I am NOT getting a sore throat. I am NOT getting a sore throat. I am NOT getting a sore throat.
Enough on that subject.
Little by little we're getting out place ready for Friday's Party. Then and only then can I take a moment and take some pictures of all the Christmas shit that's strung on anything that doesn't move. Tonight we're heading out to do shopping for food and liquor, few more odds and ends to do around the house then relax. We're making sure we don't run around like chickens with our heads cut off this whole week.
Best way to relax? We've purchased every single Eddie Izzard DVD they carried at Best Buy recently. If you ever want to see Brian laugh to the point where his face is all scruched up, his face is beat red and he's almost stopped breathing, sit and watch one of Eddies DVD's with him. There were moments when I was worried for him, yelling "Breathe Honey! Breeeeeaaaathe!"
In other news:
For those bloggers that know me personally, this tidbit of information will be quite funny. I lost my cell phone a couple weeks ago. Stupid me left it at KFC one evening. After realizing that it was missing, I checked with Cingular and they said someone was making internatinal text messages with it at 4am. Who in the fuck makes text messages at 4 fricken' AM? Anyhoo, of course stupid me didn't back up my phone number list and lost EVERYTHING. Would all you bloggers who've exchanged phone numbers with me (You know who you are, don't make me come find you) please privately send me your number again? Don't worry all blogger names in my phone were in a secret blogger code which would be indeciferable by some cracked out drug dealer who stole my phone and used it for 6 hours. He would have no clue about people named Tuna, Homie, Crashie, Palo, etc. I would love to personally call some of you and wish you Happy Holidays. It's been ages since I've talked to many of you.
I promise to buy some sort of cell phone necklace so I can wear my phone around my neck. Oh or remember those little string things with mittens attached at either end that you wore as a kid inside your coat sleeves? Maybe they have something like that designed for cell phones.
Maybe I'm just destined to be an idiot that loses his cell phone at least once every couple years. I definately will jump off the Chrysler Building in NYC if I lose my cell phone at next years GB:NYCiii.
Probably the latter.
Picture this.
You're in the deepest, darkest Amazon jungle. The sounds of the wild natives can be heard throughout. The drums continuously beating and beating all day long without a break, acting like the heartbeat of this untamed land. Yelps and screams echo and reverberate through the high top trees and thick foliage. Through the midst of steam the eminates from the ground, you can see to hairy apes, one grooming the other with loving affection.
Sounds quite lovely, no?
Now picture our upstairs bitch of a neighbor who hasn't learned to walk properly since birth, so all she can do is stomp back and forth every morning, sounding like a heard of wild boar in high heels. I take a very hot shower, steaming up our entire bathroom. I emerge through the steam and stand naked at the mirror to brush, groom and shave myself before going to work. As I do this, my loving husbear walks through the mist and stands behind me, searching for a nasty little zit to pop. Althought I pride myself on being zit free, on rare occasion he finds one of the little fuckers and decides it's his husbandly duty to remove such abominations from my back. Rather then a gentle touch, he uses such force I'm sure that the yelps and screams can be heard throughtout South Dallas. This happens every morning.
We live like animals I tell you.
Animals.
I think that I've finally gotten into some form of routine. I get up a tad bit early each morning to write my entry before heading off to work. You can probably tell by reading that I need coffee and that I'm not completely awake. I come home after work and try to spend a short time reading blogs and even check out a few before I go to bed. I feel like I've totally lost touch with many people lives out there, but I'm trying. They watch the sites people visit at work like a hawk, so I thought it best to not even try. Trust me, it makes for very long days at times.
Brian and I had a great time back in Big Spring visiting his family for Thanksgiving. This is one of the first times in years where I did nothing but relax and watch TV. Mama seemed to have everything under control every time I asked her what I could do to help. Sometimes it's just best to let Mama do her thing. Thanksgiving dinner was small and intimate and the food was amazing as always. It made me miss my own family.
