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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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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 |
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AZ88 & Burn Nightclub
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After Mark & Andrea rode over on Saturday afternoon on their bikes we decided that it would be an appropriate evening to head out for dinner and then over to Burn Nightclub for a little after-dinner drinks and dancing.
Andrea, Mark, Justin and I headed up to Scottsdale around 8 where we met up with Jerry Timms, Jeremiah and Jeremiah's friends Darren, & Phedra for dinner at AZ88.
  
It's no surprise that AZ88 is one of my favorite places to go for a bite to eat. I've been going there since I first moved to Arizona in 1994 so aside from that fact that it has the best buffalo chicken sandwich in Phoenix, it also holds a bit of sentimental meaning for me as well. As for Jerry, it's not really one of his favorite places, but he agreed to join us anyway. I guess we're just good company, what can I say.
Following what was a delicious dinner for me, and bit of a lackluster one for Jerry, we headed over to Central Phoenix for a little dancing at Burn Nightclub.
This was Mark & Andrea's first visit to Burn Nightclub and they were very impressed. They both had a blast and immediately recognized that the crowd at Burn was not your ordinary Phoenix crowd. We danced, drank, laughed and had a great Saturday night spent with friends.Labels: AZ88, Burn Nightclub Phoenix, Jeremiah, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Our Home, Phoenix
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Tuesday, January 30, 2007 |
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When The Kids Grow Up
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Mark & Andrea stopped by on their new bikes the other day.
It's nice to see that we can still be big kids and have our toys.
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Finally My Big News!
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This post has been a while in the making and comes with much excitement and just tiny amount of anxiety. While many of you already know what's going on in my life, I've only recently given some hints here on my blog that I had some big news to share.
Over the past few years since I've started frequently blogging, I've written only a few postings regarding my work, all being very vague and having no specific reference to my employer, or my personal feelings about my job. I've always made a conscious effort to avoid that path for fear of job related repercussions for anything negative I may have been tempted to write.
Well all that's about to change. For those of you who don't already know, I've been working for Bank of America as an IT Manager responsible for the Risk Operations Business Intelligence team. It's really been a very stressful, love-hate relationship over the past 4 years, and I'm happy to announce that Friday, February 2ND will officially be my last day with Bank of America.
While this is significant, it's only one small part of the big news I have to share. The reason I'm leaving Bank of America is not because I've found a better job, but rather because I had an amazing opportunity presented to me which would allow me to finally take real control over my life, my career and my future. I've decided to start my own company and become an independent consultant. My new company, Aventera Consulting, was formed on January 1, 2007 and as of February 5, 2007 I will officially become the first full time employee of my new company working on contract for move software & move marketing.
Leaving a large corporation to start a company, and follow your dreams can be both exciting and extremely stressful. Justin and I have talked in detail about the direction I'm taking, and he's been incredibly supportive of me taking this step. I can't even begin to express how great it feels to make this decision, and how much of an impact it's going to have on my stress level and overall happiness.
After 4 years, leaving Bank of America was not an easy decision to make. Great benefits, 5 weeks of vacation, bank holidays, some job flexibility and a small amount of perceived stability are all difficult to give up. Only a few months ago I had personally resolved that I would just plan on staying with Bank of America and continue to create a long-term career with the company. While many factors influenced my final decision, it really came down to the point that I would now have to ability to work for myself, make my own decisions, and ultimately be responsible for my own success. At this point the future of my success all falls upon me, and I'm content with having that weight on my shoulders.
After much soul searching I decided that I really didn't want to pursue the path of executive management, but rather continue back down a more technical road, further sharpening and broadening my technical skill set. I've had several long conversations with Mark and other friends regarding this trend, and while some say the next logical step for technology professionals is management, I now know that I disagree with that thought. While management may be a good step some, Mark and I both agree there is so much opportunity out there for technology professionals like us with broad backgrounds and many years of diverse experiences.
