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s1conrad

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Everything posted by s1conrad

  1. I went to Century Spa over Memorial Day Weekend for the first time. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place wasn't overly crowded. The layout is a little odd--there's a vast central area with a high ceiling past the locker rooms which has the large jacuzzi + 2 smaller pools; there's a small Finnish-style (wood) sauna, a small Korean-style mist room, and a large (very active) steam room. The shower stalls are also in this vast expanse. Down the corridor is a "Marble Sauna" which was empty, as it was barely 80 degrees inside, and there was also a "Clay Sauna" which burned the hell out of my feet (I didn't stay long in here). My favorite part was the gym on the floor below--it was very well equipped and EMPTY. I did a workout and then went up to the jacuzzi. I spent some time in the steam room and witnessed 2 bear-types getting it on in the corner. All in all, it was okay--not nearly as nice (or as clean) as Kabuki Hot Springs here in SF (where I've met a number of hot guys:}}). If I'm back in L.A. I might give it another go (esp. the gym). Besides, it's on the way to one my favorite L.A. restaurants: The Westside Tavern on Pico (they make a Lamb French Dip w/Rosemary Au Jus that is out of this world!@@!)
  2. I love going to art museums, however I've never seen any hot guys--it seems on the days I go, there are only grey-haired old ladies in Birkenstocks who ALWAYS block the paintings I want to view. There's one exception: At the Palace of the Legion of Honor (a San Francisco jewel-box) there was a hunky African-American security guard who looked bored out of his mind amid the Monets. The Prado in Madrid is probably my favorite--far better than the Louvre. It houses the fascinating, surreal Bosch work, 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' and a number of El Grecos. The National Gallery in London has a vast display of European paintings, including my favorite: 'The Ambassadors' by Holbein (famous for its optical illusion of a human skull). The Huntington near Pasadena is probably my favorite on this side of the Atlantic. The collection is varied and impressive and the gardens are stunning. The cafe is also outstanding. It's the type of museum that you could spend the entire day at.
  3. I'm envious that you are going to the UK for 3 weeks:}}. I love London and one of my favorite areas is Bloomsbury, where the British Museum is situated. In the past, I've stayed at a little B&B called the Morgan Hotel, as well as the modern St. Giles Hotel (adjacent to the Central YMCA). The nearest tube stop to these hotels is Tottenham Court Rd. It's an easy walk to Covent Garden (tons of shops and restaurants), Leicester Square (theatreland), Soho (some gay clubs), Trafalgar Sq (home of the National Gallery), as well as Oxford Street shopping. Wherever you stay, I highly recommend getting an Oyster Card (a transport card good on the tube and buses==the upper level of the doubledeckers is a great way to see the city). The City of London Museum (located in the bland Barbican Centre) gives great insight to the many layers of the capital's history from Roman times to the present--there's a room that recreates the Great Fire of 1666 that will make your hair stand on end:). Of all the many historic sites, Westminster Abbey is one of the most fascinating. The street markets that dot the city are great way to experience the "vibe" of London. Save room for Afternoon Tea; one of my favorite spots is the Wolseley on Piccadilly (for an opulent splurge). There are some areas of Greater London that are very scenic & historically notable: Windsor, Hampstead and Richmond-on-the-Thames (these areas are less than an hour's train ride from Central London). Further afield is the Georgian city of Bath--it's an elegant city right out of the Jane Austen era. York in the north boasts the largest cathedral in England and has a maze of Tudor streets and a Roman wall (York is over 2hr train ride however). You might even consider a day or two in Paris--it's an easy excursion on the Eurostar from St. Pancras to Gare du Nord. The travel time is a smooth 2 and 1/2 hours--in a two-day stay you could easily do the Louvre, the D'Orsay, Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. If you book in advance, the R/T is about $140 USD on the Eurostar (much cheaper than flying). Happy planning, look right when crossing the street, and bring a "brolly".
  4. He actually resembles the Irish actor Aidan Turner...with Muscles:}}
  5. I second that emotion regarding Draven Navarro. I met him in Palm Springs at the Forum Weekend last month and he is the real-deal. Very muscular, extremely sensuous, and a total sweetheart. I highly recommend.
  6. I remember growing up in Seattle in the '70's, the last big event of the school year for my High School Band was taking the ferry to Victoria, B.C. to march in the Victoria Day Parade. I was never part of the school band (due to being tone-deaf & musically inept)--but I was regaled by the lucky participants, who had numerous stories of sneaking beer back to their hotel rooms (thanks to fake IDs). I don't think Queen Victoria would have been amused.
