Black Friday 2011

As mentioned in the Thanksgiving Day post, John and Jay requested that their brunch guests bring nonperishable food items as a donation to the Poverello Center in Wilton Manors rather than a host gift of wine or liquor. Everyone was very generous with their donations. When we consolidated all the food items into full bags, we had about 20 paper grocery bags full of food. We were very excited to drop off the donations at the center.

The center's director was quite surprised by the size of our delivery and very grateful. He offered to give us a tour of the food bank. This facility provides for the nutritional needs of approximately 2500 HIV+ people who live below the poverty line in Broward County, Florida. The center receives grant money from the Ryan White foundation, but the foundation dictates the items that can be purchased using the grant money.  Recipients then can choose from a set menu of items (7 fresh fruits, 7 fresh veggies, 7 canned goods, 7 meat servings, and various baked goods) once per month.  Since most recipients had already picked up their Thanksgiving boxes, the items we delivered were to be divided into bonus bags to be distributed in December. Besides grant money donations, several area grocery stores (Publix and Costco) also donate meats and baked goods. The food bank appeared very clean and organized with several walk-in coolers containing a variety of fresh goods.

There was also a large room off the main area that appeared to be a conference room with book shelves surrounding the table in the center of the room.  The shelves were stacked high with what looked like blankets. This is actually an area in which panels for the AIDS quilt are repaired by volunteers. The quote that choked us all up was "this room holds so many souls."

At the end of the tour we thanked our guide and rushed out into the parking lot - each of us staking out a different corner of the car - crying our eyes out. It was a very moving and rewarding experience. These folks are dedicated and are doing God's work with grace and integrity.

After a quick lunch, John and I decided to head to the beach for a little relaxation time in the sun. Once we arrived at the beach, it was a bit cloudy and windy, so we detoured to the Royal Palms Resort.

The Resort

Picture it, two pools, full service bar, food, two DJ's, and a spa. After chasing the sun around the resort and a light lunch where we shared an excellent Cuban sandwich, we headed to the spa for our 3:00 deep tissue massages.

The pool by the bar

The massages were a delightful way to spend the afternoon - instead of braving the mall and the hoards of zombie shoppers. Rubbed, pulled, relaxed, and well oiled, we returned home for a quick nap before the evening's planned festivities.

Jay had tickets to the White Party.

White Party at the Miami Seaquarium - Jay is in there somewhere....

John and I had tickets for the Leather Masked Ball. It was Black Friday after all...

Sorry, no pics of this event  - but you can Google it if you are curious.

It was a late night for us all. I ended it chowing down on an open-faced turkey sandwich with dressing, gravy, and homemade cranberry sauce. Delish! I slept like a baby for the rest of the night.

Thanksgiving Highlights 2011

Although it was an incredibly busy day for John and Jay hosting a brunch and a dinner, our Thanksgiving day celebrations were heartwarming due to the warmth and generosity of everyone who contributed to the fundraising efforts. The day started with laughter, fun, a great brunch spread, and a full service bar.  It ended with an intimate dinner among friends in which we were all grateful for the family we were born with and the family we make as we pass through this life.

I love these guys. Thanks John and Jay for including me, once again, in your celebrations.

No detail was overlooked in preparation 

Croissant / Meyers Rum french toast to be served with a banana, pecan, brown sugar reduction.
Decadent and delicious!

A portion of the 60+ attendees enjoying the day

The haul: John and Jay asked everyone to bring nonperishable items to donate to the Poverello Center
here in Wilton Manors.  We will be busy transporting all of this food on Friday.
Everyone was very generous in their contributions to those in need.

Insert joke here....

Brined, rubbed and ready for the oven.

The finished product.  Martha's got nothing on our presentation skills.  And,
I am not a big fan of turkey, but this ended up being one of the most delicious, moist
turkeys that I have every eaten.  Job well done to Jay and his brining and rubbing skills.

Doors open, candles lit, breeze blowing.  Damn I love south Florida.

Thanksgiving dinner by candle light followed by the GAGA Thanksgiving special.  Does it get any gayer? 

Motivation. Motivation. Where for art thou, motivation?

Suprisingly I got a lot of work done yesterday, despite the little side trip to the beach around 1:30.  On the way home, we stopped to pick up the Thanksgiving day turkey and a pumpkin cheesecake at Whole Foods. While at the store, I texted my friend Johnny Bravo to see what his plans were for the week. He was free Tuesday night so we decided to get together for a quick dinner. Oddly, he did not ask where or what I wanted to eat, but since he is in the hospitality industry, I trusted his choice.  And, he made a great one. 

