clear green line was visible once again and our friend Dwayne was a happy light boy for a little while. The drinks were flowing and the boys were dancing as I felt drawn to the dance multiple times over the course of the evening. Our out-of-town friend Tony from Boston gave us his new cell # as our party lasted long into the early. We stayed until 5am and while we left bro Jimmy to stay inside, myself, Pais and Steve caught ourselves a cab ride home and arrived home safe and sound to have a nice quiet Sunday at home. A nice brunch at Jacks and then we were able to catch up on some DVD movies and housework.

Another great weekend... And we still have 6 weeks of summer months left. Me likey... :o)

July 2-4 - Welcome to the Boys of Summer... Let's Hang Out...

Was a thankfully short work week (3 days) and then a 3 day weekend. Was looking forward to hanging with friends and seeing some new ones from all over. Headed into the city on Friday night and made an appearance at Splash. The crowds had receded from last weekend (Pride) and the boys were inside enjoying the sounds of DJ Brett Henrichsen. I Hung out with Pais, Rickey and our girl friend Grace who went up to meet the DJ and we all got to say hi. I even told the DJ that I met him last year on our Atlantis cruise. Bartender Brett kept the drinks flowing as we grooved to a continuous mix of vocal house and hard dance beats. The night went by nicely but we couldn't stay out too late. Had to be ready to run to the fields and see the boys of softball.

The Playing for Life Tournament in Central Park had our team on the field and ready to go at Noon. The BASL sponsored event was cool as we got to meet boys from Tampa, Boston, Virginia and a few other states that brought the boys into town to swing some bats. In between games we hung out, journeyed to the bathroom over the hill, shot some hoops on the court, and paid $2 for bottled water from the rip off hot dog carts. Our team played 3 games on Saturday, won 2 and lost 1 but it was all fun (until poor Chris had to get stitches after a third base collision) but we still had a good time and left later afternoon to finally have dinner at Dallas BBQ on Eighth Ave. We finally headed home and got some rest. Pais had to stay in so he could be on the field the next day at 11am but I decided to go out and see the Boys at The Rox and see what the boys would be doing over the long weekend. Despite the boys outside who drove by the corner of 19th St chanting "Go to Spirit!" I ignored all attempts at distraction and headed to the only party that I knew I was going to have a good time. It was the premiere of Steve Travolta in the large space and I was wondering what he was planning to do with the crowd. At first I was as clueless as the next guy as the evening started with a mix of old-school house and dark but catchy dance rhythms. At first I was wandering the place alone but then let myself get lost in the crowd and by the time my friends Steve and Rickey (and a few friends of Pais) showed up I was well on my way to having another great night out. As the place filled up gradually the mood built into a great House Dance Party with the lights synched with the music most excellently as the boys ate it up like candy. By 2:30 am the crowd was hanging on every beat and the mood was definitely a great energetic pulse beat. Definitely a 4 out of 5. I broke out of the party to get home sooner than usual around 3:45am but I was very happy that I came out and saw and was seen by happy club crowd.

Sunday was spent hanging and waiting for the afternoon. Got out and went shopping for some house stuff and prepared to have friends in for The Fourth. Cooked up some taco salad, made sure we had plenty of Heineken and Molson Canadian. As the friends came over, Phil and Kev, the boys from the Isle of Manhat as well as Gary and Mina we hung out watching VH1 Classics and then headed upstairs to view the show at the Seaport and the Statue of Liberty. The display started at 9:25 and continued until 9:50. The climax was not as much of a buildup as last year but the show was still good and poor Steve arrived before the finale and got to see what the view was all about. Afterwards our little party broke up and we all headed out for our own little plans. Myself, Pais and Steve headed into Avalon and met up with Rickey and saw the boys from the BASL hanging at the afterparty for the Tournament Closing ceremonies. We wandered through the place trying to pick up on the vibe of the place and while there appeared to be a healthy crowd because of the day off for Monday the Debut of DJ Scott Thomson was not "all that" as far as I was concerned. We wandered from room to room, even venturing up to the newly opened Spider Room but failed to find anything to enjoy or want to move with. When both second rooms are playing Rap music (Rapper's Delite and Jay-Z) and the main room is playing Euro Dance and Rave music mixed in with remixed 80s Dance music you know the night is going no where. I thought it rated a 2 out of 5. All of us ended up leaving at 3am and calling the night a bust. But thinking back and seeing that in all of the nights that I have gotten to go out and only having one night where I should have went somewhere else I guess it was bound to happen sometime. Until next time out with the guys. Keep it moving. And look out for the quiet ones that are always trying to walk up on you and squeeze your buns when you are not looking. Guess somebody's gotta do it.