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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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Podcast #3: WP06 Thoughts and Dance Music
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This is my longest podcast yet, but no fear, it's not all me talking. I spend a few minutes sharing some of my feelings, and then play some music. Check it out, at least the first two minutes of it, it might make you laugh and you may actually gain a little more insight into the mind of Rich Brown.
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Number: Podcast #003
Topic: WP06 Thoughts and Dance Music
Size: 28.5 MB
Duration: 20m 17s
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Click the icon above to listen to the MP3. Cheers!
UPDATE MAY-6-2006 :
Due to some requests from listeners, the song names in this podcast are:
Song 1 - Look on the Floor (Angel City Remix) by Bananarama
Song 2 - S.O.S. (Chris Cox Remix) by Rihanna
Song 3 - Dont U Want My Love feat Debbie Jacobs Rock by DJ Abel
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White Party 2006 Part 5: The Climax After Hours
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Well with the White Party 2006 sadly coming to an end we headed back to the hotel so we could hit up the Climax After Hours Party. We got back to our rooms shortly after 5 AM, changed and headed straight down to the ballroom.
Believe it or not, I'm actually not going to post any photos from the Climax After Hours because I didn't take any that turned out, and we didn't end up staying that long anyway.
The ballroom was very crowded, extremely dark and the music was a little harder then I really liked. By this point in the evening Justin and I were completely exhausted from only 4 hours of sleep since Thursday night, so we stayed for just over an hour before deciding to call it. We said goodnight to Bernard and Philip and left around 7 AM to head back to our room and attempt to catch 3 hours of sleep before the next event, the pool party, which was scheduled to start with the thumpa-thumpa of the dance music outside of our room promptly at 10 AM. After all we really needed to get a few hours of sleep if we intended on making it to the Sunday Pool Party, the Sunset T-Dance from 3 PM -10 PM and then the Closing Party from 9 PM - 8 AM.
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT POST]Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Justin Chanley, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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White Party 2006 Part 4: The Official White Party
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Well here is was, Saturday Night, the eve of the Palm Springs White Party 2006. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the White Party, it's basically the main event and mid-point of the weekend. The entire weekend revolves around this one night and this one party.
The White Party has always been tied to Easter Weekend and was started by Jeffrey Sanker as a small party, eventually growing to become one of the largest Circuit Parties on the West Coast. This year marked the 17th year for the Palm Springs White Party. The main point of the party is simply a celebration of friends, music and community. It's almost a gay ritualistic, tribal event, where nearly everyone dresses from head to toe in white. Some outfits are simple, while others are so ornate that the wearer must have spent several months before the party on it's design and creation.
The Palm Springs Convention Center, which is directly connected to the Wyndham Hotel, was the host location of the White Party. We arose from our 2 hour disco nap around 9 PM to shower and get ready. Once we were all finally ready and dressed in our white wardrobes we walked outside and headed around the back of the hotel to the convention center. The doors opened at 9 PM and we arrived just as the main room opened at 10 PM and the party officialy started.
As soon as we walked in we ended up running into a few friends from Phoenix including Bruce and Tracy. It was a very surreal experience to look around and see everyone in White.
 
 
 
As you can see from the photos, my friends and I chose the simplistic route with our outfits. Dressed completely in white, and accessorized with a few items such as dog tags with white silencers, arm bands, and stick on body rhinestones.
While many people at the party took the same route, there were the people with the more 'Interesting' outfits as well ...
 
 
The main room quickly filled up with men in white for as far as the eye could see ...
 
The entire convention center was transformed this one night into a colossal dance club with oversized decor, incredible lighting, multiple stages and amazing music by Rosabel (DJ Able and DJ Ralph Rosario)
 
 
The featured performer for the evening was Toni Braxton. I can't say I was overly impressed with her, I mean seriously ... most people I spoke too that night were asking 'Who the hell is Toni Braxton and what's she even done lately?' My point exactly. There were rumors floating around that Madonna might actually show up since over the next weekend she was performing at the Coachella Music Festival just up the road, but alas I suppose someone forgot to tell Madonna this rumor, because she never did show up.
 
