I'll be leaving Jersey for Virginia tonight. My cousin Krista and I are headed down to either my folks' or to my townhouse for the night, and then tomorrow we'll be doing another drive around the state to get me situated back at my folks' before the new year hits.

Moving is such an enormous hassle at times, but its going to be so much fun with Krista in tow. We're gonna probably play like its New Years Eve from now until we pick up Ms. Mara at the Airport.

Mara, my supertwin, is in fact coming to VA for the New Years. How muthafawkin cool is that? She read the live journal before we could talk it out and had already made her plans. I'm gonna give that a big ol' "yay-yay."

So Mara is to arrive, and the whole crew is coming south... now its just a matter of confirming with Kelly that our plans are still on. I've got a little anxiety that something might happeen and Bossa might not be available or that its gonna be too many people or something... but those are just the little anxiousnesses of a host. I'm positively stoked.

In other flame-related news, I small child said to his father "look daddy, he's a fairy!" as he pointed at me yesterday night. I was wearing fairy wings that Ristika (krista) bought for me at Hershey Park in PA, and she was wearing a blinking red nose... no, we're not attention whores or anything.

We made the trip to PA to stay the night with Aunt Terri and Charese, since it was Charese's birthday yesterday. Her boyfriend Tim took her out to dinner and then to Hershey Park's Candy Lane, and we all met them there.

It was the closest I've been to Harrisburg since Trev and I broke up, and I did really well. I didn't kirk out or anything.

So, there is still packing to do to get Ristika ready for a week or so in DC, and I get to help. This should consist of three outfits for each day she's there just to accomidate her indecisiveness. Like I'm any better 😛

Today was a lot of fun. I got to go to work today, which I honestly was really excited about. I started training at Friday's in Fredericksburg, and Pam, the shift leader, is doing the training. I LOVE Pam! Becky used to call her Momma Friday's, and its soooo true. She's really the only person workin' in the front of the house from when I was originally employed there.

However, as of today, thats no longer completely true. They fired the GM that was there when I went in last week for sexual harrassment, and brought in a new one today. His name is Jay, and he was the FOH manager when I started at Friday's. Weird, huh? So, thats two more GMs in my tenure there, for a total of five. Crazy.

I also got my hair cut today, and I'm tickled with the results, as I got a Central Park discount which brought my grand total to only a 7.95. Its the best haircut I've had in ages, too.

On the way home it was sleeting and gross, but I made it all the way into Colonial Beach before trouble arose. Only in Colonial Beach do people stop in the middle of the street and gab from truck to truck. I'm not sure what sort of inbred mentality they have that in the middle of a fucking ice storm its a good idea to stop and chat, but it landed me in a ditch. In what was surely an act of charity, they proceeded to roll up there windows and drive away as I got out of my Blazer. Bastards.

Before I could hate humanity entirely after this, the guy who's yard I landed in came out and helped me dig my truck out of the ditch, and his neighbor brought over a bright flashlight so that we could find something to attach the tow cable to-- the guy had a 4x4 and pulled me outta the ditch. No damage to me or to my vehicle.

They've not announced yet whether or not I'll have class tomorrow, but I reckon not. Eitehr way, I'm getting up at 8am to find out; I wanna be in Fairfax fairly early tomorrow if I have to go at all.

Krista and I gabbed a bit today, and we've decided she's coming down Valentine's Day weekend, and we're going to have a "Down With Love" party, complete with 60's theme. She convinced me into the theme, but it lets me go get the pair of cute-cute Chanel glasses I wanted.

Yay!

Some interesting news today:

Adderol/Ritalin, Study Drugs? Clearly.

Cheney's Allowed to Make Judges Partial.

So we send him to try to con the pope.

And finally, some good news: Virginia Introduces Bill to Open Liquor Stores on Sunday! Yay!

A good couple of days.

Didn't work a lick at Friday's this week, and I'm not fussin'. I got to spend more time on campus, and actually went to all my classes. It's now past the add-drop date, and I've attended every last one of the jokers. I'm so proud of myself!

Lessie, Ristika gets here in like 10 minutes or so, and I'm stoked. Happy Valentine's Day, finally! Familial live is love, too, and I'm celebrating it. Yay Fam!

I went on another set of dates with Dan; I dig him. We want to see more of each other. He's funny, handsome, he keeps me laughing. He's ridiculously cute.

Spent so much time with the McMason Underground this week... so much fun.

More on the McMason Underground later.

I ended up pulling an all-nighter on Friday night so that I could make it in to my shift-meeting at 8am Saturday morning. Why the all nighter? After working at Friday's in Fredericksburg 'till about 5, I headed up north to visit Dan. My phone rings (which I'd only had for a bout 10 hours), and its Lauren.

They needed me at Cosi, so I of course obliged. I grabbed Dan and made him come keep me company at work, and his friend Meg (who rocks) swang in, too. She had been seeing a play at the Arena, so she just red-lined it over.

I got out of there at about 2:30, and we then went to the Diner. Sassy black woman at the table next to us rocked my socks, as did the Chicken Cheesesteak. Interestingly, I had a chicken cheesesteak for lunch today. They're so yummy!

