Archive for Friends
Aug
22
one last dance …
Posted by: | CommentsWell, I tried to have one last dance, but the rain wouldn’t allow it.
I went to Dancing in the Streets last night (it’s a little street party Cleveland’s LGBT chapter puts on every summer.) I figured I would give it another shot before I made the move to NY. You know, show Cleveland some love. I hesitated at first, because I didn’t feel like running into the past – Cleveland is suffocatingly small – but a few of my good friends were going and I wanted to catch up with them. It was raining pretty hard last night, so the festivities were brought inside the bar that’s on the street where we were supposed to be dancing. It was packed, and I just wasn’t feeling it. I made every effort though.
I think what irritates me the most about Cleveland’s bar scene, is no one steps outside their comfort zone. Making new friends is a lost art. Are we getting too old for it? Or, perhaps it’s the comfort of familiarity and we’re simply afraid of what we don’t know. But really, is that truly living? I can honestly say, that some of the greatest moments in my life were when I made a new connection. When I was given the opportunity to share stories. We’ve all got a story to tell, and they’re often very inspiring. We all could use a little inspiration.
I’ve got an idea … why don’t you tell me an interesting fact about yourself, one of your stories. Something you feel is worth sharing. A little bio, perhaps? Use it as an excuse to step outside your comfort zone. 
Aug
16
two versions…
Posted by: | CommentsI returned home from NY yesterday evening. It was really difficult coming back this time. I’ve been going to NY nearly every month since January, and I’ve started to create a life there. New friends, new connections, it’s all falling into place. Don’t get me wrong, I love (and am GRATEFUL) for the life I’ve set up here, but I don’t particularly care for the *Cleveland* version of Christian.
I looked at apartments in Brooklyn all day Saturday – 5 places in total - and not one sold me. In fact, they were pretty scary. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to settle on a place that doesn’t fit my needs. This is going to be the place I call home, and I take that shit seriously. I’m prepared to sacrifice certain things, but comfort isn’t one of them. The light in the apartment hunting chaos: a brand new opportunity. I met up with the VP of the chain of hotels I stay at in NY (The GEM) and he wants to help me out with finding a place. He made me an incredible (and very generous) offer. It’s a blessing, another sign that I belong in NY.
After the apartment dilemma in Brooklyn, I headed back to Chelsea for some quiet time. It was much needed. It was time to collect my thoughts and figure out what my next steps were going to be. But I couldn’t get trapped in my head, I had to attend DanNYC’s bday bash. What a great perfect night. The party started at Arriba Arriba – where I grubbed on the best burrito, what I like to call the killer burrito. If you’re craving authentic Mexican, this is the place to be. There was a moment during dinner when I just had to sit back and soak in the celebration. What a great group of people. Caring people. I am so happy to have made the connection with them, via Twitter of all places. The hardest part is leaving them. But not too much longer ..
We had quite the journey on Saturday night – including our own private karaoke room at Second on Second. Now that was entertainment at its finest. We’re all professional singers when there’s liquor coursing through our veins. It was another moment when I just had to sit back and soak it all in. After exercising our vocal cords, we did a little bar hopping. Don’t ask me how many bars we hopped to, but the night ended around 4AM. It sounds late, but that’s the beauty of NY; you don’t even realize how much time has passed when you’re out exploring the city. You never want it to end.
This trip sealed the deal— there is only one version of Christian: the *NY* version…
Enjoy the slide show. 
May
19
realization …
Posted by: | CommentsBefore I go into realizations, I want to apologize for that ridiculous post yesterday ( I posted twice yesterday.) I can’t take back the negative energy that I already put out there, but I just couldn’t look at it anymore so I decided to hit the delete button. Again, I sincerely apologize… <3<3
And now, it’s realization time. It arrived during a conversation I had with my best friend last night. She really called me out. But it’s okay, I desperately needed to hear it. I’ve had a few (big) realizations in my life, but nothing like the one I had last night. She basically gave me the bigger picture view of my life – knowing me for 18 years gives you some substantial (and somewhat crazy) material. There were moments in the conversation when I felt a little *hurt*, but these are the friendships that stand the test of time. Give it to me straight, no BS. As I approach 40 (still have a few years) I’ve been asking myself the bigger picture questions. The number one question: “how did you get here and is this what you really want?’ That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.
But I’ve been neglecting something during my current *transition in life.* En (the BF) reminded me to stop and BE GRATEFUL. She’s right; I’ve been bitching and moaning to no end about nothing yet I have everything I *need* in life. It’s being grateful for what I have: surrounded by people that love me, a career that’s allowed me to advance, my health and a roof over my head. The universe stepped in this morning and sent me a big reminder. I travel the same route to work every morning for the past eight years, and the homeless situation appears to be getting worse. This morning I saw 4 older men with makeshift beds (cardboard and ratted sleeping bags) on park benches in the park across from public square. I walked right in the middle of them and I took a deep breath and thanked God for what I have. I need to do this each time I get stuck in my head. So, thank you En … for guiding me to clarity and giving me some of that tough love. You mean the world to me.
In closing, I wanted to let you all know that I’m going to take a break from blogging for awhile. It’s time to stop talking and start acting. I just didn’t want to leave you hanging with wonder – “where the hell did xian go!?”. But don’t worry my little incsters, I’ll be back at some point..
Take care of you… XOs..
Apr
21
Sherlock and Watson in Paris ..
Posted by: | Comments
Well, despite yet another mother nature temper tantrum, my sweetest friend LP is on her way to Paris! Her flight was scheduled to leave last Thursday, but as you know, a volcano stepped in to create more chaos in the world. She was forced to wait just a little while longer to embark on this incredible journey. Can you imagine counting down the days to such an opportunity and then a volcano blows and interrupts your fun? Hell no! Spontaneous combustion becomes reality! I did my best to find the positive in the situation and pulled this one out of my ass: “well, it’s just not time for you to go. Perhaps this is the best thing for you.” It’s a typical response in an uncontrollable situation like this, but I really do believe in the —”everything happens for a reason.” But no matter how much I believe in that old adage, it’s a completely different story when the shit happens to you. Especially when you’re filled with anticipation … forget about it! Perhaps the volcano is just another one of life’s little reminders – learn to cope, especially with the uncontrollable events in life. She coped, albeit with ants in the pants, and now she has another element to add to her story of her journey to Paris. I think it’s pretty cool ( she’s in the air – it’s safe to say that now.) LOL …
I have so much respect for LP: for having the guts to not only travel to another country, but to fulfill a dream. It takes serious work to do the fulfillin’ .. can I get an AMEN?! And then you have all the negative bull shit in the background, hers was the people she works with – very hurtful. But she wasn’t going to let the haters distract her — she worked 6 days a week for nearly 3 years with those ass holes. I really admire the tenacity of Leos — once they’re focused on something they’ll bust ass to get it. But even Leos need their rest and this one deserves plenty of it, it’s been over three years since her last vacation! And what a brilliant way to get back into the vaca groove, she’s staying for a month! *You can view a few pics of the sweet little pad she’s renting out, right hur * You can also follow her adventures on her very own blog: Sherlock and Watson in Paris. I can’t wait for all the updates!
Au revoir bestie, enjoy this amazing adventure and don’t forget to email me with updates. I’ll read your blog and all, but I want some of those updates to be instantaneous, mmmK? Be safe!! Oh, and be sure to tell those Paris men to *wrap their bread before they put it in the oven. * HAHA.. kidding!! Well, not really.;) Lovez for you!!
