Vibrant.(Still) Unrepentant. Badass. Old. Queer

Good Morning, Kittens. I hope you had a fun-filled Wednesday night. I certainly did - Thunder! Lightning! SMOOOOOOOOOOOG! And laundry. And Bridget Jones. And Vodka. And Chaka Khan. Here are a few questions I have floating around in my head this morning: 1. Are people not required to take driver's ed anymore? Because, srsly, no one seems to remember that an intersection in which the traffic signals are not working becomes a four-way stop, not a rampaging intersectional free-for-all. Makes pedestrianism a leeeeeeeeetle scary, fer sure. 2. Is not wanting to attend a talk on the afro-jewish experience wrong (as a certain naggy bf seems to be implying)? I'm not even mildly intrigued by the topic. If you are, let me know and I'll see if I can get you all the details. 3. Why am I surrounded by stupid people? 4. Can you tell I'm feeling a little cranky this morning? I have a hangnail and it's feeling a little owie. Maybe more coffee will help. More later. *smooches*

My apartment has some plumbing issues: There's a leak in the kitchen sink. The hot water in the bathroom sink comes out of the tap at slightly greater force than a trickle. The bathroom sink drain is bordering on becoming clogged. The toilet sometimes runs and should be grouted to the floor. I know these are problems. And I haven't gotten them fixed for a number of, probably not very good, reasons. Namely, time and money combined with the effort of locating/contacting a decent plumber. Y has taken it upon himself to start nagging me about it. Daily. On the phone. On IM. When we're cuddling after sex. It is driving me crazy. And stressing me out. "When are you going to call a plumber?" "I don't know." He nags. I refuse to give in. I don't respond well to nagging. It makes me dig in my heels. I feel like if I give in to his nagging, it only means that the next time there will be more nagging. I know it's something that I need to ...

... except I heard a rumor that Philadelphia Cream Cheese isn't really from Philadelphia. What up with that, kittens? Anyway, DUN is going to be participating in the Philadelphia Insurance Sprint Triathlon * on June 21st. Personally, I think she's a little crazy (OK. A lot crazy). I'm also thinking about getting a group of friends together to go cheer her on. If anyone from Philadelphia has any suggestions about inexpensive places to stay which are close to the course [Martin Luther King Drive section of Fairmont Park], could you please let me know? I suppose we could make it a day trip, but an overnight stay might be fun, too! *Is it just me or does "Sprint Triathlon" sound like an oxymoron?

Good morning, kittens. Via Scott-o-Rama , I've been introduced to all sorts of social-networking naughtiness. Of course, as much as I totally *heart* Mr. O-Rama, I need more friends. Will you join me over at Plurk? Will you? Pweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez? It's twitter-like site with a much more interesting interface. Trust me . If you want, you can use ping.fm (betacode: landofping) to update all your sites, like twitter, plurk, facebook, jaiku, etc. etc. etc. Total grooviness, kittens. Try it. You might like it. Now that that's out of the way ... Last night, I watched Stranger Than Fiction . It's the first Will Ferrell movie that I've truly enjoyed. I think the rest of the cast, including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, and Emma Thompson, certainly helped. The movie made me think (eek), because its central question was if you know you are going to die, would you live your life differently? Since I know I'm going to die [hopefully later rather than sooner], am I...

Good afternoon, kittens. My SuperFantastic Cuzin is currently working on a dig in Israel. And am I jealous? Of course I'm not jealous. Ok. Maybe I'm a little jealous, but only because she said she might be going to Petra during her break. And I would love to go to Petra. And maybe find the Holy Grail ! If any of you are interested in what goes on at a dig (and not just the steamy hanky-panky and imbibing of copious amounts of alcomahol ... oh, wait, that's what goes on at my house), you can check out the blog she and the other conservator have started: Kelsey Museum Dig Diary Enjoy!

Good morning, kittens! As you know, I decided to participate in the One Local Summer challenge, in which I must make one meal a week using all locally grown ingredients. My plan was to combine the OLS challenge with my weekly Meat-Free Monday post. Well, OLS started this week. Since I was in New York, I was unable to go to the Farmer's Markets in Silver Spring and Takoma Park on Saturday. Thus, last night's Meat-Free Monday meal was a non-local pasta extravaganza. Alas ... I will need to do some research to see if I can buy local food somewhere near here (other than the over-priced locally grown veggies sold at Whole Foods). Meanwhile, last night I made Spaghetti with Asparagus, Shiitake, Lemon and Chives from Epicurious.com. Except I used linguini. And regular mushrooms (shiitake are expensive). And I forgot to buy chives. And I cut the recipe in half-ish. Even without the shiitake and chives, it was still delicious. Some people in the reviews claimed it was too lemon...

Now, with pictures! Yes. We had a flat tire. I haven't changed a tire since college. I had to read the instruction manual to make sure we did it right. And to find the jack. Then, I called AAA for directions to the nearest service station. We bought new tires and were back on our way. We arrived in Brooklyn around 8ish. We dropped off our stuff and ventured into the city. We met Alison and Peter at a cute little middle eastern restaurant, called Yaffa. They had good sangria. We drank a lot of it. Tomokito left and the rest of us went to a gay bar called Phoenix. Not sure what time everyone left, but Yuval and I got home around 2:30 or 3 (I think). The next morning. Very hung over. Y and I went to brunch at a little middle eastern place near the apartment. It started to rain. Very hard. Fortunately, it slacked off by the time we finished. We boarded the train and headed to Chelsea to see Sex and the City . We met Tomokito, Jose, and Min there. The movie was lots of fun. After the mo...

There was this: And this: But there was also this: And this: And a heckuvalotuv this: All in all, a SuperFUNtastic trip ... more later when I get home tonight and organize the photos. Stay tuned for details. I'm back! I'm back! And there's no place like home. *smooches*

Since no one seems to read blogs on Friday anyway, here is a brief photo essay of my Hair Adventure: This is Leah the Colornatrix working her styling magic (this trip we cut before we colored). The Colornatrix and I post cut. Don't we look cute? Isn't she fabulous? This is the part where I suffer for beauty. Srsly. The chemicals burn my eyes and I cry . After the salon, I met Mike for dinner at 4912 (Yummy Thai Food). [I'm the one on your right]. And, there you have it. Seems like Straight Guys get their hair cut, too . I'm off work at 12:30 today and heading to New York City soon thereafter! Will post all about my exciting Big Apple Adventure [and stalking of Puntabulous ] on Monday! *smooches*

For lunch today, I decided to buy a bag of chips from Whole Foods. I eventually settled on Kettle brand Krinkle Cut Chips Buffalo Bleu flavor: "BRAZEN spice mellowed by bleu cheese." Hm. I like bleu cheese. I like BRAZEN spice [I also wonder why BRAZEN has to be in all caps, but I didn't make the Kettle brand Krinkle Cut Chips Packaging Rules]. So, here I am contemplating the all natural, transfatless potato chip: Look at those flavor-filled nooks and crannies! Is your mouth watering? Then, the taste: *crunch* *chew* *crunch* *chew* According to the bag, "the tangy chili spice hits you right up front with this bold chip. The hint of bleu cheese takes time to arrive, but when it does you'll know." Oh, yes. I knew: The worst tasting potato chip since VUBOQ ate Kettle brand Cheddar and Beer flavor [which should be marketed with the slogan "It tastes like sweaty feet! YUM"]. But, I can't stop eating them. Someone, send help.

I will nevah go this long without a haircut again. *bites carrot* *crumples to ground* If you don't feel good about your hair, it's likely you don't feel good about other things too. Right now, I am not feeling good about the hair - it's too long; it's too rooty; and something *must* be done. Srsly, kittens, VUBOQ is a firm believer in Truvy 's mantra, "There is no such thing as natural beauty." Normally, I get my haircut about every 5-6 weeks, with color done every other visit. I can't even remember the last time I had a haircut. I wonder if Leah the Colornatrix* will even remember me. After all, I've only been going to her for about 6 years. My appointment today is at 5, but I'm leaving work at 2:30. I think I'll camp out at a coffee shop near the salon for awhile and work on some job applications. I may be meeting Mike afterwards for dinner, but that is yet to be determined. Then, I will need to rush home to pack for New York City! Y...

A Photo Montage And, now, I must find my battery charger so I can take the "During" and "After" Pix. *smooches*

Biddy tagged me for this Guilty Pleasures Meme. One of the many great things about being a VUBOQ is that the unrepentant part allows for a fairly guilt-free life ... so here are some of my simple pleasures: 1. dirty martinis (with expensive gin) 2. ice cream 3. good cheese from Whole Foods 4. a visit to Leah, the Colornatrix. 5. laying in the grass looking at the sky 6. pottery 7. really nice chocolate 8. splurging on cute clothes I don't need 9. blobbing on the sofa 10. host spur-of-the-moment social gatherings It would seem that the Straight Guy decided to do this one as well. What up with that? I thought Straight Guys didn't dig memes.

Marathon Mom tagged me for her new Three Words Meme , which is sweeping teh intartubez! I'm not quite sure if I'm doing this correctly, but here are her instructions: Pick three things about the evening that made it fun (so hard). Then I will think of other things that can be described by [at least one of?] those same three things that are not related but completely random. So here we go ... My Three Words: Party . Booze . Neighbors . friends surprise gay straight Japanese American male female black white gin & tonic limes vodka pink champagne cheese dip birthday kiss photographs gossip beer I'm not going to tag anyone for this particular meme, because I've heard a rumor that a certain Straight Guy has also done this meme . And he's tagged three lucky ladies hot chicks. I still have one more meme to do, so tune in later today for that. Also, it's Tomokito's birthday ! Happy Birthday to the best Upstairs Neighbor EVAR!!! More later. *smooches*

And, yay, Isabella has just given forth the Vomit of Joy. Huzzah. I don't think it has anything to do with my dinner ... Which is: Asparagus and Tomato Pasta with Goat Cheese. Basically, I stir-fried some asparagus with garlic, oregano and basil. Added some goat cheese and a diced roma tomato and a little cream. Then I tossed it all with pasta. It's not half bad. It's also not something I will make again in the near future (mainly because I rarely buy asparagus). And goat cheese is expensive. Guess that's it. I'm working on a couple of memes and will try to post those tomorrow. I've heard a rumor that a certain Straight Guy is also working on the same memes. We'll see how that comes out. We all know how bad straight guys are at finishing what they started... 'Til tomorrow. *smooches*

I knew it well, Blog Readers. A gin of excellent taste. On the plus side, Leopold's is moving to Colorado and (eventually) will be distributed in North Carolina. On the minus side, I have one less reason to visit my SuperFantastic Cuzin in the Frozen Tundra. On the plus side, I will have (a) another reason to visit my brother and other SuperFantastic Cuzin and (b) one more coping mechanism when I'm at the ol' homestead. I bought the bottle pictured a few years ago for my birthday. It is stored comfortably in my freezer and still has a few ounces left, maybe enough for 2 martinis. I've been saving the last remnants for either the start of my unemployment or the start of a new, exciting job opportunity (whichever comes first). However, I am wondering if I should drink it tonight ... Oh, the quandry, the conundrum, the diabolical twists of fate. Perhaps I will wait. *smooches*

Good morning, kittens. What a weekend! I'm exhausted (from doing abso-forkin'-lutely nothing). Friday, I stayed home and chilled. I knitted. I watched DVDs. I goofed around online playing Scramble. Saturday morning, I did some cleaning and gardening. Then, at 4:30, I went upstairs to Tomokito's Pre-Birthday Bash (her birthday, and Mike's, is on the 28th). It was a total blast-o-rama. You can see all the fun pix here . I left the party around 1AM. I was slightly intoxicated. But, not hungover on Sunday morning (woo hoo!). Y and I got up, had a nice breakfast, and, then, we headed over to his place. A couple of his friends came over for a late lunch and hanging out in the park near his building. It was nice. They left around 4, I think. I headed back home around 7. Normally, I would have stayed, but I was cat-sitting for DUN. Tomokito came down around 9:30, and we watched Enchanted . OMG. What a totes fun movie! Loved it. Of course, I've luved Amy Adams since Junebug,...

Good morning, kittens. Just a quick note to say "hi." We'll be reporting on the weekend tomorrow. I hope you will be able to survive until then without me. To help tide you over, the Straight Guy has made a Very Special Memorial Day post . Enjoy. *smooches*

The Continuing Saga of ... The Birth of VUBOQ as Re-Enacted by Gay Bears (and a Virus or Two) It's been awhile so to refresh your memories, here are links to the two previous installments: The Cast of Characters Part II: Syphillis in the Parsley And, now, for Part III: Saturday in the Park with Syphillis The weather was gorgeous, and VUBOQ sat in the sun, doing what VUBOQs do when they are in a park on a beautiful day, surrounded by gorgeous shirtless men. He knitted. And, Syphillis, being Syphillis, did what Syphilli do when they are in a park on a beautiful day, surrounded by gorgeous shirtless men. He searched for someone he could hook up with later to share a little STD-luvin'. After hours of knitting (and cruising), Syphillis told VUBOQ that he was going to meet a friend for dinner. "You are welcome to join us," Syphillis said. So, VUBOQ packed up his knitting bag and walked with Syphillis to Sette, a yummy pizza place just north of Dupont Circle. There, VUBOQ wa...

Apparently, this whole gay thing is just a stage I'm going through: [If you can't read it, it says "You and your wife willbe happy in your life together."] Last night, I headed over to Y's. We ate Chinese take-out. Then, watched Layer Cake . If you haven't seen that movie, you should. Not only does it have the Super Hot Daniel Craig in it, but it also is a fun, complicated, convoluted film. PLUS, it's fun to spot the "Harry Potter" character actors (I saw two. There could've been more). This morning, we had a nice long lie-in. Then, I got ready and metro'ed to work. I bought a Greek Salad at Panera on the walk to the office. Mmm. Greek Salad. This weekend, I'll be attending Tomokito's pre-Birthday Party on Saturday. On Sunday, I am hoping to get tickets to the free production of Hamlet at the Carter-Barron Amphitheater. No plans for tonight other than knitting and watching DVDs. I do have several job applications I need to comple...