Dining Out for Life

There is an important event that takes place annually in cities all around North America, including the Vancouver-Whistler corridor. Dining Out for Life is a fundraiser to help fight AIDS, and offers you a chance to do your part.

Visit a participating restaurant, enjoy a sumptuous meal, and know that 25% of the food revenue from your meal will help in the fight against AIDS. It's a great way to give back while indulging in some fine gastronomic delights. For more information about this great event, and to find out when your city hosts its own DOFL day, click the link above.

And, coincidentally, today just happens to be the day when Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and Whistler do their part. To find out which restaurants have hopped on the bandwagon to help out, and where you should dine in our fair city tonight, check this out.

As for me, I'm going out for both lunch and dinner today. Because, really, it's the least I can do! Bon appetit, everyone!

Waiting for the return of dreary.For now, though, sun!

Yup, our record-breaking weather is about to hit new heights yet again! March is about to be crowned the wettest on record. Or wait! Is it?!?

Just when we were about 20mm from breaking the record (as of only the 23rd day of the month), we hit a sudden and very unexpected sunny patch. The rains are temporarily gone, the sun is out, the smiles are back, the umbrellas tucked away.

How long will it last? Surely not long, so then we'll be able to celebrate setting yet one more unwanted record lament the return of dreary.

Still, for now it feels like Spring is in the air. And, not so coincidentally, I feel a certain spring in my step as well. But that's only partly related to the weather.

For the record

I suppose it's time I went public.

Yup, I'm finally ready to announce that I'm dating someone. Someone I've known for a long time, who is wonderful, who is very together, who brings joy and happiness to my already-abundant life. And -- to satisfy my shallow side -- who is really hot!

But for now you probably won't get too many details beyond that. Suffice to say that this guy has been the reason I've occasionally put up posts like this and this. Yes, and even this cryptic little one, which everyone assumed was career-related.

Hee hee. Guess what? That cryptic post wasn't about work at all, but about the start of something wonderful with him : )

Things are all good. And I seem to have this perma-grin on my face! Yay me!

At the 3.5 km mark

After getting a couple of questions about the status of my ankle, I realized that I hadn't posted an update since I rolled it.

In short, things are good. It's still a bit sore and swollen, and I don't have complete range of motion, but it's all good. After giving it a rest from volleyball, I bought a new ankle brace and hit the court again last weekend. It didn't give me any grief at all, so that was a huge relief.

Calgary is still on the agenda for Easter weekend. This is a tournament that I've played in 4 times in the past, but most recently in 2002. It's been far too long since I've played Western Cup, so I'm stoked to have the chance to go to Cowtown and have some fun.

The biggest problem I have with the ankle is the fact that, in a moment of weakness, I agreed to join my friend's corporate team for the Sun Run. Despite the fact that I had started running and felt that I would be ready, my ankle injury has precluded me from running since I hurt it. Sure, I've been cycling in the gym, swimming, and pool running -- but it's not nearly the same as real running. As a result, I think I'll be hooped for the Sun Run, simply because the ankle can't take the pounding of real running yet. I guess I'll be walking it.

Luckily, my apartment is right along the course, so I could simply duck out and finish my walk at the 3.5 km mark : )

Number One

Just got back from seeing my gal Nelly, and she was awesome! The show was a blend of soft stylings, amazing colour, pitch-perfect vocals, and lots and lots of hi-energy anthems that had the crowd on their feet and slammin' big time. Even better than I had expected, that girl has really learned how to put on a show!

She played my favourite Nelly song, Forca. I love the energy of that song and what it does to get my blood a-pumping. In fact, it's the first song on the Cardio Mix playlist I have on my iPod when I'm on the cycle at the gym or warming up for volleyball. It just gets me goin' something fierce!

If I was a Nelly fan before, I'm an even bigger fan now. Yup, Nelly's number one in my book.

The Nellster

I'm going to see Nelly in concert tonight. Yippee! And I'm feeling tingly and loose all over.

"As you know, in fashion, one dayyou're in and the next day you're out"

How excited am I?

A Canadian version of the bestest-ever reality show on TV!

I know Tower Girl will be watching just as closely as me! I only have one question: who could ever fill Heidi's shoes?!

Random picture of the day

Lucky and Tower Girl (Ottawa, May/06)

God love 'em!

Yummy

I had the bestest-ever dream last night!

I was getting ready for bed and, instead of regular pillows, I noticed a very special treat! My pillows weren't covered in white pillowcases, but were slathered in lots of luscious white cream cheese icing.

I'm salivating just thinking of it.

Ten

Ten years ago today, I came out to my cousin and finally started the process of accepting, and loving, myself as a gay man.