Cafe Casablanca is situated along the Ft. Lauderdale beach. We sat at the outside bar and had a great view of the beach walkway.  The weather was breezy, but quite balmy - just perfect for sitting outside and having a leisurely dinner. After a beer and a seared ahi tuna appetizer, we ordered dinner and a bottle of wine. I had the duck, Johnny had an outstanding mediterranean inspired chicken dish. We finished up with snifters of chocolate liqueur spiked with a shot of expresso.  Besides the great atmospher, conversation, and alcohol it was also "Industry" night at the restaurant - so our bill was 50% off.  It was great catching up with an old friend.

We met up with John and Jay at Rosie's in Wilton Manors for a night cap. Although I had worked all day, I was starting to feel a bit like I was on vacation.  Hmmmm - perhaps that is why I am having such a difficult time focusing on work this morning.

I will be signing out of the company web connection around noon to help John finish the shopping and to prepare food for tomorrow's all day feeding festival. John and Jay are hosting a fund raising brunch for around 50 people from 10:00 - 3:00 (Myer's Rum & Croissant French Toast, with bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and a full service bar) benefiting the Poverello Center of Wilton Manors. They will then be serving a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner starting around 7:00. It will be a fun day to contemplate my family and friends who together make my life so happy, exciting, rewarding, and unspeakably fabulous.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Glenn

Lunch Break

Gotta love working remotely.
I heart you technology!

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The Stuff that Weekends are Made of...

The weather has been unseasonable warm in Raleigh this weekend.  It is difficult to get my head wrapped around the coming holiday season when sitting out on the balcony in my bathing suit, evening up my tan this morning.

However, yesterday as I arrived at the gym, there was the distinct smell of Christmas tree in the air.  Perhaps Logan Trading Company has received their first shipment of trees for those early birds who can't wait to get their holiday decorations out of storage. The smell did jolt me back to reality. The season is upon us again.

I will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Ft. Lauderdale with my best buddy John and his partner Jay. I am heading down Monday afternoon to spend the week, hence my "too little, too late" attempt to make a few muscles at the gym this weekend. While I have been somewhat diligent in my workouts, I have not lifted any weights since before my trip to Asia.  I have been keeping the pre-holiday weight off by spinning, taking some core classes, and running. However, at almost 49, it doesn't take long for the little bit of bicep I have worked so hard for to shrivel down to my normal tooth pick sized arms. And, fashion in Ft. Lauderdale will not allow me to hide my lack of muscle tone under button down collar shirts.

So yesterday, I hit the weights and last night I hit the bars to give my drinking muscles a workout. What is it about the second shot of tequila that makes the third shot seem like such a good idea?  While this time I left the bar with my integrity intact, the early morning texts and phone calls reminded me that I am not yet ready for a week on the party circuit.

To punish myself for having so much fun last night, I made an extra large pot of coffee, had a nice long read on the porch as mentioned above, made myself a big greasy brunch, and curled up with Roxy on the sofa for a nap.  Upon waking, I went to the gym to make another muscle and to work out the stiffness from yesterday. Then headed to the pub to meet my friends Cathy and Arjay for Sunday Funday.

Yep, good weekend all around. I am ready. I have primed my liver. I am over packed.  I can't wait to see the palm trees and bathe in the warm breezes of South Florida.

Thoughts from the Saddle

Today I sent a request to several of my former managers to write an endorsement for me on LinkedIn. I am not actively searching for a new job, but you never know who is looking at your profile. And as a good boy scout, one must always be prepared to open the door of success when opportunity knocks.

Tonight in spin class, I started thinking that this request was a little like having an argument with your partner in which you tell them that if they would only do _________, you would know that they really cared. The blank is often filled in with "buy me a box of candy, send me flowers, surprise me by cooking dinner, put down the toilet seat, rub my shoulders, do that thing we saw on the internet last week."  You get the picture.

Somehow, like the resulting gifts following the above "discussion about my feelings," I am guessing that the emotional payoff will somehow be sullied by the need to ask.  Perhaps I am just feeling a little emotional or sensitive this week, but if you really loved me, you would know what I want - I shouldn't have to ask for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep! Passive aggressive muscles still strong - Hahahaha.
Happy Monday Everyone!

Fun with Horoscopes

Lately my fortune cookies have been underwhelming. They have not easily lent themselves to playing the fortune cookie game. But, all good things come to those who wait and today's horoscope provided the perfect set up: "The Moon's conjunction with expansive Jupiter tempts you to take on more than you can complete, so don't say yes unless you really mean it in bed."

Juvenile? Probably, but I have been in need of a good giggle for more than a week. The problem is that I have been in meetings all day, and I keep saying yes. I am so easy....