horney paper storms: announcement

Showing posts with label announcement. Show all posts

Please tell me Spring is coming! Please?

You know me.

I love the snow.

I swear I really do.

A lot!

I'm like a kid.

But...

Okay. Enough is enough.

Please tell me there really is a season called "Spring."

It's not just my imagination, is it? There really is a Spring, right?

Reviewing my resolve, part 3

After all my obsessing about writing this post, I finally decided enough (obsessing) is enough! I get in these moods sometimes where I think I have to be perfect -- I'm sure I'm the only person in the world who ever feels they have to sometimes be perfect, right? ;)

Anyway. I decided to just make this simple to see if I could pull it off. So here goes:

CHALLENGE #1:

If you've followed the blog for a while, there have been a number of references to my desire to be a parent. I haven't written about it lately but it's something that's been on my mind since probably high school.

So the challenge to myself for this year is to make some calls and attend some groups for gay men who are considering parenting.

There is a health center here in Boston that specializes in LGBT issues and they have a program in their behavioral health section called "LGBT Family and Parenting Services." They have an 8-week discussion and support group called, LGBT Considering Parenting Group and I'm planning on calling to get information about the next series.

CHALLENGE #2:

I wrote a while back (post on August 23) that one of my life adventures is to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. This can take anywhere from 5 to 7 months to complete (going all the way from Georgia to Maine). I haven't set a date yet but I'm challenging myself to begin a more concentrated physical training program so I'll have the proper muscles in good shape and so my cardiovascular system will keep those muscles well-nourished and my lungs at maximum capacity.

I've gotten some really good suggestions about proper training on some forums from some "Thru-Hikers" and I've also been corresponding with a couple of people from this area who are interested in going on some weekend day hikes at some mountain ranges in New Hampshire.

CHALLENGE #3:

I've been doing a lot of work this past year on a number of renovations to the house. Back in August of 2011 we posted this explaining that my grandparents (Gran and Papa) are giving me and my two brothers some of our inheritance while they're still alive. Since I'll be inheriting the house on my 21st birthday (less than 4 months from now) I need to step up some of the major renovations I promised them in exchange for a reduction in the rent we've been paying.

So I'm challenging myself to complete these major renovations before I turn 21. And in order to complete this challenge, I'm shopping for my very own pickup truck! I won't have to rely on my friends to help me haul lumber and other building materials. I'm frankly not at all interested in one of those Macho Muscle Monster trucks either. I'm being very practical and trying to get something that will help me accomplish my sole purpose in owning a truck, which is to haul lumber and building material. Once it's served it's purpose, I'll probably get rid of it.

So there you have it. My challenges to myself for 2013.

Gay man named as Obama's inaugural poet

Matty asked me to post something today since he's still working on his post about his new year resolutions. He said to tell everybody that he just needed a little more time (but *whispering* I think he's obsessing about getting all the wording just right. He did say to mention that he anticipates having his resolutions ready before the end of the year. LOL).

So I did find something interesting and thought I'd share it:

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that Richard Blanco, a partnered gay man and Cuban immigrant, will deliver an original poem at President Obama's inauguration on January 21.

You can check out this link to read more about his role in the Inaugural: Inaugural Poet.

And if you're interested, here's a link to the poet's website: www.richard-blanco.com.

As promised, Madison Parker agreed to provide a FREE copy of her wonderful short story, Sock it to Me, Santa!, to one lucky commenter on our previous post.

Using the random number generator on the web, we were given the result of the winner, and we're pleased to announce that MADDE won!!!

We just sent you an email letting you know you won, so get back to us within 48 hours to claim your prize, along with the format you'd like, and Madison will fill your stocking with some awesome joy!

Congratulations

=================================

And thanks so much, Madison, for the wonderful story and your generosity in the giveaway! Now we're waiting for your debut novel, Play Me, I'm Yours.

FYI:

Madison's website: Click here.

Madison's Goodreads page: Click here.

The Storm

Hi everybody. You may have heard by now there's a major storm hitting the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.

Hurricane Sandy is slamming into New Jersey but since it's one of those storms that's combining with several other weather systems, it's being called a Perfect Storm, or for those who like to be overly dramatic, it's nickname is Frankenstorm.

