Gift from Ruben

Ruben gave me this gift. First, can you believe that there's something called a "Big Mo" candy bar? And that the Big Mo candy bar is NASCAR-related? I suppose for NASCAR they mean big momentum. But for Ruben's gift to me, he means that I'm a big 'ol homo. And Ruben is correct. I love how we gays can find inspiration anywhere, even in a NASCAR candy bar.

Best Boggle message ever

After dinner, Bobby asked me if I wanted to play Boggle. This was the message that he had pre-set on the board. I'm so thick that I couldn't figure it out without help. Start at the top left and read around the edge, then in a spiral toward the middle.

Wow, wow, wow! I am so happy.

Date recap

I'm pinching myself because I've had a series of excellent dates with Bobby. I keep asking myself, "Can this really be happening?" Last night I went to his condo where he played the piano for me: a Mendelssohn sonata and then the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 8 Pathetique. Both were excellent performances, with the Beethoven being especially poignant. Then we went to dinner at his favorite Japanese restaurant, which was tasty and we had a in-depth and enlightening conversation.

Yes, yes, I know that it's still early and that I need to be cautious. But this really seems like it could be heading somewhere wonderful.

It's good to be happy!

JENNIFER E. WROTE:
Hey there everyone,

Friday is John M's birthday. He hasn't planned anything and doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. However, Julie and I were talking tonight and he wants to go to dinner at Beans & Barley on Friday night. I asked Julie if she thought it would be fun if we (the group) showed up for dinner...unexpectedly. She's all for it!

So if you are available and would like to join in the surprise let me know so that I can make the appropriate reservations.

7pm, Friday night at Beans & Barley...let me know if you are in!

Jennifer E

STEVE WROTE:

Jennifer E.,

This is a great idea, and ordinarily I’d definitely say yes. However, I already have plans on Friday. I suppose it’s time that I spilled the beans and let you know that I’m dating a new guy. His name is Bobby. He’s 34, a high school choir teacher, and an overall great person. While it’s still fairly early, I’m very excited about this, and he seems to be, too. I figured that the word might already be out there because Jim and Jerry saw the two of us on a walk together on Sunday afternoon. I figured Jim or Jerry would be on the horn to Anne about this, so I’d better get the news out there myself – something that I’m a bit reluctant to do given my prior dating history. In any case, nothing can be too easy, and the hitch in this case is that Bobby lives in Arlington Heights. It’s 78 miles from my condo to his. My philosophy is that it’s better to date a quality guy who lives 78 miles away than a non-quality guy who lives in my same zip code. Milwaukee hasn’t yielded much by way of dating for me, so why not a NW Chicago suburb? I did ask Bobby to join me at Barbie’s game night on Saturday, but he is conducting a choir concert that night. I do hope that you’ll have the opportunity to meet him sometime soon. I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.
Steve

KELLY WROTE:

For some reason, I thought Sara French was writing this e-mail. I got confused when she called her house a "condo." And then even more confused when she signed her e-mail "Steve."
So anyway, STEVE, I think the long distance thing can definitely work, and even be good in some ways. It gives you time when you're not together to take care of the things you need to, and I think it makes you appreciate the time you do have together more. Can't wait to meet him!

~K

ANNE WROTE:

I did know about your new man...you know Jim and Jerry- they can't keep their mouths shut, or their camera phones off! I thought you'd talk about it when you're good and ready. I'm very happy for you!
I forgot about Barbie's game night on Saturday night. I have to see what my parents are up to on Saturday before I can commit for sure, though odds are the late notice will prevent us from showing up.

AND- as long as people are spilling their darkest secrets...Brad and I are expecting another baby at the end of September. Is it bad that when I found I was thinking about how I'd have to miss yet another Barbie Halloween party?!?

Anne

Additional evidence that I'm a teenage girl...or a big 'ol 'mo

Is it wrong that I have a massive crush on Penn Badgley? And I've never even seen an episode of "Gossip Girl," but I do have season 1 in my Netflix queue.

Even if it's wrong, Penn gives me special feelings. He's cute, adorable, and has super-hot chest hair. Wow and woof!

Of course, if I find a guy really hot, that guarantees that he's straight!

Passive Aggressive notes

Thanks to Lesley for turning me on to Passive Aggressive Notes, a most entertaining blog. As someone with definite OCD tendencies, I couldn't help but enjoy this post:



http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2008/02/19/crazy-is-right/



Those who know me will not be surprised that I agree with clearing the time on a microwave. OCD people unite!

Election update

Yikes, April has been busy so far. I just returned from Boston where I attended a professional conference. I need to start blogging again.

I had written previously about the aldermanic race in my district of Milwaukee. Nik Kovac ended up winning by only 71 votes over Patrick Flaherty. While I had written that Patrick Flaherty seemed awfully smug, I ended up voting for him because I wanted to support the gay candidate. In terms of issues, Flaherty and Kovac seemed more-or-less the same. And in spite of his smugness, I thought it would be good to show my support for the 'mo candidate. I kinda feel bad that Patrick didn't win, but I'm resigned to the fact that regardless of the winner, my already huge property tax bill will continue to increase at far more than the rate of inflation. Ah, the joys of living in the City of Milwaukee.

glimmer of hope?

Could there be a glimmer of hope on the dating front? Too soon to tell, but with spring weather, positive developments seem possible. Stay tuned...