Romeo & Juliet Music

I have been thinking about the 1996 movie "Romeo & Juliet" a lot recently.
First of all because I liked the soundtrack. You can see it HERE.
Secondly, I liked the style which was that the language was the exact same as Shakespeare wrote it in, but modernized and set in modern day. It was beautiful in all the senses of the word.
Thirdly, Leonardo DiCaprio is hot. *wink*

EVERYBODY'S FREE TO FEEL GOOD - This video and song make me feel very good. This is the song that inspired this entry.
KISSING YOU - ...could this be a little more emotional? The video just makes it so much more vibrant and come to life.
REMIX

Barbie Girl Boys

P.S WE ARE NOT GAY!" You don't have to be gay to be a good performer. It's okay.
I have to say, they sure are some fierce little performers though.
This "Ballroom Blitz" one is amazing actually.
What about "As Long As You Love Me?"
CLICK HERE for more videos from the duo and their YouTube Channel.

The actual video from the Norwegian group called "Aqua" can be found HERE. [MORE]

Black Friday

I just learned out why today is called, "Black Friday."

I thought it was because it's so abysmal and crowded.
Oh no, The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. (see 'Origin of the name' below) More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

I am glad it's not as bad as I thought and it stands for something much nicer like a profit and not getting beat up at the "Tickle Me Elmo" shelf. *whew*

I am smarter today. (Thanks, Ted.)

Thanksgiving Report

It was a cornucopia of hijinks and fun this Thanksgiving.

I woke up about 9:00am and went to finish up some shopping and picked up some stuff from my office.
I went to the San Vicente Inn and set up the after-hours portion of the day of giving Thanks. Kyle Foxxx helped me with that.
At about 1:00pm, I went over to our hosts place in West Hollywood and asked a few times how I can help Joe and ended up running a few more errands. (...that can't be good, "How can I help? with an answer of, "Go away and get these things?" I AM JUST KIDDING! *wink*)
Joe was an amazing host and must have slaved over the fires of he... the kitchen for days to make all the good things he did.
It was a delectable dinner that I scarfed down in minutes only to go get more. Special thanks to Joe for all the work, the venue and taking care of the costs on much of it. Thanks also to Jonathan Chang who split the rest of the day with me.

We hung out at the San Vicente afterwards in a dorm style night of nakedness, porn watching, duct-taping, drinking, lackadaisical, fraternity fun that is deserving of thanks itself.
I think about 11:15pm CoolTom and I pulled out and I went home to bed.
Somehow at like 11:00pm I got a fucking splitting headache that hurt so bad it was like the kind I used to get in high school that were prescription strength migraines. I left everything in the car and went right to bed as quickly as I could get my clothes off at the door. (...and that's quick.)

Here are some other highlights:

• Bobby Trendy arriving and looking like he should be hanging from the ceiling turning around. I think he was dressed as disco ball. *wink*
• Jonathan Chang's 30 minute costume changes. He's hilarious. He was one of the only ones who remembered to bring sunglasses and goodness, did he ever, they were hilarious.
  
• My friend Ted said, "This reminds me of the Thanksgiving's growing up at my grandmas watching porn, drinking....' and I had to laugh. It's a new day for Thanksgiving when you know Brandon Baker. (...and Howard Andrew on the east coast.)
  
• I apparently just missed it, but I saw photos of Wayne's shower show online right before I got to Jo
  
• Rusty made these jello shots that were pretty good. I think Phillip Ashton had about 28 of them, you can ask him how good they were.
  
• Angel Benton contributed to this dinner too just like any good pilgrim. He made these jello shots from Everclear. We had to drive to Nevada to get the 151 proof liquor because it's illegal in California. It's 75.5% liquor and let me tell you, leave it to Angel to carry that in. They were so strong it was like tasting the kind of alcohol you put on a freakin' wound. ...for goodness sake, Rusty lit them on fire! ...and we are supposed to drink that?
  
