Black and White With a Tad of Blue

Or I can put the following in our blog instead.



We spent a nice Sunday walking in the park, doing a little grocery shopping, some laundry and then just relaxed for the rest of the day.



However, Saturday turned out more dramatic then we had planned. We were suppose to take George’s mother to the airport before the break of dawn. Of course, our car battery decided to die right there and then as we were ready to put her luggage in the trunk.



Damn you, stupid desert heat, cause of early car battery death.



So we loaded all her stuff into her old Cadillac and took her to McCarran Int’l Airport. While she was happily on her way to another globe-trotting adventure, George and I were hoping that the service department of our car dealer would be open to deal with our little dilemma. Luckily, they were and the old Cadillac was now helpful to at least jump start our car in order to take to the dealership. Without turning on the A/C, radio or even the turn indicators, I drove very carefully and hoped the car wouldn’t die on me on the way to the dealership. George followed me in the old Cadi. Young, hot service guy Leonard was there but unfortunately we didn’t get him this time around. Darn! We were just glad that our car was taken care of.



Dressed in black and white with a tad of blue, ready to have some fun


This was way too much drama for this particular day. You see, we were hoping to save our energy for the annual Black & White Party at the Hard Rock Hotel that evening. Having to get up early at some ungodly hour to take someone to the airport and then dealing with car trouble is not so helpful if one plans to make it through a late, fun-filled party night.






Fortunately, we seemed to have stored enough energy for unplanned dramas and big fun parties. The Black & White Party had a great turnout and raised $100,000 for AFAN. There were some great costumes and plenty of freaks around. Along with lots of free food and drinks, entertainment and lots of loud earth-shattering dance music. We danced and moved until we were drenched in sweat. It was lots of fun and we ended up staying out until sometime around 3 a.m.



This was the place to be that night, except maybe for the Depeche Mode concert that happened simultaneously at Palm's Pearl Theatre on the other side of the Strip.


Then the effect of all the drama and fun suddenly hit us. And we hit the sack.


Sorry, no airport shuttle service this time around.

AIDS Walk Las Vegas 2009

The Aid for AIDS Nevada (AFAN) held its annual AIDS Walk event yesterday. For 19 years this organization has not only helped raising awareness of the disease and helping men, women and children affected by HIV and AIDS, but has also helped raising money to continue helping those in need of care.

George and I met our friend Margaret at the starting point of the walk to register and take in the festivities surrounding this event. It was the most gorgeous morning with lots of sunshine, blue skies and a gentle breeze. In other words...the perfect condition.

It was a huge gathering of people. There was plenty of free food, beverages and entertainment. The comedian/magician duo Penn & Teller kicked off the walk and off we all went. Hundreds and hundreds of people, if not thousands, coming together for a good cause. Families with children, friends, many had their dogs with them.

Along the route through parts of downtown Las Vegas, bands were playing a variety of music. Rock, country, even some Taiko drummers showed up. The Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence also showed their support. Of course. They are one of the most active volunteers and fundraisers.

All in all, it was another perfectly spent Sunday. Fun was to be had by everyone.

And not one single religious nutcase in sight, always wanting to condemn us “sinners” to the eternal flames of hell. But I’m sure they’re all going to be around when the gay community celebrates Gay Pride in just a few weeks.

And it’s already so hard for these religious folk to choose whom to save...uh...pick on first. This being “Sin City” and all.

The AIDS Walk started at the World Market Center in downtown Las Vegas

The World Market Center features the most unusual architecture

The Bonneville Avenue underpass

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Here are some of the “Sisters,” posing with the walkers

George and Margaret

George and my humble self

The “Duke,” the mascot of the local baseball team...I think

One of the many rest stops for the many dogs, providing water to drink and play in and providing a chance to sniff each other out

Seeing the Light

AFAN, a local organization which provides support for adults and children living with and affected by HIV or AIDS, has sent out a reminder to participate in its annual AIDS Walk this coming April. George and I have been part of this event for a few years now. It’s for a good cause and it’s usually lots of fun. And with the economy as bad as it is, I’m sure this organization can use every single penny it can get.

So, if you happen to be visiting Las Vegas on Sunday, April 19th, why not helping out people who work for a good cause to be the big winners for a change. Besides, you’ll meet new people and get some exercise out in the fresh air. Doesn’t that sound like more fun than sitting in front of a dumb lifeless slot machine inside a smoke-filled casino?

I was playing around a bit with our camera over the weekend. My good friend Sabine sent us a nice set of three glass tealight holders for Christmas. I took some detail shots of the colored glass holders, trying to have some fun with lighting and reflections. The last photo is a close-up of water droplets on our newly installed kitchen faucet. I just love stuff like that.

It doesn’t matter how often we try to clean and wipe down the faucet to keep it all neat and dry, there will always be tons of water spots all over that darn thing.

Hmm...now if that isn’t a big case of “Duh!”

Earth and AIDS

First off, today is Earth Day.

Two of many things most Americans aren’t too concerned with is the horrible state which our environment is in and the unequal status of the LGBT community in the United States.

Doing our part in conserving energy, recycling and taking care of the earth is a no-brainer. If the air is too polluted to breath, the water too toxic to drink and our food supply too genetically modified to cause more harm in the long run, what else is there? Do we eat dollar bills? Drink the last remaining drops of fossil fuel? It’s not that hard to understand that the human race depends on a clean environment to survive. It’s very simple really.

George and I recycle. We have replaced most of our indoor and outdoor incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient fluorescent ones, and we car pool every day. We don’t turn the heater or air-conditioner on until absolutely necessary. Even during the summer desert heat we have our thermostat set at 84 degrees. Otherwise we’d be working only to pay for mortgage and the already way too high power bill. It’s mind of matter.

The other issue, which is rather alarming, is the fact that people of the LGBT community in the U.S. are becoming third class citizens. For whom exactly does "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," as it is stated in the United States Declaration of Independence, apply to then? Only to rich white guys? Some people want to vote for a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage. What business is it of heterosexual people whom gays or lesbians love and want to spend their lives with? What gives them the right to take away the right of other people? Not too long ago in this country, women would not even have been allowed to vote on this subject. Or any subject, for that matter. Imagine that, certain white straight people had no equal rights at one point in history of the United States.

Then there is the whole debacle how HIV infected people are being treated and how AIDS in general is being used as a smear campaign by some right-wing, religious fanatics against anything gay or lesbian. The fact that HIV is not only affecting homosexuals, but also heterosexual people, including women and children, is conveniently swept under the rug. The claim that AIDS is a gay disease is not only a lie but also ignorant. And while the endless debates and finger pointing over whether it is an abomination and who to blame rages on; countless people continue to suffer. With no cure in sight, without help or compassion.

One of the few things that help to bring some kind of relief are events such as the annual Las Vegas AIDS Walk, which was held on Sunday. The money raised will help the AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) organization to provide support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada.

George and I participated in the walk, as we did last year. It’s our little contribution to a great cause and it’s usually fun too. Some people came in costumes. Many families with children were taking part as well. And as always, there were lots of dogs. Countless dogs in every size and shape were present. The weather cooperated too. It was sunny and very comfortable. Below are some photos of Sunday’s event.

This is actually a picture from last year's AIDS Walk in Las Vegas. Here we are with one of the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.