Sydney Mardi Gras. Part III

I can't lie. I am smack-dab in the middle of a post-holiday hangover. Gav and I had the time of our lives in Australia and now that we're back home, we're wishing that we were back in Sydney! (Don't get me wrong, Hawaii is not a bad place to be, but while we were in Sydney we didn't have to work, we ate like kings, and partied like rock stars!)

We say farewell to Sydney with a few pictures from our last few days in this wonderful city!


This is a picture of our hotel room at the Medusa upon check in. We stayed at this fabulous boutique hotel in Darlinghurst last year and had an amazing time. I recommend it for anyone who visits Sydney. The staff is outstanding!


Keau, Jason (London) and Ash (Sydney) posing in one of the bars on Oxford Street.


Gav, Keau, Alixx (Seattle) and Rich (NYC) on the powerboat in Sydney Harbour.


Gav and Ash's car (with Ash's leg). Taken right before the Mardi Gras Parade.


The 2006 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.


Our view from Jason's 3rd floor balcony overlooking the parade route. It was the best view money couldn't buy!


I guess Dyke's on Bikes are universal around the world for leading the parades, huh?


The Marching Boys.


Let's just say that since it was as evening parade, it was quite difficult to get quality crowd shots.


I'm just glad that I didn't have to clean this mess.


Gav, Keau, Ash, Jason, Rich & Alixx. Taken right before the Mardi Gras Party.


Unfortunately, they didn't allow any cameras into the Mardi Gras Party, but let me tell you that it was crazy! I can't begin to describe the feeling of dancing with 20,000 other people to some of the music and laser light shows around. This pic was taken at about 7am. I think we look rather good for being so wasted! :)


Gavin and I at "The Gap" near Watson's Bay.


Gavin under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.


Mark and Gav.


The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, had "Kylie - An Exhibit" on display. It was nothing short of amazing. If you are a Kylie fan, I recommend seeing this exhibit. It showcases actual costumes that she wore in various videos, movies and concerts, as well as photos from different eras throughout her career. I was in heaven.


Gav and I went for a walk around Sydney on our last day. I finally got my picture taken in front of the opera house.

Sydney Mardi Gras. Part II

Gav and I love to eat and boy, have we been eating on this trip to Sydney. Here are a few of the highlights!



This past Monday, Gav and I went to the Trinity Pub located in Surry Hills for their special of the day - $5 Bangars & Mash. If you're not familiar with this old English pub favorite, then you have to try it! Sausages, mashed potatoes, gravy and a nice cold beer. Yum.



On Thursday, we went to Harry's to have a yummy meat pie. We had the "Tiger" which is a steak pie with "mushy peas", mashed potatoes and gravy. YUM! I love gravy!



On Friday, Gav and I went to Lindt Cafe with Ash and Jason. We devoured four delish chocolate desserts. Talk about decadence! Indulgence to the max, baby!



Gavin loves beer.

Sydney Mardi Gras!

G'day Mate! Here are a few pics from our first few days in Sydney.


Hawaiian Airlines check-in in Honolulu.


Our Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300ER.






At the airport. Gavin loves it when I take pics of him. (He's such a good sport about it, though.)


Alena got us a sweet deal on our airfare to Sydney. He also met us at the airport. Such a sweetheart.



Our friends, Brendon, Ash and Kurt met us at the airport. It's so great having someone pick you up, esp after a 10 hour flight!


Alixx (Seattle) and Rich (NY) also came down for the festivities. Here we are at Darling Harbour just before we had an awesome ride on a kick ass power boat in Sydney Harbour. Fun Times!


This former Aussie Special Forces Military Boat that hauls ass!


Poser.


Ash & Gav


Ash and his beer at his house.


Ash, who is always our social-coordinator in Sydney, threw this fab bbq. He invited a few nice (and cute!) boys.


We all piled into Ash's friend's car on the way home. Thanks Stanford for the lift!


So trashy. I love it!


Gav, Jason from London and myself before the Harbour Party on Sunday afternoon. This was taken a few hours before we got completely soaked from dancing in the rain. Hopefully, I'll have a few pics from the party soon!

