Jerry Timms

When I left the house this afternoon, everyone else was still asleep from our evening of partying. I quietly got up out of bed, got in the shower, and put some clothes on. Everyone was still asleep, so I get my things together, and headed out the door, not really sure where I was going to go.

I walked down Wilshire until I got to the federal park, then made a left into the city of Brentwood, where I found a really cute downtown area and Coffee Bean to get an iced latte (it’s hot outside!) and sit down with my thoughts. It had to happen sooner or later on this trip, I needed some extra time to bond with this city.

Thursday night I arrived at the airport (a little late - see previous post) and Rich and I headed back to Philip’s for a quick change, then down to Weho for some drinks. After a drink at the awkward Fubar, we went to Mickey’s, one of my favorite Weho bars, for some more drinks and eye candy. I’ve written about Mickey’s before…lately it’s been one of my first stops every time I come to LA. When we got back to the house, I crashed out almost right away from the long evening.

On friday we worked from Philip’s place for a few hours, then grabbed some lunch at Wahoo’s before heading to the Coffee Bean on sunset, where we ran into Perez Hilton and various other celebrities that I’m not priviliged to discuss here.

Friday evening Justin’s flight was delayed several times, and it was about 1am by the time we were able to pick him up, before heading to Mickey’s for after hours dancing where Philip, Justin and Rich all took turns turning down suitors both on and off the dance floor.

Saturday afternoon was spent getting party food at Costco, and then a clandestine trip to Weho and the mall to pick up a gift for Philip. Saturday night was Philip’s white party, where I met a lot of new people - including Philip’s brother and co-workers - and we ate white things and drank clear drinks. I also saw some familiar faces, including Roger and Jason that I met last year in Vegas.

Late saturday there was some disagreement about what to do next - and although there were several options on the table, Philip and I both decided we were tired and just going to go to sleep. I’m not sure what Rich and Justin did, since I haven’t spoken to them yet today. But when I left the house they were both so sound asleep, that I’m sure they had quite an adventure.

So that brings me back to today, where I’m sitting in a comfy leather chair in a Coffee Bean in Brentwood, doing my impression of Perez Hilton - blogging in a corner with an iced coffee drink.

I just returned from an extended trip to California, and that drive home just never gets any easier! I had an amazing time with some Phoenix and California friends, and just wanted to say thanks and I love you guys - you know who you are Also, looking forward to the core event in 2 weeks with Phoenix friends I couldn’t be with for the holidays. Happy New Year, everyone!

Christmas 12252006

NYE LA 12312006

Me, Justin, Philip, Tony, Dallas Justin and Kendall at The Abbey in WeHo

Hmm, now I was gonna go on and on about my plans for 2007. Then I decided not to. Let me just say that I’m not wanting to change anything radically about myself this year - several changes have already been recently made. What you will see this year are the effects from that growth…the effects from losing just a little more fear…and I expect it will be quite an exciting 2007, with lots to blog about!

I had a long time to think in the car tonight, and coming down from the kind of weekend I had is very conducive to some serious introspective thought.

When I look back on my adult life, I can identify 4 main stages I’ve passed through. Stage 5 starts now.

The whole gang at Philip’s place in Santa Monica

LA Trip Part Two

Where were we? Oh yeah, Friday. Friday morning I woke up at about 11am, having gone to sleep quite late the previous night. I had the hotel send up some coffee, and decided to start planning my day….when I realized that I didn’t have to plan anything! This was my day and I could do whatever I wanted, so I decided to go walk around town and see what comes up. I decided about a week ago that I would spend a day or two as if this was where I lived, and so I thought this day may be a good day for that.

I walked down the steep hill, turned a corner, and then I was back on the gay strip. While I was trying to ignore the cute pet boutique, I spotted a tanning salon and decided I should get a spray tan since I was pretty pale. After talking to the guy at the counter, I must have winced a little at the $30 price tag (I’m told over and over that you can see my facial expressions from space), because I was assured that the tan came with a 24 hour guarantee. If I didn’t like it, I could come back and scrub it off in their shower with some pumice (these Weho businesses don’t fck around) and get a lighter color. Ok, fine.

If you’ve never had a spray tan, let me tell you that it can be an overwhelming experience. This particular booth had motion sensor activated doors, and a computerized voice giving you instructions the whole way. After I had a 15 minute lecture on where to rub the silicone, what positions to hold and when, and where to wave my hands to activate the sensors, I started getting undressed. I rubbed the silicone lotion into my cuticles, wrists and feet, and waved my hand in front of the sensor. The door opened with a Star Trek hiss, and I stepped inside and onto the metal plates in the floor. The computer lady told me to activate the sensor when I was ready, so I waved my hands where the Tanning Guru told me…cut to me frantically waving my arms up and down, spinning around several times, getting tanner in my eyes (it stung more than I remember, is this safe?), trying to hear what computer was shouting at me through the little speaker, and gasping for breath through the mist.

