Epic Dinner

Last night my cousin (and favorite Georgian) invited my aunt, my husband, and me to dinner at 560 by Wolfgang Puck, which is the rotating restaurant in Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas.  We signed up for the seven course chef's special.  Our reservations were for 8:00 PM and we left the restaurant at 11:30 PM.  It was a spectacular dinning event.  We talked non-stop, and the chef sent out seven delicious dishes!

Yesterday also happened to be the day I experienced my one billionth second of life.  A significant event in our household.  They informed the chef, and he sent out a happy birthday scoop of ice cream too.  They kept lighting the candle and letting me make more birthday wishes.  One of my wishes, no doubt, was that we'd get to spend more time with my cousin and her family!

Thank You George Clooney

This is what George Clooney said after The Advocate asked him about the gay rumors that have followed him for years:

"I think it’s funny, but the last thing you’ll ever see me do is jump up and down, saying, “These are lies!” That would be unfair and unkind to my good friends in the gay community. I’m not going to let anyone make it seem like being gay is a bad thing. My private life is private, and I’m very happy in it. Who does it hurt if someone thinks I’m gay? I’ll be long dead and there will still be people who say I was gay. I don’t give a shit."

Isn't that a powerful point of view?  Homos have to learn how to not "give a shit" about what other people say, but it's still rare for hetero males to not "give a shit" when people question their sexuality.  Bravo George Clooney!

Absurd Question

There is a lot of wisdom in this simple little flow chart. We're social animals and sometimes we make simple situations unnecessarily complicated. For example, my firm hired a new girl to join my team and after her first day one of my colleagues asked me: "Have you told [the new girl] you're gay?" Of course, my response was "No, hopefully she's smart enough to catch on." I wish I would have replied: "Have you told [the new girl] you're heterosexual?"

Now, doesn't that question sound ridiculous when I replaced "gay" with "heterosexual"?  "Have you told [the new girl] you're gay?" was always an absurd question to my ears...but somehow it didn't seem that way to everyone...

Thirty One

We went to at least a half-dozen bars/clubs this weekend, and only once did I get carded by the doorman.  It must be obvious to the world that I was 21 a decade ago.  Time marches on...

Dooley Attacks Air

My married with children colleagues informed me that once you have children you cannot go to Los Angeles for a weekend.  I think they're wrong.  Why can't we drop our children off when we drop the dogs off at my husband's parent's house?  "Here's our dogs.  Here's our kids.  Call us if you need us!  Bye Bye!"

My husband's mother informed me that Dooley can be sweet at times and feisty at times.  I agree.  Today while I was cleaning up the back patio, Dooley started barking and attacking the air from our blower.  She was really upset at the blower.  It was funny.

The Boomerang Effect

When it comes to plays and musicals I usually agree with Ouiser Bourdeaux: "I do not see plays, because I can nap at home for free..." Which means when I discover theater that is interesting and entertaining, then I have to share the news. This weekend we saw Matthew Leavitt's The Boomerang Effect in Los Angeles. It's a 90-minute show that peeks into the lives of five interrelated couples. The actors were so great that it felt like you were watching real couples. All the actors are fantastic, but I was laughing the most when Kat Bailess ("Best Night on Earth") and Jonathan Slavin ("This is as serious as a dead baby.") were on stage. Go see this show.

LA Weekend

We spent 47.5 hours in Los Angeles this weekend.  We were spending time with our beloved friend Del. We went to dinner, to clubs, to brunch, to the spa, to the theater, to more clubs and then to breakfast!  It was a fast and relaxing and an exciting weekend.

Car Show

Last night Dave, Myranda, and I met up at the Dallas Auto Show.  It's worth every penny of the $12 to park and $11 admission fee.  We looked at and sat in all the current and future automobiles.  I've decided that I'm a Toyota guy; I still really enjoy my 4Runner.  If I could afford anything, then I'd drive the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Infiniti QX56.  I also like the Toyota Sequoia, Lexus GX, Mercedes ML350. and the Overland edition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

One key takeaway is that cars are expensive!  I've never owned a new car, and I might never own a new car since they seem to all start at $45,000!

