In my city, I'm a vibe girl, I'm a Top Ten.....

 As it's now the last day of 2025, it's time for....

The Top Ten Things Of 2025

There were other things that occurred this year that didn't make the Top Ten list.  Things like weird weather (sub zero temps in January, Autumn temps and conditions in August); renewing my passport and getting it back in the mail in only 3 weeks!; reading the new Dragonlance Books and re-reading the old ones from 40 years ago; anxiety, depression and apathy at various times throughout the years; stomach issues (nausea, diarrhea, cramps) which I'm attributing to the Ozempic, happening at various times during the year; binging the first 17 seasons of Law & Order and binging all 8 seasons of Bewitched.  Things like those.  But onto the top ten list.... 

10. Mom Fell

Earlier this year, on a Sunday, I got a call from mom that she fell out at one of the buildings in the retirement village she lives in.  I hurried my way there and got her, she seemed okay except for her shoulder and said I needed to take her to the hospital.  The end result was that she was fine, except for a bruised shoulder and arm where she landed.   They gave her a sling and some pain killers and sent her home.    Thankfully, that's all it was.  (that's a generic pic by the way, not mom or what happened.)

9. Retina Study Ends

Back in 2021 I was sent to the Retina Specialist and they told me I had a retina edema and I was a perfect candidate for a study they were conducting.  So, I got a port put in my right eye and it got refilled every six months as part of the study, which I still had to get a shot in my left eye every month. 

Well after 4 years, they told me study was over.  Once the study ended however the company running he study would no longer pay for anything.   So while over the last four years I had everything done for free now I'd have to pay.  And the FDA had approved the port, so that was all good, but since it was new my insurance said they would not cover treatments for the port.  So it's a shot in both eyeballs now, which insurance will pay for, but there's a copay now.   So I suppose there's both good and bad news  for this result.

8. Deaths

This year had some deaths of people I knew, some more disturbing than others.   There was Puntabupeep Mikey.  There was Sis, the grandmother of a good friend of mine who, 37 years ago, I spent a LOT of time with at his grandparents house, especially on Sundays when she cooked dinner and the whole family was there to eat and play cards and stuff.   There was my mom's cousin Bonnie, who was her age and who had grown up with her.  Also, when I was a younger, they, their husbands and their kids would get together at each other's houses at least once a month.    There were other deaths, but these hit the closest and hardest.  Sadly, as I get older, there will be more of them.

7.  New Doors

When I bought the house the front and back doors (and upstairs balcony door) were all old and wood and drafty.  Finally, after all these years here, I decided to get them replaced.  The new doors are metal and have new door frames so they fit perfectly, no drafts.   They lock a lot easier and unlike the old ones, they have to BE locked, they don't automatically lock when I shut the door behind me, so no more accidentally locking myself out of the house.

6. Reconnecting with Borders' Friends!

I worked at Borders bookstore from 2000-2003, and not only was it the best job I've ever had but I met some amazing people.   The ParisPekings and Ghostie are all from Borders. I still keep in touch, online, with others.   Well this year, one of them, Candace contacted me about going to see Ken Burns give a speech in Gettysburg.  And we went and had a great time together.  Then another one, Kristen, saw me post about it online and since she lives in town, contacted me and we went to the Waynesburger, had a meal and caught up.  It was great fun, too!  I hope to keep in touch with them more this year. 

5. Tooth Issues

Once again, I've had a bunch of tooth issues: problems with a bridge, a big cavity between two teeth, part of a tooth cracked and I had a filling put in, which dropped out, and I had a replacement put in, which later fell out, so I decided to a crown put on it...which I'm still waiting to get put on.  So yeah, like every year, my teeth are crap. 

4. Colonoscopy(s)

So this year, it was time for my second colonoscopy.  After my prep in January I wasn't cleaned out enough so we had to reschedule.  At the reschedule in March, and after a TWO DAY fast and a different prep...I STILL wasn't cleaned out enough.  But after TWO enemas later, I was good to go.  However, one of my nurses said the problem may be that I'm on Ozempic.  So even though I went off it a week beforehand both times, the next time I have one, I'm gonna see if I can stop it for a month, so that i CAN get cleaned out properly.  But on the positive side, they found nothing, not even polyps like last time.  So that's all good.  In the end.  (ba-dum-DUM!)

3. Work Changes

So at work, there's been some changes.  A few people retired.  A few people left under....less than ideal circumstances.  And some 'linear' movements.  One of the other two people in my department decided she wanted to move to a different department.  Which is fine, good for her.  But what it did is open up that position in my department.  Which meant that now, in my last couple years here, I'd have to retrain a new person, and wait for them to hire a new one, and while I waited for that to happen, two of us would have to do that work of three people.   How horrible.  But luckily, there was a guy in another department who had experience in the things MY department does, and he took the open position.  SO I didn't have to totally retrain him, as he already knew quite a few things.  And he's been working out very well. Thankfully. 

