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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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The Big San Francisco Gay Pride Post
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Alright here it is, the post you've been waiting for ... I'm going to dub this the 'Big San Francisco Gay Pride Post' It's a real pain in the ass for me to take the time to post multiple postings, so I've decided to combine the photos and details for the past week into one huge post of photos. Friday:
Bernard, Philip, Justin and I decided to start off the day with a relaxing waterfront lunch at the Ferry Building Following lunch we walked back up Market street. In preparation for the San Francisco Pride Parade the city lines Market Street with Rainbow flags on every light post. It's enough to bring tears to any queer boys eye. Following lunch, we headed back to Bernard's place, changed clothes and then headed up to the Castro to grab a few drinks before meeting friends for dinner in the Mission. We started at our old hangout, the Bar on Castro and then over to Badlands, where it was two for one happy hour. After having a few two many drinks in the Castro, we walked our drunk asses down to the Mission where we were having dinner at Limon, a trendy Peruvian restaurant known for it's sangria and shrimp ceviche. Dinner and dessert was exquisite and complements of Philip. Immediately following dinner, we all headed back to the Castro for some more drinking back at the Bar on Castro where we quickly ran into some old friends. After a bit of bar hopping to the Bar on Castro, Badlands, and the Mix our long night of drinking came to an end. Philip left a little early and took a cab back, but Bernard, Justin and I decided to walk the entire 3 miles back from the Castro to Bernard's place in SOMA. We were going to grab a cab, but after several blocks of talking, walking and laughing, it appeared as if we were just going to walk the entire route. At some point along the trek, Justin decided he needed to stop and pass out for a few seconds while Bernard and I ducked behind a building for a quick pit stop. We arrived back at Bernard's place around 3 AM where Philip was already passed out on the couch. We headed to bed to prepare for what was going to be a long weekend. Saturday:
It was a beautiful day outside and Bernard, Philip, Justin and I decided to talk a walk around Bernard's neighborhood. We eventually headed over to the Mr. S. Leather Store to see if we could find any necessary accessories that we'd be needing for this fall's leather party in Montreal. Following our walk around the neighborhood, we started to get ready for Pink Saturday and the Colossus Party (The Official San Francisco Pride Circuit Party)  |  |
Around 9 PM, we hailed a cab out front and headed up to the Castro for Pink Saturday. While we were walking along Castro we ran into a few familiar faces like Jamie Bell & Andrew Frakes, the boys from my summer pool party last year, and also my ex Danny, who courteously said 'Hello Richard' as he walked on by with his friends. We only stayed in the Castro for about an hour before we decided it was time to catch a cab and head down to the party. As we started walking, there were no cabs heading our direction, so we sucked it up and walked all the way down to the San Francisco Gift Center to officially start the party weekend. We met up with the San Diego Boys -- Tony & Mike as well as Bernard's friend Frieda at the party. It started around 10, and we continued dancing until the hint of sunlight started beaming through the windows. Around 6 AM we caught a cab out front and headed back to Bernard's place to catch a few hours of sleep. Sunday:
The San Francisco Pride Festival at the Civic Center. Justin and I got up from our Colossus party coma around 1 PM and decided to head up to the Civic Center area for the San Francisco Pride Festival. This is always one of the highlights of our pride visits to San Francisco. We would have gotten up to watch the parade, however getting in at 7 AM from the previous night's party is just not very conducive to getting up at 10 AM for a parade. The weather was beautiful outside and the straights & queers were out in droves. Speaking of queers, we ran into some old friends like Mark Chase (left) and Craig Wenzel (right) As Justin and I were walking around the festival we came across a few people with some very interesting costumes. Then we came across yet some other people with even more interesting costumes ... We 'innocently' stumbled into 'Leather Alley' and found out where all the bad boys and girls go to get a spanking. Justin and I always enjoy the San Francisco Pride Festival. It's a place where we can people watch, walk around, hold hands and just enjoy ourselves. We stayed for a few hours, grabbed some food and then headed back to Bernard's place around 5 PM to change, meet up with Bernard and Philip and start walking up to Union Square for Fresh which started at 6 PM. Fresh at Ruby Skye (A monthly / special-event T-Dance held at the Ruby Skye venue in Union Square) Monday:
Dinner at Garcon (Regional French) in the Mission and then drinks at Badlands. Tuesday:
Shopping in and walking around the Castro. Wednesday:
Bernard, Justin and I started out by heading down to Fisherman's Warf for lunch. We then headed up to Union Square for some quick shopping and a few photos. We left Union Square and headed back to Bernard's so Justin and I could pick up our things and Bernard could drive us down to the San Francisco Airport to head back home to Phoenix. As always, every time Justin and I go back to San Francisco it brings back so many memories and really rekindles our love for the city. It's always sad for us to leave, and sometimes I ask myself why we ever moved away, but I know the answer to that question. As Bernard always tells me, even as the grass may seem greener in the city, remember that we can visit and enjoy it whenever we want. I do believe that someday Justin and I will end up back in San Francisco. It's where we met, and it's a very special place to us both, but until the time is right, we will continue to visit our friends and enjoy San Francisco as often as possible. Lastly I love my friends. It's great to have such loving, caring and amazing friends like Bernard and Philip. They're both practically our family and together with Justin and I we have our little 'gay gang' We all get along so very well together and enjoy the same things and love partying and taking trips together. Above and beyond anything else, spending time with our friends really made for a fun visit, and gave us all a chance to be together again. We're all really looking forward to our next trip together to San Diego in July where we'll be staying with Tony and once again partying it up on the town. Well that's pretty much the end of the 'Big San Francisco Gay Pride Post.' I hope you enjoyed the photos and as always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop me a line. Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Gay Pride, San Francisco, Tony
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Celebrating Pride and Partying In San Francisco
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Ok I know my posts have been somewhat random over the past two days and the photos have been less then exciting, however I'm just shooting them up to my blog from my mobile phone, I promise, I'll post more of the photos from my camera when I'm back in Phoenix later this week.
This weekend has been great. Bernard, Justin and I started out with drinks in the Castro on Thursday night. Philip showed up at Bernards on Friday morning and we headed back up to the Castro for more drinking before dinner. Saturday was spent sleeping in and getting ready for Pink Saturday in the Castro and the Colossus Party at the SF Gift Center. Pink Saturday, as always, was quite the event with a sea of people everywhere. From the Castro, Bernard, Justin, Philip and I walked down to the Gift Center for the Colossus party and proceeded to begin the official partying of the weekend. We met up with Mike and Tony who were up from San Diego and decided to meet us out. I think we stayed at Colossus until around 6 am before we caught a cab back to Bernards and called it a night.
On Sunday, Justin and I got up around 2 PM and headed up to the Civic Center for the Pride celebration and ran into several of our old friends including Mark Chase and Craig Wetzel. Around 5 we headed back to Bernards to meet up with him and Philip and walk up to Fresh @ Ruby Skye. Fresh is a once a month Tea-Dance, meaning it's from 6 to 12, and draws quite a crowd. We walked up from Bernards place and as we got coloser to the event, we could see the line was wrapped around 2 blocks. Luckily we had purchased advanced tickets, so we headed right to the front of the line to go inside. The Fresh event was amazing, the crowd was fabulous, and the music from Kimberly S. was simply mind blowing.
It's now midnight and we just got back to Bernards for a change of clothes and we're headed out now to Sanctuary for the afterhours party which should carry us through 6 AM. It's really been a fun and interesting trip. I'll post more and photos later. I need to go as the boys are bitching at me.Labels: Bernard, DJ Kimberly S, Tony
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Mobile Photo: Fresh at Ruby Sky
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Fresh at Ruby Sky. It's a t-dance that runs from 6-12 and all I can say is OMFG.
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Mobile Photo: San Francisco Pride Festival
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San Francisco Pride
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Mobile Photo: Colossus Party
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The Colossus Party lights. The party is the official San Francisco Pride Party and just like every other year it's been no less of a spectacle.
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Mobile Photo: Pink Saturday In The Castro
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Pink Saturday in the Castro is one of the big highlights of the San Francisco Pride Weekend. The Castro District (Gay District) is closed off between Market and 20th Streets on the Saturday night before pride. A few thousand people show up in the Castro on this night to kick off the weekend and celebrate pride.
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The Big Gay Guide
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While many of you know that I've posted about this website once or twice in the past and you may have noticed that I've had a link to 'The Big Gay Guide' on the right side of my page for quite some time now, however what most of you might not know is that 'The Big Gay Guide' was designed and created by my business partners and I as a new venture.
We've been working very hard on The Big Gay Guide website since fall of last year and have just officially removed the site from beta into full release. Over the past few months we've researched, designed, and redesigned the site with the goal of creating a easy to use and comprehensive resource for the GLBT community.
