On Sunday of this week, I travelled up to Sandy Springs to meet with a REALTOR I'll be covering for in the next few days as he relocates his family to the Atlanta area. I'm very happy to help, and as a result we got to talking. He mentioned that he found my contact info on Facebook, and as he did, he noticed that I write very well. It was a sweet thing to say, and it was a reminder to myself that life rewards me in unexpected ways when I follow-through with my well-meaning intentions. It also reminded me that I have this blog I've been neglecting for the passed few months.
Since the Atlanta Cotillion ended last September, I've been out of the spotlight, and I've been enjoying it. I haven't had exciting things to blog about or upcoming events to promote. My life has been quiet, for a change. In the old days of drinking, my life was a constant roller-coaster ride that I reluctantly stepped off of. But the excitement didn't end because a new life was just beginning. Sobriety was exciting, and my new recovery friends were traversing sobriety with me.
In August of 2008, I decided it was time to take on a new cause: the Atlanta Cotillion, a long-term fundraising commitment that was extremely rewarding. The 2009 Class raised a combined $120,000 for those living with HIV/AIDS. Not only was it an amazing experience, it was also a lot of fun, and I made lots of great new friends along the way. It solidified the fact that Atlanta, Georgia was indeed my home.
It's been several months now, and we're well into 2010. Work is slow, and I'm getting a little restless. There are only so many nights I can come home from the gym and lie on my sofa, only to end up in a fit of tears while watching the latest episode of Intervention. I know I'll be involved in the Cotillion this year as I help my daughter, Julio, prepare for his campaign, but my involvement will be limited to an advisory role. So, I'm asking myself the question, What do I want 2010 to be?
One of my favorite causes here in Atlanta is Joining Hearts, a series of parties thrown throughout the year that also benefits agencies that help people with HIV. Their big summer party is one of my favorites in Atlanta. Thousands of gay men descend upon Piedmont Park's beautiful pool and party with a world-class DJ while sipping Grey Goose martinis under a fireworks-filled sky. What better way to spend a sultry July evening! I decided to attend their informational meeting last week to find out more about volunteering. We met at No Mas Cantina, a Mexican restaurant conveniently close to my beautiful new home in Grant Park. My anxiety subsided as I was greeted by many familiar faces. We learned about an exciting upcoming party for Valentine's Day, Love on the Rocks, which I attended last year with a date I shouldn't have gone with. First, he turned out to be a jerk, and second, he didn't want to stay at the party more than twenty minutes. I remember enjoying the delicious array of desserts that were scattered about the event space. Campy drag queens provided some hilarious entertainment. It's a party heavily attended by single gay men, and since my single status hasn't changed since the end of my marriage three years ago, I'm ready to mingle! Luckily in Atlanta's gay community, philanthropy and pleasure go hand-in-hand.
This year's event will be a memorable one, complete with gourmet bites and chocolates by Bridge Catering, drinks by Grey Goose, and Love on the Rocks Heartthrobs! Maybe I'll meet a heartthrob of my own!