Other then stuffing our faces all weekend, watching movies and playing with the newborn kittens (seems like there's a batch of kittens every time I go back to visit), the trip wouldn't be complete without some shopping. Brian and I (mainly Brian) got a wild hair up our ass and decided we were going to go to Walmart at 5am to take advantage of the $387 HP Laptops. Our minds changed when we woke up that next cold November morning and thought twice about it. It didn't stop his Daddy though. After telling us about the hoards of people that were wrapped around the building, we knew we had made the right decision to just stay home and pass on this years Black Friday. Best decision I think we've ever made. I might have gotten so irritated, I would have ripped a mullet right out of someones head. He said it was utter chaos.
Home was a beautiful sight as we drove in to Dallas late Saturday afternoon. No matter where I go or for how long, I always enjoy coming home to my own place. Although most of what was on my mind was thinking about all the work we have to do this week to get ready for Friday's Christmas Party. The beer bust on Sunday afternoon took my mind of things for a bit.
Fa la la la la la la la fuck it.......
There are time when I wish we could just hire a maid to clean the house, do our laundry and a caterer to take care of the food. All we have to do is show up and look nice, greet everyone and drink.
Can you tell I already wish it was the weekend and it's only 7am on Monday morning?
So to end on a better note, I leave you an image that everyone likes to see.
No not my penis.
Kittens! Took everything in my power not to bring each and every one of them home with me.
Comes that time of year where Zeitzeuge takes a small intermission. Brian and I both leave this afternoon to spend Thanksgiving with his parents and return sometime this weekend. Although I've spent time with his parents before, this will be the first holiday with them and some other family members.
This is the first time in ten years I haven't taken part in planning a huge dinner with tons of close friends. One year was as big as 45 people, with most years averaging 20-30. We would gather the night before for a slumber party. Drinking, movies, eating, manicures and some even put highlights in each others hair. Obviously I didn't take part in that ritual. The next morning we would cook a huge breakfast, clean up and start in on preparing for dinner that night. Some wonderful memories were made in the past. This year, some are spending time with their families for the first time in years. Others decided they don't want the hassle and are going out to a quiet dinner. Some have still decided to continue with the tradition and are getting together tomorrow night. Me on the other hand will be trying something different, creating new memories with my partner.
Times change. People change. Traditions change.
No matter where you are or what you are doing this year, I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Spend it with someone you love whether family, partners or friends and think of a few things you are thankful for.
I know my list is pretty long.
See you after the holiday.
Do you ever get the holiday blues? It's not like I don't have a season filled with numerous parties. Throwing our own holiday bash. Dinners with friends to look forward to. An evening with my partner celebrating Christmas before we each head to our own families. Spending Christmas with the family like I've done my entire life will be as memorable as it always has been. Ringing in the New Year will filled with friends, laughter, drinking and wearing that one special shiney or glittery shirt you have in your closet.
Ok, so maybe I have more then one.
I do this every year for a short time. Maybe it's realizing another year is coming to an end. Soon, all the parties, dinners, dressing up, the lights and sounds will all be put to rest for the winter months. Well for most people. We all know what winter consists of here in North Texas. One day with a dusting of snow, one ice storm and a few days below freezing. The rest of the time will be anywhere from 40-60 degrees and sunny. There a fleeting moments where I really miss the 4 seasons. That feeling usually passes the first trip home in the middle of a snowstorm or having to drive amongst all the idiots around here when there's ice on the ground.
Maybe this time of year makes me realize the number of people and friends out there that don't enjoy holiday season either due to illnesses, family issues or for whatever reason.
Who knows.
Maybe I just need to go shopping.
Another weekend has come and gone. This year is moving faster then I can even remember. Never before have I seen a year completely fly by with only weeks to spare like I have this one.
We went to a friends 30th Birthday Party which was held at these two adorable Bears house. And what a house it was. First thing you see when you walked in the front door was a 4 tiered waterfall in the corner, flowing into a moat that stopped front of the master suite. You had to get into the bedroom by crossing over on cement walking blocks. Beautiful as it was, I would definately end up in the reflecting pool one drunken evening trying to make it to bed. Luckily, we were able to give these boys our email addresses to be invited to next years Bear Pool Parties that they host.
Sunday was spent walking around in a dreamstate at IKEA. That store is right below Kenneth Cole in my book.
Tonight I sit here by myself while the hubby is out drinking with friends. I wasn't in the mood. Felt like being alone, which can be nice at times.
