Its a Celebration

The last entry about my trip includes my trip to Orlando to see the Pifer family and some of my friends from Tampa - we had a great time.

One of the exciting parts of the trip was seeing my great-nephews play ball.

Grant coming across home plate.

Next day we got to see Owen running the football all over the field - they are both great players. I was so proud of them - and the crazy announcements over the sound system about the firefighters -

Here is Owen looking very dapper in his football jersey.

And of course there was pizza when it was all over.

The joyousness of children - we all have so much to learn about how life can be filled with joy.

My friend David and his partner Vince came to meet Chris and me in Orlando - we did Cirque of course and were all amazed. Chris and Vince were Cirque virgins - I think they were stunned as we all are when we first see the show.

Here we are being silly - what? us?

Chris, David and I find some fun art behind the House of Blues. I look at this picture and can hardly believe it is me.

I still dont like the climate but seeing my family and friends in Florida was one of the joys of this year - it has been WAY to long.

Following this part of the trip Chris and I headed back to Hilton Head and the next day I flew from Jacksonville home to Albuquerque.

O I just couldnt leave this entry without saying something about "no child left behind" and this has nothing to do with the idiotic educational plan that the fool from Crawford imposed upon the world. Well - maybe for those of you in Orlando and PA who read this - thats enough said - I am still laughing about the famed lost child.

Blessings to you all.

Chuck

Chapter 2

Good evening - and thanx for coming back. I have been so busy lately and doing so many things that blogging is coming more easily each time.

Following the fun Hans, Brian and Sherri and I had at the Balloon Fiesta - I was ready to take a trip home to see my family - I was also very ready to do that. My family, with the exception of my sister, had not seen me since my surgery - so this was going to be the big reveal.

To be in PA in the fall was heaven - Fall is my very favorite time of the year no matter where I am - but in PA it is truly breathtaking.

This is a view of the Susquehanna River and my sister's front lawn. The colors are so clear in this picture - but they were beautiful.

It was homecoming and my great nephew Cody and great niece Chrissy were all dressed and ready to do - pictured here with my niece Kim and her husband Chuck.

My sister and her husband and I spent a day at their hunting retreat in the mountains of north central PA - and as you can see the vistas we amazing.

I didn't get one picture of my sister that she wouldn't kill me for posting here so I wont. But she is a very beautiful blond - and one of these days she will show up on these pages.

The trip home was very special. I only wish my mom and dad could see the progress I have made with the weight loss. My family was thrilled and it was so very good to see them all.

Following this part of the trip I spend a few days on Hilton Head Island with my friend Chris. His place is beautiful and just about 100 feet from an amazing beach and the ocean and his cat loved me.

Chris and I then spent a few wild days in Orlando visiting friends and more of my family.

There are several very fun stories about that trip- and lots more pictures - so do come back and read them - maybe tomorrow?

I preached today at First Congregational in Albuquerque and it felt great to get back into the pulpit - My sermon was entitled The Right Way to Worry. It was a day full of meaning in a number of different ways. And, as usual, I learned more about myself that I might have wanted to know. Blessings - Chuck

Happy November! Can you believe it is November? Holy smoke.

Well - we certainly have things to have mixed emotions over don't we? We have a new and wonderful President - but folks in California, Florida, and other places continue to prove that hatred and ignorance flourishes no matter what. Pray folks - that is all we can do.

Well where do I begin?

I spend a wonderful 12 days on the road visiting family in PA and was there on my birthday. Left PA for a few days in Hilton Head Island with my friend Chris and he and I did the Orlando trip to visit the rest of my wonderful family and some friends.

Let me begin with the Balloon Fiesta weekend and the trip to the Trinity site (where the first atomic bomb was dropped). Brian and Sherri came from Phoenix for both events and we had a wonderful time.

Sherri, my co-worker Jeanette and I board the bus for the WAY to long trip home.

The visit to this site was very interesting. Being in the very house where the bomb was put together; standing where it was dropped, finding Trinitite on the ground (the green rock formed when the bomb melted the NM sand), and I am not sure I have ever been that far in the middle of nowhere. And of course - in the true middle of nowhere - on 1 of the only 2 days a year this site is open - I ran into someone I knew - go figure.

Here is Brian at the site of the drop. Very moving to realize what has happened since.

Then came the Balloon Fiesta. Wow - it is such an amazing event and so much fun - you must all come to visit during this time and join in the fun.

The next morning - we should have been at the filed by 6 AM - thank God for rain - but that night we went to the Night Glow - when the balloons are tethered and just light up at night - with fireworks after. It was colder than hell - but we had a great time.

An idea of how pretty this event can be - multiple this by 200 and it is really breathtaking.

