Where:
Barrage
401 W. 47th St., New York, NY 10036
between Ninth and Tenth Aves.
212-586-9390
When: Friday, June 2nd at 7:00pm until we close down the bar.
Who: Seasoned bloggers, newbies, wannabe's, wallflowers and even fans of bloggers.
Many of us will be hanging out for Lunch, Dinner and Drinks and seeing the city throughout the day on Saturday, hitting various local bars that night, ending our evening at:
The Eagle
554 W. 28th St., New York, NY 10001
between 10th and 11th Aves.
646-473-1866
If the Eagle isn't your thing, please come Friday night to see where we will be starting off our Saturday night before ending our evening there.
If anyone needs to get a hold of me while in town, please send me an email and I will provide you with my cell number.
Until then, I'm out of here until next Monday. If I'm not recovering too much Sunday, you might hear from me then.
I always find having a day off from work such as Memorial Day, a strange thing. I keep having this sensation that I'm skipping work, playing hooky and that I'm letting work pile up for me for when I return. It was nice having an extra day to spend with Brian. He wasn't expected to fly into Denver for work this week, but due to last minute changes, he leaves here in a few hours and returns late Wednesday night. Poor guy has to turn around and fly with me out to NYC for GB:NYC3 that very next day. He's more resilient then I am. I need a few days to recoop from traveling like that. One of the reasons I'm glad I don't travel weekly for work. It always takes a huge toll on me.
For most of the day, we relaxed around the house and did nothing, until we decided to go see X-Men. Once we got home he wanted to go for a walk and enjoy the last few hours left before nightfall. I wasn't too keen on turning right around and heading back out. I was ready to strip down, plop my ass down on the couch and read my book. I'm glad we did though. We walked to a qaint neighborhood only a few blocks away called Perry Heights. Enormous trees, manicured lawns, cottage styled homes. The sounds of cicada's were everywhere. We walked for quite a while, dreaming of what our next home could possibly look like. We're absolutely happy where we are, but we know that within 5 or more years, we're going to want something bigger and with a yard. It was nice to walk with your partner and dream of years to come.
There was no better way to end the evening then laying in bed, cuddling each other and talking. Something that I think people don't do enough. Take the time and just hold each other and share thoughts, ideas, dreams and passions with one another.
It's all about communication and lots of it.
We're both so looking forward to seeing everyone in New York. The entire trip has been one hassle after another, trying to get an early flight out of town, finding out we have to leave early on Sunday. I'm not sure what is going on that weekend, but every single flight in and out of La Guardia, Newark and JFK during this weekend is 100% filled, or at least they are for Advantage Miles customers. We're still doing our best and crossing fingers that some cancel trips and we can take a later flight back home. If not, we're going to make the best of Friday and Saturday and spend it with everyone we can.
Now, back to work and get through this next three days.
I'm not sure what it is, but the minute we drive into Rainbow Ranch that first night of camping, we all feel like we have to throw down and get drunk as much as humanly possible. No longer did we have things unpacked and put away, had we opened up our first beer. Two hours later when our gracious host who was letting us say with him arrived, he was greeted by a trailer full of slurring bitches who had just gotten a huge case of the munchies. He's a big sweetie letting us stay with him, but I'm sure he wondered what the hell he got himself into.
Mama was found in many compromising positions throughout the weekend. If you weren't careful all weekend you would be subjected to watching Bette Midler DVD's with Mama. If you didn't see Mama with her legs in the air, you saw her mounting and trying to frenchkiss the Great Dane. Poor dog didn't see it coming.
We spent the night roaming from camp to camp, refilling our beverages and laughing our ass off before finally going to bed. Saturday I cooked breakfast for everyone and spent most of the day relaxing by the pool or trailer. This had to be one of the more relaxing trips we've ever done. Most of the time we're running around helping put on a show. There were over 300 people at the camp this year. The place seems to be growing more and more. The weather was perfect for that nights drag show. Old seasoned pro's and campers put on a drag show that seems to go on for days. I've never seen so much bad hair and make up in my life. And that really, really hot, stocky build, goateed boy we kept seeing around? Eventually he was up on stage in a dress, lipsyncing to some RuPaul song. Just not right I tell you.
After over doing it Friday night, we weren't as much in the mood for Saturday except for Matt The Host. I think he felt like he had to make up for lost time since he missed part of Friday. Sunday Matt made us breakfast while we relaxed on the deck. We wanted to get back that afternoon so we can enjoy one full day at home before heading back to work. Good thing we did. Brian got a call that he has to fly out to Denver on Tuesday. Poor thing is going to be flying back late Wednesday night, then we both fly out to NYC for GB:NYC3 on Thursday.
When we got back, we knew The Hidden Door was going to be busy due to the holiday, so a group of us walked over for a few beers. We saw a bunch of old friends and of course made some new ones. There was a cutiepatootie named Sin from Yugoslavia who I had way too much fun with. I had to apologize at one point for teasing him so much.