  7. The delivery guy sounds like a schmo--you tipped him and then asked him for a small favor, then he tosses your paper in the wrong direction?!? If his comprehension of a simple courtesy is so poor or his motor skills are so impaired, he shouldn't be driving a truck. It's kinda like being at a restaurant and your designated server is nowhere to be found--so you ask another waiter for a refill or the bill, and you get the attitude-laden response, "I'll let your server know." In other words, DAT NOT MY JOB!!!
  8. I saw the new musical 'Head Over Heels' last night at the Curran in SF--and I was totally delighted by the show. I went in not knowing what to expect. I assumed it would be a 'Jersey Boys' or 'Beautiful' biopic of the 1980's girls band, but it was nothing of the sort. It's a clever spin on a 1690 prose play 'The Arcadians'. The setting is far-off kingdom that the Oracle of Delphi has doomed. The king and his court embark on a long odyssey to fight off the curse. Along the way there are trysts, disguised characters and welling passions (with some girl-on-girl action) all set the songs of the Go-Go's. A lot of familiar tunes are cleverly woven into the plot: Mad About You, Heaven is a Place on Earth, Vacation, Our Lips are Sealed, and the show's main theme We Got the Beat. The first act rolls at a fast pace both musically and visually. The script is performed in iambic pentameter (think Shakespeare)--which gives the play extremely funny, bawdy dialogue. The second act doesn't have quite the tempo of the first act, but it's still engaging. The costumes and sets are outstanding, but the BEST part is the stellar cast: Bonnie Milligan (as the capricious Princess Pamela) steals every scene she's in; drag queen Peppermint as the Oracle channels Grace Jones, and Andrew Durand, with his chiseled features and knack for physical comedy, is exceptional in his dual role as a love-lorn shepherd and warrior Amazonian. I wasn't a huge fan of the Go-Go's back in the day--but 'Head Over Heels' gave me an appreciation for their music. Last night's performance received a rousing Standing O. The show is Broadway bound. For you lucky NYers, if you're looking for a light, upbeat musical comedy with a terrific cast, this is the show for you.
  9. I met MuscleLover in Paris last year. He met me at my hotel near the Opera. He's stunning + he speaks great English. I highly recommend him.
  10. Just came back from a terrific weekend in Palm Springs. It was great meeting the other Forum members and Oliver was the perfect host. The dinner at Trio was a lot of fun (and yes, many cute waiters). I got to sit by Vin Marco at dinner (what a sweetheart!). Poolside at Canyon Club was very refreshing and engaging. I had a great time with Draven Navarro (an amazing guy inside & out). The icing on the cake was Oliver's Pool Party in Cathedral City (drinks and food and hot men galore + Deviled Eggs!@@!). The weather the whole vibe was great--the town was buzzing with Coachella. Thank you to everyone for a memorable weekend. -Stephen
  11. It's a WEEK AWAY!@@! Can't wait to escape the gloomy Bay Area for the Sun&Fun down in Palm Springs. I've already booked a session with Draven Navarro for Sat afternoon (before the Trio dinner)---I'm sure I'll work up an appetite :}} Looking forward to meeting you gents. p.s. Any recommendations on gyms near Canyon Club? Merci
  12. “I think these days when there is so little to believe in——when the old loyalties——God, country, and the hope of Heaven——aren't very real, we are more dependent than we should be on our friends. The only thing left to believe in——someone who seems beautiful.” - William Carlos Williams
  13. I'm growing to like the series the more I watch it--despite the historical inaccuracies. Jenna Coleman is likeable as the strong-willed young monarch. However, the best portrayal of Victoria is Annette Crosbie's amazing performance in the 1975 series, 'Edward the King'. If you want to see what matches the real Queen Victoria and her volatile temperment, seek out this series.
  14. I saw this film last week and it stayed with me for several days. I was riveted by the raw, intense performances of the two male leads, and how their relationship slowly developed. The hardscrabble Yorkshire setting has echoes of 'Brokeback', but it's a much grittier film. The scene, half-way through the film, when the emotionally aloof Johnny shares a passionate kiss with Gheorge (the sensitive, beautiful Romanian immigrant) is a satisfying moment--it makes you almost fall in love with the characters. But the film is not big on sentiment--though it has its moments: when Johnny's disabled father gives his approval their relationship, and a brief scene where the two men impulsively climb a hilltop and view stunning sunset. It's probably one of the best films I saw this past year.
