2003-09-29 
 

finally updating

Yay! I got a trial of CuteFTP and it does everything I wanted it too. Need to buy full version, but for now at least the Friends page lets everyone know that C and K have welcomed baby N back in July. (up until now it said they were still expecting.) Going to go futz around a bit more and see if I can't get the moon up on the site.

Labels: blogging

* posted by me at 11:15 PM

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2003-09-27 
 

ramekins

We had V and S over last night for V's belated birthday celebration. G made zucchini ramekins, emptied them onto a plate of buttered chive noodles and topped it all off with diced tomatoes and basil. Needless to say, it was a big hit. Also a big hit was the yummiest chocolate cake in the world. I may be gaining weight in this relationship, but it's worth it!

Happy Birthday greetings also go out to Dad who hit 63 yesterday. (Ouch, hope it didn't hurt too much.) Hee hee!

Today will be a lazy day with nothing serious discussed. The world is a very f'ed up place right now and I'd like to have a bit of a vacation from all that.

Ramekins....what a fun word! (It's going to be my new favorite term of endearment.)

Labels: dose of mikey, g, shout out

* posted by me at 7:28 PM

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2003-09-25 
 

strange juxtaposition

All day meeting today and tomorrow....and early in the morning too... ugh. It's funny how sitting in a meeting all day can make me want to just crawl into bed and fall asleep the moment I get home.

We watched L.I.E. tonight. Intense and disturbing at points, but beautifully filmed and very true in many ways. Reminded me a bit of The Ice Storm for some reason. I admit to leaving it in the DVD player for quite a few weeks because of my fear that the subject matter would bring up too much shit for me due to my own personal history as a survivor of abuse. However, in the end it wasn't so much about inappropriate relationships as it was about the duality that lives within us all. Still not recommended for the faint of heart, but otherwise a very worthwhile watch.

Labels: dose of mikey, linkage, random review, sharketing

* posted by me at 1:37 AM

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2003-09-22 
 

hot hot hot

Today SF temps shot up to just below 90. Not very hot in the grand scheme of things, but unusual for us...even during summer. (Which is what we're in right now...I wrote an entry many moons back about the 12 seasons of San Francisco, but I'm too warm to go find it today to link back to.)

Did get to chat with M around noonish and little e got so excited when she saw my webcam on M's screen that she started dancing around the room for me. Can't wait until we get to see them next month! Went to have Thai food for lunch and then wandered around in the heat. Eventually just had to sit down and not move in order to stop the sweating. SF isn't built for heat. You need cooler weather to be walking up and down the hills!

That's all for now. It's past nine and even the typing is making me hot.

Labels: dose of mikey, san francisco

* posted by me at 12:19 AM

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2003-09-20 
 

friday

There's nothing like a Friday night after a long week at work. I'm quite looking forward to the weekend...good weather, good friends, good times.

dressed up to the eyes
it's a wonderful surprise
to see your shoes and your spirits rise
throwing out your frown
and just smiling at the sound
and as sleek as a shriek
spinning round and round
always take a big bite
it's such a gorgeous sight
to see you in the middle of the night
you can never get enough
enough of this stuff
it's friday
i'm in love
The Cure - Friday I'm In Love - 1992

That's all for now. Though I ought to point out the changes in the decor...not quite finished yet, but it's on the way!

Labels: dose of mikey

* posted by me at 3:55 AM

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2003-09-19 
 

thursday's child

Final day of antibiotics for G and we're both super relieved. As I mentioned the other day, they have not been playing nicely with the other meds and have caused more than a little discomfort for him. We're both very happy to see that last blue pill go away. The wound itself is almost to the point where the bandage can come off, and overall we're in a pretty good space, but if I ever get my hands on that spider....I'll...I'll...

Well in all honesty, if I ever got my hands on it I'd probably scream like a little girl, throw it onto the floor and stomp on it.

I just don't like spiders.

I do love G and I'm glad he's mine...experiences like this tend to give a bit of perspective to things. I'm glad he came into my life three years ago.

Sometimes I cried my heart to sleep
Shuffling days and lonesome nights
Sometimes my courage fell to my feet

Lucky old sun is in my sky
Nothing prepared me for your smile
Lighting the darkness of my soul
Innocence in your arms
David Bowie - Thursday's Child - 1999

PS I know I missed a chance to quote Tori Amos yesterday and write a nice blog about the current state of affairs in the US, but maybe next week.

Labels: dose of mikey, g, medical mystery

* posted by me at 1:32 AM

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2003-09-17 
 

ruby tuesday

Just a brief note to say...YAY! Tickets from SFO to EWR are officially ours as of this evening. Fun filled foliage follies follow in four weeks.

Labels: dose of mikey, looking eastward, travel

* posted by me at 2:46 AM

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2003-09-16 
 

just another manic monday

(whoa-woah) It was a looooong day. There's a palpable tension at work as we all wait to hear about the next round of lay-offs. Everyone's trying to do their jobs, but the sluggishness and inability to concentrate that permeated the cubes and offices today couldn't just be chalked up to the Monday blahs or too rough a weekend. We all just want to hear what's going to happen so that we can get on with it. Came home tonight, ate a yummy piece of quiche with G and promptly fell asleep on the couch while he went off down the hall to make sourdough bread. (Yum Squared!)

Woke up about an hour later feeling refreshed but befuddled, so I'm blogging while I can.

Met up with Stacia yesterday afternoon. First time since she moved back to the city that we've managed to get together and it was GOOOOOD. I was feeling a bit down. G's leg is much better but the antibiotic is mucking about with his other meds and giving him a hard time...naturally it's all about ME though, so I started worrying about his health in general...also been thinking a lot about New England and the fact that we might not make it back for more than visits over the next few years...and ruminating on upcoming reorg/possible layoff at work (the fact that I'm actually quite happy about in forces me to realize I haven't been as happy as I ought to be over the past couple months)...and Bun being far away....and wanting to cry because someday I'll be all alone...) I told you it's all about me.

Anyhoo. A session of tea and dolmas with Stacia was just about what the doctor ordered. We've both changed quite a bit from the bright eyed pessimists we were back in school...but surprisingly in many of the same ways. We've both learned that embracing change is not a crime; that a willingness to believe that you deserve something often leads to the attainment of that thing; and the ultimate importance of living in the now.

Got home and couldn't stop kissing G and giving him little hugs. I think he thought I was zany, but very happy to see me out of my crank. That reminds me, time to go cuddle up on the couch with him and enjoy the now.

Labels: dose of mikey, g, looking eastward, shout out

* posted by me at 2:35 AM

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2003-09-13 
 

feels like sunday everyday

I have this odd feeling that I'm supposed to go to work tomorrow, but it's only Saturday. (and all the people said AMEN!) I've probably been working too hard. Since we missed our mini-break last week, I'm moving on two parallel paths. Trying to plan a new mini-break sometime in the near future and firming up plans for a maxi-break later in October.....and a true tropical vacation sometime around the holidays. This is all subject to change without notice. The latest hiccup at work may cause me to be pounding the pavement with resume in hand, and saving every penny I can.

Then again, as Annie Lennox once sang:

I could be anywhere else but here
But the rain won't let me go.
There's a photograph
Hanging on my wall
Of a place I've never been to...
I'll never make the grade
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
And I can't stop the rain
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
What do the papers say?
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
Get up and go now!

In this town - something's gotta change.
In this town - something's gotta change.

Chatted online with M yesterday and had the new camera on. YAY! Next weekend little e will be home and I'll get to wave to her across the miles. Why did it take me so long to hop onto this bandwagon? After all, as a gay man I'm supposed to be an early adopter.

In leg news: Getting much better after Thursday's little setback. Got one of the angels as a nurse on Friday's follow-up, and she has made our lives quite a bit easier by talking to us instead of just at us. We still have to change the bandage once a day and it does still cause G quite a bit of pain when we do so, but the inbetween times are much easier to bear and the overall pain of changing is lessening with each time. I'm very glad about this. It's been a bit tense for me to have to be the one who swabs out the wound and causes him to yelp in pain with each push, but it's been three years together, and I'm not going to let some stupid arachnid ruin our good time together.

(continued from above)
I'm looking at the world -
Looking for a scene -
Waiting for a day -
Filling in time like I'm digging
My own grave...
I'll never make the grade
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
And I can't stop the rain
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
What do the papers say?
(Feels like Sunday everyday)
Get up and go now!

In this town - something's gotta change.
In this town - something's gotta change.

