HOLIDAY HAZE

Happy Generic Undisclosed-bank /Government/ Memorial Day. Hopefully you’re off today. Off so you can enjoy laying out in the park and cookouts with friends. I’m spending my entire holiday weekend in a warm Vicodin haze.

It was on my calendar for a fortnight, circled so I wouldn’t miss it: ORAL SURGERY. I really didn’t think much about it. I’d go get my jaw chipped into then a light lunch followed by the gym. I have never claimed to be smart, but when the phrase “jaw reconstruction” comes out of your Dentists mouth, plan some special time just for you afterwards.


Since my date with Dr. Just-for-men, I’ve been in a nice Vicodin glow. My diet has consisted of orange sherbet, french baguettes and Runza. And I’ve really enjoyed the feeling you only get from petting a dog backwards on his back.


Here it is Monday. The happy haze that only generic equivalent drugs can bring into your world is subsiding. The feeling that you can run longer and harder on a Sunday morning then you’ve ever done before is replaced with the sore feeling of regret. “Why did I go for a run yesterday?” Comes into my sore yet rock filled head.


But now it’s Memorial Day. The day that the US remembers its war dead. I’ll visit long gone loved ones and thank them for coming into my life. Then chill out in the park enjoying the last bits of pain killer buzz, then head over to the annual cookout. And enjoy watching everyone else eat solid food.




The Nice To See Stevie B. blog is moving. Please check out www.NTSSB.com and don't forget to update your favorites tab.

RUNNING

It’s been one year since I committed myself to running. Do more than talk about good health, but actually put puma to pavement.

Other then the obvious being losing twenty-eight pounds, I’ve also found a new hobby, a new mindset, and a new outlook. It’s funny how something as easy as putting on running shoes and just moving forward down the path could help me… move forward down the path.

“Everyone who has run knows that it’s most important value is in removing tension and allowing a release from whatever other cares the day may bring.” – Jimmy Carter

What can’t President Carter do? Sorry, I probably think about Jimmy Carter too much. Thank God, my Armband iPod holder came in the mail. Now I can fill my brain with Robyn and stop thinking about Jimmy Carter.

AT THE CAR WASH

I like to give a big thanks to the gentleman at the car wash that yesterday tried to give me a car that wasn’t mine. It really helped my ego thinking that you would assume that me, the guy sporting running shorts and a zombie cupcakes T-shirt would drive a Lincoln Navigator with 26” rims and custom naked lady embossed window tint motif.

When the 5’02” gentlemen with the flat brimmed cap still adorned with the “official” NFL hologram tags felt threatened that the “total sick” Navigator with the custom build kicker boxes might go home with someone else, hilarity ensued. Upon explaining that it was just a mistake by the car wash staff member and I would never threaten the relationship between a man and his ride this then meant that we were buddies. Buddies that explain the HUGE amounts of money put into customizing your ride. We then bonded over his 26” chrome spinner rims to my polished Italian wheels. What can I say? You bond with your fellow man at the car wash.

My new bestie gave me a fist bump and as we both pulled out of the car wash, me in my sports sedan with the spoiler and him in his Lincoln SUV. He gave me a little toot on his horn. That sounded like polka.

The Nice To See Stevie B. blog is moving. Please check out www.NTSSB.com and don't forget to update your favorites tab and blog roll.

ROAD TRIP

I’m craving a road trip.

I’d like to get out on the open highway and drive for hours upon hours. One of the good and bad things about living in a square (rectangular) state in the union is that you can just jump in your foreign-made car and drive for hours without stopping.

There’s the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, made famous from the Close Encounters movie. Or there’s the Sand Dunes in the four corners region.

I guess it could be a simple as a drive to Fort Collins for a Runza and a beer.

WHAT WOULD MICHAEL PHELPS DO?

I’m having one of those weeks.


The type were the laundry stays in the overfilled hamper, where the delivery guys start calling you by name. I’m not depressed or even just lazy, far from it. I guess you’d call it “cocooning” in the bedroom with the dog and the Mac Book.

This week has been about relaxation. Maybe it was brought on by the rainy Seattle-like weather. I’m really liking the indulging in quality Steve time. But if the dog asks tell him it’s all about him.

Last night, on my belly buying music from iTunes in the middle of the oversized Simmons Beautyrest I realized that un-plugging is fine, but I haven’t been for a run all week. This is when I turned to the dog and asked:

“WWMPD?”

"I wouldn't say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it".