The evening was going along great until one of Brian's Ex's showed up. I had met him before, very nice guy it seemed. Well never give the son of a bitch alcohol, because once you do all hell breaks loose. He was in my face telling me that I don't respect Brian and he always did. He kept telling me that Brian would take him back in a heartbeat if I wasn't better to him. Then he had the fucking gaul to ask me if it was my fault that Brian had put on 20 pounds. When Brian was with him he was thinner and if Brian would ever come back to him, he'd treat him well, give him the respect that he deserves and he would remove that extra weight.
You see, when Brian and I are out in a bar, we don't need to hang all over each other. We talk to old friends and make new ones. Yes, on occasion some of them get a little handsy and overly friendly, but Brian and I are comfortable in our relationship and trust each other. We love and respect one another. I just felt so bad for Brian. He was so embarrassed and hurt by the weight remark. People have some nerve. For someone who only dated Brian for 3 weeks and was dumped by him, he seems to still be carrying a torch.
What does one do when an evening ends bad? We go eat a lot of greasy, spicy mexican food. Of course we get there and there's a couple boys from the bar, so we sat there carrying on for an hour or so.
Mexican food cures the blues.
Today, it's our goal to do nothing but to lounge around in the house all day and try NOT to put on any clothes unless we have too.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.
Find out how to make $100 while at GB:NYC3 next Friday night.
As work continues to turn my once beautiful and articulate *cough* mind into something that resembles split pea Gerber Baby Food, I sit here with anticipation of starting my weekend. My brain hurts. I cannot answer any more questions, find resolutions and fix problems. I'm a project manager for a business analyst of a client. A laison of a laison. By the time the client tells something to their BA, then it comes to me the PM, in turn I tell my people, my people tell me what to tell them, they in turn tell the client.......
You get the picture. It starts a vicious cycle that goes back and forth like a ping pong game until I start getting pissy and threaten to have a group meeting to just clear the air. There are only a limited amount of ways to explain something without my head exploding. The veins on the side of my forehead are sticking out and pulsating.
I came home around 7pm last night, to a naked horny boyfriend wanting sex who seriously dragged me upstairs and told me to get undressed. Talk about pressure. My mind was 50 places, but I was able to get the job done. It's what good husbears do.
So afterwards, I packed our suitcase, bought some groceries and organized everything we need for a weekend of camping at Rainbow Ranch.
I'm just hoping that the gallon jug of Vodka and gallon jug of Bourbon will suffice.
Be looking Monday for more detailed information about GB:NYC3 which is on June 2nd at 7:00pm at The Barrage.
While sitting on the couch last night, working on some important research project with my laptop (ok, I was checking email and looking at porn), I received a call from one of the many area codes in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. If a number pops up that I don't know, I let it go to voice mail then call back if I want.
Once I listed to the voicemail, I got a wonderful surprise. One of my best friends from back in my Highschool and College days called to say Hi. I had seen his Mother and Father when I went home last and I told her to tell him Hi for me the next time they spoke. David and I were pretty close. This was during my time in the Church, so our lives revolved around the Church and all it's activities. He was only two years younger then me, so we were involved in a lot of school activities as well.
I sat there dumbfounded after hearing his voice. Once he left to go to Bible College in Waxahachie Texas, we completely lost contact. He got married to some psycho and had a child was the last I heard. I haven't spoken or seen him in nearly 20 years. David was always the rebel with a hilarious sense of humor. We were always getting into trouble.
It's been so long, that David has no clue about my life, my partner and well, a lot of things. I was nervous as hell. Chatting with a former buddy from the Church is one thing, telling them about yourself and having them accept it is another, but I took the chance anyway.
I'm always amazed at how no matter what amount of time has passed, it seems like only yesterday we were hanging out together. Waxahachie is only 30 minutes from Dallas and he's lived there for 17 years. I've been in Dallas for 12 years. If only we both had known.
He told me everything about his life. Divorcing his psycho wife, his wonderful daughter, working in a Boys Town, taking care of 7-9 boys in his home at a time and even his try at being a Youth Pastor in Ft. Worth. That put a bad taste in his mouth he said.
Finally, it was my turn. I told him about my life, where I had been, what I've been doing, where I work and even the new condo we had bought. He said, "We?" I responded, "Yeah, me and my partner", and just waited for his response. Finally I said, "Well David, I probably should tell you...", and before I could get the words out, he said "Oh please, stop right there, like I even care Mark."
He reminded me that he's not the same boy from a small town in the midwest. That he's grown and doesn't believe all that we were taught and questions many things about religion and spirituality. He told me that he loved me for who I was and was only concerned that I was happy.
This coming from someone who's still in the Church heavily. With all the religious zealots out there giving religion and Christianity a bad name, there ARE still people out there that are accepting and not like all the rest.
We're making plans to meet in a couple weeks once we go camping and come back from New York. We're both excited as hell to see each other. I told him that I'm bald and look quite a bit different then the Hair Days of the 80's. He reminded me that he still has a full head of hair and has a baby face.
The bastard.
Only sad thing? He's moving about 3 hours away in a couple months with his new wife.
Talk about shitty timing.
Early yesterday morning, I gave Michael a call to wish him a Happy Birthday. I'm sure spending your birthday in hospice isn't such a wondrful thing, but he seemed to be ok with it. Mike and I have never really celebrated each others Birthdays. The first year of our relationship I gave him gifts, but that was what you did with him whether Birthday or not. Give him gifts. It didn't matter the time, day or month of the year. He wanted you to buy him things.
