29.10.04 :: magical thinking -- true stories

i'm ashamed to say it, but last night i went to my first book signing ever. isn't that awful? i didn't realize it until last night, but i've never taken the time to seek out my favorite authors and find out when they might be in town to read from and sign their latest manuscripts. that said, last night's reading was extraordinary.

i discovered augusten burroughs when a friend of mine told me that i just had to read his dry. admittedly, this is the only book that i have ever read by burroughs. next in line for me to read (and very soon) are his others: sellevision, running with scissors, and his latest, magical thinking: true stories.

he mentioned last night that running is going into film production early next year. a lot of big stars have signed on, so i anxiously await its release. what was most amazing about last night's reading was augusten's laid-back, down-to-earth vibe. in running, he describes a childhood that was less-than-average (and actually kind of fucked up). and in dry, he details his alcoholic bottom and how he achieved some serenity through recovery. and to see him now -- confident, relaxed, on top of his career -- was quite amazing. i really look up to him, and if i were to accomplish a fraction of what he has, i would truly be a happy man.

thanks for "coming south," augusten. looking forward to many, many more books from that incredible head of yours.

posted by lonestarsteve on fri 29.10.04 8:19 AM

there will be a full moon tomorrow night. be on the lookout for strange behavior from your friends, your lovers, and your pets. drive carefully. there will be a lot of nut-cases crashing into things and people.

i won't be dressing up for halloween this year. it's too much work for one night. i don't have the energy this year. i'm too busy with other projects right at the moment. i wish i did have the time, though. i will just have to be an observer this year.

i did want to mention that i miss my friend (let's just call him c.) who had to move back to louisiana for a few months to settle some private business. i do get to talk to him pretty often, and i even plan to visit him sometime in december. i just wish him all the best and i wanted him to know that i think about him often.

so, bloggers, answer me this: what are you dressing up as for halloween?

posted by lonestarsteve on tue 26.10.04 1:19 AM

i attended a fundraising event called halloween magic last night. it was a total blast. the boys (and girls) put on a hell of a show. this year's production, aptly entitled the best little whitehouse in texas -- the crawford wives, was probably one of the best shows that the hm gang has put on in its 13-year history. i've been fortunate enough to attend about 7 performances over the years. each time is fabulous, fun, and well worth attending.

the play was charged with political undertones. my favorite cast members this year would have to be barbara bush, her daughter-in-law, laura, and her son, george w.

i did, however, miss the presence of pleasure neuvo. she has been part of the cast for years, but she took up work in los angeles and was unable to perform in this year's event. in talking with members of the cast before and after the show, they expressed the same sentiments.

did some retail therapy yesterday as well. what is it with me and parting with my well-earned money that brings me such happiness and joy? i smell yet another 12-step program coming on real soon...

*sigh*

posted by lonestarsteve on sun 24.10.04 10:06 AM

it's amazing how differently you can feel after getting off of a killer deadline at work, getting something to eat, and actually getting to sleep longer than 4 hours. i wouldn't want to relive the week i've had if you paid me.

all that aside, i wanted to send out a big ol' texas-sized welcome back to my houston sista, who has decided in her infinite wisdom to once again grace us with her internet presence. her short-lived "disappearing act" had more than a few of us in the gay blogging community quite scared and concerned. but things are back to normal now, so i once again can freely dish her in this space whenever the mood arises. thanks for that, dear.

other than that, kids, not much else is going on. i'm looking forward to nov. 2 when i can cast my vote for the next president of the united states of america. i'm also looking forward to moving forward from the space that i was in just weeks ago. the weekend will do me good. limitless opportunities, limitless sleeping, all of it.

everyone make it a good one. wishing you "good tennis, good golf, or whatever makes you happy." (give it a rest, marvin.)

posted by lonestarsteve on fri 22.10.04 7:41 AM

it's my birthday today. thirty-five, if you can believe it. way back when i turned 26, i can remember feeling so old (in gay years, that is). jesus, what was i thinking? such a stupid little faggot i was. still am, i mean.

and what, you might ask, will i do today to commemorate this auspicious occasion? survive the day, what else? that's what you get when your birthday falls on a work day and you don't have any vacation time left before the end of the year to take off and do what it is you really want to be doing. but i do have plans for tomorrow night and thursday night, and probably friday night, for that matter. then there's the weekend...

so, ya'll have a good day. and remember, libras rule the zodiac -- trust!

posted by lonestarsteve on tue 19.10.04 8:00 AM

set adrift again among the human race. alone, yes. lonely, no. but still not myself. time being my closest compainion in times such as this, i simply choose to wait. there are no other viable options.

take care of the tasks at hand, those things requiring the most attention. seek distraction. more smoke and mirrors.

trying not to feel any pain. avoid that at all cost. trying not to cry. (can i even still?) and what is this really all about anyway? past behaviors rearing their ugly heads? something lost, something gained. was there any learning in all of this? any retention? was this a form of retribution?

looking from the outside in, so many things could have been avoided. changed. different. that's hindsight for you.

fuck this funk. fuck being sad. fuck, fuck, fuck.

posted by lonestarsteve on sun 17.10.04 11:04 AM

i moved into this apartment complex in march 2003. i like living here. the rent's cheap, the tenants are laid back, and the courtyard is beautiful. i live on the first floor and have a patio right off my front door where every morning i drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, write, plan my day, think deep thoughts.

up until about a year ago, there was this awesome guy (and by awesome i mean sweet, funny, and breathtakingly beautiful) named mark who lived in the apartment space right above me. mark went on to buy a home and moved out. mark's old apartment lay empty for a good number of months, and then...they moved in.

the straight couple that now occupy the apartment above me are nice enough, don't get me wrong. the problem is this: they expect way too much from apartment living. for example, they want it to be quiet all the time. even on saturday afternoons. i have been chided on more than a few occasions by the couple's male figure for having my stereo volume up too loud (i assure you that it was, however, at a reasonable level). this irritates me to no end, as i think that they are asking way too much of their apartment dwelling.

besides, i have a simple solution to their problem. it's called a house. something located out in west texas somewhere, surrounded by nothing but geriatric-aged neighbors sitting on their porches, gumming their soft, overcooked vegetables. now that would be quiet.

am i wrong here? am i missing something? isn't there a certain level of noise-related tolerance that's required to be written into every apartment lease?

please enlighten me.

posted by lonestarsteve on tue 12.10.04 8:04 AM