In This Town - Eurythmics - 1986

Labels: dose of mikey, linkage, medical mystery

* posted by me at 3:42 PM

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2003-09-12 
 

downs n' ups

G's leg was doing better, but this morning's visit to the Dr. showed slight swelling and we need to go back tomorrow am for a followup. UGH! Been working more OT than usual to make up for the lost hours and it's making me a bit tired. At the same time, I wouldn't want anyone else but me in that little room with him when they're trying to take care of him. (they almost gave him a topical drug today which his chart clearly states could put him into anaphylactic shock...lovely) At least he's not in as much pain as he was earlier this week and the weekend should be rather restful. Full moon though...and a party on the top floor tomorrow night...might get a little crazy.

And now for super happy news: the new computer is here! Yay yay yay! G got it all set up for me, and now I'm typing away on it. SOOOO much quicker and more happy making than the old one...can't even begin to express. This weekend I plan to search for the FTP software which will allow me to finally get the back pages of the site updated. Problem being that it's about fifty bucks and I'm being very good and not spending money I don't have. Patience all around seems to be the word for the week.

Labels: blogging, dose of mikey, g, medical mystery

* posted by me at 1:22 AM

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2003-09-10 
 

hurting the ones you love

Got to sleep in a bit for the second day in a row...had originally planned to be up in Harbin Hot Springs for a mini break, but G's hole in his leg would've made that more agony then restful so we cancelled and spent the time here letting him recoop and doing this and that around home and very locally. (It's good to get him walking around a bit, but we don't want to push it until hearing more from the doctor on Thursday.) Want to say a hearty thanks to Nurse C since he not only gave us wound care tips, but assisted and talked me through it yesterday when I had to change the dressing and clean out the hole. It's on the back of G's leg, so he can't really get a good look at it to do anything himself. This leaves me to take care of it...not a happy task, but I'd rather do it and have him get better than any other option.

For those of you wondering why it's up to me to clean out the wound with some monster cotton swab, swish in some sterile water and then poke it full of seaweed, let me remind you that our healthcare system sucks. I pray you never have to depend upon the system, because, unless you have bundles of cash, the system depends on you to get it done yourself and honestly would probably be glad to have one less person around to bother it if you screw up. Thanks again to Nurse C, and prayers out to those in need that they too have a good friend around to help out.

Today I flew solo on the cleaning/dressing of the much healthier looking hole in G's leg. Other than the pain I was obviously causing him, it went ok. We headed over to Chow for some food to celebrate it being over for today and then to Crossroads for some retail therapy. We ended up trading in some jeans and tops that we never wear for for two cool sweaters and a funky hat. It's the little things in life.

In other news. Back to work tomorrow. Yuck.

Labels: dose of mikey, g, medical mystery, rant, shout out

* posted by me at 12:49 AM

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2003-09-07 
 

heart of gold

Got up super early again....well, for a Sunday it was super early. Spent 8-9:30 sharing the waiting room with the same sort of folks that were there yesterday.

Imagine this, we walk in to sit down and are treated to the musical stylings of a rap artist who's every other word is motherf**er. (This is not an exaggeration for the sake of a more exciting blog entry...the never ending chorus was something along the lines of the old Dr. Pepper tune with the aforementioned MoFo replacing the 'pepper'.) It was blasting from a neo-boombox being held up to a young lads ear. It looked a lot like a miniature version of the tape recorder I used to cherish as a teenager. Remember trying to tape songs of the radio on those things and getting all that amusing back ground noise? "Moran!"*

Anyway. It did make snoozing difficult, but overall a bit easier to block out than the elderly man yesterday who kept informing the room that he really needed to take off the bandages around his leg and put a gram or two of heroin inside his wound. "Cuz that'll keep the bastard from itchin' me!"

After a good twenty minutes of the mofo song (he kept rewinding, it really WAS like my old recorder), he suddenly switched it off and began stomping up and down the hallway muttering the lyrics to himself, kicking chairs and generally getting a bit ugly.

