Sometimes some really bad things happen to those you really care about. What can you do except just try to be there for them....

Hmm, this is kind of kick ass. Google in some cool languages (Elmer Fudd, Pig Latin, etc.) Very cute.

I really, really promise that I will get some work done.

I have wasted a few hours reading True Porn Clerk Stoies. This is just a riot. WARNING: These are adictive.

Well, today is my first "real" day back. Last night I spent the night at Jeff's place and that was pretty cool. It is just so nice to wake up next to him, but it kind of sucks to have to go to class and leave him. I really can't wait for a day that we both have off. We can just wake-up whenever we feel like it and then spend the day together.

I kind of feel bad about not sending anyone a postcard. I really did not find any cool Portland postcards before I got to the airport. I hope that Jeff will find it humorus that I mailed him a card today. Hmm, Wednesday makes it three weeks of dating. It seems like so much more time, but so much less at the same time. There is just so much that I have learned, but much more to learn. Overall, just a reall good feeling.

Calc class wasn't too bad. We are working with functions of the form e^x and a^x. This is stuff that I have had before, but I can't reach that far back into my head. The really good thing is that I don't have to take the test that I missed until Weds. This gives me time to study with Patrick because I was bad and did not do any work in Portland.

I am still experiencing the glow from being in Portland... Well, it is back to my e-mail and the may people that I did not get back to while I was in Portland. I would say that life returning to "normal", but things are somehow different. I can't wait for Wednesday because Jeff is off and we are going to be spending the entire day together. I hope that my friends understand me spending a lot of time with Jeff. It isn't that they are not still an important part of my life, it is just that my relationships are changing. Jeff is starting to fill that special place that only a boyfriend/partner can feel. Somehow the conversations that we have together right before we fall asleep just mean so much even if they are not too deep at the time.

Last night, I woke up with his arms around me holding me tight. I just layed there and looked at him sleeping away. So cute and relaxed. Life is all about moments like these. :)

Time to act like I work :)

It has been fun, b ut now I am off to the airport. See you Cincinnati in about 6 hours...

I am coming home. :)

Today was the last day of class. It was very busy for me as well as everyone else. It is nice to feel needed, but a bit overwhelming if the need is coming from about 20 people at the same time. I enjoyed spending time with each of the groups, but it was a bit draining. Especially after the whole week. I am ready for a nap and some time in the arms of those that I love.

The final projects just totally blew me away. The quality and thought that went into their work was impressive and went far beyond anything that I expected. They made me feel like I accomplished something and imparted some knowledge/experience to the teachers and trainers.

After class, we went back to the dorms and I packed up my stuff. Somehow I packed everything into the same bags that I came here with. I did not lose anything, so it must mean that did a better job of packing this time. I mean, come on I have a bit more stuff (books, shirts, gifts, etc). I also left a voice mail for Jeff...

This we were all off to a party at Cat's house (me, Tim, Fred, Jean, Dirk, and Ginger). We all squished ourselves in the car (see pictures below) for the third day in a row. It wasn't uncomfortable at all. Actually, we all found it humorous. This time Ginger was on my lap. On the way home, I ended up on between Tim and Fred.

Cat's party was awesome. The food was great and the company just couldn't get any better. They served Boca Burgers, noodle salad, and humus. It was just wonderful. As night fell, the wine started to flow and we did a few shots. Cat made me a Vodka and Cranberry juice. For some reason, she seemed to want me to have a few drinks. We followed that one up with a shot of Tequila. Let's just say I now remember why I haven't had a short of Tequila in about a year now.

The stories from Fred, Tim, and Dirk were very entertaining. I now have a list of movies and books to read (Blade Runner, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Minority Report). Once I have review more material, I have to speak with Fred concerning the material to see if our theories jive.

Well, I am now off to bed because my flight leaves at 12:30pm PST. My car arrives at about 10:30am.

This has been an experience that I know will change my life and one that I will never forget. I just can't wait to see with that future holds. I am very blessed to have people like this around me. They are my colleagues, mentors, and friends. I just wish that more people would be half as lucky as I am.

