Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas was once a place I never wanted to visit. That, of course, was before the HRC dinner, the Versailles-like villa at the Bellagio, Alex restaurant, riding around in a limo. After a tough week of work in Los Angeles, I was ready to get the fuck out of the City of Angels, and head for the neon excess that is Las Vegas.

I'm not if the whole story can be told effectively in words, or if I would want to. Here are my g-rated pictures from the weekend. As for other things, remember, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

Adam Does Vegas.

Live From Hollywood

Having a fabulous but stressful time in California. I am still stuck here until the 11th. I've been up working sunrise, god am I tired, BUT there is one light at the end of a long strip-mall and palm tree filled tunnel...

I have been invited to the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Vegas. And that spells lots of fun trouble.

Rich older men, gambling, drinking, Adam actually caught in a tuxedo. I will give a full report afterwards.

"Like Sand Through an Hourglass..."

I am not dead, in case any of you were wondering. California was fucking AWESOME, I had a blast, and will post pictures as soon as possible. I love Palm Springs. Since leaving the desert and returning to the swampy humid jungle that is DC, my sinuses have reverted to their usual problematic selves. For that reason alone I'd live in California.
SO much has happened, and life has been so busy I don't have time to blog like I used to.
I'll sum up the past few weeks accordingly. Butterfield9 has great food. I hate flying, but CA gets two thumbs up. Our hotel was full of some interesting characters (Christian poetry writing hotel woman, old nasty gay guys leering at me in the pool), Crashing a movie party and bullshitting our way around, gambling in casinos -didn't win but came out even. Went out drinking last night at Fab Lounge, Cobalt, and Halo, woke up this morning with a monster hangover, still managed to look descent and meet up with a guy for lunch ;)
I think I need a vacation again already. And to top it all off I am flying back to L.A. on Tuesday. Never a dull moment

California Dreaming

It's been a great weekend, and so so many things have changed.
Friday the 11th was one of those days where things have a weird way of all coming together. First, my boss Phillip has decided to leave. (there are a lot of implications in that). I am very happy for him, by the way. Fernando and him took me to lunch at Logan Tavern to celebrate my one year anniversary at my job. We celebrated with beer and champagne afterwards for both of us with coworkers.
Saturday I went to Mimi's with Fernando, Charlotte, Phillip, and "B.B" over great food, singing waiters, more champagne. It was really one of those perfect evenings, and we celebrated both Phillip's moving on and my own survival at my job, lol.
Later we went to Noche de Fuego for a night of dancing and drinking. I remember leaving around 3am and sitting on someone's stoop on U st. with them eating pizza, and Phillip taking some guy's sunglasses, god I was drunk.
The next morning I woke up to a nasty headache, but managed to meet Fernando for brunch at Merkado on P st.(next to Halo) and I have to say I was very impressed with the food. Went shopping with him and Phillip at Pentagon City, bought a new lamp.
AND today I come to find out a week after I get back from L.A./Palm Springs, I am flying back to Los Angeles for a week-long business trip. No rest for the wicked.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty...

I'm so glad the crazy heat has broken! So, at the end of August I am going to California with Margo. I'm excited, as I've only spent time in San Francisco before, it'll be my first time in the L.A. area. I also discovered that I have not 2, but 3 weeks vacation at my job. Bonus!
Saturday night I went with Fred & Margo to an outdoor film event in Bethesda (they were playing West Side Story). I thought it was pretty cool, despite being in dreaded Maryland (sorry to my Maryland readers).
Sunday I was very lazy, spending the day in the Circle, until I meandered over to Meridian Hill Park to watch the Sunday drummer's circle. If you live in DC and haven't been, it really is a Sunday tradition of sorts. I would say hundreds of people come to the park, where anywhere between 20 and 40 drummers, flute players, bongo players etc., play music, people dance. It really is a lot of fun. The park itself is beautiful, and the area is finally cleaning up a bit so it's safe to hang out there. Go here to see the pictures I took.
After coming back from the park I met up with Phillip & Fernando who had just gotten back in the city from a weekend in Phoenix, for drinks at The Fab Lounge.

