Byrne's birthday party, continued

Let's continue the coverage of Byrne's party that I began last night.


Marc and Byrne


Byrne enjoys one of the toasts


Jase recounts how Byrne found him, abandoned and half-buried in a box of kitty litter (or something like that) :)




In the middle of this photo, the world-famous Tuna Girl!


Paul, Glenn and a blurry (oops!) Marc


Never take a blurry photo of Marc, or he won't be happy! ;)




The live music really was a nice touch!


Okay, he's back to smiling! And doesn't he have a purty mouth?

Still more to come!

The years race by

No, this isn't more about Byrne's 40th birthday. We'll get back to that.

Rather, today I was reminded of the years' passage in another way. On the day I finished the last final (Criminal Law) of my first semester in law school, I headed to the courts to touch base with the judge for whom I had interned during the summer between college and law school. I really just wanted to tell him that I had the first semester under my belt and chat a bit. As I was parking my car, I heard on the radio that a Pan Am 747 was missing and feared down over Scotland.

Later, it would be determined that the aircraft, Pan Am flight 103, had been brought down by a bomb planted by terrorists acting on behalf of the Libyan dictator, Muammar Qadaffi (who, by the way, remains in power and free, despite his extraordinary crime).

Today, news broadcasts reminded us that 20 years have passed since that day. I remember with sadness the loss of all those lives. But it also serves as a marker. I know exactly where I was when I heard, and so any mention of the bombing reminds me.

To the real point of this post... I finished my first semester of law school 20 years ago today. How did 20 years slip by so fast?

Byrne's birthday party

I've waited long enough. Time to start sharing some photos from last Saturday's party held in honor of Byrne's 40th birthday.


Jase was afraid he might have been running late, but he stopped threatening to hang himself when we said that, no, in fact, he was early.


Flowers on the table


Jeff, our handsome and skillful musician


Patrick and the good doctor


Patrick shares memories of P-Town drinking adventures








One of the 8 courses


I managed to take this handsome man home with me! ;)

More to come!

What a weekend!

I'm tuckered out! :) Yesterday, we ran a bunch of errands, including going car shopping. My car's lease is up in a few months, and the dealer's already trying to get me to sign up for another Volvo. I might do that, but I wanted to shop around first. The three likeliest choices are another S80 (what I have now), an Acura TL or an Infiniti G35.

So we went by the Acura dealer and the Infiniti dealer. The Acura is nice, and it's still in the running. But the Infiniti was quite impressive. It was comfortable and lots of fun to drive. Then we can talk about the G37 coupe, but I don't think I'll be buying one of those. It's not as roomy as the sedan--and not as practical--but the thing is a rocket. Not that the sedan is a slouch with its 306 horsepower engine!

I still need to see what Volvo has going now. The S80 has been tweaked, adding features like standard bluetooth, as well as a more powerful mid-range engine. Then we have to compare pricing.

Anyhow, we finished our Saturday car shopping and then headed for the train. Patrick had arranged an amazing birthday celebration for Byrne's 40th birthday. The party was held at the amazing loft apartment of amazing caterer and chef Catherine Schubert. It was a terrific (thought I was going to say "amazing" again, didn't you?) evening for a wonderful friend!

Then, on too little sleep, we got back on the train this morning to meet Patrick and Greg for Sunday brunch. No, not that Patrick and Greg, who have been mentioned in so many posts over the years here. And no, not Patrick from last night. This is another of our friends named Patrick. Specifically, this Patrick and this Greg. This weekend, Greg is in town for a wedding, and his birthday was this weekend, too.

So we took both of them to brunch at the Marriott Marquis. Their Sunday champagne brunch, in the revolving "rooftop" (actually, 47th floor) restaurant, appropriately called The View, is a wonderful festival of food and lovely views of the city. We had a great time, pacing ourselves (because it takes a lot to get anywhere near one's money's worth at this place!) and enjoying three hours of noshing and enjoying good company!

I didn't bring a camera this morning, but Greg did, so I'm hoping we'll see some photos on his blog once he gets back home.

I did, however, take some photos last night (with the help of Patrick's lovely boyfriend who borrowed the camera for a bit), and I will share some of those when they're transferred off the camera.

Now I need to relax! We didn't do a lot that was productive this weekend (well, a few loads of laundry and some other chores tonight), but I've had enough for one weekend! :)

Which is worse?

