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
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
A Quiet Sunday
I know, I know, I should have put out a show today. I got my notes all together, and nearly started recording, but the ADD kicked in, and I started the dishwasher instead. Just as it was finishing, Nate came home, and as he was out late last night, I didn’t want to keep him from catching a few zzzs this afternoon. In fact, he’s still sleeping – a 31 hour stint of awake time yet again. I love him to bits, but I get so worried when he does this to himself. Call me Worrywart Wanda, I guess.
This morning, I will admit, wasn’t without it’s productivity, however. I managed to dive head-long into a story I’ve been writing for a bit now. It’s a story about a young man who wakes up and realizes what opportunities he missed by following instructions, rather than his own personal instincts, while in college. I know that sounds super-generalized, but I don’t think I can really give anymore out than that. Someday, you’ll be able to read it, but for now, it remains a nebulous creation of yours truly. That, and it’s four other sibling-stories, are sitting there, looking up at me everytime I open my Google Docs account, and saying “do something with us, will you?”
Yes, my stories talk to me – like little children.
Along those lines, I did manage to get my FAFSA filled out and in the mail today. Now, all I need to do is secure one more letter of recommendation – something I’m going to do start after writing this post – and get my transcripts from UNH sent to Goddard. After that, I just hit the “Submit Application” button on the Goddard website, then cross my fingers. Hard. And my toes.
Gosh, there aren’t many hurdles left for me to overcome with this application, are there??
Don’t mind me, just having a bit of a reality moment.
…
Anyway, so I managed to do that this morning. I’m liking the way my editing skills are starting to take initiative, too. I feel I can really look down the bones of my stories and pull out the essential bits, and refine them to where they sound reasonable and logical, and closer to what I had initially envisioned. I suppose this skill just comes with time and practice, but of course, I wouldn’t have known that without first going through the paces.
I also want to drop a quick note to my Brother and Sister in Law as they welcome their new daughter (and my new niece) Tracey into the world. I haven’t had a chance to see the little sweetie, but mom and baby are doing okay, by all accounts, and are resting at the hospital for a bit before coming home. Hopefully next weekend, I’ll be able to go meet the little darling.
In other news, there’s not much else going on. It’s my last week at DSW this week (three more shifts – Monday, Thursday, and Friday). I’m pretty pleased with that. I’ve been fighting off the urge to just walk out of every shift since I gave my notice, but I’ve managed to keep it together, so far.
I guess that’s it! I’ll have more to talk about on tomorrow’s Early Morning Edition of the From Bostonia podcast. I want to go a little deeper with my writing, and my thoughts on my writing, and as promised, I will talk a little about the photo shoot I was at last night. I do hope this post finds you all well. I’m keeping the Chilean people in my thoughts, and I hope you are too.
-Thom
Decided To Post
It has been a while since I had written anything here – or at least it’s felt that way to me, so I figured I’d sit right down and write myself a blog post. Yes, it’s been one of those weeks.
Things are winding down for me at DSW, thankfully. Today was, hopefully, the last Saturday morning I have to give up to the gods of consumerism and chasing paychecks. I won’t be working next week at 8am, and personally, I’m thrilled by that prospect. I only have a few short shifts between now and the end of my moonlighting job there, and to say that I’m happy to be rid of the place is an understatement. There have been moments in the recent shifts I’ve worked out of a sense of duty and responsibility to fulfill my two-week notice, that I just wanted to throw down my discount card and walk out. The petty, silly, stupid games played by managers in such a retail establishment, all focused on driving up numbers that equate to bonuses for them, just does my head in. I don’t live in that reality anymore, and frankly, I just don’t give a shit if a customer buys a pair of shoes or not. I just don’t care.
Tonight, Nate is off to Providence with his Friday Night Boys. It’s a gang of men he’s become friends with (and I have too, of course) that usually meet up on Friday nights at the Alley bar, here in Boston. It’s a great group of men, and though I already have plans tonight with Sean, I do hope he and the boys have fun in Providence. He has been working like a dog just to stay up to speed at his job, and he truly does deserve a night away from it all. That said, he works in the morning, and will be doing an all-nighter tonight…it’s what he does in order to have any semblance of a social life. No, it’s not the healthiest way to be, but needs must, and Nate needs to have a space of sociability in his life.
For my part, I’m all gussied up for an evening with friends myself, with dinner at friends, and then playing assistant on a photo shoot with Sean. It should be a good time, and I am looking forward to seeing an artist in action. This has been something he’s been planning for a while, so I hope it all goes good, and that I’m not in the way. I also hope to learn a little something about the photographer/model interaction. I will give a full report on the podcast tomorrow 
Things, as far as I know, are a go with Ethiopia, too. I put in for the 6.5 days off that I ‘d need to take, which would eat up all of my vacation time, but haven’t heard back anything from my manager.
Anyway, that’s about it. It was a long, arduous week at work, and I’m glad to be facing Saturday night again. It’s a good place to be.
-Thom
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
SoundByte 57
Hey all!
It’s a day later than normal, but as it’s President’s day, I chose to use today to do a show, and have Valentine’s Day spent focused squarely on Nate, for obvious reasons. Today’s show is a big one. I have a lot to talk about, mull over, and share with you all. Big stuff, small stuff, the details you’ve grown used to hearing about. I hope you enjoy it!
Visit: http://teachingthomas.net/FromBostonia
Voicemail: (617) 466-9740
This Week’s Music:
- By Your Side by Melina
- Kissing You by Des’ree
- Tonight by Dirty Vegas
- Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by Nina Simone
- Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root
- Simple Things by Armin van Buuren
- Shut Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
- LA Nights (ATB’s 2010 Remix) by ATB
- Feel Your Love by Kim Sozzi
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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
Mid-Week
I still can’t believe it’s only Wednesday. I’m feeling so tired, and beat down, surely, it must be closer to Friday than this? In any regard, I didn’t want to post just so I could bitch and moan. I wanted to just write down some of the thoughts that greeted me upon waking this morning.
Soon, there will be a shift in my life. Soon, if all goes well, my life will become a little restructured, and though I welcome a change up of things, I’m still wondering how I’ll make the adjustment. These changes, thankfully, have been coming at me in a semi-organic way – meaning if it felt good/right, I went with it; I am rolling with it. Still, as with most changes, there is an adjustment period, and it’s that time which usually causes the most anxiety in me.
Okay, so I’m talking rather nebulously, and for that I apologize. Honestly, after this Friday, I’ll go into more detail. I mentioned I have an interview for a new second/part-time job on the podcast. I’m also preparing myself mentally for the adjustment of school. I was working on my study plan yesterday morning, and as I was going into finer detail with what I want to focus on, and what I want my writing to explore, it really hit me that this whole process is going to take a large chunk of my already-short time. I may not have time to work both jobs, and attend to my studies. I would probably need to give up a job in order to create space in my day/week for the work I’ll be doing. I only hope I can manage to figure out a way to pay my share of the bills, and still be able to give the majority of my attention to doing my best with regards to school. Still, if there’ a will, there will be a way. It will be up to me to find it, and adjust. Always adjust.
For now, I do know I’m tired of working two jobs and having little to show for it. I can recognize when I’m not using my time in the most efficient way possible, or earning money in the most efficient way I can. I’m hardly using my degree, or any of my further education that I’ve already earned, so there’s lots of potential energy stored inside me that could be put to use. I could be commanding a higher salary, and it’s that realization that keeps me moving forward, trying to find the best balance of my time, and earning potential, to match my abilities and our expenses. Eventually, I will get there. Eventually, I will be in a more fiscally comfortable spot, with a work/life balance that comes close to the ideal for me. Until then, I’m going to be in flux, and I’ve got to keep on my toes.
Right…off to get ready to go to work!
-Thom
SoundByte 55
So, this show is a second-take on what I was intending to post. For some reason, the earlier show I recorded didn’t come out so good, so you now get to hear me in the afternoon. There’s a little more energy, and a better mix of music. Please be sure to check out the blog at http://teachingthomas.net, and join my page on Facebook!
This Week’s Music:
- My Feelings
- Big Love – Pete Heller
- Don’t Get Me Wrong – The Pretenders
- Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright
- Lady’s Night – Kool and the Gang
- You Don’t Know Me – Armin Van Helden
- I Turn To You – Melanie C
- Feel Your Love – Kim Sozzi
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
SoundByte 54 Mid Winter Vacation Show
Today’s show is a reflection on the vacation that Nate and I took to mark our 9th year of being a couple. I also talk about where I’m at in my head, and where I am with regards to school, politics, and being social. It’s a reflective show, and a little random, but I hope you enjoy! Thanks for downloading!
-Thom
Leave a voice mail: (617) 466-9740
Today’s Music (in no order):
- Feel Your Love: Kim Sozzi
- Begging You (Armin Van Buuren Remix): Cerf, Mitiska and Jaren)
- A New Day: ATB
- Mysterious Skys: ATB
- Walking on Clouds: Tiesto
- Death and All His Friends: Coldplay
- Riddles in the Sand: Ron Hagen & Pascal M
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A Week Beyond
So, I know, I know…I’m overdue for a podcast. I promise, there will be a show this weekend, and probably an extended one. I’ve got so much to catch you all up on. This morning, though, I wanted to just get some stuff out in writing, and see where it takes me.
A week ago, Nate and I were tucked away in our little room in a quaint little guest house in Provincetown. A week ago, I was struggling to unwind, struggling to let go of my anxieties and just relax on our little break from reality. Today, I find myself struggling to get up the gumption to get out of bed, let alone be productive and creative. It’s like my body is here, in Boston’s North End, but my mind (and potentially my heart) have found a home away from home at the end of Cape Cod and are refusing to catch the next bus home. I’m clinging to the feeling of relaxation, of not taking myself so damn seriously, and of simply smiling because I woke up to see the day before me. I know, eventually, this feeling of floating will subside, and I’ll be looking at the calendar, wondering when my next opportunity to get away with Nate will be coming. For now, I’m just getting through the week, and hoping the weekend comes quickly and painlessly.
I am pretty happy with the progress I made this week with regards to my school application. I decided to just give it up, and submit my writing pieces. When I mean submit, I mean I’ve added them to my school application, with the unwritten understanding that I won’t be editing them again until I’m actually in school. I’ve put that whole fear of failure with regards to the words I wrote behind me, and now am looking at gathering the info I need to plan out two years of studying. I have a general idea of the overarching focus of what it is I’m going to be doing, but it’s the finer details that I’m worried over. I also need to develop a bibliography of books I’ll be using in my studies. It’s going to take some time, and some research, but I think I’ll get there, hopefully by the end of next week. That, coupled with filling out my FAFSA, will put my application to rest, at least in terms of my end of it. There’s still the letters of recommendation to collect, and transcripts to request. Soon, though, it’ll be complete. Then, it’s a matter of waiting to hear from Goddard.
There are so many other things rolling around in my head right now that need to be attended to, and sorted through, but I’m hoping a little downtime this weekend will prove to have the soothing effect I need. Right now, I just need to get my life in order, and get through the tasks I feel have fallen behind, organize my schedule, and set some reasonable goals in terms of my writing. I also get to undertake filing my 2009 taxes (joyful time), and hopefully get a sizable refund. That would come in VERY handy right now – especially in terms of putting money in the bank, and saving for our next adventure out.
Anyway, I’ve got to get ready for work, but know I’ll be back on the air this weekend, with a mouthful to say, I’m sure. Thanks for standing by!
-Thom
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
Before We Go…
So, before we head off to Provincetown, MA for our anniversary celebration/mid-winter break from reality, I wanted to do a quick blog post, and just share a few of the thoughts rolling in my head.
As most of you know, the Prop 8 Trial has started in California. Though I’m very much on pins and needles to see how the trial turns out, honestly, I’ve tried my damnedest to not get too worked up over it. I know, I know…but, Thom, you’re a gay man who’s married, and this trial can have a direct impact on your life and the legal status of your marriage…believe me, I’ve been saying that to myself for days now. After the loss of gay marriage rights in Maine, though, I’ve recoiled, and in a way, turned my attention inward. I don’t agree that the right to marry should be on display, or even up for judgement. It should just be. That said, I appreciate the legal system we have in this country, and I appreciate the process of getting the laws written down in such a way as to protect current and future people from discrimination. I do hope for a positive result of the trial, and I desperately want my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in California to be afforded the same rights that I currently share with Nate here in Massachusetts. I still don’t understand the ramifications of this case being tried on a federal level, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a precedent-setting result, one way or the other.
I’m also staring down the application for school that is a constant reminder on my desktop. The application essays need to be edited, the questions all answered to the best of my ability, and honestly, I haven’t had the courage to face them lately. It’s not that my passion for it has waned, as I know going back to school, and doing it the way I’m applying to, is the right direction for me. I just need a little more reassurance, from myself to myself, that I’m worth and capable of chasing down this goal and achieving it. I’m hoping that the recharge of my batteries this weekend will provide me with that assurance, and though I’m not going into this break in P’town with any real expectations or goals, it would be nice to come back with a clearer head, and a more focused drive to get this application off my desk. For that, I’m just going to need to dig deep.
I will be going “radio-silent” while we are away, though I have a feeling Nate isn’t going to be the same this time around. If you do need to reach me, you can send an e-mail, and if it’s urgent, I’ll respond, but until Tuesday morning, you won’t be hearing much from me. Unplugging worked wonders for me the last time we took a break like this, so I’m hoping to have a repeat performance.
Thank you to all of you who have wished us the best, and who continue to follow me, and us, online. We’re a funny couple of guys, but truly, we do appreciate the love and support you all have given us.
My thoughts are also with the people of Haiti, as they come to grips with the massive earthquake that has rocked that tiny, desperately poor country to its core. Please, keep them in mind, and do what you can to help. Even a good thought (or prayer, if that’s your thing) will do a small amount of good. Heaven knows, there’s not enough attention paid to the others who inhabit this planet, and taking a moment out of our days to send some cosmic good out there would be a refreshing change for most of us, myself included.
Till Tuesday!
