Eartha Kitt









Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
FINALLY! I finally saw Eartha Kitt at the Plaza.
That has been on my 'to do' list since I moved here in 1999.
While I was in Atlanta in March I read that she was to be at performing at this hallowed den and booked tickets pronto for me and Eric.
We counted down the days until it finally happened. And the night was better than we could imagine.
I recently became a member of the Frick Museum and there was a cocktail party that same night honoring new members.

I met Megan (also a new member) with her beau Shawn and my beau Eric in the winter garden amidst tinkling fountains and strumming guitars. Eric had never been (gasp!) so we took him on a tour, but a quick one so as to abuse the wine bar sufficiently. Hey, we love art and history but we adore booze!

At 7:30 Eric and I skeedaddled over to the Carlyle and slid comfortably into our booth. We ordered martini's and the Bobby Short Special, which was some sort of creamed chicken in a dish of mashed potato's. Bobby! Damn boy! That is right ripe redneck food if you ask me! And for $42 those better be Jersey potato's. But none the less it was quite tasty and coated our stomachs for more booze.

Eartha arrived around 8:30 and hit the ground running. She sang so many of my favorites including Champagne Taste, C'est si Bon, I want to be Evil and Lets do it!

But what really set us on fire was when she started cooing, "At first I was afraid, I was petrified.." And after several more verses I realized she was singing 'I will survive'! Every gay in the room nearly choked on their chicken.

At 9:30 she wrapped it up and we sprang from our seats in excitement.
We couldn't leave without some classic Carlyle pictures so we mimicked JFK and Jackie as best we could.

We love you Earth!

Eric's Birthday in Central Park





After a wild night at the CFDA's it was so nice to meet Eric and Amanda on Tuesday night in Central Park to celebrate his 26th natal day.
Eric brought mounds of sushi while Amanda and I hauled in several bottles of champagne.
We talked about family, did summer salts and called his mom just to hear her squeal with excitement over his big day, as all moms do on their kids birthdays.

We had a great time and after the champagne was wiped out we hit one more bar on the Upper East before heading home.

I took Eric out to the National Arts Club last Friday for his birthday. I gave him his presents and Mike brought out gluten free cupcakes from Babycakes Bakery so Eric could savor birthday cake even with his wheat allergy.

Happy Birthday my handsome man!

CFDA Awards






This years were a bit lack luster for me.
Maybe because my two friends up for awards lost. Well Philip Crangi is a friend too, but I really wanted Justin to win for obvious reasons.
Maybe it was the death of YSL that gave the function a somber vibe. Last year seemed so much more peppy, amusing and exciting.
MAYBE it has to do with the ticket prices going up and up?! There were not nearly as many people this go around.
The space looks incredible and the food was great but they did run out of champagne. HELLO. It’s a fashion event!

Once the awards part of the evening ended Justin & Co had to stay for the dinner. Who thought that one up? So we went back to his house to wait for him and then he got dragged out to several parties so we hit the Beatrice. It was a fun night but not exactly the swinging time I had imagined. What's the fun of supporting your friend if you can't play with him afterwards?

On the flip side everyone looked amazing! See the picture of the four of us care of Hanuk.

Enjoy the warm weekend!

Susan Joy's BBQ






My trip to the rooftop of 49 Ludlow is long overdue.
I have been invited to Susan's coveted roof top get downs for years but for some reason or the other, not been able to attend.
This year however was one of my first times in the city for Memorial Day weekend.
I hosted a small dinner party in honor of Douglas Little on Friday night, enjoyed a EuroVision party at Ben Widdicombe's on Saturday and on Sunday I spent the afternoon and evening swaying to the breezes and drinking copious amounts of booze at Susan's.

Ms. Joy is the best of hostesses offering glorious wieners, oodles of champagne and a box of box ties for all of us who hadn't followed her strict dress code of 'black tie'.

I would tell you how the evening ended but I don't remember.

Thanks Shmoozin' Joy!
Can't wait for the next one, especially when my boyfriend can attend who lives on the 3rd floor.
If only I could of passed out there, but he was firing up Fire Island...

On Safari at Las Catarinas











I feel like I am in Africa: The dry heat, vast landscapes, total peace and drunken dinners…

This entire ranch culture is so far removed from anything I have experienced before because Big Daddy has filled his with exotic animals and won first place in Exotic Game Ranches of Texas for his Eland (world's largest antelope).

