Life and Times of a Perverted Preppy

Picture this...

2007-09-19T13:23:10Z

It is a beautiful Fall morning, the air is crisp and you have the top down on the car. Life is good, besides Beltway traffic, you are having a great morning. Just coming off a successful weekend with Ranger Rick, in fact he is tucked in his travel case in the backseat. He is HUGE so, well you can't really see out the back, but you got mirrors right?

You hit the toll road and just punch the gas a little more, since the day is pretty and you are super happy. You just want to get to work a wee bit early to return Ranger Rick to his caretaker and get to your 10am meeting with coffee. You hear that there is a special surprise waiting for you, so the urgency is all the more intense. In the pretty sunshine, with the wheel of a little sporty machine in your hands, 83 miles an hour feels like nothing.

Apparently it ain't really nothing to the Dulles Metropolitan Police Department and the Commonwealth of Virginia!

As I looked back, I saw some fucknut run right up on my bumper when my front wheel just crossed the dashed line of my exit. I was like, what the deuce, then I saw the lights, it woulda been helpful to hear the siren. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.

Thus begins my saga of a bureacratic nightmare.

As the cop pulls me over, he asked me how fast I was going, I was honest and said, I don't know. I was stepping on it to get to work since I had Ranger Rick in the backseat and I was on a deadline. I promised to slow down, he said, license and registration please. He asked if I had any known issues with my stuff and I replied no.

Oy! Was that the wrong answer.

My license had expired, which I found out right before I went to Detroit, but Maryland will let you have a 6 month grace period. It was on my to do list, I swear! I figured the cop would know that.

He comes back to the car with 3 loverly citations.

Driving on an expired license. Ok, I will admit that, my bad.
Driving on a suspended registration. Huh? No way, my plates are good til March!
Reckless driving. Virginia has some tough fucking laws, yo! First moving violation in over 12 years and it has to be a whopper!

He then says, since you tags are suspended to be on the safe side, I am going to take them. I am also taking your license. I will then have your car impounded. Sound good? I was like, you gotta be kidding me right? What the hell is with taking all my stuff? He said, it is the law and nothing I can do about it. The State of Maryland has ordered it. He explains how the airport authority can come tow my car and store if for a fee much lower than most tow companies, but I am not allowed to drive my car away.

I call my boss, who is a helluva a guy, to come get me and Ranger Rick on the side of the road. Meanwhile, little did I know but my other big mouth co-worker had driven by me, not stopped to help and then announced it to my entire team that I was getting busted on the side of the road.

At this point, my little brain is reeling at having all my ID and vehicle seized. How will I get home? How will I get to work? How will I pay for it? Crappity, crap, crap and more crap!

My boss was cool, he said, let's go to MVA and get this all straightened out. He drove me home so I could get my passport and checkbook. Then to MVA. I asked the nice lady at the info desk where to go first. She suggested the first thing was the license. I got my new license without much hassle. I then went to vehicle services and they looked up the problem with my car. It appears as though I had old insurance lapse fines, they had not been an issue until July of this year when they went into "collections". With fines and fees and interest it all came to just over 1500 bucks! Christ on a cracka!

Lemme back up though, see if it had stopped there, I could have been ok with it all. The nice MVA lady then explained that their collections unit was in Largo, or way the fuck far away from where I was at that moment in time. My boss and I had to be back to the office at 3pm for a meeting with our VP, so no chance to resolve this at that moment. He said, look I can take you home later and we will figure stuff out. Since we did have a tiny bit of extra time, we went to Ikea and got shelves for the office. You know, Ikea is very soothing in times of crisis.

My boss forgot he had a date on Monday, so he offered to drop me in the city, near Adams Morgan. Normally, that would be ideal, but not so much on Monday with someone away in Detroit. I arranged for trystoffate and redindigo to come rescue me. I waited on the street corner till they came to get me. We all grabbed dinner and planned the attack for the morning. trystoffate would pick me up at the ass crack of dawn and go to MVA with me. I was sure it would take only a short time to get everything squared away.

I spent the evening getting all of my car insurance paperwork in order and renewing my homeowner's policy at the same time. I didn't go to bed on time, I had to stay up way too late to see how they built the Mackinac Bridge...it was very important! I was up at 6:30am and prepping for my day. I had already taken a half day off, so I was hoping I would be able to just get everything done and still have my afternoon plans.

