RMSL Softball Trophy

This goofy trophy represents a great team effort by the Ashmont Grill Lightning in this fall’s Rick Sylvia Memorial Softball League. I joined the league a week late in order to get out of the house and socialize a bit with some other men in the area. By chance, I was placed on one of the strongest teams. Although we were stymied by excessively rainy weather, we managed to see the season through to completion.

As a rusty newcomer, I was placed in right field, a position with which I was familiar from my little league days (Pittsburgh Pirates… ’nuff said). Out in right field I managed to look busy, miss a few fly balls, and learn who all the lefties were in the league. Thankfully I was a bit better at bat, and managed to contribute my fair share of runs.

When all the data was tabulated, lo and behold, the Ashmont Grill Lightning was victorious, beating out the Alley Cats and Club Cafe Blue Ballers (sorry pretty boys…). The league was great fun, with stiff competition and positive vibes, a welcome respite from club culture.

So when you see me at the gym in my green team t-shirt, feel free to praise me like you should.

I’m also getting tired of being single. Someone did recently captivate my heart; for our brief time together, I felt as if I had found my other half. But, as Hedwig so told, perhaps our destiny was but as “lonely two-legged creatures.”

Maybe it’s my itinerant lifestyle… I’ve become the consummate outsider. Still, I long for that which I’ve glimpsed in others; committed relationships that may indeed be separated by great distance. Either I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve or just looking around in my own world, too shy (shy).

While such pity parties are best not attended too often, I am mindful that insanity is often described as “doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result each time.” Is that me? As a deeply curious person, I’m always trying to learn from others and improve myself along the way.

In these uncertain times, I often feel adrift in an amoral universe, pushing forward with what little we know into a future we can not possibly comprehend. Maybe it’s time I made peace with such uncertainty and just enjoyed the ride… but that little voice always manages to rise above the din to ask: “but what are you doing?” I don’t have an answer. What would you say? What keeps you grounded? Have you settled?

So as I prepare to leave once again, to return to the unfamiliar, I can see the highway receding in the rear view mirror, flat and anonymous. Did I succeed or did I fail (both myself and others)? Did this journey take me forward or did it starkly expose my limits? Am I doing the right thing?

Dear reader, thanks for sticking this one out; its been difficult to write but I needed to do it. Wishing you well, from here, for now,

~WD

On top of this (already old) news, we’re also in an election season… yay! Luckily I don’t watch much network TV, so I’m spared most of the local ads. What I do see is that a crazed movement, two parts sheer ignorance and one part racism, is out to wreak great havoc. As a soon to be young lawyer, I’m hoping that things don’t go completely off the rails. Did you know that a question on the Massachusetts ballet would reduce revenue thereby necessitating major service cuts on the T? Whatever. The Taxes are Too Damn High! Last stop, Brighton Beach.

But there are also some signs of hope, particularly in California. Now, California has really become a dysfunctional mess of late; however, it’s importance to America necessitates an optimism about the Golden State. California may legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Given the violence and collateral damage of the “war on drugs,” isn’t it time we re-thought or national policies? Geez. Should this pass, I’d like to see what Justice does about it. Perhaps the deeper question here is whether/how we can transition from a military industrial complex to a R&D industrial complex. The U.S. is lagging way behind its peers on these expenditures. We do, however, get royally ripped off by our B.S. healthcare system and our lousy educational system (at least for the poor).

Federalism, a concept most “tea partiers” do not care to understand, allows the states to serve as laboratories of democracy. It also constructs, or concedes, certain functions to the federal government. I’m not so cynical to say that this system can no longer function, but I’m not so blind to see how it has been severely perverted. America has become somewhat perverted. We can’t even change unconscionable, legally deficient policies? Obama’s got to heat back up, because his bi-partisanship has really slowed things to a glacial crawl. Actually, I’ll take that back; the glaciers are probably chipping away at an increased rate these days… again, whatever. Kick in the crotch!

So, let us celebrate that we may (and really must) vote, get dressed up/down for halloween, and eat one too many tootsie rolls. Toast some apple cider, spiced or otherwise, to the possibility that this may be our last best chance.

~WD

~WD

On Friday I drove down to Hartford, CT, to visit Cinestudio, the movie theater that gave me 1/2 of my Trinity education (thanks, mom!) Each year the CT Gay and Lesbian Film Festival holds a week of gay film right at Cinestudio. It was great to see some old friends and fresh faces in the audience.

After a pleasant visit (and sleep) at a friend’s place, I headed down to Asbury Park, NJ, for Asbury Pride. Luckily, it was a beach day. I swam, soaked up the rays, and enjoyed a particularly mellow mental state. After catching up with my cousin and family, I headed to Paradise, the gay club attached to the Empress Motel, the gay resort/motel right on the beach. I’ve had many an interesting evening at the Empress, and this one didn’t disappoint. I think I danced off 5 or so pounds. Hot men… hot times.

As a bonus, I got in a few hours on the beach Sunday before heading back to MA. And you know, while I was dancing and strutting around in my bathing suit, I really felt that my efforts at the gym over the past year had been well worth it. Who doesn’t like to turn a few heads now and then? I feel sexy and great.