Now that W is a lame duck (and isn't that an insult to ducks and lame creatures everywhere?), he apparently is feeling a little freer to share real thoughts. This week, he upset lots of the Christian extremists by saying, among other things, that he doesn't believe that everything in the bible is literally true. Well, how refreshing.

While I like to hear that bit of sense and rational thought from him--it's nice that he's capable of some measure of rational thought--what does it say about him that he has been toeing the line and supporting extremist views for 8 years for reasons of political expediency?

All politicians--at least, all successful ones--make compromises, but this is so troubling. It fits, though. One story about George W. Bush that I remember is that, many years ago, as a younger man, he got on the case of a homophobe. I forget the exact words he is alleged to have said, but it was something about not judging the other man. It was a story that gave me a wee bit of hope for him at the time. Not that I ever voted for him, but I thought that maybe he wasn't so bad of a person.

It seems that, perhaps, he isn't so bad in his heart, but is that better or worse than just being a religious extremist? What kind of person knows what's right (compassion, empathy and the like) but sets that aside for politics?

I don't feel angry right now. At some level, I feel pity for him. I feel pity and sadness that this is what ambition and politics so often beget.

A real pleasure

No, this isn't going to be about sex. Not that I don't see that on the schedule today. In fact, I've already been assured that it is. (Isn't he a good boy?)

No, this is about politics. Specifically, we just watched President-Elect Obama on Meet the Press, and it is such a pleasure to know that the next leader of the Free World is someone who can form complete sentences, engage in intelligent discussions and share coherent, independent thoughts.

I know he will do things I don't like, as no President can be everything to everyone (or anyone, I suppose), but I believe that he will take our country in a better overall direction and I'm comforted by the thought that he will have good reasons for his actions, based on intelligent discussions and reasoned decisions. It really gives me hope.

Miscellaneous food-related photos

I shot a few photos as Marc and Byrne prepared our Thanksgiving meal, but I never got around to posting them. So why not now?


Byrne prepares part of the pumpkin torte--egg whites that get folded in




Marc prepares stuffing


Dodger stands by, in case his help is needed

And I also have a few photos from today. Marc tried a new salmon recipe, and it was wonderful! First, we see Bernice keeping an eye on things. By the way, the cone is because she keeps biting one of her flanks and has torn herself up. So we're treating the spot and keeping her from doing more damage...


The glowing eyes are from the flash

And here are two shots of the salmon Marc prepared...





It was made with a small amount of brown sugar and olive oil, plus cumin, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, garlic salt, chili powder and black pepper. It was terrific! My man sure can cook!

A Christmas classic

The holiday festivities, like yesterday's lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, put me in the mood to share this holiday classic--or at least the lyrics, so you can sing it yourself. Yes, it's that favorite classic...

Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear
Lacy things, the wife is missin'
Didn't ask her permission
I'm wearin' her clothes
Her silk pantyhose
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear

In the store, there's a teddy
Little straps, like spaghetti
It holds me so tight
Like handcuffs at night
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear

In the office there's a guy named Melvin,
He pretends that I am Murphy Brown
He'll say, "Are you ready?" I'll say, "Whoa Man!"
"Let's wait until our wives are out of town!"

Later on, if you wanna
We can dress like Madonna
Put on some eyeshade
And join the parade
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear

Lacy things... missin'
Didn't ask... permission
Wearin' her clothes
Silk pantyhose
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear
Walkin' 'round in women's underwear

More gay rugby photos

That is, the team is gay, not the photos. Sadly, this will do it for a while. So enjoy these (and, as always, click on them to see them larger)...


Nosebleed? Then jam some gauze in it and keep playing!











The first match ends...




Our handsome friend, Ben, in the center, and some of the other Gold side ruggers prepare for the second match.


Steve and Toby hang out after playing in the first match

And now a few Gold side photos...













Okay, kids, that's it. If you would like to see all of the photos from the match (since I only posted a sampling on here), click this link and enjoy!

An epiphany

Early last year, we took some friends to a Mardi Gras party/benefit for Long Island Gay & Lesbian Youth, a charity we support. The party was huge, and we all had a great time.

