Holiday Season Is Upon Us

-Saturday … the last Saturday of the month of November, 2008. Hello everyone and welcome to our blog.

-I am Warren (62) and my partner of ten years is Steve (35) and we’d like to welcome you to our blog if you are a first time reader.

We are from northern Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. Minnesota is located in the north central area of the United States of America.

We are two gay Christian guys…who live together as life partners and are also both professional guys.

Warren is retired and was a market analyst and Steve works in human resource development.

Steve is 35, 6-0, 165, blond, blue.

Warren 62, 5-11, 219, gray, blue.

Our interests include various professional sports, computers (Apple iMac), various kinds of music, traveling, going to live concerts, collectibles, and living the good life together in love.

We are in love and we are traveling on a journey we call life and enjoying every day together.

We’ve been together since June 12th, 1999.

-First off this morning out in our back yard it is partly cloudy and 9 ( cold ) degrees above zero. The temperature is certainly a lot colder than it was yesterday morning at this time.

Color weather radar show just three very small areas of precipitation in Minnesota at this hour.

Today’s northland weather forecast for our back yard is:

Increasing clouds. Highs 27 to 32. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

The long range forecast doesn’t look like any snow until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week.

-At least someone is gaining more “rights”, even if it may not be Americans …

The Australian senate has passed legislation giving same-sex couples the same rights as straight heterosexual couples. The legislation which redefines the definition of a ‘de facto’ relationship to include gay and lesbian couples, extends equal rights in nearly 100 areas including tax, social security, health, aged care, employment and superannuation entitlements, thereby giving same-sex couples the exact same rights as opposite-sex couples living together in common-law relationships.

The Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Norway and most recently Nepal has legalized same-sex marriage.  South Africa is also moving towards the legalization of gay marriage.

We applaud these countries .. as they seek equality for all gay men.

-Let me just say this…

Just a word to all the guys who posted comments or sent me an email … It goes without saying, that at a time such as this it is good to have good friends – people who support you, people who encourage you.

I can say in all honesty that it was your encouragement that kept me going the past two days, and I want to thank you for sharing your wisdom, encouragement and love with me. I know you have touched my life more than you will ever know.

Thank you for your positive inspiration these past two days … Buddy – my dog is gone, but He will never be forgetten and neither will the love of gay men like all of you – who took the time to share with me.

The house is quiet … it’s different here … not quite the same, but I know my Buddy is in a much better place where there is no suffering and there is no pain – for that I’m thankful.  I miss you Mr. Buds…

Thanks guys …

-Steve got home about 5:30 p.m. last evening … after a nice get away for the Thanksgiving holiday – when he went home to be with his mom/dad/sisters and family to celebrate.

Steve was among the early risers, yesterday morning who got up about 3:45 a.m. or so, and drove to a couple nearby communities and joined other folks who were out early shopping for Christmas.

It was evident as he came into the house not only with his suitcase but also his purchases … a game, a childs toy for a relative of ours, CD’s, DVD’s and even a small portable DVD player – plus a few other things.

He was a busy shopper … who braved the early morning hours to get out and get some real bargains.

I on the other hand, got up yesterday morning and put some of the dog food (that I had just purchased a week ago for Buddy, plus the syringes that we still sealed in plastic containers together – and when my cousin Jo drove over to my house – we drove out and stopped at the vet so I could return the items.

My cousin Jo called me about 9:30 a.m. and said she would like to get out of the house and travel into the city of Duluth – just to get out and get away.  She had minor knee surgery on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and was almost immediately able to walk on her leg right after the surgery.

But, having been home and kind of being laid up for a couple days as the knee heals – she was just restless and wanted to get out of the house.

So she called me and asked if I would go with her.

I told here “Oh yes, I’d love to get out of my house also.”

We had a fun few hours, just going to a couple of stores at the Miller Hill Mall and also then stopping at the Harley Store – where she purchased a couple of clothing items.  She and her boy friend Jeff – are big “Harley” fans.

-Their victory may have been sweet … The victory is the third in five games for the Minnesota Timberwolves and avenged an earlier loss to Oklahoma City.  Final score Wolves 105, Thunder 103.

But the Wolves were not as sweet – in my eyes as the Boston Celtics.  The Celtics dominated the 76ers in every facet of the game Friday night as Steve and I lay in bed watching every shot, as they came up defeating Philadelphia. Ray Allen led the Celtics with 23 points.

If the Philadelphia 76ers are truly the biggest challenge to the Celtics in the Atlantic, then the division may already be won.

While an under-the-weather Gabe Pruitt was probably in bed last night, Sam Cassell (previously one of our Minnesota Timberwolves) was finally back in a Celtics uniform.

