Short

I was having a discussion about whether or not short guys can be hot. As my definitive proof, I hereby submit the following photo. This is my hottie Puerto Rican friend Luis. He is 5'3" tall. And nobody cares!!!!



(If you read this, Luis, I assume you don't mind I posted this pic!!)

Long Term

I have been mainly writing about dating foibles. I have completely been remiss on complaining about the morons at my day job. It's just that it gets so repetitive...

Today, the plant manager stopped by, and started talking about the management team has started working on a 5-year strategic plan. (Yea most companies always do that, but it's a new concept here!) Apparently 5 of the 8 members of the "management team" will be retiring in about 5 years, including the president/owner. I was expecting this to be followed up by a comment about where I see myself in 5 years. As much as I was dreading that, he instead said they are doing ROI analyses. Again, something most companies always do. It ended up being an opportunity to share a humorous anecdote. Nothing significant... I am SO glad I work for a company that isn't even aware of how short-sighted it is! (sarcasm)

My AC is still not working right, so I have been calling them to try to schedule an appointment. Fourth attempt was today. They called back to say they tried coming to fix it this afternoon. Good thing they bothered to TELL ME! Morons. They will try again tomorrow. Having mentioned it the day before might help!

Almost got one

Friday not much happened, so we'll skip to Saturday!

The really cute 22-year-old Brazilian (Diego) was there again. He at least smiled at me this time. But everybody there is after him. Everybody. Even Cris was talking about him to me...

Meanwhile, this too young, too queeny, too how-shall-we-say... pale... guy came over and started talking to me. As some of you may know, I have always had cold hands. One of the things about the Brazilians I have been with is that they are little heat engines, and in addition to just liking to hold hands, it has practical benefits!! The A/C seemed a little chilly in the front area last night, so as it slowed down, I had time to hold my hands in my pants pockets. Which apparently warmed them up fairly well. When queeny boy shook my hand, he commented on how warm they were. As he continued to talk to me, I knew he trying to flirt, but since I was SO not interested, I maintained my stony polite face. He eventually said something about how I'm not very flirty, so I gave my I'm-working-here excuse. I don't think he got the point, but he did run out of energy, and wandered off.

The other security guy was talking to me, and for some unknown reason showed me a pic on his camera of a couple of his friends, and only identified one of them. He was kinda cute. John. John was on the security guy's guest list, so I knew when he came in. About 5'5" I think, bald, really muscular, and I'm guessing Italian. White guy, but not as pale as the queeny guy from earlier! I tried to be a little flirty, but I WAS working, and kept getting sidetracked by people who wanted to come in (damn customers). At one point, John headed to the bathroom. When he came back, queeny guy was flirting with him. Oh crap.

But then, fate smiled upon me in a grandly fortuitous manner! John said he was cold because the A/C was so strong. Queeny guy gave him a hug but then mentioned how warm MY hands were, and sent him over to me! So, I first went to shake his hand, but John moved in for me to hold him. So I held him! Then more damn customers showed up, and I lost the moment. A little while later, queeny guy had disappeared, but John was still chatting up front with the security guy. Then the straight guy I've mentioned before showed up. He hadn't been there in a while, and he was in full socialize mode. As usual, mostly talked about the incongruity of him being straight yet at a gay bar. But he was talking with John! A female (friend of his?) was there, too, kind of encouraging the odd straight guy out of his element conversation, which ended up somehow turning to a I'll show you mine if you show me yours, but not really, but it was confusing. Security guy made a quip about it looked like John was gonna hook up with straighty (Seth, actually). I said, "But I want him!" Security guy asked, "Seth?" I said NO - JOHN! By this point John was looking chilled again, so I offered to hold him again. He came over for me to hold. First in that face to face consoling stance, so I kissed him on the neck. Then he turned around, so it was more of a couple-in-public position. I said, as light-heartedly as I could, "What are you doin' tonight?" He got a surprised, but good-surprised look on his face.

Around 1:30 he was talking to security guy, and must have been either discussing their interest in eating, or my interest in John, and John turned to me and asked if I'd be interested in going for breakfast. I said Definitely! Sec-guy asked where we should go. John offered to make breakfast back at his place. This looked promising! But then around 1:45 John said good night and left. I was like "But... what?... I don't... but... what??" Sec-guy said he thinks John didn't want to wait for him to finish work at 2:20. Mind you, he never helps with clean-up afterwards, and always leaves right at 2. I don't have clean-up duties at the front desk, so I cash out at 1:30, and am all ready to leave at 2 as well. Dammit. I didn't even get his phone number. Maybe he'll stop in again next weekend.

Since nothing was gonna happen, I ended up hanging out with the rest of the staff. We actually were there until about 5 am again. But around 2:15 the phone rang. It was straighty looking for an 'after-hours'. Now, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on the coming to gay bars because it's more friendly. But to call the gay club to ask about an after-hours party is crossing into the "I got SO drunk one night..." territory. Crazy.

Fuchsia!

Have you seen the gay Usher commercial?? It's for Macy's. Usher is wearing a lovely fuchsia outfit, handing out samples of his women's cologne at a Macy's store, when Martha Stewart shows up. They hang out for a while, and he even whips out a "Girl!" I have always had a little crush on Usher (of course), and it is great to see him embrace his inner homo!!

Brady

Stumbled across a cute little article on the Onion website. Poking fun of the videotaped cheating thing, they twisted it to make it more exciting for those of us who were only checking out the guys anyway...

Shower scene

Philadelphia

Friday I went on a quick road trip with Brad and Cris, and Brad’s good friend Rick. Rick is a big fan of the ancient Egyptian art and artifacts, so was quite excited to go to the Tutankhamun exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The museum itself is a science museum with big plastic representations of scientific properties that you can “learn” about. The King Tut exhibit is on loan from the Egyptian antiquities office, and has some very stunning items.

We got into town a little after 11pm on Friday. This being my first Friday off from work at the club in almost 3 months, I said I wanted to go clubbing. Cris was quick to join in. Brad was too tired. So, Cris and I went to Shampoo. Philly has a LOT of one-way streets in the downtown area, so getting close to where you want to be doesn’t necessarily help much. We did a lot of driving to narrow in on where we needed to be. Friday night is apparently an ‘ethnic’ night there. The lower level was latino music, and the upper level was very rap/hip-hop. I was one of about 5 total white people in the building. There were definitely a few cuties there, but not as many as you are probably thinking. And despite being fresh-meat, and fairly day-glo in hue, nobody noticed me. Which can be attributed to one of two things: (A) That’s just the way it always is. (B) I was there with Cris, so they assumed the only reason I would be there in the first place is because I was “with” him – since the lack of other whites would imply that they normally only show up on the heels of a partner. Of course, I wasn’t looking too hard for options, myself. Partly because I would not be able to do anything with anyone, and partly because I was harboring fantasies about Cris leaning over and making out with me. But that never happened either. If it were to ever happen, this would be the optimal environment. Zero chance of anyone we know ever finding out. We did a little bump and grind for one song, but that was it. The usual good-night kiss, of course, but “usual” means just that.

After 6 hours of sleep, got up, got ready, the four of us went to Denny’s, then headed to the museum. It was a fun day, and the Tut exhibit was amazing. To look at a bead-inlaid gold necklace that was almost guaranteed to have been worn during the Pharaoh himself during an actual ceremony of some sort, like 3200 years ago, gives you chills. And most of the items were in amazingly good condition. Painted wooden figurines looked like they could have been on the shelf at Home Goods last week; though the skill and detail on these just blow away anything that is made nowadays. On our way driving back home, we stopped at Chili’s, just outside Hartford. The waiter was really cute.

I got home about 10:30, which was a little earlier than anticipated. Cris (slept part of the way home) decided to go out to the club that night. Brad decided to let him go, but turned to me and said he had been upset with Cris for going out the night before. I quickly said that last night was entirely my fault (Cris would not have thought of it if I hadn’t brought it up, and had a map), but Brad was like “well he didn’t have to go”. I would not have gone alone. But Saturday, again having the rare night off from work, I decided to go, as well. Plus, with all the heavy meals I had eaten that day, a little exercise would do me good. Of course, everybody working there got all grouchy that I took the night off, then came in. I tried to explain that I HAD been out of town, but they didn’t really care. Ronny saw someone there he was interested in, so went over, talked, got a number, they went back to his place after close. I still don’t understand why that can never work for me. Anyone I approach is either unavailable, flaky, creeped out, or just wants to be friends. I’m reminded of a line from a Will & Grace episode (celebrity auction) where Jack says to Will, “Stop it, Will! America doesn’t want to think of you as sexual!”

Sunday I sat down and read “Michael Tolliver Lives” by Armistead Maupin. It is billed as a separate novel, but any Tales of the City fan will tell you it’s book seven. Sadly, it feels like an epilogue. And the 9/11 and American Idol references feel anachronistic coming from our favorite 70’s libertines, even though it is set in 2005 or 2006. There are earlier books in the series that made me cry more, but it was definitely a worthwhile book! A friend also forwarded me his new blog address, so I looked that up. It linked to a myspace page for Gregory Keith, who connects to Darryl Stephens. His page says that Noah’s Arc is simply on hiatus while they put together a feature film. I had heard it was cancelled, and was nearly apoplectic, so that is really good news!

Lay to Rest

Saturday was insanely busy at the club. I didn't end up having much breathing time to talk to anyone. But Carlos, Marcelo, and Junior were all there. Junior got drunk, and just went home in a fog (his roommate drove). Marcelo did not call on Saturday, but that night as they were leaving, he Again said he would call "tomorrow". I said, "Promise?" and he said yes and shook my hand. Needless to say, he did not call on Sunday. I did, however, speak with Ronny, who said that while they were all dancing he tried to push Marcelo a little, and Marcelo said that he is into Brazilians, and doesn't want an American. How dare he???? Stay home, then...

Carlos, as Ronny told me as well, was not interested in me - again - but went home with Sebastian, one of Brad's former ex'es. (Brad had gone on about how hot his ex Sebastian was, and when I met him didn't connect who it was at first because I did not find him attractive AT ALL. But you already know how picky I can be!)

