Well Deserved Break

So tomorrow starts my vacation. I am taking two days off in DC. THen going to Gay Days. Hopefully that will rejuvenate me. As I looked at my vacation days, I realized I'm getting royally screwed this year. I still have 10 vaca days and 2 sick days. Normally, we can roll a couple over for the rest of the summer, but if I plan to vacate the job, rolling over doesn't help because I won't be paid for those. I have to find someway to take off half of june... hmmmmm

A bit more from Florida

1. Why is everyone in this house so loud? Don't get me wrong, I am incredible appreciative that I can crash on the couch and not have to get a hotel room. But something has to be said that no one even remotely tries to be quiet when im sleeping no less than 5 feet from the kitchen. I understand that noise will happen, but when i have to hear screams and arguments (not that my family fights all the time, this is just how they communicate) every morning at seven it just kills me.

2. I enjoy running into people who i used to know a long time ago. Now that I've lost a bit of weight and am all self-confident, I am so much more successful than so many people!!!!! Yay me for getting to show it all off :)

On a side note: New Years is coming up. For the last two years my resolution was to go on 3 dates with the same guy. I decided that with David/Tony I succeeded at that. So what should i resolve this year? Any thoughts?

A bit from Florida

I'm in Florida for the holidays, so my apologies for not writing. In addition my life is pretty boring. However, some observations are still in order.

1. Sometimes you need to learn to take no for an answer. At least once on a trip to Florida I try to eat at Checkers since there is only one in DC in the middle of Southeast, so I never go there. So I got some Checkers on the way home and my step-mother tried to offer me food like 5 times and I said to her Can't you see the bag of food right in front of me that I'm eating.

2. Why am I the only one in my family who is ok with waiting til the afternoon of Christmas to open presidents and let everyone be there at the same time, rather than doing it piecemeal. Or if we are doing it piecemeal, I should get to go first so I can go drink/dance.

3. If you ask me if I'll be home for dinner that intones that someone will be making it, not just will I be eating something i make for myself at the kitchen table. So if you plan on giving me a guilt trip for not being home for dinner, then you have to cook a dinner for me to arrive at.

In other observations, its sad that my friends are nowhere to be found. I even cut down the list of people to see for this shortened trip and I've got confirmation from one for my last day in town. I guess next year's trip will be cut down even more...

San Fran- the bad, or Dear Northwest Airlines: you suck!

Dear Northwest Airlines:

I regret to inform you that after my most recent trip with your airlines I will no longer fly Northwest for any of my travel plans. I have taken your airlines for each of the trips I have taken this past summer. Inevitably, each one has left a bad taste in my mouth. I write this letter not expecting to get a response or any positive resolution. It is my current belief that your airline encourages passengers to write these letters so you have something funny to pass around the office to know how you have made someone’s vacation miserable.

On my first trip, I flew to Seattle, Washington from Washington, DC. On the way back, a gate employee notified the passengers that the flight on one of the legs was oversold and would anyone be willing to change their flight and get a voucher. I was willing to do so. I got a voucher (which due to the extremely high price of this trip, I didn’t really save any money compared to what I could’ve gotten through your competitors through Orbitz, Hotwire, or any of the other travel price comparison websites. And then when I finally did arrive back home in Washington DC and I went to the baggage claim area since my flight should’ve already arrived. I found my luggage destroyed. Correction, I found my new luggage destroyed- luggage that was used only once before was now unusable. Technically, I knew there was no way to prove if it was Northwest’s fault, or the fault of the TSA. But at the point I am at now, I believe that it’s the fault of Northwest because your employees seem to have absolutely no regard for anyone else.