Today's the first day of August. It's been so terribly hot, everyday this week is supposed to be around 100 degrees. Most days of the week I walk back to my apartment for lunch. It's psychologically good in that I get out of the office, exercize, and can check up on things at my place. Sometimes I'll get food out and sit in Dupont Circle. But it's been so nasty that I plan in sitting in the AC of the office today, all day.
Thursday seems like a day that a lot of coincidences came together. I'll just abbreviate the story by saying I met Margo at Soho after work. We met up with Fred and my Stephen and we had a GREAT meal at Lebanese Taverna in Woodley Park, close to my neighborhood, with a nice bottle of white wine (a pinot grigio...someone's favorite lol)
Saturday I ran into an old aqaintance at Halo, had dinner with Bruce and Fernando at Le Pigalle on 17th St. Now, I won't even link to the horrid review in the Washington Post restaurant reviews, but I have to make mention that that very day there was a review that completely trashed Le Pigalle. I beg to differ - I've eaten there twice and it is a great French bistro that I plan on going back to and would reccomend any day of the week. I reccomend having the poulet a l'estragon.
After dinner we popped in "the Funeral Parlour" and went dancing at Noche de Fuego on 15th & U st the Saturday night gay party at Cada Vez. I really like that place!
Sunday I managed to crawl out of bed to make it to a wonderful brunch at Margo's. Champagne to toast some fortunate and humorous turns of events lately, ice cream, driving around... it was a great Sunday afternoon.

Soho, what's happened?

One of my favorite establishments in the city, SOhO has been changing and I'm not sure if it's for the best. I've been going there for almost 6 years now, almost religiously. But lately I find myself going there less and less. The atmospere has changed. Maybe it's DC's smoking ban. Maybe it's all the kids with laptops that makes it feel more like a library than the raucous place it used to be. It's been a slow downward evolution, but I'll always have fond memories of the way the West End of Dupont used to be before it "cleaned up."

The website says this of Soho, though I'm not sure it hold true:
In addition to the decor, the atmosphere at Soho is relaxed and friendly. --- Want to sip a tea and read a book? Want to have a Latte and work on your laptop? Want to browse the web over an Italian Soda? Want to pass the time with a friend and critique the walls of art? Then come experience Soho Tea & Coffee. Once you are inside, you become part of the unique Soho experience. As one well-known photographer put it while sipping a bowl of Licorice Ginger Tea, "emotions are out on the table at Soho, people can be themselves, no one passes judgment and every walk of life is welcome."
"Coffeehouses have always been a refuge for people looking for companionship and conversation and Soho Tea & Coffee is no exception. Between dawn and dusk sippers of all ethnic groups, students, politicians, residents and tourists stroll into Soho to sit and think and take their first sip of coffee that engulfs them like good friends sharing good times and they always have another..."

Tales from the City

Hmmm... what's been happening? The oppressive heat has finally broke, I spent a nice afternoon today in Dupont Circle writing (until me laptop's juice gave out) until Stephen met me and we walked to Georgetown and had ice cream.
Wednesday night, (19th) I went with Stephen to Cobalt... you know, it's been weird. I can say this because I don't think he reads this, but he went from one extreme to the other. I went from feeling we didn't spend enough time around eachother to perhaps the other extreme. Though I think it's balancing out now, which is a good thing. Friday night after work I went to happy hour with co-workers, Stephen, and Fernando. It was one of those "happy hours" that turns into happy six hours. Fox and Hounds, Local 16, JR's (yes, I went in the Funeral Parlour, but only b/c of Fernando). Going to places like Fox and Hounds and Local 16 reminds me why I'm gay. No offense to my straight readers! I just mean that some straight bars can be so... tawdry. And can some one tell me why they can't hire servers at F&H that ISN'T a fucktard. I've never had a decent waiter there.
Last night was Ken's birthday. There were lots of Long Island Iced Teas involved. You know, when we were at Ken's apartment at the Seminary Tower, I realized that a) I will miss the wonderful view and b) that building has a weird thing with me. Ken lives in it, Phil used to live in it, and last fall when I was dating Shea before I started dating Phil, he was living there too. Maybe it's all coincidence. Maybe not...

