Dating a Fire Captian

                                                       

                                                                                Day 13

For me Grindr was a never-ending buffet of men served up daily all at the touch of a button. I felt like I developed a sixth sense for sex. Chasing tail came down to: "Looking?", "Dick Pics?" and "Can you host?". However, I had a message from a 30-something, asking how my day was going. Caught off guard, I wasn't really aware people actually talked on Grindr. I did have a break up only weeks earlier, and it had been awhile in the single world of boys, but I didn't know if he was serious. His name was Nick and had been in the business of saving people from raging infernos since age 17. I could barely make out his face and the profile information listed was pretty vague, but we hit it off immediately.
                                                                   

The fire captain wasn't looking for sex, but a boyfriend and potentially a husband. He made that very clear from the start. My wounds from the split with Braden were still raw and I wasn't sure if dating was even in the cards right now. However, the more we talked the more we realized how much we shared in common. Despite my journey through every pair of hairy open legs in Southern California, I have always been a one man kinda guy. I didn't miss Braden, but I did miss having someone to come home to, cuddle with and the accidental mid-night slap in the face while sleeping. I was honest with Nick. I told him I'm not sure what I am looking for, but we can start off as friends and go from their.                

Southern California has always been my home, particularly San Diego.  I moved away to college back east, just before I turned 20. I wanted a new experience, to see what cold weather was like and understand exactly where "New England" is. The concept of moving at the time, seemed like I had the world in my hand and anything was possible. For so many in Los Angeles there is a sense of wonder, opportunity and the feeling that the world is within reach. It is the place where dreams are chased, made, destroyed and always in progress. It hit me, when will I know that this is my calling, or is this the man I'm gonna spend the end of my days with?

Andrew Christian is by far my favorite designer of underwear. There are so many bold colors, products hug my body, and make me feel sexually desirable. It is very convenient that they are located in the heart of WeHo. I usually go on Tuesday's when happy hour is 50% off products. There is nothing wrong with a little retail therapy, especially when you're afforded the employee discount. I should be saving my money since I'm no longer working. When I was laid off, my boss Ted gave me a severance package and I was able to claim unemployment on top of that. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't imagine being on unemployment, due to the fact that I have been employed since age 16. I'm not sure how long I'm going to be without a job.

Andrew Christian

Tickets, parking tickets and traffic tickets seem to staking up. It has been at least 3 years since I've been so generously given a yellow slip by some of California's finest. However, upon moving to the city of Angels, I earned a ticket for speeding and another for driving in the carpool lane without an additional passenger. I purchased a "green" vehicle, but didn't not fill out the proper paperwork that allows to drive solo in the carpool lane. The total amounted to a whopping $2600, so I planned on heading off to court to see what I could negotiate, if any wiggle room was possible.  

Interview at Dior on Rodeo Drive

                               

                                                                      Day 4

Today was the big day at Dior. I thought since I moved to L.A, a recruiting service would help in finding the right job. The recruiter set me up to meet Michal, at the Luxe hotel. I parked by the Cheesecake Factory, arriving early and partially confused since one cafe is outside, while the other is  a bar indoors past the elevator. However, it was beautiful outside and for the first time in L.A, I felt a sense of serenity, despite Michael Kors crowd of customers swarming next-door. I reviewed the company, who Christian Dior was and their CCO inside my head, breathing heavily.

Luxe on Rodeo

Michal showed up more than 45 minutes late. It is bad enough showing up late for a date, but I don't think their is any greater insult than having an interviewer show up late. After my recruiter Lexi, confirmed the right time and place, she asked me to grab a coffee outside and be patient while they contact him. A tall slender figure appeared wearing a teal polo, black slacks, jacket and thick framed carrera style frames. I was caught off guard, as he was tall with delicate blue eyes and next day man stubble. He could be the cover for GQ in summer. With a smug look on his face he said "You must be my 10 o'clock, shall we begin?"

He put his hand up towards my mouth so he could order an expresso, as I walked him through my experience. He wanted to ensure that I was quiet while he ordered. At this point, he already corrected me for calling Dior Homme, Dior, since Dior Homme is only for men and not to be confused with ladies. As a former manager, who has interviewed and hired a number of different candidates, I feel common courtesy should be given no matter what the position. The Boutique Director continued to question away, concerned that my education may not be right for Dior. He blandly reiterated that he went to school in France and that it really makes a difference when working for a french designer. Before I left, he apologized for his tardiness and lack of communication. As a professional, I thanked him for his time, said "no worries" and departed feeling defeated.

