Family Pics revisited

Ooops, I was just told that I made a serious faux pas with the first picture, the family in Oregon. The bearded man is on the right, not the left. I guess I was thinking their left and not my left. Sorry for the confusion! Anyway, I tried to lighten the picture to make him more visible, but the software I use at home is from MicroCrap, so whaddya expect? If I could find my PaintShop Pro CD, I might have better luck.

I did have a couple questions regarding my great grandparents and why they weren't smiling in either portrait. According to this documentary I saw once upon a midnight dreary, to smile in the late 1800s early 1900s meant that you were up to no good. Smiling was usually seen on people who sold snake venom as medicine, and used car salemen today! Not smiling was a convention of the generation they lived in and not necessarily of portrait making. I have seen home pictures of them smiling: at Christmas, family get togethers, and other less formal events. Just never with portraits like what I've posted.

Family Pics 1

Pictures. We take them for granted, we see them all the time, and some of us are even amateur photographers. They surround us in our everyday lives but none of really stop and think how amazing they really are. Amazing in a way that few of us will ever get a chance to understand.

Why do I say that? Because, how many of you have pictures of family members from over 100 years ago? I'm sure that we have all seen pictures from 50 to 60 years ago when our grandparents started to collect pictures of family; but, have you ever found a really old picture (from 1867) and wondered who they were? What they might have been like? Are they really family???

I guess I am fortunate that I have in my possession such pictures. I remember looking at them when I was younger and wondering just those things. I'd grill my mother incessantly about them, learning the family history. Well, as much as she knew, anyway. Then I'd talk to my great aunt Edith, who, obviously, knew more than my mother.

Still, there are people whom I cannot figure out:



All this picture says is that it is the "family in Oregon". There is no date on the picture, but we guess it is somewhere around 1900. We're pretty sure that the bearded man on the left (who cannot be seen that well) is my great grandfather Stine's brother or uncle. No one is really sure which. Not even my Aunt Edie remembers that much about the family that moved to Oregon.

However, I do know who this lovely couple is:



This is my great grandmother and grandfather Stine on their wedding day. Oh, how the gene pool has thinned since then. They were married until their deaths in the 1960s, so the pic was probably taken just before 1900. Here is a picture taken of them in their final years:



Chances are I never would have met anyone in these pictures. Yet the prints allow me to see what they looked like and talking to others in my family tells me a little about what they were like in life. Poor substitute for the real thing, but I'll take what I can get.

Of course, there are those prints of people who I should have known and never did. We'll take a look at those in my next post.

Thursday has come and gone

Well, another Thursday has come and gone and, I'm sad to say, I have no new and exciting adventures to tell you. Kyle was working but he was training a new bartender, hopefully NOT his replacement, so I didn't get to harass him too much. Howie was working the other end of the bar, so he was too far away. I will mention that Howie is still in his summer attire. Fool! As cold as it was last night his nads must've pulled back up into his abdomen and he had to have a terrible case of shrinkage. Howie, darling, if you're too cold, come over here. I was WAY too warm last night.

The only other thing of consequence last night was the cute guy that was hitting on me. Guess he must've been drunk. Way too drunk if he was hitting on me. I probably would've flirted back if his breath didn't smell like he'd been eating ass all night. And nasty ass at that. I talked to him for a while, trying to stay upwind, and then he left. Maybe next time I see him his breath will be better.

I also saw one of my Nathan's again. He was looking good. Guess he finally got over his break up with his boyfriend. Jeff was there and I talked to him for a while. Then I left about 10:30 or so.

Why, do you ask? I know Kyle did: "Leaving already?"

Yeah, had to go with some friends to watch the new Harry Potter movie. It was the midnight showing, so I had a an hour to sober up. I won't mention much about the movie right now. Let's just say that it held true to the book. There were a few things missing, but nothing key to the plot. I think we're set up for the next movie, whenever it comes out.

Let's see. I got home at 4:00 am, got to sleep at 4:30, then overslept and got up at 1 in the pm. Ooops, so much for my photography class.

Well, must go. I have a statement of purpose to finish writing and a draft of a writing sample to get cracking on. I'm about 1/2 done with the writing sample, but I'm not sure if I can stretch out the paper much more. Guess I'll give it a shot.

Ciao tutti!

