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December 31, 2004
Full Circle
More than ten years ago, I was living in a closet in London. It wasn’t terribly comfortable, but at least it was a larger closet than the one I had fled from in Texas. Armed with a Let’s Go! guide series to London, I looked on the two pages of Gay London for my first foray into the world of homosexuals and alcohol. The Kings Arms on Poland Street was listed as ‘friendly.’
I walked past the friendly Kings Arms about a million times over the space of two weeks, never quite getting the courage to enter those doors. They weren’t large doors, but I just didn’t have the strength. One afternoon, I finally forced myself through those doors, awaiting something forbidden and erotic.
What I found was four very large old men, all over 60, all drinking in the afternoon. Not exactly forbidden or erotic. What the old men found was a scrawny chicken who would have squawked if any of them had said a word. My trembling legs led me to the bar, where I asked for a cider. The bartender raised an eyebrow at my request for a drink for teenagers, but gave me one without a word. I had only begun drinking alcohol, so my taste for beer was still in the fetal stage. I quickly finished the beer with all of the old men staring at me, then left back for the closet for another few months.
Fast forward to last night. Derrick met up with me at Compton’s in Soho, which is now one of my favorite pubs. We ended up chatting with a funny guy from Portugal and a guy named Stephen from London. After a few pints, Stephen suggested that we go to Kings Arms on Poland St., as apparently I would be popular there.
I almost choked on my cider (I still drink it when I’m in London). Apparently Kings Arms is a very popular venue for guys with hairy chests, shaved heads, and beards. Now that being gay is simply being me, I had a great time with everyone in a very cozy pub that originally scared me senseless. It was first opened in 1706, and was the place where the Druids reorganized in 1784. Eleven score years later, a gay Texan relished ten years of being queer and had a lovely night.
Posted by G at 09:23 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 29, 2004
Lovely, lovely, lovely
Absolutely everything is lovely here in London, aside from the weird blended faucets. Of course this is from a drunk drunk drunkety-drunk perspective at 11pm in Bob and Larry's lovely house above Quebec Street after a lovely pub crawl at 79CXR and Compton's of Soho with lovely pub conversations and lovely cider/lager, with post-snacking on Wensleydale and caramelized onion sandwiches from M&S and feverishly gulped water for rehydration.
Time spent with both my sister/fam and aunt in Canterbury/fam was lovely, with none of the typical post-family aftershocks of the typical holidays.
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Off to bed!
Posted by G at 06:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 28, 2004
Bitching in London
Derrick apparently likes them. I hate them, desperately.
I’m talking about the dual faucet handles in every bathroom sink in the UK.
Call me crazy, but I really like to blend my water. I don’t like it freezing cold, I don’t like it scalding hot. I understand that the intention is to blend them in the sink, but I think the sink defeats the whole premise of washing my hands. It’s like the concept of a bathtub. I don’t get those either. First you stick your feet in the tub, then your butt, then you wash your face. I’m a shower guy.
Same with the sink. I don’t think that a receptacle that also deals with toothpaste spit, shaving, and whatever else is dealt with in the bathroom is going to be sanitary. It also won’t stay cold or hot.
America can’t seem to get elections or international diplomacy right, but we definitely know how to blend water properly. Right from the faucet, dangit.
Posted by G at 05:53 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
December 25, 2004
Xmas in NYC
For a holiday that constantly includes "gay" in the songs, Christmas is a strange holiday if you're a gay man. Non-traditional family settings don't exactly fit with traditional white Christian family scenes. Not that I mind, as most of my holiday memories aren't terribly pleasant. However, I could really get into the new model of holiday stuff this year.
Some new traditions I like:
A Christmas eve spent in the loft, reading books, listening to Postal Service, learning that rectum and rectangle have the same latin verb 'regere' via the erudite boyfriend (by the way, the plural for rectum is recta).