Big drama in the dorms-- my friends got busted for pot while Dan and I were in the room. We didn't have anything on us, so we got off easy. Poor Chrissy, though. Legalize the shit and be done with it. Do you know what hell we were rasing when we got busted? The ever so destructive game of Bohemian (egyptian)... of course.

Sunday saw me get my first tattoo, a gemini symbol. I love it. Love it, Love it. As soon as I make my way to a digital camera, I'll post a picture. Its sexy says me.

This weekend will find me in New York with Jackie, an exciting proposition. This afternoon will find me in class, taking midterms.

Suzi will find me on her birthday, in Blacksburg.



1. Whats your name?
Michael Joel Hall, Jr.

2. How old are you?
21 on May 22, 2004.

3. Where are you?
My boyfriend's dorm room.

4. What’s your favorite show on Nick at Night?
Cheers

5. What is the last movie you rented?
Space Mutiny

6. What did you do last night?
Got a tattoo, ate dinner at Luna Cafe with Jess and Lauren, swang by the Pleasure Place to look at toys, cuddled with Dan.

7. Happiest moment of your life?


8. Best memory of kindergarten?
Laura Fincham's twat.

9. If you could be a Care Bear which one would you be?
Funshine Bear.

10. Whats the funniest place you’ve ever messed around?
I'm sketchy, lets not go there.

11. What do you put on your pizza?
Last night at Luna Cafe, I had a sundried tomato pesto pizza with chicken and asparagus

12. Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter?
LotR

13. You stub your toe whats the first thing you say?
Muthafucka

14. If you could go back to school and take one class just for fun what would it be?
AP English with Dibble

15. Which superhero fills your lusty dreams?
Robin

16. If you could snap your fingers and be doing any one thing what would you be doing?
Hanging out with Emily

17. Have you ever been to Los Angeles?
Yes.

18. What is your beauty ritual before going to bed?
Light exfoliation, pore refiner, skin brightener, daily rejuvinating serum

19. Whats your favorite thing to cheer at a sporting event?
Yah!

20. How do you know Suzi?
She met the first birthday cow, then became my wench.

21. Peace hope or love?
Our love is cyclical, it moves in circles. Twisting and convolving, it goes round and round.

22. Favorite alcoholic drink.
Gimlet.

23. Favorite drinking game.
Asshole.

24. Does Dark Heart have any significance to you?
Haha. We care! It could also describe me when I'm being cold.

25. Did you ever own a glow worm?
No, but my babysitter had one.

26. Hottest Disney Prince/Princess?
Maleficent(spelling?)

27. Flavor of Floss?
Shoelace.

28. Favorite color underwear to see on someone your making out with.
Blue.

29. Do you like your feet?
Me: Feet are gross.
Caroline: Have you ever had your toes sucked?
Me: No.
Caroline: Make Trevis, then tell me.

Caroline, as always, was right.

30. The last book you read?
"The Golden Gate" by Vikram Seth

31. Favorite thing a significant other does for you.
Bites the back of my neck just right.

32. Whats in Wyomming?
Trick question. Wyoming doesn't exist.

33. You’re coloring a picture of a ball. What crayon do you pick up first?
Yellow.

34. Easiest way to relieve stress.
Sex or Pot, Sex or Pot.

35. I love you!!!!!!!!!!
I love you, too!

Mark has plans for an event for the two of us called Tequila Grande. Its a night of tequila-soaked escapades involving 7-layer dip, tequila-lime chicken, and margaritas. It seems to me there will be more time for that, since more time will be spent in DC as of today.

"Why, oh why," you may ask, "is Mike returning to the city?"

Because thats where I have become gainfully employeed (it seems).

On Monday night, after studying hard for and then ace-ing two midterms, it seemed I had a night of revel-ry ahead when I was informed of a certain friend's 21st birthday event. She turned twenty-one at midnight, and we were going to make our way to the Friday's in Fair Oaks for birthday love.

When we arrived, I informed the server that I worked at friday's, so that he would perhaps discount some of the appetizers. Total standard procedure. Well, when birthday shots were being ordered, he carded me. I didn't think much of it, figured I wasn't getting the drink, and that was that. He called me out for bein' a minor, and no spectacle was made.

When the shots arrived, there was an extra. I proceeded to take the shot with the group, and all was happy in friend-ville.

I got up in the mornin', rolled to work, and when I arrived, I was taken to the side and sat down. Last night at 1:30, whomever it was that called me out on bein' under 21 called around to all the Friday's in the Northern Virginia area describing me. I'm pretty easy to describe, it can be done in like three adjectives and maybe a noun.

They claimed me, and then were informed that I had drank as a minor and that they had informed corporate. Insta-termination, non-rehirable for 6 months.

I didn't let it dampen my spritis too thoroughly, knowing I had yet another midterm to ace on wednesday. I spent most of Tuesday with Michelle just bein' a fatty and relaxing.

Wednesday I aced the next exam (for Comm 380) and goofed off further.

