Day One Redux

My small little start up company got purchased a couple months ago by a large company in La Jolla. It was a bit nervous at first as who knew what they would do with the people. Then they paid out our stock options and I was able to clear up so stupid debt and so I thought - no matter what happens to this ride I cannot complain. Later the bigger bioscience company then gave me a job offer. In the short term I am the Customer Service expert on my start up company's product. In the long run there is interest on both sides regarding a Global Customer Service Trainer position, what a dream! Today was my first day in new company sitting at the new company. The commute is bit yucky but I wanna live closer to SD so this is a great reason to move. It made me think a lot of my old MA company - large and tons of hearing - no to mention lots of hearing words like, "game changer, value add, demand creation, etc" - in short summary very corporate. Although rhe corporate scene is not completely my favorite - I got used to the small start up company atmosphere very quickly, I am excited, very excited. What a great opportunity. So many start ups fold and here I am on the threshold of yet another great chapter thanks to my start up. I do not know how to surf but man in this California journey I am riding the wave and so far so good. Sure they maybe sharks in the water but there always is. I am making this happen and feel proud of myself. Time will tell the cliche certainly says but my twist on that is, "Give me some time and I will tell you a great story - no matter what".

The Polo Club

Armando, Michael, and me at Rick's fundraiser. What a night from start to finish. Perhaps hellraiser is a better term. Well you only live once!

The Other Shoe Drops

Ok so now it is my turn to make a bad first impression. Rick's softball team did well enough to win a spot in the championships in Akron, OH (serious? the gay softball championships are in Akron???). Anyway he held a fundraiser at a club in town and asked me to go and support him. I said of course that I would and I asked my friend Michael, who I used to work with, to come along as he knows mister too. Michael does not drink so I had another designated driver. I am coming to realize a designated driver is a bad thing and not a good thing.

When we showed up - I was very happy in general but also a bit more so than normal because of spending a bit too much time with a large amount of Absolut. At the fund raiser I bought like a million raffle tickets (serious) and although there was like a thousand prizes (serious) I won nothing. So I bid on a date with Rick - how fun I thought! Then I got out bid on that, WTF???? At this time it dawned on my blurred mind - why bid on a date with mister I see him all the time - I am going to bid on his boyfriend as this was my first time meeting him in person - so I did. After I went on over and introduced myself. In speaking with Rick I already knew his bf was from Billerica and I used to work with his mother at the Bldg - because my world literally has the diameter of a fucking dime -- is that too strange. His mom totally remembers me too. Well thanks to my Swedish beverage indullgence I was ever MORE talkative than normal. Yadda, yadda, yadda --- the poor guy. And then I won the bid and the date with him -- oh he looked sooooo scared. I gave him a hug and kiss. We are going out on Thursday. Rick is not invited.

I guess I could have made a better impression although is it really that bad that I said, "I'm going out with your man! I am going out with your MAN!" about a hundred times (serious).

Scandalous Bitch

When Matt was here we made plans to go to latin night at a club in SD with my little buddy mister. Having Matt here is always great as he is such a good designated driver so I can go more crazy than normal - not that I need alcohol to be crazy lol. Well Rick was in an even more super mood than normal and the fun started off right away as he told us this silly story of how he burned beans that he was cooking and forgot about almost burning his place down. He spent most the day after that with his new best friend Fabreeze. We went to a bar to warm up first and met the now infamous Reza. Reza was there with some older men and did not like Rick at all. Rick decided this was a mess worth playing with. I tried to speak casually with Reza but he just gave odd answers and looked the whole time like he was praying for a knife to magically appear in his hand. It got to the point where Rick was sitting on Reza's lap and it was then I knew we need to leave!

Once at the club Rick disappeared into the midst of the dance crowd as Matt and I checked out the very nice scenery. It was all good but Rick really tied one on! Last time I saw him that drunk he ended up in INS so I got a bit protective, although I know he is a man and can take care of his own. We ended up leaving and getting Mexican food. Much to our surprise, Rick ate an enormous amount of Mexican food and was a hot mess the whole time. We created an impression for sure at that restaurant which I will never return to now.

We walked back to my car and had a smoke and Rick decided he would lay down on some other car (see picture). As Matt drove him to his house he decided he wanted to surprise his boyfriend - it was 2:30am by now. Not thinking it was a good idea we still brought him by. He could not remember the code so he climbed the front gate - the whole time me standing there and saying, "Do you really want to do this?". Well he eventually got up and over and to the door. He fumbled around til he found the hidden key any yet could not get it in the door to open it. Eventually I got him to return so we could get him to his own place.

At his place I walked him to the his door to make sure he got in ok, was safe and my job would be done. I did get him in and while at the doorway I told him, "Now you close this door, get in bed and stay there till tomorrow. Be good, I love you, you are a good man". He raised his head, focused with all his might and said to me, "You're a scandalous bitch". I died laughing of course and then he said he loved me and gave me a kiss.

Poor Matt - two drunks in one night and one miscellaneous crazy man that luckily was not in possession of any sharp weapons. I fear Rick did not make a good first impression with Matt I am sure the next time Matt visits and the cast of characters unfolds again -- Matt will get to know the Rick I normally spend time with.

Momma's Boy

Somebody called me a momma's boy this week. It is true - I will not deny it. I love both my parents. I am adult and see them as the humans they are - flawed as everyone is but not a bad pair of people in general by any means. I have no desire to want them as the parents that are portrayed in disney films - I accept them for who they are instead of who they are not. But when it comes to my mother - I just love her. She is nuts - crazy - and at times a whole heap of work but she loves me the best she can and so I adore her. My siblings get mad because they think I am a kiss ass but it is so easy to make her happy. I know the goofy things that put a smile on her face and just because I take the time to do them does not make me a kiss ass. She is having hip replacement surgery in August so I am coming back for it. I am sure it will be fine but it will make me happy to be there - plus I am sure she is a bit worried. She is a worry wart (I got that gene) plus it is still surgery, no matter how routine. She is the busiest woman I currently know so lord knows what she is gonna be like when she has a bionic hip. She makes me very happy - I am looking forward to seeing her do even better. Everyone says I am just like her and I cannot think of a better compliment.

Love the Ladies

Here is Lily and Erin.. Erin had this big party to celebrate her recent wedding and it was great. I used to work and carpool with them and I so miss them. Although I am so not a morning person I miss all that carpool time - a lot. Look how lovely Lily looks and Erin just aglow all day. Matt was in town so he got to come along too. They have met him several times before and of course love him as everyone does. So many good people I know - I forget it frequently but I am a very, very lucky man.

Manholes are the Best

I don't know why I have this strange obsession but I am fascinated by manhole covers! I came across this on in TJ recently and was so excited. I normally do not take too many photos there but this was too fabulous to pass up. Maybe I like the thought of dressing up something so mundane. Maybe it is because everyone knows how curious I am and I just wanna know what goes on down there. Or where are manhole covers made??? I never heard of a manhole cover factory but there must be one. Plus it makes for a great souvenir although I am positive there have been thousands of people that walk over it with out a second thought.

MIss You

I have been so loving that Scissor Sisters video - I can't even tell you. It is good but I am thinking it is because I think it is filmed in New York City. I so miss NYC lately. I never wanted to live there but I used to visit so frequently. I miss that city. The exciting vibe and being in the world's most amazing city. It is alive and breathes and is infectious. I had so many fun memories there - of course many with Michelle but so many others too. So many visits and adventures with so many people. I usually spend my money on trips back to MA and tourist things with visitors here but I need to get to NYC again.

Totally Grew On Me

I was so excited waiting for the new Scissor Sisters album and then they put out the disapointment called Invisible Light and I was concerned. Well here is Fire for Fire and all has been redeemed!!! This song has reached number one on Scott's Kitchen playlist which means I cannot stop jumping around in my kitchen to it! They just posted concert dates. I contemplated the Boston show as the drama of the band would blend well with the drama of the concert attendees there - HA just teasing. But alas - I purchased tix to the LA show, so y'all get ready my bitches. Click play and dance round the kitchen with me!

Mister Matt

At the end of June Matt came for a visit. It started kinda rough but ended up as awesome as usual. The reason it started off rough is I was not feeling that well. I picked up Matt at the airport and told him that I was not doing so hot but I had hopes it would pass. Well I ended up on the couch all weekend. I wanted to make it to Monday so I could go to my primary care but I just could not make it and on Sunday night woke Matt to drive me to the hospital. Good man that he is of course he did so without hesitation. Turns out as the doctor said - I had a touch of pneumonia. They gave me a shot in the ass with a syringe that looked like a horse tranquilizer dart and some antibiotics to go - all set me onto the right path very quickly.

By mid week I was more than up for the hijinx that are the hallmark of a Mister Matt visit. Out came the cast of regular lunatics and fun was had for all. There was some new additions to the cast - like Matt got to meet Mister and WE all got to meet Reza in one of the most surreal encounters I have had in the longest time. Matt also got to see me in action being as he called it, "the mayor of TJ". I am a friendly guy what can I say. I am going to start posting regularly so will put more details of the fun but if you see Matt make sure to ask that "scandalous bitch" to dance like Angel!

Call Off the Rescue Dogs!

Here I am! I am doing well - just went a bit AWOL. Had a small bout of pneumonia and a very great visit from Mister Matt. Work is moving in the right direction and there is a smile on my face. I will be catching you all up very soon! Man how dapper am I???? Yay. And although those dogs will not be needed - you can still send along those hottie emergency men if you would like!

Let Your Freedom Flag Wave...

among other things!!!

Happy 4th of July!