{ Dashus:land }

Yippy!!! It's my birthday!!!

I'm headed to Rehoboth Beach for the weekend. This is the BEST way I can think of to spend my birthday. SO READY! RJH and I feel just like this, y'all!

Cackles has left...on a jet plane...

Today is a sad day for me and my partner RJH. His Mom, who we lovingly called Cackles, has boarded a plane and is headed back to the UK to live. Cackles lived in Philly and was a constant in our lives these past 6 years. She is moving back to the UK for many reasons but one of the happiest is to be a grandmother to her daughter's first child who is due to be born in late July. I adore this woman. She has been like a mother to me, truly, and I'm crushed to know she isn't just a quick little trip away anymore. Cackles used to visit me and RJH on a regular basis as well. She would come up to visit with us every few weeks and we would go out to yummy dinners, check out the next fantastic exhibit that was on or just take a lengthy walk around this fabulous city. I know RJH is very sad to see her go but we only wish her the best. She's moving to London so it's not like we feel sorry for her. She isn't moving to some awful little town - it's London. Hellooooooo! It's a place I adore and to me it rivals NYC in soooo many ways. I know she'll be back to visit and I know we'll get over to see her too but it won't be the same, sadly. She brought a special light to RJH’s and my life.

Cackles - I wish you all the happiness and success that you deserve in London. RJH and I both do. You mean so much to me and I value this time we got to become so close. You treated me with kindness and respect and like one of your own flesh and blood. That meant the world to me! Make sure your other bubalas take just as fine care of you as we did or you'll just have to come back! Visit soon! Love you, Mom! xoxox.

The Trevor Project + Mraz + Me and My Peeps.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a benefit for an amazing organization called The Trevor Project. The organization's main goal is to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth who are in crisis and considering suicide. The group runs a prevention helpline that takes calls 24/7. They also offer online support to young people through their web site. In addition to the work they do for teens at risk, they also provide guidance and assistance to parents and guardians of these teens. My dear and dedicated friend Jason, invited me to the event as a guest. Jason was asked to sing at the event and he absolutely rocked it out. The performance was stellar and brought the room to it's feet. Seated at my table was my parter RJH, my longtime friend Ashby, Jason, his manager Patrick and the utterly fabulous Rachel Harris. Just to my right was a table filled to brim with yumminess ~ Kelly Ripa & her husband Mark Consuelos, Trevor Award Winner and honoree of the night Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz, Ally Sheedy (who introduced Jason's performance!). A special treat for me was also watching the uber-talented and brilliant Dustin Lance Black (writer of the award-winning film MILK) give special awards to three youths who are doing amazing work in their communities. The night was truly special.  We got to really talk to Rachel Harris  who was thoughtful, lovely and every bit as charming and funny as you would expect. She coincidentally sat at the table next to us while I was out to dinner two nights before at my local favorite restaurant! Who knew we'd be hanging out a couple days later? New York is so strange and fabulous. I was so thrilled that Jason had asked me to attend. The Trevor Project is doing incredible work and is saving lives day after day. There were some very touching speeches by those who have been helped personally by The Trevor Project which brought a tear to my eye. I'm so thrilled to the extent that my friend Jason is lending his voice to LGBTQ community and their causes. Jason doesn't have to do any of this but he does with such willingness, compassion and love. He inspires me and I'm sure countless others with his thoughtfulness and commitment. To learn more about The Trevor Project, PLEASE visit their website. They are a tremendous organization with a tremendous heart. Watch FOXNY's coverage of the event below.

He put a ring on it...after 64 years.

Via one of my favorite blogs, joemygod.blogspot.com, comes a truly inspiring story of devotion and love. I hope RJH and I will be telling a similar story when we reach Bob & Henry's age. xo.

A beautiful sight on a city street...

Up from down.

 

Eight years of i love u, RJH.

Up from down.

Shot by {RJH}

Up from down.

Shots above by {RJH}
~xoxxoxxox~

I slink deeper in love with you each step...

A beach dressed in white...

Rehoboth in winter..

Be Love.

To RJH. I love you. xox.

To my guy...

An evening with a twist...

A weekend begins richly with him...

 

Ready, set, go!

me, my guy & nyc.

A special delivery from a special guy. xox.

Lovely Lewes...

Dear Bellmoor, Oh how I've missed you so...

A setting sun with you....

Glimmering nightcap...

Seven is just the beginning.

Vegas 4 the weekend.

ROCK SOLID.

On love...

Shepard Fairey - Supply & Demand.

On a recent trip to Boston to celebrate RJH's birthday, I read an article about Shepard Fairey who created the iconic HOPE poster that was seen so prevalently during Obama's presidential campaign. The story was about how Associated Press Photographer Mannie Garcia was seeking legal action against Fairey because the HOPE poster was based on his copyrighted photograph taken in April 2006 while on assignment. Garcia is currently asking for credit and compensation for the use of his photograph. As I'm reading all about this story, I certainly didn't know that I'd be seeing a huge collection of Fairey's work just days later. Fairey's exhibit, Supply and Demand, was being shown just blocks from the hotel we stayed along Boston's waterfront. We learned of the show through a friend in Boston and made our way to The Institute of Contemporary Art on our final day in Boston. The show was incredible. I haven't loved an exhibit this much in a very long time.

Fairey's work is so unique and so striking. His minimal color palette paints such a serious tone. His work celebrates, dissects and explores Pop Culture, Politics, Money, Death, Music, War, Greed - it just doesn't stop. His art is reminiscent of old propaganda-style posters. The way that each of his pieces look like layers and layers of paper and newsprint and paint give it a home-made aesthetic but it's so much more polished than that. His work speaks such strong statements. He digs deep in to the belly of the culture and slaps it up on a wall. Fairey's art began on the streets in the cities where he lived. As a skateboarding youth, he began tagging structures and creating art on building walls. He first became known for his OBEY sticker campaign which featured a stencil of wrestler André the Giant. You likely have seen it before but just had no clue who or what it was all about. His work has obviously been put on the forefront due to the HOPE campaign. Where he sits now is right where he belongs. Fairey is a true trail blazer in modern art. I'm such a huge fan of his work now. A few of my favorite from the exhibit are below. xx.

The following is a video shot in 2008 that features an interview with the artist.

Happy Birthday, RJH.

I LOVE YOU.

A little Little Britain while in Britain.

I'm outta here, beeyotch. Well - not for long but long enough! I'm taking a trip TONIGHT with RJH to the UK. I thought it appropriate (or not?) to feature a lil' Little Britain on my site in honor of our voyage to England to see his family. Check out the following episode. It's super good. I don't care what y'all say. This show is funny!! I could not be more thrilled that it's making it's US debut on HBO!! Check it out! xox.

Little.Britain.S02E03
by Matty113

{~} RJH - See you in a few. {~}