one in a million tales of HIV

For those of you who don't know, I just recently broke up with my boyfriend of 9 ½ years. I naïvely thought we would be together forever, but let’s be serious, I'm gay, and 9 ½ years is forever to a gay man who lives in Chelsea! So, I found a rental, alcove-studio apartment with fabulous views, which is also located in Hell’s Kitchen, or “Clinton,” if you’re are a real estate broker, and I have to completely furnished the entire apartment by myself. I don't even own a bed; the last thing I slept on was a futon that I bought my sophomore year in college. And from then on, I either had roommates, who provided me with a bed, and then I was living with my boyfriend, who owns his apartment. You know, one day you wake up and you’re almost 37 years old, you don't own a bed, no job, (*but living comfortably on disability.)

Thanks to this hidden E*TRADE account of Gap stock options, that I "misplaced" after I had a stroke...yeah, a stroke! I immediately cashed in the stock options, and started to furnish my new apartment. I've taken care of, the mattress, the bed, bedding, the couch, end tables, a dining table and chairs, a computer armoire, a computer, a TV, a stereo for my iPod, but I hadn't really thought about the kitchen, and I was running out of money. I went out to dinner with a couple of friends this week, and they asked me if I was registered. Registered for what? "I-just-broke-up-with-my-boyfriend-and-I-need-to-furnish-my-entire-apartment-registry!" And then a friend of mine called me tonight, and said he would buy me something for my new digs, as well. So I saw a trend, and I'm going with it!

I didn't know where to register, I hadn't even thought of the idea . My friends, Ann and Theresa, said I should use Crate & Barrel. It ain't Tiffany or Bergdorf's, I really only shop high end for clothing, and that's a whole other story in itself! As I'm writing this, I haven't registered yet. First, I wanted to send out this e-mail to see what responses I would get. Let me repeat, I am NOT registered yet. The thing is I really don't cook, except boiling water for pasta, or an egg for breakfast. I want modern white plates, no sterling silver flatware for me. I no longer have two dining tables, one in the dining room, and one on the terrace, so I don't need table settings for both. I still need to peruse the store, and I might add a few decoration items.

In addition, I will host a housewarming/holiday party in my New York apartment (you know how I love a fresh pine, Christmas tree!)  The only problem is, I will have to schedule everyone into time slots (another reason to used MicroSoft Excel,) because I live in an alcove-studio, and I won’t have enough room for all of my guests.  Think about it, no drawn out, religion service like the braking of a cheap wine glass, no tossing of the garter, with “Peaches and Cream” sung by a mediocre lounge band, no ugly bridesmaid's dresses to wear, or scheduling the wedding on Thanksgiving, don't you just hate that!  There wouldn't even be a wedding at all.  In fact, you could do it online from anywhere in the country, or the world, for that matter.  And another thing, my birthday is coming up at the end of August.  That's when I wake up in my new apartment, and I'm 37 years old, and I'm in the first bed I ever bought in my life!  Thanks in advance!  :) David