File Under: A Proper Farewell to 2008
A New Year. New Beginnings. I’m ready for a new year, are you?
As a whole, this has been a really great year. At the beginning of the year, I was looking forward to my 26th Go-Go’s concert, in Chicago. My good friend John attended with me and we went backstage and met the band. I enjoyed being able to share the experience with my friend and I know he appreciated it.
"The Collective" began planning what turned out to be a really fantastic adventure for all of us, in celebration of my best friend Dan’s 40th birthday. Luis had a vision of what he wanted to have happen and I think we accomplished our goal. It started with a fantastic backyard party and ended with fireworks in Florida. Oh wait...and a hurricane. :)
Street festivals were alive and well in Chicago, the most memorable was Andersonville’s Midsommerfest, practically in my back yard. As always, it was a big bunch of fun. Not to mention booze.
Dan and Luis bought their home together and already it has been the site of many great gatherings, from Dan’s birthday, to Halloween on the porch, to our Christmas gathering, just to name a few.
My family, while small, is close and we actually enjoy being around one another. My mom still gets around and always has an entertaining quip or two when she returns from her outings. She has her issues but she’s handling them. My sister is around when she can be but she’s got her hands full with my 19-year old nephew who, with the exception of having some ADHD issues, is a good kid.
I have the most incredible group of friends. I must sound like a broken record because I mention them a lot. Dan and Luis, Denise, Tina and Polo are like family to me. Vahona is someone with whom I’m joined at the brain – we share similar thoughts much of the time and laugh at things that others just would not understand. There are many others, those who aren’t mentioned don’t mean any less to me than those who are mentioned.
My online friends are worthy of a mention of their own. QTS is the message board I belong to and I feel as close to that group of friends as I do to the ones that I get to see on a regular basis. There are a couple overlaps. Both Vahona and my friend Anthony are on the board, too.
I am employed. I have a job that I like and that I do well. I am proud of the job I do. I complain on the days when employeees call about stupid things or I have to drive back and forth between buildings when the weather is bad, but overall, I’m happy. I have some really great coworkers and we have fun.
So I had a couple of events that were downers. The optimist in me looks at those as opportunites to grow and try new things. I’m a believer in Karma, we’ll leave it at that. :)
The door to 2008 is closing, we’re about to step into 2009. We’ve got a new President coming into office. I’m excited about that, and it gives me hope for the new year.
On that note, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year. Here’s to a year filled with good health, prosperity, generosity, laughter and hope. Cheers!
XO
Jim
Showing posts with label QTS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QTS. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
It's Christmas Time
File Under: Fa-la-la
Another Christmas is upon us.
I love this time of year. I love the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, I love the television specials, I love getting cards in the mail from friends, near and far. And of course, I love food! Bring on the cookies!
When I was growing up, Christmas began on Christmas Eve. Everybody would gather at my house and my parents would host the big family get-together. We would open our presents on Christmas Eve and have a light dinner. Then the kids would go off to bed and the adults would stay up late. When we awoke on Christmas day, stockings would be hanging, filled with fun things. Then later in the day we would have a big dinner. I remember lots of food, standing rib roasts and turkeys.
The family eventually fragmented and the big gatherings ended. We still hosted Christmas Eve but it became a party with close family friends and their children. The house was loud with laughter and the sounds of excited kids opening presents. Eventually that tradition ended, too.
Now, we still have Christmas Eve. My mom and I host our friend Karen. She comes over after dinner and we have dessert and coffee and open presents. It's very quiet but just as nice as the big gatherings, just not quite as loud.
On Christmas day, my sister and nephew will come over. We used to go to Georgette's house for dinner but I decided it made more sense to cook dinner at my house rather than drag my mom out in the bad weather. Tomorrow my home will be filled with the aroma of roast turkey and dressing and we will exchange presents. It will be very laid back and casual but nice.
With all that said, my best gift this year are not the material things that I'm given, but the love and support of all of my friends. I can't imagine my life without my very best friend Dan. He has taught me so much and is a constant source of inspiration and light. We get each other. We both surround ourselves with good people, hence the happy group of us, including Luis, Denise, Polo and Tina. We are a family. I also have my online friends at my message board, QTS, many of whom I have met in person, some I've never met but I feel equally close to every one of them. Then there's Vahona, who is both a QTS friend and a local friend. She and I balance one another and we make each other laugh like nobody else can. Lastly, there are you, those who visit this blog and comment and provide support and laughs. I can't thank you enough for your kind words and I feel a connection to you as well.
