Homer'sWorld

(the first post was originally on the 31st, but was lost and then replaced)

So I thought it would be fun to take Puff and Joey in to work. Jesus f'ing Christ. In the car they
screamed. All the way there. That's about 7.5 miles of screeching. And at work they hid and were unhappy. And on the way back home they screamed and meowed. It was a nightmare. There will not be another "Take Your Cat to Work Day" ever.

A couple of images from tonight. Toured the downtown Train Depot, which is being renovated by the City of Tucson. Came home and carved my pumpkin, using a Martha Stewart idea.


Tile, circa 1941.


Pumpkupine, 2003.

God damn politics. So much of what is going on in the United States seems to be borrowed directly from the Cold War era Communists. Double speak, the development of an oligarchy, locking up people without trials, spying on citizens, the demonization of minority groups. It seems that the Republicans have discovered that those hapless commies had a few useful tricks up their sleeves. It makes me very pessimistic about life in this country, especially if Stupidesident Bush wins election "again." I truly don't believe he was really elected to begin within. One wonders what would have happened had Gore won.

Geez, don't get me going as I think about things. The Anti-gay Marriage Amendment. According to Senator John Kyl, this is a state's rights issue. If Massachusetts allows gay marriage, then the other states would be forced to recognize gay marriages as well, as states must abide by other states laws, according to our Constitution. On my recent trip to DC, I asked Dan, an employee of Kyl's office, if banning all gay marriages wasn't actually reducing state's rights, since it would prevent states and other political entities from setting their own rules. He said yes, that was true. And when I pressed him on the issue he admitted that Senator Kyl was doing it mostly because of the votes he would garner from old retired people and religious folks. I told Dan that that was pathetic. And reminded him of finally-dead Senator Strom Thurmond, who was viewed by many (except Senator Lott) as pathetic and wrong for his segregationist views. Thirty years from now I think a lot of people will look at the whole anti-gay thing with amazement. I mean, why waste so much time hating other people. If you don't like homosexuals, you certainly don't have to be one.

Happy Halloween.

Munchie Melon coloring book, 1968.

This was my favorite coloring book when I was a kid. I don't know why, it is one of those goofy things you remember. The characters included farmer Munchie Melon, postman Cornie, grocery store owner Barnaby Banana, Doctor Pineapple, Fire Chief Sassie Strawberry, dance instructor Dilly Daisie, Rinkie Rose, and Sissie Sunflower.

I was also a big Winnie the Pooh fan, had PeeWee dolls, later graduating to GI Joe. I also liked little plastic animals and dinosaurs. In the days before computer games and cable television, I used a lot of imagination when I was playing. It is safe to say that things haven't changed a lot.

Cats. Not the musical, but my five cats. It has finally started to cool off in Tucson and the cats have decided that it is too cold. So when I sit down they run over to crawl onto my lap and absorb body heat. Even Bear, who is the shyest of the bunch, comes by.

Busy next few days- Open House at the Depot, which is being restored, Rich's pumpkin carving party, Halloween, Day of the Dead. I need to do some yardwork as well- trim trees and work on the potted plants. I'm actually looking forward to that. Not looking forward to doing the swamp coolers. I suspect that will be postponed until next week.


Princess as a kitten, May 2002.

Shane called at about 5:30 and we chatted for a while. "Come on over," he said. I had been washing dishes- anything to escape that chore was a relief. So I drove over and found him potting plants in his backyard. Shane is a landscape architect and his backyard has quite a few interesting things- a fig tree, a pomegranate, some succulents, lemon grass. He was filling big pots up with dirt and planting flowers. I had a beer while we chatted. Brian showed up and we talked about politics for a while. Then migrated indoors while they did their dishes. It was a totally relaxing, uneventful evening. And back home I am feeling content, knowing that I have cool friends to hang with and talk about the mundane things that we experience, puzzle over life, etc. I like good times like these.

Oh, and yesterday I made the greatest caveman outfit. I'll post a picture of it on the weekend.

