Rise and Shine! I get out of the room to visit CVS to purchase more personal items. On my way out I run into Michael and we wish each other well with the day. His chorus was performing later in the day. My only regret is that I might have to leave some purchases behind because I can only take so many gels and liquids back with me. I am a creature of habit. On these excursions downtown I have gotten used to stopping in the Starbucks. It's funny; at home I never go to Starbucks or other coffee shops on a regular basis. Today, the Starbucks is packed and busy. I think it was my timing. I had a later start today.

I decided I would stick with one venue for today's concert block. I had friends in both Rainbow Chorale of Delaware (RCD) and now I had friends in Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA). Both groups were performing in the same block at Knight Concert Hall.

The concert block opened with Small Difference Women's Choral Ensemble. They were a small group that was very cute. They were doing their best to try hard.

They were followed by Aedonis. What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful sound they created. This group was among the very top this week when it came to musicianship. They specialized in performing works of a historical nature and featured counter tenors and sopranoists. In other words, men singing in a traditionally female range. Furthermore, they were singing a capella. God bless them! Their name comes from the Greek word for nightingale. They certainly sing as beautifully as a nightingale. My only criticism is that their set basically had the same dynamic range throughout most of it. It very well could have been all one piece except the one at the very end. With all my running around I was on the verge of falling asleep.

RCD did a varied program and was successful in presenting a quality production. I wish I could remember the name of their last song. It would make a great piece for PGMC to sing in our June concert. What a great finale!

GMCLA opened with the opening production number from Ragtime. They had all three groups in full costume. Michael was one of the white young men. He had mentioned how it was a nice switch since somehow he gets roped into doing drag for their shows. It was amazing how little time all of the people of color, the immigrants, and the white folks had to change into their tuxes. The Velcro ripping must have been crazy backstage. This was another group that proved that you can be entertaining and still provide quality musicianship. It was a real treat to hear them sing. Once the concert block was over I sent a text to Michael congratulating him on the wonderful performance.

Watch The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware perform Earth Song

Fellows with tennis balls

I had attended the concert block with Peter. Peter used to sing with RCD and still has connections among its members. While we were waiting for the concert block to begin he told me that this would be Alison Skinner's last performance as RCD's artistic director. She had just found out the previous day that her father was seriously ill and needed to move to California to be with him.

Following the afternoon concert block I went back to my room to do a little ironing. While there I realized, Joe (PGMC's artistic director), probably didn't know about Alison's dilemma. The GALA community in the Delaware Valley is a small little world so I figured he would want to know. I sent a text message to Joe informing him that this was the last performance for Alison. Within a minute I received a phone call from a shocked Joe asking for details. While talking with me, his partner Glen tells him to call their friend Joanne. Joanne was considering applying for the artistic director position of RCD the last time they had an opening (only a year ago). Joe gets on the horn and encourages Joanne to apply for the soon to be open position. Joanne is a wonderful choral director, not to mention just a good person. Her big concern was would RCD want a straight director. My response was "Who cares!?!" If you are knowledgeable about music, can provide musical growth for the chorus, can treat them as adults with respect, then no one is going to care anything about your orientation. See what knowing the right people can do for you? RCD was probably concerned about their future. I'm sure they already had venues booked for the upcoming season. Now at the very least they could have a temporary artistic director and continue on without missing a beat. Of course, they will have to go through all of the usual stuff with a search committee, etc. While on the phone I agreed to meet Joe and Glenn at the pool. There was an early evening concert block, but at this point I start to feel what I called �chorus-ed out�. I did not want to burn out on performances. Money was definitely an issue at this point. I would have liked to explore Miami, but that meant moolah. The pool provided relaxation and I didn't have to spend any more money.

Joe, Glenn and I discuss all the ramifications of the transition that RCD will have to go through. We joke around and are very pleased with ourselves with our solution. We hope Joanne becomes the next director. We also discuss BraveSouls and Dreamers. Joe has already decided after seeing the performance at GALA that PGMC will be performing the Seeley and Espindola work for our June 2009 concert. I told him my ideas about the soloists and he was on the exact same page. Yay! I love it when great minds think alike. Peter eventually joined us at the pool and was able to provide greater detail into the events surrounding Alison. I didn't provide a lot of detail to Joe because I wasn't 100% sure of my facts. I don't want to be the source of false rumour. Joining us poolside were Stephen P., Dan, and Jim. Craig happened to stop on by for a few bon mots as well.