While our immediate goal to expand and grow our company but our long term goal has always been to help the GLBT community by creating a completely free GLBT user community with access to the resources and information that will help make everyday life just a little bit easier.
If you haven't visited The Big Gay Guide yet, I please ask that as a favor to me you do so. I would appreciate any feedback on the site and it's functionality. Also the only way we can grow as a community is through people joining, so I encourage all of you to go to the site, create an account, create a profile and become part of what is hopefully going to become one of the best GLBT community websites on the internet.
You can find the site by clicking on the image above, or visiting http://www.thebiggayguide.com/ directly. Again, if you have any feedback regarding the site, please E-Mail me directly at rich@cyrek.net. Cheers!
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Working Out Is Really Paying Off
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WARNING: SELFISH POST AHEAD. I usually don't write too many posts specifically about me, but I'm in a great mood tonight and well frankly I'm feeling really good about myself at the moment.
It's been almost 6 months since Justin and I have started back at the Gym and while I saw some very good results prior to my goal of the White Party in April, it's all finally starting to really pay off now. I'm really proud of the dedication we've had and the progress that both Justin and I have been making over the past few months.
When I started working out again I had had very little muscle mass, weighed 210 lbs., and was wearing size 36" pants and XL shirts. Ater 6 months of working out between 5-6 times a week I have more muscle mass then I've ever had before, and I'm down to about 169 lbs, size 31" pants, and Med shirts. Each night at the gym I spend an hour doing cardio, which usually averages almost 6 miles and over 1000 calories burned each time. I also spend between 3-4 of those days doing free-weight lifting, which usually consists of arms & shoulders on day 1, chest & back on day 3 and then legs on day 5.
Here are a few photos that I took of myself tonight with my webcam ...
I hope that by posting photos of myself I don't come across as vain because I'm not. I'm usually a very modest person, but I'm so proud of myself right now, and not only do I love the way that I look, but more importantly the way that I feel. Both Justin and I have been getting some great complements and feedback from our friends and co-workers lately. It's a wonderful feeling.
In all honesty, the past 6 months has been a very difficult time for Justin and I to stay focused and motivated with our work out routine, but we've done it together and are looking forward to even better results in the upcoming months. Thanks Justin for helping me eat better and keeping us motivated, I could never have done it without you!
TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO
Next week Justin and I are headed out to San Francisco for Pride. We aren't going so much as to celebrate pride (which I might add is ALWAY fun), but rather to visit the city and friends we love so much. Along with Philip, we'll be staying at Bernard's fat 5th floor pad right in the heart of the city, and catching up on some socializing, shopping, drinking, partying, dancing, and just all around fun. I'm really looking forward to seeing all my San Francisco friends again, and having a long week to relax and spend some time with them. I'll be sure to take plenty of photos while we're there. Cheers!
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Our New Baby
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Yes it's true, Justin and I decided to get a new car. Although our 2003 Toyota Corolla gets exceptional gas mileage, we had been thinking for a while about getting something else to replace our gas guzzling 2001 Xterra. The gas mileage wasn't necessarily that big of an issue in the past since most of the time Justin and I were carpooling together to work, however that seems to be increasingly less these days, and we really wanted something that was the size of an SUV, but with better gas mileage. So we broke down and purchashed a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited. Try and say that in one breath.
 
 
This puppy is loaded, 4x4, leather seats, in dash GPS Navigation System, JBL sound system, rear DVD entertainment system, and the best part of it all, 30 MPG City & Highway. That sure beats the 16-19 MPG I was getting in the Xterra. Not only are we saving on gas, but we're cutting down on emissions and helping the environment. I feel so green.
Fortunately, after looking high and low throughout Arizona, California and Nevada, 2 weeks ago we were finally able to find the exact one we were looking for here in Arizona on the Phoenix West Side. We never knew the Highlander Hybrid's were in such demand. Anyway I just wanted to share the joy of our new delivery.
Lastly ... If anyone happens to be in the market for a gas guzzling 2001 Nissan Xterra (pictured below), which I might add has new tires and is in great condition, please let me know.
 
Otherwise it's just going to sit out front and assume the role of Berger's car. Maybe someday he'll teach himself how to drive too. Cheers.
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F**K George W. Bush
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All I have to say is F**K that asshole. I can't stand that man and first of all how dare he insert himself into this topic of same-sex marriage.