The entire evening was pretty much a blur for me. All I remember is that the music was amazing, I was hanging out with my friends and having an awsome time. It was such an intense, raw, tribal feeling in that room and the energy was beyond belief. You couldn't just help looking around, taking it all in and smiling the entire night. It was also Bernard's birthday at Midnight, so it was really special that we could all be there to celebrate with him.
The night flew by and before you know it the party was coming to an end around 5 AM when we decided to head out and walk back around to the hotel to get ready for the after-hours party which was just beginning back at the hotel ballroom.
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT POST]Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, DJ Abel, DJ Ralphi Rosario, Justin Chanley, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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Tough Crowd of Readers
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I know that I always say I write for myself and blah.blah.blah but obviously I do care just a little about what people think since I'm obviously posting my shit all out in the open for everyone to read. I suppose I should just be glad that I don't have any psycho stalker readers yet (that I know of...) but I'm sure that's just a matter of time too.
What I am sort of baffled by, is the fact that I get 1000 hits a day here but yet usually only 1 or 2 comments on a good day. Man, you guys are a really tough crowd! What's going on here, none of you like to comment or is there just nothing worth commenting on? I'm not sure I really want to know that answer to that question.
I guess it's a good thing I'm not looking for social approval through my blog postings or else I'd be in a pretty deep depression right now! (And I'm not for the record, I'm still happy!) My blog is turning into more of a Photo Blog of my life and experiences these days rather then a running commentary of my thoughts and opinions and I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Lately whenever I sit down to write something I think the post looks pretty damn boring without a personal photo, so I just don't bother, not to mention the fact that I haven't had too much on my mind to write about that's not event related, so that pretty much kills my drive for philosophical discussion.
Here's what I would really like to know from all the people that read my blog:
1 -- Why do you visit my blog?
2 -- What do you think is the best part of my blog?
3 -- What do think is the worst part of my blog?
4 -- Do you like the photos that I post?
5 -- What else would you like me to post or talk about?
6 -- If you could recommend any change to my blog, what would it be?
7 -- Any other comments or feedback?
My blog comments are open to everyone and have been for a while, so I'm just going to throw this out there to see how it goes. I'm seriously interested in some feedback here, although I can't promise that I'll actually change anything. Sorry that's my inner control freak speaking out.
[UPDATE 2006-04-26 2:52 PM]
For any new visitors, sorry for the exam right off the bat ... for the rest of you, do it NOW or else I'm going to spank you all!
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White Party 2006 Part 3: The Saturday Pool Party
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So 9 AM rolled around too soon and our clan was quickly awakened with the thumpa-thumpa of the dance music just below the balcony. We had gotten in only 2 hours before, but alas the music beckoned and it was time to get up, get ready and head to the pool for a day of drinks, boys and more drinks.
As you can see from the photos, there was plenty of eye candy (hot boys) and interesting sights to keep us completely occupied for the afternoon.
 
 
The pool water was warm, the alcohol flowed and the boys certainly seemed to be enjoying the nice weather ...
 
There were even some interesting choices of swimwear for everyone to admire ...
 
Officialy the pool party started at 9 AM and lasted until around 6 PM. We managed to get down there pretty early and were able to obtain a choice spot right next to the pool. Again, the advantage to staying in the hotel was that we were able to go back and forth to our rooms as necessary and partake in the personal beverages we brought along with us.
After a day in the sun, the crowd started to break up around 5 PM with the pool side music officially ending at 6 PM. We were able to head back up to our rooms and have just enough time to catch a very short disco nap before getting ready and heading out to the White Party at 10 PM.
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT POST]Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Justin Chanley, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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White Party 2006 Part 2: The Friday Night Inferno Party
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The Inferno, the first party of the White Party 2006 weekend, started out with a bang on Friday evening around 9 PM in the main ballroom of the Wyndham. Having these parties in the host hotel meant that we could get ready and just walk downstairs while still having access to return upstairs to our rooms at any time.
Typically the Friday night party is always a dark theme party to ramp everyone up in preparation for Saturday night's White Party. I did manage to get a few good photos, but the majority of the ones I took inside of the ballroom were blurry due to the low lighting and intensly swirling dance lights.
 
