Dec 23-26 - Families of Friends and Friendly Fun for All

Came home from work on Thursday and began my normal decompress. I was planning on staying at home and going to work the next day but personal issues and family matters conspired to keep me involved with the family on Friday so when I was invited out by friends to hang on a Thursday night I jumped at the chance. A quick switch to sneakers rather than shoes and it was into the city for us. We arrived at 11:30 at the door and made our way inside. The place was packed with city boys and people on vacation for the week and I started off the night with a nice drink. Pais chose to stay downstairs and hang with Barman Brett while I headed upstairs and hung out with the rather impressive Thursday night crowd who were there listening to DJ Joe Espinosa. The mood was happy and even though the downstairs lounge was not too packed the upstairs had all of the energy and all of the music. At one point during the evening around 1:00am on the stage a young italian guy asked me if I would hang with his young black friend (with a wide white belt) and show him how to be more butch. (As If), Instead we just danced had fun and enjoyed the beats until 3am. I retrieved Paisley downstairs and we decided it was late enough and it was time to go and get some rest.

Next morning I arose late and dealt with different domestic issues. Fielded phone calls from family and friends and pretty much kept the chores low key. Thankfully no shopping to be done and no crowds to deal with as the day rolled through with no issue too big to surmount. As we had a standing dinner invitation so we ate nothing late afternoon but looked forward to heading out to LI. Around 8pm with friends Steve and the Jimmy in tow we piled into the Murano and made our way out to exit 23 and Freeport LI to see the place that Ernesto had told us about. All of the neighborhood friends and family were over for a christmas dinner and the house was full and warm. The food was good and the family was friendly as we discussed Long Island, dogs, and the weather. After all of the introductions I found myself sitting in the kitchen and eating chips as I was no longer involved in any pressing conversations. The O/C individual introduced himself to me 3 times and despite the clipped speech and the out of breath delivery I was able to answer affirmatively and nicely, yes and and thankyou. Paisley later returned to find me vegged out and thinking about nothing on the sitting couch in the livingroom. The young kids karaoke of "Feel Like a Woman" was not all that impressive. Afterwards Ernesto let us see his landscaping work in the backyard while viewing the canal and the other houses up and down the street. Billy later returned home after his run of the houses up and down the block on his caroling tour. After hearing "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" and "The Christmas Donkey" I was entertained some but after having been entertained by the family for 2 hours I guess I did not have the patience or the inclination to continue in the family party vein. We said our goodbyes and gathered up our own and we were back on the road at midnight. I enjoyed the experience but it made me appreciate being closer to the city. The house was very beautiful but it was 29 minutes from the highway and once on the highway it was 35 min to the pad in BK. I enjoyed the trip but could not deal with it too often. Some things are best done on holidays.

We rolled into BK safely and easily but I was not ready to turn in (one drink over the course of an evening does not a night make). I discussed my options with Paisley and while he decided to call it a night and Steve and Jimmy both went to their parts of the city, I changed clothes and readied myself for a lone ride into the city. The cab driver was one of the regular drivers who knew the way into the city so well I was there in 15 min. I stepped inside shed my coat, had my first drink in hand and was back upstairs to make my locational call to Pais around 1am. After confirming my safe arrival and my plans for the eve I then turned around and headed back inside away from the cold front door and joined the boys inside at Splash. The DJ for the eve was Eddie Elias and the crowd was happy to be there. The crowd was not as heavy upstairs as the night before which was pretty impressive but the downstairs crowd was in effect and passing through with all the usual levels of fanfare. I commented to Brett how the screens over his bar had been dimmed so the casual bar sitters could not lounge and take up space unless they were there to talk to him or get a drink. It was a good thing. He stated that after the beginning of the year he would be moving back upstairs. I liked the sound of that as much as I enjoyed the music. I headed upstairs to dance more than once and showed up on the stage to dance and once again headed across the floor to light up the box. The energy in the place lasted well after 4am and I stayed in house until then. After goodnights to Grace and Carlos I headed out into the night and picked up a car out front. The ride home was swift and I was able to settle into bed by 5:30. Night.

