roller coaster
august 23, 01

Los Angeles

The Official Story? Ever since I got back to LA, I've been on the go non-stop, my life has been full and packed with adventure, I've got exciting projects in the works and have been exploring new ideas. I'm leaving in a couple days for the Telluride Film Festival which is sure to be loads of fun.

The real story? Ever since I got back to LA, I've been on the go non-stop, sweating so much in the heat at work that I can drink bottles of water and not have to piss. Sometimes I work two gardens in one day and am too exhausted at night to care about the skunks in the laundry room. I got a farmer's tan, maybe not the best thing for my skin but it looks good.

My life is certainly full- of emotional curve balls. People I haven't heard from in years coming out of the woodwork all at once. Best friends from out of town staying with me back to back weekends. I tore one of my last contact lenses and show up for clients looking like Ghandi. But that's where the resemblance ends: due to a severe case of chronic road rage I beeped my horn for the first time in almost a year, not once but twice. I cuss in my car and then laugh at myself and if anyone was watching they'd swear I was insane. I've had an affair with someone who is a real handfull (actually, more than two handsfull, if you get my drift), so maybe I am insane.

'Packed with adventure'- like being in a car accident (as a passenger, not hurt), nearly running out of gas in Utah, ignoring bills, letting the extension from the IRS pass by without so much as a 'sorry, I'm packed with adventure and haven't had the time to file this year'.

'Exciting projects on the works'- like starting a rugby team (as a player, guaranteed to be hurt sometime in the future), starting a rock band (see 'starting a rugby team'), driving a truck in questionable condition (oh yeah, I got through Texas without going back to jail).

'Exploring new ideas'- rather than doing new and interesting things, it's more like how new and interesting that I am no longer doing x, y and z. I'm trying a new set of rules so I've cut out activities I previously couldn't live without. Maybe it's called growing up.

The energy and frustration level needed to sustain such a juggling act leaves me weak. But I am being provided for. I've discovered music I love (Nick Name and the Normals, Pretty Pony), and get juiced listening to them. I've gotten loads of support for the team (thank you Derrick, David and Stan!). Work is coming my way. I got a permit to operate my truck (thanks for the tip AAA lady).

And then, like a gift, I had an incredible session the other night. The previous week had worn me down, the camel's back was one straw away from a melt down, and out of nowhere this handsome porn star wants to hire me. Not the first time I had an itramural call, but what made this extra special was how well he treated me. He went the extra mile to make me feel good, and when you spend so much of your time giving, it gets to be a habit and you forget how important it is to let go and just recieve (well, ok, he played receiver ). He treated me like royalty, I got a backrub, dinner, compliments, and mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. In return I gave him a good plowing and introduced him to 'The Jeff Corwin Experience'. Thank you, man.

I drove home so grateful: after all the crap from every other aspect of my life, I had gotten a little of what I needed. The traffic lights started to cooperate, the night cooled down, my street noise level dropped.

Tonight's my first rugby club meeting, I am ready to take on all comers. Back in the giving season tomorrow, volunteering at Will Clark's Bad Boy's Pool Party, then cutting out just as it starts to work at a Naked Luau. Sunday morning, I leave LA traffic behind and head for Telluride.

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