Life's Unexpected Twists...

OK, so apparently my core strength is quite good for someone who's not exercised for the past decade. On Thursday at my appointment with my Personal Trainer Greg, he put me through a series of exercises that was designed to check out my core strength. He seemed quite impressed. Then again, he may say that to all of his new clients...just to butter them up. I walked home again, but this time, my legs were so sore that every step was agony. I could barely lift one foot in front of the other. Halfway across the Harbour Bridge, I was seriously contemplating getting to Milsons Point and jumping on the train; I just didn't think I'd be able to make it all the way home. But, I decided that if I'm going to be serious about exercising, then I would need to just work my way through the pain, not give up. And so I persisted and made it all the way home.

There was added incentive in walking home, I must admit. Because, at Waverton station waiting for me, was a guy. I was talking about it to Muzbot on Saturday at his birthday pub crawl, about how very ironic it was that when I had my rant a couple of weeks ago, the pieces were already starting to fall into place in relation to this guy. Let me go back to the start...

We met in very classic circumstances...it was late December, we'd both been to our respective work Christmas parties and had left them. We were both a little bit pissed (well, actually, thinking back we were probably both quite a bit pissed) and both ended up at the Columbian Hotel on Oxford St. I'm not a huge fan of the Columbian so normally wouldn't have gone there, however I was meeting my lovely friend SG there - hadn't seen him for a few weeks. Anyway, I went to the bar to order a drink; crowded bar, so I was kinda right next to this tall guy. Didn't really take much notice of him, I was more intent on getting the attention of the bartender. But he obviously took notice of me...he commented on the fact that I looked rather pleased with the world. And it's true, I often find myself grinning inwardly (and obviously outwardly too) when I go to a gay bar...it's still a new enough experience for me to find the thrill in it. Anyway, this guy had a smashing smile himself...I just melted. So, the upshot of it was that I took him home that night. When we awoke the next day, we actually talked to each other and I found him to be a lovely guy. Originally from country NSW, professionally employed, living in Bondi, 29 yrs old. A really nice honest kinda guy. We exchanged numbers when I dropped him home, but you know, I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it. I've been there enough times to know that! We had one more conversation, a couple of days later and in it, he told me that he was actually moving to Canada in February, for a 12 month working holiday. Doh! And so I figured that was it...no point in pursuing anything with him.

Christmas came and I went down the coast; he went home to see his family and was going to spend a couple of weeks relaxing up there. I messaged him Christmas Day and NYE, to which he responded quite positively. I went back to work and got on with life...and in the process had my little rant. The day after Rant part II, I was working back late at the office. He (his name is Mack by the way) messaged me to see if I was still in the city...would I like to catch up for a quick drink? You betcha baby!!!

We met up at Martin Place Bar and when I saw him again, that gorgeous smile was still there. I couldn't resist...I ended up taking him home again. But still, I was questioning myself...what was the purpose of seeing more of him when there was such a limited time frame? We ended up discussing it that night at home, snuggled on the couch. He admitted that he was really attracted to me and couldn't believe his bad luck in meeting me with only 6 weeks to go before leaving. My sentiments entirely. But it was good to talk about it, to get things out in the open. We ended up deciding that yes, we both like each other...a lot! But there had to be an end...namely, his departure. So, for want of a better description, we decided that we would have ourselves a "holiday romance". And so, since then, we've been dating. We've been to the movies, we've been to dinner, he's stayed in at my place, watching DVD's and eating leftovers for dinner, I've stayed at his place. I've met a few of his friends, he's met a few of mine.

And so, I find myself in a strange situation. If Mack was not leaving, I know that there's a good chance I would find myself falling in love. As it stands, I'm not letting myself go there. I am thoroughly enjoying being with him. He's a joy to be around...his sunny smile lights up the room (well, for me anyway) and his open honesty is refreshing. I love snuggling into his hairy chest (of course); he tells me that he loves me going to sleep in his arms. It aint perfect - after all, it all finishes soon. But until then, I'm one happy chap! As the saying goes, it's always darkest just before you turn on the light...and trust me, the after my little dark ranting period, it's nice to have some light!

Work...

We were just discussing a new restaurant that's opened in the city and trying to find out if anyone has been there. No-one has. But it's a funny thing that we are often comparing restaurants here at work; it's actually considered part of my job to know which are the nice restaurants/cafes so that I can take my clients there. And so sitting on the net, trawling through restaurant reviews or having a 15 minute chat about what we thought of a particular restaurant isn't looked upon as time wasting, but rather as justified research. Our clients expect that we will take them to the decent places and so we need to become familiar with them. Oh, this is such a terrible part of my job! He he he!

Maybe I should ask Tom, he being a budding restauranteur...I'm sure he'd know!

Meme...

Haven't done a meme in ages...and I saw this in TBC's blog and thought, why not! So here goes...

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? A mess...lots of rubbish!
2. When was the last time you threw up? Friday night...had a splendid dinner, went out dancing afterwards and it must've been the jumping up and down....I came down, but the dinner stayed up...!
3. What age will you be next birthday? 37
4. What's your favorite curse word? Damn!
5. Name 3 people who made you smile today? Jacqui, Mike and Davo
6. What were you doing at 8 a.m. this morning? Putting my tie on...
7. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Talking to a client on the phone.
8. Where were you born? Townsville Qld
9. Have you ever been to a strip club? No actually!
10. What is the last thing you said aloud? I'm buggered!
11. What is the best ice cream flavor? Coconut gelato
12. What was the last thing you had to drink? Water (I'm trying to be healthy blah blah blah)
13. What are you wearing right now? Suit, shirt, tie, shoes...standard office garb really
14. What was the last thing you ate? Mars Bar (I said trying to be healthy)
15. Have you bought any new clothes this week? Yep...two work shirts
16. Where were you last? I've been here at work all afternoon
17. What's the last sporting event you watched? I watched a tiny bit of the tennis
18. Who won? Have no idea...I only watched a tiny bit
19. Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on Facebook? Muzbot - it's his Birthday today and so I sent him a present on FB
20. Ever go camping? Yep
21. Where do you live? Sydney, New South Wales
22. What song are you listening to? The sound of my colleagues talking - not exactly a song, but that's the only background noise that we have!
23. Do you have a tan? I'm a vague shade of off-white - I don't tan well
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? No
25. What did your last text message say? "Cool"
26. Who's your best friends? This is something that's been playing on my mind recently...it's the subject of a post of its own!
27. What are you doing tomorrow? Working and going to gym for my first proper session! Eek!
28. Where is your mom right now? Not really sure...
29. Look to your right, what do you see? My potplant
30. What color is your watch? Silver and gold
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia? Summer, sun, space
32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster? You betcha!
33. What is your birthstone? Diamond (I'm a quality guy) I must say, however, that rubies are my favourite stone
34. Do you go in at a fast-food place or just hit the drive through? Drive through
35. What is your favorite number? 33 (How awesome would it have been if this was Question 33!)
36. Do you have a dog? Nope
37. Last person you talked to on the phone? My client
38. Have you met anyone famous? Yes, but I can't say who it is as this person is a client
39. Any plans today? Go home in about 12 minutes, make dinner, be slothful in front of the TV.
40. How many states have you lived in? 2 - Qld and NSW
41. Ever go to college? Nope
42. Where are you right now? work
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? No Mr Right in my life right now!
44. Are you in love with someone right now? I wish...
45. Are you allergic to anything? Not that I'm aware of...
46. Favorite pair of shoes? My black boots
47. Are you jealous of anyone? Yes, anyone who is happily partnered
48. Is anyone jealous of you? Not that I'm aware of...but there may be someone out there who's unhappily partnered who may be jealous of my single state. We always want what we don't have!
49. Do any of your friends have children? Yes
50. Do you eat healthy? Ummmm, see 14 above
51. What do you usually do during the day? work
52. Do you hate anyone right now? I find that hate is a very destructive emotion so I try to avoid it at all costs
53. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Not "hello" as such, I'm more of a "hi" kinda guy
54. Have you ever been to Six Flags? What the hell is Six Flags?
55. How did you get one of your scars (if you have any)? From clinking glasses a little too hard one night, smashing the glasses in the process and slicing open my middle finger! Lots of blood, a very fainty Monty!

Working Out...

I had my first appointment with the Personal Trainer yesterday...rocked on up at 5pm, walked into the locker room and wow...really hot guy, really naked! Oh, I am loving this! Why didn't I join a gym a loooooong time ago???

Anyway, I tore myself away from the locker room and met up with the Personal Trainer. It was just going to be a fitness assessment so it was a relatively easy session. He discussed my goals - what was I trying to achieve by joining the gym? (I didn't mention that I was hoping to see lots more hot naked guys in the locker room) He weighed me, measured my height, waist and hips. Took my resting pulse, then made me climb steps for 3 mins and took my now-pounding pulse. He then made me try and touch my toes to assess my flexibility. And then, do as many sit-ups as I could in 60 seconds. And then I had to do as many push ups as I could.

By this stage, I had actually started sweating - I was surprised at how quickly exertion hit me. It just shows how unfit I really am. So that was it...all the required tests had been done; now he needs to calculate it all to work out my fitness age. (I'm probably about 75 yrs old in fitness terms) And then he's going to work out an exercise regime for me. I go back on Thursday for the bad news! Eek!

BUT I was so inspired by the session that I decided that instead of taking public transport home, I would walk! So, iPod cranking out Pet Shop Boys, I did exactly that! And I loved it! Granted, it's probably the most scenic walk home anyone could want - across the Sydney Harbour Bridge - and so there's plenty to distract one. Ask Muzbot, he usually jogs this every day. But, 40 mins later, I was at home and feeling very pleased with myself. I think I may try and walk home after every session at the gym; I'm already dressed for exercise and it's probably a good warm down.

So there you have it, Monty has officially converted over to become a Fitness Fanatic! Who'd have thought!!! :-)

Up, Up and Away...

I feel like I'm turning into Tom, with all my travels! My gay brother Mark, who lives in London, turns 40 in April (6 days after I turn 37) and so, as most of his friends live here in Sydney, has decided that the best way to celebrate would be to meet in the middle somewhere.

So, he's organized to have a week long celebration in Thailand - Phuket to be exact - and being the GBP earning exec that he is, has booked 4 beach front deluxe villas at this rather ritzy resort. Of course, he's not paying for them, only for his own. But thankfully, they're not that expensive relatively, and they do look gorgeous! And so, last week, we were trying to book our flights over. Went onto Jetstar's website and, once all the taxes, food, etc were added onto the bill, it came to a grand total of $1271. I was expecting somewhat less than that and so was quite suprised at how much this so-called budget airline was charging! I had a flash of inspiration and decided to check out how much Singapore Airlines would charge, just to compare. Well, turns out, their cost was $1321...yes, that's right, for $50 more, I get the legendary Singapore service, all the extras, AND (and this is the BEST part) I get to fly on the new A380 between Sydney and Singapore both ways!!!!!!!!! Travel time is a bit more; you have to deplane at Singapore and fly with their budget subsidary, SilkAir, to Phuket; but still, who cares?! And having joined Virgin Atlantic's Frequent Flyer program last year to fly to London (thanks again to Tom's brilliant suggestion), I also will acrue miles flying with Singapore. So I'm totally chuffed with my little win! Told the other boys about it as well, and Carter has booked on the same flight and another of Mark's friends, Davo, is also going to book with them too! So it should be a great flight!!!

And here, I was promising myself that I was going to reduce my travel this year and save more $$ and three weeks into 2008, I've already committed (or spent) about $2500 on overseas travel. Oh well, it's all for a good cause...after all, how often does your big brother turn 40?!

Resolutions...

OK, ranting is over. Needed to vent, I have. Thank you for all your feedback. Now to move on...

I never used to make New Year's resolutions...didn't really seem to be much point. But, as long term readers may be aware, NYE2005 I made a resolution that I was going to come out as a gay man in 2006. This I did. NYE2006 I resolved that after the trauma that was the latter part of 2006, in 2007 I needed to spoil myself a bit. And so, in 2007 I started going to my hunky masseur once a month for a delightful hour of bliss. NYE2007, I decided that in 2008 I was going to join a gym...and not only join, but actually go there regularly and get a bit of exercise. Today, part 1 of that resolution was achieved. I joined FitnessFirst in King St which is very handy to my work. The plan is to go either 3/4pm in the arvo when it's quiet at work, or straight after work, at least 2 or 3 times a week. So I'm pretty excited. I knew that I'd have to act quickly and join up in January otherwise I'd lose motivation and start thinking up excuses why I shouldn't.

So, coming to a blog near you, the new hunkier Monty! LOL Sorry, couldn't resist...I doubt you'll see any noticeable change; for me, it's more about just toning up and getting some regular, structured exercise.

Now that I've gone and joined, I'm really looking forward to getting into it. I know when I last went to the gym (about 14 yrs ago), I went religiously 3 times a week and I remember feeling so much better physically. So I'm hoping to acheive that.

...and if there's any hot guys there, well, what's a boy to do? he he he!

Rant...part II...

Ok, I'm just going to be brutally honest here...I'm just finding that all the guys that I think may (and I stress MAY) have potential don't seem to see the same thing in me! So maybe it is me! Maybe I am giving off the wrong impression; maybe I'm not sending out the right vibe! The thing is...I'm just trying to be honest and maybe that's what I'm doing wrong. Maybe I should act as if I don't care; maybe I should pretend that all I'm after is something short term. But I can't. I've lived 36 years as a single man, and I now would prefer that I had someone to spend my Sunday mornings with. Is that wrong? It seems that most of my friends have managed to find someone...but still, I feel like I'm judged because I am actively looking! I can't help it. Sorry, but my name is Monty and I'm single and would like to change that. So sue me for being so upfront about it. All my friends seemed to be looking for "the one" and managed to do it...why is it that when I do it, suddenly the tables turn and I should "just let it happen"?

Week One...

Week one of my new job has now finished and I must say, it's been a very easy week. The number of clients that I have now is about a third of what I was dealing with in my previous job, and so there's just so much more time to do everything. I'm actually spending time each day trying to find work to do. So I'm not complaining at all. I've rung a lot of my new clients already, just to say hello and introduce myself, but over the coming weeks I will need to start meeting them as well. My new job entails much more of the client shmoozing stuff which will be kinda fun...lots of taking them to lunch etc.

Apart from that, I have a busy weekend coming up. But the weather is splendid and so it should be a delightful weekend here in Sydney! Can't wait.

Hope everyone else has a great weekend too!

A bit of a rant...

OK, I realize that it's only 8 days into the New Year and already I'm writing a rant! But hey, I suppose it's been something that's been lurking at the back of my mind for a while.

I've had quite a few good friends over the course of the past year who've all commenced relationships (does that sound right? gotten into relationships? coupled up? you get my drift) and don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for them. But time and time again, I'll start seeing a guy, or be interested in a guy (who appears interested in me as well, so it's not just a one-sided thing) who then calls it off, saying that I shouldn't get into a relationship at this early stage of my gay life...that I'd be better off going out there and sowing my wild oates or words to that effect. And I've had this advice from my abovementioned friends as well. Now, I agree, I took a long time coming out and yes, I've sowed my fair share of wild oates (and I do think that was necessary), but I've been out for around 18 months now and I'm starting to get a bit tired of hearing that. At what stage is it considered that I'll have been out sufficient time to be ready for a relationship? Is there some magical number of months/years I need to hit??? I personally feel very ready for a relationship and despite what some may think, that's the purpose why I'm out there dating (and yes, I confess that I do have some fun along the way). But sometimes it just bugs me that whilst these people tell me just to relax and chill, that Mr Right will turn up "when I least expect it" and "when I'm not looking for him", they were all out there at one time, looking for their Mr Right* and they found him. I sometimes feel like I'm being judged for being a bit pro-active, in getting out there and actually dating lots of guys. Why do I have to wait for Mr Right? What if he's out there waiting as well? How the heck are we supposed to meet up if we're both sitting around waiting for each other to turn up?

It also aggravates me (I'm warming up now) that when I meet a guy that I like, and I've expressed this to a friend (and I'm not naming names, here; there's more than one friend who's said this to me), I get a warning to "back off" or to "just don't get too much into him" or "don't show him how much you like him too quickly" (not that I think I do, but that's subjective I suppose) and then I turn around and the friend has met a guy and fallen in love in a matter of weeks??? And apparently the speed at which they've moved is all justified (for them) because this is "the one". I do realize that you don't want to come on too strong, or get too clingy etc, it isn't exactly rocket science.

Where's the logic? Where's the fairness? It just feels sometimes a little patronising.

And don't get me wrong, I love my friends dearly, and I value their opinions...particularly the ones who've been out for a while and who know the ropes. But after 18 months out (not to mention 36 years of life), and not an inconsiderable number of dates under my belt, I think I can handle myself.

OK, rant over.

I'm at Day 2 of my new job and so far so good. I've got great new colleagues, a great boss and the clients seem nice. Of course, January is a good time to start, as it's dead quiet. We'll see how I feel come April, May and June!

* Just a point of clarification...when I use the term "Mr Right", I'm not suggesting at all that I think that there is just one guy out there who is perfect for me...I realize (despite what people may think) that successful relationships require hard work and commitment. It's not all running along beaches hand in hand and snuggling in winter. When I use "Mr Right", I am simply referring to a man who I can fall in love with and who'll love me in return.

A pictorial look at the last couple of weeks...

Table arrangement for my Christmas eve eve eve dinner party...













Kangaroo in the back yard at the beach house at Christmas...










...and a few firecrackers on NYE...

Today...

...it's hot and humid, the kind of weather that induces a delicious kind of torpor that demands everything be done at half-pace. It's the weather that makes you want to turn off the perky pop music and instead, put on someone like Norah Jones and swing lazily in a hammock. Norah I do have, hammock I don't. So instead, I'm taking my iPod (duly loaded with Ms Jones) and beach towel down to the park, and read the paper with a beer in the shade of a lovely old Morton Bay Fig tree.

And this leads me to my other little topic...I was thinking about reading the paper in the park and realized that at this moment in time, there'd be nothing I would like more than to have Mr Right there with me in the park, reading his own paper (of course) next to me. No conversation necessary, just to be there together, silently aware of each other. That's one thing that will need to be a fundamental quality of whoever Mr Right is...he'll need to be a reader. Not only because he'll need to be able to enjoy that silent reading-in-the-park scenario, but also so I can raid his collection of books!

Well, I'm now exhausted from all this blog writing...so I'm off to the park! Hope everyone else is having a lovely weekend!

Gratuitous Eye Candy...

I should have something a little more cerebral for my first post of 2008, but hey, what the heck, these guys are just too lip-smackingly delicious to ignore...