A Home at the End of the World

Same old same old seems to be the way the work weeks go. Last week, compared to the week before, was blissfully quiet. I went out a few times during the week, my friend Holly's going away party (from her old job that is - we used to work together at "Hell House"),, seeing Sean and having dinner with him and co-workers at Jack's on 17th, Halo, Halo (there was a lot of Halo last week). Went to some party at the Black Cat called "Crap" - it's intentionally bad 80's music. I have to say, "Crap" wins the award for most aptly named party. I rarely go to the Black Cat, but when I do and see the straight people who go there, I thank the universe I'm gay. (No offense to my straight friends - but Black Cat people are vile).
Saturday I went to visit my family in ol' Virginia. You know, I have to mention my Dad made me an offer. My parents are considering retiring somewhere else, and my Dad offered to give me the house. While I can't imagine living where they live (they live in truly the middle of nowhere) it would be nice. Of course they do have a huge yard I'd love... hmm things to consider in the future.
Sunday was Margo & Fred's housewarming party! As ususal Margo outdid herself with yummy food and drink :) Sean and I had a great time.
I went to a fundraising event lastnight at a friend's house in Kalorama, after which we went to Cobalt. And that has been my week!

Jerry Falwell is Dead.

And good fucking riddance. Now if only he had the Jimmy Jones effect and his followers would drink poison kool-aid. The Earth would sigh relief.


Your daily dose of both Athiesm, and Anderson Cooper. Sigh...

The Mother's Day Mommy Dearest Massacre

First off, last Monday was Sean and my 6-month anniversary! Here’s to another six months and more… to celebrate we went to Cava in Rockville for dinner.
Last week was a very hectic week for me, with my boss leaving for vacation in Aruba, and of course everything that could blow up, did. But I think I’ve handled it all with grace and poise. And of course the week was not without its fun moments – I’ve been having picnics with friends almost everyday in Dupont Circle since the weather has been so great.
Friday night I met a friend who was in town for drinks after work, and then met Sean for a birthday party at Lauriol Plaza (for a friend of his). I remembered why I stopped having my b-day parties there- a large party at that place on a Friday nights is always a poor idea.
Saturday Sean and I went to Banana Café (we were on a Latin kick I guess or maybe I was just craving stuffed plantains) it stormed pretty hard, so I had two of their potent margaritas. I have a high tolerance (thanks to college and dating Drunky last year) but two of them knocked me out. Sean and I made it an early night – oh getting older and in love! I’m a few steps away from Wisteria Lane…
Sunday we had brunch at Cafe L’enfant, this French creperie in Adams Morgan, (next to Dump-lex “Diner”). It’s pretty good, not great, but good. Then we went to Eastern Market (fortunately the flea market is still going strong) and then to Margo’s for our second annual Mommy Dearest Mother’s Day (well, we didn’t watch Mommy Dearest this time, but you get the theme..) Great food and wine and watched two black-n-white bitchy classics: Sunset Blvd and Rebecca. Check them out if you haven’t seen ‘em.

No Door Prizes, But...

Well woo-hoo! I've hit my 10K mark on readership! Well, at least since I started keeping a counter, which hasn't been that long I guess.
Anyway, last week wasa very busy week for me, with Board of Directors coming to town and work-related events on the Hill I had to be at. I've seen more of Capitol Hill lately than I care to. Suprisingly the House passed a gay-inclusive Hate Crimes bill. It's a good sign, but I sill want to leave the country more times than not. Why does Canada have to be so cold?
A wrap-up of my weekend included going to a PFLAG reception in Georgetown on Saturday night, bringing Sean with me as my partner, which was a lot of fun. It was great to bring Sean with me, and to see all of my new co-workers (god am I glad to be away from that other place I worked).


Sunday we met my friend Joshua who is back from Africa, Holly, Fernando and his man interest (what is it with us and men from Virginia?) for brunch at a place in Dupont called Lillie's. It's in the Hotel Carlysle on New Hampshire Ave. I've been by it a million times but never went in. I have to say it's the best brunch I've had in DC yet - I'm looking forward to return trips for sure. We then went to the event to raise money for Eastern Market, which was so good to see the community come out in support of! I hope they rebuild it quickly! Afterwards Sean and I went to see the Sunday evening drum and dance circle in Meridian Hill Park. It was all in all a great weekend! And now back to work...

