C2 is back in the hospital. He had an alergic reaction to the antibiotic. Also, the bacteria infecting the bites is much worse than they originally thought.

He doesn't want to stay overnight in the hostpital. I'm hoping he does.

C2 is ok. He needs rest and is on an antibiotic. The doctor said he had Brown Recluse Spider bites.

Played hockey last night. We tied 2-2.

C2 is very sick. About a week ago, he said he got two big spider bites. A large puss-filled bump formed on his leg. Another on his ass. A few days later he developed flu like symptoms. This morning C2 went to the doctor. The doctor sent him to the emergency room. He's on the way over right now.

I hope everything goes ok. C2 doesn't have health insurance.

Had a quiet day yesterday. I cleaned the house. Found two lost cheque's. replaced the keg (Yes my house has a keg)

I don't drink that much beer-- I last replaced the keg back in October. It's just cool to invite friends over to drink from the tap.

I didn't even go out last night. Instead, I read, showered and hit the sack.

I'd like to find a boyfriend. I haven't dated in months. Before Christmas I met three guys. I thought I'd get at least one romantic date out of it, but nothing. All three fell out of touch. I have a rule-- if a man doesn't return my calls, I stop the chase. I'll only call him twice, about a week apart.

I still keep in touch with JD, the married man from St. Louis. He's going to be in Portland next weekend, but I couldn't make it. We exchanged the following non-love-lets-be-friends-but-would-like-more letter.


----- Original Message -----
From: JD
To: Barry
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: RE: sorry it's been so long!

I hear ya - enjoy ur weekend buddy

-----Original Message-----
From: Barry
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 2:56 PM
To: JD
Subject: Re: sorry it's been so long!

Thanks JD. You're a good man too. Too bad circumstances are not different.

Barry.

----- Original Message -----
From: JD
To: Barry
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 1:53 PM
Subject: RE: sorry it's been so long!

Hey no problem - thought it was too short notice anyway ? just wanted u to know that even though I may be out of sight not out of mind bud - ur a nice man.

JD

-----Original Message-----
From: Barry
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 10:38 AM
To: JD
Subject: Re: sorry it's been so long!

Hey John.

Sorry I can't make it down to Portland next week. It would have been good to see you again. What's your schedule like over the next few months?

Barry

Had potluck last night. John couldn't make it because of work. C2 couldn't make it because he's hurt his leg.

Other than the regulars ( Matt, Sandy and Mac) Bruce, C3 and the Tease showed up. We had some poor communications over the food. We ended up with two green bean casseroles, two loaves of bread plus corn bread, and two salads.

I have to be more forceful about organizing the food.

The Tease stayed for a while after everyone left. We just talked, but there's always the possibility that he'll start kissing.

He mention that we both need shirtless photos (For internet swaps) he told me we should take some of each other-- Sundays work best for him. So he wants to play but he doesn't want strings. That's why he's the Tease.

Tonight I was at a gays-of-Newcastle potluck. I have two gay neighbors. They invited me and many of their local friends over.

It was a good party. Most of the attendies were couples in their 40s or 50s. Since I was the only single guy there, some of them started making plans to hook me up.

P&R, my neighbors are a good couple. P is very loud. R is more reserved. At one point while P was yacking loudly, a guest remarked to R, "I see why you make strong drinks."

Friday night we had dinner at the newly renovated Siams on Broadway. The owners were recently divorced. He got the Siam's on Lake Union. She got the Siams on Broadway. So, she decided to spruce the place up. It looks nice. Matt and C2 tried to get the owner to use a Thai Sauce that Matt makes. It's very good, but the owner said it was too Vietnamise.

Small world story. About a week ago, I had a date with a guy named Graham who's moving from the East coast, back to Seattle. Over dinner, J mentioned to C2 that their friend Graham was moving back from the East coast to Seattle. Now, I'm very curious how C2 and J know Graham.

Saturday morning, C2's car broke down in Olympia. I drove him back. We headed off to a board meeting for the Cafe. It's is growing slowly, though January will be in the black.

Saturday afternoon, C2 and I had coffee with Bruce. He and C3 are moving to Toronto. They will be out by Feb 10. It was kind of odd talking to Bruce. He and I used to be best friends. Now I only hear from him when he needs something.

Saturday evening, I went to the Cuff. I ran into Terry and his partner. This is the 3rd week in a row that I've seen Terry at the Cuff. I wonder what gives. Years ago I had a crush on Terry. In fact, my frustration with him is one of the reasons I started this journal. After he found his partner, he kind of vanished. Maybe their new years resolution is to go dance regularly.

Sunday morning, Mac, John, Matt and Sandy had breakfast at my place. After that, C2 and I did errands-- hauled some wood around and brought concrete back to my place. C2 gave me a neon beer sign for the bar. It was from Siam's and was left over after the remodel.

Weirdness...

I read a minimalist comic called "death to the extremist" The author of the comic wrote that he was suffering from writes block and asked people to send in suggestions.

I suggested a flash back episode showing the growth of the characters. That's what he did. In fact the email quoted in the third last panel is mine.

Played hockey last night. We tied 3-3.

Afterwards, we went out for drinks at a casino&bingo-hall next to the arena. It was midnight, on a Tuesday, in the middle of suburban Seattle and the casino was full!

A co-workers two year old child has learnt to say the F-Word. He doesn't know what it means. He knows that it gets a reaction. He says it over and over like a parrot.

"Fuck Off. Fuck Off. Fuck Off. Fuck Off."

The last time they were on a jet, the child swore the whole way. She tried to muffle the sound by placing her hand over his mouth, but he just kept saying it louder and more distinctly.

Last night Mulligan (C2's landlord) invited, Steven and I over for dinner. Mulligan's friends, Pot-head and E-head where also there.

It was an odd dinner. The conversation was stilted. Immediately after dinner, E-head announced "I'm tired, I'm going to leave." and so he did.

A few minutes later, Pot-head said "I hate Tapioca (the dessert). So, I'm going to leave too." And then he did.

C2, Steven, Mulligan and I talked a while longer. I don't like Mulligan's friends.

Steven, Vic and I went to the Cuff. We ran into the Tease. Well, after Steven and Vic went home, the Tease and I started necking. We danced and then we necked some more.

We talked. He gave me some bull shit excuse about why we weren't dating. We kissed a bit more and then he went home.

I'd be frustrated except I knew that's how it was going to end. He is 'the Tease' after all.

Sweet and Low.

Steven was out of town for business and wouldn't get back till 10pm. Vic arrived in Seattle earlier, so C2 and I took him out for dinner. We had a good time.

After dinner we played "What would Dan Say" and read that Sweet 'N Low makes your piss sweet. Aparanetly it can't be digested by the body, so it flows straight though to your urine.


The next morning Steven called. He said they hand't tried Sweet 'N Low, but a French Vanilla Latte Made Vic taste great

C2 and I don't know if that's the truth or a good yarn.

C2 came over for dinner last night. Afterwards we went shopping (!?!) and I bought some shirts. C2 is trying to ween me off flannel shirts.

After that, we watched Ghost World. It's a strange movie. It's not bad, and parts of it are very good, but it doesn't really flow.

Last night I saw Cold Mountain with the Movie Bears and C2. C2 liked it. It didn't really click with me. I didn't care what happened to any of the characters. All these random little things happened that filled up the time, but it didn't tell a larger overall story.

Afterwards, C2 and I went to the Cuff. We ran into Behr there.

The Watch-- Months ago I had a one night stand with a traveling salesman from California. I accidentally left my watch in his hotel room. He was at the Cuff last night, and he returned my watch! It was a bit embarrassing. C2 and Behr saw him slip me the watch and figured out what happened.

Snow turned to rain and sleet. Last night was trecherous driving. My power went out. Large branches are falling off of trees because of the weight of the ice.

I spent some of last night with the Doctor. The Doctor is a fuck buddy that I see about once a year. He has a partner in an open relationship. The partner was out town. He was feeling lonely/horny. So was I. blah, blah, blah.

It's snowing. Many people are staying home from work-- especially people from southern states. The northerners and the Canadians are in.

It took me over an hour to get to work. My usual commute is 25 minutes.

Steven came over for dinner tonight. It was good to talk to him. I won't see him again for about a week. He's out of town for work, then he's going to Victoria to spend time with Vic.

My ex, Brian, called. He's moving from Seattle to Las Vegas. He's ready to leave but some of the mountain passes between here and Vegas are closed and he's stuck till they open.

He told me that I was the only happy gay man that he knew. He is not very happy with being gay. He wants a partner so bady, but can't find one that meets his standards.

He also said that he's mellowing out. One of the reasons we ended was that he's a big fighter. He said that's changed. He also said that any time I was in Vegas, I could stay with him.

I'll miss Brian. But, I don't want to patch things up with him. I wish him the best.

Saturday afternoon Sandy, Steven and I saw Bad Santa, a very dark, very funny Christmas movie about a drunk, depressed, Sanata who cracks safes and robs people.

Afterwards we had dinner and drinks together. Steven and Sandy went home. Sandy wanted to stay with Matt who has hurt his foot. Steven is having some post-holiday blues-- back to work, plus he doesn't get to be with Vic for a week. He misses Vic.

I went to the Saturday Bear Bust at C.C.'s The place was packed. After that I went to the Cuff, and ran into Behr, Mac and John. The Tease wasn't there. His Grandmother died on Saturday.

Sunday I had breakfast with the gang. Afterwards Mac, John and I drove down to their new boat. It's huge! It easily sleeps eight. Matt and Sandy joined us for a while and we chatted and planned what boat trips we are going to take this summer.

Tonight C2, Steven and I drove down to Tacoma for a houseparty at Brayon and Doug's. B&D are a good couple. I don't see them often enough. They want to adopt a child. They just recieved their foster parent license. At this point it will take anywhere from 3 months to 3 years for them to get a child.

More snow. Seattle hasn't had this much snow in years.

I had dinner tonight at Mac and Johns. Afterwards we hit their hot tub. The gentle snow made it perfect hot tubbing weather.

We also watched Winged Migration. It has some amazing shots in it. Many closeups of birds while they are flying.

Happy New Years. I'm having a lazy day.

The snow melted by late afternoon. Although it's snowing again right now.

For New Years eve I went to a large house party. I drove Sandy. Matt couldn't come because he's hurt his foot. The party was basically the movie-bear crowd. Behr was there.

After the party, I crashed at Sandy & Matt's. We invided C3 over and made breakfast.