She Works Hard For The Money

So.  I am now an employed citizen in the US of A.

I am the Office Assistant for an automotive repair company that specializes in hail damage.

It isn't what I wanted to be honest.  But - to be honest - it is a fine first job here.  Something for the resume.

So I am thankful.

Blessings for you all.

Damien
xox

My Journey

So the first pic is me 10 months ago, and the second is me two days ago.

My journey has been to improve my health and diet.  And, lose a little weight in the process.

I've had a few questions about how I did it so here it is:

• Over the period of the first month I reduced my meal portions down to half.
• I increased my water intake.
• I decreased my soda intake by 80% -1 soda to four bottles of water.
• I also replaced my full sugar Cherry Coke with Cherry Coke Zero.
• I reduced my overall intake of sugar and fat but DID NOT cut them out.
• I treat myself when I choose to knowing the potential effects.
• I also started walking 3 x week.  At least 4000 steps at a time which equals about 2 miles.

My journey has been satisfying and surprising.  I have been surprised at how the changes to everything have actually been pretty minor AND I am not desperate or feeling deprived.

Blessings all.

Damien

xox

March 15th - My Birthday

I have had an AWESOME day on this my 45th year.

My Bubb took me to brunch.  Then we had a power nap.  Then the Adorable Neighbors cooked me an amazing dinner.  PS Kansas steaks are HUGE!!  We also had hand made bread and hand made ice cream.  It was wonderful.

I have had best wishes from all over and feel truly blessed and grateful.

All the best to all of you.

Damien
xox

My Dad Is Apparently Dying

And I feel nothing.

My parents have been separated since I was 2 years old.

My mother is a saint on earth.  She has faults, and life has treated her very harshly in years past.  But she has been my mother, father, and strongest advocate my entire life.

My father is a selfish man.  A miser.  In years past he got at my mother through my sister and I.  He would pay the bear minimum in support.  It was often late.  And it gets better.

In high school, I was somewhat of a musical prodigy.  I played clarinet (my main instrument), piano and organ to performance level (Level 8 AMEB if you know anything about that).  I also played tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, and, percussion.  In my senior year of High School I was urged by my concert master and my music teach to apply to the State Conservatorium of Music.  The problem was I did not actually own a clarinet.  I had one on permanent loan from my school.  A clarinet in 1989 was approximately $450.  Almost two weeks wages for my mother.

My mother called my father and explained everything that the school and my concert master had told them.  After listening to my mother on the phone, my father replied that he couldn't afford it.

My other owned the following in 1989;

• A nice house with a pool
• 3 cars
• 2 sprint cars for speedway - his favorite past time
• And his own truck and van repair business

And yet, that man could not part with $225 dollars - in spite of the sacrifices my Mother was prepared to make - so I could have my own instrument and go on to higher learning and an orchestral career.

This is not the only example of my fathers pettiness.  There are dozens more.  But this one hurt the most.  He denied me a future career.

My father has been told - after several small strokes and serious heart issues, including heart attacks - that there is now nothing else that can be done.  And, that he should make the most of the time that he has left.

I have not spoken to my father in at least 10 years.  The only reason I spoke to him last time was due to urging by my mother when it looked like he was going to die.

I do not wish to speak to him now.

I feel nothing except karma.  It may be a harsh thing to say.  But I believe this is his own Judgement.

When he leaves this world, and goes to the next, I hope HaShem has a long and stern talk with him.

Blessings to you all.

Damien

Small Goals Become A Big One

For 8 months I have slowly been putting in place the small steps of weight loss/health gains.

• Trimming portion sizes
• Slowly lowering the amount of sugars and fats (Still keeping some though)
• Breaking with soda (hard)
• Increasing my water intake
• Walking.  Not far but regularly
• Keeping everything going - not that easy, a couple of boo-boos.'

And yesterday I reaped the rewards.

28pounds / 13.7kilograms down.

And I plan to lose a little more.  Not too much.  I want to be healthy, not thin.

My whole plan is about assisting my health and not being about losing weight.  

The side effect has some weight loss (Yay) - but the overall goal is to improve my health.

And yes, my health has improved.  And that is the better thing. I haven't felt so good in years.

And my depression is not bothering me.

Shalom all.

Damien

xox

TBT - Me At 18

Twink-a-licious lol

Have a great day all.

D
xox

Be A Wonder Warrior - Even If Part-Time

Be a Wonder Warrior - even if Part-Time.

What is a Wonder Warrior?

Well it started at a BBQ when I refused to share BOTH of my bracelets at any one time.  The person I gave one to said "I'll be a part-time Wonder Warrior then."  After giggles, we all looked at each other and thought the same thing "We already are."

A Wonder Warrior is;

• Honest
• Loyal
• Accepting
• Non-threatening
• Stands up to Hate
• Is there however and whenever for their friends
• Is loving
• Accepts the truth, even if it is uncomfortable
• Embraces Peace

Yes,  it is fun to see a half-drunk, sweaty, puffy me in WW bracelets, but I really did buy them for more than the fun.  I am a Wonder Warrior.  I will not lie down in the approach of hate, or, shirk from helping others simply because it is uncomfortable or time consuming.

Be a Wonder Warrior in your own life.

Truly.

We need more Wonder Warriors - even if Part-Time.

Blessings and my support to each and every one of you.

Shalom.
Damien
xox

PS you can get the bracelets yourself HERE.

21 Things I Do Not Like

A follow up to my post yesterday.
This by no means a full list - I am an old man who is constantly yelling at the kids to get off my lawn.

Enjoy!

