swim97

This has been a long & tough week. I don't enjoy these types of weeks.
Either way, I have done well.

I guess I am just a little upset with the way some people handle
siuations. I am always surprised with the thought process people have
when stressed.

I think this is going to be one of my last posts. I have enjoyed my
run on here, but I realize that I need to post for myself. :-)

I lost weight. Either that or I absolutely love my doctor's scale.

Well, I must say that I am happy to receive something from Harvey's. I was rather upset after eating there last Friday. I posted in my journal about it too. This screen capture was taken from my Yelp posting (pretty much the same thing was written on the two websites).

Anyway, we shall see how things progress. I hope that there is a good reason for going to less expensive materials. I doubt that the reason is something beyond cutting costs. BUT I need to try and being open-minded.

I am so disappointed right now. When Harvey's reopened in the Castro late last year, rhinosf and I were so excited. We always enjoyed grabbing a quick bite to eat while watching the action at the corner of 18th and Castro before the remodel. After they reopened, their menu had changed. We loved their fries and sandwiches. They seriously had done it right. Their fries were outstanding. Also, their sandwiches really hit the mark.

I will not eat at Harvey's again!

rhinosf and I went there to get a quick dinner last night. I was excited to see that they added a dinner special menu and extended their happy hour. This was great. The service was wonderful. Everything was going well. I was really excited when I saw that they had fish 'n chips on the menu for dinner.

I asked if the fish 'n chips was good. Our server (he was great) said that people seemed to like it. He even had me speak to the guys next to us. They said it was good. So, we went ahead and order the fish 'n chips.

All was well until I got my meal. The quality of the food has gone down significantly. Their fries are now the Sysco standards. I can get better fries by going to IGA and making them myself. I get the same quality fries in my employee cafeteria. Actually, we have better fries there. The fish was just ok. I wasn't impressed at all.

Normally I am pretty content when things go wrong. I can't just sit there with this one though. My perception is that the new management is trying to save some money. They are trying to keep the same menu items but cut costs a little. My thoughts are that they need to either be a bar and concentrate on that OR be a restaurant. If they are having to cut costs it shouldn't be with the food. That is their core competency. Cut costs with napkins or plates or something like that. Don't change the quality of your product.

Harvey's just lost two more customers!

I know it's been a while. I'll say sorry right now. I don't think I post on here for other though...it's much more for me. Anyway, I had to fly to Vegas on Wednesday for work. It was our annual Sales/GM/HRD conference. Now that we own Hard Rock, it was the perfect place to go. The meetings were intense and tiring. Overall, it was a good networking time. I guess I was especially tired since I took my SPHR (Senior Professional HR) certification exam on Tuesday (and passed). I had been studying/stressing for about 6 months. Glad it's over. Ok, so while I was at the meeting I went to Mix, Love, Ago, The Joint, and Body English. Dave flew in on Friday. We partied with work people that night but went to Red Square and Spamalot on Saturday night. We also shopped a lot. I really enjoy this job. There are some perks. Now I am just waiting to get home. I am flying Virgin America. Dave is flying Southwest. Our flights are delayed.

Now that the facts are over, I wanted to talk about my feelings.

I think that I enjoy dressing up and getting out of the Edge, 440, Lonestar scene. I love my friends, but it's the same men and beer each weekend. Ok, so we drink vodka too. I want to start doing other things. Does anyone like board games, card games, etc. I love dhbearguy for the Movie Bears. That rocks. I like things like that. I just want to start doing more. Does this sound preachy or bitchy? I hope not. I just really enjoy a lot in life. I don't want to do the same things over and over again. Softball is starting up soon. I know that my liver is going to pay, but I think that we can survive this season without as much drinking.

Yeah, I think I am kind of moving in a few new directions.

> What happened there...stays there.

I was in Vegas for work this week. We own Haed Rock. Anyway, since
Dave's birthday was this week I flew him out here. I love this town.
There is a lot of cool stuff happening out here. Great times. Who
wants to come back with us?

I can't tell you enough that you should not go see this. Just look at what the creature looks like online. Seriousy...I am still not feeling well. I might get sick. Ugh. Waste of money.

Well, here it goes...

New Years Eve was a good night overall. I had orginally thought that I had an expanding and large group of close friends. I have realized that it's only a small group people. I am happy that I am close to those people here in San Francisco. The other side of this realization is that I have a really good group of extended friends. The problem is transitioning from an extended friend to a close friend. Does this just happen, or does it need a little push? I think that ultimately close relationships just evolve.

rhinosf (I should just call him Dave since he doesn't really get on here) and I have evolved in our relationship too. We are much more independent in our advanced years. Ok, I don't mean that we are old, but you get the point. Anyway, we are able to live together and love each other but still have a little independence. I think that is an important transition. We weren't at this point a year ago.

Ok...where am I going? I just wanted to state that relationships evolve. I think that all relationships take work (both personal and love). I just wonder what is in store for me in 10 years. Hell...I wonder what is in store for me in 1 year.

I did run into fuzzygruf today. He is someone I think is a good person. I haven't cultivated that relationship much though. I had to cancel the last karaoke session. :-( I will eventually get around to being a better friend soon. :-)

Best of luck everyone in '08

Well, I wanted to at least give everyone an update. 2007 was much better than 2006. I can only assume that 2008 will be better than 2007.

I spent my NYE at work until about 10pm. I actually enjoyed staying there. The event was fun, but it was really NOT my scene. Anyway, I met rhinosf, Bill, Ben, Bo, and the Rickys at The Edge to ring in the New Year. Overall it was very uneventful, but then again...I have been very uneventful lately. That has been intended. I just want to lay low lately. I want to enjoy my life. :-)

So for 2008, here is what I have planned (not resolutions...but similar):
* We ordered a Bowflex. It should be here this week. We can't wait to start using it. Anyway, I plan on using it at least three times a week.
* I started swimming with Tsunami again. I know that I used to complain a lot about the team. Mainly I just didn't like their pool. Now they are practicing at a great pool off of 3rd Street. Yes, it's not a great area, but the pool ROCKS!
* I am going to buy the Vespa I want. We'll call him/her Eggy (it's eggplant colored).
* rhinosf and I will communicate more.
* I will not be so judgemental.
* I want to read more than watch TV. I am thinking about buying an Amazon Kindle.
* I would like to develop my relationships more. I think that right now I have too many acquaintances. It's something I would like to work on. I have spoken with a few others about this as well. It starts with spending time outside the bars.

Other than that, I just want to continue with a good year.

Presents have all been sent.
Cards are all in the mail.
rhinosf's shopping for me is done.
swim97's shopping for rhinosf is almost done.
Now we just need to buy the escargot and other treats for Christmas Eve.
This year is under more control than last year.
I just hope that we survive this work week.

I am in LA (West Hollywood) for work right now. This is actually my first time in LA. I have been through LA once before. We went to Disneyland for NYE last year. That was it though. I have pretty much confirmed my thoughts (biased as they are) about LA. The people are beautiful. That is about it though.

Everyone seems consumed with image. I mean, they are beautiful. However, it seems that there should be more to life than image.

I am at our property down here. It's nice (not as nice as our SF property). I just don't get the same feel like I do in SF. As much as I complain about how everyone in SF is always searching for the next best thing...LA is even worse. Ok...ok...ok...I am making things out to be really dramatic and angst-like. I am not meaning too. Actually after my last "what is up with people" post I had a plethora of responses that made me feel really good about living in SF. Right now I am high on SF and not as high on LA. I am glad to live in SF right now. I am glad to be at my SF property.

However...there was this amazing guy last night who used to work here and is now a regular on 24. He is totally 100% yummy. Anyway, the GM and I were talking. I inquired about who that guy was. His response was...wait for it...keep waiting..."That's a great look isn't it!" Then he winked at me. It was so funny. He was basically saying "damn that guy is hot" in the most PC way possible. I loved that. I can't wait to use that from now on. It's much more socially acceptable to say "he has a great look" vice "nice ass."

i know that i haven't been writing much lately. my job has kept me very busy. it's strange to be work 50-60 hour weeks and enjoying myself. i haven't done that ever in a long time. anyway, between work and trying to find time to workout, life has been pretty mellow. rhinosf and i have been decorating the house inside and out. it's really been crazy. i'll have to get a pic of the lights outside on here soon.

well, i just wanted to vent a bit here too. why is it that so many (gay) people in sf are just waiting for the next big thing. nobody ever wants to commit to anything. nobody really wants to do anything. i find that so many people are just going to the bars. that is what they want to do. (well...go to the bars and hook up for sex.) i just really long for a group of friends who transcend the bar scene. greengadfly and i have had a few good emails talking about similar subjects with couples in sf. i mean what defines a relationship anymore? i am really missing my small-town days lately. monterey, biloxi, and mobile really were gems. the people there were much more genuine. there was cross-pollination between the gay boys, lesbians, bears, tweakers, gaysians, straights, etc. that is what life is all about. i no longer want to just go to bear bars where other bears go. give me some variety. i want some dim sum!

It was good but had an abrupt ending. It was ok. I just think it could use some story devlopment work at the end.

I guess all the cool people are seeing it in the good SF theaters.
Dave and I are at the most ghetto place in SSF. Anyway, I hope the
movie makes us forget where we are.

It was worth coming here just for this. Dave knows I'm here but
doesn't know the price. It's our secret.

Ok, I know I am posting a cubic butt-ton of pics, but seriously!
Miami knows how to live. I am sure that SF is just as good, but that
is not the life I live there.

Fig & foie gras empanadas.
Don't you want to know the rest of the meal?