My Anonymous Blog

Holy Cow

We're a few hours away from OCTOBER!  Where did the time go?  I've been neglecting my poor blog.

I will not neglect my blog.

I will not neglect my blog.

I will not neglect my blog.

I will not...

Barack Obama For President

This whole mess that the United States is in has gotten me in a tizzy.  Who would have thought that after eight years of poor leadership, two wars that never should have happened, an ever sinking dollar and the laughing, pointing fingers of the majority of the world aimed right at us, that we would even be considering electing another president who plans to not only carry on the repressive and destructive legacy that Bush has left us, but in all likelihood will make things even worse (if Sarah Palin has her way)?

A good friend of mine is seeing a therapist who uses the word "evolve" frequently, and I've taken a liking to it, because I try to think of my life experiences as being about learning and changing and taking things to the next level ... EVOLVING.  It's something that takes work, and I mess up all the time, but on the whole I feel like I'm moving forward.  And I wish I could say the same about our country!  I really felt like we were moving in a good direction overall before the Bush administration took root, 9/11 hit and bad decisions started flying left and right. 

And now, as the election draws near, I'm fearing for my rights as a gay man, women's right to choose, environmental policies being thrown out the window, an ongoing war we never could afford to get into to begin with and an economy on the brink of collapse...the list goes on and on and we can't afford to take any more steps backward!  It's time to start thinking about the big picture, to come out of whatever shells and little boxes we've put ourselves in, to start voting for things that are good for the entire population and not just for the conservative demographic.  We live in a country that is filled with different beliefs and lifestyle choices and I thought that was something that the United States embraced, encouraged and promoted as an asset to what makes this country special. The great diversity of people is part of what makes America an exciting place to live in for me -  and it's time to move forward by making choices that include EVERYONE.  It's time to encourage positive change that will promote growth, both economically and spiritually.  It's time to stop segregating gays, stomping out women's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion and pretending that humans have nothing to do with global warming.  It's time to stop limiting the information kids are offered in the classroom regarding evolution and sex education and which classic books are acceptable to read.  It's time to move toward creating a health care system that supports the masses and isn't based on the whims of individual insurance companies.

It's time to support leadership and laws that might back things that you and your family don't necessarily believe in -- because it's the right thing to do and will help people live their lives freely, with full benefits and protections that everyone should have living in America.

It's time to EVOLVE and take the United States back into a progressive, positive direction before things get any worse. I'm voting for Barack Obama for President of the United States because I feel he best fits what I believe will work for EVERYONE.

October 4 is the last day to register to vote, and if you haven't done it yet, you're one click away from registering HERE.

Update

I've been slow this week in posting updates - I still have to post on Berlin and various other things that have happened this week.  But I've been distracted.  There are so many different thoughts going through my head regarding everything from mundane day to day shit to the more complex and entirely twisted bigger picture of things.  I'll explain more later.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Touring the Palau de la Música Catalana was such a treat.  It was built by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who also designed the sensational Hospital de Sant Pau, also in Barcelona. Both the hospital and the theatre are regarded, and rightfully so, as landmarks of such architectural importance that UNESCO has designated them both as a collective World Heritage Site.  The mosaic work alone takes me aback, and I wondered how long it took to place all of the little glass pieces covering nearly every surface. 

It was such a thrill being in the main room of the theatre during the daytime, as its defining feature is the unique fact that the house is lit by gorgeous rows of stained glass windows, the most impressive of which being a giant sun that gleams from the center of the ceiling high overhead.  The light pouring into the theatre creates a music box-like effect that warms the entire space.  There is a huge organ that our tour guide played via a remote control that was connected to computer driven programs that operated the organ.  The sound in the space is near perfect. 

One thing I wasn't happy about was the fact that photos were not allowed anywhere in the theatre.  I understand that they want to sell the photos in the gift shop, and I usually buy postcards anyway, but the lengths they took to keep tourists from snapping an interior photo - we had a pale, creepy security guard staring us down during the entire tour - were ridiculous and prompted me to forgo my usual postcard-buying stop at the gift shop.

Himali, Barcelona - Revisited

I've mentioned Himali, the Nepalese restaurant I'm fond of in Barcelona.  Well, we stopped in early on into our stay and arrived at noon, expecting them to be open, when in fact they opened at 1pm.  They seated us anyway, which was very kind of the owner, and he quickly whipped up soups, a chicken and a lamb dish.  They were, unfortunately, not up to snuff with what we've come to expect of the place. Everything seemed a bit under seasoned and bland.  Our muglinco kukhura chicken was not creamy enough, and actually it was on the runny side.  I'm not ready to dock them points or knock them off my list permanently, as I'm not sure the owner is the usual one that does the cooking - I remember his wife behind the counter, and either she hadn't arrived yet or had the day off.  She very well might be the better cook, and if this is what his food normally tastes like, he might consider closing altogether when she's unable to come in.

