CHRISTMAS BALL TOUR: Las Vegas

After a brief one-night stop in L.A. to get some local work done, I was off with Brandon Baker to his apartment in Las Vegas where we were to throw three parties for the Adult Entertainment Expo and Internext in conjunction with Cybersocket, Manhunt, Suite 703, Channel 1 Releasing and RentBoy.com.

I caught up with Brandon's best friend Lisa (she's a riot, I adore her!) and Jason Pitt on my first night in town. Jason took me to one of the worst diners I've ever had the displeasure of eating at, 24/7 at The Palms, but his company alone made it a worthwhile experience.

The next day, I caught up with my friends Bert Rowland and Kyle Foxxx. We went to see the new City Center in Las Vegas with new friends Felix Andrews and Ricky Cruz while B spent the day in the office. The Aria hotel is stunningly gorgeous, especially the fireworks water display out front. We had an amazing lunch followed by makeup shopping which is a combination always enough to make me orgasm.

That night, Brandon and I had a few firsts, one of which was throwing our first party together as a couple at Piranha. Benjamin Bradley and Roman Heart danced the night away and I met so many amazing people and caught up with wonderful friends like David Arias, Tristan Mathews, Syren Vaughn, Tommy Defendi and many others.

On Saturday, one of my best DV8 Casting boys Drew Cutler rolled into town along with fellow pornster Jayden Grey who gets more beautiful everytime I see him. These boys along with Pierce, DJ and "Tranz" all combined to make a fun Saturday afternoon before Bert and I went to see Bette Midler's show that night at Caesar's Palace.

I am so SO glad I had the opportunity to see Bette's show before it ends. It was flawless, from start to finish. Hands down the best show I've seen in Vegas. Her voice is better than its ever been and the spectacle of the concert is mesmerizing. Unlike other shows where the bright lights and crazy costumes are there to simply add flavor, everything included in Bette's show actually adds feeling, "Hello in There" being a prime example and a favorite moment for me. Plus my pal Bruce Vilanch's signature wit rests firmly upon most of the dialogue. He should be proud he's helped laregly to create one of the most entertaining shows Las Vegas has seen in ages. I'm not even a huge fan of Bette Midler. ...But I certainly am now!

Later that night, we caught up with Brandon and the boys again at Flex for a bit and then trotted over to Stix. Both clubs were "hole in the wall" fun with one being so "janky" it offered us bottle service just to stay another hour -- and it's idea of bottle service was plopping down a warm bottle of liquor on the table with plastic cups. And nothing else! But hey, it's free booze. I'll take it! (I actually didn't booze it up for once in Vegas, averaging only a few drinks a night. I'd like to do more of that in the new year.)

Before doing our second party at Gipsy on Sunday night, Brandon took all of us to see Frank Marino's "Divas Las Vegas" show. Aside from Bette, this was definitely the highlight of the trip. These are the best female impersonators I've ever seen and we had incredible seats thanks to Brandon. I am so impressed and will definitely be back to see Frank's show every time I'm in town! You might also want to check out FrankMarino.com. The video at the start of his home page reminds me so much of me, I could gag! It's like watching myself in a YouTube skit.

Sunday was fun and intimate. I got to meet the gorgeous Hunter Longe (he's going to be a new DV8 discovery this year, I think), hang out with Jeremy Bilding, Laura, Tommy and the crew of Suite703.com, Morgan and Holly from Cybersocket and more -- all while my DV8 Casting studs Drew Cutler and Jason Pitt danced on stage along with Jayden Grey.

But Monday night was the most packed of all, oddly enough! We're still not sure how that one worked out but we're grateful we were able to show everyone the best time of all at the upstairs VIP area of 8 1/2 inside Piranha on Monday night. I got to see Eddie Bastian, my DV8 Casting stud Chase Harding and many others that night. I also got to meet many people including Gary from On The Hunt, Stephan from Next Door Studios, Joel from DHD, Mason Wyler, Tommy D and others at the Manhunt private suite party a few hours before. And dinner that night with Laura and the Suite 703 crew at Yellowtail was an unforgettable experience -- the Pop Rocks roll is to die for, as was the hilarity and laughs of the company provided! They are the best!

Extra special thanks to David Arias for working out a great hotel room for Brandon Baker and I for a few nights. Thanks also to Justin Keith Bradshaw, a new friend of mine who looks so ridiculously like Brandon I was having brother fantasies in heat the entire time I was there. But most of all, thanks to Brandon for including me in the events. The promotion and networking I did there was way beyond what I anticipated it to be.

This was the final stop on my holiday tour and I must admit, having spent a few hours at home only to get in the car and head out again... I was a little homesick for my friends, my dog and my bed here in Los Angeles before even getting to Las Vegas. I tried my best to make it through with a smile, but as much as I love traveling I'm not sure four cities in five days towards the end of the tour was really such a fantastic idea on my part. This old body of mine is slowly beginning to feel all of 30.


I learned a lot on The Christmas Ball Tour 2009-2010.

I learned I really am one of the best talent scouts and managers out there who will go to the ends of the earth to take care of his boys and make sure they are happy, especially newcomers. I love taking people under my wing who I believe have potential and I love helping to create superstars.

I learned I complain a lot. Half the time, I'm serious. Half the time, I'm trying to be funny. To those who don't know me extremely well, it all just sounds like one long bitch fest.

I learned that Minneapolis rules, as does Kathy, Carlene, Bryan, Paul, Kevin and many others who dwell there.

I learned that no one is perfect and am reminded of my "pedestal" mentality noted here in the "Diary" a few entries before the tour began.

I learned not to second guess myself. Some things I'm not so good at. But others I'm really fucking good at and should not be afraid to speak up and take charge of some situations.

I learned that as much as I thought I was over a lot of things from my childhood, I'm still holding onto the past with my family and I still find it difficult to accept and embrace them for who they are. ...But I am working on it.

I learned that, as Brandon Baker succinctly put it, "Today is a new day."