It's been a liberating decade, one with triumph and joy, hardship and heartache. Still, it's been a great journey.

It's a good thing that the importance is in the journey, and not the destination. Cuz I'm still not sure what the destination is...

Hot and bothered

I did hot yoga the other day for the very first time.

My body acted somewhat like a human fawcett, given the amount of sweat I was expelling. Not comfortable. At all. Ick.

Not going back.

Probably....

Two

Two years ago today, I boarded a plane from Sydney to Melbourne to start my career with the circus. The roller coaster ride began and -- although I suppose the roller coaster is more apropros to an amusement park -- the symbolism is completely appropriate in this case.

Thankfully, the roller coaster ride is over. I'm home, I'm happy, I'm settled, and I'm embarking on a new chapter.

I'm so happy to have met so many great friends -- Lucky, The Hire Guy, Tower Girl, Nebraska Girl, Ladybug, and Leona Lowenstein -- but don't miss many of the others. What I do cherish are the good times and the experience but, heck, even the losers on tour taught me how much of an effect ineptitude and ineffectiveness have on an entire team of people.

Two years ago is a distant memory. But I have no regrets about the decidions I've made or the results I've gained.

PS: it's Caro's birthday today, so happy birthday to her!

Battin' and throwin' and runnin'

I did it. Honouring a vow I made over two years ago, I joined the community slo-pitch league. It could be interesting, given my only previous experience playing one game in the Sydney league, where I not-so-expertly demonstrated my batting and throwing abilities. While my running is just fine, my attempts to bat and throw were atrocious, to be honest.

Still, it's all about opportunities for growth and change, ain't it?? And my friend Sindee promised to help me figure out how I can make my battin' and throwin' more man-like : )

Architectural Eye Candy

OK, today is Architecture Day here on life is large. A few stellar pics from some of my travels the past few years:

(1) This is one of the many gorgeous temples located inside Beijing's Forbidden City. The details along the edges of the rooves are indicative of the incredible commitment to beauty that's evident in all of the buildings inside the Forbidden City. (picture taken December 2005)

(2) This building was directly beside our site in downtown Singapore, and had gorgeous detailing at the very top -- instead of gargoyles, there were men holding spheres that would light up at night. (September 2005)

(3) After taking the rickety tram to the top of The Peak of Victoria Mountain in Hong Kong, I was rewarded with this amazing (but somewhat smoggy) view of the skyline below. The density of the city is pretty visible from up in these rarified heights. (November 2005)

(4) This was a monument that was new to me, having been erected since my last visit to DC in 2001. It was a tribute to World War II veterans and was laid out beautifully on the Mall adjacent to the Washington Monument. (August 2006)

(5) One of the beautiful buildings in San Diego's historic Balboa Park, this structure featured incredible detailing all over its front. (February 2006)

And there you have some of my fave architectural highlights of my recent travels. Thanks for indulging me!

Could have been worse

So I was playing volleyball last night at Britannia Community Centre. It was great -- I was playing with some really talented guys, I was forced to step up my game to be competitive, I was doing that for the most part (with a few notable errors), I was understanding a bit better where my weaknesses continue to lie.

We'd been playing for over two hours and were about 5 minutes from the end of play. "Great," I thought, "this evening has been fun and I feel like my game is rounding into shape in time for Calgary."

But just when I thought I was home free, it happened.I went up for a block and landed on the foot of the guy who was hitting on the other side of the net. And you just know that it can't be good when you hear a nasty crunching sound as you land.

Instant pain.

Shooting pain allllll over my right ankle.

Feeling sick to my stomach.

Limping around in anger/frustration/pain.

Questions about how bad I've done it in.....

And in the end, it's not nearly as bad as it could have been. The scariest part was hearing that crunch sound that could have been a bone breaking, some tendons stretching, or ligaments snapping. I'm guessing it was just the force of landing on my opponent's sneaker or something. But thank goodness it wasn't anything breaking!

I was able to drive home and it was sore last night, but not too swollen. Today, it's definitely still sore (!!) but at least I can walk and function without too much difficulty. Thanking my lucky stars!!

The Lone Star State: a few words of advice

Dear Cookie:

While I'm incredibly stoked for you with your latest news -- you know how I've been pulling for this to happen, after all -- I feel I must warn you about a few things that you may not be ready for.

Making my way from Long Beach to Ottawa last April, I did a big ol' road trip across America. A huge chunk of my route included a loooong road across the Lone Star State, where I spent some time in some of the state's hot spots.

Well, to be clear, I wouldn't call them hot spots. Oh, and it's not like I actually spent a lot of time in these places. Specifically, I slept a night in wee little Ozona (population 3436); I passed an enjoyable 24 hours with great folks in beautiful and hospitable Austin (thanks to Caro and my cousin!), and I slept (and did laundry) in big and brash Houston (where I considered passing a few hours lookin' for those gals from Destiny's Child).

As you can see by my considerable experience in three days, I'm what you might call a Texpert : ) In fact, Texas has taught me a whole lot. Look and learn, my dear!

• Texas is full of cowboys. Not surprisingly, cowboys wear cowboy hats. Sometimes, cowboys even wear leather chaps. And, often, those chaps are buttless. You may have to go to a gay bar to find those particular cowboys, but don't be afraid to do some, ahem, sightseeing.
• Texas is full of Republicans. Like GWB. Be careful.
• People in Texas like guns. When you're hiring those temp staffers, do a pat-down to make sure they're not packin' heat!
• Texas has a lot of prisoners. Don't be duped into hiring them. And, even more importantly, don't be duped into writing letters to lonely gentlemen who seek caring, giving lady friends -- who can visit them every Saturday.
• If you're not familiar with football, learn it. Fast. You'll be able to contribute to 90% of the conversations that occur in Texas if you know football. Unlike me, you should understand a little bit more than the term tight end.
• You may want to consider developing a taste for Country music, if you're not already a fan. It may make your time a bit more "endurable."
• Have I mentioned the cowboys? Even if they're not wearing buttless chaps, cowboys are amply sexy. Can you send one to Vancouver for me?? Please?!
• Steer clear of tornadoes and hurricanes. Please! Run, duck, and cover when necessary.
• Texas is big. Big big big. And bad. And by bad, I do mean in the good sense of the word. You'll always find something to do in big, bad Texas.

There ya go. Forearmed is forewarned, so you're now ready and able to take on the big bad brash state of Texas. Enjoy yourself and remember to send that cowboy my way!!!

All my love,

Jeff. xoxo

Compliments, not insults

Yesterday, I wrote about awareness. And this is another lesson in awareness from yours truly.

Someone told me something recently that has made me much more aware. He complimented me about something, but I did my typical brush it off thing. You know, the whole "aw shucks" thing that I usually do because I'm not always comfortable receiving compliments. Then he looked directly in my eyes and said very pointedly, "You're welcome...." And he reminded me that if I don't thank the person who gives me a compliment, it's insulting to them.

I don't think I'd ever thought of it that way, preferring instead to be all wrapped up in my own feelings of insecurity and "undeserving-ness." But this guy has taught me a lot lately, and I feel richer having benefitted from his friendship.

And, you can be sure that, ever since he pointed it out, I've made a very pointed effort to properly acknowledge every single compliment he gives me. And I make sure to throw a compliment his way once in a while, too : )

Gloating

Awareness is an amazing thing, isn't it? Take climate change, for instance. It's probably been going on for quite a while now -- at least, I think scientists are saying it's been an issue for longer than we've been aware. But lately, we seem to have this consciousness about it that we've never had before.

Politics, the media, entertainment....they've all drawn our attention to this issue repeatedly over the past year. It's reached a frenzied, fevered pitch now, and we're putting more effort into arguing discussing what we can do about it, how it will affect our children, and how each particular political party can parlay it into election success why we've let it go on for so long.

And of course, I say all of this simply because it's a gorgeous day here in Vancouver, with a record-breaking temperature of 16.5C. The sun is shining brightly, a few meandering clouds dot sky, and the snow looks like it's clinging desperately to the tops of the North Shore Mountains after having engulfed them right to the bottom last week. Yup, we've got all of this while Ontario struggles with weather disaster. It's stunning how incredibly disparate the temperatures can be from here to there. But today, I'm simply going to do some quiet gloating : ) And as little polluting as possible.

Bring it on

So Tower Girl called me with some amazing news yesterday. She's filling in on a European circus tour that hits Barcelona, then Paris (for 9 weeks!!), then Gijon (northern coast of Spain). Yup, just as she was struggling with how to get a job that carried her from now through to August, when she starts on the new circus tour, she gets this opportunity. And how stoked am I for her?!?!

Now, don't get me wrong: I have no interest in returning to the circus at all. In fact, there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not happy to be away from them. Still, when I signed up two years ago, I had thought that I'd like to stay on and do a European tour with the circus before my time was up. And while that didn't happen for me, I'm so stoked that it's in the cards for Tower Girl.

Have I mentioned that I'd reallllly like to visit her in Paris? She knows, and says Bring it on!

White rabbits

Welcome to March!

Good thing I remembered, as I drifted out of sleep at about 3AM overnight, to repeat, "White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits" out loud.

Good luck will be mine the entire month long!