Quest for Kyle

Announcing... The summer of change...

I'm calling it the Quest for Kyle, and here's what needs to happen.

August 23rd will be what I'm calling my "Golden Birthday." I am turning 23, on the 23rd... it'll only happen once.

So... to celebrate the occasion, I will be traveling with my besties to the happiest place on earth - Disneyworld! During our trip, we will be seeing my favorite artist (Andrew McMahon) perform. It's going to be amazing.

But, before I can celebrate, I need to make some changes...

I currently weigh more than I ever have. Ever.

My goal is to lose 30 pounds by August 15th.

I have successfully eliminated soda from my diet, and now it's time to step it up.

In order for the Quest for Kyle to be successful - I'm going to need the help of my friends. That being said, I have one simple request:

Don't let me go to dinner with you. I mean it.

The Year in Review

I realize that this post is pretty vague and not entirely entertaining. The thing of it is, though, that I don't really care. This year was pretty much the best year of my life. It was the kind of year where I could literally feel myself growing (both physically and emotionally.) While not free of tragedy, there is nothing about 2010 that I would change.

Here's the low-down of what happened in 2010:

January:

• New Year's Day - Told brothers that I'm gay.
• Moved in with my new best buddy, Richie.
  
• January 31st - Threw a sweet substitute party in lieu of my brother's wedding. I'm the best best-man there ever was at a wedding that didn't happen.

February:

• Valentine's Day - Told my parents that I'm gay, received Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits album.

March:

• My little sister turned twelve.
• I went on a road trip to Disneyland/Something Corporate with my buds Richie and Melissa.

April-May:

• First hangover?

June:

• First experience at the Pride festival, see previous blog.
• Solo road trip to Wyoming/Idaho.

July:

• 4th of July: first time introducing a boy to my parents and grandma. Quote from grandma - "Your friend is nice."

August:

• Turned 22.
  

September:

• Grandpa Wood passed away. He had a huge impact on the lives of many, all for the better.

October:

• Started new position at the bank. Love it.

November:

• Worked hard.

December:

• Worked harder.
• Reprised my role as "Santa Clause" at a friend's family Christmas Eve party, still hated Christmas.

2011 will be just as good, if not better.

Day 366

Yesterday I received a beautiful text from one of my best friends.

"I'm proud of you. This year was amazing for you. I'm so honored to be friends with you and witness your growth. I love you. A lot."

The person who sent me this text is the first person that I came out to. A year ago, yesterday.

A lot has happened since that day. A couple days later, I went on my first date with a man. I wore the gayest outfit I had (argyle sweater, jeans, and nice shoes). We went to Brewvies (my first time at a bar) and saw "Where the Wild Things Are."

Irrelevant? Yes. Insignificant? Not to me.

I have learned a lot over the last year. Here are a couple highlights that I would like to share with the world:

• Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I get to be a bitch.
• Being out of the closet is not the equivalent of a degree in design.
• Not everything matches.
• I am not shaped by stereotypes.
• People are usually ready for more than you'd think.

I guess, on the whole, I am one of the luckiest guys I know. Over the past year, I have met a lot of interesting people. Most of the guys I have met have not had the most supportive coming out experience. Sometimes I feel spoiled. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such wonderful people in my life, but I have no complaints.

Thanks for being great.

A Trio of Thought and Inspiration.

• First off, I love my mother. She's what I like to call " The Shit." Pardon the language, but mother wouldn't have it said any other way :) Hence, the awesomeness.

• Secondly, I love this group with one-fourth of my heart. One of the greatest albums ever made, here is one of the highlight songs of the album. The album is "Lungs" by Florence and the Machine.

• Thirdly, I caved and bought a Katy Perry album. If I wasn't out of the closet before, I certainly am now. Check out this video and welcome the inspirational thoughts.

An update

I have been meaning to post something for quite some time now. Here is a list of topics that I have been wanting to blog about:

• People who suck at driving.
• Friends being awesome.
• Family being awesome.
• People who shouldn't be driving anymore.
• Road construction.
• Starting a new job (promotion!).
• Honking my car horn.
• Florence + The Machine.
• Katy Perry (spelling?).
• Thai food.
• Angels in America.
• Still being gay.
• Political discussions with Grandma.
• Crappy drivers almost killing me.
• The Crazy Corn Maze.
• Halloween [don't ask ;) ... ].
• Honesty.
• Dishonesty.
• Night drives (when the crazies are off the road).
• Scissor Sisters.
• My first parking ticket (having nothing to do with me being a better driver than everyone else).
• The pursuit of _______.

Obviously, I cannot be expected to write posts dedicated to each topic. Use your imagine, if you're really wondering how my life is going :)

Thank you and good night!

Becoming a Man

Here is a condensed list of manly things I have done lately:

• Joined not one, but TWO Fantasy Football Leagues and (until this week) dominated BOTH of them. My team names? The Superflies, and The Silver Mullet.
• Attended an NFL opener party at a pub, starting the night off with a Bud Light rather than my usual Long Island.
• Drove a truck with a nasty "Skin" window sticker on the back (please ignore the fact that I drove the truck to Ikea.)
• Read Maxim, and enjoyed it.
• Watched Summerslam.
• Played on a softball team.
• Started my second bowling team - "The Gutter-Done's"
• Wore University of Utah garb in public and actively followed the score throughout the night, insulting the Cougars at every opportunity.
• Shaved (and regrew) my beard in a week's time.
• Potato-sack raced.
• Wore a baseball hat.
• Kissed a girl

Okay, that last one was a lie. . . I did kiss a boy though ;)

A Proverb

Flake me once? - Head'n'Shoulders
Flake me twice? - You're infected

Tokyo Tea makes me super wise.