While sitting here, I remembered a story my mother told me a few days ago. Often when alone, I find myself thinking about home. My mother always can make me laugh when I don't much feel like it.
Last week was my one brother Jeff's 50th birthday. All the family was there as usual. After a while, my mother looked around and said to him, "Where's your youngest boy?" Being the biggest smart ass, crass person that he is, he gave her the hand gesture for jacking off.
My mother not coming across as very worldly at times, looked back at him and said, "What? You mean he's downstairs shooting craps?! I didn't even think he liked shooting craps. Shooting craps, huh? Since when do all the young people like throwing dice? That was something we did as kids." This might not seem as hilarious, if she wasn't doing the hand gesture to go along with it. She wouldn't stop. By this point, the entire family is watching and laughing their asses off, telling her to stop.
"What are you all laughing at? You just said he was downstairs doing this?" (repeats hand gestures with much vigor from what she told me)
Finally my sister, the other smart ass, crass person in our family said, "Mother.....that's the universal gesture for jacking off. You know, masturbation."
"Come on Mom, you're telling me you don't know what that means?", exclaims my older brother.
"No I had no idea and y'all are just wrong!" my mother yelled, trying to fight back laughing herself. "If I had known that gesture when you two were growing up, it would have explained why you both lived in the bathroom!
Nothing like turning the tide and embarrassing your two oldest sons.
Seems I now see where I get my smartassness from.
The entire family.
I think the tree is pretty much finished. I have some more ornaments I might throw on for more filler though. Above is just a detail of the main tree. This weekend maybe I'll do a tour of our humble abode as a ZeitCast.
Shopping with Brian is fun. We headed out to Northpark Mall after dinner to "just look around". The mall is doubling it's size, adding 150 more stores. It's becoming one of those 'malls for the rich', even more then it was before. It wasn't long before we were in Dillards, as my body naturally gravitated towards Kenneth Cole like a moth to a flame. Over and over, I touched each article of clothing, saying "Oooo!" and "Ahhhh!" and "I must have that!". Then I found it. The sale rack. New fall merchandise 25% off. Frantically I'm grabbing price tag after price tag, looking for that special bargin. That piece of clothing I canNOT live without. Sniffing the sweet smell of newness that every article of clothing which seemed to waft through the air.
In the blink of an eye, Brian's right behind me taking every shirt or sweater I google over and laying it next to the cash register. I try to beg and plead him to put them back. "NO!" I say, "You must resist honey! It's just not worth it!". Alas, my efforts are futile and I must accept my fate.
We walked out with am arm load full.
Do you think we really need it? This picture doens't even show the entire thing. Two 12 foot bars completely full as can be and that's just the shirts.
Hey, some people smoke crack. This is our crack.
What happens when you get ten gay men together eating a bunch of refried beans and throw in a transexual for kicks and giggles? Other then gassyness, just another night out. The offical Party Season has begun it seems.
Last night we met friends at Monica's Aca Ya Ya for someones birthday. Everytime I see the name on the front of the building, it reminds me of the move The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. Makes me want to put on a funny old hat, throw up my hands, run around and yell, "YA YA!!!"
Mexican food from Monica's, whos owner is a well known post-op transexual in our city who even ran for city council, is a hell of a lot better then eating bait. We even got to meet the infamous Monica who rarely seems to make an appearance at her restaurant to greet everyone. Picture Ricky Ricardo dressed up as a woman.
This season is going to wear my ass out. This weekend we are going out with friends and out of town guest on Friday for the four D's (dinner, drinks, dancing and drag). Saturday is a friends B-day Party. Then there's Thanksgiving weekend at Brian's parents. Followed by Our party the first weekend in December. Then another friends Christmas party and ending with another birthday party the following weekend. After that is a trip home to see the family for the holidays. Sad thing, is it's early and I'm sure that there are a few parties we haven't heard about yet.
If all the social activities don't kill us this season, I'm sure New Years Eve will.
Can we vote to cancel the holidays this year? If not, you're getting a lot of birthday, dinner and christmas party reviews. My life won't consist of anything else unitl after January.
