Blah

It's late... I wound up not going out after all... we had dinner and sat around for a bit, then went to look at Bill and Jay's new place that they've been  working on... it's very nice.... monotone coloring (easy to paint).  Sitting outside on the balcony now trying to get a weak wifi signal, it's 68 degrees and a nice, balmy breeze... it's back to normal here.

Before I left, I attempted to get my depression medication refilled, but friggin' Giant Eagle pharmacy wasn't open late on Sunday... and I left Monday morning... so I'm trying to make 4 pills last 10 days... with poor results.  After dinner tonight, I didn't feel like going out.  I feel tired, mainly from a huge allergy attack today, which wears me out (with my body fighting it).  It's usually a fun night out... but I really wasn't interested... I've been talking with someone online back in Pittsburgh, so maybe I'm just looking forward to more of a tangible meeting than walking around in a bar in circles drinking strong (but cheap) drinks... looking at locals that I have no intention of talking to.  I just want to go to bed.... not even interested in TV.  Sometimes, when I sleep it off, I wake up with a new chemical mix in me... and I feel better.  Blah, blah, blah... argh.. hmf...

Cabin Fever

This has been my only contact with the outside world today... this window.  I'm outside now... it's a balmy 70 degrees with a nice wind, but overcast.  Pretty good day to stay inside and paint, not that I had the choice. Yet another tedious day of trim work.  Whatever happened to bare walls with the ceilings painted the same color as the walls... all an off-white.  Those were the days.

I haven't seen much of my TV progrums.... I missed American Idol over the last couple of nights, although it will be on my DVR at home... at which point, I will pick my boyfriend for this season... Hopefully, I can make another winner's dreams come true like Kris'... it's hard dating a celebrity though.

I'm heading to dinner with Bill, Jay and Corey... then off to $3.00 Long Island Iced Tea night at Alibi.  No late night for me though... too much to do tomorrow.

Progress...

Damn fluted woodwork and louvered doors.  Another tedious day of painting trim and doors.  Not too much else to report...

Yum !

Crazy, Cool Cat

Old Home Week

More painting and sunshine today, on the gradual upswing of temperature climbing.


I swear, I see more of my friends down here than I do at home anymore.  Last night, I hung out with my friends Bill and Jay for a bit at a bar.  Then, if that wasn't Pittsburgh enough, I had a bacon/cheese/fries sandwich at Primanti Brothers here on the beach... one of the only ones outside of Pittsburgh.  Apparently, one of the brothers (not original, since Primanti's sold it to someone else) moved here and opened it.  But it provides a certain hominess to me while here.... seems there are drunks here too that love it at 2 a.m.


Yesterday, while at the Home Depot... I took this pic of a van parked next to me.  How can people live like this?  Would drive me crazy... and to eat, drink and smoke this crap the first time, then drive around looking at it for, probably, months.... Yikes!

Progress

Got a lot done today... but all of it is just tedious trim work, etc.... time consuming.  I painted some closet doors outside today... was so nice... got up to 70 degrees.... trying to get most of it done in a few days to be able to hit the beach a bit later in the week.

Gotta Love Homo Depot

I'm thinking by the month?  That seems to be the best deal.  Can I get someone to carry that to my car?

Brrr.........

It was 43 degrees here last night... one of the last cold nights due... and I don't know if it's that when you are expecting it to be warm in your mind, it's harder to deal with when it's not... but, I froze last night with the heat at 68...4 degrees more than at home where I walk around in boxers and sometimes no shirt.... I had to put my hoodie on mid morning and wrap myself in a cocoon of blankets, and still was cold.  Maybe the thermostadt thought I was kidding when I switched it to heat?  Off to paint now.... if I can get my hands to warm up. 

My Home Away From Home...

I arrived in one piece to a beautiful 60 degree day... not a cloud in the sky... only puffy fleece on everyone's coats... funny to see walking along the beach (except for one brave hippy guy in the pic with his roof down).  The plan is to jump right in tomorrow and get as much as I can done early in the trip so I can enjoy of few days next week when it reaches 80 degrees.  My friends, Bill and Jay, are here... so I will want to spend some time with them before they leave on Saturday... I leave next Wednesday.  Funny thing, they live only 15 minutes from me and I rarely see them 1300 miles away at home.

I'm Featuring You.. Brad Simpson

The movie Beaches is a story about two little girls that meet, by accident, on the Atlantic City boardwalk and become fast friends…one creative and a bit wild and one conservative. Remaining pen pals over the years and not seeing one another until in their 20’s… then moving in together and sharing their lives, with some rocky patches, until the end. Substitute Myrtle Beach for A.C., keeping the two little ‘girls’ and the rest (except the ‘end’, so far), and that’s my and my friend Brad’s story.

 David Bradley Simpson was born in South Carolina… our family stayed at the same hotel every year and his, at a beach house right next door. I met him when we were about 8 or so years old… we pen-paled until I was around 20… living in Philly, when he got my phone number from my Mom and called me up. I went down for a visit, the first time I had seen him in 12 years. We quickly realized that we were both gay... and to make a long story short, he moved up to Philly with me and moved in with me. At the time, I was a lot more anal retentive than I am now (with lines in the carpets, etc.), so needless to say, the two of us in a studio apartment was a stress on our friendship. I got him a job where I worked… and it only made things worse. The little southern boy in the big city was an adjustment for him… he didn’t want to venture out much… and when he did, the idea of one-way city streets was a new and scary concept for him (“David… there are cars coming at me!). We lived together one other time in a bigger place some time later that worked out great… and he got me a job at the company where he worked some years later. Despite moving around or job changes, we have always remained close and in touch.

 Known as David by some and Brad by me and his family, he is the most articulate person that I know. With beautiful handwriting and a way with words backed by a broad knowledge base, it’s no wonder that he is so aptly positioned in a career of human resources and the legal system. And that overflows into some of the most beautifully-written (he’ll like that I hyphenated that correctly) poetry I have ever experienced. With his two dogs, Sadie (recently passed) and Caspar, he blossomed into a true, southern gentleman full of love and compassion and has surrounded himself with many who love him to death. I have always looked up to him being the most rational person I have ever met…. Full of ideas and definitely opinions (that he doesn’t mind sharing with you vehemently), his constant quest for knowledge is evident in his ability to talk on any subject…. And talk… and talk. Blessed with a great voice, we have sung many a duets in our car rides… that is, when he doesn’t pass out instantly when the car starts moving, most times mid-sentence… and one time on the train to NYC (where he drooled and we all laughed).

Finding himself in a destructive relationship and developing an addiction to Crystal Meth (divulging with his prior consent) that almost ruined him completely, he is now 2 years and 4 months clean, very active in NA, sponsoring many people and only a phone call away for others…dedicating himself to a better life for himself as well as making other recovering addict's experience easier. When I found out, I was floored… how could this happen to someone that I was so close with and that had it so together? But drugs work in mysterious ways and to all people for different reasons… across the board. After bringing him back here to Pittsburgh to live with me until he got back on his feet, he realized that the best place for him was with his family, which is where he is now… back in Myrtle Beach, now the Human Resources Manager for Ripley’s.

 I am so proud of him for many reasons, most of all for his inner strength to pull himself up by his bootstraps. And while we don’t keep in touch as often as I’d like to, we still talk every couple of weeks to check in or shoot an email or say hi on Facebook… as well as him following my blog faithfully. He has been my friend, confidant, voice of reason, ‘wind beneath my wings’, C.C. Bloom and family for just about 35 years. I am truly blessed to know him.

Up, Up and Away...

I prefer to think that I have a realistic outlook on life... and while I don't think that I'm a pessimist, I'm definitely not a card-carrying optimist.  I play the odds, and even Murphy's Law says that when things can go wrong, they will.  I get a certain sense of security in the insecure.  I take extra steps to prepare for the worse, and fortunately, my mind works that way so that I don't actually spend time doing anything extra... it's how I'm wired.

When it comes to flying, I take everything I think I would need (still fitting it into only one bag) and I have always been the person that would rather get to the airport hours before the flight.... grab some coffee.... watch the people... etc.... rather than rushing to get here right on time.  The only time that it bites me in the ass is when I have a 6 a.m. flight, then being early really bites.

So, here I am at the airport... two hours before the flight.  And considering the last bomb threat and heightened security (as reported sensationally by the media), I have flown three times since then... 4 minutes at curbside check-in and making it through security anywhere from 3 - 7 minutes... with not so much as a second look from TSA.  So here's one example of realism biting me in the ass.... but I don't mind sitting here.

I have looked at the weather for Ft. Lauderdale... doesn't look that great, but in comparison, it's a heat wave.  Progressively thoughout the week, it's going to get warmer.... up to 80 with lows climbing from the, now, 37, into the mid 60's.  I have a lot of work anyway, so it's not like I'm going to be lounging on the beach, but I hope to get it all done by week's end and relax a few days. 

Featuring......

Being out in the middle of nowhere, Roseland (camp) is always pitchblack, except for about 1 million stars visible.  Nonetheless, on the rocky terrain, you need a flashlight.  Matthew and I, on one of our many trips to Cabela's, the testosterone-pumped Disney-esque hunting store.... found these 6 LED hat lights that shine 30 feet ahead of you.  It also doubles, for me (while trashed on the dance floor), as a spotlight... and I will often (too often) walk up to someone and swirl it over one of my friend's heads stating "I'm featuring you... I'm featuring you".  It's a nice way for them to get a little extra attention from the crowd and gives a much-needed feel of the disco years on the dance floor.

I have a lot of wonderful people in my life.... so I will be 'featuring' some of my friends.  Kind of like when I did "All About Me Monday's"... but it'll be all about them.  And since he is my oldest friend (since we were in our single-digits), stay tuned for my friend, Brad.

Up

Up... Another one of Pixar's hits, it was getting great reviews and, even though I've had it sitting here from Netflix for over a month, I really wanted to see it and finally did.  In the style of Wall*E, there were times where so much was said without words.  Filled with lovable characters, it was really entertaining to watch, filled with all kinds of messages and pulled at your heart-strings.  Cartoon movies these days aren't really made for kids any more... which was slightly evident in some of the innocent violence in the movie, but it wasn't overpowering... although a few deaths were even a little unsettling to me. 

About an adventurous boy, he runs into an adventurous girl and then get married, and life (and more and more of it) keep them from reaching their goal of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America.  Living in the house that they used to play in, when he's an old man and they want to buy out his house and tear it down, he fights them until the end, finally tying balloons to his house and flying it to Paradise Falls, albeit a long journey and adverture beforehand.  The lesson:  live life to the fullest... do what you want before it's too late.... and having GPS and chocolate in your backpack is a must.

Highly recommend it... 4 balloons out of 5. 

Another Bargain

Choose a caption:
1.  "Clean up on aisle 3"
2.  I'll take 2 Edie Britt's and 1 Susan Meyer
3.  Like the ratings, the price is dropping as well
4.  Must be lesbo porn:   Desperate Ho Use Wives? 

I see...

I went to the eye doctor and turns out I need to get bi-focals. I'm a big believer in the 'mid-life crisis', having been captured by it in the last 1-8 years.... hair graying and thinning... gravity taking effect, more tired than I used to be.... and now this...  I never wanted to get glasses to begin with... I was leary that if I got them, my vision would get worse.  Sadly, with astigmatism in my right eye that gives me headaches, I had no choice.  And what started with just driving at night, turned into reading, being on the computer, watching TV and now, to avoid running into walls, causing injury about the head and neck. 

Relatives... You Gotta Love 'Em

As predicted, we didn't get nearly a quarter of what the weathermen said we would, but it's been just irritating enough though to make you want to stay in, which is what I've been doing.  My Dad and I just got our small driveway done.  Most of yesterday was shot, since I had to take my Aunt Dolores to get an X-ray at Sewickley Hospital.  She's had bouts of Diverticulitis in the past and, despite her wanting to talk about it all the time, I only know that it has something to do with your butt... and that's all I need to know.  From what gyrations I have to go through to just get an X-ray at the dentist's.... moving my jaw around.... putting things in my mouth... the lead vest.... I can't even begin to imagine all that goes on with trying to get an X-ray in your Diverticulitis area... and certainly don't want the image of my 82 year old Aunt and her legs flailing around to get the best angle.  It was a good trade off to just sit in the waiting room for 3 hours to not have to be there for any of the other stuff.

My Aunt, who is also my Godmother, is the best person in the world.  We are very close.  She's definitely 'old school' and definitely set in her ways.  If my Uncle Lou did it a certain way, no matter how jerry-rigged or messed up, by golly, she has to do it the same way... even with him passing 6 years ago.  I help her out a lot... she's a little technically challenged... like winding a clock... changing a light bulb... and anything digital.  And while the actual task isn't usually that hard, it's the frantic nature of her call when something little happens and the way that I have to perform it to her routine that is sometimes challenging for me.  She knows all the steps, having seen my Uncle do it, and I can't deviate from the process in place, and she coaches me through it, but can't seem to do it herself.  Which is fine.. it makes me feel important.  On my birthday, Xmas and Easter, I know that there will always be a card there 7 days in advance with $10 or so in it... so I love helping her.  Driving to the hospital yesterday, I decided to go a route that I knew that she never goes, to broaden her horizons.... the only thing that it broadened was my headache, having a lecture on why it was the longer way... etc.  I knew it would be coming, and while it was an earbeating, it was fun to watch her squirm a bit, like throwing salt on a worm.  Relatives are so fun and entertaining.  I have to get going... I'm heading to her place to shovel the driveway... and I'm late... and she likes it done vertically, not horizontally. 

Just in the Nick of Time

I just finalized my plans for my trip back to Florida.  I'll be leaving this Monday... Jan 11th and will come back 9 days later on the 20th.  Fortunately, by then, the temperatures will be back to normal... highs in the upper 70's and lows in the 60's.  All that's left are the ceilings and trimwork, which will be the most tedious, but at least no spackling dust!

My World of Entertainment

My friend Matt and I are going to see the Carrie Underwood concert in April... I can't wait.  As I have said before in a post, she is not only gorgeous and talented, but she is a role model for young girls in what's left that's wholesome in America.  With the People's Choice Awards on the other night, I was pleased to find out that many of my guilty pleasures on TV won... and while I'm proud that I can pick winners... I'm not so proud that I watch a lot of TV.  Among them, Carrie Underwood for best country singer, Taylor Lautner for best breakout star, Big Bang Theory for best comedy, Glee for best new comedy show, and Sandra Bullock for best actress.  (Boo, hiss for Taylor Swift winning something).

As some of you may remember at this time last year, I was tangled up with Kris Allen of TV's American Idol fame.  After a few months of dating and him serenading me onstage (and subsequent months of him stalking me trying to get me back), I finally had to cut him loose, albeit short a few months of actually getting his career off the ground (as evidenced by his flailing CD sales) (see Kris, My BF).  With the new season starting on January 12th (thanks for putting Glee on hiatus bitches), I wonder who I will be getting involved with this season.  With Ellen as the new 4th judge and no more Paula's drunken antics, I'm not sure if that's a good trade off or not.  We'll see.  It's like a train wreck, you have to watch.

New Year's Eve

With my friend Eddie in Philadelphia on New Year's Eve, about an hour before I set my phone down on the seat and proceeded to walk about the commuter train talking (bothering) people in a drunken stupor.  With the absence of alcohol, I would have sat quietly in the back somewhere and still had my phone.  I think I have met most of my friends while drinking... in Mr. Hyde mode, as I call it.  I'm like night and day 1/3 of the way through my first drink.