I pride myself on being a social liberal. However, these "feel good" feelings all go away the minute I step aboard public transit. I become the most intollerant Republican in the world. When I step off all is right with the world again and I gain my senses back.
Recently Seattle was hit hard with snow, ice, cold, and wind. You name it we got it. I believe it was the Monday before Christmas. There was so much snow that no one in our carpool dared to drive. So I bundled up and walked the mile to the bus tunnel. There are two busses that go from downtown all the way to Federal Way with a stop at the airport.
The 174 is a milk run. It stops every other block for the entire 40 mile ride. It takes forever. The 194 is an express. It goes through downtown then hops on I5, stops at the airport and then continues on to Federal Way. A much better option. However, the airport is still 2 miles from my office. So if I take a 194, I either have to walk or transfer to a 174 anyway.
This particular snowy morning, it was reported that half the busses aren't running at all. After a 30 minute wait, a 174 shows up. Oh, well it will be warm. I'll just get on this and listen to my ipod and sleep. The bus gets to Boeing Field still about 5 miles from the airport when the driver stops and yells, "Last Stop!! this bus only goes to Boeing Field."
Mathematicians tell us that there is an infinite number of numbers. They forgot to tell Metro about this "law of the universe". I now know that there is a 174 bus that only goes to Boeing Field, another 174 that only goes to the airport and finally a 174 that goes the entire route. They must have got a deal on the 174 signage! People on the bus start yelling at the driver because everyone left on the bus wants to go to the airport.
"Someone Call 911" someone screams.
I look back and a guy behind me is having convulsions. A small woman (4'11" 90lbs) is trying to pull him out into the aisle. This whole time people are yelling at the driver.
"His feet are caught" the woman screams. Without thinking, I get on my hands and knees and crawl to his seat and move his feet sideways so she can pull him out. He has bitten his tongue and there's blood all over his face. He's laying on his side in the aisle and the convulsions stop and he is breathing.
"Stand Back" I yell. I learned this from my Flight Attendant training.
"He's breathing, so leave him alone".
I'm not sure if I would have given him mouth to mouth. I had already been exposed to every known disease in the world by crawling on the floor of a bus. Have you ever seen what goes on in a bus?
It seems that the people that generally need help are the stinky dirty and ugly ones. Why couldn't Ryan Phillipe been sitting behind me? Then of course I started feeling guilty for these thoughts.
The Aid Car showed up pretty fast, and there were still people arguing with the driver about the routing. When help arrived, I got off the bus and trudged down the street to the next bus stop, waiting for hopefully what would be the correct 174 bus.
The next day, the roads were still bad, so my carpool bowed out again. So Jen, my carpool pal caught the bus with me. The ride to work was surprisingly uneventful. But the ride home was bad. Since half the busses weren't running, when the 174 bus picked us up, it was already full. Jen and I were standing in the aisle. Then Jen asked me if I could move back. We were pretty crowded so I was wondering why she would ask that question. She nodded at a drunk sitting directly beside us. He was bent over and it looked like he was about to throw up on us.
Normally I would bet that he was just sleeping and leaning forward. But, I'm with Jen. If you think I have bizarre stories and incidents in my life, then you haven't met Jen. I did the math and I figured with both of us together the odds were pretty good, we were going to be hurled on. I started wondering which one of us would tell the better story. But then she nudged me back to reality. I looked at the drunk one more time and decided it was time to move. I started pushing people aside and we both made a few feet towards the back. No story from either of us, but we made it home with no puke on our shoes or pants. Sometimes it isn't worth a story. This in itself was a victory. What am I thankful for in this new year? My carpool runs at least 51 weeks a year with no incidents.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
So This Is Christmas
Well another year is over. I'm humming John Lennon's song while I write this:
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
On to the blog. I look back this past year and a lot has happened to me. And to all of us.
1. We elected a New President, which gives us all hope that:
War is over
If you want it
War is Over Now.
2. Rediscovered myself
3. I have a new appreciation for family and friends.
4. Reestablished old friendships and gained new ones.
5. Moved into a new condo.
6. Grew a goatee.
6. Lost 2 very important people in my life.
This year I've hooked up some and dated even less. I'm learning the true meaning of a good relationship.
The past week has been downright miserable in Seattle. It started with about 6 inches of snow. Then a few days of cold below 20 degrees. Then more snow. Of course living in "liberal" Seattle we have a belief that salt to melt the snow is environmentally bad. So we simply plow the roads leaving a couple inches of ice and then pour tons of sand on top. There are some experts now arguing that sand is actually worse for the environment than the salt. I'm not sure, but I do know that the city looks like a war zone.
I've had little or no trouble getting around. I walk everywhere and take a bus to work. I've made it to work everyday. It generally takes 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get home. My next blog will deal with public transit. I feel so guilty when I take it because the minute I step aboard, I start thinking like a Republican. I will explain that more in depth next time too.
It's Christmas eve and I'm googling places (bars) that might be open tonight on Capitol Hill. There are a few of us with no plans, so we are going to hang out together. Someone told me that Christmas eve is an almost guaranteed night to get lucky. You run into other singles as lonely and desperate as yourself. That's what makes Christmas so special. Being with loved ones, even if you just met them.
So we start anew. New adventures, new romances, new stories. I truly love all of you and I thank you for sharing my life with me through my blog.
Have a Happy Hannakuh,
Joyful Solstice
Merry Christmas
Profitable Boxing Day
Happy Yule Mas
Happy New Year
Exciting Kwanza
Until Next Year - Wise OUT
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
On to the blog. I look back this past year and a lot has happened to me. And to all of us.
1. We elected a New President, which gives us all hope that:
War is over
If you want it
War is Over Now.
2. Rediscovered myself
3. I have a new appreciation for family and friends.
4. Reestablished old friendships and gained new ones.
5. Moved into a new condo.
6. Grew a goatee.
6. Lost 2 very important people in my life.
This year I've hooked up some and dated even less. I'm learning the true meaning of a good relationship.
The past week has been downright miserable in Seattle. It started with about 6 inches of snow. Then a few days of cold below 20 degrees. Then more snow. Of course living in "liberal" Seattle we have a belief that salt to melt the snow is environmentally bad. So we simply plow the roads leaving a couple inches of ice and then pour tons of sand on top. There are some experts now arguing that sand is actually worse for the environment than the salt. I'm not sure, but I do know that the city looks like a war zone.
I've had little or no trouble getting around. I walk everywhere and take a bus to work. I've made it to work everyday. It generally takes 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get home. My next blog will deal with public transit. I feel so guilty when I take it because the minute I step aboard, I start thinking like a Republican. I will explain that more in depth next time too.
It's Christmas eve and I'm googling places (bars) that might be open tonight on Capitol Hill. There are a few of us with no plans, so we are going to hang out together. Someone told me that Christmas eve is an almost guaranteed night to get lucky. You run into other singles as lonely and desperate as yourself. That's what makes Christmas so special. Being with loved ones, even if you just met them.
So we start anew. New adventures, new romances, new stories. I truly love all of you and I thank you for sharing my life with me through my blog.
Have a Happy Hannakuh,
Joyful Solstice
Merry Christmas
Profitable Boxing Day
Happy Yule Mas
Happy New Year
Exciting Kwanza
Until Next Year - Wise OUT
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Water Sports
One night after work, the carpool folks, Jen, Carley and I decided that we needed to have a happy hour. So we went to poco for wine and a cheese plate. After a couple hours we decided it was time to go. I volunteered to drive Carley home. So we started walking towards my place to get my truck.
Carley mentioned that maybe we should have one more drink before we went home. So we go into the Cuff. On Monday nights there aren't too many people there. Carley orders a beer and I order a coffee and water. I am going to drive in a few minutes.
Before we left, I had to pee. So I go into the bathroom. I'm standing at the urinal and I hear someone come in. There is bathroom etiquette, even in a gay bar. The unwritten rule is you stare straight ahead and don't say anything. So I'm following the rules.
Then I felt splatter, I look down and there is a hand in the urinal and I'm peeing on it, and the hand starts feeling me. OMG. I shout, "Whoa Dude!" Now I'm not the kind of guy that ever uses the word dude. It just doesn't fit my personality.
I look over and the guy I'm peeing on is my stalker!
"Dude, you have to just stop this. I'm not into any of this."
OK, he says. And that was that. The stalker has never text or called me since.
I've never experienced anything like this before, and I guess I should be happy that my stalker is gone. But part of me thinks, I can't even get a good stalker. I use the word "dude" on him and he gives up. My inferiority complex comes out and tells me, "you aren't even worthy of a decent stalker".
I guess the moral of this story is that there are weird people doing weird stuff. Some think that I should have hit the guy. But I've learned that maybe all you need to do is say Whoa Dude, Stop It.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Carley mentioned that maybe we should have one more drink before we went home. So we go into the Cuff. On Monday nights there aren't too many people there. Carley orders a beer and I order a coffee and water. I am going to drive in a few minutes.
Before we left, I had to pee. So I go into the bathroom. I'm standing at the urinal and I hear someone come in. There is bathroom etiquette, even in a gay bar. The unwritten rule is you stare straight ahead and don't say anything. So I'm following the rules.
Then I felt splatter, I look down and there is a hand in the urinal and I'm peeing on it, and the hand starts feeling me. OMG. I shout, "Whoa Dude!" Now I'm not the kind of guy that ever uses the word dude. It just doesn't fit my personality.
I look over and the guy I'm peeing on is my stalker!
"Dude, you have to just stop this. I'm not into any of this."
OK, he says. And that was that. The stalker has never text or called me since.
I've never experienced anything like this before, and I guess I should be happy that my stalker is gone. But part of me thinks, I can't even get a good stalker. I use the word "dude" on him and he gives up. My inferiority complex comes out and tells me, "you aren't even worthy of a decent stalker".
I guess the moral of this story is that there are weird people doing weird stuff. Some think that I should have hit the guy. But I've learned that maybe all you need to do is say Whoa Dude, Stop It.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Royalty?
His name is Kody. He goes by Count Kody. I asked if he was a real Count and he just starred at me. I have never figured out if that meant, "why would you ask such a stupid question? of course I am" OR "why would you ask such a stupid question? there are no real Counts"
Regardless, it was a stupid question. I've never actually asked that question to any human being before. To my friends, he is known as the Count. "Is the Count coming with you?" What are you and the Count doing next weekend?
We met at Madison Pub and I gave him my number. He called me the next day and we made plans to meet the next Friday night at Boom Noodle for dinner. He arrived wearing a cowboy hat, a white tuxedo shirt with ruffles, a bright purple scarf, holey acid washed tight jeans and alligator cowboy boots.
Kody is a little bit shorter than me a whole lot skinnier. I'd kill for his body. He has rock star long hair. Most of what I know about him, I learned from his website, or from a few of the friends that I've met through him. He is an event planner and a tour guide. He has a grandmother in Washington DC. I believe he lives off a trust fund of some sort.
After dinner we walk to his apartment. It has 3 huge crystal chandeliers and nice museum quality oil paintings with gawdy frames hanging on the walls. He has a red velvet drape above his bed, and another one hanging at the head . He has an oil painting of what looks like the Virgin Mary hanging on the drape at the head of the bed. He has two spotlights aimed at the picture.
I told him nothing was going to happen with Mary watching. He said, that's not Mary, it's St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Well I guess that's OK then. But Christopher looks a lot like Mary. I bet no one has ever seen the two of them in the same room. It was kind of weird with him/her watching, under spotlights!
Kody has never asked anything about me. He doesn't know or care where I work, how old I am, anything about my family, nothing nada. If he asked me, then I guess I could ask him and he would have to answer me with those weird stares. He enjoys showing me off to his friends, and insists on walking hand in hand on the streets and he sits right next to me at restaurants. But he won't kiss. Even when we are alone. I think I'm his trophy straight acting gay boyfriend. I've never been a trophy before, and I will have to think long and hard about how I feel about this. I really don't think we are boy friends either.
So why am I still seeing this guy? Part of me is fascinated in meeting someone so unlike me. I've never met anyone like him. I will go along for the ride and see where the trip takes me.
