Last night I arrived at Thomas's for our ritual Friday Night Dinner® (Just like the Gilmores, only with less judgement) and SciFi channel palooza. I walked in with a canvas bag filled with markers, stickers and index cards. I held it up and exclaimed, "I brought us something to do!" He looked a little worried.
We made Hope Notes that will be distributed to girls living in Rwanda. You can read about how hopeREVO got involved in this here and here.
My friend St. John invited me to Saturday's Diamondbacks game. I like the idea of baseball. It's all American like apple pie, afterall. But every time I go to a game, I forget one thing.
Baseball is so freaking boring.
Seriously, I was nodding off in the first several innings. It is a sport of sitting and waiting for something — anything — to happen. It's like Waiting For Godot only with beer. And rednecks.
Oh and people worried about your eternal damnation.
That being said, what I LOVE about baseball is the over-saturated advertising the minute you step into the stadium. It's everywhere. Normally, I'd balk at this commercialism but I embrace it because it brings me the sheer joyous entertainment known as the Taco Bell Food Fight!
They pick three people and put them in these cumbersome costumes — a taco, a burrito and a Pepsi® — and have to run from one side of the field to the other, sometimes knocking each other over.
I came home early from work because I felt like crap. I self medicated with a vigorous dose of simple carbs, Netflix and then slept it off. I woke up feeling much better.
Homer was in town for work so we went out for pasta.
Serious Soap Opera Face
The pasta was okay but kind of meh.
Homer had some cake. I declined on having dessert since I ate cookies for lunch but I had a taste. It was super chocolatey and moussey.
Our server thought it was weird we were taking pictures of our food. Srsly? She's never seen this before? The internet is filled with people taking pictures of their food.
As we left, she asked if I wanted to take her picture.
The Role of Gladys Kravitz Will Now Be Played by Elliott
Elliott's new favorite activity is sitting in the windowsill and watching the world in his limited view. He's probably watching all the birds around the bird-feeder or my neighbors having sex. Could be either.
I woke up late today. Well, actually I woke up on time but I hit the snooze for about an hour and a half.
Please ignore my dusty car clock.
08:57
You know what's funny? I cook breakfast for myself just about every day. But for the last three months, on the 12th of the month, I've picked up breakfast on my way to work. Weird.
09:29
My work's holiday party is this weekend. We've hired an 80s cover band to play, so we've been asked to contribute embarrassing photos of ourselves from back in the day. Here I am scanning a polaroid taken before senior prom.
I had not intention of going to prom, but three days before I was asked to take this girl from choir. Don't we make such a cute couple?
Can you feel our burgeoning teenage sexual chemistry?
A few observations about this photo:
I grew into my eyebrows.
I'm using more hair gel and hair spray than she is.
That jacket is from the Dynasty collection. White hot!
We are moving our cubes and stuff around so my little silver tree is no longer by a plug. But we've added lots of toys and the Dashboard Diva is performing her Christmas Extravaganza.
Something about this reminds me of Christmas Evie.
I intended to show you lovely pictures of the sushi we had for lunch, but I forgot to put the memory stick back in my camera. Doh! So I took a picture with my cell photo.
No amount of Photoshop can make this look better.
13:01
Walking back to work, we stopped in the Scary Lady Thrift Store across the street, where I saw this little gem.
17:40
I tend to be a little bah-humbugish about the holidays, but I do enjoy seeing this tree in the hallway every day.
17:40
After work, I went to find some new jeans. I lost a little weight this summer and all my jeans are baggy in the ass.
I'm digging these ultra dark ones.
18:52
Next I stopped at SUPER Target. It really is super. I feel its power when I walk inside. A power that compels me to fill my cart and spend my money.
I received an email from Sandy this afternoon. He's in town for a couple of days before heading to Tucson this weekend and asked if I was free. For international bloggers? Of course I am!
We had dinner at Cafe Istanbul which never disappoints. (Mmm..shwarma!) It was great meeting him and learning about his life in Sydney. We'll see each other this weekend at Homer's too.
Has it really been THREE WHOLE DAYS since I last posted? After the blogpostpalooza, I thought I might be on a roll and continue posting daily. But instead (much to the chagrin of a certain someone), I decided to forgo blogging this weekend and enjoy a rare occurrence here in The Valley Of The Sun®.
Rain.
Wet, dark, cold rain. Such a beautiful sight. The sun beats down on us so much here, that we loves us some gloomy weather.
The best part is waking up and hearing it rain outside. Then when it stops, the sun starts to break through, trying to reclaim its territory.
So awesome.
Something else that's awesome, is Patty Griffin's song, Rain.
Kristin and I met Korina and Cara the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. I bought vegetables for a salad I was making to take to Liz and Eric's that afternoon. I didn't get any green tomatoes but ZOMG! don't they look so good?
I love Cara's t-shirt.
Later at Haus Ubersax, everyone took turns holding the baby.
Me: What's up?
Kristin: I can't remember if you are eating healthy or not.
Me: Depends.