Big Daddy bought the ranch behind his for his daughter Catharine (the cute blonde hanging out of the car) so it is aptly named Las Catarinas. Her ranch brand is like Chanel's double C's, but wisely she has a line above the logo so it is not trademark infringement.

Her ranch is a lil ole 800 acres with no house, yet this is the ranch Big Daddy is most proud of.

We saw:
·      Rare antelope
·      Indian deer
·      Sika deer
·      Persian ibex
·      black buck (those horns!)
·      Jacob sheep
·      Elk
·      red stags
and my personal fave, the zebras. They are super friendly because they are all retired circus animals. We forgot to bring apples that they eat from your hand. Boo!

And I am loving it! You can tell by my photo ready outfit for the day...

Today we see the pregnant giraffe, eat at the chuck wagon and ride out again at sunset.


Paradise.

Big Daddy's dreamtastic ranch!










I need to stop, breath, close my eyes and have someone pinch me.
I have found a little slice of gay heaven right here in the middle of Texas.

Price has been telling me about her eccentric gay uncle, Big Daddy for years.
He has a ranch, which is part of one of Texas' most well known ranches, the YO (not Yo as in MTV Rap, but as in the letters).

On it he has created his dream world filled with exotic Indian deer (of which he has shipped some over to fill the grounds of  Indian palaces since they don't have enough), zebra, giraffes and local long horns, turkeys and armadillo.

His home is a Tony Duquette gone cowboy fantasy. Hundreds of mounted heads all of which he has shot on his own ranch or on safari in Africa not to mention phallic symbols everywhere! In the living room there is a Dali painting, elephant skull and a giant 'Brighton gone dark crystal' bird cage with onion dome and amethyst bottom. Oh and did I mention there is a picture of him and Donna Summer in the laundry room and him and Little Edie in the bathroom? He spent a weekend with her in Florida and said it was life changing!

We arrived from San Antonio around 3 pm and Big Daddy had cocktails ready.

After bags were unpacked we gathered on the back porch, built a bon fire and watched the deer as Big Daddy pushed a remote controlled feeder and they all came out of the woodwork to feast as we gazed.

Dinner was an event. We took out Justin's jewelry and everyone put on a piece. Big Daddy put on a vintage kimono and we dined on venison shot on the property and then had a dance party around the bonfire. It was like being in Egypt all over again! I guess wearing a djelabba was part of the reason. But the booze, dry heat and big old fire brought back hysterical memories of nights in Siwa.

Today we are going on safari.

I always wondered if God could be an eccentric queen who made every moment in heaven a wild party. Now I know.
More soon.

Love and cowboys-
Cator

Day two in Tejas!






Day two was a bit more low key after our whirlagig Friday.

We woke up late, did a little work (well some of us did) and headed out to tour the town.
First stop was market square and had a major nibble at Mi Tierra, and old school Mexican restaurant that has reached Show Biz Pizza Place cult status. Lines of 'neds' in tevas and moo moos waiting for a chalupe and margarita. We tore it up in there with tco salads, cheese nachos and tamales. No wonder San Antonio is the second fattest city in America.

Next stop was El Mercado, a massive inside flea market full of Mexican wrestling masks, embroidered Mexican dresses (very Mrs. Roper!) and Day of the Dead glittery skull sculptures. After we fought over Nacho Libre outfits we headed over to the Smithsonian Museo de Alameda, a museum dedicated to Latin culture. The main exhibit was of propaganda posters from the 70's and 80's. We participated, marching around the museum with posters on stakes. We didn't exactly stir up the custodians into a mace enduced frenzy, but we looked good!

For a little break we tooled over to Sarah and Kerr's new condo (three stories with elevator!) to take a tour, have a drink and sit by the pool. It was such a treat just to SIT and do nothing with good friends and amusing dogs. Sarah had to head to Austin for an event so we headed off to the San Antonio Missions.

PIT STOP! As we were driving over we passed by a Target, made a u-turn and checked out Justin's jewelry. It looked great and we bought some pieces for the archive before continuing our drive to the Missions.

We stopped at the one where Sarah is getting married in two weeks, Unfortunately it had just closed (Thanks Justin!) but we strolled the grounds and watched the sunset behind the tower.

Now it was my turn to request a pit stop- Chic fil A!
We ordered piles of sammiches and headed home to watch Sweeny Todd and inhaled crispy culinary fast food delights.

In bed by 12:30.
Heaven!

