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Hello I'm Rich Brown and this is my personal website and blog. I'm just your simple, average, down to earth, professional, out gay man and aspiring circuit boy, living in Phoenix, Arizona with a few things to say while trying to find my place among all the scary, conservative, religious nuts in this sick and twisted world.
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Thursday, February 16, 2006 |
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Exactly 2 Months To the White Party
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Yes that's right only 2 months to the day. For those of you unfamiliar to what I'm talking about, it's Jeffrey Sanker's White Party in Palm Springs.
It's one of the largest Circuit events in the country and is held every year over Easter Weekend in Palm Springs. The White Party Palm Springs is put on by Jeffrey Sanker Entertainment and draws thousands of Gay Boys from all over the world to participate in probably one of the most quintessential examples of a Gay Tribe meeting that can be found. It's been going on for 20 years now and although I've heard many stores from friends who have attended I've never actually gone myself. That is until this year. We booked the hotel last weekend and are getting tickets this weekend!
 I have to say I'm really excited about going. Justin and I currently are planning on driving out to Palm Springs with Mark & Andrea (Since it's only about a 3 hour drive), and meeting up with our friend Bernard, who will be in from San Francisco, and our friend Philip, who will be in from The OC. Even Bruce and Tracy said they may be going, which would be great. I'd even like to try and convince The P.B.Loco Boys (Keith and Anthony) to take a weekend break from the store and head out as well. It will be a first time for all of us, and we're really excited and looking very forward to it.
Needless to say, Justin and I have restarted hard back at the gym and are now putting ourselves into a vigorous routine to get us in much, MUCH better shape before the party. Because this event is pretty much a shirtless event throughout the weekend, I need to be able to feel comfortable in taking off my shirt. Two months isn't going to be as much time as I would like, but it's going to have to do. I did a crash workout routine before I headed out to San Francisco for a party 2 years ago and was able to cut down pretty quickly, so hopefully I'll be able to pull it off again.
Anyway I just can't express how excited I am for this event. It's something that I've been wanting to do for a few years now, and it's finally going to be a reality. I'm also really happy that I'm going to be able to share this with Justin and my best friends. I'll make sure to take my camera and plenty of batteries to hold me over for the weekend, so that I can share our experience with the rest of you. Have a great week everyone!
P.S. If you want to know more about the White Party and check out some of the Gallery Photos from previous years, check out Jeffrey Sanker's Website with the event information at http://www.jeffreysankerpresents.com/wp0406.phpLabels: P.B.Loco, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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Sunday, February 12, 2006 |
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Barb & T.C.'s 20th Anniversary Party
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Yesterday was a very special party for my friend Barb & T.C. They are celebrating 20 years of being together this year. Their anniversary wasn't exactly this weekend, but they thought it would be a good idea to have a party the weekend before valentines day. It's such an inspiration for us all to see two people still be so committed to each other and so much in love after 20 years.
   
Barb (Tan Jacket) & T.C. (Grey Sweater) have been friends of ours ever since we were all introduced a few years ago. When my longtime college friend Don met his now wife Kris, we were introduced to a whole new circle of friends.
It was a beautiful day outside and the party was an outside evening party hosted by Don and Kris at their house since they have the largest back yard of us all.
 
There was plenty of great food, people and most importantly alcohol. Actually it was a very classy setup all the way from the shrimp to both fire pits.
 
As usual, Don & Kris (left) did a wonder job as hosts. Adam & Rebecca (right) stopped by as well to celebrate. Adam just found out about my blog last night and threatened me with harm if I didn't post a photo of them on it. LOL. Here you go Adam, now you're famous.
 
 
The Gang (Me, Justin, Andrea & Mark) and Mark & Andrea hanging out next to the fire.
 
