Of course, I'm waiting for Nov. 7 when X Files starts up again. It'll be interesting to see what the last year holds for Mulder and Scully. I did watch Harsh Realm, the new Chris Carter production ... ehhh ... not that impressed (though Scott Bairstow, another Irish lad, is very cute also ... do we sense a theme in Ed's viewing pleasure?) ... and the use of VC = virtual characters = the bad guys in a show about military wargames conjures too much of the Vietnam War for me to be comfortable with.

LEATHER AND LACE

Two of my more notable excursions in the past month or so have been to the northern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire and the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco.

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire -- sounds strangely titillating doesn't it? It was a small fair and expensive to get in (but luckily Sarah's work gave her free passes). It was located in an area called The Nut Tree -- I'm not exactly sure what it was ... kind of like a concert ground or something. As we drove up, it looked like we were visiting some Las Vegas joint or race track.

It brought back a lot of memories. I think RenFaires are very similar anywhere you go. Like the whole carnival culture, Fair people seem the same, act the same, dress the same. It was nice to be there, though. I caught a few shows, ate some food (including the obligatory turkey leg), and walked around. I should've gone in garb but I don't have much of my garb left that's worth wearing. Plus, I need some good boots. I think my favorite fair has been the Northern Virginia one. Of course, being pink spikey haired made me the comment of every character at the fair. It was a good day. Huzzah.

Now, the Folsom Street Fair probably could have "pleasure" somewhere in its title -- and pain. It's one of the largest (if not the largest) alternative/leather/BDSM/queer events in the country. There were so many buttcheeks and chaps, it was blinding. Lots of chests and breasts, collars and chains, piercings and tattooes, leashes and leather lingerie. It was fun. A great people-watching event. Lots of booths. Lots of food. A couple of good stages. The highlight for me was seeing Imperial Teen (pop punk?) perform -- all the punky boys and grrls came out for that one. Yay.

I had a strange case of mistaken identity, though. It was weird. I was standing in the crowd watching Imperial Teen. And a man makes his way through the people and stands next to me. He asks, "Are you Ed?" I say, "Yes." He says, "I've been looking for you." I'm thinking what the hell is going on and who is this guy? He hands me a tape that says "Imperial Teen Demo" or something like that. I say, "I think you have the wrong guy." He responds, "Oh?" I say, "I guess there must be another multi-colored spikey haired Asian guy named Ed here." He says, "Yeah, I guess so." Weird, huh?

THE BIG MEOW

After the tragic disappearance of Ceti, my little gray and white kitty, I decided that it was time to invest in another feline friend. I was going to adopt from the local SPCA but some paperwork prevented me from doing so (i.e. the SPCA requires your landlord's written permission to have a cat ... a good policy ... but we didn't want to wrangle with ours). So, I started looking to adopt privately.

A few weeks ago, a friend of a friend of a friend was looking to place a 1 year old, black, male short-haired cat. She had inherited the cat from friends who couldn't take the cat back. She was moving and the black cat didn't get along with her own cat. So, she wanted a good home for him. So, he came to live with me and Sarah.

His name is Mojo Kitty (as his name tag states). I haven't figured out a better name than Mojo. So, it's staying for now. He doesn't really answer to it anyway. I'm given to calling him just Mo or Mo-cat. He's small, thin, very affectionate ... sometimes too affectionate. He's sweet though. Still learning his kitty ways. He's not particularly graceful. So, we've gotten him toys so he can run around, hunt, and practice.

It is really nice to have a friend running around the apartment. (Photos are forthcoming ... on my website.)

FIFTH FLOOR VIEW

Well, every Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 1 PM, I sit and look out my fifth floor window overlooking part of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (complete with lovely park and trees and fountains), St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the busy downtown Mission Street. I get to watch all the cars and the buses and the people coming out of noon mass and everyone eating lunch in the park or doing Tai Chi. Why do I get such a luxury? Actually, it's because I'm at work.

Yes, yes, I finally have a decent job. I am the morning receptionist/front desk person/book sales assistant/office manager assistant type guy for the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. I applied for the job on a whim in late September. And by October 1, I was working again. It's a great workplace. It's part time, decent pay, full medical and dental benefits (they're working on vision), 401k, and vacation/leave. Plus, it's a nonprofit with a soul and a perfect place for me. Actually, a week into the job, I was offered a promotion into their training program. But, I decided to stay where I am because I like the hours and the flexibility. I dress business casual-ish, wear my wallet chains, have whatever color spikey hair I want, and it's all cool. Everyone is very friendly. Half of the office is openly queer. And there are lots of fringe benefits: I can take free classes here, there's always free food, I can use the computer while I answer phones, and I have the possibility of doing other things in the organization.

The Support Center is a nonprofit that offers consulting and training programs for other nonprofits. It's really great. We work with a lot of arts groups and AIDS groups and minority groups. It's wonderful. We offer classes from board management to fundraising to computer classes to conflict management.

Luckily, for next quarter, I'm working to put together a couple of classes that I'll get to teach. One will be on how to create a newsletter. And I might teach their introduction/intermediate PageMaker classes. So, it's a good place for me. I'm really happy to be here. Really, any place that has an office literary magazine must be cool!

If you're interested in seeing what we do, you can visit our website:

http://www.supportcenter.org/sf

FINAL WORDS

Overall, I'm doing alright. I'm just trying to take care of myself. I'm still stressed over transitioning, making friends, meeting cool people, settling into the city, into city life, and all of that jazz. I'm just taking it a step at a time and I'm doing my best.

Slowly, slowly, the things that I want to focus on and I want to do and I want to have in my life are taking shape. Now that my financial situation is more settled, I have time to think about the other arenas of my life. Basically, now that I'm not worried about making rent (as much at least), all of the other pieces of my world are in full view. Sometimes it's a good thing. Sometimes it's a bit daunting.

I am planning to go back to Maryland for the December holidays (most likely a little before Christmas and a little after New Years). I think spending the millenium New Years at home will be poetic. I left last New Year's and I'll be returning to visit this New Year's coming. So, those of you who will be in the area, make sure to find a little time for me. I'll let people know the dates once I get that figured out.

Till the next installment of As Ed's World Turns, I'm signing off. I hope everyone is healthy and well. And I hope to hear from people soon.

Take care,
Love,
Ed