Mid-Week Thoughts
Good Morning all!
It’s a bright, sunny March Wednesday out, so far, and I thought I’d drop a few notes about some stuff that’s been rattling around in my noggin these past few days.
On Monday, Nate and I had a chance to meet up with a fellow blogger and resident of the North End. His name is Brian. You can find out more about him at:
We had a lovely time, meeting up for coffee and wandering around our neighborhood. Brian led us through a side of the North End we don’t normally visit – the area between Christopher Columbus Park and North Square, for those who are familiar with the ‘hood – and we discovered a lovely little market down there which Nate and I will be going to more often. It was really, really nice to meet a fellow member of the Tribe that lives in this uber-macho neck of Boston, and to have him turn out to be also level-headed, easy to talk to, and just all-around good natured and good humored was a pleasant surprise. We will certainly be seeing him again!
Yesterday was a trip to Nate’s grandmother’s for another AWESOME home-cooked Italian dinner with his family. I got to spend time with his aunt Carol, and the new niece of the family, Tracey, which is always a good time (I’m a sucker for babies), and actually found myself connecting a little with his other niece, Jade. I don’t know why, but maybe it’s because she’s now the oldest sibling that I understand some of her behaviors better. I was the oldest of two – we’re not sure how many baby Browns that Jade will preside over – but, as those of you who are also eldest siblings know – there is a certain level of responsibility, of expectation, and effort that goes into being the eldest one. In any case, I got to teach Jade to say please AND bat her lovely eyelashes whenever she needed something from me. It works like a champ every time!
On another note, I’m in the process of making plans to attend Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, in South Boston. I have put out the word to those who follow me on Twitter (ukthom) or Facebook, and have got a few people on board. I did, however, get one response from a fellow Twitter follower that made me do a little thinking, and I will talk a little bit more about that later. There’ s a certain level of history regarding this specific parade in terms of being a member of the GLBT family, and my time has run too short this morning to talk about it. Maybe I’ll post about it tonight, or tomorrow.
The school app is being sent off tonight, as well. Here’s to being nervous about that!
I also have managed to secure an appointment for my travel shots at Beth Israel Deaconess’ Travel Clinic here in Boston. I’ll be all shot up with the interesting vaccines one must take when traveling to certain countries next week, so that ought to be interesting as well. I’m SO excited to have finally started putting the ball into motion regarding this trip, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve had a few rough ideas about how to best present the trip, and everything about it, to you all, so stay tuned for happenings with the blog. I’m thinking I might try to implement WordPress MU, if that’s a hint…
Anyway, time IS short, and I must fly to work. Have a wonderful rest of your week, and I’ll post again soon!
XX
Thom
SoundByte 60
Sixty episodes? Really?? This week’s show is an Early Monday Edition again – but there’s a good reason for it. Updates, music, thoughts, and all the stuff you come to expect from your favorite Boston podcaster are all in this show this week. Thanks for downloading and enjoy!
This Week’s Music:
- Shades of Love – Josh Gallahan
- Future Memories – ATB
- Wishlist – Pearl Jam
- To Love Somebody – Nina Simone
- Single – Natasha Beddingfield
- Proud Mary – Tina Turner
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Beacon Hill Early Spring Pictures
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As promised, here are some snaps I took while wandering through Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. Enjoy!
If I Could Turn Back Time…
…I’d totally smackdown the stupid fifteen year old who thought smoking a cigarette was a brilliant idea. I’d take him by the chubby throat, and scream at him, eyes blood-shot, rage (think 28 Days Later) blowing bits of spit and sputum into his face. Yeah, it’s that kind of anger that the withdrawals cause.
This giving up smokes thing is for the birds. I wouldn’t wish this struggle on anyone. I know, I’ve been updating Facebook with little positive-ish thoughts, and it’s been great to get the support and feedback from everyone. Still, last night made it two nights in a row I haven’t slept solidly through it all. I know it’s because of nicotine, and truly, I want nothing more than to have my body and my brain back under my own control. I know, though, if I persevere, and remember to take deep breaths, and do all the healthy things I should do to distract myself from it all, I’ll be a better, healthier person on the other side.
