Water Fight!

The "Real" Palin on Saturday Night Live

Recession Proof Dining in Seattle

If you're too spoiled to eat at home or a hopeless bachelor who can't boil water, then these out-on-the-town splurges are guilt free:

Monday - Friday

McCormick & Schmick's
Downtown or Lake Union
(4:00 - 6:00 pm)
$1.95 1/2 lb. Cheeseburger or Salmonburger & Fries

Talarico's
West Seattle
(4:00 - 6:00 pm)
$3.50 14" Personal Pizza Slices


Mondays

Dragonfish
Downtown
(3:00 pm - 1:00 am)
$1.95 Sushi

Ohana
Belltown
(5:00 - 11:30 pm)
$3 Appetizers
$3-$4 Drinks

Two Bells Bar & Grill
Belltown
(after 6:00 pm)
$6.75 ALL YOU CAN EAT PASTA NIGHT (until they run out)
Spaghetti with red or pesto sauce, served with garlic bread


Tuesdays @ Chez Gaudy
Capitol Hill
(6:30 pm & 8:30 pm - reservations required!)
$5 Tapas
$8 Bottles of Wine


Wednesdays @ South Lake Grill
South Lake Union
(after 6:00 pm)
$5 Steak & Fries


Saturdays & Sundays @ Galerias
Capitol Hill
(Sat. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Sun. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm)
$8 Brunch (1 Entree w/Selection of Fruit, Yogurt & Pastries)

Observing 'Destruction of the Western Hemisphere Day' (a.k.a. Columbus Day)

Oh my, this image is more than a metaphor for the Spanish conquest on the Americas. European settlers to the New World thought they were so civilized when in actuality they were the savages who've raped, pillaged and plundered since long before 1492. Today, our modern society, shaped primairly by European descendants such as myself, is responsible for the ill state of our planet and its once vast resources. My, haven't we done well ...

Halloween '08 is a total bust

McCain leaves campain trail to help financial crisis, campaigns in Iowa today.

SNL Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin

Seattle's own Dina Martian reaching out to touch someone ...

cHHHool wHHHip (Family Guy)

Friends 'Scene' With Celebs

The paparazzi caught up with my San Francisco gal pal Kirstin while on holiday with her boyfriend and Italian TV personality Michele Cucuzza. Their photos appeared in European tabloids and gossip blogs earlier this month. This is one of my favorite of the "scandalous" photos the paparazzi hounds snapped of the couple on the beach in Mexico (spelled Messico in Italian):

In other news, another friend was amid Hollywood glitterati at an Emmy Awards after party. In this photo, Brian is seen to the right of Neil Patrick Harris (best known for his role as TV's Doogie Howser, MD).

BUZZ KILL | Remembering Tido | 02/07/05 - 09/18/07

Today marks the one year anniversary of my dog Tido's untimely passing. I can honestly say that was probably the worst day of my entire life; an extremely low point to say the very least.

I slept restlessly last night and recall a dream about my little pal. At the very least I felt it appropriate to acknowledge him ...

Quote of the Week!

"Your behavior is not your fault, it's mine for allowing it." - Chris

Emo or 'mo - You make the call ...

Is this guy emo or just plain 'mo (as in homo)?

Sarah Palin on Sarah Palin

"Why I'm just your average small town book burning, abortion banning, gun wielding hypocrite hockey mom."

Note about the photo: Sarah loves animals so much she murders and stuffs them so she can always have them around her. Also notice, she has crabs.

Busy Bee

Artist: Ronan, Age 5,
San Francisco

Niece Nicola

I just received word from my aunt in Austin my half brother's baby has arrived. There were some complications during delivery, but she's doing OK in neonatal. Her name is Nicola Ann Petalas, after our late mother Nicky. Nicky, only 27 when she passed, was named after her great aunt, who died at the age of 15. Hopefully three times is a charm!

My half brother knew our mother for the first seven years of his life, but I had no idea he felt such connection with her still. I was very touched by this news. I don't have any memories of our mother.

You know, come to think of it, little Nicola's birth officially makes me an uncle. I have plenty of friends and cousins with children, but no siblings with kids until now. Pretty cool.

Project Jill Doll

My dear friend Grace came into town last week for some client and family visits. Friday night I drove up to spend some time with her at her folks' house just a little ways north of the city. I always find it so amusing the evolution of conversation and activity in any setting. On this particular Friday night, I was brought back in time and allowed some childhood nostalgia.

Grace had just received her aunt's old Jill Doll. Here's a little history lesson. Jill Dolls were all the rage of the 1950's, allowing girls the opportunity to be on the forefront of couture. I have to admit, after seeing this vintage doll and all her accessories, she was pretty damn fashion forward.

What started out as an innocent exploration of the doll and her belongings quickly transformed into a game Grace and I played with her sister. We gave one another fashion assignments and had to dress Jill accordingly. Each of these assignments were then followed by a small photo shoot with our trusty digital cameras and Jill's original, fabulous vintage box as the backdrop.

Let's start the show:

LONDON HIGH TEA
Here we see Jill dressed for a high tea engagement with a fashion editor in London. She remains well poised yet edgy in her blue silk slacks and white, open-toed heels. She's an elegant woman who isn't messing around when it comes to gettin' shit did. Jill ties a bit of tradition into her ensemble with a gorgeous white stoal and a lovely string of pearls. Her bag is a carry all which doubles as a portfolio case. Jill's stunning attire will certainly impress.

NEW YORK AFTERNOON

Here we see Jill hailing a cab dressed for an afternoon of success in New York City. I styled her hair up because sophistication should be paired with functionality. She's wearing a sporting animal print tube top, high nickers with an oversize belt, dashing heels and a very chic jacket with white accents. Of course she's a smart girl so she specifically chose her white horn rimmed glasses to match her outfit. No woman would be completely dressed without a bag, and Jill's is a simple, black over-the-shoulder carry all.

SUNDAY DINNER WITH THE FAMILY

Jill is always practical yet stylish. Here you see her wearing a simple, vintage pattern dress with diamond head print. While she looks a bit more '50s wholesome housewife, she also draws inspiration from Little Edie Beale by repurposing her stoal as a head wrap. Very fashion forward. Jill adds tradition with her beautiful string of pearls, which tie in nicely with her silver satin and pearlescent sling back mules. Of course she would be remiss if she didn't bring something to Sunday dinner, so under her right arm she carries a honey baked ham. Mmmm, Jill looks delicious.

SHOPPING ON RODEO DRIVE

Here we see Jill sellin' it Beverly Hills style. She looks hot enough to fuck Richard Gere, or perhaps even turn him straight. A bit on the tarty side, polka dots certainly scream garish L.A. Let's face it, those people have nothing else to live for. This entire ensemble is a Vivien Westwood. Just kidding, it's actually an original Margo Montoya. Isn't her hat the most?! Really, call the fire dept., this is one scorching hot ensemble!

VIETNAMESE PROSTITUTE

"Ten dollar suckie-suckie, fuckie-fuckie," says Jill, who is more Miss Saigon streetwalker in this pure silk teal kimono top. Hanging off her right tit, Jill wears her unplanned newborn. The deliery is so fresh the afterbirth is still resting between her legs. Now that she's had the baby, her twat is prêt-à-porter, mmmmkay!

A Grand New Chapter

In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago since I left my partner, my dog and my home on Beacon Hill. That first morning out of the house was strange. I was staying at a friend's in-city apartment while he was out of town. His building was right next door to where we both lived as roommates when I first met my ex nine years ago. That's a story in of itself.

I was reading the feature story in the June 1999 issue of Cosmo, "How to land your man by the 4th." Then on the 4th of July, at my best friend's party on Lakeview, we were introduced by our best friends who were dating one another at the time. As my ex would often explain to people when we were together, I was as drunk as the Lord that day, which was certainly not one of Cosmo's recommendations. But I did look flawlessly fantastic, and I think that encapsulated the majority of the magazine's advice. While my ex and I didn't start dating until about a month after our first meeting, I definitely landed him the evening of the 4th. He was so cute and starry-eyed in those days. Just like that infamous quote from the classic film 'An Affair to Remember,' "Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories ..."

On that first morning after our break up, when I walked out of my friend's front door, I stepped back onto that part of Bellevue Avenue I was only too familiar with as an early twenty-something single. It was as if I had pressed the reset button on my life. That was two years ago almost to the day since I moved back to Capitol Hill, a.k.a. the "gay ghetto." In other ways it doesn't seem like it has been that long at all.

