The Perfect Balance

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:00:42 GMT

Happy Birthday hotelbearsf ! I wish you all the best!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:02:31 GMT

Hey - Dan Savage took a picture of my L stop!

You can just imagine what this is like in January/February. BRRRRR!

http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/my_ride_to_ohare

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:10:22 GMT

For some reason, our elevator lobby smells like Cocoa Puffs.

Milestones

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:07:07 GMT

So over the next month or so, some people very close to me are achieving milestones that I wanted to mention (and no, they are not age related!):

Tonight in Berlin, my friend Kermit Berg will open his first solo show at Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin. Kermit has been working his butt off on this show and from the brief preview that I was able to see, it is going to be amazing. More info about the show can be found here

Later in June, Kermit and his partner Malte will get hitched Jersey style! I'm going to fly up to Jersey City for the weekend to help them celebrate.

Speaking of getting hitched, sfbritskin and Rich will be having their wedding in London later this month. I'm really excited about this trip. And yes, I've obsessed about the details like I always do when I go to a place I've never been before. Luckily, kevin_v5 will be there to make sure I look the correct way before crossing the street!

Wed, 16 May 2007 12:32:54 GMT

Fred Phelps and his clan (you know, the "God Hates Fags" gang from Kansas) are planning on protesting at Jerry Falwell's funeral. Considering that Dubya (or one of his ilk) and a bunch of GOP presidential wannabees will be there, it could get very interesting!

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:58:51 GMT

Once every roughly 365 days, the earth orbits the sun. So basically, once every 365 days, you are physically back where you were a year ago (in cosmic terms). And the year before that. And the year before that.

Once every 365 days, you travel back in time. Basically, once every 365 days, you are mentally back where you were a year ago (in experience terms). And the year before that. And the year before that. But each trip back, there is something a little different. You don't quite remember precisely the events of that day. Sure you can remember the big points, but the little details become less focused. The nuance is more and more evasive.

The times were very different. The wonder drug, the one that brought so many back from the dead, was still 9 months from approval and general availability. Slipping on the tux or the suit to sing at another memorial service was a weekly occurrence. The icing on the cake for my 30th birthday was still moist.

I remember the phone call at the office, the hurried trip to the doctor's office, the results of the second test, my doctor's blunt questioning of "What the hell happened?". My asking how long I had. Her hesitantly optimistic answer. Leaving a stunned message on a friend's answering machine. Him taking me out to lunch so I wouldn't be alone. Trying to reach someone on BBS to let them know so they could take care of themselves. Nothing else remains.

Once every 365 days, I come back here. I'm lucky - I'm able to come back here. So many can't.

On the other 364 days, I forgot sometimes. More and more.

Once every 365, I come back here. But I don't dwell there for long.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:58:57 GMT

Last night around 3:30, we had a heavy, blowing rain pass through the city. A little rumble of thunder, rain lashing the windows. As I rolled back over, he came to mind. My first boyfriend.

I was late coming out due to a number of reasons - almost 25. He was in his late 30s. We met while both members of an organization in Dallas. Mild flirting ended up to a major make-out session in a car parked beneath an underpass. The first night I stayed the night in his house in Oak Cliff, there was a major spring storm - rain, thunder, lightning adding to the incredibly sensual, cozy, warm, safe atmosphere.

It didn't last long. He didn't wait to be involved with someone who was just out. I was looking for that instant perfect true love that I used to believe in, hope for. We remained friend and still got together for a lunch time tryst, the rare sleep over.

But when the spring rain comes at night in the blowing wind, they carry the memory with them.

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:05:09 GMT

Any independent record stores in Chicago anyone can recommend?

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:22:47 GMT

Growing up, I loved going to movies - alot. Hell, I even worked in a movie theater during breaks in college. However, for the last 10 years or so, the movie-going experience has just...well, sucked! Cellphones, the high price of tickets, people who think they are in the living room watching TV and talking constantly through the movie, the crappy management and quality of theaters, etc. So instead I will get movies via Netflix and save going to the theater for special films that really need to be seen on a big screen. Like seeing 300 last night at the Navy Pier Imax. If you buy your tickets on-line, you get reserved seats and we were on the second row - not the best choice for me, but still not bad. I really enjoyed the movie and actually the crowd was really good - only 1 cellphone went off in the middle of the quietest moment of the movie.

Oh, and kevin_v5, you can have Gerard Butler. Give me Andrew Pleavin (the leader of the Arcadians) anytime!

Hmmm, I wonder if I can do my goatee in those 2 little braids like he does.

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:41:19 GMT

After a 2 hour commute (which normally takes 20 minutes) and shoveling blowing snow for an hour, I am starting to seriously wonder why I am still living in Chicago...

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:18:41 GMT

You have to love direct deposit and the IRS!

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:17:46 GMT

Happy Birthday, gregorbehr!

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:57:36 GMT

Ok, so I need your opinions on something....

The main gay area in Chicago is in a neighborhood on the north side of the city named Lakeview. Due to the presence of Wrigley Field, it is also called Wrigleyville. The "gay" name is Boystown. Would a straight man call it Boystown in a conversation (as in "I live in Lakeview and hangout in Boystown")? This guy knows I'm gay (which is a non-issue). Doesn't matter to me if he is gay or straight except that is shows that my gaydar is in serious need of tuning!

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:40:30 GMT

Well, survived the holidays with multiple trips for family and work - unfortunately, I had to cancel my trip to NYC (Jersey City) for New Years due to my crappy sinuses still causing me trouble. Between work and being sick, I have missed 2 trips up there in the last few months.

Had a good time in DC. Got to see an old friend of mine from my days in Kansas City. We went to Woof, the bear happy hour at Titan's Ramrod and I kept running into people I knew from various cities. While it was alot of fun to hang out, I do have to say the men at the Edge of Fridays are better looking :>

School starts back up tonight with the second core baking class. Also have a chocolate class on Friday nights - oy, time to hit the gym!

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:51:43 GMT

Well, survived the travels for Xmas and the holiday itself. As irritating as my parents/family are, I do love them alot and am thankful that they are part of my life (ok, it is a small part of my life, but still a part).

Tonight - laundry and repacking the suitcase. Flying to Newark tomorrow to spend New Year's weekend with my friends in Jersey City, so I'll be in and out of NYC this weekend (Malte said something about the Eagle on Thursday night and I'm kind of curious about BigLug in the East Village on Friday or Saturday). Back on Monday night and then off to DC on Wednesday for work conference (and hopefully seeing an old FB of mine).

I feel the same way about American Girl

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:41:42 GMT

Ok, the flight to Tulsa was going great until the plane pushed back from the gate and the 5-year-old girl in the row behind me puked all over herself, her Mom (who was really calm about the entire thing), and her American Girl doll named "Emily" (I know this because of her sobs of "I upchucked on Emily!" that continued for the next 15 minutes). The rest of the flight was fine until...

We landed and she did it again. I felt really sorry for the little girl and her family, but damn!

Holy Crap!

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:26:17 GMT

Peter Boyle Died!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/13/arts/television/14boylecnd.html?ex=1181624400&en=14177a0167a9b29e&ei=5087&excamp=GGGNpeterboyle

Unbreak my Carhartt

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:06:55 GMT

My office is just south of 2 buildings (one 20 or so stories - the other about 35) going up and about 2 blocks away from the new Trump Tower (no idea on how many stories that beast will have). There are alot of construction workers walking around. I haven't see so much Carhartt since...., well, Lazy Bear!

This is why I only drink whole milk!

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:30:51 GMT

Soy Milk Makes You Gay

Culinary Update

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:15:30 GMT

Ok, just got confirmation on my grade for my Baking and Pastry 1 class - I ended up doing better than I thought - ended up pulling out an "A" in the class. Now I'm so ready to celebrate!

Woo-hoo!

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:46:19 GMT

Well, I survived the final, which wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yes, the crust for my lemon bars was more like cake than tart crust, but everything else turned out well. The one thing that I was more concerned with (piping spritz cookies), the chef actually complimented me on.

Also, got my portfolio back - ended up with a B+. He made a couple of good comments. I tried to change the formatting of the book up a bit, by not just having the recipes on the left page and the pictures on the right page. He actually docked me for not having a consistent format - oh, well.

So I survived my first quarter being back in school after almost 20 years being out of college. I think I will probably get a B in the class, which I'm very happy with. One thing I learned (and kind of knew before going into this class) was that I need to work on making the products consistent and have a "finished" quality. They taste good, I understand the techniques and the science, now they just have to look like I can charge $7 for a slice of cake. That will come with practice. Anyone want to be my test taster? There are additional responsibilities, but the perks are great!

The Final Proof

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:53:04 GMT

Ok, so tonight starts my final for the first baking and pastry class. We have a written final, have to turn in our portfolio of all our recipes and photos from the class, and the first night of prep work for our practicum. We have to produce 4 products - the first everyone does - chocolate eclairs. The other 3 can be chosen from 3 categories (having anywhere from 2 to 4 products in each): breads (challah, onion-walnut bread, foccacia, and Cinnamon Raisin Brioche), cookies (spritz or heidesand cookies), bars (pecan bars, lemon bars, or brownies). We finish all the products and present for grading tomorrow night.

I'm not overly concerned with the written final. The portfolio is done - I was lucky that iPhoto has a function that will build a photobook by importing pictures and text. I'm doing mine totally electronically instead of printing it out. The chef is a big "save the trees" guy, so I'm hoping this will get me brownie (pun intended) points.

The practicum is going to be different. I have a plan written out for each product for each night. I have my iPod ready in case the "mouth" in our class starts screaming at herself (like she has done every night of class so far). I also will not get a wink of sleep as I obsess and over analyze every thing. But but in 36 hours, I will be done with the first quarter.

Bad Penny

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:33:38 GMT

Ok, decided to try this again and planning on not spending so much time on here. Actually my time is pretty limited these days due to going back to school at nights. I'm working on a certificate in Baking/Pastry at a local culinary school.

I'll start making semi-regular updates when I get some more time.

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 13:50:55 GMT

So turns out it was some kind of viral upper respiratory track infection that is making the rounds. So they can't treat it with antibiotics. But except for the cough (which sounds like I've been smoking a carton of cigs for 30 years or more), I'm feeling better.

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 18:35:47 GMT

Happy Birthday, hotelbearsf!