I went with Ashley today to DC to speak with the GM of Cosi to ask for an application and an interview. All things went well, now I just have to get a schedule and I should be golden. There don't seem to be too many terrible hitches in the plan, so I'm optimistic.

I don't know yet exactly how the commute is going to work, but Mom supported me goin' somewhere else to make more money. Cosi has negative connotations in her mind, slightly, due to the atmosphere that used to be employeed there, but good heavens, that is no longer the case.

That crowd has came and gone, and the new crowd is wonderful. Dedicated, sober, fun folk who are students and working actively towards success. A far different crowd than the aforementioned "atmosphere."

I look forward to working with Lauren again. I look forward to making good money at a place that has the capactiy to treat me well. It changes my routine a bit, but I also put down day-shift hours to work as a barista, which I think would be neat, as well as allow me to continue rising early for a reason.

I think I'd miss the AM now.

I'm really enjoying my life the way it is now, busy yet also laid back. I'm doing the best I've done in school in a loooong time, and I see people who love me unconditionally every day.

As quick as Fridays came into my life, it goes out. I can't help but look towards kismet as perhaps the reason I got called in to work at Cosi on Friday. It set up a decent doorway for re-entry.

I didn't mention it on Monday, since I was preoccupied with preoccupations (*grin*), but other stress-me-out-ers arrived on Saturday when a dorm I was playin' Uno in was busted for marijuana. I was with Dan visiting Chrissy on Saturday night after I finished studying and napping, and the dorm room got clambaked. There we a few of us in there, but Dan and I didn't have anything on us. He got a violation for being involved with a room that contained paraphnalia, but he wasn't in the actual room it was found in. We were hanging out in the suite's living room.

Oh those crazy-ruckousy Uno players.

Anyway, he had his meeting with the housing folk, since he does live on campus, too. He should be fine, so we'll see. Still, I'm worried for him. Not too worried, though. He's never had an offense before.

Work being interrupted looks like it will only inconvience two days worth of actual work time, and even still, I make about three times a night at cosi to what I was makin' on average at Friday's. There's good reasonin' out there for me to not be fretting.

Speaking of fretting, I think its almost time for Dan to meet one or two of the cousins. I like the boy muchly, and he's endeared himself fantastically with my local support network, and I suppose now its time to expose him to another huge aspect of me: my family.

I'm sorry I missed getting down to Florida with Krista to visit Mara and Dana. I've not heard from Krista since she got back, so I'm curious to hear the stories of yonder. It now seems that I'm doin' a good job at missin' out on my trips because of work. This weekend will be spent at Cosi or at home saving money, as was last weekend. This weekend's lock-down will keep me from seeing Jackie in New York, but I've gotta do what I gotta do.

Recent concertation internally comes from my thoughts on Dan's naiivity. He prioritizes partying more than I do now a days, and that worries me. He's no where near how party-oriented I was a couple of years ago (heck a couple of months ago), but I think about. I decided to actually talk to him about it, and he was really receptive, and knew exactly what I was talking about. We talked about a lot of things relating to it, and I'm not really concerned about it anymore. He recognizes that he's doing it, and just that very recognition means that it won't go too far, or last for too much longer.

I feel like I know, cause I've been there.

His friend Emily, the girl that set us up, and I spoke about a couple of those concerns, and i was glad to know I wasn't the only one who noticed it. Calling someone out less than two months into dating them isn't kosher, but I was glad to have someone to discuss it openly with. She could say exactly what I was thinking. It made talking about it with Dan a lot easier. I'm tickled. It seemed like a good time to discuss such things, what with the bust and what not.

That, and him seeing my own need to find a job based off of consequated actions. He saw how hard I worked and how dedicated (an non-flakey) I was, and saw how one stupid action could effect something that was goin' really well. Its weird for people to view me in a really responsible light again. I'm still king sketch of team sketch, but I'm also up every morning going to work, and studying like anyone else at exam time.

I feel like I did when I was seventeen... and thats really got me smiling. I've said for along time that I've never been happier or known myself better than I did when I was seventeen.

A classmate who's intelligence and input to the class I've really, really appreciated and enjoyed all semester asked me how old I was today. I told him 20, and his response was one of a a slight shock-- "Wow. You're reeeeeeally smart."

It made my day.

Things feel tangible again. Word.

I totally enjoyed my weekend.

Friday night, Dan, Nicki, Creech, Sara, and I went to the Jew Frat's party-- I ran into a friend of mine from freshman year, Ricky, who is actually now the roomate of Nicki's bastard ex boyfriend. The ex is named Tim. He's a douche. That's all I have to say about him.

I beat the party record for keg-standing, at 19 seconds. Not a personal best, but enough to leave with a smile. I also drank jungle juice for the very first time; I thought well of it. Yum!

Afterwards we went to Ike's Diner for foooood. Ike's is the new on campus late-night-till-4-am dive that takes meal plans. The line was insane, so we dipped after waiting nearly half an hour. On the walk, I casually threw-up, and kept walking. The group was a little surprised at how non-chalantly someone can just vomit and walk... Ahh well, the joys of stomach muscles.

