101 degrees in the the shade at St. Christopher's School yesterday according to the Richmond Arby's Weathernet and my Weatherbug. Too hot to ride with the convertible top down or to cut the front lawn.

Today should be better and we had a brief rain this morning...

Many things happening in the River City in the transition from Spring to Summer. The recreation centers are all opening their pools - I will miss mine this year - and the bravest souls have already ventured down to Pony Pasture to lay out on the warm rock islands in the chilly James River. The Innsbrook After Hours concerts have started, as have Friday's at Sunset and other summertime outdoor social events. Always nice to have the options.

As for me... Well... I am dating a couple of nice guys. Very different men, but each very desirable in his own way. One makes me think a lot - yeah I talked about him in a previous post - the other is very physically active and encourages me to do the same, which I like. I spend a lot of time reading and taking advantage of the sun - I just need to turn over more often so I get an even tan - it makes me feel so good after the winter's grey... My daughter came by the other day to show me some of her prom pictures. I am glad she has decided to spend at least some time with her "messed up" Old Man.

I am totally hooked on "28 Barbary Lane" and have almost finished the third book in the "Tales from the City" series. I can hardly wait to start the next one...

That's all from Richmond VA and my perspective...
Over and "Out"...

What a beautiful weekend... I worked on Saturday then came home, made some dinner, called a friend and we walked up and rented a DVD and hung out watching it... Very peaceful evening.

Sunday was gorgeous. I woke up and went to the gym with the top down, came home and sat out on the deck reading my latest favorite "28 Barbary Lane" the first three Tales from the city books by Armistead Maupin. Great reading so far... I never watched the series so it's all new to me as it unfolds in the book.

Later on I was asked if I wanted to go see the "DaVinci Code" which, of course I did. We took the convertible out to Short Pump - with the top still down - I liked it a lot. My friend enjoyed it too but would have liked it to end the same way the book did. I was content that it followed the book pretty closely and left out very little, and I only jumped when the woman sitting next to me jumped... The theater was packed.

After the flick, I came home and resumed my book as the sun dropped below the westend tree line. All in all, it was a wonderful day...

Til next post.... Over and "Out"...

Life is a funny and complicated thing here in Richmond... or should that be, life is a funny and complicated thing for me, here or anywhere?

Will, Grace, Karen, and "Just Jack" signed off after their final episode tonight. I think that most of us (gay men) found that our own lives were somewhat less complicated and more enjoyable after watching this group for the past 8 years... Who would have thought the writers would come up with Will's son marrying Grace's daughter? I watched the 4 actors on the Today Show this morning, why wasn't I surprised that they were just as real appearing in a talk show environment as they have been on their sit-com...

I had 2 wonderful days off, I spent a lot of time alone (not lonely) and some time with friends. It was a good mix, and I hope they had as good a time as I did. Even if the baked tomatoes sucked. Otherwise life is good in the river city, and who knows what the future holds...

That's all for now... Over and "Out"...

Ever meet someone that really makes you think? I mean REALLY makes you think, from your brain all the way to your soul. Someone that seems to be able to read your mind and answer the same questions posed to you... Someone that makes you re-evaluate your own being right down to your core... I met a person like this about 25 years ago, and never thought it would be possible to meet another. I was wrong...

I went out last night, not to the club, not to play pool in the tournament, not to have a beer or two, but to go shopping... It was enlightening, confusing, emotional, and unproductive - at least the shopping part was - but enjoyable. I was forced to go into the Short Pump Town Center Mall for the first time in my life - I actually prided myself in never shopping there before - not sure why it was important to stay a SPTC virgin, but I am not anymore so that doesn't matter.

I learned something about myself last night. I assume too much. I assume to know what someone is saying sometimes when I have not asked for clarification... The 3rd agreement in Don Miguel Diaz's The Four Agreements, is to not assume anything. I actually thought I was pretty good at this one, but I was wrong... I am going to start taking the time to ask people what they really mean when they say something, ask for clarification before I assume to know what their meaning is. I was truly shocked when I did this the first time. I learned alot more about the person and that person's motives and intentions afterward. My assumptions, the interpretations I had made, were totally wrong... Go figure.

Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks...

Til next post... Over and "out"...

Well, that's it... The West Wing ends and Matthew V. Santos takes his place as the newest POTUS...

The last few days have been very full. Elliot Yamin, from American Idol, came home for a visit to what a co-worker now calls Richmond, Vagina - My co-worker/friend is a little down after a recent trip to DC, she misses the urban jungle and shops I think. Saturday I did the Race for the Cure - a 5k walk/run supporting breast cancer awareness. Later I got to see my youngest, my baby girl, before she left to go to her senior prom. She looked so beautiful, all grown up and sexy at the same time, I had to leave after about 15 minutes before I made a fool out of myself by crying in front of my wife and kids and the other parents there taking pictures. I drove off and pulled over to shed my tears of happiness, sadness, pride, and sorrow... I am so proud of her and to be her father, and I love her very much.

After work yesterday, I went out to Z2 then Fieldens... There was a nice crowd in both locations and I ran into quite a few old friends and made some new ones. Work was long today, Mothers Day is not really busy for furniture sales, but I managed to make the day worth while. I made a couple of phone calls to friends, to catch up, during the West Wing commercials - they played the first episode, then the last, starting at 7pm.

All caught up now... Over and "Out"....

Good evening Richmond... and Happy Thursday.

I went out to Babes last night for karaoke night, and yes, I even sang, albeit badly. I sometimes never seem to amaze myself, although with enough liquid nerve (alcohol) I guess we all will do things we normally wouldn't or shouldn't. I had fun regardless.

Today was 11am meeting with attorney, had to go over all sorts of questions sent by my wife's lawyer, and produce documents to help determine spousal support for her. It wasn't all that bad, although most of the paperwork requested, is in her house, not mine. I later had a checkup with my Cardiologist. Everything is good with my heart and I will not go back until next year. He said he likes the patients that take his advice - quit smoking, lower your cholesterol, and exercise regularly - and as a result, have uneventful checkups. I am a good boy!

I met a very nice man today. We had coffee, walked and talked, had ice creams, walked, laughed and talked some more. Interesting fellow... I felt I babbled alot and he was great at tracking. A remarkable talent to say the least. Oh, and he was handsome too!!

I am almost done with "Boys like us". I will have to find another book as good for my next read.

Over and "Out"... til next time

Once again the Richmond Triangle Players out did themselves... This time in their production of "The Stops" at Fieldens Cabaret Theater. Cast members Steve Boschen, Todd Minnich, and Kirk Morton were hysterical in their roles as Rose, Euglena, and Ginny - the ladies from NALOG, The North American Lady Organists' Guild... The audience could not stop laughing. RTP lives up to it's saying: "If we didn't do it, who would?" This is a must see and has been held over for two additional weeks. If you can get in to see it don't miss it.

Otherwise work and reading have been occupying most of my time, I found a wonderful book of compiled essays and short stories by gay writers that is hard to put down. It's called "Boys like us" and each chapter is another authors coming out story. A very enlightening read.

Had a wonderful day off yesterday... Started at the new Gold's Gym at Willow Lawn, they have a "Cardio Theater" set up that is really nice. They were playing the movie "Rudy" and I couldn't tear myself away until the show was over... I had never seen it before and it was great.

The rest of my day was quite mundane, I went to get a haircut - $5.99 on sale at Great Clips - then to The Homo Depot to pick up some flowering plants for the new deck. I came home, started some laundry and transplanted the flowers into pots... My friend Douglas came by for awhile but he still wasn't feeling well - he has had the flu for the past week - so he rested while I worked, and then later went back home. Later, another guy I met not too long ago came by for a beer, we chatted for awhile before he had to head off to finish preparing for something he had to do today. It was a very nice day... I plan on having the same today. Already did the gym, it was "Top Gun" today, so I stayed on schedule. I came home and read for awhile on the deck, in the sun, oh that feels nice...

I got a message on my phone that the property tax bill arrived, and that the county of Henrico wants $1,000 for the first half of the year... Not sure where I am going to get my half, but I will no doubt figure out a way...

Life goes on...