And after a night of sitting in interesting and expensive cars I was happy to drive my 2004 Toyota 4Runner home.  Happiness is wanting what you already have, right?

Shotgun!

When baby girl goes for a ride, she likes to sit shot gun.  Both of our dogs sleep when they get in the car.  Today my husband's parents came to Dallas to pick up Trigger and Dooley for the weekend.

Have fun at Yaya and Pappa's house!

Springtime in Dallas

It's the first day of spring?!  Happy spring!  I hope you take the time to enjoy the beautiful flowers of the season.  Don't forget to stop and enjoy the colors of life!

Gay Myths

I love this list of gay myths, and my favorite is "the only thing that makes us different is what we do in bed."  In my life I've found it to be an essential concept that heteros must understand if they wish to "get it."  If you want to get what it means to be gay, then you must understand that being gay is not something you do it's who you are.

The New Normal

We were taking Trigger on a walk through the nicest part of our neighborhood.  Originally this neighborhood was full of 1400 square foot two bedroom three bathroom houses built in the 1940's and early 1950's.  Today those homes are being torn down and replaced with 4500 square foot houses.  This is good for Dallas because it increases the property values and improves the local elementary school.  Still, it's interesting to think about the significant difference in the homes being demolished versus the homes being constructed...

Do you think a family of four living in 2012 is happier with more square feet?    Do you think a family of four living in 1950 was deprived with less square feet? I don't think so.

In this neighborhood in 1950 it was "normal" to build a 1400 square foot house.  In this neighborhood in 2012 it is "normal" to build a 4500 square foot house.  The "norms" have changed.  Just like it was "normal" to be anti-gay in 1950's, but today it's less "normal" to be anti-gay. The norms are changing.

And I look forward to the day when gay marriage is a normal part of our society...

Curried Chicken (and Pasta) Salad

We made the Barefoot Contessa's Curried Chicken Salad for supper.  Ina never lets me down, because it was delicious.  We added pasta shells to the roasted chicken, we used toasted pecans instead of cashews, and we decreased the salt by half.

My husband vetoed the chopped celery and green onions.  I had to keep them on the side.  However, I told him that celery is one of the vegetables everyone should learn to like, because back in my Weight Watchers days our weight loss coach always told us that celery has negative calories, since it burns more calories for your body to process it.  This story motivated my husband to try one bite with celery.  Guess what?  He said it wasn't so bad, and he told me that the next time we make this dish he will not veto the celery.  Progress.

It's A Paxten Party

This weekend my brother and his wife hosted an Abby Cadabby themed party at their house to celebrate Paxten's second birthday. Unlike her first birthday party this was a small family gathering, which I loved because I got more one-on-one time with our nieces, Paxten and Presley.

When my brother's wife was two years old she was living in South Korea, and now her daughters are growing up in the suburbs of Dallas. Don't you love living in the modern world?! I'm so thankful that my brother's wife's mother moved to Texas. I'm so glad my brother's wife went to UT where she met my brother! I'm so thankful that my brother's wife gave birth to my two spectacular nieces. I can't get enough of my nieces. They make me so happy.

Happy Second Birthday Pax! We love you, always.

Of Monsters and Men

My buddy Jordan introduced me to the folkie pop group Of Monsters and Men this week and I've been listening to Little Talks all day.  The tone of the lead male vocalist is captivating.

I believe Little Talks is about a couple who've been in a long term relationship and the husband's mind is fading because of age, or the husband is dying, or the husband has already died.   Either way, I think this is a love song about having faith that even if you're torn apart mentally (mind fading) or physically (death), then you'll be back together, because the ship will carry you safe to shore. Go buy this song and listen to it!

In fact, I like to think this is Catherine and Heathcliff singing to each other...

Some of the lyrics:

I don't like walking around this old and empty house.
So hold my hand, I'll walk with you my dear

The stairs creak as I sleep,
it's keeping me awake
It's the house telling you to close your eyes

Some days I can't even dress myself.
It's killing me to see you this way.

There's an old voice in my head
that's holding me back
Well tell her that I miss our little talks.

Soon it will all be over, buried with our past
We used to play outside when we were young
and full of life and full of love.

Some days I feel like I'm wrong when I am right.
Your mind is playing tricks on you my dear.

'Cause though the truth may vary
This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

You're gone, gone, gone away,
I watched you disappear.
All that's left is a ghost of you.
Now we're torn, torn, torn apart,
there's nothing we can do,
Just let me go, we'll meet again soon.

Now wait, wait, wait for me, please hang around
I'll see you when I fall asleep.

Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

H8SUX.com

If you think bullies suck, if you want to legalize love, and if you think it's okay for people to be gay, then you'll want to check out this website.  If you buy a tee shirt, then a teenager gets one for free.

It's absolutely okay to be gay!

Fifteen Incher

I was in a restaurant supply store when I spotted an orphan 15-inch pre-seasoned cast iron skillet sitting amongst his smaller brethren.  It was the first time I had ever seen a fifteen inch skillet.  I bought it.  I brought it home and my husband questioned the purchase.  He had logical comments: "It seems a bit excessive; when was the last time you were cooking with a 12-inch skillet and needed 3 more inches?"  But, think about all the bacon we could cook in this skillet!  My husband asked another logical question: "when was the last time you needed to cook a pound of bacon?"

I don't buy kitchen products to fit in the kitchen we own.  I buy kitchen stuff to fit in the kitchen of my cooking dreams...and now we have a 6, 8, 10, 12, and 15 inch cast iron pre-seasoned skillets, which does seem a bit excessive.  Oh, gosh I hope I'm not subconsciously overcompensating!  Yikes.

In my dreams alongside my husband I want to rear five sons, live in a two story house, and crank out healthy meals in my dream kitchen to feed my beloved family, and on the weekends (in my dreams) we'd host fancy dinner parties or backyard barbecues.  At least I have the skillets for the hefty cooking required in my dreams.  It's important to plan ahead, right?

New Sister

My parents lost Lucy earlier this year, and now they've arranged to bring a chocolate lab home in mid-April.  This yet unnamed female lab will join my parents' (currently pack-less) Jack Russell Terrier, Annie.   I'm looking forward to the energy and excitement lab puppy will add to my parents' household. We miss Lucy, but life goes on...onward and upward!

Sharing

After work yesterday I drove to suburbia to see my nieces Presley and Paxten.  We were really enjoying this beautiful weather.  We played at the park, created chalk art on the sidewalk, and after several false alarms, Presley finally flagged down the ice cream truck.  They ate ice cream, and Presley even shared a few bites of her ice cream with the dog, Cady, and I got in trouble for letting her eat after the dog.  It just seemed like part of her routine.

My brother and his wife have a pretty spectacular life.

Black Beans and Dirty Rice

While it was chilly outside I made a pot of black beans and dirty rice.  Sometimes simple and inexpensive meals are the most satisfying.  (Of course my meat-and-potato-eating husband did not, would not try black beans and dirty rice.  It still makes me laugh when he refuses to try something.)

Early Spring in Dallas

The tulips are blooming in Dallas.  Isn't it a little early?  We had a warm week.  However, this weekend was mostly cold, wet, and rainy until the sun came out on Sunday and warmed things up.  I guess we're having an early spring.

The Jason Ellis Show

I had to make a day trip to Austin on Friday, which means I was in the car for over six hours.  (Hooray for four dollar gas!) I listened to a lot of radio.  My hetero buddies always talk about The Jason Ellis Show on satellite radio.  I listen to two hours of the show and I was really entertained.  It is not the kind of show you'd want to listen to in polite company, and I'm certain very few ladies would be entertained by his show which is fueled by guy humor.

Interestingly enough, one of Jason Ellis fans sent in a comment via Twitter to the show that used the word "fag."  Jason took the time to educate him, and he told the fan he shouldn't use that word because it is offensive to gay people like the "n-word" is offensive to black people.  Jason said you can't drop any "f-bombs" or "n-bombs" on his show.

Also at another point in the show, Jason said he wanted to fly in a helicopter over Chick-fil-A and take a dump on top of their building to protest their anti-gay stance.  (I told you it was a show full of guy humor.)

I'm a Jason Ellis fan.  This guy (similar to Howard Stern) is reaching an entire generation of straight males, and he's using his platform to speak up for gay rights- in his own way.  Thank you Jason.

Two Years of Yoga

I was a fat kid growing up.  (In fourth grade my mom and I enrolled in Weight Watchers together- no joke.)  I grew up.  I played football. I added some strength to my body.  Being fat was no longer an issue for me.  To this day I still pay attention to what I eat.  However, because of my fatness as a kid, I was chased out of my body at an early age.  I was never fully present in my own body.  (That might be something only fat people can understand.)  While I look nothing like the guy in this photo, I am approaching my second year anniversary of practicing Bikram Yoga, and I have learned to love the practice for the way it makes me feel afterwards.

It's also trained me to be fully present in my own body, which is a tremendous gift.  Being present is essential to happiness.  Think: "stop and smell the roses."

I'm so glad my husband introduced me to yoga.

Oh No, They Know Me

My husband is at a business conference for seven days and I have to keep myself busy otherwise I end up on the floor in fetal position pounding my head against the floor.  I miss him.  This weekend I walked into Williams-Sonoma at North Park and the associate greeted me and said: "Aren't you the one that likes blue?"  Christy helped me the last time I was in the store, and she remembered that I like blue and I don't need a gift receipt.  She pointed out all the new blue items they had in stock.

So of course I had to purchase the measuring cups that match my bowls.

It it wrong that a sales associate at the greatest kitchen store in the world knows me and my purchasing habits?  I hope not.

Onion Sandwich

Arrange several slices of a raw sweet onion and one slice of cheese in between two piece of bread which have been smeared with really good mayonnaise, and you'll have an onion sandwich.  As a kid I use to eat onions and white bread and mayonnaise with my Granny.   The taste and smell of food is such a powerful time machine.  When I crunch into this sandwich I think of my Granny.

Today I only eat this sandwich when my husband is out of town.  Eating onions and puffing on cigars create a raunchy smell in my mouth, which takes a few days to vanish.  It hurts my feelings when my husband avoids me because of onions and cigars, which means I have to plan my stinky habits around my husband's long term assignments.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams

If you missed the CBS Sunday Morning's segment on Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, then watch it here.  I had no idea they started Faith In America, whose goal is to end religious based bigotry in America.

I appreciate the goodness these two men are adding to the world.  Now, I really want to buy the Kingston white leather chair for our office.  I should support their goodness with my gay bucks!  (Do you think that logic will work on my husband?)  I really like that chair.

Her Bed

I took a cushion from our chase lounge and placed it on the 1987 couch so that baby girl would not get on the cushion.  I walked in from yoga, and this is what I discovered.  I didn't think this through...Dooley usually gets what Dooley wants- I'm sure she's confused as to why I moved her favorite place to sleep.

Sunday Morning Paxten

I spent Sunday morning with Paxten.  We mostly played outside.  At the park she thought it was fun when I jumped out of the swing (while holding her), however later when she was swinging by herself she tried to jump out of the swing.  Oops.  It wasn't so much of a jump as a fall.

I love hanging out with my brother's family.  I wish they were my next door neighbors.

White Mom, Black Baby

Our friend Del took us to dinner on Wednesday night to The Porch.  (Side Note: get the grilled cheese sandwich, which is served with a cup of tomato soup!  I added a the beet salad with crispy goat cheese as a side.)  While we were at dinner I spotted a white mom with an black baby.  I wish there was a socially acceptable way to exchange phone numbers with strangers.  I want, so very badly, to talk to white people rearing minority children in my neighborhood.

Gay is Great

Gay is not something you do.  It's who you are.  Do you understand the difference?  It grinds at my soul  to watch (in 2012!) Presidential candidates make anti-gay statements, continuously.  It's hurting people.  What about the gay kid growing up in middle America that hears the guy running for President saying that being gay is wrong?  It's not wrong.

Being gay is wonderful.

Hog Chopper

My husband's father is going on a helicopter hog hunt this weekend.  (You might be (rich) redneck if...you shoot hogs from a helicopter.) The feral hog population is booming and they harm native species and natural landscape.  In Texas they allow hunting from the sky in order to control the population.

However, my point to this post is to point out that my husband's father hunts feral hogs AND he loves his gay son and his gay son's husband.  Yes, you can hunt and you can love.