This is the night I discovered that I had no warm clothing at all in my size - time to shop - there is a God.

Hans, Brian, Sherri and me - all huddled

keeping warm in the cold desert night.

Later that night we all discovered Two Fools Tavern - a delightful English Pub with outstanding fish and chips and LOTS of hot tea for Sherri and I to keep warm - the boys drank their way to warm - some horrible, thick, warm beer.

It was a really wonderful weekend and I believe we learned that, although Hans is constantly on me about being a compulsive shopper - when it comes to the Balloon Fiesta - he can out shop me any day. Hmmmm?

Well - again - the Balloon Fiesta was a huge watermark in my journey through weight loss and recovery. My first year at the Fiesta I pretty much walked into the park and sat down - didn't move and saw what I could. The second year my sister was here and neither of us could walk as she was suffering from an injury and I was huge. Although when my Nephew and his family came for the second half of the fiesta - I rented one of those scooters and did have a great time at the event. Last year I spent the Fiesta in beautiful Lubbock TX in the hospital. This year we walked all over the place - saw all the stands and went back several days for more. The progress is amazing.

I am going to sign this entry off and come back to blogging in an hour or so - to continue the journey through October - come on back - there is much more to see and read.

Be well - always - Chuck

Smelling the Roses

Good Evening Friends,

What a work week I have had - took yesterday off as I wasn't feeling well - today the Museum was closed to film a TV show - tomorrow I work and then I am off Thursday and Friday for my trip to Lubbock - life can be so difficult sometimes - teehee.

Today I stopped to smell the roses - the ones in my own front yard - here are some pictures of the things blooming at my house.

I will share some more pictures of the flora of New Mexico on the next blog.

A while ago I told of my adventure taking a class in harness loom weaving and promised to show my final class project. It was a scarf and although there a few flaws it really came out well. The colors are really beautiful - and this winter you will see me decked out in the new scarf a lot I am sure.

Here is a close up to show the colors and a picture showing more of the scarf.

Don't worry - you wont all be getting hand made things for Christmas this year - I need to buy a loom first - lol - then look out.

The weather is nearly perfect here in NM this time of the year - warm days, very cool nights for sleeping, crystal blue skys, and perfectly clean, clear air during the day - the mountains are breathtaking these days. As fall approaches and the seasons change I am reminded of the many changes that we all go through in our lives. This past year has been filled with so many changes I can hardly even list them all (don't worry I wont). Some changes are joyfilled, some very surprising, some incredibly difficult, some just curious. Whatever they are - change gives us the time for reflection and the realization that we are here for such a short time - what a crime to waste it fighting change.

Blessings to you all. And Riv - excuse me for asking - but who are you? Making me crazy trying to figure it out.

Always - Chuck

YIKES! Not Since July

Good Morning and it is great to be back blogging.

I apologize for the very long time between blogs so I will try to make it up to you and fill you in on all the dirt that has been going on - well maybe not the dirt - but the joyous activity that has filled my life since I last blogged.

I bought a new mode of transportation and here she is - bright green, new tires, something that allows the wind to blow through my hair - tada:

My dear friend Brian is a bicyclist and helped

me pic her out - and I love it. Have not tried

very long trips yet but have done a few days of

10-15 miles. I have even gotten over the fact that the helmet messes up my hair.

Lots more has been happening - the back yard is just about finished - once the crappy customer service people at the water feature place replace the broken fountain - then it is time for the party to christen the place - you all MUST come.

Work - Hmmm - who came up with the idea that one should spend 8+ hours a day in a room that does not have a TV, or a couch, or snacks, or someone fun to talk to? I want to dance on their grave.

Now don't get me wrong - I love my new job. Not sure I have even mentioned it here - but I am the new Director of Development for the National Atomic Museum - soon to be renamed the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. We are a Smithsonian Affiliated museum and were chartered by Congress - so it is a pretty special place. We will be moving to a huge new state of the art facility in March and will become a very visited place. The folks there are super, my boss is wonderful and the many financial benefits of a full time job are welcome - but no more Ellen, or endless hours of the HGTV network and all the hunky carpenters. I guess I will live.

Just this past weekend Jeanette (the director of marketing for the museum) and I were attendees at the Navy Ball - and here is proof that we both clean up well.

Jeanette is a delight and we are becoming fast friends - and she loves wine - yea!!!

More to come on the fun people I work with - lots more.

Here is Albuquerque we are all preparing for the upcoming Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - the largest in the world - it means many days of rising at 4 AM to get to the filed in time to see 800 balloons all ascend at the same time - breathtaking. What? You haven't been here for this event? Well get your butt moving - you are always welcome to crash here - hotel rooms fill up about 9 months ahead - but the Wilhelm Hostel is always open.

This year the Museum is sponsoring a field trip to the Trinity Site - the site of the first atomic bomb - here in NM - and Brian and Sherrie are coming over for that trip - a drag show later that night and then the balloon fiesta the next morning - they don't have any idea how tired they will be for the trip back to Phoenix.

The BIG news is - I have found my voice. Since I have lost so much weight - much more than a normal person weighs - I have found I am able to stand and sing again. I have joined the church choir and the New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus and I love both. Very different experiences as you might imagine - but both wonderful. The Men's Chorus is under the second year of a great new conductor and the music we are doing for the Holiday Concert is outstanding. It is very emotional, after 2 years of self-isolation that I have 45 new friends - all who like to sing. To say nothing of the social benefits of knowing 45 new friends who are gay men.

So much has happened in the past year - o yes - a full year. Next Friday I have an appointment in beautiful downtown Lubbock TX to see Dr. Syn - on the one year anniversary of my surgery. There is almost no way to explain how I feel - physically and emotionally about the major changes in my life. But thank you all for your support and love while they have all happened.

The next big hurdles are to have a hernia fixed (and that may happen within the next month), the peneculectomy (and I almost promise you that is spelled incorrectly) but that is the major "tummy tuck" they will do to remove all the lose skin - that will happen sometime in the spring, then the little nips and tucks with arms, legs, neck, and other areas that will need to happen to make me look FABULOUS - but not like Bruce Jenner or Joan Rivers - ya think he could make me look like George Clooney? Hmmmm.

Well - this has gone on for a long time - and I promise now that I am back in the groove to be very regular about this blogging thing.

Blessings - stay tuned for many more surprises - hugs and love to you all.

Chuck

Dogs, mulch, and gates, O My

Good Morning,

It is early here in the high desert. I spent last night at the hospital taking a sleep study and find myself up and attempting to be productive L O N G before that would usually happen.

Since the last blog entry things have been busy around here.

I made a trip to Denver to see the Labradoodle dogs that will be having puppies this year and fell in love. The dogs are wonderful and have the temperament of a lab and the benefits of the standard poodle - no shedding, no allergies. I have included a picture here of the dog that I will be getting a puppy from. That will happen most likely in the winter. I am very excited.

The work continues on the back yard but yesterday we came very close to finishing the entire thing. We have added the rubber mulch - yes rubber, as in recycled tires died to match the landscaping. This stuff doesn't blow away, fade in color, float in rainstorms, support the growth of any bugs or microbes and wont need replaced for at least 15 years.

The plants you see at the end of the hot tub are hot pepper plants - so come for a visit and let me cook for you - teehee.

The gate was installed yesterday also and now it is my job to stain it to match the patio roof. The work is within spitting distance of being finished and it has been lots of fun - but it will feel so good to have it all finished - sit under the stars and have a glass of wine.

The week has also been filled with wonderful events. One of my best friends ever dropped back into my life through email and this blog - Sandy, a very long time friend from High School - one of the nicest things to happen to me in quite a while.

I also had the ugly overhead fluorescent light taken out of the kitchen and had 8 can lights added to brighten the room and take away the shadows. What a huge change. Next we add door and drawer pulls to the cabinets.

There will be lots more to tell you and pictures to continue to show you sometime after Tuesday - so stay tuned.

With much love and blessings.

Chuck

Oh and yes - Happy Birthday Mike!!

A Homeowner's Work . . .

Good Evening and Happy July,

Today was "Make as Much Progress on the Back Yard as Possible Day" and boy did we make progress.

There are many pictures attached so I hope you enjoy them. My wonderful neighbors John, George, and Demetrio did tons of work today. Our math was screwed up so we are short a few square feet of sod - but that will be easy to fix.

As you can see, there is more work to be done but it should all be finished within 2 weeks and then there will be a Yard Warming Party to which you are all invited. Hope to see you there.

Hugs - Chuck

Bringing in the Sod, bringing in the Sod, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the Sod.

Demetrio, the neighborhood stud, show off his newly acquired arms after lifting the garden hose all by himself.

John and George unwind the border for the lawn.

The nearly finished lawn looking north.

This picture is really of the view to the bench, NOT of Demetrio's butt.

The Days of Summer

Good Afternoon!

Its wonderfully warm and dry today and the weather in NM still enchants me. Last night as we sat on the patio I had to wrap in a blanket but it still was wonderful with a clear sky full of stars and promise.

My promise to you was to add more pictures more often. And here it goes. I still haven't figured out all of this blog technical stuff so sometimes the pictures and the captions don't match up - but today I promise to work more on the technique.