Kristin: Well, Aunt Patti made all this food: ham, mac and cheese, dressing, fried green toma...
Me: I'll be right over.
Click.
Fried Green Tomatoes FTW!
I have the best neighbors ever.
And lucky us. We get to store the leftovers at our house.
After participating in the 12 of 12 project last year, I intended to do it more often. And then an entire year went by.
Oh well.
06:34
Further proof of my forgetfulness is that I was supposed to have had blood drawn last week. It kind of slip my mind, so I needed to go today. My doctor's checking my cholesterol, so I had to fast for the test. Any one who knows me, knows that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I was ready to get that blood drawn so I could eat.
07:39
I actually have two of these because she couldn't get blood from the other arm.
I look like a junkie.
08:19
What better way to reward myself for getting my cholesterol checked than by having the BIGGEST FUCKING OMELET. I believe they called it an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink omelet.
09:29
Fridays are publishing days for the site so there is always lots to keep me busy. Brewing tea for iced tea helps.
12:41
Tim and Matt met me for lunch at Fuego Bistro. I love how the lady in back decided to be in the photo as well.
13:18
We split this yummy creation made of bananas, chocolate and walnuts.
Most. Phallic. Desert. Ever.
14:14
I always see self taken bathroom mirror shots on Flickr, but have never taken one until today. (I put the camera on the hand towel dispenser and set the timer.)
15:33
Busy making pretty, pretty for teh intarwebs.
Lately on Fridays, Thomas and I have dinner and hang out but today he is feeling very ill. You should have heard his voicemail. He couldn't say any consonants or breathe. Poor guy.
So I looked in the freezer to see if there was anything I wanted to eat.
17:56
Mmm... Ice. It's what's for dinner.
18:23
A trip to the store was needed.
19:03
Hunger took over and I ripped open a box of Triscuits while driving home. Eating out of a grocery bag in the car just seems so wrong to me. Next thing you know I'll be eating grapes while shopping for groceries and hand the cashier an empty bag at the checkout.
So what's a single gay guy to do on a Friday night?
Today, the mighty sun god decided to be kind to the peoples of Phoenix and give us a reprieve from his balls-stuck-to-the-legs-hot temperatures. (Thank you Wayne for that new descriptor.)
Today was gorgeous! Just the right amount of sun and the right amount of breeze. I just walked outside and a wall of nighttime heat didn't smack me in the face. I need to check the tires on my bike. Me thinks nighttime bike rides are in order. (Don't worry. It has a light on it.)
After being cooped up all summer protected by ice cold A/C and the greatest invention of all time, the ceiling fan, it was such a treat actually WANT to be outside.
Thomas and I took a walk around Tempe Town Lake. Many other people had the same idea. The cutest couple asked us if one of us would take their picture for them. They were adorable.
It's days like these that make the horrendous summers worth it.
I sit with my back to the entrance to my cubicle in the corner. Usually I am listening to my iPod while I work so people are constantly sneaking up behind me. (When I'm working of course. NEVER when I'm reading Mo Rocca's blog. I would never do that.)
So I installed a highly sophisticated security system to alert me of approaching visitors. Here, Korina demonstrates how fine-tuned this surveillance solution is.
Caught in the act!
Now to find some Windex to take care of those fingerprints.
Yesterday Adam and I flew to Portland for the day. We went to the Portland Saturday Market, ate delicious lebanese food, walked around Old Town Chinatown, took lots of pictures at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, shopped for books at Powell's and then went back to the Market to eat vendor food. I even ate an Elephant Ear. (Carbs don't count when you're out of state. Did you not know that?) After all that, we went back to the airport and went back home.
It was an awesome time. I'm completely exhausted and a little sunburned, but I want to do it again.
Today is Kandy's 30th birthday. On Friday, Kristin threw a huge surprise party for her. The biggest surprise was her mother and grandmother flew in from Ohio for the party.
Mom Jeanie, Kandy and Grandma Shammie
Her mom, grandma and aunt cooked all day in Kristin's kitchen and mine making a huge feast for about forty people. There was so much food. And so many carbs.
Mmm...tasty carbs.
The dinner was at my house. Kristin really wanted this to be like the parties Kandy grew up with in Ohio, so the party had theme colors and everyone came dressed in white, navy blue, denim and silver.
Well, almost everyone.
Aunt Patti and Kristin
After dinner, we went next door to Kristin and Kandy's house for the after party. More food, lots of drinks and dancing in the backyard.
The Electric Slide: Bridging the gap between races since 1976.
It was an awesome time and if anyone deserves a huge party like this, it is Kandy. She is an amazing friend and we all love her very much.
I have this box of photos that is in desperate need of sorting. Most of the photos are from high school and college. I was quite the prolific photographer. If only I would have had the skills to warrant such productivity.
At some point, I should probably scan and label these photos. But for now, how about a look at some vintage Brian.
I think we were watching the premiere of
Beverly Hills 90210 when this was taken.
