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December 2007 Archive
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
[Comments: 1] 4:19 AM - rouding-the-end-of-the-year
It's been a good three months since I last posted, and I suppose that's fine and dandy if you are otherwise informed on what I am doing, which you most likely will be if I talk to you more than once every three months.....
Many things have happened, but of all that could have, one thing has carefully managed not to happen: I have not moved into my condo yet.
After three or four sets of scheduled closing dates, all of which have been quite completely missed, I am informed that occupancy certificates were not granted, first because of the lack of proper power configuration, and second because of incorrect lighting in the parking garage for emergencies, in violation of fire code. The word is, as of now, they are finally scheduling for closing and/or closing units on the second, third and fourth floors. This continues to exclude me, as lucky as I am, on the fifth floor.
I have from the mortgage agent and my attorney that I should be able to see a closing around the middle of January, which seems to be reasonably plausible at this point. I have actually seen movement in and around the building, so I feel confident that things are finally progressing. If need be, I can hang on for another couple weeks, but after that, Clark's lease begins to approach due, and if his rent goes up or he decides to move, that's going to put me in a bad spot. Here's hoping everything goes as re-re-replanned.
If it does, my parents will attempt to bring out various belongings to me during the next scheduled school break for my Mom, with my Dad packing his truck and driving things westward. I expect to be able to settle in with what I already have, lacking only some auxiliary items that would make the place more comfortable.
It was recently revealed to me that I will be receiving a raise of approximately 20% starting this January, which, where I had previously had any doubts about my financial status after my mortgage began, I am no longer especially concerned. I am supposed to be receiving a bonus for the holidays which I am hoping to put, in part, toward a new laptop, given my existing is over three years old and starting to slow me down.
My plans for the holidays begin quite soon. On Saturday, I will be flying back to Long Island to visit with my parents and my sister. We will celebrate Christmas at home, and also in Maryland with some slightly more extended family on my mom's side. I'll be there until the 30th, then returning to Chicago. Clark will be hosting a New Year's party with a fair turnout confirmed, so it should be a good time.
Ray will be in town around that time, as he's going to help us catch up on some work needing to be done at Steadfast, including some new automation tools, and some testing of new equipment and technology for future product offerings. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty with some new toys, with a hopeful chance that I might not be interrupted every 20 minutes with regular work.
I want to wish everyone joyous holidays of all kinds, including Secretary's Day and Independence Day, but most of all, Happy New Year, and Merry Christmas.
(Just a note, I have posted another fairly lengthly revelation below at about the same time, should you want to read on.)
[Comments: 3] 4:17 AM - this-changes-nothing-for-you
It was recently revealed to me that a group of friendly folks regularly meet up (once monthly) to hang out and play board games. This group was introduced to me through a dating web site, but someone who happened upon my profile. I decided to give it a shot, and I had a lot of fun, so I've opened a door to a new set of potential friends and regular social activity, as had been much needed for me.
What turns out more significant, for me, but what should not be particularly important to you in knowing me, is that this particular group is known as "Gay Gamers" and may yet help me to find a relationship in the long run. It is in that fact, that as far as this web site goes, I am revealing that I am gay.
This is not information that I feel the need to widely publish or advertise out of irrelevant circles, but it is one I am disinterested in hiding. The Gay Gamers group on Facebook was created shortly after the event I attended two weekends prior, and I joined that group (which was marked quite clearly in my profile). I was also tagged in photos from the meetup. In doing so, the omission of my preference for dating men was revealed, so I decided it was justified that I simply make it explicit. It is now done.
This basically completes the "outing" of myself on the Internet, as I have informed those finding me via MySpace, via online forums, IM or IRC, and now and finally Facebook and my web site.
I am concerned that my cousins, aunts, uncles, and other close relatives, who do not yet know I am gay may react negatively to the information listed in Facebook or on my web site, should they read either. I have been considering discussing this revelation with my cousins when I see them during the holidays (though I don't want to force a discussion if there's no opening).
If any of my family (or anyone else) should read this prior my making it known in person, I will be happy to talk in person, on the phone, or via any other media about it. I hope, if it does come as a surprise, that it comes as no disappointment to you, as I am content with being gay and it really has nothing to do with you. It changes nothing as far as my personality, my points of view (on anything), my ambitions, or anything else about me. And as it goes, if it is something that you are unable to get past, then you'll have to deal with that on your own, as much as that saddens me.
I will, for now, not post about this matter again, nor will I rewrite my "about" page to indicate that I am gay, as, if I were straight, I would certainly not think to include that information in a general summary of myself.
I like to refer to this quote by Grey's Anatomy cast member T.R. Knight when dealing with the overall significance of my being gay to people who don't want to date me:
"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
If this revelation changes everything for you, with respect to me, then our relationship and what you know about me is all wrong. Only you can know whether that's true, but if it is, then you can now make the choice about whether you want to fix it, or lose it. I certainly hope the former.
