17 Days of Christmas

Well it is soon approaching that point, and I finally seem to be making progress. The working out in the morning seems to help a lot since I was really losing it there the past few weeks.

The walls and ceiling are primed and are begging to be painted tomorrow morning. Since I work from home tomorrow, I can do that task as soon as I get up and then work in my paint splattered clothes for the morning. There is still a lot to be done, but for this weekend, I am stopping here. Next week, I will tackled the door (I have to do that one outside) and the cabinet.

The finishing touch for this week is the switchplates. I am using photos that I took and printed them on regular paper. Thanks to Jonathan Fong, I can make some groovy plates to go with my groovy bathroom. Also take a look at his Warhol Kitchen, I just love it. I am thinking of just putting one piece of art in the bathroom, a Warhol Marilyn that Guy got me in Pittsburgh. The only thing is the framing costs more than Marilyn was paid for all of her movies put together (joking, but close). Guy has promised many times to part with his trio of heads and I am trying to pry at least one from his still warm fingers.

Not to overdo it with Warhol, I want something different for the plates and am even going through photos to print and frame for other areas of the house. When looking through these photos I stumbled upon my NYC Holiday Window Photos from a couple years ago. That is my favorite thing to do in Manhattan and I miss it so. Thankfully there are a lot of shutterbugs capturing this season on-line and Another Normal is one of my favorites. He really brings to life the wonder I feel when I gaze upon these limited edition works of art.

Of course then comes the question, “What do they do with all that crap after the holiday?” Some of it is so cool and I wonder if they have a special sale. It also makes me think that I can glitter and bedazzle some things for my mannequin and make her feel more holiday-ish. She needs a good paint job too, maybe high gloss white.

Also helping me keep my sanity is listening to David Sedaris. I have the entire collection in audio book form and just love it. His tales about his family, living in NYC and then as an expat in France (he hates the term expat since he says you need to be a pat first). It is really very entertaining. There is also the Christmas classic, 6 to 8 black men. You better be good or you could end up in Spain.

18 days of Christmas

The clock is ticking and the brilliance of the bathroom looms before me. My arms are aching, as are my hands, and I still have so much to do. Tonight is dedicated to the end of the scraping and caulking. This will make it easier to just jump into priming tomorrow and painting on Wednesday.

On top of this I need to get my house ready for the kids’ birthday party on Saturday. That means getting the backyard organized, the patio cleaned, the house in some state of order and of course food prepped. It seems like a lot and it is, but I have done several soirees and I somehow get it done. I am pushing to have it done before schedule so I can relax with Paul on Friday night.

Even as tears well-up with my “to-do” list growing, I have to be thankful that I have the gumption, resources and time to do these things. If I trudge on each evening for 3 or 4 hours, I should get it done and keep my sanity somewhat intact. Plus going to the gym each morning, like this morning, helps. I wake up feeling beaten down. Once I get to the gym I can walk or bike away from all that stress, push it away with weight training and wash it away with a nice shower. I feel a lot better even though I got started late and only did a half hour, but every minute counts.

I promised pictures. Here’s where I started and here is where I am at right now.

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   Now

 

There is still a bit to do, but soon, very soon.

Memories: Christmas Windows 2006

After going through all my pictures, I felt a nagging memory of thanksgiving a few years ago, the last time I was with Guy and Patrick together in NYC. After the busy weekend of giving thanks, Guy and I were thankful to just walk around the city on a beautiful fall day. The sky was so bright we ventured to the top of the Empire State Building and took in the panoramic view of the city. Afterward, in a way to kill time, we went window peeking.

All the stores had their windows done up for the holiday and from our first encounter at Macy’s to the last at Barney’s we were hooked.

    

Here’s a Britannica of Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words …

Good Bye New York

 

Hangin’ on the line

It’s not a vacation unless there’s porn involved

A great flower shop

Beautiful and scary at the same time

Union Square

Fridge of Fame and Shame

Guy’s refrigerator is like a shrine to more than 10 years of parties, friends, weddings and other happenings. The front and sides are caked with pictures, cut-outs, phrases and magnets that define his life and his attitude about life. Though many have had the honor of being provided a spot on this Swingin’ Beach Pad Fridge of Fame, certain spots of memory stand out.

Madonnaween 2002

Cathy (who we have also come to call Madonna) was in her crowning glory. There is nothing she doesn’t know about her idol. Growing up in the same town as the not-so-virginal one, Cathy is a kindred spirit taking on convention and casting it off like last week’s fur. The focus of this party was Madonna in any interpretation. Guy even made a movie about it (which recently went off to be screened at a prestigious film festival) and the memories linger like Madonna’s earlier porn films.

