PRIDE

It is that time of the year when we put our rainbow flags out there for the world to see.  Although the fight is far from over, this year our Pride became bigger with last week's Supreme Court decision to shut down DOMA and Prop 8, and Cher! I mean when we  have the Supreme Court and Cher aka The Gay Pope on our side what else can we ask for?! The real beauty of NYC Pride is that is not only our celebration but everyone's in the city since thankfully we live in a place where we welcome difference. We celebrate individuality and we fight for every single person to share the same rights. Pride is something we carry the whole year not just for a day.  It is a day to thank all of those who fight everyday for us and all the straight allies that support the fight for equality. Paint the town with the rainbow this weekend but also try to do it everyday. You'll life will be definetely more fun and colorful!

Cocoon

Remember the movie Cocoon where a group of elderly people in a retirement complex get into a pool that rejuvenates them?  That's exactly how I feel every Friday and Sundays.

I like exercising but I hate the gym.  I don't have the patience and attention for weights or the treadmill. My mind on a treadmill goes something like this: ok let's do this Pedro...music is set...ok jogging...let's watch the news meanwhile...oh the headphones don't work...ok now...my neck is beginning to hurt...what happened in Syria?...my neck is really bothering me....why isn't her neck hurting next to me...I'm thirsty...getting tired...ugh that Wendy's commercial made me hungry...maybe I should get some after here, after all I'm earning it...what? she's been running for 30 mins?!....Im bored...I only been doing this for 5mins!...










So I found an exercise that I love in swimming. Every time I go into the pool I feel like I leave everything bad in the water.  I feel reborn and cleansed of every bad energy.  To make my exercise regime more interesting I started going to the water aerobics class my gym offers.  So every Friday morning and Sunday at noon I exercise with mostly elderly in the water.

 When I first went I honestly thought it was going to be a waste of time thinking that the instructor was going to tame it down for this old folks.  Not the case!  The class is composed with a very eclectic age group and instructor Jenni Lynn Patterson doesn't hold back.  For an hour of almost non stop moves which includes the use of weights and a noodle, Jenni takes you on a very fun journey that leaves you renewed and with a smile in your face.   Jenni is the creator of S'WET which uses a variety of moves taken from boxing, cross country, ballet, yoga, and even cheerleading!  All of this inside water since its is known that water adds hydrostatic pressure that open your blood vessels wider allowing the flow of more oxygenated blood which lets your muscles work more efficiently with less pain.

Not only I enjoy and feel the effectiveness of the class but I am also in awe of this elderly that come to do it.  It makes me admire the fact that they are still active at their age.  I take my hat off to them, knowing they have lived but still feel young enough to do this.  Many might think that they feed on the energy of the young ones but I believe its the other way around.  I feel that we take the most amazing energy from them every time we get in the water.  Just like Cocoon!

For  more info on Jenni Lynn Patterson go to her website www.jennilynnfitness.com

Glasses from the grave

My mom is crazy.  Plain and simple.  I love her to death but God knows that sometimes I just don't know what to think.  For all of you wondering, my sense of humor comes from my mom but what was once funny has turned into plain crazy.
I while back I was speaking to my mom on the phone telling her how my roommate and I were such big drunks that we kept breaking our wine glasses and that we might need to start buying new ones.  Somehow this preempted my mom to start buying me random cups or funny glasses every time she would go to the mall.  Imagine my face when I opened a package she has sent me to find a Santa Claus cup (or chalice...I really don't know what the fuck is it)... in April.  We must not forget the "Feeling Frosty" beer glass that accompanied it...in April.
I didn't know I had created a monster.  Apparently my mother saw it in her to fill our glass cabinet one way or another.  So about two weeks later my mom called and tells me she had gotten us some glasses, to let her know when we receive them.  A few days later I received the package and to my surprise they were quite nice.  So I called my mom to thank her for the glasses and this is how it went down:
Mom: Hello?
Me: Hi Mom, how are you?
Mom: I'm ok...you know the same
Me:  Well, I was calling to tell you that I received the package with the glasses.  Thank you a lot, they are very nice!
Mom:  Oh yeah...so sad for Mrs Annie....
Me: Ummm...what do you mean?
Mom:  Well, you know how I had told you that my front neighbor Mrs Annie had passed.  So after you told me that you needed wine glasses her son came to clean the house since they are selling it and told me to go in and grab whatever I wanted...
Me: What?
Mom: ...so I went in and grab you some wine glasses.  I'm so glad you guys liked them
Me: What?
Yep, that's my mom!  From then on I fear to ask her for anything since now I own wine glasses from an old lady that lies six feet under.  I should probably take them to Antique Road Show, one might never know where this glasses came from!

