So, I just got off a phone conversation with a politician friend of mine who is a high-level staffer for a local congressman. I asked him what this whole “Bail out Plan” means. He has spent the last 2 ½ - 3 days analyzing this bill for his congressman boss and says if everyone actually knew what this thing really said, they would be even more furious.
Apparently, your politicians (if they have actually read it) are astonished in how the Bush Administration actually presented this bill. The Bill the Bush Administration actually presented to congress was only SEVEN pages long AND it literally said that Paulson and Bernanke have full control over where to distribute, what to use the money for, and stated that there would be absolutely no oversight from anyone. This is for the $700 Billion that is currently in deliberation and does not include the $700 BILLION to over $1 TRILLION they have already spent on Bear Stearns and the takeovers of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and American International Group Inc. This is a total of $1.4 to $2 TRILLION for bailing out huge firms that are the ones that took the risk. You and I didn’t take that risk, those companies did.
Apparently, our entire congress has become very wise in how this administration likes to do things. They have realized that the administration likes to scare everyone into doing things quick/without analysis and want things done NOW. Take the funding for this endless war…“we need it now…it is an emergency.” This financial thing is the same…“this is an emergency…the economy will fail unless we get this money quickly.” And again, as with the war, there are NO guarantees for financial success if this money is given to these companies.
My friend said both democrats and republicans alike are furious because the administration wants it done so quickly. Both sides have said, “No. All through this administration, you have told us we need it done, and need it done now, but no…we need provisions and we are going to work this through.” He went on to tell me that it was either today or yesterday that Dick Cheney came into the deliberation meetings and the republicans were irate with him and his administration for doing this and actually made him leave the room. They were upset because they are up for re-election and this affects them and they can not believe the administration put them into this kind of predicament.
Oh yeah, another good point that I need to make about what this proposed bail out bill states. So we have all heard that is proposed plan is basically a blank check. Now, when I heard this, I figured that blank check meant that the government would write a check to these huge corporations and would in turn take control over all these bad loans. Oh NO NO NO…this bill, as it was proposed, said the government would write a check for all the bad loans, BUT the huge firms who made the loans would still collect on them (not the government). So, in essence the government [or you and I as taxpayers] would come up with this money, give it to these companies, and they can still collect on the loans. For example, let’s say the government writes a check for $700B, these companies collect $600B of the bad loans the government already paid for. They are not still $100B in the red/hole because WE ALREADY GAVE THEM THE MONEY. They are actually $600B POSITIVE because the bill, as proposed, states they do not have to pay it back! He said if everyone in the country knew what this bill actually said, the whole country would be more irate than they already are.
I asked him about health care and why they [Bush Administration] can suddenly come up with $1 to $2 Trillion to bail out the rich in Wall Street, but cannot come up with enough money to provide affordable healthcare to every man, woman, and child in the US. He said, good point, and he proceeded to ask if I knew that if the government were to cover every man, woman, and child for healthcare that it would only cost $2 BILLION annually. I was astounded, I admitted, NO I had no idea. People, this is $2 BILLION not TRILLION like they are asking for now. I speak as though $2 Billion is not much, but in respect to the Wall Street Bail Outs, it IS cheap and every last one of us would not have to worry about having to pay a deductible every time we went to the doctor.
I just don’t get it!!!! Every person who invests in the stock markets knows they take a risk. I have money in Wall Street right now, but I know I took a risk on each dollar I put into it. Those banks knew also and should NOT be getting bailed out. There are other companies that would rise from the ashes if they were to fail. We need a huge correction and I think that now is the time. Let them fail!! Things always come back. Heck in 5 years the money in the stock market will likely be worth three times what it is today.
Now, realistically we all know that if the government doesn’t step in, things could get bad. I agree, but we definitely cannot have the bill passing as it is. We [American taxpayers / main street] need something in return. A bank does not lend out money without getting something in return, so why should we?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Seriously...they need to really think about things before they speak...
So yesterday I went home and helped insulate a shed at my parents place. OMG was it ever freaking hot up there. The interesting thing about this was that we were not insulating it for the first time, but rather re-insulating it after my sisters fiancé had already "attempted" do do it once. Wow...if I hired something done and it turned out like that I would make the person come back to redo it. Dad was not happy at all, but I think since it was my sisters fiancé, it would have been hard for him to make the guy come back. All that I could say when I saw the horrible job that had been done, was "incompetent!"
Later on we were eating and "60 Minutes" was on with an interview of John McCain. Dad was all excited. I don't remember what I said, but I know it was something that totally dissed McCain and Palin. Dad was like..."Oh I don't think so." So I went on, but really didn't get to say what I wanted as I was getting upset that he is such a supporter of McCain. I had to make myself leave. It is not like I walked out pissed off, but I rather excused myself politely, without confrontation...like the discussion had not just happened.
Anyway, I wanted to say this:
The only people who vote republican are afraid of 3 stupid things, that make for a very poor poor decision.
Later on we were eating and "60 Minutes" was on with an interview of John McCain. Dad was all excited. I don't remember what I said, but I know it was something that totally dissed McCain and Palin. Dad was like..."Oh I don't think so." So I went on, but really didn't get to say what I wanted as I was getting upset that he is such a supporter of McCain. I had to make myself leave. It is not like I walked out pissed off, but I rather excused myself politely, without confrontation...like the discussion had not just happened.
Anyway, I wanted to say this:
The only people who vote republican are afraid of 3 stupid things, that make for a very poor poor decision.
- Money/Taxes: OMG the democrats are going tax me more. Come-freaking-on!!!! Really do you think they are going to tax you out of your house, which more than likely you are already backwards on because of the republican administration that currently f'ed things up? Oh and I also did say this to Dad, "Do you think that, no matter who gets into office, taxes will stay the same?" Are you kidding me!!! They just put up $2 BILLION to bail these stupid fucking banks out. Who do you think is going to have to pay back that $2 BILLION? It is going to be you an I, TAXPAYERS! And how do you think they are going to have to do it? RAISE TAXES. Very good class!! It is like teaching a bunch of second graders how to count a dollar!
- Guns: OMG the democrats are going to take away my guns. All I have to say is....are you fucking kidding me people! Get REAL!!! If that was even proposed, there would be enormous upheaval and this country would be doomed!
Family values/abortion: OK OK OK....this is a good one. Let's look at the stupid republicans that are currently running for president and vice president. Palin comes across as a perfect little housewife in a town of 6000 people. Really, lets REALLY analyze this!! Ok so Palin, who is the mother of 5. Looks all rosy on the outside doesn't it? Well, her 17 year old daughter dropped out of high school and has an illegitimate/bastard love child. Hummmmm let's think about this one...yeah I don't think that is what the majority of Americans what for their 17 year old children...High School Dropouts with bastard grandchildren. That is, unless you want to be considered total white trash! Now onto the other candidate. Yeah...McCain, now this is a good one too! So McCain goes to war, gets held as a POW. This is totally admirable and I give him a ton of credit for having to go through that. However, his wife is back in the US, gets in an accident and is severely injured. McCain comes back and actually meets a woman that is 13 years younger and is much prettier than his current wife. Oh yeah, and she is enormously wealthy. So he goes out and decides to file for a marriage license, but it is not in the state that HE IS STILL MARRIED IN! - Family values? Not the family values I would want in my household...regarding both their situations. Oh yeah, and abortion...Are you kidding me!!!! It sounds like the catholic's have their hand in this one. The republicans might as well out-law contraceptives too. This is not 1930 anymore. Get real!!!!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
10% INFLATION!!!!!
10% inflation was reported earlier this week. 10%!!!!!!! I can beleive it. Like I was saying in one of my previous entries...we are screwed!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I HATE fake/forwarded emails!!
I received this stupid email from my Dad who gets them from his brother. They ALWAYS forward emails, even if they are completely false! SO....I sent an email to everyone on the email. It was this....
From the desk of Brent Kelsey:
Per the above subject to the below forwarded email...I HAVE decided and here is the reasoning behind MY decision...
Maybe it is the part of me that likes to stir things up, but common people if we believed every email that popped into our inbox we would all be millionaires or we would have saved a million lives simply by hitting the "forward" button. I am speaking about the email from Bill Gates about "Email Tracking" that I am sure we all received at one point. It read, "We are experimenting with Beta Email Tracking and need your help. Forward this to everyone you know and if it reaches 1000 people everyone on the list you will receive $1000 and a copy of Windows at my expense."Or another example might be the little "Penny Brown - PLEASE LOOK AT PICTURE THEN FORWARD" email. Common folks, you have to admit this got some of you as I KNOW I received this one as well.
The only emails that I trust, and I feel that all of us should believe are ones that come DIRECTLY (written BY and not forwarded) from our friends and family. Lets put it this way...if I was really good friends with Bill Gates or Penny's family from the above examples I probably would have forwarded those emails.
Heck, for all any of us really know is that the person writing these emails is some 60 year old psychopath who lives in his parents basement and gets his jolly's off poking fun of, or falsely accusing politicians, trying to bankrupt executives, or falsely helping "fake," missing people all simply by grabbing hold of, and strangling millions of peoples emotions via one simple email.
OH...yeah....and I did find this this Obama email is ALSO a hoax (http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/afghanistan.htm). To be 100% honest I would never have forwarded this even if it was true, but for the sake of this email I had to look it up. Everyone who enjoys forwarding these "please do this," "consider this," "don't do this," "do this," or "look at my picture before you delete this" emails you may want to add this website to your favorites list for future reference - "http://urbanlegends.about.com/." It provides an excellent resource for searching for emails that are a waste of time before forwarding them.
Just wanted to tell it how it is and to share this wonderful resource ;-)
Have a great day!
Brent
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
--------------FORWARDED EMAIL-------------
From: wig1209@gmail.com [mailto:wig1209@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Bill GaitherSent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:54 PMTo: Al KenolSubject: email from Afghanistan - forwarded
Hello everyone, As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram, Afghanistan for about an hour during his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General who is the commander here at Bagram. Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand but he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the general. After he finished, vehicles took him and his entourage to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent where military personnel can play basketball or work out with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to soldiers and thank them for their service. So really he was just here to make a showing for Americans back home. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom you enjoy. I swear we got more thanks from NBA Basketball Players and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost like he was scared to be around those who secure freedom for him and our great country. If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry, but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake. In service, Captain Jeffrey S. Porter Battle Captain TF Wasatch
From the desk of Brent Kelsey:
Per the above subject to the below forwarded email...I HAVE decided and here is the reasoning behind MY decision...
Maybe it is the part of me that likes to stir things up, but common people if we believed every email that popped into our inbox we would all be millionaires or we would have saved a million lives simply by hitting the "forward" button. I am speaking about the email from Bill Gates about "Email Tracking" that I am sure we all received at one point. It read, "We are experimenting with Beta Email Tracking and need your help. Forward this to everyone you know and if it reaches 1000 people everyone on the list you will receive $1000 and a copy of Windows at my expense."Or another example might be the little "Penny Brown - PLEASE LOOK AT PICTURE THEN FORWARD" email. Common folks, you have to admit this got some of you as I KNOW I received this one as well.
The only emails that I trust, and I feel that all of us should believe are ones that come DIRECTLY (written BY and not forwarded) from our friends and family. Lets put it this way...if I was really good friends with Bill Gates or Penny's family from the above examples I probably would have forwarded those emails.
Heck, for all any of us really know is that the person writing these emails is some 60 year old psychopath who lives in his parents basement and gets his jolly's off poking fun of, or falsely accusing politicians, trying to bankrupt executives, or falsely helping "fake," missing people all simply by grabbing hold of, and strangling millions of peoples emotions via one simple email.
OH...yeah....and I did find this this Obama email is ALSO a hoax (http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/afghanistan.htm). To be 100% honest I would never have forwarded this even if it was true, but for the sake of this email I had to look it up. Everyone who enjoys forwarding these "please do this," "consider this," "don't do this," "do this," or "look at my picture before you delete this" emails you may want to add this website to your favorites list for future reference - "http://urbanlegends.about.com/." It provides an excellent resource for searching for emails that are a waste of time before forwarding them.
Just wanted to tell it how it is and to share this wonderful resource ;-)
Have a great day!
Brent
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
--------------FORWARDED EMAIL-------------
From: wig1209@gmail.com [mailto:wig1209@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Bill GaitherSent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:54 PMTo: Al KenolSubject: email from Afghanistan - forwarded
Hello everyone, As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram, Afghanistan for about an hour during his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General who is the commander here at Bagram. Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand but he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the general. After he finished, vehicles took him and his entourage to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent where military personnel can play basketball or work out with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to soldiers and thank them for their service. So really he was just here to make a showing for Americans back home. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom you enjoy. I swear we got more thanks from NBA Basketball Players and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost like he was scared to be around those who secure freedom for him and our great country. If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry, but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake. In service, Captain Jeffrey S. Porter Battle Captain TF Wasatch
Family Vacation at Breezy Point
I KNOW I am bad at updating this. This is actually from last week when I was on vacation. I wrote it and save it in MS Word since there was not interenet access.
I am on vacation with the family today. I actually started out the week in St. Cloud for work. We had an appraisal training session that lasted a couple of days and OMG was it boring!! I cannot believe how bored I was. Maybe I should have been paying a little more attention though, because today when I took the exam I felt retarded. I hope I did ok, but whatever.
Upon completion of the exam we were free to go home. Everyone else went home, but I drove another hour and a half north to Breezy Point Resort. I am not a good critic, but this place is great! Very nice, right on your own beach, a lot of things to do. We have cabins that are actually houses, and we have two. Each one is split into two separate cabins. Every year we [whole extended family] go on a little vacation and this was the choice this year. Grandma usually pays for it as she likes to get everyone together over her birthday. When I say everyone I mean everyone. It is the four families, the in-laws, all the cousins, the second cousins, the fiancé’s of my sisters….I mean everyone, but it is fun! I wish I had someone to bring, but again, whatever. ;-).
Today was a very leisurely day and I expect the next couple to be the same. During the day we all sat on the beach and went boating/tubing/skiing and then tonight we sat around the camp fire – and I might add that over the years our ring of people around the fire has gotten a lot larger – and we talked about everything from Karma to UFO’s. In fact I think we had five polls to everyone seated around the fire. 1) Do you believe in UFO’s or extra terrestrial life? 2) Do you believe in Ghost’s? 3) …Karma, 4) … destiny, 5) the best of all…Miller or Bud? But I guess what I am saying is, that it has been a great time so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the week.
I am on vacation with the family today. I actually started out the week in St. Cloud for work. We had an appraisal training session that lasted a couple of days and OMG was it boring!! I cannot believe how bored I was. Maybe I should have been paying a little more attention though, because today when I took the exam I felt retarded. I hope I did ok, but whatever.
Upon completion of the exam we were free to go home. Everyone else went home, but I drove another hour and a half north to Breezy Point Resort. I am not a good critic, but this place is great! Very nice, right on your own beach, a lot of things to do. We have cabins that are actually houses, and we have two. Each one is split into two separate cabins. Every year we [whole extended family] go on a little vacation and this was the choice this year. Grandma usually pays for it as she likes to get everyone together over her birthday. When I say everyone I mean everyone. It is the four families, the in-laws, all the cousins, the second cousins, the fiancé’s of my sisters….I mean everyone, but it is fun! I wish I had someone to bring, but again, whatever. ;-).
Today was a very leisurely day and I expect the next couple to be the same. During the day we all sat on the beach and went boating/tubing/skiing and then tonight we sat around the camp fire – and I might add that over the years our ring of people around the fire has gotten a lot larger – and we talked about everything from Karma to UFO’s. In fact I think we had five polls to everyone seated around the fire. 1) Do you believe in UFO’s or extra terrestrial life? 2) Do you believe in Ghost’s? 3) …Karma, 4) … destiny, 5) the best of all…Miller or Bud? But I guess what I am saying is, that it has been a great time so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the week.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I hope I am wrong, but this country is screwed
OK…seriously???? WTF is going on with this country’s Politicians? Hate is a very strong word and I do not like to use it, but this warrants it. I hate politics! I don’t like to say I am a Democrat or Republican. This just pisses me off about what the republicans have done. When $4 gas is basically sucking the life out of every person in this absolutely fantastic [said sarcastically] country the republicans go and do this shit.
So yesterday the democrats try to pass a bill that would tax the huge Big Oil profits. Obviously you have been living under a rock if you do not know what I am talking about. A quick catch-up - The five Big Oil giants the past couple years have made, and continue to make, record breaking profits each and every quarter. I mean we are talking tens and tens of billions of dollars. The bill that was presented also allowed for it to be a federal crime to price fix. Now, taking this all in and remember how your stomach churns every time you drive past (or worse yet - pull into to “fill ‘er up”) a gas station and notice the price has gone up another 10 cents a gallon and has now surpassed the $4 mark why the fuck did the stupid ass republicans block this bill? Oh yeah, and this bill would have removed the subsidies that we are STILL giving Big Oil. Why, may I ask, are we still giving Big Oil subsidies when they are making Billions of dollars in profit every three months?
Oh and get this shit—I also just read that the republican’s have ALSO killed a bill that would provide tax incentives for energies that are environmentally friendly. WHAT – THE – FUCK? I do not get it!!!! Am I completely missing something? I would be 100% ok with Big Oil getting away with these profits if they put all, or most, of that money back into renewable energy sources. With billions of dollars, imagine how many wind turbines they could erect. Lets just work this out…so lets say a wind turbine costs $2.5 million (higher than what the Dept. of Energy Estimates) to get into service. Now let’s take the $36 billion that those bastards have made and divide it into that $2.5 million. With those profits and with a wind turbine costing $2.5 million (kind of high, but conservative taking into consideration the cost of GAS to truck that bitch to the site) that would mean that 14,400 wind turbines could be erected in LESS than a year of profits. I know that “wind” is not "Big Oil’s” forte, but we [the US], if we wanted to be, could be the Middle East with Wind Power. We could be driving electric cars and be 100% independent of oil. If we were independent of oil, we could easily have all the national debt paid off, and be the richest country in the world. A few of the European nations (I believe Denmark was one) that made it a goal to be oil-independent is now one of the top 3 richest in the world. BUT, I guess when Big Oil has such an influence on the world financial market it is apparently tough for politicians to think about a greener world and cheaper gas at the pumps versus their local Big Oil buddy giving them cash for keeping things the way they are.
Oh yeah, another thing. This is my prediction for the near future and is only my prediction. This country is going to be in a world of hurt in a year to two years due to the current US economy being in the shitter. I mean we have the highest unemployment in 22 years, gas prices that lead to many people not being able to drive to work, sky-rocketing food prices, and . People’s personal debt is snowballing exponentially because people need to charge things just to afford things we need. I hope to god I am wrong, but I believe within 1 to 2 years Americans are not going to be able to afford to drive at all, will not be able to afford food, and are simply going to be screwed! And 90% is the government and Big Oil’s fault!
So this is another thing that would piss off the general public if everyone knew this, but for years our great government has said inflation has not gone up. This is complete and utter bullshit! If companies and individuals cooked our books the way our government does we would all be in jail soooooo freaking fast! What I am talking about is the fact that the government does not take into consideration the price of “energy” or “food” when figuring inflation rates. Yeah…WTF, right!?!? When the price of my gallon of ice cream goes from $4 to almost $8 or my box of corn flakes going from $3 to $4 in the matter of a year, how can the government really say there is little to no inflation? The oil companies want to blame it on ethanol taking away corn from food production. You know the whole “Food for Fuel” debate, right? That is complete bullshit too! A short time ago that $3 box of Corn Flakes had only 11 cents worth of corn in it. Corn has NOT increased in price as dramatically as Oil. The remaining increase in cost of that, now $4 box of Corn Flakes is transportation and production – both of which require ENERGY. Obviously I am pissed off that the government can say there has been little to no inflation when I KNOW my grocery bill has gone up, yet most of our salaries only go up 2-3%. Interesting isn't it!?!?!? I would like to see the REAL cost of inflation – an inflation index that DOES include both FOOD and ENERGY.
So yesterday the democrats try to pass a bill that would tax the huge Big Oil profits. Obviously you have been living under a rock if you do not know what I am talking about. A quick catch-up - The five Big Oil giants the past couple years have made, and continue to make, record breaking profits each and every quarter. I mean we are talking tens and tens of billions of dollars. The bill that was presented also allowed for it to be a federal crime to price fix. Now, taking this all in and remember how your stomach churns every time you drive past (or worse yet - pull into to “fill ‘er up”) a gas station and notice the price has gone up another 10 cents a gallon and has now surpassed the $4 mark why the fuck did the stupid ass republicans block this bill? Oh yeah, and this bill would have removed the subsidies that we are STILL giving Big Oil. Why, may I ask, are we still giving Big Oil subsidies when they are making Billions of dollars in profit every three months?
Oh and get this shit—I also just read that the republican’s have ALSO killed a bill that would provide tax incentives for energies that are environmentally friendly. WHAT – THE – FUCK? I do not get it!!!! Am I completely missing something? I would be 100% ok with Big Oil getting away with these profits if they put all, or most, of that money back into renewable energy sources. With billions of dollars, imagine how many wind turbines they could erect. Lets just work this out…so lets say a wind turbine costs $2.5 million (higher than what the Dept. of Energy Estimates) to get into service. Now let’s take the $36 billion that those bastards have made and divide it into that $2.5 million. With those profits and with a wind turbine costing $2.5 million (kind of high, but conservative taking into consideration the cost of GAS to truck that bitch to the site) that would mean that 14,400 wind turbines could be erected in LESS than a year of profits. I know that “wind” is not "Big Oil’s” forte, but we [the US], if we wanted to be, could be the Middle East with Wind Power. We could be driving electric cars and be 100% independent of oil. If we were independent of oil, we could easily have all the national debt paid off, and be the richest country in the world. A few of the European nations (I believe Denmark was one) that made it a goal to be oil-independent is now one of the top 3 richest in the world. BUT, I guess when Big Oil has such an influence on the world financial market it is apparently tough for politicians to think about a greener world and cheaper gas at the pumps versus their local Big Oil buddy giving them cash for keeping things the way they are.
Oh yeah, another thing. This is my prediction for the near future and is only my prediction. This country is going to be in a world of hurt in a year to two years due to the current US economy being in the shitter. I mean we have the highest unemployment in 22 years, gas prices that lead to many people not being able to drive to work, sky-rocketing food prices, and . People’s personal debt is snowballing exponentially because people need to charge things just to afford things we need. I hope to god I am wrong, but I believe within 1 to 2 years Americans are not going to be able to afford to drive at all, will not be able to afford food, and are simply going to be screwed! And 90% is the government and Big Oil’s fault!
So this is another thing that would piss off the general public if everyone knew this, but for years our great government has said inflation has not gone up. This is complete and utter bullshit! If companies and individuals cooked our books the way our government does we would all be in jail soooooo freaking fast! What I am talking about is the fact that the government does not take into consideration the price of “energy” or “food” when figuring inflation rates. Yeah…WTF, right!?!? When the price of my gallon of ice cream goes from $4 to almost $8 or my box of corn flakes going from $3 to $4 in the matter of a year, how can the government really say there is little to no inflation? The oil companies want to blame it on ethanol taking away corn from food production. You know the whole “Food for Fuel” debate, right? That is complete bullshit too! A short time ago that $3 box of Corn Flakes had only 11 cents worth of corn in it. Corn has NOT increased in price as dramatically as Oil. The remaining increase in cost of that, now $4 box of Corn Flakes is transportation and production – both of which require ENERGY. Obviously I am pissed off that the government can say there has been little to no inflation when I KNOW my grocery bill has gone up, yet most of our salaries only go up 2-3%. Interesting isn't it!?!?!? I would like to see the REAL cost of inflation – an inflation index that DOES include both FOOD and ENERGY.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Pleasantly Surprised
So I met this guy [Gerry] a few weeks ago online. Yes, it was online and YES it was on ManHunt and YES I know ManHunt is considered a hook-up site, but I have been on it for some time now and I have yet to hook-up from it. So the following is a true testament to actually being able to find friends on it too.
So this guy starts hitting me up on MH and that night we talked quite a while and he mentioned he was going out with some of his friends for a drink. I went to his house to meet his roommates (two lesbians) then we went downtown to this bar called Pub 500, which is owned by a guy and his lesbian sister. Now, this establishment is one of only two "friendly" places in here in Kato. So that night I meet a few of his friends and I had a beer and went home. It was a great night and I met some great people.
Then the following week, I met everyone at the Pub again and actually met a couple more people. So apparently everyone likes to go out on Wednesday in Kato. Well...the NEXT Wednesday there was an annual drag show at the college, MNSU. Now…taking into consideration as to where I was at [Mankato] I didn’t really have very high hopes for this show. Before we [Gerry, John, Taylor, Amber, Ryan, and myself] I was thinking there would be just a few people….maybe like 25 30 people, right? OHHH no no no....this place was packed and it was the size of a college gym. There had to be 1000 people there. Apparently, last year there were approximately 900 people too. It was awesome! I was feeling a bit more at home, or like I was not just in some hick town.
The show was great and lasted about 2 hours. After the show we all decided we would go downtown for a drink. At this time it was 10pm. Ryan, who I just met this night, and I were on the same page and were like....man...it is a “school night” so we will only go for one. Well we all go and just as we are finishing our one drink about 30 other homos walk in, including the drag queens. I don't have a problem with it, in fact I thought it was great. I will admit I was a little nervous for all of us, but OMG I had a great time and met a ton more people. Ryan and I are both on approximately our 5th beer by this time and it is midnight when the queens decide to go to this bar called "choppers." Now, let’s take the name of the bar into consideration here….”Choppers” sounds far opposite from a martini bar, right?
