leftovers

June is always a fun, busy month for me, not least of which because my birthday is on June 22. It's also the first month of summer, gay pride month, and usually my favorite weather in LA (not too hot yet, but plenty of beautiful, sunny days). This year has been no exception. Kicking off with the video shoot for "Winnipeg Beach" the first weekend in June, we were expecting it to be cloudy and cool which I thought would be appropriate for the video since the initial concept was that I was bringing home part of Winnipeg back to LA in my luggage. However, we were all pleasantly surprised when we got to the beach and it was a gorgeous, warm day! The next weekend was LA Gay Pride and it was a fun one. It was a little mellower than in past years which was probably good for me. We didn't have any out-of-town guests, no gigs or parties, but I did celebrate in the festivities each day. Friday we went to the Purple Party, which was a new free night at the festival grounds ...

Dylan's birthday was today, and although I hadn't really gotten on the ball and planned anything or gotten him any amazing gifts, it ended up being really nice. I bought him the present he wanted at the last minute and then took him out to dinner at Ketchup, this place on Sunset Blvd. that he's been wanting to go to forever. I was going to have a surprise party there for him a couple years ago, but they were really particular about "parties" and needed me to guaranteed a certain dollar amount for each guest or something crazy like that and I wasn't into it, so we had it at the Dive instead (which is now Street). But, for just two people, Ketchup was perfect; it's got an interesting vibe and a cool menu. We got the famous appetizer of three types of french fries (sweet potato, garlic Parmesan, and Cajun) with five types of ketchup (BBQ, Maple, Wasabi, Ranch, and Chipotle).

It was my bosses' birthday, and my co-worker Sarah had a crazy idea to throw her a surprise breakfast birthday party in her own home! It actually ended up working. We all met a few doors down from her house a little before 8am, and worked with her husband to sneak us all into the dining room while she was getting ready. There must have been around 25 of us, all huddled in there trying to be quiet but all excited for the surprise. Finally, Kerry came downstairs and once she got far enough that her eyes met ours we all yelled "Surprise!" and she was so overwhelmed she had to sit down on the stairs for a minute! We obviously had really gotten her good! In hindsight, it was pretty brave of us to think that we could all sneak into her house in the morning while she was getting ready and make it work, but it did, and she seemed blown away by it. We had brought all types of breakfast foods and coffee, juice, and champagne and it was so fun having a breakfast party before ...

Happy birthday to my father! I often forget to send a card but I always make sure to call him. I waited for later in the day, and by then he was at a steakhouse with mom, waiting for Adrienne to arrive, so I’m sure he was having a good birthday. At work, I had a meeting with some people from a French TV show who wanted to film our security officers in Hollywood. Kerry was out of the office so I just tried to get all the information taken down, but they wanted to ride with the officers which I’m not really sure if that is something we can allow. The first new photos of the Human League were posted online today! There is a closeup of Phil, Joanne and Susan with a black background and a white streak of lights going through them. It’s really cool and so 2010! There were also a few other “behind the scenes” photos that surfaced on a makeup artist’s blog who worked on the shoot, showing that there are other photos from the session that haven’t been released yet and givin...

Today was Amy’s 40th birthday so AJ threw her a semi-surprise party. It was a semi-surprise because, since it was in Fullerton on a Friday evening, we couldn’t all get there at the same time to start the party. I actually left work 2 hours early and still didn’t get there until almost a quarter until 8pm! Marc and Dylan rode with me and we got there in time to have some of the delicious lasagna that AJ had made - she is such a fantastic cook! The “surprise” part of it came around 8:30, when a stretch SUV limo pulled up to the house to pick us up - Amy had no idea that it was coming! We all loaded in and hit the streets in our party-on-wheels. The inside was really cool; there were all these different glowing lights and color-changing LED lights like stars all over, with these two kaleidoscope type circular lights up near the window that goes up to the cab. The stereo system was cranked and playing a mix CD that AJ had made that was full of songs just perfect for t...