Waking up with the boyfriend in my arms on Christmas morning, listening to the crinkle of a package being opened by Charlie. He was DYING to find out what his friend bought for him. He also found us some really funtastic gifts, including an Invader Zim shirt for me, some Tom of Finland pajama bottoms for Derrick, a chew tire for Dexter, and a new tug rope for Bear.
Top that off with coffee, and I'll be ready to pack the bags and head off to England this evening.
Posted by G at 11:11 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 21, 2004
So what did he look like with hair?
I looked damn cute as a little red cowboy.
I wish I still had that outfit.
Posted by G at 08:56 PM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Traveling ideas
I have this traveling voucher on Delta that I have to use by the end of January. I have a long weekend from 14-18 of January.
I've looked at flights. I can afford to fly anywhere in the US. I'm in the mood for something warmer or something with a little life. I've debated Miami, Tucson, San Francisco, Dallas, New Orleans, or just something southern. I need some gravy and some sun.
Does anyone want to see me? I'm terribly useful at repairs, and I promise to leave the lid down, as long as it is some place warmer.
Alternatively, if anyone sends a convincing enough email, I will give them this voucher for $400. I could also take someone on a trip that weekend, as the flights to most places that weekend only cost 260 per person.
Be creative.
Posted by G at 10:57 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
December 19, 2004
Old dogs. New tricks.
I've had Bear for about ten years. She has always been a wonderful dog. Loving, cuddly, comatose.
Not exactly a dog for tricks. Sitting makes her nervous. Shaking paws freaks her out. Rolling over freaks her out. Fetching freaks her out. Tricks basically freak her out.
Enter Dexter, her new canine companion. He loves playing tug with this one rope toy, and Bear has been carefully observing what he does.
She is merely a cranky older woman who doesn't like seeing the younger generation playing. She wants to take it away from him.
She didn't realize that this was actually playing tug with another dog, and now she plays endlessly with Dexter and the rope. At first, she just would take it in her jaws and run away from him. Now every day is filled with a titanic dog struggle of tugging the rope. She'll even race to fetch it if I throw it, bringing it back. I love watching the warring impulses of "keep it away from everyone!" and "must give to dad to throw again!" playing across her face.
It's going to be a fun winter in the loft.
Posted by G at 11:43 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
December 14, 2004
Countdown
Only seven working days until school is out for the Winter Break. Just don't mention the month that most colleges have for vacation, as we are only closed from the 24th to the 1st. I go back to work on the second.
Derrick and I are going to London for the holidays. When he and I took our trip to Canada over the summer, I had concerns about traveling for extended periods of time with one person. However, he's really fun to travel with, and I know we'll have a great time. I used to live there, we'll visit friends and family, and nothing satisfies me more than a British breakfast with blood sausages.
The exchange rate really frustrates me, by the way. Nothing like having my dollar exchange at the weakest rate since the fall of the Roman empire. My cup of coffee is 6 dollars US? Woohoo!
Posted by G at 11:29 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
December 13, 2004
The body politic
I'm torn over two of my favorite bloggers' opinions about the whole HRC debacle. I agree with Jimbo as I feel that we have to start locally, as homosexuals trodding in the sacred world of marriage became every redneck's nightmare.
However, I also agree with Palochi. I refuse to sit in the back of the bus, gays who voted for Bush should be put in chastity belts, and the majority cannot take away the rights of the minority.
Here's my take. Do my local thing. Come out to people, and educate people around me. Find organizations, maybe even HRC, that can represent our rights.
Posted by G at 09:38 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 12, 2004
I now understand Bob better
I've always been curious about the header of Bob's blog. Since I've often lagged behind on gay inside jokes, I just thought I had missed out on another crucial movie.
Matt introduced me and Derrick to multiple pleasures last night. We sampled the miracle of the best macaroni and cheese EVER, the pleasures of Pretty Pretty Princess, and I now know the reference from Bob's blog. Of course, now there are photos of me in a tiara, and we now know that copious amounts of dairy products can almost kill the boyfriend.
