Thad1527 - Archived Blog Posts

[Thad1527]

and since this is a semi-open forum, I wonder how much I should say! Honestly...sometimes my life is more exciting than soap opera. And sometimes deadly dull.

On occasion I seem incredibly self-destructive. And yet I'm strong, able to keep going in horrible circumstances.

It's tough being a contradiction, but someone's gotta do it.

I'll probably be raging about work soon...I do inventory for a living and the nusiest time of year is coming, starting the day after Christmas.

But, really, I'm pretty happy.

 

[Thad1527]

Yes, I'm going to church tomorrow.

I don't very often. But a friend of mine is a minister in my denomination, the United Methodist Church.

We're reeling from the recent church trial of Beth Stroud, open lesbian and minister, who was removed from the ministry here in Philadelphia recently.

It's especially tough because he is gay. He was married, with two children, and he's weighing what to do...whether to go to a more accepting denomination or wait it out.

He loves our church's traditions, and leaving would be so tough. He's pastor at a beautiful historic church (we have quite a few in this area...my home church is 144 years old now, too).

Anyhow, it's not easy to reconcile being gay and United Methodist at this time. We make our peace with it.

 

[Thad1527]

I am...and I'm not.

I have no idea what I'll do for Christmas. I have two invitations for New Year's.

But I'll probably spend some time seeing my ex...who wants to get back together. I'm not sure if I want that. I feel like I'd be making the same mistake twice.

Last Christrmas was the worst ever. I was so sad. I didn't get any gift from anyone at all. Oh, how I treasured my cards!

This year, I at least have some plans to give a few things. I'm not nearly as blue.

 

[Thad1527]

I'm not working again until after Christmas. This gives me time to relax, get thoroughly spoiled, get into potential trouble, overeat, cook, and stay online for hours.

It'll all come back to me Dec. 27, when I'll have three days and nights of day-and-night supermarkets to inventory, and the busiest season of my year begins with a bang.

But until then...I could like this a lot. (Just give me a stream of income, though.)

 

[Thad1527]

Surprise! In the midst of the crazy Christmas season...I'm going away for two days.

I'll be at Bally's hotel and casino in Atlantic City.

It's a traditionally slow time of year for them. Honestly, who else but single gay men and non-Christians would have time for a midweek getaway? Of course it's comped! Even small-time slot players like me can stay for free this time of year. I'd never get such a deal on a summer weekend, of course.

There's new things in Atlantic City this year...a whole new center of outlet shopping, where I'll doubtless browse. And "The Quarter" at Tropicana, a brand new collection of stores and restaurants with an "Old Havana" theme - I saw it briefly last month and thought it was breathtakingly beautiful.

There's a midnight buffet early Thursday morning at Tropicana that I'm looking forward to. I've eaten there before, and there's a variety of dinner and breakfast foods. Almost everything was wonderful. I'll pass up the French toast. Most fun of all...considering the late hour and the time of year...it's almost deserted. It's like a private buffet, with only a few other diners so you don't get arrogant and feel it's just for you.

But the breakfast buffet at Bally's is a treat too. I'll probably eat there Friday before leaving.

So I'll leave Wednesday afternoon and return Friday. Unfortuantely, the Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL hockey, 2003 Kelly Cup Champions) won't be home...that's another reason I love Atlantic City, even more so with the NHL strike. I need my hockey fix, and the Bullies are good, having a good season. They're a real easy team to like. And cute. But I wouldn't be that shallow.

So I'll go back in January or February for hockey. Besides, the Tropicana has extended me a room comp good through mid-February...or I could stay at Trump Taj Mahal for $29.

Those are distant dreams, though. December 27 I'll start working day and night for 3 days...it's the start of my busiest season of the year!

 

[Thad1527]

OK, I'm thoroughly spoiled. I spent two nights at Bally's in Atlantic City. A wonderful room on the 36th floor of their hotel tower, with a great big bathroom, shower and deep confortable tub, huge bed, and great view of the bay. You could see the ocean if you peeked around the corner. But I liked the city and bay view...especially since Thurdsday was a miserable rainy windy day and I could see it all in warm dry comfort.

I was alone. Oh, well. I did make a very brief visit to the gay bar in town. It was strange, as usual. I thought I'd go back on Thursday to participate in karaoke with Millie. But when Thursday night came, I was playing the slots...and I remembered I really didn't like Millie a whole lot, anyway.

I came back Friday, a little later in the day than I'd planned. I stayed in the city for a couple hours, stopping at the Bike Stop for a (big) drink and watching the ending of "Miracle on 34th Street" on the bar TV, with the sound off but closed-captioned. I stayed in town because I did want to go to church and the service at Old St. Georges was at 7 pm. It was a nice service full of holiday music, and I was glad to be there.

I'm such a wuss about Christmas. I spent some time listening to holiday music and crying. You'll be glad to know I didn't spend MUCH time doing that.

 

[Thad1527]

That's what I'm spending today. Although it always seems to cost me money, so far so good. We had a nice lunch and went to put a job application for him.

Are we getting back together? He still wants to. I'm not so sure. As I said...it always seems to cost me. And I don't know I have enough to give.

But today's a good day. I miss his wonderful sense of humor, and I'm glad to enjoy it today.