Should make for some killer blogging!! *rolls eyes*
(For the record: I absolutely ADORE fish. I pretty much love to eat all kinds of seafood. Just as long as it's cooked and not staring at me. Oh, and the kind that swims around in little acquariums)
What happens when you get 8 men together around a bunch of dead fish?
You eat a lot of Sushi, that's what. Last night a bunch of the boys, including our Scottie, met at Oshi for dinner. Luckily, they serve Pan Asian cuisine also, so I have something to eat. I'm not the adventurous eater, but I will try different things. Once in a while I actually like what I tried and it's moved from the "dislike" to the "like" list. No matter how hard I try, I just can eat raw fish carcasses. They remind me of fishy flavored Gummi Bears.
Last night while we sipped wine, laughed, had disturbing dinner conversation topics and at one point pinched our neighbors nipple for research purposes, I was envious of everyone and their cute square plates of ornate little fish bites resting on beds of rice or wrapped in seaweed. I watched them create their dipping sauce outof soy and wasabi. I watched intently as they used chop sticks to delicately balance their raw fish into their mouth.
So I tried it. Again. I would not be left out of this part of the fun.
Fuck that shit is nasty.
But at least I tried.
It's amazing how two people can have sex within an 8 minute time span, when the need arises and that's all the time you have before one of you has to run out the door for a meeting.
I'm not sure what to think about the report of an HIV positive man in Britian who now test negative. He's declining any sort of further testing which could possibly help other people or help us understand the disease just a tad bit more. Maybe I've become so much of a pessimist the last 14 years. I did live in The Show Me State (Missouri) for a number of years.
I'm not even going to tell you how many Christmas trees we bought for the home. Not gonna do it. I will say it's more then one. Someone has definately threw up Christmas in our livingroom. For those in the neighborhood on Friday, December 2nd around 7pm, you're more then welcome to come. I'm sure the next Zeitcast will be a tour of our apartment. Be prepared. Don't worry Rusty, Rebecca and Scott, your Evite will be sent out shortly.
Brian is no longer following the ever popular Soup Diet any longer. He's just eating as healthy as Susan Powder did in the 80's. Wonder how many people remember that crazy bitch? Reminds me of Gerbil food. If I ate like that, my body would totally go into shock and shut completely down. Everyone can now relax regarding his health.
I'm sitting here eating as much as I can of a medium, thin crust, hamburger and bacon pizza while he's away at his meeting. I have to put the remainder down the garbage disposal.
I'm such a good boyfriend.
I honestly thought I could wait until Monday to post this, but after the night we had last night at the Lizard Lounge, I just couldn't wait. Our tickets to see Andy Bell from Erasure DJ and sing a small set from his new album, stated doors open at 8pm. In our infinite wisdom, we assumed crowds would be huge and the lines would be long. We show up to an empty parking lot at 7:45. Come to find out, doors didn't open until 10pm.
Luckily Brian met someone he knew so we hung out with Jim and his boyfriend Jeff the whole night. These guys made the night a blast since we had to sit and wait until Andy's set which started at Midnight. Four hours of drinking. Yes, the natives were getting a little restless. Hell, it was past a couple of our bedtimes.
The Lizard Lounge is an old Gothic styled club. Lots of black rod iron, stained glass windows, velvet curtains, plush couches and chairs with gold and glass chandeliers. They host a night called The Church on Sundays. Old style alternative gothic dance music. Normally, Fridays are Retro night. Talk about bringing back memories of going to the clubs growing up. Music was incredible. Only disturbing part for me was noticing all the gang markings all over the club inside.
Andy DJ'd for about an hour and a half. His choice of music was fantastic, but I have to say his DJ'ing skills are just OK. Really didn't matter though. We all were giddy since we were only 5 feet from him while he worked. I only screamed "I love you Andy!!!!!" once.
Ok, maybe twice.
(Jeff and Mark)
(Jim and Brian)
(Andy)
After his DJ set, he came down and sang 4 songs from his new album Electric Blue. For those interested, here are the links which I'll only leave up for a week. Sound quality isn't the greatest. It was amazing to be in a small club which probably only had about 200 people in it, standing 5 feet from him while he performed. There's only a handful of groups from my past which I still buy every single album and single when they come out or try to never miss a concert when they're in town. Erasure is one of those groups.
