Getting Out - Ex-A-Sketch

Back in May, muh DAB, Dennis Hensley, invited me to join him for XX-A-Sketch, a drink & draw kinda thing at The Bullet bar in Burbank.  You know my instinct was to say, "No, thank you, I think I'm separating laundry and matching socks that afternoon."  I fought it because I know, that if I'm claiming that I'm open to finding/being in a relationship, I have to GET OUT.  I'll admit that the idea of staring at a scantily clad fella for a few hours was a big factor in my saying yes.  Also, I'm thanking Dennis, right here and now, for finding all of these great activities that aren't run of the mill get out of the house stuff and inviting me!  

So, we get there and we're joined by our friend, Ron.  They have supplies there for sketching/drawing our tasty model, but Dennis had gone ahead and brought some of his own materials.

It was a lovely afternoon, the bar was occupied by a good number of potential targets, and the staff was nice, friendly and cuh-ute!

There were a few fellas there I had torrid affairs with in my mind, or simply thought, he looks nice and I'd like to be neked with him.

Then, our model stepped out.  He started out with fun bunny ears on, because it was so close to Easter.  When those came off, he still had this cool, retro vibe about him that I was digging, quite groovily.

Did I mention I'm not much of an artist when it comes to drawing/sketching?  My eyes were so full of man, I didn't know where to start.  I tried starting at the top, with the idea of working my way down.  I didn't stop to correct stuff; I just kept going. When I got this far, I realized I'd make the worst police sketch artist in the world.  Based on my sketch of this guy's face, a number of innocent Latino men would be spending a lot of time in line-ups because this looks nothing like the model, but, admittedly, if WIERD SCIENCE was real, I'd pop my sketch right in there along with a body shot of Joe Manganiello.

Before I could start drawing my way down to his neck & chest, the model changed positions.  I was a bit thrown off.  I didn't realize I would have just a few short minutes to sketch the model in the position he was in.  Sure, when I thought about it, it made sense that they wouldn't make this guy stay in the same position for hours, while we sketched, sipped and flirted.  That'd be so painful for him!  So, I had to adjust my artistic expectations and get into quick sketch mode and attempt a full-body drawing.

I got so into the drawing rapidly, that I almost forgot to keep an eye out for future husbands amongst the shifting crowd. ...Almost.  I'm fairly talented when it comes to scoping the guys.  For example, I'd totally let this guy make me an omelet.

I felt like I let myself get too distracted, because before I knew it, our guy was in a new position!

I tried to concentrate. I thought I would make proportion my main priority and let details fall to the wayside.  That is until I let myself get distracted by the staff.  I don't know why it is, but I've always had a thing for bartenders and waiters.  I think it's the wonderful idea of a hot, sexy man, bringing me food in bed. ...Naked.

Anyway, the afternoon slipped into night and before I knew it, our time with the hot retro-vibe model man was done.  Turns out, I had a great time.  I didn't even get close to meeting anyone for romantical exploration, but I got to hang out with Dennis & Ron, feast my eyes on tasty mens and exercise my slight drawing muscles for a few hours. Granted, my sketches wouldn't be hung up at a Tate Gallery (Maybe a T'aint Gallery), but that's not what the exercise was about for me.  However, if you wish to purchase my sketches for a moderate fortune, here is a sample of the goods.  Oh, yes, of course I'll sign these before sending them to you!

(At least the face is a little closer to looking like his.  I'n't it?)

So, if you're dying alone, but feel like you're open to not, please, take every opportunity to get out, be among people and take your chances at meeting your future partner.  At the very least, cherish you time with friends and hot guys.

I thank our model, Brandon, very much for his modeling (Don't worry, I tipped via Venmo the day of) and leave you with two more lovely poses from him.

GET OUT!

Easter - A Good Top is Hard to Find!

 Hey, Easter sailor! Buy me a drink?

In April I had a fabulous Easter Celebration at two separate celebrations. 
I started the day with muh DAB, Dennis and that circle for a wonderful brunch.
Cripes! I gotta talk about that hat NOW...

 
I don't know if you remember muh DAB, Dudley, but one of the reasons I love him is that he is incredibly creative & industrious and he keeps me on my toes.  Well, I couldn't show up at his place, Easter afternoon in just a baseball cap or stubbly top hair, so I whipped up a bonnet appropriate for viewing by someone of Dudley's creativity level.  I must say, I am proud of my effort, though it is a bit much.

Anyway, at Dennis' brunch we had a lovely spread and great company!

The table was set, with a good deal of goodies readily at hand!

The salad was fruity

The eggs were cheesy & sausagey

the watermelon was deliciously Spring Chickeny!

Everyone stood and applauded when Matt Zarley presented his monkey Bread!

Cards were presented,

more candy was eaten,

and pictures were taken!

It took us a while to get everyone in this one!