We had a falling out eventually over this (among many other things) and we agreed to just wish each other well wishes on our Birthdays and just left it at that. We were usually dragging our asses to a bar most of the time back then, so in a round about way we celebrated it that night at the bar. This consisted of doing a shot, yelling "Happy Birthday!" and giving each other a hug. It took about fifteen minutes before Michael was off on his own, searching for some poor unsuspecting soul. Going out was about hooking up, not hanging with friends.
This is the way things have been done for the past thirteen years more or less. I think I might have bought him a gift a couple of times just to get him to stop saying "gimme, gimme gimme". He might have bought me something a few times, usually out of guilt for something he had done.
Yes, our relationship both as boyfriends or friends was unhealthy as they come. Everyone could see it. I can say the word 'was' now. I learned to seperate myself from him. Distance my emotions. Not jump every time he asked and give him anything he wanted.
Last weekend while we were sitting there chatting wit him, he talked about all the gifts he was going to try to convince certain people to buy him. I had to sit there and chuckle to myself. Despite laying in a hospice bed, with God knows how much longer to live, he's still the same person I met 13 years ago. The poor little kid who just wants people to take care of him and buy him nice, pretty, shiney things. He laid there plotting how to get a few of his past Sugar Daddy's to buy him something. I was never a Sugar Daddy. Hell, I wasn't even a Splenda or a Sweet-n-Low Daddy. As much money as I made, I could barely be called a Nutri-sweet Daddy.
I sat there watching and listening to him talk about all he wanted. He was feeling feisty as I call it, using this puppy dog eyes look and saying in a childs voice, "I might not have much time left you know.....", then bust into giggles. I said, "You'll be lucky to get a phone call from me you little shit, let alone a gift". We both just laughed. We can do that now. We haven't been able to do that in a while.
He was happy I that I called and I said that I would be stopping by later on that night after work. He told me that he hadn't been feeling that well that day and already had a few visitors and his favorite caretaker had baked him a cake. He wasn't feeling up for company. I respect his wishes and don't try to push, so we stayed on the phone and talked a little longer. He said that I stop by to visit enough, give him haircuts and pick things up from the store for him. My frienship was enough he said. Still, there's that nagging part in the back of my mind that wishes he would have just let me stop by. So, we celebrated his Birthday like we always have. Over the phone. Although I'm sure doing a shot wouldn't be a good thing, but the thoughts did make me laugh.
I was amazed when he told me his tcells were 300 and his viral load was 3000. I wasn't expecting the numbers to be that good. The best they've been his entire time having AIDS. Funny what happens when he's forced to take his medication like he should. The cancer is another story. They don't even bother checking on the progression anymore.
He has a huge fear of not getting any better and not getting any worse. Lingering around like this for months, if not years to come. We talk about it often. I sometimes don't have any words of comfort to say to him.
Me, a loss for words. It doesn't happen that often.
As I we said our "I love you's" and hung up the phone I sat there wondering the rest of the afternoon if this would be his last Birthday.
Well, it's not like you've never had a quickie from Zeitzeuge before. Yesterday morning, I woke up a little groggy, dragged myself to the bathroom and showered. While standing there shaving, I noticed that I wasn't feeling well at all. My stomach was doing flipflops and I was dizzy as hell. Once I started breaking out in a cold sweat, I headed back to bed and called work. By the afternoon, I was feeling much better although my stomach still has a mind of it's own.
Late in the afternoon, I got a wild hair and decided to do some organizing and final clean ups from the party. Such as trying to find a place for 22 bottles of wine we received as gifts. I did a little painting, watched Oprah's Legends Ball and finally became so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.
Then I laid there and tossed and turned all night.
I give up.
More tomorrow when I'm a bit more perky and not such a grumpypuss.
Our party was a success. Aproximately 50 people showed up total. Some old and new friends. A few past and present co-workers. Even my old boss from my previous job came with her new boyfiend. We had plenty of food, alcohol and beer to last the night.
People brought plants, wine, champagne, candles and gift cards. I didn't expect all that. It was very sweet of everyone.
Some friends made new friends. It was good to catch up with people we hadn't seen in a while. There was even a hook up at the party. While Brian and I were cleaning around midnight, we forgot about two guys out on the patio making out. Rumor has it they went home together. I need to make a phone call for clarification. Now THAT, is a successful party.
Everyone loved the place and those who saw the place beforehand, were amazed at the transformation.
Makes a person feel good.
Brian and I didn't plan on wearing shirts that looked almost the same.
For those wanting to see the rest of the album, click here.
I've worked my fingers to the bone. There's nothing left of them.
Nothing like having a boyfriend that gets to work from home on Friday's. That means I have a boyfriend who can run errands for me and do last minute cleaning. Just as long as he stays away from trying to do anything with food. He has trouble boiling water correctly. God love 'em.
Last night in between slaving around the house, I watched the final episode of Will and Grace. I know some Homo's with their noses in the air constantly complained about the show, saying that we weren't portrayed correctly. Please, can I tell you how many Jack McFarlan's I know? And Will's? Hell, I can even introduce you to a few Grace's and a bunch of Karen's. It's a fucking sitcom for Jebus sakes. It's there to make you laugh. Yet, at time this show did make some minor political statements.