2. tRump Clown Circus

I refuse to spend a lot time on these deplorables, but the damage they've done to this country, and in fact the world, will last for years for not decades.  And who knows how long it will take to correct once we've finally rid ourselves of them.  America has a very BIG reckoning coming to it, and I don't believe it will be pretty.  And it WILL get worse before it gets better here.  Sadly.

1. Cedrik

 

Of course he's number one.  He made my year, and changed my life.  He's the first man I dated that I introduced to mom as my boyfriend.  He's the first man I introduced to my closest cousin and her son.  We spent most weekends together.  And then, well then it became clear it wasn't going to work. At least now.  So we split.  But that doesn't change how I (and I assume he) feel.  And maybe sometime in the future we can make it work.  But regardless, he's had the biggest impact on my year. 

POLT

 We all know about A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking.  He's been a part of the Palace since....well since it's inception I guess. 

Henceforth from now on (until I forget to do so) he will be known as SmurfBucket SluttyShorts. 

No, I will not be taking questions.

POLT 

 SO....

The annual housekeeping stats for 2023.   In 2023, in theaters, on DVD, Blue-Ray, TV and various ROKU channels, I watched movies, TV shows, mini-series, documentaries, etc.  The total count I saw was 208, almost exactly the same as last year's 207.   Again, that's because I spent so much time just watching stuff on ROKU channels.   Of that 208, I only saw 3 in theaters: 2 were Marvel movies I saw alone, the other was the Indiana Jones movies I saw with A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking. 

2023: 208

2022: 207

2021: 135

2020: 118

2019: 100
2018: 137
2017: 176
2016: 110
2015: 88
2014: 37
2013: 53
2012: 53
2011: 78
2010: 52
2009: 55
2008: 56
2007: 55
2006: 67
2005: 71
2004: 95
2003: 120
2002: 101
2001: 75
2000: 40

Average movies per month this year: 17.33

******************

This year I kept track of something new: where did I see those things listed above?  Here ya go:

HBOMax: 55

Netflix: 54

PBS: 34

Prime: 28

Disney+: 25

Paramount+: 8

HULU: 6

Theater: 3

Cable channels: 2

Discovery+: 2

ALCMDPP's House: 1

Shomax: 1

Starz: 1

Tubi: 1

********************

Book wise, I read 33 books, pretty average amount as of late.

2023: 33

2022: 31

2021: 34

2020: 40 

2019: 40

2018: 37

2017: 39

2016: 31

2015: 52

2014: 48

2013: 44

2012: 31

2011: 45

2010: 42

2009: 33

2008: 28

2007: 23

2006: 20

2005: 15

2004: 26

2003: 24

2002: 33

2001: 28

2000: 22

1999: 22

I break the categories of books down as follows (some books fit in more than one category, so the total won't equal 33):

History: 2

Fiction: 4

Gay: 7

Star Trek: 8

Young Adult: 4

Presidents: 6

TV: 1

Comic books: 2

Star Wars: 1

Movies: 1

Dragonlance: 2

And then there's this year's number and costs of books purchased: 

2023: 41 books for $454,86, average of $11.09 per book

            Of these 41 books, 35 are actual books and 6 are graphic novels

2022: 54 books for $597.17, average of $9.39 per book

             Of these 54 books, 35 are actual books and 19 graphic novels

2021: 91 books for $659.04, average of $7.24 per book, and

             Of these books, 72 were actual books, 19 were graphic novels

2020: 37 books for $283.43, average of $7.66 per book, and

             Of these books, 35 were actual books, 12 were graphic novels

2019: 79 books for $836.55, average of $10.73 per book, and
             Of these books, 68 are actual books, 10 are graphic novels
2018: 192 books for $1330.92, average of $6.93 per book, BUT, 

             Of these books, 48 are actual books, 135 are graphic novels

2017: 83 books for $691.88, average of $8.34 per book
2016: 57 books for $409.91, average of $7.19 per book 
2015: 90 books for $1007.65, average of $11.20 per book
2014: 80 books for $813.24, average of $10.17 per book
2013: 59 books for $557.39, average of $9.45 per book

Average number of books bought per month: 3.42

Average number of books read per month: 2.75

********************

This is fair warning: We've now come to the slutty section of the yearly review.  If you're not interesting in that, scroll on by. 

