As always, you can contact us at thegaycountryboy@gmail.com or leave us a voice mail at 678-765-9776.

I am joined on this episode with Romo and Buhlou for a pretty great podcast.  I would rate this podcast as X-Rated!  So be aware. When it says explicit, that’s what it means! LOL.  We talk about all kinds of things from the gross to the not so gross.  You be the judge!

On the way, we stopped to eat at a new place to us called The Brick Store Pub in Decatur, GA.  It was rather different from what we are used to…that being Italian McDonalds (Olive Garden), Outback, Applebees, or the other few restaurants in the general area of the Mall of Georgia.  This new place was in a small row of shops in an older building.  The wall of the restaurant was made of red bricks and since Atlanta is really cold right now, those bricks were freezing.  The door to the place was made of wood with an odd large wood door handle.  The bottom of the door allowed light to come underneath it and freezing air.  The atmosphere of the pub was cool.  There was a large bar in the back with a great muscle bear bartending.  There was an upstairs area over the bar where, I guess, you could go if you wanted to get away from everyone and be closer to the heat vents.  The food tasted great.  Travis had the chicken fingers (original) and I had the Pirogi Primavera. You can check out the place at http://www.brickstorepub.com/home/.

We then visited Don and caught up on things.  We talked about people we went to UWA with and how we were getting reunited on Facebook.  Don was a photographer years ago before his eye sight began to go bad.  He has a ton of equipment and wants to get back into taking pictures.  The only problem is that his eye sight requires him to have a magnifying glass to see the digital screen on the camera.  We think we can get him a tool for it.  We will have to see what we can do.

After leaving Don’s house, we met our longtime friend George at Roxx in Atlanta on Cheshire Bridge Road.  Look them up online for directions because they do not have a website.  We had never been to that restaurant either.  It somewhat reminds me of another place in Atlanta called Joe’s on Juniper.  They have a good variety of wines and beers and the entrees are good too.  I settled for a large salad since it had not been that long since eating.  We talked to George for a while over good food.  We had not seen him in person in a few years but had somehow kept up online.  While at the table, a friend we had made while playing Texas Hold’em at a local bar walked by and we got a great hug and Hello!  We finished eating and talking to George for a while longer.  As much as we didn’t want to, we put on our jackets and hats and went outside into the freezing night air.  We hugged George good-bye and hopped in the car, starting on our journey back to our home north of the city.

It’s great to get out sometimes and go visit those that mean a lot in your life.  Even though you may not see them often, true friends hold a part in everyone’s life and an important one at that.  I plan on making these more important than they already were, even if it means letting some other things go to do it.

I have hit a somewhat milestone in The Gay Life of a Country Boy…Episode 10!  I am doing this podcast with my friend Terminally Single Tim.  We talk about a whole bunch of stuff from strippers at the bar on Saturday night to skinning squirrels as a child to deer drives and then the most butch of all things….soap operas! LMAO! You bet I know a few things about the soap opera world! Thanks Mom!

Have a great week, yall!
Wes

It's The Big Fatty...Online....with bodily soundtrack!

Miss Wes Stone...cookin' up a storm!

Kim Beaver's Lodge...does it have beaver dams?

Terminally Single Tim......or better yet, the baby arm!

I hope I can get out and meet many more podcasters.  This is such a fun thing to take part in.  If you haven’t listened to one, go out and find the best one for you.  I’m sure there is one to get you going….in any way possible!

I had been told in the recent past that I should tell my coming out story.  Well, if they only knew how long it was, they probably would have never asked me to tell it.  I had to split my story into two parts.  Here is the first part from childhood into college.  The second part is in the process of being created.  I really hope this stuff doesn’t bore people to tears!  It’s my story, whether special or not.

Have a great week!
Wes

I hope you like the vidcast. Due to overloading the bandwidth, I had to put them on YouTube and post the links. Hope that is OK! LOL

Wes

Boats docked at Holiday Marina

end and awaiting patiently for us to board. We loaded it up with our coolers and my fishing tackle. Yes, I was ready to fish while the others were ready to go boating and get sun. I take my chances when I get them! We unhooked the ropes and were on our way out to God only knows where on this very large body of water….the ever beautiful, but sometimes really low, Lake Lanier.

