Monday, December 31, 2007
It's That Day
As with all years past I'll take today to kind of wrap up there last 365 days. It's been a wild ride of a year...things I expected got shifted around, things I totally didn't expect popped up, and all in all one of the best things I can say about the year is that no one shot directly at me. Though the year isn't over for about another 8 hours, so we'll see.
There are some things I mentioned last December that I was going to do that, unfortunately, didn't get done. I was planning to upload all my journal archives from before the big Diary-X crash, but the external hard drive where they're stored has crapped out on me and I can't get them off of it. I need to buy another drive and have someone go in and get the data off the bad one to transfer to the new one, but so far I've been lazy and haven't done that. Another thing I'd hoped to do was work on my dissertation, finally turning it into a book I can publish. I think there are some good ideas in there (and someone must agree...my dissertation spends a lot of time checked out of the two libraries where it resides) and I need to get it out into a more mainstream forum before time passes me by. I got going on it in earnest toward the end of the year at work but then some other things came up that took precedence. However, I've got a schedule for finishing it and I guess I can just bump the schedule a couple months and get back on it, and then I'll be fine.
Some totally unexpected things came up this year and I guess I should expect the same in 2008. The biggest was that I went to Afghanistan for 2 months, in June and July, to train the faculty at a military school. This was my second war (though, unlike Iraq where I got shot at every day, this time I only heard gunfire but never had it directed at me) and I think I'm done with the whole "war" thing. Of course, I thought that after Iraq, too. My time there was interesting and I felt I did some good, so even though there were some hardships there, at least it was rewarding. I have to say, though, that it hardened my resolve to get far away from the government when I leave my job in 2009.
My job has been a big let down in some ways this year, though I have tried to find an upside. I realized by the end of last year that I wouldn't be doing the work I signed on to do. Since then I've found I don't have much to do at all...we are overstaffed in my office, and my boss has no concept of "leadership" so I haven't really been given a clearly defined job to do. I've been taking on tasks as they come in, which is not really my strength (I'm best at the "long range" stuff) so I've been bored. That, in fact, is a big reason I volunteered for Afghanistan. I talked over the problem with my bosses when I left, but in the 5 months since I returned, nothing much has changed. Rather than complaining to them about it, I looked around for a position in another agency, but finally decided instead to take advantage of the free time I have at work to work on projects for other organizations and also start doing some serious planning for my post-government future. I also managed to publish a chapter in a book about the war in Iraq, so that's cool.
That planning, which I talked about at the end of last year, has moved forward. 2007 was my year to figure out what I want to do next, 2008 is my year to get things in place for the transition, and 2009 is the year it all comes together. So far this year I've developed a number of job plans and looked at the costs and benefits of all of them, trying to come up with the best option. I have a pretty good business plan laid out for my own consulting firm, and I'm also looking into teaching possibilities in the DC area. I still have some things to learn about, like marketing and such, but overall I have a decent idea and I want to start making it happen next year, testing the waters a bit. My goals are to have interesting work taking advantage of skills and knowledge I have, a flexible schedule, travel, and good money. While I'm wishing, I'd also like a pony. But hey, if you don't try, you can never succeed.
The one advantage of work this year has been the opportunity for travel. I've been to Hawaii twice, once for work and once for a combination of work and vacation. I've visited San Francisco twice, as well as Dallas and Tampa, and a trip to Atlanta which was very short and pretty boring. I also made it to Chicago, where I gave a paper but also got out of the hotel, which I don't often do on business trips to that city. Adrian and I also took a non-work trip to Puerto Rico for a long weekend last spring, and we met friends in New York back in February, while I also had a solo trip there in October. The big trip for me, of course, was to Asia in September, partially funded by work but also using the 10 vacation days I still had to use by the first of October. That. Was. Amazing. I got a day in Bangkok, though Bom had to go out of town and I wasn't able to see him. It was my first visit to Vietnam, and I got to spend a few days in Hanoi. Then I was off to Kuala Lumpur for 5 days, which was so much fun I still smile when I think of it. Afterwards I had 3 days in Hong Kong, which was a great time, then I headed back home and went to work the following day. Needless to say, I was a tired pup for a week. A planned trip to the Philippines for work got called off, though I hope to go in the coming year. I also am planning to get back to Singapore and Malaysia this year -- I got a research grant for a policy study and need to do some interviews in both countries. I'll probably add some Bangkok and Hong Kong time to that trip. And there are some other professional possibilities that might take me back to the region next year, though if that doesn't work out, I'll probably take a vacation over there.
As always, the best part of traveling is seeing old friends and meeting new ones. January's trip to Dallas led me to meet Ken from Bangkok who's now in Miami...a completely random meetup in a club, neither of us realizing the other was in town, and never having met before...how weird is that? In March I met Paulo while dancing in San Francisco, and in November we got to meet up again and go to dinner and get to know each other more than a dance floor with loud music allows. My time in Afghanistan allowed me to meet some professional colleagues who are pretty cool, so that was nice. After returning I saw I'd gotten e-mails from a couple folks on Fridae and after chatting with them I later got to meet them, so yay for meeting Eddie in Malaysia (who has tuned into a very special friend, someone who has captured his own place in my heart) and later Tony in Hong Kong. Also in HK I got to meet Eric, whom I've known over a year online but hadn't met yet. Of course, the big group meetup was in Kuala Lumpur, where I got to meet David, Frankie, Sam, Daniel, Paul, Alex, Jason, Jason Jr, Janvier, Cheryl, Thaddes, and Adrien. And of course, there was William...if you ask me why two people form a a strong emotional connection, I couldn't say, but if you ask me if it exists, I'd say YES! Can't explain it but I feel a special bond to William, and I think it's more than just the name thing. heh heh And no, it's not a physical thing, so the skanks among you can quit worrying about that. The last trip of the year, to Honolulu, led me to meet Kester, who is also friends with a couple people I know in Singapore...small world! And of course, October's trip to NYC led me to meet Paul, a very special guy who e-mailed me pretty much every day I was in Afghanistan, which helped...another "Fridae friend" who has tuned into a very cool real world friend. I also had the pleasure of meeting Joel on that trip, who is as funny and insightful in real life as he is on his blog that I've read for over a year.
This was also a year for new friends right here at home. Danny and I have finally gotten to know each other after a brief meeting in 2006. I met Vu and Troy and have gravitated into their circle of friends. Dan from Baltimore is another great guy I've gotten to know. And of course, Linh and I met late in the year and already I feel a strong friendship growing. I'm a lucky man.
Some of my existing friendships grew stronger this year. Ethan and I have gotten closer...the fact that we now work 2 blocks from each other makes it easier to get together during the week, and that's very cool. I got to meet up with Fritz a few times this year, both here and in Hawaii. Justin and I have gotten to know each other better as well. I didn't get to see Allan in Singapore this year, which is a real shame 'cuz I miss him, but I'll see him in the new year. Same with Bom. A few of my friends have had a rough time of it...one suffered a loss midway through the year, other friends have had serious problems in their relationships...but I think everyone is strong enough to bounce back from these and move forward.
It's been important to me to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. Friends have always been the most important thing to me, and I've lost a part of that. It's time to reclaim them, reclaim that fun, and I'm glad I am. I think finally getting active on Facebook has helped. heh heh
As for me? I'm doing well, I think. I got serious about taking care of myself earlier in the year and managed to lose 20 pounds while adding muscle...much of that came from being in Afghanistan, with body armor all the time and nothing to do but work out after finishing my job, and of course I don't recommend that for everyone. I'm pleased I've been able to stay in good shape, though I have faltered during the holidays and will get back into my routine this week. After a few years of some serious body issues I'm actually happy with how I look now and am determined to maintain it for both health and looks. I'm also registered to run in two races next spring. In the last year I've explored some new interests, done a bit of new reading, and made goals for myself that I've later achieved, so that's all good. I may not be thrilled about everything in my life...and I may be a very different person from my normal self...but I think I'm in a good place right now.
The reason I'm a different person, and the reason I'm not totally content with where I am in life, is simple: Adrian and I. At the end of last year he said he wanted to work on things and try to get back together, but it's been a roller-coaster year as far as that goes. I've been up a few times but down most of the time, and that's why I tell many of my new friends "I wish you'd met me before all this because I'm really a much better person than I seem right now." The situation has been so confusing, and so complicated...I think most friends have given up trying to understand it, which is OK since I don't understand it myself. After 16 months of being depressed about it one thing is clear: it needs to get resolved, and soon, so my life can move forward again.
But we have still had some fun...a couple parties at the condo, the trips to Puerto Rico and Hawaii. When I look at the balance sheet for the year, I have to say it comes out with a profit rather than a loss. And I have next year to look forward to: getting ready for my post-government career, maybe doing some teaching, possible finishing writing one book and starting another (need to get to work on those). I also intend to meet some online friends: DanielHenry in KL, Harper and Luke Elijah in Singapore, Huy in Australia, and of course, Azhan in Malaysia (I'll try to sneak you-know-who into my suitcase for you!). I also plan to finally meet derek in Singapore...so strange that I've met his friends and his boyfriend but haven't actually met him yet. I expect to spend some more time in New York, hanging out with Scooter and getting to know Paul better. I'm hoping to see Kester again in Honolulu, and visit some new places: Taiwan, maybe, or Vancouver. I'm scheduled to go to Portland for work, and San Francisco too...that should be fun. I have tickets to see My Fair Lady at the Kennedy Center (thank you Adrian!) and the Spice Girls with Linh. I want to see my KL brothers again. I need to spend some time with Eddie in Malaysia and get Allan to slow down long enough for a hug or two or twelve. I hope to see Bom again and will visit Thailand simply for that reason. I would like my friendships here to grow stronger...I want people to know I'm not always such a mess, I'm actually someone they can count on. The bottom line is, I want to be happier, and I want to make everyone around me happier.
But isn't that what all of us want?
Happy New Year, everybody.
There are some things I mentioned last December that I was going to do that, unfortunately, didn't get done. I was planning to upload all my journal archives from before the big Diary-X crash, but the external hard drive where they're stored has crapped out on me and I can't get them off of it. I need to buy another drive and have someone go in and get the data off the bad one to transfer to the new one, but so far I've been lazy and haven't done that. Another thing I'd hoped to do was work on my dissertation, finally turning it into a book I can publish. I think there are some good ideas in there (and someone must agree...my dissertation spends a lot of time checked out of the two libraries where it resides) and I need to get it out into a more mainstream forum before time passes me by. I got going on it in earnest toward the end of the year at work but then some other things came up that took precedence. However, I've got a schedule for finishing it and I guess I can just bump the schedule a couple months and get back on it, and then I'll be fine.
Some totally unexpected things came up this year and I guess I should expect the same in 2008. The biggest was that I went to Afghanistan for 2 months, in June and July, to train the faculty at a military school. This was my second war (though, unlike Iraq where I got shot at every day, this time I only heard gunfire but never had it directed at me) and I think I'm done with the whole "war" thing. Of course, I thought that after Iraq, too. My time there was interesting and I felt I did some good, so even though there were some hardships there, at least it was rewarding. I have to say, though, that it hardened my resolve to get far away from the government when I leave my job in 2009.
My job has been a big let down in some ways this year, though I have tried to find an upside. I realized by the end of last year that I wouldn't be doing the work I signed on to do. Since then I've found I don't have much to do at all...we are overstaffed in my office, and my boss has no concept of "leadership" so I haven't really been given a clearly defined job to do. I've been taking on tasks as they come in, which is not really my strength (I'm best at the "long range" stuff) so I've been bored. That, in fact, is a big reason I volunteered for Afghanistan. I talked over the problem with my bosses when I left, but in the 5 months since I returned, nothing much has changed. Rather than complaining to them about it, I looked around for a position in another agency, but finally decided instead to take advantage of the free time I have at work to work on projects for other organizations and also start doing some serious planning for my post-government future. I also managed to publish a chapter in a book about the war in Iraq, so that's cool.
That planning, which I talked about at the end of last year, has moved forward. 2007 was my year to figure out what I want to do next, 2008 is my year to get things in place for the transition, and 2009 is the year it all comes together. So far this year I've developed a number of job plans and looked at the costs and benefits of all of them, trying to come up with the best option. I have a pretty good business plan laid out for my own consulting firm, and I'm also looking into teaching possibilities in the DC area. I still have some things to learn about, like marketing and such, but overall I have a decent idea and I want to start making it happen next year, testing the waters a bit. My goals are to have interesting work taking advantage of skills and knowledge I have, a flexible schedule, travel, and good money. While I'm wishing, I'd also like a pony. But hey, if you don't try, you can never succeed.
The one advantage of work this year has been the opportunity for travel. I've been to Hawaii twice, once for work and once for a combination of work and vacation. I've visited San Francisco twice, as well as Dallas and Tampa, and a trip to Atlanta which was very short and pretty boring. I also made it to Chicago, where I gave a paper but also got out of the hotel, which I don't often do on business trips to that city. Adrian and I also took a non-work trip to Puerto Rico for a long weekend last spring, and we met friends in New York back in February, while I also had a solo trip there in October. The big trip for me, of course, was to Asia in September, partially funded by work but also using the 10 vacation days I still had to use by the first of October. That. Was. Amazing. I got a day in Bangkok, though Bom had to go out of town and I wasn't able to see him. It was my first visit to Vietnam, and I got to spend a few days in Hanoi. Then I was off to Kuala Lumpur for 5 days, which was so much fun I still smile when I think of it. Afterwards I had 3 days in Hong Kong, which was a great time, then I headed back home and went to work the following day. Needless to say, I was a tired pup for a week. A planned trip to the Philippines for work got called off, though I hope to go in the coming year. I also am planning to get back to Singapore and Malaysia this year -- I got a research grant for a policy study and need to do some interviews in both countries. I'll probably add some Bangkok and Hong Kong time to that trip. And there are some other professional possibilities that might take me back to the region next year, though if that doesn't work out, I'll probably take a vacation over there.
As always, the best part of traveling is seeing old friends and meeting new ones. January's trip to Dallas led me to meet Ken from Bangkok who's now in Miami...a completely random meetup in a club, neither of us realizing the other was in town, and never having met before...how weird is that? In March I met Paulo while dancing in San Francisco, and in November we got to meet up again and go to dinner and get to know each other more than a dance floor with loud music allows. My time in Afghanistan allowed me to meet some professional colleagues who are pretty cool, so that was nice. After returning I saw I'd gotten e-mails from a couple folks on Fridae and after chatting with them I later got to meet them, so yay for meeting Eddie in Malaysia (who has tuned into a very special friend, someone who has captured his own place in my heart) and later Tony in Hong Kong. Also in HK I got to meet Eric, whom I've known over a year online but hadn't met yet. Of course, the big group meetup was in Kuala Lumpur, where I got to meet David, Frankie, Sam, Daniel, Paul, Alex, Jason, Jason Jr, Janvier, Cheryl, Thaddes, and Adrien. And of course, there was William...if you ask me why two people form a a strong emotional connection, I couldn't say, but if you ask me if it exists, I'd say YES! Can't explain it but I feel a special bond to William, and I think it's more than just the name thing. heh heh And no, it's not a physical thing, so the skanks among you can quit worrying about that. The last trip of the year, to Honolulu, led me to meet Kester, who is also friends with a couple people I know in Singapore...small world! And of course, October's trip to NYC led me to meet Paul, a very special guy who e-mailed me pretty much every day I was in Afghanistan, which helped...another "Fridae friend" who has tuned into a very cool real world friend. I also had the pleasure of meeting Joel on that trip, who is as funny and insightful in real life as he is on his blog that I've read for over a year.
This was also a year for new friends right here at home. Danny and I have finally gotten to know each other after a brief meeting in 2006. I met Vu and Troy and have gravitated into their circle of friends. Dan from Baltimore is another great guy I've gotten to know. And of course, Linh and I met late in the year and already I feel a strong friendship growing. I'm a lucky man.
Some of my existing friendships grew stronger this year. Ethan and I have gotten closer...the fact that we now work 2 blocks from each other makes it easier to get together during the week, and that's very cool. I got to meet up with Fritz a few times this year, both here and in Hawaii. Justin and I have gotten to know each other better as well. I didn't get to see Allan in Singapore this year, which is a real shame 'cuz I miss him, but I'll see him in the new year. Same with Bom. A few of my friends have had a rough time of it...one suffered a loss midway through the year, other friends have had serious problems in their relationships...but I think everyone is strong enough to bounce back from these and move forward.
It's been important to me to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. Friends have always been the most important thing to me, and I've lost a part of that. It's time to reclaim them, reclaim that fun, and I'm glad I am. I think finally getting active on Facebook has helped. heh heh
As for me? I'm doing well, I think. I got serious about taking care of myself earlier in the year and managed to lose 20 pounds while adding muscle...much of that came from being in Afghanistan, with body armor all the time and nothing to do but work out after finishing my job, and of course I don't recommend that for everyone. I'm pleased I've been able to stay in good shape, though I have faltered during the holidays and will get back into my routine this week. After a few years of some serious body issues I'm actually happy with how I look now and am determined to maintain it for both health and looks. I'm also registered to run in two races next spring. In the last year I've explored some new interests, done a bit of new reading, and made goals for myself that I've later achieved, so that's all good. I may not be thrilled about everything in my life...and I may be a very different person from my normal self...but I think I'm in a good place right now.
The reason I'm a different person, and the reason I'm not totally content with where I am in life, is simple: Adrian and I. At the end of last year he said he wanted to work on things and try to get back together, but it's been a roller-coaster year as far as that goes. I've been up a few times but down most of the time, and that's why I tell many of my new friends "I wish you'd met me before all this because I'm really a much better person than I seem right now." The situation has been so confusing, and so complicated...I think most friends have given up trying to understand it, which is OK since I don't understand it myself. After 16 months of being depressed about it one thing is clear: it needs to get resolved, and soon, so my life can move forward again.
But we have still had some fun...a couple parties at the condo, the trips to Puerto Rico and Hawaii. When I look at the balance sheet for the year, I have to say it comes out with a profit rather than a loss. And I have next year to look forward to: getting ready for my post-government career, maybe doing some teaching, possible finishing writing one book and starting another (need to get to work on those). I also intend to meet some online friends: DanielHenry in KL, Harper and Luke Elijah in Singapore, Huy in Australia, and of course, Azhan in Malaysia (I'll try to sneak you-know-who into my suitcase for you!). I also plan to finally meet derek in Singapore...so strange that I've met his friends and his boyfriend but haven't actually met him yet. I expect to spend some more time in New York, hanging out with Scooter and getting to know Paul better. I'm hoping to see Kester again in Honolulu, and visit some new places: Taiwan, maybe, or Vancouver. I'm scheduled to go to Portland for work, and San Francisco too...that should be fun. I have tickets to see My Fair Lady at the Kennedy Center (thank you Adrian!) and the Spice Girls with Linh. I want to see my KL brothers again. I need to spend some time with Eddie in Malaysia and get Allan to slow down long enough for a hug or two or twelve. I hope to see Bom again and will visit Thailand simply for that reason. I would like my friendships here to grow stronger...I want people to know I'm not always such a mess, I'm actually someone they can count on. The bottom line is, I want to be happier, and I want to make everyone around me happier.
But isn't that what all of us want?
Happy New Year, everybody.
Labels: Friends, Life, Questions, Relationships, Teaching, Travel, Wandering Mind, Work
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friends Old and New
Christmas Day was nice...spent it with my folks, and it was pretty low-key. My aunt, uncle, cousin, and great aunt came to visit in the morning...a little bittersweet, as my uncle learned right after Thanksgiving that he had a brain tumor. he had surgery soon afterward but the prognosis for such things is not good. A reminder for all of us to enjoy life while we can for it may change dramatically in a matter of moments.
Not to make this a depressing post...the day was nice, and he is doing well, and all is as best as can be because people are making it such.
Once they left my folks and I had our Christmas. I had found them some nice gifts, nothing too ostentatious...they're in their 60s, it's not like there's much they don't have. I just got them some things that I knew are just right for them (I tend to put a lot of thought into getting the right gifts -- I think the thought means as much as the gift itself -- maybe I'm just silly). I brought my dad a Buddha from Afghanistan...I'm not sure if my dad is Buddhist or Wiccan or some unlabled belief, but I figure not many people have a Buddha from Afghanistan so he might enjoy it. For Mom, I got her CDs from all the Broadway shows we saw on last year's trip. I also got her a digital picture viewer on a key ring so she can take photos with her and show them off to her friends. Naturally, I loaded it up with 30 pics of me and none of my brother, thus making me "the good son." But we'll get him loaded in there too.
While setting up her keychain software on her new computer (I'd spent a few hours seting that up as well) I accidentally deleted the photos I'd loaded on her viewer. I sheepishly told her I'd have to take it home and reload...only then did I remember that my laptop, with all the photos on it, was sitting 10 feet away. Yeah, I'm stupid sometimes. But Mom got her keychain.
Drove the 4 hours back to DC that evening and Adrian and I had our Christmas. Lots of sexy underwear was exchanged (I got the good end of the deal on that). Adrian got some books on fashion design (his newest passion) and some DVDs, and also a digital picture frame, something I know he's wanted for a while. And what did I get from Adrian? heh heh heh...
YAY!!!!!!
So yes, I have fallen in love with this phone in just a few short days. So much fun! I set it up with the phone company in about 10 minutes online. Adrian was my first phone call, and soon WililamNYK was popping my SMS Inbox cherry.
Wednesday, Adrian and I both worked, though he worked 11 hours and I worked 2. Afterwards I went off to take advantage of the post-Christmas sale at Sisley (I need a new suit...my old ones are now way too big). I found one, perfect fit, and about 25% off, and yes, I look fabulous in it, thank you for asking. It was a rainy day so I headed back out soon afterwards and was having coffee when I got a SMS from one of the guys, Hai, I'd met at the party Saturday. He was stuck in the District for another 5 hours waiting for a friend to get off work, so I went in to keep him company. We met at Starbucks and were soon joined by his friend Edgar (not the friend he was waiting for). Coffee led to dinner and we were all having fun, so when Hai learned his friend was delayed at work it was cool. We ended up in a sex toy shop then went off to another coffee house I'd never been to. By the time they kicked us out Hai's friend had shown up and they were off, while I drove Edgar home. Hai is lots of fun and I'm happy to be hanging out with him (which we'll do again soon) and Edgar is a wonderful guy, very smart and lots of fun to talk to...a shame he goes to school 80 miles away but at least he's here for now and we get to hang out.
Oh, and I didn't get home until almost 3:30. Hai said "this is why I think you seem so young...most guys your age wouldn't stay out with us until so late." True, but in all fairness, I wasn't going into work Thursday. I should also point out that when Edgar and I met he asked "are you a student too?" I was almost speechless, which never happens, and of course he became practically my best friend just by asking that.
Thursday I met up with Justin and we spent the day together for the first time in a long time...we haven't hung out since I got back from Afghanistan. Seen each other yes, and he's been here for a couple parties, but no quality time. His blog is being published as a book in Taiwan next year...so cool. For one blogging project he's been visiting the different universitites here in DC so we went to one he hadn't been to (Hai's university, as it turns out). Then we headed to the National Portrait Gallery, which neither of us had seen since it reopened. When it was time for lunch we happened to be in Chinatown but Justin made it clear that DC Chinatown restaurants are not up to his standards, and I trust him implicitly. We ended up in a Burmese restaurant owned by a fellow AJ/PLU/whatever...I know I've been there before but can't recall with whom. FaTAStic food! Then we made our way to a mall just to window shop, though I was looking for a winter coat. I saw a few I liked in Kenneth Cole and Armani Exchange but even on sale they were a bit much. Then we ended up in Forever 21 and I stumbled across this one coat, not exactly what I was looking for but thought I'd try it on...walked over to Justin and asked "what do you think?" and he turned around and his eyes got big and he said "wow." And I haven't heard him say "wow" in a long time. I went off to find a mirror and it DID look fabulous. A straight guy standing there even said "wow!" and complained he'd been looking for a coat and couldn't find one and here this one was fitting me perfectly (not that many straight guys feel comfortable telling other guys how great their clothes look on them so yay for him). So with Justin saying "wow" and random straight boys complimenting me, I knew I had to get it. And it only cost 1/3 as much as the others so hooray!
Today I visited with Waki-kun for a few hours, talking about his grad school aspirations, his relationships, job prospects here in the US (he's from Japan) and other things that might happen with him. We ended up in a leather shop where he appeared shocked but he forgets the stories he's told me about what he and his ex used to do. He was telling me about a friend at one point and I said, "hmmm, I don't think I know him," and he replied, "well, he's not Asian." And he was serious. You know I ddo know some non-Asian people. Like Edgar fpr instance, who is Latino. Anyway, Waki-kun's a sweet guy and I want him to be happy but he seems determined to make himself sad. I hope he can relax and enjoy life and figure what will make him happy and then do it. He's putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on himself but he can turn it around if he wants.
Tonight Danny came back from Hong Kong. I was going to pick him up but his flight was delayed 2 hours and Adrian and I had movie plans so Danny was left taking the Metro, followed by a bus, back to his apartment. Then we got to the theater and the movie was sold out and we were right across the street from the Metro station...fate was obviously saying we needed to pick him up and drive him home, which we did.
Oh, and I got a SMS from Eddie in Malaysia today, YAY!!!!! I owe him a long e-mail, I think.
Saturday is going to be some "me" time. Though I'm hoping to see Danny. And then go to a party thrown by the same people we were with LAST Saturday.
And so the cycle begins again...
Not to make this a depressing post...the day was nice, and he is doing well, and all is as best as can be because people are making it such.
Once they left my folks and I had our Christmas. I had found them some nice gifts, nothing too ostentatious...they're in their 60s, it's not like there's much they don't have. I just got them some things that I knew are just right for them (I tend to put a lot of thought into getting the right gifts -- I think the thought means as much as the gift itself -- maybe I'm just silly). I brought my dad a Buddha from Afghanistan...I'm not sure if my dad is Buddhist or Wiccan or some unlabled belief, but I figure not many people have a Buddha from Afghanistan so he might enjoy it. For Mom, I got her CDs from all the Broadway shows we saw on last year's trip. I also got her a digital picture viewer on a key ring so she can take photos with her and show them off to her friends. Naturally, I loaded it up with 30 pics of me and none of my brother, thus making me "the good son." But we'll get him loaded in there too.
While setting up her keychain software on her new computer (I'd spent a few hours seting that up as well) I accidentally deleted the photos I'd loaded on her viewer. I sheepishly told her I'd have to take it home and reload...only then did I remember that my laptop, with all the photos on it, was sitting 10 feet away. Yeah, I'm stupid sometimes. But Mom got her keychain.
Drove the 4 hours back to DC that evening and Adrian and I had our Christmas. Lots of sexy underwear was exchanged (I got the good end of the deal on that). Adrian got some books on fashion design (his newest passion) and some DVDs, and also a digital picture frame, something I know he's wanted for a while. And what did I get from Adrian? heh heh heh...
YAY!!!!!!
So yes, I have fallen in love with this phone in just a few short days. So much fun! I set it up with the phone company in about 10 minutes online. Adrian was my first phone call, and soon WililamNYK was popping my SMS Inbox cherry.
Wednesday, Adrian and I both worked, though he worked 11 hours and I worked 2. Afterwards I went off to take advantage of the post-Christmas sale at Sisley (I need a new suit...my old ones are now way too big). I found one, perfect fit, and about 25% off, and yes, I look fabulous in it, thank you for asking. It was a rainy day so I headed back out soon afterwards and was having coffee when I got a SMS from one of the guys, Hai, I'd met at the party Saturday. He was stuck in the District for another 5 hours waiting for a friend to get off work, so I went in to keep him company. We met at Starbucks and were soon joined by his friend Edgar (not the friend he was waiting for). Coffee led to dinner and we were all having fun, so when Hai learned his friend was delayed at work it was cool. We ended up in a sex toy shop then went off to another coffee house I'd never been to. By the time they kicked us out Hai's friend had shown up and they were off, while I drove Edgar home. Hai is lots of fun and I'm happy to be hanging out with him (which we'll do again soon) and Edgar is a wonderful guy, very smart and lots of fun to talk to...a shame he goes to school 80 miles away but at least he's here for now and we get to hang out.
Oh, and I didn't get home until almost 3:30. Hai said "this is why I think you seem so young...most guys your age wouldn't stay out with us until so late." True, but in all fairness, I wasn't going into work Thursday. I should also point out that when Edgar and I met he asked "are you a student too?" I was almost speechless, which never happens, and of course he became practically my best friend just by asking that.
Thursday I met up with Justin and we spent the day together for the first time in a long time...we haven't hung out since I got back from Afghanistan. Seen each other yes, and he's been here for a couple parties, but no quality time. His blog is being published as a book in Taiwan next year...so cool. For one blogging project he's been visiting the different universitites here in DC so we went to one he hadn't been to (Hai's university, as it turns out). Then we headed to the National Portrait Gallery, which neither of us had seen since it reopened. When it was time for lunch we happened to be in Chinatown but Justin made it clear that DC Chinatown restaurants are not up to his standards, and I trust him implicitly. We ended up in a Burmese restaurant owned by a fellow AJ/PLU/whatever...I know I've been there before but can't recall with whom. FaTAStic food! Then we made our way to a mall just to window shop, though I was looking for a winter coat. I saw a few I liked in Kenneth Cole and Armani Exchange but even on sale they were a bit much. Then we ended up in Forever 21 and I stumbled across this one coat, not exactly what I was looking for but thought I'd try it on...walked over to Justin and asked "what do you think?" and he turned around and his eyes got big and he said "wow." And I haven't heard him say "wow" in a long time. I went off to find a mirror and it DID look fabulous. A straight guy standing there even said "wow!" and complained he'd been looking for a coat and couldn't find one and here this one was fitting me perfectly (not that many straight guys feel comfortable telling other guys how great their clothes look on them so yay for him). So with Justin saying "wow" and random straight boys complimenting me, I knew I had to get it. And it only cost 1/3 as much as the others so hooray!
Today I visited with Waki-kun for a few hours, talking about his grad school aspirations, his relationships, job prospects here in the US (he's from Japan) and other things that might happen with him. We ended up in a leather shop where he appeared shocked but he forgets the stories he's told me about what he and his ex used to do. He was telling me about a friend at one point and I said, "hmmm, I don't think I know him," and he replied, "well, he's not Asian." And he was serious. You know I ddo know some non-Asian people. Like Edgar fpr instance, who is Latino. Anyway, Waki-kun's a sweet guy and I want him to be happy but he seems determined to make himself sad. I hope he can relax and enjoy life and figure what will make him happy and then do it. He's putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on himself but he can turn it around if he wants.
Tonight Danny came back from Hong Kong. I was going to pick him up but his flight was delayed 2 hours and Adrian and I had movie plans so Danny was left taking the Metro, followed by a bus, back to his apartment. Then we got to the theater and the movie was sold out and we were right across the street from the Metro station...fate was obviously saying we needed to pick him up and drive him home, which we did.
Oh, and I got a SMS from Eddie in Malaysia today, YAY!!!!! I owe him a long e-mail, I think.
Saturday is going to be some "me" time. Though I'm hoping to see Danny. And then go to a party thrown by the same people we were with LAST Saturday.
And so the cycle begins again...
Monday, December 24, 2007
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Christmas Eve at my parents' house. They finally have broadband, and I have spent much of the last 36 hours setting up their new computer, so yay for all of that. Drove down here Sunday and have been lazy ever since. Except for wrapping Christmas presents and setting up the new Dell, I've pretty much been letting Mom take care of me, and that's nice...I've done a lot the last couple weeks, between baking, shopping, a small party, oh, and working sometimes too, I suppose. It's nice to take a break.
Had a very fun weekend, especially Saturday night. A friend works at a local Asian bistro and they've been recently started running a Saturday night party there until 2am, with a DJ and small dance floor. They decided that, to increase the crowd, they wanted to encourage "the gays" to come out. And we did. Only about 12-15 of us, but it was plenty. The place was packed with starigt (mostly Asian) people, and though at first us fab boys were just chatting and having to drinks and getting to know each other (I only knew my friend, Adrian actually knew one other guy from Fridae), we soon hit the dance floor. Some of us were REALLY out and proud, some were just super sexy, and some were...well, we just were. I'm not sure what the straight people thought...some seemed a little uncomfortable with us dancing all up on each other (yeah, by the end of the night, we got to know each other very well). I think most of the women thought it was great, some of the guys semed a little less sure, some obviously were cool with it, and some looked like they wanted to join us (but their girlfriends might be upset). Even though we were in the minority, no one looked like they would bother us...I think if you have two guys dancing together in a straight club they might have trouble, but when you have 10 or 12 (and a couple of the guys were totalley buffed) nobody wants to challenge you because they might have a dozen guys jump them, and not in the good way. I think my Gaylaysian friends have discovered this, since when I saw them out in a crowd (and from party pics I've recently seen) they don't hide stuff but aren't too worried about it.
Best line of the night: as we're leaving the club around 2:30am, in a crowd of a dozen of us, mostly Latino, black, or Asian, we are making a bit of noise. One of the guys says "quiet, we don't want cops coming after us, there are lots of white people living here!" The he turns to me: "Oh, hey, no offense."
heh heh None taken.
So yeah, lots of fun was had, I have found some new folks who will be fun to hang out with, and yeah, some of them are VERY cute, giving me all sorts of naughty thoughts to last me during my time at my parents' house (notice how I came full circle there?).
Tomorrow is Christmas and that will be a nice family day here. I'll head back to DC Tuesday afternoon (I'm working Wednesday) and Adrian and I will have Christmas Tuesday night. Hope he likes his gifts!
I've tried to send cards, or at least e-mails, to folks, but I know there are some I've missed. I don't have access to my regular e-mail here, and I'm out of cell phone range so text/SMS doesn't work. So for anyone I've missed (and this especially goes out to you, Eddie) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Had a very fun weekend, especially Saturday night. A friend works at a local Asian bistro and they've been recently started running a Saturday night party there until 2am, with a DJ and small dance floor. They decided that, to increase the crowd, they wanted to encourage "the gays" to come out. And we did. Only about 12-15 of us, but it was plenty. The place was packed with starigt (mostly Asian) people, and though at first us fab boys were just chatting and having to drinks and getting to know each other (I only knew my friend, Adrian actually knew one other guy from Fridae), we soon hit the dance floor. Some of us were REALLY out and proud, some were just super sexy, and some were...well, we just were. I'm not sure what the straight people thought...some seemed a little uncomfortable with us dancing all up on each other (yeah, by the end of the night, we got to know each other very well). I think most of the women thought it was great, some of the guys semed a little less sure, some obviously were cool with it, and some looked like they wanted to join us (but their girlfriends might be upset). Even though we were in the minority, no one looked like they would bother us...I think if you have two guys dancing together in a straight club they might have trouble, but when you have 10 or 12 (and a couple of the guys were totalley buffed) nobody wants to challenge you because they might have a dozen guys jump them, and not in the good way. I think my Gaylaysian friends have discovered this, since when I saw them out in a crowd (and from party pics I've recently seen) they don't hide stuff but aren't too worried about it.
Best line of the night: as we're leaving the club around 2:30am, in a crowd of a dozen of us, mostly Latino, black, or Asian, we are making a bit of noise. One of the guys says "quiet, we don't want cops coming after us, there are lots of white people living here!" The he turns to me: "Oh, hey, no offense."
heh heh None taken.
So yeah, lots of fun was had, I have found some new folks who will be fun to hang out with, and yeah, some of them are VERY cute, giving me all sorts of naughty thoughts to last me during my time at my parents' house (notice how I came full circle there?).
Tomorrow is Christmas and that will be a nice family day here. I'll head back to DC Tuesday afternoon (I'm working Wednesday) and Adrian and I will have Christmas Tuesday night. Hope he likes his gifts!
I've tried to send cards, or at least e-mails, to folks, but I know there are some I've missed. I don't have access to my regular e-mail here, and I'm out of cell phone range so text/SMS doesn't work. So for anyone I've missed (and this especially goes out to you, Eddie) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Labels: Bars, Flirting, Friends, Life
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Willy Wonka Strikes Again
One of my good friends called me Willy Wonka in an SMS...I suppose I will allow that, but ONLY during the holiday season. My friend should realize that since he and I have the same name, I know many of the bad nicknames that could apply to him as well, so he should be very careful. Personally, I even prefer the potato-related nicknames I earned this summer rather than Willy Wonka. Though Alex's recent idea, which led to me being called Wei Lian, works as well. Another friend calls me that all the time...and I like it. Who knows, maybe I am really Chinese on the inside...a friend here calls me "Secret Asian."
But yeah, Tuesday and Wednesday were food nights again. Tuesday night I finished some candy that couldn't get finished in time for the party. Tonight I made another batch of some cookies that went FAST the other day. I might do something more before Christmas but I'm runing out of tme, and i still have a little shopping to do...and someday, I guess I'm going to need to start wrapping these presents!
Wish I could send some of these Christmas goodies to my overseas friends but the long transit time would most likely leave them inedible and in a million pieces. So they will just have to trust me...they're FANTASTIC!!!!!!
But yeah, Tuesday and Wednesday were food nights again. Tuesday night I finished some candy that couldn't get finished in time for the party. Tonight I made another batch of some cookies that went FAST the other day. I might do something more before Christmas but I'm runing out of tme, and i still have a little shopping to do...and someday, I guess I'm going to need to start wrapping these presents!
Wish I could send some of these Christmas goodies to my overseas friends but the long transit time would most likely leave them inedible and in a million pieces. So they will just have to trust me...they're FANTASTIC!!!!!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Party
Even though this isn't a food blog (a flog?) like many of my friends seem to have, I should put some pix of the food from our little Christmas party. This was a small gathering, 12 good friends, and it was so nice to have them over!!!
The spread...cheese at one end, cookies and candy and wine toward the other
Yummy sugar cookies
Mom calls these Cathedral Windows...chocolate and marshmallows
Chocolate and peanut butter bars with butterscotch topping
Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies...thanks to Linh for the suggestion
A dozen of us...just like the Apostles
And now, just the boys
Good times were had, and of course, most importantly, good cookies were eaten.
And all of this was accomplished after we went dancing until 3:30am the night before and didn't wake up until 10:30am...and the guests were coming at 2!
The spread...cheese at one end, cookies and candy and wine toward the other
Yummy sugar cookies
Mom calls these Cathedral Windows...chocolate and marshmallows
Chocolate and peanut butter bars with butterscotch topping
Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies...thanks to Linh for the suggestion
A dozen of us...just like the Apostles
And now, just the boys
Good times were had, and of course, most importantly, good cookies were eaten.
And all of this was accomplished after we went dancing until 3:30am the night before and didn't wake up until 10:30am...and the guests were coming at 2!
Labels: Friends
Friday, December 14, 2007
Top Chef (well, Versatile Chef, actually)
Tonight I started doing my Christmas baking for real...so "for real" that I didn't go out dancing as planned. Saturday night, I think that will happen. I still have some stuff to do but I think I will finish Saturday afternoon.
Look, an apron...he must know what he's doing!
This is nothing more than butter and sugar
Now it's butter and sugar and green food coloring...oh, and peppermint. Then it gets rolled into lots of small pieces. Tomorrow they get dipped in chocolate. Just like I'd like to be.
I went to school here. But only for 5 hours one day.
These are soon going to be white chocolate and cranberry cookies.
See? Told you so!
More food to follow later in the weekend.
Look, an apron...he must know what he's doing!
This is nothing more than butter and sugar
Now it's butter and sugar and green food coloring...oh, and peppermint. Then it gets rolled into lots of small pieces. Tomorrow they get dipped in chocolate. Just like I'd like to be.
I went to school here. But only for 5 hours one day.
These are soon going to be white chocolate and cranberry cookies.
See? Told you so!
More food to follow later in the weekend.
Labels: Life
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Tree is Up
Yay!! The Christmas tree went up tonight!!!
Also today, I had lunch with Stan for 2 hours -- he's a very nice guy I met at Josh and Angelo's Halloween party who works across the street from me. He was actually off today, which made this a good chance to break away...I told my co-workers I was at a meeting, which was true, I just didn't say it was a friend I was meeting. Ooooh, I'm naughty.
Also today, I had lunch with Stan for 2 hours -- he's a very nice guy I met at Josh and Angelo's Halloween party who works across the street from me. He was actually off today, which made this a good chance to break away...I told my co-workers I was at a meeting, which was true, I just didn't say it was a friend I was meeting. Ooooh, I'm naughty.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Changing Roles
Tonight I had dinner with Richmond Michael, who is about to blast off for another chapter in his life. Michael was recently laid off in the big round of cuts at AOL, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. After being there for a few years he was looking to take a leave of absence, only now he gets to do it with a good severance package. The whole situation with, and following, the layoff has actually worked amazingly well...so many good things have happened unexpectedly. It's almost as if the universe said "oooh, that's right, your teenage years kinda sucked..my bad. Here, let me write you a check for some good karma." He'll be traveling for a couple months, and may settle back here, in another city, or even overseas. Me being the selfish guy I am, I hope he comes back here.
