Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Lynn's Holiday Nosh

Lynn's Holiday Nosh Lynn's Holiday Nosh

I finally got the latkes, kreplach and kugel he'd been craving and came home with a plate of desserts made by a nice Jewish mom in the Valley!

I continued my tradition of heading to my friend Lynn's place for her annual Holiday Nosh. Lynn's granddaughter Emerson is now two-years-old and has quite a personality. I told Melissa and Sean that they will be "those parents" waiting on the porch with a shot-gun in 14 years.

Lynn's Holiday Nosh Lynn's Holiday Nosh

Melissa and I were reminiscing that the very first time I went we were all so young and drinking Goldschlager, and Melissa cleaned red wine out of a white carpet using white wine. Now it's about drinking coffee, cleaning poopy diapers and going home early!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Quiet Christmas Day With Matheu

Christmas Day in WeHo Christmas Day in WeHo Christmas Day in WeHo

My pal Matheu Brooks and I spent a quiet Christmas Day going out for breakfast, strolling the deserted streets of West Hollywood, and supporting the local economy by shopping at A Different Light Bookstore. It's nice to take a little break from the nightlife.

You can see the full album on Flickr or Facebook.

Watch "The Times of Harvey Milk" Online

The Oscar-winning documentary, "The Times of Harvey Milk," is available free for online viewing on Hulu. I watched this ages ago, and it still moves me to this day. Here is the link.
"This Oscar-winning documentary film covers the successful career and tragic assassination of San Francisco's first openly gay man elected to office. Harvey Milk was a controversial figure in American politics, who guided campaigns for civil rights. This documentary chronicles Milk's career in politics, as well as the aftermath and trial of his assassin."

Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas Eve Parties: Thais, Michael & Toby

Thais' Christmas Eve Party Thais' Christmas Eve Party
Michael & Toby's Christmas Eve Party Michael & Toby's Christmas Eve Party

On Christmas Eve I was making the rounds from Silverlake to West Hollywood. At Thais' party, I met a whole new group of cool East Siders including Mehdi, Lisa and Bijal. (I'm taking a cue from her and bringing Jell-o Shots to the next party.) Over on the West Side, Michael and Toby had a festive get-together with steaming holiday cider and great company!

You can see the full album on Flickr or Facebook.

Olivier's "Naughty or Nice" Christmas Party

Olivier's "Naughty or Nice" Christmas Party Olivier's "Naughty or Nice" Christmas Party
Olivier's "Naughty or Nice" Christmas Party Olivier's "Naughty or Nice" Christmas Party

My friend Olivier threw a "Naughty or Nice" Christmas party. I think I was the only one that came dressed as "nice." Here's Rachel Carlson in one of her own naughty "Rachelle Appelle" designs and rocking out her washboard abs with hosts Oliver and Michael. Jeremy Lucido and his boyfriend Nick Leoni sample homemade desserts. The hosts inspect Leo's package!

You can see the full album on Flickr or Facebook.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Eartha Kitt: Purr-fect Woman!


Sadly, Eartha Kitt died yesterday at the age of 81. I first watched Kitt as Catwoman on re-runs of Batman when I was a kid and later came to appreciate her legendary talents as a singer, dancer and performer. Here's a great tribute video set to her classic rendition of "Too Close for Comfort."

"Single Ladies in Mayberry" by Party Ben


Just when you couldn't get enough "Single Ladies," Party Ben mashes up the Sasha Fierce hit with the theme from Mayberry. Brilliantly funny. Watch and listen:


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Funny Film: "Santa Gets Lonely Too!" by Dudley Beene


My pal Dudley Beene created this instant holiday hit! Watch. It is brilliant!
"'The 1947 classic where a young Natalie Wood helps Santa get laid just in time for Christmas.' With some quick shoots and a little reediting we turned Miracle on 34th Street into a romantic comedy about a gay Santa Claus and his best friends trying to hook him up. Hohoho"

Friday, December 19, 2008

The Lucky Legendary Holiday Party!

Lucky Legendary Holiday Party Lucky Legendary Holiday Party

I spent a festive evening with the folks from Lucky Legendary as they played "Truth or Dare" Jenga, slow-danced with vacuum cleaners, stripped of articles of clothing and had a rowdy good time. Not only do these guys make funny videos, they are super funny in real life.

