This is a random post because I haven’t really done much for the past few days except hang out with MD and go to Milan.  But, of course, there is a hot guy at the end of the story…in  a sense.

MD has been fabulous and allowed me to escape crazy roommate for two nights straight, as well as enabling me to decimate what was left of my meager bank account.  (It had to be done, I can’t be walking around wearing American size ‘medium’ anymore….as I’m sure you can imagine, it’s like wearing an Italian XL…and looks sloppy at best.)  I feel I might as well use up the money here, since upon my return to America, I will be (barely) only one step up from a customer service slave to the masses, and only desperation will allow me to refill the account without slowly poisoning the denizens of my city with arsenic.

I also feel, as all ‘real’ gays should, that if a pair of jeans looks cute, you have to buy them, regardless of cost or quality.  Or, more often in my case, if the salesperson is cute, and lies about the jeans to your face, you must still buy them.  It’s always best to bring ‘the honest friend’ along, especially one who is skillful in the art of train travel.

So, off we went to Milan yesterday. I in search of the rush really only Italy can provide, that of the perfect storm of way too much sugar, caffeine, and a dose of hot man-candy, MD, along for moral support and a variety of essential beauty products.

Once you see the picture below, I will once again lose some ‘Daniel P., world traveler points,’ but it was either start a bitch match with this guy, or only mildly suffer and then passive-aggressively punish the guy across from me with own my long legs instead.

After reading some other ridiculous blogs in which exclamation points are often used…in reference to things such as:

- “Europeans don’t have any sense of personal space!!!!! OMG, get away!!!”

- “OMG!!!  The toilet was just a hole in the ground, EWWW!!”

- “Everyone is always late to everything!!!  UGH! It’s so annoying!!”

- “OMFG! I got cut in line again!!”

- “Holy smokes!  How are Italians so skinny?  They eat nothing but pasta!!!!!”

- “Wow!!  Italians are soooo fabulously fashionable and put together!”

Most of these have moderately rational explanations (which I promise will be part of my “end of trip” post), and quite frankly are refreshing (at times), as I find Americans to be obnoxiously polite, slow, lazy, selfish, and often completely unaware of their surroundings.

But, this guy.  I mean really.

Now, I have learned to give up my well honed, “6-feet-at-all-times around me even if you’re my family” personal space, especially when on buses, or in the line at the grocery store (I mean really lady, are you smelling the back of my neck for a particular reason?).  But this guy was already sitting like this, in a packed train, even before he fell asleep.  I felt bad about it later, but the poor (apparently frightened at hearing English) guy across from me had to tuck his little Italian legs beneath his seat.  I’m sorry I’m 6 feet tall and you’re only 4.  Life is hard.  Now move those Ferragamos.

Upon arrival in Milan, one notices that it isn’t an attractive city at all.  Yes, I felt that the general populace is more smartly dressed, but they also tended to be older, richer, and smartly dressed in a boring “i’m a banker, but still attractive” kind of way.  But the city itself, minus the cathedral, was ‘meh.’ Turin is much more regal, interesting, and definitely cleaner.

(random attractive Italian cathedral)

(random attractive Italian, a destra)

After the prerequisite and oh-so-satisfying trip to La Rinascente, it was time for my secret real reason for being so excited about Milan… Included on our tour of the city was a visit to Chocolat!!  Holy smokes this place was good!  As far as my tour of gelato (megapost coming at some point, I swear) goes, it’s in the top three.  I almost couldn’t finish my cup o’ chocolatey goodness.  Almost.  It wins points for: most flavors of chocolate gelato (obviously), smart styling, the hiring of (chocolate) minorities, and the steady stream of extremely attractive Italian men sweeping in and out of the door for a quick ice cream, coffee, and/or hair check.

[Note to ALL travelers to Milan.  Bring a lighter.  Even if you don't smoke.  I promise you won't regret it.]

After more walking around in a carb-tastic, post-chocolate daze, and spending way too much money at H&M, we started walking by a line of people. To get into a store.  An Abercrombie & Fitch. Yes.  Here in Italy at last.  Three cheers for globalization!!!

I had already witnessed this phenomenon multiple times in NYC, where Europeans (and probably U.S. tourists from Texas) would line up literally around the block for the A&F on 5th avenue.

This is even more curious now, because:

A.  I may have gotten a tad older, but, once 40-yr-old gays started to wear A&F, it was a death knell for its coolness.  I could be wrong, but, I don’t think that it’s currently the pinnacle of “American” style and fashion it once may have been.

B.  Italians could buy a round-trip plane ticket to NYC, buy all of their clothes at the A&F there, and still save money than if they bought it in Milan.

C.  Um, now that it’s in Italy…it’s not really all that interesting, far away, or even very American anymore.  It’s like H&M in Atlanta.  H&M was only cool before it arrived in Atlanta because you were wearing clothes that could only be bought in Chicago or NYC.  Now, it’s just another GAP.

All this being said…..you KNOW I had to get my picture taken with the hot Italian A&F beefcake, whose soul purpose (like in America during the holidays) is to stand in front of the door and look hot… I mean, c’mon! Look at him!   W* Milano!!

Um, someone give him a cookie please.

Also amusing is the guy in the background, whose smirk says: “Um, yeah, I know exactly what you’re up to mister”

After my sugar-high-enhanced heart palpitations began to slow, it was time to return home.  This time, having learned the hard way, I had ample legroom and armrest space…without having to cut anyone.

Also, a nice young lady heard us speaking in English (maaaayyyybe about how certain Italians could kiss our grits…) and wished us a Happy Thanksgiving.  It was sweet, but also a sign of how far I’ve literally and figuratively come, as I had no idea (or cared) that it was even turkey day.

Upon return, the wonderful FS procured all I need to survive in this world: french fries and pizza with four kinds of meat…mmmm…Thanks MD and FS!!

(*short for viva!)

We’ve been pressing forward on faith lately.  Faith that nausea meant a baby and that all those other little symptoms were adding up to a thriving possibility.  It has been a month since we last saw a doctor about being pregnant and, since then, faith.

On Wednesday we had an appointment with a doctor who looked just like me.  She was my wife’s type, a smiling, healthy, blonde and it made it just a tiny bit easier to let her break out the lube and a glove.  Dr. M was happy for us and completely comfortable with our relationship.  It’s a constant concern for me, this issue of acceptance, and I was almost as grateful that she was welcoming as I was to hear the heartbeat.

To. Hear. The. Heart. Beat.

She took us by surprise, whipping out the small machine and greasing up D’s belly lickety-split.  Afterwards, she confessed that she often doesn’t try with couples at ten weeks if they appear stressed out or high-strung, the chance of not finding it is too stressful for the panicked.  I was relieved that we appeared nonchalant because I didn’t feel relaxed, I felt like I wanted to take her by the shoulders and say SHOW ME MY BABY.

The little whoosh whoosh was extraordinarily gratifying.  Actually, that doesn’t even begin to do it justice.  It was phenomenally humbling.  If we’ve taken this at all lightly so far, shame on us.  That lovely little heartbeat was normal and we go back for an ultrasound in two weeks.

That’s all I’ve got to say – thank you.

::ZinGZanGZunG presents::

for more informations click  HERE  happy shopping and lot of greetings, zyma 

::ZinGZanGZunG presents::

diejenigen, die hier hin und wieder vorbeiswitchen, wissen, dass ich eigentlich ein fan aller erdtöne bin. nur, manchmal packt mich der rappel und es muss was quitschiges und schrilles her. und ausserdem, wer von euch kann zu dieser tristen jahreszeit nicht auch ein wenig extra farbe brauchen diesmal mit einem gruss an liberty!

• skin. estyle
• haare/hair. Vanity Hair (New Release Gift)
• shape. SerGG
• outfit. *LP*
• nägel/nails. Ibizarre (Dollarbie)
• brille/glasses. Redgrave (Dollarbie)
• schal/scarf. MD
• tasche/bag. Dark Mouse
• armband/bracelet. Kunstkammer
• highheels. Stiletto Moody (Anniversary Gift)

C. 27  11/25/09

Yesterday, on Tuesday, November 24th, a great Jewish figure in Washington, D.C.’s recent history, passed away. Abe Pollin, who was 85 years old, was best known for bringing professional basketball and hockey to D.C. Pollin was the owner of the Washington Wizards (formerly the Bullets), the Mystics, and the Capitals.

Washington’s professional basketball and hockey teams used to play in Landover, MD at the USAir Arena, formerly the Capital Centre. Pollin was responsible for the building of the Verizon Center, formerly the MCI Center (the new home to these teams) in 1997 and the transformation of Chinatown and its surrounding neighborhoods. According to Wikipedia, “the Arena is not only a popular venue for sports and concerts, but helped to turned “Gallery Place/Chinatown” neighborhood into one of the prime sites for commercial development in Washington.”

In addition to Pollin’s involvement in DC’s sports, he also had a history of involvement in the real estate market, building his first major project, The Robert Towers near the Pentagon and named for his first son. His final project, “a 500-unit luxury [apartment] complex in Chevy Chase, was the Irene, named for his wife” (Express).

Abe Pollin will be greatly missed by his family and the Washington Jewish and sports communities. May he rest in peace.

bakit ganun?…

amputchang tanong yan… ilang beses ko na bang tinanong sa sarili ko yan… pero hanggang ngayon, di ko pa rin alam ang sagot… di ko pa rin mahanap at matagpuan kahit anong isip pa ang gawin ko…

bakit ganun?…

bakit kahit naibigay ko na sayo ang lahat, bakit parang may kulang pa rin… bakit ganun?..

bakit kahit ibinuhos ko na sa iyo lahat ng pagmamahal na meron sa puso ko, bakit hindi mo pa rin ako nagawang mahalin ng totoo?… baki ganun?…

bakit kahit buong pitong taon ng buhay ko ay naubos ko sa pagbibigay ng pagmamahal at atensyon sa iyo, bakit hindi mo ako magawang iprayoridad kahit isang beses lang… bakit ganun?…

bakit kahit alam ko naman na sinasaktan mo lang ako, bakit minahal pa rin kita ng todo todo… bakit ganun?…

at bakit kahit ako ang nakipag hiwalay eh ako pa rin ang naiwan kung saan tayo nagtapos… bakit di nako nakagalaw habang naumpisahan mo na uli ang buhay mo…  bakit ganun?…

AT BAKIT ANG SAKIT SAKIT PA RIN NG NARARAMDAMAN KO HANGGANG NGAYON?….

BAKIT GANUN?…

i know…. i can never own something that was never mine in the first place… 

i should have instilled to my mind a long time ago that you were just “borrowed”… which i need to return one day….

but you know what??

i’m glad…

i’m glad that “US” happened…

because despite of the pains, i was happy…

and i know i would never be happier with someone else other than you…

and if you are wondering why i don’t want us to remain friends….

I CAN’T !!!

i can’t have you beside me and not hug you…

i can’t stare at you and not kiss you…

i can’t text you and not say “iloveyou”….

i just can’t be near you and not have you….

oh, babe, my heart just longs for you….

it’s over… again…

and i’m dying of pain… again!…

I cannot express how excited I am for Thanksgiving to come!  I’ve been pretty busy lately — I have 2 research papers left to do, a French paper, a paper for Death and Dying, and a final political science paper.  Needless to say, I’m buried in work and cannot wait for Thanksgiving Break.  Only one more day left to go!  I’m looking forward to going out on Wednesday night with my high school friends.  Every year, my high school (Upper Darby HS) has a football game against Haverford HS on Thanksgiving morning.  It’s also known for being the alumni game of the year…where I get to see all my friends from high school and former teachers.  Afterward, I always have dinner with my family.  Then there’s BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!  That’s right — my mom and I are some of those crazies who go out at 4am to shop.  It’s a tradition and I love doing it every year!  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because there’s always good food, good family and friends, and good football!  It’s not overly commercialized or mass-marketed.  There’s no stress involved.  My biggest pet peeve?  When my holiday gets overshadowed by people who decorate for Christmas and play Christmas music before Thanksgiving even takes place!  It’s not fair   But alas, I’m still looking forward to the best holiday of the year.

In other news, Temple Football just won their 9th consecutive win this past Saturday against Kent State, making Temple’s overall record 9-2!!! HOLY COW!  I cannot explain how exciting of a time this is for Temple students!  I personally am very excited because it’s been so long since Temple Football has been bowl-eligible and since we’ve had such a good record.  As of now, if Temple beats Ohio University this Friday night, then they’re going to the MAC Championship on December 4th in Detroit!  This also means that the band will travel with the team — so I’m super excited!  But mostly, I’m holding out hope that Temple gets invited to the International Bowl in Toronto in January!  I would love that –  I’ve never been to Canada!  Either way, I’ll be sure to post more updates as soon as I find out!  Keep your fingers crossed for Temple Football

Also, I posted a video in one of my previous posts of Temple’s Diamond Marching Band playing Sum 41’s Fat Lip, with rapping and dancing!  We just found out the other day that Sum 41 posted our video on their official website!!  How cool is that!?!  Check out their website: http://www.islandrecords.com/site/artist_home.php?artist_id=259.  The video is right on their homepage!!!!  Props to us!!  If you don’t feel like it, I’m copying the video below this paragraph so you can see it!  The video is from the Temple vs. Navy game in Annapolis, MD.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Annapolis Jaycees – Annual Holiday Hanging of the Greens Project (Annapolis)

Volunteers are needed for Hanging of the Greens in downtown Annapolis from 8 am-3 pm on Sat., Dec. 5 2009. Volunteers will work in teams of 5-10 on assigned sections of buildings to wrap Christmas lights around greenery and hang the greens/lights along with wreaths and ribbons. Volunteers are encouraged to bring wire cutters, ladders, and pickup trucks. Breakfast and a mid-day lunch will be provided. The Jaycees will also light the city of Annapolis Christmas Tree on Sun., Nov. 29th at 6 pm. Setup starts at 3pm Concession sales start around 5:30pm, program starts at 6pm with tree lighting sometime between 6:45pm-7:00pm. See Web site: www.annapolisjaycees.org.

Welcome to Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc.

Business Philosophy:

Ciminelli’s Landscape Services strives to provide their customers with quality landscape construction and maintenance as well as friendly and responsive customer service. They run our business with integrity in all areas and design and install landscapes that meet the needs of their customers.  The goal is to enhance and beautify homes as well as solve any existing landscape problems. They provide respectful working conditions for our employees and allow for opportunities to grow with the company and maintain long-term employment.

Specialty:

Landscape renovations and construction with craftsmanship using natural stone as well as pavers and other manufactured products.

Address:  1052 Bayard Road, Lothian
County:  Anne Arundel
Phone:  (410) 741-9683
Website:  http://www.ciminellislandscape.com

Review: Carrol’s Creek Waterfront Restaurant

410 Severn Avenue, Annapolis
410-263-8102
CarrolsCreek.com

When to Enjoy:
Lunch: Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 5-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 5-10 p.m., Sun. 3-8:30 p.m.
Sun. Brunch: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Expect to Pay:
Starters: $5-15
Entrées: $21-30
Desserts: $7
Wine by the glass: $7–16
Wine by the bottle: $24–340

After many years of dining in Annapolis and the surrounding communities, visiting new restaurants and proven gems, I somehow find myself returning to a favorite place according to the mood of the day or who will be dining with me. Carrol’s Creek has always been on my list of favorite places to dine, and there is nothing like introducing an old favorite to someone who has never been there. My companion, Celia, whose palate has contributed to my evaluation of various establishments for the past several months, enjoyed her first Carrol’s Creek dinner with me recently.

Carrol’s Creek has a wonderful history, taking its name from Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was born in a mansion that still stands beside the creek, and a map dated 1781, which indicated present-day Spa Creek as Carrol’s Creek (missing the second “L” in the name). Jeff Jacobs, the owner for 25 years, has added a strong dining establishment, noted for its excellent cuisine, to the Annapolis waterfront. But the decor is certainly to be noticed as well: a dining room with elegantly staggered levels, cherrywood furniture, subtle lighting, blue table candles, and large windows offers a contemporary atmosphere with a splendid view of Annapolis and the bustling creek. The bar at the front of house is a well-designed room with wall wine cellars; a raw bar; and a very modern, intimate feel.

Our waitress, Christina, was very cordial. She informed us of the evening’s specials promptly after we were seated. For a little more adventure than usual we broke from the traditional first, second, and third course approach by enjoying mostly appetizers throughout the meal.

“The cumin spiced lamb rack, served with lime goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with a cilantro cream sauce was fantastic!”—Gilles Syglowski

We started with a creamy black bean soup that had a very nice Southwestern taste, but perhaps could have been just a touch thinner. We moved on to share a Carrol’s Creek salad, the best salad we have had in a long time. Fresh, tender mixed greens with walnuts, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and tarragon-raspberry vinaigrette were more than enough to win us over.

In keeping with our theme we chose two more appetizers that were more substantial. Definitely attractive, they revealed Chef Brian Price’s culinary talents. First was the cumin spiced lamb rack served with lime goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with a cilantro cream sauce. It was fantastic! The lamb was perfectly cooked and the accompaniments married with the chops perfectly. The second was a pepper-crusted beef tenderloin carpaccio with a marinated artichoke and mushroom salad, toasted focaccia, and fresh horseradish aioli. What a wonderful dish: the garniture of artichoke was delicious and the beef was smooth, tasty, and perfectly marbled.

For an entrée to share Celia and I were undecided, but we thought we had already enjoyed our serving of red meat. So we finally opted for the special fish of the day: roasted codfish and shrimp with a coconut cream sauce. The cod was very well prepared and served atop rice. The whole plate was very nicely presented, and our request to have the sauce on the side was graciously accommodated. When we blended forkfuls of plump fish and shrimp with the sauce, the dish came together wonderfully.

Finally, for dessert we shared a tremendously delicious butterscotch crème brûlée, which was very rich and smooth, and the flourless chocolate cake, which was divine— superb.

The glass of French Pinot Noir J. Dubois wine paired well with the entire dinner: good body, rich color, and fine aroma. Carrol’s Creek has an award-winning wine list that is constantly improved upon and adjusted to meet the demand of trends.

Geneva, a manager at Carrol’s Creek for nearly 15 years, was delightful to chat with. She graciously told us about the wonderful Sunday brunches; the bar specials, such as extended happy hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and half-price wines on Wednesdays. She also emphasized the bargain of the prix fixe menus offered for dinner and lunch and how popular they have become. If you’d like to stay in touch with Carrol’s Creek and learn more you can join its mailing list or the Frequent Diner Club.

Great food, great place, great people, and Annapolis on the water—what a wonderful time!

Gilles Syglowski is a certified executive chef, a certified culinary instructor, and a food service consultant. He is a graduate of the Lycee d’Enseignement Professionel Hotelier in Metz, France. He is currently the assistant general manager of the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. Mr. Syglowski has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

As a small Construction Management and General Contracting business Owner I recently completed a phone interview with Baltimore Sun reporter Jamie Smith Hopkins. The topic of the interview was “how is the economy effecting you? ” One of the questions she asked me was related to stimulus money and had my business felt the effects of the government  stimulus being pumped into the economy.  Basically, have you seen any stimulus money? My answer was “no, not really”. 

I told her that most of the construction projects that have been highlighted as a direct result of a state receiving stimulus money have been highway projects or other large commercial ventures. My sense is that too many small  businesses have fallen into a high risk for lending category viewed from a banks perspective. This is all due to lack of consumer spending which is tied directly to the high unemployment rate in this country.  Small businesses can’t qualify for loans from banks who have received stimulus money which means businesses aren’t growing or creating new jobs. It’s a cycle that does not seem close to ending.

The next question naturally was “What are you doing to keep your  business going?”  I said with a laugh, ” a whole lot of creative free advertising”.  I’ve posted flyers in coffee shops, posted project videos online, started “tweeting or twittering”  all in an effort to increase business and networking capacity.  Word of mouth is still the best free  advertisement.

As I reflected on the interview I shared with my wife that it’s not going to be all bad all the time. I can maintain a positive attitude since life usually works out and the bumps along the way are just part of the ride. So I hang on and keep on spreading the word about my business.

To learn more about my company, The Olive Group, LLC  visit http://www.theolivegroupmanagement.com

Small businesses will suffer under their latest financial burden: The cost of rising unemployment itself.  States are being forced to increase state taxes on companies to pay for unemployment insurance claims.  Because small businesses create about 60 percent of new jobs, it could hamper the economic recovery as employers are already squeezed by tight credit, rising health care cost, wary consumers and a higher minimum wage.  (read more Omaha World-Herald)

Another guest post from MD’s hubby.   I was lucky enough to be invited to their Italian “Thanksgiving.”  The dinner basically included ridiculously delicious food (such as Fran’s Famous Focaccia, green bean casserole, bacon wrapped turkey meatloaf (!!!), chocolate, and copious amounts of both friends and wine).  Luckily, it did not include American T’giving food, which I quite frankly don’t really like so much.   This recipe is merely for delicious posterity, since peeling and cutting artichokes is WAY too much work for me

Here is the famous meatloaf!  Basically made the same way as the meatballs, but in loaf form, covered in bacon, and cooked in the oven.  MMMMmmmm…

Fried Artichokes

Artichokes

Eggs

Parsley

Grated Pecorino

All-purpose Flour

Corn oil

.

Cut/Peel off the harder outer leaves and stem of the artichokes.

Cut lengthwise into slices approximately 1/2 cm thick.

Soak in lemon water to reduce browning.

Heat corn oil in skillet.

Mix the flour, eggs, cheese, and parsley until you get a batter-like texture.

Coat the artichoke slices in batter and fry in corn oil until golden-brown and delicious.

Eat, Drink, and be Merry!!

I had no idea how much I associate enjoyment of food with other people.  I’m sure this is a question for therapy, but I feel okay with it, just…baffled.

One month ago, I would have told you that I loved to cook.  Like M and Cooking sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G love.  I would have told you about shelves of tattered cookbooks, memories about cooking with my mother, attempts at new dishes both successful and not, spilled stews, perfect summer suppers, campfire dinners and candlelit restaurants.  There’s no doubt I love to eat.  I love to taste.  I love the idea of trying every last thing, even if it’s just a bite.

I’ve come to terms with being heavier than I was at 20 because in the intervening years I have learned what it is to enjoy flavor.  Admittedly, it was only recently that I also learned to enjoy moderation, but that’s another post.  Even failed recipe attempts (or, more likely, failed attempts that didn’t involve a recipe) are a delight because of the experience of cooking and tasting.

At any rate, I’d have sworn that my love of food and cooking had nothing to do with the company.  That I’d enjoy it just as much alone as I do with you.  And I’d love to sit down with you over a flaky coffee cake and a steaming mug of…wait.  Distracted.  It turns out, that I am completely disinterested in food if the person I’m eating with is ambivalent about the dish.  Or, on the verge of throwing up.  Hi, honey!

I should have gotten a tip off when, given a night alone, I prefer to eat some of an oven pizza than to cook, but I’d never put two and two together.  This month has been instructional.  Food loses all flavor and incentive when D isn’t interested in eating.  She’s lost weight.  I’ve lost weight.  She’s choking down crackers at breakfast, I’m eating a lackluster piece of toast.  She blanches over a bowl of soup, my salad becomes flavorless.  She doesn’t feel like eating, I’m not the slightest bit hungry.

Maybe it seems like I’m missing it.  I’m not.  I suspect not anymore than she is in the depth of queasiness.  Before she got pregnant, I made promises of healthy, tasty dishes that would bring the baby up loving brussels sprouts and eating candied tofu.  Right, I know.  I know!  But also, food that would make her enjoy being pregnant.  Intellectually, I know I could try to tempt her with foods she felt like eating.  I have a huge arsenal of flavor to throw at her.  I could make a sweet and sour chicken.  Or sauerkraut.  Or feed her raw lemons topped with pickles.  Hmm…that might actually work.  But instead, I fail at temptation, preferring to let us both eat when she’s hungry to the extent that she feels like eating.

I won’t miss that 10 pounds anyway.

No doctor’s visit for us after all.  Well, we went, and we met Wanda (one of Megan’s cohort – perhaps we’ll just call them all WAM.  By all, I mean, I’ve seen almost ten different nurses so far in the halls of the practice) and she was lovely.  She took care of the details like weight (losing) and blood pressure (fine) and reassured us that the Tamiflu probably hasn’t killed the baby.  Though, come to think of it, she looked somewhat worried.  Whether it was the Tamiflu or the part about us being in the office with recently departed flu, I don’t know.

WandaAM went off to send in the doctor and discovered that he’d been called to the hospital.  We were disappointed, but you know, understanding because hi – with any luck – we’ll have that response in that sort of emergency.  Ok, very disappointed, but nothing we can’t recover from.  The two other docs in the office today couldn’t fit all of his patients in so we were out the door, with WandaAM reassuring us that she had cowed reception into giving us an appointment for Wednesday.

There’s a silver lining to this.  We’ll be ten weeks when we see the new doctor and maybe they’ll listen for the heartbeat.  Come on, there was flu.  Isn’t that a good enough reason to try?  Well, I’m grasping at straws here.  Also, we’re scheduled to see a woman this time and turns out we both feel more comfortable with that proposition.  And, we had a chance to be lovely and patient (because at 9 1/2 weeks we can afford to) while the other women rescheduling had a chance to be irate and unforgiving.  Points with WAM, I’m sure.  And we got to see WAMegan, and it was nice to both see a familiar face and be recognized.

So that’s done.  At least til next week.

I graduated from a highly ranked medical school seven years ago. I put my pursuit of medicine on hold 5 years ago, when I entered recovery for my alcoholism and addiction.  Since then, my path has morphed into something I never would have guessed.

When addiction is threatening your life, you quickly embrace the only known cure to mankind that shows some success–a spiritual one. I was living very near one of the largest metaphysical libraries in the US when my spiritual path started.  As I sat in AA meetings, hearing people talk about embracing “God” and trusting their “Higher Power”, I realized that I needed to figure out what I believed was out there…where I came from, who I really was, who was there to guide me, etc.

I went to that large metaphysical library. I walked up and down the shelf-ways browsing. I saw a book that caught my eye and I remembered that this book had fascinated me as a teenager. It was called “Messages from Michael” and was supposed channeled material that came through a Ouji board.

The biggest impact that the channeled Michael material had on me at the start of my path was this simple and incredible idea that changes everything: We ARE God and God IS love.

The material talks about how life as we know it is a sort of experiment being done by an all encompassing consciousness that is quite hard to fully comprehend.  It says we are extensions of  “God” or whatever you wish to call it, sent out like millions of little branches into the physical world, so that the consciousness can truly experience itself and ‘unfold’. It also explains that Love is the closest concept existing in our culture that describes what “God” is.

For a girl who saw her mother being beaten to St. Paul passages in the Bible, for a girl who as a child thought “God” would condemn her to an afterlife in hell for secretly listening to rock and roll songs, for a girl who had become angry and disgusted with the whole concept of “God”–this changed everything.

As I write this blog in the coming months as a sort of  journal, you will understand more about where I have come from.  My childhood experiences usually have the effect of leaving the listener’s jaw near the floor.  I was severely abused, isolated and denied an education yet went on to become an MD and a deeply compassionate, functional person.

But this blog is about something else.  I am a trained scientist-someone with a sharp mind and a deep respect for science, as I have used it myself to prevent someone’s death many times.  I am also surrounded by members of the “metaphysical” community-people who channel, energy heal, claim to see things that others cannot. I give these ideas outside the acceptance of mainstream western science a chance to seed in my mind. I do it by setting aside judgements as much as I can while I collect information and draw conclusions at later points, once I have truly listened.

The result? I feel small and humbled…just a girl in the world trying to make sense of the strange. I have decided that the best way to live, for me, is to leave no personal belief or paradigm built in stone.  If our beliefs are set in stone, we CAN live a happy life but I believe we  miss out on how incredible, magical and beyond our wildest dreams life truly is.

There are days I feel crazy.  There are days I change my mind. There are days I’m just too tired to challenge myself to think in a different way and instead I choose to watch silly reality shows and pretend I think  like everyone else.

But in truth, I have been given this incredible spot in life! I am part of a growing minority that believes things that others would consider a sign of mental illness. I do not think like the majority and I am grateful for it.  AND, I have studied the science and paradigms that the majority use to function well enough to maybe see things in a new unifying way between the world of science and the world of the metaphysical.

I refer to myself as a “girl” in this blog, because I am truly still a child in all of this.  Somewhere inside I am still exactly that same little person who stood in the freezing New Hampshire night, looking up at Orion’s belt and wondering what life was out there and would I get to understand it in my lifetime.

The things I have come to believe and understand today shatter and thrill my little girl’s perspective.  And I’m willing to bet that what I learn in just the next couple of years will also shatter and thrill my current paradigm! You see, I choose to be awake. I choose to challenge every idea and take nothing for granted. It is a magical way to live, and for me the only way to live in these times.

I’m just a girl in the world, making sense of the strange! Will you come along my journey and help me?

Planning your next reunion and looking for the perfect location for your special group…where better to stay then just outside our Nation’s Capital?

Prince George’s County, Maryland is the ideal location for any reunion, regardless of group size, price point or interests. From quality hotels, to historic museums, and fun attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Gorgeous Prince George’s!

Looking for a high quality hotel for your group to stay? The Marriott Greenbelt hotel has won “Marriott Hotel of the Year” and is minutes from exciting attractions such as the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Six Flags America, downtown Washington, D.C., and within an hour from Baltimore and Annapolis.

Planning a reunion for a large group? Check out the National Harbor, Maryland’s newest dream gateway! It’s an incredible 300-acre waterfront destination just minutes from downtown Washington D.C., along the Potomac River. The cornerstone of National Harbor is the 2000-room Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel in the Washington DC metro. The National Harbor features world-class dining, nightclubs, shopping and an amazing market, as well as special seasonal features and attractions for the whole family to enjoy!

There are a magnitude of unique and interesting historical sites, museums and cultural events to enjoy in Prince George’s. Go back in time and visit the Surratt House, home of Mary Surratt, the first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The museum presents a variety of programs and events, recapturing the history of mid-19th century life and focusing on the fascinating web of the Lincoln conspiracy.

Check out a performance at the incredible Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, take in a professional sports game, or spend a day exploring Fort Washington and it’s 341-acre park offering an assortment of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails and a playground.

There are plenty of great places to experience on your reunion in Prince George’s, making it the ideal reunion destination! Check out Reunion Capital USA for reunion planning advice, ideas and more!

Follow ReunionsUSA on twitter for daily updates!

Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and you could WIN a reunion package worth over $20,000 in Prince George’s! It’s only open until December 31st so enter your group today and you could be the next big winner!

Dear Readers, please note that I am no longer friends with MD.  She does not know this yet, because I am non-confrontational.  However, anyone who sends me home with an entire box of chocolaty cookie goodness knows full well that I must eat all of them in one sitting, and therefore she must be punished for her ‘enabling.’      Thank you.

Welcome State Chapter Presidents and Governors of Region 6.

We were recently treated to an awesome installation ceremony for our WCR National President – Deborah Gilmore and her leadership team.

Deborah listed membership retention as her primary goal for 2010.

We in Region 6 would like to be in the forefront of the national effort to succeed in member retention.
We can begin by encouraging our supportive members to renew their membership during the month of December.

My task as Regional Vice President is to be the liaison between the State Chapters, and the National Governing Board and Staff. My job is to assist you in interpreting the vision and the mission of the National Office to your membership.
I will constantly encourage you to use your leadership skills to help the chapters under your charge to keep their eyes on their respective goals.

I want to use this and other modes of communication to keep you informed on the progress of Region 6 and on the expectations from the National front.

This communication “The Buck Stops Here” is primarily for the State Chapter Presidents and Governors. Feel free to use any portion of it as one of your leadership tools.

Respectively,
Katie E. Grove, ABR, GRI, PMN
RVP, Region 6
Women’s Council of REALTORS