The sweep of the storm is pretty wide so we're getting anywhere from 50 - 80 mph winds over a sustained period of just about all day today. Probably going to have downed trees and all the damage that goes with that including power outages.

School and work has been canceled so we're around to take care of any damage we get in addition to helping people in our neighborhood.

Not sure how all this will impact our Halloween plans, but that's of course secondary right now.

For those of you who may be getting the fury of this storm worse than us, please be safe and know you're in our thoughts.

Once this thing gets finished with it's damage and destruction, we'll see you on the other side.

Guess what? This year I will be able to VOTE for the very first time!

The last Presidential election we had was in 2008 and I was too young to vote (even though I had a very informed opinion about the election!).

But this year, WATCH OUT!

Bradley from Boston is going to the polls!

I've not only been paying close attention to the candidates and the political parties, but I've also been doing some research on how U.S. elections work.

Did you know only 538 people in the entire country are eligible to cast a ballot for President?

And did you know it takes only 270 votes to be elected President?

I kid you not! Check out this link. It's all in the Constitution (Article II, Section 1, and the 12th Amendment).

I mentioned a while back that I'm taking a political science course and one of the requirements of the course is we have to find a way to get actively involved in local or national politics. So I contacted the campaign of the candidate I'm for and joined their Campus Team at my school. I'm on this committee they have to make sure other students get to the polls on November 6 (or if they're from another state, to make sure they voted by mail).

So Voter Bradley has this message if you are a U.S. citizen:

"I better NOT be the ONLY person who votes on November 6! The country is voting on 538 people who will meet on December 17 to select our President. This is an important election for many reasons. So get thee to the polls on November 6!"

Proving Myself

Starting college last year was a huge step for me. So I got really upset with myself when I overslept that first day and missed my very first class. Had a huge meltdown over that.

I was eventually able to pull myself together, get in control of my anxiety, remember to take my meds, and move forward. Wasn't easy to do at the time. I felt like my whole world was crumbling.

I went back this past weekend and reread the post where I talked about that day. It was really embarrassing and painful to read what I wrote then. I sounded like some out of control hysterical kindergartner. When I forced myself to read the whole thing, I honestly didn't recognize myself. Did I let someone guest post that day? Who was that person?

I was on some kind of emotional roller coaster, going from one emotional extreme to the other. And believe me it wasn't the first time in my life that I was on that roller coaster.

After thinking I had screwed up my life for missing that first class, to thinking I would never amount to anything, to worrying that Brad would see what a loser I was and leave me, I was able to finally calm myself down and think rationally.

I think I've done some growing up since then. Thank God!

When I finally got to the end of what I had written, I recognized myself again. The person I see myself as today. This sentence stands out for me:

I finally feel like I'm back in my right mind, the one that functions rationally and can actually take the next step(s) to grow up from being some scared little kid to being a capable adult (or at least mini-adult).

I had a day off work this past Friday and in the afternoon I got a call from my boss asking me to come in a little earlier on Monday. He wanted to have a talk with me. My first thought was that he was going to lay me off.

Even though I use to work there full-time before starting college and they seemed to like my work and dedication to the job, you never know how they might be trying to cut corners. Plus, I was a recent rehire so I'm low on the totem pole. And I'm the youngest person in my work crew. I didn't think my very first thought was that unreasonable.

Here's what I wrote about him a long while back:

The guy who is the boss of the home refurbishing unit (which I'm a part of) is a really cool guy. He just turned 62 and is the kind of guy I'd be proud to have as a grandfather or uncle. He's not your typical "macho" cave man construction type, but is actually a really sweet, kind and gentle type of man. Everybody loves him. I mean, he's definitely the boss and you can't walk all over him. When he tells you to do something, you never, ever argue with him. And he definitely will not put up with anybody slacking off. I've seen him angry twice, and he never looses control or is mean, but you definitely know he means business. He's kind of taken me under his wings but he also expects a lot from me.

So I was taken aback when he said he'd like me to come in early on Monday to talk about a promotion! I'm glad he called a little later in the day since my brain can be all over the place first thing in the morning. He's a man of few words anyway so I just asked him what time I should come in.

When I met with him yesterday he got right to the point. He went down a list of things he liked about my work going back to when I first started there right after high school. Then he started listing some things about my personality he liked. And then said he felt like the other people in my work crew respected me. For just a brief moment I felt like he had gotten me confused with somebody else. For a minute it was hard for me to even recognize myself in what he was saying.

So the specific work unit I'm in specializes in carpentry. This has been my favorite unit so far. And my boss offered me the position of Team Leader or Crew Leader. Those terms are always used interchangeably, but "Leader" is always there.

What this means is that I'll still be doing basic carpentry but then I have to assign specific workers to do specific work, oversee it while it's being done, and then check it on completion. So I'm kind of the work site boss. And then I have a boss who's over me and checks my work and is over the whole Team.

I never mentioned it here in the blog, but when I was rehired this summer, there were two guys on my crew who apparently saw me as an easy target for some ribbing. Not fun ribbing. I can take that. We're talking about cruel ribbing.

Whenever I'm in a new situation with people I don't know, I always try to find a way to fit in and make myself part of the group. Until I get to know people and figure out how things work, I tend to always try a little too hard. I ought to be hanging back and just observing, but I don't. Plus the ADHD Demon doesn't make it easy. I can be a real motor-mouth and somewhat hyper until I get a good read on the situation.

These two guys thought it was hilarious I was "hyper" at times. They seemed to feel the need to point it out to everyone, laugh about it, and used it in a condescending way, making it sound like I was stupid or an idiot. Like some little kid or an annoying gnat.

I know I can seem hyper sometimes, but there's a way that term can be said that makes it sound like you're damaged. I should say I actually like it when people kid around and poke fun with me IF it's done in an innocently playful way. AND if I already know the people doing the ribbing and know it's done in a good-hearted way. Makes me feel they like me and I honestly enjoy not having to take myself seriously all the time.

My boss noticed these guys one day and had A Talk with both of them. They were put on notice and the ribbing stopped.

Well, guess what? Those two guys are still on my work crew. And guess who their immediate boss is now? There's some kind of irony in knowing these forty-year-old dudes now have a twenty-year-old boss with ADHD who is in charge of organizing the work site, making work assignments, overseeing their job while it's being done, and checking it on completion.

But they're also going to discover their new boss is fair, mature, level-headed, and knows a thing or two about how important it is to respect everyone. And treat everyone fairly. They're going to discover something maybe they've never see before. A twenty-year-old adult.

To say the least, I'm psyched about this. Nervous also. This is a lot of responsibility on my shoulders and my boss is counting on me to come through and do a good job. I'd hate to let him down.

I'm also expecting a lot from myself. To be honest, I think this weighs more heavily on me. Maybe that's what makes me an adult, as opposed to the "mini-adult" I wrote about almost a year ago.

Proving myself.

Proving myself to my boss is important.

Proving myself to my work crew is important.

But I think proving myself to myself is even more essential. At least to me it is.

Coming Out & Coming In

When both of us came out as gay four years ago, we were in our mid-teens (15 for Brad, 16 for Matt). It seemed at the time that we had done something pretty monumental...

Hi Everybody! We're guest posting over at one of our favorite blogs, Chicks & Dicks.

This month their theme is Living Out With Pride in celebration of Pride Month all over the world. Our guest post is one thing we're doing to celebrate the festivities.

We worked on this post together and we hope you head over and check it out. Oh, and while you're there leave us a comment to let us know you dropped by. Pretty please? ;-)

One year ago (actually 2 days ago) we published our very first blog post. If you click on the link you'll see the post is dated March 26, but all the comments are dated April 4. This is because we wrote the first post on March 26 and had no clue that you could schedule the post for a later date. We wanted the first post to go up on April 4, so on April 4 we just clicked "Publish Post" and assumed that date would appear. Oops. We just hoped that was not some kind of bad omen for the blog.

Some of the people who left a comment on that first post still leave comments now. Whether you were with us on Opening Day or found us later, we're very grateful you've been part of this journey with us.

We want to explain some of the Announcement Clues we've been leaving for the past few weeks:

Announcement Clue # 1 - In that post, I wrote about how Brad and I had been dating for a while. We asked different people how you know you're in Love, with a capital "L". One clue was the last part of the last sentence:

"Then we started hearing things like, 'Most gay relationships don't last that long under the best of circumstances. And at your age, it would be a miracle if you're still together after one year.' WTF? We were just asking how you know if you're 'in love' with somebody, and already people are making predictions that we won't last one year!"

People were actually saying that the chances that our relationship lasting a year were slim, primarily because of our age. Well, not only did we make it to that first year, we're getting ready to celebrate our second anniversary (of meeting each other) next month!

So, the clue for the Announcement is "one year." Get it? I know, pretty obscure and lame, but it's there! LOL

The second clue in that post is the sentence,

"That first year was definitely worth all the work and required a lot of communication."

Announcement Clue # 2 - In this post, Brad used the word "follow" or "following" a number of times. This refers to you, our readers.

But a blog like ours is a two-way street. Just as you follow us, we've also followed your comments to us, and we've gotten a lot of wise and supportive words from you. That's what Brad meant when he wrote,

"We found ourselves following a lot of the advice that sounded solid and wise."

Announcement Clue # 3 - In that post, I wrote,

"...I've found a tremendous benefit from writing what I'm thinking about and what I'm feeling. When I write things out, I can always see what's going on inside me at lot better, then I can figure things out or talk about it with Brad or other people I trust."

Several times in that post I referred to how important "writing" has been to me. We both have benefited from thinking about some really important issues in our relationship and then sitting down and putting those thoughts and feelings into words.

My last sentence in that post reiterated this:

"...I'd highly recommend keeping a journal or finding some similar way to write out what's happening to you. For me, it's always led to much clearer thinking."

We both want to take this opportunity to Thank You for helping make our blog what it is today and we look forward to seeing you as we enter our second year!

Love you all, Matt and Brad

Big Announcement Clue # 3

Just a reminder that if you didn't read our post on Friday March 23, this post may not make a whole lot of sense.

Today is "Big Announcement Clue #3 Day!" Under the red double lines below, you'll find one or two clues about what it is we're going to announce during the first week of April. The clue or clues may be a phrase or a word that if you think about it, might lead you to some ideas about what it is we're going to be announcing.

If you think you may have discovered a "clue", leave a comment sharing what you think the clue is pointing to. You're free to make as many guesses as you like, but for each guess you have to connect it to the "clue" you think you've discovered.

For example, if you say, "I think the special occasion is (X) because Brad keeps using the word 'Y' over and over again in the post. And that can only mean this is about 'Z'."
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When we first started writing our blog, I wrestled with whether to share anything about my Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To be honest, I was worried I might be negatively judged in some way. When I was a little kid people were constantly annoyed with me because, well, I was pretty hyperactive. Not always an endearing thing to others.

When Brad and I started dating, I also wrestled with how to explain it to him. I figured if we just went out on a few dates and then decided to go our separate ways, there'd be no reason to bring it up. I've been on medication since childhood and I would just make sure I took my meds before we went out and he'd never have any need to know.

However, after that first date, there was never any doubt in either of our minds that we wanted to start seeing each other as often as we could.

Well, as I've explained elsewhere in the blog, I'm on one of the "old" meds used to treat ADHD and it gets in my system quickly, does it's thing, and then makes an early exit! I have to take 3 doses at different times throughout the day so it stays level in my system. Sometimes I forget to take a dose... my levels go down... and I'm all bouncy and have a hard time concentrating. (BTW, I'm going to be moving to one of the newer longer-lasting meds soon!)

Needless to say, this whole thing affected my self-esteem growing up. When I'd get bouncy, I would become annoying to others around me. It's just what happens. I don't mean to be like that, it's the way my brain is wired.

The reason I had self-esteem problems is because I was convinced there was something really wrong and bad about my personality. I mean, why would teachers, my parents, my brothers, friends, all get frustrated with me for being a pain when I was around?

The meds were a godsend and I learned from some counselors I saw that meditating, doing deep breathing exercises, learning t'ai chi and yoga helped tremendously.

For the self-esteem (which I still struggle with at times), I've found a tremendous benefit from writing what I'm thinking about and what I'm feeling. When I write things out, I can always see what's going on inside me at lot better, then I can figure things out or talk about it with Brad or other people I trust.

Even if you don't have ADHD, I'd highly recommend keeping a journal or finding some similar way to write out what's happening to you. For me, it's always led to much clearer thinking.

Big Announcement Clue # 2

Just a reminder that if you didn't read our post on Friday, March 23, this post may not make a whole lot of sense.

