Owning It

I walk into every room and every situation as if the world revolves around me. And it does, after all it is my world. 

That will sound vain and pretentious to those that don't know me, and indeed, even to some that do. 

It is not meant as such. I've recently decided to embark on a new course in life. I'm trying to be a bit more Zen, a bit more aware. That seems counter to the above statement, no? 

I would argue not at all. I am sick of feeling like a spectator in my own life sometimes. Yes, things/events will happen as they will, but you can also contribute to the outcome.

Think about it. My life revolves around me. The decisions I make. The people I chose to interact with. The places I decide I want to go. The work (job/career/volunteer/hobby) I do. The music I decide to listen to, for even when the iPhone is on shuffle, I have chosen the music contained in my iTunes account. The entertainment I chose to participate in. These are all things I have control over and that influence and impact the world around me. Extrapolate further and the world revolves around me. 

Therefore, in my new Zen like approach to the world, and not letting the world happen to me, I am going to walk into any situation like the world revolves around me. 

Game Night

There are a few things that I have decided to do this year, blog more among them. I also decided that once a month I was going to host a game night. We started last night. It may have started small, but it was a group filled with debauchery. We made our way through Cards Against Humanity and found out just how sick and twisted we really are!! I had wanted to break them open since Christmas when I got them as a gift! Now I'll have to wait to get an expansion pack and have some more fun.

The amazing part about Cards Against Humanity is, you can play it over and over and over again and it will never be the same game. Add players, subtract some, get through some of the cards or all them. The combinations in your hand will never be the same every match, so you'll always get a different result - granted, none of the options will be Politically Correct. That's what makes it fun! 

If you really want to know who the most depraved player was, you'll have to be here. What happens at Cards Against Humanity, stays at Cards Against Humanity.

Resolutions...

It's come to that time of the year again. The time where we all make resolutions and vow to make this year better than the last. We all do it, every year. Does anything ever change? Do we have what it takes to follow through? Some do better than others I guess. I've done pretty well over the last the few years, for the most part. I have made some for this year as well, and, while I'm not ready to share them all just yet. I am going to share a few of them.

I am going to try and blog a bit more, I've been very neglectful of throwing my thoughts out there and  I want to at least try and blog once a week, we'll see how that goes. I've also decided that I need to start every day fresh, with a new chance to make a difference, a new chance to be the best that I can be. To leave the past behind me, learn from all that has happened to me and make the most of what's ahead of me. We are going to start with some positivity, 2014 is going to be great!

Happy Christmas 2013!!!

Destination Christmas in London

"Don't Save it All...for Christmas Day..."

Well, that's exactly what I've managed to do this year. I'm incredibly late at getting my Holiday letter out this year, with apologies. Happy Christmas though! I've learned a lot about packing this year and getting the most into the smallest bag possible!

the Tree at Trafalgar Square

2013 by the numbers has shaped up this way:

59,000 miles traveled

110 days on the road

39 years turned into 40

30 flights

one of the pretty trees at the Virgin ClubHouse in Heathrow

20 weeks on the road

10 cities

4 airlines

2 countries and 1 territory

1 hotel chain

the tree that greets you at Heathrow

I've been all over the map this year - and there's more to come for next year! Still tracking the exploits of Wicked and Billy Elliot and loving every minute (well, except when I stand in line at security at the airport) of it. NYC might be home, but I've been so many other places this year.

the Rock Plaza Christmas tree

The year started in Orlando and them it was off to London. A bit of time in Milwaukee (it was a conference) and then, back to London. After that it was down to New Orleans and back to London. An overnight in Dallas/Ft. Worth and then it was off to Manchester, UK for 5 weeks. Was quite nice to live in the UK for a few weeks, and see more of the country than London. I had a blast, and it was a bit tough to come home and adjust to life on this side of the pond again.

Christmas baubles at Covent Garden

I took a few weeks off from travel after that to get back into life and celebrate with the folks at Wicked for an amazing 10 years on Broadway! What a performance!

Hilton London Green Park decked out for Christmas

Fall wrapped up with a quick trip through Des Moines and then Chicago where I turned the big 4-0. Vegas after that for a day or two and meetings followed.

Christmas was in full bloom in San Juan, even with 90 degree days

I managed to take some time for myself this year and go on a bit of a tropical vacation and spent Thanksgiving on the beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was just what the doctor ordered. 

my view from the resort's private beach in San Juan

After that, I was winging off to London again for the final trip of the year. I love London at Christmas time. The fairy lights, the feeling of Christmas. I landed at gate 36 in Heathrow...where Joanna's Virgin Atlantic flight departed during Love Actually. Was a great start to the week in London! Amazing! Saw the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - before the balcony/ceiling collapsed and finally got to eat at Jamie's Diner! Saw friends and made new ones and celebrated Christmas with Billy Elliot before I came home.

Had the Second Annual Ugly Christmas Jumper party where, despite all the ugliness, much fun was had by all and then headed upstate for Christmas day - a festival of paper and toys. Food and drink and Family.

Miles took in the Big Tree this year

Happy Christmas to all and many blessings for a Happy and Prosperous 2014! 

Mind the Gap

Hello boys and girls, I promise this is not another post about London or how I miss it or want to live there. It's really a testimony to a changed reality. I've thought about writing this for a while now and struggled with the why. I'm not trying to brag, more work through an issue in my head and writing helps me do just that. So, indulge me...or as my friend Anthony says, Thindulge me. 

A little while back, I went to buy new jeans because the ones I had were "shrinking" in the wash. I would have had to go up to a 34 waist jean and I was mortified about that. I didn't end up buying jeans that day, but set out on a journey to shrink myself. I already had a gym membership, but getting a trainer seemed like a good idea. Now, over the years I have had a few trainers. I workout and lift regularly and I get my cardio sessions in. Things dropped a little and got down to a 33 thanks to the help of 2 different trainers, one of whom I still see. I knew more could be done. I wanted more to drop off. I joke all the time that I fight my genes so I don't end up fighting my jeans, and that is a reality I face every day. 

About a year ago now, I met a trainer at Crunch. He was wearing those Vibram Five Finger shoes -  you know the ones that have all the toes on them that keep all the little piggies separate. They always intrigued me, but they also freak my out a little. There are a few guys at the gym that wear them, but it's always awkward to just start asking someone about their shoes. A trainer on the other hand...now there's someone you can stalk outside the locker room and ask strange questions about shoes. I had been running for a while and I wanted to minimize my packing footprint when I was on the road for work, and those shoes seemed like a great way to do just that. 

So...I stalked Tyler outside the locker room one day and started asking random questions about his shoes. I was convinced to buy a pair and Tyler offered me a session to get used to them. It began there. I got my first pair, I did a session with him at the gym. I started running in them. I hurt myself. I took it easy for a while and came back to them. I hired Tyler on my own to work with me. To re-train my body, muscles, joints and nerves to do what I want them to do. I did bodyweight exercises, I did sprints, I ran up and down stairs, I got up and ran in Central Park once a week with my Tyler. I got stronger and faster. I ran with Tyler - along and in the park. I ran with dogs. I was outside training in the wind, the cold and the sunshine. I took my barefoot shoes with me to London and wore them while I ran the parks there - I got stared at (apparently they are not big over there at all). I kept going. I re-trained my body and my mind. I became an athlete - according to Tyler, and I started to feel like one. I became a runner.

At the beginning of 2012 I also started to really look at my food intake. I restricted my calories to 1600 a day since I wanted to be 160lbs. I kept a food journal, with my exercise journal and kept strict track of how many calories I consumed, how many grams of Fat, Protein and Carbs were in each meal or snack. I tracked every little morsel. This went on for 9 months and I lost not one single pound. I still hovered around 170. Actually, I lie. I went on vacation and stopped keeping track of everything and I lost 2 pounds, but quickly put them back on when I started tracking everything again.

I was literally crying about this to Tyler one morning and we agreed that this was no way to live. I would go on work trips or out to dinner and it was hard to figure out from the portion how many calories were in this meal or what the Fat, Protein and Carb counts were. It was exasperating! It was no way to live.  Tyler came up with this amazing eating plan for me. I would no longer be counting calories. I wouldn't be caring about how much Fat, Protein or Carbs were in each meal. I had foods I could eat, I had foods I should avoid and I had foods that I was no longer going to eat. I thought it was going to be difficult, but it's remarkably easy. I have gone pseudo-Paleo and Gluten Free. I try and eat Vegetarian two days a week. I try and keep my Glycemic Index low. It's actually really easy. I know what I can and can't eat. I know I get a 20% cheat ratio for the week (or weak moments). I know that if I cheat, it's not the end of the world. What has the result been? On 1 September 2012 I weighed in at 172lbs and as of today I weigh 159. I haven't been under 160 in years! It's the easiest thing I've done! I was down to 157 at one point, but have gone up and down those 2 pounds. I haven't broken over 160 since I went below it, so I'm a very happy camper!

A few weeks ago, I lost Tyler. I knew that it was going to happen. His wife finished grad school and they moved back to sunny California. I prepared myself for it, but I wasn't prepared for the reaction that I would have. I feel like I've lost a piece of myself. I feel like I'm a ship without a rudder right now. I feel kind of directionless. I wasn't prepared for that. I had no idea that a once a week session with a trainer/coach would leave me feeling like this,. I had gained a friend in this process and now I am missing him. I've had trainers before, and still have one for my strength training. No trainer has touched me like Tyler has. I don't know why, but I know he helped me get back a part of my life I didn't even realize was missing. 

My current goal is to get out two mornings a week and run, if it's not too bitterly cold (my asthma is affected too severely then). I'll continue to lift three days a week - once with my trainer. I'm hoping my motivation will rise again. I've lost 13 pounds since the beginning of September, and my tummy is almost flat. I need to keep going. I need to find a way out of the funk...but I also have to Mind the Gap in all of my clothes...see, it all comes back around. I bought new jeans this past weekend and I was down 3 sizes from where my exasperation began. It's been so easy and uncomplicated. I don't even really think about it anymore. My new goal is to hit 155 - I know I can do it and that I will. As much as I miss Tyler, I know that he wouldn't want me to stop and I have no intention of it. I'm not giving up, I just have a hurdle to get over. My runs in the park have been a bit lonely, but I know that Tyler's running with me every time my foot hits the ground and I wouldn't have it any other way. I had no clue that a conversation about shoes would have this much of an impact on my life! 

Happy Christmas!!

"Me? I'll be just fine and dandy, Lord, it's like a Hard Candy Christmas..."

I'm a little late getting this year's Holiday letter posted. You'd think since I took it virtual a few years ago, and didn't actually type and mail them, it would be a much easier process. I procrastinated - this year I actually got my cards out before I even sat down to do this letter. It happens. I've had an amazing year and I cannot believe that 2012 is almost over. I have traveled for work and met up with friends along the way - lots of them! I've traveled to far off places and magical lands.

The year started on a somber note as Billy Elliot on Broadway played it's final performance on 8 January. I was sad to see the run end here, but it was an amazing show to be a part of. It lives on in other places and my time with Billy is not done yet.

what can I say, the trees in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse are always so gorgeous

I started the year's travel with a trip in February to Phoenix, AZ. I checked in on Elphaba and Glinda (that's Glinda, the GA is silent) and got to see my cousin Doug and his family - it had been so long since I had seen them - the kids are so big now!

Onto Long Beach, CA for a conference and presentation in March and spending time with Eric. Took a long weekend after the conference and spent some time in Los Angeles with JD and Eric since I had not been able to see them recently. I apparently got the bestest presents ever for the nephews when I got them Lucha Libre masks as souvenirs. For so early in the year, that was a lot of pressure.

April took me off to London. I know you're asking - aren't I tired of going to London all the time by now? I'm not. I LOVE it there. I've made some great friends there and always have something to do with my time - other than shopping, and boys, and work. I still have tons to see and do there. I was able to see Billy learn to dance Express himself and checked in our tattooed up Fiyero - that was a great casting choice!

Miles wrapped himself up with a bow for Christmas

May saw me down in Raleigh-Durham again to check in Glinda's bubble and Elphaba's broom.. I got to see Chris and Kyle again and visit a place I'd spent some time in recently. Was nice to be there and in and out, not for an extended stay.

Was back across the pond in June for a quick check in before the Olympics took over and nobody wanted any part of good old London town. I got to see my friends and some of the jubilation for the Queen's Jubilee and the excitement building up for the games. I'm glad I got well out before they started.

July was relatively quiet - I took a vacation. Christopher and I spent a week in the city by the Bay. We stayed in Union Square - in the heart of everything. We went shopping, explored all the sights, sounds and food, saw the Castro during the day and at night, went shopping, wandered around Alcatraz (that island is so bloody cold!!!) and, oh, did I mention shopping? We got to spend some time with Eric as well, and that was a nicely timed coincidence.

August meant a long weekend up in the hills and solitude of Vermont with the boys. Mike, Matt, Richie, Brian, Chris and I went up for some shopping (go figure - and are you sensing the theme?), relax and just get away from it all! Thanks for the use of the cabin Grams...totally put me in a different mood and perspective when I returned!

A little disco ball and some Christmas baubles at the Apple Garden in Covent Garden

October took me to Baltimore, MD where I again checked in on the Witches of Wicked, spent some time wandering around the Bay and got to see my friend Rich for a bit of time. Was nice to see him again and spend even a few hours with him. I always love connecting with friends when I'm on the road, makes the travel all worth while! After Baltimore, I was home for a bit and then was off to Las Vegas, NV. I could tell you what happened there, but there's a strict code I had to sign, and I really don't need that kind of trouble in my life!

November took me off to Seattle, WA and I was able to work and then also see Helen and Doug and meet their kids. We were trying not to count at dinner how long we'd been out of college, because it simply cannot be that long. We must have graduated at 12 or something. That's two years in a row that I've been able to catch up with Doug and Helen when traveling, so I'm wondering where the next city will find us connecting!

At the end of November I flew off to jolly old England for the last trip of the year. I was able to be there for all of the Fairy lights again. I was actually there for 3 weeks. Lots to do...lots to do. It was a really long trip, but such a worthwhile one. I was able to get so much done with both shows there - see both Billy sing and dance and the witches of Oz discover their power of friendship. (I can do choreography folks). I was able to see my friend Colm and spend some time with him, see the Spice Girls musical, Viva Forever, and even the wizarding world of Harry Potter after my friend Alex joined me in London.

Hogwart's Tree

No matter where or how far I traveled this year, a stuffed Chistery monkey flew with me. He was in my carry on bag, and popped out for photo ops where-ever he could. Connor, Logan and Miles might not have Flat Stanley - but that doesn't mean that Uncle Greg can't give them places all over the world to show off!

If I get to enjoy the ClubHouse, so does Chistery

I have learned to run barefoot this year, thus improving my time, my running, my stamina and my overall athletic ability. I have been running around in little 5 toed shoes all year (and getting stared at quite at bit in them in London, might I just add). They freak me out too, but the philosophy of barefoot running is actually quite amazing, and I discovered muscles I didn't know I had. I had an amazing running coach who worked with me and took me from an amateur to a competitor without injury (if you know how much of a clutz I can be, that is saying something). I have also been hard at work at my overall fitness this year, in addition to the barefoot running. I have managed to drop about 15lbs since the beginning of September and am really excited about that. There's a bit more to go, but the road is paved and the path is clear!

My nephews came back down to the city after a 3 (or so) year hiatus to see the giant tree in Rockefeller Center and the Skating Rink and we spent a nice, albeit cold, afternoon wandering around the city and watching Connor and Logan in awe of all the stuff they could see. I don't think they paid attention to anything in front of them the whole afternoon - there was always something else to see!

Connor and Logan with Uncle Greg at the giant tree

I'm back where I grew up for Christmas. I'm not sure if the place has changed, but I have over all the years. Santa is alive and well again and will be visiting the house any hour now to leave lots of toys and goodies for the kids. I can't wait to see the looks of amazement on their faces as they see all of the goodies in front of them...it's what Christmas is all about - the wonderment and happiness of a child!

Happy Christmas to one and all and all the best for a truly amazing New Year!

"This Winter's Night, icicle lights will trim the tree...this winter's night..."

There's nowt so Queer As Folk

It's an odd northern English saying, that basically translates to people are strange. It was co-opted for the British series Queer as Folk and then the American remake. There's been an issue with my cable the last few days, and I haven't had cable or internet since returning from San Fran. It's working now thanks to the tech replacing some part on the connector outside my apt, who knew?

Anyway, the past few days have seen me watching the original British series in it's entirety and then the first series of the American re-boot. I had never watched all of the British original before and was really impressed. There were aspects that I enjoyed more than the American version. It definitely felt more rushed though.

What the hell am I going on about you're probably wondering right now. Well, in watching the series originally years ago I always wondered which of the boys I most identified with. I knew my answer back then, Michael. Lately though, I don't know if that's true.

Sometimes I'm Justin - young and naive and willing to believe things to be true that clearly are not. I'm not Justin often, the jaded, cynical New Yorker won't let me be...but sometimes.

Sometimes I'm Emmett - my flame burns bright and if you're in the path, it will either show you the light or burn you...so beware.

Sometimes I'm Debbie - colourful and full of advice, whether you want it or not.

Sometimes I'm Vic - too old for this shit and all the games that get played.

Sometimes I'm Ted - anal retentive and unwilling to let go and have fun, unwilling to believe someone might be interested in me because that's not usually the case.

Sometimes I'm Michael - the faithful sidekick, always lurking in the shadows, perhaps afraid of the spotlight. Wanting a relationship, but not thinking he is deserving of one.

Sometimes I'm Brian - the narcissistic playboy. Sleeping with any hot boy in his path, unafraid to tell the truth, even if it hurts (although needing to be weary of the delivery of such barbs) and un-apologetic. Always in the spotlight and the center of attention. The way it should be. Never wanting to be tied down.

I used to think I was just Michael...with maybe a little Justin and maybe a little Ted...now I see that I am a combination of all of them...and Brian, believe it or not is the more dominant personality, especially when I travel and go out and about on my own. I've grown since the series first aired. I've matured. Other parts of my personality have developed. I'm not one character anymore, I'm all of them...the good and the bad. I've become more self-confident, and surprisingly, still need to work on being more like Brian in that regard. I am a good catch...now others need to see it. I don't need to show them, they need to see it, I know it's true. While, unlike Brian, I want to settle down and have a relationship, I need be more like him and put myself out there to get one or it will never happen...

there's nowt so queer as folk...and the things we can learn from them...

Playing Golf...

No, I don't play. I've never had the interest or desire to learn or want to play. There's nothing wrong with the sport, it's just that if I want to do something to decompress, for me, that's not walking around in spikes chasing a little ball. I've become a huge fan of the new TV show The Newsroom. I didn't want to like it. I didn't want a show to have to DVR and follow. I liked it, despite not wanting to. Anyway, on a recent episode Jane Fonda's character tells a joke about Jesus and Moses playing golf, the punchline of which is "Look, you wanna play golf, or you wanna fuck around?"

I loved the line at the time I first heard it and the more and more I've tossed it around my head the more I've grown to realize that it's a very defining line. I'm at a point right now that I have the hugest of crushes on someone. I have for a while. He's caught me staring (and not broken eye contact by the way). He's mentioned me to a mutual friend, my running coach, who insists that he has definitely noticed me. He's a trainer at the gym. I get so intimidated - I'm not that guy. I'm not the gym bunny...I go, I work out and I go where I need to next. I don't get that kind of attention, and that's okay with me, so when I do, I don't know what to do.

This kind of crush hasn't happened to me in the longest of times. I don't know how to react to it. I get all tongue tied, my heart races, I get sweaty when he gets near. I've only ever managed to say hello and thanks to him. I need to say more. I need to buck up and not be a 5th grade school girl. Do I wanna play golf or do I wanna fuck around? Well, I'm sick of fucking around...so I guess I need to step up and play golf!

Two Sides to Every Coin

okay, first of all it's been way too long since I've just got the thoughts out. Way too long. I've been on the road again, and planned a vacation for later this month (I had to look up what vacation meant too, don't worry). It's not an excuse, one of my goals for this year was to be more active on here. I'm dropping this line now...if you are at all under the impression that I am virginal and pure, stop reading now and go here.

If you're still reading, you are not under the impression that I am virginal. Good. I'm not. When I'm on the road for work, I have no problems going out to the bar, meeting new people and hooking up. No problems. None. My track record is quite good, well above average, in some places better than others. When it comes to putting myself out there to date, I tend to become shy and introverted. I don't know why and I've been trying to figure it out.

I think it's because when I am interested in someone, I want to know them better, it's not all about the sex. When it's just a hook up, I know it's just all about the sex. I don't care about just the sex. Wait, that sounds wrong. I mean, I like sex, I'm a gay guy. I just don't need to care about the sex. That's a huge step from where I was about 13 years ago, where the two were far more intertwined. That's the crux of my problem I think. When I approach the situation as just sex/a hookup/casual it's easy, I'm confident. It's sex. I know what I'm doing and how much fun it can and will be. When I want more than just sex, there's more riding on the outcome and I become shy and introverted. (I know, some of you don't know that side of me so you're a bit confused...sorry).

It's harder to say hi to someone I am interested in with the potential for more than sex than it would be if I knew it were just sex. Sex I can get anytime...I want the connection with a person for the relationship to have a chance...even if it's only one date. That's what makes me nervous I guess. I don't know how the other person feels...what they are thinking about the situation, about me. If I know I'm just getting sex...so easy. Now I just need to learn how to say hello outside of that scenario...or I'll never get another date!

Questions without answers...

I know I'm not alone, but sometimes I ask myself questions that have no answers. Questions that don't need to be asked. That aren't healthy to ask. That don't need answers, because whatever the answer isn't going to change the situation. I need to stop asking those questions. I need to stop wondering. It doesn't do me any good - it doesn't lead me to a healthy place. It doesn't help.

For example - asking why you get invited to some events and not others. Why friends sometimes invite you and sometimes don't. What if I had never moved here, or worked there? Why some people make more money. Why do some friends only tell you things that they want you to hear? How come with some friends it's always on their terms? What you have to do to get ahead. Where life will take you next. Who does this person think they are? Why is this happening. Just a random selection of questions that fit the bill. They all have answers. Do you need to know them? Will the answers make the situation any different? Will the answers make you feel better? Probably not. So why ask them in the first place? They just lead you down a path of never-ending questions that have no solid answers...so why ask them in the first place.

As Annie aptly points out, perhaps it's because "somethings are better left unsaid but they still turn me inside out..."

Wonder

There are a ton of things that make me pause with wonder. More lately than before it seems, and I'm not sure why. I wonder why if more people are traveling by air, the flights are not as frequent and they cost more. I wonder what gave the planners of Central Park the forethought to know that a giant park in the middles of New York City would provide city dwellers with a sense of purpose and community for so long. I wonder what it would be like to be rich. I wonder what it would be like to live in London. I wonder if I can ever get past my emotional eating habits. I wonder if I'll ever have a flat stomach and muscles. I wonder if I'm on the right path.

I wonder why some people are friends for a lifetime and others only for shorter bursts. I wonder why, regardless of length those friends make a meaningful impact on your life. I wonder why it is that some friends can be closer than family.

I wonder why music and art can make such a lasting impression on the human spirit but sometimes a person cannot. I wonder why we are drawn to different types of music and art and why others are not appealing in the slightest. I wonder why we like some foods and not others. I wonder why our tastes change over time.

Lately, I find myself wondering about excuses. Why do we make them? Why do we need them? Why do we bother? I know that I have made excuses in the past. We all have. I also know there are things in my life that I have done, both good and bad, that I would like to remember or forget and that regardless, I can still play over and over in my head. I am trying not to make excuses for myself anymore. I am responsible for all of my actions. Not my past. Not the voices in my head (call them personalities, spirits, the devil, evil, good - call them whatever you like). Not my friends, for no matter how close a friend or how powerful an influence they have on my life, I made the decisions I made - not them. I am responsible for the actions and decisions I have made in my life and if I want to move past them, I need to not wonder what excuses I can use - but I need to acknowledge and accept them and move on. I don't wonder about that, not anymore.

WDCT - Episode 1

Where does Chistery Travel? I was in London for work recently and picked this stuffed Chistery doll up at Wicked London. I had intentions on giving it to my youngest nephew, Miles.

the view from the Virgin Atlantic Club House in Heathrow

In fact, I was pretty intent on him getting it. I stowed it in my carry on when I checked my bags on the flight home. Then, I was sitting sipping tea in the Virgin ClubHouse and a thought passed through my brain.

you can't go to the Club House and not sit in one of the iconic bubble chairs

I couldn't stop it - Chistery came out of the carry on and I started snapping pictures. I thought it would be really cool if I started taking Chistery with me on my travels and snapping pictures along the way. A bit like a Flat Stanley - only something my nephews could enjoy following along with.

the Upper Class seats are so comfortable

I don't think they really understand what it is what Uncle Greg does. I know they don't really understand what Wicked or Billy Elliot is - or have even heard the music. I do know they know about Flying Monkeys - the Chistery character in Wicked.

you can't sit in Upper Class and not have a drink at the bar...

Since Uncle Greg works on Wicked all over the place, and they don't have stuffed Billy Elliot dolls, I thought this was the next best solution. So...without further ado, I give you the first of Chistery's adventures on the road. He thoroughly enjoyed his Upper Class journey from Heathrow to JFK - and there are many more adventures to come.

after all that...it's bed time for Chistery

Special thanks and shout outs to Danny and Louisa in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic Flight VS9 from LHR to JFK who helped get all the pictures in flight. This is for my nephews, whom I love dearly - I hope they enjoy Chistery's adventures and all the photos along the way. Miles - you might get Chistery, eventually. Miles, Logan and Connor - Uncle Greg loves you.

Strongly worded letter

There's that moment in the film Titanic that Jack says to Rose, reflecting on their current predicament - afloat in the North Atlantic, waiting to be rescued - "I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star line."

I use that phrase now all the time now. When I become frustrated with customer service, or lack thereof. When any number of things a company could be doing better are just not being done. I joke around with friends when we don't get great service that we should write a strongly worded letter. There are a ton of scenarios that this has become my go to line for. I've never actually done it, until recently.

I am a loyal Virgin. No, not that kind. I am loyal to the Virgin airline brand. I fly Virgin Atlantic overseas to London. I am a member of their Flying Club. I've gone gold and accumulated status with them. Virgin America doesn't fly everywhere I need them to, but when I am going somewhere they do fly, I do my best to take their flights and earn more miles and points. I am a loyal Virgin.

I have only been Gold since December, but have been a loyal Virgin for a few years. It's how they treat me as a customer. I have never felt anything but valued as a loyal customer. I recently flew to LAX on Virgin America. I checked in and proudly showed my Flying Club Gold card to make sure they have my number on file. That status helped me get an exit row window seat - those are reserved for members with status or for an extra cost. I boarded in group E. How many boarding classes does Virgin America use? A, B, C, D and E. I boarded the plane last - even with my status. I didn't think anything of it, and just boarded the plane. I checked in at LAX and again my status got me an exit row window seat, but I still boarded in Group E. Last. I watched people with no loyalty to the Virgin brand board the plane with more priority than me.

Now, why am I not an Elevate member (Virgin America's flying program), you ask? Well, when I joined Virgin Atlantic's program, they were in the midst of merging all of their programs (Flying Club on VAtlantic, Elevate on VAmerica and Velocity on VAustralia) meaning that I could accumulate miles and points on my Virgin Atlantic Flying Club no matter which airline I flew. I could also then spend those miles on any of the three airlines. You can't accumulate miles on more than one program at a time, and if you could use your miles across the board on all of the airlines, why would I be a member of all 3? I chose to just keep my Flying club membership and rack up my miles and points there.

If your programs are all about encouraging brand loyalty, why would you not reward that? I am not asking for a free First Class upgrade or anything like that. I'm asking for a little priority boarding for being loyal to the Virgin brand and I was disappointed that people that had never flown Virgin (any airline) before were boarding before I was as a loyal customer. Am I wrong?

I've written my strongly worded letter to Virgin America, and have sent a copy to Virgin Atlantic. I don't know what will happen with it, but I do know that I felt better afterward. I still LOVE the Virgin brand, and will continue to use Virgin Atlantic when I fly to London, I'm just disappointed with my lack of recognition for my loyalty to the brand.

Life in Exile...

I have to preface this - I LOVE my job. I really do. I enjoy what I do, I enjoy that I get to travel all over the place - I love my job. I HATE my new office space. I work in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country and space is at a premium. I had an amazing office, with a window (that opened) and a view of a rooftop garden.

Since there is so much construction going on and things are moving and changing, a lot of people have been temporarily relocated. My dept is among them. We all lost our offices and our space and have been moved to cubicle city. It's not the cubicle that I mind (granted, there is no privacy, you can hear everything everyone else is doing and people walk by talking at the top of their lungs on the way to their offices), but our location is horrid. We are in an outskirts building now. It feels like exile. It's added 10 minutes onto the commute in the morning. It's part of Rockefeller Plaza, but it's not 30 Rock anymore. There are windows, but they are all partially blocked by cubicle walls (really? who designed that?). The overhead lighting is making my brain and eyes hurt and it's sooooo warm over here. I used to be able to open my window to regulate the temperature a bit, but that option is gone. Despite all of those things, we've all made our new environment work, and it is nice to be with everyone on the team on the East Coast instead of all of us occupying different areas of the building.

I hate that it feels like exile. Most of the company is buildings and plazas away. We are an island unto ourselves over here, and it feels like that. It's kind of like Alcatraz - you know, it's part of the amazing city of San Francisco...but not really at all. That's what it feels like to work over here...alcatraz...exile...or my new cubicle 1002N1.

What's it gonna take?

Sometimes I wonder...nothing major, nothing official, I just wonder. What does it take? Things can seem so easy these days we have smartphones and can access information on the go, we have twitter and can talk to friends in other countries in real time, we can instant message, we can blog. We can socially interact in more ways than ever before. How come then it's so hard to get a date? I am a great catch, and I know that. Maybe that's what makes me wonder...what does it take. How hard is it to find someone that wants to get to know me and wants to be with me? Have I lost all my chances? I'm not ready to give up, but it's incredibly frustrating. I don't want someone that just wants in my pants...I want someone that wants in my pants AND in my head and heart...what's it gonna take?

Valentines Day

I was thinking about the artificial holiday dedicated to love a lot yesterday, after all, it was Valentine's Day. I celebrated the day in high school, when I had girlfriends...in the typical, sugary-sweet high school fashion. In college, when I was figuring myself out and NOT dating anyone, as well as being an RA and wanting to offer those that didn't have the typical lovey-dovey date, I used to sponsor Anti-Valentine's Day parties every year. We'd watch a scary movie, have food and then throw darts at a giant billboard covered in valentines day cards. As I grew up, I celebrated fewer and fewer Valentine's Days until they just became another day on the calendar. I celebrated a handful of times as an adult, when I was dating someone at the time. I have one fond memory of Valentine's Day, when I was dating Tony, but the rest are a blur. I know we celebrated, as that's what couple's do. I think I remember the VDay with Tony, only because it was the last time I really celebrated the day - and that was almost 10 years ago.

I'm not really against VDay, but I'm not really for it either. If you're in a relationship, shouldn't you make the person you're with feel special every day? Shouldn't every day be a celebration of your love? Why should you wait for one day to have a big, all out celebration? Anniversaries I get. Birthday's I get. But a special day to take your sweetheart on a date and buy them flowers, I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I don't get it. I look at relationships differently I guess. I want the person I'm with to know that I cherish them everyday - not just VDay. Maybe it's because I'm single. Maybe I'm just warped...

Perhaps it's because, in my family, we have a big celebration on the 15th of February every year. We mark the day that my sister came into our lives. It's not her birthday, there are no presents, although there is cake - strawberry frosting. My sister is adopted, and she was 3 months old on the day that she came into our lives, and every year since, we have had a celebration to mark the occasion. That was always worth celebrating more to me anyway...

Freedom

There's a lot of talk these days about freedom. It is an election year after all, and all of the candidates would like to convince us that they believe in the freedom they preach about. We are, after all, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Are we though? I guess that comes down to where you fall on the spectrum of political beliefs. I'm a liberal - I make no qualms about that. There are a few things that puzzle me about the conservatives though. They're the ones that are fighting for a candidate these days.

As a student of political science, a conservative believes in personal responsibly, limited government, a free market, individual liberty, strong national defense and traditional American Values. They also believe that the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals and conservative policies generally emphasize the empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

Gee, this sounds swell you're thinking. Even I, reading that, think - this is not bad. These are all good things. After all, who doesn't believe in traditional American Values? What's wrong with a Free Market? What's wrong with empowering individuals to solve problems? Nothing - if you give them the appropriate options to solve those problems. Only offering one solution to a problem does not empower an individual.

Let's examine for a moment what the conservatives screaming at the top of their lungs are trying to do these days.

They want the Federal Government to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
They want the Federal Government out of Healthcare.
Most of them want abortions outlawed.
They believe that more guns in the hands of more people will help to lower crime.
They believe in securing our borders and preventing illegal immigration with a fence.
They believe that the Constitution does not officially sanction the separation of church and state and see no issue with God being a part of or system.
They believe in lower taxes and a smaller government, with limited power.

So...how is it that they want the government to ban same sex marriage? How is it that they want to tell women that they can't get birth control or have an abortion? How is it that they want to determine what's appropriate to watch on television or view on the internet? How is this limited government? If a conservative truly believe that the government, specifically the federal government, should not be intruding on their personal affairs, how does this sync up? I don't get it.

How can you be so passionate about freedom and yet want to decide whom I can marry, what I can watch or view or what a woman can do with her body if she's pregnant? How is that free?

Civility

I have to ask - when did civility die? I know - you're thinking, I'm the hardened New Yorker, the bitch, the one who tells it like it is. All of these things are true, but that doesn't mean that I am not courteous and civil to people. The world would be a much different place if we were all a bit more civil towards each other - despite differences.

Let's just examine my day, shall we. I was crossing the street to get to the subway and go to work, and a woman with her head in her iPhone wasn't paying attention, so I moved out of her way (at the last minute, but I still moved) and she raises her head and lets out a torrent of why the hell didn't you get out of my way sooner? Really? Why weren't you paying attention and then I wouldn't have had to deviate from my course? I smiled and kept walking. And, really, who should have been apologizing in this situation.

I'm exiting the subway at Columbus Circle to change trains and get slammed into by two different people forcing their way onto the train as soon as the doors opened, rather than letting those of us that needed to exit the train off first. Waiting until people have exited the train usually works better folks. Not even one, I'm sorry or excuse me...just slam through me. I didn't think the commute had become a mosh pit.


I picked up my coffee and went up to my office. I press my floor, and am told what elevator to go to. I board the elevator when the doors open and it starts whisking my to my floor. I get run into as I'm exiting the elevator because, again, someone was there, just waiting for the doors to open and didn't even bother to check and see if anyone was in the elevator before plowing ahead. I'm going to go there...it was an intern. And then I heard it - she was talking to another intern with her. "Who do these staffers think they are, I mean we all need the elevator, they should know when to exit." EXCUSE ME? Well...I'm a bit riled at that point and, sorry to say dear intern, but your actions and then attitude got you reported to HR and your supervisor - yes, I do know who you are interning for.

The day didn't get much better at the gym. I'm changed, putting the last of my belongings into the locker before locking it and going out to meet the trainer on the floor. A gentleman comes in with his trainer and proceeds to shout through me to his trainer standing on the other side of me and then pushes my stool out of the way (not empty, water bottle, gloves, book all sitting on it) and exclaims, "Christ, what does it take to get to my locker." I just shake my head, and think to myself, excuse me, but are you getting ready to leave, can I get into my locker. I'm thinking a multitude of things, but I just pick up my stuff from the floor, lock my locker and leave the locker room. I get pushed by my trainer, have a great session thanks to having frustration to work out and then go back into the locker room to change. I'm almost at the point where I'm leaving. A completely different gentleman comes in with his workout partner. I still have a few things on the stool to put in my bag and my coat in the locker. He proceeds to just peel off his sweaty clothes and pile them on top of my things on the stool. I've about lost it at this point. I just take a breath and look at him square in the eye and say, "Excuse me, but might I get my stuff from underneath your sweaty clothes?" To which he responds, "where the fuck did you think I should put my stuff?" Well, anywhere but on top of mine, or how about asking me politely to move mine before you start to cover it. No...you just started piling on top. You're damn lucky it wasn't on top of my good bag or coat or you would have been walking out with a few less teeth of broken fingers.

When did respect and civility die? Where did it go? Is it really that difficult to say Excuse Me or I'm sorry when you bump into someone, or ask if the stool is taken, or if you can move it to get into your locker or pile you stuff on top of it? Maybe it's just the day I've had...but I really think civility has left New York City...and I don't know where it's gone.

Perception

Are you liberal or conservative? Republican or Democrat? Are you religious or athiest? Is that song about love or loneliness? Are you bigoted or just opinionated? Is the Bible real or just another work of fiction? Are we able to be independent thinkers and realize that everything contained within the Bible is a guideline, and just as times change so does our interpretation of the contents of the Bible? Sometimes it's all a matter of perception. Even the most conservative of Republicans can be accused of being liberal...the horrors...if a more conservative person disagrees with them. Conversely, a liberal Democrat may be accused of being conservative if they say something more conservative than another liberal. It's all about perception. If you are spiritual, but not necessarily religious, are you an atheist - to the religious zealot you may be. Perception.

"Still, the Bible is like a mirror. You end up reading it not as a reflection of how it is but of how you are. If you're a bigoted, narrow person, you will find bigotry in the Bible." Daniel Tammet

Recovery

I think I talked about it before, but I started the year out by trying barefoot running. Not barefoot, but with those creepy 5 toed shoes. I know, they're creepy...I even think that. But, I had always wanted to try them, they'd be easy to pack when I travel and could save weight and space. I had a gift card I needed to use and decided that I would try them. I had a session with a trainer to talk about stretching and how to use them properly. I geared up and got ready to go. I started running, slowly. I felt it in my calves. I loved it. I could feel every muscle moving. I could really tell the difference when I ran. I was working back up to my former speeds...and it happened. I fell victim to tendonitis. It happens quite frequently it appears with barefoot runners when they first start running. I've been taking it easy and trying not to run and have gone back to sneakers for my work outs while I heal and recover, but it sucks. I want to get back on the wagon and run in them again. I want to be ready to go. I want to be healed. I'm trying not to push it. I haven't run in days and it so sucks!!