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Thursday, November 30, 2006 |
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Tissue Anyone?
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That's right it seems that I've gotten hit with my yearly fall bug. I thought I was going to manage to miss it this year since it usually strikes sometime in October, but I guess it was just running a little late this year.
I was prompted to visit my doctor yesterday, after almost passing out at work, where I was told that not only did I have a full blown sinus infection, but that I also have an ear infection that was most likely affecting my balance. Ugh it's always something. So yes I'm now currently on antibiotics to clear out all the bad stuff and hopefully help me to feel better soon.
I guess this means it's probably going to be a nice relaxing weekend at home in recovery for me. Maybe I'll break out a book and start catching up on my reading, who knows. So many options. Cheers!
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Sunday, November 26, 2006 |
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Saturday, November 25, 2006 |
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The Signs Of Winter in Arizona
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Well this is it everyone, the signs of winter in Arizona are finally starting to show their ugly faces. The biggest tell tale sign of winter here in Arizona is green grass. LOL.
 
That's right, green grass. The best looking grass of the year grows during the winter here in Phoenix, Arizona. Because the summer temperatures are just too hot the grass is usually borderline brown and green. Around the end of October most of the people who have a lawn in Phoenix go through the tedious process of re-seeding with winter grass. This means we have to trek over to Home Depot to purchase grass seed and mulch to lay down on the lawns.
In order to get the new seed to come up we have to cut back the existing dead summer grass to where it's almost down to the dirt and then spread the new winter seed finally topping it off with mulch. This is a yearly process because while the summer grass will always come back once the temperatures get warmer, the winter grass will completely die off with the summer heat.
Most people outside of Arizona don't realize that we actually have to reseed our lawns ever year in the winter time to get this beautiful green, golf course style grass. Some people don't choose to reseed so they can conserve water use, but having a green lawn in the winter here really does add to the curb appeal and make for a nice view coming in and out of the house.
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Friday, November 24, 2006 |
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Completely Stuffed
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Instead of stuffing the turkey this year I stuffed myself. I guess that's not really different from any other year though. It's always so difficult to sit down at the dinner table with all the holiday food options presented in front of you and not fill your plate from edge to edge with tasty creations.
In most years past, neither Justin nor I would go home for Thanksgiving. We would end up having what was dubbed as the orphan holiday dinner together with Mark, Andrea and whomever else was around with no place to go for the holidays. Last year we all trekked down to LeAnn & Camron's house to have dinner at their place. It was a great time. Rather then a family holiday, Thanksgiving for us had become a fun time that consisting of good friends, good food and plenty of drinking.
This year was different. Not just for Justin and I, but also for Mark & Andrea. This year would be the first year spent with real family in a long time. Now that my Mother is living here in Arizona, there was no question that she would be coming over to spend the day with us. Mark's parents are also living here in Arizona now, and Mark's brother Johnny and his wife Karen drove down from their home in Colorado to visit, which meant that Mark & Andrea would spend the day together with their family at Mark's parents house.
Now, it's not that I don't enjoy having my Mother here, I'm actually glad she can finally be part of our lives. I am however somewhat sad to think that this holiday is a representation of so many of the other things in our lives that have changed this year and marks the end of our orphan holiday dinners together. I guess it's all an evolution right? Things change and people adapt. I suppose that's what makes life more interesting.
Justin and I decided to finally try making a deep-fried turkey this year. Ever since that time many years ago when we had deep-fried turkey at our friend Steven's house we've often thought about it. At the last minute this year we decided to purchase a fryer and try it out ourselves. I think my Mother was a bit skeptical at first, but it actually turned out very well. With only having to cook the turkey for 3 minutes per pound, it really cut down our time spent in the kitchen. Justin monitored the turkey for a hour while my Mother and I finished up making the stuffing other trimmings. Dinner for us was served around 4 PM and lasted less then an hour. I wonder sometimes if it's all worth it just for an hour worth of over indulgence. Oh well that's a debate better left for another day.
We finished dinner, watched some TV, and a movie before my Mother headed off to bed in the guest room. Around midnight, Mark and Andrea stopped over for a nightcap, just back after the hour drive from Mark's parents house. We broke out some wine and beer, talked, laughed and rekindled a small part of what always made our orphan holiday dinners so much fun, the friendship. While all our lives have changed these days, each of us having family in town now, and our paths starting to take slightly separate directions, it's nice to know that we can still get together, laugh, drink and enjoy each others company just like we've always done in the past.
So in the end, it was a nice holiday. Neither better or worse then the past, just different that's all. And you know something, I'm completely ok with different. If anything I've realized that we can't live in the past and the one factor that's always constant in life is change, so to me different is good, it's just what we make of it. I'm really looking forward to winding down the rest of this year and starting off with a brand new year of new challenges, adventures and experiences. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, Cheers!Labels: Holidays
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Thursday, November 23, 2006 |
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Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
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Well you certainly know what having a week day off means for the gays ... going out the night before. Justin and I headed up to BS West to meet up with Mike & Jonathan but once we got there and parked the line was around the corner. We ended up waiting in line for a little over an hour before we finally got in. It was packed because it was 2 for 1 night. Apparently the night before Thanksgiving is always a big night at BS West. Who knew?
We walked to the back bar to get a drink and messaged Mike & Jonathan to only find out they just left about 5 minutes ago to go to burn. Because my phone wasn't working and we were in line for so long they thought we weren't coming. We had a few drinks and decided to head over to Charlie's instead since they were having after hours.
Josh & Justin at Charlie's
We got to Charlie's and ran into Steve, Josh, Mike, Michael and Michael. LOL. Yes pretty much everyone was at Charlie's hanging out. Justin and I managed to grab a few beers before last call was sounded. Charlie's was pretty packed too, apparently everyone had the idea of going out the night before Thanksgiving. I can't actually say that Justin and I have ever gone out on this night before, so we had no idea it was a big night out on the town for everyone.
We talked with friends, drank a few beers and did a little dancing before packing it in around 3 AM and heading home to catch a few hours of sleep before having to cook. It was a fun evening and I'm looking forward to some good wholesome food today for Thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day everyone. Cheers!
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Sunday, November 19, 2006 |
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Another Night At Burn
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For Justin and I, the evening started out with a little shopping at Scottsdale Mall. We were on a mission since we still had some assorted gift cards laying around and wanted to pick up a few needed items.
After finishing up with all the stores we needed to visit, we headed over to Abercrombie so that Justin could to pick up another bottle of Fierce before they closed. We walked up to the counter and there was a really cute guy standing there checking out with all his clothes. Both Justin and I looked at each other and thought he might be gay. I turned to Justin and said I wonder if anyone will be at Burn tonight. He immediately turned to us and interjected a comment. The comment was irrelevant but it was an indication that yes he indeed was gay. This was pretty much the start of our evening.
After doing some shopping we headed down to Amsterdam to meet up with Jerry.
 
As always, Justin and I always enjoy hanging out with Jerry and we've been getting much closer over the past few weeks. I've known Jerry for a very long time, and I'm glad that we've been able to reconnect and hang out again.
We ran into a few friends at Amsterdam, including Mike. After a few drinks at Amsterdam the crowd was a bit lackluster, so we decided to head over to Burn and see how their first Saturday night was shaping up. So I'm not sure if it's just because it's opening week and everyone is curious about the new club or not, but I believe the Burn may be able to pull it off.
We waited in line for about 15 minutes to get in. Once inside the place was packed. The music was great, the boys were shirtless, drinking, dancing and the energy was very high.
 
 
We ran into the usual suspects at Burn such as Brett, Steve and Matthew, as well as some others like Chuck who we haven't seen out in sometime.
 
 
 
 
Jerry's college friend, StraightJerry joined us since he just lives up the street and was able to walk down and meet us. He ended up prowling around the bar following the only few girls in the place from side to side. I guess the selection of straight girls wasn't very good, so he ended up leaving a little earlier then Justin, Jerry and I. We closed the place out and much to my surprise it was packed up until the end.
I had a great evening out with Justin and Jerry, and I'm really starting to enjoy drinking, dancing and hanging out at Burn. I'd have to say that I think it's a really great addition to the Phoenix nightlife.Labels: Burn Nightclub Phoenix, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Phoenix
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Saturday, November 18, 2006 |
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Opening Night at Burn Nightclub
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So Thursday night was the official VIP opening night of Burn Nightclub. Being touted as Phoenix's Premier Gay Nightclub, the opening of Burn was postponed twice in the past, so Thursday night's opening event was long awaited.
Initially we were a little shocked because we heard in advance there was going to be a dress code. Now mind you while most straight clubs enforce a strict dress code, even the most trendy Gay clubs in New York and Los Angeles do not try and enforce a dress code. Everyone knows that dressing up to to the gay boys is throwing on some designer jeans and a classic tight black t-shirt. That's about as good as it gets for us.
 
So going with the flow, Justin, Jerry and I decided to throw on some nice clothes and head over to Burn around 11 PM to see if it was worth all the buzz. We arrived, were checked in at the VIP table, had our photos taken and were guided to the VIP line. My first thoughts was "Where are we?" I mean seriously, VIP list, photo stop, velvet ropes ... I guess Phoenix is finally growing up. After a small wait the velvet rope was lifted and we were led to the inside.
 
 
 
 
Once walking through the small neon lighted, tunnel-like entrance we entered into the main area of Burn. The layout was quite interesting. It was one giant room with a bar all way along the left side, and VIP cabana booths along the right. It wasn't exactly what I expected for a dance club but it was definitely a great start. Phoenix has been in need of a decent gay club for years now, so this has been long awaited. Immediately after walking into Burn we ran into Mike, from Outlook Arizona Magazine, and numerous other friends and local Phoenix acquaintances
 
 
 
Local favorite DJ Jeremy was spinning up in the booth and the music was really pumping up the crowd. The sound system was loud, the crowd was ready to go and the drinks were cheap, all of which made for a really fun evening.
We drank, we socialized, we danced and even did a little bumping and grinding before the night was over.
 
While Burn wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a unique, fun place with great music, a good sound system, and a fun crowd people. I think this is just the start for Phoenix and judging by the crowd, I think Burn has the potential to become a new weekend favorite among the Gay Phoenix party crowd.Labels: Burn Nightclub Phoenix, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Phoenix
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Friday, November 17, 2006 |
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Friday, November 10, 2006 |
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Back from North Carolina
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I haven't posted lately because I've been in Greensboro, North Carolina on a business trip. I just got back in tonight so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my blog reading and writing tomorrow. It was a good trip, but as always I'm glad to be back home in Phoenix. Cheers!
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Sunday, November 05, 2006 |
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Out In Santa Monica on Oct-28
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Since Philip lives in Santa Monica we took a walk down to the 3rd Street Promenade and then out to the Ocean Front. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Southern California.
 
  Labels: Los Angeles
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