Saturday, November 29, 2008

Anderson and Michael Phelps Getting Wet

In what sounds like the beginning of a gay porn if I were a director, Anderson Cooper and Michael Phelps got all shirtless and in a pool together. My only compaint is my husband, Anderson, isn't wearing Speedos. No fair!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

no more pie... ok one more piece

So I am typing these words eating some leftover pecan pie (after stuffing my face with leftover turkey, stuffing and my homemade cranberry sauce) and too tired for words. I was thinking about going out tonight but I dunno. I've been lazy on a whole new level today. My body feels like I spent a weekend cracked out partying. I guess bringing the bf home to meet the folks, and stuffing your face several times will do that to you.

As my friends are aware, I have a "3 hour" rule with my family. So bringing Sean home (at my mother's insistence) at noon yesterday meant we spent around 10 hours with my family. I remember the drive over there with Sean thinking to myself "What, oh what the fuck have I gotten myself into? It's not too late to turn around!"

But... you know.... it wasn't so painful. I dare say it went very well. I think my family likes Sean, I think he sufficiently charmed my mother. He's been invited back for Xmas!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy ThAAnksgiving!

Happy ThAAnksgiving from The Poison Pen!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"If You Liked it Then You Shoulda Put a Ring On It"

One thing I didn't mention when I was blogging about my weekend adventures, was that Sunday evening while Sean and I were driving in the car, we started talking about future stuff and...

He used the "M" word. You know which one I'm talking about.

The funny thing is it didn't register with me until hours later. My nighttime cup of tea almost went up my nose when it suddenly hit me what word he'd used. Clearly it's on his mind. Now that I think about it, he did bring the topic up an awful lot during the whole California Propo 8 mess, but I figured it was just political talk.

I'm a 10.5 men's ring size, just in case anyone needs to know.

DILF Wednesdays: Adam Levine

I've always thought the Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine was hot. Not only do his music videos make me swoon, but he has a sexy first name, don't you think?!



Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Chinese Democracy

Ok, Hell has officially frozen over. Seriously, the Bush years felt like some weird trip, but either I've slipped into some parallel universe, or someone's been lacing my Diet Cokes with some kick-ass LSD.
Not only did Obama become the first black president this year, but Gun's and Roses have released Chinese Democracy - the album that has been on hold for 17 years. I figured when Chinese Democracy actually ever came out we could pretty much figure the Rapture was going to happen. This is proof God doesn't exist. Or maybe the fact that the album actually came out does say there is a higher force out there... you be the judge!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Mauled by the Mall

So being a ass cold weekend (yes, that's a scientific measure of cold, don't question me!) I did mostly "indoor" stuff this weekend. I did some pre-Thanksgiving shopping, and Saturday night Sean and I went to this new restaurant called Yaku in Arlington.

I can't say enough good things about it. It had a great decor and a young, pretty clientele. When we had to wait for a table they were kind enough to offer us complimentary cocktails while we waited (a very unique cocktail list, on par with Halo). The food was great: a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese, the appetizers were inspiring and tasteful. I've noticed a fusion of many of the neglected Pacific Rim cuisines have been getting more notice lately (South American, Central American, Filipino, Vietnamese, Californian) and I would definitely recommend Yaku! (Clarendon & Scott St., near Courthouse Metro station)

Later that night we ran into friends at Omega. You know, I like Omega in many ways because it's dependable and unpretentious. I know many consider JR's a "neighborhood bar" but I just think it's a second-rate stand-and-pose bar for the DC "Power Gays." (Of course, we all know how they rank against the gays of the real seats of power - the Londons, Tokyos and Paris's of the world, but that's another story) But Omega has always just been exactly what it is; gritty, neighborhoody, proletariat, and very Washington DC. It's sort of a nice antidote for when I've spent too much time at glossy Halo.

Not sure where I was going with that... anyway we had drinks and left. Sean was complaining about the cold and I gently reminded him that if we move to Canada like we say we will, he'd better get used to it! 30 F is a balmy spring night up there!

Sunday Sean and I had lunch at Maggiano's and shopped around Tyson's. Well, I by shop I mean me trying to trick Sean into divulging what he might like for Christmas Festivus. He liked the iPod Nano I got him for his birthday, so now I'm out of ideas. And window shopping didn't help either. Grrr. I mean, last year he got me a f-king gorgeous Louis Vuitton man-bag, so this year I have to catch up. A getaway to Costa Rica? A pooping penguin?

Either way, I can tell you I will NOT be at the malls on "Black Friday" after Thanksgiving. I've never understood why people get up at 6am to go shopping. Britney Spears could be waiting for me at the door of Bloomingdale's with a free Roomba and that shit still wouldn't be worth getting up for.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Twilight or something...

