Friends with Benefits

This summer was action packed! I decided to make vodka lemonade out of lemons and use my time off from work doing some of my favorite things : service, travel and hanging out with old people. Despite my slowly decreasing bank account I had one of my best summers ever. I learned a valuable lesson this summer. When it counts, your friends will stick with you. As long as you can bring a bottle of wine.

Noelle is such a great friend to patrol around the streets of London. She and I have different tastes of how to spend a peaceful Saturday afternoon. She prefers coffee and croissants and I prefer white wine and calamari. But it doesn't matter because I love going to church together, watching RuPaul's drag race and just talking about what life is all about. She's the greatest companion - even joining me for a Nigie Naval event. It was cold, rainy and kinda ridiculous. So, yeah, Noelle wins the award for most patience friend.

My friend and former boss Felipe spent his birthday party in Hyde Park with thousands of his closest friends. It was the end of a very long day for me the began with a Parkinsons fundraiser, a garden party with the Catholic church an ended with a feast at my favorite mexican restaurant but somehow Craig (pictured here topless) and I were able to make it just in time to celebrate. Two things you can't tell from this picture - Filipe's Brazilian accent is so thick I can't always understand him but his eyes are so blue I don't really need to.

After spending months apart my beautiful twin brother Lorenzo and I were reunited. It was terrifying and good to see him. He's probably the most honest man in my entire life (for better or for worse) and I love him for it. I especially loved the french restaurant he took me to and how he ordered our meals in french while flirting with the waiter. Lo was recently and most deservedly promoted to Assistant Producer at Shine. Congrats my brother!!!

Once again, the gays do it right. Shaun and Chris invited Nigie and I to a fancy picnic in Battersea Park. What's a fancy picnic in the park with two busy world travelers like? Well as you can imagine - AWESOME! Eating fantastic food off beautiful china using 100 year old cutlery while being told somewhat risque stories about their escapades in Japan, Spain and France was ... memorable. Thanks guys, every time you're around I feel a bit less like a lady.

Oh...the Woos. How I love the Woooooos. I almost didn't want to be friends with them because we met them at the end of their London journey. I couldn't bear them falling in love with them to only lose them three months later. But, I couldn't resist their charms - and Korean BBQ. The Woos are individually fantastic people. I am so glad I was able to spend time with Jane and PJ. They were such great influences on both me and Nigie. Here's a photo of us from our double date at Benihanas. It's not just dinner - it's entertainment! Congrats on baby London. I can't wait to see her.

Thanks to a summer filled with very special friends.

Nxx