Justin hanging out by the fire (since it was a chilly 50 degrees), and Me hanging out by the bar (where else would I be?)
Anyway, it was a fun time, and was nice to get out, hang out with some friends and celebrate a very special occasion. Happy 20th Anniversary Barb & T.C., I can't wait until the 40th anniversary party.
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Friday, February 10, 2006 |
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Where Have We Gone Wrong?
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I just got back from lunch with Justin. At the deli we went for lunch, the radio was tuned to a talk station and the two male hosts were talking about Wayne Gretzky and this whole gambling scandal. I can't get this simple question out of my mind ... Where have we gone wrong in society? Now my point with that question is perhaps not what your thinking but rather something completely different. Basically, who gives a shit about Wayne Gretzky, his wife or anyone else with this whole gambling scandal. It seems like that's all the news, radio and tv have concerned themselves with lately. Hello, we still have young men and women dying in Iraq and other domestic issues that no one seems concerned with anymore. Are we such an ADD society that we can't focus on one thing without being distracted by a single shiny object. It just frustrates me to no end that this is even being made newsworthy and talk radio worthy. Get a clue, lets talk about the real issues.
Ok on a lighter note, I haven't posted any decent photos lately because, well I've been busy and haven't taken any, but you know that already right? Here are a couple I snapped the other day.
Check out how green my lawn is, but look across the street at how green my neighbor's is NOT. I rock, I want the green thumb award in the neighborhood. You have to love winter lawn in Arizona, it looks better then summer.
Berger sitting in the back of my Xterra. Justin and I went to grab a bit to eat the other day and took him along for the ride.
Just for the record it's going to be in the upper 70's for the next week or so here in Phoenix. I just spoke to my Mother and it's getting ready to snow between 6-12" back in Philadelphia. So as you can imagine, I just don't miss being on the east coast these days. I'll be thinking about the rest of you while I'm outside doing yardwork in my shorts and t-shirt this weekend with Berger. :-P
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Sunday, February 05, 2006 |
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When Does Blogging Become A Chore?
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I've been thinking about this subject for the past few days now, but yesterday was when it really hit home for me. I finally had a chance to sit for a few minutes and get caught up on my blog reading, something that in itself has become quite an overwhelming task at late, and after reading through several of my bookmarked blogs I came to realize that many people are either on blogging hiatus or simply ending it all together. I can certainly understand when people take some time off or a break from blogging since I frequently do so myself and can appreciate that others too are busy living their lives, however what I don't understand is when people just quit blogging all together, cold-turkey, like it was an addiction. Perhaps it actually was an addiction and it's just my inability to fully comprehend that fact.
I do however feel that sometimes that blogging can become a chore. Everyone knows that you're never truly obligated to do anything in this life, especially writing when you don't feel like it, but at least for me it's sometimes this imaginary mental chain that's pulling on me letting me know that I really do have an obligation to both myself and the people that read my blog to get back to it frequently and maybe even post something sarcastic or witty. Like I've said a hundred times in the past, I don't write for anyone else but myself, but we all know that deep down that's a lie. It may have started that way for me and that still holds true for the content, but do I strongly believe that once you start blogging and you create a community of people who communicate with you, read what you have to say and take some small guilty pleasure in being a voyeur in your life, you do have somewhat of an obligation to them and yourself to continue what you started.
I guess a good analogy for me would be comparing having a blog to yard care. A neglected blog is not too much unlike a neglected lawn. Now while in some communities it may be perfectly acceptable to let your yard get out of control and never tend to it, for most this isn't the case. Even though some weeks you don't feel like doing the yard work and you have a little leeway on how far you can let it go, you still have somewhat of an obligation to your neighbors and yourself to eventually get back to it and maintain it. This holds true with being a blogger. It’s a social responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I believe that everyone always has good intentions when they startup a blog, but they sometimes don't realize that like everything else, it requires time, commitment, persistent dedication, and the realization that you’re putting your life out there for everyone else to see and criticize. Some truly forget that fact, pour their emotions and dirty laundry out like water and then want to take two steps back. A small word of advice for my fellow bloggers, if you don't want it to be public knowledge, don't put it on your blog and please tell your friends not to put it on their blogs!
Anyway, I’m rambling on here. Like I said, I can understand that blogging is a chore sometimes but for those of you that think about quitting, instead of taking the easy way out take some time off and get back to it later, you’ll be glad you did in the end. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years now and even though it’s sometimes been difficult for me to find things to write about and I’ve taken some really long breaks, I’ve never stopped posting and I’m proud of that. I enjoy going back to look at my life, the good and the bad, because it’s my life and it’s always something to read, enjoy and learn from.
I'd love to hear from some of you 400 daily readers on what you think about blogging being a chore, especially those of you that also have blogs as well.
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Blog Privacy
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I read someone's blog yesterday that went on hiatus purely from the fact that he felt he had no privacy. Not from the fact that he posted every small detail of his life, but from that fact that some of his friends and acquaintances who were also fellow bloggers didn't know the line between confidential friendly conversation and public information sharing. That's somewhat of a shame that this person has to stop blogging since the real problem is not with his disclosure but rather with his friends’ disclosure. He needs to have 'the conversation' with his friends and make it clear that what's said offline in private stays in private. Ok, ok, I know you're all probably thinking that I'm a hypocrite on that because I do sometimes post some scandalous photos and videos of my friends, but trust me, when I'm told something in private, or asked to not post something I don't. My friends know they can always count on me to post the funny photos of both them and myself, but that I will always filter out anything that was not meant to be seen or heard by others.
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Saturday, February 04, 2006 |
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My Interview On Best Gay Blogs
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I forgot to post the other day that I had a personal interview about myself and my blog posted on Best Gay Blogs. Thanks to the boys over there for asking to add me to their 'In Depth' section with all the other much better bloggers.
Click this image to visit Best Gay Blogs and read my interview ...
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Still Alive But Lost In the Bathroom
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Once again I was informed that I needed to post because my blog was getting pretty boring. Hell don't you think I know that? Hello. I've been so swamped with work lately that I haven't had much personal time at all. That means no reading, no writing, no sex, and worst of all ... no drinking. This just isn't good because my liver's going to get the wrong idea here and think it can take a vacation for a while. Seriously though I've had no fucking time at all. I probably even look all haggard and disheveled from lack of sleep so it's probably a good thing I haven't had time to go out, I wouldn't want to scare the old people and young children away from the bars.
Here are 2 photos I just took of my haggard, tired self with my web cam while I was sitting here writing this post ...
 
