... and I am somebody: August 2004 Archives

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August 31, 2004

Munchkins

The two dogs I'm sitting right now certainly are a bundle of work. They require feeding, cleanup, play-time, and they're constantly wanting to cuddle with me, but then they tend to whipe their snot-noses all over me. They also prefer to drink out of the toilet instead of their water bowls. They lick me to wake me up. They're constant work! But they're cute. And they love me, unconditionally.

Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

More office drinking encouraged

This is D - the mail lady at work. She's a hoot. Loved her shirt.

In case you can't read it, it says:

FINISH YOUR BEERS
(There are sober people in China)

Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 28, 2004

What is this?

Any guess what this might be?

Nope, it's not a parking lot

... it's I-94 turned into a parking lot!

I was with a couple of buddies coming home from breakfast in St. Paul last weekend when traffic suddenly stopped. There was no movement for such a long time that people started to get curious, and ventured out of their cars. It was quite an odd site considering people are usually cruising along this part of the world at 60 mph. We wondered what happened - what could cause traffic to stop for 45 minutes. For as far as we could see, there were only parked cars and curious folks walking around.

This guy decided to organize his trunk

These shameless girls let their filthy car be known to the world - look at all the shit on the floor!

Traffic finally started moving again and we were crammed into one moving lane. We passed this state trooper with somebody in the backseat. We still had no idea what happened.

Yikes.

Double-yikes.

We finally passed through the jam - the two cars above having caused the holdup. Clear road greeted us. Note the gawkers on the opposing side of the freeway have caused another jam.

I heard in the news that night that a 17 year old Hastings teenager had stopped to help another motorist change a flat tire on the left side of the freeway. A third car came along and crashed into them. The 17 year old died. Sad. And we were bitching about being held up in traffic, and here this kid loses their life for trying to help out an older woman. Makes you remember to be grateful to be alive and have what you do.

Full size photos and more shots are in the gallery.

Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 27, 2004

Some of my current addictions

The gym

Friendster

... and, something I wouldn't mind becoming addicted to; church

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 26, 2004

Bea teaming up with the terrorists!

Jason at five o'clock bot just posted this HILLARIOUS story about Bea Arthur teaming up with terrorists - trying to sneak a pocketknife onto a plane!

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 25, 2004

Green beans galore

Okay, so I'm house sitting for a couple of weeks, and this morning, my first morning with the dogs, I wake up, feed them breakfast, and they puke ALL OVER. I didn't know little dogs could puke so much! It's like having a baby around that pukes up after every meal. YUCKY. I think it has something to do with the fact that these dogs get green beans on top of every meal. I may have put too much on, and on top of that, the younger dog ate all of his AND the older dog's green beans. I'll say again - YUCKY.

They're super fun dogs though. The younger one even sleeps with me! I feel so domestic - house in south Minneapolis, garage, hot tub, dogs, an alarm system. I can't wait until I grow up - this is going to be fun!

I'm still cracking away at work. Things are going really well here, and I've been handed a ton of work, so I'm busy now. The first couple of days were pretty slow - client and team members were out of the office, so I was just sorta soaking things in the first couple of days.

At my step meeting last night we talked about the 11th step, which speaks about improving your relationship with God (as you understand him). I really am thankful that I fell into AA (literally tumbled through the treatment center doors with shopping bags in my hands). I always remember having a relationship with God growing up. Sorta helped me through my 'realizing I was gay' process. Then, when I came out of the closet at 18, and was having fun, I think I felt like I didn't need that relationship with God anymore. Maybe not that I didn't need it, but more that I didn't depend on it as much any more. That's when the partying began, and my downward spiral started to spin. My soul emptied.

Now, through the program, I've been able to fill that soul back up again - my relationship with God is expanding all the time. My recent period of unemployment was fine. I kept busy and had faith that God would put things in place for me. It happened - I'm working and happier now than I was before. Amen. hehehe - done with my sermon for the day :-)

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 20, 2004

Crack Corner, Minneapolis

Well, I'm at work again today, so that means I survived the first day. I actually had to work late on my first day - something that I think is quite common around here. Not a bad thing at all; a lot is expected of you at this agency - I just have to learn to accommodate.

I went to grab a coffee and muffin across the street this morning and was hounded for money and cigarettes. I refer to the address of the agency's building as "Crack Corner" because there's enough of it sold on this corner to give everyone in the city at least one hit off the pipe. It's unfortunate, but it's a nice reminder that I should be grateful for where I am.

The people at work are all very cool. I think I'll be able to learn a lot here, as well as bring much of my experience to the table.

Anyway, back to work. Have a great Friday!

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 17, 2004

Starting on Thursday

... I'll be back in the 9-5 world. Actually, I tend to get to the office fairly early, so it'll be the 7:30-5 world. I'm trying to get my house cleaned before I return to work. I've neglected it, and things are crazy-messy.

I'm also trying to get over to the SBA to talk to them about programs to start a business. I also need to get to the gym, get my driver's license renewed (it expired 5 months ago!), and buy a new pair of shoes :-)

I've been somewhat restless lately. It seems like I have so much going on right now and I should really try to simplify things, but at the same time, I want to go-go-go. It's hard to find a balance.

I visited my parents the other day. My Dad was as normal as ever, my mother as crazy as usual. Its so hard to see a person that has cared for you all your life fall apart. I know a lot of people go through this - whatever their parents ail from. I'm having a tough time trying not to let my mother's craziness affect me ... it's a combination of my own will, and my mother incessantly trying to drag me into her drama.

I'm starting my fourth step tomorrow at some point with my sponsor: "made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves." I've (obviously) never done this step before, and don't know a whole lot about it. I do know that it involves making a list of all your defects, like being selfish, judgmental, dishonest, etc.

It's supposed to be a hard step, and people have been known to relapse during it, as one is susceptible to beating one's self up over it. I should have probably started it a while back, but my sponsor wanted to hold off because of the job loss situation, and my roommate possibly moving. Don't want to have too much stress at one time! Now, however, I'm not sure it's the right time either, being that I'm starting a new job. I guess it's okay, though - there will always be something going on.

I'm off to the gym and then back to pester my roommate into helping me finish cleaning. Have a great day.

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 14, 2004

New artwork - now on display!

... in my living room at least :-)

I consolidated my credit card debt a couple of months ago, and as part of the ritual, cut them up. This is what the result looks like, though I couldn't find all of them, these cards accounted for a large portion of the debt :-)

I was going to retake the photo when I realized that you could see the shadow of my crotch glaring off of the glass of the frame, but then I thought that the shadow may be appropriate.

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 13, 2004

I'm employed again!!!

Well, almost. There will be some paperwork to complete next week, but I did get the news today! It's a 3 month contract with a great agency in town. The job is pretty much the same thing I was doing before, but with an increased level of responsibility. Once the 3 months expire, if things are going well, and the business still requires the position, I'll be brought on full time.

I really feel like this is a God thing. Throughout this entire time of unemployment, I just kept faith that things would turn out for the best. I wasn't even actively seeking out employment right now, but I was praying. I had the three initial interviews the week after the lay off, I followed up on them, but that was it. I registered for unemployment and started looking into other opportunities - real estate and the possibility of starting my own business. I think I'm still going to explore those options, but at least now I have some cushion room.

Otherwise, keeping busy with a couple of other projects. Hopefully I can still retire by 30 ;-)

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

High School Friends

My friend Kate arrived in town yesterday and a bunch of us met her out for drinks. I have known Kate since kindergarten. I remember her as one of 3 kids in class who came to school already knowing how to read, so an hour each day she got taken away to do some advanced stuff. Even though I haven't seen her since ... shit, I think it may have been over a year, I still consider her one of those special people - I hope I never lose touch.

Kate, flanked by Megan and Missy, the morning after our 5 year HS reunion :-)
The group included 6 or so of us from high school, my roommate, and various boyfriends (I was the only guy). We met at Bar Abilene around 11:00, after my usual Tuesday night AA gig of a meeting, dinner and coffee. They were already pretty toasted, which makes it somewhat easier to be around, because I can see how silly they're being, and I don't necessarily want a drink as bad.

They were all curious about what was going on. Some of them had found the website by chance, or even google in one case, but they still wanted to know what had happened from me. We talked, reminisced, made fun of my old neighbor, Charmaine, 'the crack whore next door,' and had a good time laughing until around 1:00am.

I had a great time. Didn't have any urges at all, but did have a slight feeling of not belonging, sipping on my diet coke, and not vodka-redbulls. I can't really put my finger on it. I'm hopeful that feeling will dissipate with time.

I hadn't been to Bar A in a while - can you believe they took down that John Wayne poster above the urinal in favor of one of those new 'interactive urinal displays'?!?!?! He was a classic! My friends and I used to plan how we were going to sneak that thing out of there. We got one or two screws, of six, out of the frame, and others got all but one screw the last time I saw it. And now they took it down!!!! ARGH!

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 12, 2004

Playing catch-up

I've been neglecting my blogging lately. I suppose it's because I had a routine down prior to getting laid off... I always had my window of time when I blogged. Now that my routine's been thrown out of whack, I've had trouble finding the time, or being in the right mood, to blog.

Things are going pretty good. I've been in good spirits. Still have a few different avenues to explore. I'm not sure that I'm going to re-enter the advertising world right now, but if something came along, I probably wouldn't turn it down.

Looking into opening a franchise. Looking into going into real estate. Just not sure which direction I want to go in right now, so I'm just talking to people and trying to learn from their experiences.

I had a former client of mine IM me today. He had just left on a two week vacation when I was laid off, and just returned to work. He was really bummed that I wouldn't be around anymore. He promised to call me next time he was in town and take me out for cocktails. He doesn't know (yet) that I'm sober now... so that was a sort of odd conversation. I didn't really address it directly and just skirted around the drink issue.

The chiropractor visits have increased in frequency - I'm now going 3 times a week instead of just 2. It's absolute heaven! I hadn't had a massage in a while, either, but being short on funds, was hesitant to splurge on one. I decided to call The Aveda Institute and get a student massage. It's pretty discounted - only $54 for an hour and twenty minutes. I got there and ended up getting an 80 pound girl who was only on her FIRST DAY of massage. It totally sucked - she didn't press hard enough and I ended up just falling asleep. I wouldn't advise it. Spend the extra dough and get the real thing!

With my 'vacation' I've also been able to explore different AA meetings. I'm enjoying that, as I am meeting new people and learning more all the time. I'm also reading a book about Buddhism. I don't know much about it yet, but what little I've read thus far is very intriguing. OH, and the REALLY good news!!! I don't think I've blogged about this yet, but the roommate has decided to stay in town!!! I'm so relieved. He's really been a positive influence on me and I don't know what I'd do without him. I'm thrilled he's sticking around. Anyway, should probably get to bed - I have another busy day tomorrow doing odd jobs for friends :-)

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 08, 2004

Sunday morning thoughts

I`m all set to go to the gym this morning, but my gym buddy is MIA. Roommate went to Sturgis last night - I really wish he'd stop traveling so much - so I find myself somewhat lonely again :-( The thought of one of the biggest retail queens on a Harley from here to the west coast really cracks me up, though. He's a multifaceted individual, that's for sure.

I'm going to a Minnesober planning meeting tonight. Minnesober is the annual GLBT AA Roundup. This is my first time volunteering for something this large within AA. I've done greeting and readings before, but this will actually require that I be held accountable for something - oooooh!

Meeting at a friends house for dinner tonight with the group of AA peeps I've been hanging with since I've gotten sober. They're a great bunch of guys and I feel truly blessed to have fallen into their circle and been welcomed by them. They're a large part of the reason I've been able to stay sober. Met with a guy who found me online yesterday. I suppose you could call it a date, but it was really just a face-to-face meeting to get to know each other better. He seemed very cool and cute. It's the first time in a long time that I've met someone I actually think I might like, so I fear I may have made somewhat of a fool of myself - I was nervous! Which is strange for me ...

Anyhow, gotta hop in the shower after my workout to meet some friends for breakfast. Have a great Sunday!

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 04, 2004

another interview down

... and so far none more to go. Actually, I'm quite grateful that I had two interviews this week. Both went really well. The first was just with a hiring manager. During the second, I met with five people. Phone calls keep coming and I still haven't had to do any of my own soliciting yet! Things are looking good, but nothing solid yet. I hope it doesn't drag on too long. Job searching can be a depressing venture.

Heading to the chiropractor today to get all cracked out and straightened up. God I love that place. Been hankering for a good massage - does anybody have any recommendations here in town? I've been to a few, but not overly impressed with anyone in particular. I guess it's sorta like looking for a lover - someone who knows how to do it right :-)

Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 03, 2004

another busy day

I've got another full day of fun planned today. I'm grateful that I've been able to keep busy during my time of unemployment. Down time for me tends to lead to insanity, so keeping busy is a good thing!

Roommate came in from out of town early yesterday, so caught up with him last night. He's had ANOTHER job opportunity offered to him here in town, so now he's reconsidering the move all-together. This is a good thing. He's truly blessed to have so many people knocking on his door to have him come work for them. I hope I have a similar experience in my job search.

Speaking of the job search ... I've had several calls! I have an interview today and tomorrow so far this week, and a plethora of people to call, and old contacts to reacquaint myself with. It's terrible how you get busy and neglect your relationships with some people that you don't often see. Then you lose your job (or need something), and you try to bring them back into your life... I hope they don't see me as the greedy whore that I can tend to be.

Anyhow, gotta run and drop roommate off at the office, then it's off to the bank, the sprint pcs store, spin class, and more errands, oh and the job interview!