I awoke Saturday morning to a crisp bite in the air on the day when all the stores and most restaurants were closed. However a call down the street confirmed that the diner down the block was open so a quick dress up and then it was breakfast at Lindos on Christmas morning. After passing the walking wino sleeping while standing on the bridge we stepped inside. The place was busy and the breakfast bacon omelette was good. Afterwards we were back upstairs to watch movies (King Arthur) and then watch the Lakers/Heat game as well as football. Afterwards a dinner of chinese and then a nap was enough to recharge one for the eve. After cleaning up and and picking out the regular accoutrements it was all green for a trip out. The Jimmy and Stephen K. arrrived at 10:30 and after some house drinks and some football highlights it was time to head out and join the people in the city. We rode into the city at high speed and with much confidence as the streets were pretty empty and the mood was simmering as the cold air and the holiday seemed to keep most inside. We arrived at the block at 11:30 and sat in the car for a bit before heading inside. Thankfully the security at the front was all about letting us in and there were no velvet rope posers. We got in out of the cold quickly and made our way inside and checked in with no probs. We met the up with Steve inside and got our first drinks. The DJ at Roxy for the eve was Steve Travolta. I had to explain to several different people that the normal route for the Steve Travolta party was to follow the beat and the party would come eventually. I was used to the slow buildup myself and was ready to dance whenever the need and the beat arose. Our friend Body stated he was moving to Tx and gave us a signed limited edition of his latest calendar. After showing it off to Pais and the guys in the front I went and checked it with my coat. We circulated through the place saying hi to our different friends as we went around but found the back bar was very low key and not too busy. At one point I danced on the speaker in the asian section and had the main box to myself. I was asked if I had glow sticks to give out but again that is not something that I do as I danced on the middle speaker. There were also boxes on either side with people sitting but I had danced on the box while waiting for Pais and Jimmy to return from a trip outside. They had dressed in layers to enable a trip outside without too much of a chill. I however had no need to set foot outside so I waited and danced. After they came back in we hung out in the front with Jimmy and Stephen K. At one point we said hi to friends Andre and John and talked and said hi. We separated and reformed as a group and at one point were invited by Andre to check out the DJ booth. We stepped up to the door and we were waved in. We were just instructed to make sure we slammed the door behind us (slam lock) and step up the narrow stairs to see the area. Inside was a nice raised area with the usual selection of security, groupies, and technicians. There was another velvet rope to keep the little group from spilling into the DJ area and messing with the spinning. After we had checked out the area and I had the lay of the space I decided it was time to head back out to the dance floor. Me and Pais went back down the stairs turned the lock and made out way back out to get another drink. I made my way back out into the crowd and saw that the same lack of decoration for the night made it easy to see the place had filled up nicely. I headed back to the speaker and I had to do my part by saving a young man from his own moment on the speaker. He was looking good and exposed up there but I told him that maybe he needed a break before someone came for him. He rushed off the speaker to be immediately be mobbed by the hawks who thought he seemed vulnerable but he extricated himself well and made his way up to the front. Meanwhile I proceeded to light my hands and dance at high speed to a deep house tune I had never heard before. The vibe was right and the music was right and I was definitely in my element. I settled down after the beat changed once again and returned to our crowd of friends. I was extremely happy with how the evening turned out and knew that despite the late hour (5am) I knew that nothing would end the night better than a nice burger at the diner. After saying goodbye to our our friends we headed up the street to the diner near 23rd Street. Small but nice and not too bright we sat down and ordered our burgers. The food was good and fast and we ended the meal and stepped out and flagged down a taxi on 23rd street. We said goodnight to Steve and headed back to BK. Took the vitamins and drank some water and then it was time for sleep. Ah sleep.

Sunday I woke up at noon but then turned over and slept some more until 1:30 and then finally got up to watch some television. After watching the Jets get waxed by the Patriots we headed out and picked up some KFC and some nice chicken and honey bbq. We lunched and then chilled some more reading magazines and watching DVR programming of Saturday Night Live. After preparing a dinner of sweet sausage in tomato sauce over linguine we watched episodes of "Malcolm in the Middle" and then on-demand to watch the final two season episodes of "The Wire". The evening would wind down at the usual pace and as weekends eventually do it comes to an end. Looking forward to the end of the year next week and the beginning of another with all of the usual fanfare. We will see how it goes. Until then. See you next year.

