What a great weekend we had! Sweetie and I took the trailer over to Sonoma County on Friday afternoon to attend a camping weekend sponsored by the northern California chapter of Rainbow RV. We attended last year and had a great time. We met a nice couple. also from Sacramento, and have met with them a couple of times here in Sacramento.
This year, we had a fun time, too. We met several couples from here in Sacramento, and we may get together with them sometime. The evening started with a potluck on Friday night. I made several things, including a blackberry pie, after we arrived at the campground. It must have been good- everything I made was completely gone.
On Saturday, we drove into the town of Petaluma. It is such a nice little town. We have been through there many times on our way over to the coast, but this was the first time we had actually driven and walked around the town. Great shops, great old buildings, and beautiful weather.
From there, we drove up to Healdsburg to do some wine tasting. We bought a half-case at Rosenblum Cellars. We like that place and it is a great excuse to go up to Healdsburg. Here again, such a beautiful little town.
We wandered back to the trailer and had a nice dinner and just rested. I talked with some nice guys that evening and we chatted with others as we were getting the trailer ready to come home.
We got home on Sunday in good order and had pizza for dinner. Yesterday was work and choir rehearsal. I have a sectional rehearsal tonight. Rats! No gym tonight. I have not been in a whole week now due to helping Sweetie at school and our trip. Perhaps tomorrow night.
Well, time to get ready for work.
Have a great day!!
-Tim
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Defeated
I am feeling a bit defeated at the moment. I was "volunteered" to help Sweetie with a function at his school last night. Now, over the years, I have been a great volunteer to the many events he has put together. Always wanting to support him (as I should) I have lent my help whenever asked.
Thanks to a few difficult circumstances completely beyond my control, there were a few mix-ups (although I know exactly what I did) that have caused a few questions. It involves money, and as a former banker, and unbelievably accurate, I really got my feelings hurt when Sweetie inferred that I had not lived up to his expectations. He did not question my accuracy or honesty, but he implied that I "should have known the way he does things" and should have adjusted accordingly. I agree that I have learned to read him to great detail, but last night posed a whole new set of circumstances that were completely new to me. I will certainly know better next time. It may work out that I will politely pass on the next invitation to help out. Once burnt, twice cautious! I guess I am over it now. Thanks for listening!!
In so many ways, I am completely blessed to have a partner like Sweetie. We have a wonderful life together, we want for nearly nothing, we are each other's best friend, and we are working on our 20th year together. I have no reason to complain about anything. But, I am in a bit of a depression beacuse I always try to be the best I can possibly be to him. When I do things that disappoint, it really gets to me. Especially when I really feel that I did nothing wrong and reacted to the circumstances at hand calmly and logically. At least to me!!
All else is great. It was a busy weekend. I did a great deal of yard work, raking leaves, weeding, mowing, and trimming. It was just so terrible that the wind came up in the afternoon on Saturday and blew down a whole new crop of leaves. You wouldn't think that I had done a thing! That evening, we had our best friends and their little daughter over for dinner. I cooked. We attended two plays over the weekend, and I did two loads of laundry. I worked my fanny off!!
I will look forward to this weekend. We are going camping with a GLBT camping group over in Sonoma County. We will be near the town f Petaluma, not far from the Russian River. It will be so great to get away!
Well, I need to get a few things done tonight. We go to get the trailer after work tomorrow night. Camping, here we come!!
Regards,
-Tim
Thanks to a few difficult circumstances completely beyond my control, there were a few mix-ups (although I know exactly what I did) that have caused a few questions. It involves money, and as a former banker, and unbelievably accurate, I really got my feelings hurt when Sweetie inferred that I had not lived up to his expectations. He did not question my accuracy or honesty, but he implied that I "should have known the way he does things" and should have adjusted accordingly. I agree that I have learned to read him to great detail, but last night posed a whole new set of circumstances that were completely new to me. I will certainly know better next time. It may work out that I will politely pass on the next invitation to help out. Once burnt, twice cautious! I guess I am over it now. Thanks for listening!!
In so many ways, I am completely blessed to have a partner like Sweetie. We have a wonderful life together, we want for nearly nothing, we are each other's best friend, and we are working on our 20th year together. I have no reason to complain about anything. But, I am in a bit of a depression beacuse I always try to be the best I can possibly be to him. When I do things that disappoint, it really gets to me. Especially when I really feel that I did nothing wrong and reacted to the circumstances at hand calmly and logically. At least to me!!
All else is great. It was a busy weekend. I did a great deal of yard work, raking leaves, weeding, mowing, and trimming. It was just so terrible that the wind came up in the afternoon on Saturday and blew down a whole new crop of leaves. You wouldn't think that I had done a thing! That evening, we had our best friends and their little daughter over for dinner. I cooked. We attended two plays over the weekend, and I did two loads of laundry. I worked my fanny off!!
I will look forward to this weekend. We are going camping with a GLBT camping group over in Sonoma County. We will be near the town f Petaluma, not far from the Russian River. It will be so great to get away!
Well, I need to get a few things done tonight. We go to get the trailer after work tomorrow night. Camping, here we come!!
Regards,
-Tim
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Chilly Morning
It is a chilly morning here in NorCal, about 52F. For here, at this time of year, pretty cool. We had a bit of rain yesterday and again last night. The rains have started early this year. Good news for us after one of the driest years on record.
I had a pleasant surprise at work yesterday. It was Boss' Day. I had not heard a thing about this, although in past years, I have both received attention on Boss' Day as well as having celebrated my own bosses on that day. It was a complete surprise yesterday when my staff announced that they were taking me to lunch. We went to a Mexican taqueria in South Sacramento, a few miles south of downtown where we work. It was a very nice gesture indeed!
I didn't worry about eating too much, since last night was gym night. I did a solid two-hour workout, complete with my 3.25 mile run to start things off. I feel pretty darn good this morning.
It is going to be a fairly routine day at the office today. I have one meeting scheduled to talk over a pending issue with one of our staff attorneys. Should be no big deal.
I get an evening at home tonight- no rehearsals, no chores, no gym tonight. I will probably will stop for a haircut on the way home. I wear my hair very short and it has been about five weeks since the last. I find that with my hair getting more gray by the day, wearing it short helps hide that fact. I was blonde in my younger years and most people mistake the gray hair for highlights when it is cut really short. Joke's on them. I have never colored my hair at all.
Well, off to the showers to get ready for the day.
Take care.
-Tim
I had a pleasant surprise at work yesterday. It was Boss' Day. I had not heard a thing about this, although in past years, I have both received attention on Boss' Day as well as having celebrated my own bosses on that day. It was a complete surprise yesterday when my staff announced that they were taking me to lunch. We went to a Mexican taqueria in South Sacramento, a few miles south of downtown where we work. It was a very nice gesture indeed!
I didn't worry about eating too much, since last night was gym night. I did a solid two-hour workout, complete with my 3.25 mile run to start things off. I feel pretty darn good this morning.
It is going to be a fairly routine day at the office today. I have one meeting scheduled to talk over a pending issue with one of our staff attorneys. Should be no big deal.
I get an evening at home tonight- no rehearsals, no chores, no gym tonight. I will probably will stop for a haircut on the way home. I wear my hair very short and it has been about five weeks since the last. I find that with my hair getting more gray by the day, wearing it short helps hide that fact. I was blonde in my younger years and most people mistake the gray hair for highlights when it is cut really short. Joke's on them. I have never colored my hair at all.
Well, off to the showers to get ready for the day.
Take care.
-Tim
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday Morning
It turned out to be a great weekend. I got my two gym visits in, did some cooking, a few chores, and I baked a really good apple pie. One of our friends came over for dinner Saturday night, and as is usual around here in early October, we were able to have dinner on the patio. What a beautiful evening! Sunday was more of the same. Sweetie and I ate leftovers, but again, after a high of about 77 degrees, we had dinner outside. It was spectacular weather!
4:20am ame way too early on Monday morning. I would have loved to have slept in, at least for an extra hour or so, but duty called. Not a bad day at work. I had choir rehearsal last night. Since I get home around 10:00pm on rehearsal nights, I get only about 5 and a half hours of sleep. I got up with no problem this morning at 4:20am, but I always feel a little sluggish just before time to get to the light rail train. This is also my regular gym night. I always have to wait to see how tired I am to see if I end up going. I probably will go.
I had better start to get ready for work. I hope everyone has a great day!
-Tim
4:20am ame way too early on Monday morning. I would have loved to have slept in, at least for an extra hour or so, but duty called. Not a bad day at work. I had choir rehearsal last night. Since I get home around 10:00pm on rehearsal nights, I get only about 5 and a half hours of sleep. I got up with no problem this morning at 4:20am, but I always feel a little sluggish just before time to get to the light rail train. This is also my regular gym night. I always have to wait to see how tired I am to see if I end up going. I probably will go.
I had better start to get ready for work. I hope everyone has a great day!
-Tim
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Saturday Morning Update
Got my two hours in at the gym this morning. What a great workout! It is becoming very quiet at the gym now that schools are back in session and the weather is turning cooler. This is great for me- no crowds or chatty people to deal with. I really like to just get there, get my workout in, and get out. I will probably go back again tomorrow for another two hours.
It is turning out to be a beautiful day. After I got to the gym, the fog formed, and it was very damp, cool, and thick. This is not unusual for here in the central valley. Later in the winter, we have what is called tule fog. This forms from the cool temperatures and high moisture in the air from all of the marshlands that surround the city. Sacramento is a major migration stop for migrating birds traveling on the great Pacific flyway between Central Americal and Canada. It is really interesting, but the wetlands that are prime bird sanctuaries, help to allow fog to form here all winter long.
With the fog having burnt off, it is warming up fast. It is about 11:15am, and the temperature is 62F and rising. It will be in the mid 70s by afternoon.
I will be taking a break from yard work today. I will do a little work on the pool, and I bought some apples this morning to make an apple pie. Dinner is already in the crock pot, so I am all set for tonight. Sweetie should be a happy camper!
Here is a little view of our backyard. This photo was taken earlier in the summer. It is not looking quite so good now. Many of the plants are starting to wane for this year. Soon, I will be doing some major pruning. The work never stops, and I swear, the yard is getting bigger every year!!
Have a great day!
-Tim
Disappointment
Good Morning! On what will be a beautiful Saturday here in northern California, it is with great disappointment that I read that the Governator vetoed the gay marriage bill that was pending from the legislature. I thought that with some of the recent gains on the subject nationally, that perhaps he would sign the bill, or let it become law without signature.
We have a domestic partnership bill in this state, but I can see that it falls far short of the full protection that same-sex couples deserve and need. Sweetie are not registered. It is something that perhaps we should do, or should have done years ago, but one of the very annoying elements is with tax filing. We would be required to file jointly for state tax returns, but separately for federal returns. What I would prefer is that we could be married, and be able to file both returns separately, as hetero couple can. Sweetie has a fairly complicated return. He is a professor, and does many side activities that really complicate his returns. He has been audited several times in the past few years- something I want no part of. My returns are very simple, and I would prefer to keep it that way.
If registered, we would be able to protect our assets. A recent court ruling here upheld the provision that property can pass on death without tax reassessment. That is particularly important since our home has more than doubled in value since we bought it nine years ago. We have since bought property up near Mt. Shasta. It has increased in value as well.
We will have to do something soon to protect ourselves. It is becoming more clear to us as we age.
Enough about that. I must get going and get ready to go to the gym. I try to arrive there at 7:00am on Saturdays- right at opening time. I'll be doing some cooking today, but I may take a break from yard work. Not much growth this week. Let's hear it for fall!!
Have a great day, all!!
-Tim
We have a domestic partnership bill in this state, but I can see that it falls far short of the full protection that same-sex couples deserve and need. Sweetie are not registered. It is something that perhaps we should do, or should have done years ago, but one of the very annoying elements is with tax filing. We would be required to file jointly for state tax returns, but separately for federal returns. What I would prefer is that we could be married, and be able to file both returns separately, as hetero couple can. Sweetie has a fairly complicated return. He is a professor, and does many side activities that really complicate his returns. He has been audited several times in the past few years- something I want no part of. My returns are very simple, and I would prefer to keep it that way.
If registered, we would be able to protect our assets. A recent court ruling here upheld the provision that property can pass on death without tax reassessment. That is particularly important since our home has more than doubled in value since we bought it nine years ago. We have since bought property up near Mt. Shasta. It has increased in value as well.
We will have to do something soon to protect ourselves. It is becoming more clear to us as we age.
Enough about that. I must get going and get ready to go to the gym. I try to arrive there at 7:00am on Saturdays- right at opening time. I'll be doing some cooking today, but I may take a break from yard work. Not much growth this week. Let's hear it for fall!!
Have a great day, all!!
-Tim
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Early Morning
It is 5:00am, and I am up, reading a bit, then getting ready to get to work. It should be a nice day here in the west. We had some rain here yesterday. A bit odd for this time of year. We really needed it though. Last year was a very dry year. I think we had about half of ou normal rainfall. There is a chance of a few more drops tomorrow. What happened to our Indian summer?????
Sweetie made a reservation for us to take our trailer over to the coast in Mendocino County over Thanksgiving. We will be gone for the first time since we moved into this house nine years ago. We have always hosted a "homeless" Thanksgiving dinner for people in our choir and friends who had no place to go on the holiday. Sweetie and I did the whole nine yards- turkey stuffing, and all the fixins! It has been fun, although a lot of work. This year, most of our regulars have found places to go, so we decided to leave on Thanksgiving morning and spend three days over on the coast. I know we will have a great time.
We will also be going to Petaluma in Marin County on October 26th. We belong to Rainbow RV club, and there is a Halloween camping event there. We went over to Point Reyes last year. We had a nice time and met some friends from here in Sacramento. I hope we have a great time this year, too.
I have a meeting with upper management in the Department today to push a regulation development project forward. I have been working on this for quite some time now, and things have not been moving very much. Perhaps today's meeting will help move things forward.
The gym was great last night. I am a bit tired this morning, but I am going to try to get back to the gym tonight. I didn't get to go on Tuesday night, my regular night, because Sweetie got home late. I just can't go too late in the evening. I like to be there for two hours to do my regular routine, and I have to get to bed early since I get up before 4:30am each work morning. Makes for a long day, but I feel better and look pretty damn good for an old fart!!
Have a great day!
-Tim
Sweetie made a reservation for us to take our trailer over to the coast in Mendocino County over Thanksgiving. We will be gone for the first time since we moved into this house nine years ago. We have always hosted a "homeless" Thanksgiving dinner for people in our choir and friends who had no place to go on the holiday. Sweetie and I did the whole nine yards- turkey stuffing, and all the fixins! It has been fun, although a lot of work. This year, most of our regulars have found places to go, so we decided to leave on Thanksgiving morning and spend three days over on the coast. I know we will have a great time.
We will also be going to Petaluma in Marin County on October 26th. We belong to Rainbow RV club, and there is a Halloween camping event there. We went over to Point Reyes last year. We had a nice time and met some friends from here in Sacramento. I hope we have a great time this year, too.
I have a meeting with upper management in the Department today to push a regulation development project forward. I have been working on this for quite some time now, and things have not been moving very much. Perhaps today's meeting will help move things forward.
The gym was great last night. I am a bit tired this morning, but I am going to try to get back to the gym tonight. I didn't get to go on Tuesday night, my regular night, because Sweetie got home late. I just can't go too late in the evening. I like to be there for two hours to do my regular routine, and I have to get to bed early since I get up before 4:30am each work morning. Makes for a long day, but I feel better and look pretty damn good for an old fart!!
Have a great day!
-Tim
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Off to the gym
Not a bad day at the office, and it is all made better since this is only a four day work week for State employees. Monday we celebrated Columbus Day. It was great to have an extra day to just catch up on chores.
Sweetie had to teach, so he was not a real happy camper with me. I gave him some lip, since he is off for about five weeks at Christmas and all summer!
I don't think I mentioned it yet, but since Sweetie is turning 50 in December, I decided to take him on a trip to celebrate. After trying to come to some agreement, we settled on a week in Dublin, Ireland. We leave on December 26th.
I had wanted to do something special for him, but that time of year makes it hard. His parents are not in great health, so trying to get them out here would have been a real task. Sweetie seems pleased with Ireland, so this should be a very special trip. Now I have set the bar pretty high. He will have a similar task next year, asI will turn 50 in December 2008. Now, where would I like to go...????????????
Well, I had better get to the gym. Getting to be this age requires more and more maintenance!
Special note:
Scotty, thanks for returning my e-mail. I appreciate your time, but as I said, I will not bother you with a call. Just know that I have been a real fan, and will miss reading your blog. Best of luck!
DCT
Sweetie had to teach, so he was not a real happy camper with me. I gave him some lip, since he is off for about five weeks at Christmas and all summer!
I don't think I mentioned it yet, but since Sweetie is turning 50 in December, I decided to take him on a trip to celebrate. After trying to come to some agreement, we settled on a week in Dublin, Ireland. We leave on December 26th.
I had wanted to do something special for him, but that time of year makes it hard. His parents are not in great health, so trying to get them out here would have been a real task. Sweetie seems pleased with Ireland, so this should be a very special trip. Now I have set the bar pretty high. He will have a similar task next year, asI will turn 50 in December 2008. Now, where would I like to go...????????????
Well, I had better get to the gym. Getting to be this age requires more and more maintenance!
Special note:
Scotty, thanks for returning my e-mail. I appreciate your time, but as I said, I will not bother you with a call. Just know that I have been a real fan, and will miss reading your blog. Best of luck!
DCT
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Shall I Try This Again?
It has been a long time since I posted anything to this blog. I am really not sure that I will be able to keep up, but I thought I would put a few things down here and see how it goes.
Since I last checked in, so much has happened. We had just returned from Hawaii, and Sweetie and I were just starting the summer, and our 19th anniversary was on the horizon. We celebrate our big day on the 4th of July weekend. I think the actual day is really July 2nd. That was my mom's birthday and I remember having been home for a birthday dinner, driving back to Sacramento, and meeting Sweetie at one of the gay bars in town.
Anyway, as we started the summer, Sweetie became quite ill. We spent the evening of July 3rd at the emergency room. That was Sweetie's second trip to the ER, and there had also been numerous doctor's visits. Several medications and few answers later, it was discovered that he had hives related to other medications he was taking. We dealt with this situation for nearly six weeks. He finally got better, but within several weeks, he developed a case of shingles. I would have to say that about two-thirds of the summer was spent dealing with his illness. He is NEVER sick. And after all of these years together, I can say that I was honestly scared that I might lose him. There were many evenings where when asleep, he would have very shallow breathing. I wondered if I would wake up in the night to find he had passed on. Also, he would sleep for hours. One day he slept for about 20 out of 24 hours.
Thankfully, he got better and we were able to enjoy a couple of trips in the trailer and we even painted the dining room of our house. We have lived here nine years and we would like to paint the whole house eventually. With the dining room done, we only have about 2500 square feet to go. Ugh!!
In May, my boss left the department where I work and went back to his old department. I acted as the manager of our unit all summer, while dealing with Sweetie's problems, and in August, I was officially promoted into the position. I have been very busy with the new job. I also am attending a series of trainng classes being offered through Cal State Sacramento. Many things on my plate at the moment!
I hope this post explains my long silence. There are so many blogs that I read and admire. They all have problems and challenges like I have had, and they have still been able to post. I am clearly not in the same league as these fine bloggers, but I will try to make a return and post more regularly.
Until then, you all have my warmest regards!
Since I last checked in, so much has happened. We had just returned from Hawaii, and Sweetie and I were just starting the summer, and our 19th anniversary was on the horizon. We celebrate our big day on the 4th of July weekend. I think the actual day is really July 2nd. That was my mom's birthday and I remember having been home for a birthday dinner, driving back to Sacramento, and meeting Sweetie at one of the gay bars in town.
Anyway, as we started the summer, Sweetie became quite ill. We spent the evening of July 3rd at the emergency room. That was Sweetie's second trip to the ER, and there had also been numerous doctor's visits. Several medications and few answers later, it was discovered that he had hives related to other medications he was taking. We dealt with this situation for nearly six weeks. He finally got better, but within several weeks, he developed a case of shingles. I would have to say that about two-thirds of the summer was spent dealing with his illness. He is NEVER sick. And after all of these years together, I can say that I was honestly scared that I might lose him. There were many evenings where when asleep, he would have very shallow breathing. I wondered if I would wake up in the night to find he had passed on. Also, he would sleep for hours. One day he slept for about 20 out of 24 hours.
Thankfully, he got better and we were able to enjoy a couple of trips in the trailer and we even painted the dining room of our house. We have lived here nine years and we would like to paint the whole house eventually. With the dining room done, we only have about 2500 square feet to go. Ugh!!
In May, my boss left the department where I work and went back to his old department. I acted as the manager of our unit all summer, while dealing with Sweetie's problems, and in August, I was officially promoted into the position. I have been very busy with the new job. I also am attending a series of trainng classes being offered through Cal State Sacramento. Many things on my plate at the moment!
I hope this post explains my long silence. There are so many blogs that I read and admire. They all have problems and challenges like I have had, and they have still been able to post. I am clearly not in the same league as these fine bloggers, but I will try to make a return and post more regularly.
Until then, you all have my warmest regards!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Home again!
Sweetie and I got home from Hawaii last night at about 10:00pm. Sweetie and his parents are all still sleeping, his folks return home on Wednesday and will stay and rest here with us for a couple of days. I am running on very little sleep- maybe four and a half hours. Yikes, should be a very long day!
We had a great time. Sweetie and I managed to run his folks ragged all week, but there were many good times and adventures.
Well, I have to get ready for work. More about the trip later. It is good to be home!
We had a great time. Sweetie and I managed to run his folks ragged all week, but there were many good times and adventures.
Well, I have to get ready for work. More about the trip later. It is good to be home!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Aloha!
Tomorrow morning, we will all head to the Sacramento Intergalactic Airport and take a flight to Honolulu. Sweetie, the in-laws and I will fly from Sacramento, and we will meet Sweetie's sister and her new partner ( yes, it IS what you think!) over there. Althought Sweetie and I were just in Hawaii about six weeks ago, I feel ready to go again.
Work has been particularly busy this past week. My boss left the Department one week ago, and just as he left, a huge assignment came along. I have been working hard, as has the entire unit, to get the project done before I leave. I think we are going to make it. So when I leave, I can go with a clear conscience and not think about work while I am gone.
I will try to duck out a bit early today and get the yard work done this evening before dinner. Sweetie wants us to meet up for dinner with some friends. I'll have to work fast to get everything done before we have to meet them.
I won't get a chance to post an entry while I'm gone. I'll have plenty to say when I get back. Until then, stay safe, happy, and healthy.
Aloha to you all!
Work has been particularly busy this past week. My boss left the Department one week ago, and just as he left, a huge assignment came along. I have been working hard, as has the entire unit, to get the project done before I leave. I think we are going to make it. So when I leave, I can go with a clear conscience and not think about work while I am gone.
I will try to duck out a bit early today and get the yard work done this evening before dinner. Sweetie wants us to meet up for dinner with some friends. I'll have to work fast to get everything done before we have to meet them.