Out of the closet. I've spent a couple of hours cleaning out the two closets in my study and dining room. Re-arranging boxes, picking out items for the thrift store. Finding a few forgotten things. The boxes inside contain all of the letters and postcards sent to me over the last 20 years- I am always hoping that one of my friends will become famous and I can send a bunch of stuff to the National Enquirer. Some of the things were painful to see- a few leftovers from the ex, a reminder of happier times. Other things brought back better memories- my favorite childhood coloring book, Christmas wrapping paper, my college diploma. And then there is the big box of old bills that I should sort through and shred, but I think that will wait for another day.

Last night went with Jeffrey S. and Jeffrey T. to a party up in the foothills. Clint has a house crammed full of books and art and a strange assortment of collected items (Victorian glass shoes, hippopotamuses, Rockwood vases). His beau Max has a super soft chinchilla- very, very cute. It was a nice, quiet evening.

I'm a fairly good cook, although I rarely follow recipes. I tend to make things up in my head. On one or two occasions I have utterly failed, inventing some nasty dish. Mostly whatever I cobble together is edible. Last night I made a stew out of onions, red bell peppers, mixed vegetables, sliced potatoes, tomato sauce, and cream cheese. Yum.

Went out briefly to Itty Bitty Titties, as Gavin likes to call IBTs. Saw a few people I knew, had some fun. Today helped out the historical group I am a member of by putting on a little archaeology display. The weather was very nice and we had a small but interested set of people show up.

Back home feeling laaaazzzzyyyy. Joey just came to sit on my lap. She was super naughty this morning, picking on Bear, and I had to yell at her. She has a short memory, though. Sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to forget things so easily.


Flower next to the old Smithsonian Castle, DC, 2003.

Payday. And because I am so good at paying my bills and saving retirement money I am basically broke. So two weeks of eating whatever food happens to be in the pantry. Luckily for the cats there is an entire bag of delicious cat food, which I have promised not to eat, since I would probably have the same reaction that Joey has when she licks milk out of my cereal bowl. Barf.

Thanks to George Bush's astounding economic success, the archaeology business is being to look increasingly bleak. I have about four months worth of work left. Several people I work with have much less. It is beginning to stress me out. Arizona pays very little unemployment compensation, so if I should get laid off my life would rapidly become a horrible nightmare. Bahhh, worrying is genetic in my family. I should focus on happy, rosy things instead of reality!

The weather is still pretty hot here in Arizona. Right now it is about 70 degrees outside. The trees are blooming in my yard, making me sneezy. I'm ready for it to cool down.

Tonight went over to Mark and Matt's house to watch my weekly hour of television. Matt was off elsewhere. Mark and I had take out Chinese food. Singing in the Rain came on the telly and Mark pulled out his autographed photo of Gene Kelly and Fred Kelly, who once danced together. Now back home and catching up with email and playing with the cats. They are pretty happy to see me. It's nice to be home.

I wish. I wish, wish, wish, wish, wishy-wish. A while ago I wrote about having a crush. It is still there, less strong, more realistic. Reality sucks, 'cause it ruins a lot of dreams. Anyway, I have a little dream that relates to my last post. I'm hoping it comes true pretty soon.

Nightmare. I just awoke from a dream in which I was grocery shopping with Him and somehow He disappeared and I had to take the groceries over to His new place, where I met his new Asian girlfriend, who approved of my food selections immensely.

The dream was very intense and upsetting, touching on a lot of little things that still make me sad a year later. The loss of my best friend, loneliness, the niceties of domesticity,feelings of stability. And at 3:36 AM I feel like crying because I wish I had someone to buy groceries for. Isn't that absurd? And of course as I type this little miss Princess barfs on the floor next to me. Sigh. There are some things I could do without.

Quickly. I am rushing about trying to do two things at once. Procrastinating doesn't really pay off. So after a quick meal of veggie corn dogs and tater tots (I know, white trash but oh so yummy), I'm back to the library to finish gathering city directory listings for Menlo Park for the National Register nomination I am working on.

Got some good sociological history books at the University of Arizona library to read. Had to renew my community user fee- $40. Sucks. Members of the UA marching band- the percussion folks- were practicing outside. They were really good. I wonder why "drumming" hasn't become a cool thing for gay guys to do? But perhaps I'm just behind the times and they are already doing it.


Andy, a cute puppy at the University.

Of course Sunday was better. I cleaned house and later Jeff and Todd stopped by. Todd is a very nice guy from Chicago and he admired my artwork. Also very cute. In the afternoon I went out and visited with Gavin.


