Let's see...how do you spell Christmas? That's right...RESCUE ROOTER! My family was preparing Christmas dinner when I hear my mother yell, "Oh good God..." I turn around and the kitchen sink is backing up and lapping at the sides of the cabinet top. After our feeble attempts to "destuffify" the sink we caved and called a plumber.

45 min and $200 later we were able to sit down to our traditional Christmas dinner with a flowing sink. Oy! It's always something. :)

Brunch with the soon to be in-laws was absolutely fantastic! I really enjoyed meeting Kent's (my soon to be brother-in-law) parents. Wonderful people and I look forward to getting to know them better as we approach the big day in July.

Headed out in a bit with the boys -- had two solid days of family time. It's time to shake things up a bit. :)

Thanks for all your Merry Christmas emails. And yes, I promise I will be getting the Costa Rica photos up soon. I have to get my PC up and running. I'm on my Mac and for some reason when I upload pages saved through word it screws up the alignment. If anyone out there knows what I'm doing wrong let me know -- otherwise I'll have to wait until I get my PC going or my web guy gets it up and running.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!


-W

Well, I made it. Luckily the plane we took back to SD had just come from there and didn't need to be de-iced so we got to leave straight away. Going from 9 degree wind-chill factor to sunny 75 degree skies is a strange thing - but trust me I am not complaining. ;)

Have been really enjoying my time so far in SD. I went wedding dress shopping with my sister yesterday. There's nothing like the opinion of the gay brother to help make those final decisions. When she first came out of the dressing room I almost died! She was SO BEAUTIFUL! I still can't believe my sister is getting married. It just seems like yesterday we were playing and watching Saturday morning cartoons! She looked like a princess. The only words I could get out without crying were, "You're getting married!" She's a total knockout! We came home and spent the rest of the day picking out music for the big day. It is going to be an AMAZING wedding. The best part is she and her fiance have asked me to officiate the wedding. My mother always wanted me to me a man of the "cloth" she just didn't specify what kind. I think I'm more the lame type! HA!

Tomorrow is the big day where we all meet the in-laws. Breakfast in Del Mar to meet on neutral ground. It's always just been the four of us but I'm excited to expand the family and possibly incorporate different holiday traditions. My dad supposedly is growing a beard and my mother despises her haircut - she wrote in an email, "with your father's beard, my retarded haircut and your shaved head it definitely WILL be Meet the Fockers!" I wrote back, "No one is putting whip cream on anyone's breasts!" (See the movie ;)) Haha - I'm sure they will be absolutely lovely.

A few more days in sunny San Diego and then back to the big apple. New Years is going to be amazing. My best friends are coming out to celebrate 2005 and I couldn't think of a better place to bring in the new year.

All the best,

-W

Start spreadin' the news...I'm leaving today...Well, that is I'm going to try. New York is currently under SEVERE weather advisory for the entire tri-state area. My flight was supposed to leave at 7am back to sunny San Diego but it looks like it may be a no-go. I am currently trying to get out of here before the storms really hit. Of course 30 min I am still on hold with the airline because everyone is calling to get out of New York. Oh the joys of living in a city with weather!

I got a phone call from Robb this am.

"This is Robb McArthur calling from WFAG with a weather update. San Diego is currently a sunny 85 degrees with a slight wind coming from the southwest as well alcohol flowing freely out of Hamburger Mary's."

Haha! I love that b*tch! Meanwhile it's blustery 25 degrees with a strong winds coming from pretty much every direction! :)

The last two weeks here in NY have been just wonderful. I've had a chance to do all the touristy things here as well. Went down to Rockafeller Center to see the tree, went FAO Schwartz, shopping on 5th Avenue...etc...etc... This weekend I was invited to go to Carnagie Hall to see the Gay Men's Chorus. We had box seats and I felt like quite the aristocrat sitting up looking at all the socialites from box to box. All I needed was a monocle and a fancy pair of binoculars to really play the role. The choir was great but the song selection was a bit unusual. The majority of their selections were Christian songs. Now, I do understand there are fanatics on either side of the issue -- but a lot of us felt a little uncomfortable hearing the haunting words of the right wing being exhaulted by 300 gay men in black tuxedos.

The really powerful part of the evening is when on of the members of the youth choir spoke. He had just "graduated" into the men's choir and was sad and excited about leaving his younger family behind. Family was just the sentiment he expressed--when he joined the choir and came out his definition of family had to change. His own family wasn't supportive and this group gave him the love and support he needed to become the man he is today. He understood that the gay community is family and that especially in our current state of political flux family is SO important. His words made me truly appreciate the love and support of my own family back in California, who through ALL my craziness they are always there to catch me. His last words were, "We do what we do, and keep fighting so they can't dictate our story." The audience was silent for a good 20 seconds or so. It was quite a powerful sentiment.

Well, with the wind whipping at my bedroom window I am ready for a little sunshine break in San Diego. These last two weeks were a great way to get my feet wet to be ready to come back and start AIDS Walk New York after the New Year.

Hope everyone is staying warm / dry. And if you're here in the New York area...think good New York weather thoughts! Hell, wherever you are reading this please think good New York weather thoughts--I really want to see my dog in San Diego! :)

All the best,

-W

BUTT ASS COLD!

That's about all I have to say right now. Haha, this LA boy is getting his first taste of the bitter, bitter cold in NYC. Aye Dios Mio! It's the kind of cold your skin starts to burn as you walk down the street cold. Has it taken away my love for this city? Nope-not at all. :)

Had a blast last night. Went to a benefit for the Bailey House here in NY with my friend Jose--then met up with Jai to hit XL, Twisted Cabaret. I hadn't been there since I had seen Jai perform last. The performer was Ari Gold and I just don't get him. Last time I saw him we were backstage at DC Pride and again--after I saw him sing, I just didn't get it. Really nice guy--but he's no Jai when it comes to vocals.

The Dance-A-Thon fundraiser was surprisingly a success this weekend. I came in last week to help with the event and it was a bit chaotic. Per usual everything fell into place last minute and I think the crowd had a good time. We raised rought $750,000 for GMHC here in NY.

Other than that it's been a blast running around the city with Robb and catching up with old friends who have moved here over the years. I am absolutely loving NYC and can't wait to start on AIDS Walk NY's 20th annual campaign.

All the best,

-W

Start spreadin' the news....I got here today....I'm gonna a be a part of it, New York! NEW YORK!

Well, I'm sitting here with Jason Mraz blasting looking over the Manhattan skyline. The view from my apartment is absolutely amazing. Out of the living room is the ENTIRE Manhattan skyline and out of my bedroom I look over the Hudson River and all of Jersey. I love it!

It's a bit daunting to look at the city and have absolutely no clue to where I am in relations to anything. But that's part of the adventure. I can't wait to tackle NYC!

-W