The Poison Pen

I’ve been thinking a name change is due for some time – you may’ve noticed small changes here and there, and now Adam’s Deep Blog has been reinvented as The Poison Pen.

The name came about, actually, last Tuesday night at a certain 80’s night. I was with a group of friends, one of whom asked “Why is it so dead here lately?” and others began joking about my blog’s rather blunt assessment of certain establishments,

“Adam’s poison pen… or should we say poison keyboard!”

I'd find it amusing if my words had that much power to curse, alas. The reference further extends from one of my/our favorite films, the wonderful All About Eve. Watch this gem staring Bette Davis if you haven’t – it truly is one of the bitchiest movies ever.

What’s been new in my life? I had a much-needed 3-day weekend. Sean and I spent time together Saturday and Sunday. There’s a great place we went for dinner Saturday called Sette near Dupont. They have great Italian food- I recommend it! On Sunday I actually got Sean to try Ethiopian – and he liked it! I guess he had a bad experience years ago trying it at some place in Maryland (that says it all right there LOL) so he was scared to try it. But I’m happy to report he liked the place I took him to, Meskerem, so much he wants to go back! I could eat that injera bread all day long.

A Happy Birthday to our friend Marc!! (also a speedy recovery on his injured thumb!) We are celebrating tonight at Marrakesh Palace. I think it’s really nice what they did with that place – do any of you remember when it was “Mr.P’s?” I realize the place had historical significance to the gay community, but I remember that place was scary – as is structurally. You could feel your feet sinking into the rotting wood floors as you walked across it. CREEEK! I heard it cost the new owners a pretty penny to gut the place. Having been there for dinner once already – it’s got wonderful food and belly dancing, and if you’re lucky you can get the Middle-Eastern style couches.

Oh, and last night was a lunar eclipse. I had no idea until Sean called me to tell me to look outside!

VD II

Happy Valentine's Day!! A second wonderful Valentine's Day with Sean - it's so great to be with a man as wonderful as Sean, who treats me so amazingly! I'm so happy I've found him and have him in my life!!

[Update 02/15/08 - Post-Valentines: What an awesome day yesterday was. Sean cooked for me last night - it's nice to have your own private chef ;) He made a lobster-stuffed sole with polenta and red wine-sauteed shallots for the main course - it was fantastic. And I love the cupcakes he had sent to my office - very cute. ]

"Mancrushes" and Tom Brady

A rather timely article I saw on my friend Mike Rogers' gay news blog PageOneQ. It's all about mancrushes...and Tom of course
[02/13/08 - Updated with better link]

The Tom Brady Man Crush

"It's a phenomenon called the Tom Brady Man Crush, and it has taken hold of straight male football fans - yes, even some Giants fans - all over New York City.

As defined by Urbandictionary.com, a man crush is when a "straight man has an extreme admiration for another man, as though he wants to be him." But Mike Philbrick, editor at ESPN.com's Page 2, offers a quick litmus test for diagnosing the Brady bromance: Would you turn down buying your girlfriend a drink if Tom Brady asked you to buy him a drink instead? "

"There's No Place Like Home" *Click Click*

I am so glad to be back home. I was in Detroit much of this week for the Creating Change conference. The conference was a lot of fun – it was great to network with all the faces in the GLBT movement, attend some great workshops, and even have some fun in Motor City (who knew!). As a side note, as our hotel was on the border – I had a lovely view of Canada – am I the only one who saw the irony in having a gay rights conference across from a country where we already have them?? Anyway, I also got to spend time with my aunt, uncle, and grandmother. It seems I also brought the cold back with me (it was 7°F when I left).

The flight though was terrible! I swear I had some of the scariest turbulence I’ve ever experienced. I started to worry when I noticed even the flight attendants looked panicked. Things were flying, people were puking. I have no illusions about any “afterlife” but come on universe! After all the shit I’ve been through I’m not going down in a plane crash! And if I do have to die in a plane crash, certainly not on NorthWest economy! At least make it British Airways first-class!

