For two years, I was not allowed to travel because of COVID-19. The first year was, of course, for the best and I wasn’t in a position to be traveling around the world. Moreover, I wasn’t too comfortable with the idea of traveling in the “new world” where simply breathing could change the trajectory of my health. The following year was no better as it was followed by so much fear, prejudice, and paranoia that it was clearly not the best idea to go anywhere. Now…this is the year I get to travel.
So, for Pride Month, I decided to spend every Friday creating a Top 10 List of anything LGBTQ+ that I can think of at that moment. Just something to change the pace and make everyone smile. (For the previous list, click here, here, and here). This week, I would like to tell you guys where I plan on going for Pride in the following years. I won’t be going alone and plan on going to them all, eventually. Just so you know…I don’t have it in a particular order because that’s too hard. ha ha!
Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2020. My goal is to read 100 books this year and I’m already at 77. Probably end up reading 120 before the year is out.
I got one thing to say to you all about my current situation. Are you ready? I am in for a wild few months. Maybe six. Yeah, I guess I should add some context to this, shouldn’t I. I thought so. I guess I should start at the beginning.
Working in the gayborhood offers me the opportunity to meet many people from many walks of life. It grants me the ability to learn about other countries and what’s going on there. This week, I got to meet a very handsome Lebanese man who just came out to Philadelphia – and out of the closet – for an exchange program. This weekend, I got to teach this hottie, the way of American Gay Life. No! Not in that way, you naughty minx. I went in a different direction. Side note, I can’t say his name because of the current climate in Lebanon regarding the LGBT+ community. Guess I can cross Lebanon off my list.
So, quick fact! Did you know that, when planning to teach in another country, your name on EVERYTHING they ask you to provide has to identical to your federal documentation? Sounds simple, right? Well…tell that to a man with two middle names and only one of them has been used all of his life. Haha!
Sorry for the month of no blog posting. I’ve been so busy with various writing projects that I wanted to tackle and complete before I start my teaching job in China. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to be a TEFL teacher for the Chinese school system. It’s exciting and, honestly, I’m nervous as all holy hell. But because of that brilliant news, I had to do A LOT of planning and securing which meant that I didn’t have a lot of time to sit in front of my computer.
Have you ever met a person that thinks the world owed them something? I’m sure we all have but let’s take it a step further. I’m talking about that one person who thinks that everybody is supposed to march to their tempo and believe that they are the center of the world. Oh yeah, we all know somebody like that. See, this week has been the same as last week with one crucial difference: I watched a narcissistic prick get put in his place.
I got to understand what I can contribute to this world after being apart of the best NYCC to date. Despite the fact that the ATM and convention cafeteria was ungodly expensive, forcing me to travel some distance for decently priced food, I still had the best time of my life in The Big Apple. So, what made this NYCC the best for me? There are so many wonderful answers to such a basic question. And every single one of them leaves a great smile on my face.
Okay, let me start off by saying that traveling cross country via Greyhound is a wonderful idea in concept. But – my GOD – it is a very difficult test of endurance and sanity. Though I got to take pictures and explore numerous states and cities (I think eight states and over a twenty cities), the real prize, after enduring such a grueling trip, was the new friends I made throughout this journey.