Number of times I had sex: 

2023: 109

2022: 63

2021: 91 

2020: 72 (thanks COVID) 

2019: 120
2018: 122
2017: 101
2016: 80
2015: 78
2014: 74

Number of different sex partners: 

2023: 26

2022: 21

2021: 27

2020: 27 (thanks COVID)

2019: 40
2018: 30
2017: 37
2016: 22
2015: 28
2014: 22

Brand new, never been with before, sex partners:

2023: 12

2022: 11

2021: 9

2020: 13 (thanks COVID)

2019: 23
2018: 17
2017: 27
2016: 15
2015: 14
2014: 9

My most frequent sex partner, was like most every other year: Derick In Greencastle (he'll keep the name even though he's not living in Greencastle anymore).  But this year I was extra slutty cause there were 7 different days when I had sex with 2 different guys at different times of the day.

And here is a helpful visual aid: 

I had a non-lethal medical issue in December that limited my interest in playing around in December, so that accounts for the low number there.  But I have no idea why most of the months are so high!  Last year, I never more than 11 encounters in any single month.  This year I've had the most encounters since COVID hit in 2020.  

Can't explain it, I just hope it continues into 2024. 

POLT

 SO....

The oldest ParisPeking girl is in her dorm since last weekend (she's a band geek like her father so she had to go in the middle of August a few weeks before classes start).  She'll be a Freshman in college in a few weeks. 

How in the FUCK did that happen????

I was a groomsman in the ParisPeking wedding 19 years ago, before she was born.

I was friends with A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking when he was dating the redhead, before he even started dating Mrs. A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking, much less making babies with her. 

And now, the firstborn of their union is STARTING COLLEGE!

God DAMN, I'm old.

I mean, I already KNEW that but every time something comes along to reenforce the idea and remind me of it, a little piece of my soul dies.

*SIGH*

Ah well, Of course I wish her the best of luck, and I know she'll be a kickass college student!

POLT

 Well....

As I mentioned before, my laptop went tits up: was very slow, taking forever to do anything, would randomly freeze up. SO I ordered a new one.  Had to get a smaller screen (the 17 inch I was used to cost $400 more! than the 15 inch I got).

It arrived Friday.  My bestest buddy A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking, agreed to come over Saturday (as I had taken off that day unrelated tot he computer) and set it up for me.  These things never go well for me, but he was only here about an hour.  Got it all set up and started the download of my over 190,000 files from Carbonite.  

This download took like an hour and a half, finishing sometime overnight last night.   I got onto the new laptop and found that.....a goodly portion of my pics had a red X in the corner.  There were there, but not viewable.  See how that "never goes well for me" thing happens.  So I called Carbonite support.  Didn't spend a lot of time there, explained to the guy what the issue was and he said it sounds like Onedrive is full and holding things up or something.  He said I had to uninstall Onedrive and that should help it.  And that he couldn't help with that. 

So I hung up and looked that up online.  Found out the three quick steps to unlinking Onedrive.  And I did that and then, for nearly and hour it sat there, almost but not quite, completed with what it was trying to do.  Trying to get help for Onedrive was a joke.  No phone numbers given, every time I typed in a problem taken to the same screen, around and around and around in fucking circles.  It was horrible.   But the computer was stuck.

With a rock in the pit of my stomach and fear that my new laptop was fucked and/or I'd have a HUGE problem accessing my pics, or that I'd just have to go back to using the old slow cranky laptop, I did a hard shutdown of the laptop.

I restarted the laptop, a lil window popped up (and I can't seem to get rid of, but that's a minor affair) saying Onedrive could not be located.  And when I went to my pic folders....everything was there!  I've not down a lot with the new computer, but assuming nothing else pops up (and the whole "never goes well for me" thing happens anymore), I'm back to posting on here reguarly.  We'll see....

If I go black and not posting again for awhile, well, you'll know what happened......

POLT

ARE YOU READY FOR 

FOOTBALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Tonight starts the NFL season for 2019.  

The opening game is the Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears.  it's the 100 season of the NFL and these two teams were both around 100 years ago.

I dont really care about this game, but I'll watch some of it.  And then Sunday we have most of the other games, and the ones I do care about.

Ghostie, ALCMDPP and I are all betting on the games each week.  I'll try to keep up with posting our results each week.  And hopefully I'll win and get a nice chunk of money at the end of the season.

POLT

So this weekend....many plans!  Tonight, seeing Deadpool 2 with ALCMDPP and Ghostie.  Tomorrow VUBOQ is coming to town to run in the town 10K and the Beer Fest afterwards.  And Sunday, I'm driving a friend, his sister and his niece to see Infinity War.  Tickets for tonight and sunday have already been purchased.

