Holiday Snaps

[bradavon]

As promised photos from my recent holiday to California:

http://www.alexmccaffrey.net/

Pick Photo Diary then 2006. Enjoy! 8)

[bradavon]

ábre los ojos for: One Wild Night!

I thought it would be fun to post an e-mail I've just sent to some friends, happy reading:

"Hey everyone

As you know I've recently spent 2 weeks holidaying in The United States of America (California and Arizona to be precise), flying out on the 22nd of August. After finally arriving at my destination 4.5 hours late (the plane was 2 hours late + absurd OTT security checks, we got padded down again literally before we were due to board and an hour standing in a passport control queue at Dallas) I arrived at San Diego.

Fast forward from the 22nd to the 26th of August I want to concentrate on one wild Saturday evening I had in the company of my friend Candice (pronounced Can-dis not Can-dese).

The evening started around 8:30pm having decided to try a Tapas restaurant at University Avenue, San Diego. We ventured out me all geared up hair gelled, in my finest black shirt, jeans and a nice pair of black shoes. Candice looking stunning in a green full length dress with leather belt (in some ways Audrey Hepburn inspired, sans the cigarette) and baby Elijah dressed in his finest shirt and pants (cute as ever).

Arriving at the Tapas restaurant we sat down to some gorgeous grub (and believe me it was gorgeous) ranging from my fave: basil, tomatoes, raw mozzarella dressed with a sprinkling of olive oil to a sublime artichoke heart, which the waitress kindly brought over for free. Everything had to be one my side of the table as Elijah likes to throw or put in his mouth everything he can get his hands on.

By this time it was nearly 10 and little Elijah was tired to say the least, but thankfully he's a calm kid and coped very well; in fact coping better than someone 10 times his age. If was funny to say the least to watch him wandering around flirting with all the women and introducing himself to everyone else, what made it even funnier was Elijah trying to walk in his new shoes (i.e - wobble), after being to used to essentially slightly more robust flip-flops (material not shape). While outside some extreme altercation was going one between the owner and some guy, not good advertising I can tell you.

Now Candice is a connected lady and knew the owner of the restaurant (Candice knows everyone), who offered us a discount. What we found out when it came to pay was the discount was a whopping 50% OMG that's some discount. The meal came to 16 bucks (roughly £8.50, for two glasses of wine and 3-4 tapas meals, that is extremely cheap by anyone standards) and I even showed the bill to Candice saying "Does that say 16 bucks?" (I'd left my glasses at home, not easy to read a menu), we paid a hefty tip coming 25 bucks total (okay I paid ;-D ). Still less than the total price of the bill. The waitress was really nice and helpful so I didn't mind paying a tip, irrespective of the discount. Let me tell you tipping is insane in America, you're expected to tip even the rudest waiter.

We arrived home around quarter to 11 and Candice put Elijah to bed (believe me he's moody without his 12 hours sleep, as we found out the following day).

Now you may think come 11pm the evening would be over but believe me it had only just started . . .

Candice took awhile to put Elijah to sleep who had woken up by the time we got home and I was a little worried she'd fallen asleep too. When she did come out of the bedroom yawning and looking tired herself I was worried the evening was over (I was yawning too) but I knew once I'd got a bottle of America's finest down my neck I'd be fine. We booked a taxi and drove off wandering where to set San Diego alight, Candice who is not a high heel lady had great trouble walking (she even had to apply plasters/band aids to the back of her feet), there will be more on those high heels later.

First we ventured out to the centre of University Avenue where one bar looked busy and happening (we didn't want an empty bar thank you) but there was only one bar so we ventured on. We then arrived at another suburb, whose name evades me. We got out, paid the taxi driver (by this point Candice had found out his entire history ;-D ) and started to worry "had we made the right choice in not going to that previous bar?" A first it too looked dead, the short answer: Hell Yes!