When Bun Bun and I got to MVA, there was a line around the building...ugh. We went in and waited in seperate lines, hoping a two pronged attack might be best. I got the first ticket for insurance compliance, woohoo! Poor Mr. Bun Bun had to go to work, so I went outside and made sure the big guy had directions and I grabbed my bag. I said, don't worry about me my friend, it should only be a little while longer and I can get a bus to the metro and figure it out from there!off went the Bun Bun mobile.

The woman behind the counter heard my tale of woe and said, you know Virginia is so dumb! They are not supposed to be takin' yo stuff like dat! She said, nothin in yo file says to do anything like that, so don't be hatin' Merllan! I almost threw up in my mouth a wee bit. She gave me all my paperwork to go pay. I get there they won't take a check, luckily my debit card held the $1500 fine. I then had to have Geico fax over extra paperwork, to verify coverage. I was feeling pretty good, until the lady said, you have other insurance lapses, those fines total $2285. Would you like to pay those now? Or make payment arrangements? At 17% interest? With 25% down today.

Fuck me, what choice did I have? My poor broke ass did have months of lapsed insurance, since over the last year it was all about the choices. Do I pay the IRS? Or go to jail? Do I pay my mortgage? Or lose my home? Do I repair the car? Or have no transportation? I could go on and on...

Back I go to the payment office to make another dent in my bank account. Then it was back to the nice compliance lady who gave me all my paperwork and payment info. She then provided me with all of the releases so I could then get my new license plates, since they had been seized by the cop. I wait in line again for a number to visit the license plate lady. I gave her all of my paperwork and she said, I need the replacement plate form. I was like, I don't have one. She gave it to me and then sent me off to fill it out. I came back and she typed in a bunch of info then scanned the screen about a bajillion times before saying, you are ineligible for new plates. You have violations outstanding.

No way, laday! I do not have any violation in the whole wide world. I just paid off all of it! See, the vein is still trickling just a little. She said, actually you do. You have a parking citation from July 21, 2005 in College Park. The original fine was 15 bucks but now you owe 40! I was like fine, just add it to my bill and I will pay you all together. She explained that College Park is a city and the MVA is run by the state and I would need to go to College Park and pay the fine, come back with paperwork and then she could sell me new plates. I about burst into tears at that very moment. I was like, um, what now. She left her desk for about 15 minutes and returned with the info I needed to call College Park and pay over the phone. She wrote down her fax number so I could have them fax it all over.

The College Park process was fairly easy, just given them my visa number and we were done. It took about 15 minutes to get the paperwork sent over. The MVA lady called me back up. She said, ok that will be $50. I said, it is only $20, the other lady told me. She said there is a $30 administrative fee. For what? Well, that ticket in College Park had to be removed from the system, so that I could get the new plates. Otherwise, I wouldn't get them! OMG, that was robbery...I swear! Fine, fine, fine just gimme my plates and paperwork.

I went outside and waited for Da Bus, I think it is The Bus, but in my county we all just say Da Bus. Well the stars were shining on me, as it was World Car Free Day! So the bus was free. I then rode it for what seemed like an eternity to the Largo Metro station. I was pretty fortunate that the night before my sweethearts had given me a loaded up Smart Trip card to cover all my public transit costs for the day. I texted from the Metro to let my afternoon plans know that I was in fact not going to make it...and would call later when I knew more.

I called the boss from the Metro and he said he would meet me at the station and drive me to the airport. Unfortunuately, I had no signal till I got to the station, so I called him when I got in. No answer. I waited around and he called and said it was best I take a cab. I hailed one and off to the airport we go. I asked the cab driver if he took credit cards, he said no. So then we went to the ATM, I got out a 100 bucks, to have some tooling around money later. We find the police station and I pay the driver.

I wait for an officer to come and let me in. Just my luck, he was a chatty Cathy who just wanted to let me know all about his experience of living in Maryland! He hated Maryland and loved Virginia. I was like really? I kind of hate Virginia, actually, just the Dulles Airport Police, since according to Maryland you took all my shit for NO good reason!

He was hurrying up a bit and then said, um, I hope you have cash since they tow company only takes cash. Wait, I thought the deal was the cops would tow my car and it would be so much better? What the hell? He says, it will be a minute, I need to find your car. I have the keys, but um, yeah, I need to locate the vehicle. You gotta be kidding me? Could it get worse?

Actually, yes. Yes it could and it would.

He locates the tow company who says they turned the car over to the airport valet. So it is in their impound lot, but somehow the cops have the keys! Brilliant!

