Singing and Slinging

Just a quick check-in post to let my legions of readers know that I'm still alive and kicking. Life has been consumed by work over the last few weeks, although I was able to enjoy a couple days of merriment with Peaches and my dear friend Gabriel at Southern Decadence Labor Day weekend. Gabriel came into town on Friday and Brandon had the weekend off, so we were able to hang out and drink in the sights of one of the biggest and craziest events I've witnessed yet in New Orleans. Peaches has lots of pics from the parade, so I won't post them here, with the exception of one, taken with one of my favorite local talents, Miss Giselle Bouvier:



There were lots of nice gentlemen in town for the event, and the streets were literally packed with throngs of men for three days. I saw some delights and some horrors, and realized how little shame some people have--that, or they must dress completely in the dark without the use of mirrors...

I worked breakfast/lunch at the hotel yesterday, and joined Brandon after work for a couple of Happy Hour libations. One of his co-workers, Adam, met up with us, and coerced us out of the usual haunt of the Golden Lantern over to Good Friends, where it was Karaoke night. What fun! One of the joys of my life is singing, and Brandon and I both wowed the crowd as we pulled out some true muscial gems. There was even a Patented Peaches Pants-drop during "Two Doors Down", but then again, Brandon always has a flair for showmanship. I'm sure future Tuesdays will involve singing at Good Friends, and next time I'll be sure to have my camera.

Pizza, Brownies and Hooch

Having experienced a recent creative drought, I realized this morning that I needed to post something on the blog to keep my enormous readership up to date on life's goings-on in the Crescent City. Work at the Roosevelt has kept me fairly occupied, and I've been adjusting to a constantly-changing schedule--keeps things interesting, I guess, and I'm grateful to have a job with benefits in beautiful surroundings.

Peaches and I both had the evening off last night, and decided to stroll around the Quarter for a bit and watch the early arrival of revelers who will fill the City this weekend to celebrate Southern Decadence. I'm looking forward to the event, and anticipate much fun and debauchery. We decided to store up some party points for the weekend, and after a polite cocktail at Lafitte's and a delightful nibble of brie with a glass of Prosecco at the Grapevine we headed home for an evening of tunes, laughs and delicious homemade food.

I won't go on about the mad skills my charming host possesses in the kitchen, but we enjoyed a delightful repast of homemade pizza last night. Behold:

Having cleaned out Rouse's of the Martha White pizza dough mix that is apparently disappearing from store shelves, Brandon created a delightful pie from scratch, topping it with pepperoni, mushrooms, red onions, zucchini, red bell pepper and cheese. Beats anything you can have delivered, and I relish the cold pizza treat I plan to enjoy after completing this post. While Brandon prepped dinner, I worked to slake our thirst with delightful cocktails made with Stoli blueberry and soda with a splash of pomegranate juice (I've sworn off sweet tea vodka).

And for dessert? Homemade brownies, of course.

Brandon received the brownie pan for his birthday, and the brownies are moist and sinfully chocolate. You want to eat more than one, but know you just can't...and shouldn't...but you do anyway.

Lots of music and laughter punctuated the evening and I tried my best to stay awake during a viewing of "Best in Show", but alas, a long day and a full belly took me away to dreamland before the movie was over. At least I made it through the opening credits.

It's gorgeous outside and I have the day off, so I'm going to head soon in search of simple pleasures to enrich the day.