So....that was the plan....

Tuesday, I had a cough.  A cough deep in my chest, felt like I was moving phlegm and stuff around down there. But by Wednesday the cough was gone.

Wednesday, I wanted to get the spare bedroom ready and tidy up the house a bit for VUBOQ's visit, and at work, I got most of my pressing work done.  Plus, I had a nagging little headache.  Coulda been the weather or sinuses, or whatever....  But with all these things together, I just decided to leave at noon.  And so I did.

I came home, had lunch and did a lil bit of moving stuff around.  ANd then, my stomach got all screwed up.  I was nauseous, I was not feeling well at all. I slept for like an hour and a half on the sofa, and felt a bit better then.  But because of how I felt I didn't get a lot of stuff done that I wanted to.  So I in the evening, I called in and took Thursday off too.

Thursday I still got up kinda early for a day off work. I got coffee from Rutters, did a few things around here, and even went to Wal-Mart to get a few things.  But in the early afternoon, like two-ish, my neck, shoulders and back got all achey.  And then, I got all hot and feverish.  Oh I felt terrible!

I went to bed early-ish, like 830.  And I was asleep within the hour.

I got up on time today, and still felt like shit.  But since I wasn't going in tomorrow, I wanted to go today.  OR at least for half a day.  I showered, shaved, even put product in my hair.  But when I bent over to put my socks on, and my back and shoulders SCREAMED in protest, I was like, "Nope."  Not going in.

So I called in and took today too.  I also had to cancel on going to the movies tonight, hopefully ALCMDPP and/or Ghostie can find someone else to take the ticket.

I've been taking painkillers every four hours.  I spent the vast majority of the morning asleep on the sofa.  I'm just hoping I feel better after doing nothing but resting today.  I dont want lose anymore fun plans this weekend.

I mean, there's NEVER a good time to be sick, but damn, this is really kinda the worst time for me. I spend most of my evenings doing nothing but reading, or on the computer, or watching TV, so why did I have to get sick when I had a full weekend of plans!?!

typical.

POLT

Monday I had training, so I took today off as my Monday.  It's a good thing I did.  I had already made plans to have lunch in Frederick with a co-worker and her three month old (she's not been back to work since the birth, but her maternity leave is soon done).

BUT....

This is what else happened.

I got up today to get some blood work done for my doctor's appointment Monday.  I got that done, and stopped to get coffee and made it home okay. I wasn't sure because Tuesday and yesterday was Winter Storm Toby, and the alley next to my house was still ice and snow covered.  And while I had no trouble getting down the small hill of the alley to the main road, I wasn't sure if I could actually get back up the alley.  But I did, with surprisingly no trouble.

I came back inside and waited for the time to come for me to leave for the lunch date.  But, then mom called.  She told me she was stuck in the alley!

She had made vegetable soup one of the last two days and was bringing some in, and she thought she could make it up the alley just fine to an intersection, but she couldn't....and got stuck at the intersection trying to turn.  Luckily, I was still here.  And when I went out, a neighbor came out just by chance as well to help me shovel her out, and on her way she went.

I left and got to Friscos in Frederick, but had to wait about a half our for my friend because just as she was leaving the house, her lil boy, Ash, decided he was hungry.  So I had to wait until she fed him and then got to the restaurant, and that was okay.  

And we had a great meal (I could only eat half the sandwich, brought the other half home and had it for lunch) and great conversation (I missed her, and she said me missed me too), and Ash is SUCH a cutie!  See?

Looks like he's waving, eh? 

Anyway, after we were done eating and talking and such, while she was buckling him in the car, I got a phone call.  From Richard, one of the other two people who work in my department.  He said his son had a free ticket to the Avengers Infinity War opening night, and wanted to know if I wanted it.  Well sure, why not?  Apparently his son, his two friends, Richard and I are all going.  This'll be nice!  And, Richard said, he's going to give it to you, so you don't have to pay him or anything!  I don't understand this, but I told Richard I'd talk to him more about when I saw him at work.  I didn't want to have a long conversation standing in a parking lot, when it was windy and my friend was waiting to leave.

After we parted, I went to Barnes & Noble and wandered around a bit, buying five books (see below) and talked to a guy who works there who I used to work with at Borders all those many years ago!

Also, while there, I got another phone call, this time for A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking.  Apparently, he and the missus are going to a concert one night soon and he wanted to know if I was going to be home and free that night, in case anything happened at his house.  I suppose the girls will know to call me if anything happens, and I'll go over and take of...whatever it is.   I don't really expect to get a call from the girls, but hey, if something happens, at least I'll be here.  

