BIRTHDAY WHORES.

[ATLANTA - September babies]

Along with tons of other birthdays this month (including my own), my online friend Brett had a bit of a massive house party on Saturday night.



The music was fierce (thanks to DJ Headmaster Ritual) and the cake was ... well ... just you look at it!



My friend James, who I know via Bananarama, attended the soirée with me.



I honestly had an excellent time, met tons of new people, snogged a woman, met a couple of men and danced the night away.

There were many colourful characters in attendance ... but what else would you expect at a theme party called ESCAPE FROM WHORE ISLAND !?!



You lookin' fierce, Girrrl !!!

See my photos here and Brett's collection of pics here.

Absolutely flawless!

Richard the Big Bunny

LONDON: The Final Countdown

[LONDON - Monday & Tuesday]

Well aware that my time was running out, I got an early start on Monday.



The tube took me to Tottenham Court Road where I did a bit of shopping on Oxford Street. Ironically, I spent most of my shopping time in Sports World for cheap comfy sportswear and a bit of time in the Virgin MegaStore.

I wandered straight up Oxford Street in the rain to Berwick Street, where I had lunch at Cotton Café ... like the good ol' days! Their vegetarian 'English breakfast' is a rather good bargain.

After lunch, I headed down to the Soho campus of Westminster Kingsway College. My last real job in London was working there as an Academic Counselor in Admissions. It was nice to catch up with former co-workers and find out what has happened to those who have moved on (or, in this case, mostly just transferred to other WKC campuses).

My time after that is a bit of a blur, as I just spent a bit of time wandering around, thinking, reminiscing and even getting teary-eyed as I sat in Soho Square on Kirsty's bench.

Eventually, I ended up at First Out having a pot of tea downstairs by myself. I had postcards to do (not that any of the got mailed!).



My mate Alister joined me during his lunch break and we had a chance to gossip & bitch like we once did regularly.

Monday night, I headed up to Androo's in Mill Hill ('home', of sorts!) for dinner and an evening in. Androo is my best mate but this was the first spot of quality time we would have during my jaunt through England. We cooked dinner together and laughed at video bits & bobs he'd been saving for me.



Bless 'im! I miss Androo the most ...

On Tuesday, I got a rather late start but did manage to meet up with my friend Emile for lunch along the South Bank.



Emile is possibly the sexiest older man I know ... but I know lots of sexy older men ... so it's hard to choose just one!



After lunch, we walked along the Thames and made our way to a familiar pub near London Bridge. After wine & a good natter, we hopped on the rush-hour tube and I kept my hand not-so-subtlely on his arse the whole time ... just to keep my balance!

[*larf*]

The time had come for my evening at Retro Bar. I had emailed & texted nearly everyone over the weekend that I'd be round Retro after 6 PM on Tuesday for drinks & goodbyes. For a while, it was just Colin, Pip, Alister and myself but eventually the colourful cast expanded to include Kosher Marc, South African Dirk, Welsh Mark, Gerry with a 'G' ... even a few internet strangers and former OUT in the UK mates!



In a bit of a peculiar twist, a wee lad named Matt took a shine to me and I was too drunk to really resist.



Good for the ego! Unfortunately, this meant a few of my late arrivals got a bit neglected.

APOLOGIES!

After walking Matt & his mate Posh Steph to Embankment, I returned to Retro but a few of my mates were already gone. Retro closed soon so we said our goodbyes and I made my way to & through the tube station.



I like that shot ... artistic, innit?

My intention was to go back to Canning Town pack my things and get back on the tube at 5 AM. Of course, I was bladdered ... so I fell asleep on my bed and woke up 4:30 AM in a mad panic! However, I did make it to Gatwick on time and all went well with my flight and return to Atlanta.

My soul is recharged from my time in London but I am no more happier than before about being anywhere else.

Thanks to all my mates in England, new & old, who made my time there fun & productive.

I adore you lot!

Richard the Big Bunny

Hull & Brighton

[England - All around & back again.]

This will be short, as it's very late and *I* am very knackered!

Three cities in three days ... hundreds & hundreds of miles ...



Ben came to my rescue on Friday afternoon and we loaded my things from Johnathon's loft in Walthamstow into a rental car and drove them to Hull.

