The Second Annual First Annual Golden Martinis
2024, reviewed.
Hello readers.
This edition is a special one because it marks the end of this newsletter’s first full calendar year. Thank you all for reading. It means so much to me and you are all my Favorite People.
2024 was another iconic year. I became a husband this year. I dramatically wept on a dance floor. My butt looked great in so many different outfits in so many different locations.
Bye, 2024. I’ll remember you fondly.
December Book Reviews
Bad Dreams in the Night: 4 stars
What I liked about this book: I enjoy the occasional graphic novel and I have loved Adam Ellis’s comics for years on Instagram. I’m usually not one for horror or scary stories but I enjoyed most of these. I skipped one chapter because it grossed me out too much.
Who I’d recommend this book to: anyone who has ever pulled a scarf off of someone’s neck and then the person’s head fell off (if you don’t understand that reference, you were not traumatized by the book In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories in your elementary school library).
Medium of the book: Hardcover
Judging a book by its cover: I like it! It’s intriguing and a good indication of the vibe of the stories.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almaida: 5 stars (Nominee for the Golden Martini for Book of the Year)
What I liked about this book: This book was incredible and the best example of a second-person narrative I have ever read. Navigating the bureaucracy of the Sri Lankan afterlife was beautiful, terrifying, and ultimately hopeful. Nothing matters (shouted with positivity!!)
Who I’d recommend this book to: Anyone who likes a slow burn of a novel; anyone who needs a good audiobook recommendation; anyone who is okay with the realization that everything is meaningless and we’re all just trying our best.
Medium of the book: Audiobook! I tried to read the physical copy and an e-book version and neither of them hit for me. In my opinion listening to this book is the best way to do it. Great accents and variations of voices, plus proper pronunciation of all the Sri Lankan names.
Judging a book by its cover: LOVE THIS COVER. This character was terrifying but I love the cover art.
The Most: 3 stars
What I liked about this book: I read this for a book club I didn’t end up attending and it was fine. Had it not been such a quick listen I don’t think I would’ve continued with the story.
Who I’d recommend this book to: anyone who likes stories set in the mid-century era of the United States.
Medium of the book: Audiobook
Judging a book by its cover: It was fine. Honestly I think the font choice oversold this book. Cooler than vibe that the book actually is.
The Wedding People: 3.5 stars
What I liked about this book: This is the first book with a wedding that I’ve read since having my own and it made me glad that we chose to have a small wedding. More details, more people, more headaches. Some of the plot came to together a bit too conveniently for my personal taste and the parts about divorce were particularly devastating.
Who I’d recommend this book to: people who romance novels; people with an appreciation of Victorian literature; anyone who has ever been accused of being uptight; anyone scared of moving forward after a divorce.
Medium of the book: Audiobook
Judging a book by its cover: I still don’t get it.
The Safekeep: 4 stars
What I liked about this book: I love when a book surprises me with a good twist and I was very satisfied with this one. I will not say more but I think it’s worth a read.
Who I’d recommend this book to: anyone interested in post-WWII Netherlands; people who enjoy sapphic romances; anyone who just needs to get laid.
Medium of the book: E-book
Judging a book by its cover: Love the imagery and how it relates to the story. It makes me want to eat a Dutch pear and appreciate its juice.
Don't Fall in Love, Sam: 2.5 stars
What I liked about this book: This author came onto my radar years ago when I came across one of his adult films. I was struck by how much I liked the soundtrack of the video I had seen and I was delighted to discover the creator is a moody writer-type living in Berlin. The book itself was not it for me, but there was at least one chapter I liked. This book was much sadder than I expected it to be.
This book reminded me a lot of my first iteration of this newsletter (R.I.P. davalberto). Sad gay guy writes sad poetry about sex with strangers. Major 2015 Alberto vibes.
Who I’d recommend this book to: People who like Hanya Yanagihara novels.
Medium of the book: Paperback
Judging a book by its cover: It’s cute. I like the little arrows.
The Second Annual First Annual Golden Martinis
“Whoever said it was an honor just be nominated is lying to themselves.” - Martini McLavalos
Category: Best Album of 2024
BRAT by Charli xcx
Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat by Charli xcx
Cowboy Carter by Beyonce
Diva of the People by Gavin Turek
Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa
Challengers (Original Score) by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Wicked: The Soundtrack by Wicked Movie Cast
Winner - Diva of the People by Gavin Turek: I love disco so much I made it the theme of my wedding. The theme of Casa McLavalos Presents: The Wedding was moody disco (think metallics and jewel tones). Diva of the People captures that exact vibe. She’s vibrant. She’s crying. She’s serving. Above all else, she’s gorgeous in every sense of the word.
Please treat yourself to Heaven Knows and allow it to transport you to a San Diego dance floor in October.
We saw Gavin Turek perform in September and that concert is also the winner of the Golden Martini for Best Live Performance of 2024. Sorry, Chappell Roan. I loved seeing you right before you blasted off but Gavin Turek literally held our hands and shared moments of glee with us.
