Happy New Years Biatches!
Well, I will be shaking my ass with lots of class this Saturday at Hydrate with Jorgillo. World famous DJ Ralphi Rosario will be providing the entertainment. He's no Tony Moran but he should still be able to provide some fierce dancefloor stompers. I will be sure to post any slutty or drunken stories here cuz I have no shame!
2005 was a year filled with lots of ups and downs, but I suppose every year is like that. Here is a brief summary of what I consider to be the pivotal moments of the year for me.

1. My HIV Scare. An accident at work this past spring (I work in a hospital lab) may have potentially exposed me to HIV and any other bloodborne pathogen. Within hours of this exposure I was given by the ER nurse my first dose a very powerful HIV medication. Studies show that immmediate administration of HIV meds can possibly prevent transmission of the virus after a significant exposure. So, for an entire month I had to take these medications. The side effects were awful. Every single day I was sick to my stomach or I was so fatigued I could barely get out of bed. I stopped going to the gym and missed alot of school. I salute all of the HIV postitve indivuals in the world who are fortunate enought to have access to these drugs because I don't know how they can handle the harsh side effects on a daily basis. I didn't tell too many friends about what was going on because I didn't want anyone to worry. Also, post exposure therapy isn't a 100% guaranteed, so in the worst case scenario I wasn't sure if I would want people to know what had happened. Well, after 6 months my follow up testing showed that I was still HIV negative. This whole ordeal really opened up my eyes and showed me that even with the fancy medications available, they are not the solution to this horrible epidemic that many people believe them to be.
2. Puerto Rico!!!!!!!! I know some people who think this beautiful island is nothing more than a welfare refuge, but I can say from first hand experience this is so far from the truth. My trip to Puerto Rico is what actually what inspired this blog. I guess you could say this was my trip to the "mother land" hahaha, but I definitely look back at this vaction as a spiritual and emotional journey. I know it sounds so cliche but I did alot of soul searching while I was down there. Of course I checked out the hot guys, shopped and sunbathed in my pink speedo, but even during my the most frivolous activities, there were so many things going through my mind. Although I don't think I would ever travel alone again, I don't think my trip to Puerto Rico would have been the same with a companion. It was something I needed to do by myself.

3. Et tu, Brute? Betrayal. Deceit. Lies. Trust no one. It is very seldom that that I open myself up to someone allowing them to know all of my desires, demons weaknesses, strengths, fears, etc. I believe doing such a thing leaves one in a very vulnerable postion. Unfortunately my vulnerability turned into someone else's game, leaving me quite bitter and disgusted, but, not incapable of moving on.

CHICAGO_SEXBOX'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2006
Yes, how cliche.
1. Watch those "Queer As Folk" DVD's I bought two years ago. I am probably the only homo who is still wondering what happened after Justin got gay bashed at prom.
2. Stop being such an over achiever. Back in November I was freakign out because I thought I was going to get a C in one of my classes. Well, I got all A's and B's (3.5 GPA) and I also kicked ass on my PCAT exam ranking in the 95th percentile. My friend Reni scolded me for worrying so much so I think I shall take her advice this semester and not be so hard on myself.
3. When I have a problem with something someone does or says I need to address the issue immediately. I have watched this happen to others and I have experienced it myself. The failure to address a problem with someone often results in a snowball effect. Before you know it the tiny "problem" gets out of control and things get messy. There will be none of that in 2006 for me. I will not be afraid to speak my mind goddamnit!



















