Happy Pride!

I will never forget the first time I was aware of Homosexuality. It was back in Israel when I was a kid and I was watching Dynasty. When the handsome Steven Carrington came out of the closet to his dad I realized I too had a secret.

Even after coming out I never thought that I, a gay man, would be able to marry my partner. It still amazes me that the option is getting closer and closer to reality. But to me it seems like a natural progression in our modern times, why in the world has it taken so long???

With fingers crossed it seems like the possibility is right around the corner and hopefully the legislation will sweep the nation!

With that said, HAPPY GAY PRIDE! I long for the day that we don’t have to celebrate and raise awareness of homosexuality and it will simply be a non-issue, although we have come a long way.

Here are seven ways I am celebrating Gay Pride:

1. Commitment Ceremony
I had the honor to plan and cater a commitment ceremony for two lovely ladies.
They both are smart, successful and delightful to work with. They entrusted me to provide them and their guests exceptional design, service and cuisine. The dinner was no small affair with over six courses. It was such a special event manifesting their love, style and commitment to each other.

2. Broadway Bares
Every year I purchase a pile of tickets to the late show of Broadway Bares and invite a bunch of close friends. Broadway Bares is an annual event that combines burlesque and Broadway sparkle featuring sizzling actors from Broadway. All the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS fund.
This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland so needless to say the costumes and color were eye popping.
Nathan Lane, Julie White, Andrea Martin were OK, but nothing beats Cindy Lauper and her strap on two years ago!

3. Keeping it Sexy
Hey I told you all that I would give a peak at my new Red Carter bathing
suit. TADA! This was taken after my first practice run at water skiing. (THAT is a work in progress)
I love these suits as you know, they don’t sag, have great designs and holds everything in place (most important!)

4. Café Grumpy
Ignore the name, I promise. This gay friendly spot in north Chelsea has the best cappuccino in the city. The texture and flavor is perfect!
And the atmosphere is very low key, so that you can savor your beverage in peace. Now you know my little secret!
224 W 20th St.

5. La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel
Doesn’t everyone always ask you where to go eat outside? Well I always say La Bottega! The main reason is they have such a huge outdoor area you are almost guaranteed a spot! The dishes are always fresh; full of flavor and the staff is cute and attentive. The pasta’s aren’t high on my list of faves but the Fava bean salad; Branzino and grilled jumbo shrimp salad are delightful. Cute eye candy too!
La Bottega 212-243-8400

6. The GLBT center "Garden Party" on Monday, June 24th
This event was great fun. It took place on Pier 54 (14th St.) where different food vendors have tables including Jean George, Klee and Suenosopen. There is also an open bar and handsome New York man and women
enjoying a great sunset. I went with my friends: Lance Lin, Matthias Kirwald
and Orlando Reece

7. Water Skiing
As you know, I ride a horse better than most, and I am a big time yoga lover but water skiing is NOT for sissies!
I gave it a go for the first time last weekend in the choppy North Haven water and had a hard time even getting up!
I gave it the old college try though and had a great time attempting looking like a super water sports star.

BONUS entry- Here is a great pink champagne I tasted last weekend. A Laurent -Perrier, Cuvee Rose Brut. Divine!

Hamptons Retreat!

Hooray for the Hamptons! I officially kicked off the summer season by spending the long weekend in one of my favorites destinations. While heading back to the city on Monday I thought of my seven things from my weekend away:

1. What better way to kick off Memorial Day weekend and perhaps a great date (I'm not saying that I had one, but maybe I did and maybe it was great), than with a wonderful bottle of wine? Stags Leap 2005 Napa Valley Merlot is smoky, rich and begs for another sip.

2. The opening of my good friend Shawn Bell’s, Bellhaus was an incredible event. My company planned and catered the event, and my other company, Michael Rogers PR, did the PR for it. The store is beautifully styled and Shawn did a wonderful job curating it. Celebrities including Kelly Ripa and Michael Clinton turned out to celebrate the opening with Shawn. The highlight was when Kelly Ripa gave me a kiss. Swoon! She is a gorgeous and amusing in person as she is on TV and Mark is so handsome, they were a pleasure to work with.

3. It was great to catch up with my friend Greg Yale. Besides being one of the most stylish people I know he is also a hugely successful landscape lighting designer based in Southampton but with clients around the world. All of his homes I have seen (four in seven years) remind me of a grand old Hollywood movie set. www.gregyale.com

4. After my hectic week of work in the city (numerous events and a lot of transition in my company, all good!), another highlight was to be ensconced in nature for the weekend. I was lucky enough to spend some time at a cottage Greg Yale designed on Shinecok Bay. Waking up amidst thick foliage and birds chirping was exactly what this businessman needed to recharge my batteries and have some time to reflect. Here are some images of geese that were swimming across from Greg's property.

5. A trip to the beach isn’t complete without sexy swim trunks! Red Carter makes my favorite trunks. I’ll post some images this summer of me and my new suits, promise!

6. One of my secret tricks of the trade is topping plants with coffee beans at events. Just spread some on top of your plants at your next soiree or even in your garden (like I did at my office) and the results are innovative and modern.

7. I was interviewed by The Daily News for a story about commitment ceremonies. It hit stands on June 2nd in the business section. Check it out!

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/06/02/2008-06-02_small_businesses_expand_to_serve_samesex.html