A Chip off the Old Block

Those of you who know me well will understand the pun in the title....

Well, aside from the usual toiletries (which will be assembled tomorrow morning after my shower), I'm packed and ready to head to the airport. Vegas, here I come! It's kind of weird, but this evening I wasn't in the mood to pack...even though I'm still excited to be spending a vacation with my kid sister.

I couldn't figure out why until about an hour ago. I got a surprise Friday evening phone call from my son. How sweet of him! Usually he goes to karate on Friday nights, which is why I wasn't expecting to hear from him. He had a change of heart and decided not to go. My ex-wife is now an assistant instructor at the karate studio, so he was home by himself. We talked for nearly 45 minutes, which is a long time for me on the phone. But I needed it. I know, I talk to him nearly every day during the week, and at least once on weekends I don't have him. During the week, however, we only spend about 10 minutes on the phone each day, since I'm at work and I want to be responsible.

Nearing the end of our conversation, it dawned on me why the apathy about packing. When all is said and done, I'd rather be spending the weekend with him than on my own, even if it is a vacation. Call me a sap, but I really do love spending time with my son.

The office made sure to let me know that I'd be missed, even though I'm only off for 3 days. To summarize, I get three weeks of vacation each anniversary year, which is on November 2nd. As of this very moment, I have five days remaining...in a "use it or lose it" office. Thankfully, my boss has let me carry over the unused time for a while. In any case, three of the key players in the office made a point to remind me to take my cell phone, should I be needed for an emergency. On one hand, it's frustrating to know that my vacation may be interrupted by work details. On the other, it's good to know that I'm a key asset to them at this time. I guess I'll just have to take the bitter with the sweet.

One final note on the job...since the anniversary was coming due, so was my annual review. I'm happy to note that my review went MUCH better than I had expected. My boss graded me higher than I graded myself...and I gave myself really high marks. Of course, the annual raise comes with the review. Let's just say that it will be much, much easier to take that Disney Cruise with my son next summer!

That's all for now. I'll have more when I return from Vegas!

Bonding Experience

I'm pretty well stoked...Saturday afternoon I leave for some R&R in Las Vegas. Doing laundry tonight so that I won't be rushing things tomorrow or Friday. After that's finished, I can begin packing. Then we'll be ready to go!

Yes, I said "we". "What's this?" you ask? Has Drew suddenly obtained a boyfriend? No. At the last minute today, Drew picked up a travelling companion, and an unlikely one at that. I'll be going to Vegas with...my sister!

Say what you want, I'm excited. My kid sis, who is 2.5 years younger than I, will be sharing time with me in Sin City. We've not had a period like this before as adults...just the two of us for more than just an evening. We'll either get really close or we'll knock each others' lights out. Little parts of me question the decision to invite her; however, I'm not getting any younger...neither is she. I think being able to share this journey will be unique, exciting, and perhaps even fun.

Due to the last minute plans, she'll be getting out there 2 hours before me, and is leaving the evening before I do (she has enough frequent flyer miles to cash in, but flight/seat selection was limited). Who knows? We could be checking out "Thunder From Down Under--The Australian All Male Revue" together. Perhaps we'll see Cirque du Soleil or Elton John. Whatever happens, we promised each other that we would (if we wanted) give each other time to do things on our own, with no concrete itinerary...just the way I want it.

I just hope I can get that king-sized bed exchanged for two doubles....

Kid at Heart

For those of you who are new to my blog and are unfamiliar with who I am, much of my existence revolves around my eleven year old son. Being single, I have him for visits every other weekend. This weekend was one of those regular visits.

I can't help but feel that I'm a good father. When he stays with me, we're inseparable. It didn't used to be that way. When I was in a relationship for four years, there are times when he would be over for the weekend, but I would find someone to babysit while I did things with friends. That is one thing in life I truly regret, and make up for it every time I see him. My priorities have been refocused to where they should be.

In my mind, it is one of the things which will likely keep me single for the near future. Rare is it to find a man who welcomes a child into his life...even rarer to find one who will accept the fact that, for me, that child has to come first. I know, I know...there are couples nowadays who (except in Florida) are adopting children and raising them together. The difference with this is that the relationship is firmly established between partners prior to the decision to add a child. In my case, the prospective guy has to accept a package deal...and I don't see very many of those men in Cincinnati.

I accept this fate willingly. God granted me the gift of a child. My love for him is far greater than anything I could ever imagine. If it means that I will be single for a while, so be it. That doesn't mean I won't have lonely periods...however, when those periods happen, the smile in my son's voice fill the void.