Desperate Housewives will now vie with Lost as my favorite show. I'm lucky they're on different nights.
Posted by G at 03:02 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 06, 2004
Autozheimers
Like an unused limb atrophies, my brawny auto knowledge is shriveling from lack of use.
- I haven't owned a car in three years.
- I allowed my Car & Driver AND my Motor Trends subscriptions expire.
- Most of my friends don't drive, nor do they talk about cars.
- I missed this year's International Car Show.
If I'm not careful, some car bully is going to kick oil-spill sand in my face. I've always been really proud of my auto skills. I'm the one that people come to when they have a car problem. I'm the good samaritan that helps people on the road. I'm the one who gets concerned for the taxi drivers because I know their rear axle is going out, just by the level of humming. I used to be able to identify ANY car by its taillight or headlight design from a distance. Now there are cars I don't even recognize.
Even my aunt was able to discuss some new car models in Europe that I hadn't even known about. I have to get a job at a garage or something soon, because I'm really getting behind on auto technology. How will I ever show my face at auto races or while browsing car magazines?
THE SHAME!
Posted by G at 11:01 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 04, 2004
Pandora's donut
I hate when something that tastes so good can be so evil. Everyone knows my strange weakness for the mysterious ingredients swirled Willy Wonka style into that luscious Krispy Kreme donut. I like the way the sugar entirely covers the crevices on top, I like the way they dissolve in my mouth, I love the strange flavors. Pumpkin, key lime, blueberry, chocolate, filled with crème.
Now James is telling me that there could be some kind of evil cream center in my donut world. Apparently they donated hugely to the Republican party, doctored their corporate books, and are bad for people's health. James even has pics of deadly donut detritus in front of his place.
I'm torn. Since they're in financial trouble, I think I should stock up on their stuff, in case my donut supply disappears. Kieran promises me that the Donut Factory is a good alternative, but I don't really know.
James' blog prompted me to research other things. Dell Computers hugely supported the Republican party, while Apple Computer was split, but in favor of Democrats. Go Apple! I figure being an Apple evangelist will get more Democrat funding, as their political contributions dwarf donut donations.
Posted by G at 12:28 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 02, 2004
Worse than yogurt
Okay, so maybe it's the yogurt, maybe it is the flu. I was sick for most of the night and today, which really could be either the flu or food poisoning. I used my first sick day of the year, stayed in bed, read bad/good fantasy novels. My dog chilled out the whole day on my bed.
She does this harp seal stretch thing. It's adorable.
I've prepared lessons for tomorrow, I'll debate whether I'll go in the morning.
Posted by G at 05:58 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
December 01, 2004
No joy for breakfast
I'm quite the sybarite for meals, mostly nights and weekends. Breakfast during the week is always just part of the job. I eat almost the same thing every day. Oatmeal for health and cholesterol lowering, made with kiwi fruit, honey, and soy milk. English breakfast tea, made with soy milk and Splenda.
So healthy. So boring, boring, boring. I've done my best with it, but I just don't like the stuff.
Today was a bit different. I forgot to get kiwi and I was almost out of soy. Scrounging around the fridge, I found the yogurt I bought for the visiting family. Because of constant pressure from friends and family, I actually looked for the expiration date. However, I could not find any note. I opened it. I sniffed it.
It looked a little funny on the top. Not funny, haha; more like it had some lumpy bits and a yellowish liquid skittering across the top.
I figured it was supposed to be that way, so I ate it. Yogurt is healthy, right? I thought it tasted weird, but I don't really like yogurt. Remember, school morning breakfasts are not someting I enjoy. I just consume.
This was not one of those good consumptions. By the time I got to the school, my stomach was cramping, and I thought I was going to have a technicolor yawn, right on the really annoying kid on the second row, next to the windows.
I made it through the day, of course. It takes more than a little hostile bacteria to poison me, but it is probably a good thing that I'm alone tonight. Horrendous farting makes for bad company. The dogs keep looking askance at me.
Posted by G at 09:01 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack