Come Saturday...

Endora should be sitting in our driveway!

New Toy

I'm a sucker for old classic cars. Recently, we've been serious about tracking one down to actually buy and enjoy. It just so happens that on Memorial Day, I actually had the winning bid on this lead sled. A 1971 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. She needs a little attention, but nothing too drastic (I hope).

I had mentioned naming her "Divine", but that was more fitting of another car we spotted... a 1967 Buick Electra 225, and Joe happened to come up with a more fitting name.

We will name her "Endora".

I will also post different pictures of her. I stole these from the E-bay listing...

Born on this day...

Clockwise from top left:

David Boreanaz(1969), Liberace (1919), Debra Winger (1955), Gabriella Sabatini (1970), Janet Jackson (1966), Tori Spelling (1973), Henry Fonda (1905), Richard Page (1953), Pierce Brosnan (1953), Mare Winningham (1959), Tracey Gold (1969). Center: Moi (1969) w/Joe.

Aren't we a lovely and talented bunch?

Something Has Clicked

Several years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a very slim and svelte young man. A young dad, two jobs, college classes at night, and yet I still had enough energy to arise every morning at 4:30 to exercise. When I was my slimmest, I averaged a weekly total of 30 jogged miles, and as many or more walked or hiked. I remember the endorphin rush each and every day, and the high would last me long enough to do everything I set my sights upon.

Me: 1998

Age: 28

Height: 6'2"

Chest/waist: 50/34

Weight: 220

Hair: Yes

Well, life situations changed (life actually became a living hell), and my "hot young daddy" body fell into disrepair. Fast forward a few more years, and I was basically living off of a diet that consisted heavily of vodka & mtn. dew, and lots of other 'junk'. I had experienced a very nasty divorce, which in actuality was not as bad as the 7 year marriage that preceded it. The quality of my life had become over-run with obstacles that I could no longer maneuver. Finances were spiraling out of control, job security waxed and waned with the moon, and in all my good judgement, I had decided that I would now finally come out of the closet. Little did I know that some of the biggest challenges of my life wre yet to come, despite feeling like finally living true to self would set me upon a road to happiness.

My life was upside down, and my health was taking a very serious turn for the worse. It was Easter of 2003 when I got my real wake-up call, and it was this photo taken of me with my sisters:

In four short years, the person who looked back at me in the mirror was a complete stranger. Seventy pounds can squash just about any person's will. Problem was... my will had already been through so much, that I simply didn't have the energy to do anything about it. All I could think of was the fact that not too long ago, I had been near single digit bodyfat percentage... without worrying a thing about what I ate! But the bigger kicker was how embarrased I was about myself at a time when I was very vulnerable, and still learning the ropes of this new gay world.

Looking back at all of it now, I feel I have come full circle. I joined a gym this spring and have been enjoying it tremendously. I haven't quite been able to completely quit smoking yet, but I do now watch what I eat, and do not really drink that much anymore. As of this week, I finally am beginning to feel like I did many years ago. I again, arise before 5 am, and make my way to the gym. I love every moment of it. In fact, I'm heading there now. All this week, I've gone back for seconds in the afternoons. I am trying as hard as I can, as hard as I am able, to find that "hot daddy" body again. I know I'll find him. In fact this time, he will be even better than he was before.

Damn, this has been one long-as-hell road to get to this point, and I feel as if I've paid my share of dues along the way. But I'm glad I am here again. I don't quite have as much work ahead of me as I did in the fat picture, but I know I can do it again. I had doubted it for so long.

I love my life again.

Taking Jesus to Town

Amazing footage, but a corny song. It's great they wanted to save such a pretty old building.

Kyle Farnsworth Gets Dressed

80's Moment - Depeche Mode

"Shake the Disease" Supposedly about an infactuation, but for many, an all too familiar memory for what was happening around all of us. There was only one real disease then, and it was swallowing up hundreds every day.

Today is my very good friend Bethanie's birthday, which also happens to be lead singer David Gahan's too.

It's fun to look back on culture through music videos. This was 1985. I was in high school, and remember all too well the bleached hair, mascara and lipstick wearing Brit boy musicians of the day...

Look at what I've cooked up now.

I have lately called into question the level of satisfaction I enjoy with my current job. It now seems that I yearn for something new and different with increasing intensity each passing day. I must say that I do indeed have an 'easy' job and get compensated well, etc. But I know I need a change. I have worked in the dental field for over 10 years now. I'm sick of whiny patients. I'm sick of the drama that ensues in each and every dentist office I have dealings with. Most of all, I'm sick of dentists. I do enjoy working with a few, but for the most part, they tend to make my stomach turn and my head ache.

While wandering around on the internet one day (at work), I came across a particular specialty school that is new to Arkansas. Years earlier, I had often thought of entering such a program while I lived in Memphis, but it was during a turbulent time in my life and I had neither the funds nor the support of my parents in attempting such an endeavor. I have come into a chapter in my life though, that will enable me to pursue this once lost dream, and do so with enthusiasm and energy. I have Joe's blessing too, and with that, I know that it will be an exciting new change.

The program into which I will enroll at some point in the future, is Culinary Arts, now offered by Pulaski Tech in Little Rock. I will also enroll in classes to better educate me on the finer points of running my own business, as I will plan on working for myself eventually. Perhaps a couple of years of experience in a big commercial kitchen, such as The Arlington or The Embassy Suites hotels will be helpful, but my goal is to work for myself as soon as possible. The idea I've had of a business model does not include a restaurant, per se, but rather a retail shop that will have deli-like offerings for lunch, a cold case, gourmet items, kitchen and party accessories, with the heart of it all centered upon a catering business.

I've even thought of the name I want to use for the store...!

I'm Procrastinating

Here I sit, in front of my blog, pasting videos from youtube onto it. I should be at the gym, already halfway through my hour long workout. And yes, I've obsessed with video posts today, but I hope they are enjoyed.

I will write, soon. I promise.

This Is The Last Time, Ya Hear...!?

Keane is a wonderful current group out of England. Love em, and hope they make a lot more music.

80's Moment - The Mighty Lemon Drops

I have the extended version of this song on my i-pod. First heard them in college and they're among my top faves. Only a very few bands were in the genre that was called "Jangle Pop"...and they are (were) one of them.

Last Night Was a Movie Night

The Dying Gaul. Excellent! It was first a stage play, premiering at the Vinyard Theatre in NYC (I'm on their mailing list...) and wonderfully adapted to film. Peter Sarsgaard typically plays a deviant, or character with challenges, and he always pulls it off SO WELL! Didn't that last line in the trailer kind-of give you goosebumps? "I feel you!"

Watch it. Soon.