With so many changes caused by the merger between BofA and MBNA, this past year has been a rough year for many of us at Bank of America. Working for Bank of America has been a great learning experience. While I've had the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of fun people, it's also been an exercise in navigating the waters of a global enterprise while trying to deal with an enormous amount of corporate politics, some dysfunctional personalities, and even some incompetent people harbored by the safety net of a well defined HR policy. Be it good or bad, it's all just one more experience I can put under my belt to help me become a more effective technology consultant.
Well I know this was quite a long post, and if you've actually gotten this far then you've probably learned quite about bit about me. With that I'll end this post with a few final comments and thanks of support. First to say thanks to my good friend Jerry Timms, of Timms Media, who helped me make this decision and introduced me to the great people at move software & move marketing. To say thanks to my best friends, Andrea, Philip & Bernard for listening to my concerns & helping me to make a rationale decision, and to Mark for his insight, encouragement, support, guidance and friendship over the last 12 years. Lastly, thanks to Justin for his unconditional love, being extremely supportive of me and believing in me and my crazy ideas. I'm extremely happy right now and excited about my future. Cheers!Labels: Aventera Consulting, Technology
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My Sexy New Dell Latitude D820 Notebook
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According to Jerry Timms my brand new Dell Latitude D820 is not nearly as sexy as his fancy white Apple whateverbook. I guess it just comes down to the simple fact that some of us are already sexy enough sans notebook. :-)
Actually my new dell notebook came last week and the delivery was promptly received and signed for by Berger.
  
This probably isn't a very exciting post for many of you to read, but trust me when I say that the actual event was pretty exciting for me. I literally agonized for a few weeks over which notebook I was going to buy, and in the end it came down to another Dell. I built a new desktop computer last year when my old Dell laptop's hard drive crashed, but now that things in my life are changing a bit, I'm back in need of a good quality professional notebook.
For those of you who are are fairly geeky, the stats are an Intel Core Duo 2.33 with 4 GB of RAM, 15.4" display, 100 GB hard drive, integrated wireless, bluetooth and Sprint mobile broadband card. It screams. Cheers!Labels: Jerry Timms, Technology
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Snow In The Desert
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Yes it's true it does occasionally snow in the Desert. Here are some photos today some people submitted to the Arizona Central Website of the snow that fell today in the valley of the sun.
This winter has been especially cold for us here in Phoenix, so if your coming out to visit, make sure to pack warm clothes, because it's definitely now short and t-shirt weather here this year. Cheers.Labels: Phoenix
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A Little Tired
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It's not been too much of a relaxing weekend as I would have liked it too be. I really think I need a day off where I can just sleep in without any interruptions. Mark, Andrea, Justin and I went out on Friday night to the Native New Yorker for some wings and beer. It was fun, just like the old days of us going there to hang out. Justin had to work at 8am on Saturday morning so we ended up coming back to our place so Justin could go to bed while the rest of us got caught up on some more episodes of Lost.
I would have liked to been able to sleep in on Saturday, but my Mother needed me to go with her to run some errands, so she showed up at the house around 10 AM. She just doesn't understand that 10 AM isn't sleeping in for me. LOL. Oh well, we had lunch together in Tempe, it was a nice afternoon.
Saturday was spent organizing my music in iTunes and then going out to Burn with Jerry. We had a great time there together. We ran into Jerry's neighbor Philip again, and a few other people, so it was a lot of fun. DJ Jeremy was actually on a roll last night with the music. He used to DJ at Boom back in the day, and I don't think I've actually heard such a good set from him before. After the bar closed, Jerry, Justin and I headed back to our place to hang out some more. It was a fun evening, however I was feeling a little restless this morning so I wasn't able to sleep much. I think I'm going to go an take a nap here for a while, it seems like a nice day to curl up on the couch in front of the TV.
I have some photos from last night that I'll post later, and I also have some important news that I've been wanting to share, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Possibly this week, we'll see how everything goes. Cheers!Labels: Burn Nightclub Phoenix, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Phoenix
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Did You Get Your WP07 Tickets Yet?
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The question among my friends this year is not 'if' we will attend the White Party Spring Break Palm Springs 2007, but rather which of the parties will we attend.
I guess for me it's simply a question of will I get all the punches on my VIP card again? Since Justin, Philip, Jerry and I have already made our host hotel reservations at the Wyndham Palm Springs and purchased our VIP passes for the White Party Spring Break 2007, we're set and ready to go. Bernard & Tony, you better get on that shit and get your passes dammit!
Have you gotten your VIP passes yet? Check out Jeffrey Sankers Website for more information about the White Party Spring Break 2007 Palm Springs and for links to buy the tickets.Labels: Circuit Party, White Party, White Party Palm Springs
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Brett Henrichsen at Burn Nightclub Phoenix
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That's right folks, the one and only DJ Brett Henrichsen, circuit DJ and founder of Masterbeat Entertainment was at Burn Night club in Phoenix to spin on Sunday for the MLK Holiday weekend. (View my previous post about Brett Henrichsen and Masterbeat)
We initially found out about this event through Burn's MySpace Page and needless to say, were simply shocked. If you've been to any of the major circuit parties in the last 6 years then you would certainly be familiar with DJ Brett Henrichsen and his style of music. It's not too often that DJ's like Brett Henrichsen make it out to Phoenix, so this was truly a special event for Phoenix, and especially those of us that live for the parties.
DJ Brett Henrichsen is so cute!
Jerry & Me
Justin waiting for the party to start
Me & Angela, the fabulous owner & manager of Burn Nightclub
I had the opportunity to finally meet Angela, the owner & manager of Burn, and grab a quick photo with her. Actually, Angela spotted me standing near the corner of the bar soon after we arrived and came over to introduce herself and thank me for my posts about Burn. She's such a sweetie.
I have to be honest, Burn has turned out to be so much more then my friends and I had ever expected. You know it's like one of those things, you hear a new club in Phoenix is opening, and after so many disappointments you automatically want to hate the place before it even opens. I think we all went to Burn on opening night ready to hate it, but immediately realized there was something different here, something fresh, new and ready to show us they really could do it. I've been there many times now, and I can't say that I've ever left Burn Night club not meeting someone new, having had an amazing time with my friends, or wishing that the night wasn't ending so soon. Phoenix has long awaited for a place like this and if these events are any indication of the caliber of what we're going to see from Burn Night club, I can't wait.
Me & one of the many hottie bartenders from Burn
You know it's funny because I think when Burn opened they managed to steal many of the best looking bartenders and cocktail wait staff from all over the valley. There is eye candy from one end of the bar to the other, and that's just the bar staff, I'm not even talking about all the hotties on the dance floor or behind the DJ booth.
DJ Brett Henrichsen sans shirt and working tunes
I'm actually surprised that more people didn't come out to see Brett spin. I think that Phoenix is a bit of a transition and the circuit has yet to emerge here. While I would have loved to have more people show up for this event, my friends and I had a complete blast. It's always a pleasure to see Brett Henrichsen especially when it's in our own hometown. Kudos to Burn and Jeffrey Sanker for sponsoring this event, and kudos to Brett Henrichsen for coming out and showing us a great evening. Cheers!Labels: Burn Nightclub Phoenix, Circuit Party, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Phoenix
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A Night Out for Hockey
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Our hostess for the evening was Andrea, who was able to obtain an entire luxury box for our pleasure at the new Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. Justin and I joined our friends, Mark, Andrea, Don, Kris, Cameron, LeAnne, Kevin, Kristen, & Stephanie for some food, beer and a night of hockey from our very own private box seating.
The Phoenix Coyotes vs. the San Jose Sharks
Justin & Andrea from inside the luxury box
View from the door of the luxury box
Me hanging with a Heine Light & paying close attention to the game.
