TGIF

It's important for me to stop now and then and take inventory of my life and reflect honestly on how things are progressing. Friday night gave me a good opportunity to do this.

After a fun couple hours of drumming at the UU I called JVJ to see about a quick drink before heading home. We ended up at our local watering hole, pleased to find some freindly faces and plenty of people watching opportunities. One of the folks that we met up with was Brian, who I've not seen for over a year. As a matter of fact last time I saw Brian I was just beginning the coming out prcoess and had just told JVJ herself a few months earlier. Excited by meeting a gay man who was comfortbale with and seemingly accepted by many of my straight friends I quickly cam out to Brian.

Friday night Brian was talking quite humbly about living in New York, the challenges of moving frequently with his job and anxiety about liking our home town here in the south. While he enjoys visiting this town we call home (and which he also called home for some time) he feels more comfortable in a bogger city and admitted sheepishly that he attributes much of this to a higher number of available gay men.

I was surprised with my comfort in communicating that I was finally comfortable here in town. I have a strong and supportive community and friends, enjoy being near my family and am seeing a boy I love. Without hesitation I finally, after years of struggling with the temptations of getting back to my big city roots, have found a place in my life where it's okay to stay. As Phish said, "find yourself a city to live in." Once your there, let it become your home.