kung hei fat choi.

life is good here in far cathay. we're in the throes of chinese new year, and i've done my fair share of celebrating. monday night was the beginning of cny. while most of the locals stay home to do traditional traditions with their families, the ex-pat contingency of hong kong was out and about. i went with my friends, mark and meki (bottom photo), for a few cocktails then to a "white party" at our favorite watering hole. volume wasn't a raging scene, but we got more than sufficiently wasted (thanks to my favorite bartender, colin, who has no problem filling the largest glass in the bar with as much vodka possible before topping it off with a splash of tonic. bless him.) and watched a friend perform in drag.  after that, we headed to drop for fantastic music and more drinking. it was a great night until a friend projectile vomited at a house party. the morning party was no longer an option, so we had to head home. no worries there.

tuesday, i woke up feeling crazed. i ordered some pizza, watched a few episodes of grey's, and took a nap. i woke up, rallied, and we headed out to watch the fireworks...after stopping at the grocery store for liquor and chasers. good times. i love hong kong. i also love that you can drink in public (top photo).  

mid-contract blahs.

i've got a raging case of the mid-contract blahs. it happens to everyone, and it actually happened to me a little later than mid-contract. i think there was just so much excitement in the air. thanksgiving, holiday bullroar, pat's visit, new year, blah blah. now 2009 is in full-swing. there's not too much on the immediate horizon, but there are some exciting bits ahead. contract meetings are at the forefront. who is/not being renewed. my name is certainly in the hat to stay. keep your fingers crossed. our shows uses tons of automation/sensors, and with climate changes/wear and tear, maintenance must be performed. the theatre is dark for 5-7 days, and on these "dark days" you will be able to find lion king cast members on the beaches of boracay in the phillipines. the evening of march 22nd, i'll be heading to manilla and boracay for some fun in the sun. i'm a sucker for a nice beach, cold drink, and cheap trip. work!!

this past tuesday, i made use of my newly acquired mainland china visa. i went with otha, amber, and micah to shenzhen. shenzhen is far less westernized than hong kong, but the main attraction is the queen spa. queen spa is a sprawling, multi-level heaven where you can get complete spa treatment for super cheap. (the free fresh fruit and ice cream ain't too bad, either.) for example, i got a body scrub, foot scrub, foot massage, full body massage, and a plate of thai fried rice all for less than $100 US. it was amazing. you wanna come with me next time?

writer's block...

my writer's block can only be cured by this video clip.

new year's eve

next to my birthday and thanksgiving, new year's eve is my favorite holiday. you get dressed in a smart outfit, drink everything in sight, and be super-celebratory all night long. sign me up!! this year will be a new venture in the new year's eve excursions. in my new york years i've gone to open bars (2003 & 2004), hosted an insane party in my tiny hell's kitchen apartment (2005 - maybe my favorite nye to date), gone to the SoHa ballroom (2006), and celebrated at beef and boards (2007). obviously, i've been out of the city for new year's, but i've certainly never celebrated one in china... ever. this year, 30 of us have gotten together to rent a boat to drive us around the harbor for a few hours, then we're heading out. it should be a blast. thank you, mickey mouse. 

pat landed safely last night. i picked him up from the airport around 800pm. we headed back to my apartment, ordered pizza, and started drinking. (hide your shock.) next thing i know, we've headed back out for some drinking, dancing, and general cavorting. good times.

i'll definitely miss my new year's day brunch with kel and jack. pat and i will carry on the tradition here in hong kong. 

HAPPY 2009.

baklush single ladies

"single ladies" a la festival of the lion king.

(note the casual use of the penchee arond 1:23).

HOLIDAY SPIRITS IS #1 ON ITUNES

straight no chaser is #1 on itunes.  over kanye, over britney, over sasha fierce. i told you the shit would be sick. they've been all over the country on a promotional tour, and their work has paid off. it's not too late to purchase a copy. i predict that this cd will be an annual classic. (just like "mariah carey christmas".)

holi-dazed.

shiiit. the holidays have worn me out. the last week has been full of work, shopping, dinners, and parties. it's been a blast, but it's also worked me just a little. let's recap:

saturday 12/20 - he had our lion king holiday party, which is basically a pot-luck/talent show. i made a tasty chicken and vegetable spaghetti dish. it was a hit. i was at a loss for the "talent" part. i hadn't put any extra effort to prepare a number, but after some coaxing, i sang "the christmas song" . the highlight of the evening was single ladies, performed by the "ladies" of festival of the lion king. 

monday 12/22 - my little girl, ela, performed her last day of shows before she takes off  for disneyland paris. i hosted a little dinner party in her honor. i made spaghetti (again), and we ate and talked til it was time to head upstairs for the WIG PARTY. jane (a princess) hosted a wig party, and lucky for us, otha has a nice collection of wigs. we all featured the party and had a blast. it was hits.

tuesday 12/23 - i decided that i should maybe do some christmas shopping. i'm notorious for christmas procrastination, and this year was no exception. after applying for my mainland china visa, i ventured out, successfully, to buy presents.

wednesday 12/24 -  i finished up the gift-getting (never be afraid to give booze at christmas time, ps). i received some excellent gifts (scarves, wallets, engraved chopsticks). we all headed out for a thai dinner, and after dinner, we had drinks and desert in stephanie and david's apartment, but i cut my night short because i had to work the next morning. 

thursday 12/25 - after work, the plan was to meet at victoria peak for japanese. after hauling it all the way up there, we find out that they restaurant is only offering a prix-fixe that would be about $60/person, which might not have been the worst thing in the world, but the menu was a little too random for everyone's tastes. our solution: bubba gump's. i had my first bubba gump's experience last night, and it was fucking great. i had a pomegranate margarita with an extra shot (served a la chilli's ultimate margarita style.) my dinner of baby back ribs and fries was only further enhanced by the round of shots purchased by stephanie's dad. (i called "scraps" on the non-drinkers' shots, ps.) all in all, christmas was celebratory and blessed.

friday 12/26 - my black ass is tired. i need to rest my bones because pat schuette will be gracing hong kong as of tuesday. i can't freaking wait. hope you're all recovering and resting up for new year's eve!!