“There is nowhere else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere.” – Vivienne Westwood
I completely agree with that statement. If you haven’t been, it’s definitely a place to put on the list of places to visit. I was extremely fortunate and am forever grateful for the chance to have gone recently to London and get a taste of what this amazing city has to offer!
You could say that I’m difficult when it comes to food. Very difficult. However, being in a new country it really was exciting to try new culinary dishes that I might not try on my own. You know what? I actually enjoyed it too!
It was really difficult to get back on the plane to come back home but you honestly know where life is going to take you….so until next time London!
On Our Way to LondonTown
Crab Salad….I tried new things
David’s Mess at Aqua Shard
Nightlife in London
Nightlife in London
Before the Big Bus Tour
FERA
Fera at Claridges
Fera at Claridges
Fera at Claridges
Fera at Claridges
Fera at Claridges
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
How many guys can you fit into a London phone booth?
One of my really good friends told me that I should take the month of November and press pause on life. It sounded like such a great idea. I tried to press pause. However, my version of pause is probably not the pause that he was talking about. I think he meant to sit and reflect, turn off all electronics and focus on certain aspects of my life. What I did instead was create my version of pause and that was probably fast forward to the max!
L A X
I literally went from New York to Boston to Los Angeles to Boston and back to New York. I went on multiple interviews, met with multiple people in various industries to figure out what it is that I like. I thank the people who I met with so far and appreciate them helping me with this journey of self-discovery. Nothing short of epic. I am so thankful to have been able to catch up with old friends and this past weekend I was able to meet up with a friend of mine that I’ve literally known since we were 16 during the days of aim.
He remembers that we talked on dial-up, I don’t remember it being dial but you never know. It was awesome. It was great. I’ve found a new home and I want it to be Los Angeles. It’s a city that is so different from what I know on the East Coast. I think that it could be great and if not, I can always come home but I’m at an age where I need to take chances. Baby steps are great but sometimes taking a chance is what is going to propel you to the next level in life…….I hate taking pictures but I took some pictures…..
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Just a little bit of what I’ve been up to since November. I can’t wait to actually take some time and press pause……
I did receive a free ride from Lyft, however the views expressed are my own.
Before I begin my story, I wanted to give first time Lyft users a $20 credit. Download Lyft in your app store. Enter your information and special promo code: RIDE20. Simple as that!
Newbury St
Back Bay
Riding Along The Charles
There’s Always A Lyft Nearby!
I’ve tried company A, I’ve tried company B and then I tried Lyft! One of my very first experiences with Lyft was actually towards the end of the summer. I was at the train station, waiting on the train and I just got fed up waiting for the train. So I remembered hearing about this ride share in Boston. One of the reasons I was able to remember was simply for the fact that they have a “Pink Moustache” on the front of the car. Yes, a bright pink moustache. There signature and it’s pretty cool.
I was apprehensive taking them just because I’ve become accustomed to the luxurious feel of stepping out of a black car with the doors opened for me. A bottled water offered to me as soon as I stepped into the car. Just something a little grandiose about that feeling that I knew in my mind, wouldn’t be there. Another ride share that I used, the drivers never knew where they were going and just made the ride unbearable because they were often times really rude in their approach.
Each time, I order a Lyft, it reminds me of meeting up with an old friend. Hello. Followed by the “Lyft Fist Bump” starts the ride off right. Friendly and prompt, I really enjoy the service because it doesn’t feel as though I’m riding in a car with a stranger but rather with a friend.Honestly, you’d be crazy not to enjoy riding around the city in a car with a pink moustache!
Signature Pink Moustache
Lyft is available in most cities. Give it a shot! Special Code: RIDE20 for first time Lyft users.
I decided to watch one of my favorite movies. Well, that’s a lie. Right now, for some strange reason I’m obsessed with watching The Talented Mr. Ripley starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwenyth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett. It’s based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith and it’s a literary masterpiece if you ask me.
Tom Ripley, Dickie Greenleaf & Marge Sherwood
I saw the movie when I was younger and I loved it a lot then but it wasn’t until I was older did I understand some of the themes that are involved with this movie. Tom Ripley is an usher/piano genius type of character who masterminds lie after lie to climb higher into society. He meets Dickie’s parents at a function in NYC that he’ s playing piano at and this begins the lies such as the fact that he went to Princeton and knew their son Dickie. Dickie lives in Italy with his girlfriend Marge Sherwood. When Tom makes the journey to Italy, he bumps into Meredith Randall(Logue of the textile Logues),
“Logue…Yes that’s right of the textile Logues”
shes traveling under Randall as to have a shield of anonymity. So Tom says he’s Dickie Greenleaf traveling under Ripley. The movie goes on, Tom kills Dickie in San Remo cause he couldn’t handle the truth and assumes his identity.
Tom and Meredith meet again in Rome. They go to an opera and Tom bumps into Marge and her friend. Did I mention that at this point he’s Dickie? Well, he quickly goes back to Tom. He realizes he has to break off his ties with whatsherface Meredith. She cries and says in the daylight “It’s better to have heartbreak in the daylight” something to that effect. So Tom/Dickie offers to met her Cafe Dinelli in La Palazza.
