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Pop Op: Breakups create Cold War among friends

More than one generation of pop star has warned us that love is a battlefield (whether you are listening to Jordin Sparks or Pat Benatar).

Lately I’ve found myself walking in a minefield, dealing not only with my own breakup, but with the breakup of several couples who were important in my life. It has felt like a spy game of who’s seeing who, who's friends with who, and wondering if you can play a neutral part or if you have to pick a side. And since I grew up in the 1980s, it really got me to thinking … if love is war, when it comes to breakups, are we living in a cold war world again?

Pop Op: Games of the heart

Playing the field after being in what I thought was a stable relationship for about a year has me looking at guys from a whole new perspective.

I’ve found myself being rather cautious when it comes to affairs of the heart. That being said, I’ve been very upfront with the guys I’ve been seeing lately, explaining to them that I’m not ready for anything serious, but I wonder if I am really just making excuses.

It got me to thinking, in a post-breakup scenario are we all just playing a game without any rules?

Here’s the pitch

Pop Op: Teaching the rookie new tricks

They say idle hands are the devil’s playground … so in the wake of my breakup, I am looking for something to keep mine busy.

Fortunately for me, I have a new friend Jacob who recently came out and that’s just the kind of project I need to be working on. I figured maybe if I do a good job, I can keep him from making some of the same mistakes I did … and it got me to thinking; do we all make rookie mistakes?

Flashback

Critical Mass: Passion for a cause or just a bunch of obnoxious bikers?

After getting three parking tickets and two moving violations in the past year, it finally dawned on me that it is darn expensive to drive a car.

With tickets or not, paying for car registration, oil changes, new tires, regular maintenance, and of course, gasoline, adds up. Even my personalized license plate, BENNY*C, which at one point seemed so cool, is now just another $50 burden on my annual registration.

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I love Hillcrest, now let me count the ways we can celebrate it

Who doesn’t love Hillcrest?

It is one of those neighborhoods that has a special appeal unmatched by any other neighborhood in the county. Could you go vintage clothes shopping, jog through the most beautiful park in the city, have a cocktail in a sea of pink flamingos, watch a drag queen or two walk by, and then walk home - in a neighborhood like Clairemont? I think not.

I have a dream: Generations of pride, working together

Last night, I had the honor of speaking on a panel comprised of “young, emerging leaders” in our community at Aaron Heier’s monthly “Two Cents” program held at The Center.

It was a lot of fun joining my peers, Jason Wimberly, Carlos Marquez and Matthew Michael Brown, as we shared our stories with the crowd. We even got the chance to answer questions like, “what turns you on?,” and, “what is your favorite bad word?” (Sorry, if you weren’t there, you missed out on our responses!)

Pop Op: Breaking up isn't so hard to do (when you have options)

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jason accurately pointed out that the bio accompanying my column says that I am single and he said I needed to fix that.

So I took that to heart and got myself single.

Now, rather than going through a long breakup column like I did the last time a relationship ended, I am going to try and take the high road here by only sharing two details.

One is that I am the one who broke up with him. The other? Women who are the subject of Lifetime made-for-TV-movies would look at me and say "Damn, that is fucked up!"

Pride - rainbows and flamingos here we come!

After a weekend of Independence Day pool parties, nights out at Rich’s and relaxing, I think I am ready to tackle the San Diego Pride season.

Ricky and I were driving last night and I asked him if he realized that our favorite time of the year was just a week away. Yes, next week is Pride Week in San Diego and I’m trying to get myself all rainbowed-up and ready for the glittery mess that will ensue.

Pop Op: What is really relevant?

Ah Pride! This year, more than ever before, it seems like I have all kinds of options, requests and opportunities to go to Pride celebrations than ever before. From San Diego to New York and many places in between, everyone talks about how their pride is better than the next.

Gearing up for SD Pride

I have this insatiable sweet tooth that I cannot seem to kick.

In general, I maintain a fairly healthy diet but if you place anything that has to do with chocolate in front of me, it will be devoured immediately; even worse, if it is a whole tray of chocolately goodness, I will most likely eat multiple quantities of whatever happens to be on the tray (brownies don’t last long in my presence).