Gavin's new haircut.

After a while Kevin showed up and we talked and then wandered down to the B Line restaurant, where Gavin was enlisted to help install some lightbulbs due to his height. We collected Curtis and went across the street to IBTs and had a few drinks and chatted people up. Saw Scott B. there- he is also very cute. Then trooped back to Kent's house and spent more time being social. Kent has such a sexy Kentucky accent. Now back at home another work week to muddle through. Hopefully I can be a little more productive than I have lately.

Pity party. Just back from a night out on the town. Three hours, count 'em, one...two...three hours spent at IBTs and the Venture Inn. Tucson's outstanding gay night clubs. I haven't been to IBTs at night for years. It is a kind of stand and pose bar. There is a dance floor and I ended up with Shane, Joe, and Kyle jiggling around randomly. Dancing is, of course, the goofiest thing in the world. Ran into Jay, who I haven't seen in a month. It is still very hard. I don't think he understands.

At the Venture I chatted with Mark and John P. before running into Lee. We hung out for a while and eventually I wandered back to where Shane, Brian, and Joe had settled. Shane and Brian are such a nice couple of guys, and being around them makes me long for something similar. Someone to be buddies with, to share daily life. I'm tired right now, and maybe a tad buzzed from the couple of beers I had. So maybe that's why I'm feeling a little down, but maybe its because I'd like a little romance. Geez, it's a pity party for sure at Homer's house.

Wasted day. So far this Saturday has been a big pile of nothing. I made the mistake of balancing my checkbook and discovered that I had a lot less money than I thought. So one must behave. And it seems like the things I want to do all cost money. Of course I could go to the library and check out some books (don't sit on the chairs though, the number of homeless men who do make them particularly filthy) or I could go on a walk, or I could have a nap, watch a Buffy rerun, and cruise the internet. Oh, yeah, I did the latter three. But now I feel distinctly uneasy and annoyed. Partly it is because I am building up the nerve to call someone, partly it is because I want to ask someone else out on a date. I can be so filled with insecurities sometimes. I guess that helps make life exciting, since if you were sure of the outcome there would be no wonder, no chance, no unexpected surprises.


Orchids, DC, 2003.

Sam has the coolest friends who send him links to educational websites like this one. Warning, Adult Muppet content!!!

Insomnia. I've woken at 3 AM so often recently that I've developed a routine. Lie in bed for a while, get up, sit at computer, hold various cats on my lap, cruise the internet. Sometimes I wake up after having a particularly vivid dream. This morning the dream was that I was on an airplane that was hijacked. We were flying really low to evade radar and landed in the woods on a dirt road. Surprisingly, members of the army were there to meet us. We knew something evil was up, so I hid my cell phone on my body (guess where). Later I was able to call John G., figuring he was the best person to help out. Of course I awoke before the dream was resolved. It was pretty vivid though, and my heart still pounds a bit faster than normal.

What else? Had stuffed grape leaves for dinner last night. Yummmm. Fixed the guest house swamp cooler. Chatted with Shane and Michele. Watched Survivor (my weekly one hour of television), worked on my book, went to the Historical Society, was feeling unsatisfied at work yesterday. Saw the dancing crossing guard- I'll have to describe him later. Life is normal and mostly satisfying at the moment.

Vomit.

Ali Baba's Cave. Well actually, Ali Baba's restaurant. I took Robert out to dinner to celebrate his birthday. We had yummy food and then went to his place where his Jack Russell terrier tried to lick us. Slurp.

Hmm, as I type this there are gunshots nearby. And again. That has been happening alot in Menlo Park. And yesterday I was at the credit union and the Federal Credit Union next door had just been robbed and there were cops everywhere and a sobbing girl. That made me feel pretty angry. I had a gun pulled on me once by a cop- 13 October 1993. Jesus, that was 10 years ago already. Mistaken for an armed robber- me in my blue oxford, khaki pants, penny loafers- on the day I was going to buy my first car ever. The cop yells- "Put your hands up, spread your legs! Spread them farther!!!" Geez, I thought he would never ask. Anyway, cops don't apologize when they make a mistake. And now I hear the sirens, speaking of cops.