Cafe Dinelli at 10:30am….but where’s Tom
Did I mention that he’s told Marge and her gay friend Peter Smith Kingsley to meet at the same time? Well he did! Que Escandalo!!!!!
Fast forward it’s 10:30, there awaits Meredith and here comes Marge and her gay. Meredith the woman about town recognizes Peter and calls him out. Marge and Meredith meet and realize they’ve dated Dickie at the same time. Here’s the part I don’t get, maybe I’m stupid.They then say “Come stay and wait for our friend Tom” Um………..hello dingbat?!?!
A master manipulator
Why didn’t you connect the two dots together that they weren’t the same person. Even at the opera when her aunt said “I was sure we met you before” to Dickie. Dickie wasn’t the same person you thought. Like I just don’t get it. So Tom/Dickie goes on to kill another person Freddie Miles and then he goes to Venice to get his gay on with Peter Smith Kingsley…….until he kills him because…..
Another Day, Another Lie, Another Murder……
He runs into Meredith Logue again and the lies start. Goodness, he lies so much thats why his smile is like Mr. Ed! Lies Lies Lies….they gonna get you!
C’est La Vie
One of the things that I like about this movie that inspired the post was the fashion. The fashion of traveling, the fashions that they wore, the fashions in the hair, basically the overall fashion. This was the glamour and the casual chic of the 50s. Unfortunately “Kitten Heels” are introduced to women. The way a suit perfectly fit a man. The way the coats fit the women. The hats, the gloves, the purses and the effortless chic style that people possessed. I wish we still dressed like this. No matter the price of the item the look still exuded some kind of extravagance.
Before I end a few key things:
We’re shown a Gucci store in Rome in the 1950s
Gwenyth Paltrow’s performance is good but compared to Blanchett, she’s TOFU
The fashion is superb. European glamour meets American WASP
The buildings that are used as housing are just gorgeous!
This movie is great if you’ve never seen it. It’s one of my favorites. They’ve all done great things and Gwenyth Paltrow is still considered the biggest 5 letter word in Hollywood!!!! You go Gwen Paltrow!!!!
I never thought I’d actually continue writing the second half of Unexpected & Dramatic. I thought that was the end of my friendship with girl. After the fiasco with the plane ticket and that there wasn’t an explanation was clear sign to stay away from that train wreck.
The other week, I went on a date with a young fellow. We had talked for a while and decided let’s go out and grab a drink. Which actually turned into a meal because you really can’t just have a drink at 8pm at night when both of you didn’t have dinner. Back Bay Social Club which was formerly known as Vinny T’s on Boylston Boston was the destination.
Back Bay Social Club
So I’m not sure the exact purpose of the place except more of a twist on comfort foods. To drink, I decided I would order a Bee’s Knee. It’s rather refreshing. I think he had a Manhattan. The bread was good. Looking at the menu, a lot of variety which is never a bad thing to have. On Sunday’s they do a brunch with Chicken & Waffles….you know……
“You have to get the burger! It’s amazing” said my date. “Oh, well I was thinking that anyways.” which was my reply but the truth is when I can’t figure out what I’m going to eat I always just go with a big slab of ground beef in a bun and call it a day.
The burgers came. I must say, the size of it is enormous. I couldn’t cut it in half, I couldn’t pick it up. Eating a burger on a first date is a MUST-NOT!! I bite into my burger and who would have known it was colder than this past winter in Boston. I was immediately turned off and ate my fries in a bag. We continued to have great conversation as we got full. No dessert necessary, so we walked to Back Bay Station. 10:00pm at Back Bay Station he realized he forgot his credit card at the restaurant. “Do you want to walk with me?” with puppy dog eyes I was asked this question. I really had no choice since, I didn’t have to pay for dinner. FYI….Don’t take the chance walking from Neiman’s to Boylston through the mall and back…It’s a wrap at that point. We said our so long, fare well, see you next time.
So I’m sitting on the train and all the sudden I look down at my phone, I’m getting a text from Little Miss Florida! In my mind, this scene from American Beauty kept playing. You know the scene where they told Mena Suvari she couldn’t be a model.
Now We’re Talking
Why you were so adamant about not talking to me? Not returning my text and now after I’ve stressed myself into a silly about my birthday which I shouldn’t have to stress about you. You want to text me and not even bring up the fact that you almost ruined my birthday. MY BIRTHDAY!!!! The text was something like “Omg! These girls are Swayze need to move before kick them in the vag”
There’s no need for people to live that delusional of an existence. To think that kind of behavior is acceptable. Whatever though, as my friend would say “Other People’s Children”
Seriously?!
The date happened March 27th….fast forward to April 3rd. Just out curiosity, I asked “Where in Tampa can I stay without a car but be close to things?”…..”Stay at the Marriot at the airport in Clearwater. There’s a shuttle”………Like had I been in her face, I probably would throw her phone to the ground. Again, I’m over it.
