Will I Be Voting for a Democrat This Year???

Ok.  Wow.  Who doesn't love politics?  Isn't it fascinating?  You know, I don't think I've EVER...  (to read more go here.)

So Tom had his first 'Protestant' communion last night.  It was really interesting.  Tom and I come from such different religious backgrounds.  He grew up Catholic, and I grew up... not Catholic.  It's a fascinating collision of belief systems.

When I went to Tom's parents' home for Thanksgiving, we went to the Catholic Church.  We couldn't take communion because he hadn't confessed, and I hadn't converted.  It was interesting.  I must say that I was a little disappointed that I couldn't partake of the rite that I had partaken of all my life.  It didn't set well with me.  Tom and I have had many discussions on religion and what our belief systems are.  Religion is so powerful, you know?  I do admire that Tom has an open mind and wants us to find common ground in our religious practice.  But last night was interesting...

At first, Tom didn't think he could partake because he's Catholic.  I let him know that as long as he is Christian, he is welcome.  It was very different than what he's used to.  And I don't think Tom likes the music at this church very much.  I come from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background.  I enjoy singing and praising.  Tom doesn't.  I don't think he quite understands why I get so caught up and raise my hands and look crazy like that.  I'm sure I look pretty strange to him. 

Tom and I are so different.  But I'm learning to be tolerant.  I used to have such strict beliefs.  I guess all religions think they're right.  But now, I understand that everyone is different, and everyone's perception and experience of God is different.  I have to respect that.  I've just come to a point in my life that I don't value 'religion' anymore.  I don't like judgment, and I don't like people thinking they have a corner on God.  God is too big to be put inside a box.  I just enjoy my freedom too much.

Some of my Evangelical friends from my 'other' blog are beginning to find me here in my new blog.  I'm pleasantly surprised that they continue to embrace me even though I have gone in a different direction in my life.  Are we progressing as believers?  I hope so, because we tend to be just a little too closed-minded.  I live in freedom, and I respect others who live in freedom from judgment. 

So Tom and I are figuring it all out.  He took communion from someone other than a priest.  And I'm learning to accept the complexity of myself and the complexity of God.  It's an interesting journey.

New Years Eve...

Jack is a friend that I met in LA.  Jack is an actor, and he happens to be someone that I used to watch on TV every week when I was growing up.  And when I first met him, I was so star-struck.  But as I got to know him, he became such a real person to me.  He grew from being a TV idol to me to becoming someone special.  I grew to really appreciate who he is.  Jack is a wildly funny man, but I began to learn that he's a truly authentic person whose feet are firmly planted on the ground. He's an extremely caring and giving individual who truly loves God with his whole heart.  I came to truly admire my new friend, Jack.  And I wanted more. 

I remember hanging out with him and going to see 'Dreamgirls' with him at the Arclight.  I was in Heaven.  And I was so nervous that day.  I just wanted everything to be perfect.  I remember being in his apartment.  It was always surreal to me.  I remember he played the piano for me one night.  I didn't know how multi-talented he is.  He was special, and I loved spending time with him.

By the time New Year's Eve came around, I was ready to move forward with Jack.  I spent New Year's Eve with him and with friends, and the night got CRAZY.  I won't tell you everything that happened.  But Jack definitely made it a night to remember...  It was a crazy time, and I'll never forget New Year's Eve 2007.

So as life goes, my relationship with Jack evolved.  I thought that we might end up together, but we soon realized that we were better as friends than as lovers.  And that's just fine because I'm just honored to know him.

A year goes by, and my days with Jack are just a memory now.  Jack is still a special friend to me, and I look forward to seeing him again.  But this year, I spent New Year's Eve with the love of my life.  Tom and I went out to eat and had a couple of drinks.  We came back home and fell asleep watching Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin on CNN.  We rang in the New Year sleeping in each other's arms.  I guess I'm not a wild man anymore.

What a difference a year makes...

Life is crazy, isn't it?  It's so unpredictable.  I never imagined that I would find myself where I am right now.  I'm in such an interesting place.  I live in Palm Springs; I have a partner; and I'm a Tour Guide...  Life has such amazing twists and turns. 

I feel really peaceful right now.  LA was such a grand experience, but now I sense my life slowing down a bit.   I sense my life getting quiet.  I just want to withdraw.  I just want to be still... 

I want to hear God, you know?  He is so mysterious, but I'm listening to Him.  He's  so good to me... 

I know that people don't understand my life.  It's not easy to explain.  I've changed a lot.  But things are right, and I don't have to fight anymore.  I'm just who I am, and that's ok.

This is my life...  And it's good.

Dear Abby,

There's this guy that has befriended my boyfriend.  He's a nice enough guy, but there's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way.  I can't put my finger on it.

My boyfriend, Tom, doesn't remember meeting 'Neil'.  All he remembers is that Neil came up to him in the gym and acted like he knew him.  Neil started a conversation with him and acted like they hadn't seen each other in a while.  Later, Tom and I ran into Neil at a bar.  Neil was very friendly and seemed to want to hang around us quite a bit.  I actually kind of liked him, and Tom was trying to escape him.  As the night went on, Tom began to feel that he's a nice enough guy and maybe we could be friends with him.

As time has gone on, Neil has begun to text Tom.  He has begun to call Tom.  Neil can't seem to get over Tom.  The texting kind of gets on Tom's nerves.  But we go out with Neil.  And Neil kind of gets on MY nerves.  He's very chatty with Tom.  I just don't like it.  Now we're having Christmas dinner with Neil and other friends.  I'm not really into it, but there's free prime rib, so I'm in.

So the question seems to be, what do I do with Neil?  He's beginning to be a thorn in my side...

Signed,

Thorny in Palm Springs