2.11.13

I feel very unsettled right now. I’m upset and not terribly happy about it.

Earlier I saw a show at UCB and sat in the audience thinking about how I’m doing exactly what I should be right now. It was great! I haven’t felt that content in a while.

I’m considering taking off for a few days. I need to escape this current situation. I’m partly homesick – I keep thinking of Minneapolis, my friends there, the things I liked to do there and how I now live forever far away. I’m definitely glad I made this move, but it’s still sad.

What I really want to run away from are the feelings I have inside me. Feelings I have no control over. Feelings that are so dependent on the actions of another person and the uncertainty of the future. I don’t like this anymore. It’s icky and I don’t want to feel this way. I’m going to bed soon and will hopefully wake up in the morning with a different perspective. I have some phone calls and other various things I need to get done tomorrow. It should be pretty relaxing. I feel emotionally drained right now which is one of the main reasons dating has never worked in the past. This isn’t fun. Feeling this way isn’t sustainable for any period of time. I just can’t handle it.

Gratitude List:
A good night’s rest and a new day.
Travel.
Reaching out to Mpls friends.

2.10.13

I wrote my first comedy sketch for my writing class at UCB! I’m not completely thrilled with it. I think the premise is hilarious, but stumbled after getting the first page done and the ‘game’ down. I do like it, I just wish it was funnier. Oh well. I mean really, this is a rough draft for an introductory sketch comedy writing course. I’m taking the class to learn how to write sketch comedy, not because I’m a master at it already. I’m also excited for class tomorrow because last week at class I was really tired and found it hard to engage with my classmates. I’m going to bed very soon so I’ll have a good night’s sleep and shouldn’t have a problem being my charming self tomorrow. After class I’m also meeting with a life coach. I don’t really have any money right (write!) now to put towards life coaching, but the initial meeting tomorrow is free and depending on whether I think the guy could help me or not I’ll figure out whether I’ll keep meeting with him. I’d rather spend what little money I do have right now on experiences and bettering myself as a person. After taking a look at this guy’s website I have a feeling he could be a very positive force in my life so I’m approaching it all with an open mind. If it’s meant to be the money to pay for it will fall into place.

I met B a week ago. Weird that despite only knowing him for a week, not spending the night with him curled up in my arms seems like an exception. Tonight makes two days he’s been away and it sounds like he won’t be coming back to NJ until Tuesday. Based on the MAJOR problems with moderation I have it’s probably best. But still, I wish he was here right now. I like the world a lot more when I’m with him.

I’m hoping that tomorrow mother nature will solve the problem I have with the snowbank that formed around my car during the blizzard on Friday. Rainy and 47 degrees is in the forecast!

Gratitude List:
Sketch comedy writing class.
Relaxing days and a good night’s rest.
My path coming into focus.

2.9.13

Wow, I’m actually writing a post at night, before bed like I used to always do. Lately they have all been happening a day later than usual and generally during the day.

Tonight was pretty fun. The girls (M, M and D) and I went out to eat and then ran a couple errands. I bought a new game and we came home and played it for quite a while. I wish I had worked on my assignment for my sketch writing class, but I can do it tomorrow. I’d like to get it done during the day so that I can spend time with B when he gets back home.

I haven’t known him for very long, but I’m very comfortable with B. In the past it’s always been a roller coaster of emotion when it comes to guys and trying to figure out how they feel or what they are thinking. With B it’s not like that because I have a good idea of how he feels and what he’s thinking. Mainly because we share that with each other openly and honestly. I much prefer doing things this way than being closed hearted. I have high hopes for this. I also realize we are both wounded individuals for our own reasons. Hopefully we will be able to help each other get to a new place in regards to trust and affection. He has definitely helped me tremendously so far in the few days I’ve known him. I hope I have for him as well. He’s a great guy and I want the best for him. Whatever that might be.

Gratitude List:
B
Writing funny sketch comedy
Being able to devote adequate time to my reiki practice

2.8.13

B came over last night. We sat around M and M’s with D and played games while watching the snow fall. It was really fun and I’m glad that B got to meet everyone and that we were able to sleep on the couch together again. M and M also both loved meeting B. M(a) remarked how she understands why I’ve been spending so much time with him seeing as how adorable and fun he is. Really, she only knows the half of it.

I really like him. He’s adorable and one of the sweetest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever met. I like curling up next to him and holding him tight. If I could I’d never let him out of my sight. I’d protect him and take care of him for the rest of our lives. And he’d do the same for me.

Gratitude List:
Winter storms and a reason to stay in.
Intimacy I’ve longed and craved for, but thought I’d never find.
A good meal with great friends.

2.7.13

Today was good. I spent the night at B’s again and really enjoyed that. It’s such a wonderful thing to just hold someone all night long, wake up next to them and just be. I’m really grateful to have gotten that experience these last few days. Hopefully there will be many more to come.

This evening was also really great. I met up with K in the city and we went to a reiki clinic on the Upper West Side. Many of our fellow classmates from early January showed up. I really enjoyed getting to catch up with them and say hi for a minute. The clinic itself was wonderful. I haven’t practiced much on other people and I’ve never practiced on a stranger. It was nice to get that experience. There was also a guy at the clinic who does massage. I’m hoping to schedule one with him sometime next week. I’m definitely one of those people who really benefits from massage. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to do it often right now. In the future I plan to.

My knees hurt. It makes me sad. They are definitely better since I had the screws removed, but I was hoping for more improvement by this point. It’s frustrating because all I’ve really done is use the eliptical machine. Granted I beat the hell out of myself on the eliptical – as I always do. I’m sure if I just give it time and don’t totally overdo it things will get better. It might take another couple months, but really that’s not a significant amount of time longer given that the past year has been devoted to fixing my knees. And I’m also sure that in those couple months I’ll be able to start doing more and more. Really it won’t be so bad.

Gratitude list:
Reiki
B and being able to wrap my arms around him
K and getting together with her in the city

2.6.13

Now that I’ve talked about the guy for a while, I should focus on something else. I think I’ll really like this sketch comedy writing class. I’ve been thinking about the sketch I want to write for our next class and have a good idea of how that’s going to go. Now I just have to sit down and start writing it. I think it’ll be really fun and that I’ll be very good at this sort of thing. I’ve got an awesome sense of humor that veers into the random frequently. As one of my friend’s used to describe me, I’m definitely a ‘random genius’ because you never know what’s going to come out of my mouth. Plus, not to bring things back to the guy, but developing an intimate relationship with someone would really allow my creativity to flourish.

I have a drive, an ambition inside me to do great things – in addition to the resources to make that happen. I’m funny, fun to be around, smart, personable, charming, and as long as I keep smiling people are generally willing to do what I want them to. I’ve also identified areas I need to work to improve myself and have been focused on finding ways to do just that. Someday I’ll be a superhuman. Someday.

Gratitude List:
Clean Laundry
People I can rely on
The ability to realize my dreams

2.5.13

I’ve been updating once a day for about 5 months now. At times it’ll slip my mind to write an update, or I’ll get into bed and realize after I’ve shut everything off and just want to sleep that I didn’t make one yet. When that happens I allow myself to write an update the following day, but I usually will do it right away in the morning. Today, or rather the update I should have done yesterday, is the first one I’ve not updated within that time frame. I’m pretty much writing updates for 2 days tonight…. Right now.

The last couple days have been good. I met a guy! He’s super sweet and we get along really well. I spent essentially the last 24 hours with him – the majority of which was spent laying on his couch. Holding him and just being together. It’s been really wonderful. I’ve greatly enjoyed the time we’ve been spending together. It’s pretty remarkable that we’ve spent so much time together and I haven’t gotten annoyed. We just work well together. I’m going back over to his place soon to spend the night again and probably a good chunk of the day tomorrow. We don’t really even do anything except lay together and hold one another. It’s so intimate. Something I’ve wanted for a really long time, but not been able to procure.

I’m not sure where this is headed. I’m ok with that. I don’t need to control this situation or project out what can or can’t be in terms of forever. It’s truly a gift to be able to be open and receptive to the affection of someone else and to be able to return that in kind. I like this guy and I’m really liking this situation. That’s good enough for me.

Gratitude List:
The ability to love
Overcoming obstacles that have held me back
Holding someone who means a lot to me all throughout the night

2.4.13

I was tired most of the day and didn’t end up eating. It threw off my mindset considerably. I also wasn’t able to practice my morning reiki. I feel much better now that I’m home and have eaten a shit ton of eggs.

My class was pretty fun. I think I’ll really like it. The other students all seem really nice, too. There are quite a few guys in the class and they are all pretty good looking.

I’m hoping to see the guy from last night again tomorrow. I wish I could fall asleep next to him again tonight – feel him and hold him tight. Hopefully it’ll work to do that tomorrow. He’s adorable and he has an accent. How wonderful.

