Tiling Jon's Kitchen

How many gay guys does it take to level, tile, and grout a kitchen? The answer is apparently two. Jon & I spent this entire weekend re-doing the floor of Jon's kitchen. As a bit of back story, Jon's kitchen was at best "Grandma -Chic." This included a floral wall paper border, a very LARGE floral valance, and of course, floral tile (see pictures below). It wasn't his fault though...he just needed the right fashion eye and motivation to get the project off the ground....and of course that was me nagging him. Jon did his homework on the process and we picked out the tiles together. We spent Friday leveling his floor which consists of spreading cement like goop across the existing floral tile. We then spent all day Saturday laying down the tile. We then took Sunday to grout the floor. It was a long, exhausting process, but in the end it was a rousing success and Jon and I both were amazed at what we had accomplished together. And we also found out we can work together quite well at home improvement projects. The one downfall of this WHOLE process is we forgot to do before and after pictures so you will have to use your imagination as to the before picture....think Grandma...

FRIDAY NIGHT

This is the best before picture we have on the tile. Unfortunately, I did think of it until after we started applying the leveler. So, all the grey/black stuff is leveler, not his tile. Look at the flowers!!

This is while we were laying out the design of the tiles.

Jon practicing his rolling pin skills. After you lay the tile, you have to roll it like a pizza crust. That was one of my jobs!

SATURDAY

So, we have laid all the tiles and I am taking a break....ugh, what a lot of work it was to do. Jon posing after we cleaned up and were going to head out to the Twins game. You can't tell, but the floor wasn't grouted, but still looked a million times better. Psst...the valances were gone behind him too....thank God in Heaven above!! Okay, no blog would be complete without a stupid posing picture.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

The cracks are grouted and Jon and I are stunned at what we have accomplished.

Look at how sharp it looks!!

Denise's Graduation

Okay, so it isn't that I have been getting lazy and not posting lately. It is that not too many interesting things have really been happening. However, my best friend Denise did graduate from college with a Dietetics degree. I flew to MI and was able to watch her walk across the stage and receive her degree. I was very, very proud of her and all of her hard work. I was able to make her a gift, remember to get her gift into my packed bags, get on a plane, go to MI, get dressed up, drive an hour to her college, arrive on time, but I couldn't remember a damn camera!! So, I have absolutely no pictures to post! Some other people took pictures and promised me copies, so if I get them, I will post them!

WilsonPhillipsMcMakenBurgess

This is what a pitcher of Cosmo's will do to you on a Friday night!!

Anil & Meg - Engaged!

Two of my closest friends got engaged over the weekend! I couldn't be happier for them and no two people deserve this more! They have been dating for 5 or 6 years now (from my estimation) and buddy finally popped the question. They were busily calling people so I didn't want to stop and make them explain the whole "how did he do it" story, but I am dying to find out. Congratulations guys, I love you both!!

North Star Roller Derby

Well, just when I thought I had done it all and seen it all....I was so, SO wrong. Who knew that lurking beneath the Minneapolis Convention Center, such a strange and exciting world existed. What world am I talking about??? Women on roller skates...skating in a giant circle....beating the shit out of each other.....with tattoos...and piercings....and large thighs.....shoved into net stockings. It was one of the coolest things I have done in a while and would recommend it to anyone. Dave invited Matt, Jon, and I to go with him and his new beau Ryan to the derby. We met Dave's friend Jodi there too! She was quite the Roller Derby connoisseur. We sat right next to the track where the threat of death was possible on every turn. Here are some of the best names EVER found on the back of the girl's Jerzee's, the referee's jerzees, or team names: Team Names: The Kilmore Girls (the scary Lesbian team) / The Violent Femmes / The Banger Sisters (the whitetrash team) /The Delta Delta Di (the pretty ones) Jerzee Names: Block-n-Deck-Her / Camel Toni / Claudi Eyesout / SockHer Mom / Jowanna BEAT Down / Maggie McFaceStomp / Freddy Kruelgirl Referee Names: Buster Hyman / The Clam / Stripe Tease Enjoy the pictures and videos!!

