"It's Not Easy Bein' Green"

Your true color is Green!

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

I have to disagree with Kermit on this one.

Click here to find your color.

Teste Tuesday - Fast Forward Fourteen Years

As usual, R arrived right at 7:30. Just as he has for the last ten years. Ever since his brother was implicated in the now infamous "Nacho Incident", R has been at the helm of his family's business. He usually is at the office until 10 pm, but he makes time for Ida and me on Tuesdays. He knocked twice on the door before throwing it wide open and making a b-line for the bar.

While filling a shaker of martinis, he asked what it was he smelled wafting in from the kitchen. I began to tell him and was interrupted by Ida and Snot making their grand entrance.

I walked into the living room and Ida had already planted her ass in the couch while snapping her fingers signaling R to get that freshly poured martini into her wrinkled hands, immediately. By the time Ida brought the glass to her lips, Snot had just made it up the last step into the room. I grabbed a towel and laid it out in the corner for her. She knew the routine. After greeting R, she meandered towards me and plopped herself down. She is twelve now, and it is a wonder that she made it past ten. After her last dog, Ida kept saying she would never have another one. Then, on that fateful day at the carnival, she forgot all about her pet moratorium. When she saw Snot grabbing some shade under a trailer, which was just baking in the hot summer sun, she knew they were kindred souls. If it were not for daily dialysis, Snot would be long gone. When Ida won the lottery, Snot also won the lottery.

Ida smoked a bowl with me and then asked what I was serving. Damn, have I came a long way. Instead of grabbing something to eat on the way over to my house or on the way home, Ida and R have came to look forward to Tuesdays. Tonight they were both happy to learn that we were beginning with Crab Cakes with Fresh Chive Sauce and Tomato Concassee. Followed by a Baby Green Salad with Artichoke Vinaigrette. I was surprised they didn't recognize the Rondelle of Salmon with Juniper Berry Sauce by smell. I've lost count how many times I've cooked it!

While we ate, we talked about our weeks and retold stories that we all love hearing. And again, laughed about how much money I made reinventing the wheel.

After we finished the Chocolate Grand Marnier Torte with Orange Caramel Sauce, our stomachs were stretched and our eyes were heavy. Ida gathered up Snot in the corner, opened the door and whistled for her driver. As abruptly as they had entered the evening, they left.

When I turned from shutting the door behind them, I saw R sprawled out on the couch. I took his shoes off of his heavy legs and tossed a throw on top of him. When I turned the light off, I couldn't help but think how much I looked forward to next Tuesday.

Palm Springs Re-Visited

Batman and I had a great weekend filled with a lot of lounging. It was very nice. The weather wasn't that great so I was more than happy just to hang in The Cave.

He is going to come to my town the weekend of the 11th and 12th of March. I can't wait for my friends to meet him. A few of them have already, but only for brief moments.

I have completely fallen for this man and hope that I finally have gotten it right.

Cheney Accidentally Shoots Fellow Hunter

It looks as though the Republicans will end up killing each other.

Last Dance, Last Chance...

EPISODE FOUR

I have never had such an enjoyable trip. Was it the cruise or the company? The company!

Every day there were countless activities to choose from. Batman and I were always in agreement as to how to share our time. Some days were extremely laid back. We'd sleep in, eat a lot, and lay by the pool. Other days we would enjoy an off-board excursion and go to different dances or shows at night.

We didn't attend a show that we could've done without. We saw Margaret Cho, Kristine W, a Broadway Revue, ice dancing (yes, the boat even had an ice rink!), The Facts of Life (a campy drag queen version of your favorite boarding house gurls with a twist - Blair and Jo are operating a brothel in the house. Since the "boi look" is so popular, Jo is in high demand, which as you can imagine, doesn't sit well with Blair).

The dances were also incredible spectacles. There we were, a floating tribe in the Caribbean while lasers were shooting outward from the top deck. The deejay list included Manny Lehmen, Warren Gluck, Abel, and Tony Moran.

As soon as we left Miami, the weather was perfect. By Friday I was relaxed but worn out, soaked by the sun and wanting more, horny yet completely satiated, tired from all the dancing but keeping my dancing shoes on!

I don't remember who the deejay was or if there was even a theme for the last tea dance that afternoon. We both enjoyed the music while dancing off to the side of the usual moving melee. While gazing over the top of the sea of bouncing heads on the dancefloor, I noticed the sun was beginning to disappear. I grabbed Batman by the hand and led him to the side of the ship.

Every night the sunset was beautiful. This evening was no different. As we locked our eyes on the sinking orb, I wrapped my arms around my Superhero. We stood there for quite some time just holding each other and appreciating what The Universe had allowed us to witness.

As I stood there with this amazing man thinking about all the times I had wanted to tell him how I had completely fallen for him, I kept hearing my good buddy TC tell me to make sure that I created moments while on the trip. The setting, the man, the feelings were all in alignment, yet I couldn't put myself out there. Unfortunately, Robin doubles as Super Chicken! I've regretted it ever since.

The next morning, we awoke to the sound of rain and the bustling of Miami. It was hard to say good-bye to the ship. I wanted keep her, but decided that even I didn't have a bag that large...

Batman took me to the airport several hours later. After his truck was out of sight I exhaled a huge breath and released the tears I had been holding back. When would I see him again? Why didn't I muster the courage to let him know how I felt? Would my feelings be reciprocated? Is there a future for this Dynamic Duo?

I arrived back in Northern California very early on Sunday morning. By Monday morning I couldn't handle the uncertainty an longer. This Caped Coward fired off an e-mail to Batman detailing how I felt and explaining how there were many times on the ship that I had wanted to express these feelings.

SEVERAL hours later I got the response I had hoped for. Batman felt the same way. He also had wanted to say things to me, but couldn't... I have never cried so many tears of joy!

This coming Friday we will be reunited in Palm Springs. Needless to say, I can't wait! This time, I am not holding back!

Even though it was our last dance on the boat, it wasn't our last chance.

When Pigs Fly

My Funny Valentine...

Our Door - Cabin #7340

EPISODE THREE

Since Batman had been on a few of these cruises before, he knew that it is customary to decorate the cabin door. He had teased me for a few weeks leading up to the cruise that he had the door planned but would not give me a clue as to what he was up to.

I was quite pleased when I was able to see it. Especially the "Dynamic Duo" printed above the leather pride flag. It made me wish everyone had a Superhero.

Half-Nekkid Thursday

I thought I would join Michael for this weekly tradition...

What Day Is it?

EPISODE TWO

While on the Ship, and especially now, the days have all blurred together. A few nights our heads didn't hit the pillow for sleep until the sun was rising on top of the aquatic landscape. I think it was the second night, not sure which dance we were at, but we decided to leave one area of the ship to check out another dance which was occurring at the same time. It was shortly after midnight. When we stepped into the elevator we immediately noticed there was a plate screwed into the middle of the floor, which measured approximately eight inches in width by about thirty inches in length. On the plate was the word "MONDAY". We looked at it and laughed and talked about how we knew what day it was...

As I have said before, the ship was immense. With 3,200 gay men aboard it took quite a crew to keep everyone happy. I have no idea how many crew members there were, but I did hear that they came from fifty-seven different countries. Think about it. There were servers for every restaurant, bartenders, cashiers, cooks, janitors, cabin-keepers, entertainers, etc. That is a great number of people needed for such a floating resort. The majority of them were extremely helpful and polite. I am sure many of them have thankless jobs.

I woke up one morning, later in the week, and Batman was sound asleep snoring with content. I quietly gathered up a few things and headed out for some coffee. When I stepped into the elevator I was shocked to learn it was "THURSDAY" already. Where had the week gone?

Thank you Mister-Elevator-Plate-Changer!
Robin - Cabin #7340

Batman & Robin Take On The Seven Seas

EPISODE ONE

Apparently when superheroes go on vacation, the way they recharge is by DANCING!
Batman picked me up as scheduled at Miami International. It was so good to see him I thought I was going to cry.
After settling in at the hotel and getting cleaned up, we walked over to Lincoln Road. If you ever go to Miami, this is a must see on a Friday or Saturday evening. The road itself is closed off from car traffic and is several blocks long. Stretching down both sides of the street are trendy shops, galleries, and restaurants with outdoor seating. Just a cockring toss away is a very gay gym. It is a gathering place of many locals. Very crowded yet comfortable with a European feel. We had a nice dinner before heading back to the room.
Later that night we went to SPACE to drop and twirl. There were so many men just posing they could've put Madonna's "Vogue" on a loop and let it play all night. Of course, The Dynamic Duo had a great time regardless.
The next morning we were out of the room by noon and took a walk along the boardwalk in South Beach. It borders the beach and the back of some very fine hotels. As we walked and talked we were surrounded by the beauty of the new and some very old architecture on one side and the ocean on the other. We walked quite a while before we stopped and had some lunch at The Palace Bar and Restaurant. We took a different route back to the car. I enjoyed every step.
A little later that afternoon we got on board an amazing ship. It was incredible. By the end of the cruise we were still unsure how to get to certain places we had been before. It was that large. That first evening as we left Miami the dancing began. If you were ever fortunate enough to go to Club Universe (on Saturdays) or Pleasuredome (Sundays) in San Francisco, when it was still open, that is what the dance parties equated to: Large, Loud, Crowded, In-Your-Face, Dance-Till-You-Drop FUN!
How do you follow up a day like that? By having incredible sex for hours until dropping into a heap and drifting off to sleep.

THE LOVE BOAT, EXCITING AND NEW

Come Aboard
They're expecting you...

What a week! Today I am home and have been muddling my way through errands. The cruise was more than I could have hoped for... Unfortunately, I have this fear that no matter where I am, if I hear dance music, I will tear off my shirt and jump on top of the nearest cube. Only because I am so exhausted from the trip, I feel it is my duty and obligation to the City of Sacramento to keep myself inside my apartment where I can make sure nobody else experiences this... When I have fully recovered, I will post more.