2005, Hollah atcha boy

Thank you 2005 for…

…all the great experiences. Some of my favorites? One was watching one of my best friends, Nicole Paige Brooks’ ascension to headliner diva status, opening for Kristine W, Deborah Cox and Inaya Day. I’d be hard pressed to find another entertainer with all those names on her resume.

Another was during Halloween weekend when Barry Harris called out sick from his gig at Jungle. Not to say someone’s illness caused my happiness, but when he called out, I got to call in another dear friend, local DJ diva Kim Crawford to step up and take his gig. I’m proud she took the opportunity and ran with it – and turned every faggot out in that building.

I also have the distinction of being Charlie Brown’s first date in over 20 years. Yeah, bitches, the only other person that can say he went on a date with Charlie Brown is Fred. I got to attend the Community Builder/Best Of Gay Atlanta Awards with the Bitch of the South and although the event itself was boring as hell, Charlie was a great date and had me in stitches all night.

Speaking of playing chauffeur, I got to play driver to some of my closest friends the Dancing Diva Shawnna Brooks and the white trophy bitch Ashley Kruiz. There have been just too many adventures with these two to count in 2005. And, for that reason alone, I look forward to 2006 with giddy anticipation.

Gracias to the wonderful Brad Williams and Bill Kaelin, two friends I’m happy to call my mentors. Through all my nightlife travels and adventures, I’ve never met two people that influence the way I think and conduct myself than these two dapper gentlemen. They encompass all the qualities I strive to find in myself: successful, kind, generous, intelligent, bold and influential. Thanks guys for all the advice and love.

I’d also like to extend my deepest gratitude to 2005 for all the new friends. Well, not so much new, but getting to know acquaintances better. The lovely Jade Daniels, a true inspiration in creativity; Gigi Monroe, Atlanta’s first Drag Idol, a clever entertainer with productions to rival national title holders. For the record, Drag Idol would not have been the success it was without these two ladies. The main draw for everyone was to see what these two brilliant minds were going to come up with.

To Genre and Rogue, thanks for bringing glam and shock back to the stage; Scott and Adam, the guardians of the groove at Jungle, they’re the first two faces you see every time you stroll in – and what a sight to see I may add. To Lauren LaMasters and Alexandria Martin, thanks for all the laughs – if laughter is the best medicine, you two would be the Johnson & Johnson of Atlanta.

I also want to say Danke 2005 for all those wonderful people that put a smile on my face every time I see them. To the extended family, Nicholas, Hartwell, Wes, Luke, Alex, Joshua, Danny, Jory, Janelle and Jazelle – welcome to the fam. Yeah, what an interesting future nightlife has with this group of wicked cuties. On that note, can we adopt another DJ into the dynasty? Wes, will you get right on that? I’ve given you enough tracks for an entire set I do believe. There are just too many clubs in Atlanta for Miss Kim to cover them all.

Don’t get me wrong, 2005 had its share of “that’s fucked up” moments, but at the end of the year, I like to tally up all the smiles and chuckles instead. Now, in an odd twist of fate, my favorite moment of 2005 was the Sunday of Pride Weekend. It was gloomy and rainy, but Nicole, Destiny, Angelica, Jade and I had the best time on the David Atlanta float. We were drunk, um caffeinated and as colorful as can be against that dreary backdrop. It’s kind of amazing how the entire year could be summed up in that one hour.

2006, bring it on bitch.