I wish all of you a very Happy Holiday Season, whichever holiday you are celebrating. Peace.
Another Christmas is upon us.
I love this time of year. I love the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, I love the television specials, I love getting cards in the mail from friends, near and far. And of course, I love food! Bring on the cookies!
When I was growing up, Christmas began on Christmas Eve. Everybody would gather at my house and my parents would host the big family get-together. We would open our presents on Christmas Eve and have a light dinner. Then the kids would go off to bed and the adults would stay up late. When we awoke on Christmas day, stockings would be hanging, filled with fun things. Then later in the day we would have a big dinner. I remember lots of food, standing rib roasts and turkeys.
The family eventually fragmented and the big gatherings ended. We still hosted Christmas Eve but it became a party with close family friends and their children. The house was loud with laughter and the sounds of excited kids opening presents. Eventually that tradition ended, too.
Now, we still have Christmas Eve. My mom and I host our friend Karen. She comes over after dinner and we have dessert and coffee and open presents. It's very quiet but just as nice as the big gatherings, just not quite as loud.
On Christmas day, my sister and nephew will come over. We used to go to Georgette's house for dinner but I decided it made more sense to cook dinner at my house rather than drag my mom out in the bad weather. Tomorrow my home will be filled with the aroma of roast turkey and dressing and we will exchange presents. It will be very laid back and casual but nice.
With all that said, my best gift this year are not the material things that I'm given, but the love and support of all of my friends. I can't imagine my life without my very best friend Dan. He has taught me so much and is a constant source of inspiration and light. We get each other. We both surround ourselves with good people, hence the happy group of us, including Luis, Denise, Polo and Tina. We are a family. I also have my online friends at my message board, QTS, many of whom I have met in person, some I've never met but I feel equally close to every one of them. Then there's Vahona, who is both a QTS friend and a local friend. She and I balance one another and we make each other laugh like nobody else can. Lastly, there are you, those who visit this blog and comment and provide support and laughs. I can't thank you enough for your kind words and I feel a connection to you as well.
I wish all of you a very Happy Holiday Season, whichever holiday you are celebrating. Peace.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Contact!
File Under: Mine, and I want it back.
Matthew had my AbFab seasons 1-3 DVD collection. Originally I was just going to let it go but the more I thought about it, the more I decided I wanted it back. It wasn't so much wanting back the object, I think what I wanted back was my dignity. If I just walked away and didn't ask for it, the chances of getting it back were slim. Sure, he could easily have just dropped it off or mailed it. Actually I kind of think he would have done so. But as I was talking with friends last night, they told me that I needed to ask for my DVDs to be returned. This morning I sent a note that asked for them and also told him when I would NOT be at "Lakeshore" so that he didn't have to worry about seeing me. He replied back this evening.
Jim,
No problem. I won’t be around Monday so it will have to be Tuesday. I have some other stuff here that belong to you as well.
Take care,
Matthew
My friends on QTS were on the other side of the fence. They didn't think I should have bothered to ask for them back. It was akin to picking a scab on a wound. I value their opinion and love them for looking out for me but to me this was symbolic of not just asking for my stuff back, but walking away with my pride and dignity.
As for the "other stuff," I'm guessing it'll be the CDs I sent him for his birthday, the ornaments I bought for his tree, the jar I brought over to his place in which I kept sugar for my coffee and a pillow. If I'm REALLY lucky, I'll get the Kodak digital photo frame I bought for him for his birthday, too. I really just want the DVDs, but whatever. I know when I get the stuff back I'll be sad and I'll probably just dump the bag in my closet and not look at it for a while.
Did I do the right thing? Should I have just left well-enough alone? What's done is done, but I'm curious to know what you would have done.