Tomorrow-Big Daddy's ranch


M

Justin's After Party






After an entire day of travel, hustling, and shop keeping it was time to cut it loose!
Price made reservations at Biga, a Pan-Asian Tex Mex restaurant that is da Bomb!

I feasted on 12 oz of beef with 'game packets' that consisted of venison and quail wrapped in lettuce. YUM!
After 4 bottles of wine we scooted out back to Robie's house, which, if you remember from Price's wedding, is the ultimate bachelor pad.
Here we drank, blared country, raided his 'costume closet' and played Nerf Skeet!
Not to mention tried on all of his cowboy gear. Who desperately needs a pair of long haired alpaca chaps? Cator Sparks!

I passed out on the couch and was hauled off to the cab at 2:30.
I LOVE TEXAS!

Subversive's Texas Trunk Show






Yesterday was all about bling in big old Tejas!
Justin and I landed in the afternoon and hit the ground running unwrapping jewelry and taking over Jeanne Latimer's dining room for Justin's first big Texas Trunk Show.

Justin designed Price's wedding jewelry and all of her friends and family in San Antonio flipped over it, so we planned this show right after the wedding in October.

Sales were through the roof and as the champagne flowed the credit cards started smokin'
It was great to see some of the ladies we met at the wedding and to hang out with the Latimer and Whittenburg clans again.

By the end of the event we were all wearing Subversive. I found some coral to match my nautical look and blended in perfectly with Jeanne's blue & white niche.

Good times!

Beatrice Greer gets the dip!






This morning was a special mothers day for Mary- lil' Beatrice got christened!
I was a very proud Godfather beaming all day.
She was a dream and slept through the entire thing.
When they were up at the alter Alistair bent over from Mary's arms and gave his little sister a kiss after the pastor did his thing.
The entire church sighed and ooohed!

Afterwards we headed back to Mark and Mary's where all the old gang (and I mean old! We have all been friends for 10 years now!)
joined us for champagne, tea sandwiches and cake from Tea & Sympathy.

And as usual, Alistair rocked out with his guitar, harmonica and accordion!
I think I am going to buy him knee cymbals so he can start his own one man band on Greenwich and Duane St!

Tali (God Mama) you were missed!

Love to all and Happy Mothers Day!
Cator

Hoo Ha Part 3






HIGHLIGHT: Lady Kier arrived with her crew and we took the party to the next level:

*Lucy, Kier and I sang, 'You're the Top'
*Vito fell over
*Eric changed shirts three times.
*I changed djellaba's four times.
*Lucy passed out in the guest room.
*Andy Salzer couldn't stop laughing
*Pandemonium ensued.

Good times and I am so happy to have such amazing friends and family who haul their asses to Harlem to celebrate my natal day!

Hoo Ha Part 2







Slowly the gays started filtering in and parents started to leave.
We even got some people from way out in Brooklyn. Hey Y'all!

HIGHLIGHT: My God Daughter Beatrice Greer arrived! She slept most of the time but I got some BG snuggles in there.

BG's older brother Alistair has been a bit blue since he is no longer the center of attention.
So I decided to conduct a sing-a-long to his favorite song- Rainbow Connection.
HE was in SHOCK! He had no idea everyone in my house knew the words to HIS song.
So sweet.
Then Fay brought out the cake, Nico and I blew out the candles and then bit into it!

32nd Birthday Hoo Ha Part 1






This year I decided to have a day to evening party.
1pm-1am
This way the mom's, dad's and kids could come up during the day and at night the gays could crawl out of bed and head to Harlem.
It worked!
A little too well though. Gays stayed way part 1am and Eric and I had to be up at 9am for Claw's wedding.
But we will get back to that.

Molly Quirk prepared the best food EVER for my day.
I didn't do a thing but clean up.

And I finally got to meet her nephew, Bodhi Brown! Minya brought the little spitfire with her mama and we had Quirk family fun time from 1-4.

My new party rule is:
Dont bring the host champagne!
As luxurious and decadent as it sounds, for $35 you can get a big mama bottle of Vodka that lasts for hours.
One bottle of Veuve is over after five people rush up for a cup.

We ALMOST ran out at the end of the night but Joy and Tony saved the day with a bottle of Belvedere.

The day turned out to be lovely so we had lots of terrace time.
Everyone who didn't have kids brought their dogs so the house was filled to the brim with tiny feet and paws!

Here are images of the first half of the day.
More to come.