 

D

xox


1.  Trump - enough said really - stubby fingered cheetoh.



2.  Trumpets - the inane mouth pieces of said Trump.



3.  KKK - enough said.



4.  Homophobia



5.  Racism.



6.  Hate in any form really and yes its taken up 6 spots - COZ IT'S IMPORTANT PEOPLE!

7.  All Live Matters - get a life.



8.  Bad Coffee - I'm looking at you Starbucks aka dirty dish water.



9.  Airport Security Lines - Hire some more ppl TSA.



10. Fox News - do I have to explain this one????



11. Slut shaming - can we move on please?



12. Drivers who do not indicate!



13. Taco Bell aka Taco Hell - shit in a taco shell.



14. Mobile Phones During A Movie.



15. Bad Manners - No excuses ever.



16. Saggy Pants - Do they realise the origin???



17. Evangelicals - again, Ugh.



18. Cleaning - I need to call a service.  I just hate it.  I know...



19. Bad Service - Good service is not difficult.



20. Masc for Masc - this is the most insane bit of self hate prevalent in gay men - Ugh.



21. People Airing Their Laundry On FB - really bitches????

 

 

 

 

 

21 Things I Like

It is always nice to do a little insight post so here are 21 things I like.
Coming tomorrow, 21 things that I do not like.

Enjoy:)

D
xox

1. My Bubb - naturally.
2. Half and Half in my coffee.
3. Blueberry Bagel with Cream Cheese.
4. Diversity - all round.
5. Agatha Christie Novels.
6. That little curve where a mans shoulder meets his neck.  Mmmm.
7. Titanmedia.
8. Dinosaurs.
9. Bach.
10. Spring.
11. Rammstein - preferably live.
12. Streisand - check out her new album, its like buttah.
13. Ballet.  Ballet.  Ballet.
14. Star Trek.
15. Peanut Butter on celery.
16. Espresso Martinis.
17. Orgasms - just being honest.  They're really good for Depression.
18. Spending hours in a book store.
19. Good Coffee.
20. Honesty.  Even if it makes me uncomfortable.
21. People who are completely different to me.

What are your 21?

Going to tag a couple of my fave bloggers; Brenton from Aussielicious, BG from BosGuy, Tony at Speak Softly, and Viktor from Maybe Its Just Me.

Fall Is Here In The OP!

Fall has arrived in the OP and my own little piece of it.

The weather is blissfully cool and the trees are turning as we speak.

I love living here.  It's picture perfect and the people are lovely.

D
xox

Flashback Friday - Me In Tights

I told you was a ballet boy :)

D
xox

I believe I was 21 here.

My 23andme DNA Results Came Back!

AND I AM WHITER THAN WHITE CAN BE!!!

No surprises but was maybe hoping for SOME Ashkenazi in there (Nope - have to quiz the family more about Great-Grandmother Rosa then)

So...........

So basically I get most of my DNA from British and Irish with French & German, Scandinavian and a potpourri of Northwest Europe.

Whilst I kind of knew that I was broadly white, to find that a chunk comes from Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark is kind of exciting.  I have always wanted to visit these places and so clearly I must :)

Given my mothers roots are in America and Canada, and my dad is in Britain and Scotland I am not surprised by the Gaelic/Anglo-Celtic chunk.  The French & German is a surprise to be honest.  I haven't heard anyone on either side of my family talk of En France or Eine Deutschland!

Now - the Eastern European part is one that requires further investigation I believe.  My late Aunt Valencia said that she was under the impression that her Grandmother - My Great Grandmother Rosa - was Jewish.  GGM Rosa migrated to Canada early in life, then to Australia later.  Where from?  We do not know.  But now I think we should.

I think once my immigration is sorted here and I am able to work, an investment in a genealogist will be in order.  I am thoroughly intrigued by how European I am and the breadth of my DNA.

I initially was not all that interested in the whole DNA journey thing I don't mind admitting.  But I am thoroughly intrigued now as my family on both sides seems to be a real patchwork.

Oh - I also have a significant amount of Neanderthal markers.  More so than normal.  That would DEFINITELY explain some things :)

Blessings for you all,

Damien
xox

I Found A Temple

Mazel Tov I  have a temple!

Tonight was first night of a set of 13 study sessions on Judaism.

The congregation B'Nai Jehuda in Overland Park is welcoming, engaging and humble.

I look forward to a long and Jewishly meaty life with my new Temple.

L'Chayim!

Damien
xox

3 Months Without Incident

I would say that America agrees with me.

I am now about to enter my fourth month with no depressive incident.

This is wonderful considering that before coming over my depression was kind of going on overload.

Now I am thrilled to have this - AND - to have lost 10 pounds since getting here.

Seems a change really can be as good as a holiday :)

Blessings

D
xox

PS No aggression.  YAY!

A Change Is As Good

So the other blog had become a chore and in sitting down with Bubb and examining why it was clear that I had lost my way.

He suggested that rather than refreshing the other blog that I should pack my bags and start a new one fresh and clean. 

Welcome to 2 Shoes & A Broom.

This blog will be back to basics.  Me.  My new home of Kansas (hence the title).  My adventures in my new corner of Emerald City.

So here is our house that Bubb and I now own together.  Blessed.

I am so lucky to have Bubb in my life.  He is my rock and my best friend.  More of him to come later :)

I am loving life in Kansas.  Overland Park where we live is gorgeously green and very well laid out.  Broad roads.  Lots of green spaces.  The people are remarkably LGBT friendly.  And it has all the amenities and fun places that an Aussie with a new car needs to go "visiting" and "essploring" :)

I hope you enjoy the new blog and stop by often.  Don't be afraid to say hi in the comments.  I love to hear from you all.

Blessings to all as we embark on this new chapter in mine and Bubbs' life.

Shalom

Damien.
xox