As I ventured back to Brooklyn this morning from a fun New Year's Eve I came across this lonely hat at 6th Avenue. It seemed so sad down on the tracks. I imagined it writing the following letter...

Dear Owner,

Did I do something wrong? I guess I just don't get it. Weren't we having a good time? Drinks, laughs, kisses - all that jazz. We've been through big times together. Maybe you just didn't notice when I came flying off your head as you stumbled onto the train last night. Maybe that's the case. I'm just chillin' here until you get back. Please hurry...

This week I'm happy to feature a homegrown hottie - born right across the river from where I am in Queens - Ben Pamies! This gorgeous 6'2" delicacy is represented by Major Model Management in NYC. He grew up in Ohio but moved back to New York when he was 22 and jumped at the bit when offered an opportunity to model. The rest is history.

Not only is Ben gorgeous and walking for all the hot designers but he's pouring drinks for us as well. You can whet your appetite for Ben at the Locker Room (the lower level of Gym Bar). Don't trust me? Read here for Kenneth in the 212's report.

As I thought - I do really belong in NYC. Waste some of your day to see if you too - belong - or if maybe you should head back home to Iowa or New Jersey.

DO YOU BELONG IN NYC?
Absolutely.
You would never dream of moving anywhere else, and we've insulted you by even suggesting you might leave. You love every single thing about this town, right down to its adorable water-bug infestation. Click here for suggestions about how to really enjoy NYC.

Do you belong in New York City?

This has been quite the week for noteworthy news. I'm excited by the recent addition of my birth state - Maine - to the short list of marriage equality states last week. I'll be happy for the day when the thought of full marriage equality in all 50 states isn't newsworthy or exciting.

And while I know that many people that are near and dear to me identify with the Republican Party I have to imagine that even the strongest hold-outs have to be shaking their heads right now. What is up with the Republican Party? They spent the better part of last week criticizing attacking President Barack Obama for ordering spicy dijon mustard on his cheeseburger. I understand that you don't like the guy but can you come up with some solutions? Really you have to be desperate when you waste 3 days of airtime on a guy's condiment choice. Sad... very sad.

One of the great things about my new routine in New York is all the reading I can do while on the train. A favorite new author of mine is David Benioff. If you want a good read check out his latest book City of Thieves about an unlikely pair of guys who are sent on an impossible journey to find a dozen eggs in war torn Russia during the siege of Leningrad.

And an impossibly cute gay "YouTube Personalities" collaborative video to combat all the anti-gay bullying taking place online - well worth the 3 minutes of your time.

It's a gorgeous day today in New York and I'm trying my hand legs in biking to my Manhattan gym from Brooklyn. Yes, I know this in and of itself is not blog worthy but I found the sweetest new site to enable this little adventure: Ride The City.

It's totally awesome. You can type in any two addresses and it will spit out a "bike approved" route. You can choose from 3 options: Safest Route, Safe Route, Most Direct Route. I'm going to try the Safe Route today.

Since the weather is getting nicer and the MTA is about to screw all of us out of our money at the end of the month it just might be a good time to get friendly with the gritty New York streets.