Adventures in Gastronomy

It’s official. That’s what I had. I returned to the doctor for a follow up yesterday and that is what the throat culture revealed. It’s apparently a type of sore throat that is accompanied by an all-over body rash that spares the face and genitals (fortunately). It’s often misdiagnosed as strep, though, since most people go on antibiotics before the rash develops or spreads. Lucky me got to experience the entire affliction.

But I’m back at work and I’m no longer contaminated. I am, however, missing graduation today because I encouraged my parents to stay home. They were supposed to come to Boston yesterday but with the rain and me still not knowing what I had until the afternoon, we thought it was best to skip the graduation ceremony. Besides, now that the pain is gone, I’m horribly itchy and I’m sure that damn gown would have driven me crazy.

Thank you for all of your sweet comments the past two days as I wallowed in misery. From this paragraph forward, I promise not to mention this thing ever again.

It just dawned on me that I leave for Paris next week. This trip surely has snuck up on me. Mike and I haven’t even booked hotel rooms for the nights in London (we have lodging covered in Paris and Oxford for the bulk of the trip: 14 of the 17 nights). I keep thinking “economy”….but perhaps we should splurge since we’re getting such a deal the rest of the time?

June 8th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 7 Comments

Since my last post I’ve pretty much been sticking around the apartment convalescing. The discomfort has morphed from a constant burning, prickling, stinging sensation with a very visible red rash/bumps to a pinkish color and an uncontrollable itch. I supposed that’s improvement, but the itchiness is almost more unpleasant. 

Mike surprised me with a visit yesterday afternoon (bringing along ice cream…mmmmm). Shortly thereafter, Marin also stopped by and we ordered pizza and chatted until about 8:30PM.

My doctor’s office also called on Monday and said that the throat culture from Friday finally came back (it wasn’t available for the emergency room on Sunday when I was released) and it indicated that I have a sort of bacterial throat infection (similar to strep…but worse) that is accompanied by a full body rash.

It doesn’t get much worse than when you tell your mother what the doctor’s new diagnosis is and she decides to do some research on it on-line. My mother, who has very poor internet recent skills, did just that then copy/pasted the following into an email for me:

“Pharyngeal Gonorrhea “- Bacterial Sore Throat–Is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease causes severe sore throat. Gonorrhea in the throat is transmitted by having ORAL SEX with with an INFECTED PERSON”

Of course, reading that was bad enough. But then she added the following text of her own:

“Since you & Matt broke up you have been meeting a lot of new people? I sure in hell hope you have been careful????? I love you and don’t want anything to happen to you so please don’t do anything foolish. I said my piece so I will say good night

I woke up on Friday with a slight rash on my arms and the tops of my hands. It wasn’t itchy, but it accompanied a sore throat and got me to worrying. I went to the doctor (my 4th visit in one month) to find out what’s wrong. My doctor wasn’t available and the person covering him suspected it was strep and put me on azithromycin.

That night, I wasn’t up to going out so MIke came over and we watched 3 movies: Before Sunrise (loved it), Sid & Nancy (saw it before…still enjoyed it) and 54 (saw it before…still a disappiontment).

Saturday morning, I woke up and noticed that the rash had spread to my chest and upper thighs. I went back to bed and woke up again around 2PM (very rare for me). Concerned, I figured I’d better get it checked out before it spread any more.

I went to the emergency room at Mass General (with magazines, books, water and food) expecting to be stuck in a waiting room for hours on end. However, the minute I walked in, a nurse asked me to sign in with her. She took one look at my arms, asked basic questions (name, etc..) then went on the intercom and said “Trauma”. Within seconds, a wheelchair showed up and I was rolled into a private room in the emergency room.

Just as quickly, I was surrounded by 4 nurses and 3 doctors. I had 12 vials of blood drawn, I was shaved (in spots on my chest) and had electrodes stuck to my chest, sides and legs. There were concerns that I had measles and that I was highly contagious.

I wasn’t itchy or in any pain (which perplexed the staff). I still had an appetite and was starving the whole time (which dismissed the measles thoughts). What did concern them (aside from the red marks) was that my hear rate was beating more than TWICE what is considered normal or healthy. And I was like that for 8 hours.

Yes, you heard it….8 hours.

Fortunately, Mike (such a sweetie) came by around 9:15PM and said he’d stay with me until I was dismissed. I was supposed to be dismissed after the second IV bag emptied, but they were concerned with my heart rate. At close to 2AM a doctor came in and said that I might have a blood clot or pulmonary ambulism (I think that’s the word). I was sent away for chest xrays and a CAT scan.

They came back OK – but they still didn’t want to release me.

Long story short, I was released on Sunday after they concluded I wasn’t contagious and that it was just a viral xantham caused by the sinus congestion/infection not getting cleared out. Now my body was fighting it off and this was the result. They suspect it should go away on it’s own and said not to go to work until it does.