Oh, yeah...for those of you who have read my writings before, my apologies for restating my feelings. Know, however, that there are just a few special souls that touch one's life, and I'm proud to have the opportunity to shape and mold one of those souls into a good person.

And to Matthew...should you ever get to read my journal, know that I love you so much...you truly are my "son"shine!

Deja Vu all over again

That hasn't happened to me in a while. I'm sure we all experience deja vu of some sort. Today, it happened to me at work...and it was a pretty eerie feeling, sending chills up my spine.

Of course, I was multitasking...typing an e-mail response and talking on the phone at the same time to a co-worker. I couldn't help but feel that I'd been there before.

I've been here before, but not in almost a week. Sorry 'bout that. Life has been pretty chaotic. The first week of November I'm taking a solo sabbatical to Las Vegas. I'm desparately in need of some relaxing "me" time. Of course, I hope to catch the "Thunder From Down Under--Australian Male Revue" at the hotel while I'm there!

It's a pretty sweet deal. Thanks to a trip I took last year with a couple of friends, my hotel stay for four nights only costs $138 out of my nearly $600 "credit d0llars". So, no money out of my pocket. Additionally, the airfare was only $300, and I have about $105 in cash sitting there waiting for me at the VIP desk. I never thought I'd ever be able to say I'm a "VIP".

I'm also trying to get out the word to encourage EVERYONE I know to get to the polls and oust the "Weasel in the White House". My mom has been a hard sell...and forget trying to convince my ex-wife, she is politically to the right of Rush Limbaugh. However, I have managed to convince a good friend and co-worker...who would vote for Kerry, except she didn't register in time. I, of course, will have to file an absentee ballot, since I'll be in Nevada.

Speaking of which, due to my application for an absentee ballot, I received no less than 9 political mailers today. Many of them were for the Weasel and his posse...so I can at least reference who I will NOT be voting for on November 2nd!

Catch y'all later!

Chilled to the Bone

It's cold in here! Maybe it's just my perception, but it seems like (yet again) we passed directly from fall into winter in Cincinnati. Typically, on Friday evenings, I don't do much of anything. I am rather tired of the bar scene, and only go out 2-3 times a year. Don't want to go shopping, so it sounds like this evening will consist of a little 'net surfing and a movie under a couple of blankets.

Tried to call Mom to wish her "happy birthday" twice today. Got her voicemail at work, sang into it (I don't mind singing to a live body, but can't stand singing on a message). Called her a little while ago at home, and got her voicemail THERE as well! Sounds like Mom is partying the night away! hehehe

I am trying to keep my mood up. I know, staying home on a Friday night can possibly make it less upbeat, but I just don't like dealing with the drama. Sounds like I'm creating some of my own....

Content...or happy?

Oftentimes I wonder what it is that makes someone content or happy...or how do you know if someone is, despite their pleas.

Maybe sometimes it's circumstances. Yesterday I won a free DVD from Columbia House in a contest. That made me happy. A bowl of chili made me content. Little things like that.

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. As is customary, I called Mom to ask her if there was anything special she wanted in honor of the day. Naturally, I was compelled to do this, because buying Christmas presents is hard enough...she has just about everything we've ever thought she'd need or want.

I have always believed that my mom is not just content with life...she's happy. Her response today to my question only reaffirmed that belief. When I asked her, she replied, "Nothing. If I want anything, it would be to spend some time with you."

Mom and I spend a lot to time together. Not just family get togethers, either. We share a season subscription to the Broadway Series in Cincinnati. This affords us an opportunity to have a "mother/son" night out without all of the trappings that go into family gatherings. Our conversations at dinner before the shows are always lighthearted and fun, and they rarely carry serious "drama" or baggage.

Things like this reinforce my opinion that Mom is truly happy. I hope that someday I can be just as happy with life as her.

Greetings!

Welcome to my new blogging home! Like many others, I am an orphan from mblog, which recently shut its doors due to financial woes. My best friend Michael (who I HOPE to link with on my blog) clued me in on this site, so I am trying it out.

For those who do not know me, I am a proud gay father of an eleven year old son. He is my pride and joy...not to mention a "spittin' image" of me. As I get used to this new home, I'll be uploading pics now and then.

While my blog may not be the most exciting read, at least you will get to see the real me...my thoughts, my fears, my hopes, and my dreams...and maybe a little sarcastic wit thrown in for good measure.

So for now, welcome...and I hope you enjoy your visit inside my blogmind!