My biggest reasons to quit:
- Health (obviously)
- I don’t want to work a second job to support the habit
- I don’t want to be a social pariah who is relegated to going outside, alone, just to fix a craving.
- I’d like to taste/smell things as they should be.
- I want to have no hinderance on being able to do the things I want to do (physically).
I think, in the turn-back-time machine, I’d try to accomplish other things too, but for now, just having that stupid younger version of me look at Ben, the kid who gave me my first Camel Light, that fateful day we were in the woods in Salem, Maine, and say, “No, I’d rather not smoke. I don’t care how stressed out my life is right now. I really don’t want to pick up that habit.”
I can’t even begin to imagine how much money I’d have saved by never picking it up, let alone what shape my body would be in today if I didn’t have smokes holding me back. I suppose it’s a lesson best learned at some point, regardless of when in one’s life.
-Thom
A New Tuesday
Get Moving
So, I woke up this morning, at my usual 5:30, but unlike most mornings I’ve had over the past 17 years, I did not immediately go outside for a cigarette. No, no. Instead, I put the new sneaks (as seen above) I had got last week, and decided that I needed to get a little walk in before starting my day.
It wasn’t much of a walk – RunKeeper marked it at 2.35 miles. It honestly felt like a good way to start my day. Far better than any rolled, dried tobacco product could ever make me feel. Next time, though, I’m thinking of bringing my camera. There are some amazing colors in the sky in the morning – pinks, purples, blues, grays – that I would love to capture and share. It did feel awesome, however, to get out and be on the move this morning. I didn’t sleep that well last night, which I think is going to happen as my body adjusts to the new chemistry going on inside it. Still, I feel alive, full of fresh air, and have a rediscovered bounce in my step.
In other news, my time off request was approved, so now I need to get the ball rolling with regards to shots and prepping to go to Ethiopia. I’ve got a few months yet, but I still need to get things in line.
In any regard, here’s to a better way to start my day, and to hoping you all have a good one too!
-Thom
SoundByte 59
Good Morning All! It’s an Early Monday Edition of the show, so nevermind my bedroom voice and groggy tone. Today’s show is just a few updates, and the reason why I decided to wait till March 1 to record a show. Hope you all enjoy, and thank you so much for downloading!
This week’s music:
- Don’t Rain on My Parade – Bobby Darin
- Baby When The Lights Go Down – David Guetta featuring Cozi
- Swept Away – ATB
- To Love Somebody – Nina Simone
- The Storm (Inpetto Remix) – Jerry Ropero featuring Cozi
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Going to Ethiopia
Dagim (L) and Moses (R)
Last night, Nate and I had the opportunity to meet up with a couple from my college years at UNH. Brett and Christine, and their two sons Moses and Dagim, met us at the Friendly Toast in Cambridge for a meal, and to discuss the idea of me going with Christine to Ethiopia in a few months. Up until I saw the faces on those two amazing boys, my heart wasn’t too sure the trip was a good idea.
There were lots of questions on my mind, and I was very unsure about whether or not going would be a good thing. Then, I got to see the boys, and my heart melted. Moses is four, Dagim is six, and they are just about as smiley and silly as boys at that age could ever be. They were affectionate, honest, bright-eyed, and to Christine and Brett’s credit, they were also supremely well-behaved and respectful. Who knew a four-year-old would know enough to say “Excuse me” whenever he had to ask a question but needed to interrupt the adult conversation!! Dagim also was very proud of how high he could count, and knew his alphabet like a champ. When we were parting ways, the boys were so nice, gave both Nate and I hugs, and waved to us until we were out of sight. I do believe they took a little piece of my heart, and it was very easy to see why Brett and Christine made the decision to give these two a better chance at life here in America than what they had going for them in an orphanage in Ethiopia. It was their bright smiles, and happy faces, that made the decision to go with Christine an easy one.
