Hello 2010 Good bye 2009

What a year, so much went on, it has been truly a long year, and I am very happy there is only 12 hours left. The beginning of the year was pretty uneventful. Winter left, spring came, then summer. Summer was fun at first, had a great time with June Pride events, the parade and all. July was a great month especially the week I was able to spend with my family in Atlanta. August came and my world stopped for 3 months. I learned to live alone again, to cook and to take care of the babies. It was hard. Really hard, but I know I have grown as a person and learned to love my man more and more. Days turned to weeks, to months, to add up to 98 days. There were some good points in the 3 months. I went to 2 weddings, both were super fun, and I was very appreciative to be able to present at both. Ocotober cane and passed, a long rainy month. November came around and a homecoming and then Thanksgiving. This year I was very very blessed and so happy. December came, my birthday, 34 now no biggie. Christmas has come and gone, and this year was not as big as in the past and actually seemed rushed. I was very happy to have my family there. We did say goodbye to 3 of our family dogs, which are missed but I know in a better place. I am looking forward to new adventures, happiness and going somewhere on vacation. Have a great New Year!!

Christmas Eve

Hello, sorry I have not been back in awhile. Well since I last wrote my man has come home. He actually was home the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so I was super excited!! We had a great holiday dinner with the family, went home and watched UT beat Tx A&M. Then the following weekend win the Big 12, barely..and now onto the National Championship!!

As this holiday season has come upon me, I realized how fast it all goes by, July 4th was just a flash back, then the longest 3 months of my life, and now just 5 weeks later we are turning to a new year. I turned 34 this week. I remember when that seemed old! Now I feel good, health is good, have a roof over my head, food on the table and get to wake up each day to the person I love very much, sure it could be better, but it could be so much worse.

I look forward to a much better year, more properous and just a year of renewal and change. I have not set an resolutions, but I do cherish the time I have had over the last 5 weeks. We have grown closer and know how much we mean to each other. I might not be able to buy all the gifts I want, but really this year all I wanted is what I have. I am looking forward to have my family over our house tomorrow to celebrate Christmas together.

One goal I do have for next year is to write more. Merry Christmas!!

And the countdown continues...

Well as stated above - it goes on. No final date yet, but hopefully will know soon. It has been over 60 days. Wow how time goes by, but somedays it seems like minutes last hours. Summer has left and fall is coming in....that is fall in the ATX. Today was a good UT Longhorns won a hard game - 16-13 playing OU (yes you suck)! Afterwards went out for a visit, and now home watching tv. I wish he was right next to me and the cool weather makes me sad cause all I can snuggle with is the babies. Which I do love...but they aren't the same as my man.
But on a happier note, I have become more and more capable of living on my own for the temporary. I made Pea Soup last week, came out pretty good, and before that I made chili. Both were ok, but not the same as his. But the kitchen is not that room I never want to step inside anymore. I have learned how to endure it, and learn to create things, actually fun!!
Well that is all for tonight...Keeping the positive and optimistic views open till the next date, which is Tues. Laters!!

Countdowns

Remember when we were kids and we used to countdown for things we were excited for...christmas, birthdays, yep even school. As we get older countdowns turn into - how many days till rent is due, till the cable is due, where are the good countdowns?? Vacations yeah we get to go here and there. Well I have my own countdown and I don't know a final number yet, but it is hard. We are only miles apart, but it seems like forever away. We get to see each other twice a week but can't touch, smell, and we get to talk each day. It is like have a long distane relationship without the long distance. It is hard, but after 3.5 years we are strong and able to get through this It is a test, on both of us. So the count is almost 60, and still not sure how much more after this but I take, we take it day by day. One thing I have learned is the art of writing letters. I hate that this had to come about to communicate better, but reading someone's thoughts and feelings, and to be able to respond with your thoughts and feelings. All I can ask is keep us in your thoughts.

It has been a long time

Well, where do I start. Summer is over, we had 68 days of 100+, missed the record here in ATX by one day. Trust me we are not complaining!! I know my sister up in NJ was jealous of the rain they had all summer. My sisters and I went to Atlanta for my dad's 60th Birthday - had a great time. August rolled around, was having a great summer, and then on th 16th my life changed. Not going into details, but my other half is on a travis county sponsored vacation...if you don't know what that means, email me. I know most of you do. Again, I am not going into details, but it has been a very lonely time, and I have had to learn to do alot on my own. For the last 3.5 years I have been taken care of, didn't have to cook much, well never really, didn't have to do much housework, was a pampered spouse. I have learned how to do laundry again, clean the house, and yes cook...oy vey. I am so thankful for my man who has written some of his recipes down and sent them to me. Trust this is very rare, so many people have asked for them and he never written them down. Now I have tried to cook and successful yes, taste the same, oh no...but at least I am not eating fast food all the time.

