Ok, I've officially become one of those type of bloggers who when they have nothing important to say, they write about their pets.
Last night a couple friends and I decided to go grab some Chinese food. Well, they had Sushi and I don't have the stomach for that. I had just gotten home before they came over, so Max hadn't been out of his kennel much. I felt bad, so I took the chance and let him stay out while we went and ate and then stopped off at the bar for one beer. I was nervous as hell. Kennel training is a wonderful way to train a dog, but eventually due to Max's size that he will become, he's not going to be able to stay in a kennel while we're gone.
Add that to the fact that currently he's only 5 months old. He's still very much a puppy. But I have to say that I have the smartest little puppy on the planet. No seriously. Our doggy is the best and I've had some pretty mentally challenged dogs in my time. This one picks up things like crazy.
I've already taught him how to sit, how to shake and how to sit up on his hind legs. He doesn't chew on anything but his toys. He rarely barks. He's completely leash trained and he's fully house trained. We left him in the house alone for two and a half hours while we were gone and when we came back he was totally fine and greeted us at the door. The house was in perfect condition.
So that night, I decided to test him further to see how he would be sleeping in our room on his doggie bed rather then in his kennel. The minute I got into bed, he laid down and was quiet all night long from 10pm until 6:30am this morning. I was completely floored.
I know the first year with a dog can be the toughest. The only thing I dreaded when we took Max home on Fathers Day, was the laborious task of training. It was hard enough training a new boyfriend, let alone a new dog. I was ready to have damaged furniture and a closet full of chewed up shoes. I was prepared for pee stained floors and scratches on every piece of woodwork.
We haven't had to deal with any of that except for a few mistakes on our wood floors.
Maybe it's because I've probably seen every episode of Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer on The Learning Channel.
Tomorrow morning we're heading to The Ranch for our yearly Labor Day Weekend. As always we'll be helping with the Comedy Drag show of Mama and Twyla Starlett. Actually, Brian does most of the helping. I drink a lot and swim in the pool. This will be Max's first time at the Ranch. He's going to be one happy dog. We're both so ready to get away for a few days and have some fun.
If I have a chance I will try to post something tomorrow. If not I hope everyone has a very fun and safe holiday weekend!
Although I can say that I'll miss the summer Pool parties with all the hairy, naked men, I was excited as a pig in mud at the 65 degree temperature this morning. I walked out in nothing but my silky running shorts like normal and my nipples immediately stood at attention and could cut glass. Everything else on my body shriveled up and disappeared. I'm still trying to coax it back out.
Even though we're sure to have temps in the 90's from time to time, I'm ready for comfortable walks in the neighborhood and local parks. Sitting outside for lunch and dinner at our favorite restaurants. Enjoying a cup Chai or Latte' outside at Starbucks. Camping out at Rainbow Ranch. Opening the windows at home rather then running the airconditioning constantly and racking up 200 dollar electric bills.
The Holiday season well be here before you know it. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. I'm sure you will be seeing Christmas Decorations at your local department store by the end of September. It gets earlier and earlier every year. Which reminds me, I need to start stocking up on new decorations for Christmas.
All it takes is one beautiful Fall like morning to change my outlook and revive my energy. I boast that I love the heat and can handle it like a true Texan, but to be perfectly honest, I'm a Fall person. I miss the days back home in a small town during the Fall when I was growing up. The leaves changing colors, wearing sweaters and stocking caps, Homecoming Parades, Highschool Football games, harvest time on the farm.
I hate snow, springtime causes my allergies to go berzerk and the summer is finally starting to wear this old man down.
Fall is all I have left.
Change is in the air and I'm loving it.
Not all change is good though.
How can I put this delicately? Things aren't the same like when we all were kids. Kids are different. School is different. Attitudes are not the same. The world we live in isn't the same and never will be.
Case and point: Last night Brian got a call from a friend of his who's a school teacher and he told him a story about something that happened at school that will cause you to scream, shake your head and your mouth to drop and hit the floor. It seems that two 8 year old girls in his school were caught in the bathroom......how can I say this.....putting tongues in places that they shouldn't.
Just in case you missed that, they were 8 years old.
One more time in case you were sleeping, 8 years old!
It seems that the two girls in question who were having their first lesbian encounter in a bathroom stall, were only re-enacting what one had seen her mother do to her girlfriend and the other had seen her sister and her boyfriend do.
I don't think I even knew what sex was until the ripe old age of 13. I sure as hell didn't attempt anything until I was about 16.
In other changing news, I see that gas prices are going down. Analyst say that within the next few months it will be down to $2 a gallon.
Nice subject change, eh?
Today's the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that hit the gulf coast last year. I find it amazing that one particular news site will show before and after pictures, giving the indication that the city has recovered and the next thing you see is a newscast or TV special showing how majority of the city is still in ruins. Our President is flying his big jet down there today to give some sort of community building speech and probably pass out little American flags and eat cake. He'll let the people know that their government is doing all they can to make sure they are taken care of and that they get their lives back to normal.
Eventually. At some point. Maybe.
Currently Ernesto looks to be heading towards Florida, although Ernesto is still a tropical storm. That could change. Ernie could also head straight up towards the gulf. Last years Katrina became extremely devastating due to the warm waters in the gulf that the storm traveled over. The gulf is one degree warmer this year. I hope the storm fizzles out and doesn't affect anyone.
Because our government sure as hell isn't going to do anything about it if it does.
I guess I should consider myself lucky to live in Dallas. The only remnants we ever get from a hurricane is some rain. We don't have to fear our city crumbling into the ocean like California due to an earthquake. We don't have to worry as much about our city being destroyed by a Tornado like the Midwest, although certain cities including Ft. Worth have been hit pretty bad. Hell, we don't even have to worry about a terrible snowstorm.
All we deal with is heat.