 
The night was filled with hot body male dancers on the stages and performances from Chi Chi LaRue as well as the hot gay duo of Jason Warner and deMarco DeCiccio (Jason and deMarco). The room was huge, hot, steamy and overflowing with georgous men everywhere.
   
 
 
We managed to snap several photos of everyone throught the night. In the photos above, you'll see Justin and I, Bernard with his harness on, Tony in the Green, and Mike in the Black.
Bernard, Justin and I pose for a pic with the ever fabulous Chi Chi LaRue
As the party started at 9 PM it came to an end around 5 AM. The crowd packed up, jumped in cab's and headed over a few blocks to the Heaven Night Club for the afterhours party which lasted into the morning hours. I think we lasted until about 7 AM before grabbing a cab and heading back to the hotel to catch a few hours of sleep before the pool party started just outside of our balcony at 9 AM.
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT POST]Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Justin Chanley, Tony, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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White Party 2006 Part 1: Our Arrival
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So the plan was that Justin and I would meet Philip, Bernard and his friends Mike & Tony in Palm Springs on Friday afternoon, with all of us being first timers at the White Party. Justin and I were driving out from Phoenix, Bernard was flying in from San Fran, Philip was driving in from the OC, and Mike and Tony were driving in from San Diego. It was ramping up to be one hell of a good weekend.
With sunny skies, Justin and I set out around 9 AM on Friday morning on our drive to Palm Springs. Depending on the traffic and how fast you're willing to drive it's usually only a 3-4 hour drive out from Phoenix, so we took our time and arrived shortly after 1 PM. Bernard's flight arrived early from San Fran, around 9 AM, and their room wasn't ready yet, so he was stuck in the lobby waiting for us most of the morning. Philip arrived at nearly the same time as Justin and I, with the others arriving later in the evening.
We were staying at the Official White Party Weekend host hotel, the Wyndham Palm Springs.
 
The advantage to staying in official host hotel is that aside from the Tea Dance and the White Party itself, all the other parties are held here at the hotel. This gives everyone staying at the host hotel the advantage of simply being able to walk downstairs to get to the party.
So we arrived, checked into the hotel, and then checked in at the White Party table to pick up our VIP passes and gift bags. Friday is arrival day for most people, so they had the DJ Booth and dance music already going next to the pool for all the early arrivers. After grabbing our bags and unloading everything in our rooms we decided to head down to the pool to grab a drink and check out the setup.
 
 
It was nearly 80 degrees, sunny and the pool water was a very nice, lukewarm temperature. The interesting thing about the host hotel is that for this one weekend it becomes completly transformed into an exclusive 'gay only' resort. For more then a year in advance, every room is blocked out specifically for potential White Party guests who must call the hotel directly to make room reservations. It's my assumption that the hotel probably dosen't want any 'regular season' guests unknowingly making reservations to stay here and end up with a huge surprise when they find themselves in the middle of one of the west coast's largest Gay Circuit Party weekends.
 
