Chuck Visits Sonoma - Again?

Yeah, I'm as confused as you are on this one! For the second time in only two months my little brother was back in Northern California. HaHa. It's really not confusing, and he's really not here just to see me. He and my co-worker and good friend Emily are now dating! Awesome! Emily already had plans arranged for a concert this Saturday night. So Chuck and I got to go to the City (specifically in the Castro) for some food, drinks and a night out on the town. We had dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Sausage Factory. I snapped a picture of him because his eyes were as wide as saucers. He said it himself, it was "so weird seeing so many gay couples". The only two women in the restaurant were helping seat guests. All the customers were gay men.

After dinner we hit up a few of my favorite places- the Lookout and the Cafe. I had some good drinks and enjoyed the music. It was really cool hanging out with my brother in the Castro for the first time.

National Running Day

June 1st is National Running Day. I wasn't able to jog with my co-workers at lunch like we would normally do- we all had other plans. After work, I went and got a hair cut, then got groceries. When I got home I decided to go for a jog. I tried to get Emily to come along for a short four mile jog, but she still has sore legs so couldn't go. I started out and ran down a long path behind the house. Then decided to go to the expressway (there are beautiful pine trees all up and down it). Then I thought, well maybe I'll just jog over to Sonoma State. By then, I thought "Well, if I jog further south around the park and then meander back...I might be able to go a half marathon". So that's what I ended up doing, in honor of National Running Day, I ran a spur of the moment half marathon. NICE!

Windsor Half Marathon

This was my very first half marathon anniversary! A year ago, I ran this half marathon with Trisha through the vineyards of Windsor, California. Unlike the Marin half marathon in April, I didn't have any shin splint pain! Whoo Whoo! Emily was supposed to run this one with us, but she was having some shin splint pain so opted out. In her place, my friend Ian ran with Trisha, Amanda and Irene. Shawn and Ian drove up the night before and stayed in the new house I'm living in now with Emma and Evan. Ian zipped through the run in about an hour and forty minutes! I finished about my standard two hours fifteen minutes. It was a beautiful day out. What I was happiest about, was that for the first time since I've been jogging, someone was at the finish line to snap a picture of me, and cheer me on. Thanks to Shawn. I'm so glad he and Ian made it up! Thank you both!!!

To Boise, With Emily!

It was perfect timing that Emily wanted to visit Boise the same weekend of Andrej's birthday! Chelsea, Emily, Chuck, Andrej, Wes, Brie, Tiffany, Aida and I all got in a limousine and went wine tasting through the snake river valley. Of course, we had to stop at Ste. Chapelle winery where I got some of my favorite ice wine- YUM! We had some dinner that evening at the Bonefish Grill and then drinks later that night at the Matador. The next day Emily, Chuck and I played some cards at my parent's house and then Emily had to hop a flight back to California. FUN weekend!

CT, Graduation & Wedding

This weekend I flew from California clear across the United States to Hartford, Connecticut. Flying into Connecticut was absolutely beautiful. Saturday was David's graduation from the University of Connecticut with his Master's degree in Sociology. It was a lot of fun cheering him across the stage with Song, Janice, Julie and Shelly!

The next day Clint and I jogged six miles around one of the local parks, it was really nice. He hadn't jogged that far before, I'm absolutely convinced he could do a half marathon- no doubt! That afternoon Clint and David had their wedding ceremony. It was beautiful, it was reflective, it was perfect. Two very in love, happy gay men got married and I was very honored to witness it.

Marin Half Marathon

Of the handful of half marathon's I've run over the last year, so far this one is my favorite! Trisha, Amanda, Irene and I took this race on. The jog is along the ocean and through some of the back trail areas in Marin County. I had my iPhone tracking my race as usual and also playing music out loud. There was a gal that said "Follow the DJ!" and we kept pace for quite a while. There were beautiful views all along the way. I pushed this run a little bit hard and had some shin splint pain on mile 11. I had to walk through it and was able to do a half-jog-shuffle for the last mile finishing the race doing OK! I plan to do this one again!

Chuck Meets Sonoma

This weekend Chuck flew in to visit me, celebrate my birthday (a little early) and see Sonoma where I've been living. The first night we played some games with Dustin, Emma, Evan and Emily. It was a fun evening. The next day we went to the city and walked along the wharf. We had some chowder and then walked through Ghirardelli and ate some delicious ice cream sundaes! Then we walked along the ocean and took some pictures.


The next thing I know, Dustin and I were alone with no sight of Emily or Chuck! Apparently the two of them hit it off right away, it was very cute!