As the afternoon rolled on, I made my way to Dudley's place where the tables were being set

The centerpieces were delightful

Everyone brought a food item for the dinner, but I spent so much time on my bonnet that I could not offer much more than these delicious mini cupcakes.

Before dinner, some younger folk enjoyed hunting for disco Easter Eggs

I wasn't kidding about disco.

Host, Dudley with non-DAB friends 

(Chuck & Greg are married! They ruined it!)

Then, Pictures were taken unmercifully

(Not my photo, but this is mostly everyone)

At the end of the day, I was exhausted, stuffed and satisfied that we had celebrated Easter to its fullest and cherished what good times we hoped we had coming to us in the 2025 to follow.  Pleased, I knew it was time to hang up my bonnet.

S'up, Muh DAB? - Is this Bye Bye? Part 3

 PREVIOUSLY on S'up, Muh DAB? - Is this Bye Bye?:
I told you about enjoying the single life with my Die Alone Buddy, Brett.

Then, Brett married Andrew

...and I made their marriage about me.

There, now that you're all caught up,

let me tell you how their marriage has affected me.

Not, badly, at all.

While there's really not more to say on the subject, 

I have some pictures I'd like to share,

so, I'm gonna go on a bit.

First, I'll say that one of the biggest fears

I had about losing muh DAB

was that once he was married,

he'd end up being tied to the waist of his new husband

leaving me no time for buddy time with Brett.

I'm happy to say, 

that that has not been the case.

Brett and Andrew have been able to maintain their relationship,

while not spending every freakin' moment of the day & night together.

They each have time when they can enjoy stuff with their friends,

or have time alone.

That has been my ideal all along,

and know that if I ever do find that someone,

this would be a big part of our relationship.

As I said in the few on-line dating profiles I've had,

"I'm looking for 

someone who respects my my independence as much as they value their own."

I'm very happy for muh former DAB

for finding this.

That's not to say that there hasn't been any affect on our friendship.

Now, there's negotiations that need to be made before we can have our fun.

In the past, when we've decided we're going to Miami for the 4th of July,
(WHY? It's so gosh-darned hot!! 

...but we have!)

we could just make our travel arrangements and go.

Now, if we ever wanted to do that,

Brett has to consult with someone before I can start picking hotels.

Also new; there's a whole other group of friends

to consider for invites to events.

What if Brett & Andrew are having an event that has to be small?
Now, not only am I contending with my own stable of friends,

suddenly, I'm up against Andrew's group of friends

for an invite, too!

BUT, 

for all my worries about being left out

or loss of time with Brett, 

the past couple of years have been pretty good.

Spending time with these two as a couple

has been quite nice.

Andrew fits in really well,

which can't be easy for someone younger

blending into a friendship

that's over 20 years old.

As I said, I don't see Andrew every time that I see Brett,

but I have seen him at times that are special to me.

...Like, my Birthday

...like, including me in a surprise for Brett's birthday

...or showing up when I'm in a dress

Speaking of which,

while I haven't spent much time with Andrew alone, 

we did share something special

without Brett.

Andrew donated a good portion of his time to help me 

with my return to the BEST IN DRAG SHOW,

to do a farewell number before I  handed over the crown.

I loved Chita Rivera's performance of 
WHERE YOU ARE

(From KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN)

on the Tony awards and chose that for my show.

Andrew bravely agreed to dumb down the choreography for me,

a major non-dancer

and for two other hunky guys

who didn't exactly go to the FAME school of performing arts,

Ruben Zambrano and Erick Nett.

(Both sweethearts)

I'm sure he knew it would be a major undertaking,

but he did it,

for no pay, like, literally for charity

He graciously agreed to be in the number

...and literally do the HEAVY LIFTING.

I can not say how much I appreciated that 

and couldn't be more proud of the work 

he put into making it happen.

In addition to 

being a great guy and helping out new friends,

he also appears to have a high tolerance

for our ridiculous idea of fun,

which includes, but is not limited to

Brett's photoshoots.

Sometimes, these can take an entire day,

but we enjoy the set-up time and the bonding.

Plus, they're really neato!!

 

I don't know if he thinks they're as fun as we do,

but he shows up!

Speaking of we:

I'm not the only one Andrew has to deal with,

there's a small, tight group of us

that he's squeezing into 

and that can't be easy.

The dinners,

the holidays;

 a Christmas

a Fourth of July

a wedding...

So, while it may have been somewhat intimidating for him, 
I'm very appreciative that Andrew

did not come in like a wrecking ball

and lay waste to Brett's friendships and friends-time,

as I've seen happen in other cases.

I needn't have feared losing anything it all.

And, even though
I have realized, over time,
that I can be stand-offish and not let people in right away,
I look forward to further developing a

lovely friendship with Andrew!

...If he has the patience.

So, while Brett may no longer be dying alone with me,

at least, 

and most importantly,

we still get to watch

crappy horror movies together

from time to time!

Happy union Brett & Andrew

and thanks for the time!