Peach v1 i25 issuu

Over and Out in Style Dress Up to Get Down Hangover Helpers Take Inventory of Your Year Movie Review: Call Me by Your Name

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 27, 2017

V1-25

PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 925B Peachtree St. NE, Suite 168 Atlanta, GA 30309 404.439.9838

OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson

Sales and Development Director

jeff@peachatl.com

14

8

EDITORIAL

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Rodney Belcher Graphic Designer

rodney@peachatl.com

SALES

34 From the Editor

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com Steve Tyrrell steve@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS

It’s time to close out 2017 and open a new chapter in 2018. Even though change will not come overnight, New Years is still a good stopping point to assess what the year has brought to you and taken away from you.

In this issue, we are closing out the year in style with a guide to some festive party dress-up, we’re reviewing the break-out movie Call Me by Your Name, and Q Music gets nostalgic with tunes and tracks dating back to ’77.

We also have a guide to celebrating New Year’s with your special someone, and our fitness and health expert give you a few good pointers as to how you look back at this year to make the next one even better and healthier.

James Hicks Gregg Shapiro Tony Kearney Casey Deynton Branden Lee

DISTRIBUTION Brian Harmon

NATIONAL AD REP

Finally, for those who may party a little extra hard once the peach drops, we have a quick guide to some natural hangover helpers.

Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Happy New Year, be safe, and enjoy, Peaches!

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

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The content of Peach ATL Media is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Peach ATL Media are not necessarily those of this publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through Peach ATL Media meets your specific requirements. Peach ATL Media is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to Peach ATL Media, including but not limited to articles, advertisements, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of Peach ATL Media may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Unauthorized use of Peach ATL Media may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in Peach ATL Media is strictly at your own risk.

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Rayvon Owen Growing up African-American and gay in a super conservative and religious Southern region, Rayvon Owen struggled with his own identity and liberal views.

Ultimately, it was also the driving force that shaped him into an incredible artist and activist who campaigns for LGBTQ rights, Black Lives Matter, and for people to accept and love themselves and others around them.

After moving to LA, the death of a close friend struggling to come to terms with their own identity shattered Rayvon and had him contemplating his own true self.

Around the same time, he fell in love, and those two events seemed to Rayvon like the universe was trying to tell him something.

So, when Rayvon released his first track “Can’t Fight It,” he also chose the occasion to come out as gay in the video. Despite losing some people from his life, he’s said that the outpouring of support he received was overwhelming: “Coming out and accepting myself for who I am was one of the most liberating and life-changing experiences for me.”

Today, he’s living his dream making music in LA and hanging out with Demi Lovato, DMC, and mentor Lionel Richie (check out his star-studded Insta!).

Rayvon’s new track, “Volume” is another insight into his journey of discovery. It’s a self-empowerment anthem that urges you to embrace who you are, reminding you not to change for anyone. As Rayvon explains,“When I co-wrote “Volume,” I had been going through some difficult times with being accepted by friends, family, the music industry, and yes—even myself. Working with co-writers and producers The Gifted on this song was inspiring, and the writing process was very therapeutic for me. The lyrics morphed into an anthem about self-encouragement and reminded me to stay true to who I was and never be afraid to speak up for what I believe in. I hope this song does the same for you.”

Check out Rayvon Owen’s “Volume” on soundcloud.com/rayvonowen/volume, and follow him @rayvonowen.

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NEW WAYS TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND

Nightlife is notoriously crowded and overpriced on New Year’s Eve. When you already have a man and aren’t desperately prowling around the club trying to find a New Year’s Kiss, is there even a point to celebrate New Years in the club? Here are some alternative ways to ring in 2018.

By Branden Lee

T R O B I S

&

B A R

ECLECTIC

V O T E D “ Midt o w n At lan t a’ s be s t n e igh bo rh o o d ge m ” “ At lan t a’ s be s t Am e ric an C o n t e m po rary f o o d”

TUE - SUN D INNE R S U N D AY BRUNC H H A P PY HO UR PR I V AT E P ART I E S C A T ERI NG

404-426-7728 www.eclecticbistroatlanta.com 1425 PIEDMONT AVE. NE, ATLANTA, GA, 30309

LOCATED BETWEEN THE ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS & BOY NEXT DOOR 10 | 12.27.17

1. WATCH THE PEACH DROP

3. TAKE A TRIP

If you don’t have the budget, or patience, to make it to the infamous ball drop in NYC, Atlanta has its very own version. The Peach Drop has been an Atlanta staple for the past three decades. The location has moved from Underground Atlanta to Woodruff Park this year. You already have a boyfriend to brave the cold and be your new year’s kiss.

Opening up the new year in the same place can be a bitter reminder of how little has changed in your life, or how many goals you set for 2017 that you failed to accomplish.

Start off the new year right, bright, and somewhere new: Take a trip! New Orleans and Florida aren’t too far. Take a road trip. Get out of town with your beau, and start off celebrating 2018 somewhere you’ve never been before.

2. HOST A PARTY A good way to avoid cover charges, long lines, and crowded clubs is to host your own New Year’s Party. Stock up on food, booze, and invite your closest friends over. Mix it up and mingle. Maybe your single friends will find their new potential paramour when you bring your friend group and your man’s friend group together.

4. QUIET NIGHT AT HOME Once you’re in a relationship, quiet nights at home with your man can feel way more fulfilling than any nights out and about.

If you’re perfectly content just staying home and doing nothing with your man, then do that for New Years. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be in your happy place for New

Years. Especially, if that happy place is in your man’s arms.

5. CHECK OUT A SEX CLUB Maybe trying out new kinky things with your man is one of your biggest resolutions.

One way to spice things up is checking out one of the several Atlanta sex clubs. You don’t have to do things with other people. Make it a fun adventure for you and your man and try having sex in a private room in a public place.

Branden Lee is a writer and actor now living in Atlanta.

Follow Branden on Twitter and Instagram @Brandeness.

peachATL.com | 11

Sometimes Friendship Leads to Love

By Gregg Shapiro

C

all Me by Your Name (Sony Pictures Clas- Set during the summer of 1983, sics), gay director Luca Guadagnino’s “somewhere in Northern Italy”, when teen movie adaptation of Andre Aciman’s 2007 musician Elio (Chalamet) and his parents novel of the same name, with a screenplay Sammy (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Annelle by gay filmmaker James Ivory, couldn’t have (Amira Casar), are welcoming a graduate come at a more complicated time. There’s no student Oliver (Hammer) into their home way to avoid the fact that the film’s central for six weeks to assist the archaeology story – a sexual and romantic relationship professor father with research. Upon the between two young men, ages 17 and 24, is attractive Oliver’s arrival, Elio nicknames the kind of thing that keeps evangelicals up him “the usurper” (because he’ll be at night. staying in Elio’s bedroom and they’ll be sharing a bathroom) and Elio’s father notes Therefore, it’s to the credit of Guadagnino that Oliver is “bigger than his picture”. and Ivory that the subject matter isn’t That’s an understatement as Oliver stands sensationalized, just presented in a almost six and a half feet tall. format that is as literary as it is cinematic.

Because of this, Call Me by Your Name is finding its way onto many “Best of 2017” lists, quite often near the top.

In addition to Guadagnino and Ivory, a huge chunk of the acclaim also goes to the cast, particularly the male leads Armie Hammer (who has redeemed his career in one fell swoop) and the revelatory Timothee Chalamet (who can also be seen stealing scenes in Lady Bird), both of whom are straight. Without these two gifted actors, it’s difficult to say what Call Me by Your Name would have become.

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Too exhausted to join the family for dinner, Oliver makes his first official appearance at breakfast the next morning. Elio offers to show Oliver around the town after they finish eating. Elio notices the gold Star of David that Oliver wears on a chain around his neck. “Jews of discretion”, Elio tells him that, aside from his family, Oliver’s probably the only other Jew to set foot in town. From a small New England town, Oliver says he knows how it feels to be the “odd Jew out”.

Watching Elio observe Oliver, we can sense an undercurrent of attraction, but the teen is unsure how to act on it. It’s mutual, as it turns out, but Elio is initially uneasy at even the most casual physical contact with Oliver. As if to divert attention or suspicion, Elio tells his friends (all of whom think Oliver is hot) that he thinks Oliver is arrogant.

Before you know it, that façade falls away, beginning with when Olive almost walks in on Elio masturbating. They begin to spend more time together, swimming and bicycling around town. A flirty antagonism, courtesy of Elio, becomes part of the ritual. In his room, Elio scribbles mash notes about Oliver. Tension develops, but Elio calls a truce.

Call Me by Your Name effortlessly depicts the way that friendship can lead to love.

Boundaries fade and the kind of intimacy that leads Elio, alone in Oliver’s room, to lie in his bed and put the older man’s his swim trunks over his head.

Their conversation becomes cryptic and then, suddenly, Elio becomes physical with Oliver, kissing him and grabbing his genitals. Eventually, they do have sex, on more than one occasion. The sex is erotic and tastefully depicted. Details, such as Oliver wiping semen from his chest, are not shied away from. There is also a post-coital reference to the title, a kind of promise made between the two As Elio processes the experience, Oliver tells him that they haven’t done anything to be ashamed of, that he’s happy they slept together, and doesn’t want Elio to hold what happened against him, doesn’t want him to regret anything.

The experience leaves them both emotional wrecks. They lament all the wasted days and the miscommunication before they had sex. With Oliver’s departure hanging over their heads, Sammy and Annelle, who are both aware and supportive, of what’s going on with Elio and Oliver, send them off to be alone for a few days. The trip culminates with Elio and Oliver’s train station farewell.

By the end of the film, in the final scene in fact, it becomes clear that the movie belongs to Chalamet who has been receiving well-deserved praise for his performance. Remember his name come Oscar time. On a side note, Call Me by Your Name does for apricots what Portnoy’s Complaint did for raw liver. You will never look at the fruit in the same way again.

Call Me by Your Name opens on Dec. 22 in Atlanta at AMC Phipps Plaza 14, Lefont Sandy Springs and Midtown Cinemas 8. Rating: A-

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Dress Up to Get Down

By Mik Hyldebrandt

New Year’s Eve is your last chance to close out the year – so why not do it in style! Break out the sequins, dress like a rock star, and let the details of your outfit outshine the rest.

D as in Detail

It’s the small details that can truly elevate an outfit – and don’t be afraid to be a little playful and eccentric!

Tie a Bow A bowtie will upgrade any shirt to party mode – even a plain denim shirt!

The Tie Bar Grossgrain Solid Copper Bowtie, $19

Cuff’em Cufflinks is a cute detail that can add a dash of style and fun to your outfit.

Link Up Drum Set Cufflinks, $95

Tie’em

Suspend It! Remember that classic white shirt?

Combine it with slim suspenders for an instant, fashionable look.

Express Men Solid Skinny Suspenders, $15 16 | 12.27.17

A tie is part of traditional party attire, but you can still have lots of fun with colors and pattern to upgrade your outfit.

Ties.com Combat Tie, $20

D as in Dare to Dress Up

This is the night to go all out, and wear those pieces that are a little extra and outrageous.

Sequins A sequined jacket is fun and certainly festive! You can also go for a jacket with a bold pattern or texture.

Noose and Monkey Skinny Fit Sequin Jacket, $220

Rock Star Attire

ul

A leather jacket will make anything you wear look like you’re a rock star. Combine it with a white shirt and a tie or bowtie, and you have the perfect party look.

Schott NYC Leather Jacket, $860

White Shirt A classic, fitted white shirt will instantly make you look sharp and elegant.

Party On Your Pants

Banana Republic Grant Slim-Fit Dress Shirt, $80

Another bold statement is to wear patterned trousers. The look is very dressy with a touch of fun.

Mr. Turk Clyde Slim Trousers, $278

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Q Music

‘77 1977 was the year that one-hit wonder Debby Boone spent ten weeks in the number one spot on the Billboard charts with her syrupy sweet hit single “You Light Up My Life”. It was also the last time that rock, disco and punk could be described as peacefully co-existing Three albums from that transitional year have been reissued in fancy and fantastic expanded box sets to commemorate the 40th anniversary of each.

In some ways, with their involvement in the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever, the Bee Gees simultaneously celebrated disco while forever changing their own creative history. Prior to SNF, the Bee Gees (Gibb brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice) were an Australian pop trio who owed a considerable debt to the Beatles.

This is especially true of the first chapter of their career during the mid-to-late 1960s. For a variety of personal and professional reasons, the Bee Gees were more or less absent from stateside radio until 1975 and the release of Main Course, successfully launching their second, R&B-influenced, chapter with a trio of hits – “Jive Talking”, “Nights on Broadway” and “Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)”. The follow-up album, 1976’s Children of the World, was particularly momentous because of the straightforward disco tune “You Should Be Dancing”, which would soon resurface in Saturday Night Fever.

If you can’t decide which is more essential, the

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By Gregg Shapiro

movie or the soundtrack, the Saturday Night Fever: Super Deluxe (Capitol/UMe) solves that problem for you.

Included in the attratively packaged box set you will find two versions of the soundtrack. The first is the double LP set, restoring the music to its original vinyl setting. The double CD compresses the entire soundtrack onto one disc and includes a second disc of Serban Ghenea mixes of “Stayin’ Alive”, “Night Fever”, “How Deep Is Your Love” and “You Should Be Dancing”.

There is also a Blu-ray disc containing the director’s cut of the film. Directed by John Badham, it was the movie that earned John Travolta his first Oscar nomination, and showed off his dancing skills (as well as his assets in black briefs and tight polyester pants). Considering that disco was born in gay clubs, and continued to thrive there long after various backlashes, including Chicago’s humiliating 1979 “Disco Demolition”, Saturday Night Fever was shockingly homophobic. Producer Robert Stigwood was a gay man, but that didn’t prevent anti-gay remarks, including one aimed at David Bowie, from making its way into the film.

Additional goodies include a movie poster, stills, a “story behind the movie” booklet and a turntable mat with the Saturday

Night Fever logo. Mirror balls are sold separately.

Like the Bee Gees, Queen was a band that had distinctive periods in its career; from progenitors of British prog and metal to rock operetta and glam and eventually to pure pop, even incorporating elements of dance music. Queen already had substantial hits under its low-slung, jewel-encrusted belt, including “Killer Queen”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Somebody To Love”, when it released News of the World in 1977.

The robotic monster on the album cover is a perfect illustration of the force Queen would unleash with th album. News of the World: 40thAnniversary Edition (Hollywood Records), features a “new pure analogue cut” of the vinyl LP, three CDs including the 2011 Bob Ludwig Master, an 11-track disc of “Raw Sessions” as well as a 19-track disc of “Bonus Tracks” and the DVD documentary The American Dream. The album opens with the semi-linked tracks “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions”. Queen probably didn’t realize the way these songs would become ingrained in contemporary culture. “Sheer Heart Attack” (also the name of the band’s 1974 album) came close to capturing the punk spirit of the time. “All Dead, All Dead”, “Spread Your Wings” and “My Melancholy Blues” fit well into Queen’s trademark blend of rock and theater, whereas “Get Down, Make Love” hinted at an experimental side.

The handsomely assembled Queen package also includes marvelous ephemera, such as a reproduction of the original Elektra Records press kit (including 8X10 pics), three posters, stickers, an “all-access” laminate and 60-page book. Sadly, the gay Mercury’s untimely passing in 1991 silenced one of the greatest voices and most magnetic personalities that rock music has ever seen or hear.

Back in the mid-to-late `70s period in the burgeoning world of punk rock, it was not uncommon for bands to put out albums in close succession. Talking Heads, Blondie, The Clash and Elvis Costello are a few good examples. So are the Ramones, whose debut album was released in 1976, followed soon after by two albums in 1977. Leave Home: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Sire/Rhino), the first of the Ramones’ two 1977 albums, has been reissued in a deluxe limited-edition package. The set includes Ed Stasium’s remastered stereo version and a 40th anniversary mix of the original album on 180-gram vinyl as well as on CD. It includes Ramones standards such as “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment”, “Oh, Oh I Love Her So”, “Glad To See You Go”, “Pinhead”, “I Remember You”, “Swallow My Pride” and “Suzy Is A Headbanger”.A second disc features the Sundragon Rough Mixes and 14 tracks under the heading of “40th Anniversary Extras”. The third disc boasts a 1977 concert recorded live at CBGB.

peachATL.com | 19

BLAKES PHOTOS: Sher Pruitt

20 | 12.27.17

peachATL.com | 21

FRIENDS CHRISTMAS PHOTOS: Andrea dwyer

22 | 12.27.17

JOIN OUR VIP LIST

AT LIVEATPH.COM

CONTACT INFO: (844) 227-9541

Wood You Be My Neighbor

205 12th Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309

LiveatPH.com *subject to change.

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A DRAG CHRISTMAS BY MURRAY AND PETER PHOTOS:Just Toby

PLEASE CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

24 | 12.27.17

SmartCare Welcomes Dr. John Destito as Our New Medical Director.

www.smartcareuc.com peachATL.com | 25

By day Chris Griswold is a Sr. Program Manager for a leading tech and entertainment organization, and by night you may have heard him spinning as a sought-after DJ in the ATL gay nightlife scene. He loves keeping in shape, but right now he is focusing his energy and free time on raising a 15-week old mini Dachshund Ranger.

He is also the organizer of the 6th Annual “Beards, Bears, and Otters on Ice” event, that benefits Little Bricks of Hope, and which takes place Wednesday December 27th, 2017 at Park Tavern from 7-11pm. Check out the event FB page for more info!

CHRIS GRISWOLD

Enclave at Druid Hills Townhomes from the upper $500s Sign a purchase contract on a quick move-in home Between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017 and Close

by December 29, 2017 to receive:

Up To

Towards $5,000 Closing Costs*

When financing with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title company, CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC.

– PLUS –

Up To

in Flex $25,000 Credits**

Towards Design Center options and upgrades, price discounts, closing costs and/or temporary rate buy downs.

For more information, please call Robert Heltzel at 404-634-4485 or visit CalAtlanticHomes.com.

Available only when you close on the purchase of a quick move-in home in the Enclave at Druid Hills community pursuant to a purchase contract you sign on or between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017 and close on or before December 29, 2017. *Up to $5,000 towards closing costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. **Up to $25,000 Seller provided Flex Credits may be applied to available upgrades and options at Seller’s Design Center, price discounts, closing costs and/or temporary rate buy downs. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Completion and/or move-in dates are estimated. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897 , Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL363

Dec 28 - Jan 3

Rainbros Lunch Meet-up

Skate the Sky

The diverse group invites you to join them for a Rainbros introductory lunch. Rainbros is a gay mentoring group that aims to support all members of the LGBTQ community.

A cute little way to get some great views of the city while showing off your skating skills.

Thursday, December 28, 12 pm

Skyline Park Atlanta at Ponce City Roof

December 28-29

Roxx Tavern STAFF PICK!

Dark Side - Black Light NYE Party Come to the “Dark Side” with Neon the Glowgobear as the Atlanta Eagle is lit up with blacklights to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Sunday, December 31 Atlanta Eagle

Underwear Comedy Party From thongs to long-johns, there’s no telling what the comics might wear. Or not wear. The show features local and touring comics performing in nothing but their underwear.

DILF Atlanta New Year’s Pre-Leak Jock Party The very last DILF party of the year brings out the hottest daddies in jocks for hot music and dancing.

Friday, December 29

Friday, December 29

The Village Theatre

The Heretic

30 | 12.27.17

peachATL.com | 31

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

By Jamie Kirk

W

ell, the time has come to take an inventory of what worked for us, what didn’t, and literally what has to stop in 2018.

Sometimes it is very difficult to look at our lives and determine if a goal or committed resolution worked or not because we often get so tied to the end result that we get downright disappointed when the results are not positive or what we planned.

For example, if you committed to going to the gym at least three times a week at the beginning of the year, and you stayed committed to that, but you only lost five pounds all year; that can be very discouraging. BUT...it doesn’t mean that it didn’t work.

Think about how much weight you could have gained, had you not been committed to hitting the gym?

Another great example is switching to be vegan, or reducing your alcohol intake or perhaps NO GLUTEN. All of these things are potentially no good for us, but according to whom? Just because mainstream media says so? Because our neighbor has a child that is allergic to sialic acid? Because after you drink heavily, you sleep the entire next day? If you cut out or add something to your diet, it should make you feel better, healthier, and stronger.

Not the opposite.

When we look in the rearview mirror of 2017, we have to be clear and honest about what we need to let go of, and what we need to carry over into 2018. The best way to handle this task is to set out with how you measure it. Asking these three questions should help: 1. Did it work / Did it make you “feel” better?

Take a look at whatever it is and quickly assess how you feel when you recall it. Try this: “In 2017, I said I was going to do more cardio”. Immediately, think if doing more cardio made your knees hurt or according to the scale you lost minimal weight. And more importantly, did it make you breathe easier? Did you feel accomplished after 45 minutes on the spin bike? Bottom line is you need to carry it over into the New Year, but maybe differently.

Stay committed to the goal of health and fitness, just be flexible in your approach. When you are taking better care of your health, you sometimes have to find non-traditional ways to reach and sustain this goal.

for YOU or SOMEONE ELSE? Most likely, if you made a change in your life because of or in spite of someone else, it’s probably not working for you. The resolution you may have made was not driven by a change you wanted to make. Just because you didn’t want to make it, doesn’t mean it was bad, it just means you were fine with it. If it didn’t work for you in 2017, you might have to let it go. You may have made it 365 days (and being unhappy the entire way), but it doesn’t have to be 366 days. There is no need to carry over something you didn’t enjoy.

3. Did it move you backwards or steal your peace?

Especially when you look at fitness goals or health goals, it is so easy to over-commit to unrealistic goals. If you went even part of the year doing something or eating something that did not honor you or move you forward, you shouldn’t take it into 2018, no matter how hard you want too. If you have come to realize that even though you want to be more active or take more yoga, but you can’t afford a gym membership or yoga fees, and you are stressed in your Shavasana pose, you may need to re-think this one. Nothing in 2018 should make us feel stressed out. If the goal you had set has not paid off financially, spiritually or made you feel healthier, leave it in 2017.

I think once we do the quick exercise of determining overall how we are closing out the year, we can assess what needs to remain in 2017, what needs to be tweaked for 2018, and what we need to continue doing as the new year approaches us. Yes, there is value and commendation for “sticking with something.” But there is also stress, a lack of peace and unhappiness to continue doing something that is not working. Staying committed to making healthy choices, making choices when we are not stressed, saving money, being kind, etc., are all good goals to take into 2018. But the focus for 2018 should be not looking at the easy stuff, but taking a good hard look at what is not working and make the necessary adjustments. If you get stuck, use the above criteria, and you will have a solid framework to defend taking or leaving resolutions into 2018.

You don’t always have to change the goal; sometimes you have to change the approach.

2. Did it not work/ Do you have resentment now?

Observe how you feel about something you said you would do in 2017 and determine if you didn’t make any strides forward; it could be at home, at school, with your friends. Here’s a great data point to use: when you made this resolution did you make it

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Jamie Kirk works for a software company and is a certified spinning instructor. He also enjoys yoga, swimming, bicycling and running. He aspires to start a blog about what we put in our bodies not only fuels our body but our mind and spirit as well. Follow Jamie on IG @tysonsdad

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Hangover Helpers

By Mik Hyldebrandt

Knocked back a few too many in celebration of the Holidays or the new year and woke up redeyed and with a pounding head? We’re here to help with a few natural remedies to cure your hangover headaches.

Bananas Coconut Water You need to hydrate your body and brain after heavy drinking and coconut water is perfect for that packing plenty of electrolytes.

The potassium in bananas are perfect for aiding aching muscles, and the consistency is ideal if solid foods are too much.

Honey

Water with Lemon

Regarding a hangover,fructose is your friend, and that is exactly what honey contains. Fructose helps the body rid itself of the last alcohol.

Water is great for hydration on its own, and the lemon helps cleanse the system.

Tomato Juice … and not in a Bloody Mary! The juice contains vital nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that help the body process the alcohol better.

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Ginger Ginger cures nausea and upset stomachs. If you can’t stand the thought of fresh ginger in water, a ginger ale can do the trick.

Thank you, Atlanta, for helping brighten the lives of local families in need! featuring DJ Liz Ellis Presented by

special thanks to

sponsored by

RBR Financial LLC

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Dance 101 Innerfusion fitness the other show Rainbow trout

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AMORETTES PHOTOS: Sher Pruitt

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

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Amsterdam Ave.

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Piedmont Park

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Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

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Peachtree St. NE

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Monr

Charles Allen Dr. NE

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

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4th St. NE

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BARS Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends The Model T My Sister’s Room Ten Atlanta

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Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

9 10 11 12

10 th & Piedmont Campagnolo Einstein's F.R.O.G.S

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

40 | 12.27.17

991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE

fitness

retail 8 Barking Leather

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ponce De Leon Pl. NE

Spring St. NW

17

76 4th St. NW

16 17 18 19

G’s Midtown Henry’s Joe's on Juniper La Hacienda

219 10th St NE 132 10th St NE 1049 Juniper St NE 900 Monroe Dr NE

billards/Darts drag dancers leather non-smoking area Patio

www.SavedAndGay.com NEW COVENANT Church of Atlanta

404.929.1400

Cheshire 23

ansley 21

37

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BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE 2425 Piedmont Rd NE

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd 805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Jungle

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2115 Faulkner Rd NE

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

32 33 34 35 36

Burkhart's Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

2103 Faulkner Rd NE 2135 Liddell Drive NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Dining 37 Cowtippers 38 Eclectic Bistro

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

NE

38

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BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's

e. nt mo ed

39

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BARS 20 21 22 23

41

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24

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32

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36

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Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

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33

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26

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34

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30

Lambert Dr.

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1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

The Cockpit Atlanta Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta

465 Boulevard SE 1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in Peach ATL & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

Bars & Clubs

OSCAR’S

MIDTOWN

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

AMSTERDAM 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

ATLANTA EAGLE

THE COCKPIT

amsterdamatlanta.com

atlantaeagle.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MODEL T modeltatlanta.com 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com

oscarsatlanta.com

thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com 465 Boulevard SE

MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch.com 466 Edgewood Ave SE

SWINGING RICHARDS swingingrichards.com 1400 Northside Dr NW

Dining MIDTOWN

66 12th St NE

10TH & PIEDMONT

TEN ATLANTA

communitashospitality.com

DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE

Retail MIDTOWN BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

CHESHIRE BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 805 Lambert Dr NE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES

tenatlanta.com

991 Piedmont Ave NE

brushstrokesatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

EINSTEIN’S

1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

einsteinsatlanta.com 1077 Juniper St NE

Fitness

FROGS CANTINA

MIDTOWN

CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr

G’S BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com

communitashospitality.com 219 10th St NE

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

HENRY’S

OPUS 1

132 10th St NE

graviteeatl.com

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE

Spas/Baths/Adult

LA HACIENDA

MIDTOWN

1086 Alco St NE

TRIPPS 1931 Piedmont Circle N

WOOFS woofsatlanta.com

henrysatl.com

lahaciendamidtown.com

GRAVITEE FITNESS

900 Monroe Dr NE

FLEX SPA

ANSLEY

CHESHIRE

76 4th St NW

BURKHART’S

LAS MARGARITAS

CHESHIRE

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

MANIFEST 4U manifest4u.org

2425 Piedmont Road NE

burkharts.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

THE HIDEAWAY

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

1544 Piedmont Ave NE

ANSLEY

MIXX

COWTIPPERS

mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

42 | 12.27.17

cowtippersatlanta.com 1600 Piedmont Ave NE

flexspas.com

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN thedenatlanta.com 2135 Liddell Drive NE

HELP WANTED

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Call 404.439.9838 or email jeff@peachatl.com for more information. peachATL.com | 43

t ha nks T H A N KS TO AL L OF OUR F RIEN DS A N D S P O N S O R S! S EE Y ’AL L N EXT YEA R !

ATLANTA PRIDE FESTIVAL Oct. 13-14, 2018 | atlantapride.org

10 THINGS FOR THE YEAR THAT’S ABOUT TO START MAKE THIS YEAR BETTER THAN THE LAST!

1 Strengthen Your Relationships

Be Kind to Yourself

10 2

Keep a Journal

Play More

9 3

Travel More

8

Learn a New Skill

4

5

7 6

46 | 12.27.17

Get Out More

Read More

Be More Grateful

Don’t Procrastinate

Sunday Funday =

Playmates or soul mates, you’ll find them on MegaMates Always FREE to listen and reply to ads!

MISERABLE MONDAY

MAKE MONDAY YOUR B#TCH! feel better faster with Intravenous (IV) Therapy

20% Off Your first visit Promo code: davidmag 404.939.7666 | replenishIV.com | Hours: 10am-6pm 549-6 Amsterdam Avenue NE | Atlanta, GA 30306

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peachATL.com | 47

Text your Peach Pits to 256-60-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com Illustrations by: Jerel Ely

Real Atlantans knows which “t” to drop in Atlanta.

Asking for a friend: Does anyone know how to be friends with the boy that rejected you?

Me: So, I’ve booked a massage on Friday Him: Oooooh, couple’s massage, yay!

I had a near-death experience today: I tried to go without caffeine for the day!

Me: It’s just for me – I need to relax after the Holidays

I like to keep my metabolism on its toes one day it’s complete starvation, and the next it’s 6,000 calories.

I have a condition that prevents me from going on a diet … I get hungry!

Overheard at dinner: I am NOT on Scruff. I’m on Amazon looking for glitter.

48 | 12.27.17

50 | 12.27.17

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Your emotions could get the best of you today if you don’t find an outlet. Don’t think you’re any less masculine if you indulge in a good crying session. Hey, contestants on The Biggest Loser cry all the time, and no one thinks any less of them.

Share your manscaping skills with friends today, because some of them may really need it. Teach them the value of good grooming and always looking your best.

If it works for you it can work for them, even those with the grooming habits of a caveman.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

You may be sick of the snooty attitude of men, so hang out with your gal pals today. Plan fun activities like shopping or lunch with them. You’ll enjoy the unique perspective woman bring to the table. They, in turn, will greatly appreciate the cosmetic and beauty tips you’ll pass on to them.

Stock up on extra Kleenex today if you plan on watching any sad movies tonight. Even the manliest of men can benefit from a good cry, so let yourself go. But you may have explaining to do should friends stop by in the middle of The English Patient – they won’t believe that you were just peeling onions.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

Recent financial downturns may force you to get tight with your money today. The timing couldn’t be worse. But it’ll be in your best interest to be thrifty, no matter how many seasonal sales are going on.

You may find yourself attracted to someone who is completely different from you. Your energies may be mismatched, but you’ll swear there’s an attraction. The only way to find out is to approach him. That’s when you’ll find out he’s from a different country, and you don’t even speak the same language.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Today’s a good one to grab the bull by the horns. Being confident and assertive will help you get the things you want today, especially when it comes to men.

You’ll be so poised guys may actually be intimidated by you. That’ll be a good thing, as it will add to your masculine allure.

Deal with issues as they arise today. This will keep them from exploding in your face at the most inopportune times. It could also have you dumping a guy who has become a real nuisance, and who is only a phone call away from becoming a bona fide stalker.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

You’ll see your sensitive side emerge today. This may not sit too well as you make the social rounds.

There may be wolves who’ll see a chance to take advantage of the vulnerable lion. But one mighty roar could snap you back into shape, and you’ll find those wolves are actually lambs in disguise.