Dave greeting us upon our arrival Jon before the action starts! Matt looking scared at what we are seeing...Lesbian on skates!

Me seconding guessing why I am there...scared shitless!

The group sitting track side.

The Violent Femmes lining up in front of us!

The Kilmore Girls lining up in front of us before the match. I wouldn't want to run into a single on of these gals in a dark alley!

Okay, so they girls were lining up and guess who skated and stood right in front of me. Well, actually I should say she skated in front of me, went to stop, crashed to the ground, and then stood up. That is when I snapped this gem. I think she could have bench pressed me. Notice her leather corset.

One of the refs! A little warm up video!

Jon watching the action!

The real deal!!

A video of some derby action. I started the video sideways, but it does correct itself eventually!

Hmmmmmm, someone hitting the sauce a little too hard??

Okay, this video I did shoot sideways by accident. This HORRIBLE band was playing at halftime and Jon was ready to dance for fun. Just as I snapped the video, the song ended, Jon started dancing. It was hilarious! The band played such classics as "No More Fun in 2001" and "Headcase Heidi."

At the end of the whole game, the girls come around and great the eager fans! By this time, I most certainly was an eager fan!

Us taking a picture with a rollergirl - Moxie Mayhem!

The most AWESOME of the rollergirls - Medusa! You should see this girl skate, she kicked everyone's ass!

Timberwolves Game

Jon, Matt, Dave, and I went to a Timberwolves game on Saturday. This would not normally be a blogable event, except the location of our seats were just ridiculous. I guess you can't expect much after paying $10 for a night of entertainment. In my estimation, we were parallel with the rafters. Already at such a high altitude, there were only 3 more available rows behind us that might have been worse seats if they had been taken.

However, after 1 beer, 2 vodka and cranberry's, 1 bag of deep fried mini-donuts, and a bag of popcorn (and that is just what I had), Section 219, row S, seats 9-12 definitly were the life of the party.

Left to right: Matt, Dave, me, and Jon!! Do you see anyone else around us?? Me neither!

Birthday Card

While I appreciate the birthday cards I have received over the years, sometimes a card catches you in a certain mood on a certain day and you can't help but feel an array of emotions. Today, I received a card whose sentiment I felt was worth sharing. It said "laugh so hard that you go into silent laugh mode, and you come dangerously close to falling out of your chair, but you don't. Happy Birthday. That Happy." It made me remember all of these amazing times where people in my life have made me do just that and it plastered a smile across my face for the rest of the day. Mainly because every few minutes I would glance at it and think of another example from Jon, family, friends, or co-workers. We will call them mini-birthday gifts that nobody knew they were giving me....so thanks everyone!!

Jon in Acapulco

Jon abandoned me in the cold, wet MN winter for the warm lands of Mexico. He and his family took a one week trip (yes, one week). According to the beautiful pictures, it sure looks like they had a great time. And I don't see any snow in the background, so I immediately got confused cause I forgot what that looks like. And being the world traveler that he is....he is turning around a week later and leaving to go skiing in Vail. My mom said to me the other day, "he is quite the world traveler, maybe someday you will ACTUALLY get to go with him." Touché mother...touché!!

Bruce Springsteen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hip hip hoooooooooorayyyyy!! My dream is finally coming true. Yes, say what you may about my dream, but its my damn dream! I have wanted to see Bruce Springsteen my whole life and Jon has finally made the dream a reality. He got me Bruce Springsteen tickets for my birthday!! Yes, its not my birthday today, but he will be skiing in CO, so he came over and surprised me tonight. And what a great time for a surprise as I have been sicker than a dog!

Ohhhh, and did I mention he made me a brownie cake and brought ice cream too!!! Another 1,000 points for the good guy!!

It's All Inside!

Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I'm free at least. After 6 long months of being belittled, price gouged, penny pinched, reported to management, witnessed a racially motivated meltdown between a customer and an employee, and explained to by a cross-dresser why Lane Bryant's jeans are better than JCP's, I have decided to step down my post as "Keith - Customer Service Representative," as my name tag so eloquently states it. The bummer is I do lose my fat discount of 20%, but to regain my sanity back, I feel it is a small price to pay!!