Two of the people we took were Jon and Michelle, a straight couple who are friends of ours. Of course, being friends of ours, they're comfortable with gay people, but their association with gay people was largely summed up with the two couples they knew, us and a lesbian couple. Beyond that, gay life was largely foreign to them, or so they thought. Jon, in particular, didn't come from a background that was robust in gay life. In his early days, he played for the Chicago Bears--not exactly a bastion of gayness!

Fast forward about 20 months to last night. We were at their house for drinks, and we got around to talking about Proposition 8, gay marriage and various related topics. They're very much in favor of gay rights and were appalled that Proposition 8 passed. Their feelings really weren't a surprise. What was more enlightening was Jon's comment that the night of the Mardi Gras party was when he had "an epiphany."

"We had just left and were sitting in the car when it struck me." He went on to explain that that's when he really felt it to his core, that gay people are just like anyone else. "We had spent a fun evening, sitting with several couples who were having fun, living their lives and dealing with all of the same things as anyone else." The other couples just happened to be gay.

That's what will win this battle. Yes, there's a fight to be fought, but what really will turn the tide in the long run--and it's already happening--is straight people getting to know more gay people and understand that we're just like them. We were made to be attracted to people of the same gender, but we're just people, just like anyone else.

More Zay Harding

Yay! One of the cable channels is doing a Globe Trekker marathon. I first watched this series because I love travel and generally enjoy travel shows. What really grabbed my attention in one particular episode was a man named Zay Harding, as some of you with exceptional memories (because I mentioned it a long time ago) may recall. Happily, I see that at least one episode in this marathon includes Mr. Harding.

Zay, you gorgeous man, as far as I know, you're straight. Still, I hope you enjoy knowing that there's a gay man (gay couple, in fact, since Marc enjoyed your work when we last saw you) who is a fan. Now if we could just get you to bat for our team, the world would be a better place! *wink*

One last thing, Zay. Even if you're straight (and some of our best friends are--we are very accepting of their strange lifestyle; they can't help if it they were born that way), you need to come by so I can shoot a few decent photos of you! I don't know who has been doing your photos, but their is a dearth of decent photos of you online. That's just not right for such a handsome man!

For the rest of you reading this, here are a couple of photos (such as they are) of Zay Harding:


A tiny but sexy photo of Zay


Apparently in a jungle somewhere


Scruffy, windblown Zay (rafting, it appears)

Okay, we're now watching Zay in New Zealand. In this episode, his hair in long and blond. I guess I can adjust to that. For now, I'll just sit here and hope he takes his shirt off in this episode! :)

Alright everyone, now you know what to get me for a holiday gift (Zay, can we rent you?), and I'm sure you know where to tie the ribbon! ;)

More gay rugby

Okay, I can't make that last post the only thing I add today. It's just too sad. So let's have some more rugby photos.














Don't know who he is, but he's cute. Too bad the sun got in his eyes!



I have a handful of photos left, but I'll keep those for another post. Once I post them, I'm out of rugby matches to share until the spring. So let's stretch these out! :)

Disgusting humanity

When a crowd of starving people stampedes toward food, or a crowd of frightened people stampedes to try to get out a burning building, those things are sad but understandable. But when a crowd stampedes and kills a man, all in the name of getting a good deal on some Christmas gifts, that is just nauseating. Feel free to read the article I linked, but prepare to be completely disgusted.

The part of our county in which this happened is a relatively trashy area--and the mall is, arguably, the trashiest mall around--but I fear this kind of repulsive behavior could happen almost anywhere, if the circumstances were right.

What a sad day.

A fabulous meal!

As you know from the last post, Marc put lots of work into a recipe for Potato, Corn & Leek Chowder. He left the chowder in a big pot in the basement refrigerator and suggested that I have it for dinner tonight (he had a late meeting at work and is only now heading home).

He didn't have to twist my arm. After I got home, I put the dogs out, went and changed into comfortable clothes and then headed downstairs with bowl in hand to scoop out some of the chowder.


Unheated chowder in the bowl


Here's a closer look

I put the bowl in the microwave and soon was surrounded by the chowder's fabulous smell.


Here's the final product, all heated up and accompanied by a piece of potato bread

The recipe was pretty good to start with, and Marc, a wizard in the kitchen, tweaked it a bit to make it terrific. It made for a better dinner than most expensive restaurants could offer!