I grew up with Tornado's growing up in Nebraska. During the summer, at least one night a week was spent in the basement, riding out the storm. I've seen our city partially destroyed and neighboring cities wiped off the map. I've seen and been in or around more Tornado's then I can count.
One minute he's here and the next he's gone. I'm not sure if I'll ever get totally used to Brian traveling all the time. Love to see him come home, hate to see him go. I'm luckier then some people. I know people who's partner would be gone for weeks at a time. Brian's job when we first met would take him away for weeks if not an entire month at a time. That was hard on both of us. We can handle four days a week being apart. We don't like it, but it's a good job, great pay and a chance for advancement. It's an opportunity we both knew he couldn't pass up. This is our life now. We make the best of it.
I know I sound like I'm whining. I've been having some stomach issues the past few days so I'm not feeling 100%. I think I'm just feeling a little bit vulnerable, under the weather, melancholy. What I need is a swift kick in the ass.
Brian had his doctors appointment on Friday and loved his doctor. He said he seemed very personable and friendly. I myself was going to make a doctors appointment today for my extreme stomach pain. I called my nurse this morning and told him what was going on. Come to find out, I'm taking too many fiber pills (for lower cholesterol) and it's tearing me up inside. I'm not totally sure why my doctor told me to take the number of pills he prescribed, but it was more then double the amount needed. Not sure what he was thinking.
Hopefully I'll be back to normal by this weekend. We're heading out to The Ranch for a nice holiday getaway. This will be Max's first time at The Ranch. I'm sure once he sees the lake, we'll never see him again. We took him to the Doggy Park again this weekend and decided to take him down to the lake area to swim with all the other dogs. It wasn't 5 seconds and he was diving in the water like crazy. He would jump in, get out, jump in, swim around, get out, get in. He couldn't get enough of the water. He didn't want to go home. We definately have a water lover.
I also cooked dinner for a small group of friends Saturday night. Chicken Fried Chicken, homemade creamed gravy, garlic rosemary mashed potatoes, sweet corn on the cob and roasted cherry tomatoes with red wine vinegar, olive oil and basil. Probably one of the tastiest meals I've prepared in a long time. Everyones bellies were full and arteries were clogged. We ended the meal with watching a movie.
Sorry for the rambling, not-so-funny, boring post.
I'm just a little out of sorts this morning.
My little pooterbutt made it home from Denver last night. I'm still worried about how much he plays with and showers the dog with kisses, before making it over to me. I think I've been replaced by a mutt. Maybe if I got on all fours, barked like a puppy then rolled over for a belly rub when he came home, I might be kissed first. Then again, Max is cuter and more furry.
Should I tell you about how he "forgot" there was a ban on liquids and tried to take his entire ditty bag full of toiletries on the plane and something to drink? I'm surprised they didn't perform a full anal-cavity search on him. Then again, that sounds kind of hot.
We went to eat at Pei Wei's (PF Changs little sister) and watched the movie Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector. I know, I know. Probably going to be one of the stupidest movies ever made. But I love LTCG and think he's just sexy in that bear/cubbish sort of way. Not to mention that he's funny as hell. (Another guilty pleasure?) The movie was actually funny, full of potty humor and fart gags, which both of us find childishly funny and we laughed until we almost peed our britches. Classy, aren't we?
Brian's going for his first physical this morning. He's never been the type of person to EVER go to a Doctor. He's never been to a Dentist. Hell, he doesn't even have ONE filling in his mouth. He even hates taking any sort of medication, including aspirin. I'm not sure what it is to this adversion to anything medical or doctor related.
He's nervous as hell, but excited to finally get on the path to good health and taking care of himself. He doesn't have anything wrong with him, but does have some family history of certain things that we need to make sure we keep an eye on. Only thing Brian was wondering was if the Doctor was cute and if he was going to get a finger or 4 stuck up his butt. I'm sure this Doctor is going to be in for an earful. You all know my baby likes to talk and ask way too many questions. For someone who's been to the Doctor more time then I care to remember this past 15 years, I have a hard time fathoming being scared or nervous to go.
I'm ready for the weekend. So to start off my weekend right, I rewarded myself with a cup of coffee. What's the big deal you might say? I stopped drinking coffee. Hardly ever drink any sort of pop (Soda to you weird people out there). I try to limit my intake of iced or hot tea. They all cause heartburn and acid reflux. So does any form of alcohol, beer or wine.
Hell, I think water causes me to have acid reflux.
So I popped a few Pepcid and I'm sitting her having some Joe. Not to be confused with JoeMyGod.
I'm going to regret this in about an hour.
______________________________________
Another reminder for those who haven't, but want to donate to my participation in the AIDS Walk, please feel free to do so by clicking on the link in the upper left hand corner of the column to the left.
Only one more month to go!
We all have guilty pleasures. While driving home yesterday, singing at the top of my lungs, I started to actually giggle at the thought of what I was listening to. The lyrics were ridiculous, the sound was so canned and predictable, but I can't help from loving this certain type of music.
Swedish Pop Music and anything produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman (PWL).
Maybe it was my coming out in the early 90's that formed my love and obsession with this type of candy, bubblegum pop. The Swedish group Bodies Without Organs is my current favorite. THe lead singer won the Swedish version of American Idol about 3 years ago. The write and producer of the group was formerly with Army of Lovers. Picture a dancy sounding ABBA.
My other obsession and something that I collect, is anything produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman. They've produced classic albums from the 80's and 90's such as Boy Krazy, Rick Astley, Dead or Alive, Big Fun, Donna Summer, Banarama, Pepsi and Shirley, Pat and Mick and Kylie Minogue just to name a few. I can hear a song of theirs and immediately tell it's them.
I know the music is bad. I know it all sounds alike. I only listen to this music by myself, in the car or with my ipod so no one can hear what I'm listening to. I would have uploaded some music here, but I'm at work and don't have that capability.