Relocating my stored things (ie, all of my wordly possessions!) was the most important task at hand for this trip to England. Done. Thanks, Ben! You're my hero.



We returned to London on Saturday morning and loaded up the car again. I sent Ben back to Hull with the remainder of my things and dashed home to shave & shower for my date.



Dr Grant and I met at Retro Bar but soon wandered out to find food. After dinner at Pizza Express and a few more cocktails at Retro, we ended up at his place ... in Brighton!



And he made me a proper English breakfast [read: "walloping fry-up with Quorn sausages"] this morning ...

Who says Virgos aren't spontaneous?

More photos soon,
Richard the Norty Bunny

Camden & Soho.

[London ... the beat goes on!]

Met up with my mate Marc today after school (he's a teaching assistant) at The Edge, off Soho Square. To my suprise, most of The Edge was closed for renovation ... so only the downstairs was available for use (small!).

After that, we ran a few errands up and down Oxford Street. Holland & Barrett. Boots. Tourist tat. That kind of thing!

For my own amusement, I priced the Clinique Facial Scrub for Men at Boots.

* * * £30.50 * * *

That's about *four times* the price ($16.50 in the US) ... I nearly fainted!

Some things never change and London *is* the most expensive place to live in the world.



Still, walking down Oxford Street felt familiar and comfortable to me ... despite being a frantic stampede, per the usual.

Marc & I then took the tube north to Camden Town to rendezvous with Androo at The Black Cap. Androo had my UK mobile phone and I had several of his eBay winnings that had been sent to me in Atlanta. We had a LOVELY time sitting outside in The Black Cap's lovely beer garden. The weather was perfect and I got rather tipsy after a couple of Stellas (I'm a lightweight!).



Androo went off towards home, as he was tired from working all day (with Jordan [Katie Price], no less!), so Marc & I carried on back to Soho for dinner. Eating at First Out was like seeing an old friend and the vegetarian nachos were comforting. Thankfully, some things never change.

Marc left me after dinner ('school night!') and I wandered around Soho reflecting and relishing every bit of the London I have been missing in the past year.



After a few drinks at The Duke of Wellington by myself, I too decided to call it a night and return to Canning Town.

Better rest up ... Friday is "moving day."

Richard

London: I'm home!

[LONDON - 20 September 2006]

Wow ... it certainly feels like home here.

No real complaints about my flight other than that it landed at Gatwick (not on the tube) instead of Heathrow (directly on the tube system). But that was not all of my 'journey' ...

I did have a moment of frustration & mild panic. It was slightly overwhelming to have been awake for so long, to have landed so far outside of the city, having only £5.20 in cash money (which was all spent literally in minutes using the pay phone), a credit card that refused to work (at first) and no one meeting me to hold my hand.



Welcome to Big Smoke! I'm used to it ... and I absolutely love it here.

Mind you, all of the faffing about & bother could have been avoided if I'd planned better (or at all). To avoid disappointment, I never really made any plans for this trip over. I was not even sure if this trip was going to happen until Saturday (thanks Marc!) ... and even then I did not get a ticket until Monday night (for a Tuesday departure!).

Obviously, I sorted it all out and felt instantly better once I had £30 in cash in my hand and was back in London proper (after waiting an hour for the cheaper, post-rush hour train ticket from the airport).

The next two hours were spent on the tube to North Acton (far west) to get a key to Alan's flat and then journeying back to East London to his flat. I finally arrived here at about 12:30 PM ... sweaty & knackered!

Did I go right to sleep? Of course not! I had to make a dozen phone calls and do a few things online. I finally laid down for a nap at about 1:45 PM, setting the alarm for 3:30 PM.

The plan was to get up, shower and meet Androo at around 6 PM at First Out (gay vegetarian cafe ... yes, really!), as they are the only place in London with good nachos.

When I woke up at *5:30 PM* and finally stopped screaming, I ran to the phone and rang Androo with pleading apologies ... left on his voicemail.

Turns out he was still shopping in Camden Town and suspected I *might* oversleep.

:-)

Smart boy.

Thus, I decided to stay in tonight, watch some telly, make more phone calls, chat with Alan and make some plans for my remaining time here in good ol' Eng-er-land.

I'll be in Hull for two days so I won't really have *that* much time here in London ... so I best have a game plan.

So many people to see, so little time ...

Richard

BIRTHDAY_BUNNY

[Atlanta - What's another year?]

Wednesday night was my do-drop-in birthday party ...



I got stuff ...



Bunny stuff!



I was not expecting any gifts ... so I was pleased with the amount of bunny birthday booty!

:-)

It was a do-drop-in party and many people came & went.



I don't think more than 10 people were here at any one time ... so I was able to focus on the conversation & adoration ... until that 7th or 8th glass of Champagne!



Friends, drinks, music, gifts ... I actually had a very good time!

It was nice to feel loved & appreciated on my birthday.



My guests seem to enjoy themselves, too. It was brilliant to see everyone and just mellow a bit.



Now I'm off to London to see my friends there and to shuffle my belongings to a new storage place.

Expect details from the road ...

To Hull & back!

Richard the Big Bunny

LDN: That's city life ...

[ATLANTA - British Saturday Night on the telly]

Lily Allen's song LDN has been my 'song of the summer' ... keeps me smiling!

It's been in high rotation on my iPod since I got a promo earlier this year.

And now that her song SMILE went to Number One on the UK charts, LDN has been re-released with a new video:



Mind you, the original video has its simple charm:



London is lovely, innit?

Everything seems to look as it should
But I wonder what goes on behind doors
A fella looking dapper but he's sittin' with a slapper
Then I see it's a pimp and his crack whore

Well, it's lovely in parts!

It's all about attitude & perspective, methinks ...

I MISS MY LONDON LIFE !!!

[*sigh*]

Carry on, Miss Allen.

Richard the Big Bunny



You might larf, you might frown
Walkin' round London Town

NEW_JOB

[ATLANTA - 2nd Day @ 2nd Job]

Today was my first real day of work at my second job at the pharmacy ...



Yes, that's right ... I'm a "pharm tech" (that's a chemist's assistant ... but in America!).

I actually started on Friday but was stuck at a desk futzing about with an interactive computer program about patients' rights, privacy laws & regulations and such ... FOR HOURS & HOURS.

But I passed my exam ... and got a name badge ... and my medical-esque blue work jacket ... so it's official!

Today was my first real day of pharmacy work. I really enjoyed it !!!

But I am knackered ...

My feet hurt. I am not accustomed to standing for eight hours.

Only time will tell if I can survive Monday ... reportedly the busiest, most stressful day in the pharmacy ... and then I go straight to work at The Fox for 5 or 6 more hours!

That means I'll work from 10 AM until about 11 PM.

Oi ... I need the money!

Richard

CROSS-POLLINATION

[Atlanta - High on Vicodin - Recovering from oral surgery]

It seems I have two blogs now.

The time I spend on MySpace has increased and I have a blog on there, too. Though sometimes posts get repeated here on my primary blog, there are some unique posts on the MySpace blog.


Click on the above image for a look at my blog on MySpace.

The MySpace blog will always be secondary to this one.

This is still the primary source for Big Bunny news and Richard of London updates!

See you in the headlines ...

Yours with bunnyfeets,
Richard of London

MEN: I know what I want!

[ATLANTA - Over 100 degrees Fahrenheit today!]

I received an email today from an online dating service that I had long forgotten even joining.

The groovy part is that my advert on there contained a long lost blurb I'd written about what I like ... but, alas, it has been recovered.

Hurrah!

Here it is in its entirety:

==

International vegetarian musician on the run ...



SWEET BUNNY SEEKS NON-WHORE for love, life & laughter ... and a bit of monogamous perversion!

:-)

Singing vegetarian Londoner who has gone into exile ...

A thinker. A singer. A bit manic. Educated. Globetrotter. Passionate vegetarian. Non-smoker. No drugs ever. Agnostic. Politically-aware. Too fat. Posh & difficult yet festive & entertaining ... I can be quite silly and am generally a rather happy person (despite my troubles!).

I am myself (whatever that is) and I do not 'act' anything.

Life is short. Be free. Live loud!

You?

I have a very open mind when it comes to types of guys, looks, body types, usw. I do not tend to be sexually attracted to anyone who is larger than 'stocky', wildly effeminate or an obvious poseur. I *do* like 'regular guys' and normal bodies. I prefer someone who is comfortable being himself and who is not consumed by what other people think, assume or might be impressed by ...