Why so serious? Your raging emotions could derail what should be a relaxing day. Keeping them under control could be tough, however, as you tend to wear them on your sleeve. Lighten up, or you could find yourself spending the evening alone…again.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

You’ll be quite the therapist today as friends come to you with their problems. You’ll offer uncanny insight into their troubles, and they’ll thank you for your help. Their thanks may be short-lived, however, after they get your bill in the mail, and they discover that your services don’t come cheap.

You’ll have tons of romantic fun today as guys will be attracted to your dreamy, sensitive side. They’ll find everything you do to be fascinating and cool. Until you start reciting your own poetry to them, and their discomfort will be palpable.

WHAT happened was . . .

What Happened Was...

Trouble in the love department? With sex? Or just people in general? Send us your queries, questions, and problems, and we’ll give you the answers served straight up and with a little ice.

I’m a notorious flirt, and I’m really good at connecting with guys both online and in person when I’m out. This also means that I have a LOT going on in terms of hanging out, dating, and casual hookups. In fact, it is difficult for me to keep track of them all! I love the attention, but I’m constantly on my phone talking to all these guys, and it’s starting to drive me crazy. What can I do?

Sincerely Flirtilicious Dear Flirtilicious It seems like you have moved beyond just flirting and connecting to adding a level of instant gratification when it comes to attention. Sure, it’s nice to get plenty of attention from guys – especially if it ends up with cute dates and some decent sex – but obviously, there are levels, and right now it is interfering with your life. It’s an easy trap to fall into because you bask in the sunlight of attention, but you have to be careful that it is not all that defines you. Imagine being one of the guys on a date with you watching you constantly checking your phone, texting, and not paying very much attention to the here and now. Not pretty, right? Maybe it’s time for you to put your phone down for a second and focus a little bit on the guys that really interest you instead of a multitude of dudes. It may seem like a cold turkey moment for a while, but after a while, it’ll hopefully give you a little more focus and calm the impulse for attention down a bit.

Relationships are supposed to change and develop and hopefully morph into something more profound and better.

But that is not always the case. Feelings wane, commitments change, and sometimes even long-term relationships don’t stand the test of time. What is important for you to do is to communicate with your partner. Don’t leave him out of this, even though you may feel that this is all happening to you.

He may experience the same disconnect as you, and may even have similar feelings of ‘what do we do?’. Making an emotional assessment can be incredibly difficult so don’t shy away from seeing a therapist – either on your own or together – to have someone oversee and steer the process in the right direction. It certainly will help you reconnect, if that is what you ultimately want to do. Regarding the guy you have developed feelings for, tread carefully. This is not saying don’t pursue it if this is truly what you want, but give your current relationship its fair chance too. The key is communication on all parts, so that’s where you need to start to get the ball rolling. Don’t keep all this to yourself and be honest with the men in your life – and yourself.

Me and my friend always have a good time; we hang out all of the time because neither of us are in a relationship right now.

The other day we were watching a show, and all of a sudden, he joked that he had a boner. Before I knew it, we were having really good sex right there on the couch. Afterwards, we got dressed and proceeded to watch the show as if nothing had happened. But I’ve been thinking: is he into me? Or is this really just a ‘friends with benefits’ thing?

Sincerely Friend-Zoner Dear Friend-Zoner

I’ve been in the same relationship for a long time – 10+ years – but lately I feel this disconnect happening between us. I have always been able to feel the love between us, but now I think that maybe this isn’t what I want. Maybe I don’t really love him anymore, and I’m just comfortable in my relationship, but not truly happy? Adding to that feeling is a person in our circle of friends that I think I have fallen in love with, and what I feel towards that person is vastly different than what I feel towards my partner – we haven’t hooked up or anything, but we have made our feelings clear to one another. I’m really confused, but I am really starting to think differently about my future. What can I do to get my feelings sorted out?

Sincerely Love Strike One Dear Love Strike One Love and its mysterious ways! Your situation is a very familiar one to so many: you are in a loving relationship, but over time your feelings change, and the relationship changes with it. It is damn near impossible to keep a 10+ year relationship at a status quo – and it shouldn’t either!

52 | 12.27.17

Your first question should be ‘are you into him’? Because if you are this could be a pleasant development to things.

Maybe you have missed signs from him and yourself that this is a thing? If not, maybe you are just fortunate to have hit that friends with benefits zone where there’s mutual attraction but not an emotional connection in terms being in a relationship.

Be aware, because things like this tend to complicate things, so be attentive to signs that other than friendly feelings are developing. It would be too bad to lose a true friend because of a casual sexual encounter.

NEED ANSWERS? REACH OUT TO US, AND YOU WILL GET THEM! SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS VIA OUR EDITOR AT MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM.