Peter Schwartz - Mr. Eagle NYC 2008
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July 2008 NewsletterYou know, I thought that the tail end of my year would be easier, but I guess not. I just look at my calendar and am reminded of how much is going on. Between all of the Team Eagle events, the NYboL events, and the general goings on at The Eagle, there's plenty to do for sure. So, what's been happening? IML I left off my last newsletter preparing for IML XXX. You know, you read and read, and think you have all you need to know, then you get there ... and you don't. It was a tough competition, but boy what a blast it was. It's a hard feeling to describe unless you've been through it. People talk about brotherhood and camaraderie, but I have to say it was really true. I met some fantastic folks that I'm sure will be in my life for many years to come. So even though I didn't make top 20, I've definitely made some lasting friendships and left fired up to continue doing things locally in my own community. On my plane ride home from IML, I received word that I was getting laid off from my job on Wall St after 16 years. Bummer! and after coming off such a high from IML too ... Oh well. If you're going to be laid off, I would suggest doing it in the summer like I have. I've been busy looking for a new job (and there's not a lot to be had), but in the interim I'm enjoying the beach and trying to get out and ride my bike. Team Eagle With IML out of the way, it was time to focus locally again and start preparing Team Eagle for the upcoming AIDS ride (Braking the Cycle). I hadn't been on a bike in months and it was a painful reminder of that fact when I started riding again. The team hosted a fundraiser for this event just before IML where we raise just over $3,200 for The Center's HIV/AIDS services. We are about half-way to meeting our goal of $100K for the event. I'm not sure we can do it, but we're certainly going to try. The economy certainly doesn't put people in a giving mood. But that certainly hasn't stopped us. The Team was the benefactor of Bad Boys on the Hudson (see gallery), which netted about $2,700 for the ride. Hmmm ... porn stars, scantily clad men, and a ride around New York Harbor ... sounds like a recipe for fun to me! The team is also preparing a series of events throughout August and September. Check them out and come support the team. You can find the full calendar of events on my site or at the team site. And if you can't make the events, think about sponsoring me or one of the other Team Eagle riders directly from our team site. The money all goes to a great cause! A bit of fun June was a month just to sit back and enjoy New York. It all started with Leather Pride Night, where I was one of the many presenters of the leather wares for the event. Always a fun time. This was followed by Folsom Street East. You have to love a block party in the city in the summer, complete with summer thunderstorms. Rick and I were the lucky recipients of GMSMA's annual Sexual Freedom award this year for all of the charity work we do and for visibility we bring to the community. What an honor! It was extremely cool to receive this. We had no idea. Lastly, there was the gay pride parade itself. Once again, it poured, but it certainly help cut the heat of the day. It was overall a fantastic time on the float. Check out the pics in the galleries. July was a month where Rick and I finally got to hang out with friends a family a bit. We tried to catch some time at the beach when we could, but the best part was the cruise we did. We took the kids on one of the R Family (www.rfamilyvacations.com) cruises that left out of NYC. For any of you folks out there that have kids, I recommend it. It's a great time and a very positive experience for the kids. It's a chance for them to know that the their family, while maybe not the statistical norm, is just a regular family like everyone else. Contest season ... again Yep, it's here again. I'll be judging contests with some fellow classmates, and I can't wait. Mostly because I want to see my IML brothers again, but the idea of being on the other side of the table sounds fun for a change ;) I'll be hitting Connecticut, Boston, Kansas City, and New Jersey for sure. We'll see what else comes up. And of course, I'll be at the Mr Eagle contest on the first weekend in October for my step down and the selection of my successor. It looks like we have some good candidates. Come out to the contest if you're in the area and give them a hand for trying to make a difference. Peter Schwartz Previous Newsletters: [April 2008] [January 2008] |
Upcoming EventsRead the Next Magazine article You can email Peter at mreaglenyc2008@aol.com |