Michael and I had a wonderful time last week in Los Angeles. But, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip (yes,
even better than running into
Laura Ingalls at LAX!) was the informal party I had on the evening we arrived. Like I had last year, I sent out word to all of my L.A. contacts (some close friends, some online "pals") that I'd be at such-and-such place at such-and-such time, hoping I'd at least get to see a handful of them since we only had three days in town total. What I hadn't expected (the Facebook effect, perhaps?) was a huge turnout that literally felt like what would have been the most wonderful episode of "This Is Your Life"
ever. Best friend from sixth grade in Madison Heights, Mich.? Check. Long-lost best friend from eighth grade in Mesa, Ariz.? Check. Old high school buds you haven't seen in ages? Check? College pals? Check. Old roommates? Check. Old colleagues? Check. Blogger pals? Check. Friends of friends? I know West Hollywood -- much less The Abbey -- isn't everybody's "scene." But I can't thank you all enough for coming out on Sunday and making me feel so loved. A lot of us queers didn't get to experience big occasions as youths (first dates, dances, proms). But I can assure you I felt like the unanimously elected homecoming queen of 1985 last Sunday. Here are just a few photo highlights to prove it:
With my 8th grade best friend
Myk Mishoe (right) and his adorable husband, Andrew Ruiz. We hadn't seen each other in 25 years yet somehow it seemed like only yesterday that we were drinking powdered iced tea at my parents' house and working on our latest horror movie script. (Myk: You PROMISED ME those photos -- now don't forget!!!)
Michael and I flank Laurence Ducceschi, who was my Arizona BFF Greg Jelinek's college roommate at the University of Arizona. Hadn't seen Laurence since 1988 and he hasn't changed a bit. (Thanks for introducing us to Urth Caffe!)
Putting the meat in a Jim Key and Greg Hernandez sandwich. It turns out that Greg, whom I became friends with through blogging, is pals with Jim, whom I went on a blind date with back in 1990 when we both worked at The Orange County Register.
With Laurence and Debra Pasquerette, one of my dearest friends from my days at Arizona State University.
With The Man, The Myth and The Legend (dba Michael Goff, most recently of
Towleroad fame)
With Paul Samson, who was my roommate in Huntington Beach back in 1990-91. We nearly killed each other then, love each other now ...
Greg, Jim's boyfriend Derrick Shore, Jim, me and Myk
Myk, Deb, me and Andrew
Michael and I had a wonderful time last week in Los Angeles. But, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip (yes, even better than running into Laura Ingalls at LAX!) was the informal party I had on the evening we arrived. Like I had last year, I sent out word to all of my L.A. contacts (some close friends, some online "pals") that I'd be at such-and-such place at such-and-such time, hoping I'd at least get to see a handful of them since we only had three days in town total. What I hadn't expected (the Facebook effect, perhaps?) was a huge turnout that literally felt like what would have been the most wonderful episode of "This Is Your Life" ever. Best friend from sixth grade in Madison Heights, Mich.? Check. Long-lost best friend from eighth grade in Mesa, Ariz.? Check. Old high school buds you haven't seen in ages? Check? College pals? Check. Old roommates? Check. Old colleagues? Check. Blogger pals? Check. Friends of friends? I know West Hollywood -- much less The Abbey -- isn't everybody's "scene." But I can't thank you all enough for coming out on Sunday and making me feel so loved. A lot of us queers didn't get to experience big occasions as youths (first dates, dances, proms). But I can assure you I felt like the unanimously elected homecoming queen of 1985 last Sunday. Here are just a few photo highlights to prove it:
With my 8th grade best friend Myk Mishoe (right) and his adorable husband, Andrew Ruiz. We hadn't seen each other in 25 years yet somehow it seemed like only yesterday that we were drinking powdered iced tea at my parents' house and working on our latest horror movie script. (Myk: You PROMISED ME those photos -- now don't forget!!!)
With Danny Casillas, Micah McCain and Mike Pingel, three of the funnest guys around who -- along with the boys by the pool at the Standard -- truly make me wish I were bicoastal ...
Michael and I flank Laurence Ducceschi, who was my Arizona BFF Greg Jelinek's college roommate at the University of Arizona. Hadn't seen Laurence since 1988 and he hasn't changed a bit. (Thanks for introducing us to Urth Caffe!)
Putting the meat in a Jim Key and Greg Hernandez sandwich. It turns out that Greg, whom I became friends with through blogging, is pals with Jim, whom I went on a blind date with back in 1990 when we both worked at The Orange County Register.
With Laurence and Debra Pasquerette, one of my dearest friends from my days at Arizona State University.
With Paul Samson, who was my roommate in Huntington Beach back in 1990-91. We nearly killed each other then, love each other now ...
Greg, Jim's boyfriend Derrick Shore, Jim, me and Myk
Myk, Deb, me and Andrew
6 comments:
That was such a bash!!! Great for you! but please, didn't you asked Greg what will he do now that he's unemployed? I loved his blog... wonder is he will do it again
It was a fabu time and great to see you and meet your man and see Micah on the road to Blotto! Hopefully, there'll be a decent Italian restaurant in the area by the time you come back, right?
Wish I could have joined you for the fun. Maybe next time!
Doh! I should read you more often...I didn't realize you were in L.A.
Plus I still haven't met fellow LA gay blogger Greg Hernandez...
what's your twitter feed?
Wow, Kenneth...how was your blind date with Jim Key...he's a hottie...What's his story??
So good to see you last week - what an amazing turnout for an amazing guy.
PS: I'd like to let your reader Alberto Mario know that my new blog is greginhollywood.com and he should check it out!
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