I came home, spent some time online and finishing up the book I was reading.  And while I was doing so, I got a text from a guy I've been chatting with online (we've been out to dinner once a few weeks ago) and apparently, we're going out again Saturday.  (not a date, we're not dating, just friends).

So, even though I wasn't at work today, it was a very busy day for me!

POLT

SO...

My last ten days or so....

Last Saturday, I worked, as usual.  Then right after that, I went out to mom's.  We packed up and went to the old folks home out there.  They have a room there that mom reserved and that's where we had our family Christmas.  Delicious food.  Lots of Family.  Lots of fun.  Gifts exchanged.  Laughs had.  A great time.

Following this, I came home, dropped off my gifts, and then headed out again, to Michelle's house.  She had her annual Christmas Party/Birthday Party For Her Stepson.  Was there for about a hour and a half.    Had some food, did some talking, ended up only having a shot of bourbon, nothing else.

Sunday morning went to moms and then together we went to Chambersburg to get some last minute shopping done and eat lunch.  Afterwards, came home and watched football all day.  Got a surprise text from a fuck buddy I haven't been with since like April.  He came over and we played for a bit, both of us enjoying the bedtimesexxyfun.  Then after he left, I watched Dallas beat the Raiders....and just barely do so.

Monday, I got up and took my car out to get the oil changed.  Mom came and picked me up and then we took the cookies, peanut brittle, fudge, and garlic pretzels she had made and we had packed up, over to my place of employment (as we do every year), and gave them to my coworkers to enjoy.  Then we did a bit more non-Christmas shopping in Hagerstown.

Tuesday, I took my gifts for some of my coworkers (six of them actually) in and handed them out.  I also got a few gifts back.  It was also the Christmas Party at work, so we had a pretty good lunch.

Wednesday, after work, I met up with the ParisPekings at the movie theater, and we all saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  My review?  I enjoyed it, although I'm not raving about it.  It dragged horribly for the middle third of the film, but at the end there were several things I did not see coming, nor expect, and I enjoy surprises like that.  And the film was visually astounding in!  Just beautiful.  But I'm not raving about it, due to some other problems.  Still, I'd give it a A-/B+.

Thursday after work, Ghostie came over and we played the election game.  That night, I won a VERY close game, 272-266 electoral votes!

Friday, work was work.  But afterwards, I went and ordered the pizza for work the next day and also went to a used book store to look for a last minute gift for mom. I didn't even have the idea until Thursday night.   I went over lunch to a nearby used bookstore, and they didnt have it.  But there was the second one near the pizza place, so I went in and they HAD IT!  Got that and a few books for myself (of course).  

Today, work was light.  I wore my Christmas tie.  Every year, I buy myself a Christmas tie and wear it to work the Saturday before Christmas, then it goes in the closet with my other Christmas ties never to be seen again. I think I have about 13 of them or so. (although this year, I wore and old one to the family Christmas, so I may start doing that....who knows?)  Also, at lunch, the pizzas were delivered for all my co-workers to enjoy.  The big, big, BIG boss let us go two hours early since it's the holiday weekend, so I came home at 2pm.  Ended up taking an hour nap, which was gloriious.  And now I'm watching football the rest of the night.

Tomorrow, mom and I are going out for lunch, like we usually do.  I then plan on spending the day watching football.  Although Derick is supposed to come over, we'll exchange gifts and he's supposed to spend the night too.  That'll be sweet.

Monday is of course Christmas.  I'll be going out to mom's to exchange gifts and have her home cooked Christmas meal.  Then spend the rest of the day doing nothing.

Tuesday and Wednesday I have off work too, and then back to work Thursday.

Been a busy, but not hectic, last week or so.

POLT

Last night, ALCMDPP and I went to see Thor Ragnarok.

I was thoroughly entertained. 

It was not the best movie, not like the Avengers movies or Captain America: Civil War.  But it was certainly the best Thor movie of the trilogy.

It was fun.  And funny. A little too funny at times.  I rolled my eyes a few times, thinking "They're trying WAY too hard to make Thor 'cool' and 'hip', and trying to put too many one-liners in."  Butcha know what?  I didn't care.  I knew they were doing it, but hell, I was having such a fun time, it didn't really bother me that much.

In his one shirtless scene, Chris Hemsworth STILL is hot as hell.  Cate Blanchett is, as always, amazing in whatever part she's given.  Idris Elba is still easy on the eyes.  The character interactions were funny, but yet, totally in character.  Jeff Goldblum makes the Grandmaster out to be something of a joke....not really the other worldly powerful menace he is in the comics.  But still, hell, I don't care.  I enjoyed his portrayal.

