Friday, January 05, 2007
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
O, humpday
Lots going on in my head...it's Wednesday and I'm finally up and hanging out at Society.
have to mention last night. Rae's friend Carmen and Martini are in the states from Germany for a visit. They spent the first few days in Providence having Happy Gay Thanksgiving with Rae and the gang and came back to the city over the weekend. Since I missed them in RI, we coordinated meeting up for a drink and intros last night. We met at elmo after work and had a blast talking about backgrounds, life in the states and in Germany, politics of sorts, traveling, and of course, Rae. We had a few beers until they closed and headed over to Cafeteria. Martini had mentioned that the food she has had at restaurants has been disappointing - not the case at Cafeteria. She ordered the meatloaf, Carmen the chicken with arugula and I, the bacon and gouda mac and cheese. Martini and I ordered up more beer and we sat in for more convo and laughs. Martini was very pleased with her meatloaf and the fact that is was hot when it arrived at the table - that was basically her biggest 'beef' with American food, that and the fact that they had to flavor almost everything with salt and pepper. We parted around 1:30 and I finally made it home around 2:15 after waiting and waiting and waiting for the freaking 2,3.
So I oversleep today and finally get my happy ass up around 12:30. I hate sleeping that late when I have a day off. So I am definitely getting into 'A Million Little Pieces'. I do like his story and have stopped trying to determine if things are true or not. Most fiction is based in part on personal experience anyhow. I've recently seen in a guy's profile that we are shaped by the people in our lives and what we read. As I was walking to Society today I realized how interesting it is that I'm reading a book on a guy's addiction and I have to walk through an area where guys sell the drugs that feed other people's addictions. Now I haven't seen any drug deals going down as of yet but Dana and I have talked about it. Whatever gets you through the day, you know. I don't need to know what's going down, I'm only concerned with getting over to my coffeeshop and getting my caffeine on. A drug of sorts, I suppose.
And now that I'm caffeinated it's time for food.
Later.
have to mention last night. Rae's friend Carmen and Martini are in the states from Germany for a visit. They spent the first few days in Providence having Happy Gay Thanksgiving with Rae and the gang and came back to the city over the weekend. Since I missed them in RI, we coordinated meeting up for a drink and intros last night. We met at elmo after work and had a blast talking about backgrounds, life in the states and in Germany, politics of sorts, traveling, and of course, Rae. We had a few beers until they closed and headed over to Cafeteria. Martini had mentioned that the food she has had at restaurants has been disappointing - not the case at Cafeteria. She ordered the meatloaf, Carmen the chicken with arugula and I, the bacon and gouda mac and cheese. Martini and I ordered up more beer and we sat in for more convo and laughs. Martini was very pleased with her meatloaf and the fact that is was hot when it arrived at the table - that was basically her biggest 'beef' with American food, that and the fact that they had to flavor almost everything with salt and pepper. We parted around 1:30 and I finally made it home around 2:15 after waiting and waiting and waiting for the freaking 2,3.
So I oversleep today and finally get my happy ass up around 12:30. I hate sleeping that late when I have a day off. So I am definitely getting into 'A Million Little Pieces'. I do like his story and have stopped trying to determine if things are true or not. Most fiction is based in part on personal experience anyhow. I've recently seen in a guy's profile that we are shaped by the people in our lives and what we read. As I was walking to Society today I realized how interesting it is that I'm reading a book on a guy's addiction and I have to walk through an area where guys sell the drugs that feed other people's addictions. Now I haven't seen any drug deals going down as of yet but Dana and I have talked about it. Whatever gets you through the day, you know. I don't need to know what's going down, I'm only concerned with getting over to my coffeeshop and getting my caffeine on. A drug of sorts, I suppose.
And now that I'm caffeinated it's time for food.
Later.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
rocky start. smooth finish.
Black Friday at work was uneventful so I decided to head down to Benny's for a black flower and some guacamole. I had some salsa (just a few bites) and I paid for that later in the night as it came back to bite me in the ass. Had good conversation with Dana that night, talking about lots, including how stress manifests itself in our bodies. I sprung out of bed at 3:40 and ran for the bathroom, where I stayed until almost 7:30. The entire time I was in the bathroom all I could think about was how this used to be my routine when I was younger - getting upset and spending lots of time in the bathroom. I've been trying to figure out what changed that would have stressed me out to the point that I was so violently ill. Could have been the salsa, could have been a fluke.