The plan for the trip is still in the formative stages, but from what I gathered last night, we’re going to shoot to go around the end of May for the two weeks that straddle Memorial Day. We’d be staying in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, for a few days to acclimate to the time change, and to get out and see what’s around in that city. Then, we’ll be moving onto Mekele, where Christine’s friend is setting up an orphanage for children with HIV. It’s there where we will be staying, in a guest house owned by the orphanage. Security is good, as is the sanitation facilities, which is always good to check on when traveling to such places. Our time there will be spent helping around the place, but also going out for day trips to see the area, and to take photos, and for me, to do some serious writing.
I still need to make an appointment to get all my travel shots. I also need to firm up the dates to take off from work. I’ve run the plan by my supervisor initially, who was very supportive of the idea, so that’s a bonus. May at the publishing job is not too busy, as it’s primarily when schools are getting out, and just settling their budgets for the next year – and not spending too much money on textbooks yet. I would need to take most, if not all, of my vacation time to do this trip, but it’ll be worth it. I didn’t take much last year, and it rolled into this one, as far as I know, so I’ll need to sort that out, too.
There is a lot about Ethiopia that is scary when I looked it up online. It is, after all, a developing nation, with loads of social and economic problems. I mentioned this to Christine last night, and though she understood my concerns, she reassured me that it wasn’t as bad as the books and websites claim. Yes, you need to be aware of what you’re doing and where you are, but no more so than if you were to fly to Berlin or Prague, or anywhere else for that matter. American money goes VERY far in Ethiopia, which is good to know, and from what Christine was telling me, the people are generally easy-going and friendly.
I truly believe this will be a great opportunity for me, not only to see another country, but to prepare myself for going back to school. I don’t know what I’ll be seeing, or what emotions I will experience while over there, but I’m curious, and it’s that sense of curiosity, as well as the sense of adventure, that’s getting me very piqued about going. Of course, as more details come up, I’ll be sharing them here.
For now, its Monday, and I do need to get ready for work. I’m at both jobs today, so it’ll be a long day, but doing the two jobs is only for a short couple of weeks. This I know, and it feels VERY good.
SoundByte 58
So, this week’s show goes all over the place. I’ve got more news to share, all of it good, as far as I can tell, and I go into a little bit more detail about when Nate and I first met (Thanks to Julian from FoulMonkeys for the suggestion via Twitter). Thanks again for downloading, and be sure to check out the blog to make a donation to my mom’s massive bike ride for the American Lung Association!
This Week’s Music Pick’s:
- Music Sounds Better With You – Stardust
- Rose Rouge – St. Germaine
- Love Will Find You – ATB
- Clear Blue Water (Ferry Corsten Remix) - OceanLab
- I Love You (Cosmic Gate Remix) – Kyau and Albert
- Shades of Love – Josh Gallahan
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Support My Mom!
So, those of you who grew up in a very rural area of the country will have an appreciation for the bicycle. As a kid in a small town in rural Maine, my bike was my ticket out of the house, and the means to go exploring, visit friends, and simply get around without relying on anyone else but yourself, at least until you got your license. I have many, MANY fond memories of bike rides that would last from early in the morning until the sun went down. My mom shared this passion with us as kids, not only making sure we knew how to ride a bike at an early age, but also supplying my brother and I with new bikes as often as she and my dad could afford to do so. We learned how to maintain them, and would ride the hell out of them, especially on the trails and dirt roads that surrounded our house.
It’s in this spirit, and with this in mind, that my Mom has taken bike riding to a new level.
My mother has decided that she’s going to do something she’s never done before, and as a proud son, I wanted to do my part. In the sidebar on the right, you’ll see a little ad for the Trek Across Maine, a fundraising event for the American Lung Association. This event is best described from their website:
The Trek is a three-day bicycle ride held annually on Father’s Day weekend in June. The ride is approximately 180 miles across Maine, from the mountains of Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel to the coastline in Belfast, Maine. We have overnight stops at the University of Maine in Farmington and Colby College in Waterville.
That’s right: 180 MILES of bike riding!
Though I’m not able to take part in the event myself, along side her, I wanted to do my bit to show her a little love. She’s trying to raise $500 as her pledge. I know we can all help her a little bit, so if you click on the button to the right, you will be taken directly to her pledge page, where you can give as much as you can to help her reach her goal.
I am so proud of her for doing this!
SoundByte 56
Hey all! It’s another Early Monday Morning show! We had an awesome weekend, which I recap, and reveal a little bit about where I’m at, both in my head, and looking forward. Thanks for downloading the show, and look for more posts on the blog – I don’t do it enough, I know.
XX
Thom
This Week’s Music:
- By Your Side: Melina
- My Feeling: Junior Jack
- Bliss (Alpha 9 Club Mix): Alpha 9
- My Saving Grace: ATB
- Feel Your Love: Kim Sozzi
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Having Returned
We needed that. We needed the chance to re-connect, to break away, and to take a breath. Our trip to Provincetown, MA over last weekend provided us with the perfect opportunity to do all we were missing during the holiday season last year. We shared each other’s company, we got out in the fresh air, we shared a few drinks, ate a fabulous meal or two, and took a few deep, well-earned breaths of fresh January air.
Below is some of the evidence of our little excursion:
Click for more!
I needed the chance to refocus my energies on the things that I began shortly after our last trip to Provincetown last October. I came back from that trip with a heightened sense of ability, a realization that our life was too damn confined and limited, and a real drive to move forward. This trip served as a refresher of those exact same feelings. I was able to jot down some thoughts while we were there, in a little composition book that I kept with me for most of our trips out. I was able to take a step back, and work on building up my own confidence in my abilities, and now realize that the only thing standing in my way is myself, even more than I thought before this trip. In fact, I realize more clearly now that I need to finish what I’ve started, not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of Nate, and our relationship. He deserves a chance at a life better than the one we have currently, and it’s my responsibility, not only as his husband, but as a man who owes so much to him, to provide for him, and for us. I can do that, as long as I am able to take the massive leap of faith in myself that needs to happen.
There’s so much going on in my head right now. I’m feeling myself stumbling over what to write, even here. I suppose, for now, I’ll stop, and go into more detail on my next podcast, which will probably be sometime this week, if not on next Sunday. For now, I’m just going to let the after-glow of the long weekend away continue to wash over me, and not get too wound up about things. Being overly anxious only serves to stand in my way when dealing with what lies ahead for me.
-Thom
The People We Know…
So, since around Thanksgiving…actually, since we got back from Provincetown last October, Nate and I have made a concerted effort to get out and meet new people. Along the way, we’ve met some fantastic guys and been out to some of Boston’s best establishments that serve a good drink, and create a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for us to be ourselves. I wanted to take a few bytes of space on this blog to do a little favor for a couple of guys who also have podcasts on the web.
Sean M Johnson
Sean K and Sean J (left to right)
Sean is a post-graduate teaching fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts school here in Boston. He and I met online, through a shared appreciation for photography. One conversation led to another, and on Thanksgiving day, he invited Nate and I to come to his house for a little post-feast party. I’m so glad we went! Sean, and his partner Sean, his roommate Jen, and the circle of guys that surround Sean J have all been really, really nice people, and have welcomed Nate and I into the social circle. Each of them possesses a creative streak. They’re also very independent-minded, and bring to the table something different, be it a perspective, an opinion, or a certain style. I mention Sean J specifically because he has just launched a podcast of his very own. I have included a link to it below, but also recommend you visit his website, listed in the sidebar under Family and Friends on the Web. Be warned, though, his site is NSFW, or for the faint of heart, but I highly recommend visiting it, and taking a few minutes to see what Sean has created, and what he’s caught through the eye of his lens.
