The shape of things...

I was bored so I took this little blog filler test. Apparently due to the choice of shapes that I prefer the test results say:

You Are Skilled

You are balanced and competent. You value harmony. Other people see you as outgoing, hyper, and even a bit overwhelming. Your ideal romantic relationship is unconventional, wild, and very public. You do best in tasks that require you to be logical, hard-working, and courageous.

The Shape Test

Funny thing is I usually take these little test things with a grain of salt and I will do the same with this one. however, every once in a while it is interesting when the results do say things about you and you agree with them. For the most part I have to agree with these test results. I'm not going to tell you which parts I agree or disagree with. I like to keep you guessing. Until next time take care and Enjoy...

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty....

...that's what I am when it come to posting. I don't think I've ever gone this long in between post. Anyway, I'm here and all is as OK as it's going to be. We have really been lying low recently due to what is happening with James' mum. She is trying to cope with her cancer and the new doses of chemotherapy but it's really tough. James is going up to see her on Saturday and will stay a few days to talk things over with her. It's not easy for him with us being here on the island but it's only a short hour and 45 minute flight up to Sydney and we are getting real cheap airfares. Unfortunately, I don't go with him to lend support but someone has to watch the house and the cat. We could put the cat in the cattery and the house is alarmed and such but the cost factor starts sinking in and with James going up every few weeks it is becoming really expensive. I'm not saying his mum is not worth the expense but James is really the one that needs to be there and that expense is never in question. We think she really wants to quite the chemotherapy and just let whatever happens, happen. It's a tough decision but at the end of the day it is her decision and we will support her as best we can. James will have a long talk with her this time around and we will see what we will see.

As for the two of us it's just the much of the same. James continues his Masters degree and he got his first assignment back with a really high mark. They grade differently here but in the end it was a really good mark. He was very chuffed (that's "happy" to my American friends). I knew he would do alright. He always does and he puts so much effort into his work. As for me well not much is happening other than I'm trying to get my head around my new medications. They are really making me so sleepy. I mean I fall asleep anywhere at the drop of a hat. James and I have been out at breakfast and he will be talking to me and the next words out of his mouth will be "Your going to fall asleep aren't you?" and he's right. It's not because I'm bored with his conversation as that would never be the case (OK there was that one time but he really was just rabbiting on and to be honest I can't even remember what he was talking about that's how boring it was. Sorry sweetheart) Anyway, I just start to nod off at the most inappropriate times so I guess it was best that I gave up driving. However giving up driving really makes things difficult because I then have to depend on James to take me everywhere Now you might say why not walk. Well first of all walking really long distances make my neuropathy act up so I try not to do much of that. Secondly, we live on top of this really big hill and going down is easy but coming up is another thing all together. We tried walking up it once right after we fist moved here and now even James won't walk up the hill and he goes to the gym every other day.

The only other thing exciting is the weather if you can call that exciting. Fall has surely taken hold and it looks like winter just might be a cold one. This morning is our coldest morning so far. The current temperature outside at our house is 25.7. So I've got both fireplaces going and a few oil heaters on in the bathroom and in the bedroom. We have closed off the guest bedroom as we are not expecting any guest any time soon. It gets so cold in there we could hang a side of beef in there and we also have a back up if the refrigerator ever breaks down.

Well that's about it for me. I know getting a break down on what is happening around here can be pretty boring but I promise I have a really interesting post coming soon and it is based on a recent post I read elsewhere. I have to basically come up with a list but I'm not going to tell you what the list is. You will just have to wait and see. I hope to finish the list by tomorrow so you won't have to wait to long. Until then enjoy...

Not sure if I'm insulted...

Your Slogan Should Be

So Easy Tony Can Do It.

The Slogan Generator

I'll have a better post in the next day or two. Until then hope everyone is well.

I have not left the building...

...Contrary to popular belief, okay no one really thinks I'm gone but some people may wonder if I'm okay. Just to let everyone know I'm doing just fine. I've just been a little distracted as of late and like many of you I have found that there is little time to focus on sitting down and writing up a witty, thought-provoking post to keep each and every one of you enthralled and maybe even glued to your seat waiting for the follow up post. Besides, how many times do I write a post like that anyway? I mean really, you're usually lucky if I drag some 50 question meme out or if I look up some absurd word and post it with an esoteric quote by some dead person. I mean now that's a post. NOT...

With that said, I have been out of pocket recently as we have been up to Melbourne (we went to see Cyndi Lauper) and back a few days ago and now we have house guest for the next 5 days which will occupy even more of my/our time. I just didn't want anyone to worry. (Hi mom!) The only other exciting thing happening at this end of the world is that the carpenters have been in to measure up the cabinet space and they are finally building our new kitchen cabinets as I type. Well, there not building today as it's Saturday but you know what I mean. Hopefully within the next two weeks or so we should have the kitchen finally finished and then all we have to do is call the painter and the renovations will be complete. It's taken 3 months so far and adding the time for the cabinets to be finished it will all up be 4 months that we have been living semi-camping style. Not that I have anything against camping, in fact I like camping except I believe it is meant to be done outside in the woods by a lake and not within the confines of my home. In the end It camping or no camping will be so very nice to get my kitchen back.

Other than that nothing else is that exciting around here so maybe it is for the best that I have nothing to write as it would be like watching paint peel and you wouldn't be watching it you would be reading it, which is sort of the same thing I suppose since you need to use your eyes to do both things. I think I'm rambling so I'll put you out of your misery for now and who knows I may come up with witty story to relay or something extremely fascinating will happen while our houseguest is here and if it does I'll be sure to let you know. Oh just as a side note, it looks like autumn has arrived here in Hobart town just a little early as we have had snow on the mountain for two days and just maybe it's a sign that your spring is around the corner so hang on there.

And last but not least today marks the passing of nine years since James and I decided to make something out of our friendship and as of now nine years later I can tell you that we are still the best of friends and as an added bonus along the way we have discovered that it is very possible for two men to live together and love each other in a very real, deeply committed and caring fashion not unlike the relationships that are all around us except for the fact that those relationships consist of a man and a woman. It's not that we ever had any doubt but I just wanted to point that out because people say it's not possible and either I'm delusional and/or the past nine years never happened and even though I'm on huge amounts of pain medicine for my neuropathy and I have been known to make a few things up in my head the one thing I do know for sure is that I love James and always have and always will and no one will every be able to tell me otherwise much less take that feeling away from me just because they don't think it's normal. So here's to my husband, Happy anniversary sweetheart! I Love You!

I'm just sayin'...

I'm yummy...

Again with a bit of fun and a huge amount of laziness on my part. Enjoy...

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

I've been here, there and almost everywhere

Summer is over or at least it is in the northern hemisphere. I am extremely bored and lazy today and the best I can come up with is this map of the United States that represents all of the places I've been to while on vacation. I actually ended up living in a few of those states (Texas, Louisiana and Michigan). As if you really wanted to know that. Anyway with out further adieu here's my map:

create your own personalized map of the USA

Of the states that are missing the only ones that I would really like to still visit are, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Maine and Vermont. On the last two, how I spent all that time in New England and never got to them I'll never know. So, where have you been?

That's it for my Sunday. I'll be back later in the week with more riveting, mind-numbing, provocative and extremely well versed posts. (Really I will... Oh hell who am I kidding, look I'll try my best okay?)

Until then take care and stay well...

Have you ever...

This is a long meme that I found and I actually modified it a little because it was even longer, but I still think it is fun. Just copy the list and bold the things you've done. So here's mine

Have you ever...

1. Bought everyone in the pub/bar a drink
2. Climbed a mountain
3. Held a tarantula.
4. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
5. Been in love
6. Broken someone's heart
7. Had your heart broken
8. Done a striptease
9. Bungee jumped
10. Watched a lightning storm at sea
11. Stayed up all night long, and watched the sun rise
12. Seen the Northern Lights
13. Gone to a huge sports game
14. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
15. Slept under the stars
16. Changed a baby's diaper
17. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
18. Watched a meteor shower
19. Gotten drunk on champagne
20. Given money to charity
21. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
22. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
23. Had a food fight
24. Bet on a winning horse
25. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
26. Had a snowball fight
27. Photocopied your butt or any other intimate body part
    
28. Held a lamb
29. Gone skinny dipping
30. Taken an ice cold shower
31. Seen a total eclipse
32. Ridden a roller coaster
33. Hit a home run
34. Been arrested
    
35. Visited all 50 states
36. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
37. Stolen a street/highway sign
38. Backpacked in Europe
39. Taken a road-trip
40. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Milked a cow
43. Alphabetised your records
44. Sung karaoke
45. Lounged around in bed all day
46. Gone scuba diving
47. Danced in the rain
48. Gone to a drive-in theater
49. Started a business
50. Gotten married
51. Been in a movie
52. Crashed a party
53. Gotten divorced
54. Had sex at the office
55. Made cookies from scratch
56. Gotten a tattoo
57. Been on television
58. Had sex a public place
59. Got so drunk you don't remember anything
60. Recorded music
61. Had a one-night stand
62. Bought a house
63. Shaved or waxed your pubic hair off
64. Been on a cruise ship
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Bounced a check
67. Called or written your Congress person
68. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
69. Sang loudly by yourself in the car
    
70. Wrote articles for a large publication
71. Piloted an airplane
72. Helped an animal give birth
73. Been fired or laid off from a job
74. Won money on a T.V. game show
75. Broken a bone
76. Ridden a motorcycle
77. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
78. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
79. Ridden a horse
80. Had major surgery
81. Had sex on a moving train
82. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
83. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
84. Visited all 7 continents
85. Eaten sushi
86. Had your picture in the newspaper
87. Parasailed
88. Changed your name
89. Dyed your hair
90. Been a DJ

I've done 46 out of 90. What have you done? Leave a comment if you were so inclined to do this meme so I can visit. Enjoy.

Where am I? Who am I?

No, I don't have amnesia, I just feel a bit lost especially about this blog. I'm having one of those moments again where I'm trying to figure out what to write or even why I keep working at this thing. To be honest that's a big part of it; keeping a blog is work. I mean trying to think up witty things to post for those people that stop by is not an easy task. And then of course I start feeling guilty if I go a few days without writing something. I just don't know. Lets look at it this way, I'm supposed to be doing this for myself and rather or not I write something of interest and by chance also make it witty or I write nothing at all should be totally up to me. So, if I understand that it's my blog and I'll write if I want to then what's the problem? Maybe there isn't a problem.

The fact remains I'm not the most interesting of writers. I'll never be witty like Mark, Joe or Dirk. I'm just me and at the end of the day I'm resigned to the fact that this is a boring blog and the only reason I do it is so that occasionally I can let my family know what's up with my life and on rare occasions I post some long languishing list of things I like and dislike as if anyone wants to know. I'm not writing this so someone will comment and say "Hey don't be so hard on yourself". I don't really care. I just want to rant and once again you, the reader get to read a bunch of tripe. I've done it before and I'm sure I'll do it again.

Anyway, as to the question of where and who I am. I'm still here in the land down under and I'm still me, a 49 year old guy who has been HIV+ for 21 plus years and I'm looking forward to my 50th B-day this year. I have a loving partner whom I have been with going on 9 years. He loves me and I love him which works for the both of us. We have a nice home (with no mortgage) plus an apartment in reserve in Sydney (again no mortgage). (The houses really belong to my hubby but he lets me say they belong to us) I never have to worry about being homeless. I have a small amount of money in savings, although it is a very small amount that I have worked at saving and it won't take care of me in my old age retirement (if I get there), but it's nice to have a little money in savings to feel good about. We have a few close and cherished friends who we can depend on and I am grateful to have them. All in all I suppose life is not so bad.

So, what do I have to complain about? Well, I do have the neuropathy problem with my feet which keeps me in pain. I still take 12 pills a day because I continue to try to keep HIV from winning and killing me. I worry about my mum who lives half way around the world and at the end of the day I can't just pop over to see her or be there in a second if she needs me. I miss seeing my daughter and my granddaughter, especially miss seeing my granddaughter grow up. And last but not least we have a rare hermaphroditic cat who fights constantly with all of the other cats in the neighbourhood because she/he or they can't decide if she/he is just being butch or just a plain bitch.

At the end of the day I'm alive albeit boring I'm here and for better or worse here I will remain. Read it if and when you want and I'll write if and when I want. Thanks for letting me ramble and besides it's a post for better or worse.

TV Dinners...

I know I said I would put up a real post but once again I'm just not feeling it so I'm going for another meme. In some ways it's not cheating because you do get to find out quirky stuff about me and my life. It's really like being interviewed and even though I'm not a celebrity I can feel like one. I have been so into cooking lately with my new cook top and oven. That I figured it would be appropriate to do a meme on cooking. This particular meme is about cooking and television. I love watching LifeStyle FOOD channel here in Australia. I think it's fascinating watching people create things. I'm always afraid to mix certain ingredients for fear they taste like crap and I'll have to throw it all away and that would be such a waste of food. So anyway on to today's meme and it goes like this:

1. Favorite TV Chef: Jamie Oliver, I know it seems to be an obvious pick but I find him easy to watch, what can I say

2. Favorite TV Cooking Personality: John Torode and Gregg Wallace from Masterchef Goes Large. I would love to test all the food that they get served up to them by the contestants.

3. Favorite TV Dinner: I don't do a lot of TV dinners but if I had to pick one it would be Heinz Steam Fresh Honey Mustard Chicken

4. Favorite Watching TV Movie Snack: Popcorn, it's not original but it's what I like

So there you go, wasn't that intriguing. I bet you were on the edge of your seat and I'm sure you found some of my answers shocking to say the least. It just goes to show you how little you know a person.

Lazy is as lazy does...

I have not posted in a few days and it all comes down to just plain laziness or just plain boredom. I will post something this weekend I promise but until then I wanted to let you know how lazy I am. Hence this post to tell you that. I have no idea what I going on about, but it's a post. :)

What can I say, I like to smell pretty...

I ran into this little bit of fun here. So I thought I would give it a go and apparently according to the test this is how I rate:

I don't think I can even buy Old Spice here in Australia and even if I could I wouldn't. It just doesn't do it for me, but the little test was fun. Click on the tag to see how you rate. Enjoy...

Bloggers block...

I am having a terrible time thinking about something to post. I could write about our trip to the hardware store (we bought a mower and some solar garden lights). I might tell you about the trip to the lavender farms, but since when we got there all of the fields had been harvested there was nothing to see. There was a bit of laughter over the absurdity of the whole trip; after all they had promised on their website that this was peak viewing of the fields and then when we arrived not only where the blooms gone but so where the people who run the place so as not to allow us to ask what the F#*K? We had a fantastic thunder and lighting storm on Friday night but the only thing exciting about that was; we don't get a lot of thunder and lighting here usually just a LOT of rain. So you see all in all things are a bit boring and I certainly don't want to bore you. I will give it some time and see what I can come up with. As a matter of note we will be heading up to Sydney next weekend for a few days maybe something exciting will happen while we're there.