The Bear Arrives

I promised to recap my friend's visit of last week, complete with pictures. I've spent the past week going through the pictures and deciding which ones to share. I realized that we did so much and took so many pictures, mainly that first day, that trying to recap the visit in one post is impossible. So if you'll indulge me, I will recap over the next few days so that I can do his visit justice. Although he agreed to let me post his picture, I'm not comfortable sharing his name because he tends to be on the shy side. So..I will call him Bear. And trust me...he is the epitome of a bear!

When Bear decided he wanted to get away from San Francisco, he chose to come to the Los Angeles area. He's never been here before and he knew he could count on me to put him up. So arrangements were made including my taking a few days of vacation to play tour guide. On the first Wednesday of August, Bear flew from SFO to Long Beach CA. He had an evening flight, which worked well for me to go pick him up after work.

As some of you may remember from previous posts, I was excited. As more and more people exited the terminal to the meet-n-greet area, I started getting nervous because I wasn't seeing him. Finally there he was...the Bear in So Cal! We hugged and hugged and possibly scared a few people. It was so good to see him.

Here's a picture of Bear just after getting his luggage. He wasn't happy I was taking his picture but I wanted to be sure to document as much of his trip as possible. We left the airport and headed toward my house. We stopped at an iHop for a bite to eat and to catch up on what each other had been doing.

At my place, I introduced him to Winston who, unfortunately, did not take to Bear at all during his stay. We stayed up talking into the wee hours of the morning, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The song "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain definitely came to mind. We finally went to bed after discussing what to do on his first Los Angeles day.

Next up: Bear Goes Hollywood!

BEHR HUGS

Furry Friday Update

Happy Furry Friday!

I'm still working on the update of my friend's Los Angeles visit (with pictures). I promise that it will be here soon.

Last night I had a date. Yes, an honest-to-goodness date. We met on one of those bear social networking sites. He's somewhat local to me and evidently he took a shine to me. We'd been chatting a short while and he basically asked me out.

This was a new experience for me...he actually drove to my house and picked me up! And he let me pick the restaurant. AND....are you sitting down?....he PAID. I told him at the end of the night that this was a first for me. I don't mind paying but it's nice to be treated, especially when meeting someone for the first time. There was leftover pizza, which is great because I had it for breakfast. (burp!)

After we were kicked out of the restaurant - they close early - we came back to my place and talked some more. He's a nice guy and I can see us hanging out together as friends but I don't foresee anything beyond that. Time will tell.

The weekend is full of exciting events: laundry, ironing, and housecleaning. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the excitement. That's about all I have for now.

BEHR HUGS!

Quick Check In

Just a quick note to say that I'm back from vacation and will begin recapping the past week soon. WITH pictures! Yes, my friend has given me permission to share pictures of him. Sorry...none will include nudity.

It's been an emotional few days but overall absolutely terrific days. I'm lucky to have such a friend in my life.

Hope everyone is well.

BEHR HUGS

Emotional Day

It's been a rough one, dear followers.

First off, as I've mentioned, my friend flies in tonight and will spend an extended weekend with me. I'm excited about it and I have fingers crossed he'll have a good time.

Second, we were informed this morning at work that a coworker passed away last night. She had been battling cancer for the third time. Her husband thinks her body just could not take any more of the treatment and gave up. She was a wonderful woman, literally loved by every colleague of the company. She was smart, beautiful, insightful, and fun. Pink is her signature color! I will miss her tremendously because she believed in me and helped to mentor me when I first joined the department. My prayers go out to her husband, son, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson and her extended family and friends.

So I've had battling emotions today. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. I've done a bit of both. If you think about it, please send good vibes. Thanks.

BEHR HUGS

Thinking...and Over Thinking...

Back in 1990, a palm reader at Renaissance Faire told me I spend too much time in my head. In fact, this is the first thing she told me when she took my hands into hers. It's very true. So here's what's got this Behr thinkin:

I'm anxious about my friend's visit. I worry that he won't have a good time, that he'll hate my home and the food I prepare, that it isn't clean enough or that Winston will hiss and growl at him. I know he's an easy-to-please guy - minds out of the gutter, please - and not demanding or high-maintenance. But I tend to over do it when playing "Mrs. Sally Adams". (Trivia quiz time! Who is Mrs. Sally Adams? First correct commenter will get something not very valuable.)

I'm also thinking a lot about a particular someone. *sigh* Yes, the Behr has started to develop feelings for someone. And those feelings are generating from somewhere north of the beltline. It's a bit complicated and lately this object of my affection has been a bit distant. I keep trying to rationalize his behavior but then I worry that the opportunity has passed. One of my failures in my other relationships (you know who I'm talking about, if not click here) is I tend to become a helicopter boyfriend, always hovering, always asking if everything is ok, misinterpreting everything, and developing huge green eyes. I was bound and determined not to that this time around. Old habits die hard.

I'm also thinking a lot about how much I want to give up my house and move. This home ownership on a single salary is crazy. And none of my friends get it because they live in two-income homes. I know there are tax advantages to owning property but it's getting more and more difficult. Maybe it's my continuing battle with the ants or the heat/humidity or just the fact that I'm lazy and want someone else to cook and clean. Maybe I ought to stop looking at bears and start looking at chaser houseboys who can cook, clean, do laundry, and light yardwork. Any volunteers?

I'm sure there's more on my mind. Right now though, that's enough. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. You're all a great support system.

BEHR HUGS!!