When it comes to a long-term relationship, I am 100% certain that I could never settle down with a non-vegetarian or a smoker. Other than that, I try not to establish too many rules because one never knows what one might miss by prejudging! Character is what counts ... yet there must also be sexual chemistry. I have found that to be undeniable.

==

Funny, eh?

It was written before my last relationship but everything stated there is still correct & relevant.

I know what I want ... but I'm not so afraid of being alone that I can't wait for the real thing.

Like Macy Gray once said, "Love is gonna get ya, baby !!!"

But lest we forget the wisdom of Hazell Dean: "I'll be no fool for love ..."

And as Paul Heaton of The Beautiful South wrote, "Love takes time, we all agree ... and time is not the easiest to cheat ..."

Real love is worth the wait.

Richard the Big Bunny

LIBERATION

[Atlanta - It's feckin' hot, folks!]

Enough of this heat & humidity already ...

I couldn't take it.

I shaved my head!



It is now MUCH easier to stay cool.

:-)

The heat here has been oppressive lately. Truly intolerable!

I stay indoors mostly & try to keep from melting.



Rumour has it that it's all the same in London.

At least I have swank air conditioning here in America ...

Hurrah!

Richard the Skint Bunny

EXPLOSIVE!

[Atlanta - Sunday - On a break from work]

On Friday morning, I woke up with an "upset stomach" (read: sneaky explosive diarrhoea) and a high fever.

By Saturday, the fever was gone ... but the other difficulties remain.

:-(

It's Sunday ... I'm working a double ... but on a break between shows and over at Fresh 2 Order (free internet access!).

Despite finally being able to eat a lovely meal, I am still not feeling very well.

MJ sent me this to cheer me up ...



It made me chuckle.

Thanks, Mister MJ !!!

Richard the Exploding Bunny

INDEPENDENT_FUNK

[ATLANTA - One month further down the road]

Long time no scooby, eh ?!?

Sorry about the lack of an update here ... I've been a busy bunny.

Let's see ... a month has gone by ... what have I been doing with myself?

The schedule at The Fox has been slow so I've been working a lot less. This is *NOT* good, as I find myself uncomfortably poor. I should have found a second or new job weeks ago! I really hope to find something within walking distance from home.

My attempts to have a social life again have been curtailed by my lack of funds but I was going out a lot more at first. Oscar's is still a favourite here, if only for the music videos and the nearby location. I have also been dropping into The New Order now & again. It's been called a 'wrinkle bar' (due to its older clientele) but I rather like it. Everyone is friendly and even the top-shelf alcohol drinks are CHEAP.

There has been a bit of mischief, a few mistakes, some backfired attempts at "doing the right things to move on" but only time can heal some wounds. Mourning the loss of my relationship with Jim continues. Having finally had enough of him being an impetuous old fool playing house with his child-bride-to-be, I deleted him from my mobile phone a few days ago. I sobbed more loudly than I ever have before so, clearly, that must have represented something huge for me. I have felt very peaceful since then so I suppose this means I have finally 'let go'.

Moving on to good news & a brighter future, I am making new friends. A truly lovely person named 'MJ' has come into my life. He has helped me through the last of my dark days and I seem to be getting back on track. I appreciate the hand-up he's given me more than he knows. I have made a few other new friends as well ... including a vegetarian Brazilian and even Jim's ex-boyfriend-before-me Michael.

No real news about going home to England but I will be in London for a visit in late August or September. I am not moving back just yet but I do have to go relocate my belongings from their current storage place in Walthamstow. I will be moving the lot up to my mate's in Hull. (Thank you, Ben!)

There is no real 'plan', per se, but I do know *how* I am returning to England when I do. It is all set and the delay is, essentially, a money issue. I need to save up for the application fee (almost $500!) and I will need a fairly substantial sum to live on for a while till I am able to legally work. It is very complicated and the delay was, indeed, necessary. Androo continues to be my 'rock' and I miss him so much!

I let the anniversary of my return to America ('exile', if you will) pass without mention to anyone. I have been back here for a year & two weeks now.

I MISS LONDON.

Showing old photos to MJ the other day really reminded me of what I have there. It will be nice to have my life back.

It is just a matter of time now.

Oh, one last thing ... I shaved off that dodgy beard! The full goatee I'm sporting now is much more fetching.