When I went to Atlanta it was the 1st time we were apart - and that was 5 days, it is now 32 days not seeing each other on a daily basis. We get to talk each day even just for a minute, and we write letters back and forth. Yes the art of letter writing...I haven't written a letter in over 15 years. It is nice to be able to write your thoughts and feelings and send them to someone who will appreciate them. You get to know someone on a level that is different than a twitter post, a facebook update, or a text, and yes even email. Many times we just write those in a quick moment. When we write a letter we have time to put our thoughts down. Anyway, I have a lot to write but it is getting late. Below our pictures of my dinners.

I do know things will get better, and just taking it a moment at a time. My next blog update will be focused on more positive happy things, but this is a great way and very therapeutic for me.

Just because

Hello, it has been awhile, and I have been just hanging around the house today relaxing, and it is too hot to got out..105 today in Austin, TX. Anyway, I was able to catch up on some DVR, new Real World, Cancun...how crazy would that be..and then the Real Housewives of NJ Reunion...crazy ladies. I wished I saw the whole season, I just saw the last few episodes. I don't remember housewives being like that in NJ. Maybe it has changed?

I was watching Grease last weekend, and thought how would life be if we all broke into song. Or how would our lives be in it was like a movie. Would we get those moments when the world around you goes fuzzy and just you and our partner are the only onese there even though the room is filled with people. Has that happened to you? If not I hope you will get to experience that. I love when Mikel and I are out and about and so much is going on but it is just him and I who matter to each other. After 3.5 years we still get those special feelings, yeah we drive each other crazy at times, but we still are very much in love. I love how songs, movies, tv shows, books, can bring make memories and emotions and feelings from the past. Our song is Rascal Flatts, God Bless the Broken Road, and every time I see that I smile.

I realized in the last 2 days how 1 person can impact the world, Michael Jackson that is. I love his music, and depsite what his personal affairs were, he was a great artist and blessed the world with great songs. I have memories of times with his music, Thriller, watching it the 1st time roller skating, and how my sister still gets scared when she hears that. We are the World, I remember hearing it in the car with my family. The world will miss his artistry and his music will live on for others to hear in the future.

Anyway, just wanted to place some random thoughts. Have a great day and I plan blog more and let you into my life more.

Well Fed...and ...well need to loose some of it now...

Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner, and we have realized that we need to loose some extra inches around the waste. I tried a medium shirt on the other day and I felt like the Hulk….you know I could barely move and if I flexed it would rip open..well more like buttons popping, and I would go blind when one hit me. So we talked about losing weight and what to do. Since I am not the chef of the house..I will leave it up to my man to cook differently. We are both meat and potatoe guys…and I love the butter…can not get enough!! Before I met him I never ate vegetables except peas and corn, and maybe some string beans. Salads – yeah right!! Now I will eat Caesar salads..love them, had one today, just with the croutons were crunchier, but I love Whole Foods!! I go in there and my eyes light up and I get excited…kinda like I just to at the mall food court – fries, hamburger, pizza, Chinese, all the options…too many to choose from. Going back to Whole Foods, I love the smells, the varieties of so much, I love to walk around there and look and smell, and taste when available. My trip today brought about a casear salad with chicken as stated before..yum yum..I ate that 3 hours ago…was full then but now hungry again. Why is it that good for you food makes you hungry a short time later, where as fried chicken and fries – I could be full the rest of the day. So this brings me back to what to do about losing some weight…I have always been a round boy, but now I am dunlapping over my jeans…I think that is the right word..I look like a damn muffin!! Wow that sounds good…wait no not healthy.!! We talked about walking more …not running…bad knees, and back…maybe roller skating, he likes, me I would be in the ER with a broken arm or leg..not helping the situation…..how about bike riding. Ok, then I thought the last time I rode a bike it was when I was 14…I am now 33. So the broken bones thought came back…or I could wear padding everywhere, and with the Texas heat I would probably sweat a few pounds away. Either way… I want to be a little thinner sometime in the next 3 months…that is the plan…now just have to work the details out….and my stomach is growling and wants something…but what….laters!!

Ways to keep in touch

So it is 2009... and I have just gotten on facebook, and twitter....and with my Ipod Touch I have ability to stay in touch with everyone just about all the time. Both are addiciting, but it is a great way to find out what is going on with your friends and family and even work associates. I was on a conference call yesterday and the speaker was speaking of how great the social network are now part of every day life.

Anyway find me on twitter - jasoninaustin

Have a great day!

