Bloggerpalooza Countdown

Hey folks!  We're down to less than two months until Bloggerpalooza 2014! 

56 daysuntil Thursday March 13 2014

a Thursday 1 month and 25 days from today

Last night another new attendee called to make his hotel reservations.  We still have rooms left.

Me pouring Champagne toast to all Bloggerpalooza guests

Just to update everyone, the Bloggerpalooza main event will be held Saturday from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Parkview Room at the Inn at Canal Square in Lewes, Delaware.  

The Inn at Canal Square, Lewes, Delaware

From 5 to 6 will be a cocktail "Meet and Greet", open bar in the breakfast room adjoining the Parkview Room.  

Mark and Mark swapping stories about their spouses

At 6 pm, we move to the Parkview Room and a buffet dinner served by Gary Papp of The Essential Chef.  

Fresh meat at last year's Bloggerpalooza buffet (you can't beat our meat)

After dinner, I will take the podium and welcome everyone and propose a toast.  Then "prizes" will be dispensed to properly embarrass as many participants as possible. 

The reaction from the crowd as Dr. Spo tries to figure out at leather contraption "prize" he received - hint - it's not a dog collar 

After the prizes, Marshal Manlove will entertain one and all with his comedy hypnotist show.  

After the formal festivities in the Parkview Room, the hospitality suite (the Captain's Quarters) is available for those who wish to continue the party.  Dr. Spo, Someone, myself and my brother by another mother, Pat will be the hosts for this festive bacchanal. 

Mark explains what it's like raising four kids in a two dad household

Jay of VA holds court with  Java, Superman, Cubby and Anne Marie of Philly

All are welcome.  You don't have to be a blogger to attend.  If you read a blog, or are in the area, you are welcome to attend.  The only hitch is you have to get by Anne Marie of Philly who will demand $25.00 per person to help defray the costs of this spectacular event.  

Mark and Fred pay up to Anne Marie of Philly

For those of you staying the entire three days at the hotel, other events are planned including a tour of the Dogfish Brewery, Old Time photo shoot,  and a group onslaught at the Saketumi Sushi Bar and Restaurant.   

Photos will be taken.
Videos will be taken.
Memories will be made.
A good time will be had by all.

You know what they say "Be there or be square!"

False Starts

"Just a little off the top"

Out early this morning for a haircut.  Struck out again. This past Saturday I stopped in for a haircut only to be confronted with one barber and four shaggy old men and two squirming kids waiting for haircuts. Unfortunately I'm not like many of my peers my age who have lost most if not all of their hair and stopped going to barbers years ago.  My hairline may have receded but I still have plenty of hair on my noggin regardless of what some of my follicly challenged friends claim. I'll try again tomorrow.  I'm feeling pretty shaggy right now.

When confronted with a wasted trip I try to recover, so while I was down there, Route 1, Rehoboth Beach, Safeway store, I stopped in to buy some of my favorite Doritos Jacked chips.  I haven't been able to find my favorite Doritos for about a week now.  Please God don't tell me Doritos discontinued making this line of chips.  I have Doritos every day to accompany my lunch of soup and hummus wraps.  My lunch just wouldn't be the same without my Doritos.  It seems once I get used to a certain type of Doritos, they discontinue that line.  I hope this isn't the case this time.  

Then all morning my computer is slow as molasses.  You all know my blog posts are spontaneous.  The spontaneity isn't there when I'm waiting on the spinning color wheel to finish.  

I stopped by Surf Bagel for the first time.  I got a veggie wrap.  Just had half of it for lunch.  Awful. Surf Bagel does a lot of business and I'm sure their other offerings are better but their veggie wrap leaves a LOT to be desired.  I couldn't even finish it.  Just another case of resort eateries not quite up to par with other restaurants out of Slower Lower.

Time to go to work today.  Normally I nap before I go into work but not today.  I couldn't nap because I just read another accusatory comment on my "Do Bisexuals Exist?"

Elton John - famous bisexual

blog posting.  Apparently I REALLY stepped on some toes and punctured the oh so sacred cow when I raised that sensitive question.  Hey folks, my opinion….okay?  And yes, based on my 72 years of "experience" as a commenter tried to trivialize my experience as if it didn't matter.  My life matters folks and my experience matters.  I will never apologize or lie about my experience just because it makes someone else uncomfortable with the truth.  This reminds me of that old Groucho Marx quote 

"Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?"

Relax folks, relax. Don't shoot the messenger.

Hugs

Me with Paul (an early boyfriend)

"How about a big hug?"  

Me and Mom 1950 - as close as a hug we ever got - you can tell I had an inherent need to hug

I didn't grow up in a huggy family.  Neither my father nor my Mother grew up in a huggy family either. My father's father was more likely to take a belt to him than hug him.  Same with my Mother's father who often beat her with a belt for such silly reasons as not peeling the potatoes properly or coming home late from the corner grocery store because she was caught in the rain. 

Me and my classmate Elsie at our 50th class reunion

Thus I never got a hug growing up.  I'm not complaining, just never got a hug. You don't know what you're missing unless you got it and it was taken away from you.

