My Anniversary

On January 31, 2004, I moved to Santo Domingo full-time. The old adage about if I knew then what I know now. I´m reminded of my life before I discovered the DR. It was in short, boring. I was at the same job for 10 years, in the same apartment for 8, and I didn´t go out much to the clubs anymore. In short I was just existing. I was a very unhappy person. I liked to travel and entertain/cook at home for friends, but when I starting to come to the DR I starting thinking about what other possibilities life offered me.

I have been getting several emails from people who have discovered the blog. They are looking for the same thing I was. A CHANGE! I don´t think the DR is for everyone, nor do I think that everyone needs to leave the States to find happiness. I just think life is short, so you need to find the things that are going to make you happy in life. Maybe it is going back to school, or pursuing another career. Whatever it is you have to do it before it gets too late.

In the 2 years that I have lived here I have discovered many things about myself. The most important is that I can do anything if I put my mind and energy to it. I never would have imagined me living here full-time 5 years ago. I couldn´t even imagine living anywhere but NYC. But, I have evolved into the person everyone loves (or loves to hate!).

The other thing I have learned is that I´m not as consumed as I used to be with what people think of me. I´m still working on the part about "accepting the things I cannot change." I would be lying if I said it didn´t pain me deeply when people who I think are my "friends"´ are rooting for my failure. I am human and I learned to understand what that is about. For those that hug me and want to know how I´m doing, but can´t wait until I´m out of earshot before they start to talk about me, I understand.

Now, on to some things that have been on my mind:

There is a guy whose photo is on my website. I have known him for quite some time. The photo is not nude or anything, and most importantly, he knew that it was there. A couple of weeks ago I get an email from someone telling me that I have 48 hours to take down the photo, or else. It is quite unfortunate, but I can be very obstinate when someone tells me what I "better do." Of course there is more to this story. I call Narciso and he gives me all the background. The person who sent me this email had met the guy on my site and has fallen head-over-heels in love.

I have found in situations like this that people believe ONLY what they want to believe. If you try to explain to them rationally and calmly why it doesn't make sense, they internalize that you are jealous and only want to break them up. Okay, I understand that we all have to have fantasies, the problem I have is when you want me to validate them. Or, when you want to blame me for the path that your boyfriend has chosen. I know this won't help, but I feel the need to say it again. He is ONLY with you because of the MONEY! I personally don't think anything is wrong with that, if you understand most masculine attractive 19-year olds ARE NOT in love with 50-somethings (usually, though I'm not saying it is impossible). If that were the case you wouldn't have to travel here for companionship, you could stay in the States.

Whew! I am glad that I got that off my chest. Now, I will be waiting for this tourist who wants to confront me in front of said website model. As far as he knows, the tourist is the only man he has EVER been with.

The sound you heard was me falling off my chair laughing ...

Dominican Island Heat is fast approaching. Kenny and Laurence are working feverishly to put the final touches on the festivities. It promises to be very nice and I have heard from many people who are coming down for this party. As of February 15, 2006, Dominican Island Heat will not be selling anymore VIP passes.

For those who are not attending DIH2, Mario Sessions is having his birthday party the week after. You can go to Mario's site for more information.

This past weekend in the Colonial Zone was very interesting. Depending whose version you believe, a police officer from Politours was shot and robbed of his gun. Well, it seems that the police amassed every officer in the country to go on a manhunt for the perps. The police went into several clubs (ARENA, Jay-Dee's, Pario's & Friends) and asked for ID from the patrons. Those with no ID were loaded onto buses, I guess to be taken to jail. I was not a witness to this, but many people came and told me about it. I am told it was done as professionally as possible, and one tourist told me that after providing his ID he was then told, "thank you, now please enjoy the DR." This wasn't something that was relegated just to gay establishments, they went into straight places too. As of this writing, the perp is still on the loose. No doubt he is a long way from the Colonial Zone. Now, what is the moral of this blurb? Make sure you ALWAYS carry around a copy of your passport.

Okay, I think that is it for now. I have included some pictures that I have taken but never posted. Enjoy!