Day 10

Photo - Sharpie Slam

Waking up this morning I had a plan of hitting up Bitch Bingo at Joe’s (still went) till I was messaged about a sharpie slam! I had no idea what this was but the fact that sharpie was in the title, I had to go! I love being surrounded by art and inspiration.

As a room full of on lookers showed up, we watched four teams dual it out for 70 mins. When starting I was in awe over Team 1 as they sharpied their hands and painted onto the canvas almost giving a watercolor effect but once they started drawing onto their amazing I quickly lost interest and started noticing the others. Team 2 used line art technique, watching them barely lifting their pens off the canvas was really intriguing to watch and had to be my 2nd favorite in the end. Team 3 started out using yellow pen to lay down guides and foundation which a caricature of the two artists formed. But my personal favorite had to be Team 4, at first I really thought I wasn’t going to like theirs and maybe it was because their canvas was offset to everyone else’s but as they drew a bubble cloud surrounded by monsters and random characters, I couldn’t help but fall in love even if it was very close to an already made sharpie commercial.

I honestly wish I was more in the art scene than I am. I love openings, viewing and experiencing so, tonight's adventure was the perfect get away!

Today:
Song: Morgan Page - Body Work ft. Tegan and Sara
Quote of the Day: “Creativity can solve any problem.”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Turkey Avocado Wrap
Craving: Steak N’ Potatoes
Drinking: Metro Martini
Random Fact: As a kid I remember doing arts and crafts all the time or making homemade playdoh and bubbles, my mom was always getting my brother and my hands into something different and pushing us to never stop imagining!

Day 9

Photo - Tequila

Some days are better than others... as yesterday I felt like I was walking on sunshine to this morning waking up with the grey screen of death... tried everything to fix it from reading tutorials and then giving up taking it to the MAC store at Lenox... Needless to say my hard drive crashed and the only thing I could do was to replace it... $250 dollars later around 10,000 photos lost in space forever and a bunch of my writing including the start to a book were no longer part of my life. I went to work hating myself, why had I not backed up everything like I know I should have?! I wanted to knock myself down... it was like I wanted to disappear for a hot min throw, punch and drop kick something. With everything piling up all I wanted was a release and then I got a text message!

“Come join us at our favorite mex. restaurant” Sure I could use a drink! I counted the mins till I got off work to go have a monster of a margarita and once there my whole day shifted, I drank, I laughed, I drank, I danced, I drank...yes, I know alcohol isn’t the answer but damn does it help take the stress of life away sometimes and in that moment I wanted to be lost in laughter and the moment. I love my friends for they picked up my tab and took me back to their house where we explored life, danced till we fell, acting oblivious and taking in everything. Yes, bad days happen, Yes, shit happens and Yes, everything can turn around for the better.

Today:
Song: Juicy J - Bands to Make Her Dance
Quote of the Day: “You have to fight through bad days to earn the best days of your life.”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Margaritas
Craving: Enchiladas
Drinking: Peach Lemonade
Random Fact: My first legal Cinco de mayo I cut a hole in a rug threw it over my clothes and ran up and down Broughton St. in Savannah drinking 84oz of frozen deliciousness (gotta love that open cup rule)... I then found out I was all over YouTube for dancing like a fool...

Day 8

Photo - 1-800-Dino

Have you ever met someone and in an instant felt calm and comfortable with them and after an hour of talking / being surrounded by them felt like you’ve known them for just under a lifetime?! I meet a lot of people, I love being social and putting myself out there but on occasion I find those kind of people who not only challenge a conversation but make it something where I not only gain information about life but also about being real. These people are what I like to call Soul Friends and that’s exactly what I was surrounded with this evening as I sat down with a beautiful soul and conversed.

To sit with someone, to share, to listen, to think, to learn, to laugh, to smile, to cry is beautiful. In the adventure of finding people and social experiences being able to connect and find people who make you tick is worth searching for because when you get a perfect moment or a moment that you can look back on and feel something: good, bad, whatever then you have taken and made a moment in which no one can take away.

So if you haven’t had a moment like this in awhile (or ever) I challenge you to find someone random or already established and have a true conversation to put a little bit of faith out there and hope that you gain a real moment.


Today:
Song: Damien Rice - Volcano
Quote of the Day: “I am not a 65 year old man who eats bacon.”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Dave’s Crazy Loho Sammie
Craving: Choc ice cream
Drinking: Diet Coke
Random Fact: I believe in People and that moments of true greatness can come from sitting down, talking and listening. Sharing your world and thoughts will not only keep us sane but remind us there is more to life than we sometimes think.

Day 7

Photo - Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

In life I have found by going with the flow and saying yes to adventures and everyday activities makes for a more fun, random and unforgettable life!

As our night started out at Joe’s then moving to Burkhart’s for the Sunday night drag show, I looked around at the friends I was surrounded with and wished for the night not to end... I told them and we decided to hit up a hotel since my friend was in town to perform and vay cay for awhile. We sat, we drank, we talked, we shared. Half pj’ed out and almost to the point of the sun rising we split ways.

If moments are all we have than I feel like I am one of the richest people.


Today:
Song: Grouplove - Tongue Tied
Quote of the Day: “And I swear, in that moment we were infinite.”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Chicken Chimichanga
Craving: Mac N Cheese
Drinking: Diet Coke
Random Fact: I love hotels, I love continental breakfast and free hot chocolate!

Day 6

Photo - Plays Well w/ Others

Hahaha, Squinz and Dante are beginning to be grand friends! After working all day all I wanted was to stay in and play. So, that’s exactly what I did, I edited some photos, wrote up a contract and sat back and watched Squinz carry little Dante around the house like he was a dog with his new favorite chew toy! As I watched him, I guess I saw how friends are kind of like how Squinz and Dante portrayed it to be. One getting treated better than the other, now squinz might have been treating him as a prince as he picked him up and carried him around the house but after dropping him like a bag of potatoes and then sinking his back claws into Dante’s sides I’d say the game wasn’t so much fun for him. All friendships have push and pulls, we test each other or at least in any real friendship I find this to be true. We know what makes us tick, makes us mad, makes us happy and when you find someone that makes you want to be or just makes you a better more fun loving person there is nothing more awesome. So, just remember not to use those back claws to hard.


Today:
Song: Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Quote of the Day: “I have No time for Negative Bullshit”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Loho-CheeseSteak
Craving: Baked Ziti
Drinking: Orange Soda
Random Fact: I love bringing my friends together... I have all types and I love it that way, I don’t care what you wear, what your job is, how much money you make... all I care about it who you are and how you treat others. I like to surround myself w/ people who enjoy life and aren’t afraid to show it.

Day 5

Photo - Glass Objects

My coworker and friend from Dave’s opened a new shop called Glass Objects and had their grand opening so a group of us from work went to check it out and show support! It was amazing, they had glass blowing demonstrations, art, food and a lot of eclectic people. I had so much fun watching art being made right in front of me as I enjoyed some magical blue koolaid. They had a show room underneath the store and to be honest I have never really seen glass manipulated into the creative forms displayed, it was beautiful. They had so many different pieces and all I could think about was where am I going to get the money to get something unique. I ended up meeting some new faces and catching up with some familar ones. Not only did I get to show some support to my friend but I had a night with some amazing people.


Today:
Song: Nicki Minaj - Beez In The Trap
Quote of the Day: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid.”
Fav Food Consumed Today: Pizza w/ Garlic Sauce
Craving: Fruit Loops
Drinking: Magical Blue Koolaid
Random Fact: I would love to open my own store, club, restaurant or a place where I can bring people together to create and enjoy moments in life. I love food, I love people and I love making moments, so maybe one day!

Delay

Sorry for the delay guys...

In between my hard drive crashing, my car being in a hit and run, a wedding, Pride weekend and finding out my madre was in the hospital put a damper on a continuous update... but not to worry Dante and I have been taking our polaroids so as we hit the road for Nashville we will also be trying to catch up!

Please keep my Mom in your thoughts as we don't know what's going on w/ her and to wish me the strength to keep going.

Thanks,
LoHo

Day 4

Photo - Conserve Water, Shower w/ A Buddy!

Ever get that feeling where your world is going a hundred miles a min and you don’t have time to stop even for a shower?! Well, that’s how my life has been for the last few weeks getting everything together for this LoHoMatic series, photos, having my car involved in a hit and run, photos, graphics, photos, being a sub artist and trying to fit in a social life. I always want to have my hand in something and my feet wet but sometime I feel like I jump head first into the shallow end underestimating the depth and crashing terribly or diving in the deep end and I forgetting I need to come back up for air... there are so many metaphors I can think of I might drown you, so I will try and keep this simple. When your world is moving remember to shower, to stand under the water, letting it cover your body, feeling the warmth and feeling the clean... not only will you smell better but you usually feel a 100 times better... bringing that overwhelming feeling into bay, letting your sails rest. Hell after 3 days of not seeing my dream world before 5 and 6 am because of trying to take on the world a shower w/ a plastic dino did wonders not to mention an unforgettable moment.


Today:
Song: Metric - Breathing Underwater
Quote of the day: “While we cannot direct the wind, we can adjust the sails.”
Fav food consumed today: Chicken Nuggets
Craving: A Cheeseburger in Paradise
Drinking: Sprite Zero
Random fact: I love being around water, I was thrown into a pool at an early age, grew up on a beach, live to be on a boat and whenever I think vacation it usually involves some sort of water. One of my favorite memories is when I learned to sail in the Exuma Islands, I was on board a 42’ double mast called the Boundless and it’s true what they say, “once you’ve slept on a boat, you will never quite sleep the same.”

Day 3

Photo - Sharing is Caring!

The only thing I like more than women and art is food and when I can combine all 3... swoon, melt, heart skips a beat, jump, kick, karate chop!

I had plans to have dinner with a friend this evening, so when she got off work she came over and surprised me with a license plate sketch pad, this made me smile from ear to ear because most of the time I am the one making and handing out things that I think of for people. Today the tables turned and I enjoyed it. It may seem stupid but when I get something from someone because they thought of me, I feel special.

We then spent sometime catching up talking about everything from the birds and bees, apples and the trees and as we walked over to Fellini’s we decided to share our meal. I love sharing food, you get to try more things and enjoy it because you aren’t completely stuffing yourself over one thing! Naki Sake ended up joining us half way through dinner to have a beer and slice of pizza and quite honestly, I had the best time sharing in conversation with both of them... A night of sharing, from food to conversation and company, how could you not want to jump kick!

Today:
Song: Roxy Music - If There is Something
Quote of the day: “Shake your head girl with your pony tail, takes me right back, when you were young.”
Fav food consumed today: Fellini’s Calzone - Double Meatball, Mozz, Spinach and Garlic!
Craving: An assorted tray of fruit
Drinking: Lemonade
Random fact: Whenever I go to Fellini’s I get a 90% Diet Coke 10% Cherry Coke gotta love that KISS of something extra!

Day 2

Photo - Thank You Mail

The other day while Dante was being interviewed for his meet and greet an idea was born when the question: if you were a crayon what color would you be? The idea was to write a letter to Crayola posing as a second grader in hopes to get free crayons. Literally, we died laughing and so did customers as they got in on what in the world we were doing! I ended up going home that night and picking up my book (Letters From a Nut) reading a few entries which was filled of ridiculously funny letters to companies asking or telling them about something, in which was hard for me to put down but is where I got my idea for today.

Both Dante and I wrote thank you letters saying how we appreciated something. Dante ended up writing Little Debbie Snack Cakes saying he was in 3rd grade and loved their Zebra Cakes along with Nutty Bars! He asked questions such as: How many snacks do they make in a day, when did Little Debbie get on the box and would they ever think about bring back the PB&J oatmeal cookies. He even closed out the letter with a hand drawn picture of himself and telling the company they were smart to put a pretty girl on the box.

As for me, I ended up writing my Art/Cooking teacher from grade school, for I had known her since I was 12. She watched me grow up and saw everything from my wild and crazy side to the deep in art and peaceful centered self. In school, I had a roller coaster of a time as most kids do, but she was always there guiding me, challenging me and pushing my creative. I believe that when you find someone who does these things that they deserve to be told that they not only helped shape us but we have become better because them. So, I wanted to let her know how important she was to me. The thing is, I wanted to tell her years ago when I was still in college but with me, never being in my home state or her, no longer working at the school I attended, I had no real way of letting her know. She was unlisted from the phonebook, didn’t have e-mail and when trying to find ways to get in touch with her I was only lead to dead ends. Until out of the blue, I made a trip home and went to visit the Warhol Portrait Exhibit, to my surprise after 5 years I ran right smack dab into her. Surrounded in a room full of silk screens and silver factory balloons, I hugged her like I had just ran into Warhol himself. I wanted to know how she was doing and what she was up to as a game of 101 questions came to mind. I was given a short amount of time with her in which we shared a good hardy laugh and I told her how I’ve wanted the chance to say how much of a saving grace she had been for me and that when I couldn’t think of creative ideas I would always take myself back to the little art cottage that I had grown to know so well in my youth. The thing that stuck with me the most though, was when I asked her “Out of all days, what made you come to the exhibit today?!” She said “It’s funny, I came to try and find inspiration and look, I ran into you.” I had come to look at prints that I studied in art history classes and looked at in books, I was on the edge of my seat thinking “WOW, I’m going to get to see Warhol up close and personal” Yet, when I saw her, I couldn’t have given two shits, the fact that it happened, made for the greatest gallery showing’s I’ve ever experienced. Now, being several weeks later, I finally made myself sit down and write her, reiterating the fact that she was and is so very special.

I love writing letters, I love sending mail. I like letting people know that they are important. I feel that if you wish to say something to someone why not do it, for we only live once and we may only have one opportunity to tell them. I never thought I would get the chance to say what I wanted to, to her but because of a serendipitous moment I got my chance. Who knows if I will get to stay in touch with her or how things will play out but in my head I had wished that if I could have told anyone how much they influenced me and made me feel like I could do something amazing with my life, it was her. So don’t be so afraid to put yourself out there and share you feeling because at least you get to say you put them out there and you did what you wanted. You won’t look back and wonder... what if you get to say I did it and it was (insert adjective)!

