The lovelies over at The New Gay, who I've written for in the past and still read, wanted me to pass this along to you guys.
Come out tomorrow night for Homo/Sonic, their flagship party. This co-ed, trans-inclusive, straight-friendly dance party takes place at the Black Cat on Friday, July 3rd.
I spent this past weekend at the center of the universe, New York City. I’ve never made any qualms about my love for this place. I don’t say this about many cities, but NYC is one of those places I see in my future. Co-worker and good friend James (www.twitter.com/jserves) and I went up for the NYCGP festivities and didn’t make any solid plans about where we would go or what we would do. I knew I wanted to go shopping and I had originally set aside some time to go to the Bleu Magazine anniversary party with my brother Milan. Before I got to NY though, my brother dumped me as his date for some girl and so I had a weekend free to frolic as I pleased.
There was a shaky start leaving DC, as the bus before ours broke down. We got pushed back by and hour or so, and waiting in the sun for the next one was unpleasant. Like in all unlikable circumstance and drink helped get us through. We mixed cocktails as we waited for the bus and when we got on it made the trip easier. Because of the late departure we got stuck in traffic, it took us longer to get to our destination. We were crashing with friends of James that night and when finally got into the city we hopped in a cab and headed to Hell’s Kitchen.
HK is definitely one of my favorite places in the city. The apartment we were staying in was lovely, the home of a young couple, Xander and Steve. They were gracious and entertaining, complete opposites from each other in my opinion. We dropped our stuff off at their place and headed for a quick bite to eat at Vynl, a trend colorful dinner around the corner from their place. James and I met the other guest for the weekend, Dragan. Dragan has become one of my favorite people…an architecture student and a model. Six foot two of pure funny and sweetness…my new Slavic brother:
We paid the bill and jumped in a cab to head to the village for a house party. When we got there, the party seemed to be winding down…the apartment was sweltering and the liquor was just about done, so there must’ve been a crowd there. I was more concerned with the owners books; he had a mixture of fashion (including the Tom Ford book, Testino and Demarchelier’s photo books etc) and classic, rare comic book among other things. I was completely intrigued, but we didn’t stay long.
Into another cab we went and pulled up in front of Barracuda, a small club that was packed wall to wall. I grabbed a drink, Absolute Peach on the rocks, and we headed to the back of the club where there was a little space left. After a few minutes there we headed to the Ritz, where a friend of Xander's was DJing. I loved the crowd here, the dance floor was packed and hot and the beats were serving! After another drink I was feeling nice, we headed upstairs and cleared out a space where, of course, the kids began twirling . Worn out and exhausted, we decided to head home and call it a night. Xander and Steve had a big day ahead of them…the party on the terrace.
The apartment was small in true NY fashion, but they had a huge terrace with a beautiful view of the city. We woke up, ate the most over empanadas ever! and helped them get ready for the party. Xander was in complete hostess mode, and before you knew it we had dozens of people walking through the door, models working the bar and James and I holding court in a corner of the terrace. I conjured with Patrick Demarchelier’s studio manager, and a few of the other guest. The rain came and pushed everyone in side for karaoke and then James and I packed our stuff and headed to our hotel.
Conjuring with lady Onnetta, Demarchelier's studio manager. Talking about booking stars and couture.
Just a few days before we headed to NY James won free tickets and a hotel from from South West Airlines on twitter. We were supposed to stay on Madison Ave, but our reservations were moved to the Marriott Marquis in the middle of Time Square. From the 28th floor we could see the Hudson, and the busy streets...the city still held the after glow of the day as we got ready for the night. Dressed and ready to go, we picked up something to eat and headed out into the city.
Our first stop was Barrage…another Absolut Peach on the rocks. It wasn’t giving me what I wanted, so we walked a few blocks to the Ritz. We danced and James met a few friends from DC there. We didn’t stay long before we were ready to move it to another location. After much deliberation and bumping into HRC staffers on the street, we took a chance and head to the village to G Lounge. This place made my weekend, even though I had to stand in line. It was a mixed crowd, the music was great and the Tokyo Ice Tea let my ass have it! We stayed until about 3 or 4 in the morning, flirted and took the compliments as they came. We were the hot boys in the building apparently, which usually means the new faces.
We headed back to Times Square, singing Ursula’s part in the Little Mermaid, looking for something to eat. On the way I was approached by a boy from Amsterdam. He loved my style, my face…and apparently my lips. It was a short tryst in under the cities lights, and then we were back on a mission to find food. We caught a pizza place not too far from the hotel, took the food to go and crashed…making sure to close the curtains before we headed to sleep.
We didn’t wake up until midday. The hotel room was dark, but we rushed around getting dressed and checked out leaving our bags until we had to head back to DC. We met a mutual friends parents at the parade, and then headed to another house party not to far from the route. Another gorgeous NY apartment, belonging to another wealthy NY gay. We drank, ate cheese, and socialized…soon after we were on the move again looking for food and a new place to party.
Xander, Dragan and I at the final house party.