Part of me is kind of sad about leaving, but part of me will be happy to get home. I really miss Jeff and can't wait to see him. It isn't that I do not miss my other friends/family. Maybe it is just that my relationship with Jeff is new and not as secure as my other friendships. I know that they will be around, but Jeff and I are still in the seeing if we fit stage. It isn't that I believe that we won't work out it is just that we have to see what happens over time. My hope is that it will turn into something very long term... I just have to balance my excitement with reality... This is something that is hard to do sometimes... It must be done.

More pictures from my Portland trip will be uploaded when I get back to Cincinnati...

Cincinnati, prepare for me to return... Return as a different and more aware person. Somewhat the same yet different in some very fundamental ways.

I guess this means that it is time to go home. This week has been a life changing experience for me and some part of me will never go back to Cincinnati. I know that there has been some sort of symbolic death inside of me, but this has also left room for growth and birth inside of me. I really believe that Jean was right when she said that my fear about coming here had something to do with a symbolic spiritual death and change. For the most part, I believe this a VERY beneficial change. A change that is putting me on a new path for the rest of my life. The real question would be: "What has changed?", but I won't be able to answer that one yet. Let's just wait and see.

So, what are the "big" events for the week. Well, some amazing people that I have formed a bond with that I feel will last for a long time (Tim, Cat, Dirk, Brad, Laura). These are people that have been through a lot, but at the same time haven't shut the world out. They have allowed these experiences to shape them and put things into perspective. A perspective that I hope I am well on my way to gaining. I am not sure if it is possible to put this into words yet, but I can feel it deep down inside of my soul. I have grown this week and it will take me a while to realize how much of a HUGE impact this will have on my life, my teaching style, and my relationships in the future.

As I clarify things, I will post more. But for now it has been an awesome experience... I am ready to go back home and integrate these changes back into my everyday life.

I guess we now know that we can fit at least 6 of us (2 up front and 4 in the back). Over the past three evenings, I have had a different woman on my lap each night... Talk about action! :)

The team of presenters in portland. Cat, Tim, Dirk, Shawn, Jean, and Fred. Awesome people and don't we look sexy.

Well, this week just keeps getting better. I have been here in Portland since Saturday (7/20) and have found gifts for everyone (even a record for Jeff!), explored the city, went to a 7 story kick-ass bookstore, had some awesome food, and meet even more awesome people. I mean it is not like I don't miss everyone back home, but it has just been a great trip.

Talking to Jeff each night on the phone is nice, but I really want to see him and spend time with him. I am looking forward to that first hug and kiss! It has been interesting because on Tuesday night, I told him that it was ok if we did not talk because he would be busy. He told me that he makes time for those people that are important to him, so he would be talking to me the next day. Tonight the tables were turned a little bit when he said that if I was tired, I did not have to see him on Saturday. Come on here, I have been looking forward to seeing him since I got here... This week has been really good for the two of us because it has helped me realize how much I really like him and how much he really likes me. I mean come on here, we have spent about an hour on the phone together each day. He has been staying up later then normal just to talk with me. Good signs!

Also today, I got to spend some time (like 2.5 hours) talking with Laura. She is a very awesome person and there is something like Fred & Jean. Some instant connection that I cannot explain, but something that I would like to continue. She was joking around and asked me if I was taking applications for an aunt. Let me just say... Application welcome and approved with great honor!

Well, I am off to bed so that I can wake up at 7am and eat breakfast with Tim in the morning. The last day of class and the last real day in Portland. The week has been an experience that I will never forget and I hope it will be the start of some awesome experiences in my future.

Well, we are almost finished with the first day of training in Portland. Overall, things went well, but there were a few bumps. The day started in the Media Lab in the Education building (ED310). Fred introduced the class and did the basic requirenment information. I followed this up with an introduction to the blogs and iMovie. It seemed like almost everyone in the group had already worked with iMovie. Then the tutorial was not on most of the machines. We made it through. I was a major spaz, but I guess that it just me.

Lunch was pretty good. There was a little oriental place in a trailer on the quad area next to the Ed building. I got veg phad thi. It was really good and pretty cheap.

The afternoon session started out with a room conflict so we were placed in a small and warm room. Cat and Tim finished off their presentation and then George started up. We had a little problem with the projector and the sound. It took about 15 mins to find a set of ok speakers, but we did it.

I am not sure what tonight holds, but it should be fun. The weather is still awesome and it better then Cincinnati (not that it is too hard!). I hope to get some nice dinner and then maybe find a bookstore/record store. It is just about time to send some postcards so that everyone will get them before I get home. That means that I have to find some postcards.

I did not take any pictures today, but over the last two days I have uploaded about 100 pictures, so one off day isn't too bad.

Man, it is really hard to be here and away from everyone that I care about. I miss Jeff, Jordan, Kevin, Elyse, Deb, etc... We have just been spending so much time together that now it is hard to be without them.

Well, I made it to Portland, OR! I just have to say that this place is beautiful and I really could live here. I really miss Jeff right now, but I will get to see him when I get back.

Right now, I am ready for bed... If you would like to see some pictures, visit my Portland, OR photo gallery. I will keep updating it each day. More news when I wake up in the morning.

Today felt like it was going to be a great day... I woke up and took a shower... Let's just say that I felt refreshed...

After packing my bag for the health center, I went out to my car... This is when my day just went down hill. Someone decided to break into my car via the passenger side window. They my CD collection and went through everything else in my car. Good thing my computer wasn't in there...

Links Want To Be Links is a great article on why we should consider leaving web links underlined. As you can tell, I am not totally convienced, but we will see in the future.

Fred reworked my bio a bit. Doesn't it make me look cool now?

Shawn Walker is a consultant and Apple Campus Rep at Northern Kentucky
University. Currently a candidate for a degree in Computer Science at NKU,
Shawn has been working with people at all levels of experience in Internet,
computer networking, digital communication, web site design and
implementation for over 11 years. As a trainer he worked for the past 4
years with Media Working Group to design and implement their on-going Open
Studio training initiative for arts and cultural groups, media artists and
writers. At Northern Kentucky University, as Apple Rep, Shawn is now
engaged in planning and conducting training programs for faculty and
students in addition to his studies and network consulting.

Sale of Anti-Gay Health Insurance Blocked

All I can say is creepy, creepy and sad...

Please take a moment of silence to morn for my loss of freedom. My calc class starts tomorrow at 9:30am. Five weeks of fun.

I now have a new respect for women who wax any part of their bodies. For some stupid reason, I decided to get Jordan and Deb to way my sholders and neck. It wasn't too bad until they decided to wax my neck instead of shaving it. Oh MY, it hurt a lot!!!

Ya gotta love Jordan and Deb because even though they were having fun, only true friends wax together... :)

Now I am silky smooth and am more then happy to keep the rest of the hair on my body.

This guy has created a website to log his issues with HP. If it was me, I would just never buy anything from them again, but he seems to have way too much free time. Maybe he just need a bf/gf.

A group of us went out to see MIB II last night. The first movie was about 10 times better, but I love the talking dog. It feels just like my old dog (Misha) except that it can talk. Lots of attitude. The movie was just ok...

What the heck is "straight action". If you look at the personal ads on yahoo, you will find all of these people asking for a straight acting guy. I know that they mean I want a guy who acts straight, but likes to have sex with me. What the hell is that all about. I mean, come on... We spend all of this time coming out and learning about ourselves and then we "act straight". Can't we just be outselves and not straight or gay acting?

I'll get off of my soap box now...

So, does on-line dating work? I have some mixed feelings about this one. To be fair, I met Jay and we were together for over 2 years. It just seems so odd to be looking at profiles. It is almost like buying a car or getting a book at Amazon, except my credit card doesn't actually get me anything (in the sex rooms, that might be a different story, but I have not clue :).

So, I'll try it and see what happens. The whole waiting for someone else to reply is just killing me... I wish everyone else was a obsessive as checking their e-mail and replying back. I mean, it is part of my job to check my e-mail throughout the day! :)

Anyone have any thoughts? If you really want to be scared, check out my profile. Is it really that scary?