 
The pool area was setup with chairs, bars, the DJ Booth, a mini-stage, and several stands of stacked speakers and all ready to go for tomorrow's pool party. As more and more people were gradually making their way down to check things out, we decided to hang out for a bit and listen to the music before heading back up and getting ready for the friday evening party.
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT POST]Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Justin Chanley, Tony, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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72 Hours of Non-Stop Partying = Sick
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Well I guess the verdict is in, when you put yourself through nearly 72 straight hours of partying with little to no sleep in between, your body is bound to have a bad reaction. Bernard, Justin and I are all trying to fight off a small sinus cold right now. I guess Philip was the only one who didn't get hit with a cold.
On our room balcony shortly after arrival at the Wyndham Palm Springs
(Philip, Justin, Bernard, Rich)
Outside at the Sunset T-Dance in White Party Park on Sunday
(Bernard, Justin, Philip and Rich)
I should have a chance to post the photos from the all the parties by tomorrow. I think I'm actually going to try and hit the gym here in a few to help feel a little better.Labels: Bernard, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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White Party Press Release From Jeffrey Sanker
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Here is a copy of the White Party Press Release. To view this press release and additionally some photos of the event, please check out Jeffrey Sanker's website at http://www.jeffreysanker.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PALM SPRINGS, CA - April 17, 2006 - Jeffrey Sanker's 17th Annual WHITE PARTY Spring Break, roared into the history books with increased attendance, a sizzling array of DJ's and guest stars and an overall vibe that left revelers wanting more all weekend long!
Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden proclaimed it “WHITE PARTY Spring Break 2006” and presented Sanker the Key to the City.
The Easter Weekend activities featured non-stop pool parties, music, and entertainment including special appearances by Grammy Winner Toni Braxton, International Singing Diva Anastacia, Supermodel Janice Dickenson and DJ’s Rosable (the dynamic pairing of Ralphi Rosario & Abel Aguilara) at the Saturday nigh convention center “White Party,” and Manny Lehman reigning supreme as he spun at the Sunday T-Dance.
The weekend brought an estimated 4 million plus tourist dollars and over 25,000 people to a community that prides itself on being welcoming and inclusive for all.
Said Sanker, “It was just one of those perfect weekends where all the stars were in alignment and everything flowed like clock-work; from the phenomenal city cooperation, to all our guests, the music and the ambiance - it was a magical happening.” Sanker added, “Plans have already begun for White Party 2007, and beginning in 2008, the event will end its ties to Easter weekend and continue on the second weekend in April.”Labels: White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 |
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Back from the White Party
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Well Justin and I got back from the White Party this evening. Aside from being completely and absolutely exhaused, I think words can't really even begin to touch on how I'm feeling. I left Palm Springs this afternoon with a sad and uneasy feeling in my stomach. Maybe that sounds stupid, but I can't help thinking to myself ... Is it possible for an event to actually change your life, your way of thinking? I'll try and explain it all another time, but what I can say right now is that it was a completely amazing and eye opening weekend for all of us. I took a lot of great photos which I will post later but for now I need to get some sleep because work is going to come too early tomorrow. Labels: White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 |
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An Olive Branch Extended
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Tonight was an interesting evening for me. As I was getting ready to leave for the gym I was contacted by someone from my past, someone whom I've thought about every now and then, but whom I have not spoken too in many years.
Due to some very unfortunate events, mainly because I was completely out of control, out of my mind and an utter asshole at the time, we stopped communicating and lost any chance to continue a real friendship. At the time, I had my reasons for everything that happened and this person too had similar reasons for discontinuing our friendship. My friends who know me well know that I do not have many regrets in life, but this however has been something that has been in the back of my mind for years and my handling of our situation was one of the few regrets I have had.
I guess when I think it about now, what amazes me the most is that how something which seemed to be completely rational at the time couldn't have been any further from it. Somewhat like the movie Sliding Doors, it's amazing how small choices and decisions in life actually have a ripple effect which alters not only your own life, but perhaps also the lives of others around you. Choices I made in the past, emotionally bad choices to be exact, led me to a place which I am not proud, a place of anger and bitterness. While I don’t wish to get into any details, these choices ended up becoming a major turning point in my life which influenced me in many ways that I can't even begin to explain.