While I was splashing around in the pool, Michael stopped by with his lunch. We chatted for a bit along with Matthew from San Diego. I remember Matthew from bingo. Funny how guys later in the week would say, "I know you! You were at Bingo!"

My mind works in weird ways. I am not good at socializing with people I just meet ordinarily. It usually takes time for me to warm up to someone. GALA just makes it even worse for me. I am always thinking there is someone else more fantastic and incredible with whom these guys would rather be talking. Despite my inner voices, I did try to make a wee bit of effort in putting myself out there by chatting with the guys from Twin Cities, LA, San Diego, and New York. Actually, it was more of me just listening rather than talking. It was a good mix of guys in the pool. I just enjoyed the sunshine, the water, and the company.

GMCLA was having an after party at the Tides Hotel on Ocean Drive this evening. Michael was sweet enough to invite me. Space was limited so it was an invitation only event and he gave me a ticket. Basically, they only had enough space for their own chorus members. However, Michael felt safe enough to invite a few other guys from other choruses. There are always significant percentages of folks who will go off and do their own thing. Not every single member of GMCLA will show up at the Tides Hotel.

I spruce myself up and get into an outfit to match the theme for the GMCLA party - Pastelicious! I love my new lavender shirt that I purchased at Daffy's. It fits like a glove. While I was ironing this new shirt, I swilled down some of the chardonnay that was in the fridge. I had a lot of wine very quickly. It went straight to my brain. I felt the effects immediately. I now experience a nice warm glow.

The GMCLA party had already started, but I knew that I was fine in arriving at a more fashionably late time. We're dealing with gay men, remember? Hardly anyone will be there there at 6:00 pm. I met a bunch of the LA guys at the Omni bus station. None of them seem to have been to Ocean Drive. I ended up playing tour guide and leading them to their own party. My confidence made Benjamin S. believe that I was a local. I quickly corrected him. I hate name badges. I really do. But I knew this was a party where everyone would know everyone else. I was going to be the cuckoo in the birds nest. I wore my stupid GALA badge with my name because I knew it would be helpful for everyone else. I was the only one from Philadelphia at this party. Hardly anyone at this party knows me.

My first shock comes in how well I handled this event. I have a slight issue with social anxiety. I am great one on one. I am wonderful in a small group setting. However, put me in a room with a large amount of people that I don't know and I freak out on the inside. The good news is I can cover up so that you would never know that I am having issues. The bad news is I just end up not having a good time and feel like I'm dieing and want to leave. I think the fact that I was prepared with the idea that I would know no one helped me. I knew that I just had to really put myself out there as much as possible and assume that everyone would love to meet me. That was exactly what I did and it worked out just fine.

Michael was the organizer of the party and was playing host. He was making sure that every guest was happy and having a good time. I totally understand that role. In fact, I was amused because ordinarily that is my role. I am the social chair of the chorus and usually at a chorus function I would be doing the exact same thing that Michael was. He was uber busy at this party, really working the crowd.

My second shock was the bar. I felt alcohol would help smooth my anxiety away. In fact, it did, but not in the way you would think. What was shocking about the bar was the cost of my cocktail. I knew I could not afford my usual Belvedere or Grey Goose cocktail. Instead, I went the cheap route and ordered an Absolut with cranberry juice. The bartender presented my receipt for $18! Can you imagine!?! Actually, that included an 18% gratuity. Even still $15 for Absolut cranberry is just plain crazy. I don't even pay that much in Manhattan. At that point I realize I have had my one and only cocktail at the Tides Hotel. But the shock of the price of my cocktail provided me with at least one thing I could talk about with partygoers and it would be something to which we all could relate. We all are paying extraordinary prices for beverages.

The Tides Hotel was a very swanky place. There was an outside lounge area with plenty of seating that faced Ocean Drive. It was a little early to take advantage of watching the parade go by. I think we, the partygoers, were more the entertainment for Ocean Drive, rather than the other way around. We also had free reign over the lobby and bar area of the hotel. There were plenty of hors d'oeuvre being passed around. Since I didn't know anyone I just floated from group to group introducing myself and doing a lot of listening. I was just very surprised at myself at the amount of mingling I ended up doing. Toward the end of the evening I ended up hanging out with Lance and Ben S. They both were very easy to talk to.

Concurrent to this party was another party provided by GALA. It was a night on South Beach at Club Nikki. Nikki Beach Miami is comprised of a large oceanfront complex featuring an outdoor beach club, restaurant and nightclub. There was no cover charge for delegates to attend.

It was getting late. Michael was still busy playing host and I didn't know if we would ever really have the opportunity to connect. Lance, Ben, and I decide we would head down to Club Nikki. It was about a 12 block walk. It wasn't a big deal because it was a wonderfully warm evening. Plus, we got to see Ocean Drive at night with all the neon lit up. I am so grateful for Ben and Lance to take me under their wing. It was incredibly sweet and generous.

At Club Nikki the three of us got beverages and wandered around a bit. I had a 3 Olives vodka with cranberry juice for $6. We ran into friends from PGMC. They were surprised to see me and wondered were I had been. It was like being greeted by the paparazzi because all these flash cameras started going off. It was crazy. The three of us continued to explore and we ran into more people. Lance talked to someone he knew. I met some guy who I believe really wanted to chat with Lance, but Lance was busy talking to some other guy. New guy and I had a really good conversation for quite some time. New guy was very down to earth, over 35, and very handsome. I ended up getting separated from Lance and Ben and wandered off on my own.

In my wandering I ran into Christopher (from LA), Jeffrey, and his friend. I was unusually forward and basically invited myself to hang out with them at their table. They had a meal and we chatted for quite some time. Eventually, we decide to venture off to the beach. The club basically backs up right onto the ocean. Christopher and I discover we have a common bond when he discovers that I am a theme park geek. I love a good roller coaster. We also learn that we have dealt with the issue of being involved with guys with a different libido than ourselves. Funny what turns conversations can take! The trio goes off toward the ocean and dips their toes. I had the sense that they either wanted or needed to be alone and left them to have their moment. It actually worked out well because it allowed me to take some pictures of the beach at night. It is very dark. I just wasn't able to work my camera well enough so that any pictures were worth keeping. They all came out rather fuzzy. I also took the opportunity to delete a bunch of pictures taking up space needlessly on my camera. I reconnect with the trio and we have a stroll around the Club Nikki complex. We run into Ben W. He is obviously having a good time tonight. He was very lively.

Eventually, it is time for another cocktail. I make a beeline to the same bar as before, the same bartender, the same beverage. It is now double the price. My theory is that they gouged the party attendees. Ordinarily the cocktail is half the price, but for this party they raised their drink prices. It wasn't like I had ordered my first drink at happy hour. I hadn't arrived at Club Nikki until after nine o'clock.

We all hit the dancefloor. I am always up for dancing. I didn't want to be a fourth wheel on a m�nage a trois. I just had the feeling I was a little bit of extra baggage. I gracefully made my exit off the dance floor.

Club Nikki is an amazing venue. I would have loved to have shared it with a boyfriend. There are tons of sofas, lounge areas, beds, cabanas. All covered with giant umbrellas. So many nooks and crannies in which to hide.

I found a table and sat on my own to relax. While enjoying the scenery I text others to find out where they are. I don't get a response from anyone.

I just finish texting when Adrienne happens upon me. We reconnect and talk about the evening we're having. I have a tendency to be very animated with my gesturing when I talk. I end up knocking my glasses off my face. One of my lenses pops out of the frame soon to be followed by the other lens. Thankfully, we recover both lenses and the frame. I secure them so that I can get them repaired when I get home. I only have a mild myopia. I am fine without glasses. During our conversation Adrienne asks if anything is wrong. I'm thinking that I look calm and serene. She thinks I look depressed. Ugh! Time to move! Who wants to hang out with an Eeyore?

I run into Terry. We chat. He gets a drink. While he's getting a beverage I run into Paul T. who I now call T. He is renamed because it is just too confusing with all the Pauls. He came up with his own nickname. T is accompanied by a new GALA guy. I can't recall his name. As Terry, T, the new GALA boyfriend (I don't know what T thinks of this one I just call him the new bf because I want to) chat we notice that the staff of Club Nikki is starting to clean things up. It is 11:45 pm. Time to head home - the party is over. We all get on the shuttle bus. Marriott is the first stop once more. T and the new GALA boyfriend go off to the hotel next door. Surprised? Hardly. Terry and I venture off to our rooms. He wants a last hurrah in the pool. I am in absolutely no mood. Besides, no one is down there.

I climb into bed and within a minute of being horizontal I am in slumberland. It's not even 12:30 pm.