Today:
Song: Zero 7 - The Pageant of the Bizarre
Quote of the day: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Fav food consumed today: Baja Chicken Soup
Craving: Key Lime Pie
Drinking: Water
Random fact: Receiving mail makes me feel special! When I get a magazine, letter or package I can’t wait to open it! As a kid, my Grandma Belle use to send me a kids news paper with word searches and games along with a letter filling me in and telling me she loved me... so maybe it's old school but it's the best school to be in!

Day 1

Photo - Rain rain go away... better yet stay

As my tired body woke up from dream world, I was pleasantly surprised by the dark clouds and a light showering of rain. I sat around my house in my oversized sweat-shorts listening to my morning spotify music list and high running fan and thought to myself what a perfect morning... For the first time in 2 weeks I didn’t have anything planned except to get this blog up and going again so, once I took my photo of Dante in my apt’s gutter storm drain, I came inside bundled up in blankets and pillows to lay down and watch a movie till I went into work at 3.

I am always one to seize the moment, to take every opportunity and to try to have a smile on my face w/ a kick in my step while doing it, but I must remind myself that I am human and deserve to sit in absolute silence or zone out and enjoy a movie from time to time. Living large and going after your dreams sometimes comes at a cost in which most cases is worth it but sanity is nice. My Momboroni has told me on several occasions to slow down and enjoy the ride, to work hard but to make time for people in your life. And I guess I mostly reflect on her statement “You can have the whole world and still be lonely, Lor.” That I must find people to share my world with and to watch out for the fair weather friends. I love that my mom still watches out for me, still puts me in my place and challenges me. It's because of people like her, that I know I will never be lonely, even if I feel dark inside at times.

So, yes, I watched a movie, zoned out, read a few chapters in my book and enjoyed every minute of it and for that, I thank the rain for letting me slow down for the day!

Today:
Song: The Beatles - Nowhere Man
Quote of the day: “I'm interested in people's darker side, the ones that aren't easy and well balanced. The cracks and scars are what make us beautiful and intriguing.”
Fav food consumed today: Mushroom Brie Bisque
Craving: Pizza
Drinking: Orange Soda
Random fact: Whenever I listen to The Beatles I get a since of happy, I’m reminded of how my family would belt out at the top of our lungs in the car or kitchen, dancing around laughing till it hurt and how my brother started a Beatles band in elementary school (he was George).

Meeting Dante the Dino

In following and getting to know someone you have to ask and answer questions, so that is exactly what we are going to do to our little man Dante!


Born: When dirt was new

Eyes: Black

Ninjas or Pirates: hmmm...

Celebrity Crush: Rex from Toy Story (Yes, I’m a Gay non-purple Dino)

Messy or Clean: These hands aren’t meant for cleaning

Bad Habits: Biting things

Hidden talents: Pogo jumping, French breakfast cuisines and nun-chucking skills

Morning Person or Night Owl: I’ll sleep when I’m extinct

If you could live anywhere: Dinosaur. CO

If you were a crayon what color would you be: ....Pistacio

If you had a $1,000,000 what would you do: Buy a Rose Garden w/ a wine/champagne bar & fire pit seating area attached (tuscan inspired) so I could serenade all the ladies

Biggest Pet Peeve: You Smell Like Phys Ed or starting some sort of Drama... in which case get out of LoHo’s Honda!

Something that might throw us off: I love taking showers and brushing my Teeth!

Are you a spender or a saver: YOLO!

Do you like Karaoke: Do Dogs Pee on Brick Walls?!

Have you played Dungeons & Dragons: ...Dungeons & Dinos!

Would you rather be good looking or rich: Who cares as long as I’m Awesome!

If someone asked you to give them a random piece of advice, what would you say: Go for it, anything whether it’s scary or breathtaking and be happy you had the chance to do it.

Do you Eat Meat: All day, Everyday!

How do you like your steak cooked: Like it like my men, RARE!

What were your grades like in school: Straight F’s ...I am Fucking Fierce Fabulous! :)

What do you think about art: It's the best thing since the ABC's!

Favs:
Color: Green

Drink: Jackle Juice - Apple Juice and Jack!

Movies: Land Before Time, Jurassic Park, Prehysteria, We’re Back & Super Size Me.

Music: Rock n’ Roll

Band: Dinosaur Jr. & Ke$ha

Sounds: Music, Cat’s Meow, Screaming People, Fireworks and the opening of a fresh can of CocaCola!

Lunch Meat: Humans wrapped in Bacon aka. Fast Food

Afternoon Activity: Putt Putt and Pina Coladas

Ice cream: Rocky Road or Cherry Garcia