Monday, December 30, 2002 : Amsterdam is the city of a thousand bridges. It's also the gay capitol of Europe, home to legal prostitution and coffee shops with menus of your choice of Marijuana. And everyone smokes ciggarrettes. Except me. Americans, as I suspect most everywhere except Mexico and possibly Canada, are not liked or welcome. They all hate George Bush and the aggressiveness of Americans in the Iraqi situation. No one in Europe wants to see war. As for me in Amsterdam, I've not done anything that is illegal :))))))) I've decided that if called upon to the stage my stand-up comedy routine would begin like this: "Hi, first of all I'm NOT George Bush . But I DID visit the White House recently on a tour. There were so many security officials around, I could not get a word in edgewise to George. But if I did, I'll tell him how unpopular he is in Europe!" Really, the animosity and anger is thick. I've not seen any other americans here on my visit. Good thing I've been here before, there is a friendly gay community, and my ex is here.
I had dinner with me ex Ricardo last night at the Italian restaurant where we first had dinner the night we arrived a few years ago on our "honeymoon". Back then I was tired, hungry and irratable. The reception was cold, the service slow and terrible and I was a big Grump. Last night, the reception was still as cold, the service terrible, but the food exceptional. We laughed about it all and had a great time. I am so much more relaxed and happy since that time. We truly had a great time together. He left on the last train back to the small town where he is staying and met up with his current boyfriend, who was quite relieved to see his boyfriend come home from his ex. Apparently, I am the ghost of relationship past for him, and he is quite nervous that I am in town. The three of us are going to a New Year's party tomorrow night and I'm sure Ricardo's boyfriend is not thrilled that I'm attending with them!
This time of year in Amsterdam it gets dark by 4:30 p.m. and the light is not light until 9:00 a.m. A big surprise for me coming from LA, and before that Puerta Vallarta where the sun sets at 6:20 p.m. But life is interesting. How great it is to experience different countries and cultures while I'm alive and healthy and relatively young. I must say though, that I am ready to return to my home in Santa Monica and my routine. Smoke free environments, my cat who hates me by now for deserting him, and my friends. My job where I'm appreciated and I enjoy.
Ask me again after being back to work for a few weeks how I feel.....
Feel my love coming out from the planet towards you, really. Happy New Year.
Friday, December 27, 2002 : Hello from Amsterdam! I don't want to give the impression I am rich or anything. The trip to Mexico was very cheap, and I already own a timeshare there at the gay beach which i've owned for years, and the airfare was cheap. The air to Amsterdam was basically free, using United miles I earned from my last job.
With that all cleared up, flying first class in a three class airplane overseas is amazing. I arrive at the airport at LAX and go to the international first class lounge, and I was the only one there the whole time. All the food, coffee, alchohol (if you're so inclined at 7 a.m. in the morning) you can down before you are escorted to the plane and board. After boarding you find you have your own personal 'suite'. The suite is a huge comfortable reclining seat that has all these buttons that controls lumbard support, leg support, and tilt back. Push a button and the chair slowly transforms into a full length bed. SWEET. And the window seat is all by itself slightly angled towards the windows so you feel like you're all alone. There are only a total of 12 of these in first class. Then you have business class which is very much like the traditional first class on domestic flights.
A fast synopsis of my flight in first class:
+ cute gay flight attendant, flirting with each other
+ watched a video on my personal built-in entertainment system, The Rookie with Dennis Quaid, laughed out loud and balled my eyes out.
+ breakfast, snack, dinner, breakfast
+ for dinner here was the courses:
+Don Perignon Brut
+Black lentil caviar with corn cakes (wow they were good)
+Parmesan crusted salmon with with white wine dill sauce
+Basmati rice with chives
+Sauteed spinach with chalets
+A good french chardannay I forgot the name of
And all that on real china with real glassware.
On one segment of my flight my headset wouldn't work, so the flight attendant gave me a bottle of Deloach chardannay - oh well!
