- Saw Straw Dogs with Alex. It was amazing. So many tense, uncomfortable parts that gave me major anxiety but what movie doesn't give me anxiety? Now we have to get the 1971 original and watch!
- Took the hardest fitness class of my life at the new Lab with my dad. So many push-ups, lunges and squats. I was the most sore I have ever been in my life the next day.
- Took my eleventh trapeze class. Worked on the pullover shoot again. I got better at getting in to position the first time. And I finally did a successful pump and shoot upwards at the very end. I am making progress, maybe not as fast as I want but I am still making progress. Next class, Mandi said I will start working on my swing...which only leads to bigger and better tricks!
- Saw Moneyball with Alex. It was really good. I am a sucker for inspirational, underdog sports movies.
- Went to my third Halloween Horror Nights with Alex. HHN XXI. It was really neat and a lot of fun. We also went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, where I had not been in probably 15 years. Alex's friend John and Laura met us down there for one day. I don't know what was wrong with me, I was socially awkward and very anxious and having a mild panic attack and I did not speak to them hardly at all. I feel terrible and embarrassed and it almost soured the whole trip.
- 12th trapeze class. My first time flying outdoors. It was a beautiful day! And a lovely experience! I worked on the pull-over shoot...AGAIN. But everyone who has caught it, says that it was their most difficult trick and it took them a long time to catch so I am not feeling TOO discouraged. I only worked on it for a little bit then went on to work on my swing! Woo! It was a lot harder than I thought but so much fun! And I still have plenty of time to work on the pull-over shoot and continue working on my swing. Mandi said there are no more new tricks for a while and that I will be working on my swing for a while.
- Went to King's Dominion Halloween Haunt. After Halloween Horror Nights, all other Halloween events pale in comparison. But Alex still gets so excited about all the little Halloween things and this is his month so we've still gotta attend as many as we can! It was fun but they don't put as much effort into their event and most of the haunted houses were the same as last year.
- Went to Busch Gardens' Howl-o-scream. It was really great. They really stepped it up and had some all new houses and scare zone elements. Alex's parents weren't able to make it in time but I didn't mind too much ;) We met up with them at McDonald's briefly afterwards just to say hi.
- Started really getting in to Sons of Anarchy.
- Saw the 1925 Phantom of the Opera at the Byrd Theater. It was the perfect atmosphere to see a silent film. And they had the mighty Wurlitzer playing along the whole time. Perfection!
- 13th trapeze class. Friday was sold out so I had to go on a Saturday. It was actually nice having different instructors than usual because they all have different teaching styles and I pick up a tip from every one of them. I finally got my pull-over shoot, just the trick itself, down pat. I have yet to catch it but I am SO close. Next class, for sure. And I also worked on my swing a lot more which is getting better too!
- Went to Wicked Woods with Alex. It was okay. Slightly better than last year. But Alex and I just like to support the local Halloween events because that's the only way they will grow and get better.
- I have definitely been eating more vegetables this season! I have been epically failing on the drinking less soda front, though.
- Saw In Time with Alex. It was super good. An original concept. And so relevant to our world today. Concentrated wealth in the hands of the few. Exactly what Occupy Wall Street is about.
- Worked on my bird drawing a lot. Put a pretty good dent in it. Also, finished my Harry Potter potions drawing. Neither are particularly good, at least in my eyes. But at least I am doing art and finishing it!
- 14th trapeze class. Progressed with my swing. I need to get better at keeping my feet together. I am just a big floppy mess! But Mandi said I made lots of progress for one class! Little by little...
- Continuing with my stretching/contortion. I am able to go down on my forearms in a bridge now. Big accomplishment for me!
- Saw Anonymous with Alex. It was very good. Probably not everyone's cup of tea but I love good historical fiction. And the cinematography and costuming and sets were beautiful. Just reaffirmed my love for medieval Britain.
- Went to the fitness class at the Lab with my dad again. I really, really enjoy that class. It's tough and I am always sore afterwards and I feel stronger than ever. I was able to do 8 laps on the monkey bars, more than most men in that class. I felt great!
- Alex's parents came up to celebrate his belated birthday and we went out to Outback Steakhouse and then had cake at home. I feel bad because I had to shower and get ready immediately after work so I was a little irritable that I had no moment to myself. But that was selfish and I need to shut the hell up.
- Went down to Richmond with mom to visit Tiffany. I haven't seen her in forever! It was good to see her. She is growing up and maturing and I am sorry she is struggling financially. I hope I can help her with something this Christmas. We walked the dogs around Chimborazo park which was pretty and a part of Richmond I've never been, makes me want to be back even more. Then we went to Elwood Thompson's and ate. Mmmm, delicious, healthy food! Then we headed home. Short but pleasant visit.
- Bought Inheritance, the last book in the cycle. Devouring it already.
- 15th trapeze class. My swing is coming along nicely. Still got work to do though! I also worked on my first back-end trick, a back-end straddle. And I caught it! Psyched.
- Went to the LAB fitness class with Dad again. This class, the instructor really pushed us hard, which I like! I feel stronger than I ever have. My arms are in the best shape they've ever been.
- Had dinner with Alex at my Dad's. It was a belated birthday thing for him. Because we haven't been able to pin Jessica down for an evening so we went ahead and had dinner without her. It was delicious! Tilapia, grilled veggies, mashed cauliflower & chocolate-covered strawberries. And good conversation, as usual.
- Had one of the worst days at the SPCA since I started working there. I was extremely stressed, doing the work of two people while Kerry went to the Caroline shelter. Then worked on the intake of 7 dogs. Mostly by myself because Kerry selfishly abandoned me to smoke a cigarette before we had finished. Then got very frustrated at a man returning a very sweet dog he adopted from us a few weeks ago. I was short with him, he called me out on it, I lost my cool and he called me a bitch multiple times. I then ended up in the bathroom crying and then had an entire cat room to clean by myself as well. Yay.
- Ran the Turkey Trot for the umpteenth time. I felt like I did pretty good! I was all alone, though. Showed up, ran, left. While everyone around me had friends and family, smiling and laughing.
- Thanksgiving at Mom's. It was nice. We ate and watched Melancholia. The movie sucked at first but then turned out kinda cool. I ate too much, of course. I hate myself for it afterward. I can't forgive myself. I ended up coming home and throwing up a little bit. And it's just the beginning of the holiday season. I need to step up my workouts! Paul was there too. He seemed quiet and out of place. It seemed like we had nothing to talk about. Our family is weird sometimes. But Tiffany and Shandy were there and in good moods! Tiffany and I went on a short jog with the dogs, as well.
- Got a new phone. My blackberry absolutely shit the bed. I got an iphone. As much as I hate the hype, it's a pretty cool phone.
- Hung out with Allison, Lisa & Katie Q. At Chili's for happy hour. I didn't drink and tried to refrain from eating but I ended up eating a massive amount of tortilla chips. I tried and tried to throw up when I got home but I couldn't. I wish I hadn't eaten that much and I wish I didn't feel the need to throw up afterwards. I hate both of those feelings. Hey, but at least as I was social.
- Watched documentaries at home all day while Alex was gone for Thanksgiving. Spirit of the Marathon has inspired me to kick up my running and work to a half or full marathon. Also watched Life in a Day which inspired me to commit to vegetarianism again for good.
- Went out to Firebirds with Dad, Janette & Jessica for a belated birthday dinner and Thanksgiving for Dad. It was nice. We had good talks, as usual. I always end up getting in debates with Jessica and butting heads though. We had a really nice waiter. It's a waiter my dad really likes because he goes there all the time. I don't know if it was my imagination but he seemed to be flirting with me. And I can't lie, I enjoyed it. It makes me feel good about myself and it also makes me question how I feel about being with Alex forever. I am not sure of much these days.
- Also had great talks with Jessica after dinner about what is going on with her and Paul and their marriage. I wish her the best and I hope she figures this stuff out soon...
- Witnessed/was a part of my first euthanasia at work. R.I.P. Miss Maya Papaya.
- 16th trapeze class. Worked on a new trick. Back-end split. But I sucked at it and didn't even attempt a catch. I haven't been consistent lately. I will think I know how to do something, do it right once but never get it again. There is so much to think about all at once. I can never keep my ankles together. Ugh. Not a very encouraging day. But gotta push through.
- Went to the fitness class with my dad again. I love pushing myself. I thrive on competition. I work harder when I have people watching me. I had a great and deep talk with my dad. Revealing some things about myself and sexuality that I have never told him. It was a little uncomfortable but I am glad I've told him. I gained some clarity and confidence to move forward and make changes.
- Finished Fire Within, the Cirque du Soleil documentary series about Varekai and the making of. I am more inspired than ever.
- Saw Hugo with Alex. It was amazing! Visually stunning. The cinematography was gorgeous. It was a "love letter to the cinema". It had everything I love. Period settings and costume. Beautifully composed score. Imagination. Whimsy. Steampunk-esque style. History. God, it was just wonderful! Alex thought it was alright. I think it will take the right person, like myself, to truly appreciate every nuance. I'm in love!
- Went to Hampton and saw Cirque Du Soleil's Quidam! It was beautiful and inspiring and made me love circus arts more than ever. I want to work for Cirque in any capacity possible. I only wish I wasn't watching the show with so many loud mouths who don't appreciate it the way I do. Siiigh.
- 17th trapeze class. Finally getting consistent with keeping my legs and ankles together. Caught my back-end split. Only once and not that well. But progress! Overall, a good class.
- Saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows with Alex. SO good. I love Robert Downey Jr. and I love 19th century London. I love mysteries and quick wit.
aug 31 2011 ∞
dec 21 2011 +
dec 21 2011 +