Biggest part of the night? Actually getting an autograph and photo with him.
Felt like a kid again.
The end times must be near. I can just feel it in my bones.
I have to admit that during the past few years, I'm not always a sexually charged walking hard on. I have nights or days where I just don't even feel a slight twinge down in my naughty place. Blame it on the meds, blame it on my age, blame it on whatever. I know some men out there can't even comprehend what it would even feel like.
Brian on the other hand is someone who is horny and ready to go on a moments notice. Numerous times a day if he could get it. The boy is unstoppable. I often have a hard time keeping up. It tears my heart apart when I have to tenderly look into his eyes on those rare occasions and say, "Hell no, don't touch me. I'll give you some hot monkey lovin' tomorrow."
Which I usually do. Hell, I'm not dead. I need it too, just not constantly.
But last night the skies opened up and I heard the trumpet of our Lord and Savior blast loudly from the heavens. The end was coming and I wasn't prepared.
While being in the friskiest of moods during our nightly cuddle session last night, Brian responds, "Um, I'm just too tired."
*blank stare*
Oh no he di-in't!
Needless to say, whenever I'm not in the mood and he keeps poking and prodding me for sex, I'll have to respond, "Do you remember that time back in 2005? I think it was a cool November night on the 10th around 10:30pm to be exact......"
Oh yes. Firepower.
Maybe he'll be in the mood after tonight. We're heading out to see Andy Bell from Erasure sing a small set from his new album and DJ at The Lizard Lounge. Maybe I'll be a chance to meet him in person since they mentioned he would be mingling with the crowd. I've been a member of his fan club almost as long as George Michaels.
Hey, it was the 80's and I was a youngin' give me a break.
Much better today. I feel like helping little old ladies across the street. I want to adopt all those little kittens and puppies I so desperately wanted to kick yesterday. I feel like singing in the rain and dancing in the streets.
Ok, well maybe that's a bit far fetched.
I sit here typing while the hubby relaxes quietly on the couch. He started some sort of Cult Diet yesterday that claims to help you lose between 15-20 pounds in one week. The diet was designed for over weight patients who needed to lose weight extremely fast before an upcoming surgery. It's called the Sacred Heart Diet. Google it and you'll find the week long routine you must follow. The main thing is an easy to make vegatable soup which you can eat as much as you want. Each day adds fresh fruit, raw or cooked veggies, steak or baked potato. A friend of ours did it this past summer and lost 20 pounds in one week, so the diet seems to work.
The side effects? The first few days leaves you quite drained and tired. From what I understand your butt can become a salad shooter after a few days. Everything evens back out on the 3rd day and you're on your way to losing weight. They only recommend the diet for two weeks straight. Plus, getting totally sick of that soup has to happen eventually.
Puts a damper on my eating though. I feel bad talking about dinner, eating something fried in front of him or even thinking about snacking on something. Maybe we should eat in different parts of the house.
Brian's one bound and determined boy. He sets his mind to something and he just does it.
Me on the other hand, I'll just stick to my Seafood Diet. I see food, I eat it. Although I'm noticing a little pooch in the front. I actually have a little belly, which I find absolutely adorable on other men. I saw a picture of myself, freaked out and promised to do sit-ups until it's gone. I love the 40 pounds I put on the past year or so, but the belly has to go.
In other news, I'm sure everyone has heard that Texas passed Constitutional Amendment #2 that would ban civil marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships between same-sex couples in Texas. Little do the dumbasses in this state know, that the wording is so fucking obscure and screwed up that it pretty much bans civil unions between all couples from what we've been hearing. Dallas approved the amendment 3 to 1. People in Austin were against the amendment 4 to 1!!
To anyone in Austin that reads this, thanks for not making our entire fucking state look ignorant, bigoted and stupid as fuck. Good to know there's places in this state that don't think like the majority.
Last but not least, did anyone watch the two part season opening episodes of Trading Spouses? They put a radical "Christian" in with a family that believes in astrology, tarot cards, etc. I have never in my life seen anything like it in my entire life. Even her family was embarrassed and disgusted with her. She starts screaming, cussing and acting NOT very Christian like at the end of the show. She even tore up the 50,000 check each family is given, saying it was tainted by the dark-side.
