TMI Memorial Day

Here we are again, the post that shares more about my personal life and/or habits than you may want to know. Sean at Just a Jeep Guy started it, now all the cool kids are doing it.

Pull on your BIG GIRL panties and buckle in…

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

1. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance but it also signifies the "Official" start of summer. What are your plans this weekend?

• I have absolutely NO plans this weekend… such is the glamorous life of a single gay man in rural Eastern Oregon.

2. What is your most and least favorite thing about summer?

• The list of favorite things is lengthy… warmth, long days, tanned skin, exposed skin, travelling… not being cold. If I had to choose a least favorite thing… BUGS.

3. What do you think of when I say "Bar-B-Que?"

• Outdoors, friends, food, beer

4. What is your favorite summer food?

• Fresh fruits and veggies at the farmers market. Seasonal salads made with those items. BBQ food with friends on a summers evening. It all just tastes better on a deck over the river as the sun sets.

5. Are you is swim suit shape yet?

• I’m MUCH better than I was last summer… but maybe not all the way there yet. Some may still run screaming from the pool, shielding the eyes of their children.

6. Given the choice, which do you prefer: ocean, lake or pool?

• Ocean

7. Which summer blockbuster movie are you most looking forward to seeing?

• I’ve seen Captain America and X-Men so far. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes comes out July 11th, Jupiter Ascending on July 25th and Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1st.

8. Summer reading: What? Recommendations?

• I am so backlogged on my reading, I wouldn’t know where to start.

9. Vacation Plans? If you can't, what would you do if you could?

• I’m spending a 4-day weekend in Boise in June for the Boise Music Festival, In July, some friends and I are in the early stages of planning a trip to Vegas for a Bear gathering and a camping trip in August.

10. Did you ever have to go to summer school?

• It was a threat when I was a screw-up in Middle School. Fortunately, I never had to go.

BONUS

Sex on the beach?

• One day, I’m going to find the right man and fulfill that fantasy. I love the Oregon Coast, I refer to it as my happy place. When I’m there, listening to the waves, breathing the air… nothing is wrong in the world. One day, I will have the man of my dreams to share that experience with as we build a fire on the beach, snuggle under a blanket, watch the sunset… and get freaky.

Sunday Stealing: Random XV

Random XV

Wantonly stolen from: That Forthright Girl

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?

• I have a pair of Birkenstock knock-offs that are 5-6 years old. They really need to be tossed, but they are convenient to have around when I need to slip on something to run outside.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?

• I buy Girl Scout cookies EVERY year. Mainly because I’m a sucker for kids selling things. I always get Samoas and Thin Mints. The last couple years I’ve added Savannah Smiles to my mandatory order, they are delicious with the morning coffee.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance?

• Um… no

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?

• Reasonably so… I had my moments.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?

• American Hustle – Yes
• Captain Phillips – Yes
• Dallas Buyers Club – Yes
• Nebraska – No
• Philomena – No
• Gravity – Yes
• 12 Years a Slave (winner) – No
• The Wolf of Wall Street – No
• Her – No

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?

• Honestly, its easier to have it done. Watching someone else get any kind of medical (or dental) procedure makes me feel ookie inside.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?

• Saturday – It’s generally a day of personal choice and there is Sunday there to serve as a buffer between you and another week at the grindstone.

8. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

• You’re the best caseworker I’ve ever had.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?

• No

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?

• IKEA

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?

• Yes, Best Foods Mayonnaise and Jiff Peanut Butter. Store brands just don’t cut it when it comes to those two.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?

• The latter. Generally, when you are telling someone how you feel, you’ve worked up the courage to do just that. When you are being confronted, it’s much harder to hear and therefore harder to look the person in eye.

13. What’s one thing you’re deeply proud of — but would never put on your résumé?

• My entire life, I was told I would never amount to anything or that I wasn’t smart enough. So I endeavor to prove those people wrong; it is what drives me toward success and it is also what drives me to make sure my every accomplishment is known. I was recently told that may backfire in some circumstances. When in an interview situation, I can and do speak of my accomplishments. I have a couple interviews in the pipeline this summer, I will need to revamp my sales pitch to see if I can tone it down. I fear that if I don’t sell myself, who will?

14. What’s the most out-of-character choice you’ve ever made?

• OMG… this is something that is a daily battle. My tendency is that I do what I believe is expected of me. On top of that, I say what was expected. In the end I was lost… I couldn’t keep my opinions straight (snort) in my mind. As I was approaching 40, I couldn’t take it anymore, there were many shocked people.
  After five years, I don’t suffer fools and I say what I mean and mean what I say… for the most part. I wonder if it’s been worth it? I have lost many ‘friends’ and I don’t have a romantic partner. On the positive…  I have lost the feelings of self-loathing, multiple anti-depressant prescriptions and some really lousy people… on balance. I feel I’m better off. Although, a cuddle buddy would be AWESOME!

