F.U. Cupid - Coffee and Chat?

ME ON A DATE

Single Perks - One and Done!

On my recent trip to New York, I threw together an impromptu Sunday brunch with some of my NY favorites.

Two invitees were immediate yeses, while one was a tentative maybe. 

You see, the maybe, whom I’ll call Erin, ‘cause that’s her name, was having a hard time giving a solid yes because her husband wasn’t feeling well,

while their child was just getting over an illness, which was just part of a vicious cycle of sickness being passed from person to person in their household.

It was then that it occurred to me how fortunate I am to be single in these times of contagion.  You see, when I get sick, I stay home, nurse myself, then get right back out there.

These unfortunate people who have a mate, or worse a mate and a child (or maybe even children!) have to get sick, pass it on, nurse those who caught it, then get sick again!

Sure, I’ve whined about not having anyone to bring me soup & gluten-free crackers and put the Netflix on Black Mirror for me,

but I’d much rather endure a few days of that than the weeks of recycled disease that comes with another person breathing the same apartment air!

Here's the brunch club: me, Thom Storr, Erin Quill and Richard Cramer

As you can see from the photo above, Erin made it to brunch, but I'll tell you; 

not having to worry that you'll have have to endure a cycle of germs constantly flying around you for weeks because you live alone... Them's the perks!

Gay of A Certain Age - When I was a Goonie...

You know when I'm home alone, putzing around, editing photos, instead of out socializing and meeting my soulmate, I'm watching TV.  I have a few favorites, and I tend to be really loyal, even though a show has clearly run its course.  I mean, 10 seasons of CRIMINAL MINDS?  They find at least one serial killer a week... how many serial killers are there in the world??  But I still watch and enjoy.  It's very rare that I'll give up on a show- heck, I stuck with REVENGE even after they thought they were done!  Most shows I watch because I get a kick out of them, but some I watch because they are an emotional roller coaster and make me feel things I wouldn't get to feel, otherwise.  I love a show that makes me laugh and cry and can surprise me.  HANNIBAL was one of those shows- top notch on every level... and then some.  I've got a new show to love...

I know, I'm weeks late on this, unlike the cool kids, and only 3 episodes in, but now that I've started, I'M IN!!!   STRANGER THINGS is a throwback to the 80's; to a world where kids who already have a lot to deal with, find something amazing that gets them into dangerous situations and pursued by ominous people.  THE GOONIES, E.T., ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, D.A.R.Y.L., EXPLORERS, and a few others are all great movies that I remember enjoying and imagining I could be part a part of.  I was delighted by J.J. Abrams' SUPER 8 in 2011, which took me back in time, to when I would go off to the movies alone and stay for 2 or 3 viewings.  Aside from the great story, I truly enjoy the details of the production.  From the great opening credit sequence that makes you feel like your HD screen is showing something off of a VCR, to the cool soundtrack featuring well chosen songs, and the fabulous score that sounds like John Carpenter got locked in a Minimoog store for a weekend.  One of my absolute favorite details is the grainy look of Jonathan Byers' photos, when he's sneaking shots at the pool party.

Certainly, other shows taking place in the 80's would have used slick black & white stills to show the images that Jonathan is capturing, but here we see the grain of a camera shooting film in low light.  I don't know why, but that just gave me a little bolt of thrill when I saw that.  LUSCIOUS DETAILS!

Of course, the cast of characters is filled with the 80's teens on bikes, their older siblings dabbling with adult things, pre-occupied parents, worried parents, bullies, troubled law folk, Government (?) agents, people in lab coats, astounding being(s), a monster, monster meat and Winona Ryder. 

Everyone seems to be clamoring for Barbara Holland...

and with good reason.  She really has it. She's that girl we were in the 80's, even if we're male.

She's terrific.  And while I came for the Barbara, I'll be staying for the Hopper!

Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour, gets my insides all squishy, like a school girl!  It's true! ...even though he's smoking a cigarette when we first meet him.  One look at him in his sheriff uniform and all is forgiven!  #yummythings    

If you have an affinity for things 80's, you MUST tune in on the Netflix.  If you just like great T.V., give this one a shot- it knows what it is and it succeeds at what it is doing.  If you're into bears (big, hairy mens) you VERY MUST tune in!  But for reals, y'alls, it is a very good show.  

As a Gay of A Certain Age, it truly is a delight to find a show like this, that catches my fancy and transports me back to a time where the danger and crazy were up on a screen and the furthest thing from real.  I only regret I have to wait 'til after rehearsal tonight to watch another episode!

Gay of A Certain Age - Netflix & ill

I finally succumbed to this cough that's been traveling around.  I honestly thought that I had dodged it, but no.  Here I am coughing my lungs up, feeling like I swallowed razor blades.  Once I felt it coming on, I went to Urgent Care and asked for a Zpac, even though the clinic lady didn't think it would help much.  We'll see if this lasts the usual 3 weeks of this strain.

I got to stay in and watch TV, which has always been a fantasy of mine, but usually, I don't call in sick to work until my illness has totally kicked my ass and all I can do at home all day is sleep.  I am awake for most of the day with this illness.  I caught up on some shows and I will say it was not the best situation for watching the final episode of THE X-FILES, in which the human race's immune systems are knocked out and people start dying these slow sicky deaths.  I watched a few movies and enjoyed STRANGER BY THE LAKE

I finally started watching GRACE AND FRANKIE

This is a show about two women who end up living together after their husbands find love together.  What's interesting to me is that I'm more drawn to Frankie and Grace's story, rather than the men who find gay love in their 70s.  I guess it's obvious why I favor the story of the two ex-wives living together.  It is because, in essence they are dying alone together.  This is exactly what I was imagining when I started this blog; single folk finding comfort and companionship in each other rather than isolating themselves, lamenting that they have not found or have lost love.
As a Gay of A Certain Age, it's important to remember that no matter how old you are, your life situation could change drastically at any moment, (or sadly enough, not change in  any way, at all) and what will be most important is those you will turn to.  Hopefully it'll be someone who is compatable, with a sense of humor and was in one of your favorite movies, ever!