Today is "Big Announcement Clue #2 Day!" Under the red double lines below, you'll find one or two clues about what it is we're going to announce during the first week of April. The clue or clues may be a phrase or a word that if you think about it, might lead you to some ideas about what it is we're going to be announcing.

If you think you may have discovered a "clue", leave a comment sharing what you think the clue is pointing to. You're free to make as many guesses as you like, but for each guess you have to connect it to the "clue" you think you've discovered.

For example, if you say, "I think the special occasion is (X) because Brad keeps using the word 'Y' over and over again in the post. And that can only mean this is about 'Z'."
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It was a while into our relationship before Matty and I met some other gay couples who had been together for a considerable length of time. We got the chance to spend time with them and it was so reassuring to see that if two people care about and love each other, they can have a successful relationship.

We had already met some "downers" who maybe had never experienced love or maybe had some bad experiences where they had been hurt in some way. That's how we explained why they might have been skeptical about whether long-term Love was even possible.

We did get some really good advice about how to think about being "in love" with someone. We found ourselves following a lot of the advice that sounded solid and wise.

Some of the advice we followed was, "Don't try to rush things or make yourself feel something just because it's how other couples do things."

The other advice we got was, "Just because you have arguments or disagreements doesn't mean your love is doomed. Sometimes talking through your problems can lead to new understandings and a deeper love."

We were really fortunate to have met some of these couples and gotten some good things to think about. Much of their advice we sill follow today, and we're a stronger couple because of it.

Big Announcement Clue #1

If you didn't read our post on Friday, March 23, this post may not make a whole lot of sense.

Today is "Big Announcement Clue #1 Day!" Under the red double lines below, you'll find one or two clues about what it is we're going to announce during the first week of April. The clue or clues may be a phrase or a word that if you think about it, might lead you to some ideas about what it is we're going to be announcing.

If you think you may have discovered a "clue", leave a comment sharing what you think the clue is pointing to. You're free to make as many guesses as you like, but for each guess you have to connect it to the "clue" you think you've discovered.

For example, if you say, "I think the special occasion is (X) because Brad keeps using the word 'Y' over and over again in the post. And that can only mean this is about 'Z'."
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It wasn't a long time after we began dating that we both began thinking about whether we were actually falling in love with each other. Falling in Love! Just thinking about the "L" word was scary in a way. Neither of us had even been "in love" before, so in some ways it was unclear what that actually meant.

We each talked to some friends and people in our lives who we trusted and some we're as baffled as we were about how you define being "in love" with another person.

Some people said things like, "Oh, you'll just know." Not very helpful.

Other people said things like, "When you can't stop thinking about when you're going to see the person, that's love." Somewhat helpful.

One or two people said things like, "You're too young to be 'in love' with someone. You're probably just 'in lust'. Not helpful.

Then we started hearing things like, "Most gay relationships don't last that long under the best of circumstances. And at your age, it would be a miracle if you're still together after one year." WTF? We were just asking how you know if you're "in love" with somebody, and already people are making predictions that we won't last one year!

Well, we did made it to that first year! And shortly we can say two.

That first year was definitely worth all the work and required a lot of communication. As we went beyond that first year, we're a lot clearer about what being "in love" is all about.

In addition to that first year being exciting, it was also challenging in many ways. All we can say now is that we definitely know without any doubt we're "in love." How do we define it at this point? It may sound silly, but our answer is, "Just spend time with us and follow us around, day in and day out. What you'll see are two guys 'in love'." We can't define it any clearer than that.

Big Announcement Schedule

In our post from last Friday, we said we were just about ready to make a big announcement. This is a really special occasion and we've been busy with lots of planning, as usually goes with this type of thing.

Brad and I have been busy talking about how we want to announce it here on the blog, and have decided that we'll be doing that sometime during the first week of April.

In the meantime, we're going to do two things as far as what we post here.

First, between now and that day in the first week of April, we have some posts planned that have nothing to do with the announcement. We might post a fun video or write about something funny or challenging in our relationship. As far as the blog goes, just business as usual.

Second, we are going to publish a series of posts entitled, "Big Announcement Clue." The first one will be, "Big Announcement Clue #1", and so forth. This will be our way of sharing with you the excitement we feel about what we're announcing.

