matteecentral.com:theBuzz

Well, the maiden voyage of the RV was a success. We had a wonderful time, though under the category of "lessons learned", there is the following: Don't drink the water at a campground. We're still recovering from THAT intestinal drama.

For more exciting (or would that be excruciating?) details, click on [more] below:

Friday morning was spent at the dealer, accepting delivery, completing paperwork, and getting a detailed orientation to the vehicle. Our tour guide was none other than the owners' son, a uniformed, red-headed, buzz-cutted hunk who painstakingly reviewed every feature. All of it was new to me, but a lot of it was review for Mark. His vehicle had already been modified to accept the hitch and electrical connections, so we were ready to go within 2 hours.

Although we decided the ideal "RV-warming" present would have been Redhead RV Man in the back(preferably naked), we knew it was not to be. I settled for a string of Jalepeño novelty lights to string along the edge of the outside canopy along with a set of mounting hooks.

Since the delivery process (and the post-delivery breakfast) took longer than we'd anticipated, we were a bit behind schedule in loading up and getting on the road. As a result, I just had time to find our site before I had to leave for my (abbreviated) work day.

I was back on the road en route to the park just after 8 pm. Mark picked me up at the overflow parking lot, and I got to see the RV all set up and waiting, the Jalepeños adding a festive touch to the canopy.

We'd rented a few movies. We started with The Brain that Wouldn't Die (a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode) but I fell asleep shortly after it started.

Saturday, we left the campground to pick up food (alas, our "fresh corn quest" was futile) and some supplies. We came back, and decided to finish watching The Brain that Wouldn't Die. After a short nap, we formally "christened" the camper at that point, testing all the bed areas for the proper "fit". Yee-hah!

After a little canoe paddling around the lake, Mark got busy making dinner. Homemade Pulled Pork Barbecue... yummy! After listening to A Prairie Home Companion, we cleaned up, added more water to our tanks, then retired to the camper to watch Mars Attacks! and the second Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, Cave Dwellers. Mars Attacks! was great! We laughed like crazy. We also cranked up the TV antenna and were able to tune in NBC for Saturday Night Live.

Sunday came, and I finally got to be butch, assisting with tearing down the campsite and closing up the RV.. rolling up awnings, stowing the pop-out sleeping platforms, and learning the joys of emptying tanks at the "special place".

All in all, a fab time. Will write about Sunday evening at a later time.

Posted by Mattee at 10:15 PM | Permalink

Mattee finds something NEW to fret about.

I awoke this morning and downloaded e-mail from IT Consult-a-rama (a pseudonym for my cool employer). Surprise! We're being acquired, merging, whatever, with a multinational concern (offices in the UK, Canada, US) which I will henceforth refer to as MondoIT.

I immediately phoned another contractor at my office. She had been through the 1999 merger of Regional IS Consultants with IT Consult-a-rama in 1999-2000. She told me not to sweat it, saying that the major effect it will have on us is different forms, different benefits (equivalent, maybe better), and a different name on our paychecks.

That eased my mind a bit. We'll know more after our Division Meeting on August 30, but until then, I will not worry, will not fret, will not fuss (repeat until it sounds believable...).

Posted by Mattee at 10:31 PM | Permalink

Looking forward to "camping" this weekend. This is the maiden voyage in the BF's new RV. We're not going far, just to a nearby state park, in order to "christen" her. (read into THAT whatever you like!) RV living (I hesitate to refer to it as "camping",) is a new experience for me.. I'm used to camping in a tent, or, at best, a cabin.

The vehicle is really something. Air Conditioning, cable TV/Antenna hookup, built - in radio/cd player with speakers throughout, a 3-burner stove (plus a cookstation outside), microwave, a big fridge, and a full bathroom. The whole unit (with pop-outs extended) is about the same size as (and far nicer than) my first apartment in Lock Haven. Sheesh!

Posted by Mattee at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

OK, here's my contribution to the meme:

I have: a great life.

I see: my cubicle - mate's tsatskes.

I need: desperately to clean my messy house.

I find: I never have enough time to get everything done.

I want: some semblance of a normal sibling relationship with my sister.

I wish: I could afford a housekeeper.

I love: my Markie.

I hate: rude, abusive, or mean people.

I miss: my late pet, Ollie.

I fear: growing older.

I feel: largely content.

I hear: the rumble of the HVAC system in my office.

I smell: Ice Breakers™ mints

I crave: Jeremy's MicroBatch Ice Cream (Giant stopped selling it.. UPDATE: No wonder.. the company apparently went bust..)

I search: for my lost keys, wallet, glasses at least once a week.

I wonder: wonder who, ba doo doo who, who wrote the book of love?

I regret: hooking up with utter jerks when I first came out.

When was the last time you...

Smiled: Today

Laughed: Today, while chatting online with Beau.

Cried: Last month, while I was sick and in pain.

Bought something: Last week

Danced: It's been a while...

Were sarcastic: Can't remember. I don't do sarcasm well.

Kissed someone: This afternoon.. goodbye to Mark as he was leaving on a camping trip with the kids.

Talked to an ex: May 2001

Watched your favorite movie: Not recently... Lust in the Dust.

Had a nightmare: About 4 weeks ago.

Last book you read:

Scoppetone, Sandra Everything you have is mine.

Last movie you saw: Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.. about 10 in 2 days.

Last song you heard: "Move Away" by Culture Club

Last thing you had to drink: Spring Water from the office cooler

Last time you showered: Today

Last thing you ate: Baked potato, salad, and Jr. Cheeseburger from Wendy's

Smoke: When I go out

Do drugs: Occasionally

Have sex: You Betcha!

Sleep with stuffed animals: Nope, just a body pillow when I'm alone.

Live in the moment: Try very hard to do so.

Had a dream that keeps coming back: Yes. Always a variation of realizing that I've blown off or missed a class the entire semester and now have a final to take.

Play an instrument: Well no, but I'm a trained vocalist.

Believe there is life on other planets: Yes

Remember your first love: Yes. Today's his birthday and I called him to send my regards.

Still love him/her: Yeah, but on a different level.

Read the newspaper: On Sundays at Mark's. Otherwise I get my news online, from radio or TV.

Have any gay or lesbian friends: Actually, I was just thinking I need to make more straight friends.

Believe in miracles: Not really.

Believe it's possible to remain faithful forever: I know it's not possible for me.

Consider yourself tolerant of others: Yes, for the most part.

Consider love a mistake: Never.

Like the taste of alcohol: Depends what it's mixed with. By itself, generally no.

Have a favorite candy: I'm contracted to a candy manufacturer. Too many choices to decide.

Believe in astrology: I look at it for fun.

Believe in God: To save space.. yeah.

Believe in magic: Nah.

Pray: As part of a ritual, yeah. Heart to heart chats with the Creator? Not in Years.

Go to church: No, except for paid music gigs.

Have any pets: *snif*

Talk to strangers who IM you: Generally not.

Wear hats: Yes

Have any piercings: Two in my left ear. Considering others.

Have any tattoos: Not yet. Also under consideration.

Hate yourself: After many years of therapy, no, not anymore.

Have an obsession: Nah. too much work.

Have a secret crush: None now. Lots of them in the past.

Collect anything: Obsolete Computer Hardware.. not by choice.

Have a best friend: Yes. I'm so blessed to have him.

Wish on stars: Not in years.

Like your handwriting: It's ok, though I rarely handwrite anything except the odd note to myself.

Have any bad habits: Typical ADD lack of impulse control.

Care about looks: Yeah, my own.

Believe in witches: No.

Believe in Satan: < Church Lady >Well, isn't that special?< /Church Lady >

Believe in ghosts: Not so far.

Posted by Mattee at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Salon is on a "summer break", which means the amount of new content has slowed to a mere trickle. MetaFilter has been in read-only mode since August 6th (and will remain so until the 20th) while Matt takes a worry-free vacation. Once I get through (most of) my daily blog reads, I have been literally been scrambling to find alternatives to fill up time between calls.

Some alternatives I've discovered/rediscovered:

Bent: A journal of cripgay voices: A serious attempt to build an online community for Gay Men with disabilities. A nice blend of seriousness and sass.

Fray: Yes, I know, "What planet have you been on, Mary?" Interesting stories, accompanied by kick-ass graphics and presentation.

Anybody else have other ideas? Use the comments to let me know.

Posted by Mattee at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, my broadband's a hummin' away. Incredible how fast it is.. I downloaded an application from, umm, a major security software vendor today. Normally, the download probably would have taken 20 minutes or so; the download completed in just over a minute. FAB-ulous!

Just after 9 AM, the knock on the door I've been waiting for. I swear, cable companies must use the same hiring pool as the big brown parcel service. Mr. Cable was some kinda SNACKY. Burly, furry-chested, dark complexion, moustache...no wedding ring.

I purposely kept myself out of the way, so CableBear wouldn't see me staring or drooling. He basically had to do some work on the pole outside (removing some sort of shield), then he replaced the service cable entering my house, so he was up and down his big ladder several times. I called Mark and quietly PLOTZED over the phone. Mark laughed as we started to try to think up scenarios where I could at least get a good grope going...

It was terribly hot, so I offered him chilled bottled water. He politely declined, indicating he had a good supply in his truck. When He came back in the basement after stringing the cables, I felt practically faint as the smell of humid "bear" (mixed with a faint whiff of deodorant or cologne) hit my nostrils.

He came back upstairs, checked the signal meter, murmuring "oh, yeah, much better now", and showed me the difference in the reading. "You'll fly on there now." he said. Sure enough, the modem came on and immediately started communicating.

He quickly ran over the software settings with me, verifying that what I'd already done was correct. He made sure that I could log on successfully, asked me if I needed help setting up mail or anything. I assured him I'd be fine, thanked him for getting me connected in this heat, shook his hand and walked him to the door.

Typical techno - queen dilemma: despite the fact that CableBear got me all hot, in my head I was debating between touching myself and plunging into broadband heaven. Broadband won out.. how sad is that?

Posted by Mattee at 06:31 PM | Permalink

Well, the broadband jinx is alive and well at Matteecentral.com. The cable was spliced, the new cable run.. that was the easiest part, actually. Installing the modem drivers and other software took much longer than I thought it would... and it still doesn't work. My cable modem's power light just flashes. After conversing with their helpdesk, the rep there thinks it's something wrong with the incoming cable, since the modem does not appear to be getting a signal. This, of course, requires a tech visit, scheduled for Thursday morning. Ah, joy.

Posted by Mattee at 11:40 PM | Permalink

Ok, Bill, as you requested, here's the link to your Blogmeet photos page. Somehow, I get the feeling Blogdex won't count it correctly.

Posted by Mattee at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Keith reports that Limp Bizkit is covering Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax.

I'm not suggesting that Mr. Durst is gay or bi, but, as I wrote to Keith, I have to wonder, with albums titled:

-Three - Dollar Bill (as in queer as a...)

-Significant Other

-Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water (CS is slang for butthole, I understand...)

plus covers of "Faith" and "Relax".

Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmm.....

Posted by Mattee at 09:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

For my fabulous readers (you know who you are) who encouraged me to do the "bare ass" meme, click on "more" to get to my pic.

For those of you who don't wanna go there...move along to a previous or future entry... :D .

Click here for my contribution.

(NOTE: OK, it was a little dark. I brightened it some, but you'll see more "noise" in the pic. what do you want from a $50.00 flashless digital camera?)

Posted by Mattee at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I love WXPN. Today, during the World Cafe, the topic was Prince's Purple Rain (1994) and how the movie and album impacted the music culture of the day.

Predictably, all the participants lauded Prince as a "pioneer" and as "visionary". Between the sound bites came the music....

Oh, did it take me back.. back to the fall of '84, my sophomore year of college. I had survived pledgeship the previous spring and entered into my first semester as a full brother. I was living in a cool coed dorm, classes were going well... in retrospect, '84-'85 was probably my best year at college.

Purple Rain was the soundtrack for almost that entire year. Every song I heard today triggered different memories of that year... like how we all had that "preamble" to "Lets go Crazy" memorized (I was still able to say it word for word today in the car). I remembered how scandalous the lyrics of Darling Nikki were considered at the time (I met her in a hotel lobby masturbating with a magazine). Hmph! Compared to what we hear now, this seems so mild, doesn't it? Yet this song was the impetus for Tipper Gore's mid-80's crusade for warning labels on music. Go figure.

Posted by Mattee at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I laughed aloud at Boo's exposé (Ying, you ROCK! Thanks, baby.) of the commuters on the Metro North Hudson Valley 6:36am Express Train. I especially loved his description of the woman he and Jeff refer to as "Hotsy-Totsy":

"Her hair is flawless in that bottled honey color way and her lipstick, a shimmering powder pink are exquisitely lined within an inch of their thin-lipped life. We have basically decided over the course of the past few weeks of watching her that she must be in advertising or sales because she is able to kibbutz with both the blue-collar commuter crowd and the wall-streeters with equal fervor and abandon."

Posted by Mattee at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

RJ, you tease. You're gonna publish a picture of some body part every day, right? Until that hallowed day when you unveil your new site, your face and your unique last name to the world. Gurrl, you sure know how to make an entrance.

Oh, and the toe? Feh. My extremities are, like, way freakier than yours.

Posted by Mattee at 09:27 PM | Permalink

Ah, the power of the Internet. I had downloaded specs on a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) from APC.com, and was checking to see if the model I wanted was available locally.

I walked into Of@@ce De@@t and inquired. Alas, that model had been discontinued. There was a better model available..for 30 dollars more. I showed him the printout with APC's price, and the salesdude instantly took 20.00 off.

So, I got a better UPS for only $10.00 more than I would have paid on the net, with no shipping delays. Whoo hoo!

ELECTRICAL UPDATE: Outlet replacement stalled. The alleged workaround to ground using a pigtail attached to the outlet box didn't work.. the outlet still tests with an open ground. Damn! back to Lowe's, I guess.

Posted by Mattee at 08:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I keep telling myself that I don't care about page hits or links, that I'm doing this as an exercise in HTML, as an outlet for creative thought, blah blah blah...

I don't get the whole Blogdex thing. Is it looking for links in the body of a blog, or the occurance of a particular URL anywhere on a page, say, in a link list? I don't know, but I refuse to obsess over it.

I had to admit to a bit of a gym class flashback .. (no, not of springing a boner over Chris Cooper)... the being picked last for teams kinda thing.

But then I looked again... Hey, 1507 out of 10290 sites isn't bad. Many, many of my blog reads were significantly higher on the list... Look at who Mr. 349 is...

(link via mermaniac.)

Posted by Mattee at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, I did it. I jumped the hurdle, gritted my teeth, and ordered broadband Internet access through this provider. Since I already have a NIC installed in my PC (I was thinking ahead when I ordered), I won't have to open my PC, I hope. Also, I'm praying I won't have OS issues, like Beau did with his DSL install.

I chose to get the self-install kit rather than have the cable company do the work. I think the hardest part of the whole thing should be running the new coaxial from my basement to the second floor, but I've already done phone cable, so this shouldn't be any harder. I may try to run the un-terminated cable over the weekend so I'll just have to wire the jack at the business end, and add a splitter onto the existing incoming coax. Oh, and I probably should convert my two-prong electrical outlet in my office to a grounded 3-prong receptacle, so I can safely plug in my soon-to - be bought UPS. Wish me luck!

Posted by Mattee at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)