At the rainbow flag up ahead....

Mom is in Puerto Rico fro two weeks visiting the family and getting sonme stuf done for my aunt...

This week I am in full service/volunteer mode. Wednesday is the orientation for the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Thursday I have a meeting with Twist to assist them with their Pride Parade "presentation" (I can't say what they are doing yet)... it is also the AIDS Walk funraiser at Twist.

The Countess will be in town for the Pride Parade Pool Party at the Victor. I'm sure it will be great....Henrietta, The Astors, Bob and Terry, Edison, Thomas Barker, Sanaa & Maria ... What a group!

Steven and I will start off Saturday with the AIDS Walk at 8 am, then we will assist Twist in getting their marchers, etc registered and in order for the Pride Parade. Steven and will then march with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force when the Miami Beach Pride Parade starts at Noon (miami time).

I might be assisting at the Task Force booth for a bit after the parade, but am sure Steven and I will be enjoying some adult beverages somewhere.

Sunday, there is a reception for those taking the Pride Cruise (we are invited as members of the Task Force)....

THEN, I am going to Puerto Rico on 4/19 snd coming back 4/22 with my mom. That week I get back we will be in the middle of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival......THEN I have Happening #26 weekend (80 high school kids)... May is AQUA GIRL..... AHHHHHHHHH!

Have a great weekend!!!!

Thank you to the AIDS WALK MIAMI 2010 donors

Click Here to Donate

Sponsor me for AIDS Walk Miami 2010 ....

Follow the link below to go to my personal donor page. Thanks!!!!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=315085&supId=288395455

or go to:

www.aidswalkmiami.org and find me under "Luis Rodriguez"

I am on the Sunkissed Productions Team.

We Are O.N.E. Fashion Show and Red Carpet Reception

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Had time for a "Date Night" with Mr. S last Saturday. We were invited by Maria and Sanaa to a fashion show and reception to benefit Haiti's Rehabilitation. It was held on the rooftop of the Clevelander Hotel in Miami Beach. (We were the token "boy" couple, as almost all the attendees were very well heeled female couples.)

It is the middle of spring break, so we had a view of the masses from above.

It was a great evening. (Fashion show by Christian Dior). There were politicians, paparazzi and the obligatory "eccentric". We ended the night by going to David's Cafe and were "convinced" to have a night cap stop at Twist (and the Bungalow Bar)...

As a result, Mr.S had a couch day on Sunday .....

Beach Party Video -WPF 2010

Beach Party

Departure Lounge 2010 Video

Departure Lounge

Under One Sun Pool Party 2010

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

2010 Winter Party Festival

DJ SAYHO

Tomorrow is the beginning of the 2010 Winter Party Festival (http://www.winterparty.com/). After all the meetings and planning, I'm still in hyper OCD-ADD mode.

Wednesday is the DEPARTURE LOUNGE - The Opening Night Reception/Welcome Party (a FREE event). I have been obsessing the last few days over details, but know everything will be fine.

The Rainbow Circus will have about 12 performers during the evening and DJ Sayho will be providing music (a local Cuban American boy that lives in Hialeah). Grey Goose Vodka is doing the bars (will sell drink tickets and VIP wrist bands) and Barefood Wines and Bubbly will be giving out free samples. Let's see how Raul and Da Lupa do with the food....

South Beach Aids Project (SoBAP) will present the "Safer Sex" campaign for the week. There will be about 15 LGBTQ community groups, organizations, sponsors and supporters with display tables.

I want to thank Mr. S for putting up with me during the planning and my obsessing .... He is helping me the night of the event and is happy he gets to order some boys around.....

The week is full of events. If you are in town, look up the schedule and come on out!

3 years and counting ....

Sometimes your prayers are answered....

The Golden Gays

Steven and I are going to see "The Golden Gays" Sunday night at the Colony Theater.

It is a comedy/musical that has four older gay men moving in together and living as the Golden Girls as part of their therapy. I think it will be a hoot!

Thanks to Tommy Decker and his "Golden Girls" video marathon, we are caught up on our episodes, stories, characters, etc.

The show is only playing in Miami Beach this weekend (Friday to Sunday)

Winter Party Festival - The Departure Lounge

This is the official opening night reception for the Winter Party Festival. It is the first time I chair this event and I am excited. I have claimed The Mrs. Astor as part of my team.

There is an official after party at BAR 721 (The old Laundry Bar location).

If you are in town, please come by ... enjoy ... and say "Hi".......

