Gay Of A Certain Age - A Girlfriend I Could Love

Last night I went to see GIRLFRIEND at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed this gem.
I had no idea what the show was about before I walked in, except that the show was built around songs from Matthew Sweet's Album of the same name.  I am saddened to admit that I have not really taken time to listen to Matthew Sweet, and apparently missed out on a grand experience, listening to this album when I was younger.  Now, I've purchased the album on iTunes and hope that there is an Original Cast Recording to come.
I might have been thrown by the title of the show, but I was not expecting to see the relationship that develops between these two guys.  I really enjoyed watching it unfold, even though it made me a little melancholy about coming out so late in life.   Looking back as a Gay Of A Certain Age,  I didn't come out (including to myself) until I was 28 years old and I didn't really do anything with guys or girls in that time.  There was some weird stuff with my roommate, Shelby,  the year or so before I came out; something I think that had to do with unrecognized sexual tension which ended with me getting punched in the face over a missing beer mug and him getting arrested for assault.  I never got to have the young love story or the first love story.  While other gays were finding themselves in exciting, frustrating and terrifying  love stories, I was enjoying living life without sex and through the love stories of those who lived in KNOTTS LANDING. (Is it a coincidence that I came out less than a year after KNOTTS LANDING was cancelled?)  If I didn't have the young love story that played out from meeting, to dating, to relationship, to break up, I at least had the delicious awkwardness of meeting someone I really liked, with no idea why I really liked them and not knowing how to express it, along with not realizing, until years later, that someone really liked me that way, but I was clueless because I didn't know I was gay.

Regardless of my lack of experience as a fresh out of high school gay developing a relationship with a fellow youth, I really felt with these guys and went along for the entire ride, connecting through the music and recognizing the feelings and thoughts that defy age.  Maybe I'm more empathetic than I should be, but after this show, I kind of felt like I actually lived the young love story... or maybe the show and cast were that good.  Anyway, I'm glad I caught this show before it closes tomorrow.  If you have a chance, see it, it's delightful and touching.

This Is Why I Am Single - The Accidental Friend Beard

Here I am with my friend Ray.  Aren't we a cute couple?  No.
I have great friends, some of which are DABs, and I enjoy spending time with them,
we don't have a problem showing affection for each other.  I'd say it's pretty great
and that's a problem.

This Is Why I Am Single; I have such a great time with my friends in public places that many times people think we are dating.  If a guy who would be perfect for me sees me happily attending a show or chomping lunch at Hugo's with the same friend time and again, he may dismiss me as unavailable.
That is very unfair, because I know when I see a guy I'm interested in, I walk right up to him and declare my intentions, no matter who he is with.  That's not at all true. I think our insecurities take over when we see someone we like and will use any factor as an excuse not to a approach.   Maybe we should start a new code, but instead of hankies, we use phone covers.  We could walk around with a red phone cover if we are single and available, a blue one if we're single and desperate, yellow if we're single but not emotionally available, a green phone cover if we're just easy regardless of relationship status, red with green stripes if we're single with good credit, green with black spots if were LTR material but will fuck Channing Tatum if he asked...

I don't know, there's gotta be a way to have a great time with friends without worrying that I'm discouraging a potential suitor.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Until then, I will be enjoying uninhibited good times with muh buds.

This Is Why I Am Single - Such A Pooch-um

Can you blame me?
Look at that face!
Is it any wonder I prefer a dog's company to a man's?

This is the face of a being who wants only to bring happiness and comfort!
He wants nothing in return but a hand on his head, back or butt.
...maybe a taste of your face.

Unfortunately, this is not my personal comfort companion,
he is with a friend of mine, but when he bounced up to me, threw himself on the ground
and rolled at my feet, I knew he was speaking my language.
He was saying, "Be my friend."
...or was it, "You gonna eat that chip?"

He Don't Even Know! - Color My World

Meet "Kevin",

he's an imaginary blast!

Our favorite thing to do is find local fairs

around the city

and enjoy a few beers, 

then get our faces painted.

By the end of the night,

we end up tipsy at home 

getting paint into every nook and cranny

of our naked bodies!

Remember, Water colors are safer than oil paint!

Gay Of A Certain Age - Tacoless Tuesdays!

Today, two very kind fellow employees invited me to join them for lunch.
The sad story starts now, they said they were going to a taco place in the heart of West Hollywood, Boys Town and I had no idea which place they were talking about!  Apparently it has been there for months and I was clueless.  We arrive at Guisados and I note that I have also missed the new places next door,  Bar 10 and Bayou!  This is the hot spot of my very own city, just a 15 minute walk from my front door! How could I not know these places?

As I was munching through a delicious sample platter, with six of their many taco offerings,

(I'd already snarfed one up before taking a picture) I thought that this simple menu of tacos only is perfect fare for Sunday Funday activities or just a simple, light dinner.  Then I thought,"why haven't I been here, yet?"  I glanced up, shuddered and thought, "oh, THAT'S why."  Across the street is Pump, Lulu Whatsherface from Idiot Wives of West Of West Hollywood's restaurant.  I've avoided this part of town since the once delightful Abby turned intro Stupid White Girlz hanging with their "Gays" and the homophobic assholes who want the Stupid White Girlz.  Even more, I don't come here because of the icky people I'm sure Pump attracts.  It's the perfect hideous pairing for the Abby.

As a Gay of A Certain Age, I like things how I remember them.  I remember Sundays starting at Marix for margaritas, then heading into Boys Town on foot and ending at the Abby, a sprawling gay haven where gays of all types convened and ignored each other.  When the Abby started getting icky with stupid girlz trying to be like Harpy Griffin and collecting Gays like they were Hello Kitty Pez, we would end our tour at HERE, just short of the Abby.  Then, it started being no fun.  I don't like to even talk about those awful reality shows that showcase stupidity that affects their idiot audiences who learn that that behavior gets them attention.  So when Pump opened up, I decided that the area has been infected with douchebags and their douchebaggery and vowed not to return.  Apparently, I'm very good at keeping a vow I don't exactly remember taking.  I may be wrong, of course.  Perhaps the people who enjoy Pump are perfectly nice, fun folk who enjoy a good laugh and Donna Mills stories, but I don't think so.  In any case, perhaps it would behoove me to visit the night life in the area with willing friends and revive my interest and social reach.  Why should I let the perceived presence of  vulgar jerks deprive me of delicious tacos and a possible hook up at Mother Lode?  At any age, that'd be a nice night!

Single Perks - I Pooled It Together

Here are some more pics from the pool party I'm glad I didn't talk myself out of attending...

It's a good thing I'm single, otherwise I might feel guilty enjoying these pics!

Them's the perks!

Too Busy For Love - Busy, Not Hunkless

Today is our final day of shows until late August.  That means that I'll have  little time to myself to be social or just hang out on my couch editing photos from the last couple of weeks of rehearsal and performance.  Maybe I can go out with you... maybe.  Thanks for asking!
Don't worry, I haven't suffered these past few weeks, I got to share some quality rehearsal & performance time with two awesome hunks!  Sean (pictured above) and Josh.

They both played the hunk in our show, though Josh is our main hunk and Sean filled in for a night.

"Danny! Why don't you go for these guys?" I hear you ask optimistically.  I would, and they're both really swell, but they are also both straight.  So, while we shared laughs and they pretended not to notice me staring, we are not meant to be.  So, if I'm not editing photos, catching up on movies I haven't promised to anyone or catching up on sleep, I'd love to get a coffee or screw!