Well we are…almost sounds like a bad joke…about 20-30 homos walk into this bar and I bet 75% of the heads turned. You should have seen it…especially when the queens walk in!!!! It was AWESOME! Yet, I was thinking....”OHHHHHH boy!” as I am not sure what to think yet. Well, we continued to have a drink and then the queen of the queens (Gosh Alice Jones, from Minneapolis –works at the 90’s) decides to go do karaoke. And who does she decide to sing? Well, none other than Cher, of course!! So she is up there singing and I continue to check out the crowd and it is kind of sad really....you see the regulars just looking, then looking at all us homos, then shaking their heads, rolling their eyes and you know...the usual "I can't believe these fags are here” kind of a thing. I felt horrible for all of us, but ultimately...I think that was the goal or big picture view of Gosh's...I mean, maybe this was good? Maybe it was good in that yeah, we got them talking? Maybe it was “putting ourselves out there for ridicule,” but maybe it also was a way to prove that hey...we ARE here, we are not bothering you and we just want to have fun too. You know?
The point is, there are more homos here than I thought. More than anyone thinks. People are blind. We are everywhere. But the sad thing is, unlike in Minneapolis, here we feel as though we can’t be ourselves. I will admit that I met a couple guys out the other nights I went out with John and Gerry and I didn’t know they were homos. Either I have a really bad gay-dar or they are just really good at blending in here. I will be honest, I thought the group (Gerry, John, Taylor, and Ryan) I was hanging out with was it! However, now I know that when there is a gay event like that, we all come out for the support. We ARE here, but it is kind of sad in that we kind of keep to ourselves unless there is such an event.
So anyway, that night about 1:30 we all decided to head over to the dance club (the Haze). Again I had a great time! I hung out for a little while until I am finally like, “damn it is time to go since I have to work tomorrow.” However, I had ridden with Gerry since he picked me up to go to the show. It is now 2 am and I have 3 freakin dollars left so I decide to walk home!
I live about a mile away up this long hill. I thought...well it is not far, I can do this. I start walking and about halfway up the hill there are not ANY lights for about 1/4 mile and get this shit...there are woods on either side of the road so it is creepy as fuck!! I hear shit running around in the woods and am scared shitless. Of course, it was probably only a freaking squirrel or rabbit, but I am a bit nervous! I walk faster, but about 2:30am I arrive home. At this time I am like, “fuck I gotta be up in a few hours. I cannot believe I did this shit on a ‘school night.’” But the next day I wake up and realize it was all VERY worth it. I met a ton of people and had a great great time!! The next morning was a little funny when I arrive at work as some of the old ladies ask me if my contacts were bothering me since I had my glasses on. I am like, “yeah, I think I ripped one this morning.” Hehehe. Iam bad! I sooo cannot be doing these late nights like this.
Another little story about being pleasantly surprised here. So get this shit. I am being 100% honest in saying I have never been hit on. Let alone in broad daylight, right. Well, I was up in Minneapolis for the Final Macy’s Happy Hour last Friday night (will have to write about that too) and I hung out Saturday for a while with Ben, his friend Colleen, and then I met up with Laura and Hillary, before I decided I should head back. So I head back and I stop in St. Peter to get some gas at the Holiday Station. I pull up and this guy about my height walked up to me as I step out and asks me how I like my Land Rover. I figured this would be a very short conversation. No…we talked for like 10 minutes. It was about the car, then he was asking about what I did and I where I live and what I did prior to moving and all kinds of stuff. At this point, I am like, WTF is going on and I am kind of flabbergasted. I just could not believe this was happening as this guy was CUTE!! About my age, tall, blond, blue. Oh he was yummy! THEN…Then, right before we finish our conversation and he walks off, he asks me for my phone number. Now I am completely floored!!!! I mean seriously, this shit didn’t happen in Minneapolis, but a hot guy is actually asking me for my phone number at the gas station in St. Peter?? WTF is that all about. When I drive off I am giddy as all hell, but realize I didn’t get his number and for the like of my, I cannot remember his fucking name! Here it is Thursday night and he has yet to call. We’ll see if he does. I guess I am not gonna get my hopes up, but it was sure fun while it lasted!! ;-)
So this guy starts hitting me up on MH and that night we talked quite a while and he mentioned he was going out with some of his friends for a drink. I went to his house to meet his roommates (two lesbians) then we went downtown to this bar called Pub 500, which is owned by a guy and his lesbian sister. Now, this establishment is one of only two "friendly" places in here in Kato. So that night I meet a few of his friends and I had a beer and went home. It was a great night and I met some great people.
Then the following week, I met everyone at the Pub again and actually met a couple more people. So apparently everyone likes to go out on Wednesday in Kato. Well...the NEXT Wednesday there was an annual drag show at the college, MNSU. Now…taking into consideration as to where I was at [Mankato] I didn’t really have very high hopes for this show. Before we [Gerry, John, Taylor, Amber, Ryan, and myself] I was thinking there would be just a few people….maybe like 25 30 people, right? OHHH no no no....this place was packed and it was the size of a college gym. There had to be 1000 people there. Apparently, last year there were approximately 900 people too. It was awesome! I was feeling a bit more at home, or like I was not just in some hick town.
The show was great and lasted about 2 hours. After the show we all decided we would go downtown for a drink. At this time it was 10pm. Ryan, who I just met this night, and I were on the same page and were like....man...it is a “school night” so we will only go for one. Well we all go and just as we are finishing our one drink about 30 other homos walk in, including the drag queens. I don't have a problem with it, in fact I thought it was great. I will admit I was a little nervous for all of us, but OMG I had a great time and met a ton more people. Ryan and I are both on approximately our 5th beer by this time and it is midnight when the queens decide to go to this bar called "choppers." Now, let’s take the name of the bar into consideration here….”Choppers” sounds far opposite from a martini bar, right?
Well we are…almost sounds like a bad joke…about 20-30 homos walk into this bar and I bet 75% of the heads turned. You should have seen it…especially when the queens walk in!!!! It was AWESOME! Yet, I was thinking....”OHHHHHH boy!” as I am not sure what to think yet. Well, we continued to have a drink and then the queen of the queens (Gosh Alice Jones, from Minneapolis –works at the 90’s) decides to go do karaoke. And who does she decide to sing? Well, none other than Cher, of course!! So she is up there singing and I continue to check out the crowd and it is kind of sad really....you see the regulars just looking, then looking at all us homos, then shaking their heads, rolling their eyes and you know...the usual "I can't believe these fags are here” kind of a thing. I felt horrible for all of us, but ultimately...I think that was the goal or big picture view of Gosh's...I mean, maybe this was good? Maybe it was good in that yeah, we got them talking? Maybe it was “putting ourselves out there for ridicule,” but maybe it also was a way to prove that hey...we ARE here, we are not bothering you and we just want to have fun too. You know?