Celtics star Ray Allen was on point all night vs. the Warriors. Allen scored a team-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers as the Celtics rallied to win.

I told Steve several times last night … “He’s hot”  “He’s hot”  .. as Rajon Rondo grabbed an inbounds pass early in the third quarter and slammed the ball to the court with enough strength that it bounced several feet over his head. He had just allowed his man to score, and he’d had enough.

It was Kevin “K. G.” Garnett who – at least in my eyes polished off the 76′ers … with a couple of great individual slam dunks to send the 76′ers back home with a loss.  Final score Celtics 102 76′ers 78.

A great game!

-Needless to say – having Steve by my side last night with some hugs, some kiss and some “sex” was really nice … after being home and having the house filled with sadness and emptiness – I was so glad to have Steve back home.

We talked, we laughed, we shared, I cried, we hugged and we enjoyed the love and sexual fulfillment as only two gay men could do … I’m so glad your back home by my side – thanks Steve for understanding my loss and loving me the very special way that you do.

-Though the shopping list might be shorter and the gifts more practical, Black Friday shoppers proved that the show will go on, even in a tanking economy.

When my cousin Jo and I were at the Miller Hill Mall yesterday in Duluth – we went into the Younkers Store – and just let me tell you .. it was wall to wall women, and women and women – holy cow it was unreal.

The aisles were so crowded – you could hardly walk around, let alone even turn around.  Once in a while I’d see a younger guy or a middle aged guy – trying to do some shopping – but for the most part – there were just tons of women.

As I looked at the shelves and racks … oh my gosh were they a mess.  I think Younkers opened at like 5:00 a.m. or something like that yesterday morning – but the place really looked like a tornado went through it.

Although I didn’t buy anything … there were some really good sales … with some items have 25% to as high as 40% off retail prices.  It was a nightmare to say the least.

So…were any of you guys out there yesterday morning at the crack of dawn – doing your early Christmas shopping?

According to our own Duluth News Tribune – this morning – not all people think that a decline in holiday spending would be a bad development.

A handful of demonstrators marched around the Burning Tree Plaza parking lot today toting signs that urged consumers to reject retailers’ overtures to buy. Jon Merritt, a 28-year-old from Duluth, said he and his colleagues decided to mount their own grassroots demonstration in support of a national campaign to turn the day after Thanksgiving into “Buy Nothing Day.”

What can I say … only in America!

-The holidays are officially here now, and it’s that time of year when each of us has to use a little common sense when eating – I being one of those kinds of guys.

There are a lot of excuses for not eating properly. The most frequent: “I’m never home.” You have guests to entertain. And there’s never anything healthy to eat at these places.

I know for a fact that unhealthy food tempts you outside your kitchen. Here’s what to do:

• Always warm up. Depending on the prospects at the restaurant you’re going to, eat a small snack, such as a tuna sandwich, oatmeal, or a protein shake, or even a large meal a couple of hours prior. You’ll keep your blood sugar from dipping, remain relaxed, and eat moderately instead of pouncing on the bread basket.
• Decode the menu. Ask how dishes are made. Chicken’s great, right? But chicken Parmesan is breaded and fried before it’s baked. Sauces can contain more sodium than you should eat in a week. Order the sauce on the side so you can control the amount you take in.
• When in doubt, order a salad. Look for salads with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp, and vegetables. Limit the cheese, croutons, and bacon bits. Also avoid sliced meats–most are highly processed–unless there’s fresh- baked turkey breast sliced off the bone. Again, have dressing on the side, and dip your fork into it every few bites.
• Fear not the dessert tray. Don’t spoil the party–indulge with the rest of your table. Order sherbet and a cup of coffee. Let them have their double chocolate fudge cake.

I know it’s going to be hard not to eat all those upcoming Christmas goodies when you go out – but use common sense – I sure hope that we can.

-Today – we are going into the big city and doing just a little bit of shopping for ourselves or perhpas for Christmas, and probably stop for lite sandwich somewhere. We thought we would do a little bit of shopping each weekend up until Christmas and that way we don’t have to fight the crowds for long hours.

Lots and lots of people – young, old, men, women – you name it they will be out in force again today buying things they didn’t need with money they probably don’t have. Yesterday, in just the few stops my cousin and I made – I saw more plastic than there is in a toy factory – honest to goodness.

We as American’s over spend when it comes to Christmas – and I kind of wonder, what is wrong with just giving one or two presents – in love, rather than going way into debt and giving more than anyone needs?

-Well I guess I’ll get moving here – Steve is going to sleep in yet for a while and I think I’ll find something for breakfast.

Enjoy your Saturday guys … remember to be good and to be kind.  And to my partner Steve – it’s great to have you home again.  I love you pal.

-Until next time…