Today is Dyanna's birthday. Go wish her a happy birthday because she rocks.

Go on... I'll wait.

Are you done? Good.

Are you impressed with my gift wrapping skills? Frankly, I am. Usually when I wrap presents, they look like someone wrapped them with their feet. Or I just throw it in a gift bag with a handful of tissue paper spilling out from the top. Little did I know, you can actually look up very helpful instructions online for such a task.

I thought adding the big honking rock was an inspired touch. After all, what's a birthday with out a little bling?

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Permalink | File Under: Friends

Are all gay men stupid or is it just the ones in Phoenix are exponentially stupid? Really, I wanna know.

Still stinging from this incident, I'm revisited by a blast from the past.

Remember this guy?

He sent me a friend request on Facebook. A fucking FRIEND request.

The hell?

Dude, let's be clear on this: We. Ain't. Friends.

One thing my therapist cautioned me about was making generalizations about people. Instead of saying something like, "All gay men are stupid," I'd have to say, "Not all gay men are stupid, just the few I've encountered," or something like that: something based on my experience rather than just a blanket statement about everyone.

Fair enough, however the INSURMOUNTABLE GROWING DATA I've collected during my dating lifetime seems to indicate the former and stupidity appears to be a terminal disease that is spreading quickly.

Ugh.

So I'm opening this up to you dear readers. (And by "dear readers," I of course mean my 98.99% gay male readership. Feel free to chime in with a holla too, ladies and Mark.) Does your research support my theory or discredit my claims?

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Permalink | File Under: Ranting

Last night, Thomas and I went to see Camelot at the ASU Gammage. Rather than building any suspense, let's just get into the meat and potatoes of it.

Worst. Show. Ever.

Srsly.

I don't know what was worse: constantly nodding off from boredom or actually being awake for parts of it. It wasn't even bad enough to make it fun or enjoyable. It was just plain bad. We fled during intermission. With about half of the audience.

Thomas pointed out that in the 60s, people considered this to be a high form of grand entertainment.

Now I totally understand why so many people dropped acid in the 70s.

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Permalink | File Under: Ranting

Last night, I saw this guy I've known for several years, online. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll be honest: our relationship is solely based on the occasional horizontal rumba, but I would still characterize us as friends. Sorta.

I haven't chat with him for several months so I sent him a "Hey! How have you been?" And his reply was, "Good. Got myself a boyfriend." Not "Long time no see," or "I'm great! How are you?" but "BAM! I'm taken so back off muthafucka."

Being the classy guy I am, I reply, "That's awesome." And all he said was, "Yeah." Still no inquires about how I am or any kind of remote interest in my well being.

"So, how were your holidays?" I asked. His response?

Nothing. He proceeded to ignore me for the rest of the night.

I think there's a word for that but what is it? Oh yeah! I remember.

Asshole.

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Permalink | File Under: Ranting

If you are new to this, check it out here.

05:26

My day started very early. Way too early for a Saturday.

UPDATE: D'oh! Turns out the time on my camera is waaayyyyyyy off. So my camera is ahead by like 30 minutes and my clock is behind like ten. I have no idea when any of these were actually taken.

05:38

"Dude. WTF? Why are you up so early? Don't you know it's Caturday?"

07:19

Gassin' up for the long drive.

08:27

Aw hell. It is too early! But why? WHY?

I volunteered to help out for a promo we are shooting for work allllllll the way in Queen Creek on a farm. The pubic was invited, but we had no idea how many people were going to show up. The turn out was amazing.

10:22

So many people showed up dressed in red.

10:36

I helped pass out foam fingers. So basically, I gave the finger to over a thousand people. *rimshot*

11:14

Those poor people had to stand out there for nearly two hours while the shot was being set up and filmed, but they were very good sports about it.

11:44

Green Acres is the place to be! Farm livin' is the life for me!

After the the shot was done, I went over to Thomas's to meet him for lunch. I beat him to his house, so I let myself in only to find...

13:45

...this. Thomas's geekery extends beyond Lord of the Rings.

Seeing this reminds me of a video I saw on atomicpop! from Kyle.

14:12

Thomas and I ate at Pita Jungle. Thomas got a haircut yesterday. Be sure to tell him it looks good.

15:45

Afterwards, I went with Thomas to run a few candy-related errands including a trip to Target which brings out the sex kitten in Thomas.

17:26

When I got home, I left the door open so Elliott could get a glimpse of the freedom he will never have. He was very focused on my neighbor's bird feeder.

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Permalink | File Under: Photos

The other day when I looked up my old Mondo Beyondo list, do you know what I forgot to do? READ what my list was back then.

D'oh!

So last night, I read it to Thomas and I was pretty amazed to discover that I had accomplished in some way, most of the things I wrote. Okay, so I didn't ever host sock puppet kareoke night and let's face it, I'm NEVER going to become one of those crazy active people who are always doing things like hiking, yoga and stuff. But that, of course, is not the point of Mondo Beyondo. You are supposed to think BIG. Think impossible and my favorite, think dangerously. What scares you? Frightens you? Creeps into your comfort zone? What truly challenges you?

All that said, I did accomplish some of my list. I did do some freelance work here and there and in my own way, I've created a family of friends I rely on.

But here's the best one. Number four. I am THIS close to being debt free! THIS CLOSE. Last year, I watched several balances fall to zero. After all this time, it's such an amazing feeling to finally see the debt free light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, last Friday I decided to just up and pay off my final student loan. Now they owe me twelve cents! (Pay up Sallie Mae!)

After reading my old list, I was even more excited to make a new Mondo Beyondo. So here goes:

• I will go to California and see the other ocean. (Can you believe I've lived in Arizona for ten years and STILL haven't been to California?)

• I will make my apartment a home.

• I will ride my bike, explore my neighborhood and meet who's in my neighborhood.

• I will talk to strangers.

• I will create things that are not made of pixels.

• I will really listen when others speak.

• I will reach out to people I admire.

• I will invite someone dangerous to tea.

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Permalink | File Under: Life, Lists, Sharing

Really? Has it really been since 2004 that I last did a Mondo Beyondo? Oy. Where does the time go?

Mondo Beyondo is all about celebrating what's to come and what CAN be.

One of my favorite things Alden has ever said is:

"I don't make resolutions because a resolution to me is like an ending, and right now, I'm all about beginnings."

Smart dude, that Alden. The new year is a new start. It's all fresh with new car smell. What we should truly resolve is what the previous year was, whether it was awesome, sucked or just kinda meh.

And that's what part one is all about: Completing.

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?

Well, first, I celebrate losing thirty pounds. Go me.

In 2007 I really defined myself professionally for the first time. Although I've been working on websites for about eight years and as a web designer since 2006, I would never call myself a web designer because I didn't feel I earned or even deserved that title. After all, I've never been formally trained as a web designer or have a degree in design. That's always made me feel less than. But this past year, I decided that is a just bunch of coddleswap because goddamnit I AM a freakin' web designer. And a pretty good one too.

I made the choice to change my living situation. That may seem like a silly thing for a mid-to-late thirties adult to say, but think about it: Julie and I lived together for nine years. I know plenty of marriages and relationships that haven't lasted half that. We lived together for so long because we were comfortable doing so. We formed our own little family. Breaking that up was a scary thing to do, but ultimately, it was for the best for both of us.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?

I forgive myself gaining back seven of those lost pounds. I forgive myself for watching too much television (Seriously. Did I really need to watch EVERY episode of Burn Notice?) and not reading more books. I forgive myself for hibernating all summer and neglecting people. I forgive myself for letting my heart become a tangled mess in places I knew better to let it go. I forgive myself for not sharing what's really going on with those who love me. I forgive myself for not blogging about it.

I grieve the loss of a very dear friendship.

What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

Oh 2007, you brought with you many changes. But by the end's year, it was pretty clear where it was all heading. They say, "Everything happens for a reason," and you whispered that in my ear from beginning to end. Turns out, you weren't so bad after all. Thanks. I declare you complete!

2008 is my year of rejuvenation.

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Permalink | File Under: Sharing

Deek: What's up with this Seattle-esque weather? I feel like I should be not washing my hair, wearing some flannel in the coffee shop and listening to Pearl Jam.

Me: And apparently going back in time to 1992.

Personally, I am loving this weather. Love the grey skies. Love hearing the rain outside when I wake up. Not a big fan of the idiots who don't know how to drive in the rain, but I'll take what I can get, because I am in no hurry for The Inferno® to begin.

**shudders**

Ugh. Just typing about it makes me want to telecommute from somewhere way up north for a few months.

My weekend was spent pumping money into our economy. Day-um. Who knew moving would so expensive? Because of course a new bathmat is in order. And while you're at it, some new coordinating towels would be nice. Not that there's anything wrong with using beach towels, but c'mon. You aren't in college, dude. And oh yeah, you need a dish drainer. And new dishes. And don't forget a Swiffer because you have concrete floors now. And you might was well get some slippers because Brrr! those floors are cold. Oh hell, just buy a new rug.

And there goes my money. Bye bye money.

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Permalink | File Under: Life

This morning, John and I checked out the recently opened Fresh & Easy. John was fresh and you know I'm always easy.

How easy am I? Well, clearly I am very susceptible to marketing because when I saw this, I had to buy it.

Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?

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Permalink | File Under: Life

Last night, Elliott crawled onto the sofa, plopped down after getting situated, then rest his head on the arm rest and let out the most melodramatic sigh in the history of melodramatic sighs. You know, it's understandable he'd be exhausted after a busy day of CONSTANT NAPPING.

But you've got to admit, he's pretty damn cute.

The bedding is a quilt cover I found on sale at Ikea. Homer says it's called a duvet, but I say quilt cover because that's what the package said. Duvey sounds French and fancy, two things I am not.

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Permalink | File Under: Elliott

• Breakfast at Ikea for TWO DOLLARS! Drink included.
• Finding what I needed at Ikea and most of it was on sale.
• Lunch with Korina & Cara.
• Seeing The Greg's Mexican doppelgänger at the laundromat.
• Cold pizza and raspberry Milanos for dinner.
• Making the executive decision that my cat is now Canadian, eh.

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Permalink | File Under: Lists