Alysha's got the traffic

Alysha Del Valle is now the morning traffic girl on ABC 7. She confirmed it on her twitter. I think she'll be great. I listened to her quite a bit on Latino 963 and she has the intelligence, and a USC alum, what more can you ask for? I also liked watching her fill in in the afternoons for Sabina Mora on ABC 7.

Edit: I told my dad last night that Alysha was on ABC 7 in the morning now. He set the living room TV to turn on like usual at 5:20 to Eyewitness News instead of Today in LA. He said it is a tough choice between Elita and Alysha. Alysha won this morning. Alysha won with my mom also. My mom always complains that the 10 minutes that she has between 5:20 and 5:30 when she is eating breakfast is for news, she wants news, not the banter on NBC 4 where Channel 4 goes to visit KFROG. My mom made a comment that she prefers news in the morning like what my dad had on... haha

Universal Studios

Texted my cousin Friday night about not seeing her in a while. I get a text back a few minutes later asking if I want to go to Universal Studios Saturday, then a call following that telling me to be at her house at 9.

I get to her house at 9 yesterday. It is her, her boyfriend, her friend Laura, and me. We protest and take my car as opposed to my cousin's little sports car. 3 people with long legs wouldn't go well. I do the driving. My cousin asks if we can listen to AMP Radio instead of MYFM, and since I can stand most of the songs on there, I put it on. We make pretty good timing. I drive the 134 once I get up in the Glendale area. My cousin protests telling me you can't get to Universal Studios that way. I tell her that you can, this is how I go, not the 101. I get off at Cahuenga, take it to Lankershim and what do ya know? We make it.

Oh, and we could see the Station Fire burning in the La Crescenta and Alta Dena area from Universal and as we driving in on the 210. As the day went on the worse it got.



In the park when we first arrive, we stand around using the bathrooms, buying spray bottles, stuff like that. We meet a friend of hers later, whom I swear was gay. He was checking me out, asking questions to get to know me, smiling at me, it was interesting. We just chatted about stuff like school, me getting wet on the rides, and things like that.

My cousin's boyfriend goes to amusement parks with the intention of getting drunk. Today was no exception. He is the smart guy who probably drank 8 or 9 beers in the 100 degree heat. Going down the escalator at Universal he thought he was going to fall. I did have a $9 bottle of beer when we first got there, but I wasn't about getting drunk, especially on a hot day. I do have to say the beer helped loosen things up.

We went on the Jurassic Park ride. I managed to get more soaked then everyone else. Me, I don't like water, not a good mix. I am butt hurt for a few minutes as I dry off, complain about my hair, and all the important stuff. Then we grab a bite to eat. I had a baked potato and split ribs with my cousin. Then we do the Creature Lagoon, which had a hot guy in, which was the only reason to watch. Then we do the Studio Tour. Got to see the sets destroyed in the fire last year, where Conan is taped, Wisteria Lane (which was where a Sprint commercial was being shot as we went by). Fun times. There was one set, a Mexican village where it starts to rain and there is a flood. It started to rain and the darn sprinkler was positioned next to me. I was sitting on the outer seat of the car and the sprinkler was right above me. It just poured and I got soaked. Seriously. We were the only row with 5 people and I was stuck in that car, couldn't move. Me, not happy. Nobody around me got wet like that. I laid my head on my cousin friends Laura's shoulder and told her how sad I was. She hugged me.... haha. Everyone laughed, then took pictures of how wet I was, and they weren't. Not cool.



We got off and my boxer briefs were SOAKED and wouldn't dry. Cousin's friend asked what I was wearing underneath... hint that he was gay... haha. I told him boxer briefs, and he said "oh, I see." I would have pursued him more... but my cousin doesn't know about me. We do the Simpsons ride, Terminator ride, Waterworld, and then go to Universal City Walk. We get popcorn and walk around for about 30 minutes. I wanted to eat at Bubba Gumps, but nobody else did.

We head home and my cousin gets really crazy because she was tired. Really fun stuff. We made great time.

We stopped near Victoria Gardens for Mexican food. Then we went back to my cousin's house and talked to her grandparents for a while.

We take off at 10:15. I look at my instant messenger and Chris is online and sent me an instant message. I told him where I was leaving from, told him I was a few minutes away. He said he was just thinking about me, and he tells me to stop by. I was debating whether or not I should, but I did. We chat about my day, work, school, his son, and stuff like that. We watch "Chelsea Lately," and the Kimmel special. I leave his place at 12:15. He takes me out to my car, we hug and that was that. I get home about 12:45.

Friday Dance Off

I'm in the mood to just sing and dance to something really obnoxious like this:

And my dancing looks like...


Or...

Linda calls

Scene: Class, 7:31p.m. last night
Phone rings
2 minute voicemail message from Linda asking me if I work tomorrow, who I'm subbing for, if I am bringing my lunch, and to say hi to my mom

Scene: Walking to my car from school at 10:20p.m., Linda calls
Me: Hello
Linda: Hi Mike!
Me: Hi, what's going on?
Linda: (lots of random talk about how she hasn't seen me all week- not true- but I haven't eaten lunch with her). Well, come over to my class if you have any free time tomorrow. Call me before you leave for work tomorrow if you want me to stop for lunch for us.
Me: Thanks, that's really nice. Lunch sounds good.
Linda: I thought so... I was thinking Jack in the Box... I want to be sure you get fed... ...............
Me: I appreciate it.
Hang up my phone at 10:28

Scene: 5:59 this morning, phone rings (I was up)
Me: Hello
Linda: Mike, Mike, I just wanted to be sure you are up.
Me: I have been up for 18 minutes.
Linda: You are so precise, I love it.
Me: haha
Linda: Are you dressed yet and ready to go to work? What are you wearing? It is going to be hot out.
Me: Nothing yet. I'm debating going nude today.
Linda: GASP! You are not!
Me: I can get away with it.
Linda: Mike, you cannot go nude.
Me: Watch me.
Linda: Well, when you get to school nude, call or text me.
Me: Ok.
Linda: I want to know if you want lunch and if we're going to be able to eat together, so once you talk to everyone let me know.
Me: Uh huh, will do.
Linda: So what are you wearing?
Me: Loin cloth.
Linda: Do you have any around?
Me: In all different colors.
Linda: I don't think it would be appropriate.
Me: It will be hot enough today to get away with it.
Me: Well, I have to go. I need to put the trash out.
Linda: But you're nude.
Me: Ok.
Linda: Well, have a safe drive in. If you need anything, call me.

Ok... this morning after I called I realized Linda has basically adopted me and I am taking the place of her son. She is going to become just as controlling and wonder what I'm doing, want to know everything. Um. Not happening. Seriously. I've gotten 3-4 calls this week from her. Thankfully I don't pick up everytime.

Purple desks

This is the only teacher I've ever seen with purple desks. And not just one, but every desk in her room has a purple seat attached to it. I have to say I like it. It is different. Not the icky brown. Nothing mismatched like most other classrooms. Gives her room character. LMAO.

New Schedule

I'm getting used to my new schedule of getting up at 5:41, working Monday-Wednesday from 7-2, then studying from 2-5, then class from 5-10. I am getting used to not getting home until 10:30 on Monday and Wednesday night. I don't like it, though. Tuesday's aren't bad, but it seems my friends want to hang out Tuesday afternoons in that area, and I get home late.
Monday I got home at 10:30.
Tuesday at 7:30.
Tonight looks to be 10 or so.
The getting home really late just makes it later before I get to bed. I need at least 45 minutes I'm finding to relax, watch TV, talk, run naked through the house, or whatever it is I do. Going to bed at midnight is not fun when you get up at 5:41a.m.
I did make it to bed at 11:30 Tuesday night, which was sort of nice.
It is taking adjusting with things like dinner on my own, the downtime, and stuff like that.
After Wednesday, though, I suddenly have all the time in the world.

I was pulling for Jason

Then I read this tonight.
I CANNOT WATCH MICAH OHLMAN. HE IS TERRIBLE.
I WILL NOT.
And I do have to say at 10p.m. I watch 5 as much as I can't stand Leila Feinstein.
They have quite a few reporters and I like that, but no Ohlman, sorry, back to KCAL 9 at 10p.m.
Pat Harvey and Rick Garcia.

Drag Bingo

What's up guys?

Dennis messaged me about 5 or so tonight asking me what I was up to. He worded it in a way I knew he had wanted me to do something with him. That something was go to Drag Bingo. He is involved in an organization that helps youth struggling with coming to terms with their sexuality. He is a mentor at their summer and winter camp. Didn't know that. But he told me to meet him at 7 at a gay club in the next city over. He told me to bring $10.

We go in and are given 6 cards per game to play and markers to mark off our cards with. We sit in the back since that's where the seating was. I came so close to bingo the very first game. The 4 drag queens running the event circulated amongst the room blessing your cards by rubbing them between their crotches and calling out numbers. That was the dirtiest bingo I played. Make an erect cock with 2 balls (so a line with a ball on each side at one end.) There was food and tons of prizes. They had prizes and were given prizes for random things. First person to pull out a condom, a dollar bill, a Costco card. We didn't win anything. Dennis mingled with his friends.

After the event was winding down it was close to 9 and they were opening up the back bar where we were at. Dennis asked me what I like to drink, what was in each drink, and things like that. I told him what was in random stuff like a Tokyo Iced Tea, Long Island, Blue Bahama, Jack and coke. He is one of those who sort of lives vicariously through others and so I know he appreciated my tidbits of info about my drinking... haha. He is like me, curious, but more shy, and so I think that's why we're a good pair. He was wanting to try something and I could see it in him. Finally a girl he knew said she'd buy him a drink. We all stepped up to the bar and I got a jack and coke. Dennis went for a Long Island. I was really worried how he'd act since he is not a drinker i know for a fact, that's a lot of alcohol. He was getting dizzy quick. He wanted to do karaoke. He was searching the notebook of all the songs to sing. I'd point to some like N'sync, BSB, Dixie Chicks, and other trios/groups we could sing since his female friend was also there.

In the midst of this there was a guy at one of the large oblong tables sitting next to us. He was a latino guy who was totally my type. He had a heavy Spanish accent. He was about 5'11 and 35 or so. He had very dark skin and the sexiest square glasses. He was smiling at me and I was smiling back. He tried talking to Dennis' friend, but she didn't say much. I took The Guy's advice about bar situations last night and started mouthing stuff to this guy. I said "hi," he did the same back. Then he got up to get a beer and squeezed my cheek as he was heading to the bar. When he came back Dennis' friend took off, so I was next to this guy. He kept asking what I'd sing and I said I would do Rascal Flatts. He kept encouraging me to sing something and Dennis to do the same. He was touching Dennis and my hands, hugging me. I felt really awkward because he was all over me and Dennis was probably jealous of the attention. I shouldn't care you're probably saying, but I'm sensitive and cognizant towards that stuff. Dennis goes into the other room for a few minutes to sit down because I think the alcohol is really getting to him and then the latin guy, Jose, and I talked about him and how he hadn't been to the bar in 9 years. He got up to sing and he had all the drag queens over him. He sang some Spanish song. I was going to totally talk to him in Spanish when he got back to his seat, but he was talking in English and he said the first thing. I was going to say something like "ah, hablas Espanol, me gusta un hombre que puede." He was very talkative and hugging me and I didn't get the chance. He said he was going to Mexico this week and wanted to see me back in 2 weeks. He asked if Dennis was my boyfriend. I said no. I maybe should have said yes. HAHA. Anyways, Dennis came floating back in and we made small talk. He finally decided he wanted to take off. I made him prove to me that he was able to drive. He had me really worried. His friend and I both made sure he was safe and that he was able to walk straight, that he wasn't dizzy, that he was alert, that he was and it had been about 40 minutes before he'd had a sip. We let him leave. I was getting nervous because this could have easily gone a lot farther with Jose and I hadn't had any alcohol in my system in a while, so I told Jose I had to leave too when Dennis said he was heading out. Dennis walks out the door and Jose motions for me to come over to him. I do for the hell of it and he hugs me, kisses my neck, and then starts taking his teeth to my lip and kissing. He liked it rough apparently. I didn't. He told me to see him back there in 2 weeks.

So um. I drove home worrying about Dennis and told him to text me when he got home. He got home the same time I did and that was good. So now I'm just about to head to bed, but my mind was wandering and I needed to tell someone.

Oh, and I plan to tell my mom especially what we did tonight. She wasn't home when I took off and I just told my dad Dennis and I were going out. I'm going to tell my mom when she asks that Dennis is very involved in an organization that deals with youth who are struggling with their sexual identities and he is doing this because he is into leadership, administration, things like that. I'm sure she may have questions. Is Dennis gay? The answer will be yes. Am I gay? hm... The question might be where was this at and the answer will be a bar. The question did I drink may come up and the answer will be yes. It will all come out in due time.

Celebration dinner

The Guy told me he would take me out to celebrate my passing the CSET. I was excited as I said in my last post because we've only eaten out together a handful of times.

I get to his place at about 5p.m. and he is listening to the WOW Blizzard speech about the new WOW expansion coming out next year. We sat listening to it for about 45 minutes. It sounds like a lot of cool new features like they are getting rid of mana and going to have some sort of instant regeneration.

The Guy has some pics of a new guy open in a window and I catch a glimpse. It is a fellow WOW player who is gay that lives in Michigan. He came out after something that made The Guy and his friend Dan mad the other day where someone was using the word "fag" quite liberally. The Guy and him kept talking, texting, messaging each other on myspace, and stuff like that. The Guy will be going to Michigan to see another Dan (not the regular guy he plays WOW with, his new crush) September 20 for his birthday. Suddenly this is the guy for him. He at least is more independent than other guys. For a moment The Guy offered to have him come out here, but this guy said NO he didn't feel comfortable having a stranger do this for him, he has to pay his own way, etc. The Guy respected that and appreciated it. Anyways, they're together and The Guy had his last fling last night before he settles down with this guy. Who knows. He was really giddy about it tonight.

The Guy gets ready and asked me where I want to go. I said I didn't know. He asked if I was just here for the experience, to be with him. I joked that was part of it. He said he had an idea of where we could go. Then he asked about ordering a pizza and picking it up. I actually had just had pizza at happy hour with the teachers and for lunch. I didn't want that. For a moment it sounded good, but then I realized it didn't when he asked if I was sure. I said we'd dine in somewhere. He said he had ideas.

The Guy had me move my car and I told him I was excited to finally go for a ride in his new car. He asked me what I'm doing with my car, whether or not I am going to get XM/Sirius put in the car. I want to. I really do. I love XM/Sirius on Direct TV. I love the 50s-90s stations, The Highway, The Pulse, The Blend, 20 on 20, Love, and Escape, etc. I can't really afford $12 a month. I told him I am strongly considering it. First, though, I want to upgrade my car speakers. After hearing mine compared to his I realized what a difference and how bad these factory speakers actually are. The Guy told me for $250 some good ones and he'll hook me up with the people who did his. I told him that's my first priority.

We make our way into the eatery area of town and he does a U-turn. He says he wants Thai. He asks if that's ok. He asked if it was ok like pizza was ok. I laughed and told him I'm down. We go in the parking structure and all the spaces are only 20 minutes. He jokes about how all of the spaces are only 20 minutes and if I could eat fast. I said I could do two 20 minute spaces because I'm a slow eater.

We park and head down to the Thai restaurant. We go in and The Guy asks if I want him to order since I don't know Thai food. I looked at the menu and confirmed it looked pretty. He ordered. The Guy told them to give me a Thai iced tea, which was really good. Then he ordered some pad Thai with shrimp, chicken curry, beef and chicken skewers, something with eggplant, and another shrimp dish. He talked for a good 5-10 minutes about his new guy Dan. I listened and said how he does sound better than Josh. I heard the whole Josh story and how Josh went off on Jeff the other day. Jeff just delivered business cards to Josh at work and Josh went off on him telling how he is now outed because Jeff showed up. Jeff is somewhat gay acting, but there is no way that he was outed by Jeff showing up or could be associated with The Guy like Josh proclaimed. We talked about how Josh will probably be back. I just said to IGNORE HIM, GET ON, MOVE ON, YOU ARE HAPPY.

The Guy told me I needed to start talking or he was just going to keep talking. I told him about my trip to Mississippi since I hadn't had a chance to yet. I told him how my friend was ok with me being gay. I told him about what we did and stuff like that down there. He asked what made my friend come around and I didn't know. He asked how my new college is. I told him it seems super easy. He has taken classes there and said it was. He said he should go back with me and get his teaching credential. I said he should- it would be easy, we could keep each other company, and it would be fun. I told him how I've been subbing a lot lately. I told him how the bad kids were transferred to the continuation school at the end of last year and the campus is very different this year. I told him how I haven't had to raise my voice at all in any class and the kids are actually a thrill to teach. I had a difficult year last year subbing. It wasn't that I lacked experience, but the kids were very difficult, and in one class in particular that I subbed in it was just like policing all day. This year with the bad kids gone it is not like that. I told him about how I am actually excited about going to work in the morning. I told him about how I had a great discussion with Linda's kids the other day about geography. I wrote keywords up on the board Linda wanted me to discuss (mountains, desert, etc.) relating to Cali's geography, and how the kids were so receptive, interested, and respectful. I just listed these places, then asked the kids to name cities and things associated with each, tell me how far away they are from where we were, and things like that. The kids had a great time with that and I got such a thrill standing up there and just being a facilitator. He told me how that was really neat. Finally he asked about my health and I told him about how this morning I had a difficult time, how I've had some scary moments, and how my mom's friend, who is a nurse, really scared me. I told him I have some upcoming appointments and how it is just the waiting and unknown that is making me worried and I know how bad that is, but I'm keeping myself occupied and I am able to basically live normally minus the stuff going on. I am just dealing with it. He was joking around when I was telling him, which shows me that he was really in a good mood. We talked about Chris and he said to ignore him, I don't need him. We talked about how to approach guys in a club and how The Guy is an expert, yet I'm not. We talked about my lack of confidence with the 3 guys from the town hall meeting at the bar last night.

He thanked me near the end of the meal for coming out and visiting with him. He told me how it was so nice since he never went out with Josh. He told me Josh would never eat Thai. I told him I really enjoyed the meal and being with him. We talked about how Zach, Jeff, and I are all friends who require so little of The Guy, yet he never really invests in us like he did Josh, and felt stupid. He said he was so appreciative of my maturity and ability to care for his dog, and how I'm just one of those people who is there for him, and he loves that.

In the car on the way home The Guy said how much he loves his new car, how smooth the ride is, and things like that. I asked him about halfway home if the car had seat heaters. My ass was getting hot and it was all of a sudden. It was weird because it was 80 and humid out, yet my ass was getting hot and I didn't know why. It did, and mine was on. The Guy played with his, but realized he wanted his back warm, not his ass.

We go in and talk some more about odds and ends, then set down to play WOW, or in my case update WOW. I did help The Guy enchant some of his gear, then he called it a night since he was tired.

He made me promise in the restaurant to take all of the leftovers home, and I did. We hug several times as I'm getting ready to leave and call it a night.

I wasn't expecting The Guy to be so playful, but it was definitely a nice change tonight, and I'm not sure I was exactly. I was definitely in a more serious mood and I think it came across... haha

Politics and Gay Bars

Normally don't go into politics on my blog and I'm not saying I support Newsom. I'm just saying I went for the experience and to hear more about him since I am not necessarily a fan of the other candidates possibly running for Cali governor and I didn't know a lot about him.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom was in my city tonight at a Town Hall Meeting. I saw this on a news website this morning and decided to see how to get tickets to attend if that was still possible this late in the game. A quick internet search this morning and all I had to do was register on his site to get a pass to attend. It said to bring friends. I posted a facebook message asking who wanted to attend. Dennis wanted to, Foot Fetish wanted to, and my friend Melissa. Dennis and Foot Fetish were both busy. Melissa was free and wanted to attend. I told her when and where.

Dennis couldn't attend because he was getting a car. Dennis isn't really well off. He drove a 1980s Oldsmobile since senior year of high school. The Cash for Clunkers program allowed his mom to buy a new car and give him her old car. She got a new Chevy. Dennis got his mom's old (newer) Chevy truck. Still, it is a big move up for him and I congratulated him. Back to the story...



I get to the school where the Town Hall was held and Melissa was calling me. She was making her way in. She wanted me there in case she couldn't get in, but they were letting everyone in regardless. There were maybe 125 people there. I sit next to Melissa and we catch up. We were friends in high school, and occasionally got together to catch up during college. She gave me some great information including how to do freelance work at the local newspaper like she does, who to contact, and I also met a few people from newspapers/websites in the area since Melissa knows them. That information alone was worth going. She has had some amazing journalism opportunities.

The Town Hall was interesting. I learned lots of interesting stuff- stuff I knew, but other stuff I didn't. I was interested in how the healthcare program for all in SF works, the preschool for all, and his education stance. He explained those, which I was glad to hear. It sounds really good. The ideas alone are different than everyone else. The change seemed to speak for itself. To hear how the stuff was enacted was interesting. To hear even Kaiser is getting on board with his healthcare program was interesting. It was also interesting how he said the program was justified, how initially it wasn't, but what made it successful, and how that is what needs to happen to get a national healthcare system going here. Basically the wording is everything. No major opposition to anything he said about healthcare, it was mainly the diehard Democrats there. I didn't know there were any Democrats in my area... just kidding.



After an hour the public was able to ask questions. He did boy, girl, boy, girl. It was interesting. Some questions were good, but most were stupid. One guy said something to the effect of he has 3 lemon trees, he wants to sell lemons, he didn't know
what to do, wanted to know how Newsom could help him and how to avoid a middle man. Um.

There was a guy from my college who asked about gay marriage there. Newsom had some interesting thoughts including how he was an Irish, Roman Catholic. He talked about how 70% of people were against interracial marriages in 1967 when Loving vs. Virginia came about and so public opinion can be a risky thing. Interracial marriages would probably still not be legal today because the percentage against were so high at the time. Now in 2008/2009 with prop 8 when over 50% are against, we have a long way to go. Some things shouldn't be held up to public opinion and it should be lawmakers, courts, who are more progressive to affect change. People are not going to openly do it because it is not the norm, not tradition. It is about equality.

After the Town Hall wrapped up Newsom said he would stay around to answer EVERYONE'S questions. We waited around 20 minutes after. I shook his hand. He did seem to hold true to his word he would stay and answer everyone's question. I do have to say that was impressive and really made him stand out. Normally he'd be under time constraints you'd think, but that he was willing to stay was cool.

I left about 8:30 and go out to my car. I saw I had lots of instant messages from Chris. He was wondering how I was doing, what I've been up to, school, work, and stuff like that. We had chatted once prior this summer via IM since we stopped seeing each other. I asked him how his son was doing, how he was doing, if he was still dating Brian, and all of that. He is dating Brian still, and they have been going out for 2 months. He said that he wants to hang out soon. I said that would be cool. I guess we can. I mean we're friends. I instant messaged him for about 25 minutes until he went to bed. I sat in the parking lot of the school chatting, then drove down to the gay bar in the city.

I decided to go to the gay bar just for the hell of it. I wasn't excited and was quite nervous about going alone. I just decided to go because Thursday night there are strippers and everyone is there that night from what I have heard. I go in and I see 3 guys from the Town Hall Meeting. None of them were together. None of them looked to be friends. What are the chances? The first guy looked like Sean O from high school, except with golden brown hair. He was so cute. He was checking me out from across the quad as I was standing waiting to talk to Melissa. Something just told me he was gay, but I wasn't going to say anything or make any type of move, and I didn't at the bar. I just looked and sort of smiled when I saw him. The other guy was wearing a red and white striped buttondown shirt behind me and beige khakis. He was there with a boy who looked like a trainer from my gym, but was not. I do have to say that I got the vibe from him at the meeting, too. Then the third guy was just a little twinky guy who was obviously gay- not trying to sound mean, but it was just obvious. I get a drink at the bar, a Jack and coke, then stand around in the main room and check out my phone and message Dennis. I only stayed for about an hour, but I wanted to experience Thursday nights at the club. None of the guys who were there from the Town Hall seemed like they were going to make a move and I was too scared. Missed opportunity, I know.

Told him off (AGAIN)

I called The Guy earlier this week, on Monday I think, and he texted me back and told me he was having a difficult week, or hanging in there, something to that effect. He was very vague and it. He told me he'd call me later in the week about getting together for dinner as a congratulations for passing my CSET. I backed off and let him have his space.

I got a call just a few minutes ago asking me if we were still doing dinner to celebrate. I said we sure were. He asked what time. He asked about 6. I said 5. He said 5. Then he said in a low voice "5." I said "cinco" in a low voice. He said that he wanted me to know this invitation was brought to me as a service of the number 5. Then he asked what time we were meeting and I asked if it was at 4. He said "no, damn it, Mike, you always screw it up, you don't listen." Then I asked, "wait, you said 5?" And he said "YES!" We were finally on the same page and that was that.

I put the phone down and go back to trying to replace an air filter when the phone starts ringing again. It was The Guy again. He was so excited and asked if I he told me how happy he was. Josh called him Monday night, shortly after I texted him, and all Josh said was "I'm sorry."

The Guy ripped him a new one. He said Josh didn't seem sorry. Josh just used him. Josh just used him for _______, _______, and _______. Josh is too afraid to not be straight. Josh said he didn't ask to be gay. He wasn't gay. He could choose. And he was maybe, at best bi. The Guy said that wasn't an excuse for his poor treatment. All summer/spring he used The Guy to help him write papers for school, they would spend the night together, eat sushi, then once the papers were done, Josh stopped coming over. The Guy talked about how even if he were straight, he would not back out on a friend just like that. He talked about how it doesn't matter about sexuality, but his treatment was inexcusable. He talked about how he would never do that to someone he "loved," and hoped Josh could have been the same way. Josh just denied everything and said he didn't use him, things like that.

He said he is going to cancel Josh's health insurance and his credit card that the insurance is being paid for. He is going to shut off Josh's iPhone (that The Guy bought and pays for the plan). He will send Josh a letter first to tell him and give him the option to put everything in his name and pay for it himself.

The conversation lasted for about an hour. The guy just ripped him a new one. He told Josh that he has lost a good thing and he is going to be on a downward spiral. I believe that. Last time Josh turned to drugs, random hookups, and stuff like that before he went back to The Guy. Who knows if he will go back?

He said that he hasn't felt bound all week. He has felt excited. He has felt freed. He never made plans with me because he was afraid Josh would call, Josh would want to come over, and I told him I knew all of that. He apologized. He sounded like he was about to tremble. He just said overall, he is really happy, and hopes this feeling will last. I congratulated him. I declared we're not just celebrating me passing my CSET, but him being free again.

He said we're actually going to go out because he is FREE. We're going to an actual restaurant. We've only dined out maybe 3-4 times in the 2 1/2 years I've known him. We went to a Mexican food place once, once with Jeff at the salmon place, and once we went to Elephant Bar, and another time we went to Albertos Mexican Food, so that makes 4 times.

Random Thoughts: Radio/TV Pt. 2

I posted a few weeks back about changes at KOST. Here are a few more radio notes...

Karen Carson voice tracks her KOST show from New York meaning she is doing her show in New York, then while that is wrapping up she is doing the KOST show and it is beamed back to Los Angeles to play. It is not done live. That's why her weather cut-ins are always so vague like "warming up along the KOST." She is actually a DJ on basically the KOST equivalent in NY. She is also on Sirius' The Pulse and The Blend. Not a fan of hers. Maybe it is just that she isn't live. I like live radio, darn it. At least Hollywood Hamilton on KBIG is broadcasting from New York, but he is trying to make his show as live as possible.

I do have to say I like when Lisa Foxx fills in on MYFM, and is live, when she throws it to Sabina Mora for traffic she says something like "let's go to Sabina for the traffic," or "what's going on girlfriend?" to at least further the "LIVE" element.

KFWB News 980 is dropping their news format as of September 8 and going to a news/talk format. No more "traffic on the 1's." No more "you give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world." The 22 minutes comes from what the average commute used to be in LA. I digress. Anyways, they are bringing in Dr. Laura from KFI for the midday.

KNBC hired Alycia Lane, a controversy-laced news anchor from Philly.

What am I getting myself into?

What am I doing? I started yesterday on a 2 year program for a Masters degree in Teaching with a Teaching Credential. In the next few days I will be taking out a loan for about $20-30,000 to pay for school. I sort of fell into it. I do like working with kids. I do like being in the classroom. I do like the idea of having my own classroom. I do like the idea of teaching. I do like the idea of impacting a child. I guess I just feel like this just happened, like it was bound to. My parents are teachers, so why not me? I guess I'm just feeling regret that I'm not getting out and experiencing another career or something before going into teaching like both of my parents did. I'm not getting to pursue journalism or something like that like I wanted to. I don't know if it is regret or not. There's so many things I'd like to try like banking, writing, something advertising, marketing, or English/Spanish related, something in the corporate world. I don't know. Maybe I'll be happy doing this?

I've been looking and applying to jobs. Many sound interesting and I possess the skills, and wouldn't mind doing... a financial services representative at a local bank, which entails processing loans, making decisions on loans, fluency in Spanish, ability to use a calculator, calculate percentages, and averages. Found another job for an entry level account executive for a lighting company, an auto damage adjuster, a Spanish interpreter, all of which also sound interesting and fun.

Jason Martinez

The yummy Jason Martinez is now the 10p.m. anchor on KTLA according to the display on Direct TV. Emmett Miller is back to mornings and is on 4:30-7a.m. with Megan Henderson.

Asha Blake moves from 4:30-7a.m. to the 1p.m. news.

Miller and Martinez would make a hot anchor team... I'm just saying...

I do think that moving Jason is a good step for the 10p.m. Now can we get Leila off the 10p.m. and maybe move Lynette Romero there, or Cher Calvin?

graduate class

this is what my first graduate class looks like. Cali blond bleached hair female professor. name cards.

Happy Days Surprise Party

I'm so thankful my mom and Linda were invited after finding out who provided the names for the invites. Maybe he isn't such a bad guy afterall? I do know the mix of people at the party was quite interesting. It wasn't who we would have expected. Politics/allegiances seem to have played a role. Overall, though, my mom saw people she hadn't seen in 5, 10, and even 15 years, people who worked at the school years ago. I know it meant a lot to her to be invited and see those people.

There were probably 60 people there.

GREAT TIME!!! I do have to say. The lady was so shocked. She was told they would celebrate her birthday tomorrow, and her niece's today, and she actually tried to make a trip to Target for a gift for her niece on the way to the party. The birthday girl was crying as she walked up and everyone yelled "surprise." Big Mexican party. Lots of drinking. The nurse was supplying everyone at our table drinks and brought me back a Mike's Hard Lemonade and my parents had no clue it was alcoholic allowing me to be loose enough to not be embarrassed to get out there and shake my ass on the dance floor.

Carne asada. Enchiladas. Arroz. Muy bien!

Dancing to 50s music. I danced with the lady who is in charge of discipline and the female custodian.

Seeing all the teachers dance to Mambo #5 had to be the highlight of my night.

This was also sooooooooooooo fun to dance with the teachers. Fun group.

A bit of Happy Days

Been busy since I got back.

I've tried calling The Guy, but we are engaged in a game of phone tag. The Guy called as I was typing this up. He hasn't talked to Josh in 2 weeks and Josh is scared to be around him. The Guy has a severe pink eye infection.
Been trying to get together with Gonzo, but did get in touch with her via text. She's busy as ever.

Been registering/getting ready to start my Masters program on Monday. OMG. I am excited, nervous, worried, and
overwhelmed.

Been dealing with health issues AGAIN. Real scare last night. My inner black woman, Shaquana, as well as many F-bombs and other explicit language came out and I got what I want. Think I scared everyone in the nurse's station in the emergency room and many of the patients. Lots of tests and appointments in the upcoming weeks. I'm scared.

Subbed yesterday for a science class. The kids loved and missed me. It is nice to be missed.
Everyone asked about my mom when I was at work. EVERYONE misses her.

Going to a surprise birthday party tonight for the attendance secretary at the school I work at. The party has a theme, "Happy Days: The 50s," and everyone is supposed to dress in 50s attire. I'm headed out to buy black Converse, will wear blue jeans with the cuffs rolled up, white t-shirt, and possibly a leather jacket depending on the weather later. Excited to go.
Lots of dancing... albeit with the teachers I work with... and my parents... but... should be a fun party...




I posted these 2 videos because I was talking about the 50s and going to a "Happy Days" themed party, but this is relevant to another thing going on in my life. On another note I was having an argument with Gonzo like 2 weeks ago about the Happy Days theme song. We both could have got on our iPhones and youtubed it. We forgot we could. We were arguing and she said the song "rock around the clock" was the theme song. I said no, it was "Sunday, Monday, Happy Days... these days are ours, share them with me..."
I texted Gonzo a few minutes ago and informed her I was having a "Happier day" because I was right about the happy days theme and I was at the new 3 story Forever 21 that just opened today. She said she is experiencing "sadder days."

sister knows it all

at kaiser getting allergy shots talking to my dad about my $240 school books.

me: we can get ebooks for my textbooks
dad: well, is it cheaper?
me: yes, about $40 cheaper than a new hardcopy of the book
sis: you are stupid
me: huh?
sis: ebooks are stupid. they are glitchy. they suck. screw you for wanting them
me: well, it might be worth a try
sis: I have friends who go to your school and they say they suck.
me: and you're the expert suddenly?
sis: yes dumb poop
sis: you're an idiot

Edit: Good little Christian sister can't say ass, so she says poop instead. It was everything I could not to slap her.

Leila Feinstein's Sports Report

She was talking about the Angels victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight and she said:

"The Angels didn't require male potency medication for their victory over the Devil Rays."

WTF? That's like saying they don't need Viagra for a win.

KTLA is again unwatchable after 10:45.

Leila has to write this stuff herself.

Home

Got home about 10p.m. last night. Sad to be home. I had a great time. My friend still lives at home. Stayed with his family. Had my own room. I really feel like a part of their family. We can get together and it is like no time has passed between us. His mom considers me a second son. I consider her a second mom.

While I was there the gay issue came up several times. The first night my friend talked about going to a bar and seeing 2 girls making out and taking garments off. He was disgusted how into it they were and how it was not hot. Two girls making out is just not normal. His mom seconded it and called it a disease. I just scoffed it off. We talked about a neighbor I've seen at a gay bar and so yes, it came out that I've been to gay bars. My friend's mom said how disgusting it was, but knew this kid was gay. My friend later that night said he had nothing against gay guys, they can do their own thing, but if they are flamboyant he doesn't like it because they are acting out for attention and want to be different. I said well, I am, but I consider myself pretty masculine. He said, "I accept that."

My friend's girlfriend was out of town all week THANK GOD. Nice girl, but she would have been all over him, I would have been the third wheel, less guy talk, stuff like that. I will probably not get to be "alone" with him like this again since he is planning on marrying the girl, the distance between us, I'm sure it'll be like me traveling to see them, them traveling to see me.

I had my own room. We didn't sleep in the same bed. The most I saw of my friend was his chest at the beach, or his boxers when he lifted up his shirt and I could see the waistband.

My friend's girlfriend didn't know I was gay. My friend sent a couple texts to his girlfriend. One night we were out walking and he said that Mike and him were taking a walk together. She wrote back asking if we were holding hands. I said yes, then told him to write caressing his hand, sneaking kisses. He did. She is a good girl. She could take the teasing. That's something his other girlfriends couldn't do. When she got back into town she asked if my friend and I had a good time. I was like "oh, we did, last night was amazing, laying next to each other in bed, making out." She made comments like "Boyfriend really fulfills me like no other guy ever has." I said "he doesn't just fulfill you, but he fulfilled me last night when we were making love." She laughed and thought it was hilarious and she was just as catty and played right along. I liked that. My friend had no objections and I think she knew I was no threat. Gonzo did text me at one point when we were playing Phase 10 and said she met a guy for me. Gonzo routinely does this, but nothing ever comes of it. I showed them the text and she asked if I was gay. His girlfriend, a VERY Christian girl born and raised in Mississippi just said "cool."

I think this is a good girlfriend for my friend. Um. He was showing me pics of a wet t-shirt contest he went to in Florida of other girls and his girlfriend was right in there looking at the pics with us.

One thing I did notice on this trip was how unattracted I am to girls. I can tell a hot girl. Have no problem pointing one out, telling what makes them hot, and I can act straight, and be like "yeah, nice boobs," but I found myself staring, looking for any hot guys, seeing my friend point out hot girls, and stuff like that, and feeling really strongly turned off.

AND LASTLY... because I am considered family I was invited to attend his sister's wedding at the end of April back in Mississippi. It is on a Friday night. I will have school Monday and Wednesday and could take off of work relatively easily by just blocking myself out for those few sub days. To attend or not? I want to to see my friend. He asked if I was coming. His mom told me she'd love to have me and almost sounds like she expects me there. It would be a short trip. I can save up the money easily. Questions. Decisions.

mini golf

putt putt

Random Thoughts: Radio/TV

Thought 1
If you listen to KOST 103.5 in the LA area they are going to be changing their jingles. Since the mid 80s KOST has used JAM Jingles, but now are switching to what people deem as the really cheap Reel World jingles that KIIS, KBIG, and other Clear Channels stations have switched to.
My take: Cheap, poor decision, stepping away from tradition, and sound. KOST works I have read because of the familiarity (the everyday music you hear, the continuity of the jocks, and yes, the jingles.)

Thought 2:
Leila Feinstein on KTLA should not be an anchor. She is terrible to watch. She doesn't have an anchor quality to her voice. I keep waiting for the day they put someone like Lynette Romero, or a much more seasoned female face on the anchor desk. And Megan Henderson isn't seasoned.



Thought 3:
KTLA is pretty unbearable to watch for sports and I have to turn my TV after 10:45 to KTTV. Hint: Leila tends to read it, and their cutesy way of storytelling doesn't appeal to me.

Thought 4:
Mark Thompson on KTTV 11 drives me crazy. I can't watch him do the weather. Do the weather, damn it!


Thought 5:
Christine Devine and Carlos Amescua are pretty unwatchable. No chemistry. Christine's voice. Carlos' hair.
See below for proof.


Thought 6:
I cannot watch the KTLA Morning Show at all when Jessica Holmes is on. Mark Kriski grates on the nerves.

Um... who cares about her braces? She is like Jillian Barberie, except Jillian is something to look at.

Thought 7:
I cannot watch Leslie Sykes on KABC 7 either. She just seems really unfriendly. No chemistry with the coanchor. Not a fan. At 11a.m. I'll watch Kent Shocknek on CBS because I will not watch her or Chris and Jennifer on KNBC 4.



Thought 8
KEARTH 101 is expanding their playlist to include more classics/moving away from oldies. THey have put songs like Jesse's Girl, Morning Train, and other 80s songs into the mix.
My take: Sure it is a ratings thing, attracting younger audiences, but I like the oldies and KOLA sounds better, and I think has done a better job. The songs just seem out of place on KRTH.

Question for readers

Why do you read my blog?

I am always curious how you found me, why you continue reading, and things like that. I do have to say that I really do appreciate all of your support, comments, feedback, e-mails, and that you take the time to read. You can be anonymous or whatever. Just kind of curious.

I'll answer the question why I blog. It helps me get my thoughts out about something, vent about my day, get feedback from you guys, and yes, to chronicle my coming out journey. I also enjoy the friendships that I have built along the way and how these people know a lot about me that others don't.

Natchez Trail

friend had to work this morning. tagged along with his parents to church, grabbed sandwiches at subway, took them to go and picnicked as we explored some of the sights around the trail today. the pic is cypress trees in green water. so beautiful and peaceful.

tomorrow is downtown Jackson, shopping, and possibly clubbing.

Want to reads

I keep running across this, yet I keep losing this list, and I really do want to read some of these books, so I'm publishing it here where I know that I'll have it.

The BBC apparently says most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.

Instructions:
1) Bold what you have read
2) Add a '+' to the ones you LOVE.
3) Italicize those you plan on reading
4) Put in a note with your total in the subject

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield- Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hossein
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

My count: more than average... 28?

Some of these like Hitchiker's Guide I really have to question.

riding in the back of a truck

how much more southern can I get?

on the way home from the super walmart and sonic at 1:41am

orange beach alabama

a view looking away from the beach.

all day trip

ate at lamberts www.throwedrolls.com
fun times

left at 8am and got in at 2am

lots of talking, jokes, good friends

natcheZ trail

such a nice drive!

uss Cairo

vicksburg

great trip and busy every second so far

MS Mexican food when I arrived and ice cream

yesterday was watching my friend at work, Vicksburg, shopping at SAMs club, ms Chinese food

today the Alabama coast

Christian Drivers

In the car with my dad- we see a Volkswagen Touraeg in front of us with a large NOTW sticker, then a C28 license plate. That stands for Not of This World, and Corinthians 2:8. We figured it must have been the owner of the C28 stores that are in Southern California malls.

Dad: Christian drivers scare me. They always drive like they're in a hurry to get to heaven and don't have to worry because they have been saved.

When the VW took off he did a nice Cali stop at the stop sign we followed him to, then he drove down the center of 2 lanes, and used no signal to make a left hand turn.

Later we saw another woman who was "Blessed to be a Blessing," as well as someone with a "John 3:16" bumpersticker. Scary drivers.

Excited about my trip to MS

Going to MS tomorrow to visit my friend. Will blog via computer/phone depending on what time warrants.

Not sure what we'll be doing, but here's a list of things discussed
- Flying to New Orleans again
- Going to Folly Alabama for outlet shopping (another state I can say I've visited)... outlet shopping outside of Cali... not sure what to expect... just kidding!
- Vicksburg
- Tupelo to see Elvis' childhood home
- Fly/drive to Memphis

Also stay tuned for my RANDOM THOUGHTS. I am posting random thoughts on a bunch of topics throughout the week.

Garrett

Garrett from kickball accepted me as a friend at 5:35 this morning, but didn't respond to my message. That's ok. Haven't heard a word from him, but it is ok. Not sure if anything will happen, but you guys will surely find out if there is any developments.

2K's

Went to Knotts this morning with the family. Fun times. Got on all the good roller coasters, saw the ice show, and ate at the Chicken House.

This evening I met Dennis and his friends, all of them gay guys he knows from our college for some kickball. 2 of the guys, boyfriends, decided a few Sundays back to play some kickball and that's what they did. They invited a bunch of friends, and they've played for a couple Sundays. They brought some Mike's Hard Lemonade and a ball. Dennis invited me along and all I can say is fun times. When I arrived the guys were really quiet. Dennis introduced them to me. I knew one of the guys went to my high school, but didn't know his name, or any of that until now... he is Nick and his boyfriend is Matt. We all just sat around waiting for everyone to arrive. We got a field at the park, then the fun began. The cooler with the lemonade came out, then we warmed up. I was only the 2nd to start kicking in the outfield. We ran around with our lemonades in hand, kicking the ball, stuff like that. Then when everyone arrived we picked teams. I got put on the team with the guy from my high school, a guy named Garrett (who was sorta semi-cute), and the lesbian. We scored 4 points within the first inning. The second inning we sucked. We kept kicking it and the balls were all caught. These people are all very introverted I was playing with- much more than me. I am quiet, but I'm competitive, and with a drink in me I can be loud. I was. I was seriously running around all over trying to catch the ball. I was the loudest one of the group yelling "foul," "good job," or any combination of those. I was surprised how quiet they were. It was good times. Only 2 of the guys were somewhat cute, but they were boyfriends. The final score was 14-11. 3 Mike's Hard Lemonades later.

That was a mess of a post I'm sure... kind of buzzed still...

Moving onto new things... as I was typing this up Dennis texted me saying Garrett asked if I was single. I texted him back "I am :-)." Moments later Dennis sent me a link to his facebook page and that I should add him. I get a text from Dennis telling me to ask him out right after that. So now I've added Garrett, going to send him a message on facebook just to get things started and we'll see what goes from there.

Garrett is not really my type. He was cute-ish. He is about 6'. He had a faux-hawk. He was wearing Calvin Klein boxer briefs I know for sure since I kept seeing his waistband. He wore green 3/4 length pants... what are they called(?) and an orange tee. He had bad acne, but cute eyes. Can't hurt to see what happens I'm thinking... I do have to say I know that Garrett did ask me to be on his team and I was the second person he picked. I did notice he was making eye contact with me a lot. He was asking me if I go to the school still, stuff like that.

I'm going to pop him a message like "hey, thanks for picking me for your team tonight at kickball. It was nice getting to meet you." Kind of a new experience... usually it is other guys seeking me... this time it is me with the ball in my court and being proactive and messaging him...

Matt and Nick were the 2 real cuties, though. I think Garrett is 21, or at least a year younger than me since the only thing I can see on his facebook is he is graduating in 2010.