May Day

For DC residents, there's some sad news from yesterday that the Eastern Market burned down. It's so sad! I loved going there on Sundays, looking at all the wares, it really had such a great local vibe to it. According to the news stories, there are pland to rebuild it quickly, which I really hope happens!!

And for your Tuesday morning pleasure...
The Bi-Polar Polar Bear The Bi-Polar Party Bear

From Russia (House) with Love

Quote of the Day:
"Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it's
the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead

What a week it had been - since my last post I peeled from my sunburn (what I get for going overboard with the sun last weekend), went to Capitol Hill for the introduction of the ENDA legislation (which aims to protect GLBT persons from employment discrimination on the federal level) had dinner with Joe Solmonese of HRC, celebrated Fernando's birthday (Happy Birthday, Fernando!!)

The dinner I had on Thursday night, when I met Joe, was at The Russia House. I think I've found a new favorite restaurant in the city. Actually I've been there several times before but usually just for drinks and appetizers. Being a bit of a Russophile myself (I studied Russian for 3 years in college) I wanted to try the food (I was thinking of taking Sean there). The vodka list itself in impressive (of course) and the food was superb. I'll definitely be going back.

Friday night we celebrated Fernando's birthday with a party at Margo's house, followed by Banana Cafe. We went out again Saturday night to Halo, then to dancing at Apex, the end of the story being Sean and I didn't even wake up the next day until 2 (it felt so early...)At any rate I love it when I get Sean to dance...
But we did manage to get ourselves together for a beautiful day and we went to Great Falls Park. Pictures forthcoming... We also realized we hadn't eaten all day (save for that large slice of post-Apex pizza, so bad yet so good...) so we went to Brio's in Tyson's Corner for dinner. I'd forgotten how good that place is, and how large their portions are (what do you think I'm eating for lunch today). Speaking of lunch, I'm hungry. More later!

In Recovery

After my birthday I think I celebrated myself into sickness. Of course I have NO idea how my immune system could've gotten down, what with the flowing booze, cold wet weather (wink). SO the end of last week was spent nursing myself back from a nasty few days of flu. But alas, those of you who thought it was a good idea to play with the Adam voodoo doll - I am back and better than ever!
What a wonderful weekend it was too! I went out per the usual Friday night, and went shopping Saturday, found some cute things for summer, went to Old Town with friends, met up with Sean. Sunday him and I had a picnic in Dupont Circle, and went to see everything in bloom at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown. I always love to go there in the Spring, whenthe gardens are at their best. Maybe it's because I've been inside for the past 6 months, but I managed to get burned yesterday while being out and about! Anyway, here are the pictures of our visit.

(my real) Birthday

Here are the birthday pictures. I will let them speak for themselves. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday weekend so fabulous! I plan on continuing the celebration tonight, though not to the same extent.

Birthday!!

Since I probably won't be checking back in until next week, this weekend is my Birthday celebration! (My birthday techincally falls on Monday 16th, but who wants to party on a Monday?)
Festivities surrounded by my close friends and Sean, food, drink, and presents - I'll report it all after the 26th year celebration of all things Adam.

By the way, today Sean met me for lunch at an amazing little place that I never even knew was there- a tucked away courtyard off of N st near Dupont Circle called The Iron Gate Inn Restaurant. Intimate, romantic, wonderful food, and a dining courtyard that reminds me of something I saw in France. What a great little European-style gem in the hart of downtown! Sean and I will be making many trips back, no doubt! I reccomend the leg of lamb.

Mr. Cooper

No reason in particular - I just felt like posting a pic of silver fox Anderson Cooper. I wish he'd just officially come out already. He should do a story on me.

"That's right, Adam. Now take of the pants..."

