About a Boy...called Ryan Bingham

Happy new year! I have been remiss in writing because I have actually been busy, like, all the time. I think it's cute to add "like" as a sentence splitter. It makes me feel 16 again, which, as you know, was only a few short years ago.
It is a glorious rainy Sunday morning in Portland, and my guy and I are reading the Sunday Oregonian and listening to Elaine Stritch's Sail Away. On vinyl! Yes, that's right. Santa brought us a new record player for Christmas, and we love it. I forgot how wonderful vinyl sounds. My memories of having a record player are mostly limited to placing my pet parakeets on the turntable and switching the speed from 33 to 45 to 78 and watching them get all dizzy. You may think that sounds mean, but these were hissing parakeets that refused to learn to talk, no matter how frequently I would repeat "Hello, Gorgeous! Hello, Gorgeous!"
Back to the purpose of this entry. SPOILER ALERT: If you somehow have NOT seen A Single Man or Up In the Air, and you still plan to see them, and you have a thing about spoilers, stop reading.
T and I were very excited to see A Single Man with Colin Firth as a gay college professor dealing with the loss of his long-time lover while being pursued by both his haggy lush of a best friend AND a strikingly tan gorgeous young student played by none other than the BOY from About A Boy. The film was directed by Tom Ford so of course the whole movie looked like a Ralph Lauren ad. All crisp collars and tan #2 foundation, blond highlights on everybody and an aura of sex throughout.
The performances were very good all around, and that BOY was quite convincing in his pursuit of Firth. What was not so convincing was Firth's resistance. There is no moddle-aged gay man on earth, I don't care how depressed, forlorn or withdrawn, that would resist the advances of such a beautiful young man, especially while standing NAKED in his bedroom! So, once again, this tragidrama became a farce. Oh, Precious.
One of my favorite films of the year was Up In the Air. I understand many people were not as charmed by this film as I, but it struck a chord with me. Speaking with a good friend whose film critiques I highly regard, I was surprised to hear that she found the film a little depressing. Upon reflection though, I realized that this is one of those films that leaves you to sort out the ending for yourself. I found myself relating to Ryan's journey from beginning to end. Not that I have earned Elite status on any airline or that I get to fly around and fire people for a living (though it is a dream of mine), but his is a journey similar to my own.
Prior to nesting with my numero uno hombre, I was blissfully single for ten years. Those ten years included occasional showmances and maybe even a one-nighter or two along the way. I say "maybe" because, well, who can remember? But I had pretty much resigned myself to always being single. And the thought of sharing my life and everything in it with another person seemed onerous.
In January of 2005, however, I gave in, and happily. I decided this is what I want. And I have never looked back since. I cannot, and will not, imagine my life without Tommy.
Then, last year, we had a mutual impulse to change up our lives even more drastically. We were ready to get out of LA and start fresh in a new city, far away from our comfort zones. This proved to be the ultimate adventure and one we have not regretted in the least.
At the end of Up In the Air, Ryan realizes that he is ready for a relationship. He is ready to connect with someone on a more-than-physical level. Is it heartbreaking when Alex turns out to be the rogue? Of course! But, in my mind, Ryan is now aware of what he wants. Yes, he goes back in the air and resumes his routine. For how long, we don't know. What's apparent to me is that he is a changed man. And I believe he will now embrace life more desirous of commitment and open to possibilities outside of what he knows and with which he is comfortable.
I certainly am not saying that committed relationships are for everyone, or even that everyone has some sort of pre-destined fate. But I love Ryan Bingham because he does open himself up and allows himself to be vulnerable, and I believe he will do it again. And perhaps he is even looking forward to it.
As we charge into 2010, I am excited about what this year brings. I am loving my day job much more than I thought I would, and I am thrilled about the theater scene up here. I have shows lined up through May, and the week after I close Wild Space A Go Go, we leave for a two-week Europe trip.
I am Ryan Bingham. No need to remind me of the differences between George Clooney and myself. Thank you, anyway. My point is I am sailing into this new year in this new city with a lust for life, and I hope you are doing the same.
Love to you and yours, and best wishes for a happy, healthy and life-affirming new year!