  15. I remember about 25 years ago, SF Chronicle did a in-depth report on homeless/panhandler young people in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. A lot of these teens/20 yr olds were runaways and many with drug addictions. There were some tough stories about how they wound up on the streets. One story stood out: a 19 year old from a small town came to SF to take advantage of the mild climate and free-wheeling atmosphere. He said that he could survive on about $10 per day (most of the donations were by older women who took pity on him "That Could be MY Son"). He stated that he didn't want to put on a coat & time and punch a clock everyday -- so he actually preferred being on the street! The streets are a lot meaner these days---there's constant reports of victims falling to stabbings, beatings and even bleach attacks (!). To answer the question -- yes, I do give to older, disabled people on occasion (esp. with the holidays approaching). But I do not/will not even make eye contact with able-bodied, tattooed, young people reeking of a freshly smoked joint.
  16. He's currently here in SF. I met him last year and had an awesome time---he's hot, handsome & hung...but he's also a total sweetheart. I'm gonna see him again later this week = Can't Wait !@@!
  17. I live in SF, but occasionally make the trek down to the Watergarden in San Jose. The weather is always better in the South Bay and the club has a great outdoor pool. I go to relax in the jacuzzi, work on my tan, and partake in the steamy activities in the steamroom. It's a nice, clean, drug-free facility and there's always something worthwhile to look at. I haven't been to any sex clubs in SF or Berkeley. I prefer the outdoor aspect of the WG; you can see what you're getting.
  18. Confucius say, Man who enter airplane sideways going to Bangkok. Speaking of going places, I just got my Virgin ticket to PS + my room at the Canyon Club for the April 2018 Blow-Out/In weekend:}}
  19. My first crush, when I was about 6 years old: George Maharis Followed by Kent McCord: http://greginhollywood.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/km8.jpg I later developed a crush on Gerard Christopher (aka, Superboy): http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YRu8mNaYQsk/S997QVRynsI/AAAAAAAAAoM/kV1sM0XqK34/s1600/4cdc.jpg Followed by Michael Bergen (of Baywatch fame): http://www.geocities.ws/lwileyokc/mbswim1.jpg to name a few
  20. I have an affection for Brit-films, so I loved 'Maurice' and 'My Beautiful Launderette' when they came out. Another amazing homo-erotic film is Derek Jarman's 1976 'Sebastiane' - beautifully shot and amazing men; groundbreaking at the time, it was the first non-porn film to feature an actor with an erection. Though it's not a gay film, Ken Russell's 'Women in Love' has the famous nude wrestling scene with Alan Bates & Oliver Reed = an erotic dream cum true:} Not for the faint-of-heart: 'The Killing of Sister George' is a biting, caustic satire--with a terrific performance by Beryl Reid. More recent flick: The Trip (2002) tells a funny + heartbreaking story, with two very *hot* leads: Steve Braun & Larry Sullivan (+ a hysterical cameo by Jill St. John).
  21. I had a double-header recently: Johhny V + Joey D were both in SF performing at the Nob Hill. I got together with them at their hotel for a menage-a-muscle. I oiled them up & we frolicked for over an hour. They are both really sweet, funny, and super hot guys. Johnny is waaay ripped & Joey is mega hung. I'm an oral kinda guy & they both love to kiss, so my tongue got quite a workout. It was a splurge (I don't hire too often), but it was worth it. I hope to see them again when they return for Folsom St.
  22. What a nightmare scenario for the victims--to be trapped in a literal tinderbox with no escape. The clown who ran and collected rents on The Ghost Ship, Derek Ion, wrote a self-pitying FB post about how all of his dreams and possessions went up in smoke and he was now impoverished--with NO mention of the nine dead and many more missing. Looking at photos of the artist collective before this tragedy, it looked like an accident waiting to happen; it resembled an oversized attic full of rugs, curtains, lanterns, pianos and second-hand kitsch. As I understand it, there a dozens of places like this throughout Oakland/Berkeley that are not up to code. The local governments don't have the resources or willpower to enforce safety violations. It also underlies the Bay Area economics; people are drawn to the area with other like-minded individuals and the creative "vibe"--the reality is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. If you're a programmer for Google or Ebay then you might be able to rent a place (with 3 other people), but as a struggling artist it's an uphill battle. And yes, someone should go to jail starting with Mr. Ion. It's been a depressing week for news: the Brazilian soccer team crash in Colombia, the anniversary of the San Bernadino massacre and now this. Prayers to all the victims and their loved ones.
  23. We look forward to your review: https://www.daddysreviews.com/submit
  24. I watch the PBS News Hour almost every night--this is a total shock. I'll miss her sharp analysis, her cool demeanor and her radiant smile.
  25. Wow! That was the first "big theatre" production I experienced--at the age of 13. It was truly unforgettable & the highlight of our family's visit to merry old London. Hey, was Elaine Paige in the cast??? We still have the programme in my parent's travel albums---years ago, I remember looking through the cast names and Elaine Paige was listed as one of the angels.
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