I can’t imagine going to work like this. The red dots/bumps are now covering my entire body except my face and genitals. It hurts to walk because they’re on my feet. It hurts to open bottles and eat food because it’s on my fingers and hands. It hurts to sit because it’s on my ass. It hurts to sleep because it’s on my back and legs. I’m completely miserable now. Here are some sexy pictures to give you an idea:

June 5th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 31 Comments

It’s official..I’m a walking, talking bacterial magnet.

So yesterday I blogged that my throat was starting to hurt again (after a full month of bounching from sore throat to common cold, to allergies, to sinus congestion head aches and back to sore throat again). Then I woke up this morning, entered the bathroom to brush my teeth and noticed that both of my arms were covered in red dots and bumps.

Concerned, I did my normal morning routine…except instead of heading to work, I walked to my doctor’s office to see if I could be squeezed in. They were able to fit me in at 10:30 so I walked back home, watched Regis and Kelly (though, Regis was noticeably absent), then returned to the doctor at 10:30.

I am now on Azithromycin….they took two strep throat tests (one immediate, and one that needs to “culture”). The doctor was surprised that the immediate test did not come back visibly positive because my throat looked nasty and clearly as though it had a bacterial infection (versus a viral infection). Plus, arm rashes are not an uncommon side effect of strep (I didn’t know this). I also had a slight fever (99.8). Ugh.

So, she still put me on the antibiotics…again.

Since I went to Paris last fall, I have been sick at least 1-2 weeks per month. I’m not sure what’s going on with me. I’m hoping that maybe my return to Paris in two weeks will set me back to normal again.

Actually, I’m going to blame Mike for this (it all seems to coincide with meeting him). He never catches any of these things I have….but I think he carries them (working at a school full of children each day). Perhaps he’s developed a stronger immune system as a result of a decade of exposure and my frail self simply isn’t accustomed to such nasties encroaching upon my space. Yes, I shall blame Mike…mostly because he’s not likely to read this so he’ll never know that he’s being accused.

June 2nd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

I got together with an old friend last night and probably laughed more than I have in ages. Jen and I used to work together at Record Town in Copley Place while we were both in college (me at Wentworth, her at Berklee). As time went on, we both moved to different places (I tried San Francisco…then came back, she went to West Hollywood and is now back in New Hampshire). We’ve always managed to stay in touch through email, though quite irregularly. At times, a year would go by without chatting.

Well, now that she’s back in New England she came into Boston last night and we saw each other for the first time in 5 or 6 years. And it was like 1991 all over again. She looked the same, had the same sense of humor and kept me in stitches for hours. It’s amazing how after all this time the connection we had 15 years ago immediately came back upon seeing each other.

We hung out at my place catching up for an hour or so. Then we headed to Salem Street for dinner at La Famiglia (known for their huge portions). Dinner was was followed by gelato at Gelateria on Hanover Street (I had pear and peach…a decent combination). More walking and talking led us to Paul Revere’s house (among other places) before a stop at Mike’s Pastries (not my favorite…but by some miracle it wasn’t crowded).

By the end of the evening my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It was so good to see her – I forgot how much fun we used to have back in the day. And so many of our old haunts are gone. One, in particular, that we enjoyed was the piano bar that used to be in the Westin Hotel at Copley Place. We’d get out of work, order a drink (or two) each and just sit listening to the pianist. That whole space has been converted into retail now. ugh – progress.

Anyway, Jen’s goal is to move from New Hampshire back to the Boston area (YAY).

Now it’s Thursday and my throat is a bit sore (presumably from laughing and talking so much and not because I’m coming down with yet another ailment).

June 1st, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 2 Comments

1. Ever been to a male strip club? Yes….in Montreal. I didn’t enjoy it.

2. Ever been to a female strip club? Never

3. Ever been to a bar? Ummm- is this for real? Yes, I have been to a bar.

4. Ever been kicked out of a bar or a club? Never

5. Ever been so drunk you had to be carried out from a bar? I’ve never been drunk.

6. Ever been so drunk you blacked out? See question #5.

7. Kissed someone of the same sex? That’s just nasty. he he

8. Thrown up from drinking too much? What is it with the alcohol…see questions #5 and #6.

9. Had sex with more than one person in a 24 hour period? Yes (Mom, I hope you’re not reading)

10. Had sex in a car? Yes, but not to climax (Mom, I strongly suggest you stop reading).

11. Had sex in a park? Yes, but not to climax (with a female!)

12. Had sex in a movie theater? Yes, but not to climax (once again…with a female!)

13. Had sex in a bathroom? Yes (stop reading, Mom)

14. Had sex in a school? Yes (I’m so going to hell)

15. Have you ever been in an “adult” store? Hell yeah – I brought my Mom to a sex shop before.

16. Have you ever purchased items from an adult store? Of course.

17. Have you spent over $100.00 in one visit to the adult store? Yes – that stuff is pricey!

18. Is there someone you wished you never had sex with? Oh yeah.

19. Is there someone you wished you would have had sex with? HMMMM – I suppose there must be one that got away. But I can’t think of anybody specifically.

