As I write this (first on paper) it is sunset in California - my favorite time of the day. I'm sitting on my balcony, in Winter, in shorts and a t-shirt, watching the few high clouds in the sky turn color.
When I choose a place to live one of the most important criteria is -- does it have a view? a balcony? My view here in West Hollyood (WEHO) is not bad -- I can see WEHO and the Pacific Design Center and in the distance the hills that separate the West L.A. area from the Pacific Ocean. I see airplanes (don't hear them thankfully) going into their landing patterns for both Santa Monica Airport and Los Angeles International (LAX). But this is by far not the best view I've ever had from my many residences. Nevertheless, I am experiencing the peace that I have during this same magical time -- sunset. The glass of chardonnay helps, yes, but so does the colors of the clouds as they change and of the beautiful aroma of blossoms in the air.
The aroma happens every year this time when the cherry blossoms, like magic, all blossom at the same time all over So. California. And other trees blossom too so that wherever you are you can smell the same subtle sweet aroma. It's wonderful -- almost a spiritual experience.
One of my favorite places with a view was when I rented a guest house on a large private estate in Malibu on a private beach. The estate is one of those behind private closed gates, about seven acres in northern Malibu where the estates all rest on the cliffs adjacent to the Pacific. The properties start higher (about 1 - 200 ft.?) on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and then taper down the hillside to the Pacific. My guesthouse was accessed only two ways. One by entering the estate and parking your vehicle near the main house, then walking down a lighted brick pathway that winds its way through gardens to the beach.
The front of my house was all windows -- all ocean and sand. So close to the water that during storms the windows must be boarded up to protect the place. At night around this time at sunset I would take a glass of wine and my cat out to the wooden deck and together we'd watch some of the most beautiful sunsets anyone could ever experience. During winter the sun sets over the ocean, and it is spectacular. I remember often seeing whales spouting during their season, seals, and dolphins (very often). One time a large white/albino seal beached itself on my beach -- apparently to die. It was such a heartbreaking but also beautiful, experience. I had many years of enjoyment on the estate.
Another great view I had - in fact right after I moved from Malibu was in the Castro in San Francisco. I lived in an old but fabulous Victorian where I had the top two floors. From my living room I would sit in the window sill which I converted to a sort of love seat, and looked out over the activity on the street. In fact I looked out directly across the street from the Midnight Sun near 18th and Castro.
Getting back to nature again I was fortunate enough to live in Lake Tahoe on the North Shore in Incline Village. This was with my partner at the time. The home we had there had a great deck that peeked through the pine trees and had a spectacular view of the Lake. We bought an outdoor heater so that no matter what time of year I could partake of my favorite pastime -- sit on my balcony with Kitty in my lap, a glass of wine and watch the sky change color at sunset.
I remember one summer evening sitting and seeing something I never had seen before or since. I saw, over the tops of the mountains on the east side of the lake (east of these is the desert south of Reno) were clouds forming out of nothing. Where there was nothing there were clouds being born and then moving to the north. I sat for the longest time, amazed that I was witnessing the birth of clouds! This is something you have to see to believe or to even know what I'm talking about.
Shortly after my ex and I broke up I bought a house above Reno that must have had the best view of the entire valley of Reno of any house ever! I had a private balcony off my bedroom that was my Sunset Sanctuary. I was only there a short time but remember most sitting on July 4, the year of 911, watching the fireworks displays of three cities/municipalities. I also remember watching in horror as all the planes sat grounded at the Reno airport the days after 911.
The move from Reno brought me back home to So. Calif. where I moved to the beach in Santa Monica. From my 7th floor apartment I could see all the way down the coast to the Palis Verdes peninsula and Catalina Island on a clear day. The pedestrian walk was in my view and I'd spy on gorgeous guys as they skated by on their blades. I had a July 4th party here and again, we watched as somewhere down the coast were some fireworks.
Its dark now. The chimes from the nearby Catholic church just chimed signaling it is 6 P.M. They chime every day at 8 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. The tradition, as I was told was to be 6 AM, 12 noon, and 6 PM, but 6 AM was too early for the neighborhood so they moved it to 8 AM. The chimes in old times were a reminder to the faithful to offer up prayers to God.
There are more fascinating "views" but I'm out of time and out of light for now. Cheers.
Here's a quick update on what's been going on with me lately:
I have a new boss and I've been soooo busy at work the past several months, including over the holidays, that I've not had much time to blog. By the time I get home from work, I don't even want to LOOK at a computer.
I turned in the leased Mercedes for a purchased BMW 325i. I love the new car. It rides so much nicer than the Benz did and I intend to keep this one for many years to come. It's black, and beautiful.
I'm still investing. Not rich yet. Not lost my shirt. Still learning a lot. I really really want to get filthy rich so I can quit my damn job.
Still single, and not looking.
Still working out and staying in good shape and health. Weigh 178 lbs @ 6 feet 1.5 inches. I love it when young hot guys take a second look at me, and even flirt with me. I need that at my age.
I usually go on a trip somewhere in December, but this year because of work, I did not go anywhere. Typically I go to Puerta Vallarta. Last year I went to PV and to wine country to a bed and breakfast with this guy I was dating at the time. This year I stayed in town and just relaxed, read a lot. Spent time with Mom and the Sis and my niece and her fiancé....
I'm going through a self-paced training course I bought and I'm enjoying it (can't tell you what it is, it's CIA stuff and I'd have to kill you if I told you).
See! You're not missing much. Every once in a while I get these ideas of "hey, that subject would make a good one for my blog" but I don't seem to get there. I promise I'll get creative and start writing some interesting stories for you.
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.