Fortunately, it wasn't very long before we were joined by a hooker wearing a leopard skin skirt and movie star sunglasses. She carried a heavy black pocketbook and a white faux-crocodile case of the sort that an old friend of mine once referred to as a stripper's right hand girl. A place to store a change of outfit, all the makeup and beauty products you'd ever want, and nifty secret compartments for money...or anything else you might not want flashed for the whole dressing room to see. Leopard girl walked in, whipped off her glasses, looked back into the hallway at Mr. Mofo and made a little perturbed moue. Walked out the opposite door and after a minute was back again. She smiled and said, "Well hi everyone!" to no one in particular. Within a minute of her settling herself down a few seats over from me, the young rapmeister, who had mysteriously quieted down about the same time she walked out, sauntered in to chat her up. She graciously accepted his comments on her youthful looks and 'tight' clothes. (Tight was being used here as a synonym for "hip" although the traditional meaning also applied in this case. I felt pretty 'tight' myself figuring this out.) Whether to keep the compliments coming or as a favor to the rest of us, I'm not quite sure, but she took him outside for a 'cigarette' and he came back looking quite pleased with himself and much quieter than before. He was called shortly thereafter and she stretched out and began to snooze.

A little more than an hour later we were called into the room, and I got to watch the nurse change the bandaging on G's leg. This was helpful since I'm going to have to do this myself on Tuesday. Ouch. The wound looks almost like someone took a paring knife and plunged it into G's leg. Judging from the amount of cotton rope/wound packing that the nurse took out, it could've been almost that deep. He was in intense pain since there was no anesthetic, but she seemed to be as gentle as possible. Tuesday I'm making sure he takes a double dose of codeine before I attempt to do the changing. I'm pretty good at that sort of thing, but it's hard to see someone you love in pain when it's yourself who's causing it.

I'm feeling a bit gentler towards humanity than I was yesterday.

*Two snaps up to Margaret Cho who nailed that memory on the head!

Labels: dose of mikey, g, medical mystery

* posted by me at 3:01 PM

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2003-09-06 
 

long pause

I was hoping to update much more during the week, but ended up falling asleep on the couch most nights. Now it's Saturday, my normal date to do a good entry, but I'm still very tired. Up at seven this a.m. and spent several lovely hours surrounded by heroin addicts and the other posh folks at SF General. For those of you who don't know, public healthcare sucks. There's gotta be a better way, but I admit that I'm at a loss as to what it is. Is healthcare a right? Too many questions bubbling in my mind right now and I'm getting a headache, so I'm off.

Labels: dose of mikey, g

* posted by me at 10:26 PM

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wine stew

Tonight G and I made boeuf bourguignon. Sounds fancy, but was actually quite simple...just a bit time intensive. The time taking was a good thing since we're trying to keep our mind off of G's nasty spider(?) bite on the back of his leg. Need to go tomorrow to get it taken care of and hoping that it's just the result of a stray arachnid instead of something more serious.

Labels: dose of mikey, g

* posted by me at 1:27 AM

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2003-09-01 
 

anticipation

Just received a confirmation e-mail from Gateway and the new computer won't arrive until September 16th. Those of you who've been hoping for the long promised overhaul to this site are going to have to wait a bit longer.

Still, it has had minor face lifts...you can imagine my surprise when I found it here, archived by the Wayback Machine. (Check out the address bar when you click the word 'here' in the previous sentence...or visit the Wayback Machine yourself.)

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm waiting for the DVD to come out in order to see if Zip ever did end up in The Hulk. The chances of him being in it are too slim, and the reviews were too bad, to entice me to do more than list it on our Netflix list.

Labels: blogging, dose of mikey, linkage

* posted by me at 3:16 PM

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new

Today we purchased a new computer for me. The one I'm currently typing on is about 6 years old. (that's just about retirement age as far as computer's go) After the recent batch of viruses hit, we finally installed software to keep our computers safe. Unfortunately, my safe computer runs at speeds slow enough to give me time to shower and shave while waiting for a new page to download. As for the blogging, it's very frustrating to type a whole entry and have it dissapear thanks to a slow connection speed. (I'm saving this about once every minute or so in order to preserve my bon mots for all of time.) The FTP software I need was a bit of a pipedream with the old system...so new system it is. Didn't go for the highest end model, but I did get something that'll far surpass this one in ability and yet cost about half what I paid back in 1997. Even at 600 dollars, it's a pretty big purchase for us since we're trying to be good and climb out of the deep hole of debt we've sunk into, but I'm happy to say that it all came out of my bank account and won't deepen the hole any. I needed it. I promise you. I'll bring my lunch to work for the next two weeks.

The above rationalization has been brought to you by the letter m and the number 7.

Labels: blogging, dose of mikey

* posted by me at 2:10 AM

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