After everything was done I got dressed, regained my composure, and said goodbye to Tanning Guru. I was thirsty, so I headed toward the Coffee Bean to get a 1000 calorie blended coffee drink. But before I got into the store, I was stopped by an HRC volunteer who asked if I had a few minutes for gay rights. Sure I said, and listened to her speech about the FMA and how the HRC needs money to fight it. I asked her if she knew how good they have it in California, as we were fighting our own state amendment. She was actually from AZ originally, so we talked about this for awhile, and she even called over one of her friends to hear my story. We all introduced ourselves and chatted for awhile, and about half way through my stories about AZ politics, I could pick up just a tiny look of disapproval (or was it sympathy?), like how can I be living in such a backward state? I was probably projecting here. But having seen this, I explained how I’ve been considering a move to CA, to which one of the girls immediately shot back, “Check out Silverlake, that’s where it’s at right now, you’ll love it!” I filled out a form to send a monthly gift to HRC, and we said our goodbyes.

Later, coffee in hand I browsed around some shops, buying some brands of clothing that I’ve had a hard time finding in AZ. At LASC the salesman gave me some tips for the hot spots on Friday, highly recommending The Abbey. I stopped at a place for lunch that was recommended by Anthony (Koo Koo Roo, which was more like fast food than I thought it would be), and then headed back to the hotel. I must have walked 10 miles that afternoon, so when I got back to my room I laid down for a little nap.

That night, back on the town, I was hungry again so I had a burger in a sidewalk cafe next to some of the clubs. I watched all the guys walk by, and chatted with a fellow patron about some of the best places to eat around town. What struck me about this guy was that I was pretty sure he was straight, although he still seemed perfectly comfortable where he was.

I headed over to the Abbey. During my last trip I didn’t get to see this bar, and I was glad I was here alone so that I could make my own judgement about it. I expected a cover but there wasn’t one, and I walked inside and took in all the colors, the roaring fireplace, and all the gorgeous people milling around in groups sucking down drinks. For those of you who haven’t been to The Abbey it feels a little like Amsterdam in Phoenix, only about 4 times bigger and better music and decor. A feeling of decadence permeates this bar. And you can’t help but to walk around and think that you’ve seen several of these people on either a soap opera or movie. I got some looks, but alas it seemed everyone was in their own social group, so after a drink I eventually left and headed back to Santa Monica Blvd.

I tested the Rage for awhile (great music) and Mickey’s (go-go boys still there), and about 6 drinks later decided it was time to head home. Nothing eventful to speak of here, just some solo clubbing and dancing. I felt as though I should save some energy for ATB the next night, even though it was already 1:30. I stepped outside and help up my hand, a cab stopped immediately and took me back to the hotel.

Some of you know that I’ve just returned from my birthday vacation to L.A. Not only was this one of the longest trips I’ve taken in awhile, but this was also my first solo trip (although Jerry did meet up with me for the last 2 days - thanks Jerry, Good Times!).

The trip was fairly spontaneous, and was initially driven by my desire to see ATB on Saturday night - unfortunately I have never before been able to get a trip together to see one of his U.S. shows. But then it became about a lot more, which we’ll get to in later postings. So shortly after getting an email from the ATB website, I booked my hotel on Hotwire and announced to anyone who cared to attend.

I got to my hotel in West Hollywood late on Thursday night, neatly unpacked all my things, took a shower and then headed out for my adventure. When I arrived at the gay area on Santa Monica Blvd., I was initially surprised to see so many couples holding hands. Now, I have seen this before…in Castro, in Hillcrest, in Chelsea, and even here…but I guess not enough time had passed in this town and my mind was still in Phoenix. In fact, one of the last things I looked at before I left was the stack of legal papers I had been served with days earlier (more on this Nov. 8). This town is different…

I stopped into one of my favorite clubs, ordered a drink, and felt the gay thump sink into my bones. It felt good. I remembered the polite, shirtless bartender from my last trip here, and things started to feel very familiar and comfortable. I looked around and took in the hedonism - which tonight seemed even stronger than usual with the wall-to-wall go-go boys doing anything they could for tips, and the very crowded bar going wild.

I took my drink out to the patio and wondered if I would talk to anyone tonight. It was late, and I was sober. It didn’t take long before Louis came over, asked for a cigarette, and started some conversation. It was clear he didn’t really smoke, and we laughed about that as he said, “Is it really that obvious?”

We talked politics, about life in Weho, life in Phoenix, about our work…went inside for one last drink, and headed out. Holding hands feels different when you’re older. “Welcome to L.A.,” he said.

That’s all for now.