January Recap

Stairs of Echo Park

After this month ends, we will have successfully completed the first quarter of 2013.  Here are a couple of things I did back in January.  I told myself that I would edit and enhance the pictures I take... as if I was a photographer, but I don't claim to be and my computer has finally run out of space.  So these are the RAW images of my fleeting moments baby.

New Years Eve was at a friends.  Lots of champagne and a round of reverse charades.  Oh there's Dab Ito dreaming about his next blog entry.

In January, I saw David's one man show with Sam.  My friends warned me about how one-man shows can get, but I was pleasantly surprised.  David shared his life - his Mexican American experience with many siblings, his encounter with a chicken that scarred his face, his admission to Yale.  I was captivated.  He had great comedic pause and I began to understand him better as a person.  It would be interesting to grab our closest friends and ask them to story tell... starting from birth and highlight pivotal moments.  Though I rarely talk to David, but I felt much more closer to him in a sense.

The production was held at Casa0101 which had great art displayed by Mexican Americans in the community.  I felt honored to be a part of it.

This beezy came to visit. Atlantic Seafood and Dim Sum is my new fav.  so cheap and in a new facility.

Stopped by Leanna Lin's Wonderland to check out Joey Chou's Bed Time Stories art gallery.  This place is cute and features a lot of trinkets you would find at fairs.

Found ourselves randomly at CatchOne - the black gay club in Pico Union.  Oh man that be some ratchet shiz.  They have a booty popping competition at midnight, but I think it was a slow Saturday.

Jimmy took me on a date to Pizzeria Mozza.  Our order took a while, so the chef gave us some bomb brussel sprouts.  While y'all nomming on your kale which sells out at all Trader Joes apparently, I'm going back to the 70's and loading up on some brussel sprouts.

We spent an afternoon at the California Science Center.  Where we saw some sharks and jelly fish.  Yay nature.

We were also inspired at the California Science Center to redo the Dream Girls Cover.

Burrata, Grana parmesan, rapini, garlic, extra virgin olive oil & prosciutto di Parma

Aaron stopped by to go to Rage.  This time I gave him a set of keys so he wouldn't have to sleep in his car in the cold.  Oops.  I'm a really good friend.  Mmm fancy breakfast at Bottega Louie which is the most reviewed place in Los Angeles with more than 5000 unsolicited opinions.

I'm starting to get to know Santa Monica more with a lot of client events happening there.  Stopped by Bungalow which has this outdoor indoor feel to it.  I hear there's a line to get in at night and not really anything to eat.  Or you can just hang out in someone's patio.  I'll wear a fake mustache and be your "mixologist" for the night.

Mmmm - found this handsome man in the alleys of the Arts district.  This area has a lot of charm.  Factory space mixed with lofts, restaurants ... like the meat packing district... sort of.  It started to rain and there was a romantic vibe in the poorly lit streets.

I discovered LA is burning which is a vogue night with competition.  Lots of fierce dancers, but definitely not the same as Paris is Burning which was a bit of a disappointment.  I guess in a time of dubstep we can't expect complete revival of movements past their prime.

There are a couple of videos that I'll post up... eventually but just imagine a lot of flailing arms.

Letting Myself Go

Letting myself go

I'm chuckling at myself for how clever I am.  Here is a picture of myself letting go of the rope as I fall into the rivers of Cancun...  but as you can see I'm also letting myself go in other ways.

Sometimes I worry that I have body dysmorphia.  That my disgust in myself is in my mind and that I'm actually in the best shape of my life.  But evidenced by the fact that you all have just vomited in your mouth after looking at this photo, I think I'm just.. out of shape.

I cant help but feel so very unattractive.

I had one month before Cancun to eat less and work out, I successfully lost about 7 pounds, but lordy I need to lose 7 more.  The flu seems to have been the most effective method.

I can't get myself to work out.  I have a problem, there's the solution, but why is it so hard?  Why does eating amazing foods correlate to having a chunky body?  And why does correcting that involve exercise?  What cruel a cruel joke.... a cruel first world joke I suppose.


These links were recently shared with me:

CNN Travel's World's 50 Most Delicious Food
Serious Eats' Top 10 Instant Noodles from Around the World
L.A. Weekly's 99 Essential Restaurants 2013
LA Times' 50 places to eat for $5 or less

ITS IMPOSSIBLE.  ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to go through those articles and not get fat by just reading them.  So now what?

I know, get fatter.  That's my answer because I love eating more than being naked.  Sweat pants... that's all that will fit me.

- Fat Amy, downward spiral commences

Pushing Yourself to Go Out

I wasn't big on Foursquare when it came out, but then I realized what I could use it for - documentation of interesting things and relevant i-was-here-moments.  No aspiration for mayorship or points... and I've conveniently linked it to my google calendar https://ifttt.com/ internet recipes.

But in order to document interesting things, I have to do interesting things which has been a bit of a challenge with my new commute and new body.  Driving sucks at my soul and I've calculated that I spend about 20 days a year in a car.  ALMOST A MONTH of sitting.

I almost missed a wonderful good bye party because of the distance and fatigue.  But I said to myself - JUST DO IT.

A pep talk.  That's what I need in order to make the effort.

My body is shit.  For the past two weeks, whenever I need to use the restroom I have terrible cramps fire to indicate that I need to find a toilet.  What happened to "i think i need to go."  Now it's like RUN!  THERE'S A SHIT TSUNAMI COMING.  Probiotics, I think I should start there.

Last night with Jimmy away, I hade no reason to come home.  So I had a 3 hour dinner with coworkers at Osteria Mozza talking about relationships.  My coworker told me that she promised herself that she would not let being tired, distance, time whatever keep her from going out; from living in an amazing city.

With that motto echoing in my mind.  I followed the group to Hollywood and Highland for a birthday party at the Roosevelt hotel.

I learned that most of the industry after parties have been happening at the Roosevelt Hotel - Library Bar and Pool:

by_jackipuzik

Lots of beautiful people who were about to pay 20+ for their valet and put drinks on a strangers tab to compensate.  I laid on the deck and looked upward and thought:  I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I was 23... should I go home?  NO.  My phone was at 1% and I quickly responded to Jimmy before it became useless.  Small talk shifted from automatic to unnatural.  It was 2AM and they invited for a burger at 25 Degrees.  I declined - That's a me and Jimmy thing.  That burger joint has been on our list!

I found my way back to the car and bundled up into my lonely bed.  I'm glad I went out, but now I need to remember the people I just met and do it over again... talking a lot, but never really getting to know them.

Anything Goes in Mexico

...specifically in Playa del Carmen.  Back in February I had a great Cancun experience in Cancun which involves a lot  money, isolation, relaxation ... but it was time to escape the resorts and do something more... fun.

Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is like 3rd street prominade in Santa Monica except less chains more alcohol.  Were blessed with a Mexican in our group to give us a little bit of an in, but not that much.  We were still tourists in a tourist town.  We nail a cheap AirBNB close to all of the action and the local walmart.  I was yelled at when I wanted to buy sushi from the Walmart in Mexico.  I guess that would have been a bad idea.


It was on this street that I learned about the Sangrita - shot of tequila chased with tomato juice. Magical and had bomb ass tacos off the main area at this place called El Fogon... I think.  I also learned that not all massage places offer happy endings.  That I learned second hand.

Be careful in Mexico?  I think the touristy places are well protected due to the amount of revenue it brings in to the country.  I felt very safe, no question there, but I wan't doing stupid things that many others who find themselves here.

Xel Ha is ridiculous - it was recommended to us from a guide based on our age and interest.  The other entertainment destinations under this franchaise were more about shows or history or "adventure" where you "explore case" or ride in some sort of go cart through nature that's been manicured to tourist.

We made the right choice - Xel Ha was all the fun with no restrictions.

It felt like off season, no one was here and these lovely hammocks were a great welcoming.  No lines.  Just a lot of exploration around this "park."  Did I mention - there's a buffet inside that's covered with your $80 entrance fee?  That includes margaritas.

Our bartender poured the whole bottle into the blender when he saw us thirsty group of 4.

After a few drinks you can grab a bike.. helmets were an option and no one was watching us.  So we just grabbed some wheels and biked around this path weaving between trees.  It might have been the alcohol, but this was harder than it seems.