Overall a fun time.    Didn't add much to the line of Marvel movies....although I suppose it explains how Thor Hulk, and possibly those with him, and in the fight with Thanos.

POLT

So, a few weeks ago, I saw Spider-Man Homecoming, on it's opening weekend.

My review: The BEST Spider-Man movie yet made.  There's an opening sequence where Peter Parker films a bunch of stuff from his perspective that took place during Captain America: Civil War.  That five minute sequence is better than all five of the previous Spider-Man movies put together!  (well at least the first four, cause the fourth was so God-awful I didn't even bother to go see the fifth one....and I don't believe I missed anything).

The movie was fun, funny, exciting, and entertaining.  Tom Holland LOOKS like he could be a teenage in high school, unlike the previous two actors.  And he acts and talks like a teenager, the character is very well written.  

There was a surprise that occurred that neither I nor ALCMDPP saw coming, and that's rare in any movie.  Iron Man was a fine supporting character and did not overshadow the main character as some feared.  The villain had a motivation that made sense, was rooting in the history of the Marvel Universe, and was more than just "take over the world!"  Again, well written.  

All in all, a great movie.  I've said it before, I'll say it again: Marvel knows their shit when it comes to Marvel movies!  Unlike Fox with the previous Spider-Man and Fantastic Four movies.  And with some of the movies of the X-Men franchise also.  And unlike DC with ANY of their dark, dismal, depressing, shit on the screen movies.

I look forward to the next Marvel movie now, and the future SPider-Man ones!

POLT

I've gone to every DC Gay Pride Parade since 1997....except for one year.  2003.  Why did I NOT go to the Parade that year?

Well that year, A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking and Mrs. A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking got married.  And they asked me to be a groomsman in their wedding.

On that same day as the DC Gay Pride Parade.

What was I to do?  I thought about it long and hard.  I tried to get them to change the date to the Saturday before or after, but nope, no go.  So after all the deliberating, I decided I could miss the Parade one year and he in their wedding.  But it was a tough decision.

In the ensuing years, because of missing the Parade, I have always remembered that date.  ALCMDPP, however, has not.

So this Sunday there occured this text exchange:

HIM: "I'm not going to ask you when my anniversary is, instead I shall ask you what was that day that you couldn't go to the gay pride parade because you had to attend my wedding.....June 6?"
ME: "OhmiGod, you are a terrible husband."
.....
ME: "I'm waiting for you to acknowledge your terrible husbandness before I tell you the actual date."
.....(15 minutes pass).....
HIM: " I am a terrible husband and at best a questionable friend....now when is the day asshat?"
ME: "Nah you're a pretty good friend.  It was June 7th."

 And the really REALLY bad part about all this is....this is NOT the first year I've had to remind him what date.

But in all honesty, while he may be a questionable friend, I am an asshat.  So there is that.

POLT

So Memorial Day, 2017.

Unlike nearly every year, I did not go to the parade.  When I woke up, it was wet outside, I thought it might rain again and it might be canceled.  I was still tired, having been up late last night.  And it was pretty darn comfy in bed.  So I just stayed there, read a bit, was on my phone a bit and even slept some more.

When I finally got up and showered, afterwards, I got my coffee from Rutters and then went out to mom's.  She was having a cookout.  My two cousins, each of their sons, my mom's brother, his wife and his wife's parents, were all coming out.  

We had burgers, dogs, a veggie tray, chips, cheese, pretzels, baked beans, and for dessert, watermelon and a delicious strawberry dessert.  After eating some of everything I knew I'd need to take a walk, so I took my cousin and her son (in a stroller) along (see a post several posts below).  

Following the walk, I had to leave to make it to the ParisPeking household.  Friday, Ghostie graduated from law school!  So Mr. and Mrs. ParisPeking and I all went together and bought him a really nice, professional, monogrammed briefcase.  And this afternoon is when we gave it to him.  And we hung out and talked for a bit.

When I left there, I came back to town and got the groceries I needed for the week (mainly for lunch at work: chicken salad and for the fruit salad, strawberries, blackberries, grapes and clementine oranges).  I brought them home, put them away, then took a shower.  I hung out here, on the computer, watching some TV, reading a bit, having supper.  

As of right now (730pm) there's a possibility Derick might stop by in a bit for a visit.  But it may be more likely that I'll just go to bed a bit early, like 9-ish, cause I am still tired and I have to work tomorrow.

So anyway, I've got a few pics:

Mom's road, lined with little flag along the road, if you can see them there.

Mom's flower garden.  She planted them all herself and maintains them all herself.

My cousin Morgan 'flying' in mom's garage.  He's a plane, see his wings?

Mom found the bowling toy set, Morgan enjoyed playing with it, the pins and the 'bowling ballies'! 