Oh you crazy kids, you! So I feel compelled to blog about Robert Pattinson - he's the "hearththrob" that all the teenage girls (and gay men) seem to be going ga-ga over lately. I can't read a celebrity blog without seeing his face like 20,000 times. Anyway, he's staring in some upcoming vampire movie called "Twilight." It sounds like some "young adult literature" a la 'Harry Potter - which means I don't care how many of you drink the kool-aid, I'm not going to read it!!
I hate to admit it, but Robert is kind of attractive, in that brooding bad-boy sort of way. If there were vampires like this in real life, my windows would be unlocked every night.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

DILF Wednesdays: Hugh Jackman

I think I fell in love with Hugh Jackman back when he played Wolverine in the X-Men movies. Woof!
"Adam, I heard you needed sunscreen rubbed on your back. I ran right over! Anything else you need? A margarita? A massage?"

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Changing Hearts and Minds

So, yesterday after a hAApy hour at Halo, I went home and received a call from my mother. The whole thing made me realize how much work we have to do on education and advocacy in this country for gay people.
Now my parents have always been supportive of my being openly gay, and I always assumed my de-facto PFLAG parents “got it” when it came to gay rights issues. So last night when talking to my mom on the phone, the conversation turned somehow to gay rights issues. It went something like this:

My Mom – “But one thing I don’t understand, Adam, is the whole gay marriage thing. I mean, why can’t gay people just live together, why do they have to get married?”

[Insert clip of me putting mom on hold, pouring myself a stiff drink.] “OK, mom, I’m glad you asked. Let’s talk about this...”

So I began going through the many, many legal, financial and social ramifications of the civil/legal contract that is marriage, the real history of marriage (No, historically marriage has not always been ‘one man, one woman’ or even about love until modern times) and the simplest question of all: “Why did you and Dad get married then?”

In a short conversation she admitted many points she’d never though of, she said, and conceded that gay marriage equality made sense suddenly. My point is this: even gay friendly people out there, because of lack of education or exposure, don’t “get” why gays lack rights, or even need them. It’s not always homophobia, I’ve learned. I’m coming across more and more straight allies who love their gay family members and friends; but because they aren’t personally experiencing discrimination, sometimes don’t see what it is that gay people are missing out on.

I have a feeling if we educate potential allies more, we’ll discover that by sharing our stories and experienced, we can open peoples’ eyes to discrimination they didn’t realize even existed.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Fires Rage Across California

What a wonderful picture. See... you vote against the gays, you might get burned.

(*Thanks to the Blue Dog for forwarding this to me from the Drudge Report)

Tell Me Why I Don't Like Mondays...

Poor Sean, I’m always dragging him to one dinner event after another. Friday night he was kind enough to accompany me to a board of directors’ dinner. It’s always nice having a partner there as a buffer sometimes. Not to sound like I “use” him, but it’s nice having his support.

Saturday I thought about going to the Prop 8 protests, but I honestly didn’t have time, and I suppose I would’ve just gotten rained on. But I had many friends who did go and had great things to say about it. That night, actually, Sean and I went to a Korean friend of his house in Alexandria for a traditional Korean meal with several other couples. It was such an interesting time, and really good food! Afterwards we came into the city to meet F &P at Apex, which I hadn’t been to in ages. Sean and I had a really good time! And you know, the Metro late at night can be so interesting sometimes. The freaks come out at night!

Sunday morning we went to brunch with my friend Kim, F & P to a place by where Kim lives in Columbia Depths Heights (sorry can’t resist) called Commonwealth, a sort of British-inspired gastropub. The roast may not have been quite authentic (according to P, anyway) but overall I liked the place and would go back. We went to Kim’s afterward for wine and hung out; it was a cold windy day.

That’s about it for me lately. Oh, I think Wednesday night Sean and I are going to a new place in AArlington called Yaku. It’s by the same guy who runs Gua-Rapo, which I like a lot. Will review!

Random Thought

You know, I think more of my friends, and "frenemies" who read my blog every day need their own blogs. I'm just sayin.

Drunky, you totally need a blog... you know you want one. It's so addictive, it's like potato chips.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Homo for the Holidays

It's official. Sean is coming home to meet my parents this Thanksgiving.

I'm taking Valium donations offline. Help!

Dark-Sided!

My friend Water Witch posted his ages ago on his blog, but I came across this yesterday while reading my daily D-Listed, and had to post. When I think of the religious people who vote against gay marriage, this is the type of person I envision:



To the crazy woman in this video:

A) If I find out you voted against gay marriage, I'm going to have my husband #4, Keith Olbermann call your ass up.
B) If you want to see "dark-sided" come stay with the Three Witches in DC for a week. You'll know the definition then.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

DILF Wednesdays: Keith Olbermann

I think I'm in lurve*. Sigh... Not only is Keith Olbermann kind of handsome, he's become very outspoken against the shitfest in California (better known as "Prop 8"). While Anderson Cooper is busy hiding in the closet, at least Keith is man enough to stand up for gay rights. Just sayin'.
*Fine print: Sean is well aware of my Anderson Cooper crush, along with all the others. He is also well aware that 1,000 Anderson Coopers couldn't take me away from him. Sean is the love of my life, and that's that. Sorry, Keith!

Cock Coq Au Vin

So I was at Whole Foods yesterday shopping for various seasonal yummies and decided it was time to make a classic "comfort food" favorite: Coq Au Vin.