Less than a week after staying at my friend's place, I moved into my bachelor pad a few blocks east from him. This is my last week living in my temporary exile at The Granada, which has quite honestly never felt like home. I have mixed feelings about my move though, most likely because I'm a bit overwhelmed with work and then having to pick up everything I own and transport it to an unfamiliar space in an unfamiliar part of town. On the other hand, I feel like I'm living with ghosts in this place, figuratively that is, and the space I'm moving into is very cool as is the neighborhood, which is about seven blocks from where I currently reside.

Life always comes with its ups and downs. What is truly great is transitioning from the feeling that my life has been in a state of contraction the last couple years to once more being in a state of expansion. Such are the ebbs and flows of life. How exhilirating it is for one to acknowledge their life's destiny is in their own hands and not anyone else's. It's time to turn the page on yet another life chapter. The next chapter of my life will be grand and I look very forward to writing it.

Newsflash: Chris Crocker leaving YouTube

OMGYG (oh my God, you guys), Chris Crocker is leaving YouTube and getting her own tranny-ass website: http://www.mschriscrocker.com/

Check out her farewell vid:

New Seattle on Two Wheels

Ever want something then suddenly life just mysteriously and simply hands it over to you on a silver platter? I've been wanting a decent street bike for months now, something I could cruise around the city on. My biggest problem has been my lack of storage space. Now that I'm moving into a larger space, I thought it appropriate to start looking for some wheels.

Friday night I was at my friend Flora's birthday on Beacon Hill. She knows quite a bit about bikes, so I asked her whether she would help me shop for a good deal on a used cycle. As it turned out, Flora had just purchased a new one for her partner, so she said I could have their old one. That night I drove home with a very nice, gently used Bianchi! It's a very nice, human-powered two-wheel ride.

Saturday I taught a class with one of my business partners in hopes of drumming up more business. We attracted a couple new clients, which was very nice. To celebrate, I took my new bike out for an inaugural spin, my mini tour de Captiol Hill. I rode from the bottom of the Hill up 15th to the Volunteer Park Cafe. It was an absolutely gorgeous summer day; clear blue skies, sunny and warm. I had one of the best chicken Caesars in my life with a glass of refreshing iced tea while I dove further into the book I'm reading, 'The Art of Racing in the Rain.' After I finished my early supper, I gave myself a special treat; one of the cafe's delicious coconut cupcakes. These delightful mini-cakes are homemade, beautiful and divine.

I have to say, there is something so wonderful about touring through town by bike. It was like being in a new city, a new Seattle. Riding a bike is so much more engaging than driving a car, physically as well as sensory-wise. Biking is peaceful as well as a bit more dangerous. One has to pay even closer attention getting from point A to point B.

After leaving the cafe, I continued my tour through Volunteer Park past the historic glass conservatory, down the hill past lush tree-lined streets with some of the city's finest residences and then down eclectic Broadway.

I had just enough time to take a late afternoon siesta before heading out to a benefit cocktail party on the Eastside in Redmond. The hostess is the good friend of a guy I dated at the end of last summer. He's a total douche bag, but she's sweet as pie. The money raised through the sale of cocktails for donation went to benefit brain tumor research. The hostess' sister was diagnosed with and subsequently had surgery for one around the time the douche and I began dating.

Met some really fantastic people at the party including a fabulous fag hag, a sweet couple from O.C. and a funny gay boy who lives in what's going to be my new neighborhood, SLU. The gay boy and I left the party around the same time, both with plans to hit the (gay) bars. As it turns out, he lives in the same building as, and is friends with, the magazine couple I once knew through my work with the LGBT chamber of commerce. Small world and an even smaller town.

Scotty stayed home ill, but I met Richard out at the Pub along with my buds Brent and Doug. We then ventured over to the Cuff, but unfortunately Brent had misplaced his I.D. and was denied entry. I felt guilty for staying as the boys had driven all the way from Beacon to meet us out, but I had work to do. Nah, but I was meeting my new friend from the party as well as somewhat looking forward to reconnecting with my old acquaintance from the magazine. There was one other reason I wanted to stay as well. I thought perhaps there was a slight chance I might have another run in with the scorching hot gentleman who reintroduced himself to me the Tuesday prior, the one I called later in the week only to be left hanging. Dick.

Instead, I met a tall drink of something standing in line at the middle bar to buy one last beer and close out my tab. His name is Chris (not really, but to me he looks like that should be his name), and he's a chauffeur. He's about 6'4" tall, has soft, thinning silvered hair, the most gorgeous set of blue eyes I've almost ever seen, full lips and one of the most handsome faces I've seen in a long time.

This man Chris was in line in front of me. When he turned around and smiled at me, however, he invited me to move in line in front of him. I told him that wasn't necessary, but he insisted. We continued casually chatting. I don't recall exactly what we talked about, but I don't think any conversational topic mattered to either of us at the time. I'm pretty sure all we were concerned with was staying in each other's presence.

At this point my friend Richard had left and I wasn't really feeling the gay boy, my magazine friend and their "posse." Just then I passed by the guy who reintroduced himself to me on Tuesday. He briefly glanced at me and then whispered something to his friend as we walked by one another. So much for that dick, but I could really have cared less at that point, especially after meeting Chris.

A moment later Chris appeared, and invited me to join him outside where we could talk and get more acquainted. We found a couple of patio chairs outside in the part of the bar often referred to as "the dog run." While I'm still challenged to recall exactly what we discussed, other than the what ifs of possibly going home together, I can tell you I found him to be friendly, sweet and down right genuine. Such qualities go a very long way in my book.

He wanted to dance and I had to relieve myself. So he took my beer inside and asked me to meet him out on the floor. The place was packed and I wasn't sure I'd find him again. Just then he suddenly appeared. He smiled as I approached. We danced a few songs, finished our drinks and then left the bar together.

As we were walking down 13th, he suggested we get some food. I mentioned the Hurricane, a 24 hour dive at the north end of downtown. He was elated as it's one of is favorite late night haunts. So off we went.

We both ordered breakfast. I adore breakfast food. I could practically eat it for every meal. We filled ourselves with some of the usual suspects, eggs, hash browns, etc. Then I drove him home to West Seattle.

Since that night we've seen one another several more times. I'm really enjoying getting to know him. Inside his attractive tall, masculine and handsome exterior dwells a very odd duck who's a bit quirky yet intelligent but also very thoughtful and sincere. He's certainly not your average Joe. Chris is also unpredictable, slightly strange, sweet and gentle. He barely knows me and yet has already offered a handful of times to help me move into my new SLU digs next week. What a guy. Ya know something, I think I might just take him up on it.

Speaking of moving, a brand new client is on the move for a home east of the Cascades in quaint Cle Elum. She came to my Saturday seminar by happenstance, and the next day we were looking at property between exits 78 and 85 off of Interstate 90, just over an hour from the city. What a beautiful place! I found her a gorgeous half acre property on the bank of the Yakima River, surprisingly well within her first time homebuyer price range.

We had a grand time spending our Sunday together, especially after touring one of the most bizarre homes I've ever seen. It was like the Winchester House of Mystery meets David Lynch. We talked about it for nearly an hour afterward because the experience was so weird.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from my brand new client as we had just met the day before. She is one of the sweetest, most fun-loving people I've met in a long time. We wrote up a contract today for that riverfront property, and while doing so she handed me a card, which read:

"Thank you for making me feel like a very important somebody. You shouldn't have ... but I'm very glad you did. Even though we just met I know you are thoughtful, sincere, smart and witty. Even if this house is not the one for me, thank you so much for your kindness. If it does work out though, I hope you visit anytime you want. Love, Annah"

While I certainly appreciate new clients, making new friends is so much more meaningful and gratifying.

Last night Chris met me for happy hour at the bar across the street. We then came back to my place where I made dinner for the two of us. Afterward we ventured down Broadway to rent a movie, Shortbus (one of my all time favorites he had never seen). Then swung by the store and bought kernels to pop. We curled up on the sofa to watch our movie and eat our homemade popcorn while the lights of city skyscrapers sparkled in the background outside my top floor windows.

There was one scene in the movie that really caught Chris' funny bone. He roared with laughter and wasn't able to pull himself back together for quite some time. This was an amusing spectacle to watch. It was great to see him so happy and alive. When he smiles at me I can feel it in my chest.

While I had initially hoped to reconnect with that dick from Tuesday, lord only knows why, life handed me something else, someone who is real, noteworthy and enjoyable to be with. Perhaps Chris is just Mr. Right Now and that's perfectly alright by me. Something tells me there's quite a bit more to come with this one. Only time will tell ...