15. What’s your personal anthem or theme song?

• I love music. It has always been my escape, speaking the words I wasn’t strong enough to say myself or giving my hopes and dreams a voice. Many of the songs of Queen serve that purpose… These are the Days of Our Lives, It’s a Kind of Magic, and of course… Bohemian Rhapsody. The last several months, Kenny Chesney’s Beer in Mexico has been my ringtone.

“to old to be wild and free.. too young to be over the hill… So I’ll sit right here and have another beer in Mexico… let the warm air melt these blues away”

• I’ve been wanting to change it to “Let it Go” from Frozen, but I felt that would be just TOO GAY… Until I found this…

Saturday 9: Star Spangled Banner

For the record, Whitney's performance of the SSB is the one that all other performances are judged. It is flawless... pitch, artistic effort, passion.

The Star Spangled Banner

1. Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)

• My family is filled with veterans, My Dad (Army) and Uncle (Navy) are Vietnam vets, my Papa was a WWII Navy Corpsman. I did not serve, but I have the utmost respect for those who have, especially those who have served over the last 12 years of non-stop war on behalf of our corporate overlords, and not the Republic. It is really sad that people aren’t more pissed off that their sons & daughters died on behalf of Halliburton and Bechtel and Blackwater and not for We The People.

2. Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?

• Anything grilled… and homemade potato salad.

3. Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor?

• I’m into the Ben & Jerry’s Lemon Blueberry Yogurt right now. But my decadent choice is Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter.

4. This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you rode a bike?

• When I was younger I loved riding my bike. As I gained, and gained more weight; the bicycle was sold years ago. Since I’ve lost so much, I am hopeful to get into riding again. It was my goal to buy a bike this season, it hasn’t happened yet, but then the summer isn't over yet.

5. Or went hiking? 

• Same as the last answer, I love to hike, I love the outdoors… the picture is when The Boy and I hiked to the top of Multnomah Falls in 2008.

6. Or rode a horse?

• I haven’t rode a horse since I was a kid. It is my belief that the goal of every horse is to get the human off their back and will do whatever they can to achieve that goal… run fast, walk under low branches, etc.

7. Or toasted a marshmallow?

• Marshmallows are toasted at any opportunity.

8. As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or window fan on?

• The current temp is 57F, there is a fan running in the bedroom window to keep the air moving.

9. Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer?

• I’m seeing Train, Fitz and the Tantrums and Sir Mix-A-Lot at the Boise Music Festival this summer. I’m sure those could inspire a theme or two.

TMI Tuesday: Potty Humor

Here we are again, the post that shares more about my personal life and/or habits than you may want to know. Pull on your BIG GIRL panties and buckle in…

TMI Questions
Fun, slightly embarrassing questions designed to reveal Too Much Information between you and your significant other and among you and your friends and/or family.

POTTY HUMOR

1. Toilet Paper - over or under?

• Over… the opposite has terrible consequences.

2. Who replaces the empty roll in your house?

• I live alone… I do

3. What do you use if you run out of toilet paper at home?

• I don’t run out of TP.

4. Seat up or down?

• Again, I live alone… does it matter?

5. Do you leave the door open?

• See answer #4

6. Does your love leave it open?

• N/A

7. Do you wait until you are alone in a public restroom?

• No… these facilities are there for a purpose. Why be neurotic about it? Although, I think you should look at those urinal etiquette videos on YouTube. If there are a selection of available urinals, why are you right next to me? I’m not cruising, if you think you are; you’re doing it wrong.

8. Do you always check for toilet paper first in a public stall?

• Absolutely!

9. What do you use if you run out of toilet paper in a public restroom?

• It hasn’t happened yet. But socks are replaceable.

BONUS

Sex in a public restroom?

• In the days before Growlr… cruising public restrooms were the way men found sex with other men. Closeted men, like myself satisfied the urge for some manly affection by lingering around a public restroom. There was a park in the town where I lived back in the 90’s that was so cruisy that guys looking for gay sex outnumbered the guys there to fish or to have a picnic with their family by a large margin.
  I remember having a lot of fun playing the cruise-game. Parking in a certain area of the park, lingering as you walked to the bathroom, or onto the nature trails to signal that you’re looking for a hook up and showing interest either at the urinals or between the stalls. For the record, the story of Sen. Larry Craig’s foot tapping at the Minneapolis airport is EXACTLY how you do it.
  Now that I’m Out, and secure in who I am. I don’t do that anymore. Public bathrooms aren’t exactly sexy, secure or even hygienic. Now if the gym has a sauna… grrr. .
• PS… I have been tested and I am negative. If you participate in random hook-ups with men you do not know. Please get tested. It’s quick and knowledge is power. But above all… PLEASE play safe! Look at the colors!

Saturday 9: Vacation

1) Do you know how to water ski?

• No

2) Do you have 2014 vacation plans?

• If all things stay the as they are, my daughter and I are going to Boise for the Boise Music Festival at the end of June.

3) Do you have a passport?

• YES

4) If you took a 7-night cruise, could you completely unplug -- no phone calls, no texts, no internet?

• Yes, I believe I could. I would hope that I would be with someone who could offer distractions.

