Hodge Podge

My day off didn't go as glorious as I had suspected it would.  With it pouring down rain, it made getting out of bed more and more of a non-possibility, but thanks to Matt (with his early morning (because he has insomnia) email that I can now get via my new phone sitting by my bedside with a loud notification sound), suffice to say the sleeping portion of my day off had concluded, rather abruptly, and early.  I was able to get through some of my taped shows, did some running around, stopped over my Godmother's for Mother's Day (I know, late... at least it wasn't on Father's Day by the time I got over there like last year)... went to dinner and saw Iron Man II, which was good.

Tweet

I've written in the past about my Dad's obsession with the birds... the bird feeder that I originally bought him, although stylish and fun, kept breaking off pieces (it was ceramic), so I picked up another one for him while doing some late night perusing of the shelves of Wal-mart... recycled plastic ($9.97).  You would think that he avoided a whammy behind door number 3 and won a trip to Puerto Vallarta or a car.  We know what he'll be doing on my day off... binoculars in one hand, remote in the other and the sounds of chirping and Drew Carey and the Showcase Showdown wheel spinning in the background...

YUM ! (Faces)

Brace Yourselves...

I'm going to say something that I very rarely say... I have the day off tomorrow... and not one of the 'day off' days that I usually take... one where I wind up running around doing things for a job... or show up any way... or guilt myself out the whole day for not doing anything... this is a genuine day off for me... and it starts tonight.  I am pumping myself full of caffeine as I type to make sure that I stay up late to watch all my saved programs... then, after sleeping in a bit (with my woobie), I am going to the farmer's market area of town in the morning, where I will treat myself to breakfast , followed by some delights (coconut macaroons) at the local biscotti place, followed by a trip to the Italian store to get some coffee syrup and some Italian cookies... and maybe some shopping after that.  Tomorrow night is dinner at my favorite restaurant, Red Robin... and Iron Man II.  What a glorious day it will be!

Tie a Knot and...

Today was an agitation.  While it was the perfect weather, overall, to spread 12 yards of mulch, it was a shitty day to move 12 yards of mulch.  It was windy again, and spotty sun... so when the sun came out, it made you sweat a bit so that when the sun went down, you were wet enough to be chilled.  The new guy, David, has been doing a great job.  We've moved 48 yards of mulch now, with only 12 to go.... and that's only another 6 or so hours.  I am so near to being done with the prep for the season (and their audit), I could almost cry out of happiness.  I am so physically and mentally drained.

Mom's Day

I don't really have a holiday for myself.  My Dad forgets my birthday every year... (although very tan) I can't latch on to Martin Luther King Jr. day... (although some young boys have called me Daddy) Father's Day isn't for me... Easter and Xmas (let's not go into religious holidays)... I'd need to have someone special in my life to benefit from Valentine's Day (someone without a crazy boyfriend)... I don't drink beer, so St. Patrick's Day is out (although I have puked behind a dumpster in an alley in the past, if that qualifies me for being Irish)... and even National Coming Out day is way behind me, since I'm 23 years into my gay career already.  Mother's Day was it for me... when I had Shelby, my dog.  Now, I'm just a statistic that Hallmark sales predictions would like to get off their pie charts.  I will go over and see my Godmother, who is practically like a Mom to me.  She never forgets my birthday... always gets me a Sarris peanutbutter meltaway egg for Easter and gives me $20 for Xmas... There's nothing like Moms to transcend religious boundries.

Baby Names

It's no secret that I'm not a kid person.  I don't get them, I never was one and if I won one in a card game or on a game show, I'd just rather have the money.  I think they all look alike and, fresh out of the momma belly, I would be like 'you better hose that bitch off before you put it in my arms... I ain't havin' that'.  And they are all ugly (like the baby in the picture)... someone is calling that thing their 'bundle of joy'... meanwhile, we all know it's 'nobody's pretty child', more like it. The Dad must be really hairy, I guess... I think that's the neighbor's kid... he can bite a hog through a picket fence.  "A place for everything and everything in it's place"... I'm not sure if that was a saying about organizational skills or babies, but I believe babies have their own place... in the trunk of the car... while I'm getting myself that cute little blue jersey number in the window of Kohl's or whilst I'm sipping on a beverage of my chosing at a trendy cafe.  On the other hand, they are kind of useful when they can push a lawnmower or make tennis shoes, but the law gets dicey on that subject, so let's just say my official stance on that (for the record) is that "I don't go for that sort of thing"... (but if they're old enough to tie their shoes, what's the harm in having them bang out a few hightops?).  Just sayin'.

My friend Pam, on her blog, was talking about baby names, and how they're so different from when we were young.  Everyone is trying to come up with the most unique names... sometimes after cars (Mercedes, Lexus, Hyundai Sonata), some after nature (Brook, Stream, Toxic Spill)... and sometimes after food (Saffron, Sage, (and believe it or not, I have run into a girl in the 90's with the name) Lasagna Johnson.

I think a name should say something about a person, but sometimes can backfire.  Parents have to choose names that will empower but have to think about what happens if the names don't self-fulfill.... like the old joke, Bob, and the kid winds up having no arms and just sort of goes up and down in the water... or Grace, and the bitch runs into things or Tripp, and it keep falling down..  I've always liked babies to have names like Silence.... Serenity.... and, my favorites, Sleepy and her twin sister, Lethargic. Although Absent, Void and Missing are all good ones as well. I'd be just like any other Mom when it comes to baby names... I'd have to give them a few to make sure to be trendy and to hope for the best.  Perhaps a name that highlights their heritage or how they came to be... (and here's an example of using a middle name as well)... Random Dick.

When I was growing up, I hated my name. The only other 'David' that I knew of was David Soul from music's "Don't Give Up On Me Baby" and TV's 'Starsky and Hutch'. Then, when I became a gay in the late 80's, I had 12 of my closest friends turn out having the name David... so I had to come up with nicknames, like Little David, Dance-his-ass-off David, Slutty David (he was always a party favorite), etc. etc. Just by their nickname, the large group of friends knew exactly who we were talking about.

Alas, I was always just 'David'. My Mom was the only one to ever call me 'Dave', and usually when she was mad at me. A little known fact about me, I don't have a middle name... neither does my brother (my Mom wasn't creative... or maybe she didn't want to personalize us just in case she wanted to return us).  I'm not sure why, but gay men always go by their full names... Michael instead of Mike, William instead of Bill, Richard instead of Dick (oh wait, there's always exceptions to that one). 

 

Coming or Going?

Today was one of those killer days where I get exhausted, dehydrated, sunburned and lose 5 pounds of something (probably part energy, part enthusiasm, part will to go on). 

What I thought would be an hour or two of parking lot island cutting for my friend, Mike, at one of his Lowes locations, turned out to be 7 hours of complete nightmare, after 3 hours at the Marriott this morning cutting grass.  This Lowes location had their landscaper never show up, so the grass hasn't been cut all season.  It was over a foot high, with trash all through it.  With each area (which turned out to be a lot more than just a few islands), I had to cut it 3 times, bagging it each time and after doing extensive garbage removal and weed-eating.  9 Bags of grass clippings and 3 bags of trash later... I'm exhausted and going to bed.

Below are some before and after pics... 

And some other 'after' pics without before pics...

Trudging Forward

Really quickly, I wanted to say thanks to everyone for hanging in there.  With psycho, stalker and hater at bay, things feel calmer now.  I couldn't help thinking that hater might be right... what if I do bring this drama on?  Both psycho and stalker came out of a date (maybe I should just never date again) and hater is believing that someone is my friend when they obviously are not (maybe I shouldn't have any friends).  My problem is that I'm naive to this shit and want to believe that people are good (maybe I should give up on that).  Regardless, I'm not changing who I am.

Today was the most beautiful day I've ever seen.  Blue skies, not a single cloud, a nice breeze and about 73 degrees... who could ask for anything more than that?  21 hours and 35 yards of mulch into it (with 25 to go)... I'm over it.  Today was pure hell, being tired already at the start and doing an area with a lot of tedious plants, etc, to work around.  Tomorrow, I have to drop my truck off to get the air conditioning checked (a bitch likes it to be really cold) and then get some grass cut at the Marriott and at helping out my friend Michael with one of his Lowes stores that lost a landscaper.

The picture is of the courtyard area of the hotel where they hold a lot of weddings and receptions.  It's my favorite area, with a winding sidewalk and a pond (straight ahead)with fish in it.

Another Address Change

I have spent an hour trying to write this so it doesn't come off making me look self-important or like an ass, but I've had no luck.  I'm hoping that those left reading this know me well enough to know how much all this bothers me.

After making changes to the address of the blog, only giving it out to a few and deleting a bunch of people from my facebook, I was starting to feel a sense of security after what transpired over the last couple of days.  But, out of the blue today, I got a comment from the guy that I blogged about because I had trouble with him last year (was riding past my house, etc.).  His comment was so matter-of-factly written (like we were old friends) that it scared me.  I haven't heard from him in a long time, and it didn't even hit me that he was possibly still reading the blog.  I guess when he logged into Trouble and it wasn't there, he did a profile search on me and it listed the new blog on there.  I changed the settings in my profile and made my profile invisible... and now, it should be fine.

I'm sorry, and thanks for your patience and support.  I feel so stupid, I don't even feel like writing any more.

I'm Featuring You, Elaine... On Your Birthday!!

I met Elaine when I was 18... we both worked at a local hotel... I was a front desk clerk and she was the night auditor, balancing all the transactions for the day.  A few weeks into me working there, I made some mistakes which she pointed out and I said "well, that's your job, to fix my mistakes"... and we were fast friends from then on (guess she liked my smart-ass answer).  I went into the Air Force (long story for another time) and was getting out and she accepted a job with Red Roof Inns and was being transferred to Philadelphia... so I moved out there with her (as well as our venture to Las Vegas a few years back).  She went on to work for ADP and then to SAP (a world-wide software company), where she then hired me to work for her as an HRIS Analyst.  She currently works for Oracle as a consultant, setting up H.R. and benefits software for huge corporations.  She is considered an expert in the field, having completed so many certifications and trainings and has won many accolades from the company.  She has been chosen to learn certain programs that no one else in the company knows because of her track record and abilities. 

Gone Sunday through Thursday or Friday and home on weekends, her dedication to her career is only foreshadowed by what she provides to her family and the deeds that she does for the people in her life. She has a very strong sense of family that extends not only to her blood relatives, but to her friends as well. Having lost her father, who did not make her childhood easy, and then her two brothers, she keeps a watchful eye over her mother, recently moving her into her home with her dog, Brandy.  She has a strong sense of spirituality, devoting much time and money not only to her own Greek church, but her friend's Catholic church as well. 

It’s funny, when we moved to Philadelphia years ago, I used to joke with her about her being a ‘little girl in a big city’. That ‘little girl’ has grown up to be a spectacular human being, a smart business woman and a pillar in her community that people aspire to and applaud. She works hard, strives to better herself in any way possible and helps anyone that needs it, constantly giving back and putting herself last. Even personally seeing her first-hand manage her life, I don’t know how she does it. She has come a long way in the 24 years that I have known her, from her unpleasant upbringing to her struggle to make something of herself to all that she has taken on over the years… and yet, she hasn’t changed. She is still the same warm, decent, caring, laughing person when I put my life in her hands 24 years ago that she is now. And I would still put my life in her hands today, and would lay down mine for her.

Happy Birthday, my forever friend.

Spectacular Day

I made the decision the other day (after 15 phone calls to my brother from 9 am until 3 pm to try to get him out of bed) that I wasn't going to use him any more.  Fortunately, a girl I know at work asked me if her husband, who was out of work right now, could help.  I was leary... you never know how someone is going to be, especially in hot weather with 12 yards of mulch staring at you... but he was EXCELLENT!  I had to beg him to take a break, he was such a hard worker.  Didn't talk all day long about stupid stuff, didn't talk to everyone that walked by, didn't talk on his phone all day long, didn't chase ducks around the parking lot... it made today such a great day... He will eagerly be back tomorrow.  The mulch spread like butter on warm toast.

With 23 yards completed, there's only (ha ha) 37 left, but all the hard areas have been done... most of what's left are big open spaces and parking lot islands.  We have another 12 yards coming tomorrow morning, with another beautiful, sunny day in store.

This pic was from the new Barnes and Noble last night... Berry and Matt with The Cat in the Hat (in the middle of the two).  Fun times had by all, especially me for not having to pose with some idiot in a costume or the other two jokers. 

Witness Protection Plan...

Rumination: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
Vacuity: an empty space

Today, I decided to move the blog to a new address and change the name of it.  The name is actually the one that I wanted to begin with... but an old friend had it as their blog name... so I didn't want to use it, but now they're not using it any more.  Meaning 'constant, repetitive thoughts about the emptiness inside me', it hits home with all the things that I mull over on a daily basis, trying to fill myself up with something... anything.

With being on the verge of filing a complaint against the psycho guy with the police and the other person who was sending me hater comments just to jack me off, it's just better for me to move it.  And being that it was never about collecting readers, although they added up, now I can keep it contained to the people that truly give a shit about me and are interested (or maybe just a glutton for punishment?).  Meanwhile, it got harder for me to honestly post when I became concerned about who exactly was reading it.  Plus, there was some personal info that I opened up about that, until you get someone crazy in your life and you realize, made certain aspects of my life dangerous.  With that, I won't be giving out the new link all over the place, and keeping it more contained to people that I know. 

It's sad that after almost 4500 hits and some 650 posts to have to lose the name and chose another one.  And while I was able to preserve the history of my life and the posts transferred over, it feels like I moved across town to a new house.

More Trouble

Today, the hotel got another call... this time from a woman (psychotic bf's psychotic mother?) saying pretty much the same thing (a guest heard Mike and me loudly having sex in a room next to theirs).  First of all... when I am at the hotel, I am drenched in dirt and sweat and wouldn't step foot in the hotel, let alone have some encounter in that condition... Secondly, I have worked for Marriott for 4 years... I know not to go to the guest floors, especially mid-day.  And lastly, I didn't even know Mike on the day that he (the guest) heard this).  Again, H.R. laughed it off, but this time, they are in the process of tracing the call.  In addition, bf went to Mike's work where he's been instructed not to go near... and he's digging his own hole even deeper.  As a result of all of this, I have decided to file my own harrassment complaint, being that I received the comment on my blog, 11 restricted hang-ups, two attempts at getting me fired and who knows what else. 

Up until now, I haven't wanted to know this person's name.  And I was even willing to let the phone call to the hotel go... but with the second one, I'm not as willing to forgive and forget.  I have his name, address ( seven miles west of Pittsburgh... or seven towns west of Pittsburgh... or something like that...  (wink wink))... and his cell phone number.  This will be the last post I do on this since I will be meeting with the Police tomorrow morning. 

Trouble in My Bubble

Yesterday was an odd day of sorts, but busy.  I went to work to wrap up the bushline that we cut down last week... all lined up in the parking lot, it took 11 truck loads to get rid of it (see blown up pic ... it's that dark pile that spans the whole parking lot right before the grass field in the top of the pic).  Since my brother hasn't been able to get up before 2 or 3 in the afternoon lately and has been a worthless helper (even though he says he wants to work), my Dad helped me with two loads.  Mulch (50 yards) is coming later today... now the fun begins.

While I was doing that, the hotel informed me of some more drama regarding Mike, which was a total surprise since we haven't even talked since the whole psychotic episode happened.  Since the bf got a restraining order against Mike (I know, right?)... things have quieted down.... until the end of last week.  Just brought to my attention, it appears that the bf called the hotel on Thursday or Friday and pretended to be a guest and tried to say that he and his wife (I know, right?) heard Mike and me (using our names) having wild sex in the room next to theirs and tried to place a complaint (i.e. tried to get us both fired).  When asked his name and number for the incident, the 'guest' wouldn't give it.  Meanwhile, I am friends with every manager in every position there, so they already knew what was going on prior to this and just laughed it off as another psychotic episode.  With all of that, he violated his own restraining order by third-party contact with Mike and Mike is now filing a harrassment suit and I have to detail his harrassing calls and threats in a letter for court.

Note to psychotic bf dude:  Not that you can fuck with my job there since, again, I know everyone... and I do a great job and they know me better... but you don't screw with someone's income and not expect there to be hard feelings.  And while I don't even talk to Mike any more (except now this little stunt has brought us together), I am hoping that you just either take your twisted shit out on Mike where it belongs or just move through it.  I was cool with dropping the whole thing... in fact, I have never wanted to know or have asked for your name from Mike because I didn't want to get more involved, but now, you have drawn me further into this... and I will know who you are.

Note to self:  Boys are dickheads... get another dog.

Glee (fully)

Glee started off a little hokey post mid-season break.  I think with the shooting to stardom, they kind of had the same pressure that Desperate Housewives experienced to be better.  There was just too much going on in the first two new episodes... but it came into it's own this past week, bringing a few loose ends together.  This is the character, Kurt (the gay) professing his love for Finn (the football player) in one of my favorite songs... A House is Not a Home... (Luther Vandross) with the idea of them living together under the same roof when Finn's Mom and Kurt's Dad start to fall in love.  Crisp, clean, innocent.... this gives me chills every time.

A Sense of Community

Development of community is a good thing.  So many important additions make for a well-rounded, strong, helpful social setting... the community center... the free clinic... planned parenthood... and the Barnes and Noble.  Surrounded by stacks of works by literary giants with a wealth of knowledge to share, intellectuals looking to soak up some of that knowledge and accompanied by only the finest Columbian coffee products makes for the perfect setting for me to walk right past those works of art, sit down every week and read my trashy Hollywood magazines to see what Lady GaGa was wearing last week and to see if Kate +8 still has 8, or did she sell any off for a tv show deal.  These are important pieces of news that can't be missed.

And so, having said that, our local B&N (or simply 'The Nook', as we regulars call it) is relocating to a brand new facility over by the movie theater where we partake in Tuesday Night Movie Madness and where the new Red Robin is going in (my favorite).  Boasting a raised-floor cafe with big, plush seats and plenty of wi-fi flowing, I may never have to go home.  It opens on the 4th... and the dedication of my assigned parking space and cafe table on the following day.  Light snacks and a refreshment of your choosing will be served immediately following.

Anatomy of a Day Off

This is what my day off looks like, in a nutshell.

For someone who doesn't work a Monday through Friday, 9-5 job... their 'day off' seems to be much more of a thing that you look forward to in the sense that it contains a little mystery (not a lot of pre-planning can be done since you get little notice of when it's going to be), some randomness and relief (since maybe the work weeks went back-to-back in one long stretch).  When someone says it's their day off tomorrow, maybe they have something special that they want to do or they plan to do nothing... but you're compelled to ask 'what are you going to do on your day off?'.  There's a split in thought at their response.  Maybe they have something great in mind and you're like 'wow, that's a great thing to do' or, if nothing is planned, you're like 'wow, a day with nothing to do sounds great'.

I never know when my day off will be.  I am usually  working long days now that I don't even know what to do with myself when I'm not working.  Besides, I only get hugely rainy days off... it would be nice to have a sunny one sometime... or one where it's not 22 degrees and snowing.  So, today, with my day off, I had my Dad's pancakes... slept in a bit... and now, who knows?  The sky's the limit (under the layer of clouds and rain, of course).

YUM !! (Military)

A View From Above

Today, a friend of mine at the hotel took me up to the 15th floor to show me a unique perspective of my landscaping in the parking lots...

This is the back area where they set up for weddings and is the latest work that I've done... you can see the 3 Pine trees and the Golden Cypress bushes especially...

This is the main area of the hotel and the drop-off for the front door... you can see my truck (illegally parked, actually) on the left...

This is the right side...  it's interesting how clear you can see my grass edging...

This is the front of the hotel.  Last year, from this parking lot, I removed 32 trees... it's a wonder there's any left.  The big grassy area out front is the largest grass that I have to cut, and I do it all with a push mower.  Fortunately, they are putting a Dunkin' Donuts in there later this year.