The finale had to be one of best planned and thought out endings I've seen in years. Flashing forward to show what their lives possibly might end up like. I get sick and tired of finale's showing everyone going their seperate ways. Fuck that. I want tot know what the Friends or cast of Frasier are doing 20 years from now. Will and Grace did just that.
I've loved that show for one big reason. The relationship between a gay man and a woman. I've been lucky during my out years to have had two best friends who were women. We were inseperable. Told each other everything. Talked about men, our sexual conquest, went shopping, had spa days and even sleep overs. Although I cherrish every single male friend, gay or straight that I have, there's always been something very special about my female friends.
I haven't had a close female friend since I left Kansas City. God, how I miss that.
The last moments of the show, they toasted to one thing.
To the people they love, who love them for who they are.
For those going to NYC and needing a great deal on a hotel, go check out Palochi's site today and see the great deal they're offering.
I dropped off the last invites to our housewarming party to our neighbors. More then likely, most of them will not come except for a few that we know of, but at least they'll know there's going to be a kegger happening in the courtyard. All of our neighbors are gay and are retired except for two. Maybe I should make sure we have Manhattan's made especially for them if they arrive.
Due to the number of Bears that are coming to this party, we decided to have a keg. I haven't had a keg party since college. Funny, the price of them hasn't gone up as much as I thought they would since 1991.
I've bought all the serving platters and pulled out all the wine and liquor. The house is in pretty good shape except for cleaning the bathrooms. Laundry is done and put away. Plants are watered and perky. Now all I need to do is go to the grocery store for food and wait for Brian to get home from Denver. We'll have to go to a specialty store for one item. We take sliced french bread, spread on a thin layer of cream cheese and top it with homemade pesto. It's to die for I tell you.
Speaking of Brian, he called last night. He had told me that he wasn't in the mood to go out and see the city just yet, but last night he got a wild hair up his butt and found himself in the middle of Hamburger Mary's and a slew of gay bars. He's like a gay hound dog. He sniffs that shit out.
I'm not stressing just yet, but I'm sure closer to the time of guest arriving, I'll be running around like an idiot.
I'm wondering if I have a xanax left?
I went deep inside my inner lesbian and handled rare and unique things such as cordless drills, hammers, brackets, screws and something that I found out is called a "drill bit". To my surprise, much fun was achieved when I started using a ruler with bubbles in a radio active looking yellow liquid set inside of it. Modern Man calls this tool a "level".
Technology never ceases to amaze me. Fuck computers and flat screen plasma TV's, Brian and I bought a cordless drill.
My friend Brad knows his way around power tools, so he handled setting up the right side and I did the left. He's left handed and it was difficult for him to do anything on the left hand side. This entire project took us the same amount of time it took me to hang my first mini-blind. My last blind only took 20 minutes, so screw you bitches. Brian surprised me a day later by hanging the last two remaining blinds all by his self while I was at work.
He's so butch.
I gave him sex for that achievement.
Although I will probably move all this shit around 27 times before the party, I put up some of the glass collection for now. The bench underneath will be pulled out when we need extra seating when company comes over.
When I'm not remodeling houses, I like to spend my time producing beautiful floral plant arrangements.
Martha has nothing on me.
Brian kissed me goodbye this morning. I think. He got up at the buttasscrack of dawn and I kind of remembering him leaning over me and giving me a kiss to say goodbye. I think I told him to have a nice trip.
If anyone ever wakes me up when I'm dead asleep, I hardly ever remember what is said or done for the first few minutes.
My mind is thinking about all I have to get accomplished during the next few days. All the last minute details like cleaning house, buying food, ordering the keg, so rather then droan on about stupid shit, I leave you with pictures from the last two years of GB:NYC. I noticed how much thinner I was in the year 2004. I almost didn't post that link.
GB:NYC 2004 (Scroll past all the cheesy sightseeing shots to see the party)
GB:NYC2 2005 (Brian and I both were taking pictures. This is why the album seems to go on and on and on and...)
This years event will be a tad bit different. Some of the regulars from the past 2 years won't be there, but there will be a couple of blogger friends there for the first time plus some newbies that I've never met I'm sure. Our time is limited this year due to our work. We fly in late Thursday and leave early Sunday.
We need to limit the amount we drink Saturday night. Flying with a hangover is the worst.
It was one of those weekends where I get this damn wild hair and decide to do something drastic. We've decided to throw our Houswarming party this coming Friday at 7:30pm for those who might be in the area or decide to fly down for this huge occasion. That means putting together the evite, creating small cards to pass out to people we run into, hang up remaining artwork, re-arrange the fricken living room knicknacks 15 times and last but not least, we worked on our patio finally.
The patio isn't much to look at. It's a bi-level slab of wood planks surrounded by a 6 foot high fence. After 4 trips to Ace Hardware, one trip to Lowe's, Homo Depot, World Market and a run by The Dollar Store, we finally were able to finish. We put in a little bar with two barstools, two chairs with a little coffee table and added somewhere around 10 colorful plants and hanging candle lanterns. Yes, yes pictures will come soon.