Like many Actors, Comics and Artist in L.A., you become accustomed to rejection. I just hoped the feeling of being "unwanted" would eventually go away. After touching base with my recruiter Lexi, she assured me that maybe this wasn't the right job for me, but the perfect job will be worth the wait. I wanted to escape never the less. I just didn't want to be alone. I could occupy my time at home with a jack off and sean cody sesh, revisit the catalogue of never ending guys on grindr, or take a few days on a trip to San Diego. I have a lot of family that lives there, along with my best friend, Anastasia, who I have known since I was 16. Once I reached the parking lot by Cheesecake factory I thought San Diego it is. I went home, glad I wasn't staying since it was quiet and since Brian would be out on a date later that night, grabbed a couple of shorts and cotton t-shirts and left. 

I really liked the drive from L.A to San Diego as beautiful weather cleared my mind and I got that feeling again of "anything is possible with the world is in your hands".  The windows were down as Katy Perry was on blast, exiting the 163. I often wondered what Braden was doing, and thought about him every day. I wondered if he missed me, thought of me or had a new boyfriend and if he had sex with anyone else. I also knew I had to get serious about applying for jobs. I needed to have something positive in my life and constructive to keep my mind fresh. There were a number of things I could have been working on, but I felt that for the rest of today, I can enjoy going to blacks beach alone, work on my tan and focus on recharging. I wanted to run out on the beach naked, like so many have bravely done, but I wasn't feeling confident just yet. That was my goal. New job=confidence=naked at the beach.

                                                       Blacks Beach-Clothing Optional

Life, Love, Sex and Unemployment as a Gay 20-Something in L.A

This is a collection of my life as a Gay 20-something, from the East Coast trying to make it in the Fashion and Retail industry after being laid off. This is my experience dating, looking for a new job, finding sex and interviewing at some of the worlds best known fashion houses.

                                                                           Day 1 

I graduated college in 2011, with a degree in Business, and didn't anticipate at all working for a luxury brand. 2011 was also the year I met the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Braden was handsome, 6' 2, with dirty blonde hair, baby blue eyes, with large hands and feet and a personality to match. 

Andy is what he called me. It is my middle name, and I never liked my first name, Patrick.  I met Braden in the laundry room of my apartment complex. Being a small complex, we regularly ran into one and other, exchanged glances, smiled and made small talk. Small talk was usually over a small asian lady, who always seemed to be sitting in the laundry room, but never had laundry. 

I was laid of in September, just two weeks after I moved into a 2-bedroom in West Hollywood, the Gayborhood of L.A. My boss had recruited me via Linkedin, and I had only been with the company for about 6 months. I had previously worked as an operations analyst for a top 10 luxury brand. My boss Ted, asked me what my favorite restaurant was. I met him at Fresh Corn, in Weho and thats when he dropped the bomb on me. The company restructured and I was no longer need.

                                                                    Fresh Corn

Days later I met Kevin on Grindr, and we decided to have sex at my house.  He was only a few years older than me, in his early 30's, handsome, toned and ready for some NSA fun. As a struggling actor, he made sure that I knew all about his height at 6 ft 4, olive skin, dark brown eyes, and that he was half white, half Italian and fairly well hung. The last time I had sex was with Braden, before we broke up. I couldn't feel anything really. No job, no more fiance and sheer panic, all drove me to say "Fuck it". I need an outlet.

I touched Kevin's dick through his mesh basketball shorts, as it was semi-erect and pre-cum was slowing seeping through the fibers. My roommate Brian was gone at work and I still had unpacked boxes and clothes all around. I felt broken, as if my life was over and sex was the only remedy to put back the pieces. I spread my legs, as he asked, and don't remember a whole lot after that. He finished, put on his bright red Converse, said he had to go, shutting the door behind him. I couldn't cum, so I just laid their naked, listening to afternoon traffic pass, feeling lost.

After Kevin left, I received an email from my new recruiter, for an interview for Dior on Rodeo Dr. I had only a few days to prepare, but I was familiar with the brand, and excited about the opportunity. I was scheduled to meet a Manager by the name of Michal at the Luxe Hotel for coffee for about an hour on Thursday at 10 am. I had only been to the Dior location once before, and I have to say that I was rather intimidated. A lot of the guys there looked like models and had a lot more sales experience than myself. It was an honor to be asked to interview on one of the most well know streets in the world.