We grabbed some "required life jackets got on a inner tube and floated down this river through a very unnatural looking tunnel made of branches.

When we finally got out we found ourselves near jumping rocks and tight rope challenges.

Alright!  Some zip lining into the water.  Put on your snorkel mask to see some fish and... modern art?

One more margarita and we explored some caves...  a photo opp?!  How convenient.. it was like Disneyland and I'm glad I had my waterproof iPhone case.

And nothing would top an exploration better than walking through tree tops on bridges that looked like they came from Peter Pan's Neverland.  Frolic frolic.

The craziest thing about this place is that I saw 4 life guards.  This place is huge and someone would surely drown from the bottomless alcohol.  It was worth all $80.. like an adult "natural" water park.

Next time I'll try Xplor which includes more cave exploration, tree top zip lining and kayaking... oo!

The evenings in Playa del Carmen were relaxing... night clubbing wasn't really worth it, but we had a nice dinner and just enjoyed the company.

Laser Tag

There was a lot of things that I didn't do in 2012 that I hoped to do in 2013.  On the list was gay laser tag!  Jeremy's birthday fulfilled this desire!  Off to Ultrazone in Alhambra!

The last time I did laser tag was when I was 12.  I didn't remember it being so cool - you can see your light beam hit a person and their suit lights up white indicating that you got them!  I worked up a sweat, but definitely sucked since I ranked 24 out of 30.

I wonder what the kids thought of us running around screaming!

It was $8 a game (20 minutes) which was pretty worth it for a once in.... 5 years experience.  Though I have a feeling we will be coming back.  This place was HUGE!

Here's a group photo!  My eyes were closed so I used my photoshop skills to add them in.  Phew phew phew.

Social Media Resourcefulness

I take a lot of pride in being resourceful.  If you ask me what good qualities I have, resourcefulness is usually mentioned.  There's always an answer and either it's available on the internet or through people.. all you have to do is look for it.  In the case of social media... it's internet-people that's your best tool.

But it doesn't help when people are idiots.  I found this guy on Foursquare to get tips on a mechanic that he visited.  He responded a month later:

People aren't obligated to help me, but come on.  How aggravating.  I should be rewarded for finding you with the answers I'm looking for! I guess people have to get over the initial shock that their information is all over the internet for any stranger (such as myself) to tap into.  Just answer the question please.

Is it creepy to comment on an Instagram, "great concert" to a stranger who had geotagged the same location?  Is it strange to play Find-the-Grind-R by looking for the guy that's "0 feet away?" and then doing the head nod to tell him that you know his gay-ass secret?  Is it rude to break into someone's house because you noticed that they checked-in on foursquare across town so you know their house is empty... to leave a birthday gift?  Is it socially awkward to join someone's dinner because you noticed that they checked-in and commented on yelp or facebook saying that they are having such a wonderful date and you wanted to be a part of it?

Am I being aggressive?!

The answer is NO... why else would you make this stuff public... with their REAL FULL name everywhere and facebook linked.  NOT aggressive - resourceful.  and very public.


 

Gay Couples

Ernesto sent out an email to in Jimmy and me to join him in some friendly competition couple vs. couple on CityRice Urban Adventure Hunts.  I suggested to invite other gay couples and realized... I know a lot of gay couples!

To all the early 20 something year olds who constantly complain about the gay community and how slutty and uncommitted everyone is... it's not a gay thing.. it's a early 20s thing (an epiphany).  We enter different life stages and eventually the clubbing and hooking up activities turn into settling down.  Eventually.... or you can be in your 40's hitting up WeHo, Castro, Boystown, South End, Wilton Manors, Greenwich Village with your favorite cocktail and a new friend every weekend... gay people are never alone when they have their gay village. Or maybe couples just hang out with couples and I've found them all. (That would be sad.)

I went ahead and gathered pictures of all my gay couple friends, all of which have been together for more than a year.  Danster and Peter have hit the 6 year mark?  Anthony and Chris are talking adoption. Eric and Chris are sharing a mortgage.  Dang... talk about growing up...

And to our single friends, I'm sorry that you've been the 3rd, 5th and even 7th wheel... but thanks for taking pictures for us.  We'll be using those pictures for the Valentine's Day card we'll be sending you!