 

[Thad1527]

The year started out well. If you don't know, Philadelphia, my home city, is the only place on earth to be on New Year's Day. You could spend New Year's Eve anywhere...but New Year's Day, Philadelphia is the site of the Mummers Parade. It's America's largest folk parade, and so unique. Thousands of gaudily costumed "Mummers" parade up Broad Street, in three divisions: comics, fancies, and string bands. It's a neighborhood thing, and a family thing; multiple generations usually participate. There are prizes given for the best units (Fralinger String Band won for the third year in a row), but they're minimal and don't even cover the expense of costuming. It's a long semi-disorganized event that a lot of my friends think is best viewed on television. But with beautiful weather this year, it was irresistible being there. You didn't even need to drink.

OK, I meant to talk about my busy workweek...I'll do that later. I miss having online time but I'll just have to squeeze it in!

 

[Thad1527]

The year started out well. If you don't know, Philadelphia, my home city, is the only place on earth to be on New Year's Day. You could spend New Year's Eve anywhere...but New Year's Day, Philadelphia is the site of the Mummers Parade. It's America's largest folk parade, and so unique. Thousands of gaudily costumed "Mummers" parade up Broad Street, in three divisions: comics, fancies, and string bands. It's a neighborhood thing, and a family thing; multiple generations usually participate. There are prizes given for the best units (Fralinger String Band won for the third year in a row), but they're minimal and don't even cover the expense of costuming. It's a long semi-disorganized event that a lot of my friends think is best viewed on television. But with beautiful weather this year, it was irresistible being there. You didn't even need to drink.

OK, I meant to talk about my busy workweek...I'll do that later. I miss having online time but I'll just have to squeeze it in!

 

[Thad1527]

For some reason, this website wouldn't let me get to the blog page...hence, no update for months.

I've been busy working but have had a little bit of a life. I try!

I miss the guys at JUB and I'm going to the boards to see what's new.

 

[Thad1527]

I returned today from a two-night stay in Atlantic City. I've got to be careful about gambling. I'm easily addicted and I know it could be my undoing. This week, though, I kept under control and had a nice stay. I'm looking forward to returning.

I stayed at the Sands. They're quite generous with room comps and very stingy with everything else. But that's OK...Bally's next door is quite generous with comps for meals. So of course I play at both...plus anywhere else I feel like. I haven't yet been to the Borgata. I don't gamble at Trump Plaza. I rarely go to Harrah's. I visited the Hilton for the first time in quite a while this week. And although I like Showboat, I don't have a player card there.

Sometimes I just wish I had someone to share it with.

 

[Thad1527]

Tonight was the annual inventory at Neiman-Marcus. I got to count cosmetics most of the night, doing the entire Chanel counter and then helping with the Kiehl's products.

Yeah, I like both company's products. If only I could afford them.

But I'm counting at more-affordable K Mart Monday. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. Don't panic...it's three different stores in three very scattered Pennsylvania locations. Monday is in Wind Gap, just beyond Easton. Tuesday is in Bensalem, just northeast of Philadelphia. And Wednesday is in Pottstown.

 

[Thad1527]

I'm not working again until Tuesday morning. That means a four-day weekend. I don't have anything definitely planned...a friend wants to try to go to a day or two of the NCAA men's lacrosse championships here in Philadelphia, and that does sound like fun.

I just found out I have next week's Saturday off...and the ShopRite LPGA Classic is that weekend! I may go to Atlantic City to see it.

 

[Thad1527]

I've spent the last two weeks with a head cold. I think they should be made illegal in the summer. I could have been having so much fun...not that it totally stopped me, mind you...but I could have done without the nose-blowing and cough of this week.

I didn't go out Monday night because I needed the rest to try to cure myself. It helped, yeah, but I love my Monday nights out.

 

[Thad1527]

I went to the Phillies game last night with my friend Joe. The fireworks afterward were spectacular. The game was an embarassment, with the Phillies losing 9-1 to Atlanta.

I've seen the Phils twice now in their new ballpark...and they've lost both times. Maybe I shouldn't go?!

They're on a downward streak now, 8-1/2 games back...actually losing ground. It wasn't pretty to see.

 

[Thad1527]

This is the middle of the 11th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. I've been enjoying it so far...went to 5 films and plan on about 5 more.

And we "wow"ed the world with our Live 8 and Freedom concerts the first week of July.

I love it here. It's my home. I may leave (I left, albeit not too far away for 16 years) but it'll still be home.

 

[Thad1527]

broke.

I misbudgeted this week and have to find a way to get to Friday with no money.

Oops.

And it's summer and I'm horny and oh, man, this hurts!

Well, look out, world, when Friday gets here!

 

[Thad1527]

Today's payday.

For the last 10 days or so I've been trying to live without money. I didn't budget properly this week...spent too much...and didn't have anything for a few days. Oops.

Well, I survived...I even have some food still. (Stocking up at Aldi WAS a good idea, I guess.) I didn't miss any work (well, unless you count not going to Reading, which really wasn't possible if I was going to count at Pep Boys that afternoon).

I'm planning on going out this week. I'm making a cake for my brother's birthday today and taking it to him tonight.

I'm just looking forward to simple pleasures like being able to have a snack whenever I want.

 

[Thad1527]

..to ride trains with my friends. I'm a railfan. Yup, there, I've confessed it. And I'll spend this afternoon riding commuter raill lines in Maryland and Virginia, and tomorrow visiting all the stops on the Metro system.

It's fun. I like the rest of the group, although I'm pretty sure I'm the only gay one.

All aboard!

 

[Thad1527]

The prevailing attitude is that summer ends on Labor Day. Not true. Especially for those who don't have school to worry about.

I'm not very busy this week, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the September sun and fun.

And I AM very busy the week after, but I'm still going to make sure to stop and enjoy the sunshine.