Dec 16-19 Martini Nights and Friends from All Over

We work so hard and then we play hard too. Its all good as long as you have partners ready to hang and places to run to. Thursday got off work and took the PATH into the city. Instead of heading downtown I headed uptown and got off at 14th Street. Picked up a Popeyes dinner and then headed over to Splash to see what the guys were doing. Pais was at another office party so I was staying in town so we could meet up before heading back to BK. This Thurs. I got into the place before 10pm so no 5 dollar cover for me. I said hi to one of the guys hanging out in the lounge and he asked me if I was going to dance upstairs, I said I would probably make an appearance but soon headed over to the bar to start off the night with a Smirnoff Ice. I hung out with barman Brett and he told me how he was still enjoying the CD gift. I knew the music was going to be a hit and still like it myself. A drink later I was joined by Pais and I decided that before we would leave I would check out the dance floor. I headed upstairs and danced on the mostly empty floor. Only the dancer on the box and about a dozen people were taking advantage of the floor but the beat was good so I danced out the tune and then returned downstairs to retrieve my coat and we stepped out into the night. Unlike the week before when the taxi situation was desperate we were able to get a car over on 5th Avenue (even though two girls from across the street had the nerve to ask if we wanted the taxi, as if we would hold the door for them across the street). Directed the cabbie back to BK and the first night of my weekend was a wrap.

Friday I did not have to work but woke up anyway. I was making use of my funpass and doing some shopping. After hitting 5 different locations I decided I really did not need a DS before Xmas and would wait until the supplies picked up after the gift rush was over. I did make the trip worth it however by stopping at Modells and picking up some kiddie tracksuits for family gifts and even a gift shirt for a friend. They really are pushing the Modells credit card this year but I avoided their charms and remain store card free. I headed back into the city and arrived downtown in time to have lunch with Pais at the Wendy's on Nassau St. After lunch I did a quick run through of the Century 21 but despite the rush of tourists looking for something to get I saw nothing I desired. Picked up some stuff that Pais wanted and then we headed back to BK. A rest up, then a work out and then some video games as Pais made another Holiday party appearance. I stayed back in BK, redid the haircut, cleaned up, and then headed in on mass transit. Unlike my usual easy trip into the city, the train halted on the way in and stayed in the tunnel making the trip more tedious than usual. At least I had something to read. Anyway I arrived in Chelsea and made my way up the street. I said hi to the doorpeople and the cashier and headed downstairs. Who did I spy on the coat check line but Pais who had arrived only moments before myself. I checked the coats as he got our first drinks over at the bar. We hung out downstairs for a while as Splash DJ Alex Lauterstein let the party start slowly. I chilled and chatted with Pais and our friend David talking about music and hanging out and the funny people we saw downstairs. For some reason we kept on getting strange smells in the area but we chalked it up to the funny people. Anyway I eventually headed upstairs and hung out with the dancing crowd for a bit. When it was time to head up to the stage I lit the hands and proceeded to dance at full speed. When that was not enough I extinguished the lights, crossed the floor and stepped up onto the box (something I had not done in quite a few months). As I was able to dance up there for a whole song and have fun at the same time it was all good if I do say so myself. Afterwards we put the wraps back on and stepped out to the curb. The taxi waiting right out front brought us back across the Manhattan bridge and all the way home.

Saturday I got up and had a breakfast of eggs and bacon on a roll and watched TV. In between football games and videos on VH1 the afternoon was kinda lazy. We eventually left the house to have pizza at Lenny's before going shopping but the slices were not up to par with what we usually get and weighed heavily on the stomach for a few hours. We visited the Century 21 in Bay Ridge but the heavy crowd of holiday shoppers and the lack of variety meant that Pais just found a few hats and I left empty handed. No biggie, I guess I'll just have to wait for next season for the stock to turn over. As evening arrived dinner was ordered and consumed and it was time to clean up and prepare for an eve with friends.

Our friend Steve was in town visiting and we planned on meeting up at the Rox. We headed into the city with the full crew and arrived with not a moment to spare and found a parking space right next to the lot. The line was short and the way in was clear as we made our way inside. We found out that Barker was at the back bar for the eve so after we gathered together we headed to the back and started out our eve. Before I could finish my drink ordering I was surprised by Steve and also got the surprise that he had dragged Ernesto along and into the club. So not one but two extra friends were in attendance. Ernesto made do with seltzer water but the rest of us got started on the first drinks of the night. Before I could start another drink DJ Manny Lehman started into "Lola's Theme" at around 12:40. The place was filling up slowly but the music was very upbeat with a nice mix of classic and new. I circulated between my friends and the dance floor throughout the night. The crowd never really packed into the place (maybe drawn off and resting up for the party at Crobar at 5am) but the lights and the music kept it fun. Barker loved the shirt and the crowd at the back bar loved when he modeled it for us. Everyone had a good time. It was too cold to spend any time in the smoking section outside but people were out there any way. Two speaker appearances a dancefloor walkthrough and several rounds for the crew and the night passed along as it should. We stayed in the place until about 4:30. A short walk in the night and then we arrived at the diner around 4:40 and Steve joined us soon after as we had a late night burger (it just tastes so good). We got a taxi ride home soon after and made it back to BK nice and easy.

I awoke on Sunday to the watching of football and ordering in a breakfast of a bacon omelette. We hung out for a while and waited for the arrival of The Jimmy so we could head over to our friend Larry at his house in NJ. We left after 4pm and headed into the city. We picked up our friend Daren downtown and continued up to the Lincoln Tunnel. The traffic for a while was ok but as we passed Giants Stadium we picked up heavy congestion all the way until right before we were about to get off the highway. The traffic had been caused by an accident involving trucks but the RainX on the windows left our sight of the road clear and we arrived safely despite the delays. The house was nice, the food was great the company was better. We hung out, me and Donnie made an ice run after we used up all of the refrigerator ice. The neighbor walking outside warned us about the ice and then returned as we sat in the car to scare me as he asked if we needed anything for the party. Donnie warned me that we weren't in the city anymore so I didn't have to be so jumpy but I always think the exact opposite. Suburbs are always a little too quiet but I guess its the city in me. During the course of the eve we watched snatches of The Wizard of Oz as well as Desparate Housewives. Eventually around 10pm it was time to head back home to the city and we said our goodnights. The trip back home was much easier to manage than the trip out and we got back to NYC and then to BK most quickly. We bid goodnight to the Jimmy and drew our weekend to a close.

As always a great time and good friends make the nights and days all good. However I will endeavor to leave the martini drinking to Pais. Those Belvedere martinis are too strong and do not mix well with the other easier to deal with drinks I like. I'll take the more colorful mixed drinks any day. Even Barker stated to never let me drink the martini again. I will be a good boy. I promise... Until next weekend.

Dec 9-12 - The Escalating Weekend and Friends on Stages

Work is just work but I was able have a day off on Friday so one day less for the week is a good thing. I left only a little early on Thursday and made my way towards home. I could not decide whether to go straight home or hang out in the city to await the ending of Pais and his office Christmas party. When I got to my train station at World Trade center I saw no train and decided that I would do the hangout thing instead of waiting for the train and going into BK right away. I took the train up to West 4th and had a Taco Salad at the Wendy's. The rain outside was not that much for the short distance but after I was finished with dinner I didn't feel like walking 12 blocks in the rain so it was back to the train to travel to the next stop of 14th Street. I came out of the station and walked up the block to 17th St and Splash. I said hello to the doorman and the cashier and then went downstairs to verify that my bartender was in before checking my coat. I showed up at the bar and stood watching Sir Brett until he finally noticed I was in. His first words to me were that I was not supposed to be there on a Thursday. As if something like the calendar was supposed to stop a person. Anyway we said our hellos and I sat down at the bar and started to hang. Brett was already entertaining a few seated patrons and after several traded comments we introduced. John and Andrew said hello and I let them know that I usually only came to Splash on Fridays but today made an exception because I had off from work the next day. Before too long (and three different drinks later) Pais made his appearance, so I said my goodbyes to the guys and we headed out into the rain. There were no cars in front of the place so we walked down to 6th ave. There were no rides there either so we walked down to 14th Street. When there were still no rides at 14th Street we walked over to 7th Ave to try and get a car there. We finally got a cab ride home about 15 minutes after we had left the club. A little wetter and a little more ready to get home we rode back home over the Manhattan bridge. After getting home Pais went to sleep and I chilled playing video games. Eventually it was time to sleep and so I succumbed and went there.

I awoke on Friday as Pais prepared to leave. He was going down to NC to visit his fam, and had only started to pack Fri morning. As he was only going for a few days he was able to get everything packed and ready fairly quickly so he did that and rested up before the car service came to pick him up. It was quiet in the place first and then I went into the office and remixed my newest CD to get rid of some of the quiet points and blasted my mix CD while watching cartoons. Eventually I deemed it fine to listen to and started off my afternoon playing video games. Pais called when he arrived at his destination and I wished him well in his adventures down south.

I left the house to do some shopping in downtown Bklyn. The ghetto Macy's hadn't seen me in a while so I made a rare appearance and wandered through the place. After picking up a few shirts I made my way through to the back exit to avoid the perfume and cologne pushers near the front. (Escalator up and down #1) After I was outside the fact that it was raining meant I no longer welcomed a walk to the next store. Instead I headed back to the train and used my unlimited to head 2 stops down to Pacific Street - Atlantic Avenue. Out of the station I headed across the street to Atlantic Center and the new Target. Unlike the one laid out over in NJ this one was on two floors and kinda jumbled. I eventually found what I was looking for and was able to catch the express checkout line out. I made it back through security and back out to the train station. (Escalator Set #2)

After getting to the station I first went down to the wrong track and had to change sides to head back towards home. I was carrying too much stuff to stay out any longer so it was back to home we headed. After picking up dinner I headed in and enjoyed a nice sit down while watching TV. It was time to clean up and change clothes before I made my way outside into the night. I walked down the street and made a stop at the Neergard Pharmacy for some Spearmint Altoids, cold medicine and some Zicam. Then I went a block over to the F train and headed back into the city. A book to read and my ipod were all I needed as I headed into Manhattan. The Friday Night was upon us and I needed to make all of the regular appearances. I arrived at 11:45 down the street and made my way into the club easily. I had already brought a bottled water with me so I did not have to stop before heading in. After the coat check I ordered up my first drink from Brett and got into the vibe of the place. Splash was hosting their Tribe party with DJ Eliot Dehoyos and I was ready to dance. I said hello to David and his friend AJ and talked to the guys about the crowd that frequented the downstairs lounge. After two drinks I headed upstairs and checked out the show. The music was high powered and the light show was under the direction of the mistress of lights, Liz Ligouri. I made it up to the booth and said hello once again and told her that I had not seen her there in a while. It was good to see her out and about especially without Susan or Frankie. She was totally keeping up with the lights and making sure we kept seeing something different. She said that she likes coming back but everytime she shows up she finds out something is different or out of order on the board. I told her that no one else would even notice. So many of the light guys just do a limited repertoire and don't change much or just do the same thing over and over. You just know the difference between the extremes when you see it. After that I headed out for a bottled water and back in again. The heat was on me so the outside didn't feel so bad. At least it had temporarily stopped raining. I headed back into the heat of the club and kept on dancing. When I headed back downstairs I picked up another drink and handed Brett his present CD. He thanked me and looked it over. I noticed that my new NB sneaks did not hold onto the floor as well as I would like and endeavoured to watch my step, especially on the stage. On one of my trips to the front I bumped into Grace and helped her with the door as she put her coat away in one of the closets. We then headed up to the stage and put on a dual flag show and light show. They even shined a light over us so you could see us from across the club. It was a cool effect under the red lights. We took a break as Grace stepped out to have a cigarette and I headed back out to get us each another bottle of water. After rehydrating we headed back into the club and listened to more of the tribal beats. When "Love Story" came on I headed up to the box in front of the stage and danced my last dance of the evening. All alight and ready to ignite. Afterwards I said goodnight and made my way to the front. On Friday it was much easier to get a car and I rode home in the cold rain happy to get back to BK. Sleep was calling..

