We didn’t want to venture out too far today, so we decided to finally visit the Jersey City Museum.  We’ve been meaning to go since we moved here in 2005.

The museum is tiny by comparison to most others we’ve been to, yet we spent almost two hours inside enjoying what it had to offer.  There are two floors of galleries, with a museum shop on the first and a theater with what looked like 100-ish seats for screenings and performances.

All the exhibits were interesting and worthwhile.  We particularly enjoyed the amazing body of work in “Deliverance” The Art of Ben Jones 1970 – 2008.  Learning about local history with items sometimes as simple as matchbooks in A Community Collects was also engaging.  Ask Chuleta was a riot–a must-see video exhibit.

We were surprised at how busy it was. A live jazz ensemble performed in the theater while we were there today with a few dozen spectators.  There were also lots of children attending an art workshop with their parents, creating Valentine’s Day cards in the style of Ben Jones’ collection of painted hand fans.

A glance at their website shows what appear to be some interesting upcoming exhibitions.  We’ll definitely be back. CARLOS & JOE

I’ve been hunkered down for the past two weeks wrapping up what will be the 200th online property I’ve had a hand in building (no kidding.)  I used to be able to pull all-nighters all the time.  Did it this past Tuesday night, and I spent all day Wednesday burping and farting.   I think I’m officially too old for all-nighters anymore.

Even with all the work, I managed to enjoy myself.  Saturday I went to the World’s Strongest Man competition with my good friend Dominic and some other friends at Madison Square Garden, first having an early dinner at a local diner.  Afterwards we all hit a nearby BBQ joint for some snacks and drunken straight girls screaming, and finally ended up at the Eagle.  I was on my own Saturday as Joe wasn’t interested in watching big muscled men strain spandex lifting heavy shit – go figure.

Sunday of course Joe, Ryan, and I went to Folsom Street East.  Joe and I got there fairly late, almost 5pm, just in time to get soaked by a passing rain shower.  Had a great time.  Got to catch up with many friends.  We had dinner afterwards at Pepe Giallo – great Italian food – which was right on 10th Avenue and 25th Street on the walk back to where we had parked our car.

Monday night we went to the HX Awards which was being held at the Chelsea Clearview Theaters on 23rd Street in Manhattan.  HX Media is one of my clients, so I figured what the heck.  Not exactly our scene (there were a few full-sized men in the audience), but we had a really good time.  The presenters and hosts and even the winners were very entertaining.  Of course Absolut was one of the sponsors, so the blue drinks I had that looked like Windshield Washer Fluid on the rocks (and I imagine tasted like it too) may have had something to do with how much I enjoyed the evening. CARLOS

Joe, Ryan and I went to an absolutely fabulous BBQ on Saturday that our friends Jay and Rich had in their front garden here in Jersey City, just a few blocks from us.  Over 30 people showed.  Rich and Jay provided the meat and basic drinks, and everyone brought a dish that they either made themselves or store bought. I made a signature Cuban-fusion Rice and Beans Salad of mine (basically rice and kidney beans with sweated onions, peppers, and garlic in a cumin-oregano olive oil vinaigrette, room temp) which went over real well.

Jay made a designer cake (something he loves to do) shown above of a pig roast in keeping with the BBQ theme.  Not only was it very cool to look at, but boy was it good to eat too! Yum!  Pictured above is the cake, and in the first frame, our friend Eddie trying to cut himself “a nice piece of ass” as he called it, LOL.

Ok, it was a scorcher at first when it started at 4pm, but it cooled down considerably into the evening.  Honestly, we didn’t mind – we were having too much fun.  Gay people, straight people, even a token bi-sexual couple – the way parties like this should be. Frankly I enjoy watching straight women get drunk, it’s hysterical. CARLOS

No way we were getting stuck inside today having lunch! Our garden is nice, but the cool breeze off the river at Liberty State Park is what we needed. It’s just a few minutes away with an great view of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan and much more. So we picked up some Blimpee’s on the way, and had lunch in the park. Beautiful! CARLOS

Sunday we drove upstate to spend the day at the home of our new friends Jorge and Scott in Rockland County. We had a lovely time at a BBQ there with about a dozen other bears. (The bears were nice, the food was tasty, and the day was glorious– I love driving up the Palisades Interstate Parkway on days like that.)

Monday, another glorious day, we spent out back in our garden with Ryan, chilling, grilling, and getting some sun.  About 5pm we were joined by our friends Jay and Rich, who live nearby.  We chit-chatted way into the evening, then strolled over to this great ice cream parlor a few blocks away that makes all it’s own stuff, Torico (@ the corner of Erie and First in JC), and scarfed down their delicious creations.

Looks like you’ll be seeing us more and more in months to come.  Who knows, we may even visit the Dugout soon! CARLOS