The cop says that a shuttle will be arriving shortly to get me and take me to my car. I should pay the driver cash and show him my paperwork. In about 15 more minutes a very large, very stinky, very creepy man arrives and tells me he is here to take me to my car. I get in the van and he says, no sit up front. I was like, ok, fine. Wondering if now is when I say, dude I am a trained ninja killing machine, so no funny business. Instead, he tells me he has to go back to his office since he can't find the impound lot key. We get back there and he and his boss yell at each other for a while. They ask me to get out of the van to make sure that I am not sitting on the key. Finally, yelling boss and creepy man decide he should get out of the van and lo and behold, there are the keys.

Off we go to the impound lot which is in some weird restricted lot on the outer reaches of the airport. I see poor little Princess, stripped of her plates parked next to a burned out frame and a smashed up Bronco. It takes the dude about 5 minutes to explain that I should put my plates in the windows until someone can put them on for me. He has tools, but is not sure that they will work. I was like, yeah, I got tools, just let me out ,ok!?!?

I run to Princess and open the trunk and grab my tools. I put the new plates on and toss my bags inside. Ahhh, I had my baby back.

I started her up and waited a few before I put her in gear and got the hell outta Dodge!

Finally, it was over.

Well until October 25 that is, when I have to go before a judge in Virginia to talk about my reckless driving. I think between now and then, I will have some more info to share with him...maybe in a countersuit since the out of jurisdiction cop, who only has authority on the access road and the airport took it upon himself to teach me a lesson!

Oh and the surprise, a $2000 bonus from work! That would have been a nice dent in the kitchen remodel, but alas, it all went for my lawless ways.

Since sleep does not come...

2007-08-16T05:29:26Z

I share my little find with my fellow insomniacs and for the rest of you when you are awake...

Openly Gay Celebrities

More Openly Gay Celebrities

When It Was Out To Be Out

C'mon sleep...you can do it...

Knots

2007-08-16T04:41:01Z

I am spending my week tucked away into a DC hotel at a professional conference. What is it that I really do, do you ever wonder? I mean some of you know, but do you really know? I say what is easily understood for the most part, but what I really do, even when so clearly articulated usually brings an expression to someone's face that resembles what I would assume you would look like if you had just had a total conversation with someone who spoke to you in a tribal clicking language. Wow, what a run-on sentence huh? I am sure that made it all much clearer for you, dear reader.

I am at UX Week. So I have been spending my days with like minded people, so I have had some amazing conversations. Typically, folks in my field of practice are naturally curious and tenacious problem solvers. We extract clarity from chaos.

A fellow attendee was explaining it and said, I ask people if I gave you a shoestring, that was completely knotted up, what would you do? She says that the responses vary. Some say, I would throw it away and get a new shoestring. Others, well, I would cut the knot out and mend the ends together. Others, well I would try to unknot it and see if it was simple enough, then I would continue, if not, I would just toss it. Someone like me, an information architect who approaches with a user centered design mind, says I would unknot it, and restore its usefulness. But first, I would complete my due diligence and ask questions like, was it altered in a way that would render it useless, meaning was it melted or stitched or fused in such a way that the exercise is futile. If the research told me no, it was simply knotted using a variety of knots I would dig in. That is what I do, that is what I find professionally fulfilling. Oh, and I would also teach someone else what it was I was doing, thereby sharing the knowledge and increasing my collaborative problem solving knowledge base.

For the most part, I approach work and life in much the same way. I research, I ponder, I study, I learn and then I act. I believe in purposeful action. I believe in strategy and collaboration.

In a more personal and intimate way though, I feel as if I am holding several knotted up strings. I must now do my careful research and ask questions about the state of the string. How it came to be in knots is not the crux, it has bearing, but it does not change the current state. Do I want to know the answers to these questions? I must analyze and assess the value in putting in the work or simply getting some new string or doing without the string. Is there really a solution that will come from that analysis?

Maybe life and love and happiness and healing is not so simple as all this. Maybe I cannot approach this as a problem that needs to be solved. Maybe I can. Maybe I don't want to. It goes back to that value proposition for me, the one that sometimes reads as selfish, but really could just as easily be called self interest. Same coin, two sides. But the bottom line is always the same, what will be the outcome and who will it benefit?

In my professional world, I have an expectation that I will be presented with knotted strings on a regular basis, that is why I do what I do. In my private world, I am usually content to not have knots, loose ends or any strings that could entangle me in a way I do not desire.

How would you approach the knot?

preppyperv @ 2007-08-05T09:55:00

2007-08-05T14:41:23Z

Wow, has it really been since May that I posted? Holy crap that is a long time.

I guess you lose track of all time when you are in love.

