Mangina Monologues

Because my life basically revolves around planning things for my free weekends in order to be able to get down to Iowa to visit mom on the other weekends, I had planned to get my Toyota FJ all serviced on Saturday.

Most of the service was regular stuff- oil change. Tire rotation. Engine air filter. (I did the cabin air filter myself!). But Moose did require some additional maintenance involving the front right CV joint/boot.

And, as things typically go, they couldn’t do the CV work on Saturday. Because of warranty crap.

When I got the FJ- through this dealership mind you- I got an extended warranty. And a fairly decent one at that. Basically it’s a lifetime bumper to bumper. However, I guess getting approvals through said warranty place can be… challenging. Especially on weekends.

So, fast forward to me, sitting at the Toyota dealership at 7am when they opened on Monday morning in order to get the FJ back in, so we can start things going with the warranty folks to cover axle replacement, and then get a rental lined up.

Yes. Rental. Not even a loaner. How shitty is that?

Well- it’s all stuff that needs to happen so I’m making it happen. And being late to work to do it.

Update: warranty is covering cost to replace both front axles. AND the rental cost as the OEM parts have to be ordered. Winner winner chicken dinner!

Ooo- so shiny! Love the color and banding in the malachite. The chevron angles. Could this become my signature bracelet? Only time will tell. But so far I quite like it.

This one benefited a women’s shelter charity, so added bonus.

(PS? Azurite and Malachite appeal to the geology nerd in me. Both are cupric carbonates often found together and they differ in chemistry by one copper atom- which kind of accounts for the either blue or green coloring. Cu2CO3 vs Cu3(CO3)2.)

But in this case it’s a Tom. Meaning Tom of Finland.

So- about a month ago I wrote that I may have done something rather impulsive. That “something” was bidding on and winning some Tom of Finland art. And he finally came yesterday!

Forgive the plastic sheen and ripples- he’s still inside the protective sleeve. The actual piece is smooth. I haven’t opened it enough to touch with my hands yet. Soon though, as I love touching art.

As you all know, I have a problem with art. I will see something and a bell goes off in my head and I have to own it. Well, that sort of happened here. I am on a emailing list from a place in LA that is a licensed Tom of Finland retailer? Store? Auction house?

Anyway, they do Tom stuff.

What you may not know is that I love Tom of Finland. Love him. Love his life story. Love his art. Love that he was self taught. LOVE the beefcake men and huge cocks. Love it all.

I have (and have read) his biography. I’ve seen the Tommof Finland movies. I have Tom of Finland books. I have the vodka. I have an official Tom of Finland licensed leather cap. All of it. And as such, I have always wanted, no coveted, owning a Tom drawing, or something from him.

But Tom art is rarely available. And rather dear.

However, in this crazy random happenstance, this LA place was having an auction of a few pieces. Which I discovered when I opened my email. And one of the pieces was the image above.

Granted this was the only one I could afford- probably because it isn’t a traditional Tom piece of guys with enormous members frolicking in leather. (They had a couple of those- but oof. Cha-CHING.)

But I actually like this piece. I like the graphic print style. I like that it’s sexy without being all “sex”. I like the weathered, aged appearance. The little extra stain on the bottom.

And I like that it’s mine.

From 1983. I was fourteen and fully sexually awakened at that point. Flash Gordon and Superman saw to that. However, at this point in my life I wasn’t aware of Tom. That wouldn’t happen until I saw my first gay magazines at age 20.

The next step will be getting him framed. Probably in something akin to how the auction house showed him originally.

It feels like we are maybe at the very very beginning of a revolution, doesn’t it? At least in some ways it does. Or complete societal collapse.

Same diff.

I mean, The United Healthcare CEO being gunned down by Luigi. And he’s sort of hailed as doling out vigilante justice.

And now there are wanted posters cropping up with CEO pics on them.

The guy burning down the Kimberly Clark warehouse. The woman destroying all that wine after being fired.

