Simply G at The Compound

While I was writing the very end of my last post, I could hear Simply Red floating in through my open window. That could only mean one thing, G is home and playing tunes on his computer at the other end of the "compound".
When I walked out to the pool, he was just beginning to enjoy a martini. Being the consummate roommate, I said that I would shake one together quickly and join him. And so I did.
G is a great guy, very funny with countless stories. Tonight he was reflecting on a new beginning that is unfolding in his life. I let him know how exciting of a time I thought that was for him, but it is also a little frightening, rightfully so. He is aware of everything he has to do and I am sure he will do just fine.
Half way through our Bombay 'tini's, we came up with a brilliant idea for a Halloween party. We had been talking about tacky White Elephant Christmas parties and some of the terrible gifts we had seen. Then it just clicked in both our minds: A White Elephant Costume Party!
We are still unsure of the details : Do you have so many people bring different sizes, or do you really have fun and whatever someone opens they wear - regardless? I think the latter...
Then boi (3rd roommate) came home. He joined us for a while. I wonder what he must think sometimes. He's a cute young man and very sweet. With that said, he balances G and myself quite well!
34 Amity Lane is composed of three very different characters all blending together to make a great mix.
It's going to be a good Summer! I have a new cocktail I am going to blend up this weekend when it reaches the nineties. I've already named it the "Pink Johnny". I may not cook that well, but I am usually a good mixologist. I'll keep you informed...

A Yearly Tradition

This picture was taken at a very special place to me. I took it just a week and a half ago on the 22nd. I have been trekking up to this spot for at least six years. It is the perfect place to get away from it all. You can either appreciate the solitude while stretched out on a lone rock, lay out a blanket on the beach and have a good time with friends, or cruise naked men!
While Batman was here, I wanted to share with him what I have found as my favorite place in Northern California. It is just about an hour drive up into the foothills of the Sierras. The elevation is a little over 2,000 feet. I won't give the name here. Too many people have found it in the last several years.
The river carves its way through a canyon of granite. The path to the beach is only 9/10 of a mile hike in. The path is very narrow for most of the hike. The earth drops dramatically from the trail. A good thirty feet in some places. As you are walking, there are many areas to stop and look upon the river. This stretch of it is composed of a series of pools which are carved into the granite. They are blue, still and beautiful. There are a few spots, if you get there early enough, you have a private pool for the day. Sure once in a while someone will come along and realize there is one accessible rock to lay on and it is taken. Or, on rare occasions you may even have a few innertubers pass by.
But you can tell by the picture, this river is not still at all. She is roaring. I had never been up this early in the Summer before last year. I had always waited until later in June. I was shocked to see a completely different river.
Batman truly appreciated what I shared with him. It reminded him of a river at Mt. Hood. He told me a story about the first time he had been at that river. He discovered someone floating nearby, got help, and they saved him. That was the day he saved a life. He is a HERO.
It was the best way I could spend my birthday, at a beautiful place accompanied by my Superhero.
I don't know where I'll be next year in May. But if I am in Northern California, I know I will be taking a familiar hike to a very special place.

Party re-cap

Yes, it did rain and rain and rain as forecasted... But, as I expected, we still had a good time. Minus the "poolboy", there were twenty-six of us total. The poolboy did a decent job mixing the margaritas, the demand for them never died down...

Ida helped at the grill. That was a great idea in planning. And it actually went really well until she decided to take up a collection for some bud and leave the grill full of chicken breasts! I finished up the cooking and it all turned out fine. Plus, we had more bud when she returned...

A few people actually put on swimming attire and swam! I thought I was buzzed! Hell, it was in the sixties and raining...

R made it, but wasn't himself... He took a nap for a while and we got a picture of that. After he woke, we wouldn't let him leave and drive for a while. Hell, he didn't even know which way the freeway was from my house.

Batman handled the chaos quite well. He busied himself by making sure the poolboy was actually working. At one point, the boy asked him, "WHERE are you from?"... Why Gotham of course.

Susan made it and brought me a fantastic painting she had created for my birthday with a beautiful floral arrangement. The painting is so cool. I haven't been able to take a picture of it which does it justice, but once I do, I'll post it.

Batman brought me an iPod Nano. What a great gift! It has changed my morning runs and workouts dramatically. More on him later...

I also received bottles of Patron, from Rachel and Sarah. Ida gave me a cool volleyball set for the front yard - maybe over the pool if we get it rigged correctly. Jean came and had a square floatie for a cooler. I am sure that will be floating in the pool full of refreshments soon! I also received a bottle of sapphire... and I feel terrible that I have no clue who brought it. THANKS!

So, blue skies and warm weather are not required to have a successful BBQ. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I am still hearing stories...

Flight 2047 H

It has been six weeks since I last saw Batman. Today he is arriving at noon, finally! I have threatened to strip him and do him right there in the garage at the airport in my truck. Maybe I will save him the embarassment and get him home first...

It's My Party...

And it will rain if it wants to!

After several weekends of weather with blue skies and temperatures in the eighties and nineties, the day of my BBQ is forecast to be in the mid sixties with showers... Fuck it. I wanted to throw this party to have fun with my friends. I don't care if we all are stuck inside, it may just get us drinking more! I have had a few people apologize for the impending storms, like they are causing them. Each time I have responded with an "I don't care". I really don't. It's always good to have your friends gathered around you, I'm blessed to have them.

Moving Up The Age Ladder

Seeking a Poolboy for Summer Parties

My roommate and I are looking for a good looking young man (or two) to help us out when we entertain this Summer. You should look good in just a speedo or jockstrap, your choice. Other expectations include: the ability to make blended margaritas, pour beers, help a little in the kitchen and pick up after our guests while having a positive attitude and a lot of fun. You should respond with a pic, stats, and what you would expect for an hourly wage. Our first BBQ is scheduled for 5/21/06, a Sunday, from 2 to 8pm.
You must be 21 years old with a valid ID. This is not an ad for sex. Please do not waste my time if you are not interested.

I posted the ad above a couple different times. I only received a few responses. Contestant Number One e-mailed back and forth with me for a few weeks. He stopped by and checked the house and us out last week. He is soooo young, twenty-two. He is also very cute, with some catering experience. My roommate G, Ida and I all liked him. He actually does bodywork on cars for a living (Hot!), and is just looking for a little extra money. He only wants $8.50 an hour and I am going to set him up with a tip jar.

Contestant Number Two was a hot twenty-seven year old that wasn't looking for a job, but rather looking to give one. Which is fine, but I think I need help around this house when entertaining more.

G and I went and picked up the bar for the backyard last night. I have been stockpiling liquor for weeks. R would be proud.

Batman is due to arrive on Saturday the 20th. I haven't shared with him that I have employed a "boy". I think I'll save that as a surprise, I want to see the look on his face.

34 Amity Lane is about to R-O-C-K!

Telephone Conversation

TC: "We're working around the house today. What are you doing?"
AJ: "Well, I just got a call from Contestant #1 and he is on his way over."
TC: "How does that work again?"
AJ: "I don't know, I'm just making it up as I go along."
TC: "That's why I like you."
AJ: "No, really, this boy is on his way over, he's twenty-two and driving up from Stockton. I placed that ad on C's List. The ad said that I needed a "pool-boy" to pour beers, blend margaritas, clean up after my friends, while wearing either a speedo or a jock-strap, your choice."

Thirty-Four Amity Lane

After fifteen months of living by myself, I thought it would be good to find a roommate. Not because I want somebody constantly around, but I find it comforting to know someone is coming and going. I also thought it would be a natural avenue for a bigger network of friends. With the weather warming up, a few of my friends, as well as some of G's, have started showing up to lounge by the pool. It's been a great mix. So far the skies have been eternally blue, the cocktails and beers cold, and everyone has brought a fun attitude.

There is plenty of room for everyone. This home was designed for entertaining. I am hosting a party on the twenty-first of this month. No, I am not cooking...

I mentioned a few posts back, it is rumored that G likes to be in her heals by the pool. Not just her! There is an "event" which takes place at this pool and is quite competitive. To compete in the "Diva Dive", one must strap on a pair of high-heals, strut down to the far end of the pool, dive in, walk out of the opposite side of the pool, up the stairs, prance over to the nearest chaise, gracefully sit down and remove the heals. I must say, it is hilarious to watch. Fortunately, I knew right away it wasn't my sport.

Next weekend we have a third roommate moving in. I am hoping the dynamics of the house will remain fun. How can they not?

LET IT BLEED

What a shitty day. I knew from the very beginning, when I was shuffling about with my coffee, it would suck. It did.

Work is back to just leaving me drained and used.

After that less than worthwhile experience, I hit the mall. Not because I thought it might lift my spirits, but because I desperately needed some things. I've been putting it off. I hate the mall. Bright lights, inquisitive and chatty salespeople, overpriced goods made by children in a third world country, other people just as miserable as myself. I don't even know what I spent. It doesn't matter, I needed everything.

I came home and started the grill. I have been loving living in this house. I have only cooked once on the grill here. Tonight I had several pork chops to BBQ. I thought for sure I would ruin them - keeping with the theme of the day. Fortunately, they were great. At least I thought so.

R called before I threw the meat on the grill. It was good to hear from him. He's had a couple rough days as well, but sounded good. He and M are leaving for The City this weekend. I hope they have a great time.

I am really getting tired of only having someone in my life every four to five weeks for a weekend. The time I get to spend with J is wonderful, but it's becoming more difficult to say good-bye, and then only communicate via the phone and internet for the next month. I don't know what to do. I don't want to stop seeing him, I think I'm in love. But if it has to continue as it has, I will have no choice. It's just too hard. I don't expect some instantaneous change, but rather the two of us creating a goal and working towards that. I hope I don't push too much too soon for him.


Well we all need someone to lean on,
And if you want it, well you can lean on me.
Well, we all need someone we can lean on,
And if you want it, well you can lean on me...

Yeah, we all need someone we can dream on
And if you want it, well you can dream on me.
Yeah, we all need someone we can cream on,
And if you want to, well you can cream on me...

We all need someone we can bleed on,
And if you want it, baby, well you can bleed on me.
We all need someone we can bleed on,
And if you want it, why don't you bleed on me...
You can bleed all over me.