Queer Art F*g Podcast (via iTunes)
Joseph Colbourne
I met Joe through Sean J (see above), when we attended the party on Thanksgiving Day. The first conversation I had with Joe went in a really great direction, as we talked about our future, what we wanted to do, and the direction we were going to take. Joe is also a local sort-of celebrity, having been listed as Boston’s Best DJ/Dance for 2009 (evidence is here: The Boston Phoenix). He also has his own blog, and podcast. I have had the pleasure of going to some of the shows Joe DJs at, and his music is of the sort you can lose yourself in, or enjoy simply as a background to a decent night out, or in a deep conversation. He has lots of energy, and his intense personality is very charming. I do recommend having a listen to his podcast, too, and going to check out his pages (via his blog).
DJ Joseph Colbourne (via iTunes)
These guys, and the friends we’ve made/met over the past few months have been a real uplifter to the usual drear and cold of a Boston winter. Hanging out with them has reminded Nate and I that we are not as alone as it sometimes feels, and that there are really decent people to meet out there, if only we have the courage to do so.
-Thom
So Many Thoughts
So, I’ve just spent the last hour doing research. I’m trying to build the bibliography I had mentioned in an earlier post, and I’ve discovered a side of me that I forgot was there – my inquisitive side. Digging deeper into citations, the reference lists of various scholarly articles, and pouring over documents that I could find online has proven to be not only successful, but as I go deeper, and dig further, I find myself smiling. Truly smiling. I want to go further with this, I want to see where this line of inquiry takes me.
I also want to see how it affects the writing I do. My goal is to broaden and deepen the writing I’m already doing. I’m still searching for the right tone/voice for my characters. For me, having a past, a sense of place, and a history to draw from helps in understanding who my characters are.
Of course, now it’s just after 7am, and I need to put it all on hold to go to work. ARGH!!! Such is the frustration of my life these days. I suppose getting up a little earlier might work – though I’m up at 5:30am as it is just to give myself this small window of time already. It just reminds me, daily, how different I want my life to be from what it is today. Someday, soon I hope, I will be living in a world where I set my own schedule, to a point, and where I can take the time/space I need to follow both my head, and my heart, and not just go chasing a paycheck.
SoundByte 51 Inter-Holiday Show
Today’s show is all a reflection on our Christmas, with a little peek into New Year’s and the resolutions I have. I wanted to extend a warm thank you to everyone who follows me on here, listens to the show, and offers such amazing support and friendship. Thank you to all, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Today’s Music:
- Song For a Winter’s Night – Sarah McLachlan
- My Favorite Things – Herp Albert and the Tijuana Brass
- Sleigh Ride – Herp Albert and the Tijuana Brass
- Christmas is Coming – Vince Guaraldi
- My Saving Grace – ATB
- I Remember – Deadmau5
- LA Nights – ATB
- Time After Time – Sarah McLachlan and Cindy Lauper
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Post Christmas 2009
It’s a rainy, warm day here in Boston today. It’s a day that’s kind of grabbed my thoughts, and won’t seem to let go. I don’t know if I’m just decompressing from the crazy time that was two weeks before Thanksgiving up till now, or what it is, but I can’t seem to shake myself out of it. I woke up today with tons of thoughts in my head. Perhaps it’s just a good day to write, to get some of it out, like releasing the steam on a pressure cooker, and maybe take a walk in the rain. I’m not sure yet, but I can feel something brewing.
I’m totally looking forward to next year, both on a personal level, and from the perspective of being one half of a happily married couple. Nate and I had a fairly topsy-turvy year last year, but things finally took a nice swing in a positive direction, and by all accounts, we’re still moving in a positive direction. We are now preparing for our winter break away from reality, as we are headed to Provincetown for a long weekend in the stunning silence of January on the outer cape. I know we’ve been making lots of social connections lately, but truth be told, I’m ready to recharge my batteries. I’m going to be using our little getaway not only as a chance to finally celebrate our first anniversary as a married couple and nine years of being together, but also as a chance to put my real desires and plans for the new year out there. I don’t know what that means completely, but I know there are a few things that could happen next year that would be more positive steps in the right direction, for both us as a couple, and me as a part of that relationship.