Ah love, sweet love. It comes in all forms, yanno.

I went back to work in April and can now say, I am in love with my career. I love the organization, the work we do, the work I get to do is all incredibly fulfilling and important. Since I started I have gotten a nice fat raise, a promotion and grade level salary increase to come in September. I have totally loosened up, for those of you that know me prepare to clutch the heart a bit. I wear shorts to work...and when I wear jeans, my polo is untucked. One day, I even wore sneakers. My hair has gotten a little shaggier too...although I still do not own Birkenstocks and have not been hugging trees. Although, I did go kayaking and explored this really muddy creek. I work with amazing and smart people. I am starting to teach again, in the coming month I will be running some of the classes I used to teach at Georgetown. It has been a long time since my spirit was so energized about what I committed myself to as a career path.

Along that same path, back in June, I quit the bar. I just put the keys on the bar and left. I didn't look back, I didn't get upset. I just reached my limit and said, yeah, I think I have had enough. I had a seven year run there. Working for a crazy alcoholic who would hug you with one arm while choking you with the other was too much. It was hard, I did a lot while I was there. I went through two relationships during my tenure, which made it even easier to walk out the door considering the bar was a link to them. Nothing makes you want to go to work more than knowing you will be there with an ex or two. I felt like I left on my own steam, but not my own terms. Welcome to the disease of alcoholism folks, we encourage you to buckle up or get the hell off the ride. The funny thing is, I haven't felt this big ache for my community and to be connected to other kinksters. I seem to be doing just fine on my own.

My regular life with irregularjoe has been a constant source of soothe. I look forward to my standing Thursday night date, no matter what we do. Lately, he has me hooked on Mancala, I wonder if he regrets teaching me to play, since I look at him with dark rimmed eyes and say, just one more game...I can take you, I know I can. I am tickled to death that trystoffate and redindigo are living so close now. I seem to spend more time with johnmatthew bf than him, but that friendship is really growing in a way I could never have expected. Life is good with good friends.

I have been dating some and while it is fun, I realize I don't want to be married. At least not now...not this minute. I mean one day, yeah sure, I want to settle down. I miss good coupledom and all that it entails. I had that perfect synchronicity you only find once in a blue moon. I wonder sometimes if I will ever find that again, but it is usually a passing thought. I guess what I miss is that day to day familiarity that comes from being partnered and living with someone. I don't miss being needed and clung to and depended upon for more than my fair share. I don't miss or want anything enough to rush though. I got plenty of time left to find what is right and in the mean time, I seem to have an abundance of right nows. We shall see what happens.

I want to update more, I just haven't found the time. My work is such I spend a good portion away from a desk and computer for the majority of the day. When I get home at night, I am usually spent from putting myself out there all day.

And for now, off into the world I go!

Testing 123! Is this thing on?

2007-05-04T20:41:14Z

I would just like to make a small announcement...

irregularjoe just called with some news...

He passed the fucking bar!

Three cheers for him!

Oh hell yeah, I am out of this office soon and on my way to Baltimore to celebrate!

Got my short pants on...

2007-04-29T16:25:28Z

My School House Rock t-shirt and my sneaks round out the outfit of the day. Getting ready to fire up my princess, throw her top down and head out into the glorious sunshine!

Got an invite to go to a Nats game today, so I offered to drive us all, since the buddy I am going with is providing tickets and the parking pass. They are playing the Mets, we have good seats and are not covered, so yeehaw to the farmer's tan!

If this is what having a life means, and not working all the bloody time, then bring it on, I say!

Choice words

2007-04-26T05:36:05Z

Active. Passive. React. Respond. Accept. Resist.

So many words just floating through my head tonight. So much to reflect on. I love moments like these.

I have felt passive of late. I have felt active in being passive. I sought a job. I got a job. I got my job by posting my resume on a job board. Someone else sought me out. I was found. I was active in responding to the seeker. I was active in marketing myself during interviews. I was passive in allowing the right outcome to happen.

I have come to a place of acceptance. I stopped holding on to people, love, things and ideas. I let them all go. Some are long gone. Some I tossed away willingly. Some may come back to me. Some I may never know the outcome.

I chose to stop resisting changes around me. I chose to see them and accept them and let go of what was not mine. I chose to respond to my life and not react to others.

I have let things come to me as they will. I have opened my eyes, my heart and my mind to new ideas, new people and new paths. They have come.

I gave up the resistance and the fight and the struggle and my will.

I recognized and accepted and surrendered to a power much great than my own.

I actively became passive and allowed the path to unfold before me.