So I’ve never been happier to land, and there was Sean waiting for me, and I’ve never been happier to see him!!
I have to mention: for dinner we braved the wind and went to the quirky Mark’s Duck House. If you haven’t been there, it’s worth the experience. Their menu is about 20 pages of items in Chinese, some other languages, and sometimes English. It’s the real-deal Chinese cuisine, and it’s a sort of locals’ favorite in Falls Church, Va. Our duck was very good.

I’m still working on Valentine’s Day ideas (I know, it’s 3 days away!) and Sean seems to have something up his sleeve but I don’t know what. We shall see!

"Leave Tom Alone!"

Tom Brady, I don't care what they say, you'll always be the winner in MY book!

Sigh... anyway I have some pictures from this weekend. Margo, Fernando, his man Brandon, and Rebbecca went to the annual orchid show at the National Botanic Gardens. And no, we did not find the elusive chocolate orchid. The orchid show was great otherwise, and I had a fun day. Sean and I went to a really, really bad Mongolian BBQ restaurant - does anyone know of a good one in the area? They're almost as elusive as those damn orchids.

Goodbye Norma!

Today, our friend Ken (aka "Norma") is moving back to Utah. A fond farewell, and in his honor...

Homeless or Britney?

Much like the radio show LoveLine's game "Germany or Florida," I'm going to start a picture game called "Homeless...or Britney?!

"Gimme more...of your spare change!"

Ugh, I'm sure by now we all know that last light she was taken away to where she belongs - a psychiatric ward. I really am at a loss, and yet I can't help but watch. It makes a work day go by so much easier. And in honor of the upcoming Superbowl (and to undo the hideous image above), here is obligatory hawtness that is Tom Brady.

Oh Tom...I don't know about that Stetson shit, but you could sell a freezer to an Eskimo. You're such a tease!

Monday Morning

Some days don’t you want to just stay in bed? I always have a hard time getting up on Mondays, and especially winter mornings, where it’s much better to just hide under the covers.
This weekend was rather low-key – Sean and I met some friends out Saturday (it seems every place other than Town is dead these days on Fri & Sat), David is still here from London with Phillip. Sean and I spent yesterday visiting the “Little Korea” that is Annandale, VA. It really is worth a visit if you haven’t been before. Basically the stretch along Columbia Pike and Little River Tpk has a ton of Korean shops and restaurants – it’s odd that you can’t find a decent Korean place in the city, but they are to be found in abundance in Annandale. We had dinner at what I swear is the best Korean food outside of Korea – a place called Sorak Garden we’d read about. It was amazing, and I can’t wait to go back with a large party!
Next week I will going to a conference in Detroit, MI. Because Detroit in February will be so pleasant I’m sure. Actually I think it will be fun, and my aunt lives there so I can visit her at the same time. Oh, and the week after that I have jury duty! Somehow all these years in the District and Virginia I’ve managed to not be called, but it seems my time has come – wish me luck in that I can leave early and not be selected!
Also, Valentine’s Day is coming – a very important day – but I haven’t decided what to do yet! I need fresh ideas – anyone?!

TGIF 01/25/08

I've got nothin' today - but here's some entertainment for you..


By the way - that story last week about my husband Tom Brady injuring his foot turned out to be a false alarm. Tom is doing just fine, phwew!

MLK Weekend

It feels weird to be back at work today, it seemed like such a long weekend. I was thrilled to have Sean almost all weekend, too (being a chef, it’s rare our schedules match up). We didn’t make any big plans, we stayed around here pretty much. Friday night we celebrated Fred’s birthday at McCormack & Schmidt’s.

Somehow in all these years I hadn’t been there – it was really nice! I love the private booths – I wish more restaurants did that actually. It was great to see Fred, Margo, and Crystal. Oh, and I have to upload soon this kimono Marc bought me in Vietnam. I'm not quite sure what to do with it, but it's something else!
Saturday we checked out the leather exhibition, we went out to a few of the events, and Phillip was back from his travels and his friend David from London is here with his for a week or so. It was so cold this weekend, too! It was definitely a more indoors weekend, making hot tea and stuff during the day.
Sunday night I went back to Russia House for dinner, and we joined Charlie for awhile at Cobalt. I’m not big on karaoke but it can be entertaining to watch. Then certain friends thought it would be good idea to go the closing leather dance at 9:30 club, so we went – and for the first time I’m hoping I actually do not show up in the MetroWeekly photos. It was a very interesting night. And yesterday I did very little except laundry and ordered a pizza!

Humor for the Science-Minded...

After hearing pretty much all week the lovely idiocies from Mike Hucka-billy, I am glad that Fred shared these amusing "Top 50 Atheist T-shirt and Bumper Sticker Aphorisms." Now, I have tried to steer my blog away from politics and religion and keep this light-hearted, though my personal views and such things aren't hard to decipher. Watching the Republicrats (for I consider them one party - equally full of shit) pander to voters has left me with with the conclusion that at least 49% of the United States are fucking morons. I'd like to have faith in the other percentage, but when "faith" polls come out, it becomes apparent that a secular, scientific worldview is a long time a-comin.'

"My Glasses Are Famous"

Watch this!! (Thanks to Phillip for the link)




(link if you are having issues seeing the above)

Mid-week Update

It's Tuesday and I'm already looking forward to this weekend (3-days!) It will also be, interestingly enough, "Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend." I remember years ago in my youth I was always afraid of it, as I lived by the hotel that always hosts the leather-daddy-filled event and I was forced to walk by and feel, well, like a piece of chicken at KFC. Granted I'm still a chicken, just maybe not a spring chicken ;) In related news, after my snafu at the Leather Rack, I now have a $50 gift certificate to use there, which I have told Sean he can buy whatever he wants for us ;) But what to buy? Hmmm suggestions? And don't say "butt plug."
In other news my friends are bugging me encouraging me to come visit them in Canada, so I may go at some point soon, though I think I may wait until it gets warmer. Let's see... the Patriot's won again this weekend, remaining undefeated. I know this, of course, because I watched to see Tom Brady. Sigh. He's like catnip. He makes me happy. "Chef Tom"/Sean and I had a rather quiet week - not much new!
Oh, I must add a Happy Birthday to Fred!

That 'Stuffed' Feeling...

It really is like that feeling after Thanksgiving dinner, when you can't possibly eat another bite, but mom keeps saying "Have some more pumkin pie!"

New Years In & Outs! 2008 Edition

So here is my list of ins and outs for 2008!

OUT: American Fug-parrel! - Ugh, how did this "clothing" store even get off the ground? I have never understood their shit, though I know people who love them. At least H&M has the Euro-chic thing going for it, but American Apparel makes me think more K-Mart than Paris. Sorry guys. Fug!
IN: Any store other than that.

IN: Town
OUT: 17th St. Is it just me or is the 17th St. vibe d-e-a-d?

IN: Tom Brady. As the French say, "le sigh!"
OUT: Anderson Cooper - ok, maybe not totally out, but I think I'd rather hit Tom Brady first. Don't worry, Andy, you're number 2 on my list.

IN: Facial hair - Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenho, Tom Brady... they can't all be wrong!(and no I'm not copying Sean by growing a beard. It just sort of happened over the course of Festivus that I decided to stop shaving... and there you have it.)
OUT: Faux-hawks. Why do I still see people with the faux-hawk/mohawk or whatever bastardized version? It's time to put that in the trend graveyard. R.I.P.

IN: Polar Bears
OUT: Penguins

IN: Britney-gate 2008! And throw in Amy Winehouse for extra entertainment
OUT: Paris and Lindsay... they are getting so boring these days.

OUT: Bush. Finally.
IN: A Democrat. Actually I'm starting not to care. Canada sounds nicer all the time.

En Memoriam

My sympathies on the loss today of Margo & Fred's wonderful mini-Lhasa, Winston. Winston, you will be missed.