We had in residence not only the material girl in all her incarnations, but also Guy Richie, backup dancers, security and, of course, Jesus who drove a gremlin. My rendition of this theme was a stretch since Madonna really isn’t my thing. I went with my boyfriend of the moment, Mic who was Andy Warhol and I was a factory girl. We figured that if Andy would have lived Madonna would have been part of his entourage, or him part of hers.

In the background is Heidi as the Erotic Madonna with vinyl and a whip – oooooooooh.
Another Halloween bash, the first one, say 1997, there was no theme, but that didn’t matter since this crowd only needs one prompting for a reason to dress up. This photo is Diane, a sprite English bird dressed in her prom dress, well not hers, but you know, and two delectable and well-built angels at her side. These parties condoned bare bodies, which were usually men or women with strategically placed pasties on certain areas. This year though I got my nickname of Wednesday, since I was a fabulous Wednesday Adams.
That same year the Tracy family topped everyone with the Wizard of Oz. Possibly conceived by Dorothy (Chris Tracy) the family went all out using their stage skills in makeup and costume to really show everyone up. Even the dog, that is really a pitbull. Just kidding. Unfortunately, a few years after this was taken, their brother died and Chris followed this past year. They will be greatly missed.
The ever hip music fan, Guy went all the way to New York to see his favorite band, after Blondie and Madonna, the Scissor Sisters. He couldn’t resist getting his picture taken with the band and wearing is SS cap for the next 4 years.

Another great band that performed at Guy’s house one Thanksgiving was Joan’s old ragtime group. They had come together for their last performance, sort of like the Beatles on top of Apple Studios, in Guy’s back yard. The party carried on into the wee hours and as you can see hip is cool at any age.
Sometimes people come to the Swingin’ Beach Pad all dressed up for not apparent reason except they can. This group of drag queens and pimp are an example. New Year’s is a time to celebrate and to start resolutions, including looking fabulous at all times. Don’t they look great???!!! I am envious though that men can look so much better than me.
This montage features Christmas done right with Guy, Patrick, Karalinda and Aimee. The one below is another Halloween themed Alice’s Mad Tea Party (where everyone were served cocktails in tea cups.) And of course, Liberace.

Getting ready to welcome in a new decade, this is from 1999 when the Whinzy Twins, Todd and Karalinda, covered their house in mylar and blue bottles. We spent days helping them set up and enjoyed every moment, though I missed the actual New Year’s Eve celebration since I was in New York.

Let There Be Lights

Saturday night was the kick-off for the Lights on Tampa event. It’s a pretty cool experience, but 2009’s rendition left me un-enlightened while the 2006 show brightened my imagination.

In 2006, Guy and I ventured to the normally dead downtown of Tampa. In its defense, only parts of Tampa are usually empty on a Saturday night. There is Channelside and Ybor, both club and restaurant havens, but the actual downtown seems to shut down at 5 p.m. on Friday. The Performing Arts Center and Tampa Theatre are just about the only places to hang, but there is always the Hub for those die-hards who like a real drink without the celebrity-watching benefit.

On that chilly night in January, we felt almost like we were in a city again (we had just come back from NYC and were missing the energy.) There were, I think, six or seven displays of lights from films projected on windows to lights dancing to music. We had a blast wandering around the streets and warming ourselves in the smoky essence of the crowded bar.

Fast-forward to 2009. The displays had been moved to Channelside near the Marriot and Embassy Suites to be positioned for the tourists visiting for the Super Bowl. Disco balls strung on light posts, glittered to the house music sounds coming from the Convention Center while an interesting, though slightly depressing, animated film about people stranded in the water, was displayed on the walls of the Forum, right next to video ads for upcoming shows featuring Celine Dion and Britney. There was the touch of kitsche that transcended into just bad since it seems art was not at the forefront of this event, but more as a tourist attraction of fake culture.

Ascending above the madness of this disillusioned display was the giant mood ring created by Will Pappenheimer rising up along the river behind the forum. Simply pleasurable, the metal structure changed hues from the inside out to catch the oohs and ahhs of the crowd. It was pretty cool too. You can even change the color of the ring to fit your mood by visiting http://www.tampapublicmoodring.com/.

Walking through the band of the ring, your runway out to the river was lined with football art that actually was pretty cool as well. Pappenheimer’s interpretation of the names of the NFL Playoff Teams is crafted from recycled metal bits and surprised me in their detail and structure. This was where the cliché of the experience is what made it art to me.

My other favorite was the light display by Casa Magica (http://www.casamagica.de/) on the concrete walls of the Fort Brooke Garage. Accompanied by a live swinging band, images were a tapestry of Asian inspirations to Victorian postcard designs.

Yet, my favorite sight of the night, wasn’t a display of light at all. In fact, it was quite heavy. The Barnum and Bailey Circus is in town and showing at the Forum. When we were crossing the street to trudge back to the truck we were stopped at an elephant crossing. These large mammals looked so innocent and playful as they strode along trunk to tail in their sequined garb. It was my favorite experience of the whole night.

All in all, it was a nice night out, but I wish it would have been more local-centric instead of just fodder for tourists. But that is how a lot of things are here. It’s what you get for living in almost paradise.

Fini and Begin Again

My stained glass angel ornament on my pink tree - that's Christmas to me

Life is what happens when you’re trying to write a blog. So instead of writing, I was living, but now I am back and happy to have some semblance of routine and normalcy. Nothing bad kept me from this personal task, all good with holidays to boot, but it did leave me snackered. Here are the top ten things that have transpired over the past 4 weeks. (In no particular order)

O Tannebaum

My perfect pink tree. Kitsche, I know, but aren't you jealous?

I just love my Christmas tree. It is pink with white lights and stands only about 6 feet tall (on a crate.) I have all kinds of ornaments on it even one that was crafted with my own wee hands when I was 3. I got the tree last year for $30 and the guy at the store said, “You’re goin’ to be the only person in Pinellas County with a pink tree.” My response, “I hope so,” even though I knew that there would be many folks in the gayborhood that would adore some pink plastic perfection. Even Guy was jealous. I wrap the bottom and its pedestal wine crate in a Santa-inspired, red and white faux fur skirt and even sans gifts it is a sight to behold. I hate the thought of taking it down and packing it away for another full year.

All the little children

Leilani having a blast at her recital. Her enthusiam was contagious!

It wouldn’t be a holiday without a children’s recital. I was invited to Leilani’s class’ Christmas program and had the honor of listening to three-year-olds massacre the old Christmas standards. It’s sort of like watching the auditions for American Idol, but not sad at all with kids forgetting their lines and waving to mommy in the front row, or those standing fear-struck as dad coerces them to look at the video camera. I just loved it. And of course Leilani stayed on cue and didn’t pick her nose nor lift her dress even once to the relief of her mother.

Noah, not to be outdone, does his famous rolling eyes routine. He's such a comedian.

I’ll be home for ChristmasA quick shot of my family during the gift exchange.

Since my family has developed into quite an extended posse, we try to make it for at least one day a year to be together, including spouses, mates, in-laws and kids. This year my niece Amanda hosted at her posh house. The food was divine with deep-fried turkey, pole beans cooked with bacon, Greek salad, butternut squash casserole and apple cobbler (my addition.) Plus it was great seeing the clan. My nieces and nephews are all grown with the youngest in his second year of college. Brian brought the girlies (his two divine daughters Madison and Sailor) and they are what really make the season bright. Even Laura, the actress, made it home all the way from LA and her Orange County-lifestyle. I miss the lot of them, but we just don’t seem to be able to hook-up much. Plus it is a nice time to catch up and do a simple gift exchange. This year was pretty weak though since my niece Erin left early and no one stole from anyone else, except me to try to get the ball rolling. Plus for me it’s all about giving so I was so pleased to see that Holley, Brian’s wife, got the afghan I made. She is so sweet and really appreciates things like that. My brother never makes it to these things since he lives in Michigan or something and I guess it is better to be there than with us.

Madison and Sailor Grace having a blast on Christmas Eve. They really make the holiday for me.

Sailor helping her mom with her new afghan. It was my first big project and turned out so sweet.

Feliz Navidad

You can't have black beans and rice without red wine vinegar!

And to balance out all the stress from driving to the family Christmas, I spent Christmas Day at Michelle’s and enjoyed my favorite meal of all time – Cuban roast pork, black beans and rice and baked ziti. Last year, she went to Ohio to visit family (why else would someone go to Ohio) and this left me beanless for the first Christmas in more than 10 years. It was painful. But I made up for it this year with double plates of food and a very sick belly that evening. Her family had done the Christmas Eve too so it was just us, Vivi, Ronn and her mom lounging around watching the Food Network and drinking wine. Mich and I recycle presents (meaning we usually take something we have and give that as a gift instead of buying something impersonal – except wine, that is good for all occasions.) This year I gave Vivi a Mary Poppins Barbie I had gotten about 12 years ago from an ex-boyfriend. It was still in the box with most of the accessories. I also shared with her half of my Hello Kitty collection (the other half goes to Leilani with her brother Noah gets my X-Men comic collection.) There was only a touch of drama, but it wouldn’t be a holiday without someone drinking too much and being all passive aggressive. (Vivi took the picture of her mom to the left, not too bad I thought. )
Vivi has already learned-leave the gun, take the cannoli!






Cause I’m a loser baby
Weight Watchers is a godsend. I am doing pretty well though I have fallen off the wagon a couple times. It’s the holidays and I let myself falter from time to time, but try to keep up with the exercising. I know that this is my time, and 2009 is all about me. I no longer want to think about my weight or convince myself that one day I will be thin. I am working towards my goal and I plan to be the hottest beatch at next year’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Now, I just need a hot guy to show me off. So far I have found a bunch of new recipes, including a vegetarian chili that so rocks, I just love a cup of it in the afternoon when I get ready to work out. I feel more alive than before and even when I am naughty (which I love being naughty) I can still be on track, a touch. I have vowed to not buy any new clothes until I get to the halfway point (which I am shooting for the end of April) and will be treating myself to exercise toys, accessories for my bike and cookbooks instead. I just love deciphering recipes, deconstructing them and making them more healthy. And that is what this is all about – it’s not a diet, it’s a healthy way to live.

I want to ride my bicycle
I just love, love, love my bike. I really do. I like to ride to the beach on Saturday morning, ride my bike to my friends’ homes, ride to the store and the library, and ride around just for fun. The weather has been great here and that only inspires me to get out and ride even more. My morning rides are the hardest to convince myself of, but when I do get peddling, the music in my ears and a fresh cup of juice or a smoothie when I get back really bring it all together. I feel so much better about myself when I ride. Since I can’t walk much, it is one of the only ways I can get mobile. My boss even gave me a harnessed pouch for Finnegan to ride in when I go out riding. I’ve thought about riding up to Georgie’s in the evening for cocktails since I will have to stick to one and not feel too guilty about the calories. We’ll see about that later. Future adventures include: the Saturday Morning Market downtown, visiting Michelle and Renee (both are just a few miles more) and maybe one day go all the way to Guy’s.
Santa baby

Made this when I was three - aren't you impressed???

Christmas was simple this year. I wasn’t able to give very much, if anything since money is pretty tight, but I was blessed with several treats. Ronn gave me a bottle of vodka accompanied by a bottle of deliciously spiced olives. That was my Christmas morning treat – a spicy martini to go with the healthy egg white omelet and tomatoes. Michelle shared with me a set of espresso cups and saucers from her grandmother and homemade marinara and cranberry sauce that she canned. Guy made it a Warholiday with a money tray in Andy style and a pink martini ornament for my pink Christmas tree. Heidi shared her generosity with my kids by getting the kitties some cat nip balls and Finnegan a squeaky toy. I just love how she always thinks of the pets during the holidays. Patty gave me a flask, though it only holds six ounces (HA) because she knows me so well. I know that will definitely get a lot of use. I always feel blessed when people share gifts with me, even if it is stuff that I never considered, I still am grateful since no one really has to do it. Plus, my friends are the same way since they appreciate anything that is given to them and they teach their kids this too, since just being kin is a gift.

Finnegan Begin Again
I waited 35 years to get a puppy for Christmas and it finally happened. Finn is still with his mommy and grandma since he isn’t weaned. It will be about 4 more weeks until he comes home to me. I have been visiting him at least once a week and even held him all night on New Year’s Eve. It was a quiet end to the year. Ronn joined me over at Patty and Jim’s where we sat out back, drank champagne and held puppies – what could be more magical? My first kiss of the new year was Finn with his sour puppy breath and newly opened eyes to see how much I love him. I am so excited to be a new mommy.

Kids in America

Dancing to "They Don't Know About Us" by Tracey Ullman

I ended the year dancing with my dear friends Patty and Tuttie to old 80s tunes and began 2009 dancing with Renee and Malika to reggae/hip hop favorites. I just love to dance, but don’t get the chance much. Being a goth kid in high school and college limited my dance moves though I have always loved dancing around the house. That is where it ended since I felt clumsy with my weight and lost with all the choreography. But that is all changing. Malika was showing me how to belly dance and Renee shared some of her Jamaican moves getting me up and running and I didn’t care how I looked, as long as I was having fun. So that is one of my new year’s goals – to dance more just for fun. Plus it is great exercise. Dexy's Dancing!!

Hot Hot Hot
For my new adventure in 2009 I got a new haircut. It isn’t too different from before and is even a recollection of a few years ago with short curls framing my face. I love it an am so excited with my new look. 2009 has so much possibility! Plus I have the perfect accessory for my new look - FINN!

And one sad note. On December 20, Jerry Taylor was murdered. Jerry and I worked together for several years. Though not close, we shared many laughs in boring meetings. As circumstances would have it, I spotted him a few months ago at my new place of business and found it a touch comforting to see someone from the old stomping grounds. He was an innocent victim of a deranged psychopath who also murdered Beth Evans, his ex-wife and a friend of Jerry’s. We weren’t close, but it still keeps me struck with sadness to think how this vibrant man and loving father will not longer be there to bring light into his daughter’s eyes.