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May 25, 2006
Flying High
Im sitting on a plane heading for Chicago and thought Id take a quick moment to catch up on my blogging. First thing to mention is that Ive turned off the comments due to an abundance of spam that was coming through. Monday morning I awoke to over 200 comments posted by spam with with links to casinos, online dating, drugs, and porn. Although much of these things interest me, there is no room in my blog for the spams enjoyment. The only thing my readers should hear is my exploits for these topics. If anyone wants to comment, you can always still reach me at des@desmondsdoghouse.com and Ill manually post any comments received.
So on to things. I mentioned the Trainer/pup dinner I went to last week however I forgot to mention my orientation that same day for the Stop Aids Project. Hopefully Ill find some time to help with some of the outreach program they have in place. Although it did annoy me being asked to fill out a survey every time I walked past one of the volunteers, I think I realize now how much good it can do.
The orientation was from 10:30am-5pm and we got lunch in the process. mmm...mmm...mmm fried chicken, potato salad, and lots of other good stuff. The orientation really touched on many topics that I have been curious about for some time. Much of it being statistics that I once learned but knew had to be outdated. I was wrong. For what I thought I now lacked in knowledge, turned out to be pretty close to on. That goes without saying that I did learn some stuff I didnt know.
First we learned about the history of HIV and AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area. When it started, what people back then didnt know (which wasnt a lot), how treatment started and how the Stop AIDS project began. Its hard to believe they started out with weekly support meetings at different peoples houses and eventually there were support and education every night of the week at someone differents home (makes me think of Josh talking about how there is a potluck in SF every night of the week).
I did learn about transmission and how much of a risk each act of sex could be. Truth is, when you are negative and with someone who is positive, there is very low risk in most things you do. Truth is, if you are having sex, you are certainly taking a risk no matter how safe you play it. The only no risk sexual nature out there is abstanance. Wheather its a blow job, hand job, kissing, or anything minor you can think of, its still a risk but just not likely.
The other cool thing about the meeting was learning how networks work. How a group can pinpoint a specific area just by a few cases and narrow it down to a target group of people. That is where the outreach really helps out. Without people going out there to do surveys, talk to people about HIV and AIDS, and be there to have someone to approach with questions, there is limited access to the information unless these people want to come to us. Truth is most wont and therefore it makes success by reaching out to them. Most may not see it, but Im beginning to see the value in it and the value in being a volunteer. I just hope I have enough time to help out.
So on to other things. Work has really been weird lately. First they changed my start time from 6:30-4 and then decided to send me out to the Marketing department in Walnut Creek. I was a little gun shy about getting into marketing even though Ive been asking them to help me out with that for quite some time now. Finally my chance to work with photoshop, html, advertising and all that happy stuff. When it was decided that I was to go to Walnut Creek, I said yes but something inside me said no. I backed out for the two days they wanted me to go out of fear that Id fall right on my face. The other reason is the possibilities of other jobs that may or may not come along. I realized recently my potential, my skills, and realize that I could be making a lot more than what I am now. So with this, I ended up going to the marketing office on Monday and Tuesday and I absolutely loved it. I got to play with Photoshop for two days and it was like being at home doing stuff I absolutely love. I could totally see myself in that kind of environment but only two problems. First is the hour and fifteen minute commute. The second is the working with all straight men and no queers or women. Thats a bit tough in its own even though theyre all good guys.
So as of Tuesday afternoon, I told the SF office Id rather stay in SF where theres a 25 minute commute in the morning and plenty of fruits in the basket. With this, they decided to change my hours to 9-5:30 and give me a raise that will average out to about .75 cents an hour. Life is weird how it works out.
So Im on my way to Chicago. Just over 2 hours left to the flight. There are tons of ab's, dl's, and pups going to be there and Im pretty darn excited to be meeting them. Even a puppy romp on Saturday night if I can make it there. Which brings me to my next update.
Recently, as most know, Ive been going out more lately. Ive been meeting a ton of great people and every time I turn around someone new seems to be entering my life even just as an aquantance. Either way, its been great to be a part of the leather scene and hope to become more of a fixture to it. Ive met several photographers lately who have been at the bar taking pictures and several Sirs, Masters, pups, boys, ect... Ive met many kinky folks along the way as well and plan on meeting more along the way. I actually thought perhaps sometime I could actually run for the title of SF Leatherboy which would be cool just to do however i think i may need to become a little more popular first (after all it is about popularity right?).
So this thought came from meeting a guy who produces the LeatherSir and Leatherboy contests. He gave me his card and I think I just may call him when I get back from Chicago. It would be fun to gain exposure even without winning and just like those drag pagents, you kind of have to enter once just to get the experience. So we will see what happens.
hmmm what else havent I had time for lately? I guess its great to mention Adam who Ive been chatting with lately. Perhaps you will remember his mention from a previous blog titled "a trip to the ER". Ive actually had the pleasure of keeping in touch with him lately (he's the one from NYC that I mention in that blog toward the end). It seems our 10 minutes together was enough and sometimes thats all you need to exchange contact info and keep in touch. I still wish I got to spend time with him while he was here (even more so now that I know him a bit), but he is going to be back in September so I guess Ill just keep my pants on (ok not all the time).
As for other men Ive been meeting, its been strange because I keep meeting people from Rochester. The other night I was online chatting and a guy pvts me to talk. He's been in SF 3 years and after chatting found out he was from Rochester. He used to go online and chat back then under a different chat name and Im sure we have crossed the internet path somewhere along the way.
On a more bizarre note, the very next morning, I get on the train at Castro like normal. Sure on occasion I flirt and smile but for two stops, who has the time to make contact. So I get on at Castro and there is a cute guy there. He is reading and manages to glance and throw me a quick smile as he goes back to his book. Soon after, he puts his book down and invites me to sit next to him. Who am I to say no when a cute guy asks me to sit next to him. So I figure this is a good opening to start talking. I tell him Im going on vacation on Wednesday and he tells me he's going on vacation next Friday. I ask where, and he tells me upstate NY. I tell him Im from Rochester, and then it dawns on him. He and I have met before through another person in Rochester. Weird how life works sometimes. Well I managed to get his phone number and perhaps get together when I get back.
With that, there are a few other people who I need to meet up with when I get back. Gosh, I guess Im developing a social life. Well enough writing for now. For those of you who made it through this long post, you deserve something extra. Id say comment with what you would like for a prize but my comments are turned off (no emailing what you want wont work *smile*).
When the cute flight attendant brings you his nuts, its a good time to stop talking and eat!
Posted by Des at 04:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 22, 2006
pups will be pups *woof*
For those who are not familiar with puppy play, there is a large group of people in this world who relate to being puppies or dogs. We identify being on all fours, having our heads scratched and being on a collar and leash. Yes, even eating from a dog bowl.
On Saturday I went to a dinner for Trainers/Masters and puppies. It was a great time and nice to be able to meet some of the other Masters and pups in SF. For those interested in seeing some of my pictures, you can find them here. Please note, if you dont want to see human puppies then you may want to pass.
As for other news, Im heading to Chicago this week for my first time and it will also be my first time at IML. This should be fun.
Posted by Des at 06:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack