May 28-30 - Accelerating weekend, 0-Wild Mess in 3 days.

The workweek is long and the days seem even longer. I tried listening to mix CDs at work but I can't seem to stay undistracted until I got the others to do some of the phone answering. Able to finally focus on work I was able to get the level down to something acceptable and enable a nice walkout at a reasonable time. I left after 5pm and caught the uptown headed train with Tanya. After debarking at 34th street we walked up to 42nd Street following the crowd and the hordes of people in town for the holiday weekend. After checking on the status of Val in getting down to 42nd we wandered the neighborhood, going up Broadway and checking out the location of the new places and the old all through Times Square. We also took in the billboards, ads and lightshows gracing the front of many a building facade. The many personnel in for fleet week also were in appearance. As well as the tourists holding up vast swathes of sidewalk real estate. We settled on a movie time but after verifying the arrival of Val we settled on a showing at 8:10 to see the movie Crash. We bought our tickets, waited outside for a bit and then headed in 20 min ahead of time to find the theater already plenty full. We ended up seated 5 rows from the screen with our viewpoint fully engaged and ready to see the movie. After the various previews we became engaged in the film. The various storylines and one-liners intertwining until even though you knew what was going to happen you were still plenty shocked over and over again. The movie had a lot of good points and did a good job of showing you that people are different than your first impression and people can learn and change in a very short time. We came out of the movie with plenty to discuss so we headed down the block to Applebees and sat down for a nice dinner. I kept it simple and ordered a chicken wrap and we talked all through dinner about movies, scatterbrained and evil neighbors, cats, the police, and everything else we could cram into our dinner conversation. We finally finished around 12:10 and we walked down to the train station. After we traded good nights I headed downstairs and was able to just catch the Q Train and head back to BK. After switching at Dekalb I took the train back into the slope and got up the street quickly but decided after entering the door at 12:50 that I was in for the night. Pais was already home but ready to go to sleep. I stayed up and played some Neverwinter Nights - Hordes of the Underdark and watched some DVR programming. Once my eyes got heavy I headed on to sleep and got some shut eye.

Saturday morning I woke up at 11am and after messing with the CDs a bit I headed on down the street and worked out at the gym. After witnessing a few arguments over weights and machines I was able to finish up my workout and then head into Neergard pharmacy for some Palmers lip balm before heading back up the street and to the house. After choosing the outfit and cleaning up we were ready to travel. We headed into Prospect Heights to pick up Phil and Kevin and we then headed down Atlantic Avenue on our way to the Belt Pkwy and Freeport LI. The ride was as long as expected but we made very good time with very little traffic. Of course as soon as we arrived at the house the heat of the morning was forgotten and it began to rain. The overcast would stay with us for the rest of the visit. We said our hellos to Ernesto and Gisette but hunger was the forefront of all of our minds so Gisette made sure to cook us up some burgers (sans bread) and enjoy some food before Bill returned with the rolls and some more chairs to fill out the 18 seat table. We hung out both inside and outside (it was cold outside but the food was there too) and we enjoyed plenty of salad, hotdogs and hamburgers. We also tried out the massage chair and watched baseball highlights in between Old standards belted out by our resident crooner Bill. We also hung out with John and Terrance who live right up the block and we all shared various conversations as the day turned into night and we watched Mets game highlights. After the rap CD went bad in the player I headed outside to hang with the majority of those in attendance around the fire-stove in the backyard. We all had some of the chocolate ice cream and cake and watched as the Brooklynites prepared to return home. We said goodnight and then piled into the car with Phil, Kevin and Ven and headed back to BK. We got back even faster than we arrived and after dropping off the boys we headed back home and arrived alive at 11:30.

I was not ready to give up on the night yet and since I had stayed in the night before I was fully primed for a trip out and into the City. After watching some of SNL and the best of Alec Baldwin I headed downstairs and picked up my taxi that had just backed up in front of my building. Once again I headed into the city in a minivan, sitting in the front seat and headed up 4th ave and across the Manhattan bridge. It was at that point we ran into a slight snag as some kind of emergency condition between Broadway and Church streets lead to a slight delay on our cross town route. I finally got up and in front of
Roxy at about 12:35 and waited on a good size line but was able to get up and inside after welcoming back doorman Derek, and heading inside to the cashiers and coat check. I arrived and quickly flagged down Erica as we both picked up our drinks from barman Barker and began the night. I tried not to turbo-drink by spacing it with water and Gatorade and I was definitely taken in by the beats of DJ Hex Hector. Not content to sit back and give us a repeat of his last stellar set he followed the direction of DJ Paulo, Tony Moran and even the last set of Chris Cox and threw the crowd into a frenzy early with high energy beats but definitely made sure we knew the time with his own takes on "Holla back Girl", as well as his already classic, Whitney Houston, M. Jackson and J. Jackson mixes. Along with Duane, Joseph and an assorted cast of hundreds and hundreds the place got plenty crowded and I stayed in attendance until just after 4am before heading home and getting back to BK. I somehow managed to bend my door key getting back into the house and broke the chain attaching my wallet to my pocket on my way into the house but hey, I didn't lose my keys or my wallet so all ends well.

I awoke the next day around 11am and had a nice delivery breakfast but somehow managed to get those darn poisonous home fries, the kind that flavor any other food they come in contact with. I then took the time to take a nice nap and then awaken a little while later so that we could hang out in the afternoon and take a trip down to the storage facility. Of course they happened to be closed for the holiday weekend so we ended up with a car full of printer, camping equipment and toaster oven. We hung out for a bit watching TV and playing on the computer before heading over to Dallas BBQ and picking up a nice dinner of chicken and ribs. We finished that off and then watched some more TV before getting all cleaned up and heading out to a Sunday in the city.

We drove in listening to trance (the SummerSpell CD) and made our way past the very clear streets downtown and up 6th ave. There was no easy parking space to find but the line out front meant I had to get out and get a space while Pais did the parking. The line wrapped around the front of Avalon and around the corner and right next to the courtyard. In between the smokers, chatters and phone cell talkers we slowly made our way to the corner where after a quick call to Pais we re-connected and waited online waiting for the moving line to make its way inside. We were held up at the front for a bit but I knew it was just to keep the entryway clear and we eventually made our way inside and into the party. JB and Beto had done a great job with the promotion cause the place was packed from the start when we arrived at 12:30am. We ran from some horrid smell of some sweaty boy who knew nothing of antibacterial soap nor anti-pespirant deodorant. I thought seriously of calling security and telling them someone was setting off some sort of crowd control device. We escaped up the stairs as there was no space off of the dance floor or at the back bar and I was heading for the bar in the front by way of the upstairs catwalks. On the way across the second floor we ran into Duane and Joseph who was visiting Avalon for the first time. We discovered the price of drinks with red bull (Avalon's own brand) was 10 bucks but we were able to get vodka cranberry for 7 bucks. Anyway it was still more than the advertised 5 bucks but I wasn't about to slash anyone for it. We enjoyed the sounds of DJ Superdave who played a very upbeat vocal set (except for Translantins, Mysteriosa) Including Mariah Carey, Altar, and JLo, We also visited the chapel dancing area and I danced on the poles in the back with some Asian girl to "Real close" and then splitting time between upstairs and downstairs on the main floor. I returned to the back bar and dancefloor to take to the platforms and poles once again but ended up overturning a table and scrambling to make it up top but once I made it up I apologized profusely and then began to dance. Fairly shortly my previous tumult was forgotten and I was able to enjoy dancing to MJ and JJ "Scream". After that it was time to call it a night at 3:50 am and head over to the car just over a block away and back towards the environs of BK. We made it back home nice and easy and we arrived home alive and ready to turn in. Alls well that ended well.

I awoke the next day a little tired but plenty happy. I had some breakfast and then napped away the early afternoon. After waking up again I showed Pais the specs for a Samsung DLP and we were so inspired we headed over to J&R to pick up some new tronics. After viewing the wares we settled on a nice date for delivery and picked up a stand. After various payment issues and getting the car out front we put the stand in the back of the fold down Murano and brought the stuff home. After chilling out the rest of the eve through Chinese delivery and then a quick trip out to Baskin Robbins to pick up some chocolate chip ice cream my 3 day weekend drew to a close. It was all good I think and thankfully only 4 days till next weekend and then a short week before my next vacation.

Despite the high points and low points I did a lot with a lot of different things so I can definitely say it was all good. Until next time, tell me about the fun and I will be there.

May 20-22 - No More Drama, Well maybe just a little...

There are so many ways to have fun with your weekend. I started on Friday night with going to the gym and rushing home to prepare for the evening. I ordered in dinner to make sure I had something to eat and waited watching DVR programming while waiting. After dinner was consumed I then went ahead and cut the hair, washed up, picked up the new wardrobe and prepared to step out into the evening air. Pais arrived home late but decided to stay in as I watched the NBA Finals all the way up until 12am. I left before the Suns beat the Mavs but I did see the updates on my phone on the way in. I had the same cabdriver from two weeks ago, with the remote control doors but this time rode in the front so he wouldn't have to activate. We talked sports and music on the way in and the trip up Hudson street started slow but then speeded up and I was able to get out at 19th street at 12:30am. I walked up to the ATM, withdrew twice and then made my way back down the street to Gym. The place of course was packed and I stopped at the front to pick up a drink from barman Brett before going back to say hello to DJ Smokey. We chatted a bit before I finished off my drink and then I headed back to the front. I hung out with Brett, Demarko, Rick and newly met friends John and Chanel. We hung out for a while discussing work, hanging out and Mariah Carey. As the night grew later we all shared a toast of champagne and then we headed out separate partying ways. I walked to two blocks over to 6th Ave, picked up a bottle of water, drank it down and then headed into Splash. I picked up a drink at the bar downstairs and then headed back upstairs to the beats of DJ Billy Carroll. The place was pretty full of dancing bodies and loud music and I took to the stage for a bit before heading back downstairs to to wait on line on the line for the bathroom. I headed back out and upstairs and hung out a bit with Grace before calling it an evening around 3am and heading back home in a yellow cab. I made back to BK nice and safe and fell asleep nice and easy.

I woke up the next day around 11am and hung out with Pais for a bit before he headed out to play softball in NJ. I stayed indoors watching DVR programming and burning CDs before heading out later afternoon to buy a Big Mac at Mickey D's. Nothing else to do but watch some more DVR programming and play video games but then when dinner was looking like it might be missed I headed around the corner during the early evening Sunny Thundershower while talking to my brother about RE4 on the Gamecube while on my cell. I got back indoors, dried out the umbrella while eating my deli sandwich and watched more DVR programming. I picked out the outfit and cleaned up in preparation for the evening out. Pais and The Jimmy arrived from NJ and Pais cleaned up and changed clothes (Jimmy had cleaned up before even leaving the house in NJ). We headed out around 11:45 in the Murano on the way back into the city.

I had made my decision earlier in the day and decided I could not deal with anything else but the usual high stakes and high energy of my usual Saturday Night, despite my DJ misgivings. I arrived at
Roxy to stand on line for a bit (we miss you Derek) and finally made it inside around 12:25. We took in the crowd and the level of energy that was anything but lacking. DJ Chris Cox was making sure he took off early in the beats and kept on running as we heard everything from Fantasia, to Mariah Carey, and many more crowd pleasing favorites. If anything I enjoyed the energy and the way the crowd was involved almost as much as my memories of the classic room filling days of the hey days of Manny Lehman and Peter from years past. I even chatted a bit with John Blair himself who had read my email with my full roster of DJ under review and asked me if I liked the change of pace (I did). We enjoyed the music far into the night... And then it seemed to go out of control. (of course) Conflicting tales tell of lost drinks, falls from great heights and a slip near the bar or two. Somehow our ragged group made it back home in one peace with no permanent bruises or wounds.

I awoke the Sunday afternoon around 1pm on nice clean sheets and actually pretty awake despite the plea of no-contest to the end of the previous night. After breakfast I spent the rest of the afternoon mixing my latest CD (Beats the Heat) and looking up the sched for the final Star Wars Movie. When the time had reached around 7pm we headed out and into the city to see the movie downtown near the World Financial Center. We found parking on Vesey St rather easily and made our way down the block into the theater for the 8:15 show. We had a bite to eat at the bagel shop next door to the theater and then inside to see the movie. We walked past DSW (want your identity stolen? let's go to DSW!) and then to the very top floor of the theater to see the movie (stairway to heaven). We found some good seats and sat through the previews to watch the beginning of the movie with the Lucasfilm intro (complete with wookie sound effects from the audience). I liked the movie, it was a fitting end to the prequels and I was not as down on the movies as many critics have been but then you don't go to a Star Wars movie for the acting anyway. The special effect were what it was all about and of course to see Yoda kick ass and make it look easy. We got out of the movies around 10:20 and stepped out into the cool air as we made our way back over to the car. I was still hungry enough for dinner so after we made our way back to BK we headed further down 4th Ave and picked up some late night KFC. Of course they were out of all of the bigger pieces of chicken but I was good with just crispy strips and honey bbq wings. The girl of course made the order slightly confusing by thinking we wanted just 2 strips and one honey bbq wing but of course we meant a whole order of each. We got back home to dig in and watched DVR programming of Lindsay Lohan's appearance on SNL. The show was pretty good and we watched E and MTV before turning in for the weekend.

The weekend ended quite well for its range of circumstances and no one broke any bones either. I think I will have to make some changes in the levels of alcohol in my upcoming weekends, especially as I get ready to go on vacation with my family. More sleep and more hydration are definitely necessary. Especially on the level to which me and mine go to when the party has arrived and in full force. I have barely escaped certain harm so many times and I'm sure I will continue to do so but only if I do my part to not be a bad example of the one that let the party send one to the grave. (ha ha!) I don't really think things are that serious but I definitely want to have the full level of enjoyment of the festivities for as long as I can.

May 13-15 - Too many castmembers and not enough Play, well maybe the next day.

Friday night sneaks up on us again. Totally necessary, never enough time to get fully ready but always plenty of fun anyway. I broke out of work like it was the races but still far too late to be able to go to the gym. I instead came straight home and made it to the house. With nothing else on hand I returned outside and went to the chicken place down the lane. After looking over the menu I decided that the least greasy thing was the grilled chicken, which ended up being grilled to within an inch of its life, but still tasty and some rather average fries. Pais returned home shortly with his own crew in tow, Bruce and Phil who hung out watching sports, and then watching Deadwood on HBO so long that they all ordered pizza (half pepperoni and half mushroom) and then when it was finally time to say the goodbyes I caught a ride with Phil into the city. Dropped off Bruce and then got dropped off myself just as the first full drops of rain began to fall. Since it wasn't a full on downpour and I was wearing my jacket it was not all bad, but I still had to get to the ATM (4 blocks uptown) and then back again (4 blocks downtown) before heading into GYM. Hung out with the doorman and his fellow doorman for a bit talking about the week so far and work and then I headed inside to say hi to David who was on his way out and Barman Brett. Drink in hand I headed to the back bar and conversated with DJ Smoky and his friend Scott about the bar crowd and the upcoming summer. I split my time between the DJ area and the front bar before wishing everyone a goodnight and then heading over 2 blocks toward the dance club. I stopped for a bottled water at the pizza place, dodged the customers inside and then the taxis crossing the street. I was waved inside by the doorstaff and then paid off the cashier. Once inside Splash I headed downstairs and picked up my first Smirnoff Ice on ice. I headed upstairs walked up to the DJ booth and said hello to Liz and her gfriend. For some reason every time I tried to remember her name the next day I kept on thinking Liz which was not correct but I am sure I will remember the correct name shortly. However we did chat quite a bit about the music, the evening and looking forward to more of the same as coming attractions. I headed back outside to get myself another bottle of water and ran into Grace. We said hello and then began taking about the people out and about and the party animatedly enough that the doorstaff asked us to move over a bit. I continued onto get my water while she headed inside. I caught up with her upon my return inside and we then headed upstairs to dance to the music. As DJ Eliot Dehoyos put on the dub mix of "Lola's Theme" I took my turn up on the speakers, ignited the short light ribbons and danced on the speakerbox in-front of the screen. Afterwards I returned shortly to the DJ booth and proved to the girl in the booth that I did remember her name (at the time, silly me) and then returned to dancing on the stage. Around 3:15 I decided I had reached my limit and I said my goodnights and headed outside to the waiting taxi. I managed the getting home quite easily, enunciating my driving directions to the cabbie as clearly as I could manage and ended up back in BK fairly quickly. I made it upstairs and quickly asleep in short order too.

