Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday's

I pray that everyone reading this message has a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever you and yours celebrates.

Okay, here I am on Christmas eve and I FINALLY have DSL again, though I don't know for how long. So I decided to blog something while I can.

I just had Christmas dinner at David Lee's house. He invited several Americans living and visiting here, and the food and conversation were great. I had a wonderful conversation with Billy, who is putting together a party for La Casa Rosada AIDS Orphanage here in Santo Domingo. Billy has gone all out to make sure that Christmas day will be a wonderful those kids. I had seen Billy many times, but we had never been formally introduced. We had been corresponding about La Casa Rosada and what he wanted to do. He had originally asked that we kept things quiet, but Kenny and I finally convinced him that we wanted to publicize it, not so that we can say what a great thing Billy is doing (though it is GREAT!), but so other people can see what can be done and it doesn't always mean you have to donate cash, your time is just as welcome. Well done, Billy!

Scotch and Byron are the new arrivals to the American expatriate community here and they were telling us about getting their new guesthouse (Casa New Yorker) together at the dinner. Of course, we had a few horror stories for them. They will be fine and have worked their way into the community very nicely.

Curtis and John, two of my favorite people on the planet were here. John is a professor at Northwestern, and a prolific writer. When I read his blog I'm just amazed at how great great writing is. He is always so encouraging and just so damn nice. On his blog he called me a raconteur. I have always loved that word and if I can't be anything else in life I now know what my calling is, I'm a raconteur (one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill and wit), dammit! Thanks again guys for the cheesecakes and the great dinner. Can't wait for you to come back!

Ulrick Gaillard, the CEO of the Batey Relief Alliance, came by the building to see me. This guy is young and dynamic and DETERMINED. His energy and committment is amazing. After speaking with him I just wanted to go with him and see what he was talking about. I'm going to make a personal visit to one of the Batey's and find out more information, and of course I will post it here.

Wednesday night, Jay-Dee's had a wet-n-wild strip show. Well, as Jerry didn't want them spraying water all over everywhere we just had to accept the wild, and wild it was. Rigoberto and Jonathan came out naked covered in soap and gave the most sensual, sexual strip show I have seen in a long time. Someone had my camera so I didn't get a shot of that episode (damn!), but I caught one of the other lovely dancers. Kudos Jerry. MORE PLEASE!

I have a lot of people coming down next week and the beginning of January. The New Year is looking very bright, and hopefully some great things will be happening very soon.

I pray everyone has a safe holiday!