[Atlanta - 28 December 2005]
Wow! It's been a busy month.
I am sure I'll forget something but here's a recap:
My move into Bryan's flat to 'house-sit' went flawlessly. I miss the neatness & order of Michael's apartment but I can walk to work at The Fox from Bryan's. And no rent ...
Work at The Fox has been overwhelming since late November. Along with the Rockettes Xmas hoo-ha and The Nutcracker, we've also had concerts and ballroom events at which I have worked. The concerts netted FABULOUS tips (!) ... and that money is needed as January will really see a slow-down in my workload & income.
I had lunch with Jim & his son James (who just turned 16) twice before Xmas. James is a great kid ... if a bit quiet. I suppose I'd be quiet and cautious, too, if I was meeting my father's boyfriend/partner for the first time. I am just pleased that Jim has invited me into his family life. Jim is a wonderful father and I have encouraged him all along to be the best daddy he can be! Given that we both had rather crap fathers, I support Jim totally in his role as 'daddy' to his three kids.
My Xmas was great. I was off work on Xmas Eve and just sat around doing nothing for a change. Jim was over on Xmas Day in the late afternoon to open presents & swill champagne (he's taken to champagne like a duck to water!). Note: I get champagne at cost from The Fox!
I'd teased him earlier in the day by emailing this image:
Yeah, Jim got lots of presents from me ... but I rather enjoy making him feel loved & giving him thoughtful gifts. Highlights include: a coffee table book from WICKED THE MUSICAL, a lovely button-down shirt, a French & Saunders DVD, a humourous book about Denmark and a copy of my favourite book, NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND by Bill Bryson. He also got a few CDs and such ... thrown in for good measure!
Jim got me just what I asked for ... socks! :-) Okay, so I also got a lovely button-down shirt, some fleecy sweatpants and some cufflinks ... all needed! I had asked for practical things. I have two shirts with me here in America that I've been unable to wear, as I left my cufflinks in London.
Whatmore, Jim had resheduled our cruise as an Xmas surprise ... but it seems it might be postponed again! The delay would be my fault this time.
Jim has been a real sweetie lately. More important than the gifts, he has been giving me so much of his time since he returned from Chicago. I just love him, I do!
My mum even came for a visit on the 26th. She was in town with my sister & brother-in-law (who I'm only just now meeting!), along with my neice Taylor and her half-sister Jessica. Mum & I had brunch down The Flying Biscuit and coffee at Caribou across the street. Once back at mine, we nattered on a couple hours while she enjoyed her ciggies on the balcony. Chest cold aside, she was in remarkably good form. I can't recall when we've last had such pleasant, positive conversation. [Note: I get 'the whingeing gene' from my mother yet this entire day was nearly complaint-free.]
One final bit of Xmas cheer arrived a bit late ... a lovely handmade Xmas card from my best mate Androo in London. The card features a red reindeer sewn onto a green patch on the front. Such texture & design ... how delightfully fabulous! Androo is the best, he is ... he even included some Jesus fodder that came through his letterbox! He knows how to make me laugh, he does.
Now I am looking for a new place to live (see the advert here). Bryan is back from his world tour on the 7th and this house-sitting gig is up!
Wish me luck.
Richard the Big Bunny
