A North Park New Year!

 

Patrick and I have been working on our condo all week while he is on vacation and didn't go to Ireland for the holidays - per the norm.

Although invited to a few outings and house parties for the New Year - we both lagged on making a decision, preferring to finish as much work as possible while we had the time and were motivated.

 

Let me put it this way - - by 9:30pm we were covered in paint and concrete dust, and don't even get me started on the heavy doses of Ibuprofen we were both taking as we were both in a lot of pain from all the work. We figured time was running short so we better clean up so we could mosy down the street and see what we can find without investing too much effort or money so last-minute.



One of the things I love about our location in North Park is that we are a quick and easy walk to the bars and restaurants that have sprung up the past few years. We found ourselves turning our noses up at some of our regular hangouts with huge cover charges and pretentious crowds and opted for the free -- oh yes -- -F R E E - party at the gay dive bar (yes, you read it correctly although it sounds wrong) REDWING on 30th Street.

I have to give it to the folks there. We were easily able to join in on the fun at 11pm - - not a cent was paid in cover, we were given tickets to win door prizes as our IDs were checked -- there were noise-makers, hats and tiaras for everyone - - not to mention karaoke (George Michael and Beyonce songs were the favorite of the evening)... this also included free champagne toast at midnight for all and STRONG, cheap drinks. (Take THAT, foofy West Coast bar - - who were charging $50 at the door, the drinks aren't strong, only party masks for the first 50 through the door, and no champagne toast).

The evening was perfect, I got my gay man quota for the week - - everyone was in a super mood and neighborly with each other, the drag queens looked magnificent -- we even were able to find a place at the bar to crowd watch and for me to sing along with the karaoke 80s songs.

Happy NEW YEAR to all my loved ones!

Click on Slideshow below!

New Years Eve 2009

Happy New Year 2007!!!

It is a reflective day for me. I don't usually make New Year's resolutions because I feel that year-round I am already trying to work on myself or get things done to enrich my life.

This past year a lot has happened. This year I really worked on my health. My thoughts. I got to travel a lot (Maui, Oahu, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Lake Tahoe, and Peru). I let go and moved on from an almost 5 year relationship with a very sweet ex boyfriend and when (and where) least expecting it: met an extraordinary and challenging man who has changed my entire outlook on relationships and my responsibilities within one.

With that said, I can undoubtedly state that it's been over a decade that I have had so much to look forward to and so many changes and things to accomplish this coming year.

But no festivity is worth it without my family and someone I trust to share it with. So, I stay alone tonight with my thoughts and prayers for my sister, Sylvia, her husband, Tim and the kids who got in a bad car accident last night returning from northern California and for the safe arrival in a couple days of my dearest Patrick and his daughter Ciara from Ireland.

May God Bless us all, our country, the military fighting overseas and all the beautiful children and animals around us!

Cheers!