First they want to say that gay men are promiscuous, perverse and sleep around and spread disease, but then when we want to commit to our partner, they say "oh no, no ... we can't have that either' Well make up your F**K**G minds. I have news for the religious right and all you assholes that think you can pass a law and make all of this go away ... It's not going to happen. We're here, we aren't going anywhere, and this shit is just going to make things worse between everyone. If you think the GLBT community is a problem today, then go ahead and make laws and amend the constitution to keep us from sharing our lives with our chosen partners and you will start something in this society that you aren't ready to handle. There is no good reason that anyone can come up with as to how allowing two people who genuinely love each other, regardless of sex, to get married can harm society in any way. I'm tired of hearing the word's 'Moral Fabric of Society' ... F**K you and your morals, because social morality is interpreted differently by every individual and because one person may view morality one way, they do NOT have the right to impose that view upon everyone else.
As I reforming Catholic, I'm more spiritual now then I am about believing in an organized religion, however whatever I believe or the rest of you believe, God help us all with this ... I hope when all you bigots die you have to stand and answer why you were such an asshole in this life, and I hope your made to wait there for eternity to contemplate why you did not show love, compassion and equality to ALL your brothers and sisters.
I'm sorry to get all political, but this shit really puts me in a foul mood. We have boys and girls dying in Iraq, our economy is taking a shit again, and there are so many serious problems in this country right now that all our president can talk about is the 'evil' of same-sex marriage. Get a F**K**G clue man.
Jude, move over sister, because the GAY's are coming to Canada. Andrea, you better call your Mom and tell her we have a few thousand people that will be staying at her place. You don't think that's going to be a problem for her do you?
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Liv'n Out Loud!
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I received this e-mail from Alyson Bruu yesterday from Liv'n Out Loud! Clothing, and we've been coresponding back and forth a bit. I'd like to really suggest that you take a look at their website, www.livnoutloud.com, as it has quite an amazing message, and some really inspirational stories from people, not to mention some great clothes!
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From: Alyson Bruu
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 6:03 AM
To: rich@cyrek.net
Subject: Rich..I just saw your site
Rich
I just saw your site. Very cool.
Thought you would like to know about our clothing company called Liv’n Out Loud! Clothing…100% cotton, sun-washed tees, tanks, sweatshirts and more. Check out our site: www.livnoutloud.com
My partner of 12 years, Kristine, and I started this company after I experienced a near death experience 2 years ago. After surviving we both realized there was much more to life – and decided to start this company – and inspire others to live their life more authentically. Check out the real-life stories in the Lifestyle section from all over the world. We’d love to hear yours! Feel free to write it in…
Enjoy your life out loud, Rich!
Peace,
Aly
Alyson Bruu
Co-Founder
Liv'n Out Loud! Clothing Company, Inc.
www.livnoutloud.com
The Clothing. The Lifestyle.
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110 Degrees And Climbing, It's HOT!
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Yes that's right it was 110 yesterday and it's almost 110 again today. It's hot outside. Although it was nice to go and sit outside for dinner last night, it was a balmy 92 degrees after some wind gusts cooled us down a little. I guess summer is here for us in Arizona, now if only our pool with warm up a little more.
I've been taking sort of a hiatus from the blogging world for a little bit for a few reasons. The primary one being time more then anything else. I just don't have the time or energy to sit in front of the computer in the evenings let alone post every day anymore. Justin and I have gotten into a routine that when we get home from work, we relax for a bit and then hit the gym for usually two hours. On the rare night when we don't go to the gym, we're usually hanging out with Mark and Andrea or running errands. I guess it's just a busy time of my life right now and I'm quite enjoying it. So with that said, I'll post when I have time or something interesting to post. Otherwise my life is pretty routine at the moment and I don't have a lot to say.
We've dubbed this year the year of the Circuit for us. Justin and I just finalized all of our plans for party events for the rest of this year and purchased all of the necessary plane tickets. At the end of this month we're flying up to San Francisco to hang out with Bernard and hit up a few of the San Francisco Pride Parties. At the end of July we're driving out to San Diego for San Diego Gay Pride Weekend and yet another VIP weekend of featured parties, namely the Zoo Party. The most exciting event for us is going to come in October when we fly up to Montreal for a week to attend the Black & Blue Event. It's a series of week-long HIV/AIDS charity events which culminates in the Supersonic Ball held at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Just imagine 50,000 half naked men dancing the night away for a good cause. Simply scrumptious. We're going up with Bernard and Philip, and I heard from Tracy that Bruce and him are going to go as well, so it should be an amazing event. I've never been to Montreal, but I'm really looking forward to it.
Alright well that's all I have for now, I need to get some things cleaned up here around the house. Cheers!
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