Morgan LOVES watermelon....ate nearly a whole bowl of it just himself.

POLT

SO....

Today was my first day back to work this week after being off yesterday for the snow.  It was an okay day, nothing great or awful happened.

After work, I made it to Physical Therapy, which was a little tough, cause my shoulder, arm, and upper back were a little tight due to the shoveling yesterday.  But on the plus side, my therapist said, because of my progress, she was cutting me back from three days a week to two days a week!  yay!  Yay for progress, not having three days a week tied up, and not having to pay for three days a week!

Right after that I drove to the theater and saw Moonlight, with Mrs. ALCMDPP.  I didn't ask HIM to go, cause I'm pretty sure he'd have no interest in seeing it.  But I thought she wouldn't mind seeing it, and she agreed to go with me.

Not sure what I thought of it.  Lots of eye candy.  Kinda depressing.  I just felt so sorry for Little I wanted to just give him a big old hug!   And I was hoping for a lil chocolate on chocolate action there at the end with Black and Kevin, but twas not to be.  And it was a little slow at parts, BUT, it was slow because things were happening even though nothing was said.

I gotta say, the teen who played Chiron was an amazing actor.  He didn't say a whole lot of words, but my GOD, the emotions he conveyed with just his eyes and facial expressions....amazing.  Even Little said a LOT with just his eyes and the inclination of his head.  I'm shocked at the ability to do so of both actors, both so young.

And even though it took place in a poverty stricken area, and dealt with drug selling and drug abuse, and did have firearms IN it, there were no gunshots, not car chases, no screeching tires, or tits, or gratuitous nudity or violence.  It was a very A-typical Hollywood movie.

After the film ended, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but now that I've a few hours to ruminate on it and think it over, I gotta say I did enjoy it.  Quite a bit.  And the more I think about it, the more I liked it.

Great movie, all in all.

Last Sunday, A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking and I went to Annapolis.  He grew up there and the plan was to show me around where he grew up and then go walk around downtown Annapolis.  But of course it rained, so that kinda put a damper on the walkabout.  But he DID show me where abouts he grew up.

Then we went to a local Mall.  We walked through it, checking out some stores and not buying anything until we were ready to leave.  We bought some things in Nordstrom....just to say a big Fuck You to tRump by shopping in the store that discontinued his daughter's shoe and clothing line.  I got three pairs of socks, he got a cashmir sweater for his wife.  And I made sure I was waited on by this very feminine and yet VERY sexy and adorable guy who worked there. I think his name was Andre, although I'm not positive, but he was cute as hell, and had a great smile that I got to see when I told him I was shopping at Nordstrom just because tRump was an ass.

After this, we headed home, but stopped on the way at a BBQ joint to get something to eat.  The food was okay, but I think the Black Hog restaurant that he took me to last year was better.

At any rate, of COURSE, I took pics.

Here we are, on our way! (ALCMDPP is driving, even though he's slouching and not looking like hes doing anything but sitting there)

Entering the store.

A map of the shopping mall.

In the Lego store, we found the Lego Darth Vader.

In an FYE, I found a Michonne Walking Dead Action Figure.

In Nordstrom, while waiting for maybe-Andre to wait on me, I found ANOTHER purple hippopotamus!  I should have gotten it for mom.

The bad holding my purchases!

And my purchases: Three sets of socks.  I'll probably never wear them, but who cares? Fuck tRump!  Also, they were supposed to be 3 for $30 but when I checked the receipt coming I saw I was charged full price for all three.  And again, I didn't care, because, Fuck tRump!

POLT

So, Polt, what have you been up to lately?  Thanks for asking.

about ten days ago, I got word from the doctor about the results of my MRI (not sure if I mentioned this before or not, if I did, bear with me); it's NOT a Rotater Cuff tear, thank God.  No surgery required.  It IS tendontis (I think) with either a sprain or a strain in the tendon in my left shoulder, like under the collar bone, between the neck and the rotator cuff. 

So, last MOnday I was off for my initial consult with the physical therapist.  Nice lil lady named Devin will be my therapist.  After the first of the year, I'll be going Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays.  And I've been given exercises to do at home.  Lovely.

Wednesday after work, I went to watch the ParisPeking girls again while the parents went to a concert.  Again they were no trouble....although.....

1) During the meal, the middle child asked me, "Do people have meat inside them?  And if so, what does it taste like?"  She's ten. I tried to answer her as best and honestly as I could....
2) The oldest decided to do a tattoo on the youngest foot, thereby just drawing something the bottom of it.
3) The youngest decided to rearrange some ornaments on the tree more to her liking.
4) The dog kept trying to lick my ears.