I’m talking vague here…There will be more details to share as they unfold, I promise. For now, I’m going to do a little writing, record a show, and if the mood strikes me still, I might take a little venture out in the rain. The stuff I’m made out of floats more than melts, so I know a little rain won’t hurt me.
XX
Thom
And So That Was Christmas
Click for More
Christmas 2009 has come, and now gone, and what a whirlwind it was getting here! The last two months (since about the first of November till now) has been nothing short of a marathon for Nate and I, especially in terms of work, time spent apart, and trying to meet a lot of expectations placed on us from the outside.
In the end, we did the best we could to get in touch with family and friends, and spend time with those we love, and somehow strike a balance between time to enjoy the holidays and time spent preparing/working so others can enjoy them. Honestly, I am ready for a different tradition – maybe one that involves a lot less prep work and more time just reflecting on the year past, and reconnecting with friends and family. I’m ready for a change from the buy-buy-buy, hustle-hustle-hustle, run-run-run of the Christmas that currently exists, and maybe return to a simpler time, when the central focus of the holiday was time spent with loved ones…
Ah, but I’m just becoming more and more cynical as I get older. I realize and accept that.
All in all, it was a good day spent with Nate’s family. I had a chance to reconnect with many of his cousins, and get updated as to what they’re all up to. I got to see his grandmother, who was holding up quite nicely since the passing of her husband, enjoy and relish the time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I got to meet a new member of the family (HELLO GRAEME BAXTER!) and am highly anticipating another new member in February (CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU BABY BROWN!). I also was able to witness Nate enjoying some time with his family, which for me, after seeing the stress and strain that working at a grocery store through the holidays can cause, was very satisfying. He was able to relax, and really just enjoy the day.
Now, my attention has turned to the New Year, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Here’s to a bright 2010!
Visions of Winter from the UK
I got a lovely picture from my friend Kaye Durant, a former colleague of mine from Springwood High School. She, and the rest of the gang at that school, enjoyed a lovely snow day yesterday, as apparently, snow does fall in England – sometimes. I begged her for a copy of this photo, with the promises of fame and fortune if I could post it on my blog. Enjoy!
Silly Little Video at Christmas
Hey all! This is a poorly shot video of the Christmas parade in Boston’s North End! Rather funny how these parades tend to just appear on us, and we have no warning of them at all!
So, Why Do I Want to Join the Gym?
This was the question posed by my brother-in-law, Ben, last night, while we were at Ma ‘n Pa Brown’s house for dinner. Nate and I have decided that we need to get to the gym, as a couple, and really do something about how we feel about our bodies. Both he and I have certain goals we want to achieve, and as a personal trainer, Ben wants to help us achieve them. Nate was pretty clear to his brother about what it is he wants out of a membership to the gym. I, on the other hand, was not. Well, not to my standards, anyway. So, like a good blogger/writer, I’m here to hash it out on the page, right in front of you all.
I have been off and on at gyms for the past ten years of my life. It started as a way to control my weight while I was at UNH. It was part of my huge weight loss, and I attended the gym every other day, doing a small circuit of weight training. At that time, it was all about weight loss for me, so I never supplemented my work outs with any substantial diet that would allow for muscle development. I just wanted to be skinny. It wasn’t actually very healthy for me to be at the gym at that point, but it became an obsession for me.
Then I stopped. I stopped attending UNH all together, actually, and fell out of my routine at the gym.
A couple of years and a bad relationship later, I joined yet another gym in Portsmouth, NH. This time, it was all about getting sexy. I wanted to be the hottest boy to walk into the bar or the club. I wanted to shed some of the extra depression weight I had put on in the bad relationship, and for the most part, I did. But, again, I also put myself on a very, very restricted diet, and shed a ton of weight, plus I was working at a job that had me running on my feet all the time, and was about a forty-five minute walk away from where I lived, as I didn’t have a car at that point in my life. So, basically, the gym became something I didn’t really go to, and so I dropped my membership.