I won't get a chance to post an entry while I'm gone. I'll have plenty to say when I get back. Until then, stay safe, happy, and healthy.
Aloha to you all!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Let there be light
The house was a bit torn up yesterday as the electricians arrived to install the new lighting that Sweetie and I wanted. There are quite a number of new halogen recessed lights in the ceilings, and two pendant lights over the bar that separates the kitchen from the family room. Most of these new circuits are on dimmers. I must say, it makes a huge difference! We have lived in this house for over eight years and I had no idea what a difference just a few changes like this could make. The electrician is a lighting designer, so he had some really good ideas. He and Sweetie did a sweep of the whole house. He has many other ideas and we like them all. Too bad we don't have an extra vault of cash laying around somewhere. The electrician will be back on June 10th to install a ceiling fan in my computer room, possibly a fan in the guest bedroom, and move one of the recessed lights in the familyroom. He was not satisfied with the placement, so he will adjust that and repair the ceiling at no charge. We are about $4,000 poorer, but we think it is worth the cost.
The carpet cleaners will be here this morning. We have what seems like an acre of white carpeting in the house and they are in great need of cleaning. One project we hope to get to in the not distant future, will be replacing some of the carpeting. I would like to get rid of most of it and replace it with either tile or wood flooring, or a combination of both. We have quite a bit of wood flooring already and I really like it. This house is about 2650 sq, feet, so even with the wood flooring already in, there is a ton of carpet that needs to be addressed.
We will also be starting to paint the inside. We will opt for some color this time. When we had the house built, we had a slightly off-white wall color and pure white trim color scheme against the white carpet and meduim-dark wood floors. Very nice at the time, but we are ready for a change.
I was so tired yesterday after the busy weekend we had. I crashed pretty early last night and slept like a rock! I got up just a little early at 4:15am this morning, and I feel great. Busy rest of the week ahead. In-laws arrive tomorrow night, then to Hawaii on Saturday! Yea!!
Have a great day.
The carpet cleaners will be here this morning. We have what seems like an acre of white carpeting in the house and they are in great need of cleaning. One project we hope to get to in the not distant future, will be replacing some of the carpeting. I would like to get rid of most of it and replace it with either tile or wood flooring, or a combination of both. We have quite a bit of wood flooring already and I really like it. This house is about 2650 sq, feet, so even with the wood flooring already in, there is a ton of carpet that needs to be addressed.
We will also be starting to paint the inside. We will opt for some color this time. When we had the house built, we had a slightly off-white wall color and pure white trim color scheme against the white carpet and meduim-dark wood floors. Very nice at the time, but we are ready for a change.
I was so tired yesterday after the busy weekend we had. I crashed pretty early last night and slept like a rock! I got up just a little early at 4:15am this morning, and I feel great. Busy rest of the week ahead. In-laws arrive tomorrow night, then to Hawaii on Saturday! Yea!!
Have a great day.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
I Survived
What a day Saturday turned out to be. I have been mentioning the concert for a few days now, and it was last night. But more than that, Sweetie had volunteered us to host the end-of-season party here at the house following the concert. That really was what shaped my day yesterday.
I slept in yesterday morning all the way to 5:45am. For me, that's kinda late, since I get up at about 4:30 every morning. I read e-mail, then went to the gym at 7:00am for two hours. Sweetie and I went for coffee and a bite to eat when I got home. We were there for about 45 minutes.
When we got home, I knew I had to get to the store to make something for the party, so off to the store. I went I bought a bunch of packages of chicken thighs that I was going to barbeque and then re-heat when I got home from the concert. I also bought the fixings for my famous cole slaw. When I got home from the store, I made the slaw and put the chicken into the marinade.
My next task was to get the yard in order. I worked outside for about four hours getting everything clipped, trimmed, mowed, swept, washed, etc. Then I had to get all of the tables and chairs set up. That done, I grilled the chicken, and had a few minutes to get cleaned up and dressed for the concert.
I left the house at about 5:45 to get to the church downtown where the concert was to be held. The concert started at 8:00pm and ended at 10:20pm. So after my very busy day I sang a two-hour concert. But was that the end of my day? Nooooooo!!
I left the concert and raced back to the house to get everything opened up for the arrival of our guests. We had about 50 people here after the concert. It was a potluck, so everyone brought food and drinks.
The house and yard looked really beautiful, and it was a lovely evening here. There was a slight breeze and it was not nearly as warm as it could have been. People mingled, ate, drank, and generally had a great time. Since the concert lasted so late, folks stayed until around 2:00am. Then the clean-up began.
I cleaned up outside, Sweetie cleaned up inside. We both had everything done before we went to bed. We got to bed around 3:30am. It is now 9:30am and I am actually doing pretty well, considering the day I had. I feel a bit wrung-out, but I guess that is to be expected.
It was such a successful concert. We were nearly sold-out. And even with all the effort yesterday, the party turned out well, too. I am tired today and will probably take it easy.
Tomorrow, the electricians arrive to do the electrical install I have mentioned. Tuesday, the carpets are being cleaned. Wednesday, the housekeeper comes to clean. Wednesday night, the in-laws arrive, then on Saaturday, we are all off to Hawaii. A busy week awaits.
Hope you are all having a great weekend. I hear Sweetie taking a shower, so that means I had better get my ass in gear as well.
Have a great day!
I slept in yesterday morning all the way to 5:45am. For me, that's kinda late, since I get up at about 4:30 every morning. I read e-mail, then went to the gym at 7:00am for two hours. Sweetie and I went for coffee and a bite to eat when I got home. We were there for about 45 minutes.
When we got home, I knew I had to get to the store to make something for the party, so off to the store. I went I bought a bunch of packages of chicken thighs that I was going to barbeque and then re-heat when I got home from the concert. I also bought the fixings for my famous cole slaw. When I got home from the store, I made the slaw and put the chicken into the marinade.
My next task was to get the yard in order. I worked outside for about four hours getting everything clipped, trimmed, mowed, swept, washed, etc. Then I had to get all of the tables and chairs set up. That done, I grilled the chicken, and had a few minutes to get cleaned up and dressed for the concert.
I left the house at about 5:45 to get to the church downtown where the concert was to be held. The concert started at 8:00pm and ended at 10:20pm. So after my very busy day I sang a two-hour concert. But was that the end of my day? Nooooooo!!
I left the concert and raced back to the house to get everything opened up for the arrival of our guests. We had about 50 people here after the concert. It was a potluck, so everyone brought food and drinks.
The house and yard looked really beautiful, and it was a lovely evening here. There was a slight breeze and it was not nearly as warm as it could have been. People mingled, ate, drank, and generally had a great time. Since the concert lasted so late, folks stayed until around 2:00am. Then the clean-up began.
I cleaned up outside, Sweetie cleaned up inside. We both had everything done before we went to bed. We got to bed around 3:30am. It is now 9:30am and I am actually doing pretty well, considering the day I had. I feel a bit wrung-out, but I guess that is to be expected.
It was such a successful concert. We were nearly sold-out. And even with all the effort yesterday, the party turned out well, too. I am tired today and will probably take it easy.
Tomorrow, the electricians arrive to do the electrical install I have mentioned. Tuesday, the carpets are being cleaned. Wednesday, the housekeeper comes to clean. Wednesday night, the in-laws arrive, then on Saaturday, we are all off to Hawaii. A busy week awaits.
Hope you are all having a great weekend. I hear Sweetie taking a shower, so that means I had better get my ass in gear as well.
Have a great day!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday
One more day to the weekend. Can we make it through?
It has been a pretty busy week. And for some reason, I have been feeling a bit tired all week. This is unusual for me as I have always been exceedingly active and a real early-to-bed, early-to-rise person. I was feeling sluggish on Tuesday after a late rehearsal on Monday. I would normally have gone to the gym on Tuesday night, but I skipped it and instead, went to the store and got some things to make dnner for Sweetie. He was quite surprised as he know how regimented I tend to be, and it being Tuesday, he thought he and I would have a quick salad and I would be off to the gym. What he got was grilled teriyaki chicken, pesto linguini, cole slaw, and a bottle of merlot. We had a great dinner on the patio.
Last night, tired again. Busy day at work. (Enought sentence fragments for you?) We had leftovers for dinner and then settled in for a quiet evening. I fell asleep on the sofa at around 8:30pm and went to bed around 9:00. I slept straight through until 4:25am, my regular time to get up. I feel great today.
It will be another late night tonight. I have the final dress rehearsal for Saturday's concert. Again no gym tonight for me. I don't expect that we'll get home until around 11:00pm. Then up at 4:25am on Friday morning. I'm getting too old for this!!
Life will take a decidedly quieter turn after this weekend, except for the Hawaii trip. It is just a little over a week away. The in-laws arrive on Wednesday, then on the 26th, aloha!!
Have a great day!!
It has been a pretty busy week. And for some reason, I have been feeling a bit tired all week. This is unusual for me as I have always been exceedingly active and a real early-to-bed, early-to-rise person. I was feeling sluggish on Tuesday after a late rehearsal on Monday. I would normally have gone to the gym on Tuesday night, but I skipped it and instead, went to the store and got some things to make dnner for Sweetie. He was quite surprised as he know how regimented I tend to be, and it being Tuesday, he thought he and I would have a quick salad and I would be off to the gym. What he got was grilled teriyaki chicken, pesto linguini, cole slaw, and a bottle of merlot. We had a great dinner on the patio.
Last night, tired again. Busy day at work. (Enought sentence fragments for you?) We had leftovers for dinner and then settled in for a quiet evening. I fell asleep on the sofa at around 8:30pm and went to bed around 9:00. I slept straight through until 4:25am, my regular time to get up. I feel great today.
It will be another late night tonight. I have the final dress rehearsal for Saturday's concert. Again no gym tonight for me. I don't expect that we'll get home until around 11:00pm. Then up at 4:25am on Friday morning. I'm getting too old for this!!
Life will take a decidedly quieter turn after this weekend, except for the Hawaii trip. It is just a little over a week away. The in-laws arrive on Wednesday, then on the 26th, aloha!!
Have a great day!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sweetie
Wanna know a little about the fella that makes me who I am? He's a pretty special and a pretty(!) man that has been a part of my life for almost 19 years. How did we meet? What brought us together? Why have we stayed together?
Well, we actually met way back in about 1979 or so, when I came to Sacramento as a Junior at California State University, Sacramento. Unknown to me, Sweetie was already here, and had been for a few years. I transferred in and decided that I would sing in the choirs on campus. That was the first time I ever laid eyes on Sweetie. I learned several things about him while singing in the choir. First, he was married, to a woman, no less! Next, he was a bit of an ass. He was really involved with an "in" crowd, and I was definately not one of them. We sang a number of concerts in those two years until I graduated and I moved on. Turns out, he did not graduate until after I did, and he started before me! And, he is a year older than me. But all that aside, I never expected to really know him or ever see him again.
I started working in the banking industry and was transferred up and down the central valley for for about five years until I landed once again in Sacramento in 1986. I was contacted by a number of performing groups here in the city when I arrived and one of them was the group I now sing with. Yes, I have been with this group for 21 years! Well, Sweetie was a singer in this group. I immediately recognized him, but he had no recollection of me.
Seems I was a bit of an attraction to him. He persued me, but I was very inexperienced and very naive. I didn't realize that he was interested in me and he had no idea that we had actually met before years earlier.
I became involved with a man, my first, at age 28, and Sweetie was just dumbfounded that I did not swoon for him. About a year went by and I was at a bar downtown one night, on 4th of July weekend. I was there and so was he. I was pretty blasted, as I had been to my hometown earlier that day to celebrate my mother's birthday, and had stopped at the bar to unwind and get over the whole family experience.