Just like good drunks, we decided that we didn’t want to leave at 7:30 pm, so we bought tickets for the 1:30 am bus and threw caution to the wind. That very wind swept us up and carried us to G Lounge again where another TIT made the world seem brighter.
By twelve, we knew we had to head back to TS but this time we walked. Stumbling on a McDonalds, we ate, read and eventually parted company. James and I sobered up and we knew it would be a ruff ride home. We got on the bus, got into DC at 6:30 am and I was in office by 8. Tired and miserable, but it was all worth is. I've fallen in love ...a true midsummer's night romance...I've fallen in love, again, with NYC...
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Song du jour: "Summer Boy"- Lady Gaga
Yesterday was father's day. I'm never good at remembering these holidays but this one I kept in the back of my mind. My father called me, and the first thing he said was, "Joseph, I'm just calling to hear your voice. You can't even call collect." I paused and thought why haven't I bought a phone card yet...and then I suggested we both download Skype. We agreed to do what was necessary and the conversation continued as it always does. We caught up on my trip to LA, me loosing my phone and debit card. He updated me on the things at home, the weather, the economy, and my nephew that we've just found out is allergic to glutamate...which means he can't eat anything.
Before my father called, and at the risk of displaying the full extent of my nerdiness, I spent the day watching the Star Ward: The Clone Wars...you know the new animated version of Star Wars on Cartoon Network. Okay, maybe you don't know but that doesn't matter. Jokingly I tweeted (www.twitter.com/joeybahamas) that I was watching it in honor of my father because he introduce me to Star Wars, and then the memories about those long weekend marathons during hot island days in front of the television, sitting on the edge of my seat every time I watched it, came flooding back to me.
As a young boy, Star Wars represent a world of wonderment. Strange creatures ran a muck as grand battles between good and evil raged about a universe beyond my reach. There was magic...an invisible force that gave a select few the ability to move things with the power of their mind, access strength and knowledge beyond the average being and wield a light saber with remarkable precision and speed. I pretend to be the fearful Darth Vader, I had the breathing down. I knew the emperor's dialogue almost word for word. And, I still get life when Obi Won says, "You will never see a more wretched hive of scum and villany"! The force was strong with me...
It was all so exciting, so breathtaking. There was a world out there beyond my imagination and it was my father that essentially brought me too it. I think I've said it more than I probably needed to. My parents mean the world to me. My father is a life line for me, an anchor in the storms that life can often bring. He's my number one, and I do consider myself a daddy's boy.
I don't think it's much of a coincidence that my father introduced me to Star Wars, this world beyond my reach and yet such a vivid part of my imagination. Apart from the special effects in so many ways my father has held the key to worlds that seemed beyond my reach. Unlike Star Wars though he has done everything he could to push me toward them, encouraged me to explore them and even to conquer them.
As the story line in Star Wars develops an ultimate conflict erupts between father and son. Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker seem to have insurmountable differences, each falling on different ends of the spectrum, accessing different sides of the all powerful 'force' and serving oppositional causes. But when it counts the most, these things fall by the wayside and the bond between father and son couldn't even be broken by the the evil, powerful Emperor, Darth Sideous. My father and I don't see I to eye on everything, but when it counts he's there and I know he'd risk everything for me, as I would for him.
I am ultimately grateful for everything he's done for me...pushing me out into a world beyond my imagination, and giving me the courage and the power to be who I am. He doesn't even celebrate Father's Day! And so, in the place of a happy Father's day and in the theme of this post, I have only one thing to say: "Daddy, may the force be with you..."
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Song du jour: "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Theme"
...is this newest Beyonce vid looking like the best of the new set she's released?? I'm not a huge Beyonce fan and I don't go up for everything that is hers. Sometimes I feel like she sacrifices quality for quantity and expedience...of that I am not a fan. However, from what I've seen in the behind the scenes video I just can't help but think this will be one of my new favorites.
...did Karl Lagerfeld really do it yet again?? I'm talking the 2010 resort collection. Maybe it was the dark skies, the sand, the beautiful classical architecture of the building behind the audience, or the exquisiteness of the collection, but from the opening scene I was moved. Having Lagerfeld speaking on the soundtrack made it even more exciting. Swagger is a relative thing: Chanel is what old money looks like in the new world.
...is Fatha Julz def on the rise?? Featured in Swerve Mag and over at Favored Fashion Fix (one of my favorite fashion reads), he's truly making an name for himself. If you're not familiar with the Fatha, you should definitely check it out. "If a Fall 2010 John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture dress could have a conversation with a disco ball from the ceiling of Studio 54 (circa 1979), it would sound like the music of DJ Fatha Julz," he describes it. It's the kinda music I can listen to while getting dressed for the club and hope to hear while I'm there. I saw the Fatha at the Abby this past weekend in LA. He's such an inspiration and it was his words ("Everyone in DC has a side hustle, hunny!") that got me thinking about getting into the promoting. You can find out more about Fatha Julz after the jump...
...or did we really just sock it to ignorance and discrimination?? The Washington Blade reports that D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics Monday denied a petition seeking a voter referendum to overturn a city law recognizing same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions, saying such a referendum would violate the city's Human Rights Act. The mastermind behind the proposed referendum is the media-leach Bishop Harry Jackson. I've watched him work in person, and the lies and misinformation is not of God and neither is his message of hate and discrimination. I have two words for the good Bishop: "Suck it"!
...told y'all I was back. Get life or get lost, sweety...
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!! Damn it's been a while hasn't it! People have been asking when am I going to post again, and so here I am.
I've been extra busy. I just got back from LA last night, and off the plan I came home, showered and headed out to a party's grand opening. My days have been pretty much like that...little time to stop, and even less time to write.
It doesn't help that twitter has become such an integral part of my life...lol. It's so much easier to just post where I'm or what I'm doing and not write an entire post. Twitter has committed attempted murder on my blog!
With all that said, I'm definitely going to try and do better with this thing. I didn't think people would notice that I hadn't posted but apparently people do.
Tonight, I have the FLOW Tuesday party @ Midtown. It's been becoming the place to be on Tuesday nights. Our numbers are growing and we have two more parties lined up to launch in the next few months. Getting into this promotional stuff has been one of the best decisions I've made in minute.
I have to start getting shit together for tonight...but I will definitely be back. In between posts you can always check me out on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joeybahamas.
I know it's been a very long time since I last wrote. There's been a lot going on...I know I always say that. But it's true, if you're on my twitter you know that I've been on the go for the last week like it's my job to be out until 5 in the morning. But as usual something always drives me home, back to the blog...it's usually anger, love, amazing or disappointing news. The desire to share my feelings and thoughts with the world can not be satisfied with a 140 character limit.
I feel like I'm in a weird place right now. I can't help but think that keeping busy has been an excuse for me not to think about things. It's not like things are awful...I'm still broke, still cute! Actually, it's been quite a fab existence over the last few weeks. Parties, openings, dinners, new love interests...and yet, something doesn't feel right.
More and more I'm feeling detached, like I'm watching things play out around me that I have no control over...that I'm stumbling upon the things I think I want and getting partial satisfaction...in certain areas, my hard work doesn't seem to be paying off and I'm tired...
Have you ever went to your favorite restaurant to get your favorite meal and it just doesn't hit the spot like it should. Or when you've finally gotten that cutie over that's exactly your type, and it's just not as hot as it should be...something just isn't clicking...something is a little off, and I'm not sure what it is exactly...
I can venture to say that with a little mathematics the problem is obvious. Take everything that I had when things were okay and subtract from it the things I still have. What's left is what I no longer have. That missing thing is what Stringbean and I had...and even that fell a little short. I feel a little like Goldilocks...the porridge is either too hot or too cold...and I'm eating it just because I'm hungry...
Maybe I'm just being a whiner here...maybe I'm missing an ex and a little lonely when things actually do slow down...maybe I'm ready for the next thing to come my way...maybe I'm just ready to move on. Whatever it is, I'm not feeling "right as rain"...I'm feeling some kind of way... _____________________________________________________________________________________ Song du jour: "Right as Rain"- Adele (live acoustic)
It's been a busy last few weeks for me in DC. I'm actually blogging en route to DC from NYC.
The K5 crew and I have launched a new party @ Midtown called Flow Tuesdays! If you're in DC you should definitely check it out. This week, Howard University students get in free with their student ID. Take a look at the flyer below...cute right?!?!
The launch was pretty cute! My sis Q came out, and we had 10 VIP tables with complimentary champagne. Everybody had a great time and we're hoping we pack this building this week!
I definitely feel a growing hunger to do more...make more money, be more successful. It's taking it's toll though...lack of sleep and high stree levels are what I'm giving these days. Some days I come out of the house and would rather no be seen...but so far we've been doing pretty good and that's something to be thankful for. The definiing moment was when Q said he was proud of me...that made my night!
A few days after the launch I high-tailed it up to NYC for Stringbean's 21st. We planned this trip before we broke up and the friendship thing has been working out so we figured, why not still go through with it. It was a great idea!
WE got here late Friday night and stayed in. Then Saturday we shopped like crazy...well as crazy as we could get with the money we had. WE spent most of our time in SoHo...we made it over to Bower St. as well and then walked through the Village. SB turned 21 at 12am Sunday morning, so we waited until then to go out and hit three clubs...no of which were really his speed. We eventually headed back to the apartment we were staying in and passed out. Sunday was pretty chill...we did a late brunch in Hell's Kitchen, and then took a slow stroll through Central Park. We happened upon Bergdorf's and I had to go inside. It was like walking through a museum or art gallery. Soooooo many beautiful things... After Bergdorf's we caught a cab to CHristopher street and just watched the sun go down (a the kids cruise) on the Pier. We had dinner and had a few drinks at Hanger56 I think it was called...it reminded me of the Fireplace or the Mill.
That was basically our weekend in the nutshell. Pretty mellow for the most part. I feel in love with NYC again, and I know I'm going to move here one day.
Now I'm heading back to DC. I have work tomorrow and then the party tomorrow night. It just doesn't stop! I'm looking forward to being home and sleeping in my bed, even if it's only for a couple of hours at a time!
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