Bad idea?

I'm off to NYC this weekend to, among other things, visit with the ex-boyfriend. I'm starting to think that maybe it's not the best idea. I'm still gonna go of course, because I have plenty of other things to do besides see him. I talked to him on the phone this morning. One thing he said to me really stuck out.

Him: Blah blah blah I love you blah blah blah my boyfriend isn't happy that your staying with me blah blah blah.

WTF!! You tell me you love me in the same breath as your boyfriend's not happy I'm staying with you. That sentence isn't at all odd to you? First of all. While I usually don't really have a problem wrecking homes (I know, I need to work on that) I'm actually am gonna let this one go (your BF can rest easy). Second of all. The fantasy I once had that you and I would someday get back together is basically crushed. Please don't make it harder for me by saying things like, I love you, I miss you, I can't wait to see you.

Deep down I know it's probably a bad idea to see him. But I'm gonna do it anyway. Besides, Amtrak has a special: With the price of a ticket I get a free ride on the emotional rollercoaster.

Describing myself

So I have this problem. No bitch, it doesn't itch, and it can't be cured with dioxycycline. See, I recently signed up for MySpace and of course you have to fill out a profile. I always run into this dillema about how to describe myself. What kind of route do I want to take? Do I describe myself as the geeky guy who likes to watch Star Trek, reads The Economist, and loves trains (i know). Or as the person who will tear up a vodka happy hour, dance until 8 in the morning (thanks cousin!), and has the tendancy to lose memory after 8 or 9 drinks. And for some reason, I can't seem to get it in my head that maybe I should just put down both. I don't know, maybe one of these days I figure it out...

Africa

My friends and I like to joke about how it is Africa hot outside. If only that were true...

And so am I...

This shirt was originally brought to my attention by my friends a few months ago. I have only now just seen a picture of it. And I want it.

JR's

Nick got a job at JR's (as a barback). No this is not some grand scheme by us in order to get free drinks. Although what a clever scheme it would be.

This weekend

There really isn't too much craziness to report over this past weekend. Went out Friday night to JR's. Got home around 2 (just in time to beat the massive thunderstorm that came through here). Went to Tony Moran @ Nation on saturday night. It was good, but not great. There were some highpoints to the music but overall it was only so-so. We even left at a very respectable 430ish. Went to JR's last night, didn't get too wasted. Got home at 10. I guess after last weekend it was probably a good idea to take it a bit easy...

Issues

We all have issues. And we all like to bitch about them. You know. "I don't have anything to wear tonight." "Why doesn't he like me." "I wish my [insert body part] looked better." "I really want to have sex tonight." Things of this nature. Now granted, some of our issues are a little more serious. But every once in a while, it's good to put things into a little perspective. Are our issues really that bad?

Iran Executes Two Gay Teens In Public Hanging via UKGayNews.

You should really read the article. It's sobering stuff. Or if you'd like, you can read it in the original Farsi. With pictures. You should take a look at those as well. Just for a little perspective...

Work

Work has been kicking my ass this past week. Basically I wake up, go to work, go to the gym, go home, and go to bed. Only to wash rinse repeat all over again the next day. They are seriously not paying me enough for this. Oh well. The last report will be done on monday. Then it's clear sailing until October, when I get to do it all over again. Grumble!

Updated News Items

A few days ago I highlighted a couple of stories about Zach, and his brush with "reparative therapy." Today I stumbled across the first two parts in a four part serious on Salon.com about the "ex-gay" movement, titled Turning Off Gays. In the first part the author, Mark Benjamin, provides an overview of the movement and how it started. One thing that stood out, though not entirely surprising, is that most of the "ex-gay" facilities are entirely unregulated. The organizations claim, according the Benjamin, that "[they] are not hospitals or any other facility that would require regulatory oversight or licensing." Benjamin disputed that by quoting the website of Love In Action (the group Zach was sent to) which states the group promotes "the prevention or treatment of unhealthy and destructive behaviors facing families, adults, and adolescents." Furthermore, there seems to be mounting evidence that these programs actually cause lasting harm to the people enrolled in them, something the state should definitely take a vested interest in preventing.

In part two, the author pretends to be gay and has a session with a repartive therapist in Rockville. Definitely interesting stuff and worth a read.

I will update you on parts three and four when they a printed. Also, Salon is generally a subscription site but you can usually view the aricles by watching a short ad. Definitely worth it.

Weekend

I had posted a nice long entry detailing the crazy shenanigens/exploits of yours truly over the weekend. But I really didn't like it. So I deleted it. Instead I'll just sum up the past three days. Booze, JR's, SOCO and Lime jello shots, a stamina from 7-11, and a triple play (ala nick last weekend, or was it the weekend before). And no, triple play does not equal threesome.

I would like to sleep with this man. And/or have his children. If you can work that out. Let me know...

News Items

Sometimes it amazes me what parents will do to their children, supposedly out of love. You may have already read about "Zach," a 16y/o that came out to his parents and was subsequently sent to an "ex-gay" camp in Memphis. Rather than make him straight, all it will do is mess up his head even more. I hope the kid can get through it all with out too much permanent damage. And as Steve Koval noted in the Washington Blade online, "can you imagine the uproar that would result if a gay couple sent their straight child to a camp so that the child could be reprogrammed to be gay? If the parents claimed they were following their religious beliefs, would that make their actions seem any less outrageous?" Really seems to sum it up...

New York Times Article
Washington Blade Article

Paul Walker is HOT

I would like to say the I woke up next to this man...but then I'd be lying.

Fill in the blanks

Now that I'm finally back from all of my travels, it's time to play my favorite Friday game: Fill-In-The-Blanks

I remember Dave not working last night at JR's and therefore...
I remember everything that went on there
I remember going to the Green Lantern for shirtless men drink free
I remember dancing to Lift it Up

I do not remember making out in the Green Lantern
I do not remember how we got to 16th and Florida
I do not remember his name

Who's next?

My Flight Back

My trip back from Sweden overall wasn't so bad. Although it did take me nearly twenty four hours... However, one particular flight, from Frankfurt to Toronto was horrible. When I got on the plane I felt like I stepped off the jetway and into Little Abuja. There were kids running up and down the aisles. Families (you know, grandma, grandpa, ma &pa and their 8 kids) screaming at each other in a thousand different languages trying to find their seats. Not to mention the fact that they packed their entire wardrobe and though they could carry it on the plane, and then complain when their steamer won't fit in the overhead bin. There might as well have been chickens running around, it would've completed the scene of a third world country. My conversation with the flight attendant went something like this.

FA: Sir, can I get you something to drink?
Me: Sure, I'd like two valiums and a vodka tonic to wash it down.
FA: Hmm, not sure I have that on the cart. Why, you don't like to fly?
Me: Flying's not the problem. (then points to the chaos all around)
FA: Oh, right. Well I might be able to find a Tylenol PM
Me: Your an angel!!

Sure enough, about 5 mins later she came back with a Tylenol PM. Made the flight SO much better. I know patience is a virtue, but I really don't have any when it comes to people that don't know what their doing when traveling. It's why I hate flying in the summer, all those people that only do it once a year. In the winter, it's so much more effiecient.

News Items

Several months ago the Department of Health and Human Services launched a website www.4parents.gov. If you need a good laugh, check it out. Some of the information it shares is pretty disturbing. However, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) commissioned a study by 3 physicians and a Psychologist that basically said the website was bogus. Here's the Washington Post article on it.

Sweden Update

Just a quick Sweden update while I still have a few minutes left in the internet cafe. Have been having a ball so far. The three planes and two trains that it took to get to the wedding were a bit much though. The weather here has been great. 85 degrees and bright sun! Not quite the frozen tundra I was expecting. Some other quick observations:

1. The guys here are H-O-T
2. All those jokes about having Nordic skin and therefore unable to tan. Clearly not true. Everyone here is rediculously tanned. And it's not fake.
3. Black socks do not go with white sneakers. Apparently the Swedes didn't get the memo.
4. Mullets are still not in.
5. Would really appreaciate it if the sun would set at some point. Really throws me off when it's still light out at 11pm.

Overall though I've been having a great time. Will fill you all in more when I get back tomorrow.

Out of Office AutoReply

I will be out of the office the rest of the day Thursday July 7 through tuesday July 12. I will respond to your email when I return on Wednesday morning.

Off to Sweden for the third and final trip in a row. By the time I get back I won't have a clue what time zone I'm in.

Sorry guys for the serious lack of updates. Have been uber busy with all of these trips plus the usual quarter crunch at work. I promise though that when I get back I'll have plenty of fun filled antics to clue you all in on.

Just a practice run

While typing my beef safety section I had a touch of inspiration. To write more about beef? HAHA no silly, of course not. To finish Get It Girl Volume 3. The last one was really just a practice run. Of all of them, I think this is my favorite. I would post a track list, but then I'd be taking away from the surprise of it all. Anyway if you want a copy before I jet off to Sweden on Thursday, let me know.

I knew it

Most gay men go through a bisexual phase. Some people longer than others.... Straight, Gay or Lying? Bisexuality Revisited

Catch up

Went to JR's last night. And since I hadn't been there all weekend I decided I needed to catch up on what I'd missed out on. Not a good idea. The last thing I remember is chugging a drink at the bar. The next thing I remember is waking up at Chuck's apartment. I'm still loaded...

Finally an update

Hi All, Sorry it's taken me so long to post an update. I've been back in San Francisco since thursday and finally figured out how to use my mom's computer. Two very good friends of mine got married yesterday. The ceremony was really nice and the reception was a blast and it was really great to see a lot of people that I haven't seen in years. As much as I like being out here though, I am ready to get back to DC. I won't be there for though long as I'm off to Sweden on thursday for another wedding. By the time I'm done with all of this I won't have aclue what time zone I'm in.

Memo To San Franciscans: While there are many times I envy your laidback style and attitude, please update your wardrobe more than once every 5 years. Tapered jeans went out of style years ago.