It takes two to Tango

I love when this city surprises me.  That moment when you are walking and make a turn on that street that you never walk by and stumble onto something special.  That little café with homemade pastries, an art installation from an upcoming artist or even live music at some random restaurant.

A few days ago it happened to me but this time it was rather in the open and in the last place I expected.  While walking in Union Square (famously known for always having some kind of protest, vendors, chess challenges, a dog park, musicians and even a local farmers market 3 times a week) I ran into people dancing Tango.  In the northern part of the park, inside the little hall that formerly was Luna Cafe, there were about 15 or so couples dancing to Tango.

The beauty of this moment was that amidst the extremely overwhelming activity of Union Sq. you could find such a peaceful picture.  As in a trance I sat for a while to observe the beauty of this dance and the enthralling commitment of these couples.  Every sound around me just disappeared and instead this beautiful instrumental pieces filled me whole making me forget for a few minutes where I was.  It reminded me that I do live in a great city, one that not only is tough but also sensitive.  As the sunset took place and the melodies continued I was reminded by this random moment that beauty exists everywhere, even in the middle of chaos.

NYC Profile: Fer Junco

The say good things come in small packages.  This is the case of my friend Fernando, or Fer or Dj Nando or Connie Winters or Vampi....depending on the day and on what context you know him.  I happen to know all of them.





I met Fer just a year ago thru my best friend but it feels like I've known him for a long time.  This 5'6"..5'7"... (ummm how tall are you again?) Cuban Rican packs the energy and passion of 10 Energizer bunnies and is probably one of the few persons that can make me seem tame and maybe even boring next to him.  If you thought that wasn't possible, trust me if I am the altar boy, he is Madonna screwing the black priest next to me.



Raised in PR with a Cuban heritage, Fernando started playing music at local gay parties in San Juan.  With a degree in International Studies he currently works for the PR Tourism Company here in NY but his real talent lies in music.  Dj Nando, as most people have gotten to know him, currently Djs at spots where many big names have had the privilege to do so like XL, The Ritz, Bartini, and Barracuda within others.  His style is eclectic since it can go from relaxed and fun to tribal beats late at night.  He caters to the people and makes sure they are pleased but most importantly that they forget about everything and just live in the moment.  He could be whimsical and funny and doesn't take himself seriously and that's what people love about him on the dance floor.  His music is unpretentious and filled with fun.  Isn't that what is all about?  Just fun?  You can dance to his beats at the upcoming Sandblast in Asbury Park, NJ or just simply download his podcast "Dj Nando" on iTunes.

You know what they say about short guys, they have a big...heart! Ladies calm down!  A natural born prankster, he brings out the worst case of Chelsea Handler in me, like the time when I hacked into his Facebook and started posting statuses like "I'm horny!" (Heard his mother wasn't pleased.)  All I know is that if I want to dance, laugh or simply have a good conversation , my friend Fer is always there to do so.  Just don't' ask him to choose a movie to rent, you might end up watching Cabin in the Woods...if only he could have the same sense he has with music when it comes to scary movies.

Flaming Cowboys

Just when I thought NY could not any gayer I stumbled onto Flaming Saddles Saloon.  Located in Hells kitchen, this country themed gay bar serves the most unexpected fun you will have in years.

I personally don't like country music, unless is Natalie from Dixie Chicks trashing President Bush of course, but this neighborhood bars embraces it to the fullest.  You might think that they play the usual divas like Dolly, Shania or Faith it being a gay bar after all but instead its a full blown southern country bar.  The kicker?  Just like Coyote Ugly the bartenders dance on top of the bar either by themselves or as a group.  Every time one of these cowboys jumps on top of the bar the place is filled with the energy of a rodeo that makes you want to put on some boots and line dance.











 Decorated with barrels and wooden benches, this saloon also serves their famous Fritos Pie.  Although I am yet to see someone order one (cowboy or not this gay bitches are too vain to pig out in front of people like that) the Frito Pie consists of... you got it Sherlock...Fritos, chili, sour cream, jalapeños and god knows what else.

Flaming Saddles is a good laid back bar to go during the week and catch up with friends while enjoying a nice cold beer.  The boys dancing is a good fun add-on.  I honestly looked for a mechanical bull, which would have made the place a full blown shitshow, but was gladly disappointed to know that there wasn't one. 

 Go check it out on 53st and 9 ave but make sure that if you are a straight woman you don't "woo hoo" as the sign clearly states.  Who knows, maybe you'll run into someone eating their infamous pie.  If you do please take a pic!

