End of Reality

It seems that 2005 is the year that stop watching crappy "reality" shows. The shows that I have axed from my viewing schedule so far are:

-The Apprentice - because I got tired of watching Donald Trump (and his comb over) grandstand and add twists to the game just for the sake of good television. I was over the show before the end of season 2, and did bother to watch the finale.

-American Idol - the first season was excellent, and subsequent seasons became less fun to watch. For season 4, I watched the episodes before America began choosing "the best" people of the lot -- just stopped cold turkey. But I did watch the episode where one of the contestants freaked out and started to call BS on the show after was voted off. That was awesome!

-Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - I am just so over this show.

-The Real World - After 15 seasons as a loyal viewer, I have decided to give up one of my favorite reality shows. I almost gave up on the show during the Las Vegas cast, but it was such a trainwreck that I had to continue to watch. Now after feeling totally manipulated by the Philadelphia season and being totally bored with the cast of Austin, I am giving up the show. Real World (RW) Philadelphia got me because it was revealed that two of the male cast members were gay -- and I was sucked in. The reunion show that followed showed how the editors and/or producer changed reality to point where everything seemed phony and contrived. Examples: The Shavonda/Landon romance was the forefront of most of the episodes but in reality Landon repeatedly hooked up with roommate Sarah; and the show editing out the hookup between roommates Karomo and Willie. So I guess The Real World series will serve as bookends; I began watching it when I started high school, and I now finished with the show when I graduated from college.

I have been feeling ambivalent the Survivor series for a while now. While watching the last installment I truly hate and loved the show. I loved all of the bitchiness, but I hated the fact that they people let the most dominate person stay knowing that if he made it to the end, anyone up against him would lose. So the new season of Survivor, which starts in September, will be a barometer of my opinon of the show.

Being Bobby Brown on Bravo is awesome. Will I ever stop watching this show? "Hell to the No!" (trademark Whitney Houston) Whitney is just so cracktastic. I feel bad for Bobbi Kristin because her parents are so messed up and she is clearly using food to deal with emotional issues.

Rainstorm

Some pictures from the rainstorm this past Friday.

Appropriate?

Is it ever appropriate to slap someone on the butt?



I know within a sports setting (i.e., football, baseball, basketball, etc...) it would be cool and no one would think anything of it. But when you play tennis with all gay men, and a guy that you have know for a brief while (and WASN'T on your team) slaps you on the behind...it that okay? This guy seems to always to be staring at me, with lust in his eyes, even when he is with his alleged boyfriend. [I only say alleged but I have only heard in passing that he was coupled with someone that belongs with the tennis group.]

Am I overthinking this, or should I be concerned?

Big Brother 6

Tonight is the first episode of Big Brother 6 (or BB6, for those in the inner circle). The cast looks alright, eventhough they are young and "pretty". Beau, the token black, of the season caught my eye because just by looking at his picture -- I knew he was gay.



What tipped me off? Firstly, the name...I don't think that it is his real name but something he adopted later (perhaps, when he came out of the closet). Secondly, the La Coste shirt with the collar up. I know the whole collar up thing was a trend a couple of months ago, but some people didn't get the message that the trend is over. Now if you read his bio you see that: some of his favorite movies are Clueless and Legal Blonde (mine, too.); his favorite actors are Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise (which screams gay because they are not the best of actor, they only look good -- well, Tom Cruise is just crazy now and Matthew McConaughey has the hot Texan thing going for him).

With all that said, I hope he brings some drama ... in a non-stereotypical gay way. But if he does, and it is good -- I will enjoy it!

edited to add: I just noticed the beauty mark above his top lip. HA!

Dating

In my short time in Dallas I managed to scrounge up a date ... and within a shorter period of time I would end our dating. I don't know...he seems like a nice guy but I felt that he had already planned our illegal gay wedding and had the paperwork ready to for our adopted child. It was too fast, too soon; and I just wasn't ready for that. I wondering if I am able to sustain a long term relationship. Maybe I am just too young to think about this subject.

Anyway, the victim guy and I our working on being friends eventhough he told me that he will always have feelings for me. I wonder how long our friendship will last knowing this information?

Contract-to-hire (con't, again)

Today , work was mind numbing. I spent most of my 8 hours looking at websites and checking my e-mail instead of doing work. I am counting down the days until my contract expires and I can leave. The people I work with loathe being there, as do I, which makes me not regret my decision to decline a full-time position. I think I have been spoiled by the last company I worked for, were everyone seemed to like what they did. Not at this company. Everyone seems pained to be there and I can't be in a place like that because it is too depressing.

The one interesting moment at work happened when I was asked one of the questions I fear -- "Do you have a girlfriend?" I fear this question mainly because I don't like to give the details about my private life...well, except on my blog. I also fear this question because you never know how people could react if they are told that someone they work with is gay. Considering that I have only worked there for two days, it is highly unlikely that I would "come out" to these co-workers; although conversely one of my co-workers has disclosed his messy divorce and the fact that he adopted his ex-wife child from another marriage. Maybe I just have odd ability that makes people want to tell the sorted details of their lives.

I should hear from a company that I intervied for a week ago about possible employment. Wish me luck -- I SAID wish me luck, darn it!

End of part 3 of x ...

Contract-to-hire (con't)

Well, today was my first day of work and it did not go well. Yesterday, I was told to meet a fellow consultant at the reception area at 8am so that we can begin the project. I arrive at 7:55am -- I surprised myself for actually being early for something -- and I waited, and waited ... and waited. Finally at 8:45 my contact finally showed up with no apologies; and I was (internally) pissed. I told myself, "If he doesn't show at 9 am, I am leaving." After a (very) brief introduction we walked into the building to get started.

I had some idea of what I would be doing during my contract, but when they guy showed me what needed to be done I became deflated. All we were doing was recabling computers (keyboards, mice, printers, etc ...), and that was it. Even-though I am being paid well -- quite well, actually -- to do this simple task I can't help to think this is a step backwards careerwise. I don't want to spend my days helping out people that can't get their computer to work because they forgot to hit the "ON" button. I have done it for several years, and I just need to do something new that would put my degrees into use. When I told "late guy" what my professional and educational background was, he looked at me and began to laugh then asked, "Why did you take this job? You should find something else becuase you are qualified to do much more."

With that advice, I am looking for much more. Yesterday I was told by someone at the corporate office for the company I am working for that the full-time job was mine if I wanted it. But when my contract is up this Friday I will no take the position. I spent the better part of the day sending out resumes and cover letters to company for senior help desk and network admin. positions. I still have a possible position with a company that I interviewed with this past week. (sidebar: the interview was weird because there were three people interviewing me at once. I have had fantasies of being locked up with three other good looking guys ... but they never asked "Describe your position with the last company you worked for." There were discussions of positions but ...) I was the first of three interviews and I was asked by the recruiter whether other companies expressed interest in me. I told him yes, but I haven't been given a formal invitation to join the company ... until yesterday. So, I am going to send an e-mail to the recruiter to express interest in the position. Hopefully, I will be told that it is mine if I want it.

End of part 2 of x ....