Risky Business

I couldn't have been more excited for a Risky Business themed moving party in a DTLA loft.  No pants?  No problem.  And I had the perfect shirt to wear: an oversized shirt from Banana Republic that I paid too much for to get rid of.  Cute undies and I was ready for the evening.

I clipped my wallet and phone to my shirt pocket with a butterfly clip so that I wouldn't lose it.  I called a Gypsy cab (aka - illegal under ground Korean car service) for all of us and handed shots after shots to everyone because you know what?   I didn't have pants and no one was driving.

Getting ready to head out

How liberating is it not to wear pants.  And even more liberating, making new friends and then immediately losing them during my mutually shared blackout.  Sorry if I offended you.

I'm enjoying the DJs as they enjoy... me.

These are the hosts dancing in the changing room.  The blond is a craigslist roommate who owns a pet rabbit.

Have you ever read Texts for Last Night?  I'm thankful my friend passed out before witnessing any of these "accusations."  .... .... so absurd.

I read an article about regrettable things we do in our 20s.  Getting drunk and embarrassing ourselves is one of them.

I apparently walked 2 miles to Chinatown with no pants.  My socks were black.  I found texts to Jimmy on my phone accusing him of abandoning me.  I guess I took being a "wandering drunk" to a new level.  I wonder if Tom Cruise would be proud.

My Landlord and Echo Park Lake

I left a voice message for my landlord's daughter:

"Hi, this is Chris from 321.  Thanks for letting me know that someone will be appraising the house, but you never confirmed when your dad would come by to fix things.  I found him in the hallway this morning without notice.  I've been living here for years and I feel uncomfortable with your dad coming in whenever he pleases.  I was sleeping naked.  Please let him know that we would appreciate a heads up the day before."

Three days later I get a phone call.

"Hi Chris... I got your message.  I'm so sorry for my dad.  I've told him many times to let you know, but he's just old!!  He's just so old he doesn't understand.  I'm sorry.... he's so old"

I found this response very endearing.  I related, my grandpa is really old and does a lot of silly things. But when I saw him that morning, I made it clear that I was upset despite the language barrier.

"Hi Jose.. what's going on here."
"Oh you sleep?  Only today."
"yes I was sleeping, could you let me know next time."
"Not much noise.. so sorry."

He continued to repaint the patio and the bathroom.

This morning I found him again in the back.  This time, it was to re-cement the porch.  It's become whatever.  You can't get too angry with him, he has no teeth, he looks great in a cowboy hat and our rent is cheap.  He's like a 5th roommate.  Wonder if he'd like some leftovers.



...

Echo Park Lake has reopened after 2 long years.  Hopefully it stays wonderful.  They've removed the pollution, rebuilt the wetlands and installed a natural filtering system.  Hopefully people pick up after themselves.  Just in time for the summer #picnics #jogging.  And it's walking distance from 321!

Instagram pictures.  Credit given in the file name:

Jimmy having a laugh with the mayor elect Eric Garcetti

Race LA

For those who skim Groupon or LivingSocial as a part of their daily routine probably stumbled upon a city race.  Perhaps?  Essentially a scavenger hunt set in specific location for a certain amount of money.  Is it worth it?  Yes!  Only with the deal though.  I would only pay $15 a person for this because you're given a piece of paper and rules.  And I learned that they recycle the clues!

 We decided to unify ourselves with a color!  Thankfully we were all available on the LAST day of the groupon deal.  Our city: Pasadena. RaceLA - here we go!  There were 50 groups!  And an intimidating veteran who did 4 races already!

We ran around solving clues, looking for hints on line and used our brains.  It was tricky!  It was fun!  People stopped to asked what we were doing.  I enjoyed watching Jlo and Charles argue.  We had to stay together, but we broke up the tasks.  We finished everything with only a few iffy answers.

We ran back and the staff was surprised, "that was fast!"

But soon we learned that getting the answer right was more valuable than beating the clock!  Questions included who many instruments in the windowsill or when was the first Library built.  Questions that made us learn more about the city and be observant of our surroundings.

13th place!  We cringed when we got about 3 questions wrong!  ARG!  We should have taken our time!   But it was great fun.  What they didn't have was photo challenges, which surprised me.  But anyone can act silly - actually finding information is difficult! Check that off the list!

The Lure of Making Out at Night Clubs

With a few drinks in your veins, you become uninhibited.

My friends say that your true self emerges when you're intoxicated. The self control that allows you to properly behave in society vaporizes as if alcohol erases rules and logic written on a white board.  Making good life choices is difficult, but having fun is not especially since there's nothing to hold you back.

Maybe this explains why sexual energy is heightened when you're drunk.  Because we are all social and sexual beings that need the attention, affirmation and physical connection.  And maybe this explains why it feels so good to make out with someone at a club - at least for me.

I just met you, and this is crazy, but I am wasted and I want you baby.

It doesn't matter who's around us

The music, the energy, the alcohol.  Grinding and moving to a rhythm.  Stealing touches and looks.  Night time lighting and bedroom eyes.  Making out while dancing is like having sex in public.

You feel like you've satisfied a primordial need that has been programed into our DNA since existence.  You feel attractive.  Confident.  Flattered.  Especially since it was so easy and casual... with a mutually shared glass of Jameson on the rocks.

We gays compartmentalize ourselves so that we hang out with the people that we find attractive.  In doing so it is almost guaranteed that someone there who you find attractive is drunk enough to make out with your ugly face.

