Gay of a Certain Age - WeHo Pride 2025 - Day 1

 Gay Pride in WeHo came in two days: the first day being the last day of May!

As a Gay of a Certain Age, especially in the time which inspired me to come up with the moto, "Be More Gay!" I know the importance of gathering and creating joy wherever and whenever we can.  It also didn't hurt that muh DABs, Dudley and Mark Gaddis invited me to join them in a little pre-parade reveling. 

We kicked off the day at Mother Lode, a favorite haunt of ours.  We met up with our friends Anthony & Chris and enjoyed the view of Pride happenings and folks around us.

  Like this fella sporting his crown as many of us did (will) over the weekend.    

Directly in front of the bar, in the street, we watched the hot MISTR men inform people about Prep, Pep and hotness options.

When it came time to move on, we stepped out of the bar and into the street where I could get a pic with the hotties from the booth next to Mistr.

We also popped in to say "Hi" to Mr. Crown himself, Andrew Russell, who makes these fabulous crowns. I have three of my own and have gifted one or two...

Of course, I captured a few man on the street pics, notably inspired by this guy.

We headed east, in the direction of the La Cienega entrance of the festivities, just to be sure we hit everything from top to bottom.  Along the way we enjoyed all the people in the blocked off street,

along with the booths lining the curb, with people handing out stuff.

My favorites were the guys offering free sun block spray

I think Dudley liked them, too...

Exhausted from our two or three block jaunt, we found ourselves in front of Schmitty's!

Of course, we had to stop in say, "hi", grab a drink and open ourselves up to the possibility of meeting someone to be a parade escort.  I was delighted to see DJ Bruce Daniels as soon as I walked in.  He's a sweetheart and I wish only super great things for him. 

I think it's easy to say we had a fun time

We certainly had a nice view of perspective beaus...

When it was time to move on again, I tried one last ditch effort and offered a proposal of marriage, but he declined, letting me down easy.

"No. But thank you, kindly, for the offer."

As soon as we stepped onto the street, a Ferris wheel was in view!  

Of course, we hopped on board and took in the sights!

I was barely tall enough to get on the ride!

Once we dismounted, we made our way back toward Mother Lode, to make sure we didn't miss anything/one. On the way back we saw more friendly faces,

More people,

More people I know,

Jeffrey Drew

More people in booths,

a DJ playing for people dancing in the street,

People dancing in the street,

Go-Go dancers dancing near the street,

And a bar called 33 Taps.  We stopped in for a drink and that is where my fancy camera ran out of battery power.  So, here is a pic from 33 Taps and a little show of other Pre-Parade revelers in the street!

Remember, I've got a thing for bartenders...

Finally, a revisit to the man of my dreams (that night)!

Next up, WeHo Pride 2025 - Day 2, the parade!

Stay tuned!

Happy New Year 2026

 Happy New Year, if it's possible...  That's a political statement, not a question of whether or not we can personally have a happy year.  I think we can!  

So many people haven't asked how I spent my New Year's Eve, so I'll Tell you!
I was totally prepared to stay in, as I had failed to plan, no last second invites materialized and my poor car is in the shop, but something nagged at me to go out.  I took matters into my own hands and texted muh DAB, Dudley, and invited myself to tag along with him (IF his plans allowed).  He was going to a party, but thought he might stop off in WeHo on his way home.  That was enough for me to say I'd see him there!  I headed out into the rainy night at about 8:30 and walked directly to Z Pizza to put some pre-drink food in muh tumtums. 

Three slices did me well and I was off to the Mother Lode- a fine West Hollywood Gay Bar that is more my speed than the other more club-like places in the 'hood.

The weren't many people there, but it was early and there were a few potential targets for my affection there, so I got my hard pineapple cider and took a seat, awaiting Dudley's arrival.

I didn't mind the view while waiting.

Yes, the dancer was hot, but I was fantasizing that these married gays, who looked very much like twins, would notice me and invite me back home for some neked fun to ring in the new year. 

 
I was there about an hour when I got a text from Dudley saying he felt tired and would probably head home.  I was a little disappointed, but totally understood.  As one who would choose in instead out, I knew exactly how he felt.  So, I suddenly had a choice; it was 9:30pm on New Year's Eve, do I walk home in the rain or hang out another 2 1/2 hours and be around people, hoping that I would get to kiss a cute anonymous guy (even though it looked like nothing was going to happen...)?  I took a look around

and decided to stick it out a little longer. 

