Category: near and dear

I was reading someone’s blog about their recent interesting waiter experience, and it reminded me of when I used to be a waiter. Not just the time I was a waiter; specifically one of my funniest/most interesting moments as a waiter:

When I worked at Rock Ola cafe, I decided, why not get my tongue pierced. (I still have the piercing in case you were wondering.) Well, little did I know that when I got it, my tongue would swell to the point where I could not eat (I lost 5 lbs in one week!), and it was very difficult to talk; without sounding like I had a MAJOR speech impediment. But I forged on… I had to work!

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Yesterday, James and I celebrated our two year anniversary. (!!!) I don’t want to get all mushy, but I did want to say that this has been two of the best years of my life. I never thought that I would ever be able to meet someone that complements me so completely; nor did I see that I would be this happy those many years ago, when I sat lonely in the closet. If I would have known that James would be what I would have to look forward to, then I would have come out a long time ago!!

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I have posted before about my being more comfortable in life with James, and subsequent weight gain that it has afforded; but enough is enough. James and I went the YMCA in Eastlake last night, to take a tour and see if we wanted to join; and I weighed myself. HOLY SHIT! I weigh more than I have ever weighed, and that is OVER. I am on serious lock-down until things get better. I have developed a workout plan, and I am going to get back to my svelte figure; or die trying. Now, I am not trying to say I am FAT, but I don’t want to get FAT, so I gotta do something NOW. I will try and post updates about how the workout is going, and honestly, use this as a method to hold myself accountable. See, if I have to post about it, then I should be more likely to do it; in theory.

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As of Monday, August 29, I will be taking a “new” job, back with my old branch. I haven?t said anything, because I am one of those, “wait till the chickens are hatched” types of people, so I wanted to be sure before I broadcast the message.

I am very excited to be going back to work with my old team, and I am sure that there will be less of what I experienced in my current branch (no need to get into that here? I always said I would never blog about work, and I mean it!). Needless to say, a new job is on the way, and that should prove an exciting move. Only thing is, right now I am in transition, which can be, well, kind of awkward. Regardless? the move is official Monday, so not much longer on that.

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You know, they always say that you have to be able to change a tire to consider yourself a man, and as of today, I can cross that one off of my list. I came out to notice that my poor little car had a flat, and I decided the best way to handle that would be to take it off, and take it in to a tire shop. That required that I: jack up the car (oh you manly brute!), screw off the lug nuts (look at those muscles), pull off the tire (*girlish scream*), and put air in it to test it out (several women, and other gay men, just fainted). I actually am kind of proud of it, and I felt the need to kick something, spit, and or drink a beer right after I was finished.

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I am sitting here today, with not too much to do (since I have been in trainings all week), and I am really in a funk. I need to be applying for an FTE (see five hours of time writing KSA’s for a position that you will probably not have a chance in hell of getting), but I cannot bring myself to start. I cannot figure it out either. Why can’t I just do it? Well, other than what I said just a second ago? I guess that a lot of it is because I get into times of my life where one thing or another is not really moving forward, and it causes a sort of funk. Now, I am not saying that my life sucks and everything is bad, in fact, that is far from the truth.

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So I have finally gotten around to taken pictures of my paintings that are in my home. I actually really love to paint, and find it a great means of expression, but you would have never known that before today (if you have never been to my house). I also made a decision to sell any and all of them, if people should want them. This doesn’t mean that I think that people will or will not want them, I just believe in having things out there, and I don’t want to stop someone from enjoying a piece of my work if they want to. I also kind of like the idea that someone might want some piece of me in their home, hell, I have my work hanging up all around me! But anyways… check out the art: by d page, and see my paintings. I will add all of them eventually, but, I want to make sure I have pictures that adequately represent the beauty in each work. I wouldn’t want someone selling me short, so I will pay my work with the same respects.

Contact me if you want something.

I often find myself wondering why I don?t follow through on things like I ought to. I have all of these things that I like to do, and things that I want to do, but I just talk about how fun or cool it would be to do them, but never actually really get around to doing them. One of those things is posting here as often as possible, but I feel like I have actually managed to make a strong effort on that, and have actually gotten to that. I really do enjoy keeping up on the old website too, but even that wavers at times. (I keep threatening to learn the master of all flash and make a kick ass ALL FLASH * gasp * website version of duanemoody.com, but alas, I have not yet?) I am either on or off with that stuff. I really want to be the ultimately creative being that I believe that I am destined to be, or I honestly think that I will perish. I guess that I am the only one that can save myself, but I believe the years of ADD or whatever you want to call it have made it hard to do. So right now, and listen up, cause this is a message for those of you that wonder about these sort of things, I am focused on figuring that out, and working on it. I think that I am going to write a book (finally)? but we will have to see how that goes, and if I can maintain the drive that it will take to finish it, and make it good. Hell, maybe it could get published and make me some money, cause then I know FOR SURE I would be a hell of lot more motivated. Maybe that is my motivation? if my creativity made me money AND happiness, all would be right in the world. So, now is when I will start wishing for that, while you go away and let me wish for it. (But I promise to work on that other crap too).

And Laura, this doesn?t mean that I am contemplating being a creative zombie, or that I am writing a story about zombies, or anything like that. Although, now that I think about it, that may actually be an option. Stay tuned?

Ever since I heard that this man exists, I have been on the prowl to hopefully get a picture with him, and this weekend, a dream became reality. I finally met Baton Bob aka the Ambassador of Mirth. Now, I know what you are thinking, “couldn’t you just get your picture with any old drag queen, any old time of the week?”. Well, yes. But? That drag queen would not be Baton Bob, for you see, he is not a drag queen. He is the Ambassador of Mirth, and rightfully so.
We were walking to the dogwood festival when we spotted him, and I ran across the road in busy traffic just to get a picture with him, and I am so glad that he obliged. Check out the results: Dogwood Pictures (Now, as you can see by these photos, we saw Baton Bob three times. What a lucky day.)
Now, I honestly must say, that I was totally filled with mirth as I walked away that day, and am filled with mirth every time I think about it. Thank you Baton Bob!!! It was a pleasure!

Oh yeah? the dogwood festival was nice too. And James, Josh, and Laura were there, I liked that as well. Hi Laura! Come back soon!

So, I made it through yet another “fun-filled” Christmas. And now that it is over, I can go back to the normal world where we don’t spend so much time and money preparing for the one day that you “get” to spend with those that you love. Yeah… now I need a vacation from my vacation. But only one more work week at my old job, and then it is on to the new job!!!

That’s right folks! I am employable at more than one place! Well, maybe just one place, doing something different. After all, I am not leaving CDC, just moving on to a new branch. I will be starting my new position, which will be more program evaluation, and more travel. I am really looking forward to this change, and hope to have adventures to speak of from my upcoming travels. Can’t wait. Till then… Keep breathing.