Chemistry, Commonality, Courtesy, Compassion and Commitment

Its not often you find all five C's in a relationship; whether it's romantic, just friends or even family. The five C's are sort of a set of my own barometer marks on what makes or breaks any relationship in my life.

I had an ten-year relationship with Jon where two of these missing entirely - and that created real issues from day one. The Rickisode^tm missed most of them to varying degrees, some C's reaching negative levels.

I have life long friends like Brett septimuswarren and Lance althrman where the C's are very strong - but even in those friendships - - we've had times where the C's started to slip and we needed to rededicate ourselves to higher marks for one another. It's not easy and it is most often hard work.

David and I are at 33.3% (corrected from simply 33% just now by David who is reading over my shoulder as I type) of all of these so far - with levels rising each time we see each other. We're taking it really slowly so we can develop strong marks in all five of the C's.

I'll tell you this - it's quarter to eleven on a Saturday - and I'm just now checking email and LJ. :) (that would be "courtesy" on my part; spending time with David out in the sun walking to coffee and making him breakfast rather than waking up and plunking in front of the 'puter; and "compassion" on his part to tolerate that I needed a quick look before we go walking in the neighborhood browsing furniture stores)

He's pretty neat. and I'm so glad he's my boyfriend.

seating expedition....

David and I hunted SOMA furniture stores today for both dining room chairs and a nice reading chair. We saw several dozen different dining room chairs. The issue is I have a dark teak dining table - so matching wood chairs is difficult - although I saw a beautiful tiled teak chair I liked alot. and a bamboo chair at Pier 1 I liked alot - but David thought an armchair that you needed a pillow in wasn't an optimal choice.

here's a slide show of today's favorites: (the wood chair I liked best for the dining room is the 2nd and 3rd slide, a lamp I liked for adding some ambient light to the desk area is in the middle with other dining room chairs - and the arm chair I liked at Pier One is the last slide)

car trip!

the azure pool at Hearst Castle

The new apartment building is ground zero for Pride weekend (literally surrounded on all sides by the pride festivities and the end of the big parade) so we decided that makes it the perfect weekend to get out of town. So - David and I have decided to take pride weekend - add a day off to it - and take a three day weekend down the coast to beach comb, check out wineries and visit Hearst Castle with Miss Kate. We got a great rate on a dog-friendly hotel in San Simeon and booked tours of the castle. There is also Wm. R. Hearst State Park and beaches to run on with Miss Kate.

chaps two: the sequel

David and I followed my neighbor Bill (linky) to Chaps II tonight. Chaps II? We were pleasantly surprised to find a real cruisy, leather filled bar. Most leather bars in this town are pleather. and full of twinks and play REAL obnoxious loud music. This was full of men in leather, dance/trance playing low enough you actually carry on a conversation. and the beer was VERY cold and the men were beautiful. (and David in chaps is something to behold! woof!) Bill and I met at the gym - and we had the best time hanging out with him and seeing him "work" the bar. He's from South Carolina - so all he needs say is "ya look good boyo" and guys just melt like butter. David also was drooling over him so badly his tongue was scraping the floor - I offered him a bib. because I'm a giver. (wink) Bill is pretty hot. :) The best part of the evening was as we were leaving - Bill is in a harness - vest - and chaps with naked butt - David is in a black tshirt and chaps - and I'm in a bright yellow shirt - my yellow striped vest and leather pants. and this young lady gets on the elevator and without skipping a beat "are you guys going harley riding?". It was very cute and funny.