What sort of guilty pleasures to you have? Do you like to watch Jerry Springer? Do you love eating Marshmellow Peeps and Circus Peanuts? Are you obsessed with some horrible reality series? Can you not get enough of Barry Manilow and Captain and Tennille?
It's time to confess. Think of this like the website Post Secret, except that it's not going to be a secret or on a 4x6 card.
After taking a short nap, playing around on my lap top and eating a frozen pizza (I wasn't in the mood to cook or get out and eat), I received a call from Brian asking me to record a special that was airing on CourtTV. It was titled "On Native Soil". A story that told of the events leading up to 9/11 and basically how our government fucked up. The special showed various clips from the 9/11 Commission hearings. Family members who lost loved ones, local residents that were there that day, along with policemen and fireman recounted their stories.
Numerous clips of the planes hitting the buildings, the Towers coming down and the aftermath that followed filled the TV screen. Shots of the many memorial services, photos of missing people and the voices of angry people wanting answers from their government filled every second. It was a program that I didn't intend to watch. Hell, I didn't even know it was on, but I'm glad I did. I read a report not that long ago that 30% of Americans can't even recall the exact year that 9/11 took place. I find that quite sad and pathetic. If we're not reminded of things from time to time we become complacent and forgetful. How is this possible?
I'm not sure exactly why I'm writing all of this. Other then the fact that even though I wasn't in NYC and can't even begin to fathom what it must have been like or even try to (and I never will), I'm glad I took the time last night to watch this program. I sat there and cried my eyes out for an hour and a half. As one person on the program put it, "It didn't just happen to NYC, it happend to the United States of America". That very same man asked how many people around the country called their local Senators and demanded that our government take action and make changes so this will never happen again on our soil. Every time he asks that question of a group of people, very few people ever raise their hands.
Many people even criticized the movie World Trade Center. Saying it was too soon and that Hollywood was making money off of a tragedy. How soon is too soon? Five years? Ten? Twenty? Yet they have a right to be angry. The wounds seem still to fresh to them. Yet it wasn't a political movie, but from what I understand a movie about two specific people who were hero's and became trapped beneath the rubble. It was the story of a selfless man who helped rescue them. Nothing more, nothing less. No graphic shots of the planes entering the Towers. No hidden political message or agenda. Just a story. A story that I think everyone should be reminded of. It may be hard to watch for some people and I'm sure many people will refuse to see the movie as to not dredge up past emotions. Maybe I need to see it.
For some of us, I think it's good to be reminded from time to time of what happened, despite of how hard it is to watch.
I can't begin to tell you how great it was to have the hubby home all this past week and weekend. It also reminds me what it's like to have someone there every single day. Day and night. All the time. I've gotten used to doing my own thing for most of the week which usually means sitting in front of the TV and relaxing. This past week, I was forced to get out and do things, go places, see people.
I even spend the entire day Saturday, cleaning house and re-organizing closets. I must have been out of my mind.
This morning Brian headed back to Denver. He found out that they're only keeping one person on the project through the end of the year and move the other person on to another project waiting in the wings. This will be his last month in Denver. He has yet to find out where the next consulting gig will be. It could possibly be in Dallas or anywhere else in the US for that matter. He's heard rumors of Utica NY. I was hoping for something along the lines of South Beach, Chicago, Palm Springs or San Diego. Just to name a few.
The only exciting thing we did this weekend was taking Max to the Dog Park out by White Rock Lake. It's a small, beautiful lake located in the middle of the city. On the edge of the park they have a fenced in area for small dogs and one for large. I tell you, this is the new Starbucks. Everyone seems to know each other. They all bring their lawn chairs, doggie toys/treats and cameras in hopes of seeing their "baby" doing something worth taking photo's of. I swear it was no different then taking your child to it's first day of school.
We brought the camera but I kept it in my pocket. Max socialized some which was great, but often found himself wandering around alone, sniffing everything he could find. Ever so often, he would chase after another dog to play, but quickly tired out and found a shady spot to lay in or an unsuspecting pet owner to pet him or rub his belly.
He was quite popular and everyone thought he was adorable. And that he was going to be an enormous dog when he grows up. We were proud Papa's.
It's hilarious to watch people and their dogs. Brian was so over protective, running and yelling any time he thought Max did something wrong. He was always apologizing to some pet owner for something. I had to tell him to calm down and just let max be a Dog and do what dogs do. He relaxed after a bit.
We quickly became friends with this couple who owned a tiny chihuahua. They sat there watching every body elses dog, since theirs was too damn scared to leave their laps. I couldn't get the lady to shut up. Any time you told a story about yourself or your dog, she had to try and tell a better story. I pretty much ignored her after a while and tried talking with her hunky, hairy husband who's gym shorts kept gapping open a lot while I stood in front of him. Nice view.
There was a very sweet older gay couple and their weiner dogs. A family who brought their dog for the first time and yelled at it constantly every time it sniffed another dogs butt. Some guy and his yelping schnauzer that wouldn't shut up. Some old man and his two english bulldogs who haven't had a bath in probably years. They stunk to high heaven and wanted to be petted or rubbed up against you all the time.
There was this lesbian who Brian started talking to. She told him about how she meets her ex-girlfriend at the park every weekend so she can see the dogs they had together. She lost them in the divorce. She told Brian about how her Ex's new girlfriend is extremely jealous and forbids them to see each other. She proceeds to tell Brian about how she got her current dog from her neighbor. He was a Mexican Drug Lord according to her and he died tragically from being diabetic and not taking care of himself. After this happened she inherited his dog AND his girlfriend and is in a new relationship with her.
Honestly, some people really should keep their mouths shut when it comes to personal information.
Overall, it was great hanging out there and we plan on going back once a week if not more. Max had a blast and was so tired afterwards, he rested the entire afternoon. Nothing better then a calm puppy.