It was Robbie’s b-day so we got up and drove to Valencia to her new place where she is living with Chris again, but just renting a room from him. The place is nice, and he has a new dog named Winston who is a 12 yr old rescued Dachtsund. We had brunch (Robbie made frozen taquitos) and watched TV, took the dog for a walk, went to the jacuzzi, and then took her out to Claim Jumper for dinner. It was sort of amusing because, it was such a process to find the Claim Jumper and figure out how to drive to it, and once we sat down, Robbie said she had told Dylan she wanted to go to Outback! When we got home, Brandon and Angie came over to pick up her makeup bag that she had left last night.

Today is my little sister's birthday. I love you, Adrienne!!! It was also the Media District's annual party on the rooftop of Iron Mountain. This is a party that I organized (or helped organize) every year since 2003. So, I was kind of excited about going this year having not had anything to do with it for once. Usually, I was too busy running around trying to make sure everything is going as planned to even really enjoy it. I realized I didn't like my outfit at all, so after work I headed to Ross Dress for Less to get a new pair of black jeans to wear, but when I got there the line was SO long. I timed it and I was in line for over 15 minutes, which actually doesn't seem like a long time, but usually you don't have to wait that long for the privilege of buying clothes. By the time I got to the party, it was about a quarter til 8, and everyone who saw me kept saying "Oh, you missed it, they talked about you!" Apparently, Ron, the board president, had...

I had been contacted by a group of German geography students awhile back who were visiting the US and wanted to tour the BID, so today was the day they arrived in Hollywood. I met them outside my office around noon and first showed them the W Hotel, right next to our office, which is kind of the new eastern hub of the entertainment district. I very proudly pointed out how they worked the subway entrance into the front of the hotel (hoping they wouldn't notice the drug dealers and homeless teenage runaways), and then we walked all the way down to Hollywood & Highland. I pointed out things like the Hollywood Broadway, the multiple Scientology buildings, the Hollywood sign, and the historic buildings along the way. Unfortunately, it seemed like some of them were less than impressed with Hollywood. One of the leaders of the group told me "it doesn't look like what you think of when you think of Hollywood." I agreed with him, but told him it definitely looks bett...

I can't remember how much of this I've already explained, but we had been planning on going to Palm Springs this weekend for Luther's Birthday. However, since Kevin was coming to visit, and then this whole thing with us performing at Blender panned out, we canceled our Palm Springs plans, and then Kevin decided to come down early. So, he is arriving tonight! I left work a little early because we are going to Red's birthday party in Santa Monica and it starts at 6pm. I wanted to get some beer to bring, and I also wanted to exchange my camera at Target today since tomorrow the gays are going to start boycotting Target, since they made a big donation to an anti-gay candidate in Minnesota. Since this was my second camera to not work, I decided to get a different brand. I got an Olympus since I read online their cameras were really good. I ended up just spending an extra $20. Then I went to BevMo to get some beer for Red's party, and I got some Whipped Cream flavor...

Today was Marc's birthday, but instead of having a party, he wanted everyone to go to Akbar for Bears in Space. It was the 1 year anniversary of that club so they were having a parking lot party, which sounded like fun. I hadn't had any time to get a present and I had no idea what to get him, so instead I made a chocolate orange pound cake with orange slices and glaze on top. It looked and smelled delicious but I never got to try any of it other than the batter. Ben came over and Dylan was going to drive us all, but we stopped at Viktor's to give Marc the pound cake so he didn't have to take it to the club and share it with everyone. Marc was driving to the club by himself so I volunteered to ride with him. When we got there, it was fairly sparse but it filled up rather quickly. It was really sunny outside so I had to either hide under and umbrella or stay inside, but it was really fun. It felt like a small pride festival out in the parking lot. Amy and AJ were the...