What a wonderful journey this is.

Happy Birthday Wishes!

2007-04-21T13:20:51Z

Happiest birthday wishes go out to my birthday brother, gryphons_hole!

It is rare in life you meet someone so special, who actually gets being a Taurus and all that means...but to meet one that shares your actual birthday...that is incredibly special.

I wish you a great day of celebration, my friend!

Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho!

2007-04-16T11:16:59Z

That is right folks, it is off to work I go!

I am typing this right fast as I head out to work now for my very first day as the project manager with my new company. I am going to be officemates with Ranger Rick. So, for those in the know, it will be immediately clear where I work...the rest will just have to Google my little clue.

I have been off for six solid weeks, it has been like heaven. Mostly, except you don't have money, but I had time and rest and friendship and a much needed rest. Maybe soon, I will post something about my recent adventures, but for now, as I leave for my first day of work, I leave you all a question...

What do you do for work? What is your job title? What do you do everyday? Do you commute? Do you like it? How long have you done it? How did you get started in this field? I just wanna know what other people on my friends list do for a living!

I swiped this idea from bigfundrew, I found his post like this fascinating!

RIP Mr. Drain Snake

2007-04-13T20:15:52Z

Today, I needed to go to Homo Depot. I stopped on my way back from Charm City. I was wearing a rugby shirt, sneakers and plaid pj pants. So what? You wanna make something of it?

I didn't think so...

I ran into this leatherguy I used to work with and then ran into one of the ex's minions. Oh what joy to be dressed like this and seeing those folks. Then it dawned on me, who gives a shit what people I don't really care for think? I mean...really!

But this post is not about them...it is about my drain. My very slow moving drain. My same drain that I paid Roto-Rooter 300 bucks to come and fix last year. The dude used a 25 foot snake last time, so that is what I bought at the Homo Depot. His was electric, I opted for the mid range, metal model.

I got it home and immediately began to set it all up. I fucked with the snake and the drain for over an hour and a heap good manly stink to no avail. I looked up some hints and everything said just be patient. I was. I persisted. I took apart the overflow drain. That all looked fine. I kept pushing the snake into the drain deeper and deeper. I got about 20 feet out. I live in a condo, so twenty feet means it is in the main pipe, not my immediate unit. So, again, I am cleaning up other peoples shit, too!

I felt the snake jerk when I was winding it. It had caught something. I slowly pulled it back. I got most of it wound back when it would not budge. But I knew I had gotten the clog because the water I had put in the tub to tell me when I got it, all sucked right out, nice and fast.

I tugged and tugged. I grunted and tugged. I man-stinked and tugged. I sweated and tugged. Nothing.

So I crawled down there for a closer look and I saw why there was no give.

A hairball, the size of my head, which contained no hair from my head mind you, was trapped just below the drain basket. It was no use. The thing was so big it was not coming out. Unless I could get the basket out.

No go.

So, I got a mallet and screwdriver and broke the little basket apart. Out came the monster.

It was fucking huge.

And man, oh man, did it ever stink!

Dear sweet jesus, it was so nasty.

So then came the next phase, clean up.

I was going to have to cut away the enormous hairball from the end of the snake. Oh dear god...NO! Not with any of my sharp implements.
Fuck that, yo!

So, I figured this little equation out...

Cost of plumber 300 bucks, which I did not spend.
Cost of snake, 13 bucks.
Cost of me having to clean that ginormous, stinky, nasty-ass hairball out of it? Huh, there ain't enough money in the world!

Now I say, rest in peace my little drain snake. We only knew one another for an afternoon. But you served me well.

I shall return soon with a real live update on my life, as I am sure a few of you noticed, I hadn't done in a month or so.

So much to tell...but now, I must scrub my tub and take a much earned shower!

Needed something physical today...

2007-03-14T16:29:25Z

So since I got muscle and but not money...I am laying my own floor today. I am moving right along in the den, it looks terrific.

Will need some help for sure in the living room, since moving furniture alone is kinda hard.

Ahhh, maybe I can get a digital camera in here soon enough to show off the new tile and floor...

Oh, and I should really show off my new rockstar hair...some call it hippie hair...but I think a pretty lady affirmed it for me when she said yeah, it is sexier when after you sleep on it! Get yer minds outta the gutter, that was the night I spent with some special peeps to drive them off to get hitched...

Anyway, back to swinging that rubber mallet and being on my hands and knees!

Must ponder...

2007-03-10T18:25:31Z

My mind is filled with thoughts so deep, I cannot begin to imagine they have a bottom at all...