Hello can you say bags under my eyes? Talk about baggage. LOL.
I will say that all work, and no sleep leads to some interesting daydreams though. Let me give you an example of that. In my office the men and women's restrooms are right next to each other. Last week I walked into 'a' restroom on my way to a meeting. I stepped up to one of the urinals and proceeded to relieve myself. This entire process was amazingly robotic in nature, because I was so completely engrossed in deep thought about a process I was working on. About midway through urinating I stopped my brain for a second, looked around, cringed and thought 'HOLY SHIT ... it's bright in here ... I think I walked into the women's restroom by mistake!' I looked around to make sure no one noticed me in there and quickly finished up at the urinal. Notice I said urinal here. Anyway as I quickly zipped up my pants I finally did come back to the realization that indeed I was in the right bathroom because I don't think they usually put urinals in the women's restroom. Man I'm turning into a damn nutcase.
Otherwise my life is going great. While yes I'm working a lot, yes I'm tired and yes I have no social life, I'm not really complaining about it because hopefully in the near future all of this will be changing. Trust me when I say there's a reason for the madness right now, I just can't get into it yet.
Justin and I will have some time tomorrow evening, so perhaps we'll finally venture out again with some friends. I told Tracy and Bruce to give us a call if they were going out. I'd also love to see the PB Loco boys again, since we haven't spent any time with either Anthony or Keith since they opened up the PB Loco cafe in December. I guess it's just one of those times for us all. Who knows.
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