Book of Sand

 I had been seeing Ben at least 3 times a week since the end of winter break. Finally after an unfortunate episode in which we almost ended things, brought about, unfortunately by an innocent but thoughtless and hurtful transgression by me (aided by J), we decided to make it official and became exclusive boyfriends on 4/17/2023.  Things rapidly improved after that point, and he said that even if difficult conversations, I always say the perfect thing to make him feel better.  There was a brief stumble around Memorial Day, I think when he went home for a long weekend and started browsing Grindr and became upset about something (again innocent, I swear) in my profile. We talked about it, and I think he admitted that I had done nothing wrong and it was his imagination "self-sabotaging" as he put it.  I know I am his first boyfriend and really he first actual serious relationship, so it is understandable that he can be nervous and touchy.  Overall though, I find him...

 Been reading a book called Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, very easy to read, thoughtful, well done.  Looking forward to reading more by him. Watched The Mole and Physical 100 on Netflix, also rewatched Yakuni Tatsu, which is now on Netflix called The Full Time Wife Escapist. They did a New Year's special in 2021.  Everyone looked older, except for Hoshino Gen who looked exactly the same.  Been trying to read a book called Cain by Jose Saramago and watch a Netflix show called Hot Skull about a language virus. The Last of Us in coming out now on HBO, but I am holding off until I can watch all of it. In the meantime, I found a show called The Soldiers on Korean tv, a reality competition for ex-special forces agents, that includes endurance and physical challenges but also milsim - hostage rescue, underwater bomb recovery, red-on-blue team battles. This lead me to SAS: Who Dares Wins, another UK based reality show about the SAS selection course, but this time for r...

Switching from arms/leg to an arms/legs/back-core schedule to match the 3x per week sessions. Today will focus on back and core: 4x15 lat pull down (50-80) 4x15 upright seated row (50-60) 4x15 back extender (60+) 4x15 pull-up assist (70-50 lb assist) 3x30 planks 15 min cycling

 Ben brought BBW wings and frozen fries and we watched Physical 100, #3 and 4.  Really fun time, enjoyed the delicious wings and cuddled for a bit after. Worked out at Planet Fitness, did legs: 4x15 leg press (195), extend (50-65), hams (50), adductors (36) 

 Leo (Yiming Li) is leaving town this week finally for NYC, and his new job at Circle(?).  As a farewell, he invited us to dinner at Mandarin Wok, and ordered several entrees (crunchy skin duck, chicken kaarage, fried sweet tofu and some vegetable dish, steamed spinach leaves or something, with pork. He frisnd from NY was there visiting too, and weirdly it ended up being him and I talking and the other two kind of silent, which Yang remarked on.  he said he is usually pretty quiet and has a hard time maintaining conversation in English. He doesn't have a hard time with me, although he can be a bit quiet at dinners.  After dinner we came home and had some cuddle time.  I haven't seen him in a while, he says he is busy with work and flying, although he has been grounded due to weather lately.  Also, his stomach is still bothering him, and he is avoiding spicy foods. Leo is a sweet and lovely guy, I will miss him, and hope maye see him again in spring when his...

 It is Restaurant Week in CU and Sun Singer was having a prix fixe 3 course menu for $42, so Ben and I went for dinner.  I had the lobster nachos and he had the scallops avocado tostadas for starters.   I had the beef medallions with mushroom risotto and he had the lamb chops with pilaf.  Both had braised asparagus. For dessert, I had the pineapple upside down cake and he had the creme brulee. We really enjoyed the meal and discussed each dish. We also talked about the movie The Menu and many Wes Anderson films as well. Mentioned Triangle of Sadness, part of the eat the rich trilogy. We are both hooked on the Netflix show Physical 100, a new episode drops Tuesday and he is coming over with some bbq wings for a watch party. We need to talk about travel for spring break.  (Travel was a big topic with Leo and his friend, they travel constantly apparently. His friend is originally from Singapore, possibly. Yang thinks they must be very rich.) Its only two days ...