I was there, shirt unbuttoned to my waist, he was there, hardly drunk at all, and we connected. We left the bar together, but at the corner, he was parked one direction, I was parked the other. We hugged, and I turned to walk away. About a block toward my car, I heard my name. I turned around and saw him running back toward me. I turned and ran back, too. We met back at the corner and it was one of those turely horrible movie moments where we embraced and kissed under the street light,at the corner of 20th and K Streets.
He invited me home. I said no! In fact, we dated a couple of times before I "put out". But on that weekend, I knew that this was something special. Can you imagine that it was years later that he realized that we had sung in the same choir in college? He had no memory of me!!
We have had a few rocky times along the way. Perhaps I will tell you about them sometime. But to people like Ryan and Mike, and to Bigg, I would like to say that even after the most rocky of events, we have hung together. And you know what? I am as much in love with him today as I have ever been. OK. Our love is different than it was many years ago, but Sweetie and I are soul mates.
There are things that have happened that have constantly reminded me that this man loves me and has made me as much of his life as I have made him a part of mine.
We are quickly approaching our 19th anniversary. How wonderful it is to be in love and to be loved! Please to all of you, this is not a fairy tale. Well perhaps it is! But this is an example of what it means for two beings, not as in the "traditional" man/woman pairings, to find one another and forge a singular life together.
I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. I don't want to! But I think we are a good example of what it means to be married people although the "laws" don't allow us to be so officially. I love him with my entire being and I expect to be with him until one of us has passed beyond.
That is the story of how we met. There are many other stories that I am sure I will share. But, please know that gay men can be together just like other folks and be rewarded for it!
Best wishes to all!
Well, we actually met way back in about 1979 or so, when I came to Sacramento as a Junior at California State University, Sacramento. Unknown to me, Sweetie was already here, and had been for a few years. I transferred in and decided that I would sing in the choirs on campus. That was the first time I ever laid eyes on Sweetie. I learned several things about him while singing in the choir. First, he was married, to a woman, no less! Next, he was a bit of an ass. He was really involved with an "in" crowd, and I was definately not one of them. We sang a number of concerts in those two years until I graduated and I moved on. Turns out, he did not graduate until after I did, and he started before me! And, he is a year older than me. But all that aside, I never expected to really know him or ever see him again.
I started working in the banking industry and was transferred up and down the central valley for for about five years until I landed once again in Sacramento in 1986. I was contacted by a number of performing groups here in the city when I arrived and one of them was the group I now sing with. Yes, I have been with this group for 21 years! Well, Sweetie was a singer in this group. I immediately recognized him, but he had no recollection of me.
Seems I was a bit of an attraction to him. He persued me, but I was very inexperienced and very naive. I didn't realize that he was interested in me and he had no idea that we had actually met before years earlier.
I became involved with a man, my first, at age 28, and Sweetie was just dumbfounded that I did not swoon for him. About a year went by and I was at a bar downtown one night, on 4th of July weekend. I was there and so was he. I was pretty blasted, as I had been to my hometown earlier that day to celebrate my mother's birthday, and had stopped at the bar to unwind and get over the whole family experience.
I was there, shirt unbuttoned to my waist, he was there, hardly drunk at all, and we connected. We left the bar together, but at the corner, he was parked one direction, I was parked the other. We hugged, and I turned to walk away. About a block toward my car, I heard my name. I turned around and saw him running back toward me. I turned and ran back, too. We met back at the corner and it was one of those turely horrible movie moments where we embraced and kissed under the street light,at the corner of 20th and K Streets.
He invited me home. I said no! In fact, we dated a couple of times before I "put out". But on that weekend, I knew that this was something special. Can you imagine that it was years later that he realized that we had sung in the same choir in college? He had no memory of me!!
We have had a few rocky times along the way. Perhaps I will tell you about them sometime. But to people like Ryan and Mike, and to Bigg, I would like to say that even after the most rocky of events, we have hung together. And you know what? I am as much in love with him today as I have ever been. OK. Our love is different than it was many years ago, but Sweetie and I are soul mates.
There are things that have happened that have constantly reminded me that this man loves me and has made me as much of his life as I have made him a part of mine.
We are quickly approaching our 19th anniversary. How wonderful it is to be in love and to be loved! Please to all of you, this is not a fairy tale. Well perhaps it is! But this is an example of what it means for two beings, not as in the "traditional" man/woman pairings, to find one another and forge a singular life together.
I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. I don't want to! But I think we are a good example of what it means to be married people although the "laws" don't allow us to be so officially. I love him with my entire being and I expect to be with him until one of us has passed beyond.
That is the story of how we met. There are many other stories that I am sure I will share. But, please know that gay men can be together just like other folks and be rewarded for it!
Best wishes to all!
Early morning
If there was eve a morning that I would have loved to throw the alarm clock out the window, it was this morning. We had our first of the two final rehearsals before our concert this weekend. These final rehearsals usually start earlier than normal and last a bit later. Plus, it was held at the church downtown where we will perform. It was pretty close to 11:00pm by the time I got to bed. Now, that doesn't sound too late, especially to you night owls, but for those of us that get up before the sun (4:30am), it makes for a short night.
I had a big workgroup meeting yesterday afternoon on my project. It went well. As a result, I have a couple of hours of work today to advance it, then the rest of the day should be rather routine. If that routine included a nice cold Margarita at one of the bars on the river, I sure wouldn't complain. It was about 90F yesterday, and should be about the same today.
Tonight would normally be my gym night, but I may play hookie. My final dress rehearsal is on Thurday, my other regular mid-week gym night, and with myshortened sleep llast night, I may go to the gymon Wednesday night instead.
One good thing (?) about living a very normal and somewhat predictable life is that I don't have any drama to write about. Unlike some of the blogs I read where the writers are dealing with life stresses that just boggle my mind, I just sort of roll along, not unlike the steady flow of the Sacramento river. I feel so bad for many of these bloggers. I have begun to leave a few comments where I had never done so before. My words can really do nothing, but I do hope that some support can be found in the positive thoughts I have for these fine people. I also read many blogs of people that experience life at a much faster pace than I and as a result, have tons of interesting and funny stories to write about. I'll work on that part. But I have always been a cautious and somewhat sedate fellow, so I doubt that I'll ever have the calibre of stories that many of you have. I'll keep working at it. Perhaps I'll find my voice.
Well friends, time to get ready for work. Keep good thoughts, have fun, and may your troubles be shown the nearest exit.
Have a great day!
I had a big workgroup meeting yesterday afternoon on my project. It went well. As a result, I have a couple of hours of work today to advance it, then the rest of the day should be rather routine. If that routine included a nice cold Margarita at one of the bars on the river, I sure wouldn't complain. It was about 90F yesterday, and should be about the same today.
Tonight would normally be my gym night, but I may play hookie. My final dress rehearsal is on Thurday, my other regular mid-week gym night, and with myshortened sleep llast night, I may go to the gymon Wednesday night instead.
One good thing (?) about living a very normal and somewhat predictable life is that I don't have any drama to write about. Unlike some of the blogs I read where the writers are dealing with life stresses that just boggle my mind, I just sort of roll along, not unlike the steady flow of the Sacramento river. I feel so bad for many of these bloggers. I have begun to leave a few comments where I had never done so before. My words can really do nothing, but I do hope that some support can be found in the positive thoughts I have for these fine people. I also read many blogs of people that experience life at a much faster pace than I and as a result, have tons of interesting and funny stories to write about. I'll work on that part. But I have always been a cautious and somewhat sedate fellow, so I doubt that I'll ever have the calibre of stories that many of you have. I'll keep working at it. Perhaps I'll find my voice.
Well friends, time to get ready for work. Keep good thoughts, have fun, and may your troubles be shown the nearest exit.
Have a great day!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Story About Mom
With Mother's Day fast approaching, I suppose I should take a few moments to relate a story about my Mom. First of all, I thought about her today because of a conversation I had with someone at work. I have related this story many times because it is both funny and really represents what my Mom was all about.
I'll start by saying that my Mom passed away about a year and a half ago and I miss her terribly. She would be turning 86 on her upcoming birthday. As I think I have mentioned, I was a late life kid, along with my two other brothers. My Mom was approaching her 37th birthday when I was born in 1958 and there was another three years behind me. Then, kids were born when parents were in their 20's, so my Mom always had a complex when people commented about her three grandchildren. "They're mine!!" she would exclaim with great indignation.
Well, one day when I was at work in the early 90's, probably about '93 or so, I got a frantic call from my sister (thirteen years older than me) that she and my Mom had been in a car accident. I probably turned three shades of white because of fear that something really tragic had happened. My Mom would have been in her early 70's at that time. I noticed a slight tinge of humor and laughter in my sister's voice that confused me.
My sister started by telling me that my mother had committed the act for which many older driver's bear great consternation. She had driven her car through the plate glass window of a local department store. My sister related that they were both OK, but that Mom was really worried that my Dad would kill her due to both the accident and the damage to the car.
I managed to get my sister to tell me what happened. My Mom was on a mission to buy a new sweater for my Dad for Father's Day. This local department store had a sweater that my mom really liked. (This should not be a big deal, but my Mom was a rather determined woman.) She asked my sister to accompany her to the store to buy this sweater. This store, still in the town where I grew up, as far as I know, was in a shopping center where you could park your car perpendicularly to the sidewalk outside the store. She did this. But, instead of placing the car in "park", it was left in "drive and she for some reason hit the accelerator pedal. The car jumped the curb and went right through a large plate glass window.
Now, in cases such as this, there could be injuries and excuses as to what happened. Nobody was injured, and my Mom completely owned up to the fact that she had blown it! A few minutes after the the "grand entrance" , and the shock subsided, my Mom got out of the car, got my sister out, and requested that someone call a tow truck.
She also noticed that the rack upon which the very sweaters she went to purchase was just a few feet from where the car came to a halt. While all of the administrative actions were happening, Mom went to the rack, selected the sweater she wanted to buy for Dad, and took it to the counter to be paid for. She used her in-store credit card AND had the store giftwrap the package. About the time that this transaction was completed, the tow truck was pulling her car, a gold Ford Taurus as I recall, out of the store.
She babbled all the way home about how my Dad would kill her and how completely embarrassed she was about the whole incident. But, this is so typical of how she was.
My Mom and Dad had little money, but she was a women of great dignity and drive. She often told me that she was a mother bear who would rip apart anyone who would attack one of her cubs. But she was also calm as could be and always was known to be a focused fighter.
The fact that she would have had this type accident and still command enough dignity to finish what she set out to accomplish, made her ever so much more special to me.
I remember going home for Father's Day that year. It was a few months after this whole thing happened. When my Dad opened the package, my Mom proudly announced that he was the only man on the block to own a $4,000 sweater! My Dad looked at her, knew exactly what she was referring to, as did all of us kids, and gave her the biggest hug! It brings me smiles and tears to remember it even after all these years.
Mom suffered from dementia the few years she had after my Dad passed away. She became such a shadow of the firebrand she once was. But I can always remember stories like this to help me remember her the way I prefer to.
I would like to say "Happy Mother's Day" to the memory of my Mom. She was a great woman. I am so lucky to have had this remarkable woman raise me into the man I have become. Thanks, Mom!!
I swear to you all that this story is completely true. It was covered in the local paper, and as a fourth generation native of the town, and with a family name well known, she was mortified about how this played out. I'll laugh to my dying day about this wonderful story, about a wonderful woman, who raised me to be the man I have become.
Please make sure that you all honor your mothers this Mother's Day. Too soon it happens that they are gone. Take it from me. Time does not heal all wounds.
I'll start by saying that my Mom passed away about a year and a half ago and I miss her terribly. She would be turning 86 on her upcoming birthday. As I think I have mentioned, I was a late life kid, along with my two other brothers. My Mom was approaching her 37th birthday when I was born in 1958 and there was another three years behind me. Then, kids were born when parents were in their 20's, so my Mom always had a complex when people commented about her three grandchildren. "They're mine!!" she would exclaim with great indignation.
Well, one day when I was at work in the early 90's, probably about '93 or so, I got a frantic call from my sister (thirteen years older than me) that she and my Mom had been in a car accident. I probably turned three shades of white because of fear that something really tragic had happened. My Mom would have been in her early 70's at that time. I noticed a slight tinge of humor and laughter in my sister's voice that confused me.
My sister started by telling me that my mother had committed the act for which many older driver's bear great consternation. She had driven her car through the plate glass window of a local department store. My sister related that they were both OK, but that Mom was really worried that my Dad would kill her due to both the accident and the damage to the car.
I managed to get my sister to tell me what happened. My Mom was on a mission to buy a new sweater for my Dad for Father's Day. This local department store had a sweater that my mom really liked. (This should not be a big deal, but my Mom was a rather determined woman.) She asked my sister to accompany her to the store to buy this sweater. This store, still in the town where I grew up, as far as I know, was in a shopping center where you could park your car perpendicularly to the sidewalk outside the store. She did this. But, instead of placing the car in "park", it was left in "drive and she for some reason hit the accelerator pedal. The car jumped the curb and went right through a large plate glass window.
Now, in cases such as this, there could be injuries and excuses as to what happened. Nobody was injured, and my Mom completely owned up to the fact that she had blown it! A few minutes after the the "grand entrance" , and the shock subsided, my Mom got out of the car, got my sister out, and requested that someone call a tow truck.
She also noticed that the rack upon which the very sweaters she went to purchase was just a few feet from where the car came to a halt. While all of the administrative actions were happening, Mom went to the rack, selected the sweater she wanted to buy for Dad, and took it to the counter to be paid for. She used her in-store credit card AND had the store giftwrap the package. About the time that this transaction was completed, the tow truck was pulling her car, a gold Ford Taurus as I recall, out of the store.
She babbled all the way home about how my Dad would kill her and how completely embarrassed she was about the whole incident. But, this is so typical of how she was.
My Mom and Dad had little money, but she was a women of great dignity and drive. She often told me that she was a mother bear who would rip apart anyone who would attack one of her cubs. But she was also calm as could be and always was known to be a focused fighter.
The fact that she would have had this type accident and still command enough dignity to finish what she set out to accomplish, made her ever so much more special to me.
I remember going home for Father's Day that year. It was a few months after this whole thing happened. When my Dad opened the package, my Mom proudly announced that he was the only man on the block to own a $4,000 sweater! My Dad looked at her, knew exactly what she was referring to, as did all of us kids, and gave her the biggest hug! It brings me smiles and tears to remember it even after all these years.
Mom suffered from dementia the few years she had after my Dad passed away. She became such a shadow of the firebrand she once was. But I can always remember stories like this to help me remember her the way I prefer to.
I would like to say "Happy Mother's Day" to the memory of my Mom. She was a great woman. I am so lucky to have had this remarkable woman raise me into the man I have become. Thanks, Mom!!
I swear to you all that this story is completely true. It was covered in the local paper, and as a fourth generation native of the town, and with a family name well known, she was mortified about how this played out. I'll laugh to my dying day about this wonderful story, about a wonderful woman, who raised me to be the man I have become.
Please make sure that you all honor your mothers this Mother's Day. Too soon it happens that they are gone. Take it from me. Time does not heal all wounds.
Whew! Busy week!
I'm glad Fridy has finally arrived. It was a really busy week. The last of the legislative budget hearings were held yesterday and I have lived in a world of emergency meetings, rapid-fire e-mails, explanations, excuses, and general bull sh*t. This is par for the course this time of year, but with California's sketchy financial picture, things have been pretty interesting.
The Governator's revised budget comes out on Monday, so we should know what the next fiscal yer will look like soon- provided it gets through the legislature. The department I work for provides funding for services to the developmentally disabled. The work we do is important and I hope if there are budget hits to be endured, we come out this is good shape. We have been lucky in recent years, but it is always a bit scary knowing that the welfare of thousands of people largely unable to fend for themselves could be at stake. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I had a great workout at the gym last night. Since I hadn't been since last Saturday, there was no way I could even think of skipping. I had Sweetie's event to attend on Tuesday night, so I missed that gym trip. I have also tried to go on Sundays over the winter and spring months, but last Sunday I was very sore from all the work I did on Saturday. After last night's workout, I feel great today. Hey, that's a good thing to be able to say at 5:00am!
We have a very busy week next week. Rehearsals on Monday and Thursday, and a concert on Saturday the 19th. Sweetie wants to host the after concert party here at the house afterward. That means we could have between 40 and 60 people here that evening. Clean-up after such parties is usually a huge task. On Monday the 21st, the electricians come to put in the new lighting we contracted for. We would like to get the carpets cleaned, too, because Sweetie's parents arrive on Wednesday the 23rd in advance of our trip to Hawaii on the 26th. I will need that Hawaiian vacation to recover from the the coming events!
Work will probably be quiet today now that the worst of budget season is past. Maybe I can look forward to a quiet dinner on the patio tonight wih Sweetie before I start my weekend chores.
Have a great Friday!
The Governator's revised budget comes out on Monday, so we should know what the next fiscal yer will look like soon- provided it gets through the legislature. The department I work for provides funding for services to the developmentally disabled. The work we do is important and I hope if there are budget hits to be endured, we come out this is good shape. We have been lucky in recent years, but it is always a bit scary knowing that the welfare of thousands of people largely unable to fend for themselves could be at stake. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I had a great workout at the gym last night. Since I hadn't been since last Saturday, there was no way I could even think of skipping. I had Sweetie's event to attend on Tuesday night, so I missed that gym trip. I have also tried to go on Sundays over the winter and spring months, but last Sunday I was very sore from all the work I did on Saturday. After last night's workout, I feel great today. Hey, that's a good thing to be able to say at 5:00am!
We have a very busy week next week. Rehearsals on Monday and Thursday, and a concert on Saturday the 19th. Sweetie wants to host the after concert party here at the house afterward. That means we could have between 40 and 60 people here that evening. Clean-up after such parties is usually a huge task. On Monday the 21st, the electricians come to put in the new lighting we contracted for. We would like to get the carpets cleaned, too, because Sweetie's parents arrive on Wednesday the 23rd in advance of our trip to Hawaii on the 26th. I will need that Hawaiian vacation to recover from the the coming events!
Work will probably be quiet today now that the worst of budget season is past. Maybe I can look forward to a quiet dinner on the patio tonight wih Sweetie before I start my weekend chores.
Have a great Friday!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Bursting with pride
I went to a function last night that was put on by Sweetie. It is connected to what he does for a living. I'm not ready to reveal too much about what Sweetie does for a living, but let's just say that last night's function was a sort of culmination of effort of the past four or five months.
Even after all of these years, it is a wonderful thing to go to these events, watch Sweetie in action, and just be so proud of him. He is a very smart and talented man and I love to watch him. He has frustrations in his work life that we all have, but he has the ability to showcase his efforts. This type of thing helps many those frustrations melt away. I guess true love reveals itself to us in small ways. The fullness I felt in my heart last night was one of those little revelations for me.
The heat continues here in the west. I see on the news that there is a major fire burning near/in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Due to how dry it is out here in the summer, large portions of the State burn in wildfires. Often, large numbers of homes are burnt. I am fortunate to never have suffered such a loss, although the cabin up in the Sierras that my father bought in 1950 and left to us when he died has been threatened several times over the years, but only because fire were burning within ten to fifteen air miles away. We never had to evacuate, unlike scores of unlucky families every year. I have managed to escape any losses due to the fires or earthquakes!
Sweetie and I will probably have a nice dinner, perhaps on the patio if not too hot, tonight. It will be good to have a quiet evening, free of some of life's stresses, and just enjoy each other's company.
Have a great day!
Even after all of these years, it is a wonderful thing to go to these events, watch Sweetie in action, and just be so proud of him. He is a very smart and talented man and I love to watch him. He has frustrations in his work life that we all have, but he has the ability to showcase his efforts. This type of thing helps many those frustrations melt away. I guess true love reveals itself to us in small ways. The fullness I felt in my heart last night was one of those little revelations for me.
The heat continues here in the west. I see on the news that there is a major fire burning near/in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Due to how dry it is out here in the summer, large portions of the State burn in wildfires. Often, large numbers of homes are burnt. I am fortunate to never have suffered such a loss, although the cabin up in the Sierras that my father bought in 1950 and left to us when he died has been threatened several times over the years, but only because fire were burning within ten to fifteen air miles away. We never had to evacuate, unlike scores of unlucky families every year. I have managed to escape any losses due to the fires or earthquakes!
Sweetie and I will probably have a nice dinner, perhaps on the patio if not too hot, tonight. It will be good to have a quiet evening, free of some of life's stresses, and just enjoy each other's company.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Early summer?
Strange how the weather here in northern California can change so quickly. It was cool, rainy, and in the 60's just last week. Over the weekend, the wind was quite strong, gusting to about 35 mph both Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday, the winds died down, and the temperature soared to the mid 90's. More of the same today. Out of the frying pan...
Work was hectic yesterday. A major project I have been working on got the once over from a work group and was met with a lot of positive feedback. It was good to have some validation to many months of work.
Sweetie and I just contracted with an electrical contractor to do some lighting installations here in the house. That will eat up the better part of $4K. Yikes! That and the Hawaii trip on the 26th. Poor house- here I come.
Have a great day everyone!
Work was hectic yesterday. A major project I have been working on got the once over from a work group and was met with a lot of positive feedback. It was good to have some validation to many months of work.
Sweetie and I just contracted with an electrical contractor to do some lighting installations here in the house. That will eat up the better part of $4K. Yikes! That and the Hawaii trip on the 26th. Poor house- here I come.
Have a great day everyone!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Hard work is good for the soul
I am a bit like a wind-up toy. Once I start working around the house, I tend to keep on working until I finish or until I drop from exhaustion. Yesterday was one of those days.
I started out with a two-hour trip to the gym. I go every Saturday morning at 7:00am, right when they open. I am a morning person, doing my best work, thinking, and working-out early in the day. After the gym, I came home and went for coffee with Sweetie. We came home and I started working in the yard.
I have a good sized yard- by California standards at least. The lot is about 14,000 square feet and the house takes up about 3200 square feet, including the garage. That still leaves me with lots of yard to tend. We do have a pool in the back yard, but it requires some tending as well. I started off by brushing the pool walls and cleaning the skimmer. Then weeding, clipping, trimming, and mowing. After mowing the back lawn, I noticed how bad the deck and spa were looking. The spa sits on a redwood deck that Sweetie and built the first weekend we moved into the house in 1998. The spa came with me from my old house. The spa and deck need to be stained every year or so, and this was the year. I power washed the deck, knowing that it would dry while I mowed the front lawn. After getting the yard all cleaned up, I started staining the spa and deck. This is a job I really don't like to do. It just kills my back, and it has to be brushed, so hand and knees get roughed up in the process.
It was a warm but windy day. Not a bad day to do all this. Good to get it done before the really hot weather sets in. It looks great and was worth the effort.
After all this work, about four and a half hours outside, I went to the store to get something to make for dinner. Sweetie has a really bad cold and is feeling lousy. So I made a dinner that I thought he would enjoy. We had tequila lime grilled chicken, salad, and a new dish- asparagas bread pudding. Sounds kinda strange, but it was really good. Sorta like stuffing. I made it with sourdough bread, peppers, onions, asparagas, and topped it with shredded swiss cheese. It baked for about 45 minutes and was just very tasty.
Even though he enjoyed dinner, Sweetie just didn't feel well. He also had a bad night. He tossed and turned and coughed all night. He is still sleeping, but I bet he will be exhausted today. Poor guy!
I don't know what I'll do today. Maybe a trip to the gym, although I am a bit sore from all the work yesterday. I'll have to see how I feel later.
I think I'll go sit in the spa for a few minutes and then check in on Sweetie. I hope you all have a great Sunday.
I started out with a two-hour trip to the gym. I go every Saturday morning at 7:00am, right when they open. I am a morning person, doing my best work, thinking, and working-out early in the day. After the gym, I came home and went for coffee with Sweetie. We came home and I started working in the yard.
I have a good sized yard- by California standards at least. The lot is about 14,000 square feet and the house takes up about 3200 square feet, including the garage. That still leaves me with lots of yard to tend. We do have a pool in the back yard, but it requires some tending as well. I started off by brushing the pool walls and cleaning the skimmer. Then weeding, clipping, trimming, and mowing. After mowing the back lawn, I noticed how bad the deck and spa were looking. The spa sits on a redwood deck that Sweetie and built the first weekend we moved into the house in 1998. The spa came with me from my old house. The spa and deck need to be stained every year or so, and this was the year. I power washed the deck, knowing that it would dry while I mowed the front lawn. After getting the yard all cleaned up, I started staining the spa and deck. This is a job I really don't like to do. It just kills my back, and it has to be brushed, so hand and knees get roughed up in the process.
It was a warm but windy day. Not a bad day to do all this. Good to get it done before the really hot weather sets in. It looks great and was worth the effort.
After all this work, about four and a half hours outside, I went to the store to get something to make for dinner. Sweetie has a really bad cold and is feeling lousy. So I made a dinner that I thought he would enjoy. We had tequila lime grilled chicken, salad, and a new dish- asparagas bread pudding. Sounds kinda strange, but it was really good. Sorta like stuffing. I made it with sourdough bread, peppers, onions, asparagas, and topped it with shredded swiss cheese. It baked for about 45 minutes and was just very tasty.
Even though he enjoyed dinner, Sweetie just didn't feel well. He also had a bad night. He tossed and turned and coughed all night. He is still sleeping, but I bet he will be exhausted today. Poor guy!
I don't know what I'll do today. Maybe a trip to the gym, although I am a bit sore from all the work yesterday. I'll have to see how I feel later.
I think I'll go sit in the spa for a few minutes and then check in on Sweetie. I hope you all have a great Sunday.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Friday
It has been a bit damp round here the last couple of days. It doesn't rain here like it does in the rest of the country, so damp for us is a couple of 100ths of an inch of rain. At least it will help keep the lawn green without the sprinker system.
Work can go from nothing to wildly busy overnight. That's what happened yesterday. It has been pretty slow all week, then BAM! I got hot with a series of meetings yesterday and now it seems as my project is back on and things are moving again. Of course, this could all change in a day and with budget hearings next week at the legislature, things could change again soon.
I had a great workout at the gym last night. Not too crowded, but there were at least a few pieces of eye candy to feast upon. ;-) I will go again early Saturday morning. It is a family-oriented gym, so I doubt that anything scandalous happens there. I have heard about a couple of gyms elsewhere in the city where some pretty interesting things go on regularly. Oh, to be 30 again!!
There was a large peace officer memorial service at the capitol yesterday. A couple of streets downtown were closed, and those streets were completly filled with patrol cars. It was probably the safest place on the planet yesterday! There were about 900 separate police agencies represented at the service. It was kind of fun to walk down 10th Street and see police cars from all over the state. Some towns that I have not heard of had police cars on 10th St. When I walked by, all of the police officers were having a lunch on the west lawn of the capitol. Arnold was there, but must have made a quick exit to fly down to Simi Valley to the Republican Candidate debate.
These types of events are very common at the capitol. This time of year is particularly busy, but events happen there all year round. Last week was the CalTrans memorial service, an immigrants rights ralley, and several other minor events. Since I work about three blocks away, I walk by the capitol every day. It is fun to see all the variety of activity.
It should be a fairly quiet weekend. I do have a date- with my lawn mower! But other than a few hours of yard work and a few hours at the gym, I should have plenty of time to play around in the kitchen ad do other sundry chores around the house.
Have a great weekend!
Work can go from nothing to wildly busy overnight. That's what happened yesterday. It has been pretty slow all week, then BAM! I got hot with a series of meetings yesterday and now it seems as my project is back on and things are moving again. Of course, this could all change in a day and with budget hearings next week at the legislature, things could change again soon.
I had a great workout at the gym last night. Not too crowded, but there were at least a few pieces of eye candy to feast upon. ;-) I will go again early Saturday morning. It is a family-oriented gym, so I doubt that anything scandalous happens there. I have heard about a couple of gyms elsewhere in the city where some pretty interesting things go on regularly. Oh, to be 30 again!!
There was a large peace officer memorial service at the capitol yesterday. A couple of streets downtown were closed, and those streets were completly filled with patrol cars. It was probably the safest place on the planet yesterday! There were about 900 separate police agencies represented at the service. It was kind of fun to walk down 10th Street and see police cars from all over the state. Some towns that I have not heard of had police cars on 10th St. When I walked by, all of the police officers were having a lunch on the west lawn of the capitol. Arnold was there, but must have made a quick exit to fly down to Simi Valley to the Republican Candidate debate.
These types of events are very common at the capitol. This time of year is particularly busy, but events happen there all year round. Last week was the CalTrans memorial service, an immigrants rights ralley, and several other minor events. Since I work about three blocks away, I walk by the capitol every day. It is fun to see all the variety of activity.
It should be a fairly quiet weekend. I do have a date- with my lawn mower! But other than a few hours of yard work and a few hours at the gym, I should have plenty of time to play around in the kitchen ad do other sundry chores around the house.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Wet Wednesday
Good Morning, All.
Looks to be a bit of a wet Wednesday here in northern California. This is somewhat unusual as by this time, it is usually quite dry and the temperatures can really start to get warm. We had a late and very wet spring last year, rains well into May, so more of the same this year, I guess. Other than that, it has been very dry here this winter. We have had about 65% of normal rainfall. Wew only have about 18" of rain per year here, so that tells you how dry it has been. Our water comes from the winter snow pack in the Sierra Nevada and yesterday's snow survey found levels at about 35% of normal. Yikes. Is this the start of a drought here on the west coast?
Work has been very slow. That's the way it is in State government. Things can move at lightening speed for weeks and then nothing. We must be in a nothing stage at the moment.
There was a horrible accident on one of the Bay Area freeways over the weekend causing a freeway section to fall on top of another section. These were connectors to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. I can only imagine how bad the traffic must be. There are quite a few people who commute to that area from Sacramento. I'm sure glad I am not one of them. A few years ago, I did commute to that area for work for a number of months. On a good day, I could make the drive in about two hours. On a bad day, three hours or more- one way! Can you imagine what it must be like now?
Let's hope the rest of the week flys by and the weekend gets here quickly. I know I can't wait. How about you?
Have a great day!
Looks to be a bit of a wet Wednesday here in northern California. This is somewhat unusual as by this time, it is usually quite dry and the temperatures can really start to get warm. We had a late and very wet spring last year, rains well into May, so more of the same this year, I guess. Other than that, it has been very dry here this winter. We have had about 65% of normal rainfall. Wew only have about 18" of rain per year here, so that tells you how dry it has been. Our water comes from the winter snow pack in the Sierra Nevada and yesterday's snow survey found levels at about 35% of normal. Yikes. Is this the start of a drought here on the west coast?
Work has been very slow. That's the way it is in State government. Things can move at lightening speed for weeks and then nothing. We must be in a nothing stage at the moment.
There was a horrible accident on one of the Bay Area freeways over the weekend causing a freeway section to fall on top of another section. These were connectors to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. I can only imagine how bad the traffic must be. There are quite a few people who commute to that area from Sacramento. I'm sure glad I am not one of them. A few years ago, I did commute to that area for work for a number of months. On a good day, I could make the drive in about two hours. On a bad day, three hours or more- one way! Can you imagine what it must be like now?
Let's hope the rest of the week flys by and the weekend gets here quickly. I know I can't wait. How about you?
Have a great day!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Busy Weekend
Wow! What a busy weekend this was. On Friday night, Sweetie and I went out to Davis to see a production of Pirates of Penzance by a touring British theater company. It was very enjoyable. I had neve seen it staged before, but I had performed one of the choruses from the show a number of years ago.
On Saturday morning, we attended and sang at a memorial service for the mother of an old friend. I was a little nervous because rumor had it that a former boyfriend of mine might be there. This "ex" was my first boyfriend and he is the one I broke up with in order to start my relationship with Sweetie. I haven't seen this person in over eighteen years. My worries were for nothing as he was not there. I wouldn't mind seeing him again, but I don't know what that would be like.
The weather here was warm and dry, so on Saturday afternoon, I did my yard work. I worked for about four hours and found out later that the temperature hit about 90F. I knew it was warm, but not that warm!
Saturday night, we attended a sixth birthday party for the little daughter of our good friends. She is getting to be so personable and a joy to be around. We had a fun evening.
Yesterday was a bit quieter. I did my two hours at the gym, and then grilled a tri tip roast on the grill. I replaced all three burners on Saturday, so it works like new again. We had a nice dinner on the patio. It was a bit cooler yesterday and a little breezy. Beautiful.
That was my weekend. Hope you all had a great weekend as well.
Have a great day!
On Saturday morning, we attended and sang at a memorial service for the mother of an old friend. I was a little nervous because rumor had it that a former boyfriend of mine might be there. This "ex" was my first boyfriend and he is the one I broke up with in order to start my relationship with Sweetie. I haven't seen this person in over eighteen years. My worries were for nothing as he was not there. I wouldn't mind seeing him again, but I don't know what that would be like.
The weather here was warm and dry, so on Saturday afternoon, I did my yard work. I worked for about four hours and found out later that the temperature hit about 90F. I knew it was warm, but not that warm!
Saturday night, we attended a sixth birthday party for the little daughter of our good friends. She is getting to be so personable and a joy to be around. We had a fun evening.
Yesterday was a bit quieter. I did my two hours at the gym, and then grilled a tri tip roast on the grill. I replaced all three burners on Saturday, so it works like new again. We had a nice dinner on the patio. It was a bit cooler yesterday and a little breezy. Beautiful.
That was my weekend. Hope you all had a great weekend as well.
Have a great day!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Friday at last!
We made it through the week and Friday has finally arrived. After a somewhat frustrating day at work yesterday, I can count myself among those who are none to glad to see Friday arrive. I have been working on a project for the past couple of years that seemed to finally be heading to some sort of resolution. In fact, things were progressing so quickly of late that I was feeling a little guilty about going to Hawaii next month- in the middle of what looked like a pretty critical time for this project. Well, as of yesterday, it looks as though things have cooled a bit. Yikes! It gets harder to remain focused in the face of constant and repeated delays.
The hightlight of my day, aside from a nice dinner with my Sweetie, was a good hard workout at the gym. I guess what they say about working out your frustration through exercise is really true.
It looks like it will be a great weekend here in northern California. It was very warm yesterday- in the mid 80's. Even warmer today, they say, with temps close to 90. Perfect! Remember, this is a warm but very dry climate, so even into the 90's, it is still pleasant. I must also have had some reptile blood in my family tree somewhere. I just love the really warm dry weather. I sometimes feel like finding a nice rock and just basking in the full sun!
I would like to send my thoughts out to Ryan and Mike at A guy in Love. Mike had a serious accident and is in the hospital fighting to recover. This blog is a fun read about two young gay guys who found each other and are just starting to build a life together. After finding the love of my life and spending all these years building our life together, it just warms my heart to read about the wonders and frustrations of young love. Please pop over and lend them your support, Godspeed, guys!
Today I have my annual medical check-up. I am hoping to get a good clean bill of health. Last year, I was a bit heavier, cholesterol on the high side, and elevated blood pressure. After a bit of a lecture, I took the bull by the horns, lost twenty pounds, changed my diet and expanded my exercise goals. I feel great, so I am hoping the Doc will say good things. I am also having my annual PSA test and "finger wag". Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among adult men, so I'm told, so I cannot tell you how important it is to get tested. I lost my dad to cancer a little over eight years ago. His cancer started out as prostate cancer and over a fifteen year period, progressed to bone cancer. I miss him so much sometimes, even after all these years. So, please, if you are over 40, especially over 45, call for an appointment and get tested. It is no sweat! just a couple of minutes and then you have another year without worries!
I had better see about getting ready to start the day. My appointment is early, before work, so at least I will have that out of my hair soon. Tonight, Sweetie and I are going to see a performance at the Mondavi Performing Arts Center at UC Davis. We will hit a German restaurant on the way. Should be a fun evening.
Regards to all.
The hightlight of my day, aside from a nice dinner with my Sweetie, was a good hard workout at the gym. I guess what they say about working out your frustration through exercise is really true.
It looks like it will be a great weekend here in northern California. It was very warm yesterday- in the mid 80's. Even warmer today, they say, with temps close to 90. Perfect! Remember, this is a warm but very dry climate, so even into the 90's, it is still pleasant. I must also have had some reptile blood in my family tree somewhere. I just love the really warm dry weather. I sometimes feel like finding a nice rock and just basking in the full sun!
I would like to send my thoughts out to Ryan and Mike at A guy in Love. Mike had a serious accident and is in the hospital fighting to recover. This blog is a fun read about two young gay guys who found each other and are just starting to build a life together. After finding the love of my life and spending all these years building our life together, it just warms my heart to read about the wonders and frustrations of young love. Please pop over and lend them your support, Godspeed, guys!
Today I have my annual medical check-up. I am hoping to get a good clean bill of health. Last year, I was a bit heavier, cholesterol on the high side, and elevated blood pressure. After a bit of a lecture, I took the bull by the horns, lost twenty pounds, changed my diet and expanded my exercise goals. I feel great, so I am hoping the Doc will say good things. I am also having my annual PSA test and "finger wag". Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among adult men, so I'm told, so I cannot tell you how important it is to get tested. I lost my dad to cancer a little over eight years ago. His cancer started out as prostate cancer and over a fifteen year period, progressed to bone cancer. I miss him so much sometimes, even after all these years. So, please, if you are over 40, especially over 45, call for an appointment and get tested. It is no sweat! just a couple of minutes and then you have another year without worries!
I had better see about getting ready to start the day. My appointment is early, before work, so at least I will have that out of my hair soon. Tonight, Sweetie and I are going to see a performance at the Mondavi Performing Arts Center at UC Davis. We will hit a German restaurant on the way. Should be a fun evening.
Regards to all.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Vacation on the horizon
Good morning, all. One month from today, Sweetie, some family members, and I will be heading off to Hawaii for a week in the tropical sun. I know, boo hoo, poor California boys having to jet off to Hawaii in order to get warmth and sun. OK, you're right. We are pretty blessed to have nice weather most of the year here in CA. But it is always nice to get away and from here, Hawaii is a somewhat inexpensive trip.
This will be our fifth trip to Hawaii. But, it will be our third trip there in the past eighteen months. And even worse, we were just in Hawaii about three weeks ago. This makes it sound as though we just hop a flight whenever the mood strikes, but that's not really the case. Let me explain.
Earlier on in our relationship, Sweetie and I made two separate trips to Hawaii, specifically to the island of Oahu. On our first trip, we went to Honolulu and did a lot of the touristy things. We had a ball! We found the small gay night scene, had marvelous *ahem* on our balcony overlooking Waikiki Beach, you know, all the things that young lovers do on a trip to Hawaii. We liked it so much, we went back a couple of years later. Same type of trip, but only to Oahu.
Fast forward about ten years, and many other trips later. In December 2005, we decided to escape the wet and cold and spend a week, and specifically New Years Eve, on the island of Maui. We had a wonderful time. Here again, we did all of the touristy things- snorkeling, biking down Mt. Haleakala, trip to Hana, helicopter tour, whale watching, etc. We tend to be very busy travelers. On that trip, we re-connected with a former Sacramento resident who moved to Maui a few years back. An idea was hatched to bring our performing group to Maui and do a joint concert with a performing group this person is involved with. So, we went with our group to Maui during Easter week this year.
We had a great time. The performances went very well. We also spent four days on the Big Island to see the volcano, more snorkeling, etc. Just about the time we booked that trip, some family members expressed an interest in going to Hawaii with us. Too late to tag along on the group trip. So Sweetie and I decided that it would be a great idea to make the family trip too. Thus, just before we left on March 30th, we booked the second trip. On this trip we will go back to Honolulu for four days (haven't been there in about ten years) and then back to the Big Island for four days. It should be a really fun trip.
Even though I was just on vacation, in a month's time, I'm sure I will be ready to go again. I will soon be packing and getting ready to leave again. Don't worry, I promise to have a Mai Tai for each and every one of you!!
Best regards.
This will be our fifth trip to Hawaii. But, it will be our third trip there in the past eighteen months. And even worse, we were just in Hawaii about three weeks ago. This makes it sound as though we just hop a flight whenever the mood strikes, but that's not really the case. Let me explain.
Earlier on in our relationship, Sweetie and I made two separate trips to Hawaii, specifically to the island of Oahu. On our first trip, we went to Honolulu and did a lot of the touristy things. We had a ball! We found the small gay night scene, had marvelous *ahem* on our balcony overlooking Waikiki Beach, you know, all the things that young lovers do on a trip to Hawaii. We liked it so much, we went back a couple of years later. Same type of trip, but only to Oahu.
Fast forward about ten years, and many other trips later. In December 2005, we decided to escape the wet and cold and spend a week, and specifically New Years Eve, on the island of Maui. We had a wonderful time. Here again, we did all of the touristy things- snorkeling, biking down Mt. Haleakala, trip to Hana, helicopter tour, whale watching, etc. We tend to be very busy travelers. On that trip, we re-connected with a former Sacramento resident who moved to Maui a few years back. An idea was hatched to bring our performing group to Maui and do a joint concert with a performing group this person is involved with. So, we went with our group to Maui during Easter week this year.
We had a great time. The performances went very well. We also spent four days on the Big Island to see the volcano, more snorkeling, etc. Just about the time we booked that trip, some family members expressed an interest in going to Hawaii with us. Too late to tag along on the group trip. So Sweetie and I decided that it would be a great idea to make the family trip too. Thus, just before we left on March 30th, we booked the second trip. On this trip we will go back to Honolulu for four days (haven't been there in about ten years) and then back to the Big Island for four days. It should be a really fun trip.
Even though I was just on vacation, in a month's time, I'm sure I will be ready to go again. I will soon be packing and getting ready to leave again. Don't worry, I promise to have a Mai Tai for each and every one of you!!
Best regards.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Happy Administrative Assistants' Day!
My unit at work is really big on celebrating any possible holiday ever imagined. Therefore, there must be a celebration for Administrative Assistants' Day, and there will be! We (management types) were hit-up yesterday for contributions. Someone made a run to Costco for goodies. So this morning at around 10:00am, there will be an orgy of cake, cookies and punch to thank all of the admins that help prop us up. Don't get me wrong. I love to celebrate these types of things, but you can imagine what life is like around the holidays.
It should be a really nice day here today- about 79F. Yesterday's high of 81 was a real treat. I had a great workout at the gym last night. Geez, the place was crowded! When I arrived, not a single treadmill was available. Got my whole workout done and feeling great this morning!
Remember that new curry recipe I mentioned last weekend? Well, it was interesting, but not as good as my tried and true recipe from the old Good Housekeeping Cookbook. The curry was really much better on Monday. I guess the flavors had a chance to develop- it was really much better on Monday.
I love the good Housekeeping Cookbook! My copy is not my mother's, hers went to my sister after she died. I got mine from an old family friend who died many years ago. This woman had never opened the box, so in spite of being several decades old, it was brand new when I got it. I always know that when I need a recipe for something I want to prepare, I can always count on this wonderful book.
My mom used her's all the time. In fact, we had many meals while growing up where the recipes came from the WWII wartime supplement section that came with hers when she bought it during the war. Most people my age don't know what I am talking about, but perhaps a few older folks will run upon this blog and know exactly what the wartime cookbook supplements, complete with ration information, were.
I'll have to tell you a few stories about my folks, their memories of the war, and growing up with parents who were technically old enough to be my grandparents. Stories to follow.
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.
Regards to all.
It should be a really nice day here today- about 79F. Yesterday's high of 81 was a real treat. I had a great workout at the gym last night. Geez, the place was crowded! When I arrived, not a single treadmill was available. Got my whole workout done and feeling great this morning!
Remember that new curry recipe I mentioned last weekend? Well, it was interesting, but not as good as my tried and true recipe from the old Good Housekeeping Cookbook. The curry was really much better on Monday. I guess the flavors had a chance to develop- it was really much better on Monday.
I love the good Housekeeping Cookbook! My copy is not my mother's, hers went to my sister after she died. I got mine from an old family friend who died many years ago. This woman had never opened the box, so in spite of being several decades old, it was brand new when I got it. I always know that when I need a recipe for something I want to prepare, I can always count on this wonderful book.
My mom used her's all the time. In fact, we had many meals while growing up where the recipes came from the WWII wartime supplement section that came with hers when she bought it during the war. Most people my age don't know what I am talking about, but perhaps a few older folks will run upon this blog and know exactly what the wartime cookbook supplements, complete with ration information, were.
I'll have to tell you a few stories about my folks, their memories of the war, and growing up with parents who were technically old enough to be my grandparents. Stories to follow.
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.
Regards to all.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Good morning, world!
A happy Tuesday to you all. It is about 4:50am here on the west coast. Yes, I am a very early riser, been up for about half an hour now, but what a beautiful time of the morning it is. Sweetie is still sleeping. He is the night owl, I am an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of guy. The house is very quiet at this hour and I enjoy doing a few chores before getting ready for work.
I think spring will arrive here in California today. We have been having a run of cool and damp weather, ending with a wet weekend this past weekend. The highs were in the 60's over the weekend, but today it could be near 80. For you frozen folks back east, does it seem strange to go from winter to spring in just two days?
We had a very nice March. Sweetie and I have had dinner on the patio about a dozen times already this year thanks to warm and dry weather. But that all went away about two weeks ago. Now, spring must be here for good.
I had a rehearsal with the group I perform with last night. It is going well. An upcoming concert will be the last of this concert season and then I get a break for the summer. This has been my 21st season performing with this group and although I love it, I really look forward to summer break.
Today will be another day of work, followed by an evening at the gym. I try to get to the gym on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I go for a two hour session. First, I run 3.25 miles on the treadmill, starting at 7.3 miles per hour. I up the speed at mile 2 to 7.5, and then bump it up to 7.8 for the last .25. I really work up a sweat! Then, I do a circuit on weight machines for about an hour and a half. Basically, a general whole body workout.
I must say, it has really helped me to look better. I stand a little over 5' 10", and weigh in at right about 180lbs. I have never been a slight individual, but with a fairly tight waist, 31" or 32", depending on the cut of the pants, I feel pretty good about things.
I got my first comment! Thank you, Bigg! I have been reading a blog by this remarkable guy in Pennsylvania. Bigg has a beautifully written blog and a very compelling story. Anyone reading this should go on over and take a look. He is a gay man going down life's road like the rest of us, but his road has had a few more twists and turns than many, especially mine. He is a dedicated father, an unbelievably hard worker, and even though I have only read his words, I know I admire and respect him. He displays the qualities that all of us should strive for. Take a look.
Well, my friends, time to get ready for work. I ride the light rail train to work and it leaves at 6:45am. So it's time to haul my carcass to the bathroom and get ready. Have a wonderful day!
Regards to all.
I think spring will arrive here in California today. We have been having a run of cool and damp weather, ending with a wet weekend this past weekend. The highs were in the 60's over the weekend, but today it could be near 80. For you frozen folks back east, does it seem strange to go from winter to spring in just two days?
We had a very nice March. Sweetie and I have had dinner on the patio about a dozen times already this year thanks to warm and dry weather. But that all went away about two weeks ago. Now, spring must be here for good.
I had a rehearsal with the group I perform with last night. It is going well. An upcoming concert will be the last of this concert season and then I get a break for the summer. This has been my 21st season performing with this group and although I love it, I really look forward to summer break.
Today will be another day of work, followed by an evening at the gym. I try to get to the gym on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I go for a two hour session. First, I run 3.25 miles on the treadmill, starting at 7.3 miles per hour. I up the speed at mile 2 to 7.5, and then bump it up to 7.8 for the last .25. I really work up a sweat! Then, I do a circuit on weight machines for about an hour and a half. Basically, a general whole body workout.
I must say, it has really helped me to look better. I stand a little over 5' 10", and weigh in at right about 180lbs. I have never been a slight individual, but with a fairly tight waist, 31" or 32", depending on the cut of the pants, I feel pretty good about things.
I got my first comment! Thank you, Bigg! I have been reading a blog by this remarkable guy in Pennsylvania. Bigg has a beautifully written blog and a very compelling story. Anyone reading this should go on over and take a look. He is a gay man going down life's road like the rest of us, but his road has had a few more twists and turns than many, especially mine. He is a dedicated father, an unbelievably hard worker, and even though I have only read his words, I know I admire and respect him. He displays the qualities that all of us should strive for. Take a look.
Well, my friends, time to get ready for work. I ride the light rail train to work and it leaves at 6:45am. So it's time to haul my carcass to the bathroom and get ready. Have a wonderful day!
Regards to all.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Beautiful Sunday
It is a beautiful Sunday here in central California. Temperature in the mid 60's, a light breeze blowing, and scattered clouds bearing the possibility of rain showers throughout the day. It rained quite a bit starting Saturday afternoon and continued all night. It looks like we had about about a half inch of rain. That's quite a bit by our standards. It just doesn't rain here like it does in many other parts of the country.
My sweetie and I had a nice morning. I slept until about 6:30am, took a quick trip to the hot tub, then had a very nice bit of extra curricular activity with my sweetie (wink wink). Nice to know that after all these years, that type activity is still so much fun and satisfying. Doesn't happen as often as it did in years past, but it is still great and helps me to realize just how very much in love I still am. Amazing!
We had dinner downtown last nnight with a couple we met on a camping trip. (Yes, a gay camping trip!) They are great guys and have been together for about 11 years. They recently moved into a new house and have been working hard to renovate it. We can't wait to see it.
I will be going to the gym in a few minutes. I have found Sundays to be a great day to go, especially when the weather is not too good. When spring and summer are fully here, we will be busy camping and taking our ski boat out to Folsom Lake. Until then, I will continue to use Sundays to help me keep my gym goals.
I found a new recipe for curry on the net this morning. I have decided to try it. That makes Sweetie my test subject. He loves curry and the recipe I usually use is one of his favorites. I hope he likes this one, too.
I hope you all are enjoying a beautiful day.
Regards to all.
My sweetie and I had a nice morning. I slept until about 6:30am, took a quick trip to the hot tub, then had a very nice bit of extra curricular activity with my sweetie (wink wink). Nice to know that after all these years, that type activity is still so much fun and satisfying. Doesn't happen as often as it did in years past, but it is still great and helps me to realize just how very much in love I still am. Amazing!
We had dinner downtown last nnight with a couple we met on a camping trip. (Yes, a gay camping trip!) They are great guys and have been together for about 11 years. They recently moved into a new house and have been working hard to renovate it. We can't wait to see it.
I will be going to the gym in a few minutes. I have found Sundays to be a great day to go, especially when the weather is not too good. When spring and summer are fully here, we will be busy camping and taking our ski boat out to Folsom Lake. Until then, I will continue to use Sundays to help me keep my gym goals.
I found a new recipe for curry on the net this morning. I have decided to try it. That makes Sweetie my test subject. He loves curry and the recipe I usually use is one of his favorites. I hope he likes this one, too.
I hope you all are enjoying a beautiful day.
Regards to all.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wanna know a little bit about Tim?
So just who am I anyway? A bit of a difficult question, especially to put into a few little paragraphs. I guess I will say a little bit, and then add to the description as this little journal evloves.
I am a 48 year old gay man, partnered, and born and raised here in the central valley of California. I was born in a smaller city about 40 miles to the south of Sacramento, officially in the northern San Joaquin valley. Strange thing about California. From about the middle of the central valley and south, the valley is known as the San Joaquin valley. From the middle and north, it is known as the Sacramento valley. I live in Sacramento, actually in a suburb to the east of the city proper. I live in a really great house, at least I think so, in a nice area. We have a wonderful yard with a pool to help us cope with the really hot summer weather we have here.
After many years working in management in the financial services industry, I went to work for the State of California. I (and about forty thousand other people) am technically an empolyee of the Governator. I like my work. It is proving to be a nice way to wind down for the next twelve to fifteen years until retirement. I started in January 2000. I have very little job stress, a nice change after twenty years in the private sector. I work with really nice people and I believe in the mission of my department.
I have many hobbies and preferred activities. I am involved in music in the community, I snow ski, water ski, love to go camping with my sweety in our trailer, and I have a lovely yard that I take great pride in and spend three to four hours a week tending. You might say that I have a special and almost sprirtual relationship with my lawn mower. That's just about the only spiritual thing about me, though. I am in some ways like a reformed smoker- no, I have never been a smoker, but I joined a gym a few years ago and now I go three to four days per week for a twohour routine each time I go. I really love it and this gym stuff has helped me to be in what may be the best shape I ever been in.
I love to cook. My honey and I are great partners in the kitchen, although I do a lot of the cooking myself when we are not having a party or hosting a major holiday. We love having our friends over for dinner. There are very few weekends that we don't invite someone over for dinner. We have a big stainless steel grill on the patio and we love to fire that baby up! So I guess you can say that our house is a bit of a gathering place for our friends.
The weather here is really nice for more than half of the year. It basically does not rain for nearly six months and in the summer it is bone dry and HOT. It can easily be well over 100 degrees for days on end, but humidy is usually well below 20%. Sorry all you wonderful bloggers elsewhere in the country. You can be outside, even on the really warm days, and enjoy things. And, almost no bugs. No screen porches here in California! We have a beautiful pool that helps us keep cool and air conditioning in the house.
There are three months, late November through mid February, where the weather is cold and wet. Fog can be a problem here, but in recent years, it has not been too bad. The really hot weather lasts for about four weeks, mid July through Mid August. The rest of the time is really quite nice.
Today, I got my yard work done just before the start of a rain storm. We are told that the rains will fall this afternoon through midday Sunday. Not bad. We really need the water.
Well, this gay guy has things to do and I certainly don't want to start things off with a dull post. I will be telling about things I have experienced, places I have been, and life here in the west. If anyone ever runs upon this little journal, I hope you will check back by from time to time and see what develops.
Best wishes to all!
I am a 48 year old gay man, partnered, and born and raised here in the central valley of California. I was born in a smaller city about 40 miles to the south of Sacramento, officially in the northern San Joaquin valley. Strange thing about California. From about the middle of the central valley and south, the valley is known as the San Joaquin valley. From the middle and north, it is known as the Sacramento valley. I live in Sacramento, actually in a suburb to the east of the city proper. I live in a really great house, at least I think so, in a nice area. We have a wonderful yard with a pool to help us cope with the really hot summer weather we have here.
After many years working in management in the financial services industry, I went to work for the State of California. I (and about forty thousand other people) am technically an empolyee of the Governator. I like my work. It is proving to be a nice way to wind down for the next twelve to fifteen years until retirement. I started in January 2000. I have very little job stress, a nice change after twenty years in the private sector. I work with really nice people and I believe in the mission of my department.
I have many hobbies and preferred activities. I am involved in music in the community, I snow ski, water ski, love to go camping with my sweety in our trailer, and I have a lovely yard that I take great pride in and spend three to four hours a week tending. You might say that I have a special and almost sprirtual relationship with my lawn mower. That's just about the only spiritual thing about me, though. I am in some ways like a reformed smoker- no, I have never been a smoker, but I joined a gym a few years ago and now I go three to four days per week for a twohour routine each time I go. I really love it and this gym stuff has helped me to be in what may be the best shape I ever been in.
I love to cook. My honey and I are great partners in the kitchen, although I do a lot of the cooking myself when we are not having a party or hosting a major holiday. We love having our friends over for dinner. There are very few weekends that we don't invite someone over for dinner. We have a big stainless steel grill on the patio and we love to fire that baby up! So I guess you can say that our house is a bit of a gathering place for our friends.
The weather here is really nice for more than half of the year. It basically does not rain for nearly six months and in the summer it is bone dry and HOT. It can easily be well over 100 degrees for days on end, but humidy is usually well below 20%. Sorry all you wonderful bloggers elsewhere in the country. You can be outside, even on the really warm days, and enjoy things. And, almost no bugs. No screen porches here in California! We have a beautiful pool that helps us keep cool and air conditioning in the house.
There are three months, late November through mid February, where the weather is cold and wet. Fog can be a problem here, but in recent years, it has not been too bad. The really hot weather lasts for about four weeks, mid July through Mid August. The rest of the time is really quite nice.
Today, I got my yard work done just before the start of a rain storm. We are told that the rains will fall this afternoon through midday Sunday. Not bad. We really need the water.
Well, this gay guy has things to do and I certainly don't want to start things off with a dull post. I will be telling about things I have experienced, places I have been, and life here in the west. If anyone ever runs upon this little journal, I hope you will check back by from time to time and see what develops.
Best wishes to all!
Let's start at the very beginning
Well, after being inspired by a number of blogs, I have decided to try my hand at it. I don't know if I will be successful at blogging, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. So here goes.
I am a gay man, partnered for nearly nineteen years to a wonderful guy, living in the wonderful little city of Sacramento, California. I am in my late 40's, but in the best shape I have been in in many years (thank you, gym membership!).
I will try posting my thoughts and some stories about what life has been like within my skin. I will use no real names, even my own, and make things sufficiently vague so as to protect myself and those around me from some of the dangers and troubles that can result from posting in this public forum.
I have no idea how far I will get with this, but an adventure always starts with the first step, right? Come along on the journey with me. There's plenty of room. Settle back, get comfortable, and enjoy the ride.
I am a gay man, partnered for nearly nineteen years to a wonderful guy, living in the wonderful little city of Sacramento, California. I am in my late 40's, but in the best shape I have been in in many years (thank you, gym membership!).
I will try posting my thoughts and some stories about what life has been like within my skin. I will use no real names, even my own, and make things sufficiently vague so as to protect myself and those around me from some of the dangers and troubles that can result from posting in this public forum.
I have no idea how far I will get with this, but an adventure always starts with the first step, right? Come along on the journey with me. There's plenty of room. Settle back, get comfortable, and enjoy the ride.
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