There were a few select bars to choose from but it was definitely busy enough, one guy even commented Candice looked like Cate Blanchett. We decided on one bar called "Lays" and it quickly became evident "I was the only straight guy in the bar" ;-D , okay not quite but believe me I was surrounded by "Mr. Gay California 2006". I'd never been to a gay bar before (Quasi-Gay Bar in this case) but I was surprised to say it didn't phase me in the slightest. Now if someone had tried to stick their tongue down my throat it would've been another story but frankly why would they?

I ordered a beer and Candice a Cuba-Libre & Coke (Rum and Coke) or rather Candice ordered, as my accent frequently confused the shit out of people (maybe I should've adopted a Hugh Grant accent). Allow me to try and describe the bar: as you walked, in there was a lengthy bar on the right in a long room with tables/bar stools on the left, I seem to remember the lighting being red. As you walked through the back to outside they'd erected 10 to 12 canopies for groups to sit under. I was pleased to see Candice wasn't the only female.

We picked one half empty and asked if we could join them, before you could blink Candice was chatting away to the male clientele who we'd joined, which forced (not minding) me to join in. Believe me they were all camper than Julian Clary on heat; I can't remember all of their names but one was called Raphael. Ladies if you thought you had tight pants you've not seen anything yet, one guy decided to join us by literally shoving his way between Candice and I. His name was Andy who I later commented looked like a scrawny Superman. He had incredibly small/tight jeans on and a white t-shirt, which he insisted Candice rip to show his handful of manly body hair. Candice did ask "are you sure?" but he insisted, so ripped it was.

Andy continued to comment his pecks were puny and even made sure Candice feel them. I even had a feel and yep they were puny (not as puny as me of course but then I don't protest to say they are). Candice was impressed I touched a gay man's chest, I was too ;-D . Candice even asked "is this a new experience for you?" (that is being swamped by homosexuals), I replied "Yes" and she laughed.

I should mention San Diego has an enormous Mexican community, of which all our new friends were from Mexico, sadly no Latin ladies :-( , (oh wait there was one, she was HOT but not part of our group, besides she looked attached).

By this point it was about 1am and we'd both had plenty to drink, Candice had grown to double Cuba-Libre & Cokes, who commented "that it was time to call it a night after this one", I agreed thinking "no way in hell if I've got any say in the matter" ;-D. While speaking to Raphael he commented "you're gay right?" I replied "No, not everyone here is" (question mark). Of which he replied about 80% (I'd say much closer to 90%). He went on to say "if you feel inclined you should try it" I said "maybe one day" (thinking yeah right never, what was I saying). I was humouring the guy.

I should mention 10 minutes prior we'd been asked by our gay posy (actually pleaded) that we must attend a party they were then going on to. Raphael even said he hoped their were nice women there for me (as I later discovered there were 3 women at the party, one was Candice and the other two had boyfriends).

Of course we agreed, how could we possibly say no?

I asked if Candice wanted another drink and she replied "if you get me one I'll drink". I said "a double" and the reply was "no, (pause) maybe".

Now Candice can't remember the "maybe" part but believe me I heard it, so what is a gentlemen to do but buy a double (at 9 bucks a piece, well expensive by American prices). What the bar staff had neglected to mention was we literally had 5 minutes to drink up, as they were closing, it was about 2am. Both of us desperate for the dunny (toilet, loo, restroom, washroom, bathroom you pick) instead of alleviating ourselves speedily chucked our drinks back. I even picked up (what I thought was clean) a beer glass so I could drink quicker.

We mostly finished our drinks and were chucked out. Time for that party . . .

But as I just said we were both desperate for the Loo so walking along we walked into a gas station looking for a washroom but none were available (you're telling me the staff have access to no washroom?) Candice asked in her best "sober voice" (but clearly pissed out her head) to the guy in his 70s (who wasn't smiling) if she could have some tissue paper, she was given burger napkins.

Finding a discrete bush it was nice and easy for me, but Candice in that stunning green dress and being a lady it wasn't so easy, of which I found most amusing. I was so tempted to yell "Cops" to watch her running out in a girly run.