Lucky Legendary Holiday Party Lucky Legendary Holiday Party
Lucky Legendary Holiday Party Lucky Legendary Holiday Party

Pictured here: Michelle, Captain Lucky, Olivier, Thomas, Chandler, Ken, Spanky and Jenny!

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

American Idol "The Most Horrible Day Of Our Lives" - Split Screen



My friends Brendan Bonner, Vincent Greenlee, Joe McGovern, David Schumann and Jagran Boise Thomas were devastated by David Cook winning American Idol over that cutie-pie David Archuleta. (Weren't we all?!) Amazingly, some random girls had the exact same reaction. How weird is that?!

Luckily David used his video skills to capture it all and posted the clip side-by-side! Watch:

Annual "Toy Box" Benefit Block Party

2008 Toy Box Benefit 2008 Toy Box Benefit
2008 Toy Box Benefit 2008 Toy Box Benefit

This year's annual Toy Box benefit was held as a block party on Larabee between East|West and Club Eleven which made it more festive than ever. It was the combination of the fake snow, the huge pile of toys, the snowman and Hunky Santa. I made the rounds with my pal Matheu Brooks from Frontiers and IN Magazine.

2008 Toy Box Benefit 2008 Toy Box Benefit 2008 Toy Box Benefit

Aside from amassing a huge pile of toys for the kids, Toy Box is one of the best ways to catch up with folks during this busy time of year, and I finally ran into friends like Kevin Casares, Woody Woodbeck and Wayne Fastow.

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Brian Putnam's Holiday Housewarming

Brian Putnam's Holiday Housewarming Brian Putnam's Holiday Housewarming
Brian Putnam's Holiday Housewarming Brian Putnam's Holiday Housewarming

West Hollywood photographer extraordinaire, Brian Putnam, had the WeHo nightlife folks over during daylight hours to show off his new home and studio. Amidst the constant rotation of guests, I sipped on mimosas and broke bread with Mr. "Out in Hollywood," Greg Hernandez, from The Daily News. Andrew Stum brought his crew, which is quite cleverly known as "Andrew's Crew!" And I ran into old pals KABC News producer Janice Hensen and photojournalist Sean Patrick Lewis.

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Saturday Night with Shawn Antonio at Vanguard

Saturday Nights At Vanguard Saturday Nights At Vanguard
Saturday Nights At Vanguard Saturday Nights At Vanguard

My friend Shawn Antonio promotes Saturday Nights at Vanguard. I stopped by to check it out because I'm planning to celebrate my birthday there in January. Shawn and I see each other ever week for lunch with friends, but rarely out at night. That's ironic since we are both "nightlife people." Vanguard turned out to be super-fun so I'm excited!

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Jeremy Lucido's Birthday Bash at The Spotlight

Jeremy Lucido's Birthday at Spotlight Jeremy Lucido's Birthday at Spotlight

Joanne and I attended Jeremy Lucido's birthday bash at The Spotlight. Here we are with my old pal $EX Artiste, and that's me with Jeremy's boyfriend Nick. I last saw them both on Thanksgiving. This was my first time at The Spotlight, known as the best dive bar in the Cahuenga Corridor! Catch Jeremy's video-blog of his birthday weekend here.

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas Party

Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas
Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas

At designers Frank Helmer and Jonny Cota's "Campfire Christmas Party," the East Side crowd gathered to toast marshmallows and sip on cider. I met Joshua Grannell (aka Peaches Christ) who was in town casting a his next film with my old pal (from high school) Darren Stein, pictured here with Darrin Noble.

Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas Frank & Jonny's Campfire Christmas

Albums on Facebook and Flickr.

Monday, December 15, 2008

"Wolverine" Trailer Filled With Surprises



In case you missed it in the theaters this weekend, here is the trailer for the upcoming "Wolverine" movie. I am looking forward to this film, and the trailer is better than I expected. There are a few surprises, like the appearance of what looks to be a young Storm. Any guesses who the blond mutant is?


Via Trailer Addict:
Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar – as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. Leading up to the events of X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe...