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 ...

The Herald Hunt Holiday: A Bizarre Bazar

It's the Most Fun Way to Kick Off the Holidays!

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

12 Noon

Downtown Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center

www.heraldhunt.com

Dave Barry and Tom Shroder have made their list, and checked it twice - and they're designing Herald Hunt 2009 to be....fantastic!

Sunday, November 29, the Herald Hunt returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center because, come on....can anything top the Flying Sheep? (Answer yes...just wait till this year.) You could win a 7 Day Costa Caribbean Cruise for 4..... which is way better than any Shopportunity you'll find at the mall. So, get your friends out of the stores....and onto your team. Kick off your Holiday Season with us. Mark your calendar, get your shopping done early - and be a part of the zany fun that is The Herald Hunt.

THE HUNT IS ON!

FIRST PRIZE:Experience “Italy in the Tropics” on a 7-night Caribbean cruise for four departing from Ft. Lauderdale with Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. Beautiful tropical destinations close to home combined with Costa’s unique and authentic onboard flair brings Italy to you without having to cross the Atlantic. “Cruising Italian Style…That’s Amore!”

**Subject to availability and blackout dates. Prize is cruise-only. Winner is responsible for other fees including, taxes, onboard purchases, ground transportation, etc.

Getting ready for "season"...

Twist is doing a quick spruce up before the holidays. Mr. S and I took down the crystal chandelier from the lobby and cleaned it last week. You have to take it down one strand at a time, and clean it by hand. There are many pieces to it, so the strands are placed in individual, numbered bags so we know how to put it back together. Oh ... and all of it is in the middle of Mr. S's living room...

I will be going in and out doing some quick touch up patching and painting. It all needs to be done by Wednesday. They will be decorating for the White Party people that will be coming in to town and the After party Twist will be having.

All this and it is almost Thanksgiving...

I have already purchased the major things we need for Thanksgiving Lunch ... the 15lb turkey is in the fridge (I'm making one and the O'neill's another), the Honey Baked ham will be delivered on Wednesday, cleaning is mostly done ... so far we have 22 people feasting with us ... I'm sure something will come up before then. We still have to pick a film to see on Thanksgiving day.

The holiday parties have started!

Tonight, I am going with my Mom, sis, Nilda and Nick, old family friends (Carmen Velez, The Vargas, The Veras) and my Dad's cousins (in town today before they go to Santo Domingo to holiday for Thanksgiving) to the first Holiday Party ....

We are going to "Parran-dena" (a combination of the words "Parranda" and "Puertorriquena"). Simplified it is going to be a big party full of Puertorican food, traditional music, dancing,etc. Mr. S is being spared because he will be with me and my family for Thanksgiving this week and then Christmas soon after .... I can only subject him to so much.

I'm sure it will be a good evening.

Have a good Saturday!

Fetish the 13th - update

It is adequate to say that all had a great evening and Saturday was used as a day of recovery.

I can say that I had to quickly go home and change because some infidel cut the leather stap that holds the chaps together inthe back.....

Though, saturday I was able to take Bill to the airport, go to Burger King, Pollo Tropical, Einstin Brothers and CVS ....

Holiday Countdown

The holiday countdown and preparations have begun at my mom's house. This week we have already been shopping for family,friends and church family gifts, table cloths, candles, wreaths, etc. Thinking about dumping the old outdoor light display and buy everything new. We thought it was going to be a small Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but the wind seems to be blowing another way.

My cousin and his wife will be coming from Puerto Rico to visit with his two daughters and grandchildren in Tampa for Thanksgiving. One of the daughters will be having her second child in January, so my cuz will be in the area until the birth. The logical idea in their minds, of course, is "Let's go to Titi Irma's! (My mom). Let's see how that goes. I have put the idea in their heads to have Thanksgiving up there and to come visit during the week when classes are out and we can sit and visit with them.

We thought we were going to have the holidays at Nilda and Nicholas's new home, but they still have unpacked boxes. They are also stressed out between 5th grade power point projects and homework and regular work. I think it will be better at mom's for now ... we have the system down ... Luis cleans and preps, sets up the night before and my sis and cousin come in later and ....blah, blah, blah....

