Halloween weekend

This year city and community leaders have decided to enforce a "No Party" policy in the Castro, where many businesses will either close early, or not open at all on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, the official day of Halloween. This is due to last year's violence in the Castro brought on by people who want to ruin the usual fun and revelry on Halloween in the Castro. So this year, since I had both Saturday and Sunday off, I decided to be a spectator in the "unofficial" celebration in the Castro, and I felt safer than I did three years back, when as I was leaving I felt fear as I noticed many visitors with angry looks on their faces.

After the fun I walked from the Castro to SOMA to The Powerhouse, there was a benefit for charity, where for $5 dollars, I got to do a "frozen mudslide" shot off of Raging Stallion Studio star Tober Brandt. All in all, I'm glad I work on Halloween, where I am likely to avoid the angry scowls of those who wish to ruin a celebration of creativity and expression, now I can only hope those people decide to stay home

Remembering the Party

Last night and well into the early morning, I attended, "Remember the Party" in SOMA, a life affirming event for those of us of a certain age who remember the fabulous music of 70's and 80's. There were men (and a number of women) all with regular bodies dancing up a storm and feeling great. I felt so comfortable around men with regular bodies that I followed the tide and took my shirt off with the rest of them. I thank them for making me feel comfortable, I thank them for the energy they brought to the space, and more than ever, I will embrace my forties with a vigor.

Motivation

Last night, I went to the gym for the first time in 3 1/2 months. There was a time, not so long ago, that used to work out, 3 or 4 times a week. I stopped going after working full-time and attending school to complete my degree. This summer as I have been busy with work and participating in a job search group at The Center, I have not gone to the gym , but I've become aware of my need for exercise by atthe very least walking to my destinations rather than taking public transportation. My cerebral palsy makes me aware that my muscles need to to remain flexible....and lately they haven't. At the Folsom Street fair, last Sunday, I had difficulty with something any flexible person would have been able to do easily (and no, It's not what you think!) So, with that incident, I will be more motivated to work out at the gym at least a few times a week.

The Folsom Street Fair 2007: My thoughts

About an hour ago, I got home from work. Yesterday, I attended the Folsom Street Fair volunteering at a booth for The Center. I must say after 20 years as an out gay man, I've not tired and continue to get a kick out of being part of a GLBT(hetero-friendly) event. There were, of course, the usual naked people, who needed to cover up, however I saw several couples at this event and with all due respect to all couples, I find nothing hotter than to see two masculine, (not neccesarily muscle-bound) men holding one another's hand and going about their business. Anything public act that challenges archaic, stifling beleifs meant to control and conform, is something that, while I won't neccesarily partake in, I can accept.

P.S.: If those masculine, hand-holding couples happen to be wearing buttless chaps, it's extra points in my book!