In these "Big Announcement Clue" posts, we'll write what appears to be just a usual post where we're probably going to be talking about our love, issues in our relationship, life in general, and so forth. However, in these posts, we're going to drop one or two "clues" about what it is we'll be announcing that first week in April. The clues may be a phrase or a word that if you think about it, might lead you to some ideas about what it is we're going to be announcing.

We're thinking we might be posting 3 or 4 "Big Announcement Clue" posts between now and the day we make our big announcement.

If you think you may have discovered a "clue", leave a comment sharing what you think the clue is pointing to. You're free to make as many guesses as you like, but for each guess you have to connect it to the "clue" you think you've discovered.

For example, if you say, "I think the special occasion is (X) because Brad keeps using the word 'Y' over and over again in the post. And that can only mean this is about 'Z'."

Hope you have fun finding the clues.

Well, I guess most of you know Brad and I met at my 18th birthday party. My birthday is May 8th so it will shortly be 2 years since we first laid eyes on each other.

We've been through a lot during these nearly 2 years... a lot of growing up... a lot of learning about ourselves... a lot of learning about life... a lot of learning and discovery about love.

And we've celebrated a number of things during this time.

Well, we're almost ready now to make a big announcement about celebrating our.... Oops. I almost jumped the gun there!

I said we're "almost ready" to make a big announcement.

Before we make this Announcement, we'd like to involve all of you in celebrating this with us. So, beginning next week we have a few things planned that we hope you enjoy before The Big Day... that is, the Big Announcement Day.

First of all, we'll be posting different clues about what the Announcement might be. On those days we hope you'll have some fun deciphering the clues.

Secondly, we're seeing about lining up some of our author friends to make a guest appearance leading up to the Big Announcement. We're interested in some of their own memories of what their Big Day was like for them, and there might also be some free book giveaways involved. This is still in the planning phase, and we might ask these author friends to participate in an entirely different way. We'll see. Or, because of the short notice, we may have something else planned. (See how much wiggle room we're leaving ourselves!)

So, Spring is in the air and we're feeling all excited about this. Stay tuned beginning next week.

P.S. Our lips will be sealed about this Announcement until sometime during the first week of April.

We look forward to sharing this Announcement with you and hope you'll join us in our Big Celebration!

Celebrating!

Maryland has become the eighth state, plus the District of Columbia, to give equal marriage rights to ALL

Here's some other news on the horizon:

The New Jersey Legislature passed Marriage Equality, but governor Chris Christie (Republican), vetoed it. Now a new poll indicates a record high of support for same-sex marriage among New Jersey voters in the days after Governor Chris Christie vetoed the bill.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday, almost two weeks after the governor vetoed the bill the state legislature passed last month, showed that “Registered voters favor gay marriage 57 percent to 37 percent, according to the survey released today,” reports Bloomberg.

Editorial Comment: There's some momentum, which is good. Slowly but surely... ya know?

Hop Against Homophobia

We're so excited about Hop Against Homophobia we couldn't wait until the Official Beginning, which is the week of May 17 - 20.

We signed up our blog to participate for this important cause, and we hope you'll check it out by clicking here: Hop Against Homophobia.

The purpose is twofold: to raise awareness about homophobia and to strengthen the gay fiction genre.

We'll have more to say about this as we get closer to the Official Week, but for now, we hope you'll check it out. Again, it's at: Hop Against Homophobia.

"Oh, But It's Never Too Late To Celebrate Love"

Matty and I had a wonderful time on our date Saturday night (belatedly) celebrating Valentine's Day.

The limo Mark and John arranged for us was there on time. The driver came around to open the door for us, but Matty very subtly and politely indicated with a nod of his head that he would open the door for me. The driver then got to do his duty by closing it, once we were both inside. Matty. Always the gentleman!☺

When we arrived at the hotel, we... or rather, I... was surprised to find a photographer waiting to take our picture as we were getting out! Matty was grinning from ear to ear! I thought it was the paparazzi mistaking us for some celebrities! Matty had gotten his older brother to ask a friend of his (who is a photographer) to take a few pictures of us that night!

After we got seated in the restaurant, the photographer came over and snapped some more photos of us, then we got some more while we were eating, and then a few while we were dancing later! He was never intrusive and it didn't distract from all the love flowing across the table. But can you believe this?

