A Boy From My Past.

I got off work early tonight.  I was supposed to close but the guy who was in the first cut station was desperate for money, and although I could use it, I figured why not do something nice.  It helps that I like him.

And so I went to the movies.  This is what my friend Todd and I call going “out” in NYC to look for trouble.  In San Diego we call it going to the “Watering Hole.”  The reason it’s now called going to the movies is because the place I go to, shows gay themed movies in the public area while everyone cruises.  In the past few weeks I’ve seen Brokeback Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley, East Side Story, Long Term Relationship and Big Eden.  It’s nice when you get there and they are just starting the movie.  Sometimes people become so wrapped up in the movie that they forget why they are there.  That happened the last time I was there when a documentary called Gay Sex In The 70’s was being shown.  I actually sat down on the sofa and watched it.   And so tonight I stopped by the movies.  They were showing some French film when I got there and that was followed by several episodes of Noah’s Arc.

And why am I telling you this.  Well, I was doing this thing when a guy walked in.  I knew immediately who he was, but I could tell that he didn’t recognize me.  Finally I got his attention and he walked in the booth with me.  I freaked him out and when I said, “Do you remember me?”  He said he didn’t.  I asked if his name was Greg.  And it was.  I asked if he used to work for XYZ bank in the Financial District.  He said he did.  Then he asked me if I was trying to freak him out.  I said no and then set about explaining who I was.  The minute he figured it out, he started laughing.  And then he kissed me.  And well, I’ll leave out the next few minutes but we’ll just say it was as fun as I remembered it.

Afterwards we walked outside and chatted.  He told me that he had missed me and that he was sorry we hadn’t stayed in touch.  I told him that I had actually called his work number a few times but it was always answered by a woman so I assumed he didn’t work there any more.  (He doesn’t).  We then chatted about the old days and he apologized to me.  And why did he apologize to me…

I met Greg in 2000 in the Financial District.  We met we hooked up it was fun.  We exchanged numbers and every once in a while we would run into each other or call and we would get together again.  As this progressed we realized we liked each other more than just for sex.  We started talking on the phone a lot.  We would get together more often.  I even went with him to his house on Long Island once to walk the dog and then he drove me back into the city.  What we never did was date.  We had never gotten lunch together.  We had never had dinner.  Except for the one trip to Long Island we had never done anything social except have sex.  We chatted about this and he told me he would like to go out sometime.  Something other than just have sex.  So we made plans.  I was going to meet him after work at the Starbucks that was halfway between his work and my apartment.  And so I got there.  And I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  But Greg never showed.  He also didn’t answer his phone and I don’t think at the time I had a cell phone.  Needless to say I was pissed.  And so for a couple of days I didn’t hear from him.  He didn’t return my calls and he never called me.  Finally, he called.  I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt so I asked what happened.  He said he didn’t have an excuse and that he was sorry.  The conversation went on and what I finally discovered through the right questions and his finally being honest that he had a boyfriend.  Not only did he have a boyfriend but they’d been together for about four years and had just bought a house together.  He explained that although he could have sex and cheat in that manner he couldn’t cheat emotionally.

I was pissed.  I was very pissed.  I think after that day we talked a couple of more times and we never saw each other again until tonight.  What’s funny is I didn’t remember the standing up/boyfriend part.  I didn’t remember how things were left.  Not until he reminded me of all of this as we stood on the corner outside the bookstore.  And so he apologized.  He apologized for leading me on.  For not being honest.  For being an ass.  He wanted to know if I would forgive him.  I didn’t really know what to say.  I didn’t remember any of this till he reminded me, but then after he did I became pissed again.  I told him I could forgive him if he showed me he had changed.  I gave him my card and told him to call me.  Who knows if he will.  I also don’t know if the boyfriend is still around or what that situation is.  I decided I didn’t want to know.  At least tonight.

It’s funny though, he hasn’t aged well.  He’s not nearly as attractive as he used to be.  Isn’t it funny how those things work out.

A Girl’s Night Out.

First, I apologize for not posting the last couple of days.  I’ve been very bad.  On Tuesday night I went out after work for one beer.  One became two, two became four, then there were shots of bourbon, and a lemon drop, and more beer and the next thing I know it’s 6:30 a.m. and I’v slept passed my subway stop and now have to wait for the train to come to take be back to where I live.  It was almost 7:30 before I got to bed and when I awoke at 2:00 p.m. my head was pounding and the room was spinning.  I did manage to get my butt out of bed, shower and head to work.  The first thing I did when I got there was to tell the managers that I wasn’t feeling well and to put my name on the “give up” list.  Luckily, it worked out and by 5:15 I was on my way home again.  Where I promptly planted myself on the couch and watched TV all night.  It was Project Runway night so I was glad to be home anyway.

As god as my witness though, there can’t be anymore 6:00 a.m. nights.  I’m just too old for this.  It takes me three days to recover.  I also spend way too much money when I’m out.  I tip very well, I also tend to buy drinks for my friends and well it doesn’t take long to blow through a hundred bucks.  So no more late nights.  Period.

I did however, go out with friends tonight for dinner and drinks.  It was a girl’s night out from work.  There were three gay guys, three trannies, and one “real” girl.  I met up with part of the group around 5:30 at Bed Bath and Beyond where they were finishing a day of shopping.  Bradley, one of the gay guys has just moved back to NYC from Orlando.  So he was out all day buying all the things you need when you move into a new apartment.  He’s living with Paul a friend from work so after they finished shopping we head to the Upper East Side so everyone could get ready.   Getting ready consisted of Paul changing shirts, Bradley changing clothes, and C.J. changing from a man to a woman.  The transformation was amazing.  It was also interesting how her personality changed as she got ready.  She went from being this shy, reserved person to this outgoing, fun woman.  Like I said it was amazing.

Our dinner reservations weren’t until 9:00 so we also had a few drinks while everyone was getting ready.  I was drinking my beer of choice, Corona.  At around 8:15 we headed downstairs to find a cab to go to dinner.  It was raining cats and dogs so of course it took forever to get a cab.  We actually needed two because there were six of us.  Eventually we managed to get them and we were on our way.

Our destination was Sea.  It’s a Thai restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  I was worried when we went in because it’s a very trendy place.  We were discussing it on the way there and it seems it’s been used for several movies and TV shows because the architecture is quite interesting and as I said it’s very trendy.  There was a DJ playing music and the place was packed with a very wide mix of people.  It was mostly a young crowd but all the ethnic groups represented — White, Black, Asian, Latino.  As I said, I was worried because upon walking in I assumed it was going to be outrageously expensive.  I was completely wrong.  The most expensive thing on the menu was 14 dollars.   That’s down right cheap in New York.

We were finally seated and immediately got another round of drinks.  They arrived in just a few minutes and we ordered dinner.  I love Thai food although I have to be careful because spicy doesn’t always agree with me.  I was also starving.  I hadn’t eaten all day.  I woke up late and didn’t realize dinner was going to be at 9:00 p.m.  So by the time we got to the restaurant I was famished.  I ended up ordering the calamari and crispy duck salad for appetizers.  The calamari was excellent but didn’t even compare to the salad.  It  was beyond delicious.  For dinner I order the classic pork chop.  It was also very good.  The only thing I wasn’t impressed with was dessert.  I had some sort of fruit roll with butter pecan ice cream.  And although it was good it didn’t impress me the way the rest of the meal had.  When it was all said and done, my entire dinner with two beers, two appetizers, an entree and dessert was only 45 dollars.  That’s unheard of in Manhattan.  I would definitely go back again.

After dinner we all gathered outside to figure out how to get to the gay bar that was nearby.  There was much discussion as to where it was, could we walk, should we cab it, or take the train.  I think if it hadn’t been raining we might of walked.  Of course three of the girls were in heels, so maybe not.  Eventually we decide to take the train and it dropped us off right across the street from the bar.  The bar was called Metropolitan and was a bit of dive.  It had as many New York bars have, very low ceilings and bad lighting.  This place did have two fireplaces though and a fun crowd.  It was a nice mix of people and it was not the usual crowd of twinks and muscle boys you find in Chelsea.  Most of the people at this bar looked like normal run of mill people, which I tend to find more attractive.

I stayed for two beers, people watched, chatted with my new friends and just hung out.  At 12:30 I was done and it was time to leave.  I said my good-byes and I was on my way.  The only thing that sucked about the whole night was that I got to the subway station at 12:45, and I walked into my apartment at 2:20.  An hour and a half to get home on a school night is just way too long.  The other option would have been to take a cab, but it would have cost 50 bucks and I’m not so sure it would have been faster.

The only other thing of note, was that I think Bradley, whose just moved here, was hitting on me throughout the night.  He was very touchy feely all night, and made a point of buying me several beers.  He also made a point to tell me that he looked forward to getting to know me better.  All this is fine except for two points.  The first one, he’ll be starting at my restaurant in a couple of weeks.  He’s transferring from the Orlando store and as soon as his paperwork has been processed he’ll be a waiter there as well.  The second problem is that he smokes.  I have nothing against smokers.  I have lots of friends who are smokers.  But I won’t date a smoker.  Well I might as long as I didn’t have to kiss them.  Which might be a problem.  It’s kind of hard to have sex with someone and not kiss them.  So we’ll see where all this leads in the next few weeks.  And of course, you guys will be the first to know.

A Wonderfully Wonderful Wednesday…

Okay, so maybe I over reacted a little yesterday. I’ve had the best day today and it was all without TV, air conditioning or a microwave.

I was awake before the alarm went off this morning to take my friend Michelle to the bus station. She was taking a bus to Boston to catch a plane to Michigan. I was up and ready to go way before she was ready. We got there and I dropped her off no problem. I then headed over to the bay thinking I would walk this morning instead of later in the afternoon. I was just about to start when I realized that if Michelle had any problems getting to Boston she’d have no way of getting in touch with me so I changed my mind and came home. When I got home I fed Max and then promptly went back to sleep. I was still in bed when my roommate called to chat. I lied to him about still being a sleep not wanting to seem like a slug. I don’t even remember why he called now.

After the phone call I got up and went downstairs. It was a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky. I let the dog out and then came in and made breakfast. One of the things I’m having to learn how to do on the South Beach Diet is to eat breakfast. I’ve never been much of a breakfast person. I usually settled with a computer. My roommate turned me on to a Canadian TV show several months ago called Slings and Arrows. I watched season one while I was in Iowa. And have watched season two over the past couple of days. It’s a great show about a theatre company in Canada. It’s very funny, even if you don’t know theatre. If you do it’s even better.

After finishing season two, I got dressed and took Max for a walk. The above picture is of Max from last summer. She loves walks like there was nothing better in the world. In fact you have to spell the word if you are going to say it and aren’t actually doing it. The minute you mention the word “walk” she starts to bounce and prance like a two month old puppy. So off we went. The walk isn’t very long because she tires easily but it does take us down past the water, up by the shirtless construction workers, over by the shirtless landscapers and then back home. I’m sure you are getting the theme.

We got home and I was going to get ready for MY walk. But I looked in the front room and the window seat in the bay window and People Magazine were calling my name. I just had to find out how Lindsay got herself into trouble so soon after rehab. I probably read about 15 pages of the magazine sitting on the window seat with the cool ocean air blowing in with Max settled at the other end of the seat. Next thing I knew an hour had passed and both of us had been asleep. When I woke up the shirtless boy from across the street was talking on the phone. I was three for three today.

After the nap I dressed for my walk. Since I’ve been in Maine I walked the back bay everyday. To walk from home is about 5 miles and unfortunately takes you buy the water treatment plant. So most days I drive to the bay and walk from there. It’s 3.5 miles around and takes about an hour to do. It’s a beautiful walk with trees and homes on one side and a view of the city from the other. And the best part…you guessed it. Lots and lots of shirtless boys. My favorite today was about 6.3 with beautiful hairy well-defined pecs with a washboard tummy and legs that went on forever. He was perfectly tanned with a little goatee and smiled as he ran by. Luckily he passed me again on his way back. I went a little early today so there weren’t as many boys. If I go between 5 and 7 the place is packed with them. It’s definitely motivation to get back into shape.

It’s kind of like this around the bay.

After the walk, I came home and showered and shaved. For those who know me, you know I HATE to shave. I do it about once every two or three weeks. I felt like it was time today. So I shaved and then took a really long hot shower. The wonderful thing about the bathroom here. They have a HUGE claw foot tub that I plan to use in the next couple of days. I’m thinking a wine glass full of Diet Coke (I can’t drink wine on my diet) and a good book and Max lying by the tub. It’ll be heaven.

After the shower I headed off to the movies. I had looked up a theatre about 8 miles from here and Mapquested it so I was all ready to go. I left plenty early in case I got lost or there was a problem. Turned out the directions were exactly right. I got there about 6:30 and sat in the parking lot talking to my mom. She was on her way to senior citizen night at Kroger, her local grocery store. Seems the first Wednesday of the month anyone over the age of 60 gets 10% off their groceries. She waits and then buys everything she can for the month. I can hardly wait for such pleasures.

After the conversation I went in to the movie. I saw 1408. It was good. I’ve come to realize that I like scary movies less and less as I’ve gotten older. They aren’t as fun as they used to be. That being said it really was a well done movie and the lighting was perfect and I think John Cusack is great and cute so the scenery was nice. It has a surprise little ending and leaves you wondering a little at the end. It was a lot of fun.

After the movie I came home and did something I haven’t done in ages. I actually cooked dinner. Not just microwaved something. Or did something easy. I made dinner. I had grilled chicken that I cooked on the stove with spices and a marinade and then I sauteed spinach and had green beans. I finished it off with a tossed salad. It was nice. It would have only been better if I could have had a nice glass of wine with it, but that will come.

After dinner I started watching Casino Royale. I stopped to get a Diet Coke and ended up being side tracked by writing this post. I’m gonna go finish it now. After all Daniel Craig is shirtless and BEAUTIFUL. What’s not to like.

As for the diet. Today is day seven. I have been doing great so far. I don’t know how much weight I’ve lost because Michelle hid my scale. She told me I was being too obsessive about my weight each day. I know, I know I’m not supposed to weigh everyday bit it’s hard not to. So I won’t know about the weight for another two weeks. In the meantime I feel better than I’ve felt in weeks and I feel thinner. I don’t know if I really am, but I feel like I am.

Hope everyone else had just as wonderful a Wednesday.

Day Ten: Oklahoma

Can I tell you how much I like wrapping up my day on my blog?  I’m sure a lot of people don’t like the long posts and may not even be reading them.  But it’s been wonderful to end my day by discussing my life in Oklahoma.

Tonight I’m exhausted.  I only got about 3 hours sleep last night, by the time I made it to my room, posted my entry and got to bed.  I had to be up and ready to go at 7:30 this morning.  I finally dragged my ass out of bed at 7:27 and literally ran to the shower.  I was showered,with teeth brushed and dressed by 7:35.  It’s amazing how fast you can move when you need to.

The day started with the costume coordinator driving me and my crew to the theatre.  It was discussed last night and since she had to be up at 8:30 it made sense that she get up a little earlier to drive us there.  I don’t know if I have mentioned it, but no one on my crew has a car.  The artistic director told me I would have a car while I was here but he hasn’t delivered yet.  So we met this girl downstairs and we were on our way.  To put it politely she scared the shit out of me.  She ran two stop signs before we ever left campus.  Then she drove the whole way going 75 miles an hour in a 35 mile an hour speed zones.  She wouldn’t brake until the absolute last minute.  At one intersection she was almost broad-sided because she turned in front of an oncoming car.  I was wide awake by the time I got to the theatre.

We did manage to get her to stop at Quick Trip.  A couple of days ago I referred to it as Quick Mart, but it’s actually Quick Trip.  The have the best soda (pop) selection of any convenience store I’ve ever seen.  I think there are 24 selections in the fountain soda area.  Of course I’m only interested in Diet Coke, but it’s nice to know there are choices.  The nice thing about stopping is David, the cute boy who works there.  He’s absolutely beautiful and beefy with a short military hair cut.  Of course he’s got the worst disposition of all the employees.  He just scowls and never says thank you and barely looks at you when he’s waiting on you.  But at least he’s pretty to look at.

Life at the theatre sucked today.  My crew and I started loading in the lighting equipment in the big performing arts center here in town.  It’s a union house which means that all the crew helping us was union.  As someone who has been in a couple of unions in his life, I appreciate the value that can be added by it.  I also know that the stage hand union has done a lot to help with safety in the theatre and keep the working hours reasonable.  I’ve worked as a union stage hand and I’ve led crews that were union.  Every time has been wonderful.  The guys were helpful, worked hard, knew their stuff and made the load in a breeze.

That is until today.  Hands down it was the worst IATSE crew that I’ve ever worked with in my life.  They were old.  The youngest had to be 60.  They were lazy.  They were condescending.  They complained about having to do the work.  And then to top it all off the guy in charge on their end, said no when we asked to borrow an extension cord and a drill.  He told us we should have come prepared and that it wasn’t his job to provide us these things.  Truth be told he was being a prick.  This was after I changed my design a number of times to help make the hang manageable and go quickly.  It was almost as if he decided to make the job go slower so we’d have to use the crew a second day.  They also went out of their way to tell me I had too many lights in the design.  As a designer, it’s really none of their business.  They are hired to hang the show and make it happen.  It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 lights or 450 lights.  If every designer only hung 10 lights there wouldn’t be a need for the five of them and they’d be out of work.  Hmmm.   I think the worst part of the day was that they all went out of there way to tell me and my crew that we didn’t know what we were doing.  In fact at one point I was told just that.  Unfortunately since I’m going to be working there for the next three weeks I had to bite my tongue and ignore it.  But there were a couple of times, it was all I could do not to tell the one guy to FUCK OFF!!!  Ugh!!!  The best part is that at 9:30 tomorrow it all starts again.  Yippee!

The out of town show opened tonight.  It went well.  There were about 500 people in the audience with an average age of about 93.  I kept expecting one of them to keel over dead any minute.  Of course there were a couple of young audience members.  One was about 18 months old and cried through the entire  first act of the play.  For some reason the father decided that if he sat in the back row that was empty with the kid it would be okay.  Just for the record.  The back row is still in the theatre.  We can still hear it crying.  Take it home.  Get a sitter.  Put it to bed.  Do something with it, just don’t make us deal with the crying.

So at about 7:45 I entered the theatre and took my seat.  I looked down at my program.  Seems they went the cheap route for the out of town tryout.  It was a photocopied paper with the information on both sides of the page.  I then started looking for my name.  It took a while but I finally found it.  I was buried 10 people down on the artistic staff list.  After Production Stage Manager, Stage Manager, Chorus Master, Wardrobe Coordinator, Wardrobe Designer, and several other people.  In fact I was last on the list.  I’m not usually picky about these things,  but there is a hierarchy that is followed in the theatre.  Lighting designers are listed after scenery and costumes, but before sound.   All though stage management is absolutely vital, and they can make or break the show, they are not artistic staff.  I’ll have to see how I’m listed next week when we “really” open the show.  I may have to get bitchy if it’s the same.

Tomorrow we close out of town.  (Did I mention that we were reviewed in the local paper and we received wonderful notices).  That means tomorrow night after the show everything we’ve spent the last week doing is undone.  The set is taken apart piece by piece.  The lights are all taken down.  The costumes are all packed up.  Then every thing is loaded onto a truck.  This will take several hours and we probably won’t start for home until 2 a.m. or so tomorrow night.  Then on Sunday morning, we arrive at the theatre at 8 a.m. so the set can be loaded into the new space.  Thank GOD Monday is our day off.  If I make it till then, I’m not getting out of bed all day.

I hope all you normal folks out there have a good weekend.