First World Semi-Adult Problems

Howdy sexy boys...

and girls!

Summer is finally here!!!

I know I'm always apologizing about not keeping you all informed, on a daily/weekly basis...but I really am.  On my days off I rarely have time for myself because my body is trying to recover from the grueling everyday duties of work.  This past week I worked six straight days in a row!!!

Speaking of dead, "The Purge" was an awesome film.

There was action, suspense, intense violence, a little gore, and some humor as well.  As I mentioned in my last post I saw it on a date with this guy, that I've now been talking to for a little over a month.  The date went by swimmingly.  I met him walking away from the movie theater...because I was close to an hour late.  (I fell asleep; plus I had to poop and iron my clothes.)

Luckily, I walked right into him.  He wasn't mad, thank God.  

Anywho, since it would have been pointless to buy tickets to the showing of "The Purge" that we agreed upon, because we would have scored some pretty shitty seats, I decided that we should eat at Cafetasia first then go to the movies.  So we bought our tickets for the next showing and had a decent meal at Cafetasia.  Our waitress was incredibly salty and deserved the bare minimum of a tip.  She would look at us, knowing we were trying to get her attention, and would ignore us.  There was even a point where I was about to say something to her and she turned her back to us and helped the adjacent table.

Warren, that's the guy's name, didn't really like the food there...and I was mainly there for their amazing happy hour specials.  I prefer to watch new movies while high or tipsy or a combination of both.  It really enhances the movie-going experience.  

In other news, last night my family and I went to West Orange, New Jersey to see "Man of Steel" at AMC's Dine-In Theater: Fork & Screen.

We love the AMC Dine-In Theater because you can actually drink alcoholic beverages and eat awesome food, that's served to you during the movie, by the press of a button.  We usually go to Cinema Suites, but you have to be twenty-one to go in there and since my younger sister isn't twenty-one so we made due.

But the awesome thing about last night was we got free "This Is The End" glasses and coasters because I spotted them and asked if we could keep them.  The manager noticed how excited I was about it and gave us all free glasses...I mean we did pay for drinks at the bar while we were waiting to be let in the theater, but still...  

"Man of Steel" was a good film.  I feel as though it ended in a way where another can be made and I'm pretty sure there will be a sequel in the mix. There were some hints.  The movie featured a cohesive plot, cool flashback/backstory sequences, and some great action scenes.

But sometimes my family goes to the movies without me, which makes me resort to going by myself.  I actually like going to the movies by myself and seeing "This Is The End" by myself was probably one of the best things I've done recently.

"This Is The End" is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.  So many celebrities make cameos in this movie and none of them seem out of place.  The humor in this film starts from the moment the beginning credits finish and doesn't go stale, EVER!!!  It humanizes the celebrities in the film because it's seen from their perspective, living in the Hollywood hills and having to rough it out during the apocalypse.  You will definitely laugh repeatedly WHEN you see this film.  Do yourself a favor and grab a friend (or just your wallet) and go see "This Is The End."

In other news, my bed dwarfs every thing in my life right now LOL.  Every time I come into my room I am compelled to lay on it because it's so fucking comfortable.

To make my bed even more heavenly, I bought two contoured memory foam pillows.  So sleeping on my days off have become quite the habit, especially now that I'm full-time.

Have I mentioned that I love my job? LOL I know I have but...yeah, I love my job.

Oh!  And since I'm on the topic of my job, guess who called me at work when I was helping a customer?  Another fucking student loan company!  This is getting ridiculous.  Of course I caved in when I heard the words "wage garnishment" and I set a monthly payment agreement...

but to have the audacity to call my job is ludicrous and down-right ruthless.  I left a really nasty message on the person's voicemail because when I called them back, during the time she said to do so, she didn't pick up.  Long story short, no one's getting anything garnished.  Thank God I'm making more money (because I have more hours) because now that's two student loans that I have to pay off with my hard-earned money.  Sometimes being a semi-adult sucks.

Now, I'd like to take time to talk about my future.  I can honestly say that if things stay the way they are at my job I'd be willing to stay as long as I can.  I'm still going to be a writer but what's paying the bills right now is Bed Bath & Beyond...and I love my job.  My co-workers are pretty awesome too.  I want to be an actor as well, because being someone else is exciting.  This past weekend I was conversing with my friend Jesse about actors and actresses that deserved their Academy Awards.  Anne Hathaway became the topic of discussion and we both agreed that she did a stellar performance in "Les Miserables."  We pulled up her rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" on YouTube and something magical happened. (Watch it here!)

Once she started singing I entered her character's life.  Fantine, the character she masterfully portrayed, sacrificed her well-being and eventually her life for the safety and fortune of her child.  All of this was expressed in her solo and I almost started crying because I realized that I don't want to be an actor just for its perks of fame and fortune.

I want to become an actor to leave an impression in the hearts of those who see me on a screen.  I want to evoke tears from just a glance; a laugh from just a lift of an eyebrow.  I want to act because I want to be more than an actor.  I want to be a theatrical chameleon that can become any person and live the character's life by giving their story justice with the strength of my craft.

In addition to my career, I'd like to settle down with someone who loves me for me.  So far Warren has proven to me that he isn't like other guys.  He wants to wait to have sex with me, which never happens LOL.  Guys are always ready to jump into bed with me and I'm always willing to do the same.

I'm trying really hard not to fall for this dude quickly because every time that's happened in the past, I've been disappointed.  Plus I'm not trying to introduce him to my family until we're official, and by official I mean dating for like three months and possibly an item.  (I have brought dudes around my family when we just started dating and my step-dad would throw phrases around like "my new son" and "welcome to the family."  WTF?)

This is probably the only place where I can talk about Warren and not feel like a total schoolgirl about it.

He and I are so similar that it's frightening.  We both have admitted that we like to color, I legit mean color as in color in a frikking coloring book.  We watch TV shows together over the phone.  We both love Italian food.  We both think Halle Berry was a poor casting choice as Storm in "X-Men."

(That's supposed to be lightning.)

Plus this dude makes me laugh and he laughs at my corny jokes.  He just might be...let's not even go there.  It's only been a month and eleven days.  (I swear I'm not keeping track LOL).

Anywho, I want two lovely children, at least one of them has to have my DNA.  The other can have my partner's DNA.  I want a dog.  And more importantly I want to be happy with my life.

I have come to a point in my life where I am generally happy with my life.  The only big thing I want to change is my weight and diet.  I've been considering becoming a vegetarian, which is going to be extremely difficult because everyone in my household is a hardcore carnivore.

In time, we shall see...

What's important right now is getting to the "Word of the Week."

Pre-Love (pronounced pree-luhv): the state in which two or more parties are becoming heavily attracted to each other, emotionally; the honeymoon stage of dating; right before you realize you can't see your life without a certain person(s).

Example: Samantha - "Jenny, Bill is such a great guy.  He opens doors for me.  He actually listens instead of waiting for his turn to speak and he smells nice too."

Jenny - "Samantha, as a friend who loves you, I must tell you that you have been infected with the pre-love virus."

I believe it's time to get to some "Words of Wisdom."

"Life is about snapshots.  You never know who you're going to encounter in life and how they will effect you.  Always put your best into everything you do, even when the world isn't doing so.  Be strong.  Be beautiful.  Be you."

Okay my lovely duckies, "True Blood," "Veep," and "Family Tree" are coming on relatively soon and I have to finish my laundry and get my stuff ready for work tomorrow before then.

I love you for reading.

Have a fabulously sassy week.

-Gabriel Anderson

Let's Be Adults About This

Duckies!!!
I am soooo sorry for leaving you in the dark for so long.

A lot has happened.

About a month ago I came into work and one of my co-workers told me that someone called and left a message.  Upon seeing the message scribbled on a piece of paper, I saw the name and didn't recognize it as it any of the couples I've had so far.  But when I saw the number left, I knew who it was.  It was a 1-888 number, with an extension...only meaning one thing.  Student Loans had contacted my job because they discovered that I was finally working again!

Luckily, none of my co-workers knew who this person was so I didn't have the plight of being publicly embarrassed.  However, it doesn't stop there.  Recently--I'll say about a few weeks ago--I received a phone call from a number I didn't recognize and I picked up because something told me I should.  The conversation went as such:

Me:  Hello?

Mystery Person: Hello, is this the household of Gabriel Anderson?

Me: (sighing) Yes, it is.

Mystery Person: Hi, Gabriel.  My name is Sarah.  I'm calling in regards to your Student Loans from Blah-Blah Inc.  I'm calling to let you know that we've discovered you have been recently employed by Bed Bath & Beyond.  Is this correct?

Me: (pausing to stop my heart from pounding) Yes, this is correct.

Sarah:  Well, because of the status of your student loans and your recent employment, if we do not come to an agreement this week, my company will be forced to garnish your wages.

Once I heard this I surrendered.

Me: Sarah, just tell me what I have to do.  I'm all yours.  We don't have to do this.  I was just waiting for the right time to call you guys.

I was being awfully garrulous, just so I could keep my hard-earned money.  I love my job and Student Loans was about to take my fruits of labor away from me.  Fortunately, I was able to make a monthly agreement with them and all is dandy.

Speaking of work...I GOT A PROMOTION!

I'm still in my "probation period" at work, meaning to see if they want to keep me as an employee or not, and I got promoted to a full-time Bridal Consultant.  (I was hired as a part-time Consultant.)  This opportunity is rare.  People who have been in this department longer than I have don't even have this type of employment yet.  I haven't even been working three months in my department and I'm already seen as a superstar.  I'm not tooting my own horn because I am not arrogant.  But I must say when I go to work, I do just that: work.  Yes, I do socialize with my co-workers but that isn't what I was employed to do.  I was given a job to perform and I do my damned best to do it as efficiently and as masterfully as I can.  I am still learning and I can't thank my supervisors and managers enough for this incredible opportunity.  Since I'm now a full-time Consultant I am now eligible to receive medical and dental benefits, and later on (I believe) 401K and life insurance.

In other news, I have a date with that dude I was talking about in my last post.  We're going to see "The Purge" this Friday and then we're going out for a meal and drinks.

I think Friday is going to be splendid because I am looking forward to seeing the movie, which premise is quite remarkable.  In the film the world's government (or just the United States, I don't know) all crime is legal for twelve hours out of the year, this period of time being "The Purge."  In the trailer a family is securing their house, which they have reinforced somehow with bunker-like foundations.  However, that doesn't stop a group of maniacs from paying them a visit.  I can't wait to see it.

Click here to view the official trailer.

So I finally ordered my mattress and it should be arriving at my house tomorrow!!!

I cannot wait to christen the bed with my sexy body...and if I'm lucky my date LOL.

So when my bed comes and when I get a seating area for my chair and finish creating my galvanized-trash-can-table I will post the pictures of my room.  I'm sooooooooo thrilled!

(I couldn't help myself.  This picture was too cute.)

Also, I've come up with a great idea to purchase two bicycle wheel collages, from my job, as art pieces.  I'm going to print out my favorite pictures/moments from FaceBook and any original photos I have lying around, convert them to black and white and make them into statement pieces.  My room is so fetching.

Speaking of fetching, I've come up with a name for the dog I'm going to get for myself: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Well I've decided what to name him.  I'm going to name him Achilles Reginald Gardner.  Such a prestigious name, right?!  He's gonna be so spoiled and well-mannered.

Anyway, enough about me.  Let's get to the Word of the Week.

Narnians (pronounced nar-nee-ins): someone who is "in the closet" or denies their true sexual desires; a "down-low" or undercover person; one who cannot accept their true self.

Example:  "Sometimes I question Daryl's true self.  Whenever he drinks he's very touchy-feely with his guy friends.  He's totally a narnian."

Now it's time for some Words of Wisdom.

"When one informs you that a task is impossible, take into account that anything is possible if you work hard enough.  What's impossible for one can be possible for another."

Okay duckies, I think that will be all for this post.  My schedule isn't set in stone but I do know that I am off next week Monday so I'll try to squeeze in a post and let you in on my life.

I love you for reading.

Stay fabulous and have a sassy week.

-Gabriel Anderson

Bad Apples

Hi duckies!  I hope everything is awesome on your end.  I know I'm just doing swell.  As you know last week was my first complete week in my department: Bridal & Gift Registry.

Every one of my co-workers, even those who aren't in my department keep asking me the same question:

"Antoine, how do you feel about Bridal so far?"

And my answer is always the same:

"I feel like such a dweeb...because I absolutely love it."

My department stands out from the rest because everything is so pristine and looks so formal.  In addition, the dress code for my department is a little more...dressy.  I wish you could see the outfits I wear to work; sometimes I even dazzle myself with the coordination and colorful ensembles I can pull off.

(Just an example of my everyday work clothes.  I wore gray slacks and brown suede Calvin Klein with this ensemble.)

One of the things I love most about my job is I pretty much dress like this everyday so when asked during my interview if being "dressed-up" would be hassle I told them that the necktie is my favorite accessory.  Besides being fully naked, I feel most comfortable in a suit and tie.

Oh!  On my way to work one day I was starving and I happened to be passing a farmer's market.  So I decided to buy the cheapest thing because that's what you do when you're 1) starving 2) rushing to work 3) and don't wanna be molested by someone's Great Dane at a Farmer's Market.

The cheapest thing happened to be one red delicious apple, which happens to be my absolute favorite apple.  It's just something about the crispness of each bite and sweetness of its core that entices my taste buds.

Anywho, I'm rushing to work and eating my apple when this black dude was trying to sell his Hip-Hop/Rap album. He turns and says to me:

"If you love apples, I'll guarantee you'll love my album."

I couldn't help myself from laughing, but I quickly retorted with, "Nothing's more 'gangsta' than an apple!" before resuming with my rushing.

Speaking of apples, I ran into some bad ones on the train last night.  On my way home from work last night a mother came onto the train with four little children and they seemed so angelic.  They were these cute little black kids that seemed so full of energy: one boy came onto the train jumping like a little kangaroo, the only girl came into the train car laughing, one eagerly turned in his seat--onto his knees--to look at the bypassing trains, and the other one desperately needed a Kleenex.  I mean this boy's nose was running faster than a Kenyan.

I was reading David Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day," (he's one of my absolute favorite authors, check him out), and I had my headphones in my ears, meaning I was dead to the world.  However, these angelic little children caught my attention with their not-so-angelic antics.

It takes a lot for me to be constantly distracted from a book, especially anything written by David Sedaris.  The smiles and turning in their seats from the little angels quickly turned into screaming and swinging around poles.  The girl was sitting next to a very handsome Caucasian man, must have been in his late 20's or early 30's, who was bewitched by the children's initial charm but was quickly dismayed when the young girl decided to use his leg as an arm rest.  This must have been incredibly awkward for the man because I obviously saw his body tense and he was squirming so the little girl would get the hint and remove her elbow from his mid-thigh.  Eventually the man got off the train and didn't have to suffer the tyranny of the children.  The others kids were hitting each other and running throughout the train car and were knocking into people, without saying a thing, and while all of this was happening the mother did nothing but bop her head to her music...for the most part.

She hit the one with the snotty nose because he seemed to be the gremlin of the group.  I could just feel the "bad" emitting from his little frame, as he sat directly across from me mouthing words that made snot fall into his mouth.  He didn't deserve a napkin though.  He kept taunting the mother was an empty Easter basket, tapping her with it until she snapped and hit him.  And he would just laugh and start the process again.  I was so distracted from reading that I had to go to the other side of the car so I could try my best to finish the current chapter before I had to get off the train.  But with my luck the kids were like watching an embarrassing car crash.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of them.

I don't know if it was the little girl dropping it like it was hot or the boys rolling on the floor but I felt sorry for the mother because everyone kept looking at one another, myself included, thinking, "How the fuck does she live with these pack of demons?"

Fortunately enough the pack of demons and negligent mother exited the train before I had to so I was able to finish my daily reading without further distraction.

In other news, have I mentioned how much I love my job?  Like I really love it!  I escorted my first couple around my store yesterday and they were such a delight.  We walked around for close to two hours and it was fabulous.  I really built a relationship with the couple and it was actually easier than I was told it would be.  Yes, some things I still need to brush up on, like where certain things are in the store LOL, but I did well for the most part.

I also did my first housewarming registry as well, and that went swimmingly.  I think this department is exactly what I've been looking for because I love everything about it so far.  Some of my co-workers told me it can get a little crazy with couples sometimes...but I'm so ready for it.  I've been through fire and ice and I'm still kicking.

Last night I had to close the stores with one of the best consultants and I asked her honest opinion of my work ethic so far and she said, "I think I may have some competition."

My voice got so high when I said "Thank you," to her and I was absolutely floored.  I found it to be such high praise coming from her because she is incredible at her job and I idolize her commitment to the department.  She does so much for the company and I just want to thank her.  Thank you Milagros!  You are an angel and a shining star that never quits.

Okay duckies, I've said enough for the moment.  Let's get to some Words of Wisdom.

"A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.  If you believe in what you do, then approval should be the least of your worries.  Just start doing what you love and focus on the end result because if you do that the journey will be twice as fun."

I think it's time for a Word of the Week.

This word of the week is:

Fun-sucker (pronounced phun-suh-cer): one who enjoys destroying the jovial side of things; a person who never sees the silver lining; a pessimist.

Example: "Oh honey, you better not invite George to your anniversary party.  He's going through a terrible divorce and he can be a real fun-sucker at celebratory events."

OMG!  I forgot to mention that I went to see "Jurassic Park" in IMAX 3D this past Saturday...and it made me love the film even more, which I didn't think was possible.  The sound was incredible.  The picture clarity was astonishing and I cannot wait for the rumored "Jurassic Park 4" that's said to come out next year.

Okay my loves.  I want to go have some fun and get crazy with my sexy friends.  It's going to be a beautiful night.

Have a wonderful week my loves. 

I love you for reading.

-Gabriel Anderson

In Love

Hey there duckies!  I'm sure all is well on your end...and if things aren't just know that everything will be in time.

Loves, I am so in love...with my job.  I know it's only been a week (and it's only training/orientation) but I absolutely love working at Bed Bath & Beyond.  Tomorrow will be my first day in my actual department--Bridal Registry--and I'm so excited.  My direct manager seems so fun and I feel like we're going to have a great time working together.  I think I'm an invaluable employee because I always put 100% into every task given, if it's just doing something on Microsoft Excel.

Oh! You know how every job comes with a manual about your company, covering topics like sexual harassment, fraternizing, and other important matters?  Well I read the entire manual and I found out something interesting.

I discovered that since I am now an employee of the company and that I mention the company in my blog, I must make a disclaimer.  Well, here is my official disclaimer as a Bed Bath and Beyond employee.

I, Antoine Gardner, an employee of Bed Bath and Beyond, as of March 18, 2013, hereby inform the readers of this blog that I am expressing only my opinion and no one else's on this social media platform.  I will not post confidential matters about my employer on this platform and everything posted here is solely my opinion and my opinion alone.  Thank you.

Anyway, now that that's taken care of let's get to something juicy.  Remember the hottie I was talking about last time?

Well he's just a great guy.  He's too young for my liking, meaning we can't even legally go out for drinks, but he seems like a real cool dude.  I would definitely enjoy being his friend outside of work, as well as being a cordial co-worker.  In addition, there's tons of eye candy at my store anyway to keep my entertained...but I will NEVER approach someone about pursuing a romantic/intimate relationship and/or fling because I don't fuck where I eat, for the most part.

I think I'm going to really enjoy this job because the people at my job are in my age bracket, for the most part, so I'll be able to converse and relate to them.  At my other jobs people were usually older than me and all they wanted to talk about was my youthful and crazy life or something old people talk about, like retirement, children, and their dislike of Lady Gaga.

In other news, I've developed a slight crush on someone and recently exchanged numbers with them.  He is so dreamy.

He's a "friend of a friend" and right when I met him I had a feeling he was a person that listened to "my kind of music."  We exchanged numbers and one day we both got really intoxicated--well, I can't speak for him; I know I was--and I shot him some texts telling him that I found him extremely attractive.  And guess what he said?  "Wow, thank you.  I think you're very handsome and you have a pretty smile."

Do you know how quickly my jaw dropped and how fast my face turned red?  Thank God he wasn't standing in front of me.  I probably would have tried to steal a kiss.  The fact that this dude even uttered those words, even if they were just friendly and platonic made me feel so...noticed.  He's one of those people who is as beautiful outside as they are inside, as far as I know.

Anywho, we kept conversing via text and then I asked if he was single.  He told me he was currently trying to get out of a relationship that wasn't working out anymore.

I feel a bit indifferent about this update because four things could happen:

1) He could hash things out with his significant other and they could get back with each other;

2) He could end things with his partner and he could just want to be single for awhile;

3) He could terminate the relationship and make me his rebound;

4) He could end things with his dude and end up not wanting to be with me.

Although, I wouldn't mind dating him as soon as he's available, I wouldn't want to pressure him into anything.  I'm not that kind of dude.  But I wouldn't mind getting to know him.  He seems like such a sweet guy and whatever choice he makes would be cool.  I mean, just being friends with him would even tickle my fancy.  Do you know how hard it is to find real gay friends in the city without them trying to fuck you?  It's damn near impossible.

But regardless of what happens, I'm just going to focus on me.  I've been trying to find a stable job and now I have it.  It's time to keep this job so I can attain my next goal, which is to move out...AND NEVER COME BACK!

(Okay, I mean never come back in regards to me starting my true independence.  I didn't mean I wouldn't come back to visit. I love my family!)

(The above picture isn't my family--obviously--but you get the point.)

Have you guys heard Justin Timberlake's new album?! Oh-my-Jesus-on-a-bicycle!

(I can't believe I found an image of Jesus on a bicycle.  The Internet, i swear.)

Anyway, back to JT's album!

"The 20/20 Experience" is a divine masterpiece.  I am proud to say that I am a Justin Timberlake fan because his musicianship has really matured and this album really showcases his vocal talents and musicality.  I was floored at how wonderfully every song flowed into the next.  (I'm currently listening to it right now actually.  I can't stop!)  He only has a total of 10 songs on his album, including his first single off the album "Suit & Tie," but the album is over an hour long.  The average length of a song has to be around 7 minutes but it doesn't feel like that at all.  Justin Timberlake has truly come back to the relevancy of chart-topping hits once again, like he never missed a beat.

Oh! I keep forgetting to mention this duckies.  I have an Instagram account and you should follow me.  I mean everyone in their right mind should.  My Instagram handle/username is Antoinelikesbeer.  (Click here or any mention of Instagram on this page to go to my profile to follow me.) I mean, if you know me, you know I love beer, especially Sapporo.

I think it's time for a new Word of the Week.

This Word of the Week is actually an acronym.

D.I.T.Y. (pronounced "dih-tee"): Did It To Yourself; getting yourself into a situation knowingly; not minding one's business; being nosy.

Ex: "Tommy, you got arrested because you were stupid enough to smoke a joint in front of your building and not inside like a smart person. You d.i.t.y.!"

Now for some Words of Wisdom:

"Most people talk about doing something with their lives, only to watch it without trying to change it for the better.   How do you expect to stand out and progress if you're sitting down?  Take charge of every situation you're in and make sure to tweak it so you end as the winner in every situation.  If you don't come out as the winner get off the floor, dust yourself off, and try again.  This is your life."

Okay my loves. I hope you all have a wonderful week and sexy weekend.

I love you for reading.

-Gabriel Anderson