Gratitude List:
Extremely cute guys
Writing fun comedy sketches
A good night’s sleep

2.3.13

Morning update! I just had the most perfect night. I met an incredibly adorable guy online and planned to watch a movie and cuddle. Yesterday I was looking at pictures of men being intimate. Not really having sex, just holding each other. I really wanted to have that experience myself, so I brought up the idea with this guy. I ended up spending the night. We curled up next to each other holding one another, our faces always near. It was the most intimate experience I’ve ever been able to have with another man – and we didn’t even have sex. I can’t wait to do that again! I’m so grateful to have been able to have that experience. I have had intimacy problems with men nearly my entire life. I hope those are coming to a close. The last thing I wanted to do this morning was leave. I could have held him in my arms forever. Nothing would have made me happier. Now I’m on my way into Manhattan. My class at Upright Citizen’s Brigade starts today. I’m so excited! Afterwards I’m meeting my friend Kate and we are going to chat and practice reiki on each other. What a wonderful day I have ahead of me!

Gratitude list:
Having the ability to love openly and without reservations.
Receptive people with whom to share such experiences.
New beginnings!

2.2.13

Hi K_____!

Thanks again for coming to my going away party. I know we didn’t hang out that much in the Twin Cities, but you’re seriously one of my favorite people. I love that you can show up to a party like that knowing only me and leave with a ton of new friends. I’m trying to become more like that – open and trusting of other people. Able to have conversations with ease with perfect strangers. Seriously, thanks for giving me a model to aspire to. I really appreciate it. And, on a positive note, I’m totally getting there.

So I just completed an epic road trip. I left Minneapolis on 1/25 and drove to Chicago where I stayed with a friend of mine until Sunday. My friend in Chicago is super awesome. She’s one of the most positive people I know and it really works for her. I am trying to implement a system similar to hers in my own life. We had a great time chatting and catching up. Plus, she lives in this swanky building downtown. There were a ridiculous number of hot, young men wandering around her building. Sadly, I didn’t meet any of them, but eye candy is always appreciated.

I left Chicago last Sunday and drove all day to Arlington VA. It’s a suburb of Washington DC. I have a cousin who lives there with his fiance and my favorite aunt also lives in Arlington. I am so grateful to have been able to take the time to spend with them and get to explore Arlington. My cousin’s house is in an area that has a lot of new construction and feels really affluent. The house itself is old and, well, dilapidated, but I loved it. It just all worked somehow. And it was really cool to be in such an affluent area with this dichotomy. I also went on a date with this guy yesterday. We met for lunch around where the White House is. I really liked him. I told him I’d be more than willing to travel back down there for another date. For so long I was unable to allow myself to have my heart broken. Being vulnerable is such a tough thing to do. I’m finally ready to fall in love and if that means taking risks, so be it. I haven’t quite figured out his deal yet, but I’m going to lay my cards down soon and if I get rejected it’ll hurt, but I’ll get over it. I’ve spent my first 30 Valentine’s days single… I don’t want to spend the next 30 in the same boat.

This afternoon I made the final leg of the trip to Newark which will be home base for at least a couple months. It feels great to be back here with my friends. I have so much fun with them and I can’t wait to see what NYC has to offer. I’m starting my sketch comedy writing class on Monday and I’ve got a bunch of other plans next week with random friends in the city. I’m really hitting the ground running… as it were. Hopefully I’ll really be running soon, but we’ll see how that goes. Actually, I realized yesterday my doctor told me I had to wait 6 weeks to run. The day after I turn 31 marks 6 weeks… I can’t think of a better birthday present! Now I only have to wait another 4 weeks. I’m sure it’ll come very soon. Tomorrow I’ve got another date scheduled, this one in Newark. The guy seems really nice and we’ve been texting for a couple weeks now – since I left NJ the last time. He’s an artist, which is perfect. I have every intention of turning my friends’ house into my own personal art studio while I’m living there by myself (as it gets renovated). We’re also going to start working out together… he’s in great shape so I’m hoping he can show me a few things about working out. I’m really excited to get back into that after my 4 month hiatus from the gym.

I hope this email finds you well! How are things in Minneapolis? I told you I like sending long winded emails and you mentioned you like getting them…. Can’t wait to hear back from you and to hear about all of the exciting things you’ve got going on in Minneapolis. And again, thanks for coming to my going away party. You’ll never know how much that meant to me.

Best,

Andrew

Gratitude List:
Being back in Newark
Good friends, new friends
Allowing myself to be vulnerable