Friday Night Excursion

The Miami Gay Lesbian Film Festival Volunteer Appreciation Party was held last Friday at the bay front home of Dr. Ward. Mr. S, Kendall and I started off by meeting at Halo for the new happy hour hosted by Edison Farrow. We ran into The Mrs Astor, Mr. S's bosses and some other friends. There were music and comedy videos playing on the walls. It was entertaining.

Afterwards, we went to the Party. I was expecting more than I got. The home was very nice and there was much art to admire. There was a great view of the bay and the evening ended with a quick fireworks display.

Okay, now my venting part. It was difficult to RSVP for the event because one was not told of the location in order to make that decision. After two e-mails I received the reply and confirmed our affirmative attendance. I was told they needed numbers for catering numbers. I then assumed there would be food served. The food, while we were there, pita, fruit, a type of hummus ..... basically a Vegan Fest. There was an open bar and that was okay (left overs from the festival).

The Party was to be an appreciation for the volunteers, but what I saw in attendance was mainly board members and other organizers of the MGLFF. Phillip, the volunteer organizer, was there and he is always cheerful and pleasant. He, besides Nellie, was the only one to approach us and make us feel at home and welcome. Carol Coombes was nice, but when it came time to make the welcome, intros, etc all there was was a "pat on the back" for the organizers, board members, patrons, etc and a quick mention of the volunteers. I was disappointed. Then, most of the attendees stayed to their "cliques" and did not mingle. We stayed for about an hour an a half of the three hour event and then departed.

We raided some goodie bags and then went to TWIST to finish the evening. We ended up running into some of the people that were at Halo earlier. Then, we headed back to my home for the weekend.

I will volunteer again next year for the MGLFF and might have bigger role in organizing, etc. I did speak to Phillip about the idea of those who know to mentor those who would like to "step up" their roles next year.

Enough for now, have a good week!!

Who's In Charge While Mom's Away...?

My mom finally got on the plane on Thursday to go to visit my cousins in DC. Their son is getting confirmed on Saturday at the National Cathedral. I'm sure it's going to be nice.

The big hassle was convincing my mom to only travel with a carry on bag....and what a shock....we had to buy a new suitcase for the trip. Next was two days of picking and choosing the right clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc.... (Changing her mind twice after I folded the final choices and packed them neatly in the bag.) It's always a woman's choice to change her mind. In the end, we did it.

Once she arrived, Linda and her mom picked her up with baby Chloe. You can never be unhappy with a nice new baby in your arms. Mom was in mommy heaven.

She'll be travelling back to Miami on Monday. I am in charge of Irma while she is away, but my younger sis still has to put in her ten cents worth. We do have "discussions" over everything under the sun. (Mr. S says it is our "thing" and we thrive on it with each other.) I'll be home most of the weekend and Mr. S will be here on Sat and Sun.

I do get to get out on Friday evening for a bit for the Miami Gay Lesbian Film Festival Volunteer Appreciation Party. It's going to be a catered event at the Miami Beach water front home of a doctor that is one of the patrons for the Festival. I'm looking forward to having some nice conversations with the people I got to work with and to get to know some of the others a little better.

On a side note: A good and wonderful friend is having a medical procedure done on Friday, so she is on my prayer list and many good thoughts are being sent her way.

Until later....Have a good one..........

Mama's Day!

Mom in her new dress and shoes with pearls and ready to go!

Welcome, Chloe Alejandra.....You just made Linda a Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all those who are a Mom in any way, shape or form, I wish you many blessings and a great day!

Today all of us (my mom, sis, Mr S. and I) will go to church in the morning and then have a nice outdoor barbecue lunch with Mr. S's to die for "Grandma's Bread Pudding" with Whisky Sauce for desert.

Hope all of you take some time today to thank or remember

your mother or that someone who has been like a mother to you.