Brandon and I had planned a trip out to Hoagie's for a BBQ since we hadn't seen him in a long time, and haven't been out there since we finished recording Open For Business . Brandon and Angie picked us up on their way, which was nice. We all stopped at the Pavilions on PCH, and Hoagie was there at the same time! We were all getting food for the BBQ. Ben and Roxy were already there waiting for us when we got there. They had never been out so Brandon thought it would be fun to invite them along but unfortunately they were on time and the rest of us were all late. Tiger came out and joined us later. Hoagie's birthday was coming up soon so it was sort of an early birthday celebration for him. It was nice being back out at his place, especially since it was just for fun and there was no work to be done. We never even entered the studio which was silly since we really should have shown Ben around. Hoagie made turkey burgers with bing cherries and walnuts, and goudy ch...

Mom and dad let us sleep in while they went out for coffee and donuts. When they got home we decided to get up and around so we could go shopping with them. Mom and dad wanted to buy my birthday present for me, which was going to be a digital camera (my first), so they wanted me to pick it out. We had lunch at the Veggie Grill which they both seemed to like although we weren't sure if dad would be into the fake meat thing. Then we drove up to the Target on Sepulveda in the valley and picked out a nice Fujifilm camera. Mom and dad were both so concerned about getting the right one and I had to keep telling them any of them would be fine with me - anything is better than nothing which is what I have now. Then we picked out a case for it and got a memory card, and then looked for a gift for Ben G's birthday since we were going there next. We looked all over and then I had the idea to get something for his bar, so we got these retro Miller Lite bar glasses. Ben's wife, Rox...

Dylan had a hair appointment with his Aunt Renee in the morning so he got up and left and then I got around and took the bus to the red line, up to North Hollywood where Brandon, Angie, mom and dad picked me up. We drove up to Granada Hills to meet Dylan at his sister's house. Tracy was having a BBQ for her daughter Cody's birthday (Dylan's niece) so we wanted to stop by for a little bit. Dylan's mom and dad were both there which was cool, and lots of other family members. My parents had met many of them before when they were out and Dylan and I had our housewarming party, but it was nice to get them reacquainted. We had hot dogs, cake and ice cream, but we had to run right after singing the birthday song. Dylan and I drove to Susan's and got there first since the other vehicle had to stop and get booze. Susan had rented tables and chairs, and decorated with purple balloons and stuff, since purple is my favorite color. Jonathan cooked a bunch of food and it was ...

This morning I had to get up really early and make it to the Arclight by 8am for the Hollywood Economic Summit. It's an annual event that's put on by the Chamber of Commerce. I had gone to it once years ago when I worked for the Media District and Mary Lou was still there; she was always much more involved with the Chamber Events so when she was my boss, we were always going to meetings and luncheons with the Chamber. I knew quite a bit of people there, so I tried to talk to them all and let them know about my new position. Then Brian from my office showed up so I just hung out with him and he introduced me to some of our board members. The summit was pretty interesting. There was a lot of information in a little amount of time, but most of it was pretty positive about how Hollywood is weathering this economic depression fairly well, and that things are starting to turn around. I had a dentist appointment right after that, so I had to run down to Larchmont as soon as the su...

It was my birthday and Susan wanted to take me out to lunch to our usual birthday spot, Mikado. It's a sushi restaurant attached to a hotel that's a block away from where Dylan lived when I met him. So, I went into work at HPOA in the morning because Kerry and I went to tour a new project at 11am, and then I just went straight up to the valley afterward. It was me, Susan, Jeff, Diana, and Jim at lunch and we had a great time. Susan and Jeff ordered everything because they go there all the time and know what to get. We had some sake, oysters, and tons of different sushi. It was all delicious! They kept bringing stuff out to our table and it was all just amazing. It was a great birthday treat. We went back to Susan's afterward and Jim and I worked on cutting checks and other stuff. Dylan had plans for me so I went home and he told me to get ready because he was taking me to get a massage for my birthday! It was an awesome birthday present. I was really needing a mass...

We made it back from Canada late last night so I was very tired when I woke up today, but I had that song stuck in my head still so I ended up working on it a little bit in the morning before work, thus I was a little bit late getting to the office. The song is called "Winnipeg Beach." Laura posted a bunch of pics from Canada on Facebook. I am definitely having Canada withdrawals, it sounds so weird to say that I missed Winnipeg so much. I just had such a great time there and met so many amazing people. I was really bummed though cause LA Pride is coming up this weekend, and Dylan and I were so excited about Kevin coming down from Portland to stay with us, and he had called yesterday while we were at the Minneapolis airport to say he couldn't come after all (don't remember if I mentioned that already). Now I'm not even sure if I'm looking forward to LA Pride. I had my first little 'toe in the water' moment today with my new job when I went to the S...

Today was a pretty lazy day. We didn't do much of anything for most of the day so I played Bully on the wii in the basement. Mom and I went shopping at Wal-Mart later to get food for brunch on Memorial Day since we ended up making plans with Shelley Nondorf, and her daughter Samantha and husband Jake who we had just recently hung out with in Hawaii over the holidays. My parents have been friends with the Nondorfs for years but I hadn't seen their kids in ages until Hawaii. We also bought a croquet set for the backyard since neither one of them could remember what happened to Grandma Strecker's old set, which dad insisted had either fallen apart or had been sold at a garage sale. I find it hard to believe they would have sold anything of Grandma's at a garage sale. We also stopped at the Dollar Tree and got some drinking glasses and other assorted little things. I wanted to get a new outfit for Spike, but he already had all the ones they had there. Just like the D...

We went to see the movie MacGruber at the TV Academy today. I was going to go by myself, but luckily, Dylan decided to join me, and then we called Angie and Brandon and they decided to come too since Brandon didn't have to work today after all. Then we decided to see if Ben would go and he said he would meet us at the theatre, and then go to Brad's birthday party with us. So, Dylan and I took the bus to Hollywood and Highland to find a present for Brad, then we rode the subway up to North Hollywood and met Brandon and Angie at Big Wangs for a beer before going to the theatre. The movie was actually really funny, we all really enjoyed it. It was basically a lampoon of 80's action movies but there were lots of good one liners and jokes. Kristen Wiig was the highlight, of course. After the movie, Ben drove us home and he walked with us to Hamburger Mary's for Brad's birthday. We got there a little early so we could get a good seat, and Ron was the only one there...

Mayday! It's the holiday where we used to go put flowers on people's doors, and then run away after knocking. I think that's a midwestern thing 'cause no one out here has heard of it before. I made brunch for me, Dylan, Marc, and Viktor. I made beanie weenies with veggie hot dogs and a BBQ I made from scratch, and Soyrizo and Egg burritos. They were all yummy! It was so cute because Viktor brought Princessa, his tiny little chihuahua over. Shitting Glitter had a gig at Whittier College for Psychedelic Circus, put on by the Poets Society or something like that. It was an outdoor afternoon show on the upper quad. Marc rode with me, and we picked up Robert on the way. I totally missed the exit for the 60 East and ended up taking the 710 all the way to Long Beach! I was already running late, but that set me back even more, and then when I got to Whittier my directions were really bad and I ended up going in the wrong direction again. I called Laura and luckily he...

Happy 31st Birthday to my brother, Brandon! Welcome to the 30+ club! The workday went pretty well, and I went to work at Susan's house to pay bills and got to see her poor ol' dog, Forrest, who had been attacked by a wild animal the other day. He was laying on a blanket in the living room when I got there, so I was really worried about him. But later, he was up and around, and came and stood next to me in the office so I could pet him. Forrest is one of those dogs that I bonded with right away and he seems to know how much I love him. He always comes over to me and expects me to pet him, since I usually do, but when I stop he uses his paw to try to move my hand back onto his head! It's so cute. I stupidly left my phone at Susan's house and didn't realize until after I got home. Carrie was supposed to be meeting me so I could let her in since she is staying with us now for a few days, but I had no way to contact her. I tried e-mailing and IM'ing Dylan on ...