Take me out to the ball game

If there is something more boring than watching cement dry it has to be watching baseball on TV.  I do love sports like Soccer, Tennis, American Football and so on but this one takes the toll on the slowest!  Wait wait wait before you jump up my throat! Although I would never sit for 3 hours in my house to watch a game I have to admit that there is something magical in going to the actual game.  And no different to all the other big things in NYC, Yankee Stadium is just heaven!


First, I love the fact that the subway leaves you right at the gate!  There is not that bullshit of finding parking, blah blah blah.  Tailgating?  I don't live in Florida where they have to drink in a parking lot because they have not many options.   Asking a New Yorker to tailgate is like asking Ana Wintour to wear something from Old Navy or Lindsey Lohan selling vitamins. It just doesn't make sense to us.  Tailgate to us happens outside of the tents during Fashion Week....
So there you are at this amazing new building which houses a Hard Rock, its own private Steak house, multiple bars including a rooftop deck with frozen drinks and a sports bar (which I don't know who pays all this money to be there AT the game and watch it from a screen!)  Simply stupid but again...3hours!  So Im guessing they thought of all of us that don't have the attention span to sit there like a good ol' Boy Scout and watch the whole thing.










I don't know what it is but every time I go, I'm filled with the passion of all this hardcore fans including the old people that have been following this team all their lives.  People wearing their jerseys to support this team no matter what.  I think for me it also symbolizes the beginning of summer.  There is all this energy in the place but also this peace 'cause there is nothing more relaxing on a hot afternoon than to sip on your beer and watch Jeter go at the bat.




With Sinatra's New York New York being played, the trivia in between innings and the famous jumbotron screen were they show people (I've been on it!), the baseball experience is way more exciting at the Stadium.  Watching Madonna and Geena Davis save baseball on A League of their Own doesn't count!  They didn't save it?  Umm I think they did and if not well, they made this boy look at baseball with different  eyes.  So get your blue shirt, a beer and bag of peanuts, and yell "Let's go Yankees" with the rest of the crowd.  You'll feel liberated!

Birthday Shitshow

35! Yes, before any of you start wondering.  I turned 35 and could not feel any better.  I  am not going to write here all that psychobabble of how "the 30's are the new 20s" blah blah.  The 30s are simply the 30s and that's it!  I don't know about you but I don't want to go back to my 20s!  Although I am still figuring out things in this cray cray world I believe I have a better grip on it now.  So here is my 35 Bday (it also marks my 15yr anniversary out of PR) and this year the celebration was bigger and crazier than any other.

It all started with a bottle of Sparkling Rosé...we already know where this is going right?  My boss had given me this limited edition rosé that was created for the 20 anniversary of Kate Spade by Domaine Carneros.  So I pre-gamed on my Bday with a few friends and then headed to the Dream Hotel in Midtown where my friends Brian Rafferty/Shawn Paul Mazur were hosting their first Summer Party "SPF".  Right on the penthouse and rooftop, Brian and Shawn brought in the fun aspects of their most known party Griffin Sundays with a whimsical twist.  From candy served in martini glasses to Spiked snow cones with the view of Times Square as background and 2 fun DJs this party instantly became the new Sunday playground.  Did I say it was open vodka bar from 3-4? They had both female and male gogo-dancers and a crowd filled from the so called Chelsea boys, to trannies, drag queens and just freaks in general that like things different. While at the rooftop, it was funny to see people from buildings around using binoculars to get a closer look at the circa that was taking place at AVA Lounge (how the 2 floor lounge is called.)  

I was surprised with a Birthday cake made of Twinkies and carefully decorated with condoms, and goldfish by my friend DJ Nando.  Brian also surprised me with a bottle which they all made me do a shot while the gogo dancer held it...this is one of those things you can understand better with the photo....There I was kneeling in this rooftop and lets just say that it wasn't to pray!

Although the party was not done we left around 7 to the last Griffin Sundays of the season which had open bar from 7-8.  Yes bitches, we gays love our open bars and not pay cover!  Take note straight people!  Get everybody drunk at the beginning of the party and you'll see how the shitshow takes form by itself!  And if you can remember the next day what happened, you sure have a good story to tell at work.  Trust me!  So we danced at Griffin to the music of Dj Nando.  Another bottle was brought, Prada glasses were lost and lines were blurred.  Heard some of my friends even made out with girls.  Yikes!  Yes girls it can happen in this type of situation as long as you know there is not going to be any bathroom nookie.  It was sad to say goodbye for now to this Sunday party that has been my home many times but hey Summer is here and we want to be out in the sun.  

I think I tried going to Greenhouse at this point (open bar from 10-11!), not really sure but all I do know is that even though there were no balloons like I randomly encounter once in a while, I was filled with love of my friends.  And that is the best cure for any mid-life crisis at 35!