We had an unbelievably delicious dinner and enjoyed some nice dancing at this fancy restaurant with all the other (older than us) people there. We were definitely the youngest diners.

The dance music was mainly on the slow side, and even when they played something fast, it was nothing to work up any kind of sweat over, but it was still a lot of fun anyway. Nothing like slow dancing with the one you love, right?

We were getting a number of friendly stares and nods (we speculated that people thought we must be somebody important since we had that photographer taking our pictures), and one older lady, who looked like she might have been maybe in her seventies, actually got our attention by sending us her sweet smile and a little wave across the room. So sweet.

We went over to say hello to her and her husband and introduce ourselves and when she asked us how old we were, you would have thought we were her favorite grandchildren she hadn't seen in a long time. I even (swear to God) got my cheek pinched! ☺

We chatted with them for just a short while and I told them we were celebrating a late Valentine's Day. The lady sorta tilted her head slightly and grinned and said, "Oh, but it's never too late to celebrate your love."

Two couples actually stopped by our table to say hello. One couple said they enjoyed watching us dance together, and the lady in another couple said we were (in her words), "Just adorable." The man with her had a big smile on his face and they introduced themselves, so there were handshakes all around.

We had a nice time in the limo on the ride home, which we'll tell you more about later. Let's just say for now that on the ride home we went from "just adorable" to something along the lines of "just loving." That ride home just about "blew me" away! {evil grin}

Oh, I almost forgot... then there was some role playing once we got home... We may have mentioned that a few days ago. LOL.

This week we're planning on sharing some of the highlights of Saturday night, and haven't decided yet whether each of us will write sometime from our own perspective, or whether we'll collaborate on something together. Stay tuned! ☺

Today is a holiday in the U.S. (Presidents' Day), so we're home from school and we're using the time to get caught up on lots of various chores, grocery shopping, laundry, etc., in addition to recovering from a wonderful Saturday night! One we'll always have memories about.

Matty's Guest Post About Non-Traditional MM Heroes

Now it's Matty's turn over at the Chicks 'n Dicks blog.

He's written a Guest Post on First Encounters and Lasting Impressions where he talks about some of his first encounters with M/M romance books in high school. Then he shares what kind of Heroes he looks for now, and mentions an especially important book that's made a lasting impression on him.

I got to read the whole thing before he sent it in, except for what he wrote right under the title. He only showed that to me last night. When you see it you'll understand why we went to bed early, but, well... didn't get much sleep.

Our Guest Post About Non-Traditional M/M Heroes

If you head over to Chicks 'n Dicks, you'll find a Guest Post written by our very own Brad.

On Thursday, my post will go up.

Their topic for the entire month of February is:

The Non-Traditional Hero

in M/M Fiction

So, drop on by Chicks 'n Dicks and see what we think about Non-Traditional M/M heroes.

This is the very first time we've ever done a guest post on another blog, and we want to thank Anne Tenino for inviting us. Thanks to this invitation, we're no longer virgins, that is, "virgin guest post bloggers"!

Hope you enjoy!

Writing for Another Blog

We were both asked last week if each of us would be interested in writing a Guest Post for another blog and we spent a good portion of the weekend working on those. It's funny how writing posts for our own blog seem a lot easier than writing one for somebody else's blog.

It's sorta like you've been invited to a dinner party at someone else's house, someone you don't know all that well and you want to make sure you make a good impression.

You definitely want to wear the right clothes, make sure your hair looks okay, and you won't be too nervous making the necessary small talk until you get to know them better and can relax.

And, of course, what if you run into somebody at the dinner party and they're really, really smart and they try to talk to you about astrophysics or whether mathematics was invented or discovered?

This is just an over exaggeration of course. The person at the blog we're writing for is super nice and was extremely helpful in making suggestions for topics and answered all our questions and made us feel relaxed and welcomed.

Guess you can tell we're "a little" nervous about stepping out of familiar territory. But then again, that's a big part of what growing up is all about, right?

We're both actually excited about what we've written. As soon as we find out the date they're going up, we'll post something here with directions on how to find the "dinner party" where we'll be. We'd appreciate it, however, if you don't ask us about astrophysics, please. Thank you. ;)

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