-Michael Phelps

I don’t think of myself as an athlete by any means, I do however believe in the characteristics that great athletes personify. That remodeling behavior is how we as humans learn. Also I’m so entirely in love with Michael Phelps I’d listen to anything he had to say on the subject of training. Although I see myself in my next life as one of the guys on the college swim team, in this life I just want to last for more miles when running.

Having a couple days to hang out in the bed with the dog and a box of Pizza Hut is fine. Putting running shoes on and hitting the trail is where I need to put my mind.

MUST SEE TV

Sometimes things you love come in surprising doses.

An example of this for me is television. It’s quite possible that the DVR was invented just for me. I can record just the shows that  intrege me and block out the world of popular media.

One of my favorites is a Japanese animated series called Ghost in the Shell. This obscure show is only broadcast on the weekends around 3AM and since there are only two real seasons there’s only a handful of episodes to watch before they are re-run ad nauseam, like Rupaul’s Drag Race sans the whimsy.  This week I’m beginning to fall in love again. And it’s amazing…

If you dig overly complicated story lines and Japanese anime, put this show on your DVR.

So why am I bringing up a long dead, obscure Japanese cartoon today? Well besides that it today’s blog challenge question it’s also an allegory for what’s been going through my head this week. 

In relationships just when you think you’ve seen every episode over and over you tune in and find something completely new. You fall back in love with the same show from years ago.  That’s just when you want to see what happens next. 

NTSSB.com

Just look at the iPhone screen. See anything new? Sandwiched between Scruff and the Tumblr porn? It’s a Stevie B. blog link icon. Yup, exciting isn’t it? Clicking this will take you to the new world of Stevie B.

Simply go to http://www.ntssb.com/ then add the page to your phone’s desktop. That’s right; the Nice to See StevieB blog has a new address, NTSSB.com for all your Stevie B. needs. And I know you have them, and I’ve improved the way to deliver them to you.

Don’t worry; the nicetoseestevieb.blogspot.com address won’t go away for awhile. I didn’t want to force my friend Carl to change his favorites list on his computer too soon.

We’re always trying to find ways to improve your Stevie B. experience, please give me your feedback.

LOST

Ever have parts of your life just disappear? Like… I don’t know… blog posts from Blogger? Nah, just kidding, Blogger. That was fun to play dead for two days and come back with missing blog posts. I don’t really put any time into my writing anyway. We’re cool.

Anyone know how to import posts into WordPress…

This is what I'll look like on the trail.
Sans the clench jaw.

I’m really talking about items you use everyday then when you reach to grab it one afternoon the thing is missing. For me that thing was my iPod arm band. Reached into its little pocket in my backpack and *POOF* gone. Next comes the weeks of shoving my iPhone into my waist band, which ends up in my jock somewhere or just holding it as I ran. Everyday thinking “I got to go buy a new holder.”

Finally, free from having to blog last week and working from home I completed the task of clinking BUY on Amazon. Soon my iPhone will have its own little holster and be free of crotch sweat.

DOG OF ROYALTY

Once a month a call is made to the local pharmacy for a refill of a medicine called Colchicine. This is to help in our ongoing battle with the disease of kings, also known as gout. During this call is when I learned that the manufacture has stopped making the generic form and the price will go from eight bucks a refill to two-hundred a refill. This daily pill is life sustaining for Harley the Shar-pei as any flare-ups of fever may shut down his kidneys.

This is when the rush of phone calls stated calling every pharmacy in the area. As Harley slept soundly completely unaware of the situation, we located a Wal-Marts across town that had eight-hundred pills left at the lower price/generic form. Then calls to the vet to get a prescription for eight-hundred Harley treats.

After a long drive and investment in some meds, the dog with “the disease of kings” has to find something else to complain about other than his gout.

Even though only I would get stuck with the only Chinese dog that has gout, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. If I had the choice of keeping any pet in the world I’d still choose the high-maintenance bag of wrinkles.

Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question forty-two.

DREAM DATE STEVE

If you ask the reigning and former boyfriends you get a unanimous report. I give very bad first dates.

Picture it, Dallas. 2000. Agreeing to have dinner with a muscled blond boy, we met for dinner and a movie. Most of dinner I was so focused on not blowing my nose on the tablecloth or stuttering like Elmer J. Fudd I wasn’t paying attention and assumed he was talking about his ex-boyfriend when I asked about the hot sex they had. “I’m sure he had fun oiling and rubbing those hot muscles…” It turned out that he had been speaking about his Dad.

I'm on the left.

We didn’t make it to the movie.

Picture it, Dallas. 2003. I met Dalton the week prior and we agreed to meet for dinner at Marco’s Italian eatery on Throckmorton. I then spent the next two hours downing garlic rolls. This was perfect later when I went in for the kiss.

Or there’s the confusing part where I can never tell if I’m on a date or just a trick. I’ll never straighten that concept out. I should probably were a sign around my neck.

If I had to define a “dream date” it would most likely be filled with something active to pull the self-conciseness out of the situation. Snowshoeing would be great. Then if I start to stammer or have verbal diarrhea I can just pretend to fall into a snow drift.

 
 
 
 
Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question forty-one.

LET'S GO KROGERING

The first thing I did as I pulled up to my new apartment in Dallas, Texas was to fall out of the cab of my GMC Sierra. The dog and I had just finished a twelve hour drive to our new site unseen rented apartment. And to our new site unseen life. The dog seemed very nonchalant walking into our new home. No other dogs, no living-in boyfriends. His new house was very different from the house we ran from just thirteen hours earlier.

I showered then went the five blocks down Cedar Springs Road to the Kroger. The gayeighborhood Kroger. This is when the decompression happened. I wandered around the isles like a refugee. As I looked up to discover the meat department manager cruising me I realized, this will work. There’s something about a “gay” grocery store. When it comes to equality it’s really about two guys – one shopping basket that makes a community.

After Sunday’s run I stopped by our local gayeighborhood store. This is when this whole idea of connecting to community hit me. I grabbed a couple of bottles Perrier and was attempting to check out when the checker who has been standing at the same register since my senior year of high school was lecturing me on the glass Perrier bottle verses the plastic Perrier bottle. It’s true that community is important. Where else would you have to promise to recycle the plastic bottle from your uppity gay water?

Wish me luck as lunch today is leftover sushi from the gayeighborhood Kroger.

 
Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question forty.

MY BOYFRIEND, GEORGE GLASS

I’m beginning to believe that these blog challenge questions where collated by an Emo kid for his Language Arts class. If I went into “great detail” about my day-week-month-year you my friend would be dead of boredom. Other then the parts where I jerk-off inappropriately in public, my life mirrors Count László de Almásy in The English Patient. Sans the French-Canadian nurse. But really our lives are similar. Well, instead of an Italian monastery my life was set in a gay bar in Texas. And instead of a morphine overdose given by the French-Canadian nurse; my life will end when I slip on a slobbery dog toy. I do look smashing in a WWII uniform.



Look at me. I'm English. Wait, what?
I'm Hung.
No?
 I'm Hungarian? Crap.



Okay, scratch that. My day-week-month-year and hopes for the next year go something like this…. I awake each day to the gentle knock of Mrs. Cumberbatch delivery yet another bouquet of flowers from my hunky international model, George. George Glass.



George Glass and I usually summer in a 17th century Italian villa. No, not a villa from the 17th century. We actually go to the 17th century. The luggage fees are a nightmare.

I really have no idea what’s in store for my future, with the law suit and all. If I win my case and get full restitution from the 3M company and the development rights restored I can finally take my rightful place as the true designer of Sticky-notes. Let’s hope.





Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. These where questions:


35. Your day, in great detail
36. Your week, in great detail
37. This month, in great detail
38. This year, in great detail
39. Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

TALENT, HOBBY, RECIPE AND A WEBSITE

Personal talents are subjective. What you think is a talent of arranging all the canned-goods to face one direction might not impress the next man. I don’t feel I have a talent outside of felching flirting. So, really it‘s for others to provide the information of a talent. Is blogging day in and day out about a fay Mormon guy close to 40 years old a talent? You’ll be the judge of that.

On the subject of hobbies I can actually speak. Gym, blog, and flirt. Throw in some Sci-fi and breaking into abandoned buildings to felch wander around and you know all my hobbies.

A recipe? This is my favorite thing to eat…Crescent Veggie Pizza. You can find the whole recipe here.


A website. I have no idea why I enjoy this so much...

http://www.uniqlo.jp/uniqlock/?id=60gjO3I81oOvrQvz
A clock for your desktop mixed with dead-eyed Japanese girls. Awesome.

A YouTube video?  Here's one I like.
Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. These where questions thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, and thirty-four.  

BUMMER

The next two blog challenge questions are total downers.  I mean really?  Sad pictures and songs that make me cry? Let's get number 27 and 28 out of the way so we can get back to looking at muscle.

This photo makes me really angry…

Because this photo makes me sad.

A song that makes me kinda, sorta make me cry. I know it's Dolly. Shut up.

An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

This sculpture called The Wrestler and is a 1929 aluminum sculpture by Dudley Talcott (American 1899 - 1986) it was created for the Tenth Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 1932. It now stands in the main lobby of the Woulfsonian Museum in South Beach, Florida.  This is by far my favorite piece of art. I wonder why?

Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. These where questions twenty-seven, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine.

FAVORITE THINGS

My favorite song? That’s a tie between Maria Callas’ La Mamma Morta and Rammstein’s Feuer Frei.


My favorite book? This is a tie as well. It’s Fahrenheit 451 and the graphic novel series called The Red Star.

My favorite quote? Easy. “Stop steaming up my tail!” –Bugs Bunny




Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. These where questions twenty-four, twenty-five, and twenty-six.

FIVE GOOD THINGS

Isn’t it odd how you think you know yourself, and then it’s pointed out that it’s far from the truth? I’ve been acting like Dean Moriarty since the passing of my Step-Mother and have not even realized it. This is why you have friends to point it out.

“Girl! What’s wrong with you? You’re acting like Whitney after Bobby’s dealer stopped returning her calls.” Translated from drag queen that means: Hi there, I see you might be down. May I inquire if I might be of assistance?” This is a lose translation. But, I believe you get the essence.

Ah.. I get it now. I guess the next question on the blogger challenge just fits perfect then. Five good things that have happened since I started the blog challenge.

1. Stepping on the scale I’m down to 220lbs. This means I’m the actual weight on my Big Muscle Bear profile. The truth will set you free.
2. Warmer days mean longer walks with the dog.
3. The boss has finally decided to close the office and I will be working from home 100% soon. No more long commutes for Steve.
4. I’m starting to feel and see my obliques. That’s part of the “V” shape of my alleged abs.
5. I’m starting to feel that summer is on its way. That’s a very good thing.

I have to tell you, I’m feeling better already. It’s going to be a great summer. Now excuse me, I must go change my Big Muscle Bear profile weight to 210lbs.


Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question twenty and twenty-three.

RUN, STEVIE RUN!

The best part about going to the park for a run at the same time everyday is the people you meet. By “people” I mean the sixty and over gentlemen sitting in their luxury automobiles waiting for trade.



Steve's "running stairs"



The other day as I changed into my running shoes leaning against my open trunk when the senior that always parks behind me in his eighty-thousand dollar Cadillac got out to talk to me. After buttering me up by saying that the running is working as I have lost weight he then politely asked if I was interested in servicing him. Thankfully I was wearing my running shoes. With some fancy footwork I quickly changed the subject. Come to find out Fred was in the Navy the same time as my Dad and loves to talk about cars.

So if I had 3 wishes?

I’d wish that when I’m eighty I have the gumpshun to go get what I wanted. For right now I’m desperately trying to get that V on my lower abs. My wish they’d hurry up and get here. I guess my third wish would go towards my career. Yes I could just wish for a billion dollars but, in realistic terms my wish would be for my career to move quickly upward.

Until the genie grants me my wishes I’ll keep pushing for the next step in my career, I’ll keep going to the gym to do crunches, and keep being open to talk to new people.

Impressed with other bloggers* taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question twenty-two.

CAN I WEAR WHITE?

Your Dream Wedding

Something that stresses you out

I have had one dream wedding in my life. I believe that I'll have another. After Pomp and Circumstance or God forbid Captain and Tennille’s Wedding Song is played the reason behind the cheesen is well…. (Sorry for this) There is love. (Did I just quote Tennille?) Yep. Damn it. What would stress me out about a dream wedding? Living up to the promise made in front of friends and family.

Impressed with other bloggers taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. These were questions twenty and twenty-one.

SHUFFLE

Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs.

Lucky Ministry of Sound remix - Lucky twice
Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians - What I am 
Front 242 -Until Death
Ella Fitzgerald - Blue Skies
Cyndi Lauper - Same Ol’ Story
System Of A Down - Revenga
Rammstein - Asche Zu Asche
Miles Davis -  Birth of The Cool theme
DJ Bill Bennett - Sacrifice
Antoine Clamaran & Mario Ochoa - Give Some Love

Impressed with other bloggers* taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question nineteen.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED

Something you’ve learned. Not everyone is going to like you. Surprisingly I’m still learning this. In trying to make friends I stick my neck out, sometimes it gets smacked. What I’ve learned is that even if not everyone is going to like you, you need to at least try.

Impressed with other bloggers* taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question eighteen.

PICTURE THIS

Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Maybe because I’m standing in my underwear in the middle of a white party. Maybe because this was back when I was obsessed with System of a Down. Or, maybe it’s because my friend Frank is in the background acting like a drunken fool.





Impressed with other bloggers* taking up the writing challenge, I have decided to take the blog writing challenge. See all sixty-four challenges here. This was question seventeen.