Matthew had my AbFab seasons 1-3 DVD collection. Originally I was just going to let it go but the more I thought about it, the more I decided I wanted it back. It wasn't so much wanting back the object, I think what I wanted back was my dignity. If I just walked away and didn't ask for it, the chances of getting it back were slim. Sure, he could easily have just dropped it off or mailed it. Actually I kind of think he would have done so. But as I was talking with friends last night, they told me that I needed to ask for my DVDs to be returned. This morning I sent a note that asked for them and also told him when I would NOT be at "Lakeshore" so that he didn't have to worry about seeing me. He replied back this evening.
Jim,
No problem. I won’t be around Monday so it will have to be Tuesday. I have some other stuff here that belong to you as well.
Take care,
Matthew
My friends on QTS were on the other side of the fence. They didn't think I should have bothered to ask for them back. It was akin to picking a scab on a wound. I value their opinion and love them for looking out for me but to me this was symbolic of not just asking for my stuff back, but walking away with my pride and dignity.
As for the "other stuff," I'm guessing it'll be the CDs I sent him for his birthday, the ornaments I bought for his tree, the jar I brought over to his place in which I kept sugar for my coffee and a pillow. If I'm REALLY lucky, I'll get the Kodak digital photo frame I bought for him for his birthday, too. I really just want the DVDs, but whatever. I know when I get the stuff back I'll be sad and I'll probably just dump the bag in my closet and not look at it for a while.
Did I do the right thing? Should I have just left well-enough alone? What's done is done, but I'm curious to know what you would have done.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Close of the Weekend
File Under: Friends and Laughter
As far as weekends go, this was a pretty good one, all things considered.
Friday was an OK day at work. Everybody was in lively spirits because it was the day of our annual Holiday party and it was our first year back having it with all 4 of the area hospitals. This means major fashion show. Something I enjoy very much. It helped too that I was at my Central location, away from Lakeshore, and not constantly reminded that Matthew lives in the apartment building across the street. That was always a convenience feature, when I visited him, I could park at work. Now when I'm in any of the administration offices or in the lobby, I look directly across the street and see not just his building, but his windows. But...I digress.
Friday night, the party was a blast. My friend Sonny made certain that I never had an empty glass. She has been so supportive and caring during all of this. The party was non-stop laughs and good times. My CEO from Lakeshore came over to me, put her arm on my back and rubbed it and said "I am so glad to see you here." I said "well, I'm glad to be here, and I wasn't going to miss it. I'm having a wonderful time." She said this because I was anything but glad to be at Lakeshore on Thursday, a mere 12 hours post "the phone call." I was pathetic in the building all day. People sensed it. Anyway, it was sweet of Diane to seek me out and check on me during the party.
Afterwards I met up with my friend Steve and his partner Ben. Steve is someone I knew from long ago, we have an interesting past. He moved to San Francisco about 5 years ago, and I hadn't seen him for probably 4 years. He read my Facebook status update and immediately emailed me and asked me to meet them for drinks since they were going to be in Chicago for the weekend. They were so sweet, and we had a great time catching up.
Saturday was "return day" and I made a mad dash thru Old Orchard, taking back Matthew's Christmas gifts. For those of you who said I should have bought myself stuff, I will wait until after the holidays and reward myself with something fun.
That evening was Dan and Luis' "Christmas in Delaware" party. It was so much fun. 21 people showed up. There was obnoxious Christmas music, trashy food, and some sinful desserts, including my "Twinkie-misu" a version of tiramisu made with Twinkies, Cool Whip, instant vanilla pudding and 3/4 bottle of Khalua. I have to say, it was delicious! The gift exchange was fun as always. I came home with a book on how to talk to kids about drugs as well as a Britney Spears journal. Or, as I referred to it, Britney's autobiography (blank pages! - LOL). Towards the end of the night, I started to feel a bit blue about things but managed to get busy helping to clean up. Tina drove me home and I think I fell asleep not long after I arrived at home.
This morning I awoke having a panic attack. I popped a happy pill and laid back down for a while. I eventually got up, ate breakfast, had some coffee then hit the gym. Afterwards I went in search of a small Christmas present for Sonny who has been so nice during my ordeal. The gift I got her relates to a running joke between us. I'll photograph it and post it later this week.
Tonight, I relaxed. I poked around on the internet for a while but spent most of the evening chatting with my QTS friends.