Then, the next time I joined a gym wasn’t until I graduated college in 2003. Nate and I had moved to Maine, and I was working a desk job. I had noticed my rear end was going very east-west, as I sat at my desk, and basically didn’t move all day. I didn’t have a walking regime, and I was feeling pretty let down about life after college. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted. So, I joined the local YMCA, and started to go. I didn’t really stick to that either, but it did give me a small outlet for my frustration. Again, I wasn’t supporting my gym work outs with any sort of diet, but this time, I think the gym helped me to focus my thoughts, and realize that I wasn’t happy where I was working. I ended that membership when I decided to go back to school, and we moved back to NH.
Then, the next time I joined a gym was when we were in England. I had made a drunken promise to run a 10k race, and needed to build some endurance in order to be able to complete it. I was doing some training in terms of running, but I wanted to also have some reserve muscle mass in order to carry me through the race. I also joined with a co-worker of mine, and the gym became more than just a place to take out my frustrations. It also became a social call. I was pretty good about sticking to the routine there, and up until the race, you would find me there about three times a week, making measurable progress in my health. The gym itself had a great way of tracking your progress, which made a big difference for me, and by the time we left England, I had increased my oxygen capacity in my lungs, lost a few inches where I wanted to, and gained a few where I should. It was pretty motivating, and probably the best gym experience I’d ever had.
So, now I’m doing it again. Only this time, it’s with Nate. This is going to not only make going to work out a social event, when we can do it together, but also a way to do something for each other. We will be able to boost each other’s confidence, and help each other stick to our goals. Also, having Nate’s brother there to help guide us and give us suggestions will help to keep us both accountable for our diet and exercise patterns, which I know I’ll be needing.
But, at the heart of it, I still need to figure out what MY goals are for going to the gym. Here are some of the thoughts I had, both last night and this morning:
- I want to be able to DO something. I have a low endurance level, and would like to have the strength and balance to be able to perform a task, be it biking, hiking, swimming, or running.
- I want to tone up. I’ve got squishy spots all over that have never really been toned. I’d like to see how I can reshape my body and build muscle. This, hopefully, will feed into how I carry myself when I’m walking around. I don’t want to be that strutting ego-maniac you always see who’s so damn proud of how he looks that it’s all he can do but stare down his nose at you if you’re the least bit out of shape, but a little bit of that would be good for me. I’ve never been that pleased with my body’s appearance, and even subtle changes in my shape could make me feel a whole lot better about myself.
- I want to be healthy. Really healthy. I’m constantly fighting a battle with my genes, be it from heart disease and cholesterol to diabetes and cancer. I know that being active, and supporting that activity with a healthy diet, will help me fight back against these risk factors in my life.
For me these are the big reasons for going. There are also the side effects of being more flexible, having a better mental outlook on things, to be able to sleep better, to deal with anxiety better, and on and on.
Silly Saturday Afternoon
So, yesterday was just an awesome day. I managed to have the morning off by some stroke of luck, and was able to get up, do some more writing (I’m currently just brushing 30,000 words!), and enjoy a relaxing few cups of coffee. Nate got home around 11:00 am, and we took a short nap on the couch together. I had also gotten a phone call out of the blue that Rod and Heather were bringing their son Eliot down to see the Boston Aquarium! Here’s Eliot, enjoying his mom’s fabulous sunglasses:
We visited with the three of them till around five, when they had to hit the road back to Maine. It was such a nice visit though! I truly miss seeing them more often, and we re-committed to getting up to their house at some point, probably after the holidays, and just spend a weekend relaxing at the Chateau du Hill.