20. How many partners have you had? UMMM. Actually, I have an Excel spreadsheet I’ve kept (because I’m a geek). It’s complicated, though, because it breaks things down by what activity took place (some were just heavy petting, etc…).

21. Have you ever received oral sex? Yes.

22. Have you ever given oral sex? Yes.

23. Have you ever had a threesome? Yes (my Mom is never giving me another birthday gift)

24. Are your breasts real? Last time I checked.

25. Have you ever used viagra (or anything like it)? Yes

26. Would you rather give or receive oral sex? File this under TMI, but I guess I prefer receiving. My jaw hurts otherwise.

27. Have you ever kissed a stranger? Well, not random person walking down the street…but a first date (who I technically wouldn’t know).

28. How old were you when you first had sex? What do you consider sex? In the Bill Clinton sense (11 or 12 years old…male and female). In the vaginal sense (18 years old). In the Jesse Helms hates me sense (20 years old).

29. Have you ever had a one night stand? Not intentionally (though, as indicated in question #20, this doesn’t necessarily mean penetration).

30. Were you honest in this survey? Unfortunately.

May 31st, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 11 Comments

That spot would be the inner ankle of my left foot. I went to Crane beach with Sven yesterday and had a great time. The temperature was perfect. It started off a bit cloudy, but the sun came out in full and we ended up staying from about 11:15AM until after 4:00PM.

Being the cancer-phobic winner that I am, I stayed under my manly beach umbrella the entire time and was sure to slather on SPF 30 sunblock for when we took a walk along the beach. Yet I still managed to get a bit red on my left ankle. Ouch – shoes hurt today.

The rest of the weekend was quite fun, too and resulted in no burns or abrasions. My Friday night was nice and quiet. Just me, a book (and, at times, the internet). I did my usual Saturday morning errands (laundry, grocery shopping) then got together with Mike for a lovely dinner on the Boston waterfront (Joe’s All-American). After dinner we strolled through the North End (where I just had to get some gelato). After resting up a bit, we took the subway to the South End and played some pool at the Eagle (Mike won….3 games out of 4).

Then we went to my friend, Jack’s, place (also in the South End). He lives in the former condo of the founder of Manhunt (for my straight reader…singular…Manhunt is a site for gay men to browse profiles of other gay men). And his apartment has 1970’s porn den written all over it. Their are two bathrooms. One has a glass door, a urinal, a multi-person shower stall with one of the showerheads about a foot off the floot facing up towards your unmentionables), and the most incredible roofdeck providing 360 degree views of the city.

We arrived around 10:30PM and lingered on the roof for a good two hours. Then went into the living room (which has a similar view…but only in one direction) and chatted for about another hour.

On Sunday, Mike and I went to brunch with his mother, then I went home and napped (something I never do, but thoroughly enjoyed this day) and read some books while sitting along Boston Harbor. What a day! That night my friend, Marin, cooked the most amazing birthday dinner for me (and Mike, Fred and Roger). It was a five course meal starting with a great salad with salmon, then an amazing appetizer of dumplings filled with chestnuts he picked up in France, then a cold salad with avacado, mango and pineapple in a whiskey and tarragon sauce. The entree was quail served in pastry nests with a delicious sauce. Dessert was some sort of baked cream with home-made sorbet and a mango sauce.

I think Marin is the best cook I know.

Exhausted, Mike and I planned to go home. We walked a block to Boylston Street and decided to hail a cab in front of Ramrod. But while out front, we ran into Jack (from the night before) and decided to hang out a bit. I got a water and I think we lasted only about 45 minutes before I started practically falling asleep.

Then yesterday was Crane Beach and today is work…and a red, tingly left interior ankle.

May 30th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

First off….I’ve still got sinus pain. It’s not as bad as it was BF (before Flonase), but it does continue to a different extent. I wake up and feel fine for about 30 minutes and then the pain kicks in. It gets worse once I start walking. Remember that childhood toy called “Clackers”? It was essentially a stick with two balls dangling from stings at the end. The balls used to be on two strings but because of the danger for decapitation these balls were later stuck at the end of plastic sticks. Anyway, the goal of this game was to get these two balls to clack together above and below your hand as a result of rapid hand motion. The plastic stick version was stupid because these made the game too easy – it was impossible not to have them clack since they’re essentially on a track. With the string ones, however, the balls would fly in every direction (hence so many people losing an eye, so to speak).

