Jerry Timms

We’re back from One Mighty Weekend in Orlando! I had a fantastic time and we are recovering quite easily and nicely from our party marathon week away from home. I won’t go through the details of all the parties…just do yourself a favor and go. Some year before you die, ok?

This week I visited my accountant to pick up my personal and corporate tax returns. I have to tell you, so much stress was lifted off my shoulders when I discovered that I didn’t have to pay nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact I don’t think I realized how much stress it was actually putting on me for the last few months, because I relaxed immediately after finding out how minimal the damage was. Sometimes you don’t realize how unhappy you are about something until you experience the rebound happiness that comes from having the situation fully resolved.

It reminded me of a time earlier in the week when I saw a sad look on Anthony’s face. I noticed him looking at something at Downtown Disney, and knew that he was distressed about some of his own financial troubles. I wanted to tell him that it’s just money, and he shouldn’t worry about it so much. It will more than likely resolve itself far faster than he thinks. I didn’t tell him anything, because I didn’t want to upset him further. And I waited until he told me about later until I said something.

So today I started thinking about how much all of our troubles really are just temporary.

I’d like to brag about how I know this for sure because I’m older than you, or wiser than you, or that I’m smarter than you because I’ve just figured out this realization out on my own. But none of those things are true…I’m thinking about this right now because of how ridiculously happy I am with my life!

I’m back in Phoenix and happy to report that I just had probably the best weekend ever…in Orlando for One Mighty Weekend and Disney Gay Days.

To be really honest, last weekend was a bit of a test. I was considering retiring from the party scene for awhile. Why? Well that was my apprehension about not having goals and whatnot. I felt a little wary about continuing along this path if it was just going to continue to be more of the same. I figured that I have learned some things and improved myself at past events, and if I continued going to parties it would just be for purely hedonistic reasons.

Well that wasn’t the case, and this past weekend really showed me that there’s no limit to how much you can learn about yourself and others when you’re in this type of environment. Plus I’m really grateful for being able to spend some more bonding time with newer friends like Philip, Bernard, Kendall, Tony and Dallas Justin.

Don’t get me wrong, there was a fair bit of hedonism as well. Several of the 9 parties last weekend were just absolutely insane, and I never knew it was possible to have that much fun!

The desire to spend time with ‘people who are like you’ is strong and necessary for every gay man and woman. And after you jump into that sea of acceptance, joy and love…you come out of it, at the same time, both less and more of the person you once were.

Coming back home from a circuit party is a harsh transition from a created Utopia to the real world, where this acceptance and love can be hard to find. We have very real enemies here…and most of you who read this allow it to continue. Luckily, we come back stronger every time with less fear and more confidence in the people that we are and can be. And even if we get only a glimpse of the glory that’s possible in life, it’s a glimpse nonetheless, and that’s something.

I’m trying right now to wind down for bed, because I have a flight tomorrow morning at the ungodly 8 o’clock hour. We’re headed to Orlando for One Mighty Weekend, which will likely prove to be the mother of all parties so far for me this year.

I have to be honest, I’m really apprehensive about this weekend. Why? Well, I was talking to Mr. X about this tonight, and I’m a little concerned that I don’t have any goals set for this weekend. All of my previous party trips have had personal goals…and I have meditated heavily on them, and achieved new levels of personal understanding and achievement. Nothing huge, just those little goals that you set for yourself now and then to help yourself along the greater path. Those goals are personal.

This weekend, I’m at a loss for what I’m trying to achieve. The obvious answer would be…Jesus, Jerry, just have fun and relax. Well, those who really know me should know that I don’t really ever do that! I’m really obsessed with everything having meaning. Nothing with me is ever just what it is, it’s always something more. I’ve never done something and just given up all control of it, and just let it be what it’s going to be.

Ah, ok…

Well even though I’m sure you’re all anxious to see some pictures from my travels, I actually didn’t take that many. I think I must have burned myself out on taking pictures for awhile! But I did take a few here and there, so here are the best ones in no particular order…

Me on the red carpet at a Project A.L.S fundraiser event at Paramount

Shamelessly stalking celebrities at said fundraiser - or are they stalking me?

At this point I may as well just move into Mickey’s

Philip and Rich at The Abbey

Beautiful day in Santa Monica

The rolling party that took us to Medieval Times with Philip’s ad agency group

Philip and Justin inside said party

I have virtually no memory of this

I remember shouting ‘black & white’ and that’s about it - oh and lots of chicken

But it looks like we had cute hats!

With Rich, Gracie and Justin at LB Pride

Alas, I have no pictures of Tribe. Hopefully my previous dramatic prose gives you some idea how the weekend was spent. Pictures at parties hardly turn out acceptable anyway, and I’ve come to realize that the experience can’t really be appropriately captured in an image. I had a great time, and will be looking forward to the next events on my calendar…the Core on Saturday, and leaving for Orlando (One Mighty Weekend - Disney Gay Days) on Wednesday.

Well I’m pleased to report that Chapter 5 is starting out nicely, and so the countdown begins for my trip to One Mighty Weekend, June 1-3 in Orlando.

Benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, One Mighty Weekend is one of the largest parties on the circuit. We’re going up a little early so that we can also go to Disneyworld for a day before the party starts.

Some of the events are at theme park venues such as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and the Disney MGM Studios, and so far it looks like Kathy Griffin is confirmed for a guest performance. The main event is at the Hard Rock Live concert venue at Universal Studios CityWalk. If you’re interested you can read more at www.OneMightyWeekend.com.

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