Long time reader Alan came this weekend to scope out UT's graduate program. I showed him around Austin, and we even did a photoshoot. Beard lovers rejoice! |
Happy New Year!
I thought I would go over everything that happened last year. Kind of the recap for the 2004. Ya know, Big Moments in Bryan History. There are even little status reports of where everything stands. So if you think you been left hanging, consider yourself ...uh..un hung.
The year started off with my annual trip to Vegas for the Adult Internet convention, which is also a chance to meet some website visitors. I photographed Beau in all his Hockey gear, which got me thinking of doing an art piece on local Austin jocks- possibly promoting local gay sports teams. I did 6 “Jocks” but ran out of people willing to pose when Winter set in. Will continue to search for more Jocks as the year plays out. I can't go this year. Too expensive, and I travelled far too much this year. Gonna miss seeing all the friends I have made over the years. ~pout~
I hung out with famous poet Alex Gildzen who also visited me a couple weeks later. He and I went to the opera for the first time.
February I went to the Hill Country Ride for AIDS Rider Recruitment Party and got snookered in to doing the ride. I had no road bike at the time, so had to purchase one. It was the first of many expenses this year.
I had a double root canal, and some crowns put on (twice!). I have two more teeth that are giving me trouble, so early this year I will have to bite the bullet and get two more done. Sucks getting old.
In the news, one of my best friends, Tracey Tarlton, was convicted of murdering her lesbian lovers aged husband. Tracey was clearly led astray, thinking she was protecting her girlfriend from an abusive husband. Tracey owes up to her mistake, and the girlfriend exposes herself as an evil manipulative bitch. The shuttle also exploded over the skies of Texas. No parts landed in my backyard.
We had an amazing ice storm that showed me that if a major disaster hit, I would be one of those people clamoring behind a semi-truck grasping for bread and water hand outs, while wearing expensive Diesel clothing. My fridge and cabinet still remain empty, despite my near brush with starvation. Some people never learn.
I got a new tux for the HRC Black Tie affair. My friend Earnest is organizing this years, so I have been told I will be going again. ~g~
I made several trips back to Colorado to visit my parents. They just keep on moving, and I keep on setting up their equipment. Any excuse to go visit is worthy.
A cute guy named Tony came up to me in the gym, and we struck up an immediate conversation. We had lots in common and we quasi-dated a couple months. It never became serious.
The Hill Country Ride was a huge success. You all raised $11,000 for the AIDS charity. I trained super hard, and finished the ride (not a race though) in the top ten. We were the leading fundraisers. Fundraising has already begun for this April's ride, but I have little to no fundraising so far. (WHERE”DYA GO?) But it's early. Perhaps you will join in after the holiday expenses settle?!?
The ride took a toll on my brain. I over-trained and knocked my brain chemicals out of whack. Huge crying jags for week after it. I got myself on some Lexapro and immediately improved. Stayed on it for 4 months. Gained 20 pounds. Ack! No more Lexapro! Coming off of it was very dizzying, but my emotions are now down to their standard level.
Decided I wanted to date around a bit, but didn't want to see anyone local. I am too busy, and dating long distance is much safer. Made several trips to San Diego to visit David, Tony's old boyfriend.
Picked up a new account, Solis Company. Made several trips to San Francisco and even Lake Tahoe, where my camera took a beating. Had to get a new one while the other had a two month repair cycle. Solis is now doing their own photography (after I kept saying they could do it themselves..that was dumb!) and Steve at Solis is doing some great catalog work. He continues to find the hottest guys!
I also invested in a digital video camera, but have yet to use it. I want to make some adult videos, but I really want them to look good, and fear that it will be way too amateur. I have several models lined up to help me learn the skills, but I am intimidated by having to go back to square one on the photography front. It will happen though. I just need the right time..and money!
Work was a real trial this year. We got a new boss, who only lasted a couple months before he was “let go.” Elaine has moved into management position, and my outlook on our future has quadrupled. I got moved into a better office (Elaine's old one) and did a Queer Eye makeover on it. My office remains to be the place everyone comes to chill and talk about work and personal issues---the couch is back!
I did the AIDS Walk, but didn't raise more than 100 bucks.
I switched my host over to BoysInc.com servers. They have been great to work with, but are a little alarmed at my 100gigs per month usage. This amount of traffic is kind of unexpected for me, and they suggested I only have some teaser images of the Bio4ms area. I was reluctant to do this, primarily cuz my original goal for the Bio4ms area was to show my stuff as it improves. How can I do that with only a few images? Only paying members can really get a feel for it now. Sorry!
Membership took a huge hit as I went from PayPal, who then two months later decided no Adult type products were to be purchased with YOUR credit card. Funny how they can tell us what we can and can't buy..and yet I haven't heard one person make a BIG fuss. I switched to CCBill, who takes a huge 20percent cut of every sale. BoysInc has been kind enough to help me process with their CCBill account, saving me an $800 Visa charge. They saved my neck for sure!
My grandmother turned 80, and my mom threw her a birfaday party in Burlington Iowa. I flew up there and had a great time. Burlington is a great city. Beautiful! I think it made my mom a little homesick.
I photographed a TON of models this year. Way too many. I should go to three models a month, but I just can't keep up. Several came to stay. I hosted, Alex Gildzen, Scott, David, Ryan, Andrew (from London), Winston, and Nathan.
I also photographed 4 more guys in Costa Rica, where I spent 10 days. I really feel like this is something I want to do at least once or twice a year. The area is beautiful and private, and I can sure get different settings. I just need to find a way to make it more economically feasible.
Barbara and I worked on a short 15-minute movie called “Bat Talk”. She has become the bat whisperer of the world, having decoded many bat calls. I am Producer of the movie, and have been trying to keep the movie under Barbara's control. I invested in a computer to handle the media and recording, and movie production software. We are now on our second version of the movie, that will be geared for the general public, not scientists. Look for that to be released later in 2004.
My friend Bill in Chicago continues to be a great friend, and I have been hounding him to come down here and live. Ron, who was working on a documentary, lived down her 5-6 months, but went back to his teaching job. He was supposed to finish several documentaries that he was working on while on his sabbatical, but I don't think much progress was made on our documentary. I think it may never make it to screen.
Bill has found a role as an “agent” for me, and is helping me find work, and models. Having him down here would be a boon. I continue to hold out hope that he will come down to live. In the interim, I am unable to save any money, in fact am losing money every month that I live here alone. But I hold out, not wanting to settle for anyone but Bill.
I dated Tony, David and Andrew this year. Mostly long distance stuff. I feel like this is the right route for me since I work so much. It's casual and there is no potential for huge commitments.
My photography seems to have improved, though I am not sure if that is because I have actually improved, or I am shooting more black and whites that have a higher artistic impression, or I have just had some really hot talented models. I will just accept it's a little of all three.
I finished up the year with a holiday party for the office at my house, and a quick last-minute trip up to see my mom and dad for the holiday.
Lastly, I took a look at what the site was doing, and how much effort I was putting into it. I trimmed down the columns to just those that I thought I could “sporadically” maintain, and will concentrate on the models, which seem to keep me going.
NEW!!
The message board is back! Now you can go make comments on Bio4ms and each and every entry. I totally dig going over to the m-board, reading and responding there. It's much easier to find your messages then wading though all the spam I get these days!
So look for a make a comment on each and every entry!