Toronto, to start

Well, I spoke with one of my profs about the University of Toronto. Evidently it is one of the best universities in North America for Medieval Lit. Of course, since it is the best it is also one of the hardest to get in to. Hmmm. Decided to wait for my PhD to try to get into there. By then, I'll have proved myself with my Masters degree and will be ready to tackle the big boys. (hehe)

What else? Well, I've applied to OSU, OU, and Notre Dame so far. I think I'm also going to try for Michigan State, Purdue, and Wright State. Wright State is my fall back school. Y'know, the one you know you can get in to, but is not your first, second, or third choice.

Let's see. This weekend is the big Michigan - OSU game. I'm "supposed" to go to the Union Station on Saturday with the guys to watch the game. I warned them that EVERY TIME I watch the Buckeyes play from there they LOSE. EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! Did they believe me? Of course not. So, if they lose, it's not my fault. Blame Ron.

Wait, didn't I already mention this in another blog entry?

Now what? Hmmm, tomorrow is Thursday! Time for more adventures in the big city. Hmmm, what kind of trouble can I get in to? I know a few things, but they may be too racy for a blog.

Of course, no adventures until I get my Statement of Purpose drafted. It "shouldn't" take all day, but I think it might. I don't know what to say about myself. Should I say I'm into Faeries? (Perverts, get your minds outta my gutter!) Get personal, but not too personal. Be informative, but don't give away too much. Less is more, but I need enough for two pages. CRAP.

Tutti, ho un male di testa. I'm going to take some aspirin, curl up under a blanket with that special no one (sigh), and watch the tele. Buona sera!

Oh, almost forgot. I got a comment from Benjamin Nicholas!!! Happy dance, happy dance! Just so I can cherish the comment even more, here it is:

Nice blog...

Always nice to see what others are enjoying about what you write :)

Thanks much for keeping an eye on 15 Minutes!


Benjamin Nicholas

Grad School Madness

Tutti, sorry it has been so long since I wrote anything. You are all probably what adventures I have been having. Guess what! NIENTE!!! I've been focusing on my GRE, getting grad school applications filled out, working on a writing sample, a statement of intent, and trying to remember why the hell I put my last resume. Not to mention maxing out by credit card trying to get all the fees paid for everything.

Did you know that some schools offer a discount if you get your application in before December 1? Notre Dame is $35 before December 1 and $50 after that date. SO, when you all get the itch for grad school, it pays to start as early as you can. Who knows what discounts you'll find.

You'll probably be interested to know that I spent all day Saturday, all night Monday, and will be spending all day today working on grad school materials. Not to mention that I need to start prepping for the GRE. I'm scheduled to take it on December 13, so that gives me "some" time. Grrr. This had SO better be worth it.

BTW- Does anyone have any feedback, good or bad, on the University of Toronto? I'm seriously considering applying there, but I don't want to screw myself over. I'll let someone else do that! ;P

Well, kittens, this stuff ain't gettin' done on it's own. Wish it would, since I still have a lot of reading to do. Not to mention that I would like to be done with the majority of this by Saturday so I can go watch the Buckeyes (win/lose) from the Union Station with my friends. I warned them that everytime I watch the Buckeyes play from there they lose, but they just shrugged it off. So, I'm warning you all, it's not my fault! You can blame Ron for this disaster!

Ciao, tutti!

Thursday's Dirty Details IV

Scene IV: The Trek HomeScene IV: The Trek Home

Now, I know that scenes I, II, and III can stand on their own, but I also know that scene IV cannot. After all, you'll all want to know why I was stranded in downtown Columbus at 1 in the am. SO, to keep you sane, I ask that you please read scene I, scene II, and scene III before proceeding with this story.

SO, there I was, standing outside of Garrett's Saloon, somewhere in or near German Village. The people who had brought me there were MIA. What is a little gay boy (OK, maybe not so little at 6 foot 200 lbs) to do?

Call a cab? Not in Columbus. Costs way too much.

Catch the bus? Um, not at that time of night.

Hmmm, guess it's time to walk. And walk. And walk. It took over an hour to get back where I belong, and I am NOT a slow walker. So there I was, cruising my way through the city streets, talking to myself, laughing hysterically, and generally freaking out anybody who crossed my path. A couple of cops actually did a slow cruise by me and checked me out. Of course, I did manage the psychosis I was feeling from too much alcohol. Actually, less than psychosis. My friend Jay said the best way to stay safe downtown, at night, is act crazy.

So, crazy I acted.

Finally, at about 1:15 am or so, I made it back to the Union Station. I walk in to get another drink, since I thought I needed it, and Kyle is like, "You're back!" So I explained where I ended up and he said, "That's near where I live." (Hmmmm, nice to know.) So I get another Long Island and a glass of water.

Then Howie shows up and he's like, "You're back!" Yeah, yeah, I'm back. So I explain to him what happened and that I had just finished walking back. "That's a long walk!" DUH, tell me about it! I sit there until about two or so, drinking my water and barely sipping my Long Island.

As I'm sitting there, I someone start running their hands thru my hair. Hmmmm. "This had better be a serious come on," I say. Then they grab my hair, pull back hard, and start kissing me. I think I was in shock because I actually started kissing this WOMAN back!!!! GAG!!!!!! It was wet, sloppy, and drunk, so totally not what I wanted at that point. To be honest, the urge to be sick is still there, even after 6 days. I'm not kidding, but making out with a guy is SOOO much more what I wanted at that point. (Did I ever mention that I turn slutty when I get drunk?)

After biting my lip she finally stopped and left the bar. I took a hefty swig of Long Island and scrubbed my lips with a napkin. After waiting a few minutes, and making sure she wasn't waiting for me outside, I left as well.

As I start my trek to the BFE of the Short North where I was going to crash for the night, I run into Howie. He was power walking toward me, carrying a bag in each hand. "Lunch or dinner?" I ask.

"Both," he said. "I haven't eaten a thing all day."

"That's not good."

"Heading home?"

"Close to home."

"Be careful."

"After what already happened, no worries there."

He laughed and I kept going. Eventually I made it to my bed for the night, sent an email to my friend Jay (who seems to enjoy my antics), and then I crashed. Hard.

Kittens, that was my night. On Monday I had another night worth mentioning, but... I'm afraid that one is a little too emotional at the moment. In fatto, penso che voglio che sera per me solo. (very bad Italian, but it has been awhile)

Well, tomorrow is Thursday again and it's time for more fun in the moon!

Thursday's Dirty Details III

Scene III: All About Garrett's

As most of you know, this serial story happened last Thursday. To understand how I got to this situation, you might want to read Scene I and Scene II.

OK, so Garrett's is a country-western gay bar. I've never been there as country-western is so NOT my scene. However, since I was basically the 10th wheel in a crowd of people I didna know, I couldn't exactly say I wanna go somewhere else. We get there, I walk in and pay my cover ($2 that night) see a stripper on stage, and hear the delightful voice of Miss Nina West!

A little digression. Miss Nina is a drag queen that does shows occasionally at Axis, the Union Station, and other places in the Short North. While I'm not normally into drag queens, she, at least, was someone I recognized.

Excitedly, I said to the Irish chick I was with, "I know that voice!" and began to look around for anyone in drag. I looked, and looked, and looked, all to no avail. There was no Miss Nina anywhere! Since nature was calling, and 4 Long Islands were desperately pushing past my bladder, I headed for the gents, did my business and then returned to the crowd. I looked around, found the crew I was with, and took a seat at the table they had commandeered.

As I looked around from that vantage point, I heard Miss Nina's voice again and, looking around, saw this guy walking around with a cordless mike. Just then, since my brain was somewhat pickled, I realized that a country-western bar wouldn't have a lot do to with drag queens. Let me tell ya, seeing Miss Nina outta character was too much of a shock.

The next thing I know the birthday boy is making his way on stage, followed by this tall, handsome, red-haired lad, who was taking off his belt. It was time for the birthday spakin'! Let's just say that everytime the b-day boy squirmed, complained, or even moved the wrong direction, Miss Nina (sans drag) made the stud start over. HEHEHE, too much fun! Glad I wasn't there for my b-day.

Eventually Miss Nina took pity on the b-day boy and had the bar bring up a sloppy jello shot (cherry, by the look of it). Studly took off his shirt and the b-day boy upended the shot onto studly's belly. Then SLURP! It took about a minute or so (the slurping, not the spilling) then the music started up and another stripper came on stage.

I turned to watch the stripper (he was quite good) and when I turned back the crew I was with were not in sight. Granted, I didn't make a circuit of the bar, but it wasn't that big. I could see every(one/thing) from from where I was sitting. Maybe they all had their backs to me or something. I'm not that good with backsides (clothed ones, anyway). So I got up and went out, thinking they had gone out for a fag (the British fags, not the American ones in the bar) or three. All to no avail. They weren't outside either.

Now, kittens, it's time to stop. Here ends Scene III. Domani, I will bring you Scene IV: The Trek Home.

Thursday's Dirty Details II

Scene 2: The SUV from hell

Just a warning for those who are just starting. If you haven't read Part I of this story, better do it now. Chances are this will stand on its own, but you'll probably want to know how I got into this situation.

Anyway, here I am, crawling into this big ol' tank of a vehicle with a str8 chick. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would get picked up in a gay bar by a str8 chick. Now, I know the Union Station plays hosts to all types, but it is primarily a gay bar.

But I digress. I crawl in, put on my seatbelt, and begin sipping my now wildly illegal Long Island. She crawls in, puts on a seatbelt, and lights up a fag. Sorry, the British version of the fag, not the American fag sitting next to her. She starts the vehicle and immediately starts badmouthing all the traffic around us. And we haven't even started moving yet. This shoulda been a red light in my mind, but that it wasn't.

So, after a lot of bad mouthing and manuevering, we make it to high street. Since I have no clue where we are going, I just make chit chat and don't comment on where we are going. We turn south, heading toward downtown, whipping thru traffic at something like 90 mph (well, it certainly felt that way!), when all of a sudden she says, "We're going the wrong way!"

HUH? She whips into the Convention Center drop off area and the next thing I know we're winging up High Street faster than before (so, something like 120 mph). Then this car pulls out in front of us and, instead of slowing down, she hits the horn, crosses the lovely double yellow line into oncoming traffic, passes, pulls back to the lane we belong in, and then proceeds to run a red light because she is now going something like 200 mph. AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

Eventually we returned to the sedate speed of 120. In the meantime I'm checking my pants because I was sure I had pissed myself. But, alas, the pants were dry.

Finally, we make it to the house where we're supposed to meet up with the birthday boy and the others. After a half hour or so, and several fags later, I find myself back in the SUV, with the str8 Irish chick, driving through downtown. Fortunately, we are going at a respectable speed of 35 since we are behind the car that holds the b-day boy.

After 15 minutes (mainly because we stopped at a bank for money), we make it to, not a dance club, but a country-western gay bar.

OK, time to stop again. Stay tuned for Scene 3: All About Garrett's.

Thursday's Dirty Details

Ha! You all thought I forgot, didn't ya?!? Well, I didn't. I spent most of Friday nursing the hangover and trying to remember what I did. Anyway, here goes:

Scene 1: It starts

It all started simple enough. It was a simple, normal evening for me at the Union with my barstuds, er, bartenders, Howie and Kyle. Kyle's sporting a new look these days. He's gotten his hair in a buzz cut and is growing a beard thingy. Not sure what it's called. It's following his jaw line and only there. Whatever it is, the combo certainly makes him look more mature, masculine, and yummy! BTW- I asked him, with his bod, if he did any stripping, and he said, "No." DMAN!

Anyway, to get back on track. I was on and off talking to this guy named Jeff (very nice, very professional looking) when this chick kept butting in. Well, we were at the launch pad and we were between her and the bartender, so I was allowing her that. Anyway, everytime she came up it was chat, chat chat. So I was talking to her, Jeff was talking to her, Kyle was just taking her order and ignoring her (a plus for him).

I don't remember the gist of the conversations, but I was able to make out 3 things: 1) She's Irish (her parents came from Cork County), 2) She's straight (ditched her hubby and the kids for the night), and 3) She was there with a bunch of workmates celebrating this twinks birthday (very cute, if too young per me).

To try to shorten the story, she said they were going dancing and wanted to know if I would go with. By then I was 3 Long Islands into the wind (my usual stopping point) and was working on number 4 when this happened. I told her I wanted to finish the drink first, but she said, "Lemme see it." So I handed her the glass, closed my tab, and turned around to see her walking out the door. I followed her about to discover that she still had the drink with her. I took it back, hid it under my jacket, and followed her to her SUV.

Now, we all know I had been drinking, and I knew she had been drinking, but I didna know how much. I was soon to find out, however.

Y'know, I think I'll stop here for now. Make this into a serial story that'll keep you yelling for more. So, stay tuned for part II, coming soon from a laptop near you!

What a night!

OK, I'm a little too far gone to remember exactly what happened. Let's just say I left with a str8 chick, ended up at a place called Garret's, and had to walk over 1 hour just to get back where I belonged! Then I actually made out with some sloppy, drunk str8 lady. (yuck!)

Let's just say that, in the morning, when I post the gory details, you'll be like: "WTF were you thinking!!!"

In the meantime, buona notte!