"From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust neither sorrows nor fears."
--The Dhammapada

Not always all about me...

2007-03-01T14:02:15Z

Yesterday, when I was packing up my desk, I got a call from a club brother. They just all got back from LUEY. I was a little brusk, since I was mired down in my own shit. He said, I just needed to you to know that our brother V is in intensive care. Hospice peeps are at his home now with his partner, preparing for him to come home. Another brother, J is going to ride with him today in the private ambulance that will take him home. To most likely, die peacefully on his farm with his Daddy by his side. I am planning to visit with him on Saturday morning. I know at this point, it is more about being there for his partner than anything. I have so many stories about him and the times we have spent in the Highwaymen together, maybe someday I will share them.

Last night, I met with the model I shot over the weekend. He was quite happy with the results and his partner was actually surprised at how there was really not a bad one in the bunch. I was pleased to turn the disc over to him and have him walk away just a little bit taller, knowing he still hated having his picture taken, but maybe just maybe he thought, I look pretty hot. It is funny when you review a shoot with the models they are always like, I remember that pose, I felt so silly, but wow, it looks amazing. I always use my porn adage, remember when you fuck in private, you don't hold your hands that way, but you do for the camera! Trust me, it will feel weird, but looks really good.

Last night, I got treated to several wonderful gifts. I received a beautiful art glass heart, from a local artisan and a thoughtful card. It came from two wonderful leathermen who think that Dyke Night at the Eagle is just the coolest thing. Thanks Jimmy and Greg.

I also was the recipient of a plate of butch buddy bonding cupcakes, decorated with wry saying candy hearts. As if that was not enough, I got two Polo henleys and a fantastic yellow Polo cable knit v-neck sweater. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and couldn't really say much. But again, thanks not only for the gifties, but for your friendship which amazes me more and more all the time, trystoffateand redindigo!

I think I just might wear that sweater today, as I dutifully go in and help to wrap things up at my office.

What a freaking day!

2007-02-28T01:06:46Z

Went to sleep at 11ish last night, or rather bed I guess I slept...hard to tell in a new surrounding.
Woke up at 4:30, on time and without prompting.
Had coffee and the most amazing blueberry muffins ever.
Drove a special couple to the airport, as they head off to get married in Hawaii.
Sent numerous text messages in support of my fella taking the bar exam today.
Talked to said fella, right before he went in.
Took a short nap.
Called in to the office.
Got dressed in my jeans, Cleveland sweatshirt, workboots and pink argyle socks, for luck.
Drove my ass to the best damned tile place in all of the area.
Bought my foyer tile, concrete and mocha grout.
Took myself to lunch at a fantastic Mexican place, that is the current champ of Cheap Eats awards.
Deposited straggly checks from bar, holidays and such...whopping $650 just sitting in my wallet.
Dropped off 10 rolls of film from photo shoot on Saturday.
Got myself an eye exam.
Discovered I have a pale optic nerve and sluggish eye.
Made follow up appointment with doc to do dilation and investigate further.
Ordered new lenses for 3 pair of older, yet stylish frames.
Ordered new prescription sunglasses, that make me look a lot like the Terminator.
Ordered new glasses, the fine framed floating lens kind...HAWT.
Found a random gift certificate in my wallet and applied it towards the glasses.
Talked to one super good at her job, Dyke Night promoter about the slide show I made and her outfit, of course.
Stocked up on good eats and much needed (and some not) supplies.
Excitedly chatted with a very relieved day one bar examined fella.
Picked up photo shoot picks, they rock.
Grabbed meds from pharmacy.
Snagged the dry cleaning.
Hauled in all the food, tile, concrete, grout and other stuff weighing my little car down.
Put everything away and tidied up a bit.

Now, I am whooped.

Looking through the lens...

2007-02-25T19:21:03Z

I had a photo shoot yesterday. I was out in the winter sunshine and wind for just over 4 hours. I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas ready to take my 12 rolls in for processing. Alas, it looks like the weather will not be cooperating today. I just don't feel like getting out in the snow with all the crazy DC drivers. I am supposed to bartend tonight, I am certainly calling in, it already is not worth it on that shift and today would be crazy to attempt to go in.

The model I worked with yesterday had requested the shoot with me. Initially, he was going to get a pro fashion photographer in NYC to shoot him, but even with the "friend discount" he was gasping for air. I don't quite understand the shock that some people have when you provide a professional service and ask to be paid? I mean, sure, I have done plenty of stuff for friends and received plenty, but still.

I know that ASL interpreters were the chosen people to be kicked around by leather events for a while. What do you mean you won't interpret my contest for 6 hours, alone, with no compensation, just so I can charge deaf people 20 dollars to come?

When the model came back to me and said, hey I want you to do this shoot, because well you are pre-paid and that is better than paying. I am not really pre-paid, the bar covers my costs, but not my time. They then retain the rights to the photos. I have been doing their shoots for years, mainly because I like the art factor. I take the photos, lay them out in all their ads, that I write and design. I like that.

It wasn't as if the model really valued my work or had even noticed it before, he just like the price. That kind of stung me yesterday, in a way I did not like. I guess my choices about life lately have given me some new perspective on just about everything, even things I didn't think about.

He came with his boyfriend and this amazing 1980s Ford 4x4 rusted pick up truck, complete with toolbox in the back. I had the best time shooting this hot little leatherman all around my normal places and this truck.

Fucking awesome.

He was shy, well beyond shy really. He flatly said, I hate having this done, I don't like my picture taken...at all.

Wow, great, that should make for a great time I thought. I offered him coffee and then some hooch, in hopes it might loosen him up a bit. He took the coffee. We talked about his body and what he was and was not comfortable with. What he thought was sexy...which nothing really resonated there. What he wanted me to avoid and what he wanted me to help enhance.

Once we got started it was all good. He got into it a little bit. He had a hard time with some of my instructions. Such as hey, rub your chest and belly in a sexy way. Like you would if you were jacking off or maybe getting head. He just stared blankly at me.

Of course, on my body it was kind of tough to show him how to touch himself. So everytime he grabbed his chest he just kind of cupped it. Oh well, I got some great shots anyway, I think.

One of the cooler parts of yesterday was when a regular patron who had arrived at the end of the shoot, asked how much I would charge to shoot him and his partner. I talked a little about the job and we agreed to a price and are currently looking to set up some time to talk and see what it is they want out of the shoot.

I went to a dinner party last night and had such fun talking to this Navy Seal, who was cut and hot as all hell, about how a cockring could really make his package look bigger. One of the other guys and I got into this conversation about new underpants with a gummi cockring built in with a special pouch to hold it all. Quite fascinating really.

I am thinking maybe once I get some more things cleared off my deck, I will be spending a lot more time behind the camera. Especially my new (yet to be purchased) digital Sony, to replace the one my roommate helped himself to when he left. One of my big goals for this year is to get my dive certifications, so that I can then get my underwater photography certification. I love the water and what lives in it and well, taking pictures.

It feels good to be getting back to my art and being enthusiastic.

preppyperv @ 2007-02-23T21:17:00

2007-02-24T02:17:31Z

Your Daddy Is George Clinton

What You Call Him: Old Man

Why You Love Him: He gives good spankings

Who's Your Daddy?

Well, well, well...looks like I am bringing sexy back!

2007-02-23T22:45:03Z

Your Penis Name Is...

Mr. Potato Head

Penis Name Generator

Well, looky what we have here!

2007-02-23T22:14:53Z

You Are the Very Gay Bert and Ernie!

Two grown puppets living together, sleeping in the same room?
They've even got coordinating striped shirts!

What Gay Childhood Icon Are You?

I coulda told ya that!

2007-02-23T22:02:25Z

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them!

You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you

You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil

How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

How did I get here?

2007-02-22T23:58:13Z

Upon this journey of self discovery, I am finding out who I am not, more often than who I am.

I see who I used to be, very clearly. I can see the mistakes I made plain as day. I can see how I struggled. I see how I used to love.

I am changing, somedays in more noticeable ways than others. Each day is a new chance to move along a little bit further.

Somedays, I am almost unrecognizable to myself. I look in the mirror and stare at my face and into my eyes and wonder, who are you? Where did you come from? How did I become you?

I don't know that life intends for us to answer those great questions.

My intent is to continue on this journey and work to become who I can.

Sadly, I cannot be all things to all people. I cannot be most things or even something to some people. It does not make me defective or bad or wrong, it just makes me...me.

I keep walking ahead, discovering more and more of myself. Sometimes that means I must walk alone. It is hard to leave the ones you love at a crossroads or on the side of the road. It is heartbreaking to think of all the good you had and all you leave behind. It is painful to make choices sometimes. It is bittersweet to recognize what will never come to be.

Yet, today, I am ok feeling lonely at times and missing familiar companionship. I realize the loneliness is a temporary condition that will pass, in due course.

