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April 13 2010

 

  Hello world.

Well, it’s been over 9 months since my last posting, and a lot of changes have happened in my life during that time. I’m struggling to figure out what I’ll talk about in this post, but I’ll try my hardest to keep this under a few pages in length ;-) That means that little things like buying an iPhone, learning Microprocessor control and electronics, studying for my aviation instrument rating, finally buying a kitchen table and living room furniture, my search for a good dentist, a business trip to Houston, and the close call with almost having to go to India will not be discussed. If you’re interested in any of these items just email me and ask.

The first six months of 2009 were very difficult for me. Anyone who has read any of the previous posts can understand some of what I was going through. The overriding theme of the first part of 2009 was the downfall of my love life and the heartache that ensued. The secondary theme would have to be the financial hardships that I was trying desperately to resolve. I’ll touch on both of these issues as well as other items in the coming paragraphs.

I’ve been single now for fifteen months. I’ve found that although I’m mostly over the person in my past relationship, I’m still not really able to open my heart to anyone else. My last lover’s abrupt tearing out of my heart has left scars that I’m still trying to deal with. I’m certainly no longer in love with him, and care for him as any good human being would care about an ex, I just don’t have much respect for the person he seems to have turned into. In that regard, I guess I’m glad he is no longer in my life. Although, like anyone who loses a person that they were in love with, I still often think of the person who I fell in love with, and treasure our memories together. We all wish we could live in our memories from time to time… unfortunately that’s not reality :-/ (Regardless of those statements…. I still have a huge hole in my life that he previously filled…. I feel the emptiness every day…. And it hurts.)

Within the last few months I made a commitment to myself to try and get back into the dating scene and start to feel like a normal man again, but all of my attempts seem to result in the realization that I’m just not ready for another attempt at real intimacy. I’ve put up walls and self protection mechanisms that block people from getting closer to me. I did not pursue any of the people I’ve been on “official dates” with. They were either “too young”, “too old”, “not Asian” or whatever it may have been. At least I recognize this issue and am working on changing it, since it is unfair to both myself and the other person. So for now I’m still single, by my own choosing.

If only Mister Right would walk into my life...

I just re-read my last statement “by my own choosing”…. That’s stupid….. love doesn’t work that way. If someone came into my life that I had an explosive chemistry with and that I began to fall for… then so be it…. But that hasn’t happened. I am, however, starting to at least put myself back on the market to meet people. You can’t fall in love with someone if you don’t know they exist. Unfortunately, there really isn’t anybody out there that I’ve met that even comes close. :-(

As you may have read from my previous posts, business was going really bad for me in the last year. A failed business venture that caused me to lose my house in 2007, a mediocre recovery in 2008, and then all downhill in the first half of 2009 with the downfall of the economy. As a result I was looking for an alternate employment situation. That didn’t seem to work out very well at first, but I did find a position with an Aviation related technology firm in the Natomas area. Enjoyable since it combines my passion for aviation with my professional expertise.

The position that I accepted wasn’t even close to what I wanted financially, so I’ve been reliant on side projects leftover from the full time consultancy. So far the arrangement has worked out well. Almost every weekend I have another side project that helps pay the bills and also keeps my mind occupied. A good thing when you have a lot of alone time.

The position within the company I’m working for now has room for substantial growth, but we are currently awaiting a large contract award from the government. Either A) We will get the contract and things will be happy for everybody, or B) we don’t get the award and there will be drastic cuts. Time will tell. I may be looking for another position here soon.

As a result of finally getting my financial world somewhat back in order, I have been able to move out of the crappy downtown apartment I was in for the last few years. I moved into a “Luxury” apartment only 1.2 miles away from the office I travel to on a daily basis. The apartment is a definite upgrade from my last place. Large kitchen and living room, dining room, two separate bedrooms, walk in closet, full appliances (including washer and dryer), central heat and air, and a garage. Yay! (Still nothing compared to the two homes I had in a decade gone bye….)

The “charm” of living in an old Victorian home downtown in the years past is long gone.

Some side-effect of moving away from downtown is that I’m no longer near the gay bars, and it is a ~$40 cab ride to them from where I live. That means that I only make it out to the social areas maybe once a week on the weekend (and only if I am able to hitch a ride from a friend). No more “happy hour” after work. Overlooking the fact that I now live in a suburb with little “family” around me, it is better in the long run. I’m certainly healthier than I was nine months ago. I also go to the Gold’s Gym near my new apartment a few times a week, and that has started to show some visible results.

Side note about Gold’s Gym: IT IS WAY WAY WAY WAY BETTER than any 24 hour fitness I’ve ever been to in California. I also like it because I don’t know anybody there. I can do my workout and not have to deal with gays staring at me all day.

I’ve also noticed that my clean-freak side has come out in full force in the last six months. My pantry and cabinets are organized and well stocked. My living room and kitchen is always immaculate, and my home office is well configured. I suppose when you don’t have boyfriends around leaving their clothes all over the place it is easier to maintain a nice place. Of course the layout and space of my new place is a huge factor. I have locations for everything, and I’ve also gotten rid of a lot of junk in my move from downtown to here.

So, a few random topics.

I recently finally upgraded my home computer to a custom built gaming machine I put together. Very happy about the results. I was way over due for an upgrade.

I finally paid off my car, so that’s a good thing.

My father and his girlfriend, as well as my brother and his partner, are all still together as well.

Kinda strange because my father, brother, and I are suppose to have a little family reunion (just the three of us plus their partners) in August of this year in Arizona. Unfortunately it is almost a certainty that I will be the only single person in the bunch. Oh well.

I’ve been on a few dates with a few people, but nothing really sparkled on my side. Luckily I’ve been able to hold people off before they write me crazy stalker letters.

I do occasionally sign in to Grindr on my iPhone, but that has mainly been simply to communicate with a friend in Fresno, not really to look for guys. I don’t even hit the “find more guys” button because if I click it then my ex will likely show up. By the way, he is “not half of two”… whatever.

Still no gay.com or a4a for me though. I want a respectable partner in my life, not some whore. Ok, Ok, I know what you will say “Just because I have provocative photos on gay hook-up sites, does not make me a whore!!!”… ok…. Sure, I agree with you, and I apologize… (and this goes for you too Billy)…. However… if a person was wearing a police man’s uniform in the middle of the street and you ran up to them saying “Help Me! Help Me!!!” and they said to you “Sorry, I’m not a police officer!” wouldn’t you get confused?

Same thing with those sites. You MAY NOT be a whore… but you CERTAINLY are wearing a whore’s uniform. (Special Thanks to Dave Chappell for pointing this out in one of his stand-up comedy routines. Credit where credit is due.)

Let’s see…. What else to talk about.

Well, let’s re-cap the last few months. I’ve been extremely busy with work (a vast improvement over 2008 and 2009). I’ve stabilized my outward emotional and financial situation, and I’ve regained most of the self confidence that I was missing in years past. The downside is that I’m still extremely lonely, and longing for that “in love” feeling again. I’m a very loving, caring, and compassionate person. It feels like wanting to scream, but not being able to open your mouth. The need to be loved, and to love someone else, is a basic human need. Maybe in time it will come to fruition.

Until then, I’ll end this long over-due “My Thoughts” post with last night’s vanity card from “The Big Bang Theory” written by Producer Chuck Lorre.

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CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #284

2010 Census

1) How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, 2010?

Well, after a difficult divorce and several failed attempts at a meaningful relationship, I guess the answer is one. One lonely, middle-aged guy. But I shouldn't get too down on myself. I mean, at least I'm trying. At least my intentions are good. Well, mostly good. I am guilty of what I call self-righteous self-centeredness. You know, that workaholic syndrome which requires everyone to adapt to my “every pressing need” rather than being available to theirs. In fact, that actually might be the core of my problem. That, or my compulsive desire to make women happy, which, no surprise, stems from a deep fear that unless I'm perfect, they'll leave me. Oh, and they sure let you know when you're not perfect. They don't mince words when you fail to live up to their expectations. You hear about it. Or worse, you don't hear about it and then have to deal with their subliminal rage that you're not healing their deep-seated daddy wound. But that's beside the point. Bottom line, one person lives here. There, you happy U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration/ U.S. Census Bureau?! Anything else you want to know?

2) Were there any additional people staying here that you did not include in question one?

I already told you, I'm alone! What is with you people?! Why do you keep taunting me?! Haven't I suffered enough?!

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1st Aired: 12 April 2010