This week is busy with work and preparation for a week long weaving class I will be taking later in the month. I will be working on 4 treadle looms and learning the technique from start to finish. The class is 6 days - 6 hours a day so it is pretty intensive. I hope to have some amazing project to show you when completed. Maybe weaving is how I will pass my golden years - so be prepared to get hand made gifts of the next few years.

If I love this class the next big project will be to find a way to fit a loom into my house.

Speaking of the house - the back yard will be nearly finished by this weekend so stay tuned for pictures of that. I never thought I would say how good it feels to be working in the yard - but it does.

So here are some pictures.

Chris posing in a redwood tree trunk.

Outside the Church of San Francisco de Asis in Taos.

Chris and our special friends Mike (r) and Eric (center) and our hosts while in San Francisco. They and their amazing dogs made us feel like we were home.

One of my favorite places - Angle Fire New Mexcico outside Taos. A place I hope someday to own a little get away.

Home at Last

Good Afternoon and Happy 4th of July Weekend.

It feels good to be home from all my travels. A long weekend in Palm Springs planning the wedding of my dear friends Scott and Charlie - lots of fun - but wow its hot there.

My friend Chris from Hilton Head arrived 2 days after I retruned and then we traveled to San Francisco for Gay Pride - an amazing weekend filled with very special friends, music, parades, shows, concerts, and of course street fairs. Chris had never been to SF so we also played tourist and visited the redwoods, took a zillion pictures and just had a ball.

Chris and me just after we were mistaken for the happy couple at the wedding and congratualted.

We returned to NM on Monday night and spent the next 2 days playing tourist here. I achieved another big goal during that visit. 2 years ago my dear friend David was here and went to Bandilier National Monument - Native American cliff dwelllings - and as I sat in the car and read my book David went exploring.

Chris in one of the cliff dwellings.

This year I walked the two miles back into the ruins, climbed a million steps up to the dwellings and even climbed a few ladders into the houses. Of course any sign of emotion would surprise you all I am sure - but I cried much of the way back to the car - relaizing how much my life has changed for the good.

The whole gang - the best friends in the world.

The cops in SF are SOOO friendly - this is Lenny - a charmer.

I am adding some pictures to this entry from the parade, Muir Woods, and the Cliff Dwellings - do enjoy and stay tuned for more fun and excitement.

The real happy couple - Matthew and Andy - I married these guys 11 years ago - and last Friday it was all made legal - a very emotional and special day for us all.

One of the beautiful giants in Muir Woods - one of the most profoundly beautiful spots in CA.

Barbie rides again.

Fun with balloons - how does one get the job

attaching these? Hmmmmmm.

On the Road Again

Good evening all!!

June has been one heck of a month. We had 7 concerts to present for work and they were amazing - Chamber music like it is supposed to be - sublime.

I traveled to Texas to see the Dr. - all the details are on the last posting.

Last weekend I went to Palm Springs to begin a celebration that many of us have been waiting for all our lives. Two of my best friends, Charlie and Scott will be married on August 9 - after being together for 28 years - finally they are allowed to make this legal and public. I am honored to be the celebrant and this past weekend we spent planning. In temps of 119 or so - I might mention - egads.

I spent 2 days in Phoenix visiting my second family Brian, Sherri and the godsons - it was a joy as usual. Brian is a bicyclist and he helped me pick out a bike that I will purchase when I return from the next trip.

A friend Chris comes tomorrow and on Friday we leave for 4 amazing days in San Francisco for Gay Pride - such a treat. Chris has never been to SF so it will be fun showing him my second home town.

I was so excited about the progress of things that I actually had a photo shoot done and below are some pictures from that - I will share a few each posting for a while.

I hope you are all reading the comments made by various folks - it is a joy to see the shared journey of so many people - Blessings - Chuck

Lubbock and stuff

Good evening all. It is a perfect evening in Albuquerque and I felt like writing tonight.

About 45 minutes ago I returned from my latest visit to see Dr. Syn in Lubbock. Dr. Syn is such a contradiction but such a wonderful man. He is an Asian American, Southern Baptist, Republican, Hummer Driver, single bariatric surgeon - so except for the southern Baptist, republican, hummer thing he is a perfect catch - He was thrilled with my progress - and believes I can still lose another 100 pounds - yikes.

The drive from here to Lubbock is certainly a different drive than it was last September when I made my way there for surgery. It seems to go more quickly that it used to. There have been so many things happen in my life since then - maybe my mind is trying to put it all into perspective and the time just passes.