Along the way (it must've taken us 20 minutes or so) we came across four Avril Lagvine look-alike girls who must've been no older than 18 (remember the legal alcohol age in California is 21). They were as pissed as we were, told us they'd just got home from another party (I think they said we should find said party) and were sneaking in as their next door neighbours were assholes (I believe their words). Hugging us goodbye (isn't it funny how you hug more when you're drunk?) they went inside.

Out of no where on the way to our very own party Candice asked if I played with myself, without thinking and not fully hearing the question (consciously anyway) I replied "always" (it's a gentleman's prerogative not to answer if this is true, or not) and in turn without any prompting she said she . . . Now shall I tell you what she said? To alleviate any possible embarrassed on a ladies image you'll just have to ask me, whether I'll tell you is another matter but let me tell you it's more information than I ever thought I'd know about my amigo Candice.

We'd arrived at the apartment complex, it must've been nearly 3am and a problem suddenly dawned on us: we knew which apartment but not how do get in?, which floor? or which room? We stood outside trying to get the intercom system to work and then as someone left we sneakily walked in.

We'd gathered by this point that we needed the penthouse on the fifth floor but wait, the lift only took us up to the fourth floor (we later found out the elevator's fifth floor button was broken). We climbed the stairs from the fourth floor to be presented with a locked door saying "private". Candice climbed the banisters, not the cleverest idea when you're drunk but after minutes of yelling no luck.

So what did Candice decide to do? She climbed the outside fire escape ladder, probably an ever stupider idea (but she assured me she was holding on tight), especially when you consider the building was old. Try to envision a 5 foot 5 (1.68m), 5 foot 6 (1.71) women in a long dress, wearing high heels, climbing a ladder, drunk at 3am in the morning (we could walk by this point). It gets funnier when you consider the ladder only went up enough so Candice could poke her head over the top and ask to be let in. I can only imagine the look on the residents faces when a head popped over the top.

Candice loves to introduce herself, normally this is not an issue but please NOT when you're holding on to a ladder in a long dress, wearing high heels, drunk at 3am in the morning. They let us in.

The penthouse was gorgeous inside with a huge living room, bathroom, kitchen and two bedrooms. The people renting looked to be in their early to mid 20s, there's no way they could afford this penthouse on their own, unless they got lucky I guess.

I needed the washroom again and while in there (after I'd finished and yes I washed my hands!) I started speaking to one guy who'd vacationed around Europe, he really loved Sweden but found the UK (actually it sounded more like London) boring and expensive, he commented Sweden was as expensive but there was a point to it. What does that mean?

While talking, two guys walked in holding hands walked in and into the shower, one said "not in here", clearly they wanted to fuck. Candice then found me and equally commented, the guy I was speaking to "so wanted to fuck me", what can I say the dude had taste ;-D , he was ugly too.

Time for a beer I thought but all I could find in their fridge was that muck known as alco-pops (Bacardi Breezer in this case). I wanted a real drink, thank you. I saw one guy with a beer and asked where he'd found it. I went out into the living room to be presented with a box of beer, lovely. At which point someone knocked over what looked like a really expensive ornament (vase I think), oops.

Drink in hand I started to wonder where Candice had got to, needless to say she was making herself at home with the indigenous population of the penthouse. We had established of all the people at the party only three actually lived there: a brother, his sister and his sisters boyfriend (the funny part was they were the only straight people). They were living above the brother up in a room overlooking his bedroom, to get there you had to venture up a spiral staircase. Of course Candice climbed said staircase.

They were really nice (the brother even had an "Artic Monkeys" album, they are a British band btw, for those who don't know) and didn't mind at all we'd completely crashed their party barely, invited. Speaking of the people who had invited us, only one was anywhere to be seen and he left a few minutes after we arrived (commenting he'd call Candice as he kissed us on the cheek and left, I believe I kissed him on the cheek too). Not that we really minded.

I had a nice chat to the brother who'd visited the UK (this time not just London) and even commented everything he was wearing was from said country (except his boxers, I think).

By now it must've been nearly 4am and Candice was ready to leave, so arm in arm we did just that. Taking our time to walk home (and after Candice had a chat with a friend) Candice kept asking me to walk slower and slower as by this point her ankles were in uber pain from those high heels (new heels too). I asked if we could walk faster if she borrowed my shoes? So I did just that, she worse mine and I walked virtually bare boot (just socks) the rest of the way home, while holding up my now to long jeans.

Along the way we stopped at a 7/11 convenience store as for some reason (I still don't fully understand) Candice had cravings for a macaroni cheese but then was dismayed when it dawned on her we had no microwave nor was there a suitable size for two (I wanted beer or bed, not macaroni cheese!).

Finally arriving home nearly 5 in the morning we crept up the steps to Candice's flat, making sure we were as quite as mice (we really didn't want to wake baby Elijah, did I mention he's so cute and lots of fun?) and collapsed asleep.

Man I wish I'd brought my camera, how stupid can you get! (At least I have photos of the restaurant).

Candice later commented she'd not been that drunk in a while (me neither), it was nice I was the reason she was able to do so. It was certainly one wild 9 hour night I won't be forgetting in a hurry.

So that's all. I hope you enjoyed the read and take care.

Photos coming soon!

Brad

p.s - On another note:

Some complain at the different language used in the States citing it not real English, not me (anymore). I revel in throwing confusing words around and even stranger words being thrown back. When I was understood most Americans seemed to really love my English accent. Zucchini anyone? How about a Fanny-pack? Do you need the "Loo"? "

[Markgway]

Hey Brad, who are the people in most of your photos?

Just had a look at your message board and lol...

Krista: "Cool site - do you hav a girlfrend, I like how you look, I am singl girl with brown hair and good boobys"

Sounds like you're in, Brad, er, I mean, Alex.

Marcus Kilgour: " What is your sex? >> Men please

What is the title of your website? >> Batty boy network"

Sounds like you're in, Brad...

[bradavon]

Hey Brad, who are the people in most of your photos?

Have you read the e-mail above? As two of them are mentioned in it, one heavily.

Allow me to explain (thanks for asking btw):

1. Candice, aged 27 (only 1 month older than me) who I met in Australia on a tour bus in 2002. I also stayed with her in 2004 when I last visited America (also on my website). She's a top lady, lots and lots of fun (a real zest for life).

2. Baby Elijah, aged 17 months (now 18 months) who is uber cute and obviously Candice's son.

3. Levi - Candice's boyfriend and Elijah's Dad. I know him through her (he's aged 33) and also good fun. He's a nice bloke. Hell I don't know him that well and he let me kip on their couche for 10 days, especially cool when their flat is as small as it is.

Just had a look at your message board and lol...

Krista: "Cool site - do you hav a girlfrend, I like how you look, I am singl girl with brown hair and good boobys"

Sounds like you're in, Brad, er, I mean, Alex.

People mention that one so many times, alas Marcus and Krista are one in the same. I can check out the IP address of who posted what and they're identical.

I kept it on as it's funny.

Marcus Kilgour: " What is your sex? >> Men please

What is the title of your website? >> Batty boy network"

Sounds like you're in, Brad...

Yeah Marcus is definitely gay (I didn't know while working with him for well over a year, he hid it will). Now he's definitely out, he's making up for it

I've not seen him for ages now, cool bloke if a lot hyperactive. I'll dig out his Blog, it's funny to say the least.

[Markgway]

Have you read the e-mail above? As two of them are mentioned in it, one heavily.

Sorry, it looked kinda longish and Im lazy...

Hell I don't know him that well and he let me kip on their couche for 10 days, especially cool when their flat is as small as it is.

You just met them via holidays? Wow, you must make a helluva good impression on people. Why don't you display that charm here?

People mention that one so many times, alas Marcus and Krista are one in the same. I can check out the IP address of who posted what and they're identical. I kept it on as it's funny.

lol, I guess he/she/it is keeping their options open...?

[slasher13]

LOL Just read the whole "One Wild Night", very cool. Candice sounds like a really good laugh, Mmm bit curious as to know what she told you Brad

[bradavon]

Thanks Slasher. She is a great laugh. I was a bit worried she'd changed now she is a Mum but thankfully when that shell is broken she's the same fun Candice.

He he well that's my secret

Sorry, it looked kinda longish and Im lazy...

Lots of people have said that, it's funny IMO (and Slasher's). People are too lazy, for me it's pretty short. I sent one from Australia which was 2 months of e-mail and 60 odd pages.

You just met them via holidays? Wow, you must make a helluva good impression on people. Why don't you display that charm here?

Nope I met Candice (the lady) while travelling (can you have a holiday for 6 months? 2 in Australia). You meet a LOT of people while travelling and if you're lucky (in my experience) about 1/5 you keep in contact with.

The funny thing is we barely hanged out while in Australia, only about 10 days. I've got to know her much better while visiting the States.

Not wanting to sound big head but I've also kept in contact with:

* My Thai friend - While working at a Thai restaurant here, she's my big sister now.
* German - In Australia, we met up twice in Cardiff but otherwise we've lost contact. I'm not bothered as she wasn't all that interesting anyway.
* Dutch - They were lots of fun. I met him and her while in Thailand (same travelling) but apart from one excellent visit in 2003 I've not seen them since. Not for the want of trying believe me
* New Zealand - Not exactly a friend but I have friends of the family there, so kind of friends of mine too
* My newest acquaintance - She from Korea, he Japan, both living in Japan. I met them last October while we were all on holiday in Vietnam. We were on a tour bus together and in the evening I strangely walked past them hours after the tour had finished.

I carried on walking (saying hello as I walked past) and then thought "shall I go and see if they want a drink or not?" By the time I'd decided they'd gone so I ended up walking back and fourth for about 15 minutes and by sheer luck I met them again.

Luckily they'd lived in Australia for about a year so their English is good (they kept up with me and I have the habit of speaking fast). I can also be pretty animated when I've had 1-2 beers which I reckon they liked.

Westerner's are generally much more animated and like having a drink than Asian's (from the Far East). I think they liked this.

A letter goes back and fourth to New Zealand once or twice a year, My American friend I get the odd e-mail (she's not an e-mailer), as do from my new friends in Japan and my Thai friend we text all the time.

I've been away for at least 2 weeks (in 2002 it was 6 months, and occasionally 4 weeks but not in one go) every year since 2001. I'm not stopping now.

Come January I'm planning to visit Japan for 2 weeks and Thailand for 1 week. I'm also hoping later in the year to visit India but that depends if I can afford it having moved out by then. I'd also love to visit Tibet at some point too.

Central & South America one day also but this will be for months not years, this trip is very much just in head.

So far (except my Thai friend) it's all been me visiting them which should hopefully change come next March when my American friends visit me (assuming they can afford it, they've not got much money).

The key is to stay in contact, which most people are lousy at. It only takes an e-mail every few months, in the days of e-mails it's really easy.

The other key for me is I travel alone so it forces me to put myself out there. I've only done it when I've got the right vibe from someone.

p.s - He he good point I must make a good impression and yeah good point I should show it more here

[Markgway]

What's the difference between travelling and a holiday?

[Keung]

Holiday you chill out I'd expect and travelling, well you do just that, travel.

[bradavon]

It's funny how sometimes you post a thread and no one replies, you get just the ONE reply and suddenly everyone chips in.

What's the difference between travelling and a holiday?

Solely my interpretation and how I view it (I realise most see them as the same thing):

1. A holiday is usually short but crucially it's time to wind down and relax.
2. Travel however is usually at least a month but crucially your mindset is very different. You're there to explore and see more of the world.

That's how I view it anyway. I do have different mindsets and objectives when doing both.

[Markgway]

Fair enough...