Brian couldn't wait to strip down to his shorts, grab a beer and his laptop on Sunday and enjoy the serentity that we created. I on the other hand just wanted to crash on the couch in front of a fan.
Saturday night we headed out to The Round Up after dinner with friends. It had been quite a while since we had been out, so it was great to run into so many people we knew. We also felt as if we needed to catch up for lost time obviously and got a little tipsy. Brian was drunk.
Things were brought down a few notches on Sunday. We both went to see Michael in hospice to visit and give him a haircut. We actually had a nice visit. He was still feeling feisty and badmouthing all the wonderful people who help him daily. I'm absolutely amazed at the lack of gratitude from him at times. I told him that they have rules to follow and aren't there to cater to his every trivial need. They are there to take care of him, manage his pain and make sure he's comfortable. Not to make sure he's got internet access 24 hours a day or make trips to the grocery store for him. He's even trying to tell some of them how to do their job and handle other patients.
He seems to be in limbo. He's not getting any better and he doesn't seem to be getting any worse. This scares him. He's afraid of being in limbo for quite a long time. I don't blame him. He's even at the point of making fun of the prospects of dying. His birthday is coming up and he asked for a few things specifically. Then he does this puppy eyed look thing and tells me that he might not be around much longer after his birthday so I had better get it for him. All done in fun of course. It was good to see him laugh.
Whacking him upside the head during his haircut, for badmouthing the help at hospice was one of the highlights of my afternoon. Sick or not, he still needs to be put in his place at times.
The only thing that shocked the hell out of me was this guy that I had met there about 3 weeks ago. He looks as if he's done drag for many years. Eyebrows tweased for days, perfect Texas hair and a walk that just begs for a runway. He's the type of guy that you would find helping other patients, cooking himself something to eat or finishing up laundry. I even found him sweeping and mopping one afternoon. It made me wonder why he was there, but often we don't know what's going on inside someone. He wouldn't be in hospice if he didn't need to be.
When we drove up, he was sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigarette, half asleep. I walked up, patted him on the shoulder and asked how he was doing. "Good!" he slurred, "Getting ready to smoke another one". The reason I did this was because of how he looked. Within only 10 days, his liver and kidneys almost failed. He was in the hospital that entire time and they just released him back to hospice a few days ago. He literally did not look like the same person. His skin was yellow, eyes bloodshot, black circles under his eyes and he had lost at least 20 pounds or more. Only way I recognized him was due to all the tattoos on his legs. They say his days are numbered. I'm amazed at how quickly someone can go downhill like that.
Michael complained that it's depressing and sad around there all the time.
Well, no shit.
The drive home was very quiet.
I'm not sure if this has been floating around the internet and everyone has seen it, but I just get the biggest kick out of this, probably because I remember doing most of these dances, except the early years of course.
This guy is amazing.
I've been tagged. It's been ages since I've been given one of these things. Revenge is so sweet.
Four jobs I’ve had in my life:
Janitor for small Accounting firm at the age of 15.
Worked at The Brass Buckle, which became The Buckle which is now known as Buckle.
Mens department in Dillards
Mortgage ever since then.
Four films I could watch over and over:
Sordid Lives
Steel Magnolias
Moulin Rouge
Cold Comfort Farm
Four Places I have lived:
Nebraska
Lawrence Kansas
Kansas City Missouri
Dallas Texas
Four TV shows I LOVE to watch:
Desperate Housewives
Friends
Miami Ink
Overhaulin'
Four places I have been on vacation:
NYC
San Francisco
San Diego
Orlando Florida
Four places I’d like to go on vacation
Germany
Italy
England
Australia
Four websites I visit often:
bankofamerica.com
cnn.com
fark.com
countless blogger sites
Four of my favourite foods:
Anything Italian
Indian food such as Chicken Korma
Most seafood, especially Halibut
Mexican Enchiladas
Four places I would rather be right now:
Taking a nap
Watching TV
Dancing
Taking a quick road trip
Life is constantly changing thats for sure. I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but Brian did get that big job he was hoping for and started this past Monday as a consultant. We had our first taste this past week with me being gone to Seattle and he being in Arlington Virginia. Four days apart. This will be our life every week from now on.
When we first met, we were inseperable, spending every single, waking moment together. Within a few months, he started traveling which was difficult on our brand new relationship, but we made the best of it and got through it fine. Now that we're an "old married couple", I'm sure dealing with being apart for four days every week will be much easier, but will still be tough at times.
I'll let everyone in on a little secret. Brian's VERY needy and requires my constant attention and adoration. It's a tough thing to do, but I'm happy to oblige. He's a lot of work, but the rewards are so worth it. I'm sure it will be harder on him then me when we're apart.
Who am I kidding....
All joking aside, I will be having to find various ways of keeping myself busy. I hear my tacklebox full of drawing and painting materials calling my name. If I listen closely enough, I will even hear the faint calling of my gym, begging me back. Anything to keep me from sitting in a bar around 6pm, wasting my evening away.
Luckily, he'll be home from Thursday night through Sunday. Of course, this time of year is filled with tons of social activities. We've received our first pool party invitation for the middle of June. GB:NYC3 the first week of June. Our Housewarming party is coming up this month on the 19th. We're planning a small trip to Portland/Seattle this summer to see his half brother and friends and hopefully a weekend getaway trip to San Francisco. He's going to be working primarily in Denver, so I'm sure I will be flying out there a few times as well.
We've even been invited to go Toobin' Down the Guadalupe river. A Texas tradition that everyone must do at least once. Tons of people rent large tubes, attach them all together, bring a few coolers of beer and lazily float down the Guadalupe River for 8 hours.
My palm pilot is filling up quickly.
I know the new house will keep me busy, puttering around adding things here or moving things there. I thought I kept the house clean before, you should see what it's going to look like with Brian not around. Spotless. Not that he's messy or anything. He's just notorious for walking in the door and clothes start flying off of him like magic. He's naked within seconds. I have to take a trip around the house when it's laundry time.
These chages are good and I welcome them. It's an incredible opportunity for him. For the both of us.
Anyone want to come over and watch Desperate Housewives with me?
I'll make popcorn.
Just a quick reminder about the upcoming GB:NYC3 on June 2nd. Brian and I will be flying in late Thursday and will be running around the city all day Friday the 2nd for those that are in town visiting or off from work and want to join us.
Firday night will be the Meet/Greet thingy at The Barrage in Hells Kitchen starting around 7pm and ending whenever the bar closes. Bring your well rested livers, cameras and from what I understand about last year, your cockrings.
Saturday will be up to individuals on what they would like to do. I'm sure many plans will be made Friday night to meet for lunch, dinner, sightseeing, shopping. Saturday night will be bar hopping and eventually ending up at The Eagle possibly for something different. Plans will be made Friday night on when and where to meet so be sure and show up Friday for all the details.
Unfortunately, due to Brian's new job, we have to fly out early on Sunday morning so our time is limited this trip. We are limiting our sightseeing and shows so we can spend the majority of our time with you fabulous bloggers out there.
If anyone has any suggestions, please send them to me and I will post them here or we can bring them up on Friday night.
ONE MORE THING!
If there is a blogger out there that wouldn't mind housing two hairy bloggers for three nights, we would greatly appreciate it. We didn't realize that it's tourist season and I swear the cost of hotels doubled. Let us know if there's someone out there that can do this, if not it's no big deal I'm sure we can find a decent hotel.
I hear there's a great Youth Hostel in the area.
Kidding.
Now I need to get back to answering the 200+ emails I had in my inbox this morning. One of the drawbacks of being away from work.
Yesterday I got to meet the "shy and quiet" Nicky from Ajax in the City and his infamous friend Paige. I was shocked to find out that I'm the first blogger that he's ever met. Guess I popped that blogger cherry. It was great finally meeting someone who've you've read for such a long time. I have to say his shy dimeanor goes away after one cocktail. Afterwards we spent some time chating over dinner before he walked me back to my hotel room. I'm hoping to get a chance to see them again when Brian and I try to come back at some point during the summer.
I spent most of my time at the Pike Place Fish market, watching those boys throw fish, yell and scream and just all around being silly. I see why they're world famous. Spent hours upon hours in various glass galleries and shops, drooling over all that I was seeing. I wanted to take everything home with me. I ate like a king while I was here. The seafood here is amazing.
I felt like I spent a few days in NYC due to all the walking I had to do. We Texan's don't walk anywhere.
Nicky will tell you he takes a bad picture, but don't believe him. I need to get this room packed up and head downstairs to wait for my limo. I'm anxious to get back and see my baby whom I've missed so much.
Having dinner last night with Alison and Mark was such a treat. I was worried about her since her Mother passed away. We were able to laugh all night and talk about our days back in college. It was good to see her laugh again. The only scary part of the night was when she pulled out pictures of me blowing glass and of an Undewear party that my best friend and I threw back in the day. You couldn't get in the door unless you took your pants and shirt off. Once straight boys found out there were tons of girls at this party also, they were more then happy to strip down for us and join. The crazyass shit we did back then. I'll tell you another time about how we got one of my ex-students, Mr Hottie Mchotty to strip down naked at the party and let us take pictures. When Alison also pulled out pictures from THAT party, I almost fainted. Once she sends me copies, you know I'll post a few.
Dinner was wonderful, walking around the city, laughing and talking some more. It wasn't until the end, did I encounter one of the fifty crazy street people this city has to offer and he wouldn't leave me alone. I gave him 5 bucks, and he had the gaul to ask me since I probably made a decent living, what would it have hurt to have given him twenty. I could have kicked his ass.
I've had many run ins like this here the past few days. It must be all the crazy weather these folks have to deal with on a daily basis.
Oh and I almost forgot to tell everyone. I was finally able to find a Starbucks within walking distance. I'm sorry, I found 15 within walking distance. I asked the front desk man if there was a coffee shop close by and he looked at me like I was one of those crazy street people.
NO one gets my humor.
I know you wouldn't believe this, but through the advances of modern technology, I'm able to sit here at this silly symposium booth that I have to man, and put up a post! You wouldn't believe what I went through yesterday to get the "Free! Internet Access!" we're all promised when we arrived. Everyone keeps coming up to me and asking how I got it working.