Coretta Scott King

I know that most of you haven't actually seen Coretta Scott King's funeral, so you should make sure that you check out the highlights. Ok, Ok, I know you are wondering why I used the word "highlights", but you have to take my word on this and check it out. MSNBC's, Countdown, had the best coverage in my opinion. If you didn't catch it or TiVo it, do not worry. Crooks and Liars has the footage I speak of.

I don't know whether itt was the song of Maya Angelou or the jabs against the Bush Administration by The Rev Dr Joseph Lowery, but Mrs King's funeral was not to be missed.

Critics on the Right are rushing to this and saying that the liberals have taken advantage of this opportunity to politicize her funeral. To use it at a platform to launch attacks at the President. I think they are right. I say that Coretta Scott King was smiling today because she very well damn wanted everything (and more) to be said today at her funeral. This is a woman who has given her entire life to fighting this battle and do you think that for one second, she would have given up this opportunity to reach out to millions more? I don't think so.

It moved me and really made me stop and think how people like the Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King affected our world. Whether you're white, black, asian, mixed, Klingon or gay, we would not have what we do in today's world if it wasn't for the dedication of such people.

Heath Ledger's Real life Gay Uncle

From Gaydar Radio's Website, I found this interesting tidbit of Heath Ledger and his character on Brokeback Mountain. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend doing so. This love story of two cowboys in 1960's Wyoming transcends the boundries set by society and tells a rather deep and moving story.

In the article, Heath says that he got inspiration for his character after hearing stories from his real life gay uncle.

Heath Ledger’s critically acclaimed performance as a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain was inspired by the personal experiences of his uncle, gay Australian tough guy Neil Bell, the actor told reporters in Hollywood on Sunday.

Lesbians in Outer Space

It's Friday night in Kailua and Gavin and I are home watching Star Trek The Next Generation on the G4 Network. It's cool seeing the first episode of the series, which ran in 1987 ... 19 years ago.

Anyhow, I can't help but think to myself what a huge lesbian Lt Tasha Yar was. As ship's Chief Security officer, she made sure that faggy ass Jean Luc Picard was safe at all times. With her short dyke hair cut and sensible intergalatic shoes, she helped kick Ferengi ass throughout the 1st Season. It's too bad that she got killed by a blob at the end of the season. Poor Denise Crosby. She thought she could find bigger and better things outside of the world of Star Trek.

Aber-Scrotum & Bitch

So today, the new Abercrombie & Fitch Catalog came out and I'm happy to say that we finally have a swing back to the good ole days. You know, the happy go lucky, homo-erotic catalog of the late 90's?

Here's one of their shots from the new Spring Catalog ... so gay.

Mary Had A Little Lamb

On Boxing Day (Dec 26), Gavin and I made a roast lamb for dinner and enjoyed it with a beautiful Australian Shiraz that Yamin gave to us. He carried it all the way from Sydney! The wine matched the lamb and Gavin made an amazing fresh mint sauce. Delish!


2003 McLaren Vale The Footbolt Shiraz


A digital thermometer. A must have for any roast!


Roast Cam


Perfection!

Frist vs Bryd

Did anyone hear the All Things Considered (NPR) ** piece about the Alito nomination and the potential filibuster? Sen Bill Frist (R-TN) and Sen Robert Byrd (D-WV) really went at it (relative to other Senate debates).

If you haven't heard it, check it out. All I have to say is, Whoa! When an 88 year old Senator from West Virginia puts the smack down on a Bushie rubber-stamp lackie, you have to pay attention.

Byrd is pissed and called out the Republicans.

** When not listening to STAR 101.9 (KUCD-FM), you may listen to Air America or NPR.

Christmas!

The holidays had me so busy this year, that I didn't get a chance to blog about your Christmas, so here we go! (Better late than never, right?)

Gavin made homemade eggnog, which ended up being the hit of the party. I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE eggnog! After drinking his wonderfuly festive concoction, I can't go back to drinking store bought nog.

Christmas night was spent over at Michael, Brian & Rob's house. Here are a few pics for your enjoyment.


Gavin, Keau and Steve


Matt F and Gavin in his lovely green shirt. How festive! (Don we know our gay apparel.)


Gavin and Steve