Once out on the water, it was time to get comfortable. Mike, and his BFF Mark, got into their trunks and took off their shirts while I, of course, being the one that is supposed to be the country boy in the group, could not just wear trunks. I might have a lot of things country about me, like the way I talk, the way I sometimes dress, and even the things I choose to do with my free time, but does not include covering myself up in the hot sunshine. I have never understood why guys get into the sun and wear shorts that go down to their knees or even past them. If I wanted to wear that much material, I would just jump into the water wearing my jeans. That would lead to me being as white as a sheet. I would scare people senseless and it’s not even Halloween. I can’t have that! I am trying my best to get a good color again. Given that, I decided to wear my favorite bikini swimsuit from UnderGear.

“OMG”, you say, with your jaw hitting the floor. “I can’t believe you wore that to go fishing. What the hell were you thinking?”

Well, let’s go back in time about a year. We were floating down the Chattahoochee River on inner tubes. As we floated downstream, we had to pass men trout fishing. Some were out in the middle of the river while others stood on the banks. After floating a while, these two men came into view. I be damned if one guy wasn’t wearing square cut, skin tight swimwear and having the time of his life. I gave him a thumbs up and he

Getting some sun after fishing for a bit

smiled and said it was pretty hot out. I agreed and floated on passed him. I thought that was a testament in the sportswear of guys. If this country guy, and you could tell he was quite country, could get out there and comfortably fish in just these skimpy shorts, what should stop me? Plus, I am 31 years old….not 65. Why not dress in things such as this while I have the chance? When I reach that age, I will just wear them to Gulf Shores, AL and walk along the beach.

We found a place on the lake near some trees and dropped anchor. I got out my rod and reel and used the worms and minnows I had left over from my last trip. The worms looked as though they had seen better days. They were lying together in a big glob, probably trying to stay warm! I had them stored in a small fridge in the garage. I placed one on my hook and chunked it into the water. I felt some tugs and nibbles, but nothing major. I reeled in a few times and only replaced the bait once.

On the last cast, I got pretty far out into the lake. I felt this was going to be a great spot. I was fishing on the bottom, hoping the fish were taking a break from the heat. The lake was a bit choppy and was moving us around a bit. I felt a pull and jerked the rod backward. Yeah, it’s a bitch how tricky the lake can be. There are all types of rocks and trees under the water of Lake Lanier from when the area was flooded and, since then, because of erosion. That was my fish. A big rock on the bottom had snagged my line. When something like that happens, the only thing you can do is cut the line. I was so pissed by this point. One thing I got from my Dad is the ability to get irritated very easily. It’s not something to brag about, but it has been passed down to many a person in my family. I ran the line back through the eyelets and put weights back on the line along with a new hook. I collapsed my rod as small as it would go, reeled in the spare line, and neatly stored everything away till we got back to the dock. Yes, that was my fishing for the day!

After fishing, Mike went around the shore, seeing how many people were out having a good time. Since the waters have risen again, people have been taking every opportunity to get out of the house on pretty days for swimming and playing. People were jumping into the water left and right, sloshing water on people wading around. We found a cove and decided to beach the boat for a few. We jumped off the boat for a few. Since no one was around, we swam au natural! That’s right! We stripped and felt the coolness of the water as it was meant to be felt. I loved swimming in the lake, but would have rather the bottom been more sandy than slimy. It wasn’t like swimming in the Alabama River. Most places I have swam on that river has had sandy bottoms. We had our fun and jumped back on the boat for the return trip to the marina.

While out on the lake, you can see many different types of boats. I saw one boat that I would love to own. Anyone who enjoys being out on a boat would love to have this baby. The ideas of parties that could be had on this thing are endless. There were quite a few people on it and they all looked

House/party boat seen on Lake Lanier

like they were having a great time, especially the people at the front. It looked like there was a hot tub on that end. A few years back, I was with friends at a cove, officially named the Gay Cove for over the past 20 years. One of the boats had been rented for the weekend with a hot tub. It was awesome! I was invited aboard and had a great time. Who would have thought I would end up in that situation?!

On our way back, unfortunately, the boat decided to have some technical difficulties. One of the boat’s warning sounds began to scream real loudly at the three of us. Mike cut the boat off, thinking that it needed to cool down. He tried to crank it back up, but it made a bad clicking noise, telling us not to try that again. Man, did Mike become pissed? You better believe it! His new nickname to me is Cartman! The “F” word rolled off that tongue more times than it did in Scarface or in the South Park movie. Mark and I just sat there and listened, being the only thing we could do in the situation. Another large boat was in the vicinity and gave us a tow back to the marina. If you think it is embarrassing to have your car towed because of a wreck or because of a breakdown, you should get towed on a boat.

Yes, Mike. I agree with you. That was rather embarrasing, but it did not make the whole day bad. We still had a great time together on the lake. We had not done that in a pretty long time. I had a ton of fun and, since I was stupid enough to not remember the sunscreen, I am dealing with the after effects. It’s all good!

We’re all used to the traditional family set up of mom, dad, brothers and sisters, and all other sorts of extended family titles. These are the people we grow up with and either love or can’t tollerate. Families come in different shapes and sizes and deal with about the dumbest shit. My family is no exception. Being 31 years old, I have witnessed grown people turn into complete assholes at the drop of a hat over the smallest, insignificant thing. I play this off as just something that has to happen because it’s in “the plan.” There is another family, however, that one selects through careful consideration and bonds shared with another human outside the family bloodline. This is what would be called the secondary family.

My secondary family started to grow when I left home in 1996 and traveled a short distance of 75 miles north to attend The University of West Alabama, formerly known as Livingston University. I arrived and somewhat quickly began to make friends. I found it was much easier to make friends in college than it ever was in high school. Different mind frames played a major part in this. I met new, exciting people almost every day. When I met Travis and one other guy, things seemed different. It was as if I regained a feeling of family. There seemed to be a deep feeling of closeness, trust, and love that reminded me of home.

Travis and I moved to Atlanta on Memorial Day weekend in 1999. Right off the bat, we met a guy in Midtown Atlanta for lunch. He and I had chatted on an archaic website called WBS…around the time Gay.com began. It was a great meeting and, even though we don’t get to see him as often as we would like, he is still considered one of our dearest friends…and oldest family member! He was there to start off our annual Thanksgiving celebrations. He helped us meet other gay men in the Atlanta area, and introduced us to the bar scene. Wow, Burkharts and The Gospel Echoes and The Gospel Girls on Sunday nights, waving our napkins in the air to “Looking For a City” while drinking a Bud Light. Only in the South, people!

I was working at the Warner Brothers Studio Store right after the move. It was a wonderful place full of cartoon stuff that wasn’t primarly meant for children. This guy starts working there and we start talking every now and then in passing. You know how it is when you first start working somewhere. You don’t know anyone and you just want to settle in and work. Well, I saw something in him. There was a twinkle and my gaydar picked up on it. I strolled over to the table where he was folding shirts, and since there is no filter between my brain and my mouth, I came out with, “Are you gay?!” I guess I must have startled the poor thing since he looked flushed as he muttered the word, “Uhh…yeah!” Boom! Instant family connection. It’s been a strong one that’s lasted all ten years and he’s still living with us, minus a few years of sabbatical! LMAO!

Two other wonderful guys came into our lives not long afterward. They have been there when we needed help with a lot of things, including things with the house, being there on holidays when we don’t have time to go see our real families, and have even been helpful in finding a job. Twice, no doubt! These guys also introduced us to the glories of nude camping! YES, I said NUDE CAMPING! It’s not a new idea. More and more clothing optional campgrounds are popping up each year. They allow you the chance to be in nature and learn to appreciate people for who they are, not by the way their bodies look. We all have flaws and being nude in the sunlight will bring them all out to everyone’s attention. We love these two guys with all our hearts and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last night, Travis and I had dinner with these two guys, along with another couple we’ve met within the past few years. And, as I always love to see, two fresh faces in the gayborhood joined us at O’Charleys. These two are new additions to our ever increasing secondary family. It’s great to see new faces and ideas. It reminds us that there is no reason to become old and set in our ways. Most of us don’t go out every weekend. We may not be up on the latest styles or fads. We do like to see new people who are willing to stand up for who they are in an oppressive country and as time goes by, they will find we will be there for them when they need us.

There are more people in our secondary family than I can mention in this article. Each one has captured a place in our hearts, minds, and souls. Those people are in precious memories stored in our lives that can never be lost or stolen. Whether in good times or bad, many have been there and have done what they could to make our lives a bit more bareable. Thanks so much and we love you all.

Until later!