I have to apologize for not updating for a while, I have to admit that life's been hectic.

Gary and I came back from Dallas in early June because he said he wanted to come home. The rehab had been going well, but in the last month, Gary had started regressing and his attitude had become that there wasn't any hope for him. I knew he had thought about an exit, but I didn't know how difficult it would be to let him carry out his wishes. It was all I could do to get through it, but I knew he wanted to be free of pain and at peace. I took a deep breath and started carrying out his wishes.

He entered hospice and was finally given pain medicine that would allow him to be comfortable...and also made him have intermittent consciousness. After two weeks in hospice, Gary passed on 06/28/08 at 12:30 pm. Anthony and I were holding his hands when he went. I never felt such loss in my life. I would never wish that feeling on anyone. The only comfort has been the fact that he is in a better place, out of pain, and not restrained by his body any longer. I keep his photo on my dresser so that I get to see him every morning. I will always love him, and he will always be my best friend.

I found Gary's Mother's family in Georgia and delivered some family mementos to them. I was ecstatic to get to meet the people I had heard about even if I didn't like the circumstances that brought us together. I can see where Charlotte (Gary's Mom) got her personality...they were some of the kindest, most loving people I have ever met.

The weekend after I got back from Georgia, I left on the road trip for two weeks. My first stop was Austin, where I got to deliver some momentos to Terry, Gary's oldest friend and favorite artist. Terry and Sharon were welcoming and loving when Gary and I would need a weekend away from Dallas. It felt strange to be in Austin at Terry's house without Gary. Luck would have it that when we went out to dinner, we celebrated that day, it was Gary's birthday, he would have been 51. How I missed him that night, but I knew he was with us all as we sang to the chair where he would have been.

While in Austin, I also got to see my friend Paul, and go to a few local places he loves....he knew how to make me feel at home there.

Next stop was Albuquerque, where I got to meet online friends Chuck and Denver. I've talked to these guys online for years and finally got to meet them in person...I have to say they are a blast and people I will always consider friends.

Then it was off to Ogden, UT to pick up Carl. Carl is moving into the guest room to get his life back in order. Anywho, LOVE LOVE LOVE his family. Mom Vilma is crazy, like Panamanian guerilla fighter crazy, but with culinary skills....love her. Dad Denny is there....and we think he likes porn, but no proof. Sister Michelle is like a sober socialite...we'll work with that.

Carl and I piled in the car and headed for Seattle. We made it there the first night and were staying at the Hilton in Capitol Hill.  Well, we get there and are trying to find a liquor store, but they were all closed due to it being 10pm.  We decide on eating Mexican food....(don't ever do this in Seattle).   Anywho, Carl almost ate the host after a big misunderstanding...then we went and found liquor.  Next day was off to see Doc and his partner in Suquamish and then back to my brother's house.  We had a blast at the Experience Music Project and a few other places around town...oh, and Donna (my sis-in-law) is totally hooked up with where to get cupcakes.

We left Seattle and went back through Ogden to see Carl's fam, then it was off to Albuquerque before ending up in Lubbock...yes, Lubbock, where we met up with my cousin John and his partner Ron.  Two great guys.  We're cousins even though he's 30 years older.....after a few drinks and some exchange of family gossip, we left out again for a night in Fort Worth, then off to Houston for lunch with Mark and Donald.  After Houston, we made it by to see Jody and Ed in Port Arthur, then bedded down in Lafayette....then finally home to Tampa.

Carl then got his first experience in Tampa when I was shot later that week in an attempted carjacking.  No worries, though, it was only muscle damage and they caught the guy.  I'm healed up and doing fine.

That should catch you up....now let's see if we can get to some regular basis blogging.