|
||||||
|
||||||
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty First02 April 2002 Home Alone Another good meal fixed, another set of dishes washed. Carrot and Orange salad to begin, then a Mushroom and Sesame stew for dinner proper, followed by peanut butter "ice cream" squares. Not bad. Stayed home today 'cause my stomach was being iffy this morning. Managed to get out and run, was running a tad late due to the stomach, but got ready, dressed, etc. and out to the bus stop. After waiting 15 minutes, and no bus in sight, and the tummy growing increasingly distressed, I said screw it, went back in, called for for the second time and just bailed on the whole day. Probably not a bad thing that I did, the stomach was iffy all day long. So instead of serving our country (knowing that nothing was going on at work that was an immediate need), I cleaned out a ton of boxes from two of my closets (Mom would be proud, or is that shocked, that unlike her I tossed empty boxes and didn't save them "just in case" any longer), making some room for more stuff to either take its place, or perhaps just lie fallow. We'll see. Felt good to move things around, and I like the new configuration. Still no word on the potential new job with my agency. I did email them yesterday to ask, but got the automatic "out of office" message from the Deputy. She's supposed to be back tomorrow, so hopefully she'll touch base with me then. Again, I'm trying to stay calm, but this seems like such a good fit for me, and it would be such a nice move, to get out of numbers and into nothing but law and policy. *wistful sigh* ;-) Been looking through catalogs at home today, too (mostly with a mind to toss them out). The cooking ones are the hardest to dump, there are so many neat gadgets! ;) But most of them I can look at and say either, "I can do that just as easily with what I have," or "really, truly, I would never use such a thing," or "what the hell were they thinking?!?!" I have so much stuff in the kitchen, really, it's easy to resist now. And all the meat related things are automatic rejections, of course. Stomach is a tad better now, just before bed, but still giving me occasional fits. Should be fine tomorrow, just needed the day to let it grumble and get that out of my system. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Second04 April 2002 Jury/Politics 02/4/4 Impressions of the jury pool. Half to three-quarters of the potential jurors are asleep. Despite instructions to do so, most seem not to have brought anything to amuse themselves. There's even a gentleman in the back snoring. ;-) Read this week's City Paper this afternoon. The central article was on Councilmember Catania, a gay, white Republican on the D.C. City Council. I mention his race only because it factored so strongly in the article. The gist of the article, written by former Loose Lips columnist Baras, was that Catania was not running for Mayor, and that even if he did he would not win because he was white in this majority black city. The quotes that came out of the politicos, while perhaps true, were ironic at best and downright offensive at worst. Ironic because were these same comments to be uttered in reference to a minority candidate in a majority white city they would be condemned roundly for being exactly what they are: the most base form of racism. Offensive for that same reason, that they are racist, pure and simple. That politicians can openly say that a candidate will lose (not just that they might lose, but that they will definitely do so) merely because of the color of their skin is the height of idiocy. There is no excuse for that sort of behavior, in private or in public. That any politician can do so with impunity is reprehensible. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Third07 April 2002 Down Time This was one of those "I'm going to stay home, not shave and not really do much of anything" kinds of weekends. Marinara from a jar and ordered in pizza and a veggie burger were the big meals from Friday to today, and it felt great to just stop and not have to prepare something. Didn't shave since Friday, not that anyone can really tell (*grin*), did run today as it was gorgeous out, and finally won a game of Civ3 (space race victory). I have an entry about Thursday evening that I am working on, but it's not done and I didn't feel like writing out it. I'll try and post it later. Might have time to work on that while at the "conference" this week at work (conference that another staff is putting on - it's in the training room on the floor below my office), but if not I'll try and work on it tomorrow evening if possible. If not, later then. :-p Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Fourth10 April 2002 Selling 02/4/10 8:00 a.m. No more conferences at headquarters! It's too distracting to be in the office yet not in the office. It is going well, other than staying late last night to get junk done. I've used the time to connect with some of our field personnel as well as one of our mid-level managers, talking with them about this attorney position I'm trying to work toward, getting support (from the field folks) and a better idea of what might be involved eventually (from the manager). The talks with the manager have been the most exciting of the bunch. We are looking at upping my office's contract authority from the current limit to one three times as high (talking millions here) by the beginning of the next fiscal year. Within the next two-to-three fiscal years we will likely get unlimited contract authority. What this means for the attorney shop is that we'll need to create a whole set of processes that exist elsewhere in the agency, but which my folks have never done. To get in on the ground level, to have a couple years lead time and to be able to shape the processes we will use to get this work done just seems like such an incredible opportunity! Yeah, I'm excited about this. So, I will continue to make my case, continue to work behind the scenes, continue to talk up the need for this position and my suitability and willingness to do this. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Fifth16 April 2002 Soap Opera This was actually from about a week ago, but I've not put anything else in, so here goes. 02/4/11 Went out to Omega last Thursday night. I had gone to a Gaylaw social event at one of the local watering holes, had a single beer there, met a couple folks with whom I talked shop. Realized I knew one of the co-chairs, so I talked his ear off about my feeling on the apparent lack of focus for the organization. Poor guy. ;-) So I get out of the social and I have no plans and I remember a friend who had just finished his MBA requirements wanted to celebrate. I called him, arranged to go home and change then have him pick me up and head down. I escaped the bar before midnight, making it home shortly thereafter and in bed by half past. I had a couple beers, testing myself I suppose, along with water (so no dehydration/hangover today). What struck me about the experience (besides the obvious "will I stick to my guns and not drink," which I did not do) was that I really do not belong there any more. Going out every Thursday, and the online corollary of chatting on gay.com, are no longer needs in my life. I did need them and the resultant ego boost three years ago when I left The Ex and had to establish my adult identity without being in a relationship. I no longer know many of the regulars, and for most of those I do know I have no idea what's going on with them now. It's as if I were the fan of a soap opera. I used to watch regularly and could recite the various plot lines for one and all. After a few months off, however, while the principles are still known to me, I have no idea who the new minor characters are and I don't know who is sleeping with whose husband, who's dying, or who has pledged undying love for (or revenge against) whom. It was very confusing, feeling that I should know what was going on, but not being able to make the connections. And I don't know that I want to make the effort to maintain many of those connections. Most are great guys, but our primary connection was either chatting online or out at a bar, neither of which I am all that interested in at this point. If the gatherings were healthier, perhaps it might be worth the time, but not if the main scene is a smoke filled bar. All of which is a little sad. It's like I am putting the final nails in a coffin on part of my life, what used to be a very important part of my life. This is not to say that I will never go out to a bar again, or that I will never see them, just that it is less likely to happen on a regular basis. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Sixth18 April 2002 Sleepy/Party Actually feeling tired at a real hour tonight for the first time in ages. I suppose the running, cycling, and more running that I've been doing this week are finally catching up to me. :-) Finally got new running shoes, for which my knees are thanking me most profusely. Biked into work yesterday, which was a welcome stress release from ye olde hell week ™, a.k.a. mid-year review for the field offices' budgets. Whee! And people wonder why I'm gunning so hard for this position downstairs. LOL! It's actually not that bad, but stress is catching and my co-workers are all stressed out. I'm going to toss cats out and shut the door if they don't stop knocking their mice toys under my computer desk and then insisting on shaking the thing like crazy trying to get at the toys while I'm typing. Plans with the boys this weekend. I look forward to seeing Doug and Richard together on Saturday for dinner somewhere. We have to get together to plan this LiveJournal party we're hosting next weekend. We've got at least four folks coming in from out of town (Baltimore, Cary, Houston, Pittsburgh), which is quite exciting. It's always fun to meet new folks from online in a 'real' setting, and a party is a great way to do that. So, dinner, planning, talking over who will stay with whom among the out-of-town folks (where will we hold the orgy?!?! LOL!), etc. Should be a good weekend. Anyway, I feel like exercise is getting on track again. I wish there were a cheap answer to adding swimming to the mix. I checked out the local community center, which has a free indoor pool, but the hours are totally geared toward kids and not working adults. Harrumph. So, keep on biking and running, get those in gear, then add the swimming later I suppose. There are duathlons I can try, as well as road races. I simply want to complete them at this point, not break records, so it's just a matter of building up to them all. Slowly but surely. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Seventh22 April 2002 Days Like This I hit the ground running at work today. Completed 99% of what I needed to get done, ate far too much, and gave myself a stress headache from all of it. So, I was not in a good mood when I left work. The now-feeling-far-too-cold 60-some degree weather annoyed me, especially with (what should have been) nice warm sunlight in my face. I mean, right in my face, the whole 5 blocks to the bus stop, which always annoys my little overly-light-sensitive eyes, since even with sunglasses I couldn't see shit in front of me. And the wind was a wretched presence, blowing directly against me as I walked, whipping my tie up and over my shoulders. Then the bus came, rather quickly. Which was good. And then the cute guy got on the bus, and he eyed me a few times and smiled when he exited. (he was so cute!) And that was good. And then I got some good food at The People Garden and walked home without the sun in my face, and less wind than downtown. And that was good. And then I got a notice saying I had a package, and in it was a gift, one of my favorite movies, Party Girl with the ever-lovely and ever-talented Miss Parker Posey.And that was wonderful. And so I got home, made some of the fabulous food, popped in the movie ("I'd like a falafel, a side of baba ghanouj, and a selzer, please"), the headache went away, and I smiled, knowing the world was once again a calm, sensible place. I need more days like this. :-) Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Eighth23 April 2002 Plan/Guests 02/4/23 8:29 a.m. Been too tied up with work, and used the excuse of "stress" too ignore my diet and what not. The result is more stress over my weight because it's definitely gone up slightly. Blech. Which means I need to develop another plan for exercise and diet. I know folks scoff at my endless recording of my exercise habits, and my penchant for organizing so many aspects of my life (even "leisure" time), but I really do feel that I do better with that structure. I'm good at following plans, I'm not so hot at just winging it (at least when it comes to exercise). I know the basics well enough to design a plan, and I know myself well enough to design one that works for me. That extra bit of discipline helps, and if it keeps me moving in the right direction, so be it. The run this morning, despite some pain in the knees, was one of the better ones I've had of late. My heart rate was pretty steady, the pace was steady and comfortable, I felt well-rested when I began, and not exhausted at the end. The sleep factor was a big help, as was sucking down water like it was going out of style this morning, prior to running. ... 10:59 p.m. Mostly better with food today, no caffeine at all (hooray!) and a better sense of moderation on food. ... Good evening with Doug tonight. Helped him with Chinese again, which seems to be going well. I can tell he's frustrated with pronunciation, which is to be expected. The sounds aren't exactly the norm for most English speakers, but he'll get through it. It just hit me that we're not just having a party, we're having guests for the weekend. Eeck! Cooking stuff for the party may turn into "hitting marvelous market and picking up snacks" instead! I am looking forward to meeting the folks from LiveJournal who are coming into town for the weekend. Gotta make sure I'm stocked for guests, though (cereal, etc.). Will have to ask whether they'll want real coffee or not. Hmmm... Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Twenty Ninth25 April 2002 Up in Smoke Was worried about Doug today. He went to see the doctor about a persistent "cold" he's had, with lots of coughing that's kept him awake at night the past several weeks. Seems, after seeing the docs and describing symptoms, etc., that he's got a form of asthma that's exacerbated by certain allergens, among them tobacco smoke. So no more bars or clubbing for him. :-( My own time spent in bars has been less and less since "giving up" on alcohol. I'm not a complete teetotaler, even if I likely should be, and limiting it to the extent I have has helped tremendously. I don't get sick as often. A lot of that is probably not having to breathe in all that cigarette smoke. California had it right when they banned smoking from all bars and restaurants. I remembering going into a bar in San Francisco, getting a drink, sitting for a bit and then walking out. And NOT smelling like smoke for once! It was so nice. I wish the bars here would get up the gumption to have a smoke free night, or the citizens to push a smoke-free bar/restaurant bill. I'd certainly push for it. Archives |
|
Entry the Four Hundred and Thirtieth29 April 2002 Party Weekend Where to begin with all this? I'm not sure that I have the energy to write it all down now, close to ten on a Monday morning with too little sleep under my belt from the last few days. I brought work home this evening and just wrapped up as much as I was going to do, so I suppose I'll puzzle out a few details before I get some much needed and much deserved sleep. Friday afternoon I took off from work, Metro'd down to National and met Kelrick at the airport. He was as I expected from LJ pics and his description of himself, "a tall, bald white boy." ;-) No problems recognizing him there. So, target acquired, I proceeded to drag him to my place, drop off bags, then head down to Dupont to wander around and play tourist. Which, of course, meant I talked non-stop almost the entire time. I know, I know, it's hard to imagine me doing nothing but talking the entire time, but it's true. (stop smirking) Once you get me going as a tour guide, especially here in my chosen city, it's next to impossible to shut me up. After managing to take him across Dupont, shop a little, discuss the differences between Eastern and Texan cities, we met Richard outside the Dupont Metro. Once there, we sat down and watched people until Doug could make it out of work to meet us. Then it was off to Georgetown and shoe shopping. I forget how much I dislike wandering around Georgetown - it's too crowded, the sidewalks are much too narrow and clogged, and traffic is stupid. We escaped via taxi after shopping and proceeded to down sushi at Uni back in Dupont. Post-feeding frenzy, we wandered the neighborhood some more, letting dinner settle, and invited ourselves into a get together with Richard's friends. A couple of way-too-powerful cosmos later (liquid fruit loops, anyone?), I walked Doug to the U-Street Metro (have to remember that new cake shop on U street...) and back again. Kelrick and I then walked/bussed up to my place (I'm lazy, and I had bus tokens, so I forced the bus on him. Oh well *grin*) in time to crash. Nine to ten hours later we arose, got dressed and went memorial hopping. Again, got to play tour guide through all of the major memorials off the Mall (Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea, Roosevelt, Jefferson, et al.). Also got a little sun - not so much that I was fried, but enough to be a little red on the face. Met Doug at the Roosevelt, met Richard at the Jefferson, then off to Doug's place, where my blood sugar proceeded to bottom out on me. That whole silly eating thing, you know. I just hadn't done enough of it that day. Combined with the caffeine levels I was maintaining, it was only a matter of time before I crashed. Thank heavens it was pre-party and not during the party. So, off to Safeway, picked up cookies, munched and rested, then back to Safeway to get stuff for dinner/party food. Food is good. :-) And Doug, if we ever let him eat at home, should be eating well this week with the leftovers. Mike showed up next, then Nic ("Oh, no, you're in the wrong quadrant, it's Southwest, not Northwest - get out of there and away from the crack houses!"), and lastly Stephen. 'Twas good to see Mike and Nic again, and to meet Stephen for the first time. The group dynamics worked well, ebbing and flowing nicely, with chairs traded, conversationalists switched, topics thrown out, people entertained, and everyone seeming to have a good time. Doug's apartment is perfect for a gathering this size, simply because you cannot escape to anywhere else - you're either with the group or in the bathroom, so everyone was out there and chatting away. About mid way through our friend Peter called from London. I had no end of fun chatting with him, and hopefully I didn't make him think I was avoiding him by throwing him to other guests (just wanted to make sure he hit everyone before losing all his sleep and/or time on the calling card). Did talk with him more than once, and he's as neat over the phone as he is via Livejournal and email (which is a good thing). And hopefully he'll not be blushing too hard when he reads this. *grin* So, as the evening wound down most folks ended up on the futon mattress in the corner. I gave Kelrick a face massage ("I lyyyyke yew..." - did we mention he's from Texas? *grin*), and massaged both of Nic's hands (and even managed to remember all the steps to the hand massage, and most of the ones to the face). That was quite fun. Nice party trick, must remember it in the future. After lounging around, fully clothed, the group came to the conclusion that the party portion was pretty much over, and it was time to lie down and perhaps even attempt sleep. That involved sending Mike and Richard off in Mike's car to Richard's place (*smirk* - 'nuff said *grin*), and the rest of us in Nic's car up to my place. Thank heavens Doug lives right across from Arena stage - the trips home with Lawrence each month have imprinted the route back to my place through the park quite clearly. So back to the Moose's Den with everyone, whereupon we collapsed, once again, in various combinations at various times, on various bed-implements (either my queen sized mattress in the bedroom or the larger, more comfortable futon in the living room). I finally ended up sleeping on the futon after making sure at least one of the other guests was, er, taken care of first. *grin* Woke up at some point with said guest behind me, and Doug in front of me, both sleeping nicely, and being curled up like that was wonderful. Up way too early, picked up Mike in Dupont and six of us (Richard was on his way to Roanoke for the day) had a so-so brunch (they had nothing on the menu that could even have been converted to being vegan; 'twas kinda gross, but I made due), more shopping, a show-and-tell of Richard's apartment (they all got to see all three places, but only after Richard had left), then we had to split up, unfortunately. Took Stephen to Union Station, Doug went home with Mike, Nic drove Kelrick and I back to my place. I escorted Kelrick to the metro next and got him on his way back home. Wandered back through the neighborhood, watched the rain come pouring down once more, then it was off to yet another party with Lawrence. Friends of his who live here in Mount Pleasant were having a birthday party for one of the housemates, so I got invited along for food and companionship. We talked, we drank lots of red wine, we had very good vegan/vegetarian, home cooked food, sang happy birthday, and Lawrence and I finally left at about quarter 'til midnight. Oy vey. So, this morning, on a weekend full of not-quite-too-much EOTH, definitely too much caffeine, and way too little sleep, I wandered into work about an hour late, staying an hour after to make it up, then dragging work home to complete here in relative comfort rather than stay there all night. Altogether it was a fabulous weekend. I loved meeting all the new people (at both functions, though especially the LJ folks who came into town). I look forward to the next function we host like this, perhaps later in the summer? Archives |