• Angel also made some food. He made "Butter Balls" (deep fried butter, cream cheese and garlic) which I am not going to lie, were something that I am glad I tried. Once. I am thankful he made them, but whoa, that a unique taste. I think they might work better for lube. He also made some "Chicken McNugget Casserole" which was better and uniquely okay. I can deal with that. Things got progressively better as I tried his special pot stickers which made me very happy. YUM! As much as I tease him, I am thankful he took his time to make those things and share them with us. He said, "I am the queen of white trash cooking." I'd believe him now.
• My friend Bert is the one to thanks for getting everyone fucked up. *wink* He's the one who contributed the liquor and went all out in that section. Thanks, Bert!
• I got to see "Daddy David" whom I lived with when I first moved here to Los Angeles. He's been in my life since New Orleans and helped me in lots of ways. I miss him and was so thankful to see him.
  

This Thanksgiving was one of wonderful, strong company, new and fun ways to celebrate tradition and wonderful collaboration of personalities and support.

Blue Plate Special

If I saw this in someone else's fridge and wanted to be sarcastic, I would say, "Oh honey, are you going to eat the whole thing?"

However, since it's in my fridge, (..and I am still wondering HOW it got there.) I am going to say, "Can someone please explain this?"

Jason Sechrest Blows

...out his candles is what I meant. ...to type.

Sometime last week, I think on Wednesday, we went to Numbers to celebrate Jason Sechrest's birthday.
CoolTom came and picked me up (Cue Bob Barker."...in his new car!") and we retrieved Rusty and then went to dinner.
It was fun and I got to see lots of people I really do like. (...and not I am not so fond of, but hey, that's the way things roll in the world.)
It was good to see Andy Kirra too. Considering I spent almost every waking day with him for about a year and three months doing just about everything all across the world, it's crazy that I see him so little nowadays. ...but as with many things I am blogging in the last few mintues, I find myself comforting myself with, "Everything happens for a reason." right?!
...as much as Jason manages to piss off people, I am just glad he made it another year.

After dinner, we went to Here! Lounge for "Spanksgiving" with a quick stop at Ralph's Grocery store in Beverly Hills to get mixers for Mr. Cortez's event that night.
We then went to "Sloppy Seconds" [CockBlock] which was the least eventful [CockBlock] for me yet. I enjoyed hanging out with Amyia and Ted for most of the evening. I don't know how Ted does it, but he does it.
I can't say the same for the promoter who dealt with the police from angry neighbor calls (...which I know all about let me assure you! ARGH!) and for La Sechrest who apparently left with his kids early.)

Las Vegas and Loving

Tuesday night, Angel and I drove to Las Vegas for a mixer/social that QVegas Magazine was throwing for the 30th anniversary of the publication.

My dear Lisa took these photos of Angel and I almost a year after THIS photo on December 3 of last year when we went to a similar party. razy huh?

The event was at 'Dick's Last Resort' at the 'Excalibur Casino.'
they make these silly hats and I kept taking mine off, so they kept making new ones. I think I had 4 different ones before we left. When I paid my tab and left, I was THRILLED that it was only $55.00. I can't remember the last time I left a bar/nightclub/event with a bar like that. FIERCE! Plus, I chuckled when the name they kept track of my total with was under HOOKER. ...like T.J. Hooker I am sure. *wink*

Angel and I met up with Moose and this absolutely adorable guy in the colorful, Argyle (...now I know what the name of the pattern is.) sweater named Andrew. (I met him originally at GayDays in Anaheim I think.)
This photo to the right is of all of us and the waitress.
I had a good time and totally am infatuated with Andrew. He actually makes me kind nervous.
Issues I see include that he's about as wholesome as Angel Benton when it comes to sex, so that leaves me out in the left field waving to them! *wink* Good for them holding their own values of sex and love close to their hearts and head. Every ones views are different and that's the beauty of this world, right?
Andrew won this stuffed dog in the arcade playing games while he waited for Angel and I that he gave me on the way out. I was so excited and am keeping the dog in the car with me now.
He really needs to stop his hotness.

As I talk about other boys, it's important for me to let everyone know that I think the world of Dustin, but we have a strange comfort in our fledgling new level of relationship that comes from knowing each other over 8 years.
Angel Benton broke the story in his blog and a voice post, but whatever relationship I have with Dustin is something that while I won't deny it, I certainly choose to keep it more intimate than other relationships in the past.
I had one of the most beautiful, satisfying, intimate, sexy and calm nights with him the day Murphy and Tatum left (...that's another story that's right around the corner.) that left me in a whole new zone with relationships that I am still figuring out in my head.