XX
Thom
SoundByte 53
Good Morning All! This show’s a bit different from the rest, thanks to Gavin’s great idea. It’s a musical recap of 2009, and as you will note, it’s an hour long. I hope you enjoy the music, and have a visit to the artist’s links that I’ve provided. I look forward to another great year of music for 2010, and look forward to sharing it all with you over the weeks and months to come. Just a reminder, there won’t be a podcast next Sunday, as Nate and I will be in Provincetown, but I’m sure I’ll have loads to talk about and share with you upon our return. Thanks!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Frosty Morning Thoughts
This past week was the first full-length week of work since before Christmas. Honestly, I couldn’t wait for Friday to come. Now that it’s Saturday morning, and I’ve got a short shift at DSW this morning, then freedom till Monday, I’m feeling the effects of such a long week. I don’t know why, but everywhere I turned, I found something to stress over. If it wasn’t a terrible phone call from an irate customer, it was a project that needed to be done ASAP, or racing to get home in time to run back to my next job. I did find one morning to accomplish quite a bit of writing, but that was because, for some reason, my body thought 3:30 am was a great time to wake up. It was a nice respite from the rest of the week, but for the last two days, I’ve been playing catch up with my sleep. Only today am I starting to feel more like myself.
Nate made mention of the anxieties in my life right now during the week last week, and that’s been sticking with me for a bit. I suppose I am facing some rather big things right now, and maybe, underneath it all, I am worried about a lot. In no particular order they are:
1. School application. I need to finish/edit/submit the damn thing and just put it out there for all to witness. Letting go of it, and putting my work up for judgement does, in a way, terrify me. Okay, so it really terrifies me.
2. Work. Both jobs are building pressure on me, kind of like a pressure cooker you’d use to make canned beans. I can see the gauge on the top of the cover inching upwards in p.s.i., and I’m not sure how to relieve the stress, or let some of it go. I know I need to keep trying to leave the stress of work at work, but this week, I found that to be more of a challenge.
3. Health. I’m pretty sure I put on a little weight over the holidays, and though I really don’t want to think about it, and I don’t want it to be an impediment to my life, I’m reminded that I need to clean my act up and make the efforts needed to slim back down a bit every time I walk or move. Bits of me are a bit more round than I would prefer. Nate constantly reminds me that I still look fine, and when I look in the mirror, I know I’m not seeing some drastic need for a weight loss regime. Still, I feel it. It’s a general malaise that needs physical activity – be it a run or a brisk, long walk a few times a week or something more intense, like a gym membership – in order to shake it. I’m also feeling the pressure to make another attempt at giving up the nic-sticks so we can afford to go to they gym. This too must be done. I just need to find the willpower and wherewithal to actually make an attempt.
It’s not a really bad life I lead, and I know these stresses are minute compared to those that many of you, and most of the people around me, face on a day-to-day basis, so I try to keep that in mind whenever I feel myself going back into my shell. Still, these little points of anxiety are resting on me, I feel them, and I know they all need to be dealt with.
-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 52
Hello and Happy New Years all! Today’s show is a nice reflect on the weekend past, a little on the present, and a little look into what I hope is in my future. The music is a bit mellow for all you post-party people. I hope you all had a safe and wonderful New Years, and I want to welcome you all to 2010! Thanks for downloading!
Music:
- Beach Vibes by ATB
- Give a Little Love by Bob Sinclair
- Say Hello Wave Goodbye by David Gray
- If I Could Fly by OceanLab
- Rainbow Connection by Sarah Maclachlan
- Breathe Me by Sia
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A New Year Begins
I am currently writing from a hotel room in Torrington, CT. Nate and I are with his parents and aunt, and will be attending the funeral of one of Nate’s family members who passed away just before Christmas. He was a very close cousin to Nate’s father, and by all accounts, a dear man to many people. His passing was sudden, and being around the holidays made for quite a shock to those close to him. For me, it’s the first time I will be meeting a side of Nate’s family that I’ve never seen before.
Funerals aren’t always the best places to meet extended family members, but it is generally at these times, and at weddings, when such meetings occur. I’m nervous, and was slightly hesitant about coming, but now that I’m here, I’m glad I came. I know my father-in-law appreciates having the support of his close family nearby.
I will go into more detail tomorrow on the podcast, especially with regards to our New Year’s Eve festivities, so do come back to the blog tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Thom
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…)
SoundByte 47
Hey all! It’s actually the anniversary of the show, but I’ll be celebrating it next week (around December 7th) so please feel free to leave a comment at the blog, or drop me a voicemail (the number is in the show)! Thanks so much for downloading!
This week’s music:
- Demons – Fat Boy Slim featuring Macy Gray
- On A Good Day – OceanLab
- Swimming Places – Juliene Jabre
- Offshore – Chicane
- Never Say Never – Armin Van Buuren
- I Found U – Axwell
- Nobody’s Fault But Mine – Nina Simone
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