Later that afternoon, we saw the move The Illusionist. Don't miss this one.
Hope your weekend was as enjoyable.
Last night we took our beloved friend Mama Starlett out to dinner for his 46th, 40th, 35th birthday. You get to be our age and all you want to do is to have a nice relaxing evening with a couple friends at a nice restaurant then call it an evening. I'm sure he had a date with his computer later that night.
Yes, large parties are nice with all of your friends and even a few people you don't know are nice, but how many times can you sit in a mexican restaurant with a huge sombrero on your head while they sing Happy Birthday in Spanish. Topped off with a sopapilla, tiny little candle and too many tequilla shots. Gifts are nice too. But how items from the Gay Mans List of Standard BIrthday Gifts can one person have? Candles, Picture Frames and a bottle of Wine or Liquor.
We took him to a place called Kona Grill. It's a Hawaiian, Polynesian, Caribbean flaired type of food. I guess that means "lets slather all the food in some sort of fruity, spicey, goey, bright colored sauce". Brian loved his $60 dollars worth of Sushi, Sashimi and God only knows what else. Thirty Eight pieces in all. His Mama is so worried about him eating raw fish. She heard from her hair dressers, cousins, mother-in-law that Sushi gives you worms. Everyone elses dinner was wonderful. Brian actually made little shrieking noises every time he took a bite of his Jalepeno Yellow Fin something or other. My Pad Thai-like dish on the other hand was thick and sticky enough to use as wall papering paste.
Despite my dinner, it was a nice time with friends.
I'm just thanking Jebus that I talked them out of seeing the movie Snakes on a Plane afterwards. I know I'm going to be forced to see this Campy B-Movie at some point this weekend. If you want to find me, I'll be the one screaming like a little girl, all curled up in a fetal position.
Before I leave you all for the weekend, here's a pic of Max taken this morning while I was checking email. Yes, he's still adorable as hell, but he's becoming quite the handsome fellow I think. He's losing his puppy qualities and looking more like a grown-up.
*sniff* Our babies grow up sooooo fast......
People and their dogs make me laugh.
There's a joke around our condo complex that you must own a dog to live there. You'll see people huddled together in groups, conversing and laughing in the courtyard while their dogs run around them, sniffing each others butts like it's crack. At any given time of the day, numerous people are walking their dogs up and down our block. You greet each person with a "Hello", "Could it be any hotter?", "Love your dog", "He's so cute" "No yours is cuter". Lots of mindless dribble and meaningless conversation to pass the time while walking.
You then have to listen to them ramble on more then you ever wanted to know about their pooch, even down to the consistancy of their beloved's bowel movements and how they were able to achieve it.
I kid you not.
Then there's that awkward moment of do you let your dog greet their dog? Some people are quite protective as if your dogs cooties are going to invade their precious Fifi.
During most of our outings, Max will greet the human with perfect submission, wanting to be petted, scratched and told how adorable he is. I love how people submit to goochi-goochi-goo talk. A puppy can take a butch, grown, masculine man and turn him into a coochy coo mess.
He greets most of his own kind with some agresssive rimming followed by some playful wrestling. This usually freaks out the women or prissy gay men who own yippy, little lap type dogs that way no more then 2 pounds and have bows in their hair and rhinestone collars. I see the look of horror on their faces when he tries to mount the the poor bitches. But these dogs are the ones that are the most aggressive usually. I'm just waiting for the day when Max rips out one of their bows.
Yet ever so often, Max comes across a human or dog that freaks his shit out. We have an acquaintence from the pool area who wears this odd Abe Lincoln type beard who I find to be quite annoying. He acts like he's your best friend. Even to the point of calling us and asking if we could help him move a 2 ton Television up a flight of stairs in this hellish heat before we headed out to a dinner party. He's also the resident expert on dogs and how to train them.
Max hates him and goes absolutely ballistic when the guy tries to touch or pet him. It freaked the guy out and he can't understand why this loveable puppy acts like this around him. He probably now thinks we're bad parents who don't know how to train our dog.
Secretly, I love the fact that Max hates his guts. Maybe it's his funny beard.
The only time he's really lost it during one of our walks was when we came up to a pack of feral chihuahua's. Hell, I'd be afraid of coming up against a pack of chihuahua's by myself! This man owns 6 of them and takes them out for walks all at the same time. I picture him in his apartment, sitting in a big fluffy lounge chair, knitting doillies. Taking his pack out for a walk is hilarious. Ever try herding a bunch of cats? That's what it's like.
This morning while taking our morning walk before I head off to work, we came up on some lawn care workers who do our lawn twice a week. They usually stand around the pickup for a short time each morning, eating their breakfast in the shade before starting. Once we got near them, Max starts yanking away from me, making horrible screaming noises while I try to walk past these gentlemen. For no reason.
With the entire block full of dog walkers, stopping what their doing and looking at me like I was torturing my dog or something.
The entire time, I'm trying to consol him telling him not to embarrass me in public!
Dogs really are like children.
I could have committed murder last night.
Since we're in a saving mode and trying to eat better, I went grocery shopping last night while Brian went on a walk at the Katy Trail with a friend. I refuse to exercise when it's 105 outside.
As I drove into the parking lot, I spotted an open space almost immediately. While heading for princess parking, the guy next to the open spot empties out his cart and places the fucker right in the middle of the open spot. He gets in his car and just sits there jacking off or doing God knows what. I had to throw my car into park, get out and move his cart and give him the dirtiest look I could. Murder number one.
I could already tell that shopping for groceries wasn't going to be a good experience.
I headed straight for deli section since it's the first area that you come to. A man had just gotten there before me and started pacing in front of the counter like a wild animal. While he was deciding on what kind of meat to buy, I told the lady what I wanted. He immediately interrupted me and started asking her specific questions about different types of meat. Finally, he made his choice and told her specifically how thin to cut his meat. Once approved he took a slice and sampled the meat, complimenting the woman behind the counter like she had made it herself. She handed the bag to him and he immediately told her that he needed six slices of cheddar. Not five, not seven or eight, but six. Right in the middle of her slicing his cheese, he changes his order to eight. He must have decided to live on the edge.
Once she wrapped it up and handed it to him, he then puts his hands up as to push me back, walks in front of me and has her slice more deli meat. Again, he tells her the exact thickness and has to perform a taste test. Then he orders more cheese. Then more meat. Cheese. Meat. This entire time he's walking in front of me, making sure I step back so I can't look at the meats and cheeses myself. There was a line of at least 8 people behind us by the time he finished. Murder number two.
As he walked away smuggly, a 2nd employee walks up and asks if anyone needed help. He had been standing off to the side the entire time, chatting and flirting with someone young enough to get him thrown in jail. Yes you can help me you son of a bitch. Murder number three.
I had finally cooled off after shopping for some fruit and dairy products. I headed down one isle for crackers and chips and was immediately stopped by two women standing in the middle of the isle conversing about something other then grocery shopping. Two grocery carts and two big butts makes for a difficult way to pass. After standing there for what seemed like an eternity, I finally asked the women if they wouldn't mind stepping aside. They did. Only after mentioning to the other that I was rude. Murders number four and five.
I did my shopping in that isle and remembered that I needed milk. I turned my cart around and headed back. The two women were still there talking, only this time they were acting like they were shopping. I didn't waste any time and told them to please get out of the way.
Once I was finished, I headed to the long lines at the checkout counters. I immediately grabbed the shortest line. There were two girls and one guy, obviously roommates. They had one cart. They stood there trying to estimate how much the entire cart would cost and then tried to divide that by three. They weren't very good at math. Then they proceeded to tell the woman to stop when she hit 30 dollars so they could each take their turns paying. Just when I thought I was next in line, they all forgot to order their cigarettes which of course are a mile away and behind lock and key. Murders number six, seven and eight.
Finally. It was my turn. I get up there and guess who fucking left their wallet in the car? Me. I had to apologize to everyone around me and ran to the car as fast as I could. I wanted to shoot myself. Murder number nine.
So there you have it. I could have easily committed murder last night.
Since it would have happened in a grocery store, I would have been called......
.....get ready for it......
A Cereal Killer.
I honestly don't think that payday could have gotten here any quicker. Normally I'm pretty good with managing money. In fact, I'm quite anal about it. I always trying to make sure that I eat at home as much as possible even though Brian would rather eat every single meal out at a restaurant. I try not to overspend on frivolous items and do my best to stay away from the axis of evil. Malls and Art galleries. The last two places seem to be the most difficult for me. I'm the type of person who gets bored and thinks that a good way of wasting time is by walking around NorthPark Mall to "window shop".
Bad idea. There's always a sale somewhere.
Now that we have a home, we have added expenses like higher electric bills due to it being hotter then hell outside or the joys of having the airconditioner break down. And in the never ending saga of trying to make our place perfect there always seems to be some little trinket, knick knack or picture frame to buy.
Credit cards, which are evil and must be destroyed, need paying off so we're tackling those more then usual.
Don't even get me started on how much a puppy costs. Minus already eating us out of house and home, so far the little shit love of our life has cost us about $500 for all his shots, $100 for flea/tick and heartworm medication and lets not forget about his up and coming surgery to make him a famous Castratti Singer. I wonder if he'll bark in Falsetto once he gets the snip-snip?
Then we have our upcoming trip to San Francisco. Luckily we're staying at Hotel V-Hold. Victor and his hubby are the biggest sweethearts to offer. Not sure if we need a rental car or not. The only flight we had to buy was mine. So that leaves spending money because we know I'm not coming all the way to San Francisco and not purchase a damn thing.
I swear I caught myself 50 times this past week saying, "Oh no, we can't afford that until payday".
I hate uttering those words.
It's funny how the more money you make due to a new jobs or promotions, the more money you spend.
*sigh*
Time to pay bills.
Then go shopping.
First off let me say that it's just hotter then two rats fuckin' in a wool sock. Are we ever going to be a break? Over 100 last week, over 100 this coming week.
I swear we're moving.
I'm not sure if I can handle many more pool parties. Especially one like Saturday. We arrived around 2pm and the party had already gotten started. Kegs of beer were lined up and over 1300 extremely strong jello shots, sitting in an ice cooler ready to be devoured. I lost track of how many I ate once I hit twenty. Don't ever tell a friend that you're not feeling all that tipsy despite how much you've drank.
This party got a bit crazy pretty quickly. Tons of extremely hot hairy men + Hotter then hell outside = Lots of beer drinking. I have to say it took a while for any peepee's to be whipped out or for anyone to get naked. I was the first one to strip down to nothing and it didn't take long before most all joined in. What's a pool party if no one gets naked?
The rest of the afternoon and part of the evening let's just say, was um....quite fun.
We spent most of Sunday recovering, catched the movie Little Miss Sunshine which everyone must go see and ended the day with me cooking dinner.
I didn't want to go to work today.
Click here to see the Pool Party Pics. Don't worry it's safe for work. I removed the handful of peepee shots since most all of them were of ME!
Stayed home today to spend it with the honeybear. Hence, the reason for the late post. Now it's just trying to figure out what we can do all day when it's 105 outside and muggy. Brian's first brilliant idea was to go look at different kinds of new cars. In the hot sun. Standing on asphalt. When it's hot enough to fry an egg on your car.
He's batshit crazy I tell you.
I, on the other hand was thinking along the lines of anything inside an airconditioned home.
So instead we're sitting here while Brian works on his expenses, answers some work emails, makes a few phone calls and searches for a primary care physician. Good thing I'm here hanging over him with an iron fist making him do his work.
Maybe a movie is in order followed by an afternoon laying by the pool. Then maybe some bow-chicka-wow-wow.
A reader recently suggested that we do a reality series. That got me to thinking. I need to do a "day in the life" ZeitCast. Look for something next week.
Tomorrow we're heading to a Pre-Decadance (even though we're not going to NOLA) pool party. Last year ended up pretty wild and crazy. Lots of naked men and penises everywhere you looked.
Sometime this weekend Brian and I need to try on various harnesses made from dead cows for our trip to the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. I'm sure you all are waiting with baited breathe at the thoughts of us in leather.
Sorry, the thoughts make me giggle to be honest.
Leather Drag.
When I hear the news as I did this morning regarding the thwarted plot to blow up several flights from the UK to the US, I tend to have mixed emotions. Part of me immediately rolls my eyes and thinks "here we go again" and the other part of me worries a little and has some reservations.
Are there people in the US planning on trying the same thing and we just haven't found them yet? How much do I trust the security measures at all our of major airports around the US? I mean come on, have you taken a good look at some of the people that screen you at the airport? How safe really is flying anymore? Should we be worried? I remember for two years after 9/11 it taking hours to get through security. I was often checked at security and doublechecked at the gate. Twice I was even pulled off of a plane and searched for a third time.
Now I can get to the airport only one hour ahead of schedule and be through security in a matter of minutes. Are airports more efficient or have have they become more lax?
I hate it when people say things like, "If instances like this cause you to be afraid to fly or to cancel a flight or not take a vacation then terrorist have won". Well fine, then the terrorist have won. I can't think that any normal person out there wouldn't at least have some sort of anxiety these days. Especially after the past 6 hours worth of news. I'm not saying that I'm going to stop flying, but to say that I don't become a little apprehensive is just plain lying.
They're now not letting anyone take any sort of beverage or liquid of any kind as carry on. Passengers in the UK aren't even allowed to bring carry on luggage at all for the next few weeks. The security lines in most major airports are extremely long and it could take hours to get through.
Give it time. Soon we'll all be flying in nothing but our underwear and socks.
I guess it doesn't help that my baby is flying home from Denver this afternoon.
The number one thing you never want to have happen while living in Texas is have your airconditioner go on the blink. Tomorrows forecast in Texas? W'ere all going to die.
Monday night I came home to a sweltering, muggy home. The airconditioner was blowing out hot air. The Puppy was fine since I have a fan blowing on him all the time. He loves him some fan action. When it's 102 degrees outside it can turn most homes or apartments into ovens and make you sweat like a whore in church. Luckily, since ours is well insulated, brick, surrounded on all sides and partly shaded, the temp wouldn't go above 85. Add that to the fact that I don't require our home to be like an ice box and I was able to survive by laying buck naked in front of a fan, covering myself in popcicles.
Remind me never to offer you a popcicle if you ever visit.
I'm kidding. I ate the popcicles. But they do feel oh so nice when you slide them across your body.
I'm just sayin'.
I called Joe The AC Guy who was out only one month ago at our place to fix a previous problem. He came over yesterday morning and apologized profusely about not checking out our vintage 1980 Lennox unit more carefully. The wires leading to the spinning mechanism crumbled in your hand and there was a little burned spot where the wires entered the motor thingy that makes the big blades go round and round. The rest of the unit seemed to be in perfect condition. So I'm told. I don't know. It's just a big grey metal box to me.
Don't ask me to get all technical on how an airconditioner works. I honestly don't care. I flick on a switch, cool air comes out the vents, Mark is a happy boy, life is good. That's all that matters to me. Everyone knows I'm techtarded. I have trouble hooking up our stereo or cable box. I'm still trying to figure out what all the buttons do on our new stove. I use only 20% of the fuctions offered on my cell phone.
Joe, being the kindhearted guy redneck goober that he is, loves to tell you in detail how everything works, the age, how much time is left, whether or not he thinks it's a good unit, 2.5 ton this, btu that, air flow capacity this, blah blah that. I sit there trying to feign enthusiasm. If he could, I think he would drop his pants, slabbed on some lube and mounted our unit right then and there. I learned more about a 1980 Lennox 2.5 ton whateverdoohicky then I ever wanted to know.
It pretty much went in one ear and out the other. That mans looks at an airconditioners like Brian looks at gigabytes or I look at Vin Diesel. Ha! You thought I was going to say Kenneth Cole.
After working only an hour and creating the biggest underarm wet spots I've ever seen, he came in all dirty and sat down at our dining room table to fill out the receipt. He proceeds to tell me more about our unit and it's future. He goes over in fine detail what we should buy in case we wanted to upgrade to a newer model. He told me what all of our neighbors have in their condo's and how some of them are going to be in trouble one of these days. He then comments on a lot of our artwork, plays with Max a little, tells me a bit about himself again.
He likes to call me Guy and Dude. He never seems to want to leave our place. I think he really likes us. I like him. He's a very nice man. And the situation might seem like a vintage porn waiting to happen since he has that 1970's parted down the middle feathered hair and a big black bushy mustache, but that just isn't going to happen. He's just not very sexy and I'm sure is married with kids and well, I have a husbear.
It's funny. I consider 1970's porn vintage and Brian thinks 1980's porn is vintage. *sigh*
The entire time I couldn't take my eyes off of every single droplet of sweat that kept falling from his face and onto our brand new, polished dining room table.
I was finally able to push him towards the door, told him thanks, handed him a check for $250...
....and gave him a popcicle.
Our weekends tend to be filled with running errands, visiting friends and the occasional party to attend. This doesn't leave much time for us to both actually enjoy relaxing and spend any quality time with just he and I. After some heavy poking and prodding (get your minds out of the gutter), I've been able to convince Brian that staying at home, cuddled on the couch doing absolutely nothing can be just as enjoyable. Going to see a movie and have dinner without an entourage of people with us can be fun as well.
Brian and I are like night and day. We differ in so many ways. Although I love spending time with all of our friends, I need a break from time to time. I need it to be one on one. But with Brian being gone for 4 days a week, the minute he steps off that plane he's ready to let loose, see all his friends, get caught up with everyone and try to make sure we spend quality time together as well. He only has 3 days to try to accomplish all that he wants. It was different when he was here every single day. There was a good balance.
The summer time brings an onslaught of parties. People go to dinner in groups, sitting in 100 degree heat on the patio. Inbetween times, people gather by poolside for drinks. The weekend used to be a time to relax. Now those days are filled in during the week while he's gone.
Although this weekend we finally found the perfect balance. Friday night we grabbed a bite of dinner and saw the new Robin Williams movie, The Night Listener. Saturday we slept in late, ran a few errands, laid by the pool and that night we headed with friends to a fundraiser/party and ended up at The Dallas Eagle. Sunday was spend doing absolutely nothing, although it probably due to the fact that we both had a bit of a hangover.
None the less, we spent the a majority of the day cuddled on the couch watching TV. We were pleasantly surprised with a thunderstorm later that afternoon when we came out of the movie theater. We haven't received any sort of rain in over a month with temps hovering around 100. You would have thought no one had ever seen rain before in their life. People were actually giddy, laughing and playing in the rain outside the theater.
We had time this weekend to book our flights to San Francisco and secure housing, which we found out does coinside with the Folsom Street Fair. Now Brian and I either have to borrow some leather from friends or splurge on purchasing our own harnesses. This is going to be quite the birthday present.
_______________________________________________
On a side note, for those still wanting to donate to my participation in the 2006 Dallas AIDS Walk, please click the link on the upper left hand column. I've surpassed my goal and have reached a total of $2165.00, but more donations are very appreciated and welcomed. Again, a big thank you goes out to everyone who has donated so far. It's meant so much to me.
I'm already getting excited about finally going to San Francisco for the first time in years. I can't tell you the last time I was in The City. I had to have been around 18 years old I think. My entire family would get together once a year for the world's largest road trip from hell. Mom, Dad, Brothers, Sister, Spouses and all the children would embark on some of the longest and most tiring, yet memorable vacations of my life.
We would leave central Nebraska and head West to Denver to see some of Dad's family. We'd trek through Utah and head straight to Las Vegas Nevada for a couple days of gambling and listening to my Father moan and complain about the heat and how much money he had lost. We then headed northward towards Washington, then Oregon to go salmon fishing and visit Dad's sister.
Once the family visiting was out of the way, we headed to San Francisco, driving the entire lenth of the coast of California, until we made it to San Diego. Sightseeing all the way. Making sure we would spend two full days at Disneyland. We would then head East through Arizona and New Mexico, stopping along the way for more sightseeing. Our final stop was Odessa Texas to spend a few days with my Grandmother. The final leg of the trip was almost a straight shot North back home.
We did this trip almost every year that I can remember up until I was about 18 years old. Most of my Brothers and my Sister were doing their own family trips by then, so that just left the three of us. Dad wasn't able to drive long distances like that anymore (and didn't trust me driving) and Mom developed some health problems making long travel very difficult. People often ask why we just wouldn't fly to our destinations. My parents were terrified of flying and would never step foot on a plane. That fear was instilled into my one brothers and my sister. None of them today will fly anywhere.
My Mom's dream now that she's almost 79 years old, is to take another road trip like before. She talks about seeing San Francisco, Disneyland and the zoo at San Diego one more time. A dream I wish I could make come true for her.
When I talk about my trips, I can hear the tone in her voice. She lives vicariously through me. I take many pictures and take plenty of video's to show her. Her eyes light up as I tell her of my travels.
It's been so long since I've been back there. Memory fads quickly anymore regarding the past. It will be like visiting the city for the first time.
Only this time without my family, but with my partner instead. One thing I can say about Brian and I, is that we travel so well together.
Before I go, I want to leave you with a current pic of our baby. He's growing so fast. Don't let the picture fool you. He seems all sweet and cuddly, but we've got the gassiest dog on the planet. This morning while getting ready, you would have sworn that someone was popping popcorn.
It was just Max. Funny how our pets become like their owners.
Where in the hell has the morning gone? I get here, grab some coffee, check my email, chat with a few people, look up and it's 10:23am and I haven't posted a damn thing. I bet you all have been sitting on the edges of your chairs, checking out my site every 30 seconds to see if I have updated yet. Well fear no further, I'm here to sooth your blog reading woes.
Who am I kidding?
I met up with a buddy last night to go grab a bit of dinner at a local Chinese Buffet. We had kept meaning to get together since I pretty much sit my ass in front of the TV or computer while Brian's gone and don't accomplish anything. I keep telling myself I need to draw, paint, clean house, work on our patio plants that the fricken heat has killed, exercise at the gym we pay monthly dues to or get in contact with friends I've been meaning to see, chat with and/or have dinner, drinks or coffee.
I have to say that I'm leary of Chinese food restaurants. I've had some pretty horrible experiences in the past so I'm very picky. I only eat at a place that someone recommends and even then, I end up not liking 80% of them. I'm more of a PF Changs or Pei Wei sort of guy. I like my Chinese food Americanized.
We had a nice visit before dropping me off back at my place so I can re-watch last weeks episode of Project Runway and to see this weeks new episode. It was scandelous. The one that most people have hated since day one was found cheating and kicked off the show. I don't think I've ever been so addicted to a show as I am this one. I can't get enough. I check out the website, read some of the blogs and have even been thinking about downloading one of the exclusive ringtones for my phone.
Yes, thats right I have no life. Tell me something I don't already know. My life exists from Thursday night to Monday morning.
I'm thinking about taking a pottery course. I know of a place here in town and the rates are reasonable from what I remember. It would give me something to do and to be creative. I took pottery for 4 semesters back in college.
I'm also thinking of doing a little less writing here and adding more ZeitCast. It's not like I can use the excuse that I don't have the time to make one. It might just be me sitting there with Max, talking about God knows what or a full on production piece complete with sound effects, commentary, music and props. No, nothing along the lines of porn.
Maybe it's because I've been spending a lot of time over at You Tube.
I actually made the bed this morning. I'm still trying to figure out why. I never make the bed.
I've been trying to teach max to sit for a treat. Bad thing, is he sees me get out the treat bag and he sits down immediately without me saying anything to him.
Work just approved the days off that I requested around my Birthday the 3rd weekend in September. Specifically it's the 21st for those needing plenty of enough time to purchase gifts and plan huge parties or parades. It seems we're booking flights for San Francisco. Now before you you SF'ers start asking to do a GB:SF, I'm sure I'm going to state a time and place for a bunch of us to meet, grope, fondle and drink beer one night. I'm not saying that, that sort of behavior happens at GB events. I'm going to need some advice on where we should meet. I'm thinking a beer bust on some patio at a bar with tons of hairy men with very little clothing.
I have to go pee.
I'm all over the map today. Even MY brain hurts reading this.
I made a huge decision yesterday. Actually, the decision was made quite some time ago. I finally just got off my ass and did it.
Having insurance is something that I don't take lightly for obvious reasons. Without it I would constantly be struggling to find ways to pay for medication and having to visit state funded hospitals and doctors for my care. For anyone who has had to do this, it can be a major pain in the ass.
Back in July of 1997, I left my low paying mortgage job to take a position making more money with an up and coming new company. I left security, insurance, 401K, stock options and a great group of people all for money. It's funny the decisions we will make solely based upon money.
I didn't stop to think that there would be any problems moving from one company to another, changing from one insurance carrier to another. I was wrong. There's some silly thing they call pre-existing conditions and boy do I have a whopper of a condition that's been pre-existing for quite a while. Luckily, a law was passed stating that if you have not had your insurance lapse for more then 30 days, your new insurance carrier must provide coverage without any sort of pre-existing clause. I knew of this law, yet my new insurance company tried to weasel their way out of covering my care and medication. My doctor told me not to worry. Eventually after a few months of fighting with them, the insurance company paid all my claims and I never had a problem with them since.
That few months had to be some of the most stressful that I had ever been put through. I knew friends who had to fill out stacks of government forms for various types of AID and care. They would have to take full days off from work just to sit in waiting rooms to be seen by several doctors at the local state ran hospital. Their credit was ruined for failure to pay for certain services or medication. They simply didn't have the money. For a while there, I thought that person would eventually become me.
Last year, I left my cushy job for more money as most of us do. I wasn't worried about any sort of issue with insurance. I would be on COBRA until my insurance would kick in. I've never had a problem.
When Brian got his new IT consulting job, I was surprised to hear about then having Partner Benefits. Even my small tiny company has them as well. After looking at some of the numbers, being on Brian's insurance would save me a very substantial amount of money each month. Substantial enough to cancel my insurance and become a part of his.
Despite some of the setbacks that our community takes, it makes me feel good to see more and more companies offer benefits to partners. Hell, how do you think I was able to fly to Denver last week? The company flew me up.
Yet, I'm a control freak. I have my doubts and fears. I hate relying on others for any sort of help. Sitting down and filling out the paperwork to cancel my insurance took me two months to do. I have been on his insurance since day one. You really have to trust and love someone to be able to do that. It felt good.
I have a wonderful partner. All of this just so I can will have more money to go out and buy more Kenneth Cole. I couldn't ask for a better man.
My mornings are very routine. I always wake up 15 minutes before my alarm is supposed to go off. I shuffle my way to the bathroom to go pee, tell the puppy to hush and that I'll be there soon. Check myself in the mirror to make sure no zit or coldsore has invaded my face in the middle of the night. I find some random pair of shorts that's laying around and put them on. I then carefully make my way down the staircase, in fear of falling since I'm still pretty dazed.
Eventually, I find Max's leash and make unintelligable goo goo noises, mixed with the words No! and Stop that! We make our way out the front door and to the nearest patch of grass which he's already starting to kill due to peeing in the same spot. He does his business while I stretch, yawn and scratch my balls.
Once back in the house, he bolts to the kitchen and stands next to the cabinet which houses his food. I fill his bowls with food and water, pat him on the head and tell him Good Boy!, then make my way upstairs while he eats his breakfast.
By now I've started to wake up and can see clearly. I strip down out of my shorts and get ready to hop in the shower. Here's where things changed this morning. I opened the glass door to the shower and glanced down. Something very little and extremely fast ran across the shower floor. It wasn't a mouse or anything like that. I thought it must have been something from the insect family. Something that was going to meet his fate with the bottom of my dress shoe. Once I could find them.
I crouched down to get a closer look. Our shower walls are black and the floor is a mixed of various browns and army green colors. While my face is only inches from the floor a tiny little gecko runs right in front of my face and scurries off. I immediately screamed, slipped and hit my head on the back of the shower door. If there was one in here, were there others? Did they bring friends or reinforcements?
There was no way in hell I was going to get in and take a shower with that slithering reptile. I had to act fast. I had to get to work eventually and sure as hell wasn't taking a sick day so I can contemplate all day how to get rid of a gecko. I gathered up an enormous ball of toilet paper and after ten or so tries, was able to capture the little bugger and flung him out our 2nd story bathroom window.
Hopefully they're like cats and can land on their feet.
A word of warning: Never be in your bathroom buck naked, bent over halfway in your shower with a very curious puppy in the house.
I'm just sayin'.
