Pain makes the world turn…

•January 8, 2015 • 1 Comment

So 2015 has been kicking my ass all over the place so far. Bronchitis that is not getting better…to the point where I am legitimately concerned I may have walking pneumonia (it wouldn’t be the first time if this ends up being the case) and now I have extra added pressure due to my job requiring that I submit an FMLA form for being out sick 4 consecutive days, even though I have the sick time. So basically even though I have the time, it is entirely possible I can be in trouble for taking time off from work because I am sick. Definitely not another setback that I want or need right now.

To give you an idea of how bad my coughing is after finishing a 5 day course of antibiotics and steroids, plus still using an inhaler and prescription cough syrup, today I went to make myself some toast and I started coughing so hard that I dropped and broke the plate that was in my hand. The cough syrup they gave me helps for maybe 2 hours after I take it, but it makes my heart palpitations even worse than they already were. Coupled with everything else that I’ve been feeling emotionally, I’ve been having an incredibly difficult time.

They say you know you’re over someone when you can see their picture without having a reaction…yeah, well, that’s not happening for a very long time. To make things easier on myself since she had already blocked me on most social media, I blocked her on the rest, and then because it was way too hard for me to see pictures of the two of us on my profiles and accounts, I deleted them all. I made sure each and every one was saved to my phone, my iPad, or one of my computers, but they aren’t there for me to see every time I log on, or for other people to be able to continue to comment on – because apparently commenting on pictures that were a year plus old is a thing now. Unfortunately, they are still there for me to see. Not only digitally, but there are a few physical pictures I have of the two of us.

Everything I have physically that either she made me, gave me, or I was keeping because it reminded me of us (I was eventually going to make a scrapbook) are all currently living in the top drawer of my dresser. Her drawer.

I know what you’re all probably thinking…stop being sad and pathetic and throw everything away…but I can’t. I can’t do it. I can’t trash the (overwhelmingly) good memories. I’m sure she no longer feels the same way, but I’m still in the mode where I feel she is my soulmate. She is the one. I know, I know…how can I possibly think that when she clearly wants nothing to do with me and I clearly didn’t make her happy to begin with? I don’t know. I don’t have a list of reasons.

I stopped doing a lot of things before. I lost my way. I completely lost my confidence and mojo. I got extremely stressed trying to make all the right decisions for a future together. I got beyond burned out at work. I got fucking lazy. I got scared. I got embarrassed. I felt incredibly misunderstood. I had a ridiculously hard time articulating anything I was thinking or feeling. Basically, in a nutshell, I blew it.

I am struggling every day right now to right the ship…but I feel like I haven’t yet made it through all of the squalls. I’m not sure why, but life is really testing me right now, on all fronts. I just hope I make it through to the other side a better person than I am right now.

I’m making small steps that I think will bring me in a positive direction. I’ve picked up some new cookbooks…I’m actually excited to try some new recipes and cook for myself again and have great food experiences rather than just eat to survive like I’ve been doing. One of the other major steps was bringing this blog back from the dead. I tend to work things out by writing them down and getting them out there. I may not be the prettiest writer, but I’m 100% real in what I say.

I’ve also looked to some “self-help” type books for a little guidance. Again, sounds really fucking corny, but there have already been a few really helpful things that I’ve read that I’ve been trying to implement. I’ve been trying to find something every day that I am thankful for or happy about – and believe me it hasn’t been an easy task – to try to break my funk.

I’m trying to change up my environment and living space to be more conducive to happiness. I’ve already made some purchases to enhance my comfort and enjoyment while I’m here at home. I’ve invested in some new artwork that should be arriving soon, and I’m seriously debating changing up my linens completely. I’ve been weeding out things here and there that I don’t need to keep anymore. (I have a very bad habit of hanging onto things for sentimental reasons. I don’t need t-shirts with holes and stains because they remind me of college or an old job.)

I’m considering going back to doing my crazy hairstyles…I haven’t done anything “fun” in almost two years basically. I kind of miss the faux hawk…I know it’s not very “in” anymore, but I had a certain level of confidence with it. I guess right now I just feel entirely below ordinary, unworthy and not at all memorable. I’m definitely not at all used to feeling this way. I’ve felt down in the dumps before, but nothing like this.

