Life – What Life?

As stated in one of my many previous rants, my social life is gonna take a dive for the next few months. I need to start working extra overtime to catch up on my finances as well as put away a small nest egg to help w/tuition. Even though I had to put it off due to the 2-faced, back stabbing, piece of shit that works downstairs, I still plan on starting my paramedic training this year (yeah, I’m still bitter). I’m hoping to upgrade my beat up scooter to a full fledged motorcycle in the latter half of the year as well. Can you say “mucho dinero”?

So with work, overtime, the charity, and gym, not much room for anything else I’m afraid. Thats ok though. I realize its only temporary. Besides, I have you, my loyal readers. (all 12 of you) The good news is my blog just be bursting w/info, annoyances and my simplest of rants on a daily basis.

? Hold Music ?

I absolutely detest automated phone systems. I recently bought a backpack for my new laptop from Dell. The laptop is beautiful and working flawlessly. The backpack itself is fine its just not the right size. Ok, more correctly, it is the right size however, they neglect to tell you the inside fitting for the laptop is much much smaller. I’m a frequent online shopper so this speed bump is not completely unexpected.

The packaging slip says I have to call to get a return shipping # before I can actually return the package. It specifically states I must call not go online.

Issue #1:
I spent 25 minutes on hold. Not a good first impression as far as I’m concerned. So while I’m painfully being submitted to monotonous hold music I discover I can, in fact, go online for the same information. I go online searching for return info. Again, navigation issues from hell.

Issue #2:
Every possible question but ‘returns’ seems to be answered in the online F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions). Finding none of the required information, I end up on a blank ‘contact us’ form. Only at this point, does it give me a place to go for the needed info. Once there, getting the number was simplicity itself.

I’m only annoyed because Dell sings constantly about their fabulous customer support. Well, I can tell you from personal experience, it ain’t that fabulous. If I had to rate it, I’d give it a flat “average”. The simplicity of ordering and receiving goods is darkly shadowed by such a poor follow up nightmare. Don’t get me wrong, in the age of automation and mega corporations I realize there cannot be a live body to answer my every whim of a question. However, as a rule to avoid confusion, you should never have a phone/online tree going more than 3 options deep. Anything beyond that is just pointless and a waste of time.

So to all you big wigs you read my blog (yeah, and pigs might fly out of my butt!), take note….NO FREAKING ENDLESS PHONE TREES!!!!!

*sighs* I feel better now.

Long Day

Its been a long day. I was off today but had lots of errands planned. I was originally supposed to go to the gym but I’m still feeling a bit down so I wrote that off. Which was probably a good thing as I have a bit of a sore throat again. I keep thinking good thoughts…”get well, get well, get well…..” *g*

So I had a meeting w/the chairman of the Bare Chest Calendar in the late afternoon. He was a bit late, but not overly so, and he did call so no biggie there. We got off to a good start. He has some good ideas for the direction of the website and was very ok w/me changing the code up to fit my needs. The previous person was more into Java and less into html and I’m more into xhtml and CSS. Some of the code was overly complex for simple functions. Or, more correctly, its easier just to write it w/CSS instead of Java. With that in mind, I’m completely rewriting the site. Even better the chairman has heavy graphics experience which is my one lacking area. This just means I won’t be overtaxed trying to keep up w/their demands along w/the other domain and a full 40hr work week.

The other domain, thru my old company, hasn’t even decided on a new logo yet. Until they work out the details, any work on their site is on hold. Again, a bonus for me. Gives me time to focus on one at a time.

I got my days mixed up and I rushed home thinking I was running late for my grocery delivery. After getting home, I realized its tomorrow instead. (I get my groceries delivered via Safeway. Way easier than trying to pack them all into my scooter)

To finish off the day, I had a community meeting at one of the police stations. All of the stations in they city have community meetings once a month to help connect withe the community as well as give the community a chance to express their ideas, problems, complaints, etc. I totally expected it to be a bitch-a-thon. It wasn’t. It wasn’t very busy due in part to the weather being overly cold today. What I didn’t know was this month’s meeting was primarily about my job. Two of the supervisors were also in attendance. You could tell one was a bit nervous about speaking in front of people but she pulled it off well. The other, much like myself, was totally comfortable speaking in front of a large group. All in all it went pretty well.

Not much me time today. Course, tomorrow is wide open. Still haven’t done laundry, dishes, blah blah blah….

Embarrassing Moment?

You decide. I’m having lunch today in the Castro and I bump into a guy who I’ve…um…uh…known intimately shall we say. So anyway, he is with a trio of much older fellows. He discreetly tried to acknowledge my presence w/o alerting his companions. A move I always find amusing. So, I first began to think one of the trio was his boyfriend, his much OLDER boyfriend. Well, I was way wrong. They proceed to sit down behind me and have conversation. Of course, I could hear every word. Turns out, my ‘acquaintance’ was a porn star. He was with some ‘biz’ associates discussing his next movie. Now, I’m not big into porn per say. (No, really! I swear) I own 2 porn movies, both of which are on VHS. (side note, I haven’t owned a VCR since late 2002) Let me explain, its not that I don’t enjoy porn. If I see two (or more) hot guys going at and I’m not involved….friends, I’m not excited, I’m BITTER! I’d much rather be there. So, needless to say, I’m not always up on the who’s who of porn. [1]Tim, this post is just for you. Ring every bit of jealousy and enjoyment out of it that you can, by the way, what are we doing Thursday night?

As I’m leaving, I can’t help but sneak a glance around to see and sure enough he gives me the eye again. I’ll admit curiosity got the better of me and I googled gay porn and found a picture of him. His stage name is Chris Steele. I haven’t a clue how famous he is but he has made quite a few movies. I guess thats just another day in the life of a shamless huzzy living in SF.

References

References
↑1 Tim, this post is just for you. Ring every bit of jealousy and enjoyment out of it that you can, by the way, what are we doing Thursday night?

Still Blech

I feel better today. No sore throat or cough but I still feel icky. I also had NOOOO patience for the clerk today at Firewood in the Castro. Its the lunch time rush and there is a line of about 5 people. Naturally, only one guy was working the register. So, he finally gets to me then stops right after asking me what I wanted and took 2 to go orders. I snapped a curt response when he finally got back to me.

On a good note, I got paid today! My paycheck was more than I anticipated so I’m a step closer to digging myself out of the whole I’m in. Maybe there is hope for my mood after all.

Opening a Can of Worms?

So much to cover today and so little time! I think I’ll do individual posts instead of one big one.

First the long one. I sorta opened a can of worms this week. To understand, you probably need a refresher on previous drama. This all comes into play right when I started blogging so not a lot of the story is complete. Yes, it involves the ex but only in a previous context. No, its not me moping again. I think I’m finally beyond that.

Preface: The ex moved in w/me mid 2003, he got really sick right after that w/pancreatitis. So sick in fact, he almost died. Skipping forward 6 months, he finally got better. He’d lost a lot of weight though. So one of his goals was to try to get back in shape enough to try out for the SOMA Bare Chest Calendar contest. It’s a charity event held every year that raises money for local AIDS charities, two specifically. I thought this a great idea and was very supportive. Naturally, he won and was the month of May for the 2004 Calendar. Skipping forward again, the calendar had an indirect impact on our breakup so I tend to have mixed feelings about it. However, I’m a big believer in charity so in the beginning I offered my web design services for free to help out. It was put to me that someone else was doing it and my help was not needed.

Current: I ran into one of the calendar committee members this past week at Daddybucks [1]Starbucks for those not in the know in the Castro. I’ll admit I’m a little sweet on him but that’s another story. *g* So, we start talking and I offered some very frank yet constructive advice on problems w/the previous year’s strategies. He was very accepting of the advice and agreed. So one thing led to another and a few emails later he asked if I’d be willing to help out on the committee, the web design, or both. I was truly flattered and felt a bit guilty for being a bit negative about the calendar previously. (yeah, I can be a caddy gossipy queen but I’m working on it, alright?) It’s not really their fault my ex and I broke up so to hold them partly accountable is a bit irrational. While my schedule is not flexible enough for me to be a full time committee member it is flexible enough for me to help out on the website. After a bit soul searching, I agreed. One, I enjoy it and it gives me a great way to meet people. Two, I like being in the background as far as charities are concerned. Being a very social creature, I have an unconscious habit of focusing people on me. That is never good for a charity so I like to take back seat roles to prevent that from happening. Three, this is a way for me to make up for my previous negativity. I have no desire to be on the Calendar itself for a variety of reasons. (we won’t go there)

Now here comes the catch. Between my first conversation and agreeing to do it, one of my old bosses emailed me wanting me to help them redo their company website as well. They are paying of course and their demands are a bit high. I just hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. The calendar just wants updates more than anything which is relatively easy so I’m not thinking it will be a problem. However, I did sort of offer to redo the entire site originally. While it would not take all of my resources it would make me a very busy boy for awhile. I’m hoping they relegate me to just menial tasks of doing updates. The irony is I normally detest such a role and that was part of the reasoning behind my original refusal.

I’m still trying to find the lesson in all of this. I know there is one in there somewhere. *digging profusely*

References

References
↑1 Starbucks for those not in the know

Torn Muscle

I tore my right tricep at the gym today. It is my own fault as I tried too hard after my first day back. The good news is the tear wasn’t too bad but I’m done w/triceps for at least 2 weeks. That pisses me off cause I ‘loves’ my triceps. *g*

I get tickled sometimes when I’m looking in the mirror while working out. Slowly, my inner view of myself is changing to match the outside. A lot of times, I still see myself as the same skinny scrawny guy from back in my 20’s. While doing shoulders today, I got such a kick out of watching my muscles flare while working out. I thought to myself, “I’d fuck me”.

*giggling uncontrollably now*

I just now Freud would have a field day w/that one!

Feeling Better

Well, It’s around 8:45 and I’m feeling better. My sore throat has almost disappeared completely. Just a touch of a cough so I’m hopeful this is the worst of it. *crosses fingers*

I tried to just take it easy and goof off. Went for lunch at Before & After, it was tasty as usual. I did end up going to the movies. I don’t recommend Darkness. Totally sucked! The few scary scenes were ruined by a very unconnected plot. Nothing makes sense till the very end and by that point you are over it. It definitely wasn’t worth the $8.00. And for me to say that, it really sucks!

So, I finally managed to venture out a bit. I made it down to Castro. Of course, as soon as I got here it started raining again. Not as bad as previous days but still yucky. Not to mention, these 3 rather large queens have parked themselves directly behind me while having a non stop tirade of criticisms of the sex ads on Craigs List. Being far from a prude myself, I’m not casting stones. However, 2 hours nonstop of “oh nice cock” and “great ass” and in the same breath, “oh he is a stuck up fag” or “he thinks he is too good for us” gets annoying to say the least. I wanted to say something incredibly tacky/caddy all in one breath but then thought again of my karma and how well its been treating me. I kept my mouth shut! That said, God! I hope I was never that desperate.

*dramatic pause while thinking back thru the years of my life*

Naaaah.

Blech

I’m not feeling well today. I came home last night w/sore throat. Today, the sore throat is just a dull throb but, I’m feeling irritable and cranky so decided to stay home. No gym today either. I find that if I cut back on my exertions up front, I tend to recover a lot quicker. I hope it doesn’t get any worse. I’m fortunate in that I rarely get sick. But when I do, OY vey! And to top it off, I’m a miserable sick person. I turn into a cranky toddler who wants everything now now NOW!

Of course, going out w/a friend drinking last night didn’t help any. However, he seems to have developed a stalker of sorts and needed some advice so how could I say no? *g*

So anyway, there is this little Thai place down the block from me, Before & After. They have the best seafood noodle soup. YUMMY! Maybe afterwards I’ll take in a movie. I still haven’t seen Darkness, White Noise, or National Treasure. None of which have made box office news but that’s never the point of going to a movie. It’s times like these I’m thankful I live in such a densely populated area of the city. Everything is within blocks.

On a side note, my ex finally got a job. (Tell it on the mountains, call down the saints!) He actually starts today.

Immune to HIV?

On a completely different rant….I was rolling thru my tech news updates and discovered this little gem.

…..All those with the highest level of HIV immunity share a pair of mutated genes — one in each chromosome — that prevent their immune cells from developing a “receptor” that lets the AIDS virus break in. If the so-called CCR5 receptor — which scientists say is akin to a lock — isn’t there, the virus can’t break into the cell and take it over.

To be protected, people must inherit the genes from both parents; those who inherit a mutated gene from just one parent will end up with greater resistance against HIV than other people, but they won’t be immune. An estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of those descended from Northern Europeans have the lesser protection……

I’ve lost several friends to this nasty bugger so I like to stay up-to-date. This was a total surprise but not completely unexpected. I can only hope it turns into a real weapon instead of just another theory.