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I was born on a Tuesday and this year my birthday is on a Tuesday ... in fact, it is FAT TUESDAY! Had dinner with the family at Texas de Brazil on Monday to celebrate. I am very greatful and blessed .....

(Me at One month old ... we still have the outfit...)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just read some old Valentine's Day cards my parents sent to each other when they were courting and a letter my grandfather, Martin, sent to my Grandmother, Maria in the 20's .....

I'm wishing all of you .... in relationships or not ...... a day full of joy and remembering all those you care for and that care for you .... family, friends, and your special someone .....

xoxo Luis

A Night Across the Border

We are going to cross the Miami-Dade/Broward Border!

It's been a long while since Mr. S and I have had a date night out alone with each other off the beach. Thursday night we are finally going to see Avatar in IMAX 3-D at the Theater located in the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Science. It is the largest screen in South Florida. (Other theaters now have IMAX, but not with the giant screen.)

I had trouble getting tickets because they do not sell tickets online. They have sold out every weekend. The only way to get tickets is to call and pay over the phone or go directly to the box office. After several attempts, I sent them an e-mail and they called me. Sooooo, we are going to see the film.

Afterwards, we are going to check out the new entertainment complex in Wilton Manors called "The Manor". We will be meeting the gorgeous and fabulous Ms. Vickie and the equally charming Ms. Penny.

We did not see each other during the holidays, so I am glad we get to go up to their neck of the woods and catch up.

Hope y'all have a good weekend.

Couch Day

Mr. S and I sometimes have what is now called "A Couch Day". We basically spend the whole day on the couch watching TV and DVDs, cooking and eating and spending the whole day on the couch.

Sometimes I get fidgety, so I go out on errands to get more food or stuff we need to cook more food. It's been a busy week and I think we are due for a couch day this weekend.....

Update....

Been a while since I have posted. Have been having computer trouble and it is all fixed now. Had to find a good way to store 12,000 pictures. The bummer is that I lost almost all the music on my i-pod ... the good news is that I have almost all of it on CD's.

Been an odd beginning of the year. Some deaths and births and changes here and there. I am in the middle of planning the Departure Lounge - The Welcome Reception for the Winter Party Festival (March 3, 2010, Doubletree Surfcomber, Miami Beach, 7 - 10 pm) and have almost filled all the volunteer shifts with the people I need.

Mom, Gladys, Tio Mario, Little Ana, Linda, Tiffany .... lots of January birthdays.

Oh, well. Guess I'll do more when I get a chance. Hope all of you are doing well. Peace.

Another decade almost over ...

We are nearing the end of 2009.
I do get nostalgic and excited around this time of year. I remember family, friends and people I have met and cherished and those who are no longer with us. I get excited with the hopes of new windows opening up and the unknown. I wish all of you a New Year full of hope, joy, friendships, prosperity in it's different incarnations and many blessings.

Twist Chirstmas Party 2009

No stamps?!!!

Went to the post office on the corner of Washington Ave and 13th Street on Miami Beach and there was a notice on the door: "No Cash transactions" and that they will not be selling stamps or money orders. They will honor debit cards and credit cards. "Sorry for the inconvenience" and it gave the address to another post office. The were trying to fix the problem?

I'm glad I sent the bulk of the family gifts already.

This is not the first time. Last summer I had to buy stamps for Twist to mail out cards and had to wait for a manger to arrive to open the safe because they did not have stamps.

I like snail mail. It's personal and people like receiving something that is not a bill, statement or advertisement......

21 more shopping days 'til Chirstmas

This post finds me upset that my home computer is on the fritz. I still think is a plot by Microsoft edging people to by Windows 7. My sis bought her laptop at the same time and it was on the outs last week. 2 other friends find themselves in similar situations. I knew I should have backed up info last week.... I do have some of my important info on a flash drive and printed out.

On to the week. Mr. S and I have a holiday party on Saturday with the Dive Club in Ft. Lauderdale. I have to figure out all the outfits we need between now and the holidays so I can get things dry cleaned and ready.

I have been able to do some shopping already and our list has been trimmed down. The family will be the more elaborate gifts. The way things have been, I have been looking for gifts people can use and enjoy at home. Many have been saving their pennies by doing things at home.

I have the idea of getting friends together and have a beach or a park picnic ... everybody bring something to share ... and after, hit the local watering hole. It's the same cast of characters, but in a different setting. It would also be fun to do something outdoors. Maybe Mrs. Astor will have some ideas? (Hint, hint, wink).

Well...will catch up with you later. I am presently with Nicholas helping him study for 2 tests and we just finished his reading project. Have a good weekend ...