Saturday I awoke to an arriving breakfast delivery and enjoyed some bacon and eggs. I watched some MTV, played some video games on the PC and then cleaned up to prepare to go out. Pais had already left to go play softball and I had to do my athletic upkeep as well, at the gym. Instead of going to the always busy NYSC in Park slope I endeavored to take the train. However, that did not work out too well as station was closed. I figured the station at 9th would be fine so I set off walking down 4th ave until I got to the next station. Of course that one was closed to but since I was at 9th I lined up the alternate route of the F train and took that instead of the R. I switched at J street to the A train and then headed into the city until I got off at the Chambers street station. I walked out of the station at Park Place and headed over to J&R to buy a replacement set of headphones, as the ones I had picked up at fye were substandard, (liable to crackle when moved). I settled on a nice pair of $20 Sony with the little earnub on the in-ear design that actually worked out well and so far have been most gorgeous to listen to. Before I could go to the gym however I had to pick up another locker lock as I had forgotten my lock at home once again. A detour to Duane Reade and then a few minutes spent outside on the sidewalk figuring out how to set it and then I was ready to head into the gym and start the working out. I locked away my stuff and made it upstairs and was able to accomplish a nice little workout in just over an hour. Feeling good about myself I walked out of the gym ready to do some more shopping and headed over to Wendy's to get something to eat. I picked up a single, fries and a soda and was even offered a free shake but turned the lady down as I had just come from the gym. After lunch I walked over to the Vitamin Shoppe and picked up my next month or so supply of various supplements. As the day was warm I left the gym pants in my shopping bag and made do with just the shorts. After the short but necessary shop, I walked down to the train station and caught the subway back home with far less drama than the trip in. I made it home easily and chilled out the rest of the afternoon messing with the computer and watching TV. Pais returned from softball, having won both games, and had picked himself up some McD on the way home. After a little more TV I settled down for a nap and chilled out a while. I woke up with plenty still to do so I headed into the bathroom did the obligatory hair trim and then showered up so I could put on the evenings fresh wardrobe. I had to rip apart the laundry delivery bags to get out the freshly cleaned pants but it was worth it to put on freshly laundered pants and rip the tag off the shirt to complete the outfit. Jimmy arrived with Chris and we chilled for a bit watching sports on TV before heading out into the night and jumped into the Ford Explorer for the ride into the city. Dodging potholes and bridge traffic we made it into the city in short order. We even crossed over to the West side with little drama besides dodging raised potholes and we were heading up the West side of West St in no time. We were able to find a parking spot right next to the construction site and then we headed over to wait on line in front of Roxy. There was a small line and doorman Derek was not even in attendance but the stand in was still nice and made sure we were all ready for entry before we headed in and made our way past the cashiers. I was the only one who had worn a jacket but once inside I ended up buying a copy of Manny's Freedom CD set and had to put it with my coat anyway. It was all good and evening was started nicely. After we said our hello's to barman Barker we headed around to the back to look over the place and watched it slowly fill as the boys all wanted to see who could get there later. Of course it was no where near as late as the boys get when they go to Spirit but that was another story. The place was plenty full in short order and I walked the boys up to the front as they went to go outside to smoke. The front area was closed as they were fixing some kind of collapse from the neighboring parking lot but we were able to go to the back of the club and go down the stairs and hang out outside. Thankfully it was not raining or the boys would have been downright bedraggled but it was a lot different than that narrow hallway and the awning on the other side, this was right on the street! Anyway we hung out all around the place and I missed seeing JB himself as I guess i was just in a different part of the club than he was for most of the early night. I did see Beto though but since he was not the one who had replied to my email I decided to wait until next time. DJ Manny Lehman definitely gave the boys plenty of vocals to keep the boys interested but the evening was missing a little bit of the spark until later in the evening when he Jamie Sanchez and "Stroke" and then later the obligatory full on remix of Shape:UK. I was on the stage for that one with plenty of competition for space but with no competition for energy and usage of that space. Anyway I ended up dancing not just on the stage but on 4 of the boxes around the club, including the one across from the stage and the one right near the door. I was having far too much fun and the energy really picked up later as I had to make sure the boys kept up and did their fun to stay in the fun as well. Finally around 4am we grabbed up Chris and myself and Pais headed out and into the night. The two of them quickly flagged down a taxi and we headed home with no stress whatsoever. Back in Bk we made sure everyone was bedded down comfortably and called it a night.