Funny how she threw all of her beliefs out the window after reconsidering it many days later.
Hypocrite.
That got my blood to boiling. I must to sneak into the kitchen and calm my nerves with some Pringles. Now if I can only get in there and open the can without Brian hearing me.
Maybe I can put some of that soup under his nose to distract him.
Not that I have to explain myself to anyone, I will this one time. There's multiple reasons we're being oddballs by "starting" to put up Xmas decorations. First and foremost, we just started. Nothing is complete. Normally, we would be decorating our place right after Thanksgiving. This year, I get to go home with Brian to spend the Holiday with his family. For the first time in ten years, all of my friends are kind of doing their own thing, going their own way or some just have no clue what they are doing.
Secondly, my new job is zapping the energy out of me and causing my brain to be fried. On top of that, we've both joined 24 hour fitness and have started back to Yoga and working out. Weekends? They tend to be such a whirlwind of events.
Mixed with all of this, we've decided to have a Holiday Cocktail Party at our place around the first weekend in December. That left us with a few questions.
When in the fuck are we going to get in the holiday fricken spirit, complete putting up the tree, box after box of decorations, garland draped on anything not tied down and more candles then a Catholic church? The answer is simple. We're starting early so by the time we head out of town for Thanksgiving, the place will be completed. By the time we get back, we'll have a few days to clean house and prepare for the party.
Which by the way, if you're an "early tree decorating Scrooge", you're invitation was lost in the mail.
Kidding. You know I love you all.
The last couple days have just put me in quite the mood. If I'm not careful, you would fine me ripping the heads off of dolls and cute stuffed animals, crushing butterflies with my bare hands, while kicking kittens or puppys into the next county.
Maybe I'm going through my Man Period. Who knows. Luckily, I have an understanding husband who loves me no matter how much Linda Blair surfaces in me, spewing forth pea green soup and screaming blasphemous obscenities.
Don't ever take me too seriously. I'm just having some fun and venting just a bit.
Now if you still have a problem with us getting things ready early, I might have to stick my tree up your butt and you can go as this years tree topper.
First day at work=good.
Eating at Luby's for lunch with every other 80 year old person in town=bad.
Brian and I arguing about stupid shit while decorating our apartment in a winter wonderland=bad.
Putting up decorations when it's 80 degrees outside=bad
Tree looks utterly fabulous=good.
Not being able to blog or read many blogs=bad.
Overall feeling=good.
That's the main thing.
We started off the weekend by taking Tami from Germany out for a night out on the town. I would love to say I had a blog reader that traveled all the way from Germany just to come see ME, but that would be a lie. She has family here. She brought me two wonderful bottles of German wine and a bottle of Absinth. Everyone say howdy to Tami! We had a great time taking her out for some good Mexican food, strong Margaritas, hit a few bars, watched a hilarious drag show and attempted to country two-step.
Of course the highlight of the night was getting to see Maya and Krystal. I wouldn't do this for any other drag queen on the planet, but for these two I would be their drag bitch and do everything for them such as zip up their dresses to grabbing them a cocktail when they ask. Doesn't help that they call me sexy and gorgeous.
Flattery gets you everywhere.
Click here to view the entire photo album.
Click here to view Joey and Jeff's Halloween Party from last Monday.
Saturday, Brian and I were shopping around town and came across Christmas decorations. It wasn't long before we were heading north to Garden Ridge to check out their enormous decoration sale. We couldn't help it when we got home. We set up the tree to find a good spot for it. We'll probably be done decorating the entire house within the next couple weeks. It will look like someone threw up Christmas once we're finished. We plan on having a Christmas Cocktail Party this year, having all guests bring toys for Brians House. It's a home that takes care of children living with HIV/AIDS from the ages of newborn to 12 years. That place has always held a huge place in my heart.
Sunday was spent at Six Flags AGAIN. My old company had rented out the park. We all feel as if someone threw us all into a huge dryer and left us on an hour long fluff cycle. No ones brain should be jostled that much in one 7 hour period.
