Reality

I started sending out "save the date" magnets for the wedding next summer. As I dropped the envelopes into the mailbox it dawned on me that this is going to become a reality. In less than a year Matt and I will be legally wed. Over the past few weeks I've been making arrangements for the ceremony (the hotel, save-the-date magnets, centerpiece stuff, wedding party) and it really hadn't sunk in until I dropped the magnets in the mail.

My biggest challenge is yet to come. At some point in the next few weeks I will officially come out at school. I've been in my current position for 8 years now and I'm a respected member of the faculty. I have a feeling that coming out isn't going to be a shock to a lot of people. Almost all the faculty and staff members in my building know and I have to think that it's pretty well known among the students (they never ask if I'm dating anyone). I guess the thing that I'm worried about is any parents who will be like villagers at the castle wall with pitchforks and torches.

The wedding is the reason I'm coming out to my kids. A few of our staff members have kids in the district, and when the save the date magnets go out, I can imagine that the kids will talk. I'm fortunate in that my boss is supportive of me 100%. We're going to meet with our district superintendent to plan my "outing". My goal is to be proactive with this because in our district rumors can spread very quickly.

School starts in less than two weeks. ACK!

Good Clean Fun

The last time I watched a soap opera on a regular basis was way back in college when I was hooked on "All My Children" and "Days of Our Lives". I gave em up when I actually had to get a job and plus there was that whole "Marlena gets possessed by the Devil" storyline.

There have been gay storylines on daytime soaps for quite some time. I never got into them because they simply weren't interesting to me, then came "One Life To Live". Last week I discovered the story of Kyle and Oliver that is currently playing out on the show. Oliver is a closeted member of the Llanview Police and Kyle is the guy that he had a relationship with in college, who is now back in his life. Over the past few months Oliver has struggled with his sexuality (and his relationship with "girlfriend" Layla). Things finally came to a head on this past Friday's show when Kyle kissed Oliver.

Any of my friends can testify that I have a HUGE weakness for cops, so this story arc really appeals to me. I can also relate to what the character is going through in his coming out process. In addition, the actor who plays Oliver, Scott Evans, is an openly gay actor. He also happens to be the younger brother of Chris Evans.

Of course now this means that I'm going to be taping OLTL every day to follow the story. Oh why does school have to start in a week and a half!

Me as Mad Men

I love, love, love, love the show "Mad Men". In preparation for Season 3 (premiering August 19th on AMC), amctv.com allows you to create yourself as a "Mad Men" character. So of course, I was in. It actually came out pretty good, even Matt agreed that it looked like me.

Feel free to create your own at MadMenYourself.