Simply put there are no bear clubs for straight people to attend and get unregretfully slutty.  I digress...

I remember taking pictures of my friends going at it in the middle of the club because I found it hilarious.  But thinking about it now, I've realized that we shouldn't ridicule or tease our friends too harshly when they are caught in the act... after all they are getting the action and we are just jealous observers.

Making out at the club is fun.  The energy surrounds you and you feel like a mild exhibitionist.  Any ounce of feeling unattractive, undesirable, unwanted goes away instantly. It's good for your soul.  If you feel like you're being judged just pull your partner to one of many dark corners and affirm your attraction and fulfill your animalistic desires in private.  But I don't mind...

"Get a room?" We have a room - it's call the dance floor you sober fuck.

March Recp

March was a long time ago, but of course we shouldn't forget about those adventures.  Angel's Knoll is definitely a part of the Hidden LA experience. Look at this view and no body around to ruin it.  Probably because everyone was at Father's Office, The Grove or Pink's Hotdog.

This is my absolute favorite picture of me and Jimmy.  I should have saved it for another entry about how wonderful he is, but I think you get the idea.  What a cutie.

Btw, this is a gay blog.  So here we are being fabulous.


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House Party - Opening Ceremony

In reverse order!

Our favorite Taco Truck at 3AM - People wouldn't go home

People enjoying the pictures from past Christmas parties - I'm all about creating that community

A picture of my attic bedroom with people in it

Sam, Erik and Ernesto

Jimmy - the Photographer

We had a photo booth of course, but Jimmy just informed me that all of his high def. pictures added up to 9GIGs.  WTF!??!

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People of March

Sean, Sunny  - Short Stop - they're old friends.  Sunny runs the show.  Found a cute boy and bought him a drink.  I love it.

Carl - Akbar - he's patting my tummy.  #medium

Will - Hart and Hunter.  He makes friends with the staff.  They appreciate his engagement

Tommy, Charles, Jimmy - Angel City Brewery's Food Truck Haven Event.  There's a slide inside.

Bien's goodbye WeHo adventure.  I made the diva cry by putting together a photo album.  Good luck in New York!  Such a good singer, such a sasssy sasssy lip syncer.

Take a look at his talent.  You'll be impressed, I promise.

Good Night March!  Thank you friends for taking these pictures.

Eating Out March

Most of my food adventures are documented on Yelp!  Though I'm elite, I haven't been to their notorious events.  That's also on the to-do list this year!

http://letopho.yelp.com

For now, here's a collection of things I've been eating in March.

Umani Ramen - Umemura Restaurant
Creme Brulee Cheesecake - Nakkara
Oven Roasted Bone Marrow - Bacaro LA
Fries and Meat - Some food truck at Grand Park
The Bacaro Burger - Bacaro LA
Macarons - Bottega Louie
Middle Eastern Dish - Hayat's Kitchen
Half Fried Dumplings - Shanghai No 1 Seafood Village
Loco Moco Hotdog - Hawaiian Food Truck
Cheese Hotdog Thing - Random Korean Place
Wings - Pann's Restaurant 
Chinese Family Style  - Jade Wok
Hawaiian Nachos - The place closed down!!
Apple Dumpling Hook's Cheddar - The Hart and the Hunter
Smoked Trout, Avocado Toast - The Hart and the Hunter

I'm surprised I was able to remember where I devoured these dishes, but I guess it's because they've all made an impression.  If only meeting new people was this easy.

Asians Love Karaoke

My coworker who is white made an observation, "Asians love karaoke."  Yes... yes we do.  What is it about being trapped in a room for a couple of hours singing poorly, at some points screaming to pop songs that's so addicting?  I guess it's an opportunity to perform and act silly and not have to worry about neighbors complaining.

And these two were the stars of the evening.  Kevyn doing a near perfect Nikki Minaj rap and Charles doing an enthusiastic Japanese pop song with choreo.   It was obvious - these two practiced.  But I guess that's what you do when you're stuck in LA traffic for hours.  If I can't be a good singer, I can work on my performance - need to work on connecting with the audience when I sing Enrique Iglesias.

Our karaoke place of choice:  Max Studio in Little Tokyo.  Sneak in alcohol and they will charge you a dollar a head and look away.  Just don't destroy their equipment.  Remember to put in all-sing songs and follow this rule:  you are only allowed one "nobody knows this song" song.  Don't waste precious karaoke time with obscurities!!  And make sure those shy ones sing too - they are paying for the room too after all.

We are all stars.

Afterwards we celebrate musical success with shared McDonald's fish mcbites on the trunk of someone's car.  Mmmmmmmmm/

Empty road realness.


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A couple of shots from March's Karaoke event.

I detest Wicked songs, but Sean killed it.  He surprised me with his love for musicals.

I've realized that the same Road Trip Songs also make good Karaoke Songs:



Our group manages to sing the following every time:

- Seasons of Love - Rent
- Back Here - BB Mak
- More than Words
- Defying Gravity - Wicked
- A Whole New World - Aladin
- Summer Nights - Grease
- Don't Stop Believing - Journey
- Neyo - Because of You

Artists to remember
- Bon Jovi
- Nsync
- Aaliyah
- KC and JoJo
- John Legend

And if your neighbors don't mind.  Youtube Karaoke is always fun too!
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheKARAOKEChannel/videos?view=1&flow=grid
http://www.youtube.com/user/SunflyKaraoke