Things will be a tad bit different around here for a short while. I've been the kind of daily, morning poster for as long as I can remember. I will have to feel out things for a bit at this new job to determine when and if I can post from work, read blogs or even have my chat programs on anymore. Until then, I'll be posting things late in the evening before heading to bed for your reading pleasure or displeasure the next morning.
Bear with me for a while until I get into my new routine.
Again I apologize for a quick and short post. Today's my last day here at work so it's one more day of training the new guy, farewell luncheon with my co-workers and walking around saying goodbye to all the friends I've made around here. I'm going to be a tad bit busy and preoccupied.
Tonight I'm meeting a reader/friend from Germany who's in town visiting family. We plan on taking her out for the Four D's. Dinner, drinks, Dancing and Drag shows.
Real quick though, last night was the AIDSWalk appreciation dinner for sponsors, teams and individuals. I was asked because I was one of the top 3 individuals in Dallas. That honor is only because of everyone out there who supported me with donations. Again, I give each and every one of you a big hug and thank you. I don't do this for the recognition or to try and place in the top three. I do it so hopefully others will see first off how important it is to continue to raise money and secondly see that anyone can do it.
Without individuals, non-corporate and corporate teams, they wouldn't have been able to raise over 250,000 dollars this year.
Every person and dollar counts.
Ok, I'm never stepping foot in Lubbock Texas again. Someone should go up to that sign and switch the word "ON" to "NO".
Fuckers.
Yes, once again I'm going to talk about my upcoming change in jobs. Other then trying to cram 5 years of knowledge from this current position into the fresh young mind of my replacement, I pretty much do nothing else but sit and think about next Monday.
I know I'll do fine. I know I will like my new co-workers and they'll like me. I know I'll learn the position quickly and bring a lot of knowledge and new ideas with me. I know this. My heart knows this.
Someone needs to mention it to my brain. It seems to have a mind of its own lately.
I just need to get past that first day jitters. Hell, first week jitters. My biggest problem is that I despise change. Hate it with a passion. Last night while dwelling the upcoming change, I realized that technically as a 40 year old man, I've not held that many jobs.
At 15 years old, I cleaned the office building where my sister in law worked. I was becoming of age and my parents allowed me to work as long as it didn't interfere with school. The job only lasted one year. The 'Rents wanted me to concentrate on school.
My parents allowed me to live at home while I went to College and said I could get a job as long as it again didn't interere with College. I worked for a local fast food chain as assistant manager for 2 years.
The last two years of college, I worked for The Buckle selling clothes. I sucked at selling clothes. Job lasted another two years.
While in grad school, I didn't have time to work other then my teaching assistantship which was required. Teaching a class two days a week wasn't much of a job in my opinion.
After our department was shut down, I waited tables at a local fine dining restaurant for a year.
In 1991, a friend told me about a position with a mortgage company in Kansas City. Good pay and great benefits. I moved with the same company down to Dallas in 1995.
It wasn't until 1997 did I take a position with the company I work for now. I've had four different positions within this company since then.
Technically six jobs? Possibly seven if I include the teaching assistantship. It's obvious I hate change and continue to stick with something until I feel I can't take it any longer and feel forced to move. Or the offer from another company is just way too fucking good to pass up.
Someone a few weeks ago mentioned that leaving a job can cause a time of mourning in a way. I'm leaving people I've grown to know and love this past eight and a half years. I know most of us will never keep in contact. If we do, over the course of time the corresponding with each other will eventually stop. Today and tomorrow are filled with luncheons and a happy hour. People are already starting to come by and wishing me luck, giving me a hug and telling me to keep in contact. I've gotten to know 100's of people here over the years.
How many jobs have you held in your life so far? Do you change often or find yourself not changing much at all?
Contrary to popular belief, No I haven't been laid up in the hospital due to an unfortunate accident with Brian in the bedroom involving a sling, two watermellons, peanut butter, pantyhose, crisco and 4 pigmies. The story is totally untrue. I've been searching high and low for the culprit to started that vicious rumor.
Instead, I've just been so busy with training my replacement in the mornings. I've also been using up the last remaining days of vacation as half days, which I've used to keep myself busy rather then lounging around eating cheetos and watching Oprah.
I promise something of more substance tomorrow.
Or Friday.
Saturday at the latest.