“Drama is life with the dull parts left out” Alfred Hitchcock
I’m Not Mad
Through the many years of my life I’ve become friends with many people. I truly value all my friendships as I’ve stated before. Friendship means a lot to me because there aren’t many people in the world that you are able to feel a level of comfort. Whether you’ve become friends with people on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, they are people who you share a common interest with. That being said, we’ll move on to the real topic at hand.
I will leave the person unmentioned…..we will call her Person X.
Person X and i have been friends for about 8 years. We met years ago on myspace.com in this group called “Spoiled Bitches”….thanks to another friend, who I’m actually still friends with. SC is awesome by the way. SC and Person X actually didn’t get along and that should have been a red flag to steer clears years ago but who would have thought. Person X and I remained friends talked almost daily, we used Skype, text,etc. We were friends.
When person X invited me to stay in their home multiple times, I never saw that as a problem. We knew each other. I knew about the guys she would sleep with that she met on YouTube, the relationships she had been in and whatever else in life was going on. So finally I decided, Why the fuck not!. I wanted to get away and go on vacation, so I figured why not check out the area she lived in. I bought my plane ticket and was ready to go.
“Will you do my hair? i want red ombre!” “i cant wait for you to come down.omgz! Lolz! We’re gonna get drunk everyday and go on the beach! I cant wait” These were the text that I was receiving from this person. 10:04pm, I received a text “Actually, I don’t know if you should come down. I don’t know you. I’m sorry it’s just not a good idea. Sorry” My heart kind of sank but more for the fact that like really if you felt this way now, you felt that way to begin with and why my taste time.
This Is My Advice To Person X
I tried to contact the Sour Apple Bitter Bitch the other day to see if maybe she wanted to talk and to my surprised she didn’t respond. That’s honestly okay because it shows me what kind of person she really is. To suddenly end even a friendship that is online for the most part and end it out of the blue, that’s alright.Thinking back on it if anyone were to pull a stunt like that it should have been me because she was downright crazy sometimes. No use to cry over spilled milk though unless you aren’t the one to clean it up.
So now my birthday vacation in May has turned into me desperately seeking a new destination which was found. A vacation buddy which, I am accepting applications for a vacation buddy. Just a short paragraph on “Why You Would Make The Best Vacation Buddy For Dre” Regardless it will be an adventure and without unexpected drama, it would not be “Just another day in the life of Dre”
Check It Out:
Fashionhaus Hotel This is actually where I’m going to stay in Miami. Unless I find a really cute place on airbnb.com.
Lords This was actually the first choice. When traveling, especially alone I prefer the comforts of staying somewhere that is LGBT friendly. I
Well…I almost started this sentence out as a lie. I was going to say “I noticed that I started this blog and jumped right in” Well….truth is that’s what I did. I didn’t just now notice it and say “Oh I need to write a blog stating that” There wasn’t a purpose in that, just something that if I didn’t start the blog right away i probably never would have.
I’d like to start my first Official Blog Post as an About Me! I want you to get to know me and I hope to get to know you as readers. Cliché, yes but it’s the truth. This something I’ve always wanted to do and I figured now was the perfect time. It’s now or never, sink or swim, do or don’t!
My name is Andrae and I’m a 26 year old gay male from the Boston area by way of Houston! I’ll cut the shit. I’ve spent my entire life growing up here but never actually felt a connection in the sense of this being my home. I love everything NYC, ATLANTA, HOUSTON, SAN DIEGO, LA, etc. Places I’ve always felt a connection to in a sense. I love Boston don’t get me wrong but it’s just not me at the moment.
I currently work as a junior colorist at one of the top salons in Boston…and probably in the country. I strive for excellence. However, I always wanted to go to school for Fashion Design. I really enjoy the fashion industry as a whole. I remember watching the Style Network, years ago when shows like “Behind the Velvet Ropes with Lauren Ezersky, The Look For Less, FashionTV and Nick Scotti” were on. Growing up, I always admired my grandmother’s sense of style from her bags to shoes to clothes to the way she presented herself. She was very chic and I’ll give it to her now she still is.
My other big passion is music. Actually, I hold music on the same level as I hold fashion. It is the other element of life that I hold dear to me. My mother grew up around music and I can remember countless times growing up as a kid on a weekend just listening to music from Sade to The Gap Band to Prince to Janet, the list could go on. I have been very lucky to find different aspects of every genre except for country and bluegrass that I can really appreciate. Every genre has a time and place in your life.
My life is really just beginning, I’m 26 and the world is my oyster. Actually, I hate oysters. The world is my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, my French Fry, my double stuf Oreo, my Chocolate Blizzard with Peanut Butter Cups, my Root Beer Soda with EXTRA ICE, my packet of Salt(I have a love for SALT). I’m making a path for myself in all sorts of directions and if you had asked me 3 years ago, I would have said “It has to be done this way. This way. Not that way” Life is too short to have rules like that, you have to go after what you want. I’m doing just that….I think.
This is my journey. Fashion is to Music as Adventure is to Life.
d(._.)b 100 Square Feet by Annekei is the song I’m living to at the moment.
Just Another Day 