I awoke the next morning to give Chris driving directions back to the highway and the environs of LI and then promptly went back to sleep. Pais ordered breakfast while I was sleeping and it was waiting for me when I finally dragged myself out. We spend the afternoon watching basketball and DVR programming (Sat Night Live) and late in the afternoon picked up some KFC to munch on. Early evening found me napping but I woke up later on to watch the Simpsons and then Family guy and American Dad. I spent the rest of the eve playing Neverwinter nights (finally finished it, but now its Shadows of Undretide to keep my busy, oh well). Anyway the weekend wasn't half bad and it finally seems to be warming up enough. Soon to be shorts and sleeveless weather I guess. Anyway I think I am going to have to start taking notes in my phone. Or at least use it for audio msgs. I am carrying the thing around I might as well act brainy with it.

Until next weekend, esp since I do not want to go to another party with DJ C. Cox. We will see...

May 6-8 - Too much week, just enough weekend and Mother's day too.

All between weekends I just want the weekend to be here again and then when its here I want to live and enjoy every minute. There is no way that 2 days can hope to compete with the weight of the other five but one can try to make sure that they do a good job with what you can work with.

On this particular week my workweek was just chugging along nicely all under control and nice until Friday hit and messed all of that up with a ridiculous number of expedites, arguments, threats, and emergency meetings followed by phone calls to management. Anyway I was finally able to escape from it all by 8:20 and be on the train ride home and in BK in short order. Dinner arrived quickly but I didn't rush but nicely consumed the meal and then delved into some CD Mixing before the later hour of 11 rolled around. Pais wasn't going to be going out so I would be out on the town alone but all was still good with a nice cab ride at 12:10am. The ride into the city was a little different, I had a livery minivan with an automatic door and bucket seats. The bass was a little oppressive but I lived with it and arrived in town in style and with a walk a few blocks in the rain to the ATM I was awake and ready to have my first drink. Of course Gym was crowded and I after saying hello to David in the front I got a drink from barman Brett and then headed to the back to hang with DJ Smoky and give him a pair of gift CDs (the latest chillout mixes). In between the back and front I went. Hanging with the boys, giving Brett a copy of the CD too and discussing sports with the guys hanging out and just having a good time. Brett ended his eve and was on his way to go to JVasquez and his party named "relentless" which was supposed to be a night of classics (when have we heard that before). I decided to save my $30 bucks and just head over two blocks where I knew I would enjoy the music and have an easier time finding a taxi home. As 1:25 rolled around I barhopped and made my way two blocks over to pick up a bottled water at the pizza place and then on into
Splash. I said hi to the doorman made my way to the coatcheck and then got over to the bar to the bartender (who kept me waiting a little because he was busy, but I can wait) and then headed upstairs to dance on the stage and then the box in front of the stage. DJ Alex Lauterstein was making sure the mood was all beats and music as the bar upstairs was warm with dancing fever and filled with happy party people. I stayed in attendance, splitting my time between upstairs and down and one more turn outside to get another bottled water. I finally left around 4am and got home fairly quickly, the driver very good at following directions and I arrived safe and sound and shortly was all cleared up and asleep.

Saturday was started just after noon with some more time playing games on the PC and then heading out to the gym (after charging my forgotten ipod battery) and went to the gym here in Bk instead of heading into Manhattan because of the charging delay. The gym in BK stays open later but has more people and more people who feel they are the only ones going to the gym. I waited for 3 different machines at different parts of the workout but didn't let it get to me too much. I finished up the workout and headed up the street to the Barnes and Noble to pick up a few books and comic graphic novels and then noshed on a steak soft taco on the way back home. I picked up 2 bottles of soda and was ready for Pais when he returned from his softball game and italian dinner was ordered and devoured after it arrived. I was finished with it by 9am and I was ready to start cleanup and wardrobe preparations for later. I started with the haircut I had not completed the day before and then showered, cleaned up, dressed up and hung out for a bit watching news and sports highlights. The Jimmy arrived at 10:30 and we watched the highlights of the Kentucky Derby while listening to "So Long" on my newest Techno mix CD. We left the place at 11:10 and got into the city nice and easy and found a parking space right underneath the elevated train overhang on 20th st.

We walked over and found a nice size line in front of the space while doorman Derek explained to the boys (and girls) that since the place was about the boys that the girls in the party could not outnumber the boys in the party as it would kind of defeat the purpose of the party. But regardless the line moved along and we were waved inside, handstamped, wristbanded and cashiered before reporting to coatcheck and then on to the inside of the Roxy. DJ Chad Jack was pumping out some high energy beats and was recalling some of the past 2 weekends of tribal and tonal tech beats with some recognizable mixes thrown in so the boys wouldn't wander. At first I was left waiting for when the first moment would appear but then he played an as yet unheard mix of Kelis and "Milkshake" that had the boys shouting and jumping for more. Once that song was over I released the speaker next to the stage and returned over the front as I hung out with the boys near the bar. We hung out near the door, near the back, in the section in front of the DJ booth and even caught some air outside as we hung out with Dwayne and friends, avoided the truly toxic peeps and made sure to keep it moving. We said hello to quite a few and danced in multiple spaces as the beats just kept coming fast and furious and we were just there to keep up and take it there. We finally left at 4:21 am and headed up the street to the Empire Diner. A nice burger, a nice way to end the eve and then we went outside and caught a taxi right back to BK. Nighty night.

Sunday, by the time I woke up Pais was already having lunch with his Mom and Sis and I was watching sports while playing video games in the early afternoon. I made myself a turkey sandwich and chilled out waiting for the afternoon to chug by. Pais was back and taking a nap while I was reading the news and seeing what else was up for the eve when I looked at the clock and woke Pais to make sure we would be in time for dinner. I had cleaned up earlier in the afternoon and finally finalized the wardrobe right before we left. I was glad after I got outside that I had settled on such a thick shirt since the Sunday eve had a nice chill to it. We headed into the city and found a parking space in Soho on the wrong side of Broadway as we then had to walk crosstown almost to 6th Avenue before crossing the street and finding Fiamma. The Maitre'd did not have the reservation name on the list but we sat down at the bar as Pais ordered a glass of wine and I had the house mixed in a martini glass. It was actually very good and shortly behind us we had the rest of the dinner party, Emily, Seymour and Sylvia. After they cleared up the reservation issues we were quickly shuttled upstairs to our table and sat down very comfortably and then pored over the very intriguing and very upper level menu. Not that the food was pricey but the words describing the ingredients were definitely of the ten dollar variety. We were also surprised that our table staffer for the eve was none other than Lisi who we had met before with Bruce and Jodi both at the baby event and on our trip to Vegas. She made sure our food choices were up to snuff, our by the glass wine was good, and even made sure we had great extra plate of appetizer and at the end, a ice cream soda dessert. We had various dinner conversations covering family, politics, the coming summer, going to the gym and diet. The food was great, from the appetizers, the entrees and the desserts were excellent. I would definitely recommend the place when trying to impress with great european cuisine. At 10pm we were back outside and taking our overland trek to the car and finding it rather easily. We rode back home listening to the latest techno mixes and got home fairly quickly. We watched some tv and I watched some DVR programming and then late in the night it was time for bed.

Another weekend over but once again, we have learned and made it into more than it started out to be. It's always nice when a plan comes together and it all occurs as planned. The unplanned can still be anticipated and then we deal with that too. I am trying to make time to write my book (and my blog). Maybe after I finish this video game, mix my newest CDs, finish my Garageband lessons and watch my DVR programming and see some of my DVDs and newest films out now. And keep it all up at work as the week seems to be leaving me with less and less energy for my weekend. Well if anyone can juggle while burning the candle at both ends while dancing it would have to be the one that is. writing. this. Oui?

Apr 29-May1 - Visions in the dark and always time for shopping.

The week slowed down at a well controlled and well deserved pace. I was able to get out just after 7 and head into the city and get to the gym. At the gym a little earlier than usual I was able to get in the full workout without rushing and get back to the house to clean up and get ready for the weekend. The steak, spinach and potatoes was all good and I watched a little television before the final preparations. We had a short visit from Ernesto who regaled us with tales of life on Long Island. He hung out for a little while and then headed out with a new gift CD in hand before it got to late with the drive back. Shortly afterwards the Jimmy arrived and we watched weather highlights and other television before heading out at 11:25 and making our way into the city.