The Thanksgiving menu and shopping list is done. We just have to figure out how many turkeys we will need this year. Mr. S and I were planning on making a deep fried turkey and we will have one traditional turkey ... plus a honey ham. MMM! The guest list always changes and it may sound like I might be bitching and moaning a bit, but I do love that everyone feels comfortable and everyone is always welcome.

Have a good weekend. I hope I survive the "Fetish the 13th" Party. Mr. S is promising the masses that I will be wearing (or not wearing) certain items and I don't think I want those pics spread around..... We'll compromise ... It will be fun...

Insert your own title here

So, last weekend was Scotty's birthday and the Sleepless Night event. My first bad omen was that I left my camera at my Mom's house and therefore have no photographic evidence from the weekend. (At least not taken by me). I think this is a good thing.

Our friend, Raul, made a great buffet ... Grilled Chicken Skewers with peanut sauce, Churrasco steak with chimichurri on French bread tips, pasta salad with balsamic vinaigrette, Jalapeno stuffed with bacon and cheese, beef sliders with a mayo/basil sauce and a thick chocolate bundt cake .... all made with the assisting and serving hands of Mr. S, Larry and myself. I also helped Mr. S blow up many, many green and white balloons to fill the ceiling of the bar.

First. I love my friends and I am always offering to help, but I was "reeled" in this time. I did have a great night with Scotty, but ended up missing all the Sleepless Night events I had marked on my schedule to attend. (Note: I closed Twist at Yves bar at 7:30 AM and spent all day Sunday indoors with the shades drawn.)

Now to Monday:

Mr. S. worked and I cleaned the apartment and ran errands in the morning and early afternoon. I then met him at Twist before we went home. Scotty came in and asked Mr. S if I could help him and he said "yes". (Note: always find out what you are agreeing to before answering for someone else.)

SOOOOOO. I was to help Scotty move all his stuff out of one apartment and move to another (not that many things). We enlisted Raul to help for the main part of loading the car and off we went.

Upon arriving at the new apartment. Scott told me his roommate had I cat. I asked "What kind is it?". He said "I think its a black one". We looked and did not see it. When we were bringing up the second load, I saw a cat by the side of the building ... thought nothing of it for a bit. (We still did not see the cat inside the apartment.) After bringing in the last load into the apartment, we again searched for the missing pussy ... did not locate. We must find the cat!!! Outside by the steps was the pretty smokey black cat. It was caught and we took it in and let it loose and closed the doors.

I went home and about an hour later I get a call from Scott saying he had just picked up his roommate and told him the story. The roommate said "I don't have a black cat, I have a calico!"

(The calico was hiding in the apartment and the smokey black one ran out and all of us had a good laugh.)

Next up this week: Fetish the 13th Party at Twist. (I have already lent some gear out to Yves and Mr S and I will choose what we will wear during the week .... and this time there will be photographic evidence!)

Sleepless Night 2009

After a year absence, Sleepless Night is back. It begins Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6 PM and ends Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 AM. Mr. S and I will attempt to gather a group to go to some of the events. There are more offerings this year. We are also celebrating Scotty's 40th birthday. It is a night of cultural events that is free and open to the public.

I will be attempting to enter the photo contest they are sponsoring this year. It will depend on what the group is doing and how long a nap I take in the afternoon.

More info at: http://www.sleeplessnight.org/

Hope you have a good weekend.

WARNING: Friday, November 13, 2009. "Fetish the 13th" Party at Twist.

Halloween 2009 - Picture update.

Halloween was fun. Mr. S, Trish and I were in Western Gear (bandit, Annie Oakley, Sheriff), Mr and Mrs Astor reprised their ER costumes with a twist. There were many cocktailed people out and about and by the time we left Twist, the line was down the sidewalk to the corner of the museum. The party was a weekend affair and I think there are still some Latin boys hidden away in a closet somewhere (with smiles on their faces) ..... Enjoy

Nick - Halloween 2009

This is the tame version of the costume. For Saturday, he is adding Freddy Kruger hands, fake blood and glow in the dark stuff. There is also a large plastic ax.

They are closing off the streets on Miracle Mile and in South Miami for a few hours for kids only. They can go trick-o-treat at the stores and there will be music and some entertainment. It is probably the safest. I don't recommend parents to leave their kids on Lincoln Road after 6:00 pm ... it's going to be packed.