Other than being sick, Saturday was rather slow at work.
Sunday's the usual day off so I was at Society to try and score a table in case there was a repeat of last weekend with the brunch crowd. I settled in and hung out for a good long while. Since I had recently found a gift card from months ago I decided it was time to spend it - all $20 of it. So the only place I could cash this thing in was at South Street Seaport. Not that I really wanted to travel down to the tip of Manhattan but if not today, when? I headed out mid-afternoon to make the 8:00 plans for dinner with Niraj. With the $20 I was figuring I could use a new scarf. I had Guess, J. Crew and the Gap to choose from. I shopped all three before making a decision - ended up with this mammoth one from Gap. Since I was at the end of Manhattan (without my camera, of course - CURSES!) I headed over to Target. Although Rae was nice enough to bring my lamp down with her, I've since been in the dark (still) as I need a new bulb. Of course Target doesn't have the 3-way bulbs so my trip over was for naught. Well, at least I know how to get to the Target from the subway station now. My previous treks there have been with Jas and Biz and they knew exactly where they were going so of course I didn't pay attention. When with them we never went outside; this time, I went outside. Not the most comfortable of experiences for me but I made it. Did my shopping and made it back to the apt just in time to change and head back out for dinner.
So I met Niraj on Thanksgiving and we hung out. This was the follow-up and maybe Date #1. I have yet to have sushi since moving here so he was going to take me for sushi. After being sick Friday night and not feeling well on Saturday, I was more in the mood for comfort food - something hot to eat with a fork. We went to The City Grill on Columbus - good food, good wine, good conversation.
Came home and immediately called Chris to get neurotic about my feelings. It was a good chat. Hell, it was a good day.
Other than being sick, Saturday was rather slow at work.
Sunday's the usual day off so I was at Society to try and score a table in case there was a repeat of last weekend with the brunch crowd. I settled in and hung out for a good long while. Since I had recently found a gift card from months ago I decided it was time to spend it - all $20 of it. So the only place I could cash this thing in was at South Street Seaport. Not that I really wanted to travel down to the tip of Manhattan but if not today, when? I headed out mid-afternoon to make the 8:00 plans for dinner with Niraj. With the $20 I was figuring I could use a new scarf. I had Guess, J. Crew and the Gap to choose from. I shopped all three before making a decision - ended up with this mammoth one from Gap. Since I was at the end of Manhattan (without my camera, of course - CURSES!) I headed over to Target. Although Rae was nice enough to bring my lamp down with her, I've since been in the dark (still) as I need a new bulb. Of course Target doesn't have the 3-way bulbs so my trip over was for naught. Well, at least I know how to get to the Target from the subway station now. My previous treks there have been with Jas and Biz and they knew exactly where they were going so of course I didn't pay attention. When with them we never went outside; this time, I went outside. Not the most comfortable of experiences for me but I made it. Did my shopping and made it back to the apt just in time to change and head back out for dinner.
So I met Niraj on Thanksgiving and we hung out. This was the follow-up and maybe Date #1. I have yet to have sushi since moving here so he was going to take me for sushi. After being sick Friday night and not feeling well on Saturday, I was more in the mood for comfort food - something hot to eat with a fork. We went to The City Grill on Columbus - good food, good wine, good conversation.
Came home and immediately called Chris to get neurotic about my feelings. It was a good chat. Hell, it was a good day.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving
While the weather has been dreary all day, the day has been good. Got up and out around 6:30 this morning to meet Biz and Nathan to head down and try and grab a spot for the Macy's Day Parade. I was quite the chipper little beaver this morning waiting for the train:
- this lasted until we got out in the rain and cold. Biz and Nathan weren't so "up" yet..
We found a spot on 51st and Broadway. We were just shy of a McDonald's and a Starbucks. Too bad we couldn't get across the street to the Starbucks - the NYPD was the only thing standing between us and our caffiene fix. We decided to make do with McDonald's for breakfast, including the coffee. Since I took Twany's big umbrella down, we saved our spread and our spots staying in place with the umbrella - it's all about the strategy. So I headed over to Mickey D's for what I thought was breakfast sandwiches - not. For some reason, this particular Mickey D's was only serving lunch - ask me why, please. I'm still trying to figure that one out. So I called Biz and we settled on double cheeseburgers with a large coffee for breakfast. So there we stood at 7:30 in the freezing rain woofing down our cheeseburgers and coffee for breakfast - the cheeseburger was more manageable than the coffee.
Our spot was actually great for seeing up Broadway for the balloons that were coming toward us.
The view behind us was good also, but since we don't have eyes in the back of our heads, well, it's a moot point but I like the picture so I'm going to share it anyway...
So we stood and waited, and stood some more and waited some more for the parade to start. We waited through wind gusts, umbrellas turned inside out and plenty of freezing rain but Biz and Nathan managed to flash some pearly whites my way..
and all three of us flashing ;-)
It was unfortunate that there was a large analog clock directly in our line of vision because the more we checked the clock, the slower time seemed to move and the more we started to focus on how numb our feet were becoming. The sirens started coming toward us around 10:00. Although it wasn't as exciting as the Dykes on Bikes that start Gay Pride, it was thrilling just to know that things were getting underway and that we had something to distract us from the cold, the rain and our ever-numbing feet. So here are a few pics from the front lines..
After seeing Big Bird looking sad and droopy, we decided we had had enough and made a mad dash for the subway. The first few steps were agonizing for our numb feet; all I could focus on was a hot shower, even better was turning the bathroom into a sauna. Thankfully the trains were running as normal so we hopped the express and were thankful that we would be home that much faster to start the thawing process.
While the morning wasn't the traditional Thanksgiving, I am thankful and lucky that this was not my Thanksgiving..
and I have to give a shout out to Rae and the guys in Providence having Happy Gay Thanksgiving without me.
- this lasted until we got out in the rain and cold. Biz and Nathan weren't so "up" yet..
We found a spot on 51st and Broadway. We were just shy of a McDonald's and a Starbucks. Too bad we couldn't get across the street to the Starbucks - the NYPD was the only thing standing between us and our caffiene fix. We decided to make do with McDonald's for breakfast, including the coffee. Since I took Twany's big umbrella down, we saved our spread and our spots staying in place with the umbrella - it's all about the strategy. So I headed over to Mickey D's for what I thought was breakfast sandwiches - not. For some reason, this particular Mickey D's was only serving lunch - ask me why, please. I'm still trying to figure that one out. So I called Biz and we settled on double cheeseburgers with a large coffee for breakfast. So there we stood at 7:30 in the freezing rain woofing down our cheeseburgers and coffee for breakfast - the cheeseburger was more manageable than the coffee.
Our spot was actually great for seeing up Broadway for the balloons that were coming toward us.
The view behind us was good also, but since we don't have eyes in the back of our heads, well, it's a moot point but I like the picture so I'm going to share it anyway... 
So we stood and waited, and stood some more and waited some more for the parade to start. We waited through wind gusts, umbrellas turned inside out and plenty of freezing rain but Biz and Nathan managed to flash some pearly whites my way..
and all three of us flashing ;-)
It was unfortunate that there was a large analog clock directly in our line of vision because the more we checked the clock, the slower time seemed to move and the more we started to focus on how numb our feet were becoming. The sirens started coming toward us around 10:00. Although it wasn't as exciting as the Dykes on Bikes that start Gay Pride, it was thrilling just to know that things were getting underway and that we had something to distract us from the cold, the rain and our ever-numbing feet. So here are a few pics from the front lines..
After seeing Big Bird looking sad and droopy, we decided we had had enough and made a mad dash for the subway. The first few steps were agonizing for our numb feet; all I could focus on was a hot shower, even better was turning the bathroom into a sauna. Thankfully the trains were running as normal so we hopped the express and were thankful that we would be home that much faster to start the thawing process.
While the morning wasn't the traditional Thanksgiving, I am thankful and lucky that this was not my Thanksgiving..
and I have to give a shout out to Rae and the guys in Providence having Happy Gay Thanksgiving without me.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
pre-thanks that blows
So I have two days off ... pre-Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving day. I'm completely mellow and not having many thoughts right now. I'm so far behind on talking to and replying to people that I'm wondering should I take today to catch-up or procrastinate even longer. Right now procrastination is winning. I'm thinking a lot about people in my life and trying to maintain those connections and I don't feel like I'm doing such a great job of that lately. My mental elephant is here again - I have so much to think about and do that it seems overwhelming. I don't know that I'll ever catch up or have things the way I see them in my head - and that puts a lot of pressure on me. Since it's the season for giving thanks, maybe I should just chill and be thankful for being here and things going rather well right now. Ok, now that I got that out ... let's move on.
I started reading "A Million Little Pieces" yesterday. Wow ... this dude is whacked. Or a new phrase I learned from Thomas a couple weeks back - whack ass. I have a copy of the book that was published after the scandal broke so I read his foreword. Interesting twist that he tries to put on his story and his actions now. So when I read the first few pages I was exhausted because I was trying to figure out what was real and where he was embellishing. Now I realize that I have to read the entire book as a work of ficiton based on personal experience. An interesting tidbit in the foreword is that he claims that the first 40 pages of the book are what he initially began writing in 1997 and then stopped because he wasn't ready to uncover and express some of the trauma that followed. I wonder if that's the true part of the book and if he had "writer's block" about the remainder of the story. Maybe it took him until 2000 for his conscience to allow him to go forth not being exactly honest or to forgive him for embellishing. Who the hell knows. Obviously he doesn't really know since he was blacked out for a majority of his early twenties. I probably shouldn't be questioning his words or actions as they are his; I should just read the book. And so I will.
So with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade going and me being in NYC, it's time to be there in person something I have watched on television for years. It's kinda awesome being in a place in person that so many millions of people across the nation are tuning in to watch. Of course there is a trade-off, the experience of being here but not being with family on Thanksgiving, surrounded by family, friends and the aroma of mom's cooking. Maybe when the parents are here for a visit - that will be my Thanksgiving, just a few days late. Of course Thanksgiving can happen every day if we allow it.
I'm out for now ... need to have breakfast and get out and about, hoping to head down and watch the balloons being blown up for the parade tomorrow - too bad that it's raining. that blows.
Enjoy your day, kids and go forth and be thankful.
I started reading "A Million Little Pieces" yesterday. Wow ... this dude is whacked. Or a new phrase I learned from Thomas a couple weeks back - whack ass. I have a copy of the book that was published after the scandal broke so I read his foreword. Interesting twist that he tries to put on his story and his actions now. So when I read the first few pages I was exhausted because I was trying to figure out what was real and where he was embellishing. Now I realize that I have to read the entire book as a work of ficiton based on personal experience. An interesting tidbit in the foreword is that he claims that the first 40 pages of the book are what he initially began writing in 1997 and then stopped because he wasn't ready to uncover and express some of the trauma that followed. I wonder if that's the true part of the book and if he had "writer's block" about the remainder of the story. Maybe it took him until 2000 for his conscience to allow him to go forth not being exactly honest or to forgive him for embellishing. Who the hell knows. Obviously he doesn't really know since he was blacked out for a majority of his early twenties. I probably shouldn't be questioning his words or actions as they are his; I should just read the book. And so I will.
So with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade going and me being in NYC, it's time to be there in person something I have watched on television for years. It's kinda awesome being in a place in person that so many millions of people across the nation are tuning in to watch. Of course there is a trade-off, the experience of being here but not being with family on Thanksgiving, surrounded by family, friends and the aroma of mom's cooking. Maybe when the parents are here for a visit - that will be my Thanksgiving, just a few days late. Of course Thanksgiving can happen every day if we allow it.
I'm out for now ... need to have breakfast and get out and about, hoping to head down and watch the balloons being blown up for the parade tomorrow - too bad that it's raining. that blows.
Enjoy your day, kids and go forth and be thankful.
Monday, November 20, 2006
are you serious?
so I'm now being referred to in the apartment as "he" ... again, a pronoun. The first time I encountered this was with Rae's mom, Anna. Anna just could not grasp the concept of me, of Rae and I being friends, or of my name. So now here I am thinking I'm connecting with the housemates and I'm being referred to as a pronoun again. I am not well with this. I'm in the next room and I can hear you. Not very welcoming or nice but who the hell is nice anymore?
So I don't sleep well and then wake up this morning having to run for the bathroom. Go figure that housemate #2 is in there .. how apropos. So I'm praying that she'll be out soon and after a couple of minutes she pops her head out and says she'll be five more minutes ... now I'm standing there obviously almost in tears because I need to go and she asks if I'm late. What am I? On my period or something? I'm not late, I have to get in there. And do we have to apply our face in the bathroom? I mean, what are our rooms for? I get in and get out. I want to get over to Society and chill for a while. Since my new schedule started yesterday I have Monday and Tuesday mornings free - more time to spend at Society having my latte and relaxing. Not. I waste time till about 9:30 thinking for some reason that they open at 9:00. I bundle up and walk over - closed. So I'm wondering if I have my times mixed up ... guess not, the sign on the door says open at 7:00. Not.
I'm on the phone with mom so I decide that I want coffee while I'm out and don't want to wait so I head over to Saurin Parke. I had written this place off because of the bitch behind the counter that's there every F'ing time I go in there. And when I say bitch, I'm being nice. I don't use the C word that often but it is most fitting for her. I decided that I could wait till 10, thinking that Society would open at 10 so I walk back home. My phone was almost dead so I decided I'd plug it in and then head back over to Society for the 10 a.m opening. I decide to call Society just to make sure - good thing I did, they open at noon on Mondays. Excuse me? WTF? Why the hell would you open late on the one freaking day that people really need coffee. Mondays are rough enough then we have to put up with this shit? Stupid. I didn't curse the guy out although I'm sure I used some sort of expletive and headed to Saurin Parke. Great, C is here. Of course she's just as sour as always. I order up my latte and muffin and sit down.
What a crock. So I'm trying to blog while there and lose my connection twice. Surf and Sip is a misnomer. The tides out on that one. After losing my connection twice and only finding two blueberries in my muffin I decided that I had had enough.
That's my morning. It's now 11:49. I'm over it (insert hand motion). Next.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sunday walk-about
Yawn and stretch and try to come to life ... so says Dolly and so is my morning.
Rolled over and called Rae to make sure she got in okay (done) then got up and got showered and was off to Society. Got in and got a two-topper in the corner and got there just in time. And okay .. what a crowd. This place was hopping - and with a great mix of people - the gays, a couple of families, friends and singles, all brunching it up. Count me in. I ordered up coffee and began writing. I'm still doing some catch-up for work and for me.
Hung out for a while and finished writing and enjoying the scenery while chatting with Rae. Funny that I was sitting there enjoying the morning and the mix of people at Society and thinking about how much I enjoyed being in Harlem and where I live and then her comment from Friday night. Thanks, Rae, but I'm happy here. I don't think it's going to last that long since my sublet is up the end of December but I'm enjoying it while I can.
Scarfed down the coffee and eggs and gave up my table for paying customers. Since the day was mildly cool I decided to get out and head down to Riverside Park and hang out. I got off at 96th and walked south along the water for a while. I wish I had taken my camera - the sun was breaking through the clouds a little and there was a great view of the GWB from where I was. I walked south for a while then back up north. Didn't set out with a specific destination but ended up walking north to 125th. The park takes a detour through some construction here so I headed back into the city - decided to forgo the subway and walk the few blocks south and east to the apartment. Lots of backtracking going on.
Napped and hung out for the rest of the afternoon. The search continues for some friends to hang out with.
Lazy day and a great catch-up day. Peace out.
Rolled over and called Rae to make sure she got in okay (done) then got up and got showered and was off to Society. Got in and got a two-topper in the corner and got there just in time. And okay .. what a crowd. This place was hopping - and with a great mix of people - the gays, a couple of families, friends and singles, all brunching it up. Count me in. I ordered up coffee and began writing. I'm still doing some catch-up for work and for me.
Hung out for a while and finished writing and enjoying the scenery while chatting with Rae. Funny that I was sitting there enjoying the morning and the mix of people at Society and thinking about how much I enjoyed being in Harlem and where I live and then her comment from Friday night. Thanks, Rae, but I'm happy here. I don't think it's going to last that long since my sublet is up the end of December but I'm enjoying it while I can.
Scarfed down the coffee and eggs and gave up my table for paying customers. Since the day was mildly cool I decided to get out and head down to Riverside Park and hang out. I got off at 96th and walked south along the water for a while. I wish I had taken my camera - the sun was breaking through the clouds a little and there was a great view of the GWB from where I was. I walked south for a while then back up north. Didn't set out with a specific destination but ended up walking north to 125th. The park takes a detour through some construction here so I headed back into the city - decided to forgo the subway and walk the few blocks south and east to the apartment. Lots of backtracking going on.
Napped and hung out for the rest of the afternoon. The search continues for some friends to hang out with.
Lazy day and a great catch-up day. Peace out.
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