Gay of a Certain Age - WeHo Pride 2025 Day 2: Part 3

As a Gay of a Certain Age, I learned long ago that one should strive to live in the moment.  Enjoy the thing while it is happening. Still, sometimes I can get a little caught up in "Capturing the moment" and before I know it, the moment is over.  Well, that's what happened with this parade! Before I knew it, it was over.  If you go by your watch, you would probably say, this was not a short parade by a long shot!  But there I was, taking pics of everyone around me and when I turned back to the street, it was full of revelers heading for their bars of choice.  I didn't let it throw me, though, Dudley immediately got the gang moving and I thought, "I still have more pictures to take!!

Here are some of the folks I saw on the way to Dudley's bar of choice.

So happy!

We just walked past Micky's, so I guessed that was not where we were heading.  I did get a few shots of the Micky's dancers as we made our way through the crowd.

We traveled west a little bit more...

and finally landed at Mother Lode.  Personally, that is my favorite of the Downtown WeHo bars.  It's the one that still feels like a neighborhood bar in that four-block cluster of clubs.  There are a few that are not far behind in favorability (Gym Bar) and others that I still need to give a chance (I have not been beyond the outdoor patio at Hi-Tops).  Anywho, Mother Lode is where I feel comfortable.  Apparently so does Dudley, as seen in this pic here.

As comfortable as he was, Dudley had to give up his perch to make room for the dancer.

And what a friendly dancer he was!

From where I was standing and enjoying the revelry with friends (very near my dear dancer) I could see the happenings on the street.

I could also make sure my dear dancer was getting his due...

When it became clear that this dancer guy wasn't going to ask me to marry him, Dudley decided it was time to move on and we hit the street.  What sights we had to see!  My favorite was Daddy Smurf.

This guy was so happy he was dancing in the street! What's under that tiny skirt? You can see on the jump page (Link below)

I love going out with Dudley because he is a great influence.  He is very gregarious.  That means he'll go up and talk to people that I only think about approaching.  His gregariousness has served him well.  He seems to know a lot of people.

I wanted to ask this guy where he got that fabulous Chinese Take-out bag.

Dudley would have asked. 

See? Dudley knows people...

And they love him!

We had to get a pic with a Drag Queen!

Eventually, everyone peeled away and it was just me and Dudley.  I didn't want to, but I broke the news that I was old and tired and had to head home.  He understood and went his own way as I walked back to my apartment. I didn't mind that I had to go past Micky's dancers, again.

I enjoyed the sights on my walk home and still only thought "I'd like to know that guy" instead of talking to any number of hotties, cuties & friendlies.  I guess I was too tired to follow Dudley's example.  C'mon, if I didn't just say "Hi" to THIS guy, I've got a problem! Maybe this is a thought for a different entry on "This is why I am Single".  Anyway, maybe I'm being too hard on myself. Look, he was on his phone! I was right not to interrupt him.

I certainly had a full day and look forward to next year's WeHo Pride parade.  Who knows, maybe I'll be in it!

See more sensitive pics after the JUMP

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!