I feel pretty good about things. Tomorrow will be a bit of a test because I'm back at Lakeshore. I haven't heard from M in response to the email I sent. I don't expect to, and that's okay. I'm going to believe that he read it and hopefully gave some thought to his actions both in how he ended things and in how he handled the relationship as a whole. For me, it's going to be onward and upward. I was reminded this weekend that I've got the best bunch of friends that a guy could ask for. From my QTS crew, to those who chimed in on Facebook, to my work friends, and of course my Chicago pals. I love them all so very much.
And, lest I forget, I love my blog friends, too.
As far as weekends go, this was a pretty good one, all things considered.
Friday was an OK day at work. Everybody was in lively spirits because it was the day of our annual Holiday party and it was our first year back having it with all 4 of the area hospitals. This means major fashion show. Something I enjoy very much. It helped too that I was at my Central location, away from Lakeshore, and not constantly reminded that Matthew lives in the apartment building across the street. That was always a convenience feature, when I visited him, I could park at work. Now when I'm in any of the administration offices or in the lobby, I look directly across the street and see not just his building, but his windows. But...I digress.
Friday night, the party was a blast. My friend Sonny made certain that I never had an empty glass. She has been so supportive and caring during all of this. The party was non-stop laughs and good times. My CEO from Lakeshore came over to me, put her arm on my back and rubbed it and said "I am so glad to see you here." I said "well, I'm glad to be here, and I wasn't going to miss it. I'm having a wonderful time." She said this because I was anything but glad to be at Lakeshore on Thursday, a mere 12 hours post "the phone call." I was pathetic in the building all day. People sensed it. Anyway, it was sweet of Diane to seek me out and check on me during the party.
Afterwards I met up with my friend Steve and his partner Ben. Steve is someone I knew from long ago, we have an interesting past. He moved to San Francisco about 5 years ago, and I hadn't seen him for probably 4 years. He read my Facebook status update and immediately emailed me and asked me to meet them for drinks since they were going to be in Chicago for the weekend. They were so sweet, and we had a great time catching up.
Saturday was "return day" and I made a mad dash thru Old Orchard, taking back Matthew's Christmas gifts. For those of you who said I should have bought myself stuff, I will wait until after the holidays and reward myself with something fun.
That evening was Dan and Luis' "Christmas in Delaware" party. It was so much fun. 21 people showed up. There was obnoxious Christmas music, trashy food, and some sinful desserts, including my "Twinkie-misu" a version of tiramisu made with Twinkies, Cool Whip, instant vanilla pudding and 3/4 bottle of Khalua. I have to say, it was delicious! The gift exchange was fun as always. I came home with a book on how to talk to kids about drugs as well as a Britney Spears journal. Or, as I referred to it, Britney's autobiography (blank pages! - LOL). Towards the end of the night, I started to feel a bit blue about things but managed to get busy helping to clean up. Tina drove me home and I think I fell asleep not long after I arrived at home.
This morning I awoke having a panic attack. I popped a happy pill and laid back down for a while. I eventually got up, ate breakfast, had some coffee then hit the gym. Afterwards I went in search of a small Christmas present for Sonny who has been so nice during my ordeal. The gift I got her relates to a running joke between us. I'll photograph it and post it later this week.
Tonight, I relaxed. I poked around on the internet for a while but spent most of the evening chatting with my QTS friends.
I feel pretty good about things. Tomorrow will be a bit of a test because I'm back at Lakeshore. I haven't heard from M in response to the email I sent. I don't expect to, and that's okay. I'm going to believe that he read it and hopefully gave some thought to his actions both in how he ended things and in how he handled the relationship as a whole. For me, it's going to be onward and upward. I was reminded this weekend that I've got the best bunch of friends that a guy could ask for. From my QTS crew, to those who chimed in on Facebook, to my work friends, and of course my Chicago pals. I love them all so very much.
And, lest I forget, I love my blog friends, too.
Many Happy Returns
File Under: Christmas in reverse
Yesterday I went out to the mall, not because I still have holiday shopping to finish, I actually had things to return. Matthew's presents went back to their respective stores. I needed to not look at the packages any more.
