Hugs

Toe,
Happy New Year. I started to blog last week, but stopped because I just wasn't feeling up to it. The trip to India was awesome. I was wiped out from the time change and jet lag (I always assume that jet lag is nothing more than getting used to the time change, but I list them both just to cover my bases). I was nodding off at like 7PM every night, trying desperately to stay awake as late as possible so I could sleep during a normal time frame and stop waking up at 3 in the morning. It's hard going around the world.

The trip was cool. We saw a lot. Our friend's wedding was a great experience--I felt like we saw the inside of Indian culture by being present for such a central family event. They go all out for weddings there, with lots of color and music, and a seemingly endless wedding ceremony that I am told was actually shorter than usual. It is such a different world there. We had some touristy experiences, too, especially the trip to the Taj Mahal and down to Jaipur, but those were awesome in their own right. I'll show you some pictures next time I see you.

We were back on January 1, but I have been either zonked for lack of sleep or swamped with work since returning.

I'm glad to hear your holidays were good. I understand what you mean about friendship--newer relationships are more guarded. I sometimes look around at the friends I have locally and wonder if I'll ever feel as close to them as I feel to old friends. Maybe it will come with time. Maybe it just takes longer to let down the barriers and start in with the big gay hugs.

Yeah, a big gay hug is definitely in order, man. I'll make it out there soon.
Love,
E-word

Great Big No

E-word,

Happy New Year. I hope India treated you well- are you back yet? I can't wait to hear about the trip. For me, it's been a good couple of weeks. El and I stayed in town, and saw old friends who were back in the area to visiting their parents. It was really nice to see them, doling out big old hugs to new kids and girlfriends, and chatting about new and old times. My season of the big gay hug, of being earnestly happy to see old pals. As I get older, many of these old friends become dearer, as new friendships just aren't made with guards down, there was definitely a vulnerability in old friendships that strengthened (or destroyed, ha) them.

E-word, I definitely owe you a big gay hug when you're in town, or if I ever by miracle end up in the prairie.

Love,

Toe