Angel and I seem to know little bounds in travel when we decide we want to go do something.
We drove back to Los Angeles the very next day after we ate at the 'Rio' breakfast buffet. (...which was yummy and certainly worth $14.99. The selection is insane.)
Angel said, "It's like Mommy and Daddy's day away from the kids." and even if I wanted to differ from his opinion, it would have been difficult

As much harassment as I give Angel Benton (...and in case you wonder how much it is - it's A LOT!) I have to hand it to him. He's an amazing individual and good person. His goodness runs deep into the cores of his bones and it's not going anywhere. I am extremely lucky to have him as a friend.

Speaking of good friends, I don't know what's up with Rusty, but I am feeling more and more distant from him lately.
I realize that part of it is him sleeping often and the other is that he has this new friend. (...whom I really think is nifty and good for Rusty.)
I know that just based on the volume of time I see him, things are going to change, but it's not the same without having Rusty around as often as I am used to.
Everything happens for a reason, so I am comfortable with just dealing with it.

....that's a much more intense blog than I am used to writing, but that's the way it goes in being Brandon Baker. *wink*

Palm Springs Pool Day

After Scotty B's party Saturday night, at about 11:15pm, we went to get Rusty and his un-boyfriend and we all went to Palm Springs for some Sunday sun at the Helios Resort.
Sunday night, Angel, Dustin and I watched a movie in the room it was just a perfect closing to the night. We watched "Another Gay Movie" and it was HILARIOUS! (I think the movie will get it's own blog next week.)

Monday morning, we drove back to Los Angeles and I went into my office.
...just like the story, the Sunday in the Springs was fun, relaxing, and simple. I think we all need some of that here and there.

We also had a really fun, comfortable and relaxing Chinese dinner. It was like a little family without any parents. (...unless you think of Angel and I as parents which did happen that weekend in Las Vegas.) It wasn't crazy, it wasn't loud, (...unless you count Rusty at times.) and it was so beautiful. I enjoyed being with Dustin while he was here this time and we totally need times like that too in our lives. We ordered a bunch of different Chinese dishes and we all shared and chose our our portions. (I mean from the table and from life.) *wink*

I wouldn't trade the time I had with the boys for a new Lexus.

Birthday Boy Scotty B.

Last Saturday, Angel, Dustin and I went with our friend DJ and his hot friend to Scotty B's birthday in West Hollywood at Isla.
It was fun and I adore Scotty B. (I also want to say thank you for sending these photos.)

Gay HookUp Sites

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"Celebrity New Year's Resolutions for 2009"

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Boy of the Moment - BRandom Boys

Sister Act - "I Will Follow Him"

I like this song from the movie with Whoopie Goldberg from the movie "Sister Act".
There are a few good songs in the movie like this one and 'Oh Happy Day.' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLY7yI1xV-M)

'Dirty. Secret. Party.' Porn Star LineUp Call

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Palm Springs

Saturday night, after we left Scotty B.'s birthday party in West Hollywood about 11:30pm, we drove to Palm Springs, CA to spend a relaxing, low pressure Sunday night in the desert.

Palm Springs originally was an Indian area (...and still is. Example: Morongo Casino and the Spa Casino Resort are both Indian land, hence the exemption and allowance for a casino. Agua Calente tribe informaion can be found HERE.) but was also a retreat for Hollywood.
I still like to think the 2 hour drive is a small and very worthwhile expenditure to retreat from my Hollywood life. The 2 hour drive from LA feels like a quick drive when there is no traffic, it's a breeze and goes by very fast. The more used to it we are, it becomes even faster.
We have found that the drive back, when done Monday morning early or just a little but later than morning rush hour traffic is just as simple, so we stayed all of Sunday in Monday morning.
Sunday felt like a beautiful weekend by itself.

Rusty, his new beau, Roxy (Rusty's child/dog) Angel, Dustin and I all went in one car (which is not normal for us, somehow we always end up in more than one car.) and arrived about 1:00am to one of my favorite places on earth, the Helios Resort.
We stayed in two rooms, one for Rusty and his new friend and one for Dustin, Angel and I.
We woke up about 9:00am and we laid out in the sun for most of the afternoon.
Angel and I went to get $80.00 worth of Chineese food about 2:00pm and we all ate at one table. ...and it was good.

It was such a relaxing Sunday free of pressure and with some of my favorite people that are closest to me.

Boy of the Moment - BRandom Boys