HIMALI
C/Mila i Fontanals 68
Closest train stop: Metro Joanic
Phone: 93-285-15-68
Hours: 1pm - 4pm & 8pm - 12midnight TUE - SUN; closed Mondays

Axel Hotel, Barcelona - Heterofriendly at its Very Best

Presenting itself as a trendy gay hotel and located smack in the middle of Eixample, Axel Hotel has a thoughtfully inclusive catch marketing phrase - HETEROFRIENDLY - that has nabbed it even more business than the typically cash heavy queer demographic already throws at it.  Many single women travelers have grown fond of staying here, partly because they won't have to worry about being hit on by other travelers and hotel staff, and partly because they know that gay guys really know how to have a good time.  There are two rooftop parties around the pool and bar area weekly, as well as live entertainment and drag shows scheduled most other nights on the stage located in the ground floor restaurant.

Axel Hotel is so gay that even our in-room safe was naked.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

We always stay here and haven't tried anywhere else in Barcelona, but we love the neighborhood surrounding the hotel, it's an easy walk to most other areas and, let's face it, the staff of gorgeous Spanish men lining the place doesn't hurt...so why even try anywhere else?  And yes, this is the location of my infamous clothes-free post-hot tub tumble across the gym floor.  Moving right along ...

The one drawback to staying here, or any gay hotel really, is that service can be a bit, um, sloooooooooooooow.  It's fine, they're in Spain where things are a little more laid back to begin with, they're beautiful, I get it.  But it can be a bit wearing when you're trying to sit down to breakfast and the lone waiter has trotted off to take a smoke break, hook up with a hotel guest in the back, or who knows.  If there was one area that needed some tweaking, having the staff be a little more on the mark in the service area couldn't hurt. 

And speaking of breakfast - it's a simple, help yourself assortment of fruits, cereal canisters that are so tiny I had to wipe out the hotel's entire stash just to fill one bowl, breads, eggs and flaccid slices of bacon that Europe still has no idea how to crisp properly.  At 15 euros, that makes it worth skipping and heading to La Boqueria along Las Ramblas for breakfast instead.

My final two complaints?  The internet can only connect one computer per room, which is frustrating when you've traveled with your partner and two laptops.  It would be simple for them to allow two devices per room to be connected and they should change that.  My other complaint is about the lighting in the elevator - BLUE!  It's entirely aggravating not only because it's a dark shade of blue that could almost act as a black light that would, in this hotel in particular, reveal all sorts of weird and potentially embarrassing stains, but also because it's a slooooooooooooow elevator, and because it's also cramped and not nearly as cute as the service, I can't forgive it.  It's high time to change the bulbs.

** There's one last half-complaint: The gym that is on the top floor of the building kind of sucks (the lone clunky elliptical machine nearly killed me with its jolting motions and surely needs serviced, if not replaced altogether), but the upside is that they give access, for ten euros, to a beautiful gym just a block down the street called Holmes Place.  Don't miss it - it's a fun spot filled with excellent equipment, people watching galore, a huge swimming pool, classes ... the works, really. **

But like I said, who stays here for the food or service?  I give Axel Hotel an A- for its smartly appointed rooms, friendly staff and central location and would recommend it to anyone gay or ... er ... HETEROFRIENDLY.

AXEL HOTEL BARCELONA
Aribau, 33
08011 Barcelona - Spain

Phone: (+34) 93 323 93 93

Vote For Change

Are you registered to vote?  Visit VOTE FOR CHANGE and hop to it, and then pass it along to everyone you know!

Sick

Ugh.  I've had this nagging flu / sore throat / achy-all-over thing since my first day in Berlin last Monday.  While it didn't completely ruin my time there, it did put a damper on things and made me slow down and skip a few activities I would have rather been doing instead of shivering under covers in the hotel room.  Once the chills and fever broke, my generous bug gave me a sore throat to replace it.  Awe, how sweet - it's just what I've always wanted!  And so, after putting it off yesterday in hopes that it would go away on its own, I trudged to the doctor's office on a Saturday.  It was walk-in only today, which tends to attract an especially homey crowd of teen parents towing around armfuls of babies they had no business having in the first place.  After an hour of sitting in the filled-to-the-brim, coughy, sneezy, screamy waiting area, I finally saw a doctor - the lone doctor working today.  He gave me a prescription for the usual penicillin-based pills that make my stomach queazy and I've spent the rest of the day fighting extreme gassiness.

But what really makes me sick is the race for President of the United States, namely the behavior of the socially awkward John McCain and his screechy-voiced, human rights-stomping running mate, Sarah Palin.  The New York Times published a particularly biting article detailing her questionable demeaner behind the scenes that y'all should read HERE.

Agua Restaurant, Barcelona - Best Gazpacho EVER!