The point is, there are more homos here than I thought. More than anyone thinks. People are blind. We are everywhere. But the sad thing is, unlike in Minneapolis, here we feel as though we can’t be ourselves. I will admit that I met a couple guys out the other nights I went out with John and Gerry and I didn’t know they were homos. Either I have a really bad gay-dar or they are just really good at blending in here. I will be honest, I thought the group (Gerry, John, Taylor, and Ryan) I was hanging out with was it! However, now I know that when there is a gay event like that, we all come out for the support. We ARE here, but it is kind of sad in that we kind of keep to ourselves unless there is such an event.
So anyway, that night about 1:30 we all decided to head over to the dance club (the Haze). Again I had a great time! I hung out for a little while until I am finally like, “damn it is time to go since I have to work tomorrow.” However, I had ridden with Gerry since he picked me up to go to the show. It is now 2 am and I have 3 freakin dollars left so I decide to walk home!
I live about a mile away up this long hill. I thought...well it is not far, I can do this. I start walking and about halfway up the hill there are not ANY lights for about 1/4 mile and get this shit...there are woods on either side of the road so it is creepy as fuck!! I hear shit running around in the woods and am scared shitless. Of course, it was probably only a freaking squirrel or rabbit, but I am a bit nervous! I walk faster, but about 2:30am I arrive home. At this time I am like, “fuck I gotta be up in a few hours. I cannot believe I did this shit on a ‘school night.’” But the next day I wake up and realize it was all VERY worth it. I met a ton of people and had a great great time!! The next morning was a little funny when I arrive at work as some of the old ladies ask me if my contacts were bothering me since I had my glasses on. I am like, “yeah, I think I ripped one this morning.” Hehehe. Iam bad! I sooo cannot be doing these late nights like this.
Another little story about being pleasantly surprised here. So get this shit. I am being 100% honest in saying I have never been hit on. Let alone in broad daylight, right. Well, I was up in Minneapolis for the Final Macy’s Happy Hour last Friday night (will have to write about that too) and I hung out Saturday for a while with Ben, his friend Colleen, and then I met up with Laura and Hillary, before I decided I should head back. So I head back and I stop in St. Peter to get some gas at the Holiday Station. I pull up and this guy about my height walked up to me as I step out and asks me how I like my Land Rover. I figured this would be a very short conversation. No…we talked for like 10 minutes. It was about the car, then he was asking about what I did and I where I live and what I did prior to moving and all kinds of stuff. At this point, I am like, WTF is going on and I am kind of flabbergasted. I just could not believe this was happening as this guy was CUTE!! About my age, tall, blond, blue. Oh he was yummy! THEN…Then, right before we finish our conversation and he walks off, he asks me for my phone number. Now I am completely floored!!!! I mean seriously, this shit didn’t happen in Minneapolis, but a hot guy is actually asking me for my phone number at the gas station in St. Peter?? WTF is that all about. When I drive off I am giddy as all hell, but realize I didn’t get his number and for the like of my, I cannot remember his fucking name! Here it is Thursday night and he has yet to call. We’ll see if he does. I guess I am not gonna get my hopes up, but it was sure fun while it lasted!! ;-)
Monday, April 7, 2008
The “People’s Department”
After my blog posting last night about not coming out at work, I get to work this morning and receive the below, very pleasing, email from my new employer. I thought it was very nice and thought I might share…
From: The Office of the Secretary
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 5:55 PM
To: ALL-[Omitted for blog]
Subject: The Secretary's Civil Rights Policy Statement
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF [omitted for blog]
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
Civil Rights Policy Statement
As Secretary of [omitted for blog], I fully support the Department of [omitted for blog]’s civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and diversity policies. I am firmly committed to ensuring that we treat each other and all of [omitted for blog]'s customers with respect, dignity, and equality. This is my commitment, and I expect all [omitted for blog] employees to do their part in translating this commitment into meaningful action.
To help us achieve our mission and live up to the high standard of being known as the "People's Department," we must work together. I take responsibility for leading the way, and my policy is simple and explicit - zero tolerance of any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or reprisal. All [omitted for blog] employees, applicants, customers, and stakeholders must and will have equal access to the opportunities, programs, and services offered by this great Department.
I expect our executives, managers, and supervisors to lead by example and to effectively embrace, manage, and leverage diversity within the Agency. Recognizing that our employees are our greatest asset, we must strive to reflect the diversity of American society at all levels, and cultivate an inclusive workplace environment where the uniqueness, background, and experience of every employee is appreciated and valued.
[Name Omitted for blog]
Secretary
From: The Office of the Secretary
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 5:55 PM
To: ALL-[Omitted for blog]
Subject: The Secretary's Civil Rights Policy Statement
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF [omitted for blog]
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
Civil Rights Policy Statement
As Secretary of [omitted for blog], I fully support the Department of [omitted for blog]’s civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and diversity policies. I am firmly committed to ensuring that we treat each other and all of [omitted for blog]'s customers with respect, dignity, and equality. This is my commitment, and I expect all [omitted for blog] employees to do their part in translating this commitment into meaningful action.
To help us achieve our mission and live up to the high standard of being known as the "People's Department," we must work together. I take responsibility for leading the way, and my policy is simple and explicit - zero tolerance of any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or reprisal. All [omitted for blog] employees, applicants, customers, and stakeholders must and will have equal access to the opportunities, programs, and services offered by this great Department.
I expect our executives, managers, and supervisors to lead by example and to effectively embrace, manage, and leverage diversity within the Agency. Recognizing that our employees are our greatest asset, we must strive to reflect the diversity of American society at all levels, and cultivate an inclusive workplace environment where the uniqueness, background, and experience of every employee is appreciated and valued.
[Name Omitted for blog]
Secretary
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Who I am, not what I am
It’s been three weeks since I started my new job. This job really is going to be great. I am already feeling that it is so much more fulfilling. Instead of sarcastically helping people in the sense of providing that momentary high, or remorse, from them buying something they really enjoy at Macy’s, I am actually truly doing something good.
As much as my friends might give me shit for moving to Mankato to work with farmers, it is becoming much much clearer as to why I was fortunate enough for this opportunity to cross my path. With every passing day things get better here in Mankato. I have a lot to learn in the job, but I am meeting new people and it is nice to be so close to home where I can just go home and help on the farm at almost a moments notice. I will obviously always miss my friends who live in Minneapolis, but being in this community is starting to feel more like home. I mean, I grew up here. At one point recently, I had to ask myself, “What was I doing in the city anyway? This fits me better anyway. Was it that I just felt more comfortable there because of what I am?”
That leads me to another point. So, I do not plan on telling anyone I currently work with that I am gay. Instead, I plan on living my life outside of work as I would normally, but never saying anything at work. I feel like this way, my co-workers will get to know me for WHO I am instead of WHAT I am. I am not saying that they will have a problem with it, but I do know that there is a higher percentage of people here who are much more close-minded and I am not going to give anyone ammunition for disliking me just because they don’t agree with who I might be outside of work. I figure down the road if I get found out, then they will truly know me for WHO I am rather than WHAT they perceive I may have been previous to truly getting to know the real me. Good idea or bad? I donno, but that is the way it will be.
As much as my friends might give me shit for moving to Mankato to work with farmers, it is becoming much much clearer as to why I was fortunate enough for this opportunity to cross my path. With every passing day things get better here in Mankato. I have a lot to learn in the job, but I am meeting new people and it is nice to be so close to home where I can just go home and help on the farm at almost a moments notice. I will obviously always miss my friends who live in Minneapolis, but being in this community is starting to feel more like home. I mean, I grew up here. At one point recently, I had to ask myself, “What was I doing in the city anyway? This fits me better anyway. Was it that I just felt more comfortable there because of what I am?”
That leads me to another point. So, I do not plan on telling anyone I currently work with that I am gay. Instead, I plan on living my life outside of work as I would normally, but never saying anything at work. I feel like this way, my co-workers will get to know me for WHO I am instead of WHAT I am. I am not saying that they will have a problem with it, but I do know that there is a higher percentage of people here who are much more close-minded and I am not going to give anyone ammunition for disliking me just because they don’t agree with who I might be outside of work. I figure down the road if I get found out, then they will truly know me for WHO I am rather than WHAT they perceive I may have been previous to truly getting to know the real me. Good idea or bad? I donno, but that is the way it will be.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
On with the next chapter
Okidoki…so the last few weeks have been interesting. I guess I could say I am starting a new chapter in my life and getting laid off was just one page in this new chapter.
It has been a week since I left Macy’s. I love it, but I will be honest…I was really sad when I was leaving last Friday. It was hard. In the 4 years I was there, I made a ton of friends and worked with sooooo many people. I had to say goodbye to everyone before I left. I am not gonna lie…it was hard. But, as I have said in the past, I am not one to show emotion and I didn’t. ;-) Leaving last Friday from Macy’s was finishing one chapter of my book of life and this week was starting a while new one I my new place. Next week will be, yet another.
In the time between my last posting and this one, I was able to find an apartment in Mankato. I actually found it through craigslist. A guy desperately needed to get out of his lease as he was starting a new job in CA. He is even paying $90 a month for 6 months since he was so desperate. So I came and looked at it and was originally turned off by the exterior of the building, but the unit itself is nice. It is not huge, but it was updated in the last few years. I think I was totally spoiled from my condo that I remodeled myself. That place was sweet. I mean it was very modern, contemporary, and something I could be really proud of.
I had sooooooo much shit that I moved and I didn’t even have any furniture. It was unreal. I moved out of my Edina place 2 Monday’s ago and I started about 9am and didn’t finish until 9pm. Of course I did it by myself, but it was a good that I moved it all myself. This way I touched every last piece of crap before it was packed and moved it from one place to another myself. When I moved in this last Monday, I went through everything Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Like I said, I had sooo much shit! I had 4 garbage bags of crap that I threw away and I made two trips to the Salvation Army to donate. When I finished going through all the little crap on Thursday morning I sat down and thought…”Hummmm. I have never lived alone. This is actually really nice. I have my OWN place. I do not have any roommates. I do not have to clean up after anyone, except myself. Everything here is mine and only mine. This is MY place.” After thinking this, I felt so much better about living here. I am not saying that I will not miss seeing my friends every day at work or working downtown. Of course I will miss all that. But, I have to make living here [Mankato] ok and having a place to call my own home is a start.
I have actually already gone back up to Minneapolis. Last night Ben put on a “Gay sex seminar.” Ok, so the quick story behind this is that we have a bunch of friends that have always asked questions and Ben’s way to explain anything was to put together a PowerPoint presentation with visual aids, such as books and even gay porn movies. It was great! He went through everything from the culture (some of which was news to me), how things have evolved, facts, figures, and many other aspects that might help explain homosexuality. Including, but not limited to coming out stories, and the inequalities we face today and have faced for years. I totally commend him for doing it. It was eye opening for even myself.
That was last night. Today, I could not believe it, but I stayed at Ben’s and slept until noon. I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t even sleep that late all week at my new place. I had planned on going to see my undergrad advisor [Vern]. He was a great man. He is about 70 and still not retired. He is the most senior person at the University of Minnesota and loves it when old students keep in contact. I was going to fill him in on my new job and all that good stuff, but he wasn’t around when I showed up at 12:30, so I went to get a bite to eat at the student union, went back at 1 and was still not there. I talked to his admin and she said he should be around somewhere. Instead of waiting, I went across the street to visit my brother and some of the guys at the frat. I think he was surprised I showed up, but was happy to see me. After visiting with my bro a while, I called before walking back over to see if Vern had returned. I think he must have left a little early to enjoy his spring break, which begins now and goes thru next week. I guess I will have to stop some other time if I get up there during the week.
After finishing up at the U, Ben was at work so I didn’t want to go sit in an empty apartment so I stopped at the Caribou just across the street from his place. I think I have said this in the past, but “I love the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis!” When I lived there I loved it because of all the eclectic people. It has not changed and it is just soooo diverse. I love it! So I order my medium White Chocolate Mocha and this older gentleman came in about the same time I did. He was probably retirement age. He gets his medium dark roast, adds some sugar and sits in one of the high tables along the window. I grab a table next to his and wait for my order to be called. I grab it and sit down and just “people watch” and take in the sights and sounds for one of my last times in Uptown. I seriously do not think this guy needed another coffee. After sitting there and watching out the window but watching him out of the corner of my eye, I notice he is fidgety and really hyper and just kind of “odd” I guess you could say. So anyway, he has a few drinks of his coffee and sits and keeps looking at me. I quickly realize this man is an old mo. Hey it is cool. If he wants to check me out, so be it, but seriously dude…not interested. Hahahaha. So he gets up and goes outside to smoke and I swear he walked around the corner a minimum of 5 times looking in the same window I am looking out. It was funny. I sit there for probably half an hour and these 3 beautiful girls come in. Two get a coffee and while they wait, I catch all three checking me out. Again, it was funny because “Sorry girls!” Hahaha. Those girls leave and the retiree comes back in and sits down in his same table and continues to glance at me. I am thinking, “Dude…I am not interested in the girls, and I am also not interested in you.” He proceeds to take out this wide ruled notebook. As he flips the page I notice that is must be his journal. As he flipped the page it didn’t give me a lot of time to read it, but in purple ink the heading at the top of the page said, “Get on with your life” and there was at least one more heading halfway down the page. After a few minutes of watching him write and catching him checking me out, I finish my mocha and leave. As I walk out the door, I come across this cute old woman leaving the Lund’s. She is dressed in this bright purple knee-length pea coat with very bright teal pants and a really big white sun hat. She didn’t look bad and was really put together well, but really caught my attention and obviously made an impression on me.
Anyway, I had to write since it has been a while. Now….On with the next chapter!!
It has been a week since I left Macy’s. I love it, but I will be honest…I was really sad when I was leaving last Friday. It was hard. In the 4 years I was there, I made a ton of friends and worked with sooooo many people. I had to say goodbye to everyone before I left. I am not gonna lie…it was hard. But, as I have said in the past, I am not one to show emotion and I didn’t. ;-) Leaving last Friday from Macy’s was finishing one chapter of my book of life and this week was starting a while new one I my new place. Next week will be, yet another.
In the time between my last posting and this one, I was able to find an apartment in Mankato. I actually found it through craigslist. A guy desperately needed to get out of his lease as he was starting a new job in CA. He is even paying $90 a month for 6 months since he was so desperate. So I came and looked at it and was originally turned off by the exterior of the building, but the unit itself is nice. It is not huge, but it was updated in the last few years. I think I was totally spoiled from my condo that I remodeled myself. That place was sweet. I mean it was very modern, contemporary, and something I could be really proud of.
I had sooooooo much shit that I moved and I didn’t even have any furniture. It was unreal. I moved out of my Edina place 2 Monday’s ago and I started about 9am and didn’t finish until 9pm. Of course I did it by myself, but it was a good that I moved it all myself. This way I touched every last piece of crap before it was packed and moved it from one place to another myself. When I moved in this last Monday, I went through everything Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Like I said, I had sooo much shit! I had 4 garbage bags of crap that I threw away and I made two trips to the Salvation Army to donate. When I finished going through all the little crap on Thursday morning I sat down and thought…”Hummmm. I have never lived alone. This is actually really nice. I have my OWN place. I do not have any roommates. I do not have to clean up after anyone, except myself. Everything here is mine and only mine. This is MY place.” After thinking this, I felt so much better about living here. I am not saying that I will not miss seeing my friends every day at work or working downtown. Of course I will miss all that. But, I have to make living here [Mankato] ok and having a place to call my own home is a start.
I have actually already gone back up to Minneapolis. Last night Ben put on a “Gay sex seminar.” Ok, so the quick story behind this is that we have a bunch of friends that have always asked questions and Ben’s way to explain anything was to put together a PowerPoint presentation with visual aids, such as books and even gay porn movies. It was great! He went through everything from the culture (some of which was news to me), how things have evolved, facts, figures, and many other aspects that might help explain homosexuality. Including, but not limited to coming out stories, and the inequalities we face today and have faced for years. I totally commend him for doing it. It was eye opening for even myself.
That was last night. Today, I could not believe it, but I stayed at Ben’s and slept until noon. I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t even sleep that late all week at my new place. I had planned on going to see my undergrad advisor [Vern]. He was a great man. He is about 70 and still not retired. He is the most senior person at the University of Minnesota and loves it when old students keep in contact. I was going to fill him in on my new job and all that good stuff, but he wasn’t around when I showed up at 12:30, so I went to get a bite to eat at the student union, went back at 1 and was still not there. I talked to his admin and she said he should be around somewhere. Instead of waiting, I went across the street to visit my brother and some of the guys at the frat. I think he was surprised I showed up, but was happy to see me. After visiting with my bro a while, I called before walking back over to see if Vern had returned. I think he must have left a little early to enjoy his spring break, which begins now and goes thru next week. I guess I will have to stop some other time if I get up there during the week.
After finishing up at the U, Ben was at work so I didn’t want to go sit in an empty apartment so I stopped at the Caribou just across the street from his place. I think I have said this in the past, but “I love the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis!” When I lived there I loved it because of all the eclectic people. It has not changed and it is just soooo diverse. I love it! So I order my medium White Chocolate Mocha and this older gentleman came in about the same time I did. He was probably retirement age. He gets his medium dark roast, adds some sugar and sits in one of the high tables along the window. I grab a table next to his and wait for my order to be called. I grab it and sit down and just “people watch” and take in the sights and sounds for one of my last times in Uptown. I seriously do not think this guy needed another coffee. After sitting there and watching out the window but watching him out of the corner of my eye, I notice he is fidgety and really hyper and just kind of “odd” I guess you could say. So anyway, he has a few drinks of his coffee and sits and keeps looking at me. I quickly realize this man is an old mo. Hey it is cool. If he wants to check me out, so be it, but seriously dude…not interested. Hahahaha. So he gets up and goes outside to smoke and I swear he walked around the corner a minimum of 5 times looking in the same window I am looking out. It was funny. I sit there for probably half an hour and these 3 beautiful girls come in. Two get a coffee and while they wait, I catch all three checking me out. Again, it was funny because “Sorry girls!” Hahaha. Those girls leave and the retiree comes back in and sits down in his same table and continues to glance at me. I am thinking, “Dude…I am not interested in the girls, and I am also not interested in you.” He proceeds to take out this wide ruled notebook. As he flips the page I notice that is must be his journal. As he flipped the page it didn’t give me a lot of time to read it, but in purple ink the heading at the top of the page said, “Get on with your life” and there was at least one more heading halfway down the page. After a few minutes of watching him write and catching him checking me out, I finish my mocha and leave. As I walk out the door, I come across this cute old woman leaving the Lund’s. She is dressed in this bright purple knee-length pea coat with very bright teal pants and a really big white sun hat. She didn’t look bad and was really put together well, but really caught my attention and obviously made an impression on me.
Anyway, I had to write since it has been a while. Now….On with the next chapter!!
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