The Patriots won some game or something...

Sean grows his facial hair out, Tom Brady grows his... I'm just sayin'.

Happy 2008!

[Botanical Gardens with Margo & Fred! Happy New Yearsivus!]

Hope everyone had a great New Years! I know I did and I was able to see most of my friends and ring in a second new year with Sean!Last Saturday Sean and I went to the Russia House for dinner, on Connecticut Ave. I really like the place, if you're looking for something out of the ordinary. Afterwards we went to the Leather Rack and there was drama. Ok, so I go in there looking for a certain item that was not available in my size because I'm kind of a skinny dude compared to most that shop there. So long story short I was treated rudely and (thanks to Sean) I contacted the owner himself and have been given a very nice apology and the situation has been remedied. Plus, I suspect the employee might have his ass fired, hopefully ("It's Adam, bitch!"). So while I was prepared to blog about not shopping there, all is well and the owner seems like a very nice man, I might add. Sean & I also wound up at the Green Latrine Lantern, which I don't think I've rarely been back to since that infamous "Green (With Envy) St. Patricks Day" [those who were there will remember].
Sunday we spent shopping, somehow we found ourselves in Clarendon in Arlington - there are surprisingly a lot of shops there including a very nice Apple Store (I am a huge Mac user). By the way, I love the Cheesecake Factory, but has anyone else thought it's funny that their menu is like 10,000 pages long? And since I didn't have to work the next day I went to Halo and Cobalt with some friends and was introduced to a drink called the Banana Boat.
New Years Eve I went with Margo and Fred's sister Mariah to surprise my boyfriend at his restaurant, demanding to see the chef! :) He treated us to a wonderful lunch and champagne and after he got off work we went over to Margo's for wine and snacks. I am really hoping the pictures from that night from Sean's phone come out because Mariah came with us to Town in a TMZ-fabulous pink wig. We danced and rang in the new year, and I am sure 2008 will be as fabulous as 07 if not more so!

2007 - the Best Year Yet!

It's that time to recap on this year past. I really do think '07 has been a great year - I stated off returing from Canada in time to celebrate by ringing in the new year with Sean (I'm a bit superstitious about beginning the year with a kiss), and we later on had a great Valentine's Day. In short time I found a better job, more money, and I was happier all around. In April I had a great birthday and Sean made a wonderful Easter dinner for everyone. There were trips to Chicago, to Utah, to the beach, to England, to Mexico. There were gala dinners and countless happy hours. I stayed closer to old good friends and made new ones along the way. Sean and I celebrated out 1-year anniversary, and we were fortunate to spend the Holidays together.

Here's to another amazing year! See you in 2008!

All I Want for Festivus is....

Someone please buy me this:


I am so ready to have next week off! I’m looking forward to both Margo’s Festivus Eve party and seeing my family Xmas day, and getting to see Sean through all of it. Well – I’m not bringing him home this year, but that’s a "me issue" as I’m not psychologically prepared yet to subject him to my family introduce him to the folks.

Wednesday night I hosted a small gathering (pictures forthcoming) and gift exchange with Phillip, Fernando, Charlie and Sean. I’m sad to report Charlie is leaving my job for a better opportunity. So while I am sad to see him go, it really is for a better job, so I am happy too. We exchanged gifts, and drank my out of house and home. Out of the night came two new drinks we have given birth to.

The White Louis ™
(a variation on The Louis invented by Phillip)
½ part amaretto
½ part white cranberry juice
Shake with ice and serve in martini glass.

The Bizzy Fuck ™
(There’s an interesting story behind the name I won’t share here, but it was created in honor of Charlie’s resignation letter earlier that day)
3 shots Stoli Blueberi vodka
1 shot Grand Marnier
3 shots white cranberry juice
1 shot lime juice
Shake with ice and serve in martini glass. Makes about 3 martinis, so adjust accordingly if need more or less. Strong enough to drown all holiday malcontent. I hope Drunky's enablers friends don't try and steal the recipes, they are copywritten!