The entire gang of us sitting and watching the game
Mark, Me & Andrea
Following the hockey game a few of us went back to Mark & Andrea's house for a few more beers and some conversation. We had a really fun time and it was nice to get out and hang out with our friends. Thanks to Andrea for the awesome tickets.Labels: Justin Chanley, Phoenix
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Thursday, January 11, 2007 |
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Los Angeles NYE 2006 - The Party
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After a rather scenic drive around downtown Los Angeles we finally made it over to the Hollywood Palladium. I won't mention why we ended up taking a rather long detour around the city because someone thought they knew where they were going and ended up taking us the wrong way. *cough* Philip *cough*
Gurl ... Where did you get that gay ass belt?
Wake up Jerry the party hasn't even started yet!
DJ, Tony, Art, Jerry trying to figure out how to work his camera & Justin
We walked in, looked around and the place was packed with guys of all types, ages and races, including some local celebrities such as Wilson Cruz, and a few Undergear models.
We must have been standing on the rice paddy side of the dance floor.
The devil on one shoulder telling me to do evil things ...
And the Angel on the other shoulder. Could you be any skinnier or whiter Justin?
As fitting as it may have been for being in Hollywood, a video montage of various movie clips from 2006 where flashed up on all the screens around the room which led us right up to a rather loud and exciting 10 second countdown to the new year!
Happy New Year 2007!
Confetti & Smoke spew down on the packed crowd
Interesting lighting casts a glow across the entire room as everyone kisses
Manny Lehman was the DJ for the evening and the party rolled on until 4 AM. Not ready to stop dancing we headed back to Philip's for a quick wardrobe change and then back out again to the Hollywood Arena for afterhours. The afterhours party was packed and I think most of us actually had more fun at the afterhours then we did at the main event. We danced until around 9:30 AM before packing it in and heading back to Philip's apartment to catch a few hours of sleep before bringing our weekend to a close.
There is really something tragic about walking out of a dance club mid-morning when the sun is full on in the middle of the sky. Oh well, we had a great time and will probably do it all over again next year.
Well that's it for the Los Angeles NYE posts and photos. Once again it was fun to spend time with our friends. I'm looking forward to this year as we'll all be getting together again for a few different partiesLabels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Holidays, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Los Angeles, New Years Eve, Tony
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Los Angeles NYE 2006 - Getting Ready
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Everyone headed back to Philip's apartment in the early evening to catch a quick disco nap before going out for the night. We were all headed to the same destination, one of the largest New Year's Eve Dance Parties in the world, held at the Hollywood Palladium.
You would think it would be a daunting task with a limited amount of space, 12 people, and two bathrooms to get everyone ready, but surprisingly everything flowed as smoothly as a well oiled machine.
White Steve digs through his bags for the perfect outfit
Randall waiting for everyone to finish
Justin and Tony
What's wrong Stan?
Damn Steve are you always this happy?
It's not midnight yet Bernard, no sneaking an early kiss!
Kendall hitting up the Red Bull before the party
The entire gang of 12 before we headed out to the party
We all managed to get showered, dressed and ready in a matter of two hours. We loaded up into the cars around 9 and headed out to the Hollywood Palladium for the main event of the evening.Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Holidays, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Los Angeles, New Years Eve, San Diego Boys, Tony
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Los Angeles NYE 2006 - The Day Shopping
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We woke up somewhere around noon to White Steve cooking everyone breakfast. After eggs, bacon, bagels and hash browns we all got ready and headed our own ways. Stan, White Steve, Kendall, Steve & Randall headed out to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Tony & DJ headed to brunch at the Beverly Wilshire, Philip met up with some local friends to go over to the UCLA basketball game, and Justin, Jerry, Bernard and I headed up to West Hollywood for some coffee and then over to the Farmers Market & Grove for an interesting shopping experience.
Kendall, Stan & White Steve
The downtown Los Angeles skyline in the distance
Shopping at the Grove
Walking around the Grove was an interesting experience. Not only was there a ridiculous amount of hot guys all over the place, but Jackie from the Bravo TV show 'Work Out' walked right past us. It was a bit surreal, but I guess that's all a part of being in Los Angeles.
