Well, it's New Year's Eve at long last. I don't know about you, but this has been one long ass year.
True, there have been some highlights - a trip to Washington DC for the Inauguration,a trip to San Francisco and the GayVNs in March with my best friend Matt, a Pride week debauch that will live on (and on) in my memory, a faaabulous weekend in Montreal in mid August, MCing at Secrets in DC for the Matthew Rush show in October, reaching the 100k mark at Porno Bingo in November and seeing some really terrific shows - The Royal Family on Broadway, Lady Gaga in Montreal, Meow Meow at Joe's Pub during the holidays, the movie UP and Mad Men (the third season finale was the best ep yet). I started an intense love affair with One Life to Live and GLEE and although they both disappoint at times, their 'highs' are worth the moments of failure.
On the down side, it was the year where I lost my survival job (after being threatened with layoffs for over a year and watching as over a hundred of my co-workers leave before me), where my computer finally died and one of my favorite roommates of all time moved out and a less-favorite one moved in (who is now also moving out).
But because I was underemployed, I was able to spend more time than I had previously on this blog and was able to pay more attention to Bingo than I had before (and thanks to Eric Leven, QueerMeNow and Andy Towleroad for picking up stories I've posted throughout the year, you're the best!). It was also a time of renewal - I was introduced to stars Sam Colt, Bryan Slater, Colin Steele, Matthew Ford, Race Cooper and Max Sinclair and to the Gingerheadman website as well as to the cool East Village Boys website .
My old friend Michael Brandon (and partner in crime with his Inappropriate Behavior parties a regular part of the Bad Boys Pool Party weekends) returned from 'out there' and I'm very much looking forward to seeing him when he visits New York and Porno Bingo on Wednesday January 13th. It's the year I met Jack Mackenroth (yum) and Ilene Kristin (one of my favorite soap stars!) and spent time with new friends Evan, Chris and Paul and Damon so while much else went awry, I can take heart in that which went well. Of course our Bingo team, AB and Amanda, made the year go smoothly (although it was sad to say goodbye to our former team member, "Princess").
In fact, writing this list makes me realize how much has gone well this year and how grateful I am for what I have. On top of it all, I have a pretty amazing boyfriend who comes to Bingo pretty often and hears my patter over and over again and still laughs - and if that ain't love, I don't know what is. :)
Now, about that virgin, well, tonight the Bana Pool Party is looking for 'someone who looks good in a white robe" to portray a virgin as part of their (hopefully pretend) pagan sacrifice ritual. You can write to the organizers at info@hotsteammachine dot com if interested You can find out more about the party by going to the Bana Pool Party website.
There are about a million events going on all over the place in the city tonight but I hope that whatever you do, wherever you end up, you're safe and having the time of your life. Because you can choose to look at your life as the glass half full or glass half empty. If there's any New Year's resoution that I'm making, it's to get out of my head a little more and see the pluses less than the minuses (and let me tell you, nothing helps me do that more than writing a daily blog - see above.. when I started I thought this entry would be all about 'what a crappy year, glad it's over' but it's turned into "wow, there were some amazing things that happened this year, what was I thinking??")
Just yesterday I was out in Queens after taping an interview with my friends JC and Jonathan who run the "Talking About.." cable show. There I was on the platform waiting for the train. The clock ticked to the time was supposed to appear and it was no where in sight although the track did curve around to the right and out of sight. I looked and looked and waited for it to show up. I then looked down and thought "it'll get here when it gets here and there's no reason to stress myself out' so I let it go and when I looked up the train was barreling through the station - right on time.
The moral of the story? Sometimes you can't see when your train has arrived until it's almost on top of you. It doesn't mean that it's not on it's way, just that you have to trust that it's there.
So with that, I bid you all the best for the close of what's left of 2009 and heartily encourage you all to start 2010 with a great attitude, a positive glass half full perspective because the train's a coming and you don't want to miss it. :)
- Will Clark December 31st, 2009