You have to admit I really do meet some interesting guys. Remember the professional wrestler and the stalker? Now the Count.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Regardless, it was a stupid question. I've never actually asked that question to any human being before. To my friends, he is known as the Count. "Is the Count coming with you?" What are you and the Count doing next weekend?
We met at Madison Pub and I gave him my number. He called me the next day and we made plans to meet the next Friday night at Boom Noodle for dinner. He arrived wearing a cowboy hat, a white tuxedo shirt with ruffles, a bright purple scarf, holey acid washed tight jeans and alligator cowboy boots.
Kody is a little bit shorter than me a whole lot skinnier. I'd kill for his body. He has rock star long hair. Most of what I know about him, I learned from his website, or from a few of the friends that I've met through him. He is an event planner and a tour guide. He has a grandmother in Washington DC. I believe he lives off a trust fund of some sort.
After dinner we walk to his apartment. It has 3 huge crystal chandeliers and nice museum quality oil paintings with gawdy frames hanging on the walls. He has a red velvet drape above his bed, and another one hanging at the head . He has an oil painting of what looks like the Virgin Mary hanging on the drape at the head of the bed. He has two spotlights aimed at the picture.
I told him nothing was going to happen with Mary watching. He said, that's not Mary, it's St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Well I guess that's OK then. But Christopher looks a lot like Mary. I bet no one has ever seen the two of them in the same room. It was kind of weird with him/her watching, under spotlights!
Kody has never asked anything about me. He doesn't know or care where I work, how old I am, anything about my family, nothing nada. If he asked me, then I guess I could ask him and he would have to answer me with those weird stares. He enjoys showing me off to his friends, and insists on walking hand in hand on the streets and he sits right next to me at restaurants. But he won't kiss. Even when we are alone. I think I'm his trophy straight acting gay boyfriend. I've never been a trophy before, and I will have to think long and hard about how I feel about this. I really don't think we are boy friends either.
So why am I still seeing this guy? Part of me is fascinated in meeting someone so unlike me. I've never met anyone like him. I will go along for the ride and see where the trip takes me.
You have to admit I really do meet some interesting guys. Remember the professional wrestler and the stalker? Now the Count.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Yes We Can!
As most of you know, I was a BIG Hillary supporter. After the convention I gave my lukewarm support to Obama. But, now with the election getting closer and for some reason the polls are getting closer too, I need to make a bigger endorsement for Obama.
There's too much at stake to let the old guard continue running the show. How's that been working for us anyway? There is the entire future of our country at stake here. Supreme Court justices, environmental issues and human rights for everyone. Not just for those that the religious right have deemed worthy.
Please, PLEASE, get out and vote. Send the entire country a message. Not in a whisper but in a gigantic ROAR. GIVE US BACK OUR COUNTRY!
Give us President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden.
And it's also the local races that are important. If you live in California (yes I have readers in California), it's most important to Vote NO on 8. If you don't live in California but know someone who does, give them a call, voice your opinion and ask them to vote NO on 8.
In Washington it's very important that we return Christine Gregoire to Olympia. We can't afford to have Dino Rossi and his cohorts run our state.
Don't think that we live in a state where your vote doesn't count because we will probably go for Obama anyway. This is the logic that put George W in the White House for 8 years.
TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY on Tuesday Nov. 4.
And if you are in the neighborhood, join a few of us at Neumo's on Capitol Hill starting at 5pm to watch the returns and celebrate. Neumo's is at 925 Pike Seattle, 98122
http://www.neumos.com/
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
There's too much at stake to let the old guard continue running the show. How's that been working for us anyway? There is the entire future of our country at stake here. Supreme Court justices, environmental issues and human rights for everyone. Not just for those that the religious right have deemed worthy.
Please, PLEASE, get out and vote. Send the entire country a message. Not in a whisper but in a gigantic ROAR. GIVE US BACK OUR COUNTRY!
Give us President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden.
And it's also the local races that are important. If you live in California (yes I have readers in California), it's most important to Vote NO on 8. If you don't live in California but know someone who does, give them a call, voice your opinion and ask them to vote NO on 8.
In Washington it's very important that we return Christine Gregoire to Olympia. We can't afford to have Dino Rossi and his cohorts run our state.
Don't think that we live in a state where your vote doesn't count because we will probably go for Obama anyway. This is the logic that put George W in the White House for 8 years.
TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY on Tuesday Nov. 4.
And if you are in the neighborhood, join a few of us at Neumo's on Capitol Hill starting at 5pm to watch the returns and celebrate. Neumo's is at 925 Pike Seattle, 98122
http://www.neumos.com/
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Brothers and Sisters
Josh and I were at poco one night and there were 2 guys sharing the bar with us. We started talking and discovered that they were half brothers and best friends. One guy, we will call him Brother #1 definitely had a thing for Josh. But that's not unusual, whenever we go out together, the guys all have a crush on Josh. He's cute and young. The brothers were entertaining and fun. They were kind of catty but in small doses that can be funny. Both Josh and I thought they were cool and we had a good time with them.
A couple weeks later we are at poco's again and the brothers show up. You know, it's really too bad that sometimes events happen that can ruin a good memory. They were slightly drunk already and especially bitchy. Brother #1 was all over Josh, to the point it was getting embarrassing. But what happened to me was more so.
Brother #2 grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom. We start making out and such. After a while we go back to the bar. It's a very small place and everyone was looking at us. I turned several shades of red.
After another glass of wine, Josh and I decide we are done for the night. We leave and the brothers follow. Brother #1 wants Josh to join him at another bar. Josh is stronger than I am, he simply says NO. Brother #2 walks me to my place and asks if he can come up. Sure, why not? We go up to my place...
What's with guys now? What happened when you would do it and the hookup would simply go home? No, Brother #2 wanted to spend the night. He had to work the next day, so he had to get up at 5am to walk home to get ready for work. I never heard back from Brother #2 until the next week when I ran into him on the hill.
He made it a point to tell me that the only reason we hooked up was because he wasn't wearing his glasses. And on his way home he got sick and threw up in the bushes! OK, that's a double whammy for the ego. Let's see, I'm ugly and sex is so bad, guys actually get sick afterwards. Nice!
As some of you know, I recently completed the Landmark Forum. It was a great experience for me. I learned a lot about myself. I have (actually everyone has, but I want to keep this personal), a little voice that always has conversations with me. It's constantly chattering, telling me what I ought to do. It's also very negative. I've learned, or am learning (it's tough) to acknowledge the voice (it will never go away), but don't let it run my life. Let me make the decisions about my life, not that little voice.
After the seminar I called Michael my ex boyfriend and apologized. I played a game on him. I posted on this blog stuff about him and our break up. I wanted people to take my side, and it worked. A lot of people changed their opinion of him. But it wasn't worth it. Neither of us was right or wrong. It just happened. Michael now has a new boyfriend and before the seminar, I took this to mean that I was unworthy and a failure in our relationship. But I don't have these feelings anymore. They weren't authentic feelings.
So back to the Brothers. Josh and I now refer to them as the Sisters. I'm not sure if he told me that stuff to make me feel bad or what. But it doesn't matter. It happened. I'm moving on.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
A couple weeks later we are at poco's again and the brothers show up. You know, it's really too bad that sometimes events happen that can ruin a good memory. They were slightly drunk already and especially bitchy. Brother #1 was all over Josh, to the point it was getting embarrassing. But what happened to me was more so.
Brother #2 grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom. We start making out and such. After a while we go back to the bar. It's a very small place and everyone was looking at us. I turned several shades of red.
After another glass of wine, Josh and I decide we are done for the night. We leave and the brothers follow. Brother #1 wants Josh to join him at another bar. Josh is stronger than I am, he simply says NO. Brother #2 walks me to my place and asks if he can come up. Sure, why not? We go up to my place...
What's with guys now? What happened when you would do it and the hookup would simply go home? No, Brother #2 wanted to spend the night. He had to work the next day, so he had to get up at 5am to walk home to get ready for work. I never heard back from Brother #2 until the next week when I ran into him on the hill.
He made it a point to tell me that the only reason we hooked up was because he wasn't wearing his glasses. And on his way home he got sick and threw up in the bushes! OK, that's a double whammy for the ego. Let's see, I'm ugly and sex is so bad, guys actually get sick afterwards. Nice!
As some of you know, I recently completed the Landmark Forum. It was a great experience for me. I learned a lot about myself. I have (actually everyone has, but I want to keep this personal), a little voice that always has conversations with me. It's constantly chattering, telling me what I ought to do. It's also very negative. I've learned, or am learning (it's tough) to acknowledge the voice (it will never go away), but don't let it run my life. Let me make the decisions about my life, not that little voice.
After the seminar I called Michael my ex boyfriend and apologized. I played a game on him. I posted on this blog stuff about him and our break up. I wanted people to take my side, and it worked. A lot of people changed their opinion of him. But it wasn't worth it. Neither of us was right or wrong. It just happened. Michael now has a new boyfriend and before the seminar, I took this to mean that I was unworthy and a failure in our relationship. But I don't have these feelings anymore. They weren't authentic feelings.
So back to the Brothers. Josh and I now refer to them as the Sisters. I'm not sure if he told me that stuff to make me feel bad or what. But it doesn't matter. It happened. I'm moving on.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, October 13, 2008
Stalkers and Technology
About a month ago, Josh and I are at the Cuff at 60's Karoke Night. I know, don't ask why we were there. Let's just say we were with two very bitchy sisters. (Maybe the subject of a future blog). Anyway two guys walked in together. One fairly cute guy and a weird looking guy in a kilt. They sitdown at a table close and the cute guy and I make eye contact a couple times.
I get up the courage (that means my 2nd beer) and walk over to their table.
It turns out the cute guy isn't really that cute, but he's a professional wrestler. Tell me, when's the last time you met a professional wrestler? Exactly! You don't get out enough. He is interesting and he tells me he will email the url of the wrestling site so I can get the schedule. Yea, like I'm actually going to go to a wrestling match. Anyway I give him my card which has my cell and email address.
Two days later I get a phone call from an unknown number. I answer and this guy says hi.
Hi.
Do you remember me?
No
I'm the guy at the Cuff the other night. Remember you put your hand up my kilt.
NO I DIDN"T.
Oh, well anyway guess where I am?
I don't know.
I'm at the Metropolitan Grill downtown.
Oh, that's a nice place.
Yea, I'm in the bathroom, in a stall with my pants around my ankles, and I'm......
Whoa!!! and I hang up.
Every day since then, I usually get about one or two calls or texts. He has even sent pictures of his anatomoy to me. I don't answer and always hit ignore on my phone. I know, I need to get out the 500 page Blackberry manual and figure out how to make it so his calls and texts won't even come through. But he's harmless.
Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. A woman at work (she's the nicest human being in the world by the way), asks if she can give my blog address to a friend of hers. Then she tells me how great the guy is and kind of sets us up.
So Dan emails me and we start chatting. We do this for a couple days then we agree to talk on the phone. He calls me up and we talk for about an hour, and he seems to be a genuine guy. We agree to meet the next Tuesday night at CC's to meet each other in real life. My friend had shown Dan a picture of me, but I had no idea what he looked like.
Right after Dan hangs up, the Church Lady (see previous blogs) calls me and we talk about the Sunday School schedule. Then my mom called and talked for like 45 minutes. After she hangs up, I figure I better capture Dan's number and put it in my cell. You can figure out what happened. I put the Church Lady's number in my cell as Dan's number.
Tuesday night at CC's I show up about 5 minutes early and walk in. There's this guy sitting near the front, who waves and says Hi, He's cute and friendly, so I say hi, and wait but he doesn't say anything else. OK that's not Dan. But in my mind I'm thinking OK, if Dan's a flake and doesn't show up, and this guy is still alone in 20 minutes, I'll go over and start talking.
I walk around the bar "displaying" myself in case Dan is there. No response from anyone. I get a beer and sit at a table close to the door and across from the cute guy. And WAIT and wait and WAIT. After about 15 minutes, I text Dan (really the Church Lady), saying "OK, I'm at the bar waiting for you" (Thank goodness the Church Lady doesn't text and both her and her husband know I'm gay).