Other than all that, a fun time.

I took Thursday off work, woke up a smidge late, and then headed out to get some shopping done. I went to Kohls, the Christmas Tree Store, Target, Bleecher Bums, NYE, and a few other stores in the Mall.  I purchased several gifts....but purchased several things for myself as well....as you do.

Thursday all afternoon and into the evening and even late into the night (past 11:00 pm as far as I knew) they were doing some construction half a block down the street, making it a one way road.  And almost right out in front of my house was a guy holding a stop/slow sign.  After dark, they lit up these generator powered floodlights....it was bright, and a bit loud, but the lights were facing towards to opposite side of the street, where there's just businesses and not homes.  But it was still bright after I turned off the lights in my bedroom.

Friday and Saturday at work, I was by myself, but both were relatively decent days.  After work on Saturday, I had a gentleman caller, Will.  He's been here a few times over the past year...maybe three times I think.  But it was a fun couple hours. I then watched TV and stuff until going to bed.

Sunday, ALCMDPP and I had planned to do some Christmas shopping in Annapolis, but it snowed overnight, just a skiff on the roads, but it was a bit icy in the morning, so we decided to just go local.  I went to his place and he drove us around: Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, A.C.Moore, and to the Mall (FYE, Books-A-Million, Game Stop, and then we ate at the food court, which was just as uninpressive as it sounds.  And after that, we stopped by Toys R Us for some things.  Then he took us to his place, and I came home and watched some football.

A bit later, I decided to wrap some of my gifts.  Ended up wrapping damn near every gift I had (although not all, and some of them havent arrived here yet).  It took a little over two hours, but it was worth it, cause there have been MANY years when I was wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.

Today, I got up and showered and headed out.  I went to physical therapy to finalize my appointment schedule, then to the Post Office to mail some things, then to the Credit Union to deposit a check and to get some money to use as gifts for Christmas.  I got KFC, came home and ate it and hung out here, reading and being online.

I went for a cleaning at the dentist and afterwards, mom came in and we went to Wal-Mart. There, she got some copies of some pictures from 18 years ago made, and I bought some junk I needed.  Since it would take an hour for the copies, we went to eat at Cafe Del Sol, then went BACK to Wal-Mart to get them, and a few things we (meaning I) forgot the first time.  We stopped by the Dollar Tree to pick up a few things and then she dropped me off here.  I finished up the load of laundry I had put in right before we left, watched some football, and then typed this.

So it's been busy-ish.  And I've got some picks:

Since I was a first time patient, I got a free tshirt.

This is who spent the majority of an evening licking, and trying to lick, my ears.

This is the lit up construction stuff going on out my bedroom window.  It was about 9:30pm when I took this.

Everything's ready to wrap!

All the wrapped gifts under the tree!

POLT

My Sunday:

Woke up and got outta bed about 8:30.  Showered, dressed and read the paper.

A little after 9, Derick showed up, with a load of laundry.  We put it into my washer and then went to Rutters so I could get some coffee and then to Burger King where we both got breakfast and brought it back here and ate it.

Then we put the laundry in the dryer and I put a load in the washer.  Once that was done, Derick gave me my birthday gift....which involved us being in bed and some bedtimesexxyfun!  And some cuddle time.  I'm pretty sure we both took a short nap while doing so.

We dressed and went to Wal-Mart where we both got some things we needed.  Returning home, we sat on the couch and watched some pre-football game show (me) or was on the phone (him).  When his laundry was done, he took it, and his Wal-Mart stuff, and headed home.

I stayed here, finished off my load of laundry and watched the Eagles get shellacked by the Bengals, enjoying it immensely.

When it was clear the game was over, I headed out to mom's just to I could put the angel on her Christmas tree.  That had to be done before she could decorate the rest of it, and if I didn't help, she'd end up getting a stool or something and doing it herself....or whatever chaos would actually result from her trying to.

After that I headed out for The ParisPekings.  I had been invited over by ALCMDPP for a meal and then to watch the Washington-Arizona game.  The meal was "bacon wrapped goodness"...in other words, a pork roast wrapped in bacon.  Even more delicious than it sounds.  And I may or may not have had two large glasses of wine.  But then we had the best dessert: a Washington loss!  AND a NY Giants loss too!  YEAH!  All that means, among other things, Dallas has clinched a playoff berth this year.  Already.  Only 3/4ths of the way through the season.  With four games left to go.  YAY!

I came home, watched some more football, wrapped a Christmas gift and packaged it all up to be mailed out tomorrow.  And before too much longer I'll be going up to bed.

A very pleasant, fun, exciting day!

POLT