Sorry

Cute ad on Craig's List, in the "free" section, tonight:
free!!!
national league east pennant for free to the phillies courtesy of the ny mets

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/zip/435085534.html

i just got back from my bad girl's house and needed to wind down. She was very, very naughty and needed a hard spanking for erratic driving and lack of self-control. She loses her temper a bit. I'm "helping" her with that.

Awesome hotel

The last night of our stay in Denver M&K organized a little gathering of kinky spanky folks for a small party. This took place at an Embassy Suits hotel, which was SO nice. Look at this freakin' atrium. If you look down in the lower right corner, you can make out people lined up for made-to-order breakfasts -- yes, they not only offered free breakfasts here, but had a short-order cook preparing HOT food.

The Hampton Inns where we stayed the night before was quite nice, too, and they also had a free breakfast, but it was mostly danishes, cereals and bagels.

We were sad that we could not stay and really enjoy the two-room suite we got to stay in, with a luxurious king-sized bed, couches and cooking area in the main room. I mean, man!

Speaking of nice quarters, one other emotion I felt during this vacation, unfortunately, was a touch of envy upon seeing M&K's beautiful mountain home. They are both lawyers and seem to work very hard for whatever they make, but I was craving that SPACE! I asked P. a few weeks ago: "Will I have my own washer and dryer at some point before I turn FIFTY?"

Spoke to K. a few times about her job, which she says she really loves. She left pharmaceutical sales to go to law school and become a lawyer. That's the other thing I wonder about -- will I ever have a job that I really, really love?

It's not so much the money (I am making enough to pay my bills, and, obviously, take a trip here and there). Where I work now, I don't know. I COULD grow to love it. The subject matter of my magazine, which I won't get into right now because I don't want to out myself here, is very important to a lot of people. It does help people, I believe, so my part in that also helps. My part is very small right now, but that will change as I continue on there, I'm sure. It's a very small editorial staff, so I do get to contribute opinions and ideas on a regular basis.

I haven't really "loved" any job I've held over the years, although, back when I was a young reporter there were periods when I was really passionate about that field and I didn't want to do anything else. Problem was, I don't think I was aggressive and ballsy enough (I had my moments, though).

I still think about going back to newspapers some day. Traveling back to Casper, and seeing the paper there where I used to work, brought some of those feelings back. I was an editor there, with the freedom to write if I wanted to, and I think I did pretty well. I liked the people I worked with -- there especially were some very cool women who worked with me; we hung out together frequently -- and that part of my life there was pretty good.

It's now been about seven years since I've worked on a newspaper. When I was looking for work, I had a tryout for an editor's position at the NY Post, which would have been REALLY interesting, but I didn't get it. The weekly papers in Queens pay shit, so if I went in that direction it would have to be part-time only, and I don't think I'd even have the time with everything else in my life right now.

I am not loving writing at this point, either. I'm going to have to push that feeling down and just go back to my morning exercises. Also will try to post here more often

Vacation -- day two

Tuesday was the day we rode the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. M&K had to go to a hearing in Colorado Springs, so we slept late, had cereal and coffee at their house, and relaxed until they got back. At Manitou Springs, a pretty, artsy community, we got tickets then got a quick lunch. There were lots of restaurants, but since we didn't have much time, P and I got hotdogs and M&K got funnel cakes at a candy/snack stand called Patsy's. This place also makes its own taffy (the Coloradian version of salt water taffy) so I got a box of that to bring home.

Back to Cog Railway to wait for the train. Because of the high altitude, it was suggested we sip water on the way up. I went into the gift shop to buy water. Four bottles, $2 each, yet for some reason I was charged $8.01. M&K had no explanation for this bizarre 1-cent "tax."

The ride up the moutain was incredible. As we climbed gently though wooded areas (at first), with frequent large rock formations on either side, the conductor/tour guide kept up a running commentary, explaining what we were looking at and peppering his talk with joke after joke. "Cog Comedy," we started to call it. At a few points the railway made a steep climb - 25 degrees -- and the scenery slowly changed. There were more and more Ponderosa pines, as well as smaller shrubs.

We came around a bend and suddenly the whole world seemed to open up to us. We could see for miles and miles and miles, peak after peak of mountain ranges near and far, including the Sangre de Cristo range in southern Colorado. We could also see Kansas, which thrilled our seatmates, who were from Salinas, Kansas.

We continued to climb and the trees got sparser until we were up above the tops of the tallest Ponderosas growing on the steep slopes alongside the train. And then we left the trees behind altogether. There was an area where big horn sheep have been known to appear, but they stayed out of sight that day. Only wildlife we glimpsed was a marmot (like a prairier dog) on the way up. At this point, with barely any vegetation, we began to see patches of snow here and there. We put on our jackets (we had started the ride with the train windows open but had closed them about halfway up).

Finally, the summit! There was of course a big sign, which all tourists felt obligated to pose near (there was much swapping back and forth of cameras and "I'll take your picture if you take mine."). We took in the views on all sides. K and I ventured out onto some rocks to see what it said on a plaque that was mounted inside a triangular fenced-in area. The rocks had snow in the crevices, and you had to watch your footing. But it was reasonably safe and we posed out there, obliging P and M with a "lesbian" kiss since we were too chicken to pose with our pants down, as M had suggested. With my ski cap, bulky outer wear and oversized sunglasses, I can't say how "sexy" our lesbian picture will turn out, but, oh well, it's all in fun.

Then it was back to the safety of the sold ground around the Summit House, where we went in for "famous" donuts, cappucino, and a souvenier mug. One last look at the view, and it was time to get back on the train. That was my one complaint -- not enough time at the summit -- and I told K that if I ever came back I wanted to hike down. It takes six, possibly as much as 8, hours to do that.

So, a very exciting adventure. On our way home, we stopped at the Safeway and bought steaks, salad, and corn on the cob, and we cooked (P and M grilled) dinner for M&K. After dinner, there was conversation and a little digestion over coffee before we all went into their den and played for about an hour or two. M gave me a nice strapping, and a paddling with a leather paddle.

After that, we all got into the hottub and relaxed before heading off to bed.

Our vacation

Monday we arrived in Denver around 10 a.m.; rental car shuttle and waiting in line took a while, so we finally got on the road around 11. E 470, I25 toward Denver. Rental car is a PT Cruiser. We had a choice of yellow or gray, so we took gray. Flight was fine; I had my usual spicy tomato juice (No V8; I got "bloody mary mix), and cashews, snack mix and a pistachio biscotti. I ordered the movie "Once," but I think I also ordered "Live Free or Die Hard" by mistake. So I watched "Once," which I really liked, and the end of "Die Hard" and got what I expected.

We arrive in Colorado Springs and meet M&K at their law offices downtown. Mo, their adorable black lab, goes to work with them. We spent time with him while they finished their work. On to their house...

M&K's mountain house is incredible! I love the deck, I love the porch swing, I love the view!

We change, gather rain gear just in case (it was raining up at house), and we go to Garden of the Gods and watch a movie on the geology that created these cool formations.

Garden of the Gods -- massive sandstone formations. Shapes that look like kissing camels, and the famous balancing rock, where we took pictures like ubertourists, pretending to hold it up. P used his head to "hold" it.

We ate at The Loop, a Mexican restaurant known for huge margaritas. We of course did not imbibe so that was a moot point. K&M had enchiladas with mole sauce, Paul had some variety of steak, and I had shrimp Puerto Vallerto, which was shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled, served with veggies.

We stopped at store to buy food for morning, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream for dessert. I did not need the ice cream because we ate plenty all day. But we never did open the ice cream, we we sat around and talked until I nodded off on the couch. After the second time my eyes closed they made me go to bed.

I wrote this Tuesday morning, while having my cup of coffee out on M&K's deck overlooking the woods. It was a sunny but chilly morning, with a brisk breeze.

Train stories

I dunno, I just thought the beat-up mattresses on top of this car, combined with the license plate AND the back window sticker, were sorta funny. Spotted on the Long Island Expresswaythis afternoon. But I suppose even divas have to haul mattresses once in a while, right?

Morning observation, following guy from R train up through Times Square station over to 1 Train -- is it just me, or do guys wearing "Jeter" on the back of their shirts seem particularly obnoxious? It seems to go beyond the "Yankee Fan" thing...

Afternoon. 1Train south from 116th. Door opens. Lady inside gets up, heads toward door, I assume, to exit. So I wait for her to exit, while another woman waiting outside with me starts to push past. Turns out inside lady is NOT exiting, just suddenly decided to get up and stand in the doorway. Other lady beats me inside to better seat. Wonderful. Terrific. (Actually, there were seats, it was just the principle of it all... I feel like a dang fool!

Lady next to me is holding big purse on lap, sticking out beyond "her" space into "my" space (well, anything that pokes me is in "my" space). She will not move it. I shift a bit. She shifts CLOSER to me and her purse pokes me again. COME ON! (Can you tell I was a touch irritated this afternoon?)

Train thins out at 96th street. Rather loud group of what appear to be Haitian men at other end of train. Make that VERY loud. Also, loud girl sitting a bit closer to me, prattling on in boyfriend's face. I have headache from work and don't think I can take this -- at next stop I get out and enter next car. Peace until Times Square station.

We get out. Approach stairs to main part of station. People coming DOWN the stairs (there are three sections) are using the left and right side of all sections except for the far right one. I would press the point and make people start walking on the "proper" side of the stairs, but there's a pregnant lady coming down where I was going to make my power play. I concede, am forced to give her a break. Sigh. Stupid pregnant lady. It's off to the right side (keep in mind this all happens within several seconds). I get behind thin single file line moving up, wondering why it's moving so slowly. I see no crippled or elderly folk ahead of me. I do see one young woman carrying what may be an instrument case. Perhaps she is the cause, perhaps not, but in any event, at the top of the stairs she pauses, further slowing our progress. "No, no, no! This is not allowed! We must all keep moving!"

I make my way around her, down the short flight of stairs and across the wide concourse toward the R-train stairs. A large crowd is gathered around the place where the musicians usually are set up. I find myself torn between annoyance -- that the street dancers have created this large crowd of people around them, blocking my usually straight path to the R-train stairs -- and a desire to stay and watch. Sometimes they are pretty good. Usually shirtless young black men dancing (is it still called break dancing or is it something else now?) and working the crowd. I give them points for showmanship, athleticism, and bravura. I can't help but wonder sometimes, though -- while they perform, do they have cohorts moving through the crowd, pickpocketing distracted tourists? Cynical, perhaps, but it could be true.

I opt to move on, around the throng, through more crowds, and down to the R train. It is lucky that I moved on just then, because the R-train comes into the station right as I'm getting to the bottom of the stairs. It is not crowded and I get a seat. A young Japanese lady sits next to me and begins to fan herself with a pocket fan that she's taken out of a special case. I make a comment -- "Ah, that feels good." She smiles and continues fanning. After a while it gets a little too cold for me and I find it annoying. Well I suppose SOMETHING had to annoy me, god forbid I just relax and ACCEPT things! I don't say anything, (can you ever really say anything on the train?) and I put up with the breeze until she gets off at Queens Plaza.

Back from Vegas

Shadow Lane party was awesome, as usual, and I had a fantastic time. It seems like I've gotten a nice reputation as a good TOP as well as bottom. I really got into my role this time, donning a military outfit for my appearance at the male bottoms party. The guys seemed to really like it, and it made me feel sexy and strong. I'll post a pic here when I get one (my friend Michael lent me dog tags for the last touch, and he took pictures before I headed down to the party.).

I spent much more time socializing than playing this time. That's okay, but there was a tiny bit of social angst on Saturday night and I couldn't deal with the large number of people crowded into the suite parties. Also, I really felt the need to submit to a hard punishment/discipline scene and that didn't happen. On Sunday afternoon and evening I had a lot of suite-party bottoming scenes, and later Sunday night I got to play with this top David who had a reputation as a hard but good top. I was not disappointed, except that I wished we had more time. He's promised me a longer session next time we meet -- he lives in California.

P. got to play much more than before and there were a lot of women seeking him out. That was nice; makes me feel good. Well, he's a good top and a good scolder and he spanks hard! (Plus I love his belt).