Eastivus Dinner

What a surreal week this past week has been for me...actually I'm calling last week my "Adam Lohan Week" since I was going out everynight pretty much. Funny how lately I've been going out more on "schoolnights" than on the weekends. But I won't bore you the details of all that. I did, however get to meet "Dear Abby" when she stopped by to visit the office, that was one interesting thing...
Sunday Sean aka "Chef Tom" invited a bunch of us to his place in McLean for Easter/Eastivus dinner. Ok, a side note about the "Chef Tom" thing - it began when certain friends remarked how Sean A) resembles Tom Brady and B) is in fact a chef. Which of course would make me Gisele. Anyway Chef Tom/Sean made a fantastic 5-course meal, and nothing is better than a great meal, great wine, and great friends. (hopefully pictures forthcoming...). From the caviar parfaits, to the quail, to the scallops...everything was perfect. Why can't Xmas/Festivus be so fun and stress-free? (and if you're wondering, I made Sean an Easter basket).

WHITNEY!!!!

Could it be?? Whitney Houston could be poised for a come-back! LOVE IT! I always thought had it not been for Bobby she could have been bigger than trend-snatching Madonna. She could really sing. But alas, we've all had our Bobby Browns (I had my Casey and Drunky). But go Whitney for ditching him and hopefully moving forward!

The D-Listed Blog has this to report...
"It's the end of a crackhead era! Whitney Houston's divorce to Bobby Brown has been finalized. An Orange County, CA judge granted Whitney's petition and gave her full-custody of Bobbi Kris. The divorce will be a done deal on April 24th.
Whit told the court that Bobby was a crapp daddy. "If he says he's going to come, sometimes he does. Usually he doesn't."
She left the court in tears and refused to speak to reporters. Bobby Brown's attorney said he will appeal the judge's decision. Bobby was not in court. He apparently isn't happy with the settlement.
Let's send Whit Whit our love during this terrible time, so homegirl doesn't turn to the pipe. Also, let's ask her to please go back to the way she looked in the 90s..."

Eastivus

And people wonder why I'm an Athiest. Check out this BBC documentary of my favorite rabid anti-gay (make that anti-everything) religious whackjob, Fred Phelps, delivering his unique blend of cult-meets-circus fire and brimstone. (You can watch all 7 segments in ten-minute clips).

Happy Easter/Passover, suckers.

Confessions

I'm getting back with Casey ("Hitler") - we're moving to Canada and getting married. I started smoking again. I've become a Republican and I love Maryland.

APRIL FOOLS!

Didn't mean to frighten anyone with the above headlines. On to more serious matters...
What have I done with myself? Well, my new job has kept me rather busy, but it's so nice to be near freinds for lunches in the Circle. Last Friday I wen tout with pretty much everyone in my circle of friends to Banana Cafe again, that was fun. The next morning I made the mistake of saying I would meet my family early, which I still managed to do. It was my Dad's birthday, so we went out to celebrate that, but I also did my mother's gardeing for her. She put her back out years ago and can't garden as much as she likes to - so being the good Gay son that I am I weed, ho, and dig her garden every year, plants flowers and vegetables. I actually enjoy it, gardening vicariously as I don't yet have a yard of my own. All she has to do is water and harvest.
I went out that night to Noche de Fuego with Phillip and Fernando, which is a nice alternative from the ususal suspects (Like my most favorite bar JR's - April Fools again!)I didn't drink, one reason being a) didn't feel like it and b) I don't HAVE to drink to have a good time (Phil, are you reading this??)Speaking of Drunky - he pathetically contacted Phillip on Myspace. Doesn't he get that Phillip wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole? Phillip responded wisely; "Aren't you the drunk who tried to hit my friend?" Thanks Phillip - Heheh as the song goes "That's what friends are for..."
Actually Phil isn't a drunk (APRIL FOOLS! Ok, thats the last joke I promise). Yesterday Sean and I went to see the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin. It was wonderful, now seems to be a good time to see them, all the trees are out! We went to dinner together... and speaking of dinner I know he has something up his sleeve for next Sunday ("Eastivus" - Athiest easter, like Festivus for X-mas). He's planning a dinner party for all of our friends at his new condo in VA. I'm excited to see what he has planned - I'll keep you updated!

