Today

Snow flurries in the AM.
Sunburn on my eyelids by the PM.
I guess the reflection from my tears didn't help.
The sun was a lot stronger than I thought,
cutting through the bitter cold,
finding my face for just long enough
to feel the heat later.

The First Shall be Last & The Last Shall be First

It would be foolish of me to think I was the first
Even more so to think I'm going to be the last
But I do know the first time we met
I wanted it not to be the last
And the last time you left
I'll say, It wouldn't be the first

They say
You can lead a horse to water
but you can't make it drink
It's not your decision to make
The fault lies no more on the horse
than it does
the water
For they are what they are
It is what it is
but, it just might be what the horse needs

Moon Shine

two nights of moon shine

full and heavy

with opportunity

we don't miss what we missed

your advantage

I've never had the pleasure

everyone seems to see so much more when the moon,

she is wide open

New Year's Eve

When people ask me what happened that night, this is how I usually respond:

Pidgin

Once upon a time I was fluent.
Navigating a new world, blending native tongues.
Together we talked
and understood
the nuances were keenly observed
between us
as onlookers struggled to decipher intonations but only
catching the harmony of the language.

Somewhere, somehow, I lost that ability.
And while I can only approximate what I only knew -
I could have sworn at one point when you said "oui"
it meant "you and me" -
I do know that when you asked me if I read your blog,
I hesitated
not because I hadn't,
but because I had.
A stranger in a foreign land
struggling to decipher intonations
catching the harmony of a new language.

We're Coming Up on a New Year...

“No Hate in ‘08”

… is what we yelled at the top of our lungs, December 31^st, 2007 with damp hands, interlocking arms, and locked lips. And oh, did 2008 put our battle cry to the test. The depths in which 2008 dove to present trials and tribulations that occur so rarely and cause one to act in ways that are later best accompanied by the words, “I’m sorry” and “Life changes,” in either a gruff mumble or drawn out, hushed voices, was matched only by the vast expansion of possibilities disguised as opportunities that transformed into unparalleled sweetness, adventures, stories, and memories. Residential, employment, financial, friendship and relationship stability were all fair game in 2008… and to not accept that open invitation to the Haterade open bar and Emotional buffet (Oh look, they’re serving Anger AND Frustration! Have you tried the Depression? It’s divine!) at the Pity Party took a concentrated and prolonged effort. But as a wise man once said,

“These type of things happen all the time…

You gotta get yours before I gotta get mine…”

The essense of No Hate. In hindsight, I’m sincerely thankful and indebted to the following places, experiences and all those involved (you know who you are!):

• Berlin, GR
• Palm Springs, CA
• Las Vegas, NV
• Knoxville, TN
• Miami, FL
• San Francisco, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• BerdHouse Gallery / Unitard
• Cha Cha Lounge / Little Joy / Gold Room / Sugar Hair Salon

• Almost getting evicted
• Almost getting fired / Quitting / Getting hired
• Moving in (x3)
• Moving out (x3)

• GoGA / Midnight Ridazz
• Elite*ist Scooter Crew / Team Honda Red
• The Latebirds / Choke / Naked Boyz
• Rebelligentsia
• Silverlake Dodgeball / Fun Active Gentlemen’s Society
• Team Eat Your ASSHOLE Alive
• RadBonez
• Guerilla Diaorama Club
• DrewTube

• June 24, 2008
• July 4, 2008
• November 4, 2008

• Bikram Yoga
• Perseid Meteor Shower
• Halloween

Armed with good karma, cosmic energy, good old-fashioned strength (stroumpf!), understanding, lessons, and friendships (new and old) cultivated and nurtured throughout 2008, I’m ready to make good on that wise man’s saying and I invite you to do the same… let’s embrace, exchange Xs and Os across state lines, say it with me in a roar or a whisper, our battle cry for the New Year:

“I’mma get mine in ’09.”