I have absolutely no recollection of this photo being taken. I remember when and where it was taken (senior year in college, spring break, Orlando), but don't remember the photo actually being taken. That wine glass may have something to do with it.
Luckily that lampshade is hiding my mullet. Yes, I had a mullet. It was the 90s. Everyone had a mullet. Or as my friend Kristin likes to say, everyone in Oklahoma had a mullet.
Even though you can't see the mullet — and trust me, you will see it eventually; there are countless photos of its existence — you can certainly see the swinging fashions of the day. Shirt buttoned up to the top. Friendship bracelets. And HELLO! Rolled up jeans!
While we were listened to the 80's music station on cable, head bopping to Wham and Richard Marx, I realized that I think my high school reunion was this weekend. I decided a few months ago not to go. Since moving, I don't really have it in my budget to afford any traveling right now. It would have been nice to see some folks I haven't seen in a long time, but it's also nice to pay for air conditioning since it is 147° outside.
I know this is Pride weekend for many of you. So just for you, I made a very special cookie.
Homer's Non Denominational Boiled Egg Decorating and Backyard Egg Hunt
Winners Glenn, Patrick & Brady with their Non Denominational Baskets
Yesterday was Homer's Non Denominational Boiled Egg Decorating and Backyard Egg Hunt. A Homer party isn't complete with an activity of sorts. It was a fun time. I got to meet a lot of his friends (including the visiting Glennalicious) and got dye all over my fingers. I didn't fare so well in the egg hunt. I think I was fourth from last. Next year, I'll have to employ more of a strategy than "wander around and look for eggs."
Oh my! What a neat and tidy desk drawer. Do you think the bodies are kept in the basement or the freezer?
Let's take a closer look!
In case there was any doubt that this was the drawer of a gay man, one only needs to gaze upon the many health and beauty aids present. A toothbrush and toothpaste. A container of Q-Tips and let's not forget the most important item; because if To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar taught us anything, it was the importance of moisturizing.
And what germ-phobe wouldn't be complete without a travel size can of Lysol®?
Notice the scent is "Soft Powder" or as I like to call it, "Nana".
Dyanna gave me the Make a Wish pin and of course, I must show my love for the AZRD.
And finally to prove you can take the boy out of Oklahoma but not the Oklahoma out of the boy, I present you a wonderful discovery from a local cake decorating store.
Beer can cupcake toppers.
If there is anything more genius in this world than these beauties, I am not aware of it.
I'm waiting for a most auspicious occasion to use these. Like a white trash party or blue velvet cake.
This afternoon, Julie and I cleaned out and separated two closets full of stuff. It's amazing how much useless crap we have accumulated over the years. Magazines we've already read, rolls of gift wrap from holidays gone by, and video tapes of assorted Ally McBeal and Joan of Arcadia episodes. Plus, the greatest video of all, my coveted For Your Consideration tape of the pilot for Felicity, that was actually supposed to be a gift for Julie, but I instead decided to keep it for myself.
Wait a second! Ally, Joan and Felicity? That's right. I'm scheduling my vagina surgery soon.
Any who...while digging through the closet, I found this shiny silver lunch box with a bright red handle.
I had no idea what this was. We had completely forgot about it.
Presenting our emergency preparedness kit for those dire times like when mothers visit or...well, it's only for when mothers visit really.
Yes. That is me from many moons ago. I can't remember how old I was. Probably three or four.
I'm just going to go ahead and say it. Damn. I was a cute kid. Too bad it went all downhill.
When I look at this, I think two things. First, I'd kill to have that hair color. (Hell, I'd love to have that hair, as mine diminishes on a daily basis.) Look how perfect it is. What would you even call that? Auburn? Chestnut?
And secondly, what the hell did my mother dress me in? Is that a plaid tunic? Jeez.
I don't know a lot about my family. I only met my father's father a couple times; once when I was five and another when I was in junior high. He died my freshman year in college. I knew he had a twin brother, but that's it.
Honestly, I've never been that curious about his side of the family, but this weekend Homer was asking me about them. He then put his genealogy hat on and started tracing my family tree. After a few minutes he told me my grandfather's father's name was Speed. Now that's a soap opera name if I ever heard one.
Speed is engaged to marry Dominique but is secretly having an affair with Jasmine who is married to his brother Lujack who is trying to take over their father's, Harlan, international consulting firm.
He found the above photo of my grandfather's brothers. There were nine of them. I'm not sure if he's in it.
Homer also found out my great great great grandfather died fighting in the Civil War. Fighting for the Confederacy.
Yesterday, I decided to tap into my Inner Homer and do a little baking. I bought a green tea muffin mix from Trader Joe's a while ago out of curiosity, but had yet to make it.
I mixed the batter as directed. Let's just say, looks aren't everything.
Ew...Is that Guacamole?
Okay...I admit I didn't follow the recipe totally as directed. I never do. I added a little ground ginger to give it a slight kick and iced them with a lemon glaze and a touch of yellow colored sugar.
Muffin!
They actually taste quite yummy. And don't forget that green tea is chocked full of antioxidant goodness!