I am a very different person than made that first trip. I am now, officially, 203 (Dr. Syn's scale) pounds thinner than that first trip. But the emotional changes, the physical changes, the many things that have filled my life since that trip in September of 2007 are mind boggling.

Some of these "special events" might not seem so special to some of you - but they are most significant to me.

Last week I crossed my legs -for the first time in 15 years.
I went shopping in a men's store that doesn't sell big and tall sizes and bought a shirt.
I bought new shoes because the old ones kept falling off my feet.
I went through the 5th belt since last September.
I went to Hawaii - and walked 2 miles to see a waterfall - maybe just because I could get there - it was the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen.
I dug holes in my back yard to plant trees.
I walk 2 blocks every night to get my mail.
I had to ramp my treadmill to a 4.0 incline to get my heart rate to training level.
I fell in love - and that, like some of my weight has gone away - but I did it.
I registered for a week long, full time, weaving class.

This month my life has been racing along - 6 concerts for my job, talk of a new title at work, plans for Charlie and Scott's wedding (along with 4 others coming up), planning my trip to San Francisco in 2 weeks for Gay Pride, work on the back yard and all this in the midst of spring house cleaning.

Now those of you who know me - know that 8 months ago - there was not one of the things listed above that I was capable of doing. Thank you all for the various parts you have played in this journey so far.

I know there are some nurses from the hospital who read this - God bless them - friends who took care of me when I came home - there is NO way to thank you JC and Beth, my wonderful sister who came to visit me, and my neighbors who have been amazingly helpful. Those of you who constantly read this blather and send me nice notes. Old friends from High School, friends of friends - people I don't know read this and send wishes - Bless you all - because your support and kindness has been a huge part of this journey that I could not have made alone and I could not be more blessed that you are all in my life.

Good Night! Chuck

A Place to Live

Hello Folks,

Sorry for the delay in posting again but life has been hectic here - a good thing. At work I am preparing for the June Music Festival, helping friends plan a zillion weddings in CA, recruiting new clients for the consulting firm, and becoming much more social.

I have made huge headway in my weight loss - the loss is now over 200 and headed down the home stretch - will see the Dr. in 2 weeks and we will talk about when the "skin" surgery will be.

Walking miles a day - and loving it all. Summer has hit Albuquerque and its wonderful.

The rest of this post will be pictures of the progress of the back yard. The spa went in yesterday and I have already soaked a bit - its wonderful. The water feature will go in next week and plantings begin the end of next week. Enjoy the pics and I hope this finds you all well.

Hugs - Chuck

This and That

Good Morning Possums,

Don't ya miss Dame Edna - time for another concert tour.

Life is moving on quickly on this end of the world and its fun. Spent part of yesterday seeing Cirque du Soleil - one I had not seen - Saltanbanco - it was, of course, delightful. Hans had never seen a Cirque - and now he cannot wait to see the next one - magical as usual.

I guess the big news of the week is the court ruling in California - thank God there is an intelligent group of judges - this group even headed by a conservative Republican finally realized that marriage is a right of all Americans - not just the blessed. The court, in an unusually evolved decision said: "affording same-sex couples only a separate and differently named family relationship will, as a realistic matter, impose appreciable harm on same-sex couples and their children, because denying such couples access to the familiar and highly favored designation of marriage is likely to cast doubt on whether the official family relationship of same sex couples enjoys dignity equal to that of of opposite-sex couples, [. . . and] assigning a different designation for the family relationship of same sex couples . . . poses at least a serious risk of denying the family relationship of same-sex couples such equal dignity and respect."

How about that - an arm of this government - a 6-1 Republican majority on the court has decided that we are all people and have the same rights to happiness. There is hope folks.

We are in the planning stages for a trip to San Francisco at the end of June for Pride - its been years since I was able to attend the parade and will once again host Chuck's A List Parade Party. It is assured to be a good time for everyone - come join us.

Exciting news - my wonderful niece is preggers - Jeff and Melissa and the boys will be welcoming a new member of the family and everyone is thrilled. Now I get to shop for a little baby again. We all wish Melissa luck and an easy journey.

After my return from San Francisco its puppy time. Will be making a journey to Denver to chose a Labradoodle puppy to joining the family. And yes - for all of those of you asking if I have enough patience to raise a puppy - I do. This surgical journey has taught me a lot of patience - I still don't tolerate squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle, drivers who are not smart enough to use a turning signal, and someone who talks on the cell phone while eating dinner with a date but I will be an amazing father to a little puppy. Trust that there will be pictures galore on the blog when she comes home.

Speaking of pictures - here are two more from Hawaii. A beach I found by accident and the amazing blacksand the beach was made from.

Hugs- and blessings - Chuck