I got kind of generous with him. After he bought my matching bedding set, I decided I would buy him a nice set of sheets to go with his new bedding. Macy's day after Thanksgiving sale had some really nice sheets, reasonably priced.
Then, after he announced that he was having trouble figuring out what to buy my mom for her birthday and for Christmas, I went out and bought him a sweater from her. Banana Republic was having a big sale.
Last Monday, when I was at Matthew's (the night he cooked dinner for me and wanted me to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with him), we watched his show "Gossip Girl" afterwards (I had to teach him that with TiVo, you could watch a program currently being recorded and it wouldn't stop the recording from finishing. But I digress. In one scene, there was a party and champagne was being sipped out of cyllindrical champagne glasses and he mentioned how much he loved them and wished he could find some just like them. Well, I did a little online searching and found them and Crate and Barrel. "Exclusive Design!" On my day off last Wednesday, I bought six of them for him.
But, since Wednesday didn't end on a high note, I found myself with some gifts that would not be given.
There were a couple other items that I won't return, I'll keep and use. I bought him a winter hat from LL Bean. We had been looking at hats at Target and I found a hat in their catalog that was cute so I bought one for each of us (different colors). I'll wear them both, nice to have options. I had also ordered him a pair of funky reading glasses. Like me, he wears readers when he's got his contacts in and his coworkers were making fun of his drug store readers, so I ordered some from my online source for cool glasses - Debby Burke Optical. We wear the same strength glasses so I won't mind keeping these. They were inexpensive and purchased with my flexible spending account. :)
My QTS friends encouraged me to return and for each return, I should buy myself a little happy. I decided I would be "happy" with the charges reversed on my credit cards. Suze Orman would be proud of me.
So, I'm officially no longer a rule-breaker and every gift that I'm giving this year will be valued at $30 0r under.
His loss. My gain.
Yesterday I went out to the mall, not because I still have holiday shopping to finish, I actually had things to return. Matthew's presents went back to their respective stores. I needed to not look at the packages any more.
I got kind of generous with him. After he bought my matching bedding set, I decided I would buy him a nice set of sheets to go with his new bedding. Macy's day after Thanksgiving sale had some really nice sheets, reasonably priced.
Then, after he announced that he was having trouble figuring out what to buy my mom for her birthday and for Christmas, I went out and bought him a sweater from her. Banana Republic was having a big sale.
Last Monday, when I was at Matthew's (the night he cooked dinner for me and wanted me to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with him), we watched his show "Gossip Girl" afterwards (I had to teach him that with TiVo, you could watch a program currently being recorded and it wouldn't stop the recording from finishing. But I digress. In one scene, there was a party and champagne was being sipped out of cyllindrical champagne glasses and he mentioned how much he loved them and wished he could find some just like them. Well, I did a little online searching and found them and Crate and Barrel. "Exclusive Design!" On my day off last Wednesday, I bought six of them for him.
But, since Wednesday didn't end on a high note, I found myself with some gifts that would not be given.
There were a couple other items that I won't return, I'll keep and use. I bought him a winter hat from LL Bean. We had been looking at hats at Target and I found a hat in their catalog that was cute so I bought one for each of us (different colors). I'll wear them both, nice to have options. I had also ordered him a pair of funky reading glasses. Like me, he wears readers when he's got his contacts in and his coworkers were making fun of his drug store readers, so I ordered some from my online source for cool glasses - Debby Burke Optical. We wear the same strength glasses so I won't mind keeping these. They were inexpensive and purchased with my flexible spending account. :)
My QTS friends encouraged me to return and for each return, I should buy myself a little happy. I decided I would be "happy" with the charges reversed on my credit cards. Suze Orman would be proud of me.
So, I'm officially no longer a rule-breaker and every gift that I'm giving this year will be valued at $30 0r under.
His loss. My gain.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Birthday Surprise
File Under: Team QTS!
QTS stands for "Queens Talking Shit," and it's a message board I've belonged to for years. I've got some fantastic friends on that board, we have a good time. We talk about EVERYTHING. We've seen one another through surgeries, mourning, births, new boobs, new jobs and new relationships. Members of the board live in different parts of the world, but mostly we're from the United States.
