Blowoff

We went to the first Blowoff in Ptown last night. It was fantastic! The music was great, the crowd was hot and there was good energy around the whole thing. I'm really glad the Boatslip took the initiative to bring in some new life to the week. Kudos to Brad and Terry! Thanks to Bob Mould and Rich Morel and Nick LaPata for making it happen. If you haven't been to a Blowoff, make sure you get to one soon!

Bears

Just about all of the Independence Day partying crowd has departed town by now. Yesterday afternoon, Dave took down all of the July 4th decorations ranging from the "Don't Tread on Me" flag to the "Spirit of '76" flag to big US flag made of lights hanging over the back patio. Yes, I know, I still have a bit of that Philly trailer trash in me!

So, no sooner did the Americana come down and up went the bear flags! One of our regular guests in the off-season, a handsome cub in his own right, became very excited thinking that bear week has begun. Upon finding out that we're still a few days from the start of the fur fest and that Dave's anticipation for the bears led him to put up the flags early, he sighed sadly and vowed to make plans to join us in 2009.

Town is already starting to get a fair share of guys ready to celebrate bear week. In our short time living here, we've come to enjoy the friends we have made...as well as the eye candy! Shirtless men show off bodies, bellies and fur as as badge of honor. The five handsome musclebears that rented the house next to us this past week certainly did nothing to calm us! Not only were they handsome, they were also very kind, nice people with whom we enjoyed socializing all week. btw, Happy Birthday Michael!

Anyway, there is a lot of excitement about next week. I've been getting a barrage of emails, calls and IMs asking about this event or that event, what they should wear...hello?!, if there is a naked Tea....ummm, no, but I'll gladly hold auditions! Fortunately, some good friends are renting the house next door for the week and ANT will be here to once again hold court on the back patio during breakfast. To me, the week is something of a homecoming. I get to spend some time with many old friends and hopefully make some new ones. I also get to meet some of the really nice men that I've been chatting with online...JAY!, Chip, Harry, etc. Maybe I'll even get to see Michael after all these years, if he packs that computer monitor and the mood strikes him for a drive! The laughing, the camaraderie, the sights and the fun...I can't wait!

Summer

So today is the first day that I've been able to sleep in until 7:30am since our cruise this winter - and except for maybe a hangover during bear week last summer! Usually its up by 5:30-6:00am to take the dogs to the beach...rain, sleet, snow or sun...the kids get their run on the beach! They expect it. They demand it!

Yesterday was Dave's first day off from school for the summer. Yes, he's off from school but now he's helping to run the business this summer. I have to say that its really nice being able to be side by side with your partner, taking on the challenges and excitement of the day. It is also a great help with the work load during the day. Now I don't have to climb down the ladder from painting every time someone has an availability question...Dave can answer it! :)

It took us a couple seasons to get into the swing of what things he likes and is good at and what responsibilities I like and/or am good at. Except for some minor hiccups once in awhile, we seem to be moving pretty smoothly ahead as we enter this season. The first season was awful as each of us pissed all over to mark our territory, carving out those responsibilities that we liked and wanted to do. Whew! The faster we both realized we're trying to move forward in the same direction, the better our relationship is! btw, after cup number one of coffee, everything is smooth sailing.

So, even though we still differ on how to decorate a room, where our advertising dollars are spent or how many days a week to have chocolate chip muffins (I vote for every day!), its nice being together. Now if only I can make enough money to hire help to do everything! Then I can socialize all day!

Daddy

So when I got my head shaved the other day for the first time, a friend at the barbershop said I was escalating my "daddy factor". I think "daddy" in this case is more a state of mind and attitude then age.

My own Dad took off when I was five, moved away and called me when I was 21. "Hello Jim, this is your Father" is the first phone call. I spent a year getting to know him...and his new wife and many girlfriends. While I started drinking coffee in the mornings in those days, his drink of choice was Budweiser. I soon realized that things were not going to work out...and we broke up. As with some of the men (and women) I dated in the past, it just wasn't a good fit. He died a few years ago...unceremoniously, from liver problems.

There are a lot of great Fathers...and Daddys - younger and older, those that care and nurture. Good men. They should be honored on Father's Day...and every day.

Alpha

So, I'm guessing that at 44, the last thing I need to be doing is starting a blog. I've always kept a journal - since 1984 or so, which I suppose if its ever found, could be held as evidence against me. Yes, I did inhale!
Anyway, I did it back in the day to get things off my mind - and off my chest. I'm going to continue now for the same reason. So get ready...and welcome to jimpossible!