Target gets “unwoke” and does away with DEI and gay support— and lo. People boycott. Profits tank. CEO replaced. They’re still struggling and trying to find a path forward.

Frito Lay keeps greed focused and drives price of a bag of Doritos (mostly air, btw) to $7 a bag. People just stop buying— and stores reduce their shelf space. Frito Lay has a billion in losses. Twice.

McDonald’s and Coke are recording losses. People just can’t afford to buy their shit products.

Fast food restaurants are falling like flies and declaring bankruptcy.

Mark my words- the big 3 car industry is next. People can’t afford gas and groceries- so they won’t be buying cars. And because Trump did away with electric vehicle incentives- there’s no European or foreign market for the cars.

And if you don’t have a house now? Good luck. And let’s hope you aren’t upside down on your mortgage because housing is probably headed for another collapse.

And the people are pissed about all. People are pushing back on city councils and CEOs with fat paychecks passing costs to we the people.

I hate to be all doom and gloom- but I think things will get more ugly as we head to midterms.

Mostly.

This past PS visit, I got some paint and did my front and side doors.

I call the color: tiddy pink. It definitely has a 1950’s feel and color schema- and the pink references the pink I used in my primary bedroom.

I don’t know if I’m 100% sold on the color- part of me likes the idea of a vibrant, hot pink magenta color.

But this is period appropriate and works. And should catch the eye of the mid mid week tours.

I wanted to bike on Friday, but man was it windy. Those poor people at Coachella were getting sand blasted!

But Saturday was calm and clear and like 82°. It just was begging for a bike ride. So I went for my first solo, exploring ride.

It was glorious.

Great trails. Decently well marked. I only got twisted up a couple times trying to figure out where to turn, mostly it’s very well marked. And smooth as glass. And well maintained.

I rode down to rancho mirage and then back through cat city and Palm Springs to Vista Chino. Then turned around and headed for home. 24 miles worth.

It really was lovely, and I feel like I know the trail so much better now.

Afterward I took a dip in the pool.

I went for another bike in Monday before I left. Only made one wrong turn!

I’m in Palm Springs and I’ve heard about the local gay gym— Steel Gym.

It’s about 2.5 miles straight up the road from where I live. And it’s gay. Like “cruisy” gay. But also geared to working out. But gay.

I saw online that they offer packs of passes for people to use who may be transient. So I decided to explore it yesterday, and I got myself a pack of 10 passes to use as I want when I visit.

I rode my bike up there (it’s so awesome to be more mobile now) and checked it out. And it’s… gay.

It’s not the level of nice that I’m used to at my bougie Lifetime Fitness. Let’s just say the equipment is a reflection of the clientele. Very old school dumbbells and barbells. Older cyber equipment. Etc.

But- the fun thing is that everywhere you look? Gay. Vetting levels of daddy hotness, muscle guys, younger guys. all in shorts that have inseams no longer than 5”.

And then there’s the occasional two dudes making out by the fly station.

In addition there’s the locker room.

Lockers- where everyone is basically naked. Smallish sauna. Where everyone is basically naked. Fairly large stream room- where everyone was basically naked. And hard.

I guess it’s known for things “happening” there. It didn’t with me- but I’ve heard stories.

Anyway, I highly recommend checking out a fully gay gym at some point. It’s a religious experience. Plus, I feel more like a local now!

The last couple of weeks have been… busy.

The first week of April was chock full of rehearsals for our Spring concert. It was the Saturday before Easter so, in addition was all the Easter crap- plus end of month craziness at work on March 30th and 31st.

Then last week I was deep in a quality system audit at work (our Annual plus full recertification audit). That was a three day joy starting last Wednesday. The audit went decently well- even if the auditor is always kind of an asshole to me. I just smile and go into “polite mode”, as any good gay boy learns how to do in the business world.