I woke up the next day to a quiet house and a nice bowl of berry berry Kix. I watched VH1 for a while and "the fabulous life top 40" but then I was pulled into the high drama of "Americas next Top model" marathon. The antics of the girls made me laugh so that even when I had to step out to do some more shopping I taped the episode I was watching and the next one too and headed out. Since I had already hit up BK on my shopping trip this day I headed all the way into the city and 34th street. First I headed over to Old Navy but could not find enough to justify standing on the long lines. (escalator set #3) I turned around and made my way back across the street and into the Macy's. I made my way through the crowds and shopped until I found something nice. Waiting on the line everyone else gave up and looked for some shorter lines but the lady in front of me worked for the store and knew her way around the register. She also made sure I got a discount on my clothes so it was worth it for me to stand on the line behind her reading my book. (escalator set #4). I headed out and made my way further down the street to have an early dinner at the Wendy's up the street and a big bacon classic. After finally finding a seat I had to weave through the tables to enjoy my eating. Making my way back out was just as tight but I made it back out to the street and back into the shopping crowds of Saturday. Crossed in-between and on the green and got back to the train station a several minutes later. The crowd was not as bad going downstairs as when I arrived and I made my way to the R train platform and caught the train back home to BK. Then it was time to change up, prepare and get ready to step into the night once again. Watched a few more cuts of "Top Model" and cartoon network and then it was time to to don the new Ecko jeep shirt and catch the train.

Just after 11:20pm I caught a "D" train which I was able to take up through BK, across the Manhat Bridge and right to West 4th. I transferred to the E Train and got off at 14th. Two blocks up and two blocks over and I had arrived at my destination, Roxy. A very short line wait (forgot to take my ipod buds out) and I was in. I said hi to the wristband givers and paid at the cashier and breezed through the coat check. I said hi to a few as I stepped in but soon made my way to my bartender Barker for my first drink. And who should I find waiting for me at my place but my boy Chris. Carlos and Chris had made another trip into the city and were hanging at the Roxy once again. My night went from alone and all for one and looking for a bunch to hang with to having a pre-made gang just like I'm used to. I got my first drink and we headed out to catch a drag in the smoking area outside and make fun of the boys outside. As the evening progressed the drinks kept flowing and the energy kept building as DJ Peter Rauhofer finally made his appearance and took over the decks around 1:00am. We hung out with Barman Brett and his entourage of about a dozen as they shuttled between the bar and muscle beach. The tribal beats and music kept giving it to the crowd as the floor filled with more and more happy club going people. After 2am the mood shifted into high gear and I took to the speaker in the Asian section to dance behind two listless guys on the speakerbox. After they finally gave up and left simultaneously, leaving me alone on the box, I ignited the lights in my hands to match my leg and began to really dance. Starting with a pose during the pause in the music I began a full routine that lasted most of the next song (one that I had never heard before). While dancing I ended up with a crowd 3 people deep on the walkway behind the asian section and plenty of smiling faces on the dance floor. After that set was over it was off to see what had happened to Chris but he had left the boys of muscle beach and was no where to be seen. I checked the outside area but again no sign of the boys out there so I headed for a circuit of the dance floor and looked for them in all of the usual spots. I finally caught up to them on the stage right in front of the DJ booth. After dancing for a bit I made a run to the bar and came back with a drink for myself, an orange juice for Chris and gave Carlos one of my bottles of water. After a moment of that I noticed the music changing again and I made my way up to the speaker right between the stage and the steps and began to dance. Right at that moment the lights went down again and with the whole dancefloor in darkness I could see that two other speakers across the floor had lit up dancers at well. The boy with the white glow sticks on one and another boy with spinning red and green wands on the last speaker. I ignited my hands as well and with a simultaneous show on 3 speakers it was definitely a high point for my night. After that song was over I made my way back over to the stage and we headed back to the front as the boys went to smoke once again. I hung out dancing and waited for them to return. We made one quick passthrough of the upstairs lounge to chill in the cool before heading back downstairs to the hard beats. Chris wanted to get his coat to check his train schedule but Carlos already knew that the train was not avail until well after 4. Chris ended up chilling on the couch near the front bar as I danced and hung out with the boys as they seemed to be staying for the party well after the drink cut- off. At 4:35 am I was still out at the front bar telling the bar mistress that her theme song was playing remixed, "What You Waiting For" by Gwen Stefani. The boys bid good night shortly after to catch their train and I stayed until 5am and thanked Barker on my way out. I headed out to the front and found myself a taxi right away. The driver brought me back to BK fairly quickly and I was able to get into the house before 6am. Now to take valerian, 5HTP and St. Johns wort and fall all the way to sleep. Yes sleep.

Sunday was spent in the house. Playing Lord of the Rings - The Third Age on my Gamecube and watching cartoons I had on the DVR. Thank goodness for the DVR. When nothing was on TV I always had something to watch. I chilled out for most of the day and passed out in early evening but jumped up to make myself a pasta dinner (macaroni, home-made tomato sauce, chopped meat and mozzarella cheese), the casserole that everybody likes. Of course it came out most excellent and three plates later I was full and ready to bring the final night of my weekend to a close. I watched Cartoon Network some more and adult swim and was finally tired enough to call it a night. I did the shopping thing, the hanging out thing and the traveling all over the city by train and taxi thing. Let's see what else we can do with the return of the Pais and another three-day weekend waiting in the wings. No need to take it to the next level. The level we are visiting right now is just fine Thanks. Keep it coming.

Dec 3-5 - Chilly Outside but Hot Inside.. My Coat

Thank goodness for another short work week. Plenty of stuff to do and not enough time. Too many words, not enough rhyme. (as Redman would say). Got home to finish off a steak dinner. Pais was sleep but awoke pretty quickly. I did the self-barber and got my coif done correct (it was getting downright unruly). I then cleaned up, changed and prepared to launch into the night. The trip into the city was quick. We listenened to the radio while riding, dealt with some traffic on 6th but got to a parking space with plenty of time. Walked through the lot in the light misting rain and then went to the door. The doorman let us in before the handstamps and the undercover mgr (short, hispanic doesn't say much) handstamped us and let us in. We made our way downstairs and separated as I checked the coats and Pais ordered drinks. The first one for me was a surfer which while good quickly wears on the stomach when more than two is had (a fact I was reminded of the next day). The DJ for the eve at Splash was Max Rodriguez who while a fun DJ and is upbeat seemed to go off on a strange tangent of new music that did not exactly click with the more hardcore of the clubgoers wondering what the party was doing. The masses of the crowd did seem to be staying and dancing but the party never seemed to take off. I had to put forth too much effort to stay interested and awake and I expected more fun while there but I kept waiting for next song. Nothing like the parties Max had DJ'd over the summer and early fall. Anyway I did dance on the stage, I did hang with Pais downstairs but we left around 3:20 before the party could wind down. I said goodnight to Brett and met Pais back upstairs. There were no magazines to get but I knew I could get those the next night. The trip back home was quick and without issue. There was a new day to wake to but I had to sleep first. So that's what I did.

I awoke on Saturday to a cool morning. Watching VH1 and then sports while cleaning the house. Finally finished unpacking from last weeks trip to FL. Vacuuming, washing dishes and room cleaning. Finally a trip to the storage facility in Bay Ridge to put some bags in storage (forgot the darn toaster oven). On the way back picked up lunch at KFC and then stopped to buy some soda at the Met. Got home and called my pal Denise. She was feeling very good and we had plenty of news to trade as we conversated for almost an hour. But eventually we stopped the phone call as she had to go to Mass and I had to finish my latest remix CD. After the song selection the CD came together rather quickly and though the finished product seems to have more than its share of dramatic musical pauses the CD as a whole is very strong and full of some great gems. We watched basketball and test listened to the CD before preparing to go out for evening. The Jimmy was supposed to arrive at 10:15 but did not end up in place until 10:30. Meanwhile I choose the outfit, cleaned up, and had everything in order when the guests arrived. We hung out for a bit and then Pais and I, the Jimmy and Stephen all headed out and into the city at 11:10.

