Two Years Later………..

Two years ago today, Friday, September 11, 2009, I regained control of my life and implemented many changes that have reshaped who I am and who I want to be. It is interesting to go back and read the posts from then, as I was (and AM) so excited about exacting change in my life! Further, it’s good to be able to have strong visual reminders of where I was

(I’m in the video from about 0:30 to 0:45…..and this was January 2007, so I got even bigger over the next two years……SCARY!). To where I am now….

which was taken about ten days ago……to the broad, smiling face I snapped just yesterday afternoon

after the gym (for the fifth time this week, and every week). I came home and did a little sculpting on my facial hair. I’ve had the idea that I’ve wanted to change from the wide goatee I’ve sported for over a decade down to just a handlebar-type moustache/goatee thing. It’s fun, it’s different, it’s a change of pace…..and to me, it’s kinda hot. Friends, however, are mixed in their reviews. And yeah, that’s a pretty big smile on my face. I was heading out to have dinner with my ex, Chris, and was looking forward to some good food and great conversation with a close friend. A two-hour meal at Ghengis Khan (a Mongolian barbecue place we’ve tried to go to several times since I moved here in May) was peppered with laughter and concern and excellent advice (both directions). I treasure our time together, and we’ve been off our “once-a-week” schedule for about a month of late. He’s a special part of my life, and someone for whom I’d do anything…..any time.

After that it was an evening out with friends, hanging at Sidekicks (our country bar, where you can actually go and two-step with another man….or a woman if you prefer) and laughing and enjoying the company there. After a few hours there, I hopped over to another bar but it was kinda boring there, so I headed home at a reasonable hour and enjoyed a little peace and quiet in an empty house (my other roommate was still out and about). After sleeping in LATE today (I didn’t get up until 11 a.m.), I’ve been lazy and relaxing. There were plans for a (bonus) trip to the gym today with a friend, but he re-turned his ankle last night and has it elevated–and honestly, I could use the day off for rebuilding. I want to go out and run a few errands here shortly, but first I wanted to get some thoughts up here as a part of my promise to update here more regularly.

So, a quick overview (with further details in upcoming posts) and a quick catch-up for you. I’ve re-discovered my love of making music, in the form of having performed with some long-time college friends in our Marching Mizzou Alumni Band at a recent Mizzou Alumni Association Scholarship Fundraiser.

I hadn’t touched a baritone horn in like…20 or more years…and it showed. I made some pretty horrid sounds (I apologized to the alto sax section repeatedly), but eventually it came back and I felt somewhat competent. We enteretained the crowd, we had FUN, I got to see some friends my from college days I hadn’t seen in years, and we raised money for a good cause. And I now want to head back to campus for homecoming and perform on the field with the group.

Years ago, when I lived in Atlanta (post Chris and pre Matt) I got involved with SEGRA (Southeastern Gay Rodeo Association), which is now no longer. We put on a rodeo called “Southern Spurs” that year, which was a TON of fun but more importantly I met some amazing people, some of whom remain friends of mine to this day. I moved from Atlanta before I could get too involved, which was a shame. There was a similar group in Michigan that I almost joined, but time and life got in the way–yet again. So this summer, when I moved to KC, I immediately joined our local group, MGRA, and have worked on making friends and getting involved.

We had our annual rodeo last weekend, and I worked in the arena, assisting with a wide variety of events. More important, I made some AMAZING new friends (local and across the US) that will be important people to me from here forward. We all speak of how IGRA folks are a family, and it’s very evident when we gather for an event. Unfortunately, the season is winding down and our finals rodeo is next month, in Ft. Worth. Of course, I’m attending, with some amazing friends I made up here right after moving to KC (oddly, they’re from Arkansas) and I’m sure we’ll have a really good time and I’ll get to meet some new folks, too. I doubt I’ll make the convention in November in San Diego, but one never knows…….

And for those of you shocked by the last paragraph, keep reading. Next year (starting in February) I plan to compete in a variety of events. I will spend the fall and winter training/practicing and hit the ground running with the first rodeo in Arizona next year.

That’s probably enough shock for one post……and I’ll share some yarny goodness next time (well, here’s a link to the recent dye run I did last week….GORGEOUS stuff….BUY IT!!! I’m broke with bills!).

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