My strength to keep moving comes from deep within my soul, where I know it is the right step to take. As I am often reminded this journey is a step at a time, yet this is life's journey and it can be long. We never know what lies ahead and who might be waiting for us at the next junction and where the whole path leads.

I just walk it.

Want it so bad

2007-02-22T23:33:56Z

I just arrived home from my interview. Can I just say, without a doubt...I want this job!?!

I had a fantastic interview today. I had a great 45 minutes with the VP who manages the consultants and he and I just really hit it off. He is from Dallas, Texas and I was able to say, hey I know good people out there in Dallas!

The company's ethos are in alignment with my own. It is well established, the money is great and well, the commute from my bedroom to my den on most days would be phenomenal. I would be in the office about 12 days a month to complete some of my work. The majority of my work can be conducted off-site. Which is great, since they are selling a product that promotes remote collaboration. I would be flexing every skillset muscle in this one too, which makes it mighty appealing to me. It would bring all parts of my experience into play, at the same time allowing me room to grow and learn.

I don't want to say too much for fear it might not come true, but I sure hope it works out.

He was flying back to Dallas tonight and said I would hear from him later. I told G that we may have to do civil procedure flashcards in the den, so that I can check my email every 6 seconds. That prolly won't happen, but it is nice to know if I need it too, it can.

Keep everything you got crossed people, dude really wants this one...bad!

One week from today...

2007-02-22T03:54:40Z

Will be the 4th Anniversary of Dyke Night at the DC Eagle. Mark your calendars, clear your dance cards and save the date! Wednesday, February 28 at 9pm!

Until the Dyke Night Empress, pegsioux returns with her amazing text, you will just have to suffer while you await more info...

Doh!

2007-02-21T03:46:30Z

Ok, so maybe just maybe, I could be a tad bit more aggressive.

Get yer minds outta the gutter, here!

In the job search, I could be a bit more of a resume slinger. I could be applying for jobs like a mofo, instead I have been networking and replying to those that have found me. Somehow being sought after has been way more satisfying these days than putting myself out there and not getting a response...at all.

Yesterday, I got this email from a company asking for me to interview this week, Tuesday-Thursday and it listed some times. It just said "Hello" at the top, so I figured it was one of those, Hey assemble products at home and make a bundle things I get from some resume sites.

Last night I read it in greater detail, stopping after I saw the qualifications and desired skills and then proceeded to check out the company's website. It looked cool and I decided to follow up today. I wrote out my response today and attached all of my personal details, hoping that it was just not some form letter.

The office is further away from my current location, which I detest. The salary is good and within my asking range. The benefits are great. The travel is all regional. The job is unique. It all looked pretty good.

What I didn't notice upon first glance in the initial email was the line that said, In an effort to keep our employees content and comfortable, we allow full time telecommuting if you do not live within a reasonable distance to the office. Should you choose this as an option, you will be reimbursed up to 159 bucks a month for cell/internet/land line services. I was like holy craparooni, thank the sweet baby jesus I did not blow this one off.

Just about 45 minutes ago, I got a great response from the guy saying he wants to meet me on Thursday at 3:30, since he has a 7:30 flight. He was very happy I had responded, as I was the only one he selected, the rest of the people had applied. I was like, whoa, go me.

Wish me lucks on this one...I am still wanting the one near home too...but if this one worked out I would have some fine choices.

Monday, Monday...on a Tuesday

2007-02-20T17:11:32Z

I don't know why I am sore and stiff today, I merely watched the men working in my place.

I been on and off the phone with my mom all morning, I am her personal tech support. Apparently, I am that to many people. My office mate says, hey will you fix my iPod and another one says hey can you make my laptop work?

I am slightly grumpy today, not sure why. It could be that I had to dash off to work last night instead of staying home and getting more done. It could be that I chose to come to work today instead of having my floor installed. I could be that I decided to tile the foyer and now I have to decide what tile I want and get it before the dudes come this Saturday.

I asked my mom to come up and help me with some decorating (big furniture stuff) decisions, since I have some pieces and she will need to see them. She replied with well come down here instead and we will go to this great furniture place and blady blady blah. I was all in my head going, hey lady you didn't hear me...I want you to come to me and see what I got before we go get more.

Anyway...I love my mom.

I am just growly and grumpy today.

It may be that I am getting impatient on the job search and remodeling fronts.

The little shiny and unexpected part was this wicked ass sex dream I had this morning. It was rather inspiring, it might get me into writing some porn again. Betcha didn't know I was a smut writer didja?

I want a pair...

2007-02-19T23:54:37Z

I swiped this laugh yer ass off clip from builtbyrick