Category: Best Meal Eaten in 2024
Chilaquiles Poblanos a la Tingada from La Chingada Cocina Mexicana in Tucson, Arizona
Breakfast Tacos from Seis Kitchen in Tucson, Arizona
Classic Lox Sandwich on an everything bagel from Boichik Bagels in Berkeley, California
Patty Melt from Beginner’s Diner in San Diego, California
Deviled Eggs from Realm of the 52 Remedies in San Diego, California
Tri-Tip Nachos from Seaside Market located in Petco Park in San Diego, California
Maple Bolo from Either/Or in Portland, Oregon
Winner - Chilaquiles Poblanos a la Tingada: Maybe it was the margaritas. Maybe it was the post-wedding euphoria. Maybe it was Saguaro cactus magic. Whatever it was, this was the meal I enjoyed the most this year. We picked Tucson for our mini-moon because it has two things we love: National Parks and delicious food.
I didn’t know Tucson was such a major food city until I watched Season 19 of Top Chef. That’s when I learned it is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Before that, I just thought of Tucson as Linda Ronstandt’s hometown and the place where University of Arizona transcripts come from.
I am now obsessed with Sonoran food, particularly the spiciness of it. I don’t like heat for heat’s sake but I love that Sonoran food’s spice has dimension and enhances the meal. This meal was the single greatest but I didn’t have a bad one the whole time I was there. I even got to try Linda Ronstandt’s favorite cheese crisps.
Category: Best Book Read in 2024
The Seven Moons of Maali Almaida
Long Island Compromise
Victim
Starter Villain
North Woods
Real Americans
Martyr!
A Tale for the Time Being
A Short Stay in Hell
Winner - Martyr!: This was a really hard decision to make because I read some iconic books this year. It was between Martyr! and Real Americans and I ultimately decided on Martyr! because of how it made me feel towards the end. The writing was incredible and it inspired me so much that I got out a highlighter and started marking my favorite passages (I never annotate my books).
I love discussing it with the people because it had such an interesting ending. It gave me a lot to marinate on and I’m still unsure where the book officially ended. I love that ambiguity. It was ultimately a beautiful book of love and grit and I think I am a better person for having read it.
Category: Best Cover Art / Design of a Book Read in 2024
The Seven Moons of Maali Almaida
The Bullet Swallower
Between Two Moons
West
Starter Villain
Everything You Need is in the Library
Real Americans
Martyr!
A Tale for the Time Being
A Short Stay in Hell
Winner - The Seven Moons of Maali Almaida: It’s as beautiful as it is grotesque. The character on the cover is a monster in the Sri Lankan afterlife that feasts on souls that refuse to move into the light. When I look at the cover I can hear the monster’s voice from the audiobook and I love it even though it scared me. I’d love a print of this book cover for my home.
Category: Best Casa McLavalos Endeavor
Casa McLavalos Presents: The Pyramid Scheme
Casa McLavalos Presents: The Mini-Moon Sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy
Casa McLavalos Presents: The Wedding
Casa McLavalos Presents: Meowchella
Winner - The Wedding: Simply said, it was the best day of my life.
Category: Best Outdoor Adventure of 2024
Exploring Saguaro National Park
Exploring Yellowstone National Park
Hiking in an Oregon forest
Teaching Ailee how to navigate the trains of Northern California
Exploring existentialism on the beaches of Sea Ranch
Spending an entire day in the pool at Casa Peraza
Swimming and reading with friends at the Madonna Inn pool
Mid-week wine tasting in Temecula
Winner - Yellowstone National Park: This place felt like I was on a different planet. The plants. The animals. The thermal springs. All of it was so cool and I will never forget the days I spent frolicking in those meadows. I squealed in delight when I rode a horse past a sleeping bison. That trip was truly a dream realized for me and I feel so lucky to have been able to experienced it.
Category: Favorite thing purchased from a Favorite Person’s list in 2024
Winner - Ali’s Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: I am obsessed with how much shit I can cram into this bag. It can fit my 40 oz emotional support water bottle, my Kindle, sunglasses, and a sweater all at once. It’s not only practical but it’s also very cute because of the embroidered Gudetama patches.
During our trip to Portland we decide that the bag’s name was officially Baggu and it serves a vessel for Martini’s spirit when we’re traveling away from home. Since then Baggu has bullied all of us within an inch of our lives and it killed Ailee’s car. Baggu is very powerful and I love it as much as I fear it.
Category: Best Marriott Property of 2024
The Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, California
J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona
The Leo Kent Hotel in Tucson, Arizona
Residence Inn Berkeley in Berkeley, California
Oakland Marriott City Center in Oakland, California
Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center in Riverside, California
Courtyard Portland Downtown / Convention Center in Portland, Oregon
Hotel Per La in Los Angeles, California
Winner - J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa: According to my Bonvoy app I spent 37 nights sleeping in a Marriott bed. Most of these nights were spent traveling for work but there was pleasure in there, too. I spent most nights in the Residence Inn Berkeley, a hotel I truly love. I am there so often that I have favorite room and the staff try to get it for me whenever I visit (Room 1601 has a little reading nook I like and it has a nice view of the Campanile).
I liked almost all of the hotels I stayed at but the one that made me feel like I was in a Marriott commercial was the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Collin and I combined our points to stay here and it was worth every piece of imaginary Marriott currency. We got married on Saturday and we watched the sun set in Tucson on Sunday while we floated in the hotel’s lazy river. I watched roadrunners and quail from the spa’s windows while I sipped on my cucumber water after my massage. It was truly magical and I’ve never felt so relaxed in my life.
Once we got home we decided to watch the Top Chef episodes that were filmed in Tucson. We started screaming when we realized that the finale was filmed at that hotel and there were tons of b-roll shots of the property I had just drunkenly walked through.
