Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post. 

One of my friends posted an idea he'd seen on facebook for getting some sensible gun control laws passed:

Speaking of facebook, a friend of mine posted this little ditty which gave me a chuckle:

Tomorrow is going to be a crazy/busy day for me!  I'm working from 9am-3pm, then running over to a friend's house for a holiday between 3:30-4:30, and driving Big Ella in a Christmas parade between 5:00-6:30, then grabbing a simple dinner between 6:30-8:00, then arriving at 8:30 at the Blue Moon to get dressed and perform in the Christmas Legends show.  I'm already exhausted just thinking about it!  I'll post some photos next week.

On Sun evening we're going to have some friends over to help us decorate our Christmas tree.  Spouse & I are making some snacks and desserts.  But of course this means we'll also need to be sure the house is picked up and presentable, so another busy day but it will culminate in a fun evening with friends and a lovely Christmas tree.

Speaking of Christmas, my friend Steven sent me this:

Here's wishing everyone a terrific weekend!!  What do YOU have planned?

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

Today is Fri the 13th.

The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is going on now.  Unlike previous years where the festival showed a variety of films simultaneously at a time at the local cineplex, this year the Festival had to find alternative venues and could only show 3 simultaneous films, 1 at each venue.  The drastically reduced number of films offered resulted in me only finding 3 films I wanted to see, compared to the 12-15 films I used to see during the festival.  Mon night I saw Those People which I liked a lot.  Its about a young gay art student named Charlie who is secretly in love with his well-to-do but co-dependent best friend Sebastian, and the concert pianist Tim who offers Charlie the possibility of a healthy relationship.  Set in contemporary NYC, the film explores the delicacies of a love triangle, co-dependency, and unrequited love.  Highly recommended.  Watch the trailer:

Wed night I saw Fourth Man Out which I also liked a lot.  Its about Adam, a 20-something auto mechanic and his 3 sports-loving, beer-drinking, women-chasing buddies.  When Adam confesses that he's gay, his 3 pals are thrown for a loop.  He's not like the gay stereotypes with which they're familiar.  To show Adam they are supportive, the 3 friends try to help him find a boyfriend, but this does not happen without some false steps and misunderstandings.  The film comedically delves into stereotypes, acceptance, and friendship with enough laughs to keep it from being too heavy.  Highly recommended.  Watch the trailer:

I hope to see a documentary tomorrow on Tab Hunter.

I realize its not even Thanksgiving yet, but I'm already getting in the mood for Christmas.  Typically I try not to think about it until we get through Thanksgiving, but I began shopping online earlier than usual and have about 1/2 of our gifts purchased.  I also purchased our Christmas/holiday cards on Wed at HomeGoods, and Spouse & I have set a date for our tree trimming party.  All of this is highly unusual for me at this point, but I'm kind of happy about it.

I just received my assignment for the Christmas Legends show series, starting just 2 weeks from now, taking place every Sat night between Nov 28 and Dec 26.  I will be Elton John and will sing "Candle in the Wind" and "Step into Christmas".  While I'm not unhappy about this, I was hoping for a little more variety.  I did these same 2 songs the last time we did a Christmas Legends series.  Oh well; I'll sing them again and collect my paycheck.

I saw this sign at a local independent coffee shop and it gave me a chuckle:

 

Have a great weekend!!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

We had a great time in Montreal!!  Although we didn't expect to have Tornwordo as our tour guide every day, he generously spent time with us during each day of our visit and we saw lots of great sites and had a ball.  

Photos and descriptions will be coming in next week's posts.

Tomorrow night is Halloween.  My crazy friend Liz texted me this:

Our longtime friends Ron & James and Mike & Clark are coming today for for their annual weekend visit.  We used to hang out a lot when we lived in VA, and they would come visit our beach house with us every year beginning in 2003.  So this weekend is our 13th annual weekend together.  We don't tend to 'do' a lot when they're here (ie: site seeing).  Since we only see them once a year we usually spend it talking, drinking, laughing, eating, and catching up on the goings on in each others lives.  

Can I see a show of hands of who was surprised that Tim Gunn used his 'Tim Gunn Save' to bring Edmond back?  Anyone?  Anyone??

Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend!!

Friday fragments

Today's Friday fragments is brought to you by the letter W:

1. Walter - his nickname is "Little One", although he is now taller and longer than Marvin.  Walter turned 1 year old on Mon.  After doing a little reading on when to transition from puppy food to adult food I made the decision to start it last week.  I began by mixing a sprinkle of adult food in with his puppy food.  Over a week's time I gradually adjusted the blend of puppy food and adult food so that on the last day it was just a sprinkle of puppy food.  Now both Marvin & Walter both eat the same food which is more convenient for us.  But its also a reminder that our "Little One" is growing up.  
2. Weight loss - its been several weeks since I've written anything on this topic, mostly because I've still not reached my goal weight.  For over a month now I've been at or near the same weight, which has been disappointing.  Spouse says that's because its the weight I'm supposed to be, but I believe its because I've been 'cheating' just enough to stay at the same weight.  I'm going to a wedding tomorrow night, but after that I'm going to eat clean and hopefully lose the last 4 lbs to meet my goal weight.  
3. Weeds - early this spring Spouse & I spent an hour or so pulling weeds and grass from the beds that line our front porch and the sidewalk to the street.  It was enough at the time, but with the full onset of summer the weeds and grass came back with a vengence.  In addition to the beds that line our front porch and the sidewalk to the street, the beds along the driveway, side of the garage, and the side entrance to the house were starting to look like Jurassic Park.  I decided this was just too much work for 2 lazy, 50+ year old men (1 with bad knees) so I hired a teenager to do it for us.  He said he was saving money to go to wrestling camp, so I asked him how much the camp cost.  Rather than paying him the agreed upon amount, I paid him the cost of the camp.  He was absolutely thrilled and so was I.  Surely that money meant more to him that it did to me.
4. Wedding - tomorrow Spouse & I are going to our very 1st beach wedding.  My good friend Joey is getting married on the beach and then having the reception in a hotel.  Planning a beach wedding in late July is rather risky.  It could be super hot, super humid, or even worse - stormy.  Lucky for them the forecast is great so it should be lovely.  I'm looking forward to my 1st beach wedding!

Friday fragments

In preparation for painting and redecorating 1 of our guest rooms, yesterday I (mostly) cleared off my big desk and listed it for sale online.  

I sat at this desk 5 days a week for several years when I used to work from home full-time.  But now the large desk is just in the way.  I bought a small mirrored chest to store the items from the desk that I will still need, like envelopes, stamps, tape, paper clips, sharpies, checkbook, and return address labels.  You get the point.  While sorting the stuff in the desk I took the opportunity to throw away a bunch of old papers and a few computer CDs.  I'm really trying to pair down and hide the office stuff so this room can just be a guest room.

There was a forecast for several inches of snow yesterday and in anticipation of that, the schools and even the state government was closed.  First it rained, then we had about 30 minutes of sleet, and then the temperature went down and it finally started snowing around 2:30.  It was my scheduled day off so the weather had no real impact on my plans for the day.  Spouse & I met our friend Steven for lunch, since Spouse was off and Steven works nearby.  We ended up getting about 6 inches of snow.

Yesterday I made some delicious homemade soup.  Here are the ingredients:

• 1 can Great Northern beans
• 1 can navy beans
• 1 can garbanzo bean (or chick peas)
• 1 large container of chicken stock
• 1 bag of frozen "soup vegetables"
• 1 container of cubed ham
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary

I combine all the ingredients into a stock pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer and after about 10 minutes I remove the rosemary and turn off the heat.  It is so easy and so delicious!

Earlier I wrote about Blogger's announcement that it would begin censoring blogs for nudity.  Fortunately, enough blog writers complained that Blogger has decided not to implement their new policy. The banner message read "This week, we announced a change to Blogger’s porn policy stating that blogs that distributed sexually explicit images or graphic nudity would be made private.
We’ve received lots of feedback about making a policy change that impacts longstanding blogs, and about the negative impact this could have on individuals who post sexually explicit content to express their identities.  We appreciate the feedback. Instead of making this change, we will be maintaining our existing policies."  Needless to say I am very happy about this, not because I depend on Blogger for porn, but because Blogger began as an uncensored platform and I believe it should remain so.

Fri fragments

I just realized I haven't done a Friday fragments post in a long time, and since I have several small topics to share today, its entirely apropos.

I'm not a person who gains pleasure from cooking, but I recently 2 very easy and very tasty dishes that are compatible with my Fit for Life plan.  I made a soup with Great Northern beans, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, ham cubes and rosemary.  It was delicious!  I also made turkey chili with beans which was also delicious.

I had a cold/sinus congestion earlier this week.  Fortunately Clariton-D took care of that within just a few days.  However, now Spouse is starting to have the same symptoms.

On Tues I took both dogs for their vet visits.  Marvin was due for a rabies booster and his annual exam.  Walter had his neuter surgery, or as I call it his "big boy surgery".  Both boys were terrific at the vet - no barking or 'scared' behavior.  Walter was groggy for the balance of the day, but was completely back to normal the following day.

I took Big Ella to the DMV to be inspected and have the tags renewed.  It was a pleasure to do this since our DMV is so well-managed.  There was no line at the inspection lanes and only 1 car in front of me at the drive-thru window, so I completed the inspection AND renewed the tags within about 5 minutes and never got out of the driver seat.

I've been trying to get Spouse to agree to go on a winter trip.  I'd love to return to Puerto Vallarta, or go someplace new that's warm.  He has been reluctant and has cited every excuse he could think of.  "We just went on a trip in July" which is true, but doesn't mean we can't go on another one in Feb or March.  "We don't have the money" which is NOT true, because I pay all the bills and manage our finances.  He wouldn't know where to begin to find out how much money we have.  I haven't given up yet though. 

So that's what's going on in my life this week.

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

The family left today.  Unlike their usual visits, this one was just 4 days, but they still had a good time.

Its only the beginning of Aug and I'm already sick of the political campaigning.  How will we survive the next 3 months???

Have a terrific weekend!!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

Today is Friday the 13th.

I am not a superstitious person but I've a few who are.  For instance, my childhood best friend was born on Friday the 13th and one of his aunts refused to be in the same room with him because she feared something terrible would happen to her!  At the other end of the spectrum I have no problem walking underneath ladders or having a black cat cross my path.

It should come as no surprise from many of the gorgeous men I've featured on my blog that I find hairy men to be attractive and sexy.  If you'd like a refresher, click on the 'sexy' label on this post.  So it absolutely delighted me to come across an image of this button on facebook! 

Now I just need to find out where to buy these buttons.

Apparently there is a music group I've never heard of called The Aikiu whose music video incorporates a clever use of vintage gay porn.  Its only slightly NSFW.  Check it out here.  The music's not bad either.

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

Well, Anderson Cooper finally came out this week.  Not that anyone was surprised.  You can read about it here.

Spouse read that Chihuahuas are prone to larynix collapse so we decided to get Marvin a harness rather than attach his leash to his collar.  He often tries to chase rabbits, squirrels and birds and when his leash gets fully extended it yanks his collar hard against his neck.  It didn't take him long to warm up to the idea of wearing the harness and its pretty easy to put on him.  He actually looks cute in it.  A kid asked me if he was wearing a "vest".  Since he's white and the harness is red, he sort of looks like he belongs on a lifeguard team.

I saw this on facebook and literally laughed out loud!!

Shopping Center Sign FAIL.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and am waiting for one of you kind readers to send me a t-shirt with this on it.

Work has been really busy lately.  This isn't surprising since I sell real estate in a beach resort area and its nearly July.  I never really have a day off.  Even when I'm not scheduled to work I get work-related calls on my cell phone and have to log into my work email to help clients.  But I'd rather be busy and making money than not.

A friend sent me this which gave me a good chuckle.

Marvin Parker has turned out to be a complete delight!  He's got so much personality and energy.  He loves going for walks and he's settling into a routine.  But he's very different than Jordan.  For instance, Jordan liked to eat first, then go for a walk and do her business.  Marvin prefers to go for a walk and do his business first, then eat.  So we are learning to adjust to his routine too.

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and had to share it!

Whenever I clean my ears with a Q-tip it makes my eyes tear up.  Why do you suppose that happens?

I wish I had a t-shirt with this on it:

I was off work yesterday and after doing some housework and running a few errands I went to the beach.  It was really hot outside but it was more comfortable at the beach with the shade of an umbrella and the breeze coming off the water.

Have a great weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and thought it was funny.

One of the 'side effects' of having a young dog is the exercise we get from walking him several times a day.  Marvin Parker can be pretty energetic so we walk him 3-4 times per day.  He loves it and we get exercise too.

Could this be more poignant?  I think not.

This week the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA) was ruled unconstitutional!  I'm not sure how this is going to play out, and I imagine there will be some sort of appeal of the decision, but at least is sounds like a positive development.

This is my weekend to work both Sat & Sun.  Fortunately I have lots of showing appointments schedule.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and had to share it.  I couldn't agree more!

Last night Marvin was very lethargic and wouldn't eat.  He's had diarrhea for a few days, but his paperwork said that is common after having been "fixed".  Also, he's been on medication for kennel cough. So this morning I took him to the vet to get checked out.  They took him off the medication and gave me new liquid medication that will be easier on his stomach.  The vet also suggested a bland diet of rice and chicken.  Hope our little guy is feeling better soon.

I got a 'kick' out of this funny video of a dad getting kicked in the nuts by his kid!  Watch it and TRY not to laugh.

Its Memorial Day weekend, the official start of the summer season and BEACH season!  I'm working on Sat but have Sun & Mon off.  I hope we have good weather.

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

Last evening Jeni and her friend arrived a little after 5.  We sat on the screened porch and visited for a while, then came inside because it started to get chilly.  It was a great day for their 75 mile bike ride and they had a lot of fun.  Shortly before 8pm Tristan and his friend arrived with their luggage so Jeni and her friend could shower and change clothes.  Then we walked to Agave and enjoyed marvelous margaritas and great guacamole.  It was really fun!  Today Spouse & I went to work while our 4 visitors explored the local area, took naps, and walked to the beach and back.

Tonight I am singing a song in the Blue Moon Divas show in order to promote the Rehoboth Idol singing contest.  I'm singing "Its Too Late" by Carole King, one of the songs I sang in last year's competition.  Spouse is bringing our 4 visitors to the show to hear me sing.

I saw this on facebook and had to share it:

Spouse has been checking the local SPCA website a lot lately and telling me about dogs he's seen there.  This is making me feel like he's ready to consider adopting another dog.  Jordan went to heaven 6 months ago, we've enjoyed the 'freedom' of not having to be home at a certain time, but I think he misses the love and companionship of a dog.  A few weeks ago he suggested a bassett hound named Buster but I reminded him that bassetts are hard dogs to keep because they are prone to health issues.  This week he showed me an 8-year old female Chihuahua mix named Suzie.  Today he showed me a 1-year old male Chihuahua named Marvin.  I guess we'll see where this goes.

Here's wishing all of you a FUN and SAFE weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget yet too small to be their own post.

The blogs and facebook were ablaze with reports that VP Biden commented that GLBT people should have full equality in America including marriage.  Then, apparently unplanned, Obama said in an interview with Robin Roberts that he believes GLBT people should have marriage equality!  I am encouraged by this.  It has been my suspicion that Obama has felt this way all along but did not feel it prudent to make such a proclamation earlier, what with the conservative republicans at his throat every minute.  Fortunately he has now put it in the record and I can only hope it will help to smooth out the way for equality in the years to come.

I saw this on facebook and had to laugh.  Just look at his eyes!

I'm starting to really get excited about the upcoming Legends shows, which will start Memorial Day weekend.  I will be performing every other Sat, as I did last year.  I am retaining 1 of my Legends from last year, Neil Sedaka, and adding a new Legend: Elton John.  I had to go for a special costume fitting where they measured practically everything on my body!  Apparently my EJ costume is the most expensive of all the costumes for this year's show and can not be altered, so it has to be custom made to my measurements.  Guess I'd better lay off the Dunkin Donuts so I don't gain any weight!

This sums up my feelings on so many 'controversial' political topics:

Spouse & I will travel to VA this weekend to see his mom (and family) for Mother's Day.  I'm looking forward to having a delicious dinner with them at the Taco House!

Tonight I am singing 1 song in the Blue Moon Divas Show, a drag show that runs every Fri night.  The Rehoboth Idol contest will be starting in a few weeks and they want to promote the competition by talking it up and having me sing during the Divas show sing I won the contest last year.  I'm singing 1 of the songs I sang in last year's competition: Laughter in the Rain.

Have a great weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and it cracked me up!

Spouse & I were both off today.  We ran a bunch of errands and then met up with our buddies Steven, Bob, and Joe P for lunch at Saketumi.  We actually ordered desert after lunch and this is what we got:

Our waiter, Anthony, overheard us talking about tomorrow's wedding and surprised us with this.

Its hard to believe that our "big day" is tomorrow night!  I feel pretty confident about everything so I'm not nervous... except for that darned main control unit.  The electrician didn't get it back until nearly 7pm, so he's coming tomorrow morning - as in the day of the wedding - to reinstall it.

Tonight we met up with Steven & Thad and Joe P for our 'bachelor party' dinner.  Actually, they treated us to dinner at the local diner which was a perfect way to relax with our buddies the night before the big day.

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget yet too small to be their own post.

We're 1 week out from our civil union/wedding and reception, and I must admit to being both excited and nervous at the same time.  Despite farming out as much of the 'work' as possible (food, cake, cleaning) we still have a lot of little things to do.  But I'm sure it will all work out and be beautiful.

I saw this on facebook and busted into laughter!

My friend Bob sent me this because he knew I'd love it.

This is so true!!  I'm surprised how many of my old high school friends who were no angels in high school have become ultra 'Christians'.

A little political humor with a lot of truth.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and cracked up! 

A friend sent me this article which I found to be very interesting.  It basically says that a study has now proven what many of us have suspected:  the most vocal opponents to GLBT rights are people who are struggling with same-sex attraction.  But go ahead and read the article because the science behind this is intriguing!

When I was a manager I always tried to give my team positive reinforcement.  Compliments and verbal high-fives cost nothing but have a big impact on individual performance.  I believe the same thing is true outside the workplace.

My friend Bob sent me this video.  I especially love the scene with the person and the cat putting their hand and paw on top.  I used to do that with Pouncer.

Have a great weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

I saw this on facebook and it cracked me up!

Does anyone else think its weird that people will circle the 1st row of parking in front of the gym in their cars for a close-in space when they're going to go inside and walk on a treadmill?

I want a T-shirt of this SOOO bad:

Spouse & I 'brainstormed' on the content of our civil union ceremony.  Neither of us want it to be too traditional but I do want some traditional elements.  So we wrote bullet items of what should be in it and said we'd come back to it and 'fill in the rest'.  Progress...

I saw this on facebook and love it!

Work has been super busy but I can't seem to close any deals.  I've shown a lot of homes but my clients have been 2nd home buyers who want everything, or they are retirees and transplants who have houses elsewhere to sell.  I'm hoping that all of this work done now will pay off later.

Here's wishing everyone a terrific weekend!

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget yet too small to be their own post.

Work has been SOOO busy.  I'm really trying to keep a balance between my work and personal life but it isn't easy.  I could easily work 7 days a week, including the days I'm trying to be off.

A friend posted this article on facebook that I found fascinating.  Its about twin brothers, 1 of whom is caucasion and straight, and 1 of whom is black and gay.  How does THAT happen?  Read the article.

A friend sent me this which gave me a good chuckle.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!