Saturday I went into the city to play with Lauren and Jess at Apex (it was lesbian night!). Dan and Creech metro-d in, and we met up with Jackie, too. Sooo much fun. I smuggled a bottle of Jim Beam into the club... in my crotch. For the record, it was a handle of Jim, too. We hid the bottle in the bathroom at one point, and then just decided to leave it in jackie's purse. We took swigs of it every now and then in between dancing with trannies.

Okay, so maybe it was just Jackie and I dancing with the trannie, but she was like 50, and resembled a female snoopy. And she kept making eyes at me, so I decided to be awful. Booty-grinding She-Male Snoopy with your curly-haired partner in crime, while chugging a bottle of Crotch Beam, is a moment that can only happen at Apex.

Creech, Dan, and I went back to Jackies and partied more. Jackie and I were troops, finished off the handle, and taunted each other over a couple a' rounds of pool. A good time.

Jackie's trip to NY was post-poned until today, so as it turns out, I'm still gonna diddy-bop up. Jess, Lauren and I are catching the mornin' bus up to NY and meeting up with Jackie then. We're gonna come back Wednesday night, and I'm gonna head on home.

I haven't been home in forever, I'm lookin' forward to it. I'm hoping I can work on Friday before going down to Blacksburg on Saturday. What on earth is in Blacksburg, a mountain town nearly 5 hours from here? Suzanne Dove, who I'm going to tickle, hug, and inebriate for her 21st.

I'll need to leave for Blacksburg at like 7am to be there by noon, and then I'm gonna have to leave Sunday morning at like 10 to be back in the city in time for work on Sunday night. I'm lookin' at only getting a couple of hours of sleep this weekend 😛

Thats okay, busy's good.

As it turns out, Nikki, Dan's good friend, turns 21 on May 20. We're talking about having a combined party... Lord knows where we'll have it. I should talk to maybe Michelle, Suzanne, and JC. See if they'd throw me a 21st birthday party. Hmmm...

Who knows, who knows. Anywho, I gotta go write a paper before I get ready for New York. Yay!

I love my absent-mindedness. Really I do. Suzi's birthday is not this weekend, its next.

The Sigma Ball is this weekend. I'm taking Mai as my date, which is tres exciting. Its only $25 bucks a couple, so Mai and I are thinkin' about renting vintage late 60's outfits and doing it with real style. I want a really, really sharp suit, and mai wants a short dress. Think James Bond and Pussy Galore.

In Person.

Thats what we're going for. I'll slick my hair back, courtesy of Murphy's Hair Wax, and we'll drink funny colored drinks out of martini glasses we brought with us. Instead of bringing a flask, we'll bring 3... and just make Kamikazi's all evening in my shaker.

I think that sounds like an award-winning evening. So, I will actually get a little sleep this weekend, its next weekend I have to focus on.

Okay, be-ou be-ou.

And a God Descended
Dar Williams

Step through this trampled wall
The unhinged door betrays it all
That far within our faith we were all waiting
The broken glass reflects the haze
It shines like endless holy days
Struggling to remember what they're celebrating

Well, a God descended
And the reason ended
His life was lifted just above the law
And now we have to live with what we did
With what we saw

Well, you mend your clothes and patch your roof
And slivers of God's shattered truth
Grow tender as the grass in clean-swept yards
But a savior came and told us how
The truth was all around us now
Abandon house and field and gather up the shards

Well, a God descended
And the reason ended
His life was lifted just above the law
And now we have to live with what we did
With what we saw

Well, you build your faith with strength and duty
Build your love but there's a beauty
Well you know the scriptures tell
There are a few shards left in hell
And if we want a god we had to follow, follow him down

Pictures torn out of their frames
And orgies where we lost our names
All were gone with time's real desire
Well, you ask how God can curse you thus
That's not a question asked by us
We burned our beds and books
We fear we've lost the fire

The God descended
And the reason ended
His life was lifted just above the law
And now we have to live with what we did
With what we saw...

So, today was eventful for no good reason. I spent the day before yesterday with Dave Atell and random drunkeness-- can't complain, after all the man has a TV show. I certainly don't. That bein' said, tonight was a drunken revelry of a great magnatude...

Especially because Mel and I spent the end of the evening hauling trashcans full of bathroom water. Yeah, the bathrooms flooded and we got stuck with carrying the trashcans full of shitwater to the main sink in which we could safely dump them.

Fun times.

I made out with Lee, my straight good friend, on a sort of dare/"I'll make out with her if you make out with him" type deal. I won't mock it because Lee and I both now think that the other is an excellent kisser, and thats dope. Because he is. And so am I. And we have no reason to lie.

So, yeah, last night actually was Caitlin, Jeremy (the neighbors), and Lee's joint birthday party, and we had a drunken revelry. For a last minute shindig, the turnout was fairly nice, and we had a good time. I got to make out with a straight good friend of mine who could kiss well, and I got to go to work today and play with Dave. Dave's super fun, and a huge ol' drunk. Word.

That all said, it's now kinda sunday morning style and I'm going to smoke a bowl and watch adult swim. I can't compain. I'm glad Jordan sent me home with a bowl pack. And these are the days of my life.

