Xmas Letter 2010: Not a choose your own adventure

Well hello!  It has been a long time, I am so sorry I could not send anything last year; last year was an odd one for me in ways you will either already understand or soon will do after reading this years edition.

If you are reading this format of Christmas letter for the first time – congratulations!  Its like winning lotto only with no money cash prizes or coloured balls.

2010 began with a new years resolution.  This wasn’t just any kind of resolution – it was one that I felt I had to do this year.

I cannot really detail the rest of the year without revealing that resolution now so lets fast-forward to that first.  It didn’t happen until I think March?  But essentially went as follows:

I came out to my family that I am gay and have been living with my partner Nigel since late September 2009.

So if that is news to you and you are offended that I had never told you.  I am sorry.  I am telling you now.

If you are offended because you don’t believe in gay people.  I am sorry.  We do exist and come from what is known as the kingdom of karangahape.

If you are offended because I owe you money.  I am not really sure what that has to do with this but I am sorry.

You might have a bunch of questions but Ill let you ask them in your own time; here is a small FAQ to hopefully tide you over.

• No I don’t like or wear tight pants or jeans
• No I don’t like pink (that goes for both the colour and the singer) but I do own a pink shirt (the colour not the singer)
• Yes I love to watch Glee
• Yes I love musicals
• No I do not like to dress in womens clothing
• No I don’t like fashion nor do I have a handbag
• No I am not one of Tiger Woods secret mistresses

Right so back to the year that was 2010.

The year began and ends with Nigel but with a bit of both house and job switching in-between.

In early January we took a trip to the Gold Coast in Australia; our hotel was awesome and we had a brilliant time; shopping and doing the theme parks etc.  Lesson learned is that it kind of sucks to do the theme parks on the gold coast during the school holidays.  Dream World was more affectionately known as “Queue World” after our day spent there.

In I think March?  I came out to my parents.  Well I came out to my sister first.  It all happened as such.

Our friends Tim and Tamati were around for drinks and dinner.  The topic came up of family and coming out etc.  I mentioned how Id wanted to do it this year but was still finding the courage to do so.  Tim grabbed onto this and wouldn’t let go until I finally gave in and txt’d my sister given that it was late and it probably would not be a good idea to call so late at night.  The next morning she returned my txt and I called; it was hard to get the words out at first but once I did I received a very reassuring “well thank fuck for that!”

The rest from there is history really; I have never been so happy and comfortable with myself as I have felt right now and the events of this year are the reason for that.

I am so so so lucky to have such a warm, understanding and loving family as well as the best of friends who have been unbelievable in their support.

If you want to read more on it there is an article on my blog somewhere; if you are unsure of what a blog is; its what you are reading right now.

Anyway enough of that, on with the rest of the year.

In February we moved houses; we were in Buckland’s Beach but were being driven slowly insane by the school pool directly behind our fence and its screaming occupants.  We found a new place in Halfmoon Bay conveniently located fifteen minutes walk from the Ferry terminal.  Not terribly exciting news really but still news.

I celebrated my 27^th birthday in late March; I don’t actually remember much of what I did that night but that isn’t uncommon.

In April my darling nephew Hugo was born.  For those of you who are wondering – the answer is yes.  I did buy him a cute Anaheim Ducks outfit and had it shipped from California.

He is the cutest little man and I am so excited to be a part of his life and to be able to watch him grow.

Please send your congratulations to my sister Anneke and her husband Simon for producing such a sweetie should you feel the need.

Similarly in July my twin nieces were born.  Identical twins and as identically sweet as each other.  I am also super excited to be able to watch them grow and spoil them lots by taking them to Rainbows-End and to see Disney movies that you totally want to see but cant because it would be socially inappropriate if you went with a friend.

Their names are Sharna and Alexia; both healthy smiley girls.  Please send your congratulations to my sister Nicole and her husband Ian for blessing us with them.

Also in July – Nigel and I went to Sydney for a few days to visit friends.  He an old friend through brass-band ties and myself to see good friends Ian and Cat to whom I have totally claimed Godfather status to their first-born.  Right guys?

We got our hotel through a mystery deal and it was amazing!  I forget what it was called now but it was right in the centre of town with really cool amenities and a super fancy bar.  In typical gay fashion we went to see a musical; dragging along Ian and Cat with us.  It was called Wicked and it was a really good show; if you haven’t yet seen it I highly recommend it; if only for the amazing sets and the song “Defying Gravity”.

On the subject of musicals; we also went to see a local production of Rent this year.  That was pretty good too and I was glad to have finally seen it live having missed out on it when I was in New York in 2006.  I also took Mum and Dad to see Avenue Q which was as thoroughly awesome as all the hype portrayed it to be.

Also on that subject of travel – having skipped doing last years Xmas letter I forgot to mention I did make it to North America last year for a visit.  Seeing old friends in both the US and Canada.  I had a really good time in Las Vegas with good friends that I had met in Chicago in 2006.

In September we celebrated our one-year Anniversary, which in gay time is actually three years.  If you are unsure of what the difference between gay time and straight time is; “Gay time is like straight time – only instead of passing by it glides”.  Apologies to Jon Hawks; whom I shamelessly stole that line from.

At the end of September I handed in my resignation as Project Manager at Exceed Online and began my tenure at Sky Television as one of three Online Editors for the new iSKY website.  My reasons for leaving were driven largely by spending over two hours in traffic everyday; I really miss everyone at Exceed a lot but yea I definitely do not miss the distance and love all the extra free time I have now.  On that note, you should totally check out my old managers book “One Step At A Time” it’s a really good story.

At the same time in September Nigel’s brother Colin and his partner Paolo came over to visit from Wales.  Needless to say a lot of good times were had.  We rented a house on Waiheke and had a very pleasant few days touring wineries and looking around.  We also took them briefly up north to the bay of islands but the weather wasn’t very co-operative.   It was sad to see them eventually go but we have decided that we will probably spend next Christmas in Europe and will visit them then (among other people of course!  Put your names in now for the grand tour!).

Also any of you overseas are welcome to come visit and stay with us as well!

In late October I attended my good friends Ling and Joshs wedding; which was an extravagant affair set at the beautiful Alberton manor.  The wedding was so beautiful and I am so honoured to have been invited.  Thank you again Ling and Josh for inviting me.

And that about wraps it up!  I am in good health; though perhaps a little bit more tubbier (only a little bit); looking forward to the new year but also sad to see this one go given how great and life changing it has been for me.

I am still playing hockey; however I am in transition between teams at the moment.

Still playing summer soccer and managing the team (poorly) now; so I am managing to keep fit!

Still like to write every now and then (as you can see from this blog); I do wish I was better at it or at least as good as I used to be in high school.

Still into my small web projects and still trying to get my t-shirt label off the ground slowly, next year might be that next and final step to get it up in the air, who knows!

Thank you for reading, sorry this wasn’t a “choose your own adventure” piece like previous years.  I didn’t think that would lend well to a blog article.

Big thanks to Rachel Croft for sending me a christmas card; I am really bad with that kind of stuff but I hope you all enjoyed this letter!  If it has been too long since you have seen or heard from me (when is it ever not?) please please please do not hesitate to get in touch I would so love to see you!

Wishing you all a very merry christmas and a happy new year with lots and lots of love.

John.