What do you think?

Let's just hope it pairs well with my soon-to-be shaved head ...

It's too hot for hair here!

Richard the Big Bunny

GONE A BIT BEARDY

[ATLANTA - Morning. Almost no sleep. Taking a nap soon!]

UPDATED FRIDAY - 17 JUNE 2006:
NOW WITH PHOTOS!

Well, I've grown a beard ... and it's a hit!



Almost like an episode from the Twilight Zone, I seemed to have the attention of most everyone at the bar (Oscar's and later Burkhart's) last night ... but, unfortunately, most of the bar was smoking! Ick.

I got three telephone numbers, made a date to see a film, somehow wandered into karaoke at Burkhart's & sang HEY JEALOUSY without much delay. I got dollar bills tucked in various places while singing ... not to mention the four quarters I was handed (I am NOT kidding!). I was more or less a naughty bunny after that.

:-o

Weird night.

I wasn't even flirting. I was genuinely happy sitting with my martinis at the end of the bar and watching the music videos ... but the attention seemed to flow towards me somehow!

Still, it is nice to know I still have *it*.

:-)

Or maybe the stars were aligned just so ... I am well overdue some good fortune!

And to think I *almost* didn't go back out after my short coffee date ...

x/RICHARD

Coiffure.

[ATLANTA - Cut my dreads.]

Chop off the old ... release the trapped negative energy ... break with the past ...



Okay, so I just got a haircut!



It'll do.

:-)

My date cancelled ... he's ill ... but I'm going out anyway!

I don't need a date ...

[*struts*]

Movin' on,
Richard the Big Bunny

100th_POST!

[Atlanta - Today really *is* the first day of the rest of my life!]

The time has come to move on ... to catch up ... to focus on the good stuff ... to have a bit more self-respect ... to get my ducks in a row for a return to England ... and to focus on making tomorrow better ... better for *ME*.



Recently, I have been going out with friends from work and having a grand time (not a 'gay old time', Friday night aside, but a good time all the same!).

Laura, Judy, Jerry, Josh, Wes and the rest of the gang are providing me with good times and ample distraction and I'm very grateful. I feel particularly lucky to have Courtenay & Stacy in my life ... who listen to me and provide honest feedback without judgment.



Dancing out at MJQ and late-night nibbles after work ... they have even dragged me to The Clermont Lounge ('where strippers go to die'!). See all the photos by clicking here.

I am trying to reconnect with friends who have been neglected, too.



My good mate Chris ('Hedgie') & his partner Cliff picked me up for dinner. That was a nice distraction!

I have even made some new local Atlanta friends on My Space.

Last Friday night, I went out with my mate Jamie (who I've known for ages and is one of the smartest, most aware Americans I know). We went to Oscar's (video bar). The 'scene' was all very mediocre but I did enjoy our conversation. We popped over to Burkhart's for a minute and even drove to Blake's. It was dead & ugly all round!

The most peculiar thing happened ...

When we went BACK to Oscar's (where I'd been drinking all evening before we stepped out to peruse our options), the doorman was gone so we had to 'ID' at the bar directly with the bartender. He refused to accept my bloody American passport as sufficient ID.

Yes, really!

No wait, it gets better ...

After walking back over to Jamie, the bartender then bellowed out, "YOU HAVE TO LEAVE!"

[*cue me looking stunned & horrified*]

It was like being under-21 again.

Ain't that America ?!?

A bloody passport isn't good enough to get a drink here.



I mean, I am hardly 'foreign-looking' and my passport certainly looks (and is!) real. You'd think I was mistaken for a 15 year-old Mexican girl or something.

I do not have a State Driver's License (it expired just after I moved to England in 2003) so I carry my passport with me instead.

Yes, I could get one ... but, for all intents and purposes, I am 'just visiting' here ... much like you would be. I have a temporary job and a temporary place to live while I'm here. I do not have a car. All of my possessions are in London and I have a London address. It is not denial or wishful thinking for me to say, "Technically, I live in London."

If you visit America, good luck getting a drink! If I can't do it well-dressed and with Federal identification then no one else stands a chance ...

Maybe it's my peculiar 'international' accent getting me into trouble ...

Does it make me seem suspicious to Americans?

Richard the Big Bunny