We finally rode the rickety sky lifts from the hills near the Fundació Joan Miró to the waterfront, where we wandered around gawking at the assortment of almost equally eye-popping Spanish men sporting picture perfect physiques and topless grannies with boobs so droopy they were playing hacky sack with their knees.  Time to don the bikini! (Not you, Spanish boys.) 

The museum, by the way, was a nice stop.  My favorite pieces were this giant, multicolored shag rug and a fountain that used mercury instead of water, creating a mesmerizing flow of metallic droplets that bounced and reflected light from every direction as they made their way to a shimmering mercury pool at the base.

After a long walk, we ended up at the other end of the beach and had lunch at AGUA, our favorite spot on the water that serves the most delicious, flavorful and smooth gazpacho I've ever had.  I look forward to it every time I'm in Barcelona.  Everything else on the menu is less surprising.  Order simply, sticking with the seafood options, and you won't be disappointed.  The restaurant itself is quite nice, with equally sprawling indoor and outdoor space.  Having been out in the sun for a good chunk of the morning, we sat inside.  The staff gets good marks for being attentive and helpful with menu suggestions.  I had a sashimi tuna entree that was straightforward and delicious.  Dessert was a little less successful - I went with a warm chocolate cake that wasn't dense enough, and a little dry in the end.  Like I said, though, I come for the cool gazpacho. 

Agua gets an A for their chilly, smooth and refreshing gazpacho, and a B for everything else.

Agua
Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta, 30
08003 Barcelona
Spain

Phone: 93 225 12 72
Hours: Open Everyday for Lunch 1PM - 4PM; Dinner 8PM - Midnight; Open until 1AM Friday & Saturday.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Paris

(Posted from September 2, 2008 journal.)

What a whirlwind stay in Paris we've had.  Our brief weekend trip down to Bonnieux was warm, sunny and contrasted starkly with the gloom, rain and cold that Paris dealt us for nearly all of August, and now early September!  Normally things would've been a lot more relaxed, but Matthew was busy doing the first part of a commissioned shoot starring the City of Light herself as his main subject, and I was his trusty assistant who managed not to break another ankle on this city shoot, thankfully! 

We finished a nearly three-week adventure at the Bon Marché, an easy hop down the street from M's mom's flat, and watched as little old ladies buzzed up and down the escalators of the historic department store and Matthew timed his shots across the grand main room while positioned along second and third floor railings.

We ended our last day of the summer in Paris by paying a visit with M's mom to L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, the namesake's Parisian counterpart to a chain that has landed in Vegas, New York and elsewhere around the globe with decent success.  After arriving early to the restaurant, which is colored heavily in bright red tones that are framed neatly by black countertops and long-legged seats, we were seated along a row of stools at a corner window. 

Following some serious debating, we decided to go with the 8-course tasting menu, which read as follows:

*****

L'Amuse Bouche
Chilled Cauliflower coup

La Tomate
Gazpacho

Le Crabe Royal
Flakey pieces of crab delicately paired with thin radish slices that are tied together with a tomato and mayo sauce

L' Oeuf
Parsley foam, poached egg, mushroom soup

Le Foie Gras
Traditionally seared foie gras in a light vinegar reduction

La Morue
Tender piece of cod served very simply

L'Agneau de Lait
Lamb chops (the tiniest I had ever seen - how small was the lamb?!) served with mashed potatoes

Le Basilic
Basil sorbet over pineapple

La Framboise
Strawberry jello-like concoction topped with vanilla cream

*****

The menu was successful overall, but there were three standouts:

1. The egg course (L'Oeuf) was sensational and almost indescribable in its complexity.  Is it a soup?  A foam?  What is it?  I love the beautiful beige layers of egg, mushroom and parsley foam delicately balancing on top of each other, but even better is the taste of all three together.  I would love to be able to learn how to make this dish at home.

2. Le Foie Gras.  This isn't a surprise - I love foie gras and could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  But even in it's simply seared form, there was something magical about the way it was seared to perfection, leaving the outside caramelized and sealed off from the deliciously soft insides.  More, please!

3. The second from last dessert (Le Basilic) was so fantastically unique and has provided me with the challenge of recreating a basil sorbet over pineapple at home.  It didn't sound like something I was going to enjoy, but turned out to be the star of the evening.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon gets a B+ overall.  The service was excellent and the food was positively decadent.  This marked our first trip back to one of his restaurants since our indulgent experience at MGM Grand Las Vegas' The Mansion earlier this year, which you can read about HERE.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
16, Avenue Bugeaud
75016 Paris, France

Phone: +33 (0)1 56 28 16 16
Hours: Open every day from Noon - 2:30PM & 7PM - 11PM

Reservations strongly advised, although walking in with a small group of 4 or less almost guarantees a spot at the 6:30pm seating, but don't count on it entirely.