{ Dashus:land }

Charlie.

Some buds use their voice for good.

I must say thank you to ALL in this video (not just my friends). In positions of influence, you do not have to say anything. It's a blessing to those in need when you do. x.

Fitness Point of No Return. (It's Back!)

So several years ago, I contributed a blog post to my friend Gina and Jen’s blog - bitch-sessions.com I wrote some not so nice (but true!) things about a gym I had joined out in Queens. Sadly, I asked Gina to remove the post many years back because THEY WERE ON TO ME. I returned to the gym a few weeks after the post went up online and a few fellas made it clear that they knew I had written it. How did they know it was me?? Well, on the site, everyone else’s photo of themselves were pretty obscure. Not mine – my photo had me beaming from ear to ear. I could never go back to the gym. They were pissed and I was tiny. Here is the post in it’s entirety. It’s the Fitness Point of No Return.

I’ve been going to the gym now for about 6 months. I vowed to start going after a dear friend of mine, Jenn, passed away this summer from a long fight with cervical cancer. We had always discussed joining a gym together but we never had the chance to do so before she passed away. I decided to go for myself and also, in a way, for her. I joined Gold’s Gym last September and found the rewards of gym life to be immeasurable. Not only did I have more energy but I was also developing some well-toned muscles. I was very excited about my choice to take care of both myself and my wallet (which was becoming strained due to too many nights at the Carriage House, a comfortable bar I found myself in too many nights to admit.)

Gold’s Gym was nicer then I had expected. The place was spacious, clean, inviting, and always had a vast selection of diva house music playing to whip gym members in to a frenzy. Why “straight” men enjoyed listening to many of the songs I danced to at SBNY (a Chelsea club/bar that most gay men have to suffer through on occasion) was beyond me. I felt comfortable because it was at least one thing in this place I could feel at ease with. The members, boys and girls alike, were attractive. I felt like I was part of an army of Astorians in the pursuit of the perfect body. I was just like these other people, but much shorter, much skinnier, and way more self-conscious. Regardless, I continued and saw that my long hours there were really paying off.

Oldest & most dear.

In honor of Throwback Thursday I'm posting one of the first photos that me and best friends took together almost 20 years ago. We have taken several since over the years. I'll save those for a rainy day. :-) We are still the best of friends and I love them dearly. xxo!

Boom. MSG.

On Monday night, one of my best friends, Jason, played Madison Square Garden. I won't even get in to the excitement we all had around this event - friends, family, college chums. All of us in awe and having a blast. This was the view of J on stage. Wow, just wow.


~ Click to enlarge. ~

Going the 'distance'...

My buddy J. sings his little heart out magically in this duet with the lovely Christina Perri. Brilliant & Beautiful. The new video is below.

Here is the live version in case you missed it. Stunning.

xox.

L.A. L.O.V.E

F*ck Yeah!

My buddy Jason decided to treat himself his house to a bit of goodness this past New Years. He had TEKSTartist whip up a little goodness right there on the side of his house. It's pretty sweet! Anyone who follows this blog knows that I love time lapse videos so when the following one involves one of my best buds on earth, it's even more dope. Check it out! Oh and please click here to learn more about TEKSTartist - he sounds incredibly creative and inspired. F*ck Yeah!

The boy has another hit on his hands...

Amazing, my friend, amazing.

Birthday Girl.

Today I get to spend the day with an amazing friend. It's her birthday and we are set to make it a fabulous time. I've known the sweet Ashby over 17 years now and I consider her to be one of my dearest friends. She is beautiful, thoughtful, considerate and at all times so giving. I adore this girl and I'm so happy to be taking a day off to celebrate her. xox!!! 

A big high 5 and a happy birthday!

Yesterday my buddy Justin (AKA Juki) celebrated his birthday and today two friends Mark and Angelo are celebrating their birthday. Big hugs to you guys! xxoo!

Birthday Boy!

The other night...

The power of 23.

Jason gives a damn...

I'm so proud and happy to call Jason a friend. Lending his voice in such an amazing way speaks volumes to the type of person Jason has become. Watch Jason's plea for the GIVE A DAMN campaign. Jason, along side many others, speak out for Marriage Equality. See more videos HERE.

A friend needs this today...

 
For the girl with the big heart that needs to take some big steps. Get to steppin'! xo. 

A night with my gals playin' some WII Boxing!

A buddy's travels...

In January, my friend Jason traveled to Peru with his longtime friend and creative comrade Jon Marro. Jason wrote about it on his blog, Freshness Factor Five Thousand, and as usual he is thought provoking, honest and heartfelt. 
Jason prefaced the video with the following: "In January of 2009, I traveled to Peru with Artist/Activist Jon Marro, founder of BlendApparel.com. Part of our journey included a 4 day walk to Macchu Picchu. With us was, Adrean, our fearless Indiana Jones'esque Spiritual Guide who performed ceremonies for Protection and Peace to heighten our awareness of the energy that connects us all. This video is my playful version of James Cameron's Avatar. Listen closely to what Adrean tells us about being brothers living on the body of our mother earth who IS ALIVE. Pause the film on the Polaroid as it reveals quite possibly, the spirits known as "the Apus," the ancestors who abide by our prayers. The picture shows a golden light beaming from our hearts and hovering over our heads. To me, it is the obvious - Love is All Around and We Are All Connected." 
Watch the video and take a little trip. Enjoy. Thanks Jason for letting me share your journey with my readers. xo.

Hot Track. I'm In Miami, Bitch (Diinch Remix).

This one is for my fabulous friend Jenny who is destined for Miami in the morning! I stumbled across this hot new LMFAO remix of the track I'm in Miami, Bitch tonight so I took it as a sign. :-) It's hot one. Jenny ~ Have fun, girl.