My friend Linda lives in Alexandria, VA. This happens to be where Matthew has been staying. Knowing it was his birthday, Linda volunteered to be my inside source and get something to Matthew on his birthday, his 4oth.
I sent a parcel with 2 CDs, wrapped with a card, on Wednesday, it arrived Thursday. Now, Linda could give Martha Stewart a run for her money (as could I), without the insider trading stuff. I sent a bit of money for her to use as gratuity at the hotel, as well as for embellishments. In my mind, I pictured a couple cupcakes in a box, to be placed next to the gift and the card. Well, bless her heart, Linda ran with it and with my approval, she included party hats, candles, matches, a votive candle and purchased cupcakes from a swanky little shop near her home. Here's how it all turned out.
The selection of baked goods, at Buzz.
The patrons, enjoying an early afternoon at Buzz.
Oooh, a cute little box. Wonder what's inside...
Mmm....cupcakes! Vanilla with vanilla buttercream frosting, just like I suggested!
Back home, there's the gift and card that I sent, along with the party hats, bag, cupcakes, candles, matches (in the "a great flame" box), coordinating tissue, and gift bag.
The finished product.
At 1 pm my time, I gave my final approval on the package and left for the gym. On my way over to Matthew's apartment (from where I'm typing this), he called to say Thank You, the bag had arrived. It was in his room when he went upstairs. He was very surprised and a bit stunned, I think. He of course said "you didn't have to do that." I said "Duh, but I did anyway, it's your birthday and you're working and I wanted you to have at least a moment where you stopped and smiled, I'm thrilled it happened mid-day since after a long day of work." I then gave all sorts of credit to Linda for making it happen. She added the "WOW" to the presentation.
So, our mission was a success. Of course as it was happening, we were talking about it on the message board, so it became a group effort. Kudos to my dear friend Linda for going above and beyond to make a good guy feel great on his birthday, and for making me look like a star. Shout out to "Team QTS" for their involvement and encouragement. They're a great group of friends and I love them so.
QTS stands for "Queens Talking Shit," and it's a message board I've belonged to for years. I've got some fantastic friends on that board, we have a good time. We talk about EVERYTHING. We've seen one another through surgeries, mourning, births, new boobs, new jobs and new relationships. Members of the board live in different parts of the world, but mostly we're from the United States.
My friend Linda lives in Alexandria, VA. This happens to be where Matthew has been staying. Knowing it was his birthday, Linda volunteered to be my inside source and get something to Matthew on his birthday, his 4oth.
I sent a parcel with 2 CDs, wrapped with a card, on Wednesday, it arrived Thursday. Now, Linda could give Martha Stewart a run for her money (as could I), without the insider trading stuff. I sent a bit of money for her to use as gratuity at the hotel, as well as for embellishments. In my mind, I pictured a couple cupcakes in a box, to be placed next to the gift and the card. Well, bless her heart, Linda ran with it and with my approval, she included party hats, candles, matches, a votive candle and purchased cupcakes from a swanky little shop near her home. Here's how it all turned out.
The selection of baked goods, at Buzz.
The patrons, enjoying an early afternoon at Buzz.
Oooh, a cute little box. Wonder what's inside...
Mmm....cupcakes! Vanilla with vanilla buttercream frosting, just like I suggested!
Back home, there's the gift and card that I sent, along with the party hats, bag, cupcakes, candles, matches (in the "a great flame" box), coordinating tissue, and gift bag.
The finished product.
At 1 pm my time, I gave my final approval on the package and left for the gym. On my way over to Matthew's apartment (from where I'm typing this), he called to say Thank You, the bag had arrived. It was in his room when he went upstairs. He was very surprised and a bit stunned, I think. He of course said "you didn't have to do that." I said "Duh, but I did anyway, it's your birthday and you're working and I wanted you to have at least a moment where you stopped and smiled, I'm thrilled it happened mid-day since after a long day of work." I then gave all sorts of credit to Linda for making it happen. She added the "WOW" to the presentation.
So, our mission was a success. Of course as it was happening, we were talking about it on the message board, so it became a group effort. Kudos to my dear friend Linda for going above and beyond to make a good guy feel great on his birthday, and for making me look like a star. Shout out to "Team QTS" for their involvement and encouragement. They're a great group of friends and I love them so.
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