I woke up just now very upset... I had a very vivid dream that I forced myself out of.

The dream starts in an apartment, and someone in that apartment is telling me how truly talented people are always crazy. He then began discussing a woman who could speak french, and then about this same woman's painting, and how it wasn't even what she was most amazing at. I can't remember (now) what she was supposedly best at. In the dream, I recognized the art work as my neighbor's, Caitlin's. We're a little older in the dream. Some things had changed.

I identify the art to the man as Caitlins, and return to working on my own painting. Caitlin is there now. It begins to rain, and the paintings begin to become wet, both caitlin's and I's. Shes there, and faces appear in the paintings that are getting rained on. Its beautiful, unintentional, and lovely.

The dream itself feels like complete reality. There is something going on across the way, in the dream, that requires caitlin and I's attention. I immediatly fear the worst, that something's happened to ashley. I think, in the dream, that she's dead. We run to where the ambulances are. Dream Caitlin is very worried, too.

We get there, things are fine, and the homes that have the emergency are rows of trailers, not unlike the trailer parks I recall from my youth. Caitlin chats up the firefighter, I chat up the other, nothings wrong. I realize I can't remember anything from Real Now to Dream Present Day (the dream, again, is in the future).

The dream goes on, I don't remember now for how long, and I'm now with Caitlin's mom. We're having an intimate time together, the three of us, I think over dinner. I confess that I may need a shrink. I also admit that I don't remember the past four months or so. Not a thing.

I ask them to tell me what happened, what had transpired in the time that I'd lost.

Her mom worries that it will upset me greatly. She, in the dream, is very close to me apparently.

I ask what happened, what I was missing.

They agree it might be time to tell me.

Caitlin hesitantly tells me that a very close friend betrays me. I am told I have nothing to worry about anymore. She tells me it happens on Feburary 22nd. I, in the dream, think thats Mark's birthday. She doesn't confirm or deny anything. She relates that I fell off crystal wagon, hard, and that I'm lucky to be alive. She also tells me that I don't have anything to worry about anymore. I ask if its what I fear, and she says yes. I think that means (in the dream) that I'm HIV +. I, in the dream, get upset, and she tells me that I am just plain lucky to be alive. It is implied that the betrayal and the HIV are related, I believe.

I realize, in the dream, that this can't be real. That I can't have lost THAT much time. I force myself to wake up, and I do.

I go to the kitchen, now in real life, and its flooding. At some point I left the kitchen sink on, or I slept walk and did it.

Weird, right?

Do I start fearing Feb 22?

Yesterday was Nill's birthday. Kind souls that Nills and Lee are, they invited the 14th Street Christian Youth Association (read: Caitlin, Ashley, Jeremy, and I) over for Tapas. In true fourteenth street fashion we arrive noticably late for a guest list that only plus-one'd one more-- Miss Maria. Thankfully, fatties need not be worried, the food was just coming off the stove as we arrived. Hearts of Palms, Cajun Shrimp, Meatballs, Melon and Prucheutta, Asparagus, Potatoes, stuffed mushrooms... Jesus, it was fatkid paradise.

UH. Total food porn.

The libations flowed, and when we all had gotten good 'n tipsy, the dancing and shakin' moved into a homoeroticism that even I couldn't have expected. The problem? All the straight boys were busy with each other. Isn't that always the way?

Yes, ya'll, I can't help but feel like there is more HoYaY going on between my my heterobuds than between any of my homo ones. Go figs. Its prevelant enough that there is a pattern!

After watching many gender combos bust a move, Caitlin and I made our way down to the black cat for indypop dancing and beer drinkin' fun. I believe us to have had a lovely good time, met some nice folks and pretention was at a minimum. It was superduper nice having a Saturday off!

4/20 has come and gone, ya'll. I hope everyone celebrated well. The 420 High Council convened, but no new decrees were set or smote.

Biotech Companies are thinking about pharming underground in caves. I find it one part facinating and one part shit-tasticly creepy.

Before Trev[PaEx] moved to Shippensburg from Harrisburg, we spent probably four hours on the phone together a day. Minimum 2. This went on for just about a year. Who knew that it was art?

Pam from Hawaii and DC is coming to visit on May 20th. That means she'll be here for the entirety of my birthday celebration. Booyakasha, ya'll!

Krista's coming down on the 14th (of May) for HFStival. The Line Up?
Billy Idol, Sum 41, Social Distortion, Garbage, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Coldplay, The Bravery, Citizen Cope, Jimmies Chicken Shack, New York Dolls, Unwritten Law, They Might Be Giants, Louis XIV, Echo and the Bunnymen, Interpol, The Stereophonics, Pepper, and DJ Rap. You can pick your pussies up off the floor now, I realize this is gonna be sweet. I'm gonna try to convince Dave[Crazy] to carpool with Krista and me. I think it'd be fun.

So, its not the weed. Its the email.

Mickey Mouse is only gonna be in town for 5 more days. Thats a little disappointing, its been nice having 75 of his likenesses runnin' around. They've all kinda denned up over at the Reagan building, which hosts the outdoor dance party I like so much. It must be the cats pajamas for my sass to the south, Bikutoria, to constantly have a little bit of rat-itude.