Then this past weekend was mom’s birthday so I was down in Iowa for that. With cake and cookies and flowers and such. I think mom had a pretty good one. She had visits from friends on Friday and Sunday.

Now this is a short week- as I jet off to PS for 5 days starting Wednesday. I cannot. Fucking. Wait. I want to be there so badly I can taste it. I seriously miss my place when I’m not there.

On the agenda this time is finishing some painting (front and lanai doors), getting stereo set up, some lighting work, and meeting with my HVAC/Electrical guy to line up some home improvements.

And going to the pool. And partying. And relaxing. And visiting friends. I am hoping to reconnect with a friend I haven’t seen in probably 25 years who now lives out there.

Gosh- it would be a shame if I had to change my flight back to Monday instead of Sunday…..

(When I get back it’s another mom weekend, then book club and band concert weekend) then we’re into Pride month…. Jesus.)

I haven’t done a good ol post about my work environment in awhile so here goes.

They are really pissing me off.

I got my 30 second pay inrease last week. Given that I was rated a solid 3 on my review, I knew what was coming. 3% raise- so not really even cost of living adjustment.

As predicted.

I just laughed when my boss told me and I said “I saw this coming a mile away. Winchester has turned into every other company where I’ve worked.”

So I’m already in a “solid 3” mode at work.

And I have this bossy bitch basically giving me directions from Florida. No- she’s not my boss. She’s a quality engineer. And she is working my last fucking nerve.

Today I basically told her to piss off. She was asking for updates on why a couple items hadn’t moved out of inspection yet.

First- why are you up my ass about this?

Second- Friday was a holiday.

Third- I was never consulted about this new 72 hour or less goal.

Fourth- I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request.

In other words… get off. My dick.

Seriously. Florida- you have enough shit of your own to focus on. Give it a rest. And who the fuck CARES if we miss the 72 hour deadline? Really. Like- what happens if we just… don’t? Are there any real consequences? You gonna fire me?

No.

Is it a completely arbitrary goal that was pulled out of an ass that doesn’t really impact day to day customer satisfaction?

Yes. Yes it is.

Seriously people. Get👏your👏shit👏together👏

I’m about 50/50 with impulse control.

It’s a good thing I’m not a super addictive personality. Like, with alcohol I go for months without drinking. No problem. No desire for drugs. No desire to gamble. Don’t play video games. I’m not a clothes horse so- meh.

Accessories (like jewelry or bags or belts) can be a strugglebus. But normally I can rein it in. And with certain food it can be a challenge, but as long as I’m not hungry- no issue.

And if the purchase is a big one (like, say a 1957 mobile home in Palm Springs? Well, that took about 10 years of saving and budgeting and spreadsheets and pro-con listing to realize.

But.

There seems to be a monetary threshold for things where I may or may not have impulse buy issues. And that dollar figure changes depending upon the type of item and the amount of desire.

Like, if it’s a lower $ amount, and I’ve wanted it for a few months- I may just give in. Or if it’s a higher $ figure, but I’ve coveted it (or something like it) for years, I may just justify the purchase with little effort and say “fuck it” and just do it.

Like yesterday.

Sooooooo I may or may not have received an email from a store that I bought something from once many years ago (and I’m on their mailing list). Normally I just delete them, but I was bored at work so I opened it.

And they had something for sale. Several something’s actually. And For the sake of argument let’s say this was in the original art family of things.

Aaaaaaand let’s just say for many years I’ve wanted something by said artist. So much so that I do internet searches every few months just to see if things are available.

While most of the art was well outside my $$$ threshold (like uncomfortable laughter outside my threshold), one piece… wasn’t.

😬

And I liked it. Not just because it was semi-affordable, but because aesthetically I liked the piece. The style. The image. The sexiness of it.

The internal debate started instantly. Do I? Don’t I? But you’ve been looking…. All that. I told myself to marinate the idea while I did some additional work.

I lasted all of five minutes.