Blayne Walsh on DList Magazine

Blayne Walsh, my favorite Project Runway designer, made the cover of the November 2008 issue of DList. It fascinates me how insightful and mature he is compared to the way he was portrayed on tv. In the interview, Blayne discusses his passion for fine art and his experiences growing up in Yakima, a city in central Washington about 150 miles from Seattle. What touched me the most was when he revealed the eureka moment that brought him into the fashion world:

I always knew I was going to move to Seattle right after high school. I remember when my family would go to Seattle for "back to school shopping" and remember being downtown near Westlake Center and seeing this one guy who was dressed in this amazing fitted military jacket with a huge scarf around his neck, a billed beanie (before they were found anywhere and everywhere), and just looked so cool. I remember seeing him and thinking to myself "I want to be that guy one day." And you know what? Five or six years later, I did.

SF March Against Proposition 8

What a week! Watching the Proposition 8 votes come in the night and the following morning after the election gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn't believe that a state as progressive as California would choose to support a discriminatory amendment to the constitution. Yesterday, despite how down I felt, I went with a couple of friends to San Francisco to protest the passing of Proposition 8. It was my first time being in a protest environment and I had a total blast. In the middle of the march, we even made a liquor stop at The Cafe in the Castro district before rejoining the march all the way back to Van Ness Avenue. Fun Times!

A bright new day

There's nothing like looking at a hot pouty-lipped twink to brighten up your day. Ain't he gorgeous? Click here to see more NSFW pictures of this hottie.

Recovery

November 4th was quite possibly the worst day I've had since my former landlord's ex-wife kicked me out of my former landlord's house last year. Between Proposition 8 passing and Kyle telling me that he found another boy to play house with, as if I needed more bad news, my mom unsympathetically informs me that I won't have health insurance starting January 1st. Quite a day indeed. I'm starting to recover though and starting a new job will surely focus my attention on something more positive. In this post: thoughts about moving on, on my new job, and vacation with gran.

The Kyle issue zapped all my positive thoughts about moving to San Francisco. I've always envisioned myself moving into the city and getting to snuggle and sex him often. I also wanted to introduce him to my circle of friends and maybe get him to know them better. Much to my disappointment, I don't think that's going to happen anymore. I'm seeing him on Sunday to talk, although I'm not sure how much of his feelings he's willing to share. However, I'm bracing for the fact that things may be over between us.

On a more positive note, I went to a training session for my new job as an instructor for an after-school program that serves several schools in the area. Although the training session was long and grueling, the energy and enthusiasm in which the facilitators explained what it is we were supposed to do in the coming days have been inspirational and motivating. As a matter of fact, I would say that the atmosphere was more like a sorority house meeting than a training session. What surprised me was that after the session, the director asked me if I'd be willing to be co-site lead at one of the schools where the program is held. The only drawback is that I would have to travel to the main office, 20 miles away, at least once a week. Unsure, but excited, I said yes and went my merry way home.

So last month, my uncle and his wife went to Hawaii for a week. Jealous, my grandmother asked me to accompany her to the islands after Christmas. Initially, I had second thoughts because I didn't want to be a total slave beholden to her every whim. My grandmother has a reputation for being a very difficult woman to deal with. However, after much thought, I decided to go with her anyway because I may never have another chance to spend time with her like this. After working out the logistics of our trip, I went to her place to night to seek her seal of approval. Unfortunately, my plan went over-budget by a little over a thousand dollars, so we won't be going. I'm actually relieved because although I wanted to spend time with her, seven days out in sea isn't my idea of a fun and relaxing time. If only she'd change her mind and opt for a Mediterranean cruise instead.

Naïveté

I apologize for not posting anything substantial these past few months. I've been through quite a bit and I guess I didn't want to share the intimate details with such an audience. In this post: quitting my job, graduate school, yesterday's elections, Kyle, and on not having health insurance.

Last August, I started working as an instructor for a non-traditional private high school on the Peninsula. I was assigned to teach students who were really struggling and didn't have a grasp of the prerequisite mathematical knowledge to succeed in their respective course work. One such student was way behind and since the instruction was one-on-one and the parents were billed by the hour, I naturally got the blame. After dealing with more of the same, I decided to quit the job. It made me sad that my first real job was a failure and made me second guess my decision to not take a more lucrative job offered to me the month before.

On other, more exciting and happier news, I got accepted into the M.A. in Math program at San Francisco State University. I literally had nightmares about not getting in and having to come up with an alternate plan. Fortunately, I did get accepted and I'm about to set up a meeting with the graduate adviser for the math department to choose the appropriate courses and possibly brainstorm for thesis topics.

Watching the elections last night was the most exhilarating experience I have had in a while. Having voted for George W. Bush for president in the 2004 elections and him not delivering on his promises brought me disappointment and apathy about the political establishment. This year's elections, I voted for Barack Obama. Like others from my generation, I've always believed in the promise of America and the opportunities it brings people when they work hard and play by the rules. I definitely think we're living in a magical time, much like the Camelot years of the Kennedy administration. It makes me want to yell, "The good days are back Jack!" while running around the neighborhood. Doesn't that make you very optimistic about the years ahead? Now, if only Proposition 8 hadn't passed, then things would be perfect.

Kyle and I are going through a rough patch. He told me that he's been seeing another guy and that their relationship is moving forward. As such, he informed me that our activities would cease at some point in the near future. Those were his exact words. I wish he was more sensitive and considerate given the fact that I love him so much. Also, I was taken aback by his apparent indifference about our relationship. I thought what we had was special. How naïve of me to think that I was more than a quick lay and not a mere "You'd do for now booty call boy." It makes me upset and sad. I'm starting to feel unattractive (which couldn't be farther from the truth mind you. I'm super hot!)

As if things couldn't be bad enough, I just found out that starting next year, I won't be covered by my parents' health insurance. Not only am I worried about finding a place and a job in San Francisco, not to mention Kyle, I also have to worry about coming up with an extra $150-200 for monthly health insurance premiums. I'm probably getting a little bit emotional. I suppose I just need time to digest everything and I'll be fine.