Bernard & Justin pose for a quick Photo
Justin, Bernard & Jerry
Rich, Justin, Bernard & Jerry as it turns dusk at the Grove
The evening sky over Los Angeles
Jerry, Bernard, Justin and I spent most of the afternoon into the early evening walking around, talking, shopping and having a really great time at the Grove. If you ever get a chance to check out the Abercrombie store there, it's definitely worth it. Four stories high, shelves and shelves of clothes, interesting paintings, and a shirtless male model exhibiting pretty much the most perfect body I've ever seen, all while standing at the front door and greeting incoming customers. Only in Los Angeles.Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Holidays, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Los Angeles, New Years Eve, San Diego Boys, Tony
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Los Angeles NYE 2006 - The Night Before
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The first night everyone arrived in Los Angeles, which was Saturday the 30th, we packed into a few cars and headed out to West Hollywood or WeHo as the gay's call it and started our evening with a few drinks at the Abbey.
Jerry, Justin, Tony & Dallas Justin
Tony, Dallas Justin & Kendall
Stan, Kendall & Steve in the background
Can you say Asian sandwich? Bernard, Rich & Philip (More Asparagus?)
Look who we ran into! Ben & Ed formerly from Phoenix
As I was looking across the room I immediately spotted Ben, an old friend and business partner of mine from Phoenix who has since moved to Los Angeles. He was at the Abbey with his pseudo roommate Ed, also from Phoenix. He came over, hung out and we had a chance to catch up a little bit.
We stayed at the Abbey long enough for a few drinks and then walked next door to Heat. It was certainly the happening place of the evening, packed with wall to wall people.
Look who else Justin & I ran into! Kevin!
Kevin actually knew we were coming out to Los Angeles and we first met up with him at the Abbey. Although brief, it was good to get a chance to catch up with Kevin and spend a little time with him. Kevin moved from Phoenix to Los Angeles a few years ago and is loving every minute of it. Every time I talk to him he wants to know when Justin and I are moving out as well. Patience my boy, patience.
They're all secretly wearing Invisaligns! Stan, Randall, Philip & Bernard
Randall, Steve, Bernard, Philip, & Kendall
2 yummy boys from San Fran hanging out with Tony & Dallas Justin
Around 2 AM everything started shutting down and we were quickly ushered out of the bars and onto the street. We packed it up and headed out to grab a bite to eat at some late night dinner. Stan proceeded to wow us all and promptly ordered the $9.99 full dinner special with salad and dessert. Let me tell you that kid can eat, but also no photos of it for prosperity. So sad. After some food, a few stories and many laughs, we headed back to Philips where 12 of us would be spending the night.Labels: Bernard, Circuit Party, Holidays, Jerry Timms, Justin Chanley, Los Angeles, New Years Eve, San Diego Boys, Tony
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Well Rested
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I can say this has been a very good weekend and I'm finally well rested after our whirlwind trip throughout Los Angeles. We really didn't do much of anything this weekend but clean up around the house a bit and relax. Justin actually had to work on Saturday during the day so I went over to hang out with my Mother for a few hours and then took her out to dinner to Chase's Diner in Chandler. Today was spent sleeping in and doing a little cleanup in our office. I have a dentist appointment that I'm not looking forward too in the morning, but this week should hopefully be very productive for me.
I do have a ton of photos that I took while in Los Angeles that I would like to post, I just haven't taken the time to do any postings, so I'll probably get to that this week. I also have a bunch of things on my mind that I'd like to write about too. Alright well I'm off to bed for now. Cheers.
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Saturday, January 06, 2007 |
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Back from Los Angeles
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Yes that's right it's true, we're back from our trip to Los Angeles. Actually we got back in on Tuesday and I tried to post however blogger wasn't working correctly.
So the trip was great, we had a ton of fun and rang in the New Year properly with our friends. I have more pics and story to come so stay tuned.Labels: Circuit Party, Holidays, Los Angeles, New Years Eve, Travel
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