Me and The Cajun whopping it up at Old Time Photo

I think the first time I felt another person's body on mine was when I was 23 years old.  I was working at Girard Bank in Philadelphia.  Norma L., a bosomy woman in my department came up behind me one day and put her arm around my shoulders and leaned her big bosoms on my shoulder blades. A different feeling swept over me.  A good feeling.  No, it wasn't sexual (God no) but it was a warm feeling. Body contact.  

Me and M.J. on the Milton Garden Tour 

That momentous event happened back in 1967.  Gradually over the years since then I have learned to hug.  I have to admit I'm still don't feel totally comfortable BEING hugged but I do like to hug.  

Me and my cousin Danny H. who visited me at the hotel

Last November I visited my brother Isaac at his home in Pennsylvania.  Check out the series of photos that my friend Pat took of my giving Isaac a Sneak Hug.  Look at how Isaac stiffens up.  

Now as you can see this wasn't the full "Ron hug", after all Isaac is bigger than I am (even though I'm the oldest brother).  Isaac doesn't look to comfortable does he?  Oh well, maybe in time.

My other brother is a little better with the hugs. His name is John and he lives in Greenville, South Carolina.  Here we are a few years ago during one of my southern trips.  This time at Flag Pond, Tennessee.

Me and my baby brother John at Flagpond, Tennessee

Now here is the big test, hugging Mom.  During the last few years of her life (she died in 2010), I especially made it a point to hug my Mom whenever I saw her.  She liked it but never quite knew how to hug back.  That was all right, she knew I loved her.  Check out this series of photos where I put my patented "Ron Sneak Hug."

During the last year of my Mother's life, she lived with my brother John and his wife Barbara at their home in Greenville, South Carolina.  I talked to John frequently and he told me he never missed a chance to give Mom a big hug.

Brother John and Mom close to the end - 2010

Hug somebody you love before it's too late.

Selfies

Ron and "friend" in a Philadelphia hotel elevator taking selfless

Okay, anyone in the room who hasn't taken a "selfie"? Ah ha!  Just as I thought.  We've all taken a selfie. Or at least those of us who have a smart phone with a built in camera.  

For those of you without a smart phone camera here is the latest entry into the urban dictionary:'

The term "selfie" really exploded in the public consciousness when President Obama and Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt and British Prime Minister David Cameron all posed for their very own selfie at Nelson Mandela's memorial.   Of course their was the usual faux outrage from the usual sources that Obama was doing a normal human  activity but once you get past that nonsense, it was refreshing to see that taking a selfie knows no societal boundaries. 

Up until I saw the presidential selfie, I thought most selfies were those cheesy selfies on Grindr or Scruf, those smart phone apps for meeting "local gay, bi and curious guys for dating or friends ." Sure.

Just what is this world coming too folks?  Are the days long gone where one would meet their future mate in a church (straight) 

or a bar (gay)

Twink in a leather bar - looking for love in the WRONG PLACE

Yes folks, the selfie is here to stay.  Hop on the Digital Age Bandwagon or be left behind.  

Never too old for a selfie!

This and That and This

Am I laughing or crying?

No overall theme today folks.  I think I ruffled enough feathers with my "Do Bisexuals Exist?" blog.  Probably needed to ruffle those feathers and I'm glad I did, that is one of my goals in life, to tell  the truth.  Remember the fable of the "King Has No Clothes"? I know I will upset some when I dare to offer my opinion, from my life experience, but I have no regrets.  Like most of you, I want everyone to like me but we all know that is impossible.  Another fact of life folks. That post didn't win me any friends but I expected the "shoot the messenger" response.

Now to other Ron Ramblings:  

Chris Christy is finished.  The Republicans can go on the attack and try to equate Christie's bullying to the made up "scandals" of the Obama administration but it just isn't going to work.  Christy is done.  The only question now is who is the new Republican front runner.  Stay tuned.

Chis "I am not a bully! Christy - the man who will never be president

After a whole month of no doctors' appointments I was back at the doctor's this past Friday.  This time to my dermatologist for a full body scan.  Yes folks, Ron Gets Naked For the Doctor Again. I think about half of Rehoboth has seen me naked since last year, mostly women.  I wonder how many of those women who shop at Walmart see me shopping there fully clothed and tell their friends "He was in the office last week……"  
Here is my question, where are the male nurses and assistants?  What do young men do for a living?  They can't all be in construction.  

As a result of my full body scan my dermatologist removed one actinic keratosis spot from the left side of my back.  He froze it off.  He noticed two discolorations with uneven edges; one next to my right ear next to my cheek and the other on my right knee.  He's concern they might be the beginning of melanoma so he wants to take a biopsy of those.  I have an appointment on the 24th of this month for those biopsies to be taken.  Back on the medical treadmill folks.

Me in Provincetown, Mass 1980 - working on setting the basis for my future skin cancer

My prostate cancer treatment update:  I'm into the eight month of my radiation seed implants to treat my prostate cancer.  My PSA score has gone down (thank God) from 8.4 to 1.9.  My urologist said my PSA should go down further.  The side effects of my brachytherapy surgery (seed implants) continue.  I don't want to go into too much detail on this family orientated blog but I will say that I don't have urinary incontinence, which was what my oncologist and urologist were most concerned about.  However, I do have some occasional other uncomfortable side effects including a burning sensation (anal - from the continuing radiation), ED (look it up), anal discharge (no nice way to say it), and fatigue.  I cannot get through the day unless I have at least an hour's nap in the afternoon, usually more (two or more hours)  I'm told by my doctor's that these side effects should eventual dissipate 18 or more months out.  That's a long time folks but better than the alternative of knowing a cancer is growing inside of me.

A funny story.  Last time I was at my urologist's office I casually mentioned that I might like to try some Cialis for my ED "situation." Hey, I'm not dead yet folks.  His office called in a prescription for 18 Cialis pills for me at the local drugstore.  The next day I get a call to pick up my prescription at Walgreens.  When I went to pick up my Cialis prescription I was asked for my prescription insurance.  I told her "I'm paying for it myself."  I was told the charge was $711!!!!  That's $39.50 a pill!! Well folks, this was one of those rare jaw dropping moments in my life. I said "I can't afford that" and I walked away.  

What was it Forrest Gump said?  "Life if like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."  Indeed.  

Unicorns and Other Myths

Okey dokey folks, my previous post "Do Bisexuals Exist?" stirred up the all too predictable hornets' nest.  I'm not really surprised.  I expected the defensive and the "shoot the messenger" reactions.  I'm used to it ever since I subscribed  "The king has no clothes"  honesty towards the charades that some folks cloak themselves to get through their life for safety and comfort and money earning power. 

"Hey! The emperor has no clothes!"

Here are some other common myths:

Honest politicians. NO.  Doesn't exist.  In fact the term "honest politician" is an oxymoron.  

The Human Resources department is for the protection of the employee.  NO.  They are there to protect the corporation from being sued.  

Free Credit Report/Score.   NO.  There is no such thing.  You'll realize that when you key in your credit card number.  

You have won!  NO.  If you receive an e-mail, phone call or letter in the mail telling you "YOU HAVE WON!"  Sorry folks, you haven't won anything.  Just another way to get you to buy something.

The Olympics is for amateur athletes.  NO.  They're all professional athletes either before the Olympics or after the Olympics.  We're way past the days when Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals because he received money.

The government will tell you the truth.  NO.  Doesn't happen.  From Three Mile Island to the false claim NSA doesn't monitor all communication of United Staes citizens.  They will always lie, always.  

TV reality shows are about real people living their real lives.  NO.  They may be real people but the shows are scripted.  Really.  They are. 

Truth in advertising - again, another oxymoron.


That's just a few off the top of my head folks.  I'm sure many of the readers of this posting can come up with many others.  Tell me some of your favorites.  

Oh, I can't leave before I tell you about the Three Greatest Lies in the World:

1. There will be no changes after the merger
2. Of course I'll respect you in the morning
3. The check is in the mail

Do Bisexuals Exist?

Gay, straight or bisexual?

The short answer, "No."  Oh I've heard all the arguments about the "shades" of sexuality but in my experience you're either gay or you're not.  

Now how can I make this definitive statement?  What are my qualifications?  Have I done a study?  Well….yes.  I'm basing my opinion on my own experience as a 100% gay man.  

While I like women and have my share of women friends, I have absolutely no sexual attraction to a woman.  Nada.  None.  Zilch.  Zip.  

Now, are there those gay men who have sex with women?  Sure.  Absolutely.  

I myself have done a very unscientific and casual survey of gay men who have married, and have had children and have had sex with women.  I've asked them "Did you enjoy it?"  The answer invariably was "It was all right."  "It."  Never, once did I receive an answer "It was fabulous!"  Or "I'm giving up men for women!"  Nope.  Never happened.  

Now of course I know I'm probably going to trigger a fair number of responses from those who say "You don't know what you're talking about."  or "How do you know?"  Folks, I know.  There are few things in this world that I'm sure of but this is one of them.  

I remember one time I cornered a friend of mine who was married and had five kids.  His name was Phil and the time was New Year's Day 1978, in the  crowded basement of the 247 gay bar in center city Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I asked him "Phil, are you gay or bisexual?"  He said (note that he was somewhat inebriated so he had to be telling the truth) "I'm a homosexual Ron."  I asked him "Do you mind me asking how you had kids?"  He said "What do you mean?"  I asked him "How did you get 'it' in her?"  He said "Ron,  I went into the bathroom with a magazine and masturbated until I got hard right to the point of climax and put my d-ck in her."  

I apologize for being so blunt folks but I am trying to accurately represent our conversation.  Now I know this isn't every "bisexual's" experience but it was enough for me.  His answers confirmed my already made conclusions.  

Now I await the for comments telling me how wrong I am.  But folks, you know I'm right.