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Poor Unfortunate Souls...
Phillip posted a lovely comment in my Myspace profile I have to share with you all -

"Adam "Silent Storm" is the finest witch in all of DC. Watch out if you cross him - you'll end up with bells palsy, become an alcoholic, or have to resort to turning tricks to pay your rent. You've been warned ;) "

In regards to certian folks who have made the mistake of crossing my path (former co-workers, Drunky McDrunkerson, and so on) here is a clip I love. What makes the witch jokes even more perfect is Fernando is a brunette, Phillip is a blond, and I'm red - the three witches of DC, watch out!

Sean and Adam Go to The Zoo

I'm glad the beautiful weather is finally here. Wednesday after work I went with Margo on a shopping trip - my new office if bigger than my last so I needed objects d'art to fill the walls. It's looking good! We went to a great little Thai restaurant in Eastern Market for dinner called Old Siam. I'm beginning to be a honarary Eastern Marketer as I've been going there a lot lately. Thursday I went to Banana Cafe after work with Fernando too. That place never gets old - I think I might have my upcoming birthday party there too.
Saturday I really didn't do much - when Sean left the kitchen we met and had dinner at Skewers, a nice Middle Eastern place in Dupont, had a few drinks afterwards... Sunday was beautiful and we went to the National Zoo. Lots of new things since I was last there, and it hasn't been invaded by too many tourists yet. That evening we joined Fernando, going over to Margo's new place on the Hill for dinner, movie, and wine, always so much fun, esp. with great friends and someone you love.

Screw the Democrats

This is an op-ed that appeared yesterday in the LA Times, written by noted Gay activist Larry Kramer. I say fuck the Republicans, but this article illustrates why I say fuck the Democrats too. Both parties throw gays under the bus as per convenience. [as a side note, I know my straight friends don't hate gays...I post this to only show how other Americans are often two-faced in their support of gays]

DEAR STRAIGHT PEOPLE,

Why do you hate gay people so much?

Gays are hated. Prove me wrong. Your top general just called us immoral. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is in charge of an estimated 65,000 gay and lesbian troops, some fighting for our country in Iraq. A right-wing political commentator, Ann Coulter, gets away with calling a straight presidential candidate a faggot. Even Garrison Keillor, of all people, is making really tacky jokes about gay parents in his column. This, I guess, does not qualify as hate except that it is so distasteful and dumb, often a first step on the way to hate. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama tried to duck the questions that Pace's bigotry raised, confirming what gay people know: that there is not one candidate running for public office anywhere who dares to come right out, unequivocally, and say decent, supportive things about us.

Gays should not vote for any of them. There is not a candidate or major public figure who would not sell gays down the river. We have seen this time after time, even from supposedly progressive politicians such as President Clinton with his "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military and his support of the hideous Defense of Marriage Act. Of course, it's possible that being shunned by gays will make politicians more popular, but at least we will have our self-respect. To vote for them is to collude with them in their utter disdain for us.

Don't any of you wonder why heterosexuals treat gays so brutally year after year after year, as your people take away our manhood, our womanhood, our personhood? Why, even as we die you don't leave us alone. What we can leave our surviving lovers is taxed far more punitively than what you leave your (legal) surviving spouses. Why do you do this? My lover will be unable to afford to live in the house we have made for each other over our lifetime together. This does not happen to you. Taxation without representation is what led to the Revolutionary War. Gay people have paid all the taxes you have. But you have equality, and we don't.

And there's no sign that this situation will change anytime soon. President Bush will leave a legacy of hate for us that will take many decades to cleanse. He has packed virtually every court and every civil service position in the land with people who don't like us. So, even with the most tolerant of new presidents, gays will be unable to break free from this yoke of hate. Courts rule against gays with hateful regularity. And of course the Supreme Court is not going to give us our equality, and in the end, it is from the Supreme Court that such equality must come. If all of this is not hate, I do not know what hate is.

Our feeble gay movement confines most of its demands to marriage. But political candidates are not talking about — and we are not demanding that they talk about — equality. My lover and I don't want to get married just yet, but we sure want to be equal.

You must know that gays get beaten up all the time, all over the world. If someone beats you up because of who you are — your race or ethnic origin — that is considered a hate crime. But in most states, gays are not included in hate crime measures, and Congress has refused to include us in a federal act.

Homosexuality is a punishable crime in a zillion countries, as is any activism on behalf of it. Punishable means prison. Punishable means death. The U.S. government refused our requests that it protest after gay teenagers were hanged in Iran, but it protests many other foreign cruelties. Who cares if a faggot dies? Parts of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. are joining with the Nigerian archbishop, who believes gays should be put in prison. Episcopalians! Whoever thought we'd have to worry about Episcopalians?

Well, whoever thought we'd have to worry about Florida? A young gay man was just killed in Florida because of his sexual orientation. I get reports of gays slain in our country every week. Few of them make news. Fewer are prosecuted. Do you consider it acceptable that 20,000 Christian youths make an annual pilgrimage to San Francisco to pray for gay souls? This is not free speech. This is another version of hate. It is all one world of gay-hate. It always was.

Gays do not realize that the more we become visible, the more we come out of the closet, the more we are hated. Don't those of you straights who claim not to hate us have a responsibility to denounce the hate? Why is it socially acceptable to joke about "girlie men" or to discriminate against us legally with "constitutional" amendments banning gay marriage? Because we cannot marry, we can pass on only a fraction of our estates, we do not have equal parenting rights and we cannot live with a foreigner we love who does not have government permission to stay in this country. These are the equal protections that the Bill of Rights proclaims for all?

Why do you hate us so much that you will not permit us to legally love? I am almost 72, and I have been hated all my life, and I don't see much change coming.

I think your hate is evil.

What do we do to you that is so awful? Why do you feel compelled to come after us with such frightful energy? Does this somehow make you feel safer and legitimate? What possible harm comes to you if we marry, or are taxed just like you, or are protected from assault by laws that say it is morally wrong to assault people out of hatred? The reasons always offered are religious ones, but certainly they are not based on the love all religions proclaim.

And even if your objections to gays are religious, why do you have to legislate them so hatefully? Make no mistake: Forbidding gay people to love or marry is based on hate, pure and simple.

You may say you don't hate us, but the people you vote for do, so what's the difference? Our own country's democratic process declares us to be unequal. Which means, in a democracy, that our enemy is you. You treat us like crumbs. You hate us. And sadly, we let you.

Fresh Like Irish Spring!

Ok, now as much as I make fun of Maryland, I have to concede that MD's governor and former mayor of Baltimore, Martin O'Malley is a total hottie. (he even has a rock band, see photo)

Now see, given the St Patrick's Day weekend, O'Malley is an Irishman worth a few pots of gold and some Guiness. Meanwhile I'm sure other people of Irish decent I know are still crawling out of the gutters.

So, this weekend I DROVE to Chicago (10-11 hours of cornfield goodness - that's all there is to Ohio and Indiana) for my cousin Kala's wedding. I will post photo links soon. All I can say is she was beautiful and it was a great wedding. Driving back from Chicago the day after the reception wasn't pretty, and it's good to be back home.

I want to give a warm congratulations on Margo and Fred's 7th anniversay that was this past Sunday, and on their new place on Capitol Hill. All the best!!
And speaking of new beginnings, today is the first day of Spring!

March Madness

The post title isn't because I'm a big fan of basketball or anything, but because March thus far has been madness. My grandmother had a stroke, my cousin is getting married in Chicago this weekend (which depending on the grandmother's situation I may or may not be attending), I finished my first week at the new job (LOVE IT!), Sean moved into his new condo in Virginia, Margo is moving into her new place on Capitol Hill. So... that's everything that's been going in my life, sigh. [and how could we not forget poor Britney going bat-shit crazy?! And readers wonder why I advocate rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous for those who need it].

