July 24, 2008

The Gods of my adolescence smiled on me often in July. Randomly, and often, I see Dave Gahan at the gym. Normal, short, faded tattoos. My idols are people.

And they delivered Yaz onto me. Twice. Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke. Their stage presence was one of slight discomfort. Not all slick and choreographed. Nothing like stage shows of the last 20 years. And yet the performances were brilliant. Why? A voice, stronger, deeper, and more in control rose above. She sang and we felt it in our bones. And hearts.

And his Erasure-ized interpretations of their small catalog made it all sound just a little more current, while honoring his beginnings in Depeche and also Moroder, Kraftwerk, and the Human League.

Yaz was no nostalgia act. They were finishing business they started 25 years ago. "Don't Walk Away From Love," a song I never really loved, was glorious live. Her camp reading of "In My Room" brought goosebumps to everyone. And, as expected, "Situation" built and built and built until the room, and Vince, and Alison, and the lights erupted in a giant bang. And then, like before, they were gone for good.

Ben and I love Al and Karley. Al is a lovable giant. Karley a sassy, though good, Mormon girl. They had a baby recently. Baby X, or Xander, or Cha-Cha (my nickname!). He is adorable.

I decorated their apartment and I just died when I saw this image. Their baby, tiny and new-to-the-world sitting in a giant womb. Womb chair, people. Knowing his father, I assure you, it won't take long until Xander fills out that chair.

July 23, 2008

I got over 6 miles, barely, so getting back into running. Worked all day, had a meeting with Corcoran so saw Matthew Mackay. Lifted weights after work at the Equinox on 10th Avenue, where I laughed with Ryan Brown, also there. Jack McCollough, half of Proenza Schouler, was working out there too. Hot in real life. Also, Ryan was basically stalking Chase Crawford, of Gossip Girl?, who I did not even know. Everyone seems to watch Gossip Girl, but Ben and I.

Walked to the Dish on 8th avenue and had dinner with Ben Roussel and his AA group. 90 days sober he is. Congrats. Made friends with Seth Gilmore and Patrick Healy, two of Ben's friends I really liked. Seth and I had a Pinkberry before I got soaked in the rain, suit and Paul Smith shoes, and all. Gross.

July 22, 2008

Made it to the gym, ran 2 miles, could not go anymore, and then lifted. Social hour there as everyone I know was at the gym. Worked in the showroom and met Sandra Hansel and Roxane Mosleh for an impromptu dinner to discuss business. Home and uploaded 1,000 photos from our engagement party.

July 21, 2008

Had a rough time getting up and to the gym. Still so tired from the weekend. Worked out and worked and then made it to Madison Square Garden for George Michael. Sat near Alan Cumming and Niel Patrick Harris. Saw Dusti Smith, Juli Black, and Kristina Katopodis. Rocco Forgione, with the model Jessica Stam, sat right next to Ben and I. Small world.

July 20, 2008

Woke up with a headache. Cleaned the house and yard and made it into Rhinebeck with Mom and Liam, Ben, the Matesanz-Siedhoffs, Matthew Mackay, Noble Black, Leslie Simboli, and David Fudge. David, who we just met, bought us breakfast. So sweet. Tidied the house and drove home, dropping Liam, my mom, and Leslie at Penn Station. Quiet end to a wonderful weekend.

July 19, 2008

Woke early and made biscuits and gravy for the houseguests. Set things up and people started to arrive. About 60 people there for the party. Old friends and new. Family and coworkers. Great food and people and we were up until 1:30AM talking and drinking wine. More on that day later.

July 18, 2008

I got up early and went to work and went to Amy’s Bread and drove my mom and Liam upstate. Met David Matesanz and Ben and Ben’s mom and Susan for some shopping. Then to the house to prep food. Matthew Mackay and Denise Garcia joined us and helped. My sister Keena and her family came over and Basar and Scott and Noble and David and Leslie and Matthew Siedhoff. Burgers. Wine. Fun.

July 17, 2008

Ran in the morning and then worked all day and then met Matthew Kelleher at his place. Ryan Brown joined us. Met Theron at Therapy and had champagne. Yaz concert, day two. Much fun. Back to Therapy. Drunk. Left them to sleep.

July 16, 2008

The usual gym and work in the day. Then uptown to meet Adrienne, Matthew, and Ben for Yaz. They were everything I wanted them to be. Perfect. Went to Empire Diner for ice cream. Matthew called the waitress a bitch. She was, though.

July 15, 2008

Home with Ben working on engagement party stuff.

July 14, 2008

Did not write down what I did this day and have no clue. My memory is shot!

July 13, 2008

Worked all day. Ben came home from Upstate and we worked more on the party.

July 12, 2008

I ran 6 miles in the AM and then headed into work later after doing some shopping with clients. I cabbed down to Sandra’s house and had steaks and champagne with Hunter and Sandra’s girlfriend and a DWR employee in town from Ohio. Talk turned to politics. Got heated a little. In bed at 11PM.

July 11, 2008

Cipro is finally fixing my body. Drove to Queens to Prestige Furniture to go over the upholstery projects Ben and I conceived for the apartment and the house upstate. When done I will share photos. That place was cool. There were Egg chairs and Swans and Papa Bears everywhere, uncovered, like the ghosts of modern chairs past. I am glad I drove over to see it.

Went into the showroom, worked, then hit the gym. I was possessed to eat a Subway sub for dinner, which was an odd but ultimately satisfying choice. Ben went Upstate with David Matesanz, Conor McGill, and Laurel Woods. I had to stay home because of work. I read more of It, almost done, on like page 950.

July 10, 2008

While I do consider several pornographers good friends, I have to say, the stuff does nothing for me. So I wonder why I felt the need to buy Taschen's The Big Penis Book. I love Taschen's mix of high and low-brow. Houses, art, fashion, dicks: all demand equal attention in their glossy pages.

The book is fascinating, almost hypnotic. And I don't view it aroused. It is just a glimpse into a time before the internet, when pornography was stylized and artistic. Whether out proud on the coffee table or hidden out-of-reach, you should own it.

Ran, worked, walked home in the sun. Ben worked kinda late and I chilled and caught up on emails and such and ate in for once.