The usual city traffic in the damp was in effect but we made it up Hudson street and into the environs of Chelsea in good time. We even found a parking space not 2 blocks away on the very avenue and walked up to the slowly thinning crowd in the still very packed place. Pais and I held onto our coats inside as the coatcheck was once again closed. However after our first drinks under our belt I felt warm enough to walk back outside and leave our coats in the car so we would not be loaded down with them for the stay in the bar. We hung out with barman Brett, Tony and David and I also chatted a bit with the doorman and DJ Smoky. We hung out for a little while but around 1:15 we were heading out into the night and bar hopping. We found a parking spot just down the street and made our way into
Splash amidst much noise and fanfare inside. The place had its normal high energy amid wide swaths of darkness and we headed downstairs to coatcheck and to get our drinks at the downstairs bartender. On one of my trips back upstairs to dance I ran into Ayinde just arriving. We picked up more drinks downstairs and hung out back and forth splitting time between floors as the night continued far into the fun and past 4am. We walked out around 4:10 and caught a taxi home with no trouble. Another Friday under wraps.

Saturday I awoke just after 11am with a little bit of hunger but with an apple and an orange eaten and some juice I was able to sit and watch cartoons from the DVR without being distracted. Pais was already out having woke up to no rain on the ground in the morning and having to play a double header out on Randall's Island with another split win with the opposing teams. He picked up cheeseburgers at Lindo's on the way home and I ate that before deciding that I would take the Macy's discount I had picked up in NJ and use it to see what was available in the big Macy's on 34th Street. I left Pais napping and headed down the street to catch the local train and switched to the express at Pacific/Atlantic to get uptown fairly quickly. I headed into the Macy's and stopped off in the menswear section before heading upstairs and checking out the outfits for summer before stopping at the fragrance counter and picking up some Aqua di Gio before heading back into the street. The dryness in my mouth due to lack of water reminded me that I needed more mints before heading out at night and ended up on an hourlong trek for mints at 2 different Duane Reade drugstores and even Kmart before giving up on the city and taking the train back into BK to stop at Target to find my sugarless Altoid mini-mints. In between my different store appearances I spoke with Ian and with Nadia by cellphone and after Target, even though I missed the Vitamin Shoppe, I was able to transfer to the bus and ride back home in short order in time for dinner. The Penne a la vodka and grilled chicken before 9pm and I finished off my latest chill out CD (Cool Me All Over).

We had decided after picking up the invite (and after some urging from Brett) that we would try out Spirit (in the former Twilo space) and see what DJ Peter Rauhofer was up to in his new digs. We lucked out with a parking space just 2 blocks over and made our way to the club but needed help from the invite to nail down the address (no sign outside, just the awning with the number). Once inside we stepped into the dark and rather close indoors to some very laid back and not rousing beats at all. Of course Peter was not there when we walked in and even though he came on the boards around 12:30 the music still was no reason to get excited sounding far too out of place with the boring yellow blow up beach balls hanging from the ceiling and the nearly empty dancefloor with the no rhythm sole shirtless boy on the floor not enough to lift the mood. Feeling antsy and uninspired by the slow influx of random people into the space I decided to salvage what I could of the night and head out to the coat check, find out which line to stand on and then headed out into the downpour to find the car after a walk through the park. We were prepared to pay for parking but ended up finding a spot just 2 blocks over and walked right up to the front to say hi to Derek at the door (better late than never) and turn up at the party at Roxy at 1:45. We bumped into Duane and pals as soon as we stepped up into the party and picked up drinks with Barman Barker shortly afterwards. The beats being thrown down by DJ Tony Moran was much more upbeat and great sounding than the more depressed supposed b'day party back at Spirit. I immediately clicked with the music was soon drawn into the flux of the party and ended up dancing on multiple stages and boxes. The performer Jody Watley had cancelled but I just viewed it as more dancing time for me and all of my friends agreed too. We especially like the remix of "Holla back Girl" by Gwen Stefani (as the song goes, that's my sh*t) . We ended up staying well past the cutoff and enjoying the sounds until it was time to head back home.

I awoke around 1pm in the afternoon and spent the afternoon playing video games and watching tv programming until it was late enough to begin dinner preparations. I cooked a turkey breast, stuffing, and macaroni and cheese. We spent the evening watching The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad before going back to the video games and using up the final hours of my night just chilling. Another weekend almost lost to the blur but saved by a little strangeness and a lot fun once again. Until next time, oh so far away. like a whole 5 days...