Turkey Lurkey

Ok...so it's Thursday night...long day at work...not much to blog about...sooo...

Let's play Lurker Shout Out!

I seem to have a few regulars, very random one timers ( i feel so cheap and used...eh...not really), and there's one that's a loyal lurker.

Not sure if it's someone from a government agency spying on a Midwestern 'Mo or what...but they're from Reston, VA.

Here's what I found on wikipedia (not always reliable) but good enough for me.

Reston is a planned community and an unincorporated census-designated place located in western Fairfax County, Virginia in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Community services are provided by the Reston Association. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 56,407. Although Reston is not a city and does not have a traditional central business district, the Reston Town Center is becoming a focal point for business and transportation connections within the community, with several high-rise office buildings, restaurants, a cinema, a hotel, and shops. Reston also straddles the booming Dulles Technology Corridor and is home to the world headquarters of three Fortune 500 corporations, (NVR, Sprint Nextel, Sallie Mae), as well as the United States Geological Survey and the National Wildlife Federation.

Reston is one of just a handful of communities in the U.S. that has been designated a backyard wildlife habitat community. Usually this designation is for single homes.
(see Reston Timeline)

Guiding principles
From the beginning Reston was designed to follow "guiding principles" in its development that would stress quality of life. Citizens would be able to live in the same community while going through different life cycles with different housing needs as they age. It was hoped that Restonians could live, work, and have recreation in their own community, with common grounds and scenic beauty shared equally regardless of income level.

Anyhoo...there's your-I-don't-have-a-post-so-I'll-call-out-some-faithful-reader-that-I'll-probably-scare-off-for-calling-them-out.

Gay, Straight, or Taken

Go ahead and accuse me of subscribing to day old news...but in case you didn't hear...

Gay, Straight, or Taken will be a new show on Lifetime, where a female contestant meets three men...one gay, one straight, and one taken. She has to figure out who's who, and if she pics the str8 guy, they can go on a vacation together. If she guesses wrong, that person gets to take their significant other on the vacation. Talk about tailoring your programming to a nice audience. I've always said Lifetime is Television for Women (and Gay Men). Now it's just My Story is on Lifetime. Whatever.

Oh and if you haven't been hit by Old Man Winter yet, just wait. He's a coming and you'll probably get hit with a load of cold air. Take a look.

This entertainment and weather update has been brought to you by the letters F and U.

Sorry for the pseudo-lame post...I'm just not overly motivated today.

Hope your Hump Day is full of joy!

"W"

Thanksgiving is Over, But I'm Not

At the new church in the Big City, we always sing a chorus at the end of the offering.

"Thanks, thanks, I give You thanks, for all You've done,
I am so blessed, my soul is at rest, oh Lord, I give you thanks."

While I was doing a bit of the woe is me act during my recent four day holiday, I forgot to really think about all the things I'm truly thankful for. Usually every time I pray, I begin by thanking God for blessing me and my friends and family. I have a nice job that I mostly enjoy, I've got a great place to live, I'm healthy, and I have a lot of people who like "W" for who I am. The list goes on and on, but I've got it pretty good. All it takes is a bad day here or a something there and it's easy to forget the good things.

Last Wednesday, I promised another inspirational post from a church service two Sundays ago. Before the offering, there's usually a time of testimony. That week, a woman makes her way to the front and begins telling the most incredible story. The short version. She was a national champion trampoline tumbler gymnast. She took great satisfaction and got a lot of strength from this God given talent. One day she was doing a stunt she'd performed thousands of times and came out of the pike position and landed wrong. From that day on, she's been completely paralyzed. She has to rely on others to do everything for her. I was in tears, as she told how she gave up on life, on everything, on God. She said she couldn't even talk to Him anymore. Then one day, a Reverend from the church came by to visit and share a time of prayer and offered her help. The Reverend is a lesbian. The woman telling the story is straight. She said it wasn't about sexuality or anything like that. It was about one human reaching out to another human. Soon, other church members began visiting and offering help and love and support. Finally, the woman came to church and said after a short while she realized what she was missing. She told us it doesn't matter who you are or why you're different, in the end we're all the same, and at this church, we treat each other that way. No one stares or judges (well maybe some of the queens critiquing each others outfits). No one reacts in a negative way. At the end of the day, we're all just people. We may not be like the person next to us or across the room or across the street, but we're all human and deserve respect.

So yes, despite all the pain and hurt and blah feelings of the last week or so, I can honestly say I'm thankful to be alive, thankful for all I have, and thankful for Thom and our friendship.

Take a minute or so each day to remind yourself of what you're thankful for, maybe it'll help you get through those not so great moments.

Kisses all around!

"W"

It's Over

I knew this post was coming for awhile now. Thom and I called it off last night. After four days of being nauseous and an emotional wreck, I actually feel good today. The waiting and uncertainty really took a toll on me.

Not to get too personal, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought. Thom doesn't necessarily want to date other people...he just doesn't want to date me. Ok yeah that sounds worse. We talked about how we built a good foundation to be really great friends and that there wasn't that extra element of spark that's there with a true romance/relationship. So we've decided to just be friends...and not the kind that says we'll be friends and never speak to each other. I can take some comfort that his friends (who are becoming my friends) were shocked and didn't understand why Thom wanted to end things. It's still an hour and thirty or so away, but I feel like I'm becoming a part of the church in the Big City, so I'm still going to go a few Sundays a month, and some of his friends have already invited me to stay with them on the weekends. It seems like I'm glossing over a lot of minor details, but it's hard to be mad or angry at Thom, because he is a nice guy and perhaps this is for the best.

So I'm healing, moving on, and looking forward to what's next for me in life.

Enjoy the start of a new week!

"W"

Surprise!

Yeah, it's a surprise, if you're reading this on Sunday, because I don't usually post on Sunday. It was killing me not to put up a post for four days, so I had to do something.

Surprises over the last few days...

1.) Going to the Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon, and seeing two drag queens on a float for one of the local gay bars. Funny because not many str8-ies figured it out!

2.) My sister taking a sincere and genuine interest in the part of my life she only recently learned about. She's been such a gem and big help.

3.) Mom trying to give me her new laptop...because "she doesn't need it". It's a pretty nice Dell, which a huge screen and a lot of extras...I think she said it's in the 1500+ price range...but I don't need a laptop, so I told her to see if she'd start using it or think of someone else who could.

4.) My foster nephew Zach...he's full of surprises, including when you see him he says "Hi Zachy!"...as if you're supposed to say hi everytime you see him. He also cracks me up by saying "Looky there!" The best is when he talks about trucks. He can't quite make the tr sound...so he says fucks instead. Too funny. So you know Uncle W spent the whole holiday getting him to say "truck".

5.) Talking to the BF Thom on Wednesday and finding out he wants to date other people. Oh, I didn't say these were good surprises did I??? It's rough, I don't want to put it out there yet, but I was caught off guard by his request, since we never said we were exclusive. Not sure what's up there, of course I'll let you know.

With note, I'll bid you adieu on this Sunday evening, and have a whole 'nother post for your tomorrow morning sometime.

Hugs!

T is for Thanksgiving, T is for Transvestite

This morning in cycling we had a replacement instructor, an older guy who's pretty spunky and had decent taste in music. One of the songs, Aerosmiths' "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", reminded me of a post I need to write.

On Sunday at church, we honored Trans-people with a Day of Transgender remembrance. A transwoman read the names of all the transpeople who died in the last year, and another transwoman lit candles for each person. It was touching, after I had an epiphany. I'll admit it, I don't get the transgender thing, and yeah I've made more than one off color joke about trannies. As much as I want to be accepted, loved, and a part of the world, so does everyone else, including transgender people. While I may not fully understand it, I know I need to have just as much acceptance toward them as I want from others.

Perhaps my first transgender spotting was on Sally or Oprah or one of those talk shows. Just like the Persian Guy (monday nov 13-th entry) was chatting about 'giving a false impression of who gays and lesbians really are' , I think it's perhaps a very similar situation with transgender people. Not sure if it was supposed to be just a cross dresser or a transgender, but I do remember an interesting performance in a favorite holiday classic, Mixed Nuts.

I also heard another inspirational story at church Sunday, but I'll blog about it tomorrow, for another giving thanks reminder.

Smooches and Happy Wednesday!

We interrupt this week's ten things tuesday to bring you a very special Blossom

Yeah, I'm running out of things to list, so while I take a break and think of more factoids, I'll bring you the latest installment of "Hey Family, I'm a Big Ole 'Mo'" also knows as "W" comes out.

So last week, the Sis and I had the conversation about my true self. I could not ask for a better response or a better sister. I did ask her if Mom had ever interrogated her about my sexuality, and she said it came up a few years ago.

In fact, this was Sis's response: "And I talked to mom this weekend, but didn't tell her anything. She is figuring it out because she said something like, I wonder who it is he is going to see, and if its a girl or guy. And she said, I don't ask, I will just let him tell me. So. I think she suspects it. And she kinda tried to get me to say if I had talked to you lately blah blah blah, but I just said yeah a little here and there, because I didn't want to say anything before you did. Mom and I talked about it, just guessing about it, a long, long time, 3 or 4 years ago. So I think there has always been the thought in the back of our minds. Whenever you tell them, I think they will be disappointed and a little shocked, but they are not going to disown you. You know that? They won't. They will love you all the same. And they will deal. "

Ok...my next email is a forward from Mom. Telling me to boycott Walmart and Sam's Club this weekend because they support the gay and lesbian agenda. (Ok, I'm not sure what the agenda is, I missed it at last week's meeting.) I had to bite my lip and curl my fingers to NOT fire off a response. I think I'll bring it up this weekend when I'm home visiting and perhaps use that as an entryway into mentioning I'm gay.

Time to go pay bills before work.
Blah!

"W"

Weekend Update

Where does the time go? It's Monday already...yuck yuck. Oh well, it's a short workweek, right?

My weekend was pretty good. Things with Thom are fine. We're getting back to the whole 'dating' thing, instead of sitting around his house watching HGTV and going to bed at 10. On Saturday we went furniture window shopping after lunch, and then met some lesbians out for dinner. Let me tell you...the drama was in the air. Katie and Jenny, a couple I'm getting to know through Thom, try to stay out of the way of all the loonie lez fighting, and drew a tree of all the incestuous insane dating circle they're on the outside looking in on. As the night progressed, we ran into more and more of the people in that not so small circle. Weird. We ended up going to a mostly lesbian bar and danced and had some tasty beverages. I'd swear Anchul from this cycle of America's Next Top Model was there with her equally nice exotic looking male friend, who didn't seem so straight after all.

Sunday..got up...went for bagels before church...church was the equally awesome experience it is each and every week. I'll blog about a very inspirational speaker from Sunday later this week.

Before church, I sent a text message to a friend inviting him to church. He said maybe next week, he was loaded up and heading out of town. (he has a place in the Big City for the weekends and works in a Small Town during the week). Funny that three hours later, I ran into him when we went to lunch at a nearby diner. He's nice but kind of odd, so it's not like seeing him was a huge surprise after he said he was leaving town.

Ok...need to get ready for work...

Laterz
"W"

Fun Fact Friday

Ok, the alliteration is annoying...I'll stop sometime, so sorry.

Uh whatever.

In accordance with the blog Bible, I shall copy ideas from other bloggers (I still need to figure out how to do that crossout line thing that some people use so cleverly...paging Dirk Mancuso, paging Dirk Mancuso)....back on track here...last week DM posted this Wikipedia Fact Birthday thing.

Go to Wikipedia, type in your birth month and day, but not the year...find three events, two people with the same bday, 1 person who died that day, and 1 holiday.

EVENTS (Now I'll be singing Pilgrim songs and Smells Like Teen Spirit)
1.) 1614 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe.
2.) 1956 - In Sri Lanka, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna won the general elections in a lanslide and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike sworn in as the Prime Minister.
3.) 1994 - Lead Singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain commits suicide, and is found three days later (April 8th)

SHARED BIRTHDAY (Now I'll be singing Bette Davis Eyes)
1.) 1908 - Bette Davis, American actress (d. 1989)
2.) 1968 - Paula Cole, American musician

WHO DIED (Now I'll be singing the soundtrack to the Aviator)
1.) 1976 - Howard Hughes, American aviator (b. 1905)

HOLIDAY (now I'll be singing the Madonna song all day)
1.) Qingming Festival (Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime and also to tend to the graves of departed ones.

Have a lovely weekend...and I'll do the same.

Hugs and kisses!

3LBS Thursday

Earlier this week, I caught a few minutes of the new CBS show 3LBS, staring Mark Feuerstein and Stanley Tucci. It's being called a House ripoff (I haven't seen it either)...but....

http://www.bentblog.com/art20136123.htm (Big thanks to a cool site www.bentblog.com )

Normally I wouldn't have stared but apparently Mark and Stanley were in a locker room changing clot...so the shirtless men in their skiviies caught my attention. I couldn't find any screencaps or anything from the show...darn it.

Anyhoo, I'm sure the show is doomed, because everything Mark does gets cancelled, Like Good Morning Miami, Conrard Bloom, and a ton more. Poor thing.

So there you have it...a post on Thursday, so the Dirk Mancuso blog everyday patrol won't give me a citation.

Smooches!

WTF?!?!?!? Wednesday

Hey all...

Big News! I finally had the conversation with my sister yesterday. Things went very well. It was one of those I know-you know-I know-you know type deals. (Thanks Kelly Clarkson, now Walkaway). Sis told me as long as I was happy, she was happy, and she supported me no matter what. I thanked her profusely for saying the right thing, and that I'm still "W"...nothing changes that. Next stop...telling the parents. Yikes.

Things are all over the place. Coming out to my sis...that's great. There's another part of my life that ain't so great at the moment, but I truly believe things can be worked out. Without going into too much detail, the BF and I had a long talk last night about "us". Again, I don't want to say much more, which leaves you all hanging, so let's just leave it at we're kinda taking a closer look at things.

Anyhoo...it's all part of the roller coaster we call life.

Take care!

10 Things Tuesday

Yeah yeah...Tuesday...10 Things...more boring facts....ready, set, go!

71.) I've never been skinny dipping
72.) I used to be really superstitious, and would have to do rituals before something important. Now I realize it's all out of my control
73.) However, I always say the Lord's Prayer when I fly. Once we're on the runway, as we're taking off
74.) I've never been to New York City or Los Angeles
75.) This morning my checking account had 26 cents in it, before my paycheck was direct deposited
76.) I get carried away shopping for Christmas, and usually go way over budget
77.) I think once a month I get PMS (the male version)...for a few days I'm cranky, bitchy, and bloated (moreso than the rest of the month)
78.) I'm still struggling on when and how to break the news to the family that I'm a big ole 'mo
79.) I did drop a big hint to my sister yesterday. How did I phrase it? Oh yeah "I've been spending a lot of time in the Big City on the weekends with a very special someone...I'm sure that's more information than you'd want to know, but if you do want to know, just ask.
80.) I talk to myself at the grocery store, but no where else.

And that folks is another 10 things, leading up to 100 Things You Didn't Know (or Care to Know) about "W".

Finally...some get well soon requests...Thom, Mama Mancuso, and my Granny!

Enjoy your day!

Cute, Smart, Funny, and Uses POWER TOOLS!

Quick weekend update (AKA Operation Get Dirk Mancuso off my back for not posting in the AM Monday)

I left work Friday like a bat out of hell to head up to the Big City to see the BF. He's such a sweetie...more mushy stuff...blah blah...yeah I know you don't really care, but he's now reading the blog, so I feel I need to give credit where credit is due.

We slept in Saturday, had a late breakfast, made the weekly trek to Target, and came home and lounged watching HGTV (or homo-garden tv as Thom likes to call it). We then got into a little dialogue...insulting each other in a loving way...then I apparently said something that was over the line and that made for some awkward moments. (Sorry sweetie if you're reading this.) Things got smoothed over as I helped him rearrange furniture in the upstairs bedrooms. A big improvement, giving both rooms a better look and more space. Later on, we hit a Mexican restaurant that's yummy big gives me stomach issues...third time charm...so I think I'll be passing on it for awhile. Sunday morning we got up, went to get bagels for breakfast on our way to church, and I made Thom stop to get some heating pad treatment thingys for his back, which he injured (no not that way you perverts), he injured moving furniture. Church was awesome as always. It's so wonderful to get a blessing(s) each time I go. I know I say the same things every Monday now. Weekend was great, Thom is a sweetheart, church rocked, we ate out, etc etc.

After church, Thom's friend came over to help do some repair work to some old boards on the front porch and back deck. I was the screw man and helped hand screws and other items to the guys. At first I wasn't sure if Thom didn't trust me to help, or he just wanted to do most of the work himself. I'm pretty sure it was the latter, but after awhile I was worried about his back and finally insisted on helping out. So yeah, I felt butch drilling holed and inserting screws.

My baby was hurting still when I left him this morning. He didn't go to work. I'm still a bit worried about him, since we didn't exactly talk tonight. I know he's tired and needs to rest, so I'll just catch up with him tomorrow.

On a totally unrelated note, a coworker got fired today, which was a major shock, since you have to REALLY screw up majorly to get fired. I think he'd been with the company for 15 years. No one knows what happened. I feel really bad for the guy too, especially with the holidays coming up.

SO...Monday's done...hope the rest of the week is enjoyable for you all.

Smooches!

Where Did The Time Go?

Yeah, so I could have sworn I posted yesterday, but then realized I didn't. Oops.

Hooray for Friday!

This week was super busy, although it went by fast.

Yesterday at work, I got a phone call from a friend I haven't heard from in months and months. Isn't it funny how you have a few friends here and there that you don't talk to on a regular basis, but can pick right back up with them? I have three that I don't communicate with on a weekly or monthly basis, and we always manage to catch up like no time ever passed. So shout outs to Amy, Melissa, and Dustin (those are their real names too!) for keeping it real. Again, if you all knew how white I am, you'd laugh even more. My family reunion has more crackers than a box of Saltines.

Geez...I'll apologize in advance...it's like this blog has turned into boring, pointless dribble. Let's blame it on Thom the BF...he makes me all googly eyed and giddy and I don't really concentrate or have much to say.

On that note...I'll bid you all a fabulous weekend AND promise to make things a little more interesting come next week.

Smooches!

Election Day Aftermath

Wow! Talk about ch-ch-changes!

Congrats to all the Dems and voters who wanted a change and helped make a change. So yeah, it wasn't more that people probably agreed with the Dems, but were just tired of the Republican mess. Either way, a big victory for all. Especially in my mostly Red State, as I blogged a little about yesterday with my 10 things. Lucky there was big turnout in the big Blue Cities...and the rural folks also helped in typically Red Counties, which helped unseat a GOP Senator.

I'm not overly political, and I don't get an election erection, but I did stay up late last night watching CNN and looking at updated results on the internet.

Hmm...I was bad today and skipped cycling. I woke up in time, but just didn't feel it in me, and opted for another hour of sleep.

So that's the latest on my oh so thrilling epic of "W" the lifestory...

Oh and Happy Birthday to Mom!

10 Things Tuesday

Hey...Happy Election Day to all!

Here's another installment of 10 Things Tuesday...

60.) I'm a registered Democrat
61.) I voted for Howard Dean in the 04 Primary (before the infamous yell)
62.) I live in a Red State with two major Blue Cities, and it still doesn't help combat closed minded conservatism
63.) I buy those teeth whitening strips (they do work!), but can't seem to use them twice a day for a week or two weeks as recommended by the directions
64.) I live in a two bedroom apartment with light pink walls (the painters made a big mistake, so I don't turn on main lights much to try and soften the pink)
65.) My decorating style is contemporary classic
66.) At 28, I already have gray hairs popping up...mostly along the front and sides
67.) I've resorted to touching up the gray and am in need of another touch up
68.) I was not a fan of the frosty locks or blonde highlights that were so popular in the last 6-7 years
69.) I don't consider myself a top or a bottom
70.) I'm joke about the above and claim to be 'saving myself for civil union'

Yes there are 11 things instead of 10, because I mentioned shoes twice along the way.

Give a Little Bit

Ok ok, after getting shamed once again from Mr. Dirk Mancuso, I'll throw up a post. I know you're all on the edge of your seats wanting to know about the weekend. Uh yeah. Not that exciting. I had a great weekend with the BF...just not exciting.

I went up Saturday morning, we had lunch, ran some errands, set up for a Sunday luncheon at church, had dinner, came home and went to bed BEFORE 11!!! We're like two old men. I think we're not adjusted to the time change, and since it's dark out at 5, it seems like it's time to go to sleep earlier...or something. Sunday morning we got up, fixed some food for church (I made hashbrown casserole, he made rotel dip), went to church for Generations Sunday. It was a very special service involving the younger age group (20ish-35-ish). Thom gave his testimony to close the already wonderful service. Everything he said came straight from the heart. It was so sincere and real and pure, I was touched. He's such an inspiration to me. Seriously. He's got a big heart and genuinely cares about his friends and family. I take comfort in that, knowing that he's very passionate about those close to him.

Which brings me to the title post..."Give a Little Bit"...

In the last few weeks, Thom has been more than generous in so many different ways. He's helped out some friends in ways that only true friends help each other. Going above and beyond the expectations, and pretty much giving his all. Of course I'm a bit over-protective and don't want him to get hurt or used, but he's confident it will all work out in the end.

In my few short visits to the Big City, I've encountered homeless people just about every time. Normally I'd tell them I didn't have any money, because you never know what they're going to do with it. Each time though, Thom reaches into his pocket and gives them a dollar or two. Saturday night it was $10. I knew money was tight for him, but he just gave it anyway. I felt guilty for not handing the man any money...but quite honestly money is very tight for me right now...and it means having cash for groceries or gas or not having either.

Thom says he just gives and hopes they'll use it to get food, and not drugs or alcohol. Who knows, but he says you just have to trust God will help them do the right thing.

Talk about faith and inspiration!

Oh and Sunday night, we went to a free concert at the church, where Jason and deMarco performed. Awesome way to close the weekend!

Fag-a-luscious Friday

Ok...I really hate that F-word, but I'm all about alliteration...so there ya go.

So what's up with this Ted Haggard dude resigning from his post atop the Evangelical Assoc., after admitting to getting meth and a massage with a gay prostitute? Hmm. Read here, in case you haven't heard. Just like with Mark Foley, I fear this situation will continue to give the gays a bad rap. Sure we can decorate and throw a fabulous gala, but middle class Joe Six Pack and Suzy Homemaker don't see that side. All they hear about are the negatives. There's a difference between Mark Foley and his underage page thing and two adult, legal men (or women) having sex. Of course the lines blur and it's just a big mess.

OR

Maybe it's really that there are tons more gay Republicans hiding in the closet than Dems???

Speaking of politics. Check out this site. Fantasy Congress...nuff said.

I was reading The Persian's blog for today and it got me thinking a little too. Damn, I'm too lazy to post the link, but if you're too lazy to click on my blogroll to read what I'm talking about. Too damn bad.

The gist of it all, is that he was discussing the possibility of gay men raised by a single mom...as well as other factors that could determine one's sexuality. I don't like comparing it to alcoholism or something with a negative stigma, but I do believe being homosexual lies deep within our genetic makeup. Do I know all the scientific research? No. Do I know what's conditioning or what's inherent? No. What I do know is that no one knows for sure.

Ok...it's late on this Friday evening, and I'm leaving in the morning to see my BF.

I'll try to post about gay/religion/my friend Dean in a post next week.

Till then, have a great weekend and be good, but not too good!

Smooches,
"W"

Guilt Post

Ok, since I didn't post yesterday, I figure I need to put up something today. Face it folks, my life isn't that entertaining, so it's kinda hard to blog daily.

Lately it feels as if I'm just going through the motions, especially at work. I'm not happy, not sad, just there. I think it's mainly because I'm focused on the weekends and spending time with Thom, thus the not so thrilling times during the week.

Since I only have a few regular commenters, I'll say thanks to Dirk, The Persian, and Gal Pal (I know I have a few others too, but the trio are more regular).

NOW...drum roll please...

I'll do a shout out to some lurkers!

How are ya Seattle, WA?

What's up Canyon Country, CA?

Howdy Calgary, Alberta, Canada!

What's new in Salyersville, KY?

Ok, so I cheated, and don't have that many repeat customers!

Happy Thursday...the weekend is almost here!