Well, I now feel like I’ve got clackers behind my eyes. This pain seems to go away around 3PM, though. It’s very strange. At least it’s not the constant throbbing pain I had for the past few weeks. The “clacker” feeling make it feel like whatever sinus build-up was taking place is now smaller so they’re moving around (and clacking)…whereas before it was an all-over ache.

But on the plus side, I got together for lunch yesterday with Salina and Mark (The Manley One blog). We went to a little hole in the wall in Harvard Square that I’d never heard of. Better yet, Mark baked some of his FAMOUS Manley chocolate chip cookies (which barely lasted 4 hours). And, no, I didn’t share any of them.

I have one further birthday event taking place on Sunday night – a dinner party hosted by my friend, Marin. It’s kind of nice having a birthday that falls around a long holiday weekend. It’s even more fun to spread out the birthday over 7 days as I have.

May 26th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

And there was!

I had a great time yesterday. My work day was filled with phone calls, instant messages and emails wishing me a happy birthday. I had lunch at Finale with Ben and Brad before returning to work where the Human Resources department here threw me a little birthday party since I’m a department of one (they’ve adopted me as their own – such great neighbors).

Then, some co-workers (Peg, Adrienne, Sarah) popped by with some brownies and cheer.

Finally, I left work and met up with a sexy looking Mike at Francesca’s Cafe before joining the rest of the gang (a total of 7 people) for dinner at Metropolis Cafe. There was Marin, Jason, Fred, Sven and Art. The conversation was great and the laughter practically non-stop. I even had some wine. Yep – two glasses – a rarity for me.

After dinner and dessert (they did the obligatory…and embarrassing…act of having the waitress deliver my dessert with a candle while singing Happy Birthday), we all split off and I went back to Mike’s place.

Then this morning I found out that Taylor Hicks won American Idol! YAY! I hated that bitch, Kat McPhee. So this news was a great birthday gift for me!

Oh, and one last birthday related thing….my aunt and uncle from the Cape sent me a birthday card. Now, they’re very, very, very, very (have I mentioned very?) religious – Baptist. Obviously, I expected a wholesome card from them and I wasn’t disappointed. Though, I do have to wonder whether they still think I’m 13 years old. The card showed a cartoon dog pushing a shopping cart with various items spilling out of it. The “poem” read:

A nephew’s sort of like a son you don’t have to raise (I’m 35…how much raising is there?).

When he needs foods, clothes and books, it isn’t you who pays!

And you don’t have to get him up on time for big occasions,

Or strain your brain to help him solve his algebra equations (when did I last have algebra homework?)

Yes, a nephew’s sort of like a son, but with one major perk….

You get to have the pride and joy and love — without the work!

I shouldn’t be making fun of them because they’ve always been very sweet to me (mostly because they don’t know I’m gay). I suspect their sweetness would end once that little bit of news came out. But I simply couldn’t handle them “saving” me again (they did that a lot when I was in 6th grade because I apparently used the lord’s name in vain too much).

Fortunately, my relatives on my mother’s side already know I’m gay (and some even try to hook me up with guys). I think I have more in common with them.

May 25th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

As of 1:16 this morning I’m 35 years old. I’m offically in a new demographic (the 35-49 group….18-34 is now a distant memory).

I had some very peculiar dreams last night, too. One woke me up shortly after my birth time (closer to 1:30 AM). In it, I was at my office and there was some bald man with a goatee trying to kill me. Instead of exiting through the glass door I have now (leading to the roof deck) I had to jump over a concrete parapet. Needless to say, the dream woke me up.

Then around 3:30 I had another dream (which I think is a result of the book I’ve been reading) where I met up with a rent-boy (hustler, male prostitute) and tried to hook up with him in a bathroom stall. It was very odd. We never had sex, actually. My damn morality kicked in and then I woke up.

HMMMM – the more I think about it, I wonder if this is some sort of subliminal message about how I’m now old and undesirable and the only sex I’d ever be able to get is the kind I’d have to pay for?

Actually, I’m being a drama queen. Turning 35 really doesn’t bother me (no birthdays ever have). In fact, I feel better about myself now than I ever have in the past. And it’s going to be a good one, too. The Flonase has kicked in, I’m getting together with Mike and friends tonight, we’re fast approaching a long holiday weekend and the weather is supposed to be nearly perfect, and I was recognized because of my blog on the train this morning. I was walking up the steps and this fellow said “Excuse me, I just wanted to say ‘happy birthday’ to you.”. This turned into more conversation and he said he read my blog yesterday and that’s how he knew today was my birthday. How cool is that? He also works at Harvard so we ended up walking and talking together.

It’s my birthday – and I feel like a star with my fans, my assassins and my whores.

May 24th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 9 Comments