Sunday I had to work again. A total cutie showed up. I asked for ID, and out came the green passport. Yup, you guessed it, another Brazilian. He was only 22, but so cute, I had to tell him he was cute. He got that slightly freaked out yet polite look on his face and uttered a slight nervous laugh.

Meanwhile, the DJ on Saturday thought my buzzcut was HOT. He's implied a desire to have sex, as well, but I'm not into him. I need to find someone who likes me that I also like back.

Second Attempt

Thursday night when I got back from the gym, I decided to buzz my hair off again. (See the Vegas trip posts from April for a sample photo.) Went in the bathroom, took the rugs out, got the vacuum ready, got the clippers out, prepped the trash bag, the shower, and got undressed. Started up the clipper, and I took a big chunk out over my right ear. Then the clipper kind of died. The blades just gave out. They would vibrate the hair, not cut it. This is a scary moment. Drastic changes are one thing, but half-way through, it looks pretty scary. I did the only thing I could at that point. I called my ex, Ronny. I asked him to run to the store and buy a new clippers for me. He was still at work (8:30), but left few minutes early to get to WalMart before they closed. He calls from the store to ask if I want the 40, 30, 25, or 15 dollar one. I asked what name the $40 was, and he said W-A-H-L. I said Perfect, get that one. He owed me $50 anyways, so not only did I get a new clippers, but he also gave me $10! It sliced the rest of my hair off like a hot knife through warm butter!

As I mentioned, I did this in April, so this was the second time. Same comb, even (1/8"). This time, however, elicited a much stronger response from a wider array of people. Coworkers at my day job, who would have seen the April version, were shocked! I had not been working at the club at that point, so it was more understandable that the coworkers there were shocked as well. Alex was working security in the back, while I was front door again. After closing, he told me that tons of people were asking him about me; am I single, yadda yadda. He said he kept telling them to talk to me themselves. The only one who did, though, was some annoying little 18 year old asian girl.

Marcelo was there again, as well. He apologized for not calling back last week. He said his phone wasn't working. Yeahhhhh. Whatever. As he was leaving, he gave me a kiss. I asked if I'd get to spend time with him. He said he'd call Saturday. We'll see if that actually happens!

SCB was back. He was with some ugly chick again, so I didn't get a chance to return his shirt. I may end up keeping it, at this rate. Of course, as front door, I don't get to see any of the goings-on, so I can't say if he is still going shirtless most of the night. *sigh*

More strike-outs

I had been in contact with a cute latino on Match, Eli, but he was not good at setting an actual time to meet up. Last week, I sent another message just seeing how things were going, and his reply was one of those "I'm SO busy, you have no idea how busy I am, I am omigod so busy, SO busy." Yeah, I know what that means. I sent a message back saying I was sorry to hear how busy he is, and to gimme a ring when he has time. Have not heard back.

Friday I got a phone number from another Match prospect in the Boston area. Brazilian guy named Marcel. I replied that I'd call over the weekend. That night was pretty dead at the club, but the hunky older guy was there, without his significant other. I tried to be as flirty as I could, but to no avail. He may be the faithful type, so I am not counting it as a full strike-out, but still...

Saturday was much busier, though there were not a lot of good options for me. One cutie, though. Brazilian. Knew Ronny and Junior. His name is Marcelo. He seemed interested, but said he had driven, and had to take his friends home. So, we swapped phone numbers, and he said to call Sunday.

Sunday I went over by Ronny and Junior. Cristiano made a bunch of food, and they had another (smaller) cookout with the neighbors. I called Marcelo, no answer, left a message. I mentioned to Ronny later that he wasn't calling back, and Ronny said he thinks Marcelo is a bottom. Now, why that would make any difference in whether or not he calls back would depend entirely on what other people had told him since we swapped phone numbers. Later that night, still a little wired from being around Junior all day, I called Marcel (the Match one, not Marcelo). We spent about two hours on the phone, and made plans to meet up for lunch on Monday.

Monday I drove to Boston, we spent the afternoon together, had a nice time. But there wasn't much ZING. At the end of the date, we starting 'discussing' what the next step should be. It was getting tedious, so I said that if we were right for each other we wouldn't be talking about it. Nice guy, had a great time, but just not the one for me. And it was mutual. I tried Marcelo again, again to no success. That night I also sent a quick note to David ("the white guy") to see how his trip to PTown was. He replied that he has decided to start a relationship with someone else that he had been seeing. I lost that interview...

I had also called Luther to see what they were up to, and if we could hang out. He didn't answer, I left a message, he didn't call back. Will also called from Colorado, to say he was going to Vegas in October, and asked if I could join him. With my pathetic lack of vacation time, and costs of flights, I don't see that working out. And I got an email from Luis; he is no longer living in Hawaii, so I missed my chance to visit there with a local contact (who had a condo in Waikiki and a Mercedes convertible - how fun would that be!?). And to top it all off, I didn't win the lottery, AGAIN.