When we met I was 33 and Michael was 17 (and no, we never had THAT kind of relationship, so get those dirty thoughts out of your head). Michael was a high school senior who would come to DC to go clubbing and I was just starting grad school. We got to know each other very well, and through him I learned a lot about the world, and a lot about myself (it's amazing how much you can learn when you just shut up and really LISTEN). But while I was learning from him, I was also providing an example for him. We had very much a "big brother/little brother" relationship, with me as kind of a mentor, helping guide him through some rough times by showing how great life can be once you get through adolescence. Michael was doing some things I didnt think were really good for him, but I tried not to be judgmental, and tried even harder to never sound condescending when we talked, because I certainly didn't feel "superior" -- just older. I always saw amazing potential in Michael and I just wanted to be sure he saw it in himself.
But now he's 25, he's been working for a few years and become a sought-after expert in his field, he's traveled, he's helped other friends, he's found a passion (scuba diving, though I can't claim any credit for that one), he's gotten a cat, and he's basically just turned out to be a great guy fulfilling his potential. In the process, our relationship has changed to one on a more level field...we are peers, not teacher/student. We've both noticed this over the last year or so that I've been back, but tonight is the first time we've talked about it.
That doesn't change the fact that the cake picture with Dancin' Mike is still his favorite, and mine as well.
When we met I was 33 and Michael was 17 (and no, we never had THAT kind of relationship, so get those dirty thoughts out of your head). Michael was a high school senior who would come to DC to go clubbing and I was just starting grad school. We got to know each other very well, and through him I learned a lot about the world, and a lot about myself (it's amazing how much you can learn when you just shut up and really LISTEN). But while I was learning from him, I was also providing an example for him. We had very much a "big brother/little brother" relationship, with me as kind of a mentor, helping guide him through some rough times by showing how great life can be once you get through adolescence. Michael was doing some things I didnt think were really good for him, but I tried not to be judgmental, and tried even harder to never sound condescending when we talked, because I certainly didn't feel "superior" -- just older. I always saw amazing potential in Michael and I just wanted to be sure he saw it in himself.
But now he's 25, he's been working for a few years and become a sought-after expert in his field, he's traveled, he's helped other friends, he's found a passion (scuba diving, though I can't claim any credit for that one), he's gotten a cat, and he's basically just turned out to be a great guy fulfilling his potential. In the process, our relationship has changed to one on a more level field...we are peers, not teacher/student. We've both noticed this over the last year or so that I've been back, but tonight is the first time we've talked about it.
That doesn't change the fact that the cake picture with Dancin' Mike is still his favorite, and mine as well.
Labels: Friends
Monday, December 10, 2007
Photos Up
I finally posted my Hawaii pics.
For a while, I was scheduled to be on another trip to Honolulu this week -- I would have arrived about an hour ago. But my bosses cancelled my participation. On the one hand that's OK, as I have enough to keep me busy here. On the other, a trip there would have helped get some research done on one project I'm doing. Plus I could've hung out with Kester again, and that would be way fun.
Today I called into work sick. But I wasn't sick. It's just that the apartment really needed cleaning and I didn't do it this weekend. MUCH better now. Though not perfect. Not by a long shot.
You know, 15 years ago I never would have done something like that. Then again, 15 years ago I didn't have enough stuff to make the apartment cluttered.
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| Hawaii 2007 |
For a while, I was scheduled to be on another trip to Honolulu this week -- I would have arrived about an hour ago. But my bosses cancelled my participation. On the one hand that's OK, as I have enough to keep me busy here. On the other, a trip there would have helped get some research done on one project I'm doing. Plus I could've hung out with Kester again, and that would be way fun.
Today I called into work sick. But I wasn't sick. It's just that the apartment really needed cleaning and I didn't do it this weekend. MUCH better now. Though not perfect. Not by a long shot.
You know, 15 years ago I never would have done something like that. Then again, 15 years ago I didn't have enough stuff to make the apartment cluttered.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Socializing
Just got back from Adrian's salon's Christmas party. It was nice, had a good time, except of course I don't know any of these people, and there are like 70 employees so it's not like I was really going to get to know them tonight. And of course, 2 friends who were going to go decided not to. But it was nice, the food was great and the people were all really friendly. For some reason, after about 3 hours, I got all out of sorts. Not 100% sure what it was, but I was ready to go. Adrian, meanwhile, was on the dance floor, and he and his co-workers had a great time, so I wasn't about to suggest leaving. (I don't generally dance with a bunch of straight people -- I don't like being the "token gay" on display) Anyway, after another hour the party wrapped up and some of the folks were like "where are we going now???" Adrian asked if I wanted to go out and I said no. I ended up driving his car home, he'll catch a cab.
So the party was OK. And I got to drive Adrian's BMW. And then Monday, it's back to work again.
Oh, and Saturday night we had dinner with Paul and Maureen, old friends who unfortunately live an hour away so we don't see them very much. Had a fantabulous time, as always, though I drank too much, which I don't do very often. Got to bed about 3:30 this morning, woke up too early for my own good. Was a bit of a zombie all day.
Oh, and the Spice Girls announced a concert next February here in DC, and yes, I got tickets. So yay for that!!
So the party was OK. And I got to drive Adrian's BMW. And then Monday, it's back to work again.
Oh, and Saturday night we had dinner with Paul and Maureen, old friends who unfortunately live an hour away so we don't see them very much. Had a fantabulous time, as always, though I drank too much, which I don't do very often. Got to bed about 3:30 this morning, woke up too early for my own good. Was a bit of a zombie all day.
Oh, and the Spice Girls announced a concert next February here in DC, and yes, I got tickets. So yay for that!!
Labels: Stuff
Friday, December 07, 2007
A Few Random Thoughts
Yes, it's Friday night, and I'm home blogging.
We had our first snow this week. It was a small one. I like snow. Specifically, I like so that is so heavy, my office is closed and I can stay home.
I need a haircut.
There are more people in my condo's gym now. Two reasons for that, I think. First, there are the people who would walk or run outside, but now that the snow's here they've moved inside. Then there is the post-Thanksgiving crowd, the "oh no, I put on so much weight, I'm really going to start working out now!" people. They will fade out by Christmas, but then we will get the New Year's Resolution people for a couple weeks in January.
A lot of these people are carrying on conversations while walking on the treadmill or talking on the cell phones, or whatever. I don't really care if people want a hard workout or not, that's their business, but when I get into the gym and can't get on a treadmill or elliptical machine because of these people, then I get annoyed.
Danny is on vacation in Hong Kong now. Lucky bastard.
Linh has final exams now. I do not miss taking those at all. Nor do I miss grading those things.
I have been Christmas shopping and it feels good!
Tonight I made cookies. New recipe. We'll see how that works out.
The mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska hit home for me this eek. That, of course, is where I went to high school, and I know that mall very well. The shooter is from Bellevue the town where I lived, though he went to a different high school. It's weird to see familiar places all over the news again in a tragedy. (I was also pretty familiar with Virginia Tech, the site of our worst shooting ever last spring)
I think it's time for the Christmas tree to go up.
My office Christmas party was today. It was a bowling party. Somehow, that doesn't quite say "Christmas" to me. I skipped it and stayed at the office catching up on work.
Kester in Honolulu is taking a choral class and is performing a couple concerts at a local mall. THAT says Christmas!
Kester, by the way, knows someone else I know from Singapore besides knowing Allan. Again, I am amazed by how tiny this world is sometimes. Facebook helps keep everything straight...even the gays.
My Gaylasian friends have discovered Facebook. I love that. I love them. I miss them.
San Francisco was a lot of fun. I like that city. Though Honolulu was warmer.
I find I'm getting out and doing more on the weeknights, and that is a good thing.
Richmond Michael will move away in a week and that makes me sad.
Eddie in Malaysia just started a new term at his university this week.
There are things in the air, amazing possibilities that are just a short reach away...we'll see what comes of them.
I'm glad I made it to the gym 4 times this week as planned, but the numbers on the scale haven't changed in a week. Not that they could change very much, of course.
We had our first snow this week. It was a small one. I like snow. Specifically, I like so that is so heavy, my office is closed and I can stay home.
I need a haircut.
There are more people in my condo's gym now. Two reasons for that, I think. First, there are the people who would walk or run outside, but now that the snow's here they've moved inside. Then there is the post-Thanksgiving crowd, the "oh no, I put on so much weight, I'm really going to start working out now!" people. They will fade out by Christmas, but then we will get the New Year's Resolution people for a couple weeks in January.
A lot of these people are carrying on conversations while walking on the treadmill or talking on the cell phones, or whatever. I don't really care if people want a hard workout or not, that's their business, but when I get into the gym and can't get on a treadmill or elliptical machine because of these people, then I get annoyed.
Danny is on vacation in Hong Kong now. Lucky bastard.
Linh has final exams now. I do not miss taking those at all. Nor do I miss grading those things.
I have been Christmas shopping and it feels good!
Tonight I made cookies. New recipe. We'll see how that works out.
The mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska hit home for me this eek. That, of course, is where I went to high school, and I know that mall very well. The shooter is from Bellevue the town where I lived, though he went to a different high school. It's weird to see familiar places all over the news again in a tragedy. (I was also pretty familiar with Virginia Tech, the site of our worst shooting ever last spring)
I think it's time for the Christmas tree to go up.
My office Christmas party was today. It was a bowling party. Somehow, that doesn't quite say "Christmas" to me. I skipped it and stayed at the office catching up on work.
Kester in Honolulu is taking a choral class and is performing a couple concerts at a local mall. THAT says Christmas!
Kester, by the way, knows someone else I know from Singapore besides knowing Allan. Again, I am amazed by how tiny this world is sometimes. Facebook helps keep everything straight...even the gays.
My Gaylasian friends have discovered Facebook. I love that. I love them. I miss them.
San Francisco was a lot of fun. I like that city. Though Honolulu was warmer.
I find I'm getting out and doing more on the weeknights, and that is a good thing.
Richmond Michael will move away in a week and that makes me sad.
Eddie in Malaysia just started a new term at his university this week.
There are things in the air, amazing possibilities that are just a short reach away...we'll see what comes of them.
I'm glad I made it to the gym 4 times this week as planned, but the numbers on the scale haven't changed in a week. Not that they could change very much, of course.
Labels: Blogging, Friends, Stuff, Travel, Wandering Mind
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
It's a Small World After All
After getting home from San Francisco Sunday night I had a message from someone on Fridae.com that said, "I was out at a dance club last night, and I saw a guy that looks like you! :)" Well, there's a reason for that...it was me! He lives in SF and was at Badlands, where I was with my friend Paulo. He really thought it was someone who looked like me, only shorter. Hmmmm. Not quite as odd as what happened last January in Dallas, but still...
Also in the small world category...on Thursday, my last night in Hawaii, I had a post-meeting meeting with people from my office who were flying home that night. I figured that would totally screw up my last night, and indeed it wrecked my chance to see Fritz again. As luck would have it, though, I was able to meet up later with Kester, whom I'd met on Fridae. Kester is a very nice, very sweet guy from Singapore who goes to school in Hawaii. Anyway, over coffee, as we were sharing tales, I decided to toss out the names of the few guys I know in Singapore to see if he knows them. Sure enough, he knows my friend Allan...I texted Allan as we were at Starbucks, telling him I was having coffee with someone he knows...and of course, it was morning in SG so he got it and texted back right away, and it was all a little surreal.
Kester's very cool. Glad we got to meet.
In San Francisco i finally got to meet Ben from Fridae...we'd hoped to meet when i was there in March, but alas, he was in Egypt. Damn the luck. And then i got to hang out on Saturday with the aforementioned Paulo, which involved shopping, lunch, shopping, dinner, drinks at Badlands and, if the stores were still open, there would have been more shopping (he helped me pick out a cute corduroy jacket from H&M). I really appreciated him taking the whole day to spend with me, that was very nice.
Overall, Hawaii was a great trip, San Francisco was much fun, but I don't mind the fact that I'm not scheduled for a work trip again until early February!
Also in the small world category...on Thursday, my last night in Hawaii, I had a post-meeting meeting with people from my office who were flying home that night. I figured that would totally screw up my last night, and indeed it wrecked my chance to see Fritz again. As luck would have it, though, I was able to meet up later with Kester, whom I'd met on Fridae. Kester is a very nice, very sweet guy from Singapore who goes to school in Hawaii. Anyway, over coffee, as we were sharing tales, I decided to toss out the names of the few guys I know in Singapore to see if he knows them. Sure enough, he knows my friend Allan...I texted Allan as we were at Starbucks, telling him I was having coffee with someone he knows...and of course, it was morning in SG so he got it and texted back right away, and it was all a little surreal.
Kester's very cool. Glad we got to meet.
In San Francisco i finally got to meet Ben from Fridae...we'd hoped to meet when i was there in March, but alas, he was in Egypt. Damn the luck. And then i got to hang out on Saturday with the aforementioned Paulo, which involved shopping, lunch, shopping, dinner, drinks at Badlands and, if the stores were still open, there would have been more shopping (he helped me pick out a cute corduroy jacket from H&M). I really appreciated him taking the whole day to spend with me, that was very nice.
Overall, Hawaii was a great trip, San Francisco was much fun, but I don't mind the fact that I'm not scheduled for a work trip again until early February!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Back Home
Got back tonight and it is POURING down rain. Not to mention cold. I miss Honolulu weather already.
Adrian and i had a great time in Hawaii. Thanks too to Fritz, Kim, and Kester for making it fun. And to Ben and Paulo for making San Francisco so enjoyable.
No way am I in the mood to go to work tomorrow.
Adrian and i had a great time in Hawaii. Thanks too to Fritz, Kim, and Kester for making it fun. And to Ben and Paulo for making San Francisco so enjoyable.
No way am I in the mood to go to work tomorrow.
Labels: Travel