Instead of cute and kitch, I'm gonna have the straight up oddballs that this swamp city brings out come Spring. Like this chucklehead, who was headed north on Connecticut the other day. Mmmm, argyle socks.



Or like this wacko who's coming into town on the 14th of May.



Yes, you are, princess. Yes you are.

Speaking of all things Jersey, I've got Pam (she of Hawaii and dance partner fame) coming into town on the 20th of May. Work it out, birthday present.

Mark and I shook out the shag rugs today. On my corner. You have to go outside for an event like that, regardless of where you live, but in the country its much easier. Your back yard distinctly belongs to you and only you, but here in the district my back yard is the neighborhood’s posh grocery store. People get uglypissed when they’re attacked by dirt launched from what looks like a dead llama being beaten by a fag in the middle of the sidewalk.

Fuck ‘em. Fifteen shaken, beaten, dirty lookin’ minutes later, and I had clean carpets.

My apartment’s now a cohesive whole, if you couldn’t tell from the shag-shakin’ anecdote. I highly recommend looking in my windows should you find yourself on the yonder side of P or 14th. You can see a giant glowing “M” coming from my bedroom. I hung, oh I dunno, about eighteen feet of super bright rope light behind a 6 foot asian rice curtain that’s stuck to the wall about 14 feet up… so, now everyone’s left with my monogram starin’ up Northwest. It feels good, and is also incredibly, absolutely self important. Word.

I’m no longer inhabiting the Apartment Rowanda—its blossomed. Its all fourteenth amendment up in here, reconstructions going down right here on fourteenth street.Yah, Le Chateau de Ghetto is now a little more chateau, and a whole lot less ghetto. I’ve got curtains, the floors are mopped and the art is not only on the walls, but in frames. Carpets are clean, surfaces are dirtless, furniture is matching, and I’m even cooking in (though, that has more to do with the weight of my wallet than with the allure of local eateries).

I wish my apartment were more of a physical avatar for my inner feelings, ‘cause then my head’d be feelin a little less messy. Unlike my carpets, I still feel weighed down by something. Even going to the gym and going tanning feels like a chore. Maybe its me that needs to be taken into the backyard for a good pounding, ‘cause my sex drive is nill. I’m left to wonder, of course, whether its me that’s down about my sex drive or my drive that’s responding to me. Chicken or the egg, kiddies?

Ugh, listen to me. ”Who is it that I want? And why don’t they want me?” Lord. Sorry to go all Joey Potter on you, but it’s a problem. And that’s prescientology crooked smile Holmes, not the arm candy to crazy couch surfing superstar creature that the Star keeps telling me about. (No, I haven’t seen Batman Begins yet)

I could wax celebrepoetic all day on the vast neurosis of my inner angsterreha, but I’ll let it end here—for the time being. Only boys with boyfriends, both connected to the Improv, seem to want to flirt openly. I can’t (with a clear head) go a nookie-nooking behind some dudes back knowingly. Its just yuck-o. I should totally just go get cats and take up knitting. Uuuugh, I actually already know how to knit. I’m halfway there. Sidebar—Trev, who I learned how to knit with, got a hold of me this week. We chatted. I don’t trust myself not to cry at the end of our instant messages, and I secretly loathe myself for that. I haven’t yet cried, and odds are good I never will, but oooooh if my shrink were here….

Enough, enough, I said I’d stop.

Shits good. The world’s calm. This is no hurricane’s eye, there is no monsoon approaching. Its just stability. Stability is new and really, really scary. Terrifying. Setbacks give you a reason to sprint, and forward momentum is exhilarating, but stability feels way too much like attrition. You wanna know something else about stability? Its boring as fuck. Yah, uh huh, you heard me-- it’s totally not at all interesting. I’m really surprised you’re still here.

Lemmie see if I can figure out something good to tell you. What is interesting right now? Lauren’s gone to San Fran for the week (its pride!), Geoff’s in Boston (for training), and I’m workin’ every show this week at the club. Erin had her Birthday last night at the Ugly Mugg, and I now dig the fuck outta Eastern Market. I had a phenomenal time. JD wasn’t there, but that’s okay, cause I think he and Nelina deserved some good nookieing in their new place (which is in Erin’s building, overlooking Meridian Hill Park). Kelly is back from South Korea, and I’m stoked to see her. The neighbors got a new kitten that’s taken to shitting in their laundry basket. I almost got the kitty, but I decided against it since they liked him, too. If he’s shitting in laundry baskets, maybe I made the right call (but I do want one!).

What else? I worked on my resume and sent it out to a variety of Craig’s list ads in the marketing, PR, and promotions section, and what do you know? Someone’s interested in me. The gigs for coordinating and creating events for a GLBT crowd at straight bars. Bring it the fuck on. I’ve spent so much freakin time getting bombed at the Hunt, the Fox, and the Front Page instead of JRs and the Fireplace, and now I get to refer to all that time as research and interning. Bitchin.

Back to my internship.

Ahoy Hoy!