I'm grateful that this person extended the olive branch, made an effort to contact me and provided me the opportunity to explain a little and more importantly, finally apologize. I don't know if it's too late for an apology, but it's long overdue. It will never change what happened in the past but will hopefully be seen as a genuine gesture on my part to start making up for several really bad choices.
Deep down I hope this person knows that despite the past events between us, I’m a good man, I’ve tried hard to live a decent life and I truly am sorry. I’m personally happy to finally have certain emotional loose ends tied up in my mind, and would like to hopefully keep in contact with this person in the future.
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Wednesday, April 05, 2006 |
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Happy Phoenix Pride 2006!
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First of all I can't believe it's already April let alone Phoenix Pride. Phoenix pride weekend almost always marks the start of spring weather in the desert. After our long night last night we decided to sleep in, skip the parade, and head over to the festival in the afternoon. Bernard and I were the first up and sat by the pool for a bit to talk and take in some sun. The rest of the kids were up shortly thereafter. We packed everyone back in the car and headed up to the festival. 
It was an amazingly beautiful sunny 80 degree day outside, the perfect weather and temperature for a party in the park.
These photos pretty much sum up the day:
Big beers and porta-potty's ... 
Hot boys everywhere ...
Fun times ...
More hot boys ...
Great friends!
We spent the entire afternoon in the park just hanging out, walking around, eating, drinking and checking out the boys. We ran into some old friends and were able to catch up with some people we haven't seen in a while. The most important part of the day was that Justin, Bernard, Philip, Mark, Andrea and I had a chance to spend some really great time together and just enjoy the day. I love this time of year in Phoenix and I also love having such great friends to be able to enjoy it with. It was an amazing day which I'll be able to chalk up as yet another awesome pride weekend in Phoenix.
Here are some more photos from the day ...  |  | | Philip, Justin, Andrea & Bernard | Bernard & Philip |  |  | | Andrea with a nice big refreshing lemonade | Funnel cake anyone? |  |  | | The P.B.Loco Cafe tent | Anthony & Keith (The P.B.Loco Boys) w/ Justin |  |  | | Self-photo | More big beers and porta-potty's |  |  | | Take me to bed now you big straight stud | Gosh we're having such a smiley good time |  |  | | Is that Madonna? | Lubrication anyone (The Elbow Grease Tent) |  |  | | Everyone squeeze in for a photo | Good friends |  |  | | Are you going to finish that beer? | It's getting cold outside |  |  | | Phoenix at Dusk | Time to head home and get ready for the party. |
Labels: Bernard, Gay Pride, P.B.Loco, Phoenix
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The Night Before Pride
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Twas the night before pride and as always, certainly a good night to hit the town and party it up a little. My friend Bernard arrived from San Francisco at 5PM so we headed back to our house to relax a bit before Philip arrived from Los Angeles. Around 9 we packed Bernard, Justin, Mark and Andrea into the Xterra and headed over to the airport to pick up Philip. Once at the airport we got Philip packed into the cargo area and then headed downtown to begin the weekend festivities. We decided to start our evening at Amsterdam. It was such a beautiful evening out with the temperature hovering around 70 degrees. We parked and headed in for a few drinks. Within minutes we ran into a whole gaggle of our Phoenix friends including Darin, Chris, and Chad as well as some out of town visitors such as Kevin from Los Angeles, Chad Fox from San Francisco, and Atari Age from Massachusetts. 
Andrea, Mark, Philip, Bernard and Justin
Philip, Andrea and Bernard
The party boys ... Justin, Bernard, Philip and Moi (Rich)
Chad and Plane Jayne (Chris)
We hung out at Amsterdam to down several drinks, move a few times between the Amsterdam Balcony, the Malibu Beach Bar, club Miami and back. After checking out several of the 'interesting' strippers who were dancing on the bars we decided to pack it up and head on over to Charlie's for some cheap drinks and late night dance music. We arrived at Charlie's and couldn't find any parking so I took a quick detour over to Homme for a minute. We parked, went in had a shot, used the bathrooms and then headed back to Charlie's where we were finally able to find a parking spot across the street. Man that place was packed! I gues that's why you have to love pride weekends, it brings out everyone. We headed to our usual spot in the sandbox (the back volley ball court) where we ran into the rest of the gang again and began the 2nd half of our drink fest 2006.
Darin, Chad & Chad Fox
Mark showed Darin that it was indeed a banana in his pocket while Andrea tried really hard to not pass out.
Bernard was enjoying his Kettle One on the Rock while I downscaled from my Three Olives Cherry to a Heineken
We setup the camera on the wall and set the timer to take a group photo
(Bernard, Andrea, Mark, Rich, Darin, Chad, Chad Fox)
Chad Fox and I decided to head over to the bar to grab a drink before last call.
Open your eyes gurls, it's not time for bed yet. Don't mind them, they were a little drunk by this point in the evening.
We had a blast and after I downloaded my camera the next day, I realized that we took 133 photos that evening. It was quite the happening time. Here are some of the other shots from the evening condensed down. As always, click a thumbnail for a larger version. Labels: Bernard
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