Miami Art Space

Miami Art Space (MAP) is located at:

244 NW 35th Street, Miami (Wynwood Art District), FL.

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.mas-mes.com/

As mentioned before, the Closing Gala and Silent Auction for the MGLFF was held here. The artwork currently showcased is by Kenneth Treister who is credited with the design for the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial. The pieces in the museum were all large and there were a few wood sculptures.

The facade for the building is a colorful installation called "Confetti", also by Treister. The interior is good as a multipurpose venue. You can have an art show or entertain for an event. The staff is friendly and helpful. The drawback is if you are to have a large evening event, there is limited parking and would have to set up a valet system or pay for off duty police security (which I recommend anyway).

The building itself is located a few blocks from the Midtown Building (host to Target, and other stores and residences). Though close to main streets, it is still in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

I'm glad there is growth, but it does not look like it is really benfitting those who reside in the neighborhood. My mom worked at the Clinica Penalver in the neighborhood and Holy Cross Episcopal Church is down the street, so I know a bit about the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.

Note: The artwork shown is all by Kenneth Treister.

A day at the doctor's office...the yearly excursion...

I haven't written about Irma for awhile. This month marks the 4th year of her being in a vegetative state (Schiavo State for those of you who don't know). We had our yearly trek to the doctor's office for a check up and to get new prescriptions for her 7 medications.

It's a real hassle when people do not know how to handle her case. Because of her age (46) she is not eligible for house calls from a doctor....you have to be either elderly or in a licensed nursing home. So, since she is residing at home, we have to make arrangements for an ambulance to transport her to and from the doctor's office. (At a total cost of $600.00 just for the round trip....insurance pays for part and this does not include the visit or any extras.)

The good thing is that the doctor knows us well and gets things done quickly. My mom has known him since he was an unmarried medical student. To put that into perspective, he is now one of the senior professionals in Internal Medicine and has one son graduating from Medical School and one son graduating college and a daughter in High School. I do like him....and we are able to call him any time for assistance or advice when there is a medical question or problem.

Well, the visit went well...or as well as it could be. He is surprised on how well Irma looks. She has good color and has not deteriorated a lot. If some one who did not know looked at her, they would just say she is sleeping or awake, but not saying anything. He gives us credit for stable state.. He says we take really good care of her and it shows. As I have said before, as long as we can afford it and handle it, we will keep her at home.

At least Irma got out of the house for a bit today.

Girlie Brunch

Sunday is "Girlie Brunch" at GEM on 6th and Washington Avenue. It begins at 12 Noon and ends at 4:00 PM. The early afternoon food and fun is hosted by Pussila, Geraldine and Fernan D-Cute (who also assist in busing and serving tables) along with a special guest. Last weekend the guest was Monica LaGrand.

The menu is small, but really tasty and reasonably priced. I had the Spa Omelet which was grilled chicken, mushrooms and egg whites with a red sauce. Mr. S had Eggs Benedict with Prosciutto Ham. The most expensive thing on the menu is $13.00. All meals come with a complimentary Mimosa and a bottomless cup of coffee. There are specialty drinks and none were above $6.00.

The entertainment runs continuously and can be considered family fun. Everything is enjoyable and the crowd is diverse and casual.

This last weekend was also Pussila's Birthday and she was presented with flowers, champagne and a cake. She was surprised and (without losing her voice) was able to thank the crowd before she changed outfits for her next number.

The pics show the girls entertaining in their waitress outfits singing "Sisters", then Pussila did a Bjork song, Monica did a pre-Cinco de Mayo song by Rocio Durcal, and Geraldine and Fernan D-Cute performed "Slow Boat to China" as Barry Manilow and Bette Midler.

In the crowd that afternoon were Edison Farrow, Thomas Barker and Carl Zablotny from "The Wire". There were about 30 people in the room and everything in the mostly white room was casually elegant and nice. Go if you would like a nice meal and entertainment. The music in between performances was nice and never so loud that you could not hear the conversation at your table. Enjoy!

Crunch - Reveal Party

"Crunch" is a nice workout spot and now has two locations on Miami Beach (Washington Ave and one on Alton Road). Kevin invited us to the reveal party of the renovations/update of the location on Washington Avenue.