Belanova - "Dulce Beat": Well, anyone who knows me knows that this album has been my most played album of the year. I have already dedicated posts to this masterpiece so I won't repeat myself, but I must say that I have not been this in love with an album since
Shakira - "Fijación Oral Vol. 1" This album simply broke all rules and boundaries, musically and commerically. It was the highest selling first week spanish language album ever in the US. It was number #1 even in non-spanish speaking countries like Germany. Shakira proved that good music has no language. The album is a musical journey in which the listner never tires or gets bored. This is definitely the best album of her career. Now what went wrong with Vol. 2 is beyond me......Favorite Track: En Tus Pupilas
Madonna - "Confessions On A Dancefloor" The few negative reivews of this album (from the media and my real life!) have criticized Madonna as a person more than anything else. Is Madonna an evil, coniving, fake, untalented, unoriginal, pop anti-christ? I don't know and personally I could fucking care less. I don't buy an album with the hopes the artist is going to be my best friend nor do I listen it on my iPod while worrying about what the particular artist does in his/her spare time. Having said that, this was a great return to form for Madonna. I honestly don't think even her 80's albums were quite this fun! Unapologetic pop music is what she intended to make and she suceeded. This has become a vital workout companion for me at the gym.Favorite Track: Get Together
Morbo - "Electroguitarpop" I haven't been very vocal about this album. I got it this past summer and at first I wasn't too crazy about it. Little by little though, I found myself listening to it in the car, while studying, or late at night before going to bed. The title of the album is deceiving. There is more "guitar" and alot less "electro", which along with the ominous lyrics/lead vocals, create a very bleak and morose atmosphere. It's definitely not a party album, but satisfying nonetheless, especially for those cold, lonely nights in your apartment.Favorite Track: Piérdete Otra Vez
Angel City - "Love Me Right": This UK dance act had one of the most anticipated dance/pop albums of the year after a string of successful singles in 2004/2005. This album is just so goddamn catchy and filled with bouncy hooks you can't help but shake your groove thing!Favorite Track: Do You Know?


Thalia - "El Sexto Sentido": Hmmmmmm...more like "El Sexto Fracaso". I used to adore Thalia. I even did a presentation on her in spanish class years ago, but she continues to disappoint me. As if that english album a few years ago wasn't a complete joke, she returns with this shit. Boring ballads that Celine Dion wouldn't even touch, crappy dance songs that sound older than Tommy, and generic pseudo-rock filler. Maybe she needs to stick to her K-Mart clothing line.
Robbie Williams - "Intensive Care": How approriately titled. Robbie should have put this album in the intensive care unit and left it there to die. The lead single was very good, but the rest of the album is just a bland rehashing of everything he has done before. Oh, and his continued "am i gay or straight" innuendo you often find in his lyrics is just old and tired now. Look, just fucking come out of the closet already or shut the fuck up. Next!
Tiffany - "Dust Off And Dance" Oh dear. Tiffany dusts off her baloney nipples and brings out her disco ball. The only problem is the songs and production are so dated, material from Ace of Base's debut album sounds more cutting edge than this shit.
Annie - "Anniemal" Annie's music is so cheesy, even Radio Disney had to pass. Annie can take her 'chewing gum' and shove it up her crab infested coochie, and then she can reimburse me the $22 I spent on the fucking import of this album.
Jennifer Lopez - "Rebirth": She should have called this "Stillbirth" because it flopped so badly! There isn't anything as vomit inducing as "Dear Ben" on this album, but using Usher's hand-me-downs from the year before and attempting to capitalize on a look Kylie minogue had done 100 times better already all the while "singing" over some boring hip-hop wannabe tracks made this album truly horrendous.
Mariah Carey - "It's Like That (David Morales Club Mix)": Mimi came back in a BIG way this year. The poor thing had a hard time finding clothes to contain all of that talent, lol, but seriously this was the first Mariah remix in years to really catch my attention. She was finally back with the legendary David Morales and even redid the vocals! Way to go Mariah!
Shapeshifters - "Back To Basics (Main Vocal Mix)": This was the follow up to last years UK #1 hit "Lola's Theme" and didn't stray too far from that winning formula. Updated disco/house beats with some soaring strings and smooth diva vocals made this song pure dancefloor bliss.
Suzanne Palmer - Home/Luv 2 Luv (Offer Nissim and David Morales remixes): Chicago's very own dancefloor diva paid tribute to her home town with this double A side single. It was nothing short of a miracle to see her follow up these two fierce tracks with her long awaited full length album. I cannot tell you how many Friday nights during the summer I grinded with hot, sweaty, half naked men at
Pussycat Dolls - "Don't Cha (Ralphi Rosario Club Mix)": Yes, this song was played to death and the most ironic part of them singing "don't cha wish your girl was hot like me" was the fact they are all butt ugly. Regardless, this was THE jam of the year. So much attitude and dancefloor drama will get even the most bitter queen dancing around with his hands in the air! I personally think this remix was even better than the original version.
Stonebridge f/Therese - "Put 'Em High": This song was originally released in 2004 in the UK, but finally got a North American release this past spring. If this song doesn't get you moving then I am afraid you should start looking into retirement homes. The lyrics especially make me giggle, "baby I don't care where you been before, just put 'em high". Ummm, is that a polite way to tell your partner "look, I know you are a big slut but that's ok, just throw them legs in the air!". Who said dance music can't have profound lyrics?














