Por El Rey

He is the best.

Tangled Web

I am sorry for the hurt, pain, confusion and disappointment you have had to endure. I know that it has nothing to do with me but that does not mean that I don't know these things firsthand and would never want a good friend to feel the same. I know you will find clarity and that you have the strength to work through it - as difficult as that is . I wish I could do more but we all have our journeys we need to make alone. I may not be there in person but I am there with you.

Michelle's Memories

The party you threw before I moved to NYC.

Editor's Note: Of course I remember that night. I had it at Dianne's house and man was it a blast. I was so excited for you and yet at the same time sad but put together one helluva send off. Marty in the suburbs - that alone is enough reason to never be able to forget that night. And Jessica - remember her? So cute - so sweet and she really worked that rocker grrrrl look. Neelam and Matt. Your parents and my parents. Kinda making me misty eyed right now but more so because I was a bit afraid. Such a big change for you but more selfishly for me as change has never been my forte. Yet I learned from it physical distance has nothing to do with truth, sincerity and love. I hold that lesson dear and exercise it frequently. On top if it all - looking back at this, yes even then I could see this was the threshold of a new chapter for you - but now all these years later - it is absolutely not possible for a better story to be written that followed. You followed your passion, you conquered NYC and made a beautiful life. You battled the lows and celebrated the highs. It is so truly your ability for the remarkable that has kept me breathless all these years.

How Could I Not Smile

When I am out having so much fun with my Mexican cutie friends!

PS Agustin - you are el mas dulce!

Ok It Was Brilliant

What a fantastic show - the tickets ended up be these crazy, insane, excellent seats. My fussyness paid off since I got will call tickets because I wanted to get an actual ticket to put into my ticket album. They upgraded all the will call seats and we were 4 rows from the stage! This is a picture from the web of the actual show and this was my view all night. The sound was great, the stage show was high tech without being overwhelming, and everyone danced for the full two hours! I knew it could go either way but it so went into the brilliant range. Little sad because it completely would have been a show the we would have seen because he loved George Michael but you know what - I could not have been any happier being with Rick. A completely great friend that went right along with the fantastic vibe although he only knew two of the songs. But hell he did not care as it was one big disco dance party. Fantastic!

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/06/18/george-michael-feels-the-freedom-at-first-us-tour-in-17-years/

Editors Note: Really Rick you are the best - I am glad I have a friend like you and your fearlessness is so admirable.

Lookout Annie Leibowitz

So this is my new favorite picture. I was at birthday party for Jorge and asked Agustin, who is perhaps the sweetest creature ever to be put on the face of this planet, to take a picture of me and Jorge. Well Agustin at this point had a few beers and was a bit drunk (muchos cervezas son todovia muy borracho mas tardes). He holds the camera backwards, focuses in and snaps a picture? Everyone roared, it was so funny and he was like what, what? We told him what he had done and he got so red. Today going through my pictures I came across the picture he took and could not help but laugh. He is just perfecto!

That's a Great Start

Had a very nice first date on Sunday night. I might slam myself often but if there is one thing I know for certain is that damn I am a great date. Hell I had a great time on my date alone recently so if I could do that why would it not be a terrific time if someone else was in the mix.

His name is Richard - he is a native San Diegan - he is 30 and we met last week (see the post titled Some Recreation). We went to a restaurant right on the water - casual and relaxed with a fantastic view. Of course the weather was perfect and the conversation was comfortable. Many laughs, some insights and definitely lots of smiles - I have never been stingy with those.

Next a stroll along the water with a soothing breeze and some PDA in a tourist spot - how refreshingly different and open. Then a bit of silliness with a visit to the local seaside fortune teller. She snapped up our attention right away when she named Richard's roommate by full name - Alan -- none of this who has an A name. I offered Richard some privacy but he said no worries I could be there for his reading. Of course my favorite part was when "Dr. Iris" said, "OK let's talk about Scott (I had told her my name)". She said, "He has had a rough three years but he is ready now. He really does not understand how strong he is. He is in this for real and has no patience for liars and cheats". Amazingly right on with the three years and all very nice but then she says, "Richard look at this man. Look at him. What will come is in both of your hands to create but I have to tell you it is rare to come across a person like this. He touches the life of everyone who he involves in his life at any level. He has no idea of the greatness of his power and wields it with a generous heart". How red was I? So super flattering - you would have thought I set this all up. Big, big smile -- very kind words.

Later back to his place for some conversation and a small bit of kissy face - but only kissy face. I told him, "I am not a tease, just a bit old fashioned". Ok nuff of the laughs people. So it ended with him saying that it was the best first date he has ever had. I asked for real and he told me yes he was serious. Very nice guy, interesting, handsome -- and oh yeah here is the shocker - he is white :) We both said were are very much looking forward to getting together again.

One small flaw. We did have an innocuous bit of conversation about names. I asked him his middle name and he made me guess - a bit of a game. He gave me the clue that it was a president's name - hmmm helpful. But I finally guessed it. Richard's middle name is Grant - ugh. I did choke a small bit on my blueberry lemondrop martini at that point but graciously moved swiftly on to the next topic - ha!