"It was an act of God and he and I have a two way communication. Jealous?", I tell them. Kidding. From the looks of some of these people, they might want to have a prayer meeting.
I'll be busy today looking pretty and trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. Both are difficult tasks. This Seattle moisture is wrecking havoc with my hair. It's all frizzy.
Did I tell you that I didn't pack well for Seattle weather? Since they only have two seasons, Wet and Cold, I need to go buy some sweaters.
Speaking of Internet and Miracles, I leave you with this oldie but a goodie:
How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?
Charismatic : Only 1--Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal : 10--One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians : None--Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic : None--Candles only.
Episcopalians : 3--One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Baptists : At least 15--One to change the light bulb and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Mormons : 5--One man to change the bulb and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians : We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists : Undetermined--Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene : 6--One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans : None--Lutherans don't believe in change.
Amish : What's a light bulb?
It's 5:30 in the morning. I'm up before the Nebraksa Farmers have had their first cup of coffee. Heading to Seattle. In my absense I leave all you ADD readers with something colorful and shiney to look at. Brian and I hit a Glass Gallery and Art Festival yesterday afternoon and came back with many pretty, shiney things to distract us.
Also hooking up with an old friend on Monday and getting to meet Ajax in the City on Tuesday.
Here a few things we picked up for the new place:
I'll try to post a few things while I'm away now that I can.
Big hugs and kissies.
Two years ago today, I was sitting in a bar drunk off my ass after a night of drinking for Cinco De Mayo. I was hitting on guy next to me with slurred words and drool, making quite the impression. While barely able to keep my head up, in walks this cute man or so I thought. I was too drunk to notice honestly. He walks by and rubs my head, telling me how cute I was. I said something back to him that resembled english. I think. He walks past me again within minutes, being dragged out by his friends. Heading to another bar. He rubs my bald head again and I say with a thick tongue, "Hey yooooou *burp*....we thshould, uh hook up thome time". In his bubbly and perky manner, he accepted and while being dragged out the front door of the bar, yells out his entire email address. A very long and non-memorable email address.
I sat there and looked at the hot guy I was hitting on saying, "I won't remember that".
"I did", he said as he went to the bar, wrote down the email address, handed it to me then walked away.
I emailed this total stranger the next day, he came over to my house the day after that and he's never left.
Romantic, huh? Well, it is to me.
Today's the day this crazy, wondeful, sweet, generous man walked into my life and my life has never, nor will never be the same again.
Happy Cinco De Mayo and what I like to call, The Day You Rubbed My Head.
Love you puddin' bear.
Funny how mentioning putting up mini blinds will cause lurkers who haven't ever commented, to say something for the first time. Or at least I think it was their first time. Virgins commentors maybe. I should start mentioning something extremely random each day and see who comes out of the woodwork.
Speaking of random, a few days ago, I got a random email from someone who had done a google search of her father and found my site.
Two years ago, I wrote about my first day as a glassblower back in college and how my professor John not only was one of the best professors I ever had, but he was a mentor and friend. By the time John and Jenny left, they had two children, the oldest being no more then 5 or 6 years old maybe. She would always run and hide from me when I came over to the house and hid behind her mother. I must have been terrifying looking or something. The youngest was just a baby when they left.
Well now the oldest is grown up and in college. Her parents have moved to another city on the east coast and opened up a new gallery and glassblowing studio. There was a story that was written about them and she was searching the internet for the article and eventually stumbled upon my site.
She's all grown up and in college studying photography. Did I mention that? All grown up. In College.
I'm old.
It was wonderful hearing from her, although I have trouble picturing her as an adult. Since we bought the condo, I had been thinking that I needed to somehow find my old professor and get caught up for the past ten years. I had somehow found him ten years ago and lost touch. I'm building a glass collection and wanted some of his work and glass ornaments he's so famous for. It wasn't a month later and I'm receiving an email out of the blue from his daughter, saying Hi.
Of course we exchanged information and now I have their phone number. I need to call. Why am I nervous? I'm not the same boy I was in college obviously. Hell, I'm not the same man I was ten years ago. Lots of things have changed. Will we have much to say? Will we pick up like it was before?
Why do I worry about such things? I just need to call.
If nothing else, to harrass him for being completely grey, losing his big belly, and tease him for STILL having hair down to his shoulders and a beard long enough to make him look like a member of ZZ Top.
It seems that I'm traveling again for my job. This time the "position that has no name" is taking me to the heart of Seattle Washington for a few days. I arrive late Sunday, May 7th and fly out Wednesday afternoon. I'm meeting a long time friend and her husband for dinner and drinks on Monday night, which leaves Tuesday night open for any Seattle Bloggers who would like to grab some dinner and whatever else. Please send me an email (link located on the left column) and let me know.
Last night Brian and I decided to head to Homo Depot after dinner. Why? Well, we figured they were missing us since they haven't seen our girly asses running around there, asking 200 silly questions regarding anything under the sun. We normally walk around with our mouths hanging open, confused looks on our faces saying, "I'm not really sure" a lot. I'm know we're talked about after we leave. Plus, we really wanted to see if there are glory holes in the bathrooms. There aren't any. But the cruising factor is huge! Funny what sawdust and power tools will bring a man to do.
Now comes the time with the condo where we're dealing with the little shit. Replacing outlets, light switches, mini-blinds and putting up house numbers. We tackled house numbers and mini-blinds last night because it didn't involve anything that could blow me across the room if I touched a wire that wasn't shut off by that box thingy called a breaker whatever. After a painstaking hour of cussing and sweating, I was able to put up one blind. We figured we would tackle ONE each night. Two, if I can get things started a little bit earlier tonight.
I used to be a barhopping, 'drink with the best of them', life of the party, dance 'til you drop guy.
Now I hang mini-blinds for excitement.
And you dear readers, get to hear every single moment of this life.
Ever have one of those days where your post is nothing but a grab bag full of odds and ends crap? No story, nothing cohesive, just a bunch of house cleaning items. That is today.
Last night I bought my very first computer. I never realized that after all these years, all my computers were hand me downs from friends. Brian and I get together and I get rid of my last hand me down and gave it to a deserving family who needed a computer, so I use Brian's computer. Which technically is mine since we're a couple, right? Everything that's his is mine and mine is his? So last night I bought a new laptop. Sorry, WE bought a lap top, but I paid for it. I'm so happy with my, I mean OUR new laptop. We've been playing the MY/OUR game all week. If there's ever a divorce I'm taking the laptop and TV for sure. Love you honey!
Of course, once we got home, Brian couldn't wait to get his hands on My/Our computer, so I let him have his playtime. I'm sure today since he's not working all week, he's already playing with it as we speak. The computer that is, nothing else. Hell, he's probably playing with that too.
Speaking of Brian staying home this week, his previous company who was going to take him on permanently, decided to end his contract and not hire him. Luckily for him as I mentioned last week, he was trying for a really incredible position as a consultant with a major firm. Well, he got the job and starts next Monday. So this week he gets to play the housewife and stay at home, but I can tell you there won't be one dish washed or any laundry done. Love you honey!
As I sat here this morning and read comments from yesterdays sight, I noticed two new bloggers. One whom I can call my Blog Son! I met Mark online when I had my first computer and we've been close friends ever since. He's only put up his inaugural post, but please go by and say Hello to this handsome little cub at CityWOOF. Any comments or ideas for a fledgling blogger is always appreciated. The other new blogger is handsome Tony over at Lifes Colorful Brush Strokes. Tony started off as a blogger fan, met up with some bloggers in San Francisco and now he's one himself. Please go say Hi. And last but not least go say Howdy Y'all to Michael at So I like Superman. Do I know him? No not yet, but I'm hoping that the boy comes to GB:NYC3 during the first week in June *hint hint*. He's hot as hell and funny. That's a good combination in my book.
Wrapping things up, Michael has been completely fine the last two days. Why? He stopped taking his methadone and morphine. He's awake, lucid, perky and often feisty. He says he doesn't have any pain either. What scares me, is I've read so many articles about people who are dying often having these burst of energy and alertness before passing. So the rollercoaster that is Michael, continues.
Thats all for today. ZeitCast from the show will have to wait until tomorrow. I was just too busy setting up the laptop last night until I was falling asleep at the diningroom table.
Fears of a phone call from Hospice loomed over my head all weekend. It wasn't until Sunday, minutes before heading out did I get a call, but it was actually Michael himself. Acting extremely perky and feisty. How someone can go from being so incoherent and looking as if they won't make it one more day, to the mood he was in yesterday when Brian, Brad and I decided to make a surprise visit on our way home from camping, is beyond me. I shouldn't be surprised though. Ever so often, he'll get these extreme bursts of energy which will last 2-3 days, before he crashes again.
Spring Round Up was a wonderful time. The weather was almost perfect except for the thunderboomers the first night. The view of the lake from the resort was perfect.
Brian was busy most of the time preparing for the show on Saturday night. Luckily we were able to get a few moments together in the beginning and towards the end. Brad showed up Saturday after spending an exhausting day at a Jimmy Buffet concert on Friday. Didn't he have only ONE hit?
I have to admit that this years SRU was more laid back and calm compared to last year or the years before that according to others. No crazy behavior, sex in the bushes or people stumbling back to their cabins. We did find out there was a 4am Tupperware Party one night, which is code for Massive Bootyslammin' Orgy. That was the biggest gossip of the entire weekend.
We got to spend a lot of time with Matt whom we met at Rainbow Ranch on a few occasions. This was his first year at SRU. Matt's good people and becoming a good friend.
The rest of the weekend was filled with volleyball, bingo, spades and hearts and horse shoes. I completely bombed at Sordid Lives Trivia. Each time you got an answer wrong, you did a shot of tequila. After three shots I got out of the game. The Saturday night show with Mama and Twyla was a huge hit. Everyones hard work paid off. We ended the evening with a Country Western Dance. Since most of us can't CW dance we sat at a table and watched.
Although the crazyness was toned down this year, we had a great time and look forward to next year.
If I could only get caught up on my sleep, I'd be doing good.
Tomorrow I'll have a ZeitCast showcasing some highlights from the show.
