Alan Ilagan

This is my friend Skip, looking unrecognizably professional, who apparently wants to be known as AJ when it comes to the follicularly-challenged ramblings of his new blog, the catchily-titled Hair and Back Again – A Hair Loss and Regrowth Blog – My Journey of Hair Loss… and Redemption. He is one of my favorite people in the world. Mostly it’s because his wife is even more favored, and he benefits from proximity, but he’s got some winning attributes of his own.

It’s no secret that I don’t have many straight male friends, so the ones I do have I hold near and dear. It takes an especially confident straight guy to accept the wacky-tacky gayness of my life. Skip’s one of the rare men who likes Lady Gaga and Wicked as much as he enjoys golfing and the Red Sox, and that’s the kind of guy I admire. He manages to mix the long-lost art of chivalry with a modern-day take on acceptance and equality, treating everyone with dignity and respect, defending the honor of his friends and loved ones (even if it means a few ridiculous fight scenes). I’ve seen him escort ladies to the restroom just to be polite, and read a few FaceBook posts where he unabashedly extols the virtues of his wife and daughter.

There are but a few select people in this world whom I would trust when the chips are down. When I think about those friends in my life, I sometimes wonder which ones I would want on my side if I was cornered by goons in a back alley or threatened by the police (fashion or otherwise). Skip is one of those friends.

He’s also been instrumental in the behind-the-scenes set-up and functioning of this website. A jack of many trades, and master of a few, he’s my go-to guy for many computer issues, as well as iPhone advice, and the latest technological advances.

His new blog deals with the drama of going bald, and the preventative steps he’s taken to stop the hair-drop, and while a balding blog is the last thing I would normally want to read, he’s actually made it compelling enough to drop by on a daily basis. Of course there’s a lot of product talk (he does work for the company after all), but it’s surprisingly readable, and there are unexpected moments of wit and humor that shine through the most mind-numbingly dull passages on scalp exploration. You can visit it here to join him on the journey to a well-thatched roof.

How do you measure almost ten years together? And how do you find perspective on that time? I’m not one to look back very often (though this website is where that usually happens), so it’s difficult to encapsulate the time that Andy and I have been together in one post, or even a year of posts. But I was just thinking about all that has happened since we met, and that gives a brief hint of our time together. Here’s a list of some of those markers:

I met Andy before I got my first digital camera (he’s actually the one who gave it to me).

I met Andy before the World Trade Center was attacked.

I met Andy before he lost his Mom.

I met Andy before I lost my Uncle and Grandmother.

I met Andy before I got my first cel phone.

I met Andy before George W. Bush became President.

I met Andy before I met any friends (or anyone for that matter) in Albany (he introduced me to many of them).

I met Andy before the Red Sox ended their World Series drought.

I met Andy before I had a car.

I met Andy before ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys had disbanded, back when they were selling millions of albums.

I met Andy before you could send photos on your cell phone.

I met Andy before the iPod was released.

I met Andy before YouTube was created.

I met Andy before American Idol began airing.

I met Andy before Wicked debuted on Broadway.

I met Andy before any of my friends got married.

I met Andy before any of my friends had children.

I met Andy before Madonna released Music in 2000.

Last night’s 1st Friday exhibition at the Romaine Brooks Gallery went splendidly, and I was glad to see so many friendly and familiar faces. Now it’s back to the weekend wedding grind, as I begin to churn out a bazillion intricately-detailed wedding invitation packages. There may or may not be tulle involved – I haven’t decided yet.

Andy has managed to come up with amazing seats for Spring Awakening when it comes to Proctor’s this month. (I think we’re fifth row center – after Wicked we decided front row at that theater was sorrowfully over-rated.) I actually purchased the Spring Awakening soundtrack when it debuted on Broadway a few years ago, but after one or two half-hearted (and half-heard) spins in the CD player it went onto the rack and never surfaced until this morning. I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) by how much more I liked it this time around. It’s just further commentary on second chances, first impressions, and blah, blah, cliched blah.

Next weekend I’ll be back on the road, resuming the 21st Century Renaissance Tour down in New York City with Suzie and Chris. Until then, it’s all work and little to no play.

There was snow in the sky last night, but it turned to rain before we had to head into Amsterdam for a family dinner. This Thursday we’re taking my parents to see ‘Wicked’ at Proctor’s Theater. Somehow Andy managed to score front-row tickets for the four of us. (I know, it’s not the best show for front row, but I’ve already had the good fortune to see it twice on Broadway with the original cast, so this will present a new view - namely up Elphaba’s dress when she takes flight.)

So if you care to find me, look to the Western sky!