Ok, now apparently Congress up and decided to move Daylight Savings Time without informing yours truly, so this morning when I was supposed to meet friends and Sean at Cafe Belga for Sunday brunch, I show up an hour late! Afterwards we all went to the orchid exhibit at the National Botanic Garden, which somehow was a bit of a let-down compared to last year as they didn't seem to have as many orchids. Though there are always interesting planst to see anyway (why didn't they have our beloved chocolate orchid??)

This past week I haven't had time for my usual blogging. Monday night I did go out to celebrate the first day on the job with Sean at a place in Rockville I love called Cava. His friend Courtney introduced me to the place when Sean and I first started dating. It's strange - there is really no good Greek restaurant in DC itself, and Cava just comes to show there are some amazing restaurants worth a trip to the suburbs. I can't believe I haven't mentioned it before. Be sure to try their "Cava martini" made with pommegranate and white grape. Highly reccomended restaurant!!

"Vacation, all I ever wanted..."

Another week of vacation... actually I just took a week off as "psychological decompression time" between my old job, and the new one which I start on Monday. Wish me luck!
What's been going on in the past two weeks? Well, cleaning out my office, finding any excuse to celebrate my departure from the insane asylum that was my old job. And there's been lots of sleeping. Zzzz
I owe our friend Marc a belated Happy Birthday. We went out to celebrate at a cute Mexican place in Adams Morgan (we had a very hot Latin waiter, I seem to remember).
"The Sum of all Beers", or "For Whom the Booze Tolls"
I have to start off with this website I stumbled across today. Certain people I know might find it interesting...
Modern Drunk Magazine.
Departing From Gate...
So Friday apparently I caused a stir by inviting Phillip and Fernando to my going-away party at Halo (where did you think I was going to have it, JR's?!) I don't know why, but just knowing that the three of us wll continue to be the office gossip for ages to come makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
What have I done with myself this week? Absolutely nothing! No travelling, no places to be (I even cancelled my appointments), just sleeping as late as I want to, leisurely lunches, shopping, sleeping, meeting up with Sean. Yep. Oh, well Tuesday was reserved for helping Sean move. I absolutley love his new place in McLean/Tysons, we spent our first night together in his new home, bought some new furniture.
Speaking of moves, Margo may be moving soon, she is looking at places, and I wish her the best. Oh the fun times yet to be had!
The Fall of Berlin...
While many know my habit of naming exes after fascist dictators, I have to report my on-going reconcilliation with Casey (formerly known as Hitler, a nickname given to him by Dena). Anyway I saw him this week at Caribou Coffee and we ended up hanging out and going shopping together. He's doing well, it seems, so much more stable and mellowed out. I actually think it will be ok to be friends with him again. It's just weird to think we once lived together, and now we are such different people. But I guess that's growing up (or older).

'Taint Any Fun

This weekend Phillip's friend from London came to visit, arriving on Thursday, so I met them at the Fab Lounge and we went to College Night at Apex, which feels more surreal everytime I go - to think I was once one of those college kids (not THAT long ago, mind you, but a world away mentally).
I think I am turning into an "old married couple" already though with Sean. Maybe it's because his schedule and mine don't always sync, but for example Saturday night I took him to dinner at Floriana and afterwards, despite numerous invitation to go out, we stayed in bed. Granted certain things ARE more fun that dancing and drinking, but staying in on a Saturday night seems perfectly fine when you're with someone. Funny how that happens.
Sunday night, not having work in the morning (not that that's every stopped me before) F and Phillip requested my presence at Taint, a monthly Sunday night party at 9th and U Sts.
Sigh- just when I thought the abyss of DC gay nightlife was JR's, I was oh so so wrong. I hereby recant my statements that JR's blows the hardest, and give the new title to Taint. The "indie" music sucked, the room was full of pretentious hipster-wannabes, I think all my my friends unanimously concluded it was two thumbs-down. Taint left me longing for the bad techno and tweaked out twinks of now-defunct Velvet Nation.
Monday my friend Holly came over to deliver a new member of my little family, a hamster (as yet unamed) that her hamsters gave birth to last month. He's now living in my old aquarium and seems to spend much of his time spinning on the hamster wheel. How I feel at work sometimes.