Regardless of how the Seattle trip ended, I was thrilled to be coming out for another trip to San Francisco. Oh the horrors of travel though. On the first leg of my flight (August 7, 2007), from DCA to Detroit, Michigan, we were informed that there was bad weather at the airport and for thirty minutes we needed to fly over Ohio until we had permission to laugh (or land as the case may be- thanks for pointing out the error). That thirty minutes turned into an hour and a half. Triple the time that was announced. Now, I completely understand that the weather is out of your hands (though I’m starting to doubt that as well). The fact that the pilot didn’t inform us of continuing delays was inconsiderate and rude, especially to have to extent a flight that is normally just over an hour to become two and a half. When we landed, we were informed to see the gate agent who was there to meet the plane about our connecting gate and not to worry because most planes had been delayed that were in Detroit.

So I stopped to visit the gate agent and she was informing people whether their flight was still there or if they needed to proceed somewhere for rebooking. She told me my flight was still there and that my gate was the other side of the Northwest Terminal. So I jogged to catch my next plane. Maybe I should’ve ran, but it’s a long distance to go from one end of the terminal to the next- even with the new tram you put in. I get to the gate only to find out that the plane took off three minutes after my first flight had ended. Clearly the gate agent knew this and decided not to tell me. So winded, I missed the next connection. The next gate agent gave me my new connecting flights, this time instead of a direct leg from Detroit to San Francisco, I now have to go through Denver. After I paid for an increase to be sat in an exit row. I was told I could not get a refund for that money because it was due to weather and was not the fault of the airline. So I should learn from that (you’ll see later that I do not).

Then the flight from Detroit to Denver was equally horribly bad. We were delayed boarding the plane by almost two hours because the flight attendants did not show up on time. I’ve read recently how your employees are often having sick-outs and intentionally creating delays and it seems that this is the case for this flight. I figured by this time there would be no way to catch my connecting flight in Denver and god knows what would happen next. When we landed, again we were told to speak to the gate agent about connecting flights. When I exited the plane, knowing at most I had 10 minutes to connect, I asked very quickly where to find my United Airlines flight (an airline that I have no problem using again mind you) that Northwest booked me on. A stout woman with an unfriendly demeanor and a bad perm for her black hair got snippy, flippant, and sarcastic. Something I didn’t need, but I was in a rush and had no time to deal with it, so I ran (yes, this time I had to run). I made the flight right as they were closing the doors. Unfortunately, my luggage did not. There was not enough time for your airlines to get my airlines my luggage (and if that’s not how it works then I want to know exactly what happened to my luggage in the meantime and why it wasn’t there when I arrived). So, the entire day I had to wear the same clothes I was traveling in (And mind you I lost half a day in San Francisco due to these changes). The next day my luggage had still not arrived. I went out and bought a new outfit as it was cold and I needed something clean to wear. I also bought some toiletries. Yes, these are all things that I can wear/use again. However, I am on a budget and having to put down $80 for a new outfit is not within my plans and so now I have to find other things to scrimp on financially to make sure I stay within my budget. All thanks to Northwest Airlines.

I only prayed that this would be the end of it. But today, as I checked in for the first leg of my flight back (August 11, 2007) from San Francisco to Memphis, I was told that they rebooked me for a later flight. While I would normally not have any problems with this, there is a major flaw in this customer service. The rebooking had occurred before I got to the airport, which means that someone could’ve notified me which would have allowed me to sleep in today. Since flights from the west coast to the east coast are unbearably early, this sleep would’ve been nice. After being booked on the new flight, the ticket agent printed me one set of boarding passes, which was nice since I had again (without learning my lesson) paid the extra money for an exit row. This ticket had an exit row on it. Then she takes my tickets back saying they were done in error and gives me a seat further back and in the middle seat. Then I had to ask specifically about the money I spent on the seats and she begrudgingly refunded me the money. Is Northwest Airlines in the business of robbing their customers blind (other than the ridiculous prices you charge for everything but oxygen)? Apparently it is because they are willing to do pretty much anything to get $15 from me, a flight at a time. Hopefully my luggage will make it home with me this time, but again I doubt it.

I hope this letter has entertained you. I don’t expect you to change your ways because of it. And God forbid you send me another voucher because it will go straight to the trash. I will never ever fly your airline again and I hope that I can be persuasive enough to my friends and family to do the same.

San Fran- the good

So last week I went to San Francisco. I had a great time with the exception of what will be in tomorrows post. I got to see Rhiannon and Christian in their new elements, which was fun. I walked around the entire city which was exhausting and felt as if no matter where you were going in that city its up hill both ways... but my calves and butt muscles appreciated the workout :)

Among the highlights: Coit Tower- seems like the tallest place in the city, but it has an incredible view

Ghiradelli Square: My favorite kind of chocolate and there is something extra special about buying it at its home :)

the Latin Guy on Market St.: As I was going to visit Rhiannon at a Peruvian Restaurant, I passed this beautiful latin guy on the street. He looked at me, I smiled at him, he got a huge smile on his face, there were a lot of stares. If only I wasn't on vacation...

the Go-Go Boys: I went to Full Frontal Fridays at Boy Bar in the Castro and partook in the watching of go-go boys dancing for dollars. There was one that took a particular liking to me and kept grabbing at me and forcing me to grab him. I guess there are worse things that you could be forced to do ;)

What a great trip!

So I have been traveling a lot this summer. The month of July brings me to New York City and Rehoboth Beach. I went up with a friend to NYC. Our trip starts with him going out to meet one of his college friends. So I tag along and its to a little straight bar with cheap martinis and a pool table. So I alternated in between watching pool players and chatting with the people I was with. At some point they go outside and the gay poolplayer boy was like "your making me nervous." in a flirtatious way. So we started talking. At some point, my friend and I went to dinner and on our way out, i gave the guy my card that said "I'm visiting for two days and would love to see you before i leave." So 5 minutes later he calls me and we set something up for the next day. However, after dinner, my friend wanted to crash so i went back to the bar and hung out with the guy for a couple hours. We seemed to get along quite well. I eventually left to meet up with my friend, but we decided to hang out the next night.

So the next night we go out on a date, get some drinks, he shows me his part of the city. Then we go back to his place, order some diner food and well you know... But let me say this: it was the best sex I've ever had. I usually don't have great experiences when it comes to sex, but this was by far a great and emotionally positive sexual experience.

And it took most of the night so i slept most of the way home on the train. Turned around and headed to the beach. I made a new friend in the group that was going so it was a good time. Read some Harry Potter. Drank a bit. Invented a new drink (which I am very excited about--- Pink Lemonade and Vodka and I call it a Dolly Madison.) But there was also drama at the beach.

Of course there is always a little awkwardness when you travel with a couple, but I felt that it got ridiculously out of control. When people feel the need to make out so much that you can't have a complete conversation with them, then it becomes prohibitive to good group dynamics and that was the start of it. An example, if you will- I was talking to one of them about the new Harry Potter and in the middle of the conversation, of me talking, they start making out, so i said "Oh, I thought I was talking, but I guess I wasn't." And I turned around and stopped communicating with them for a while. So I and another guy started to separate away from the group so we didn't have to deal with it, which only ticked off other people. But the couple, which at this point wasn't dating for a full month yet got engaged.....yes, you read that correctly, engaged.... with rings and everything, although as i understand it the rings didn't fit. How do you not tell people you are going on an engagement trip with that you plan to pop the question and How do you pop the question after less than a month together. It makes me question the seriousness of relationships and wanting to be in one. TO me, this behavior trivializes relationships altogether. But then I realize "wait, when people do this, i usually make fun of them... ALOT." But its my friend, so I'd feel guilty doing it... clearly, i'm conflicted by this.

But it didn't ruin the trip and I still very much enjoyed the beach and the sun and the splotchy burn I somehow got...

Post- Vacation Let Down

Its always rough coming back from Vacation, but this past Wednesday was a little ridiculous. There were the things I expected, calls from whiny families who want special treatment... the mountain (and yes I mean the mountain) of files that are in my cubicle. But then the bad news started.

I got a call from the department of education research position. They turned me down saying I was overqualified. Don't they realize what I do for a living and how it doesn't make me overqualified to clean up elephant crap at the zoo? I also don't understand it because if I am overqualified and i really want the job, shouldn't i get it and we can work past my over-qualifiedness of the position? Its also ironic because the entire process I thought I was so under-qualified I didn't have a chance. BUt that threw me into a bit of a depression that I'm still in. I now feel trapped and a big loser that out of four interviews last month alone not one thing bit. Am I that bad of an interviewer? Its like God is punishing me by forcing me to work in hell.

THen that night some friends and I went out for trivia night and then dancing. Then as I left I got a call that one of my best friends, who was dancing with us and only stayed out because he was being my wing man with the boys was mugged on the way home. I got the call as I was walking to my apartment and turned right around and headed to the hospital. I got there thanks to a speedy cab and he was a bloody mess. His face didn't look too bad, a little swollen, but not too bad. They got him in relatively shortly and it turns out he has a broken nose and a bruised cheek bone. He's shaken up (understandably), but he's ok. They didn't get anything. Apparently two guys just started punching him without asking for anything or saying anything. He ran and got home where his roomate took him to the emergency room. IT happened at 15th and Q. WTF?!??!!??! That's supposed to be a safe neighborhood. Its more my area than his based on where we live. So on top of the guilt that I feel for making him stay out late, I now am jumpy and feel unsafe.

Definitely not the back from vacation experience I wanted.

Sea-Por III

mike and I seemed to bust out on happening establishments as we walked around the city last night, so in lieu of that a story from the previous night I forgot to mention. We were leaving Silverados (the full nude strip bar) and it was an interesting thing to see outside as there were all these young gay hustlers. The joke has always been that any movie about young gay runaways or hustlers always end up in one of two places Toronto, or Portland. How true it was. Well we were walking to another bar and this guy had a sign on him that said "Give me verbal insults 4 for a Dollar." Well that upset me, so I went back and gave him a 5 and gave him something inspirational like "you can achieve anything you want." Mike also gave him a dollar but didn't verbally insult him. Portland is unlike other cities I've been to. What an interesting gay culture.

Back to Seattle tonight.

Sea-Por II

So I am currently in Portland visiting friends on the west coast. The train ride down was very nice. It was quiet and the ability to see some nature was nice. Last night there was quite amount of drinking. Starting with Mike and some of his friends at the Brazen Bean, a martini bar that had a relatively cheap martini special. Let me recommend the butterscotch martini for anyone that has a chance to have one. mmm mmm good. Then we went to 3 degrees, where Andrew (a student I am friendly with) and he came out with us to Silverados and some other bar that was a dance club. Had a good time, but did go home alone. One guy that was interested just was too drunk to go home with, so I let his friends make sure he gets home ok.

Today I had lunch with Lena and Sarah, who I havent seen in a very very long time. It was nice having dinner with them. They look good and seem to be acclamating to the city well. But it seems as if they are very stereotypically lesbians, such as they both work in eco-friendly non-profits, they live in a commune type facility, etc etc. If they had told me they just bought stock in Home Depot, I wouldn't have been surprised ;)

On the way home, Mike and I were half a block from his house. Upon passing a middle- aged black woman, who said "He's soo tall." We kept walking and didn't mention the comment. As we hit the corner,she turned around and very loudly said excuse me and came over to talk to him. She asked where he was from and when he said New York City, she was like, Oh, so you've seen a black person before? He replied yes, but not in Oregon. haha Then she persuaded to ask where he went out and hung out. Where he did work, what libraries he went to. She then said how could she get his phone number so that she can get ahold of him. He very diplomatically said that he wasn't giving out his phone number or dating right now, but she was undeterred and said that she'd get him eventually and she was not giving up. Hey, its better than the guys who thought he was gay and that we owned a dog together the other day.

On a side note: Ruthie bought a vespa the other day. He asked me a while back whether he should get a new or used one. He started it derogatorily saying he knew what my answer would be, but asked if I thought he should get a used or new one. I asked him what he wanted to hear, because it was clear he didn't want my actual advice but just wanted me to rubber stamp him. Of course, as my readers should be aware, i did not bend to his will and told him to buy a used one just to make sure it was a good investment. As of yesterday, he texted and said he bought a new one. Its his life and yes he can afford it, but I think this is a step where I need to wash my hands helping him with fiscal decisions. I don't do it just for the fun of him not listening to me.

Sea-Por I

Yesterday I left for a trip to Seattle and Portland on vacation. Lots to write before I go out for day two.

My flights were fine. I flew from DC to Memphis and then got a transfer to Seattle. On the transfer flight, there was much drama. This old lawyer guy sat next to me and as I sat down decided to start telling me how the guy in the row in front of us was acting weird and he thought that the guy might have been a terrorist. I looked at the guy and to some extent the guy was acting weird, but it seemed more like the guy had a child mentality and never flown before and he was excited by it. So the guy keeps going on telling me to look at the guy. ANd you know on an airplane everyone can hear your conversation, so i'm sure this guy heard it too. Then at some point, I looked over and the lawyer guy was writing a note to the stewardess about it. I was like "Oh no! You are not disrupting this flight on my vacation. I will throw you out over Wyoming if that happens." He never gave the note to the stewardess, but still so very dramatic.

Got to Seattle and my hotel is sooooo awesome. It is called Hotel Max and has an art theme throughout it, so i have an original painting in my room and there are blown up photographs for all the doors. If you are ever in Seattle it is so worth staying at.

I started the day by looking around at thrift stores. Didn't find much in the lines of things to buy, but I ran into like three gay bars. I didn't realize I was so close tot he gay district. Yay for fate. Then I went to the Space Needle, which was interesting and I took a lot of pictures from there. Then I walked to the famous Pike's Market, which had virtually everything closed by the time I got there, so I will try going there again, but what's up with the cruising that goes on in this city. I've been checked out a hell of a lot and when I went to use the restroom at the market, some Asian guy decided to show me his junk and proposition me. Ummm not in public guy, not in public.

I wanted to go out last night, but took a nap and then didnt wake up til this morning. Oops. So when I get back from POrtland I will have to hit the town.

Only in Florida- II

So Christmas news stories: The lead story on every network was "Man walks 10 miles to bus station" Really? THat's the best you can do for a lead story. First of all 10 miles really isnt that much. Second there was no bus route close to his house that could've gotten him to the bus station. I'll be the first to admit that the public transportation system of central florida isn't that great, but its not that horrible either! And think of the poor person who had to sit next to him on the bus. They had footage of him walking and an interview at the bus station. So if they had all this footage of him walking, why didn't they just give him a ride; they were going to the same place anyway. And how did they know he was walking 10 miles. Did they stop and talk to every person walking and be like "excuse me, do you happen to be walking more than 8 miles in a holiday related trek?"

Follow-up story: Tornados damage over 200 houses on Christmas day. Yes, yes. I see how that shouldn't be the main story because its actually newsworthy.

Only in Florida.

only in Florida

Two things from my trip thus far.

1. While driving on I-4 near Sanford, I saw a billboard advertising a caring vasectomy... ummm is this the appropriate way to advertise for this particular medical procedure. In fact, since when do they need to advertise at all? DO you think on the intake questionairre they asked: How did you learn about vasectomies: ___ Friend ____ Doctor ____Billboard on I-4

2. As this horrible storm front crosses the state, the weather channel and the Emergency Broadcast System came on with a tornado warning telling people to take shelter in a room on the bottom floor, etc etc. Then they showed all these facts that for all the tornados that occur on Christmas Day, over half of them occured in FLorida.

and on the national front:

RIP James Brown

RIP Senator Stafford (R-VT)--- those with student loans should recognize that name.