When it became clear that my married twins fantasy wasn't going to happen and the others I had invested a few "yes" looks with were not biting, I decided to head home.  The place was starting to get busier as it got closer to midnight, but that didn't stop me from leaving.  While I was strolling in the rain, avoiding puddles and envious looks from those without umbrellas, I got a hankering to stay out 'til midnight.  Luckily, another bar, more my speed, Schmitty's, was on the way home.

I like Schmitty's a lot.  It is casual & cool.  

Aside from the flyer that promised a suggestively good time,

I love the decor

There were the fab balloons reminding us what year was coming up,

and fantasy inducing underwear hanging from the wall featuring coloring book pages colored by patrons,

but these lighting fixtures have always been my favorites. They've always made me feel comfy and warm.

I also like that there is no question that these are unisex restrooms.

Of course, the staff is super chill & nice.

I ordered my Angry Orchard hard apple cider (Get off my back! These ciders don't upset my stomach as quickly as other alcohols do- I am, after all, a Gay of a Certain Age) and grabbed a seat next to DJ Bruce Daniels.  We've been acquainted for decades,

(PROOF!)

so I decided that seated near him would feel less lonely.  I was right; he's such a sweetheart.

Okay, jump to the next paragraph if personal body function stuff, dealing with sex, grosses you out- 'cause this is an ugly side bar. 

 SIDE BAR:  Before I left home, I showered like I might have the sex. You know, just in case.  I also put some water up my tush, in case things went in that direction.  I have little problem with bottoming, it's just that I'm not ever very confident with how clean I am down there.  Well, this night I was very confident that all went well down there, so that was another driving force in my desire to stay out and REALLY ring in the New Year.  At Schmitty's, time came for me to have to tinkle, so I made my way to the terlet.  I stood at the urinal and went about my business, when all of a sudden I felt the very necessary need to sit down!  I doubt it was the pizza that caused the immediacy, but I sat down and had a liquidation sale (Everything must go!) like crazy.  I sat there mortified, because I didn't feel this coming! What if I had been invited home by Mr. & Mr. Twin and this hit me just I had slipped out of my very cute Skull & Bone undies on their bed???   THIS is why bottoming is such a scary prospect for me.  I knew for certain, then, that my evening would at absolute very best, be limited to an anonymous kiss at midnight.

Okay, it's safe for youse that tuned out of the embarrassing side bar.

I returned to my seat by DJ Bruce Daniels and spent the next hour passing time singing along the songs I knew (mostly from 30 or 40 years ago).  It was pleasant enough, and with my attitude adjustment, less stressful for the last hour, or so.  The crowd didn't seem to get any larger.  As midnight approached, Bruce handed me a confetti hand canon.  When midnight hit, we let the tubes in our hands shoot off in celebration!

I made a quick look around, and there didn't seem to be any takers.  I took matters into my hands and got my kiss from a guy (Though not anonymous)

That was it: My big New Year's Eve and midnight kiss.  I probably would have had the same kind of night at home, alone, but it is good to be out with people sometimes (No matter how much they ignore you ... or refuse to be ignored (I'm talking to you Fur Coat Guy between me & the Twin Husbands!))

On my way home, content with a decent night out, I saw a gelato place open late!  Why not? I ain't gonna be loving on anyone in the immediate future.  The place was fairly new-ish (to me, at least. I don't get out much).  Gelati is a nice little shop with gelato, coffee & pastry.  The guys there were very friendly (especially for having to spend their New Year's Eve at work, so late!) 

 I got a cup with a pistachio scoop and a cherry scoop. I was then declared the first customer of 2026 and was rewarded with a little discount and a free bar of Dubai Chocolate!

So, I didn't get to get it on with anyone(s) and I didn't even get a midnight kiss, but I did get celebrated and rewarded. As I walked home in the light drizzle of a new year, enjoying my pistachio & cherry gelato, I decided it was a nice night after all.  Although, the coming year could be more disastrous than the last and I may not get quite what I wanted - it's still in my hands! I got my kiss, I got home safe and there will always be gelato!

Here's to MAKING 2026 a great year!