5) Do you own a travel alarm clock?

• Yes, my cell phone

6) Though the Go-Gos broke up in 1985, they frequently reunite for live performances. What's the last concert you attended?

• I go to lots of local music festivals, like the one this summer in Boise. I cannot think of the last concert I attended with a big name band.

7) Their first hit was "Our Lips Are Sealed."  Can you be trusted with a secret?

• YES

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, the comedy Tootsie was in theaters. What movie makes you laugh?

• Tommy Boy

9) Sam is chewing on a Tums as she composes these questions. What's the last over-the-counter medication that you took? 

• Advil and Zrytec (it is the height of allergy season here in the Inland Northwest)

 

3 on Thursday: May 15th

1. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?

• Iced Tea

2. Have you heard of the Kidnapped Nigerian Girls? Do you think that the US should do more to return these girls home?  Over 200 girls have been kidnapped from their school and held hostage by a militant group and/or being sold as child brides for $12 each. Very tragic.

• Yes, it is tragic. But the US is NOT the policeman to the world. We need to stop chasing after every outbreak of international strife. Let our government policy be securing the homeland, building OUR infrastructure, winning the hearts and minds of Americans.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world (money is no issue) where would you live?

• London

Saturday 9: Your Mama Don’t Dance

1) This song is about how the older generation often doesn't understand what the younger generation is up to. Do you keep up with trends?

• Chasing after trends is the sign of someone who doesn’t know who they are. I spent too many years not being my true self.

2) This song was in the top 10 in 1972, which is also the year HBO was introduced. Do you have any premium cable channels?

• I have way too many channels. Every time I call Charter to change my service, I end up with more channels that I don’t watch. I read an article the other day that says the average American has 189 channels, but only watches 17 of them. I have HBO so I can watch Game of Thrones, True Blood, Newsroom and Bill Maher. I have Showtime so I can watch Homeland. I need to have a steel spine and close some of these services.

3) Mother Winters taught Sam how to kill the lingering food smells in her microwave (take a bowl of water, add a few drops of vanilla extract, and heat it in the microwave). Do you have any useful household hints to pass along?

• If you have a baking sheet with baked on stains; sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the surface, cover in water and let sit overnight. Wash the sheet the next morning and it will be sparkling clean.

4) The French word for "mother" is "mère." What other French words do you know?

• I tool a year of French in college, I can count to ten and ask where the library is located.

5) Flowers and plants are popular on Mother's Day. How is your yard or garden? Is it green and/or blooming?

• I live in a 2nd floor apartment. The landscaping outside is flourishing. I do miss having a space to exercise my greenthumb.

6) Mother's Day is a big holiday for card shops. So are birthdays, weddings, and St. Patrick's Day. Hallmark sells greetings for everything from "Congratulations on Your New Job" to "Happy Retirement." Who received the most recent card you bought?

• I gave Valentines to my girls.

7) Have you put away your winter clothes yet?

• As I have lost a considerable amount of weight, they weren’t put away.. they were GIVEN away.

8) Mother Winters used to scold Sam for leaving her dirty dishes in the sink. Sam admits it: as a grown up, she's still a bit of a slob. Do lean toward "neat" or "messy?"

• I must confess that I tend toward the neat end of the spectrum, but not in and OCD sort of way of course… lol

9) To celebrate Mother's Day, Sam is giving away candy bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate with almonds?

• Given the choice, chocolate with almonds please.

TMI Thursday: Make Mine A Double

Sean at Just a Jeep Guy started it, now all the cool kids are doing it.

MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!

1. Do you have a favorite alcoholic drink?

• I enjoy a good Gin & Tonic. They are refreshing and pack a sneaky punch if you aren’t prepared. Plus, I feel there’s a bit of class to it.

2. What kind of wine do you prefer?

• Lately, in reds, I like a Syrah and in white, I like Pinot Grigio.

3. Do you have a favorite beer? 

• I live in the Great Northwest, the home of craft breweries. Bridgeport, Full Sail, Pyramid, Ice Harbor, MacTarnahan’s, and my favorite Deschutes 

4. Can you taste the difference between vodkas?

• I keep trying, but I haven’t been able to yet. Although there are these crazy Pinnacle Vodka flavors. Some of those are just WRONG. Pumpkin Pie vodka sounds good in theory, not in practice.

5. Are you a top shelf or rail kinda person?

• I don’t have the budget to be ‘top shelf’, rail booze does the job just fine.

6. What was your most memorable (good, bad or embarrassing) drinking experience? 

• Drinking with friends in Portland a couple summers ago… we had a great time with the dancers at Silverado… much $$ was left in the G-Strings of a couple sexy dancers and I experienced my first lap dances… RAWR! After we hit a couple other bars we discovered The MAX quits running at midnight, so we called a taxi to take us back to the hotel. The taxi dropped us off in front of another hotel. I said, “No, we’re at the Inn at the Convention Center”. The driver pointed across the street and says, “It’s over there”.

BONUS

Have you ever drunk dialed?

• Not that I’ve been told… LOL