Saturday, August 01, 2009

"Where the Boys Are..."

Today was the first day of Halsted Street Market Days, a huge gay block party that takes place half a block from my apartment.

Today at Market Days, as always, there were the usual gay street fair offerings...

Boys with their shirts off, boys eating corn dogs (a fun test of their ability to do... other things...), boys in cages, boys with big hoses, half naked boys playing Twister and boys from Schaumburg drinking way too many cocktails, some of which they carry around in a mug made out of fruit!

A fruit suckin' up hooch from the inside of a fruit. Sure, it sounds like felching, but trust me, the taste is VERY different.

Or so I've heard.

But there was one thing different about this year's Market Days - - I walked through the crowd holding hands with a lovely, sweet man.

Yes, I've had a few dates with a new man. And that sound you just made - - that guttural, Scooby Doo "Huh?" or "WTF?!?" noise - - is exactly the sound I heard as friends saw me on the street. Holding hands. With a boy!!!

Some had heard about him, of course, but most were pleasantly surprised. We're not boyfriends, mind you, we're simply dating.

"Dating." Have you heard about this? What a concept!!! Getting to know someone BEFORE you sleep with them. Fascinating...

Its been very nice to go on dates with a handsome, Southern man who has a deep love of family, a glowing smile and the "Rorschach's Face is the Case" special collectors dvd of "Watchmen."

Not that he's a fanboy. He isn't. Yet.

He does love Wonder Woman though, but then, don't all gay men of a certain age?

Dear God. Look what I just wrote. "...of a certain age"? Why did I write that?

Apparently, I'm approaching the age that dare not speak it's name. I'm becoming "a certain age."

And you know what? The lovely man that I held hands with today tells me that I'm cute. Over and over.

I'm of a certain age and I'm cute.

I think I deserve a medal for that.

23 comments:

Avenjer said...

At last! Yay! You've had a long dry spell, so about time someone good came along. Now, don't blow it...well...you can blow it, just don't blow it. :)

Polt said...

YAY Stephen!!!! You're giving hope to all us cute men of a certain age! :)

HUGS...

Java said...

OOoooo!! that is SO exciting! I'm cautiously optimistic, sweetheart.

And I've always known that you are cute.

Anonymous said...

You're much, much more than cute. I'm glad you've got someone who recognizes that :)
'Atta girl!

Aaron said...

Cute and southern? He sounds like the PERFECT guy...and if he likes Wonder Woman, that seals it! If he can recite all the dialogue between Lynda Carter and Dawn Lyn from the Leif Garrett episode where he's the rock star with the twin brother, I say go down on him ON THE SPOT...;-) (Can you tell we're happy for you?)

David said...

STEPHEN!!! This is so exciting! I hope he does us Southern men proud. 'Cause I'll kick him in the face otherwise. :-) Congratulations!

David said...

I miss Halsted Market Days. I enjoyed that more than Pride. Still, it's funny you mention the suburban boys. I can remember sitting and listening the Chicago queens calling out the 847s and 708s (which I was once was) gay boys.

Congrats on the on the boy, BTW.

Sadly, I too have come to the conclusion that I am also a person of a "certain age."

And I'll have to remember to close my drapes the next time. That WW should not be watching. It's rude!

My adventures said...

That's so sweet and nice to know that those of us of a certain age, still have hope!! Ha!

james said...

hooray for you!

Gyaos97 said...

I know somebody else has already said it, but let me say it agian: "Atta Girl!" You deserve a man to keep you warm on those frigid winter nights in Chicago. Now if only we can find me a man for these cold San Francisco summer nights.

P.S. It's a good sign that he likes Wonder Woman, but if he knows Electra Woman & Dyna Girl you need to marry him now!

Stephen R. said...

Thank you all so much. If you're this excited for me after three days with a new gentleman caller, I can't wait to find out what wedding gifts you would/will by me.

I would keep it simple though and only register at Crate & Barrel, Graham Cracker Comics and extremerestraints.com

Because nothing says "Love, Honor and Obey" quite like a St. Andrews Cross with matching rim seat. That's what mama always told me.

Gyaos97 - You're so right! Knowledge of ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL will put me on my knees. To propose. At first.

Hmmm... ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL... If this little dating things continues and we start (dare I say it?) "Going Steady" or "Wearing His Ring," maybe we could be EW & DG for Halloween.

Just strap a couple of Atari 2600 gaming consoles to our wrists and we're Electracom-Ready!

I wonder which role I'll be. And whether I'll be EW or DG. :)

Unknown said...

I like this line "Its been very nice to go on dates with a handsome, Southern man who has a deep love of family, a glowing smile and the "Rorschach's Face is the Case" special collectors dvd of "Watchmen." : )

Project Christopher said...

DG... as in Dolce & Grabitquickwhileyougotithoney!

I'm so HAPPY!!! And I'll take this as an acceptable reason why you haven't been answering emails.... yet....

Don't give him the whole DC world right away. No one's going to buy the whole comic rack if you're giving away the frames for free!

(did that analogy work??)

Duncan Mitchel said...

"Have you heard about this? What a concept!!! Getting to know someone BEFORE you sleep with them." It's a great concept, Stephen, though it is vaguely redolent of the virginity/purity cult. But I'm very tolerant of people's kinks, whatever turns them on.

But there's this other concept, which is even more vital: getting to know someone AFTER you sleep with them. :)

from another homo of a certain age, and then some ...

Anonymous said...

Life is full of opportunities --Taking chances !!! Congrats to you for being brave enough to take another chance for happiness!!

RAD said...

This boy in his green shorts is a solid hottie! Holy Smokes hes a hot one! Nice view man--- Lucky you!

Aaron said...

In this day of rampant disease, I think the "virginity/purity cult" just may make a comeback.

Get those chastity belts out, girls!

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Stephen! And to your fella for recognizing you for the cute, wonderful guy you are.

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Stephen! And to your fella for recognizing you for the cute, wonderful guy you are.

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Stephen! And to your fella for recognizing you for the cute, wonderful guy you are.

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Stephen! And to your fella for recognizing you for the cute, wonderful guy you are.

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Stephen! And to your fella for recognizing you for the cute, wonderful guy you are.

Mark in DE said...

Congrats on the dating! Keep us posted.