Adam's currently reading: The Wings of the Dove - Henry James

On Adam's iTunes at the moment: "Dani California" - Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Promiscuous" - Nelly Furtado, "Little Love" - Lil' Love

In Adam's DVD player: "Tales of the City"

Heat Stroke

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Since my last entry a lot and yet nothing has happened. The last week has been so hot and humid I'm afraid to veture far outside. Heat like this (100 degrees today) makes me lethargic. The usual has happened: I've been going out during the week, working by day. I finally (speaking of heat) saw the global warming movie "An Inconvenient Truth" with Fred and Margo on Saturday. I'm still not sure if I would say, "run out and see it!" but it was a very interesting - and very scary- documentary.
Sunday I went to Eastern Market in Capital Hill, Raven's apartment, and had brunch on the back patio of Mr. Smith's in Georgetown, drinking in the shade because it's the best way to pass a hot lazy Sunday afternoon.
OH, and how could I forget the best part of recent news: DC is apparently in the midst of a crime emergency state, as declared by our bow-tie loving Mayor. The full story here.

Un-bear-able News

Among this weekends activites (Halo, Omega, and Apex with Raven, Fernando and Ken), on Friday Fernando introduced me to a "bear" bar- Titan (above Dakota Cowgirl on 14th St) has a very packed "bear" night.
I'm telling you- going to a bear bar is the best diet ever. I've never felt younger, skinnier, or smoother. But all this bear stuff reminded me of a hilarious news story I read on Friday about a real bear's antics in Lake Tahoe...
Read the full news story here
"A bear cub drew a crowd of spectators at a Lake Tahoe neighborhood as it munched on barbecue-chicken-and-jalapeno pizza in the back seat of a vintage red Buick convertible. It also apparently washed it down with a swig of a Jack Daniel's mixer, some vodka, and a beer taken from a cooler, the vehicle's owner said."

Hey Baby, it's the 4th of July!

Happy 4th... (sometimes though I wish we'd stayed with Great Britain, I prefer Queen Elizabeth to Bush). It's beena great long weekend so far. Went to Cobalt last night with Fernando and Stephen (and some other bars too). My jaw hurts a little less than it did on Friday, I'm still having issues chewing and biting on hard foods.
AND, Margo's birthday party on Saturday was a blast!!!
Look at the fabulous pictures from the Sunset Blvd Birthday Bash!

My Anderson Cooper Shrine

With all this potential flooding, I am kind of dissapointed now that everything seems to be alright. I was hoping maybe Anderson Cooper could take some time away from covering the Katrina disaster, and come to DC.
I, of course being the good samaritan, could offer him a place to stay...my bedroom has a good view of the city. Sigh...
And now an obligatory picture of him

Drowned World

Damn, it really does feel like we're all going to float away. Well, all the little people will, I will be safe in my tower on the hill overlooking the rest of the city (and to think I bitched about having to walk uphill). I really do love a good thunderstorm, and we've had 4 straight days of it. Curled up, watching a storm, in bed with a significant other- always nice. And last night's storm was something straight out of the movies! Today along P st between 17th & 18th there was a HUGE tree blocking the entire street, and there's been flooding of subway stations. It's not even hurricane season yet!!

I had a great weekend, mostly filled with spending time with Stephen, I also got to go drinking with Raven and Ken. Speaking of fun times, I have 4 day weekend coming up, AND I'd like to wish Margo an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I look forward to your party, dear, it will be quite a "production" ;)

A Week in the Life of Adam

In World Cup news (yes, it's pretty much the only sports thing I get into) Ghana defeated the Untied States today. Which is sad for me mainly because I won't get to see super-hottie Carlos Bocanegra. Oh, I am so transparent sometimes.

Tuesday night I was in rare form as I went with certain two friends/coworkers to Cobalt for their 80's night party. I accidently found myself wasted, it was absolutely embarrasing. Namely because I managed to loose my shirt on the dancefloor (fortunately I still had my over-shirt to wear home.) Ugh, Stephen made some crack about how it was probably swiped by some dirty old man who's getting his rocks off with it. And waking up to a trashed apartment (I have no idea what I was doing when I got home- it looks like I was trying to cook). The whole day at work I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. And worse, two gay guys who work downstairs recognized me from the night before. Ohhhhh the shame!

I'm feeling way better today, though the evil two-some is trying to convice me to come with them to Apex tonight. But first we are going to ckeck out some new gay bar called Sky Bar in the Beacon Hotel on 17th Street. I'll give you the scoop once I check it out!