Mr. S and I arrived just as the event was in full swing. There were boys and girls in skimpy/sexy gear working out and posing on the equipment, open bar, food, music, dancing, etc. It was a little bit of a sensory overload, so we stayed for a bit and chit-chatted before departing.

I really like the updates to the location and am looking forward to participating in "Spin Nation' that will be held there in June. NOTE: I am still looking for sponsors.....

MGLFF - Closing Night Gala/Silent Auction

The Closing Night Gala and Silent Auction was full of beautiful people, art and good food. It was held at Miami Art Space in the Wynwood/Design District of Miami. (Still looks like a "hood" to me, though there are some nice galleries, stores and restaurants popping up in the area).

The awards for the Film Festival were announced during the event and are as follows: JURY AWARDS: Best Feature: "The Edge of Heaven" Best Documentary: "Chris and Don: A Love Story". AUDIENCE AWARDS: Best Feature: "The World Unseen". Best Short: " Who I Am". Best Documentary: "My Name Is Troy".

The night ended with the closing of the Silent Auction and DJ music playing. There were many interesting pieces of Art that I enjoyed seeing... The services offered during the auction ranged from massages, Winter Party passes, hotel stays, restaurant passes, gym memberships, weekend at a house in the keys, even the use of a "head hunter" service. There was also a diamond ring, silver bracelet, Prada Sun Glasses, Ferragamo tie and scarf, designer lamps and lighting and Vintage Movie Posters. I know some bidders went home happy.

Kendall, Mr S. and I were some of the few male volunteers at the event, but we had a great time.....and the Absolut at the end of the night helped a bit too...Afterwards, we headed to TWIST to wish Pussila a "Happy Birthday". Her Mom and sister were there. We did the quick tour and then headed home to pass out from the long day.

There is a blog for the MGLFF with clips and interviews at: http://mglff.blogspot.com

MGLFF - "Tru-Love" @ The Flamingo

Me, Zisca and Karla DiBenedetto ( The Writer and Director of the Short Film "The Trophy") @ Dream Nightclub.

HBO was one of the hosts for the event and above is a pic of writers/directors. Nichelle Nichols (of Star Trek fame) is in the film "Tru-Love" and was present to answer questions along with the lead actress and the writer and director. After the viewing she was part of the Edison Party @ Dream.

Weekend Update

What an end to a week! Mr S and I were tuckered out. I know I like to volunteer and do things, but this weekend caught up to us and by Monday morning we were just aching and glad we had a good nights sleep .

In between the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival events (The Centerpiece Gala, Outdoor, World Premiere screening of "Tru-Love" and three short films at the Flamigo, Edison Farrow's After Party at Dream, Closing Night Gala and Silent Auction at Miami Art Space) we squeezed in catching up with the boys at TWIST, the Reveal party at Crunch Gym , Girlie Brunch at GEM (Which was also Pussila's Birthday and a pre-Cinco de Mayo performance by Monica LeGrand), Pussila's Birthday evening at TWIST, making a song book for a "Danzas Puertorriquenas" get together my Mom threw in at the last minute, and I had a Church Youth Commission and Planning meeting somewhere in there....

OH! .... and one of my "girls" in Virginia, Linda, just gave birth to her own little future diva named Chloe Alejandra. She is only days old and already has her father and grandmothers wrapped around her little finger. I am so happy for their little blessing!

I will post pictures from the events separately .... I just need to get them downloaded first. The rest of the week will be dedicated to getting some family things done and planning for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 11.

Mom has a trip to D.C. coming up, so will have to be ready for that. Mr S will most likely be with me that weekend. So, I hope all of you out there have a good week.

MGLFF - Centerpiece Gala Pics

Just a quick post from the MGLFF Centerpiece Gala held at Maximes at the Catalina Hotel. Was great fun and got to mingle with Sponsors, Board Members, Directors, etc. Very nice people. Will have more after the weekend. Enjoy!