Last night, we went out to a local gay bear bar here in Boston, too. It’s called the Alley Bar – a nice and dodgy name for a bar, I might add. It was a decent place, though, and the clientele were great. It was mostly older guys, middle age and up, just relaxing from a weekend spent with the family. As the night crept on, the place got more and more busy, and some of our friends showed up, which was great. It was unfortunate that we had to leave early, as Nate had to work this morning at 2am, but still, we managed to tie a little buzz on…okay, that’s a lie…the drinks were SUPER heavy-handed, and after three 7 & 7s, I was done with drinking. In any regard, it was great to get out with my hubby, and go out amongst other like-minded guys. We’ve been trying to do this more and more, and seriously, it’s been great for us, both as individuals, and as a couple. I had no idea being social was so damn important!
Today, we’re attending an event in Cambridge called Group Hug (you can find out more about it on Facebook – which I’d link to, but someone spammed the group inappropriately…). It’s the fifth event of it’s kind, held in the Enormous Room in Central Square, a place where there are plenty of comfy spots to hang out with friends and enjoy a casual Sunday afternoon without the attitude. I’ll give you all a full report when we get back, as we aren’t planning on being too late.
All in all, I’ve had a great Thanksgiving weekend. It’s been a great weekend of recovery from the last two weeks, and I’m looking forward to more great times ahead!
-Thom
PS: Here’s a video clip I thought you’d enjoy! (Give it a minute to load…)
This Writing Thing
I wanted to do a quick post, and reflect a little on this project I’ve taken on for the month of November. As you may recall, and can see from my Weekly Twitter Updates, I’ve been attempting to complete the NaNoWriMo competition by writing 50k words by the end of November. Basically, it’s a chance to finally attempt the task I’ve been meaning to do for quite some time now – get down the words to a story. I’ve been struggling with this task for years, probably ever since I could put two sentences together. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories, and reading them, and I’ve always been meaning to try and write some of them down. This month, and for the past two months now, I’ve finally begun that task. I’m doing the easy part now, according to my friend Shawn (an avid writer and fan of the written word), and just getting down the words. The hard part of editing will come later. I know I’ll be chucking out most of what I’ve written thus far, but that’s not what this post is about. Today, it’s all about the writing.
Currently, I’m up to about 13000 words. That’s just this month. If you also count the words I wrote last month, I’ve topped over 20k words since getting back from Provincetown with Nate for my birthday. Just over 30 days ago, I started earnestly putting pen to paper (well, typing, but you get my point), and look how far I’ve come? I’ve actually got over 20k words!
If I think about it, and let it sink in, honestly, I feel so proud of myself. I know, I know, I shouldn’t gloat and it sounds kind of tacky to wax poetically about this, but truth be told, I’m in a spot where I need something like this in my life. Each day is a measurable step towards something greater, perhaps, and without putting too much pressure on myself, or on the story, I’m really hoping to make this act of writing a life-time thing.
Does that mean I’m writing exquisite prose at every turn? Hell no! Like I said, this is just about getting down the words. Yes, someday I’d love to see my book in print, my words wrapped in a glossy cover, facing outward on a shelf in a bookstore. The truth is, that may or may not ever become a reality, but I’m much closer to achieving that now than I’ve ever been. For now, that feels great.
I actually feel like a writer.
-Thom
SoundByte 44
Hey all! It’s a quickie this week! A little update on the past week, weekend, and some updates on what I’m up to. You can now leave a voicemail, if you choose: (617) 466-9740. Feel free to drop a line!
Music from Radiohead, The Cure, and Just Jack.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
SoundByte 43
Hey all! Pardon the croaky voice – there’s a good reason for it, and I explain on the show. Today’s show is pretty run-of-the-mill, but I also comment on where Nate and I are at, and why I will keep podcasting. As always, feel free to drop a line and say hi! Thanks for downloading!
Today’s Music:
- Crash – Dave Matthews Band
- American Dreaming
- Driving to Heaven – DJ Tiesto
- C’est si Bon – Eartha Kitt
- If The Sun Refused to Shine – Led Zepplin
- Open the Door – Betty Carter
- Use Me – Bill Withers
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