Burnt to a Crisp

Summer seems to officialy be here, which in Washington means heat and humidity. Friday (16th)after my last blog entry, I left work early (as if I had been working at all... I popped in for a whole hour) and met a friend for dinner at Churreria Madrid, in my neighborhood. The food was, as always, great. If you live in the region and haven't visited this little place, do it! (Champlain St. & Columbia NW). Actually it was this guy Andy I made friends with at Omega last Sunday after Pride. He convinced me to finally watch the movie "Trans-America" which was actually really good and very funny!
Saturday I spent with Steven, and we made a trip to Old Town Alexandria, which I hadn't been to in a long time, at least during the day. I love the riverfront area, al the neat little shops...I could see myself living in Old Town. We had a great time shopping and having dinner together, and just strolling along the river.
Sunday I went to Margo's for brunch, and (a repeat of Friday) I sat by the pool drinking and having a great time. Except I wanted to get rid of my winter whiteness, and today I'm paying the price: I got more burn than brown.

Fabulous Friday!

Happy end of the week to all... I'm a little tipsy as I write this. Where do I start... first, check out Margo's fabulous photos from her New York trip. What a fun place to visit! (I could never live there because it's kinda dirty, skanky, and overhyped, but a great place to weekend). It looked like Margo and Fred had such a good time, I'm envious!
In other news, the date is set on my braces. Two Fridays from now, June 30th. It makes me nervous and excited all at the same time, especially since very few people actually know about it, so it will be a big surprise.
Today after my morning appointment, I hung out with certain two fabulous coworkers of mine at a certain Bruce's Kalorama estate, sitting by the pool, swimming and drinking. Er, I mean, my appointment lasted all afternoon cough, cough =)

Blogging Pays Off!

Well, sort of. My blogging "skillz" have put me in charge of my organization's new blog, which you can check out here:

EDN Blog!

In other news, I have another orthodontic appointment this week, where I may or may not have "spacers" put in my back molars to make room for the brace brackets. Oh yes, I forgot to add that, yes, I am getting braces for sure (cermamic clear ones), and that the spacers are supposed to be the most painful part. I'm hoping I might not need them. I've written about how much I hate going to the doctor, but I find myself getting just as nervous at the dentist or orthodontists too. Just the sound of the drill brings me back to childhood visits where "this won't hurt a bit..."
Related to this, I am binging on all sorts of things that will be forbidden to me... tortilla chips, sticky candy and gum, etc.

Happy Pride!!

First, I hope everybody had a safe, fun, and wonderful Pride! I know I did...

Among the activities included the parade on Saturday, Halo, The Fab Lounge, Noche de Fuego at Cada Vez (which I am really growing fond of) among other places. The street festival on sunday was a lot of fun, despite the Twilight-Zone-ish running into or seeing to almost every single man I've dated in Washington. Maybe I need to move to another city and start afresh.
Meanwhile in New York City...

Personal Penguin

This link is too cute, a Penguin Message Generator. You type in your message and the penguin does the rest!

This weekend a person from my past, PJ, came to DC from Richmond where he's living to celebrate his birthday. Now, things between us have been cool, but last year I extended the olive branch and we've been on good terms since. It was good to hang out with him Saturday, and there was no wierdness ora anything, we can be friends, and I like that. If only all relationships ended up that smoothly.

With Margo, Marc, and Fred, I saw X Men 3 at the theater in Chinatown. Wolverine is pure male hotness. I liked it, the movie that is. Afterwards we had tapas dinner at La Tasca across the street (peach sanrgia!). Meeting up with PJ and his friend Chris we went to Halo.... long abbreviated story we wound up at the gay strip bar WET. It was a fun, if very late, night. I love coming home to the paper delivery guy, LOL.

It's Fabu-lash!

Last night with some friends I ventured to a new gay establishment (part of my quest to explore new places) called The Fab Lounge.
It was fabulous, but in a low-key way. The space, located at Connecitcut and Florida Ave. NW is a much-needed gay presence in North Dupont. It's very spacious and has comfy chairs and tables in addition to a nice bar area. It's only been open 2 months, but I am spreadigng the word, I think it has great potential and hopefully will attract more young people (unlike, say, some other bars that seem to attract the old and tired).
We also ventured into the 18th & U Duplex, which is very happening on a Thursday night for some reason. It has it's share of older men, but it's typically the buff older "daddy" types as opposed to the trolls. Being so packed, we then ventured down the street to the so-called "gay bar" Larry's Lounge. Not my favorite place, but it had some seating available. I just am not sure how they get away with advertising themselves as a gay bar, when out of a packed room, we were the only gay people to be seen. Not highly reccomended.
So recap: Larry's Lounge, two thumbs down. Duplex, two thumbs up (for Thursday at least). The Fab Lounge, two thumbs up.