3 Year Anniversary

Wow...yes it has been 3 years...the ups and downs, in and outs....all said. I am very happy. I was looking for the blog I wrote after 1 year, goes over how we met. I have changed so much, learned new things, and became a bettter man. I am lucky and look forward to many more aww moments, happy tears, and just those moments when it is just you and your partner. So here it is:

So a year has gone by since Mikel and I had our first date. In this last year so much as changed and I am so happy. I have new friends and will rewind just a bit to let you know how it all started.

Mikel and I met October 2005, I was out and about running errands, my good friend Miranda called me and asked if I was watching the Astros Playoff game. I said no, but I was downtown and I stopped at Charlies because it was the 8th inning, I thought I would stop and catch the last inning. I sat on the outside bar, got a beer and sat next to a big cowboy looking guy. Across the bar was mikel, watching the game and hanging out. The cowboy dude started talking bad about NYC cab drivers. Me, being from NJ, got offended, but Mikel from Brooklyn definitely was offended. So Mikel got loud, and represented NY and made the cowboy leave the bar. I was kinda shocked but made my eyes wide open. I wanted to know who this was. We saw each other at the bar 2-3 times, and he remembered me as Jersey , and he was New York to me.
So the date is now Feb 21, 2006 . My coworker Phillip and I decided to go out on a Tuesday night – we went down to Oilcans around 9 or so. The next morning I was leaving for Vegas at 10am with Mike and Chris to meet Mollie out there. The night wasn’t anything special, just hanging out and drinking. Mikel was there with some of his friends and I heard his voice and knew it was him. We talked and he rememberd me, and then we had our first kiss, he said he was headed back to Charlies and asked me to go with him. So Phillip and I went there with him, and I lost Phillip the rest of the night, Mikel and I spent the time together till closing. He gave me his phone number and the hat he was wearing and told me to call him when I got back an to return his hat. He told me he had a motorcycle and I wanted to see – so he walked me over and showed me. I was impressed!!! I told him I was leaving in a few hours, and I still haven’t packed. I got home and packed and got a few hours of sleep. I got back from Vegas on Saturday afternoon, and was exhausted.
Sunday night I called Mikel and we set up a date for the next day. I met him at Fuddruckers. We talked and had a great time, he invited me back to his place and we hung out.

A year later – we live together, I have a new job, and life is good. We have had our ups and downs. But I cherish those early times, the aww moments, the new experiences. I have learned so much from Mikel, and have become a stronger man. He has shown me what a husband is, and I love being his husband. We have just gone through our first year, and looking forward to many more.

Great Blog

My coworker sent me this blog. I have enjoyed reading this and wanted to pass it on. You do not have to be in NYC or a mother to appreciate and get a giggle or two.

http://nycmomandmore.blogspot.com/

Community Service

So as you probably can guess I am doing community service. I did 3 hours at a different location last week, and I am doing other service for the last few months at another location. Today, I was able to do some hours at Salvation Army, which I felt good about doing it. I cut up food and organized food and I was able see what I did benefit people who were hungry and appreciative. I have more time to complete and next weekend I will do some more. Anyway- had a great weekend...

More pics

Happy Valentines Day - Remember 5 years ago

Well Happy Valentines to my friends and family - it is not a day just to celebrate the love in your life, but for all of the people in your life. I am blessed to have my man, and very happy.

I was reminded of a Valentines Day back in 2004. Remember - Austin had snow at 1am. We were able to go out and have fun in the snow. I even drove to HEB to get some food. Good Times!!

Weekend with Travis County's Finest

So as some of you know - I have gotten in trouble in the past - 3 DWI's and then in December I got a PI while on probation. I know - all very wrong - got it. So I went to court Friday morning, expecting to go to jail for the weekend. I was mentally prepared - well somewhat. I arrived at 9am, saw the judge at 11am and by 1130 I was in cuffs in the back of the court room awaiting to be processed. It took about 30 minutes and then I was in APD's drunk tank, till 3pm. I was able to make my 5 minute free call, called my mom, and my man. I got teared up talking to him but he told me to stay strong. So I did. I sat there with two other guys I talked to who also were sent to jail from the same court room. You see some interesting people there - a great place to people watch - but you really dont want to be there. People came in drunk off their ass at noon on a friday, who would have thought. Anyway so I was then taken back and got the stripes and started the long process. This was at 4pm.

I was moved upstairs to the single cell, the place I dread because I hate being closed in and not able to talk to anyone. They gave us dinner, well it was bologna and pretzels. I ate the sandwich, but saved the pretzels then found out you can's save them. I was really hungry, I only ate a small breakfast at 8am because my nerves I could not eat much. All I did while in there was rock back and forth while looking out the small window. I slept maybe 20 minutes. So I was there till 9pm, then I was moved to a different holding cell with 2 people room. Once I got there I felt better, because there is a window to the outside, and I was able to talk to my cell mate. They then opened up the door and we were able to meet in the common area and talk till around 10:30pm. I heard some stories - wow...

I finally fell asleep and we woke up at 4am to get breakfast, some eggs, a roll and jelly and some pourage. I went back to sleep for two hours or so and then they got us together and told us we were going to Del Valle, the county jail. I was happy but the process took two hours to get us toether and handcuffed together and moved on the bus. Once we got there we were dropped off based on offense and length of time you were staying. I went to a low security work realease location. We got there around 11am and just missed lunch, but they had two trays, bologna again.

The room was large - held 24 people, 12 bunk beds. They were watching tv, and playing cards, I made my bed, and ate my food and no one talked. After awhile, I got up and picked up a book - Seabiscuit - read 80 pages, more than I have read in over a year. We were then told we had an electrical fire and had to leave and move to a different room. They went all through our room and tossed everything around and threw out stuff. You cant have taped pencils, and this and that. You find out what you "cherish" there - your spoon and your watercup. If you are there for awhile you are able to get the commissary and get food - Ramen is the most popular. We were allowed back in and people were mad because there stuff was went through and some stuff tossed. Since I just got there I had nothing to worry about. So I watched some tv and started to talk to some guys, heard why there were there and when they were getting out. Dinner time came around and it was "enchildadas" and beans and apple sauce - wonders for my stomach - yuck. I ate it because I was hungry. We then had quiet hour, and then were able to watch tv, and then had 30 minutes quiet time. Which no one is really quiet, you just have to stay in your bed. Then we got the last 90 minutes of tv. We watched some show in Univision, and then Law & Order...how ironic...right. At 10:30 it was lights out, but some guys talked and talked. I guess I fell asleep at 11:30 or so and was awoken at 4am for more eggs and biscuit, and wet cereals this time.

I fell back asleep and then at 830 they called my name and said it was my time to go home. I was happy - It took till 9:45 to get out and then I waited for the bus and was home around 11:30.

So lessons learned - your valuables change when you are in there, and there is still a feel of community. Trust me I never want to be back there.

Tyra Banks - Gay for Pay Episode

So I do not watch much Tyra Banks - she is great, but I see her mostly on The Soup on E!. Anyway, here is a great clips from her show, Gay for Pay. It is enlightening, and funny, and I do not agree with all of the fews from the last clip. It is broken up in 5 parts. Enjoy!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQensCD7xcE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c642dSeSm8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSgBRWNPn2w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt6iSRDFom0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwHIS21mS4

What a week

It has been a roller coaster of a week - so many emotions.





I was so happy to see President Obama's inaugural and then the parade and the balls. I love that they are such an openly loving couple and will bring hope to America.





I have gone through other crap this week, but all is better.





Anyway - while on break I found these great Lego You Tube videos - really who has the time to do all of this - but very cool.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whyjdt5Qso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MThEoxSWURA - Thriller - this is not as good as the rest

A Moment In History

As January 20th quickly approaches, I look back and think of where was I for my generations history changing dates.

I remember sitting in the cafeteria in 4th grade when the Challenger exploded. We were excited about the first teacher in space, and up till then I wanted to become an astronaut. At that time I did not comprehend exactly what happened, but I recall my teachers face and the shock in his eyes.

The next was 9/11 being at work and getting to work and hearing about it, when I just left my house at 730, 15 minutes prior to the 1st plane hitting the tower. The feeling of wondering where my family was at the time, hoping they were all safe. We closed early that day, and I went hom and watched tv in disbelief.

Now these are both history changing moments that are sad, but I remember coming home last November on election night, and seeing Obama accept the nomination. I got teary eyed, and I really didn't think I would see an african american president, but the time of change is on our doorsteps. Do I think all of America's problems will be solved, probably not, but we have a new hope, inspiration, something to look forward to.

I would have loved to be in the mall in DC, but I won't, but I will be able to witness history once again, via the internet and tv.

Anyway, a day to remember is coming up.

Thank you Mr Bush - You messed up the DVR

Thanks to the presidents farewell speech, which I didnt watch, the DVR was messed up and I missed part of CSI, and almost missed Grey's Anatomy. I would have been really mad if we were out, but we were watching other shows we recorded. Arrrgghhh...besides who wants to hear what he said. Looking forward to Jan 20th. Yes We Can!!

Welcome to My World

Hi, I am Jason, 33 live here in Austin since 1993. Not exactly sure where this is gonna go - some pics, some comments, rants, raves, who knows. I have a partner of 3 years, his name is Mike, he is a great guy, who I love very much. I have 4 sisters, 1 here in austin, the other in NJ, and the twins in Atlanta. I will share more about them in later posts. Anyway, hope you enjoy and get to see a little about my life.