Dolly does Atlanta


Flew back to Atlanta after Tampa to see my favorite Southern Goddess.
I have seen her several times in NYC but it was a real treat to see her in the South with all of her old skool admirers!
There were:
Mullets
Leopard stirrup pants
Wheelchairs
Breathing machines
GAYZ!!! In cowboy hats
Lezzies in cowboy drag
Large, Large, Large Cracker Barrel mamas.

I bought a t-shirt that is an illustration of Dolly as a mudflap girl. Love!
Mom and Dad had an equally amazing time.
She sang all the hits and played 12 instruments all painted white and rhinestoned to death.
Heaven!
Oh and yes, I cried. Who doesn't at a Dolly show?

Christos Anesti!










The big day was upon us and Happy and I were WAY hung over. We emptied two super sized bottles of white wine while prepping the lamb. Some of her friends did a drop by as well, encouraging boozing, dancing and skinny dipping. Danielle was mortified at her uncle and mother. Uncle Mame strikes again!

Dad woke up at 5am to put the lamb on the spit (that he built with his dad 20 years ago) and by 9am when I rolled off of the bed the whole neighborhood smelled like lamb. YUM! If you look closely, when he sewed the lamb up with wire he gave him a very large appendage that had the kids in stitches.

After a homemade pancake breakfast we all helped with the preparations. Danielle and I were in charge of dying the eggs red (blood of Christ and amusing after lunch game where you see who can crack who's egg!) The dye was so intense we had henna hands all day and gave the dog a bindhi.

People arrived around 4pm and it was hoppin by 6. We ate at 630 and boy did I eat. Moussaka, Pastichio, lamb, dolmades, Tzatziki. OPA!

I didn't start drinking until around 8 and then the Ouzo came out. Nobody could pronounce OPA so we hear Oompah! Ofa! and of course Oprah!

Boozing continued well into the evening, Happy and I ended up in the pool once again and all the kids were sequestered in their bedrooms with friends as we hooped hollered and did what Greek people do- live!

An afternoon cruisin' and crabbin'







Well as you can all see, my stealthy YouTube test didn't work so well for the crabbing video. The lamb one went up fine. Alas!
Happy took mom (check out the shoes), Danielle, me and Danielle's friend Austin out on the fishing boat for a cruise around the harbor. Perfect weather, beer and crabs! After we toured the homes on the bay (the Kellogg mansion was my favorite) we dropped anchor for a bit and read and sunned on the shore (no manatee sightings but did see some dolphins) we motored over to their crab traps and found crabs in every one! The last trap had the biggest one. Making a special guest appearance was my favorite sea creature- the Sea Horse! Poor little thing was lodged in the corner of the trap but we wiggled him out, took a glamour shot and then set him free.

Austin's favorite part was witnessing me tinkle from the back of the boat. His family is fairly conservative and he just couldn't believe I whipped it out and let it go off the bow. As Danielle told him, "Better to wiz and bear the shame than hold it in and bear the pain!"
Is that my niece or what?

Opa! Our First Annual Greek Easter at Happy's






Here is the deal-
My Dad is Greek, my mother English (heritage wise)
My sisters are my half sisters but grew up going to my Dad's family Greek Easter every year.

With Happy's love of food and tradition she has continued hosting Greek Easter even though she now lives in Tampa.
Ever seen a blond haired, blue eyed family roasting lambs and wrapping dolmades?

This year is the first time I got to join in the family fun and hot damn, what a blast!
Happy just happens to live near Tarpon Springs, one of the nation's largest Greek communities.
First day in town and we hit the Tarpon Strip of Greek restaurants, Zeus gift shops and Hellas bakeries.

YUM! I felt like I was back at the Greek church in Atlanta feasting on my Yaiyai's favorite foods.

For a very un-Greek end of lunch we headed to a famous Key Lime Pie bakery JJ Gandy.
Danielle and I had the next best thing to anything fried- anything dipped in chocolate!
How bout a mean slice of Key Lime pie on a stick dipped in dark chocolate? That was a little slice of heaven
right there in Florida.

Next up-purchasing the lamb! We headed to the Greek Butcher filled with little old Greek ladies with puffy feet popping out the tops of their little black heels, oh and the cutest butcher boys you ever did see.

We bought a spring lamb nicely gutted and perfectly wrapped, hauled him to the car and tucked him nicely in the big fridge before prepping him Saturday night.



Let the feasting begin!