What's in a number?!?

When I originally started thinking about this posting, I had just been a part of three conversations on age and maturity. But, I knew that something was telling me to write when yesterday and today at lunch, I had two more conversations about turning 30 and the feelings around it. The first conversation was at home at Christmas with some friends; the second was with another friend at New Years; the third was this same friend’s blog I read (not a real conversation, but close enough); then yesterday’s and today’s were with two different donor friends of mine.

I guess turning 30 for me was never a big deal. After all, it was just another year. And, let’s face it--I was ready to be done with my 20s. While I had a lot of fun and lots of great memories, there was something about turning 30 that made me feel like I was starting over. Maybe I have finally arrived.

Finding someone to share these “glory days” with me has always been a challenge. I am very particular about what I am looking for in a relationship, even in my friendships. There is both a degree of intellect and smart that I want in a partner. I want someone who can carry on an intelligent conversation and is passionate about something (anything), but I also want someone who can walk into a social situation, carry themselves well, hold their own in a crowd, and not look like a fool. And I’ve met plenty of people who are one or the other, but very few who are both. The one’s who are both are usually taken or out-of-reach. The most common denominators I have found are that most of these people are at least 30, very close to it, or have shared many of the similar life experiences that I and my friends have shared. One of my donor friends was very candid and adamant in his belief that for gay men, true relationships don’t start until you are 30.

Can we truly find both of these traits in a person and package them with good looks, a love of good food and wine, and a need to travel? Or am I being too high maintenance? Is my friend right in saying that we should just throw caution to the wind, sleep our way through our 20s, and then settle down when we finally turn 30?

I’m not sure what the right answer is, but I do know that I am not willing to compromise anything that I want in a partner—in a friend. Sure, there will always be some give and take, but maybe that should be reserved for choosing bottles of wine, restaurants, and life in the bedroom.

All joking aside, no one said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it. And having been through 30 years of this business, I want it to be really worth it!

Be well, friends, and here’s to having arrived!

New Obsession Acquired!

After days of searching, I finally found and purchased my new obsession...




...the black, cashmere hoodie!


(OK, so it is grey here, but you get the picture.)





Yes, I know, I am ridiculous, but Nordstrom had it on sale for a steal and I bought the last black one they had. Now where is that UPS man with my package? I'll leave you to think about that one...

Don't let the door hit you...

We knew it was coming. We knew he would leave. Whether it was this year or next, Rodriguez was headed out the door. He is only 44 years old and has a career to continue to build. The administration was foolish to think he would stay for six more years. Besides, we saw with Don Nehlen what happens when someone overextends their stay.

Yes, we are loyal. Yes, we are vocal. Yes, we are fanatics. But, we are also Mountaineers and so is Coach Stewart. Let’s forget Rod and wrap our blue and gold arms around our new coach. Stew deserves all the respect and admiration that the nation’s top coaches receive. He didn’t let the boys forget that they are a team. And on Wednesday night, that was proven.

It’s time to heal. And I think the Fiesta Bowl win has sped up that process!

Be well, friends, and see you in the stands next season!

Unexpected Surprises

Life is full of unexpected surprises. This holiday season was no exception.

Take for instance the fantastic presents my friend Rosemary and I exchanged. There was my long anticipated Seagull Century long sleeved t-shirt that I always look forward to receiving at Christmas. The most intriguing gifts kept pace with our increasingly ridiculous attempt to trick the other: a porcelain Jesus from Ro to me and a calendar of silly nun antics from me to her. I will have to explain the meaning behind this to you later.

Having my brother come home to WV the day after Christmas was an awesome surprise. Seeing my Dad on Christmas day and the fact that he knew who I was brought more smiles and even some tears. Dinner at my aunts is always wonderful and even more so this year. My neighbor’s onion bread and spice cake were the perfect end to a great Christmas Day.

Seeing Cindy and Ben, if only for a couple of hours, was just wonderful.

Lunch with Diane, Jason, and Mario kept us entertained for several hours. Going out with Colleen and Amanda and JR gave me a little reprieve from all that the last year has dumped on my family. Dinner with Mario the next night was fun and the conversation and events of the evening were unexpected, long overdue, but really quite nice.

Having an unexpected visitor for New Years and a few days after completely caught me off guard, but made for an excellent intro to 2008. Call it surreal and call it crazy considering the 10 hour drive he had to make yesterday, but it worked. And I kind of liked it.

New Years Eve with the gang was fun, as expected, but in true form, it was very random and interesting. Watching the married couple try to get one of the other girls to go home with them was very unexpected, but was cause for lots of raised eyebrows and laughter.

Going back to work and getting a little gift from my coworker’s trip to Texas extended holiday cheer into the new year. And a last minute invitation to drinks with old friends last night kept the mood sweet.

Be well, friends, and may 2008 bring lots of unexpected and pleasant surprises!