Sam's New Baby

My co-worker Samantha brought her newborn baby, named Jane, to our offices yesterday. Too cute! Here she is with us and her boy, Henry. Sam's one of our best writers and she'll be returning to work (albiet part-time) next week.

Jane as a young cub.

Why so shy, Henry?

Phoenix Bartenders

Here I am in Phoenix for a conference that starts today, but last night I was able to check out Appollo's. Here's a picture of the bartenders.

Off to Phoenix!

Not much to say but I hope I catch my 6 a.m. flight to Phoenix for four days of conferencing. Wish me luck!

Gay Yakuza Blog Begins

I'm branching out and starting a blog specifically addressing the issues of gay, Asian males (GAMs) living here in the U.S. You can see my initial postings of Gay Yakuza USA. Its home will be http://gayyakuza.blogspot.com. The themes will surround enterprise, personal initiative, boundary breaking and leadership. To give you a flavor, I'm posting below my first on-camera interview of actor Dave O. of Chicago.



You're invited to watch as I develop and evolve the site as a way to facilitate personal growth among my fellow GAMs.

Office High Jinks

So I'm at work the other day and my co-worker, Jen, IM's me (she's working from home that day). She says it's silly, but thinks she lost her earmuffs. They possibly fell behind her desk and she wanted me to go look for them. I go back there, check under her desk and come back to write:

"Nothing there. Hey, did I just go muff diving?"

She replies: "BOO!"

And the planet shook.

Already Behind

Kahn! I'm shaking my fists in the air because January is not over and I'm already behind on the Dead Pool. Poor Ricardo Mantelban. But unfortunately for me, my co-worker Jen put him on her list. Then another co-worker Bill put the world's oldest woman who died just days into 2009. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be on the boards soon--a lot of my guesses are totally knocking on heaven's door.

Silver Linings

Yesterday's temperature of 11 below at O'Hare was the lowest it's been here in over a decade, say news reports. This is the view from my rooftop. Normally I'd be driving out to work at this time, but at the end of the day yesterday, a pipe burst at the office, leaving the whole building without water. They told us to stay home today. See, there is always a silver lining.

Special Chinese New Year Guest

Yes, we've got special guests for our Asians and Friends Chinese New Year's dinner this year. Soft-core filmmaker Toby Ross and Johnny Carvajal, the lead actor in his latest film, "Moon Over Hong Kong." Here's an interview we had with him at the premiere of the film at The Portage Theater last Saturday.

Year of the Ox

It's that time again. Asians and Friends Chicago invites the gay community to celebrate Chinese New Year 2009—the year of the Ox—with dinner at our annual gathering on Saturday, February 7, 2009. The event will be held at the Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 South Archer Avenue in Chicago’s Chinatown, 7 p.m. start with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Presale rate: $40 until January 28; $45 door. Cash bar. RSVP at (312) 409-1573. For more information, visit our Web site at www.afchicago.org.

Snow Follies

It's coming down like a snow globe here in Chicago and, of course, I decided to go jogging this morning before work. I know, kind of commando, but it is the new year. Typically I do a brisk walk-run, but this morning I happened to jog right in front of a snow truck just as it was starting to do the sidewalk around the park. These old legs got more of a workout this morning trying to stay ahead of the plow. I could have veered off the path, but the snow had built up too much. Well, let me tell you, it's true what they say about "running buddies" helping you get a better workout.

Dead Pool 2009

Yes, it's morbid. But for the past two years, I've been a part of a Dead Pool at work. We each guess 25 celebrities who may move on to the next life during the year, with the added bonus of guessing three famous divorces and three arrests. No one wins anything. It's just for "fun."

Last year, I guessed John Stroeger (a local politician who fell into a coma late in 2007) would pass away and that Andy Dick would be arrested. Ultimately, I did lose to someone who guessed two more deaths-arrests-divorces for a total of four.

This year, I admit to stretching it by putting Tinkerbell, Paris Hilton's Chihauhua, on my list, but I think the Dead Pool police will allow it. I've also got more old people too this year, even though we get more points the younger the celebrity is. But from my experience, the more old people you have, the better. Anyway, here's my list this year:

Muhammad Ali
Barbara Bush
Mike Conners (Joe Mannix)
Jeff Conaway (Grease)
Tim Conway
Barbara Cook (1950's Broadway singer)
Walter Cronkite
Tony Curtis
Kirk Douglas
Chicago’s Cardinal George
Dorothy Hamill
Stephen Hawking (scientist)
Sen. Ted Kennedy
Dr. Jack Kevorkian
Ed McMahon
Harry Morgan
Peter O’Toole
Nancy Reagan
Carl Reiner
Keith Richards
Gloria Stuart (supporting actress, Titanic)
Patrick Swayze
Prince Phillip
Tinkerbell (Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua)
Allegra Versace (Donatella’s daughter)

Divorce:
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony

Arrest:
Robert Pattinson (Twilight star)
Robert Blagojevich (Rod’s brother)
Brody Jenner

If you see anyone who's already dead or divorced, let me know. I do get an opportunity to edit errors. Wish me luck!

Post Holiday Celebrations

The New Year celebrations continued into the weekend. Bob and I met up with our friends Sue and Howard and their daughters Sydney and Amelia for dinner at Leona's in Des Plaines.



Then later, we went to John and John's for a post New Year's gathering.

And the Oscar Goes To ...

Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the New Year's Eve Hollywood Glam Oscars goes to Mikey and David. Mikey for his stunning rendition of "The Color Purple" and David for "Gone with the Wind." The fun was too much to let end so Bob and I have decided that 2009 will bring Hollywood Glam New Year's Eve: The Sequel!

Here's Mikey:



And here's David ... Wait, that hat looks familiar.



And one more just for laughs...



And pictures of me and Bob before our guests arrived.




Happiest of New Year's to all!