Sebastian Cole takes after his daddy more and more every day. Aside from runnin' all goofy-like, he also has an interest in gardening. Yes, little Bashers decided that he just couldn't stand my schaflera tree any longer and decided to dig it up. Seven and a half gallons of potting soil later, my kitchen looked like the start of a mud wrestling ring.

I had moved the ailing flora to the kitchen hoping that the better lighting would allow it to thrive, and now in hindsight, I'm glad I did. Much easier to sweep and mop the kitchen as opposed to the shag.

I've got no clue as to what time the puppy started digging, 'cause I found the mess this mornin. It had to be after Mark and I had dinner, but before the puppy was crated. I'd have a better idea if I hadn't already tied one on that evening-- Bellinis are delicious.

Speaking of bellinis, Mark and I have crafted an easy and delicious sparkling treat that also will fuck you up. Nothing like class and trash, right? Mash up about two slices of frozen peach and throw them into the bottom of a champagne flute. Add a shot of Absolut Apeach (delicious in everything!), and then fill the flute with your sparkling wine selection. Perfect-o and delicious. You can prego me later.

Oh, also in the naughty pet department, the neighbor's new little kitty decided to shit on Caitlin's bed this weekend. It was my fault, I didn't shut her door all the way when I went and raided her stencil stuffs. I made Lil Miss Mo a birthday stencil for the back of her work shirt so that she could roll in a little extra dough for working on her b-day. The shirt came out okay, but I wish it hadn't been at the expense of Caitlin's new sheets. Alas and anon, I'll be washing her linens this evening.

Back in the land of Stencil and Mirth, I'm almost done with my Sebastian stencil. I'm totally gonna put him on a wifebeater. I may also tag his likeness in some spots around town now that the infamous BORF has been caught-- someones gotta get prolific with the guerella art.

For now, this one's definatly going on a shirt and a wall:

My mother, being both sentimental and batty, insisted on purchasing holiday eating utensils at every oppertunity. Every Thanksgiving, along with the stuffing and the jiggly canned cranberry, we had cartoon turkeys on nonlinen linens. Christmas had wrapping paper and hollyberry bev-naps. The plates, cups, and especially napkins were purchased for anniverseries and birthdays, halloween and graduation.

It was the napkins, in retrospect, that always seemed to make a special point of lingering around. Like the last of the wassle, or the slowly consumed black jelly beans, it was these functional tchochkies that made it the longest. It was a rare occurance indeed for all of the special little lint leavers to be used up by the end of the celebrated season. It was not uncommon in my household to use Happy New Year Napkins come the third of February.

I cleaned up Sebastian's mess today with a Class of 2001 napkin. Sometimes those silly napkins stick around to remind you of what a glorious year you have ahead, and sometimes they haunt you like unfulfilled promise.

I went to the middle of nowhere to get away from it all.

I'm back in the District. Sebastian gets to wear a bandana around his cute little puppy neck now, he's earned it-- he's a good country dog. He had a puppy play date with Caroline's doggie Annabelle, and he is smitten with her. She with him, too, I imagine. The Snead is doing well, as am I. Very little to report-- nothing but mirth and merriment all around.

I bought Lauren a yellow polka dotted dress for her birthday.

I think I may be on Wendy's cycle. She's got her PMS-y stuff and as of now, she's the only girl with whom I spend a large chunk of time. I'm constantly hungry, craving sweets, and bloated... don't forget moody and oft-sullen. Thats attractive. The lovelorn black hole I'm rockin' right now is enough to make me want to cut myself. Luckily, I'm not 14, and I've got a Robbie Williams and Diddy album double feature. If it were Fall Out Boy or somesuch I might be in trubbs.

Some people have real problems.

Molly was in and out of the hospital this week. She had a hyrniated disk in her neck that had to be operated on, and unfortchies the surgery was on her birthday. Talk about a blower. I feel for the poor gal and want a speedy recovery for my lovely Mamabear. I I yearn for more time to spend with her, but I've worked for about two weeks straight. Not that I ever work super hard, but for someone doped up on vicodin, well they can't exactly play with the boy getting off work at 1am.

The marathon is next Sunday. I'm bib #22155-- Those marine boys have no idea the ferocity I plan on bringing to the table. I'm so excited. I bought body glide, two new pairs of shoes (SALE!), and clif blocks today in anticipation. I'm so effin' stoked. Its coming.

is celebrating fatty friday

is celebrating Vintage Week! Throw up your favorite thorw-back picture!

is celebrating Vintage Week! Throw up your favorite throw-back picture!

is in New Jersey celebrating Nathan's second birthday. Krista rules. How long was her labor again?

has found the mechanical bull for his birthday party!

has his birthday and his vacation all figured out. Huzzah!

is ringing in his birthday with a 10ish Miler.

is a birthday boy!

is up and at 'em on his birthday party day!

A Birthday Celebration that included Three Stars and Two Bars!

survived a swat team at 800 Varnum, got way too much sleep, and is now ready to go out and conquer today. His reward? Crystal's birthday celebration!

survived his birthday sans major incident! Thanks for all the warm wishes and camaraderie!

is out on a school night celebrating the start of one of his best friend's (shhhhh!) 3rd decade-- here's lookin'atchu, Ms. Erica Martinson!

Birthday Plans Begin!!! Mid 90's Roller Skate Party? Early 2000's Rave?

is drying up after a weekend of birthday hijinx. My friends are great 😉

Happy 4/20, everyone! Today is Sebastian Cole Hall's 6th Birthday!

Fun Trivia: Seabass's given name from the pound was "Redman."

Is really excited to celebrate his ten year anniversary with Puja Sardana in Miami this weekend.

takes issue with all this "May 21, 2011 Apocalypse" chatter. The day before my birthday? Rude.

Stolen MichaelCycle. Happy Birthday.

Sav-On Liquor, my downstairs liquor store, ordered and received my favorite Tequila! IN TIME FOR BIRTHDAY BIZNESS!

It's my birthday weekend. The rapture is upon us. If you're still here, you should come play at some point-- you'll likely fit right in!

feels like a special snowflake. Thanks for the great birthday, friends!!!

Today is Ganesh's Birthday!!! Ganesh Chaturthi-- a celebration for the overcomer of obstacles & burdens. Jaya Ganesha! JAYA GANESHA!!!!

A ton of fantastic assists in practice, a wonderful birthday party, and a thoroughly exhausting sanskirt . I'd call that a full day. #mysore

Up all night (even if accidently) for Shivaraitri, followed by a moonday birthday poolday with the celebrants. Yes, please.

Happy Anniversary to my partner in crime, best friend, and favorite. xo.

Giddy with excitement for the next few days! Learning from Angela Jamison. celebrating the nuptuals of Adele and Muir, and hanging out with my brother Tray. 🙂

birthday lunch buffet in the jungle palace's dining hall. then, bonding over indian uno. operation: be kind, connect is happening.

Maha Shivaratri, celebrating the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, begins today. Auspicious for me, as "I" prepares to again be "we."

Happy birthday cupcakes from the amazing @livelyogini !!

Nothing says real pride like celebrating friends & family and finishing with dinner at home.

Happy First Birthday, Gus!! http://t.co/IBCGXhPxbp http://t.co/GnueUZ2lVC

Happy 2nd anniversary to my bionic face!

To my bestie, my co-captain, and one of the strongest woman I know: Happy Birthday, Puja!

Happy 3rd anniversary to the love of my life.

Retweeted Michael Roike (@BarManMichael):

Happy 1st Birthday you little rat! I love you! #charliegram #puppylove @michaeljoelhall https://t.co/b41XL7x4qJ

Repost from @mroike -- Happy 1st Birthday you little rat! I love you! #charliegram #puppylove http://t.co/h3ksnvdI6Y http://t.co/TtfwVLGLsA

The perfect photo to repost on the eve of my 32nd birthday!・・・#Repost @mroike with @repos… http://t.co/Blw7IcKdSH http://t.co/z62KBICjrA

haaaaaapppy birthday tooooo you!

My Mom came with jokes this morning on her 69th birthday. Omg. Lol.

My partner in crime at the ashram (oh, we were bad) just reminded me that our 10 year anniversary is this year. 10 years of teaching yoga. Oh my word.

I bought myself a jumpsuit and a Nintendo switch for my birthday. Basically, a romper and a video game... I'm, like, 8.

Happy Birthday, Tim! <3 wishing you all the love, and looking forward to seeing you sooner rather than later 😉

Happy Birthday, homie. xx

Need a calander for 2019? How about one celebrating the strength of women in yoga... featuring the inimitable Janet Walkoe?? Proceeds go to a great cause.

I luh ya papi. I luh ya, luh ya, papi! Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, love!!

The Yoga Club’s very first ad will be right here.

When I first started coming to DC, I would go to a little coffee house at 22nd and P (love to Soho!) to hang out, spending time reading all of my favorite (read: free + edgy) DC newspapers— The Blade, the City Paper... and Pathways.

Each of these publications has struggled to stay in print over the last 10 years. I likely don’t need to tell y’all about the rapidly changing face of media— and how it has adversely impacted queer journalism, alt-newspapers, and trade-zines.

For y’all that haven’t been here for 30 years, lemmie tell ya: Pathways is the OG DC natural living/holistic health trade publication. Last year, Pathways didn’t have a print publication (due largely to the pandemic... and the changing landscape of readership).

One of the reasons i love DC so much is precisely because i was able to find my tribe— and so much of that is due to publications like this. Who knew that the local publications i loved growing up I’d eventually get to work with?

We went with Pathways first because it’s owned by my bestie’s bestie— and you know I love family owned and friend-ran.

For 7 years, my yoga program, DC Ashtanga, was fiercely independent and grassroots — and while we remain firmly non-commercial, the Yoga Club (my new practice space) wants to help others find community while also supporting and elevating others in our community.

While DC ashtanga will remain a grassroots practice group (as it always has been), we’re now proudly in residence in our new home at theyoga.club, and it is a pro ledge to help Pathways relaunch in print, so that other little woo woo gays can find a copy... and a tribe.

Happy birthday!!