The traffic was good and the roads clear as we arrived at our destination around 11:50 and found a spot just two blocks away. There was virtually no line out front and we made it inside easily. We breezed through the coatcheck and I made a circuit of the place just as barman Barker made it back to his normal habitat at the front bar. We had our first round and began the night. The DJ for this set was Tony Moran who I had not heard spin since the early summer. The crowd at Roxy came in a steady stream and while the dancefloor was empty around midnight it grew steadily more full as the crowd packed into the place and looked for the next new thing. We were awaiting the arrival of Chris later on that night so we stayed near the front of the bar. After a few drinks I did the meet and greet and saw who was out and about. Chris arrived around 1am with Rob T in tow. Rob appeared to be vibrating he was so happy to be out with the boys but we quickly calmed him down with a good drink. I promised the boys as they were going to go and smoke that I would be waiting in the asian section but on the way said hi to different groups of friends and even saw the boy who performed last Monday at Twist in FL. I did the meet and greet with different entourages and headed into the asian section at a later point to walk up on a speaker and walk around two boys who decided it was time for a love in on the speaker. They were woken up and quickly left but were quickly replaced by some tourist chicken who decided the stage was the place for her to show her flowing tresses but do little in the way of dance. I left them to that and went back to the boys in front and discovered poor Chris coming out of the mens room in his coat. I guess he had been ready to leave but detoured to the bathroom. I did not realize his destination at the time but told him he looked too hot in the coat and brought him back over to the boys at the front bar. About that time Rob T reappeared and motioned that it was time for them to go. I guess 2 hrs is the extent of a night for some. The rest of us still had plenty of party time left so with plenty of waters and even more drinks we proceeded to do just that. In the midst of hanging at the bar I saw the stage alight and realized that the show for the evening had already begun. Deborah Cooper was performing her new song and I made it over to the wall across from the stage in time to see the end of the performance. After she left the stage we were treated to a performance of "Power" by Kevin Aviance, done up in feathers and black. After he was over the stage was kept clear for another 5 minutes but nothing else happened. No CD giveaways, nothing else just darkness and back to the music. I was a little disappointed especially remembering how I had gotten a copy of Peter's CD at his release party at Roxy. I guess they spent all the funds to get Deborah and Kevin and had nothing left to give away a few CDs. I'll wait to see the reviews on Amazon then. A few more circuits of the floor and some more dancing with the boys and then back to the bar for a drink. I had just stepped up towards the bar and then headed straight downward as a spilled drink made for a messy area and my no slip soles were no match for the wet tile. Somehow my slightly inebriated state caused me to curl up faster than I fell and roll forwards so only glancing blows to my knees and then i caught myself on my hands. I was up even faster than I fell but Barker immediately called for the cleaning crew and he made sure I was OK. Off into the party again, I had more fun listening to DJ Tony go all over the place with the party but I will say that the beats were strong and mood was fun as the party moved deep into the night. We finally said goodnight around 4:10 and then made our way up the street, and with the heat of the party keeping us going, to the diner. We headed several blocks up 10th towards the good diner, the one with all the bright lights, and were seated and put in our order in fairly quickly. The burger arrived quickly and tasted heavenly. We finished it up and headed back out into the night. We caught a car on 23rd fairly easily and made our way back home. The sunrise was not for a few hours yet and almost-vampire self did not want to see the sun anytime soon. Off to sleep we go.

Sunday came early around 11 and breakfast was once again delivered. Different football games on television and a slow afternoon. A call from my sis out in rockaway was an invite to dinner and we had something to do for later on. Pais had a mid afternoon nap and I caught up on some reading, finishing up my copy of Magical Thinking. The book is highly recommended by myself and full of just the right brand of self deprecating and ironic humor. Just like I like. We headed out the house at sunset and made our way over to my sister who was hosting a turkey dinner. I finally met the mother in law and said hi to my brother and mother who were over for dinner as well. A light round of chips and dip and deviled eggs followed by the arrival of Nadia and her brood. Plenty of hugs and kisses all around and we hung out and talked about the babies. The house was overly warm with that real good heating that some complexes pump out and we were forced to open multiple windows and leave the door cracked (with chain on). Dinner was good, Turkey, macaroni and cheese, greens, string beans, yams and stuffing. I even went back for seconds. We began watching "Bulletproof Monk" but everyone had to get home before it got too late. Nadia and Roberto said goodnight first and then Pais and I headed out also. I did get to take some cake home with and had some for dessert later. We listened to the new CD in the car but the trip seemed much faster than last time I visited and I guess it was a combination of the completion of the roadwork on the Belt Pkway and time of day. I ate the cake when we got home and had a nice glass of milk. The weekend drew to a close as I watched tv and lounged on the couch. I was happy that I had gotten out and seen so much over the weekend and glad that so many others got to share it with me. There is still a lot to look forward to. Hopefully I will stay healthy and happy enough to keep up with it all. But thats what the calcium, glucosamine-chondritin, milk thistle and mega man vitamins are for.

Bring it then.