Then my phone rings. I expect to see Dan's name on the screen, but it's the number of the stalker. So I press Ignore. A couple minutes later the stalker calls again. That's kind of weird even for him, Usually the 2 calls aren't that close together. The third time the stalker calls, I figure out OH, maybe that's not the stalker's number. I go to my history on the phone, and OMG,it's not the stalker's number - close but 2 numbers different.
So I call the number and the guy across from me for about 30 minutes picks up his phone and answers.
The cute guy across from me was Dan! To make a boring story short, Dan and I had a great time the rest of the night,and he came over the next week for dinner and a video. AND the most important thing, I have captured the stalkers number in my cell and assigned it the STALKER. So now when he calls it shows his name. Someday when I have time, I will learn how to make it so I don't even receive his calls.
Unlike other blogs, this one has no moral to the story. It is what it is. Speaking of nothing. My next blog will talk about my 3 day Landmark Forum seminar. I know some of you have been waiting to hear about the new version of me called Rick 2.0. But after the seminar I will be known as Rick 0.0 - You will get the meaning or non-meaning of this on my next blog.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
I get up the courage (that means my 2nd beer) and walk over to their table.
It turns out the cute guy isn't really that cute, but he's a professional wrestler. Tell me, when's the last time you met a professional wrestler? Exactly! You don't get out enough. He is interesting and he tells me he will email the url of the wrestling site so I can get the schedule. Yea, like I'm actually going to go to a wrestling match. Anyway I give him my card which has my cell and email address.
Two days later I get a phone call from an unknown number. I answer and this guy says hi.
Hi.
Do you remember me?
No
I'm the guy at the Cuff the other night. Remember you put your hand up my kilt.
NO I DIDN"T.
Oh, well anyway guess where I am?
I don't know.
I'm at the Metropolitan Grill downtown.
Oh, that's a nice place.
Yea, I'm in the bathroom, in a stall with my pants around my ankles, and I'm......
Whoa!!! and I hang up.
Every day since then, I usually get about one or two calls or texts. He has even sent pictures of his anatomoy to me. I don't answer and always hit ignore on my phone. I know, I need to get out the 500 page Blackberry manual and figure out how to make it so his calls and texts won't even come through. But he's harmless.
Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. A woman at work (she's the nicest human being in the world by the way), asks if she can give my blog address to a friend of hers. Then she tells me how great the guy is and kind of sets us up.
So Dan emails me and we start chatting. We do this for a couple days then we agree to talk on the phone. He calls me up and we talk for about an hour, and he seems to be a genuine guy. We agree to meet the next Tuesday night at CC's to meet each other in real life. My friend had shown Dan a picture of me, but I had no idea what he looked like.
Right after Dan hangs up, the Church Lady (see previous blogs) calls me and we talk about the Sunday School schedule. Then my mom called and talked for like 45 minutes. After she hangs up, I figure I better capture Dan's number and put it in my cell. You can figure out what happened. I put the Church Lady's number in my cell as Dan's number.
Tuesday night at CC's I show up about 5 minutes early and walk in. There's this guy sitting near the front, who waves and says Hi, He's cute and friendly, so I say hi, and wait but he doesn't say anything else. OK that's not Dan. But in my mind I'm thinking OK, if Dan's a flake and doesn't show up, and this guy is still alone in 20 minutes, I'll go over and start talking.
I walk around the bar "displaying" myself in case Dan is there. No response from anyone. I get a beer and sit at a table close to the door and across from the cute guy. And WAIT and wait and WAIT. After about 15 minutes, I text Dan (really the Church Lady), saying "OK, I'm at the bar waiting for you" (Thank goodness the Church Lady doesn't text and both her and her husband know I'm gay).
Then my phone rings. I expect to see Dan's name on the screen, but it's the number of the stalker. So I press Ignore. A couple minutes later the stalker calls again. That's kind of weird even for him, Usually the 2 calls aren't that close together. The third time the stalker calls, I figure out OH, maybe that's not the stalker's number. I go to my history on the phone, and OMG,it's not the stalker's number - close but 2 numbers different.
So I call the number and the guy across from me for about 30 minutes picks up his phone and answers.
The cute guy across from me was Dan! To make a boring story short, Dan and I had a great time the rest of the night,and he came over the next week for dinner and a video. AND the most important thing, I have captured the stalkers number in my cell and assigned it the STALKER. So now when he calls it shows his name. Someday when I have time, I will learn how to make it so I don't even receive his calls.
Unlike other blogs, this one has no moral to the story. It is what it is. Speaking of nothing. My next blog will talk about my 3 day Landmark Forum seminar. I know some of you have been waiting to hear about the new version of me called Rick 2.0. But after the seminar I will be known as Rick 0.0 - You will get the meaning or non-meaning of this on my next blog.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Blogs
A friend of mine recently told me that he wanted to start writing a blog, but didn't think anyone would be interested in what he had to say. There's also a fear of not knowing exactly what to blog about.
For me, it's the "Great American Novel" dilemna. I really want to write a novel, but if I do, it has to be wonderful and on the New York Times Best Seller List. Also to quote Sarah Pallin, "Gosh darn it, wouldn't it be cool if they made it a movie?"
So until recently if I didnt' have the idea and was guaranteed a success I wouldn't even attempt it. Then I started blogging. I was scared about baring everything to the internet, but I simply sat down and started writing. Most of my stuff sucks and is boring, but every once in a while, I write something that touches someone, maybe a tear, maybe a laugh, but mostly an "OMG Rick, what are doing?"
I realize I will never be published but I enjoy the exercise of putting my thoughts, fears, and hopes on a blog. A medium that guarantees that my thoughts will long outlive me.
Anyway my friend recently started blogging. He sent me his link:
http://gaytrails.blogspot.com
I read his postings and there was one in particular that gave me pause. And really this is what blogging and sharing is all about. I am very proud of my friend, Jeff. It does take courage to put yourself out there for the whole world to read, criticize and praise.
Remember the longest journey begins with the first step. Go ahead, start doing what you really want to do.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
For me, it's the "Great American Novel" dilemna. I really want to write a novel, but if I do, it has to be wonderful and on the New York Times Best Seller List. Also to quote Sarah Pallin, "Gosh darn it, wouldn't it be cool if they made it a movie?"
So until recently if I didnt' have the idea and was guaranteed a success I wouldn't even attempt it. Then I started blogging. I was scared about baring everything to the internet, but I simply sat down and started writing. Most of my stuff sucks and is boring, but every once in a while, I write something that touches someone, maybe a tear, maybe a laugh, but mostly an "OMG Rick, what are doing?"
I realize I will never be published but I enjoy the exercise of putting my thoughts, fears, and hopes on a blog. A medium that guarantees that my thoughts will long outlive me.
Anyway my friend recently started blogging. He sent me his link:
http://gaytrails.blogspot.com
I read his postings and there was one in particular that gave me pause. And really this is what blogging and sharing is all about. I am very proud of my friend, Jeff. It does take courage to put yourself out there for the whole world to read, criticize and praise.
Remember the longest journey begins with the first step. Go ahead, start doing what you really want to do.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Friday, September 5, 2008
Church Lady
I will be taking a couple weeks off, to chill and make my annual trek to Mexico. Before I get into my weird personal life, I wanted to be serious for a minute.
This years annual AIDS walk in Seattle will be held on Saturday October 4 at 9am in Seattle's Volunteer Park. I wasn't sure if I'd have another blog before then. Last year I blogged and told about the few charites that I contribute to. Lifelong AIDS is one of them.
Everyone at Alaska Airlines would love to have you join our team. Or if you can't walk, they have made it very simple to contribute. Please follow the link below and give whatever you can to a great cause. You will notice that you can donate on behalf of those already registered to walk. Truthfully eveyone registered is cuter than me. So if you are shallow like me, where looks are important, don't feel bad giving to someone elses efforts.
www.lifelongevents.org/site/TR/AIDSWalk/TeamRaiser?team_id=9450&pg=team&fr_id=1210&s_tafId=7060
Also our team captain and my good friend, Justin (I am shallow, Justin is hot), has put together another FUN FUN night with proceeds benefitting Lifelong and the Imperial Court. I'm sorry I don't know what the Imperial Court is. But if Justin is involved, they must do something good.
Reel Mean!
Join Synergy Events and the Mean Girls for a night of laughter and fun as we raise funds for two local organizations!
Wednesday, October 1st(7 -10:30 pm)
Neighbours Nightclub1509 BroadwaySeattle, WA
The fun begins at 7 with music by DJ Kyler (C89.5) and a gag reel featuring some of the funniest comedy skits on TV!
Then grab a few snacks and kick back with our host Aleska Manila for a screening of Mean Girls!
Entry only $3! Event proceeds to benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance and Imperial Court of Seattle.
Get you tickets online now!
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/41774
If you ever wonder what is going on and need suggestions on what to do, I found a great website that will help you plan your week or evening.
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/
Enough about everyone else. What about me? You won't believe this. I took last Friday off. That actually means I started partying early. I met Josh at Poco's for Happy Hour. We stayed way past Happy Hour. Then we headed over to Madison Pub. After about an hour there, my cell rings. I answer and find that it's the lady in charge of children's education at my church, Westside Unitarian. It was too loud to hear so I had to go outside.
By now, I've been partying for a long time. To make a long story short, I volunteered to be a Sunday School teacher!!! Yes, laugh. And not for High School or Jr High kids, no toddlers!! And they better not whine or wet their pants. If a 4 year old thinks he has problems, I will sit him down and tell him what real problems are.
After a few more drinks , Josh and I parted company and I went over to Martin's to finish off the night. It was about midnight and I had to get up early the next day to take a train to Portland for a wedding. At Martin's I met a guy and we kind of hit it off, then headed over to my place...
Let's just say, there's a natural law that says that guys are way cuter at 1am than they are at 5am, which is the time I had to get up to go to the train station.
I have to be the only human being alive that has accepted the position of a Sunday School Teacher while drunk, then went home and hooked up. I'm going to be some role model.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
This years annual AIDS walk in Seattle will be held on Saturday October 4 at 9am in Seattle's Volunteer Park. I wasn't sure if I'd have another blog before then. Last year I blogged and told about the few charites that I contribute to. Lifelong AIDS is one of them.
Everyone at Alaska Airlines would love to have you join our team. Or if you can't walk, they have made it very simple to contribute. Please follow the link below and give whatever you can to a great cause. You will notice that you can donate on behalf of those already registered to walk. Truthfully eveyone registered is cuter than me. So if you are shallow like me, where looks are important, don't feel bad giving to someone elses efforts.
www.lifelongevents.org/site/TR/AIDSWalk/TeamRaiser?team_id=9450&pg=team&fr_id=1210&s_tafId=7060
Also our team captain and my good friend, Justin (I am shallow, Justin is hot), has put together another FUN FUN night with proceeds benefitting Lifelong and the Imperial Court. I'm sorry I don't know what the Imperial Court is. But if Justin is involved, they must do something good.
Reel Mean!
Join Synergy Events and the Mean Girls for a night of laughter and fun as we raise funds for two local organizations!
Wednesday, October 1st(7 -10:30 pm)
Neighbours Nightclub1509 BroadwaySeattle, WA
The fun begins at 7 with music by DJ Kyler (C89.5) and a gag reel featuring some of the funniest comedy skits on TV!
Then grab a few snacks and kick back with our host Aleska Manila for a screening of Mean Girls!
Entry only $3! Event proceeds to benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance and Imperial Court of Seattle.
Get you tickets online now!
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/41774
If you ever wonder what is going on and need suggestions on what to do, I found a great website that will help you plan your week or evening.
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/
Enough about everyone else. What about me? You won't believe this. I took last Friday off. That actually means I started partying early. I met Josh at Poco's for Happy Hour. We stayed way past Happy Hour. Then we headed over to Madison Pub. After about an hour there, my cell rings. I answer and find that it's the lady in charge of children's education at my church, Westside Unitarian. It was too loud to hear so I had to go outside.
By now, I've been partying for a long time. To make a long story short, I volunteered to be a Sunday School teacher!!! Yes, laugh. And not for High School or Jr High kids, no toddlers!! And they better not whine or wet their pants. If a 4 year old thinks he has problems, I will sit him down and tell him what real problems are.
After a few more drinks , Josh and I parted company and I went over to Martin's to finish off the night. It was about midnight and I had to get up early the next day to take a train to Portland for a wedding. At Martin's I met a guy and we kind of hit it off, then headed over to my place...
Let's just say, there's a natural law that says that guys are way cuter at 1am than they are at 5am, which is the time I had to get up to go to the train station.
I have to be the only human being alive that has accepted the position of a Sunday School Teacher while drunk, then went home and hooked up. I'm going to be some role model.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Thursday, August 14, 2008
THE Love Story
Bud had just got home from World War II. Home was Council, Idaho. This is where and when he met the beautiful Yvonne Kilborn. Depending on who told the story, she was either 16 or 17. They met at the local donut shop and immediately fell in love. In a few months they were married and moved up to the mountain in a shack.
Bud started working wherever he could find it. First it was a sawmill then he became a truck driver. He had amazing stories about driving trucks down steep and narrow roads. It always seemed to be winter in the stories. They soon had 3 sons. Rick, Mike, and Pat. Later they would adopt the girl that Yvonne always wanted. Kathy was what god sent to the family to answer all their prayers.
In 1971, tragedy hit the family. Rick had just graduated from Gonzaga and was accepted to Georgetown Law School. He was driving home from southern California with friends when their car was in a head on crash. Rick died immediately.
In 1974, with the shock of one death still in their minds, the unthinkable happened again. Pat was walking home one night in Boise, when a car crossed the the line and hit and killed Pat. This is when I first met Bud, Yvonne, Mike and Kathy. Shock is probably the only word that comes close to describing this family at our first meeting. I had no contact with any of them for several years after the funeral.
Fast forward 13 years and I get a phone call asking if I could help Kathy and her new husband Trey unload a UHaul. They had moved from Boise to Seattle. A couple years later Bud, Yvonne and Mike had all moved to Seattle also. It was during this time that I got close to the entire family.
Yvonne always seemed so positive. She had a habit of proclaiming that this was the best brocolli, or best steak or best whatever. It didn't matter what she was doing or eating, it was always the best she had ever had in her life. We used to tease her for this. She was always a good sport and took our teasing in the manner in which it was given - love.
Looking back I think Yvonne had it right. Today, whatever it is you are doing is the "Best". Why not? I want to live my life with the small child outlook as if this is the first time I've ever experienced whatever it is. Try it out next time you eat ice cream. Taste and experience it as if you have never had ice cream before. Trust me, it makes it a lot better. Relish each moment, each experience. This is a life lesson, that I learned from Yvonne.
Bud. Well Bud was Bud. He taught me how to tie knots, build a fence, play poker and most important, how to give a good toast. He loved raising his glass and making toasts. He taught me how to be a man after I reached the age where I should have already been one.
Everyone agrees that a father is important to the raising of a child. But I discovered that you also need a father after you are grown. There are many life lessons to be learned and it helps to have someone in that father role. Bud was that "father" to me.
Bud and Yvonne, although decades older than the rest of us, never let that slow them down. They hung out and partied with us. Not sure who was really older as they could outlast most of us. In fact for Bud's birthday we started an unusual party called "Bud Fest". Everyone invited is supposed to bring a couple bottles of their favorite beer so everyone can sample. It's now so big that it's a catered event.
Yvonne's birthday is in December, so it's a smaller dinner event, we call this "Yvonne-A=Thon". We always liked hanging out at Redhook Brew Pub. In fact both Bud and Yvonne have their own mugs here in the mug club. Redhook is our living room away from home. It's our comfort place.
This past year both Bud and Yvonne have slowed down considerably. It's been tough for Mike, Kathy and Trey taking care and watching their parents slow down.
June of this year, Yvonne passed. Then just about 6 weeks later (in fact it was today), Bud passed too. The time that they were never together can be measured in days.
I remember going to weddings. The DJ would always play the anniversary song. Every married couple would get on the dance floor and the DJ would announce
"OK, everyone married less than a year, sit down". A few newlyweds would sit down to polite applause. Then he would say "OK, 5 years", a few more sit.
Then he would increment in 10's. 10 years, 20 years. Then 25 years, then 30. About 40 years there would be no one else dancing except Bud and Yvonne. They would be smiling and laughing. He would go on, 45, 50, 55! No they were married 63 years!! Another lesson we all can learn from them.
Tonight, I went to their house. Mike allowed me to go into the house. I found myself there alone. I remembered the dinners and the holidays. I sat in Bud's big leather chair. I really didn't feel worthy of being there. Tears came so easy. Then I found myself just sobbing.
I will miss Bud and Yvonne. But, I'm not sure that is why I was crying. I think it was selfish. I will never be the man that Bud was, I will never have the happiness nor the sorrow that they experienced together. I felt guilty for making some life decisions a few years ago that made me miss some wonderful experiences with them.
They lived an amazing life. They experienced the cruelest of lifes challenges, loosing not one but two children. But they also experienced the best of life. They lived their last years as mother and father and best friends to Mike, Kathy and Trey. I feel honored that I got to be part of their lives, and I will never forget the lessons I learned. They also had a Love story that no one reading this blog will ever come close to experiencing.
So now, let's all raise our mugs:
"To Bud and Yvonne, great lives, great stories, great memories, and to those of us that knew them and got to experience two amazing people". CHEERS!
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Bud started working wherever he could find it. First it was a sawmill then he became a truck driver. He had amazing stories about driving trucks down steep and narrow roads. It always seemed to be winter in the stories. They soon had 3 sons. Rick, Mike, and Pat. Later they would adopt the girl that Yvonne always wanted. Kathy was what god sent to the family to answer all their prayers.
In 1971, tragedy hit the family. Rick had just graduated from Gonzaga and was accepted to Georgetown Law School. He was driving home from southern California with friends when their car was in a head on crash. Rick died immediately.
In 1974, with the shock of one death still in their minds, the unthinkable happened again. Pat was walking home one night in Boise, when a car crossed the the line and hit and killed Pat. This is when I first met Bud, Yvonne, Mike and Kathy. Shock is probably the only word that comes close to describing this family at our first meeting. I had no contact with any of them for several years after the funeral.
Fast forward 13 years and I get a phone call asking if I could help Kathy and her new husband Trey unload a UHaul. They had moved from Boise to Seattle. A couple years later Bud, Yvonne and Mike had all moved to Seattle also. It was during this time that I got close to the entire family.
Yvonne always seemed so positive. She had a habit of proclaiming that this was the best brocolli, or best steak or best whatever. It didn't matter what she was doing or eating, it was always the best she had ever had in her life. We used to tease her for this. She was always a good sport and took our teasing in the manner in which it was given - love.
Looking back I think Yvonne had it right. Today, whatever it is you are doing is the "Best". Why not? I want to live my life with the small child outlook as if this is the first time I've ever experienced whatever it is. Try it out next time you eat ice cream. Taste and experience it as if you have never had ice cream before. Trust me, it makes it a lot better. Relish each moment, each experience. This is a life lesson, that I learned from Yvonne.
Bud. Well Bud was Bud. He taught me how to tie knots, build a fence, play poker and most important, how to give a good toast. He loved raising his glass and making toasts. He taught me how to be a man after I reached the age where I should have already been one.
Everyone agrees that a father is important to the raising of a child. But I discovered that you also need a father after you are grown. There are many life lessons to be learned and it helps to have someone in that father role. Bud was that "father" to me.
Bud and Yvonne, although decades older than the rest of us, never let that slow them down. They hung out and partied with us. Not sure who was really older as they could outlast most of us. In fact for Bud's birthday we started an unusual party called "Bud Fest". Everyone invited is supposed to bring a couple bottles of their favorite beer so everyone can sample. It's now so big that it's a catered event.
Yvonne's birthday is in December, so it's a smaller dinner event, we call this "Yvonne-A=Thon". We always liked hanging out at Redhook Brew Pub. In fact both Bud and Yvonne have their own mugs here in the mug club. Redhook is our living room away from home. It's our comfort place.
This past year both Bud and Yvonne have slowed down considerably. It's been tough for Mike, Kathy and Trey taking care and watching their parents slow down.
June of this year, Yvonne passed. Then just about 6 weeks later (in fact it was today), Bud passed too. The time that they were never together can be measured in days.
I remember going to weddings. The DJ would always play the anniversary song. Every married couple would get on the dance floor and the DJ would announce
"OK, everyone married less than a year, sit down". A few newlyweds would sit down to polite applause. Then he would say "OK, 5 years", a few more sit.
Then he would increment in 10's. 10 years, 20 years. Then 25 years, then 30. About 40 years there would be no one else dancing except Bud and Yvonne. They would be smiling and laughing. He would go on, 45, 50, 55! No they were married 63 years!! Another lesson we all can learn from them.
Tonight, I went to their house. Mike allowed me to go into the house. I found myself there alone. I remembered the dinners and the holidays. I sat in Bud's big leather chair. I really didn't feel worthy of being there. Tears came so easy. Then I found myself just sobbing.
I will miss Bud and Yvonne. But, I'm not sure that is why I was crying. I think it was selfish. I will never be the man that Bud was, I will never have the happiness nor the sorrow that they experienced together. I felt guilty for making some life decisions a few years ago that made me miss some wonderful experiences with them.
They lived an amazing life. They experienced the cruelest of lifes challenges, loosing not one but two children. But they also experienced the best of life. They lived their last years as mother and father and best friends to Mike, Kathy and Trey. I feel honored that I got to be part of their lives, and I will never forget the lessons I learned. They also had a Love story that no one reading this blog will ever come close to experiencing.
So now, let's all raise our mugs:
"To Bud and Yvonne, great lives, great stories, great memories, and to those of us that knew them and got to experience two amazing people". CHEERS!
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, August 11, 2008
Messages From Above
First Message:
I had known Christopher for about a year. We had run into each other at several Out and Equal socials. Out and Equal is an organization of LGBT groups from most major companies in the Seattle area. Christopher is a Vice-President of HR and represents Bank of America. We had never dated but acknowledged each other at these socials. One day he chatted me up online and asked if I wanted to meet him for brunch. I accepted and we met at the DeLux and had a good time.
After brunch as we were walking to each of our own condos he asked if I wanted to attend a seminar with him the next week. Knowing nothing about it, I accepted. Wednesday night I drove to Fremont to the seminar. I soon discovered that after one date, he invites me to a seminar on Integrity.
in-teg-ri-ty - noun
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of unimpaired; soundness
3. The quality or condition of being wholesome or undivided; completeness.
The seminar itself was very interesting, in fact I signed up for a 3 day seminar in October that I hope will help with my self confidence.
Fast forward to this past weekend.
Message #2
An old friend Sherrill and her husband Dean called and invited me to join them for cocktails at Purr on Friday night. I met them and we had a great evening. We hit a couple other places and then they had to go home. It was about 10, so I thought I'd just drop into Madison Pub and see if any of my friends were there hanging out. I hadn't heard anything from anybody all night. I have a problem (hopefully to be fixed in October), if I don't get a text message from someone, then I feel that no one likes me. I was feeling kind of blue.
I take a fast walk and look around and there is no one there I know. I was about to leave, when I find myself in what appears to be a line. I asked the guy in front of me, if he was in line to play darts.
"No, just hanging around. Just got off work and I thought I'd see if anything was going on here tonight." I introduce myself to Jason. He's originally from Thailand but now lives in Fife. (I know you can't make this stuff up. Why can't I meet someone actually from the Hill or at least Seattle?).
I ask if he wants a drink, No thanks. He asks me if he can buy me a drink. No thanks. We start talking and we notice the Olympics are on TV. I ask if he'd rather come up to my place to watch them. He says OK.
We cross the street to my place and turn on the TV. The Olympics just got over but Jay Leno is on, so we sit and watch that. The whole time we are talking and having a good time.
When the Tonight Show is over, we turn off the TV and put on some music. We are still talking and enjoying each others company. He asks if it would be OK if we saw each other again. Maybe a movie next week or something. I of course agree.
At 3:30 am he says,"Wow, it's late, I have to go." I tell him he could stay over, but he says maybe next week when we go out.
I ask for his number so I can call him, he gives me the number and I program it into my cell. Then I dial the number telling him, here's mine so you can simply add it. The phone starts to ring, but he says,
"Oh, I left my phone in my car." I hang up, that's OK you should still have it. We tell each other goodnight and he leaves but looks back and says
"Call me."
I will.
Despite the late hour, I was really thinking that maybe, just maybe this was the guy that all my friends assured me would someday happen. I only had a few hours sleep but I was so excited the next morning. I held off calling him until afternoon since we were up so late.
Finally not being able to wait any longer, I called the number he gave me:
"Thank you for calling Schick Shadel Hospital, how may I help you?"
"Oh, sorry, I must have the wrong number."
Not only did he give me a wrong number but he gave me the number for the "#1 Rated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program", that's directly from their website.
Why would anyone give someone, that they had spent 4 hours with a wrong number? Have you ever given anyone a fake number? Has anyone given you a fake number?
If you've been reading my blog you know that I've had a lot of weird stuff happen, but this one really hurts. I thought we had made a connection.
But more important are these two episodes just a coincidence? or are the Dating Gods trying to send me a message?
Integrity
Drugs Alcohol
If you see a burning bush, look behind it you'll probably see me crouching in fear and denial.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
I had known Christopher for about a year. We had run into each other at several Out and Equal socials. Out and Equal is an organization of LGBT groups from most major companies in the Seattle area. Christopher is a Vice-President of HR and represents Bank of America. We had never dated but acknowledged each other at these socials. One day he chatted me up online and asked if I wanted to meet him for brunch. I accepted and we met at the DeLux and had a good time.
After brunch as we were walking to each of our own condos he asked if I wanted to attend a seminar with him the next week. Knowing nothing about it, I accepted. Wednesday night I drove to Fremont to the seminar. I soon discovered that after one date, he invites me to a seminar on Integrity.
in-teg-ri-ty - noun
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of unimpaired; soundness
3. The quality or condition of being wholesome or undivided; completeness.
The seminar itself was very interesting, in fact I signed up for a 3 day seminar in October that I hope will help with my self confidence.
Fast forward to this past weekend.
Message #2
An old friend Sherrill and her husband Dean called and invited me to join them for cocktails at Purr on Friday night. I met them and we had a great evening. We hit a couple other places and then they had to go home. It was about 10, so I thought I'd just drop into Madison Pub and see if any of my friends were there hanging out. I hadn't heard anything from anybody all night. I have a problem (hopefully to be fixed in October), if I don't get a text message from someone, then I feel that no one likes me. I was feeling kind of blue.
I take a fast walk and look around and there is no one there I know. I was about to leave, when I find myself in what appears to be a line. I asked the guy in front of me, if he was in line to play darts.
"No, just hanging around. Just got off work and I thought I'd see if anything was going on here tonight." I introduce myself to Jason. He's originally from Thailand but now lives in Fife. (I know you can't make this stuff up. Why can't I meet someone actually from the Hill or at least Seattle?).
I ask if he wants a drink, No thanks. He asks me if he can buy me a drink. No thanks. We start talking and we notice the Olympics are on TV. I ask if he'd rather come up to my place to watch them. He says OK.
We cross the street to my place and turn on the TV. The Olympics just got over but Jay Leno is on, so we sit and watch that. The whole time we are talking and having a good time.
When the Tonight Show is over, we turn off the TV and put on some music. We are still talking and enjoying each others company. He asks if it would be OK if we saw each other again. Maybe a movie next week or something. I of course agree.
At 3:30 am he says,"Wow, it's late, I have to go." I tell him he could stay over, but he says maybe next week when we go out.
I ask for his number so I can call him, he gives me the number and I program it into my cell. Then I dial the number telling him, here's mine so you can simply add it. The phone starts to ring, but he says,
"Oh, I left my phone in my car." I hang up, that's OK you should still have it. We tell each other goodnight and he leaves but looks back and says
"Call me."
I will.
Despite the late hour, I was really thinking that maybe, just maybe this was the guy that all my friends assured me would someday happen. I only had a few hours sleep but I was so excited the next morning. I held off calling him until afternoon since we were up so late.
Finally not being able to wait any longer, I called the number he gave me:
"Thank you for calling Schick Shadel Hospital, how may I help you?"
"Oh, sorry, I must have the wrong number."
Not only did he give me a wrong number but he gave me the number for the "#1 Rated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program", that's directly from their website.
Why would anyone give someone, that they had spent 4 hours with a wrong number? Have you ever given anyone a fake number? Has anyone given you a fake number?
If you've been reading my blog you know that I've had a lot of weird stuff happen, but this one really hurts. I thought we had made a connection.
But more important are these two episodes just a coincidence? or are the Dating Gods trying to send me a message?
Integrity
Drugs Alcohol
If you see a burning bush, look behind it you'll probably see me crouching in fear and denial.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Ships in the Night
Looking for someone or having someone find you can be a bit tricky. Everyone is looking for a certain type or they have specific criteria. The problem for me is that I don't really fit into anyones idea of a "good" match.
Search the ads:
Craigslist
gay.com
manhunter
They are all the same. If you are under 30 - you are considered young and lots of guys are looking for this. Let's call these guys, Twinks. The bad news is after 30 in the gay community, you are considered OLD.
If you are rich, I mean really rich. Rich enought to buy guys cars and houses. No matter your age, or size or looks, you are one hot guy.
It's also desirable if you are ethnic, especially Asian or Latin.
Don't think that you have to be a pretty boy to have groups want you. Body types get special attention also. If you are big and hairy (Bears), you can hook up fairly easy. Even if you aren't hairy but simply FAT, there's a group (Chubby Chasers) looking for you.
And of course extremely well endowed guys are always popular.
What's missing from the list? Oh yea, regular sized middle aged middle class guys. We don't have a group. What's so weird about this is that there are a lot more of us than there are of them. So what's the problem?
After extensive research reading the ads (for research purposes only, of course), I discovered that we are our own problem. Here's a couple examples of real ads:
55 yo professional looking for under 30, smooth and Asian go to front of line.
42 yo bottom looking for big > 9 inches hairy top.
And it goes on and on. We are not looking for ourselves, we are looking for something we aren't. We all seem to be trying to live or re-live a fantasy.
I can't do anything about my age, ethnicity, size or money. I'm lucky to even have a job. So in today's environment if I want to be in a desired "group", my only hope is to eat and drink more. I'm fat now, but not nearly fat enough to get into the group. So I think I need to start a special diet. Take note Chubby Chasers, "Here I Come".
While we keep searching for something we aren't, we will keep passing each other in the night, not knowing what a good thing we are missing.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Search the ads:
Craigslist
gay.com
manhunter
They are all the same. If you are under 30 - you are considered young and lots of guys are looking for this. Let's call these guys, Twinks. The bad news is after 30 in the gay community, you are considered OLD.
If you are rich, I mean really rich. Rich enought to buy guys cars and houses. No matter your age, or size or looks, you are one hot guy.
It's also desirable if you are ethnic, especially Asian or Latin.
Don't think that you have to be a pretty boy to have groups want you. Body types get special attention also. If you are big and hairy (Bears), you can hook up fairly easy. Even if you aren't hairy but simply FAT, there's a group (Chubby Chasers) looking for you.
And of course extremely well endowed guys are always popular.
What's missing from the list? Oh yea, regular sized middle aged middle class guys. We don't have a group. What's so weird about this is that there are a lot more of us than there are of them. So what's the problem?
After extensive research reading the ads (for research purposes only, of course), I discovered that we are our own problem. Here's a couple examples of real ads:
55 yo professional looking for under 30, smooth and Asian go to front of line.
42 yo bottom looking for big > 9 inches hairy top.
And it goes on and on. We are not looking for ourselves, we are looking for something we aren't. We all seem to be trying to live or re-live a fantasy.
I can't do anything about my age, ethnicity, size or money. I'm lucky to even have a job. So in today's environment if I want to be in a desired "group", my only hope is to eat and drink more. I'm fat now, but not nearly fat enough to get into the group. So I think I need to start a special diet. Take note Chubby Chasers, "Here I Come".
While we keep searching for something we aren't, we will keep passing each other in the night, not knowing what a good thing we are missing.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, July 28, 2008
Life of Brian
His name was Brian. He was the roomate of my friend Fedra. She had rented out a room in her home to him. Brian had just moved to Seattle from Lewiston, Idaho. Immediately she was telling us how cute Brian was. He had told her that he was a real estate agent.
After about a month of living with Fedra, he told her that he was tired of hooking up with a different guy every night. He was ready to settle down with a nice guy. For some reason, Fedra thought of me.
She tried talking me into asking him out. I kept telling her no. For one thing he's new in town and he's selling real estate? That's like being an actor or an artist. Another thing, he's 25 years old! and he has an 8 year old son!! Also he's really hot and he hooks up every night! Yea I want a boy friend like that.
We had met a couple times when we had parties or when everyone hung out together as a group. He seemed nice and he was cute.
One Sunday afternoon we are all at Piecora's eating pizza, when Mark (another friend) blurts out, "So, Brian do you want to go out with Rick?"
"Sure, that would be fun."
"Um, oh, well" I'm trying to sound intelligent, "How about tomorrow night we can go see the new movie Wall-E".
"OK, but how about tonight, do you want to go dancing with me at the Cuff?"
This was a total unexpected response. So I say, "Sure, why not? Let's go".
So we head on over to the Cuff. I pay the cover charges and buy us a couple drinks. We hit the dance floor. We dance for a while, then he pulls me off into a corner where we start making out and groping. We go back dancing then head back to the corner. Back and forth. All of a sudden I really like this guy.
After a couple hours of this, he tells me he's hungry and asks if I'll buy him dinner. If I remembered right we had just eaten pizza a few hours ago, but sure we can get something to eat.
We go on Broadway to Jai Thai. He eats like he hasn't seen food in days. I pay the bill and we walk hand in hand back to the Cuff. At the Cuff we resume our not so unpleasant routine of dancing and making out.
I looked at my watch and I see it's 12:30, and it's a school night! I have to leave,
"Would you like to come up to my place and spend the night?" I ask.
No, I think I'll just hang around here until it closes at 1, but you go ahead you have to get up early. So we kiss goodnight and I head home.
The next day I discover that as soon as I left he picked up TWO guys and took them back to his place. When I asked him why he didn't just come home with me, he answered that "he didn't like me like that". He just liked my money! He obviously has not seen my truck or my bank book. I told him that that was an awful thing to say. He said, "Well at least I'm honest, unlike all your other friends." That hurt even more. It had me questioning my relationships with my friends. Was I being used? Certainly not for money, but maybe something else? I was really confused.
Needless to say, I cancelled the movie. I found out that that night he told Fedra that he couldn't afford the next months rent. He had no job and no money. It seems his mom had paid a couple months rent for him. So Fedra kicked him out and he moved back to his mom and his son in Idaho.
At first I was upset that he didn't come home with me. Now I feel very lucky that he didn't. I know me, (a flaw that I am working on), if he would have come home with me that night, I would probably be writing Fedra a check for his rent. Of course it would have had to be a post-dated check. OR worse yet, he would now be living at my place!
I had very little invested in Brian but it's amazing how fast I can be swept into these bizarre situations. Like I said, I am working on it. I signed up for a 3 day course in October that will hopefully help me with a few of my character flaws. I'm still working on the doubts I have about my friends.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
After about a month of living with Fedra, he told her that he was tired of hooking up with a different guy every night. He was ready to settle down with a nice guy. For some reason, Fedra thought of me.
She tried talking me into asking him out. I kept telling her no. For one thing he's new in town and he's selling real estate? That's like being an actor or an artist. Another thing, he's 25 years old! and he has an 8 year old son!! Also he's really hot and he hooks up every night! Yea I want a boy friend like that.
We had met a couple times when we had parties or when everyone hung out together as a group. He seemed nice and he was cute.
One Sunday afternoon we are all at Piecora's eating pizza, when Mark (another friend) blurts out, "So, Brian do you want to go out with Rick?"
"Sure, that would be fun."
"Um, oh, well" I'm trying to sound intelligent, "How about tomorrow night we can go see the new movie Wall-E".
"OK, but how about tonight, do you want to go dancing with me at the Cuff?"
This was a total unexpected response. So I say, "Sure, why not? Let's go".
So we head on over to the Cuff. I pay the cover charges and buy us a couple drinks. We hit the dance floor. We dance for a while, then he pulls me off into a corner where we start making out and groping. We go back dancing then head back to the corner. Back and forth. All of a sudden I really like this guy.
After a couple hours of this, he tells me he's hungry and asks if I'll buy him dinner. If I remembered right we had just eaten pizza a few hours ago, but sure we can get something to eat.
We go on Broadway to Jai Thai. He eats like he hasn't seen food in days. I pay the bill and we walk hand in hand back to the Cuff. At the Cuff we resume our not so unpleasant routine of dancing and making out.
I looked at my watch and I see it's 12:30, and it's a school night! I have to leave,
"Would you like to come up to my place and spend the night?" I ask.
No, I think I'll just hang around here until it closes at 1, but you go ahead you have to get up early. So we kiss goodnight and I head home.
The next day I discover that as soon as I left he picked up TWO guys and took them back to his place. When I asked him why he didn't just come home with me, he answered that "he didn't like me like that". He just liked my money! He obviously has not seen my truck or my bank book. I told him that that was an awful thing to say. He said, "Well at least I'm honest, unlike all your other friends." That hurt even more. It had me questioning my relationships with my friends. Was I being used? Certainly not for money, but maybe something else? I was really confused.
Needless to say, I cancelled the movie. I found out that that night he told Fedra that he couldn't afford the next months rent. He had no job and no money. It seems his mom had paid a couple months rent for him. So Fedra kicked him out and he moved back to his mom and his son in Idaho.
At first I was upset that he didn't come home with me. Now I feel very lucky that he didn't. I know me, (a flaw that I am working on), if he would have come home with me that night, I would probably be writing Fedra a check for his rent. Of course it would have had to be a post-dated check. OR worse yet, he would now be living at my place!
I had very little invested in Brian but it's amazing how fast I can be swept into these bizarre situations. Like I said, I am working on it. I signed up for a 3 day course in October that will hopefully help me with a few of my character flaws. I'm still working on the doubts I have about my friends.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, July 21, 2008
7-11 Nacho Guy
I was having dinner with a friend when the two guys at the table next to ours start talking to us. They are fun and entertaining. One of the guys is straight and he picks up on the waitress. She's about to get off work, so they wait until she's done. The straight guy leaves with the waitress and that leaves Jon all by himself. We ask him to join us. He does and we talk some more. We exchange phone numbers when we leave.
The next day I get a text message from him asking what I was doing the next Thursday night. It just happened to be the First Thursday of the month. That's the Art Walk in Pioneer Square. (See previous blog Friends andHaircut). I ask him to join us and he accepts. I was a little scared about what my friends were going to think of him. I didn't know him well enough yet to guage if he would fit in or not.
He meets us all at Mitchelli's for Happy Hour. We all seem to have a good time. Then we head off to look at a couple of our favorite art galleries. He acted like he was into art and made appropriate comments and asked artists some interesting questions. As the night progressed we got closer. He grabbed my hand and we walked hand in hand from one gallery to another. At one point he moved in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
When it was time to leave, I told him I'd drive him home. He said "OK".
We walked to my truck and I unlocked the door. He then changed his mind,"NO, I think I'll walk home."
"What? "
"No, really I'd rather walk."
OK, so I walk around to the passenger side to at least hug him goodbye, when he puts out his clenched fist. I look at it for a moment, then I clench mine and we do the "gang fist banging together" greeting.
He waves and walks away. Another weird ending.
But it gets better, (don't most of my stories get better?). The very next day Jon texts me and thanks me for a good time and asks what I'm doing the next week. Well it just happens that I had just got an email from Haircut Jim notifying everyone about Haircut night the next Tuesday.
So I invite Jon to Haircut night. Again a little apprehensive about him meeting my Haircut buddies. I had told them about the art walk thing, so they were watching him closely. Everyone got along and had a great time. How can you not have a good time at Haircut night?
After Luke picked Jim up, Jon asked if I was hungry. "Sure I'm always hungry." Just look at me, I haven't missed too many meals.
I ask "do you want to go to Broadway Grill or somewhere to eat?" "NO," he says "I want 7-11 nachos".
"What?"
So we get in my truck and start driving to 7-11. He then tells me, "Wait, I think you can just drop me off at 7-11, I'll go in get my nachos and walk home."
"What?"
"Yea, that's what I want, just drop me off."
By now I'm kind of mad and say "Sure, I'll just drop you off". He gets out of the truck, and I put it in reverse to leave, (my reverse gear still works), when I notice that he doesn't even go in the store. He simply just walks away.
Friends tell me he has something to hide. I'm learning lessons along the way. I don't think I'm going to ever date someone who thinks fine dining is eating a weiner from a street vendor or 7-11 nachos.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
The next day I get a text message from him asking what I was doing the next Thursday night. It just happened to be the First Thursday of the month. That's the Art Walk in Pioneer Square. (See previous blog Friends andHaircut). I ask him to join us and he accepts. I was a little scared about what my friends were going to think of him. I didn't know him well enough yet to guage if he would fit in or not.
He meets us all at Mitchelli's for Happy Hour. We all seem to have a good time. Then we head off to look at a couple of our favorite art galleries. He acted like he was into art and made appropriate comments and asked artists some interesting questions. As the night progressed we got closer. He grabbed my hand and we walked hand in hand from one gallery to another. At one point he moved in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
When it was time to leave, I told him I'd drive him home. He said "OK".
We walked to my truck and I unlocked the door. He then changed his mind,"NO, I think I'll walk home."
"What? "
"No, really I'd rather walk."
OK, so I walk around to the passenger side to at least hug him goodbye, when he puts out his clenched fist. I look at it for a moment, then I clench mine and we do the "gang fist banging together" greeting.
He waves and walks away. Another weird ending.
But it gets better, (don't most of my stories get better?). The very next day Jon texts me and thanks me for a good time and asks what I'm doing the next week. Well it just happens that I had just got an email from Haircut Jim notifying everyone about Haircut night the next Tuesday.
So I invite Jon to Haircut night. Again a little apprehensive about him meeting my Haircut buddies. I had told them about the art walk thing, so they were watching him closely. Everyone got along and had a great time. How can you not have a good time at Haircut night?
After Luke picked Jim up, Jon asked if I was hungry. "Sure I'm always hungry." Just look at me, I haven't missed too many meals.
I ask "do you want to go to Broadway Grill or somewhere to eat?" "NO," he says "I want 7-11 nachos".
"What?"
So we get in my truck and start driving to 7-11. He then tells me, "Wait, I think you can just drop me off at 7-11, I'll go in get my nachos and walk home."
"What?"
"Yea, that's what I want, just drop me off."
By now I'm kind of mad and say "Sure, I'll just drop you off". He gets out of the truck, and I put it in reverse to leave, (my reverse gear still works), when I notice that he doesn't even go in the store. He simply just walks away.
Friends tell me he has something to hide. I'm learning lessons along the way. I don't think I'm going to ever date someone who thinks fine dining is eating a weiner from a street vendor or 7-11 nachos.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weiner Boy
It was a typical night at Martins. Martins is a piano bar off Madison on Capitol Hill. It's more laid back than your typical bar on the hill. They don't turn the volume of the music up every 20 minutes trying to entice you to buy more alcohol. Friday night, the piano player is Joe. He's also the piano man at the downtown Nordstroms.
I enjoy ending my Friday nights at Martins. Joe plays old ballads and lots of times everyone in the bar starts singing along. This particular Friday, I'm sitting alone at one of the leather chairs in the middle of the room. A guy comes up and asks if he could sit next to me. Of course, I said Yes.
His name is Kelly and he's a real estate agent. It seems that everybody on the hill is either a real estate agent or a massage therapist. We talk for awhile and buy each other a drink. By now I'm usually drinking water, but if a cute guy wants to buy me a drink, how can I possibly say No?
Joe then starts playing "Moon River". Kelly starts to quietly sing along. He takes my hand and looks at me directly in the eyes while singing. SIGH He's singing the song to me!!! At the end of the song he kisses my hand. This was probably the most romantic 4 minutes of my life.
We listen to a few more songs then he says he's hungry and asks if I want to leave and get something to eat.
"What do you have in mind?" (my imagination takes over now).
He tells me he wants a hot dog from the vendor down the street. (I have to tell you I was a little disappointed by this). If you are unfamiliar with Capitol Hill, there are hot dog vendors on a few corners. They set up about 10pm and stay open until about 3am. I say "OK, let's go, but let me close my tab first". I go up and stand in line at the bar, I get my tab, give them my card, sign the receipt and turn around and he's gone. I take a fast look around and I don't see him. I run out the door and down the street to the hot dog vendor. (Hint, Do NOT ever run down the street after a boy).
The street is crowded because there is a break between bands at Chop Suey. I frantically go through the crowd looking for Kelly. No luck, I run back to Martins thinking maybe he was in the bathroom or something when I left. No luck. I've never seen him again. Maybe he was an imaginary guy, maybe I just dreamed him up. But I do have a business card with his name and company on it. Should I email or call him? I don't know. I should be grateful for the short but remarkable time we spent together.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
I enjoy ending my Friday nights at Martins. Joe plays old ballads and lots of times everyone in the bar starts singing along. This particular Friday, I'm sitting alone at one of the leather chairs in the middle of the room. A guy comes up and asks if he could sit next to me. Of course, I said Yes.
His name is Kelly and he's a real estate agent. It seems that everybody on the hill is either a real estate agent or a massage therapist. We talk for awhile and buy each other a drink. By now I'm usually drinking water, but if a cute guy wants to buy me a drink, how can I possibly say No?
Joe then starts playing "Moon River". Kelly starts to quietly sing along. He takes my hand and looks at me directly in the eyes while singing. SIGH He's singing the song to me!!! At the end of the song he kisses my hand. This was probably the most romantic 4 minutes of my life.
We listen to a few more songs then he says he's hungry and asks if I want to leave and get something to eat.
"What do you have in mind?" (my imagination takes over now).
He tells me he wants a hot dog from the vendor down the street. (I have to tell you I was a little disappointed by this). If you are unfamiliar with Capitol Hill, there are hot dog vendors on a few corners. They set up about 10pm and stay open until about 3am. I say "OK, let's go, but let me close my tab first". I go up and stand in line at the bar, I get my tab, give them my card, sign the receipt and turn around and he's gone. I take a fast look around and I don't see him. I run out the door and down the street to the hot dog vendor. (Hint, Do NOT ever run down the street after a boy).
The street is crowded because there is a break between bands at Chop Suey. I frantically go through the crowd looking for Kelly. No luck, I run back to Martins thinking maybe he was in the bathroom or something when I left. No luck. I've never seen him again. Maybe he was an imaginary guy, maybe I just dreamed him up. But I do have a business card with his name and company on it. Should I email or call him? I don't know. I should be grateful for the short but remarkable time we spent together.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Haircut Night
There are actually quite a few people that don't need an explanation of Haircut Night. No, it's not the night that I get MY haircut. It's the night that Luke gets his haircut.
Luke and Jim have been together for quite a few years now. They are the typical married gay couple. Two cars, camper, and a lovely house in Renton. (Go ahead and inject all your Renton jokes here). Being home owners in the suburbs, they don't go out that much. Unless you call going out, shopping at the Safeway store or working out at the 24 Hour Fitness, or camping. Not my idea of going out.
But when Luke gets his haircut all the way up in Edmonds, it's Jim's chance to go out. You may ask why does Luke get his haircut in Edmonds? Aren't there places in Renton or even Seattle that cut hair? You will have to read Luke's blog to get that answer. All I know is that sometimes we wish he was getting his haircut further north in Everett!
With very little notice, Jim will send an email to a core group of his friends announcing Haircut Night. He only has to tell us what night. We all know the time, the place and the rules. Most of us cancel whatever plans we may have had, so we don't loose out on a Haircut Night. We meet at CC's around 5pm. Jim drinks one lemon drop, then we share a pitcher of beer. Once the beer is gone we head on down to Madison Pub. The time is usually between 6 and 6:30. Here we usually share another pitcher.
Haircut Night has one of two endings.
1. Luke just wants to go home after his haircut, so he calls Jim when he's about a mile away. Jim swallows whatever beer he has left, hugs everyone goodbye and runs into the street waiting for Luke to pick him up. We all swallow, say goodbye and Haircut night is over.
OR
2. Luke decides that he wants to eat dinner on the hill. I guess since it's his haircut, every once in a while, he should get to enjoy Haircut Night too. Once Luke has made that decision via a phone call, we then start our friendly argument about where are we going to eat. The place has to serve rice in some fashion for it to be acceptable to Luke. We banter back and forth until a decision is finally made. With dinner, Haircut Night has been extended for a couple more hours.
Regardless how it ends, Haircut Night is always over by 10pm. Most nights it's over by 8pm.
Not that this is an exciting story, but the concept is interesting. I bet alot of us have these semi regular meetings and groups that we have found ourselves part of. I have another group that meets the first Thursday of every month in Pioneer Square for Art Walk. That one starts about 5:30 at Mitchelli's for Happy Hour. That's my favorite place because the bartender likes me and it seems that my wine glass never goes empty, at no charge to me. That's my kind of place.
These groups give us a chance to catch up on life, tell about new loves, old loves, or the lack of any love. We all belong together if just for a few hours. These people are very special in my life, even if most of us are middle aged queens. At least they are my middle aged queens.
My only concern about my two groups is what happens if Haircut night happens to fall on the first Thursday of the month? That will be a very hard decision for me to make. I only hope I never have to decide between Haircut Night and free wine in Pioneer Square.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Luke and Jim have been together for quite a few years now. They are the typical married gay couple. Two cars, camper, and a lovely house in Renton. (Go ahead and inject all your Renton jokes here). Being home owners in the suburbs, they don't go out that much. Unless you call going out, shopping at the Safeway store or working out at the 24 Hour Fitness, or camping. Not my idea of going out.
But when Luke gets his haircut all the way up in Edmonds, it's Jim's chance to go out. You may ask why does Luke get his haircut in Edmonds? Aren't there places in Renton or even Seattle that cut hair? You will have to read Luke's blog to get that answer. All I know is that sometimes we wish he was getting his haircut further north in Everett!
With very little notice, Jim will send an email to a core group of his friends announcing Haircut Night. He only has to tell us what night. We all know the time, the place and the rules. Most of us cancel whatever plans we may have had, so we don't loose out on a Haircut Night. We meet at CC's around 5pm. Jim drinks one lemon drop, then we share a pitcher of beer. Once the beer is gone we head on down to Madison Pub. The time is usually between 6 and 6:30. Here we usually share another pitcher.
Haircut Night has one of two endings.
1. Luke just wants to go home after his haircut, so he calls Jim when he's about a mile away. Jim swallows whatever beer he has left, hugs everyone goodbye and runs into the street waiting for Luke to pick him up. We all swallow, say goodbye and Haircut night is over.
OR
2. Luke decides that he wants to eat dinner on the hill. I guess since it's his haircut, every once in a while, he should get to enjoy Haircut Night too. Once Luke has made that decision via a phone call, we then start our friendly argument about where are we going to eat. The place has to serve rice in some fashion for it to be acceptable to Luke. We banter back and forth until a decision is finally made. With dinner, Haircut Night has been extended for a couple more hours.
Regardless how it ends, Haircut Night is always over by 10pm. Most nights it's over by 8pm.
Not that this is an exciting story, but the concept is interesting. I bet alot of us have these semi regular meetings and groups that we have found ourselves part of. I have another group that meets the first Thursday of every month in Pioneer Square for Art Walk. That one starts about 5:30 at Mitchelli's for Happy Hour. That's my favorite place because the bartender likes me and it seems that my wine glass never goes empty, at no charge to me. That's my kind of place.
These groups give us a chance to catch up on life, tell about new loves, old loves, or the lack of any love. We all belong together if just for a few hours. These people are very special in my life, even if most of us are middle aged queens. At least they are my middle aged queens.
My only concern about my two groups is what happens if Haircut night happens to fall on the first Thursday of the month? That will be a very hard decision for me to make. I only hope I never have to decide between Haircut Night and free wine in Pioneer Square.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
Monday, June 23, 2008
It Sucks To Be Me
It's been a while since I've blogged. Some have sent emails asking if
1. I found someone and am in the process of living happily ever after, or
2. I died.
Well no, the answer is nowhere near either. I've been busy moving into my new condo. It's finally done! I had to get a new TV. My old one was way too big for my glorious 600 sq feet of living space. I also gave up my dining room table for 4 plastic bar stools that sit at the kitchen bar. Besides buying new stuff that I can't afford, painting walls, and trying to find a place for all my clothes, I've been busy at work. Yes, I still have a job. At least at the time of this blog. Everyday in the airline industry is a surprise, however.
I have dated a few guys but haven't found Mr. Right yet. I will blog later about a couple experiences.
I just learned that my truck no longer has a second gear. If you are like me,you have no idea what that means. But I'm told, and he had no reason to lie, a second gear is important. That is why my truck sounds so bad when I try to merge onto the freeway. If they can find a rebuilt transmission for an old truck, it will cost $2500 to get it fixed. The truck isn't worth that. But I can't afford a new or even a used car. So I'm thinking of driving it until it just decides to quit. I will then have it towed to the Salvation Army for a donation. I'm thinking about starting a pool to bet when it finally quits and what important event or date I'm trying to get to when it breaks.
I will then try to live my life without a car. My carpool folks have told me that if I iron their shirts, I could ride to work with them free! Even my carpool makes fun of my ironing habits.
This is the beginning of Seattle Pride Week. I put my rainbow flag off mybalcony. I also signed up and ran the Seattle Frontrunners 4K/10K Walk Run. This is the first event of Seattle Pride. I signed up for the 10K run. I had just done the 12K Spokane Bloomsday Run last month, so I thought I was ready. There were about 300 runners/walkers. You run around Seward Park, that's 4K. Then those running the 10K start the journey again, except after a while you detour up this steep hill and do a 2K loop, then return and finish the trek around the lake. I was about in the middle of the pack at 4K and I felt really good. Except at 4K everyone ahead of me AND behind me stopped. Was I really the only one running 10K? I continued and when I got to the steep hill there were about 50 runners all running together coming down the hill!! Everyone, I mean everyone doing the 10K was at least 2K ahead of me. And I still had to climb the hill. I kept looking back for someone else, but there was no one behind me. After I got to the top of the hill I started running down the hill. At the bottom ofthe hill there's a racing official on a bike, telling me I'm last but keep going and he'd see me at the end. (Oh I wish I had my bike then, because I'd beat the hell out of him riding back). So I keep on running. Finally I get close to the end. They didn't wait for me and had started the award ceremonies. I get about a half block from the finish line, and they stop the ceremonies and I hear the guy on the loud speaker announce, "and now coming in, our last runner Rick Wise". And I hear cheering. I was so embarrassed. Why couldn't they just let me quietly sneak across the finish line? I don't think I've ever been so humiliated. And you've all read my blogs, I've had plenty of humiliating experiences.'
Everyone was really nice and now looking back it was fun. But next year I'm doing the 4K. I will not put myself in that position again.
Sunday June 29 is the Pride Parade. It starts at 11am on 4th and Westlake and ends up at Seattle Center. We will be near the front of the parade. If you get a chance come on downtown and watch the madness. It's supposed to be nice weather.
So besides the humiliating run, my truck situation and the uncertainties about my job, why did I call my blog "It Sucks To Be Me"? I saw Avenue Q this past weekend, and that was the first song in the play.
It just speaks volumes about my life. But I guess we could all find something negative in our lives and join in the chorus. Come on everyone ---- "It Sucks To Be Me".
There was a character in the play called Gary Coleman, yes THE GARY COLEMAN, and when he told his story everyone agreed, it would suck to be Gary Coleman. So when you are feeling sorry for yourself, just think, at least you are NOT Gary Coleman.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT.
1. I found someone and am in the process of living happily ever after, or
2. I died.
Well no, the answer is nowhere near either. I've been busy moving into my new condo. It's finally done! I had to get a new TV. My old one was way too big for my glorious 600 sq feet of living space. I also gave up my dining room table for 4 plastic bar stools that sit at the kitchen bar. Besides buying new stuff that I can't afford, painting walls, and trying to find a place for all my clothes, I've been busy at work. Yes, I still have a job. At least at the time of this blog. Everyday in the airline industry is a surprise, however.
I have dated a few guys but haven't found Mr. Right yet. I will blog later about a couple experiences.
I just learned that my truck no longer has a second gear. If you are like me,you have no idea what that means. But I'm told, and he had no reason to lie, a second gear is important. That is why my truck sounds so bad when I try to merge onto the freeway. If they can find a rebuilt transmission for an old truck, it will cost $2500 to get it fixed. The truck isn't worth that. But I can't afford a new or even a used car. So I'm thinking of driving it until it just decides to quit. I will then have it towed to the Salvation Army for a donation. I'm thinking about starting a pool to bet when it finally quits and what important event or date I'm trying to get to when it breaks.
I will then try to live my life without a car. My carpool folks have told me that if I iron their shirts, I could ride to work with them free! Even my carpool makes fun of my ironing habits.
This is the beginning of Seattle Pride Week. I put my rainbow flag off mybalcony. I also signed up and ran the Seattle Frontrunners 4K/10K Walk Run. This is the first event of Seattle Pride. I signed up for the 10K run. I had just done the 12K Spokane Bloomsday Run last month, so I thought I was ready. There were about 300 runners/walkers. You run around Seward Park, that's 4K. Then those running the 10K start the journey again, except after a while you detour up this steep hill and do a 2K loop, then return and finish the trek around the lake. I was about in the middle of the pack at 4K and I felt really good. Except at 4K everyone ahead of me AND behind me stopped. Was I really the only one running 10K? I continued and when I got to the steep hill there were about 50 runners all running together coming down the hill!! Everyone, I mean everyone doing the 10K was at least 2K ahead of me. And I still had to climb the hill. I kept looking back for someone else, but there was no one behind me. After I got to the top of the hill I started running down the hill. At the bottom ofthe hill there's a racing official on a bike, telling me I'm last but keep going and he'd see me at the end. (Oh I wish I had my bike then, because I'd beat the hell out of him riding back). So I keep on running. Finally I get close to the end. They didn't wait for me and had started the award ceremonies. I get about a half block from the finish line, and they stop the ceremonies and I hear the guy on the loud speaker announce, "and now coming in, our last runner Rick Wise". And I hear cheering. I was so embarrassed. Why couldn't they just let me quietly sneak across the finish line? I don't think I've ever been so humiliated. And you've all read my blogs, I've had plenty of humiliating experiences.'
Everyone was really nice and now looking back it was fun. But next year I'm doing the 4K. I will not put myself in that position again.
Sunday June 29 is the Pride Parade. It starts at 11am on 4th and Westlake and ends up at Seattle Center. We will be near the front of the parade. If you get a chance come on downtown and watch the madness. It's supposed to be nice weather.
So besides the humiliating run, my truck situation and the uncertainties about my job, why did I call my blog "It Sucks To Be Me"? I saw Avenue Q this past weekend, and that was the first song in the play.
It just speaks volumes about my life. But I guess we could all find something negative in our lives and join in the chorus. Come on everyone ---- "It Sucks To Be Me".
There was a character in the play called Gary Coleman, yes THE GARY COLEMAN, and when he told his story everyone agreed, it would suck to be Gary Coleman. So when you are feeling sorry for yourself, just think, at least you are NOT Gary Coleman.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Red Flags
A couple weeks ago I'm driving home in a blizzard. Yes it snows in Seattle in March! It's a Saturday night but I just want to get home safely. I get home and go online to answer some long neglicted emails. Suddenly I get a request to chat.
OK sure, why not? He says his name is Nicholas and asks if I want to meet him for a drink. Tonight? Yes.
Where did you want to meet? Renton! (insert about 1000 Renton jokes here).
Why Renton? I don't drive and that's where I live. (Redflag #1).
Are you looking for a hookup? NO, I'm looking for a LTR. (Redflag #2).
I have to be honest, if he would have send hookup, I might have driven to Renton. He had sent a picture, and he was cute.
Do you have a job? yes
Do you have a boyfriend? no
He pleads for me to drive to Renton to meet him. I tell him that if he's really looking for a relationship that we should start by chatting and talking on the phone and if we are still interested then we go out and see if there's any chemistry.
When can I call you? Oh let's say tomorrow afternoon. OK.
What's your number? so I give him my number (my first mistake).
Call me tomorrow after 1pm.
As soon as I entered my number my phone rings, Guess what? YES, it's Nicholas. (redflag #3).
I then tell him that he sounds really desperate, and ask if he just broke up with his boyfriend?Then he spills his guts. No, we broke up 6 months ago, but he has a restraining order against me. (redflag #4).
And I go to court next week, because he filed 3 complaints against me for violating the order. (redflag #5).
My public defender says I could get 3 years in jail! (redflag #6).
Why do you have a public defender? I have no job or money (redflag #7).
I thought you told me you had a job? I had one, but my boyfriend somehow arranged it for me to get fired. (redflag #8).
He again begs me to come to Renton. I tell him that I have to think about this and I will talk to him tomorrow.
Sunday about noon, I call him and it goes to voicemail. Why not sleep all day if you don't have to work? Anyway I leave a message that I've thought about this and he has a lot of stuff going on now, so get the court thing settled, get a job and get off drugs, then call me.
I just threw the drug thing in, because he was cute and weird and interested in me. You have to be on drugs if you are cute and interested in me!
The question to my bloggers "Are 8 red flags too many?" OK I know what you are all going to say, so let me ask this instead: "Why are guys like this attracted to me?" So if he calls me after the court appearance, what do you think I'm going to do? Stay tuned....
Until Next Time Wise OUT.
OK sure, why not? He says his name is Nicholas and asks if I want to meet him for a drink. Tonight? Yes.
Where did you want to meet? Renton! (insert about 1000 Renton jokes here).
Why Renton? I don't drive and that's where I live. (Redflag #1).
Are you looking for a hookup? NO, I'm looking for a LTR. (Redflag #2).
I have to be honest, if he would have send hookup, I might have driven to Renton. He had sent a picture, and he was cute.
Do you have a job? yes
Do you have a boyfriend? no
He pleads for me to drive to Renton to meet him. I tell him that if he's really looking for a relationship that we should start by chatting and talking on the phone and if we are still interested then we go out and see if there's any chemistry.
When can I call you? Oh let's say tomorrow afternoon. OK.
What's your number? so I give him my number (my first mistake).
Call me tomorrow after 1pm.
As soon as I entered my number my phone rings, Guess what? YES, it's Nicholas. (redflag #3).
I then tell him that he sounds really desperate, and ask if he just broke up with his boyfriend?Then he spills his guts. No, we broke up 6 months ago, but he has a restraining order against me. (redflag #4).
And I go to court next week, because he filed 3 complaints against me for violating the order. (redflag #5).
My public defender says I could get 3 years in jail! (redflag #6).
Why do you have a public defender? I have no job or money (redflag #7).
I thought you told me you had a job? I had one, but my boyfriend somehow arranged it for me to get fired. (redflag #8).
He again begs me to come to Renton. I tell him that I have to think about this and I will talk to him tomorrow.
Sunday about noon, I call him and it goes to voicemail. Why not sleep all day if you don't have to work? Anyway I leave a message that I've thought about this and he has a lot of stuff going on now, so get the court thing settled, get a job and get off drugs, then call me.
I just threw the drug thing in, because he was cute and weird and interested in me. You have to be on drugs if you are cute and interested in me!
The question to my bloggers "Are 8 red flags too many?" OK I know what you are all going to say, so let me ask this instead: "Why are guys like this attracted to me?" So if he calls me after the court appearance, what do you think I'm going to do? Stay tuned....
Until Next Time Wise OUT.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wandered Lonely In The Woods
I just got back from spending the weekend up near Leavenworth in the Cascades. A group of us, rented a cabin. We had to rough it, no cable or satellite. The only reception was a very snowy picture from a far off station in Spokane. Friday we spent giggling like little girls and acting goofy like young teenagers. Luckily we did have cell phone converage, because I called most all the businesses in Leavenworth asking if they would deliver ice cream, cheetos and chocolate to our cabin (about 30 miles from town). One of the chocolate stores told me the only place that delivered was a pizza parlor.
In my mind we could order a pizza and have the pizza guy stop along the way picking up all the other stuff. But the pizza guy said the furthest he would deliver was the Shell station (about 10 miles from our cabin), and all he would deliver was pizza and those giant plastic bottles of Pepsi. These weren't prank calls, I had the munchies. Instead we packed up the Toyota and drove to the Shell station ourselves, where we got everything we needed except the pizza.
Saturday we all went snow mobiling. Despite the noise and the gasoline fumes, it was fun. Going 40 miles per hour on those little trails with the cliff of the mountain only a few feet away was scary and exciting. I do have to say (and those that know me, have heard this before), "done that, don't need to do it again".
Sunday was spent acting like little kids, wrestling in the snow and whining when snow went down my back. The northern Cascades are simply breathless. And out there with no artifical lights the stars are amazing. To quote my favorite singer, and you all know who that is:
"Have you ever stared into a stary sky?
Lying on your back, you're asking why?
What the purpose? I wonder, who am I?
If you've ever stared into a stary sky"
You feel so small with the whole universe before you. But you also feel a part of it, like you do have a purpose. It let's all the day to day crap that fills your head, escape into the great unknown. To be replaced by wonder, beauty and restfulness.
Until Next Time - Wise Out
In my mind we could order a pizza and have the pizza guy stop along the way picking up all the other stuff. But the pizza guy said the furthest he would deliver was the Shell station (about 10 miles from our cabin), and all he would deliver was pizza and those giant plastic bottles of Pepsi. These weren't prank calls, I had the munchies. Instead we packed up the Toyota and drove to the Shell station ourselves, where we got everything we needed except the pizza.
Saturday we all went snow mobiling. Despite the noise and the gasoline fumes, it was fun. Going 40 miles per hour on those little trails with the cliff of the mountain only a few feet away was scary and exciting. I do have to say (and those that know me, have heard this before), "done that, don't need to do it again".
Sunday was spent acting like little kids, wrestling in the snow and whining when snow went down my back. The northern Cascades are simply breathless. And out there with no artifical lights the stars are amazing. To quote my favorite singer, and you all know who that is:
"Have you ever stared into a stary sky?
Lying on your back, you're asking why?
What the purpose? I wonder, who am I?
If you've ever stared into a stary sky"
You feel so small with the whole universe before you. But you also feel a part of it, like you do have a purpose. It let's all the day to day crap that fills your head, escape into the great unknown. To be replaced by wonder, beauty and restfulness.
Until Next Time - Wise Out
Monday, February 11, 2008
Disillusionment
I've taken a few months off from blogging. I get inquiries asking when my next blog is coming out. Besides being therapy for me, I guess some must find it entertaining. Of course with the TV writers on strike, there has been very little competition.
A lot has happened to me these past few months - good, bad and bizarre. But I think I'm getting jaded or at least used to the feeling of disappointment in my life. I don't get that excited about someone or something new. I already know the ending of the story. It's like watching a rerun or taped version of the Super Bowl from 2 years ago. It was fun the first time but...
I don't get depressed anymore at the end of the story. In a way I'm sad that I've lost some of that innocence that I experienced when everything was new, exciting and full of emotions. Just recently a friend of mine for a couple years flaked out on me. We have had disagreements before, but we've always managed to patch things up. This time it is different. Too much stuff has happened. It's easy for me to forgive but very hard for me to forget. To quote my favorite artist (and she should be yours too), Brandie Carlile -www.brandiecarlile.com
"wishin' I was ten again - so we could be friends again"
Wouldn't it be nice to go back to the innocent and simple times? When events happened and seemed so huge, but in reality they were nothing. But now it's big stuff and we all know the final ending anyway. Is it worth patching up a relationship? That's my dilema. Where and when did I loose the "oh my god, that's beautiful" or the pain in my very soul when someone doesn't like me anymore? I'm now at the point where I go out with friends and have an occassional date. I have fun but nothing gets me so worked up that I stay awake all night crying or laughing and writing in my blog. There is no passion. I miss the passion. Maybe I just haven't found the right person or circumstances. While writing this blog the old Peggy Lee song "Is That All There Is" kept going thru my mind. For those unfamiliar with the song, it's taken from a story called "Disillusionment" by Thomas Mann. A synopsis of the story is:
The narrator is sitting in St Mark's Square in Venice when he falls into a conversation with a fellow countryman. The man asks, "Do you know what disillusionment is? Not a miscarriage in small unimportant matters, but the great and general disappointment which everything, all of life, has in store?" He tells how, as a small boy, the house caught fire; yet as they watched it burn down he was thinking, "So this is a house on fire? Is that all?" And ever since then, life has been a series of disappointments; all the great experiences have left him with the feeling: "Is that all?" And one day, death will come, and he expects it to be the last great disappointment. "Is this all?"That's how I'm feeling now - People come in and out of my life. No sorrow, no joy just- is that it?
If that's all there is my friend,
Then let's keep dancing
If that's all there is.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT.
A lot has happened to me these past few months - good, bad and bizarre. But I think I'm getting jaded or at least used to the feeling of disappointment in my life. I don't get that excited about someone or something new. I already know the ending of the story. It's like watching a rerun or taped version of the Super Bowl from 2 years ago. It was fun the first time but...
I don't get depressed anymore at the end of the story. In a way I'm sad that I've lost some of that innocence that I experienced when everything was new, exciting and full of emotions. Just recently a friend of mine for a couple years flaked out on me. We have had disagreements before, but we've always managed to patch things up. This time it is different. Too much stuff has happened. It's easy for me to forgive but very hard for me to forget. To quote my favorite artist (and she should be yours too), Brandie Carlile -www.brandiecarlile.com
"wishin' I was ten again - so we could be friends again"
Wouldn't it be nice to go back to the innocent and simple times? When events happened and seemed so huge, but in reality they were nothing. But now it's big stuff and we all know the final ending anyway. Is it worth patching up a relationship? That's my dilema. Where and when did I loose the "oh my god, that's beautiful" or the pain in my very soul when someone doesn't like me anymore? I'm now at the point where I go out with friends and have an occassional date. I have fun but nothing gets me so worked up that I stay awake all night crying or laughing and writing in my blog. There is no passion. I miss the passion. Maybe I just haven't found the right person or circumstances. While writing this blog the old Peggy Lee song "Is That All There Is" kept going thru my mind. For those unfamiliar with the song, it's taken from a story called "Disillusionment" by Thomas Mann. A synopsis of the story is:
The narrator is sitting in St Mark's Square in Venice when he falls into a conversation with a fellow countryman. The man asks, "Do you know what disillusionment is? Not a miscarriage in small unimportant matters, but the great and general disappointment which everything, all of life, has in store?" He tells how, as a small boy, the house caught fire; yet as they watched it burn down he was thinking, "So this is a house on fire? Is that all?" And ever since then, life has been a series of disappointments; all the great experiences have left him with the feeling: "Is that all?" And one day, death will come, and he expects it to be the last great disappointment. "Is this all?"That's how I'm feeling now - People come in and out of my life. No sorrow, no joy just- is that it?
If that's all there is my friend,
Then let's keep dancing
If that's all there is.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT.
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