As great and comfortable as it was, I hardly slept. Therefore as of this hour I have been up 27 hrs. It's 9 hours later here, and 4 p.m. local time. I'm trying to stay up, have dinner and then go to bed, but if I take a nap now, I'll never wake up and I'll be all screwed up for the rest of the trip. I've been here since 7 a.m. this morning, local time. The apartment I'm in is really nice. It's in a building near the Grand Central rail station in downtown Amsterdam, which is an easy ride to the airport and an easy walk to the apartment. It's owned by a cute gay couple who rents it out usually to corporate clients, but when available they rent out to vacationers. I got lucky because there was a last minute cancellation, and here I am. No where else to stay in Amsterdam, and at a great price. The apt. includes a computer with fast internet access, a personal cell phone, t.v. etc. The building was built in 1625, but the inside has been remodeled. Nice kitchen, bathroom, it even has a washer and dryer. And for the price of about $100 per night. You see what I mean about how God/the Universe is giving me so much?
Anyway, Ricardo and I hooked up via cell phones while I was taking a solo walking tour of downtown to reaquaint myself with the layout, and to make sure where my apt. was in relation to everything. I think the couple who are my hosts are into the leather scene. Theres a leather bar next door, and the area is near the other leather bars, etc. I digress, Ricardo and I are getting together tommorrow with his boyfriend Hans and he for drinks and dinner. We're all thinking I'm gonna hit a wall here soon and konk out to the world, so we're not gonna push it tonight. Oh, and Ricardo has a hangover from last night :)
Okay, it's 7 a.m. Pacific time on Friday (or is it Saturday?) Will my boy Derek make flight arrangements and come? I talked with him on my layover in Washington D.C. and he said he could only find flights for more than $2000. Yikes. So if he doesn't come to Amsterdam (which I hope he does) he wants to come visit me in L.A! I'm trying really hard not to pay his way, because I tend to do that, especially for younger guys, and this time I want to hook up with someone who has a job and likes me for me, and not my money, so I am extremely happy he is attempting to pay his way, and he does want to see me again. My gester to at least attempt to use my miles to get him here was valiant, but I now have those miles back, and it's in his ballpark. I'll keep ya posted! Although if he comes, there won't be too many updates while I'm here.... I will hopefully be too busy doing someone, I mean something else....
Wednesday, December 25, 2002 :
Derek just called, he has arrived back home in Seattle. Unfortunately, I was not able to send him the tickets so he gets them on time. But he is going to try to get tickets himself to join me in Amsterdam! If not, worst case scenario, he will take a long weekend and come visit me in LA. Wow. I am so happy. I leave early in the morning for Amsterdam, first class, and I am so excited.
My family and I had a great time for Christmas. With my Dad gone, things are different, but good. My Mom seems happy, and everything is cool.
Monday, December 23, 2002 : What a difference a few days makes! Well I went to the beach and saw Israel and said hi and asked him to come visit me and my friends. He did not. Bitch. But it was a good thing. At Kareoake the night before, there was a very very gogeous boy (I use that term a lot, it means he is young-ish and cute) who was with an older man who looked about 65. We were trying to figure out the relationship, and all evening we were looking at the boy (his name is Derek) and he was loving the attention and gave us some shy smiles. Anyway, after Israel played hard-to-get, I saw Derek sitting alone at a table at the Blue Chairs restaurant on the beach drinking a soda. My friends and I were laying on our towels sunning and we spotted him. He spotted us, and I continued to practically stare, and he returned with a shy smile. I walked up to him and invited him to have drinks in our room later and he eagerly said yes.
It's a shame words don't convey the intensity and reality of all what happened.
Anyway, we invited him to come on the beach with us and he came and sat next to me on my towel and we had some nice conversation. Meanwhile his older companion came out and joined us, and we were hoping he would leave but we eventually invited him to have drinks too. Make a long story short, we all went out to dinner to Kit Kat (a gay owned restaurant in Vallarta) and had a great time. Derek and I held hands under the table (after I understood he and the man were not dating) and I stole a santa hat from the decor and put it on. BTW, Derek is 28, has a completely smoothe body (the few hairs that try to grow he shaves) and is thin and tall. Blonde highlights. Gorgeous, you could say he's a twink. He looks much younger than his age. He likes older men. Lucky me? Yes.
Derek's friend was tired and went home while Derek, Scott, Robert and I all went out dancing and drinking. I had the santa hat on and the pretty boy in hand. I was in Heaven. Unfortunately we had too much to drink and we both went home totally toasted, each to our own rooms, but with the date set for the next night to have dinner alone.
And so we did, at Cafe de Artiste. One of the nicest, most expensive restaurants in Vallarta. Piano music. garden. lovely food. ambiance. romatic. Derek was wearing a very hansome yellow wool sweater with no sleaves, and they made him wear a shirt they provided over it. He looked smashing (we tried to walk out with the shirt but they caught us :)) We had a blast. His smile makes me melt. We went out to the Paco Paco club after that and danced the night away, but drank less this time. We were totally into each other and held hands when we walked around. At one time I saw Israel and Sergio talking together and took the golden moment to walk up to them with Derek in hand and introduced them all. What a glorious moment. The two boys who teased me, played hard-to-get, and now they lost their chance to a hotty from the states, Derek.
And so to conclude, Derek is now joining me to Amsterdam Dec 26 through New years! We've not had sex yet, but we have confirmed we are both mutually attracted to each other and pleasure awaits us when we arrive on the 27th.
Saturday, December 21, 2002 : My friend Scott and his boyfriend Robert arrived Thursday. We are having a blast. While the states has their weather, we are tanning in Puerta Vallarta. Sergio got the job, I've met many nice people, and stayed up late partying at the clubs each night. You would not believe how gorgeous the male strippers are. There are lots of them, everywhere (well in the bars anyway). And unlike the states, these boys are allowed to show their stuff. Fully erect stuff. How do they do that? I've been introducing my friends to many of the guys I've known in years past. Nothing has changed. The same lovely, cute, friendly, affectionate people are still here, and they always remember me with a smile.
Last night the three of us did Kareoake at the gay hotel roof top where we're staying at Blue Chairs. That was my first time! We had a blast. Last night I met a cute guy vacationing from Mexico City and we're going to hook up at the beach as soon as i'm done here...... One guy, GUS (the U is pronounced oooh) came up to me. Turns out he is the boyfriend of my exes, Ricardo's best friend. They came and visited us when we were living at Lake Tahoe in Incline Village. Anyway, the young Gus and I were attracted to each other, and while everyone was sleeping we (drunk) went out on the patio and made love under the stars and the patio heater. Snow all around. It was lovely, but the next morning Gus felt horrible and told his lover, and I of course told Ricardo (we were in an open relationship at the time). It was a disaster. Ricardo's boyfriend, of course hates me. They almost broke up, but did not. Anyway, this is the first time I have seen or heard from Gus since that day. I barely reconized him. He told me they were breaking up, although it is not actually "official" yet (whatever that means) so I should not tell Ricardo (who I'll see next week in Amsterdam). Confused?
What a life! Sometimes I think I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not actually dreaming.
Happy Days. Off to work on the tan, and meet my new friend Israel.
Wednesday, December 18, 2002 :
Well i went on the gay cruise and got sea sick. the swells were huge. waves crasshing on the beach so one could not even sit on the beach.
i got back safely and alive and had dinner where Sergio works, and it was nice. i wrote a letter of recommendation for him for his job he wants where i´m staying. he really appreciates it. i´m going out later and he and i will hook up at least for a dance and drink!
Tuesday, December 17, 2002 : Hello from Puerta Vallarta! I departed LAX amidst heavy rain. My co-captain Joe will hate me because he is having to deal with the beach cleanup in my absence. Anyway, I arrived in paradise Vallarta, and yes I met someone and we are in love. Well not really, but we are definitely attracted. He looks 18, but he is actually 31. Has the body of a go-go boy. I first thought he was a hooker, but he has a job in town, and was genuinely attracted to me! He likes my face, body, and well, anatomy. I can't tell you how good this makes me feel! For a gorgeous young man to be genuinely attracted to me and want to have S*x with me is, well nice. We stayed up very late, and when I got back to my place, my next door neighbors invited me over for a conversation (this is by now, 7 a.m.!!!!) and I finally got to bed about 7:30 this morning. I got up, showered, and walked to the beach (about 5 steps) and had lunch and took in some sun. I've met several new friends, and have agreed to go on a gay cruise tomorrow.
At 4 p.m. local time today I had the best massage I have ever had in my life. Period.
The Blue Chairs Resort where I'm staying had "Gay Bingo" tonight, and I participated. Didn't win. But I met the new owners. And made friends with a few people, and signed up for the gay cruise in the morning.
Scott and Robert arrive Thursday. Scott doesn't know that Robert is coming. I'm leaving a bottle of wine in the room so when they arrive they can 'celebrate'.
Life can't get any better than this!!! Hola from Puerta Vallarta where the sky is blue, the air and water are warm, and I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt at midnight while I type away in a cyber cafe! Adios.
The Universe is on my side. Everything is coming together.
There is a GORGEOUS man who recently moved into the building where I live. The young women who work in the office all find him attractive and have been googling over him. As have I. One day a few days ago, I went to the computer room in my building and he was there with his Chiwawa in his lap. He started a conversation with me. Before I knew it, he was offering to teach me how to smoke marijuana without burning my throat, and wanted to come see my room. This guy is 26, has been weight training since he was 18, has a gorgeous body, beautiful eyes, hair that is long, but with very tight gorgeous curls. Could it be he was attracted to me? Yes. To make a long story short, we hooked up two days in a row and had S*X. He, shal we say, released his stress twice each night. WOW. The first night was the same day as the service for my Dad. Somehow I think he had something to do with this. This is more than I would ever even dream of. Did I mention he is an actor, has a beautiful white smile, and a six pack?
And then there's Amsterdam. Everything is booked up for New Year's, BUT, there was a cancellation and I now have confirmation of a luxurious apt. building in central Amsterdam with a full kitchen for Half the rates for area hotels. I'm going first class on United using my airline miles. I'm invited to a new year's party. WOW.
Thanks for all the good wishes regarding the passing of my father. We had services Saturday at the house with all the family assembled and it was very nice. Dad's ashes were placed on the lawn and we all circled around. I started with my thoughts of how happy I was Dad was able to come visit with me while my mom was visiting my sis. He was so happy to be there. I let him have all the wine he wanted, and we took a walk out front to watch the sunset. He liked it so much, he took a little trip himself the next day while I was at work the next day (without his oxygen) and got lost and dissoriented. We all took turns spreading his ashes around the garden. My sisters and my niece all cried while they shared their thoughts. My nephew said a nice prayer and we were done.
Thursday, December 12, 2002 : My father passed away this past weekend. This is my first day back at my computer. The morning he died, he tried calling me, but was disoriented, and called my office at 5:30 a.m. to ask me to call back ASAP. He died shortly after that call. I had a dream the same morning about my dad, which indicated how he probably died. He was very weak, and had trouble getting up and even urinating. I think he could not get up and wanted me to call back to wake up my Mom to help. Or he may have been calling to say goodbye. But it is so interesting that I dreamed about him that morning and saw a picture of how he likely died. I think he could not get up, and felt all his organs malfunctioning (he was also on oxygen) and just decided to "give up" and passed. He was 82. A WWII Vet. Father of three.
The family is coming from all over the country and will all be here by Friday. I've been helping my mom with arrangements, etc.
After the services, it's a birthday party for mom. Next week I'm off to Puerta Vallarta with my friend Scott. Home for Christmas. Then off to AMSTERDAM (whew hooo) for the rest of the year and a party on New Year's Eve. My ex, Ricardo is there and I will be visiting with him and going to a party he's been invited to. I'll keep ya all posted on my great adventures....
Friday, December 06, 2002 :
Here are some of the searches people have used to find their way to my sight:
Day in the life of an unemployed software....
How to help a young gay guy find his way back to the right sex partner (My Answer: email me, I'll help you)
How to tell a gay guy you like him (My answer: "Hey, my gay friend, I like you!")
A day in the life of a gay guy (sounds familiar?)
Jillians Universal City Walk (hmmm)
How to get a gay guy into bed (Answer: Tell him you want to go to bed with him -- trust me, it will work)
Gay Fireman (Answer: no experience here, unfortunately)
Puerta Vallarta Blue Chairs (Answer: Lot's of fun for the international gay traveller! Gotta go! I'm going soon)
One gay guy turning a straight guy gay (Answer: If he turns gay he was never straight in the first place!)
Sex in rio de janairo (Answer: Yes)
Hung bunch (No comment)
How to talk to your ex boyfriend who you found out is gay (Answer: Tell him you know, that you love him, but you're movin' on honey!)
I'm a girl dating a gay guy (Answer: Honey, it'll never work. You'll just get a broken heart. Let him go)
Thursday, December 05, 2002 :
On Tuesday at about noon I found out that I was to make a major presentation to our executives on our annual budget process today at 10 a.m. The person asking me to do this, had knowledge of this meeting and what needed to be done, for at least a month. Needless to say, I was a busy bunny since Tuesday. But you know, I actually did not get pissed off (like I used to) and I had fun with the preparations. And I came through. My boss and my bosses boss, and ultimately the President were all very very pleased with me. I love it when a good day happens.
After today, work is practically anti-climactic. Next week is it, then I'm off to Puerta Vallarta for a week. I leave Monday the 16th and return the 23rd just in time for Christmas with my mom and dad and other family members. I'm seriously considering using some of my United airlines miles to go to either Rio, Sydney or London for New Years. That is if United hasn't gone bankrupt and taken away my nearly 300,000 miles. I will be really really pissed if they do that. I have enough miles to take three round trip first class trips to Europe with that many miles!
I'm listening to Celine Dion's new album "A New Day Has Come". I'm not particularly a fan of hers, but I was fascinated with the idea of her coming back after struggles, and the theme of the album sounded good to me. It is uplifting and she sounds like she has definitely matured since her last album. I would definitely recommend it.
Monday, December 02, 2002 :
Hello to my Aussie blogger bud: If I knew how to add your link into a paragraph like you do, I'd do it. For now, thanks for your good wishes and including me in your blogs.. Cheers. For those of you who wanna take a look, his link is listed below, left as "That Happy Feeling."
I realized over the weekend I have slightly more than two weeks to get myself into shape for my trip to Puerta Vallarta. FAT chance. But I did decide two things. One, I would make jogging a priority again. I've been using an elyptical machine, but haven't actually run in years. Running, you may realize, uses entirely different muscles (I know because I can feel everyone right now). I used to be addicted to running -- I would not even go to bed until I have gotten my daily run in. Nowadays I am more addicted to alchohol than I am to running. So I figured, okay, let's be realistic. I have an addictive personality. Maybe to trick myself I need to trade one addiction for another? Give up drinking for running. So every night when I get home, instead of opening up a bottle of wine, I put on my tennis shoes and go running. What's so hard about that? Well, we'll see, but yes, that is what I decided over the weekend. Two drastic changes should show at least a couple pounds difference in two weeks, no?
Another great thing that happened over the weekend is, I made verbal contact with this gorgeous, very well fit guy who every Sunday has a group of 'admirers' around him and they all work out. I went to use the paralell bars to do dips and stomache exercises and they were all there. We had made eye contact several times (he's hard not to look at) and in fact my ex, Ricardo, pointed out when he was visiting that the guy was "staring" at me when we were out exercising. Well, I would be flattered if that were so, but.... Anyway, we talked and he is a personal trainer. I am going to hire him. Hello Michelangelo, I am your David. Transform me. We'll start in January, weekly. I'll keep you posted.
Formerly "A Day in the life of a Gay Guy", I've changed the name to reflect more of how I'm thinking. Being Gay is not the focal point of my life. I'm a guy with interests like everyone else, I just happen to be Gay.
