Everybody Hurts

I had taken a partner once before—but, damnation, no matter how many times you get your fingers burned, you have to trust people.  Otherwise you are a hermit in a cave, sleeping with one eye open. -Robert A Heinlein, THE DOOR INTO SUMMER 


It’s been ‘4’ years since I met Alan on November 20, 1989.  I remember when we first met, exchanging phone numbers at MICKEY’s in West Hollywood.   Our first dinner outing together I felt quite leery, unsure if I wanted to go through another short-term romance.   
I think one of the best characteristics of our relationship is that we are always conversing about some interesting subject or another.  We make life interesting.  My work days seem long but my time with Alan goes by so quickly.   
It’s amazing how these four years have flown by.  When I’m at work the evenings are full and our weekends are creatively planned.  There’s so much to do.   And to think it seems we’ve barely touched the surface.  Alan wrote the sweetest words in our Anniversary Card: 













November 20, 1993 Dearest Michael, Words cannot express how I truly feel about you.  You have added so much happiness and joy to my life.  I think I have changed for the better due to your influence.  My list is to continue to enjoy and enrich my life with yours and to find a lifetime of fulfillment with you:  a friend, a lover, a stock picker, flamboyant, hunky, 10+ in every respect.  What can I say? Happy Anniversary. Love Always, Alan  
We peppered in the weekend with a movie:  ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES.  It was great for a few laughs.  I think I liked Christina Ricci as Wednesday the best.  She had some funny lines: 
Morticia Addams:  Wednesday’s at that very special age when a girl has only one thing on her mind. 
Ellen Buckman:  Boys?
Wednesday Addams:  Homicide 
It’s not always easy.  Sometimes everything is wrong.  I think that song by R.E.M. sums it up well.  It’s called EVERYBODY HURTS.  Listen to the lyrics immediately! It’s all about getting past the hurt and finding the soothing remedy.  Sometimes the remedy is a simply invigorating workout at the gym, a song, or a new story in a book.    The most powerful resource we have for transforming ourselves is honest conversation. --Sam Keen, FIRE IN THE BELLY, On Being A Man