3-4 pound chicken pieces (thighs work nicely)
10-ish strips bacon (maple or applewood makes a nice flavor) sliced into 1/2-inch strips
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 pound onions (whole Pearl onions are good, but you can use regular chopped)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp butter
1/2 pound mushrooms, quartered or chopped
2 tbsp flour
3 cups dry red wine (remember: if you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it!)
1 cup chicken broth
Salt and fresh ground pepper
bouquet garni* (*Whole Foods or Trader Joe's sometimes sell bouquet garni, but I often improvise with a tea strainer filled with Herbes de Provence and/or bay leaf, thyme, sage, parsley

In a large frying pan, fry bacon, set aside leaving a little grease in pan. Season chicken with salt & pepper, cook for 10-12 mins until brown and cooked. Remove to a plate. Melt the butter over medium heat and saute mushrooms until brown.
In a dutch oven/casserole, heat the oil and fry the onions and garlic until browned evenly. Sprinkle onions with the flour and cook for 2 mins stirring frequently. Add in the wine to deglaze and boil for 1 min, stirring. Add the chicken, mushrooms, broth, and add in bouquet garni to soak. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 mins. Skim off fat, and serve.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

DILF Hunters

Unbelievable - why didn't I think of this first?! These two girls have a Youtube series called "DILF Hunters" where they go around public places scoping out hot DILFs.

There went my idea for a Youtube show. Seriously, a few weeks ago I started thinking I want to get in on this whole video internets thing you crazy youngin's are doing. But I just can't think of a catchy concept. What would you like to see in a Poison Pen video blog?

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Witch of November

First off it was great last week having a hAApy hour with friends - I hope Ben had a safe flight back to London. I hadn't been back to Town in a long time, too. Fun times! And thanks to everyone for their happy anniversary wishes!

Sean and I had a great anniversary weekend. We went back to the restaurants where it all began. Whats funny is that is some ways it felt like a first date all over again - I love the fact that Sean and I are growing and discovering each other.

Ok, so technically Sean was living in Maryland when I first met him, but he's a Virginia boy now!

Sunday Sean and I went to the Shenandoah wine country for a romantic little day trip. The leaves were at their peak (not quite as spectacular as Canada, but still very pretty). In particular we visited the time-tested Rappahannock Cellars, and Chester Gap Cellars We tasted wine - and brought plenty back to last me until Fesitvus!

Speaking of the HOlidays, what are people's plans for Thanksgiving (and though it seems far away, Chrismahanukwanzakah / Festivus)?

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Friday, November 07, 2008

Someone's in Trouble

My office is over-flowing with flowers! They are all lovely, Sean! But how am I going to get them home??
I love you!

Do You Remember the 7th Day of November?

Today is Sean and my 2nd anniversary!!!!

According to tradition, the second year is the "cotton anniversary." Well we can look forward to next year's "leather anniversary" lol.

Anyway, Sean is the love of my life and I want to thank him for putting up with me for 2 years, for being te best boyfriend I've ever had, for treating me so great, and always being there. I love you, Sean!!!!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

For "H"

Certain friends of mine will recall the significance of this (remember the postcard). I came across this the other day and couldn't help but laugh.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

DILF Wednesdays: Dennis Quaid is That You?

I was thinking of doing a post-Election Day "DILF" entry of John McCain from back in his Vietnam pilot days. Yes, he's crazy and cranky now, but you have to hand it to the man, he was hawt when he was younger. I woulda hit it, just sayin.

On my flight to San Fran on Thursday (by the way, LOVE Virgin America 1st class) I watched an in-flight movie with Dennis Quaid called "Smart People" in which he plays a curmudgeon-y yet lovable professor who falls in love with a character played by Sarah Jessica Parker. The hilarious Thomas Haden Church is in it, too. Unfortunately so is that troll Ellen Page (you know, the "Juno" girl). I don't know why she bothers me so much, but I kept waiting for her to get blown up or something. But I'm rambling... so here is the DILF McDILFerson hawtness that is Dennis Quaid. Not bad at all for 53, right?!


It's Over!

Well, we here at The Poison Pen (and by "we" it means "me") are pleasantly surprised that Barrack Obama is the president-elect of the United States.

Yeah ::twirls finger::

I still want to emigrate, but at least I don't feel so rushed to do so now. It seems at least some Americans have some common sense. The fact that as many people voted Republican as they did even after 8 years of Emperor Bush II says a lot. But the electoral majority went to Obama. So I can rest a little easier now. I think we all can.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Say it with Flowers

My boyfriend sent some beautiful flowers to my office. Not for any specific reason, but just because. I love you, Sean!

And the winner is...

So I arrived back from San Francisco - I had an amazing time celebrating Water Witch (and of course the Blue Dog's) birthday, and of course Halloween in the Castro. I was looking through the photos we took and I'm scared to post them! Well, maybe when I have time to upload them I may have a link. Sordid!

I hate that feeling when you've been flying and after you land you still feel like your moving! Anyway, the election is underway and I was thinking about writing some rant about it, but I swear with the 24-7 obsessive and omnipresent coverage, there's really nothing I can add. I'm thinking about throwing my TV out the window, but oh wait, there's the damn internets!

Sigh, where's my valium to get through this Election Day...