Pain will do some crazy, fucked up shit to a person. I’m not trying to ignore it…I’m just trying to pay attention to it and figure out how I can learn from it.

End of the year…

•December 30, 2014 • Leave a Comment

Well, 2014 is finally drawing to a rather inglorious close. Another year older. Another year I feel like I should be wiser, but of course, that remains to be seen.

I’ve been reflecting a metric fuck ton the past 6 weeks. My entire world has been rocked, and everything I thought I knew is now challenged. I’m leaving this year with so many questions, and very few answers. I’m trying my hardest to leave as much of this pain as possible in 2014 and not carry it with me in 2015, but that is going to be an extremely difficult feat.

The dreams are telling, of course. Me putting myself in harms way for her. Taking on a gang of thugs so she can escape. Taking bullets for her even in one. Then there are the dreams where nothing changed and I’m waking up next to her and we’re married. The best – and this is oh so typically me – are the ones where she shows up at my job or home and tells me she made a huge mistake and she was just terrified of the future and asks if I can ever forgive her.

That one is actually probably the worst. Mostly because that right there is something I’ve always dreamt of. Someone I’m in a relationship just showing up unannounced and professing their love to me. No gifts needed. Just that one act. Tells you a lot about the kind of person I am I guess.

I would rather my partner do the dishes or clean the litter boxes or do laundry or cook me a meal from the heart because she knows I would appreciate it than have a present. I long for a partner who does the small shit without being asked because she wants to. Because she loves me and wants to make things easier. I have no problem doing all of the shopping and keeping track of finances and paying the bills on time and cooking 90% of the time or bringing her home flowers for no reason or getting her jewelry or a sweater…whatever would make her happy. I just really want someone who gets me and understands that sometimes I need help (even though I have a massively hard time asking for it) and they are willing to do things for me and for us without question. Don’t get me wrong, I love the gifts I’ve been given by people over the years, but the memories that I cherish the most are when someone has made me a meal or drawn me a bath just because.

I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching lately as well as reflecting, and the biggest thing I’ve realized and have taken away from all of this pain and misery thus far is that I need to accept that I am not as strong as everyone else thinks I am, and that I need to ask for and receive help sometimes. I can’t do this alone anymore. Keeping everything inside was slowly killing me via this giant stress monster I had become. My health has already suffered in tangible ways, and I have to do everything in my power to stop my negative behavior and be more open about my vulnerabilities.

Even just typing that made my stomach churn. It’s that fucking hard for me to admit I need help sometimes. I’m so used to being the one everyone comes to and looks to as being the rock of strength, that it’s almost a shameful thing for me to put into words that I’m not as strong as people want me to be.

I have so much to work on in 2015. I know it’s going to be a long process and I have to take baby steps, but I still have hope. Somehow I haven’t yet given up on my childhood dreams of being married to a wonderful woman, and living in a warm home with a handful of pets. If I’ve had this dream since I was very little, surely there is still a small chance that it may eventually come true for me, right?

In the meantime I just have to keep working towards smaller goals towards other pieces of happiness. Cut way back on indiscriminate spending. Save as much money as possible. Move. Either repair my current car or get a new one. Maybe even go on a solo vacation.

I’ve already taken the first steps in stabilizing my career and ensuring my continued success by starting the process of (finally) getting IT certifications in lieu of a degree. It definitely is not going to be easy, but nothing worth it ever is.

So, 2015, please be kind. At least understand that I am rebuilding my life again and try to see it in your heart to not fuck me over too hard this year? This is my only wish for the coming year.

A Letter To My Fellow Connecticut Residents

•December 16, 2012 • 1 Comment

Dear Connecticut,

This has been an extremely difficult weekend. The tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown has broken my heart. I know your hearts are all broken as well. We are a small state. Our town rivalries go back decades and even centuries. No one is more than around 90 minutes away from anyone else here.

Growing up, you learn quickly the major highways that connect us all together. You learn the names of the towns from the green exit signs. You learn that your community is tight-knit. You learn that this is a bucolic area with many idyllic towns. You feel safe. You feel like nothing terrible could ever happen in this state.

Friday shattered that.

Friday blew us all apart…but in the moments after we all learned the horrible truth, we came together. The only way a small state can. We immediately gathered among friends and families. We held vigils with complete strangers who became our family, united by the same grief.

We are Connecticut. We are more than what happened on Friday. We are an amazing community. We are strong. We are resilient. We are open arms for each other to grieve in. We are hope. We are brave. We are the best of humanity.

We will never forget.

We will remember December 14th, 2012 for the right reasons. We will carry in our hearts forever the names of those lost. We will be more than sensational headlines. We will not be known by the shooter’s name. We will be different.

We are already organizing 5K runs, charitable organizations, spreading the stories of the victims far and wide. We are rallying a nation behind our faith and community. We are having the difficult conversations that so many others think should wait. We know we cannot wait to have these discussions anymore. We know these 20 children, these educators, the mother of a troubled son should not, can not, will not die in vain.

I ask all of you to speak up. Speak out. Stand up and be heard. Shout the names from every corner and outpost in the world.

Let us never forget. 

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Emilie Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison N. Wyatt, 6

Rachel Davino, 29, Teacher

Dawn Hochsprung, 47, School principal

Nancy Lanza, 52, Mother of gunman

Anne Marie Murphy, 52, Teacher

Lauren Rousseau, 30, Teacher

Mary Sherlach, 56, School psychologist

Victoria Soto, 27, Teacher

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Lost In Confusion

•September 5, 2012 • 2 Comments

So I caved. I responded to a text. She wants to return the stuff of mine she borrowed and “talk”. Face to face is what I wanted…and apparently now I’m going to get it. I just don’t know how I’m going to feel or react to the meet up.

A really big part of me wants to be able to play it off all calm, cool, and collected…but I’m pretty sure I will probably end up crying. A lot.

I hate feeling so unsettled. I hate that I was falling in love with her and as soon as that month mark hit, once again I was abandoned. I hate all of it.

I hate that part of me still wants to fall in love with her even though she accused me of something I didn’t do, and that hurt me deeply.

I have no idea what she’s done since she dumped me. She could already be with someone else for all I know. It wouldn’t be the first time someone told me they couldn’t be in a relationship, only to turn right around and fall into someone else’s bed or be dating an ex or someone new.

I guess I’m just hoping that I get answers. Why did she run? Why didn’t she care about me? Why wasn’t I worth taking a risk for?

I really hope there’s someone out there who is going to want to be with me, make no secret of wanting to be with me, and who is going to erase the pain and doubt I have from so many people tossing me aside like a used tissue after a month.

I know I’m intense. I know I have high personal standards. I know I’m not the most attractive or the richest person…but damn it I have a HUGE heart with a lot of love to give.

These Are The Days…

•August 31, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Last night was a bad night…I just couldn’t help the self doubt that came over me like a chokehold. I couldn’t stop it. And I tried. I tried breathing slowly and thinking positive thoughts…didn’t work.

I’m having a minor crisis of faith I guess. Just couldn’t get the thoughts out of my mind that I must have done something so terrible when I was younger that now that I’m older and have a good head on my shoulders, I’m just not going to be loved. A really terrifying thought for me.

I’ve always known that I am a much better person when I’m in a relationship and I care about someone. This is not to say that I’m not a great person single…I am. I just come alive in ways I don’t when I’m alone. Having someone care about you and you caring about someone else always brings out the very best in you. It’s like the happiness I feel just elevates my heart and soul to this whole other plane where nothing can bring me down.

Except for when I’m left hanging with no explanation and no recourse.

I’ve been single now again longer than my last “relationship”, yet even though I would like to try to commingle and maybe date someone, I just am filled with the doubt that anyone will see me or deem me worth even speaking to, let alone take a risk on. It’s a hard feeling to shake when virtually everyone you’ve ever cared for has abandoned you and leaves you wondering if they ever really cared at all.

So I don’t know. I hope this self doubt fades, because I really don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. I know I could be the best thing to ever happen to someone.

I just don’t known how to make anyone see me.

As Tall As Lions

•August 27, 2012 • 5 Comments

“If love comes your way, don’t be afraid…unlock the box your heart’s encased. Hope it won’t change, beware of the games…”

The opening refrains of one of the saddest, yet hopeful songs I’ve grown fond of over the years. Everyone interprets music and lyrics differently, I know…and everyone is entitled to their own opinion as well.

I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going in my life at the moment. I’m staying strong in my resolve about severing people from my life when I’ve been hurt too much or pushed past a certain point…but at the same time there are parts of me that want certain of those people to stop trying to convince with words and prove with actions…

Likely a completely moot point. Especially when I had no idea where I stood with someone before, let alone how they might feel about me now. Maybe I’m stubborn beyond what is wise, but it’s what feels the healthiest for me…I just don’t know what to make of the picture I was sent. Was it a ploy to get me to respond? Was it a hint that I’m still very much on her mind in more than a passing fancy? Was it a symbolic way to say she cares?

I don’t know. I can’t decipher if the repeated attempts at contact are a game or not. Still no apologies, still no face to face. I’ve chosen to continue to ignore text missives, as they are just a harsh reminder of how little I mattered when it came to her decision to end everything with a 2:00am text message. A text message that left me completely at a loss. A text message that caused me to believe that once again, while I was putting my all into developing something with someone and had real feelings for her, there were no mutual feelings.

To the point where it drives me slightly insane with sadness that I very well may continue to stumble through life just waiting for that one woman who does something so simple like bringing
me coffee at work or waiting at my car at midnight with flowers that will probably blow me away. Blow me away to the point that I would likely decide to marry that woman.

I guess all my adult life I’ve been waiting for the one woman I try to date that displays small, simple, outward signs of affection. That one woman who says fuck the world, I’m in love with you and I want everyone to know it. The one woman who sees me exactly as I am and knows deeper than her bones that I’m worth every risk imaginable to love and be loved by.

“Maybe I’m just tired…of never really knowing”

I am. I’m tired of never really knowing what I mean to anyone in this life. Maybe I’ll never really know.

Turning Tables

•August 22, 2012 • Leave a Comment

So I’ve been taking more and more time for myself and making my personal happiness a huge priority. In the past few weeks I’ve bought a new mattress…which was sorely needed…and new linens, and I took the money I had set aside to buy my ex the iPhone 5 when it came out and bought myself an iPad 3 instead…which I’d been wanting for months. I’ve also bought 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of boots I’ve been wanting for awhile, and sent a significant payment in on my car loan. I’m actually hoping to have my car paid off early and have the title in my hands by Christmas.

Christmas. Yeah, that’s going to be interesting again this year. Mostly because I had taken the whole week up through New Year’s off because when it came time to submit 4th quarter vacation requests at work, the girl I was dating wanted me to so we could maybe go on a cruise. Silly me actually thought since she was the one looking forward to making plans that far out, that she’d actually still be with me. Oops. The only positive in this is that I really could take a trip just about anywhere if I wanted to.

I got rid of my mohawk. It was time. I had had it for over a year. Went to a huge BBQ at a friend’s over this past weekend. It was a good time as always…bigger ice luge than last year, made a huge tray of my much requested Italian pasta salad, brought copious amounts of ingredients for lemon drops. We lit off tons of (illegal) fireworks…had a blast even with 5-0 being called on us!

The only thing that would have made it better was if I hadn’t gone solo. I’m hopeful that when this party comes around again next year, I won’t be.

I’m actually considering trying the online dating thing again…even if just for shits and giggles just to see if anyone is interested. I probably won’t do it though. I just got done removing people from my phone and Facebook and things that just were feeding into drama and negativity that I just do not want or need in my life. I’ve gotten really good at deleting people from my life over the past couple of years. I’m sure some people probably think I’m a bitch because of it, but honestly, it’s something that works for me and is far healthier than trying to appease people who don’t bring anything positive to my life.

I just wish people would understand if I keep denying friend requests, or do not respond to direct messages, that means something. That freaking girl that caused me to be accused of being a liar has requested me again, as has the other girl who I thought was her girlfriend. It feels absolutely ridiculous that this is even something I have to be annoyed by, but I am. I do not go back on my word. I also am not one to accept requests from people that I do not know. If anything, as 31 is fast approaching, I’m closing ranks and expending energy on less and less people.

Perhaps I should just stay on the path I was on for two years…just focus in on myself and do things that will benefit my future life and will set things up for a future relationship and a future wife. I’ve gone years without physical contact or comfort before…I know I can do it again.

So far, focusing on work has really worked for me. Just got a very big raise, and I’m getting promoted which comes with another raise. I’m not where I pictured myself 2 years ago, but I like where I’ve found myself instead.

Just need to figure out what I want to do for myself for my 31st in a couple of months…and what I’m doing with my Christmas holiday off!

There’s A Possibility

•August 14, 2012 • 2 Comments

I’m not sure where this feeling of wanting to get right back on the dating horse is coming from – typically I take a lot of time away from dating and gay women in general after I get dumped – but I just have this feeling inside like I need to put myself out there again.

I just don’t know how. I cut ties with several people who are quite popular in the state’s GLBT scene, and heaven knows online dating has NEVER worked for me. Plus I’m not big on the whole gay bar/club meat-market scene or mentality. Not sure where to turn to try to meet people at this point.

I really do want to meet someone organically…I guess it’s time I explored my interests more and maybe join a club or something. I feel like I sound like such a social misfit.

What’s a soon to be 31 year old who hates the club/party scene and online dating to do to meet eligible women with their heads and hearts in the right place?

Do You Believe?

•August 13, 2012 • 1 Comment

I believe. In a lot. More than most people would ever realize.

I believe in love. I believe there is someone out there searching for me, wondering if they’re ever going to find their compliment. I believe whole-heartedly that I deserve to be loved as much as I love. I believe I will have my happy ending. I believe I will get married and have my hand in hand walk on a sunset-tinged beach.

I believe all of this. I believe all of my failures, all of the pain, all of the false starts have happened for a reason. I believe they make me appreciate when good things happen to me all the more. I believe that every time I fall I will continue to pick myself up, clean out the wounds, and – when the scabs have turned into scars – I will get right back up on the metaphorical horse and try it again.

I believe that every day is a chance. A chance to get it right or to falter and fuck up. I believe the fuck ups are just lessons to be learned if you just pay attention. I believe that even though the lesson may not be apparent or obvious, it’s there somewhere.

I believe the lesson I’m meant to learn through the happenings of the past few weeks is that I’m an amazing person just being me, and while she wasn’t the right one, I believe that I’m getting closer to something beautiful. I believe that every day I’m getting closer to meeting the one.

I just hope wherever she is, she believes she’s also getting closer to meeting the one. I hope that when that meeting occurs, it’s the exact right time, the exact right place, and it feels magical and organic – as if we’d had this exact meeting hundreds of times before in past lives and histories.

I believe I am destined to have everything I’ve ever dreamed of and I deserve to be happy. I believe all of the work I’ve put into myself, all of the shit I’ve slogged through, all of the fuck ups I’ve repaired and recovered from, all of the embarrassments, all of the apologies and pleadings with something out there to look kindly upon me and going to make me uniquely capable of never underestimate life and to never take happiness for granted.

I believe you’re out there. Please believe I’m here too.

Wishes, Hopes, Dreams

•August 7, 2012 • Leave a Comment

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Found this is one of my old notebooks I sort of used as a journal…I’ve since torn it out and put in into my new leather bound journal. It’s a reminder to me of the things I’ve always wanted to do with someone I love…I probably wrote the list 4 or 5 years ago, and I still haven’t done a single thing on it. I’ve always dreamed about marrying a woman and having a home together with animals and space and a library/office, gorgeous kitchen, plenty of space to host friends and have guests stay over…just basically all the things I never had growing up. My biggest desire in life is to fall in love and be loved in return at the same depth and height as I love her. I’ve had this dream and desire since I was a small child. I told my mom when I was 4 that I wanted to marry Madonna…now at nearly 31 I feel like a complete failure when it comes to love and relationships. I feel sometimes like I’ll never get it right. I’m never going to meet a woman who thinks I’m great and wants to take a risk on me. It’s really hard for me to shake that feeling. It gets harder every time I put myself out there and just get crushed. I know I can only take life day by day, but sleeping alone in this huge bed, night after night just reminds me of how much I want that part of my life to be as successful as my professional life has become. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I feel like being myself isn’t enough, but I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not. I think too much at night. =/