Category Archives: The Basics

This weekend I took a nice long nap on Friday and went to yet another wedding on Saturday.  Bride and Groom were going through their second stroll down the aisle.  I felt obligated to buy them something from their gift registry–again. 

I think I’m going to have to boycott weddings.  A) I just can’t afford it.  B) I’m kinda feeling like always a bridesmaid, never a bride.  C) See B.

Anyway, enough whining.  The highlight of the weekend was going to Homer’s Holiday Party.  All the usual suspects were there including sweet Brian from Phoenix.  Ray and I forget what it’s like to socialize with other gay men.  It was nice to see old faces (and some new ones).  Sandy, is back in town from Australia.  His partner Mahk (OK, it’s Mark and he has a sexy Australian accent) and their son Zane were there too.  I told them to come down (under) to Bisbee while they’re here. 

I wanted to stay longer at the party but we have a 90 minute drive from Tucson with nary a streetlight. 

The other weekend highlight was getting my computer set up again to write music.  I actually laid down some tracks!

Gay-rights activists are encouraging people to “Call In Gay” to work today to demonstrate how integral gay people are to American society.  I guess this idea is patterned after the 2006 “A Day Without a Mexican” work stoppage.

Yeah…I just don’t think I’m up for that.

Calling in gay is like calling in sick.  If that’s the case, I’d have to protest by Going On Disability because I’m gay 24/7.  My gayness (why does that have to rhyme with anus?) doesn’t happen on occasion.  It’s chronic, constant and at times debilitating—like when I’m watching Jon Hamm in Mad Men or scoping out hot stroller-pushing daddies in the supermarket (hey, I can at least look).

While I agree the passing of Proposition 8 is complete and utter bullshit, I don’t think Calling In Gay is going to be a very effective way to show America how important I am to society.  It just seems like if I worked with a person who disliked gays, they would be thrilled at the notion of me not being in the office for a day.  The idea just lends itself to ridicule.  Can you imagine how many punch-lines would come from a Call In NeoCon Republican day?

Oh sure, don’t show up!  That’ll show me.  Hey…I’m kinda liking NOT having you here in the office.  This is better than I thought.

I think instead of not showing up for something, we should show up for everything.  Most importantly, we should come out of the closet!  People who dislike gays are forced to reexamine their ideas when they find out their son, mother, grandfather, mailman, aunt, best friend, butcher, shoe salesman, chiropractor, contractor, favorite athlete, favorite actor, etc., is gay.

We can’t make a statement by showing the world what it would be like without gay people.  Be visible!  Come out!  You’ll be glad you did.

Oh my, this is just too funny…

OK, I admit it; I have a ginormous crush on Jon Hamm the actor who plays Don Draper on AMC’s fantastic 1960’s advertising-agency-where-everyone-smokes-and-drinks show Mad Men.  He’s so freakin’ hot that I now understand why teenage girls screamed at the Beatles.

They just couldn’t help it.

Fortunately, Ray is a very secure man and understands that while I may drool at the sight of Mr. Hamm, I haven’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of ever crossing paths with such a fine example of everything that is perfect about the male form.

Even if Mr. Hamm were of the Rainbow Flag Waving persuasion, I think he’d probably be a bit more interested in hanging out with other genetically blessed individuals as opposed to some wanna-be who lives in the middle of nowhere, Arizona.  A boy can dream though, can’t he?

The only drawback is that Mr. Hamm plays a total jerk on the TV show so there are times when he’s not all that likeable—oh who am I kidding—I’d be his doormat.

One interesting little tidbit is that Mr. Hamm considers Sam Elliott to be a role model (according to his IMDB profile).  I just about fell out when I read that.  We all know how fond I am of Sam.

What is it about these men that makes me go weak at the knees?  Lordy, I just want to put them both in my pocket.  The thing about them is masculinity.  They both ooze with virility.  You can keep Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise.  I’ll take Jon and Sam any day and while you’re at it, throw in some George Clooney!

Sigh…I fear that I’m going to turn into a L.D.O.M. (leering dirty old man).

Uhh...hello.

I love the scruffy look too!

The alarm clock went off this morning.  I opened my eyes and it was still pitch black.  This is the worse time of year for me.  I’m a sun person–a summer-long-days person.  Who in the hell wants to get out of bed in the cold dark of December?

This is also a time of year when I have to keep depression at bay. 

Working out is good for depression but when I get home at 5:30 and it’s dark out, the motivation factor is very weak.  Thank goodness December 21st is on the way.  The days will start to get longer and before I know it, Spring will be at my doorstep.  So saith Pollyanna.

I just have to keep positive thoughts in my head and push forward. . .

Cobban 40.3 is being released today.  This is an upgrade from last year’s version 40.2. 

The most noticeable change from the previous version is the new hardware chassis.  Over the last year, developers have maintained regular gym workouts.  The outer hardware has firmed up again and is a little bit bigger.  This particular feature is in anticipation of next year’s model, 40.4 hoping to be even bigger and more defined. 

Also with the release of 40.3 is a new and improved software feature that keeps the electronic current in Cobban’s RAM running in a positive fashion.  Developers did a lot of soul searching this year and have created a system of thinking that is productive and not self destructive.  This is a feature that will continue to improve with each annual release.

Finally, Cobban 40.3 comes equipped with a new motorcycle.  This is a vast improvement from last year’s crotch rocket and is much more fuel efficient.

Look for Cobban 40.3 on a highway near you. 

1965-2008 ©Cobban v40.3 – Made In America!

In all honesty, I’m not too happy about this one.  I don’t want to get older anymore.  I want to freeze-dry this moment in time and stay 43 for the rest of my life. 

I’m finally feeling like I have a grasp on things.  Gone are the insecurities of my twenties and the frustrations of my thirties.  So far the forties have been confident and comfortable.  The only problem is that I don’t have the drive and energy I did when I was younger.  I’m ready to do the things I have put off for years (like body building and learning the guitar) but my physical self doesn’t react the way it would have if I would have done these things twenty years ago.  I have to lift more weights more often to see results.  I have to practice extra hard to make my fingers strike the right chord.  I have to realize that I never took the opportunity to do those things back then.  I can’t change the past–but I can change the future.  With age comes wisdom.

In order to live a long productive life, I’m going to keep a positive outlook and visualize that I have many, many years ahead.  I vow to explore life to the fullest and enjoy each Arizona sunset one evening at a time.