The Art Teacher

Last night we did our now annual thing of going to the Cain Park Arts Festival, and then joining roughly twenty other gay men for dinner at an Indian restaurant (not woo-woo Indian).

We are great for stimulating the economy because the gays love their art and we eat and drink like no one's business. Seriously though, how often does a hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurant have a party whose bill comes to $800+? There were a few other occupied tables, but if not for us, I am not sure they would have cleared $175 for the entire night.

We didn't know a few of the couples (and they were mostly couples), so that was nice to get to know them. And I have become more acquainted with some more of the guys I usually only see at this event because it seems every homo in the city now goes to the same gym....except Denton. So conversation was good, but difficult at one of those long Last Supper tables. But after the food some of us bounced around talking to others - so it was nice.

It is a bit frightening how many of them work of have worked at my former employer. At least eight of the 20. Overall, though it was a similar group to last year, the tweaks to the list of who came, and more importantly, who did not, worked for the better. I think.

And before that show, there was the art show. We go every year in hopes of finding "that piece". We never do. And it's not liked we'd probably agree on what "that piece" is either. But we try.

Actually, yesterday, I think we may have found it - and it surprised us both. We have a very traditional house and this is a very non-traditional artist and his work. It is nothing either of us would have thought of.

This was not the piece, but I liked it. Not enough to see it every single day. I think you can embiggens it to see Superman talking to the WWII troops.

This was not the piece either, but again, I liked the contrast of images about war and super-heroes. That is Uberman standing on that ladder. I'm not sure about the SPQR - though a lot of the artists other work used seemingly random Scrabble letter tiles in the art.

This is the piece we did like. The pic did not come out great - but you can see me taking it in the reflection and a rare rare sighting of Denton in the same shot. Something about the warships, the horizon, the mezza-luna like shovel thingy, the colouring and the clock just worked for us.

All the pieces were huge (that's what she said!). Like 6'x8' - but we have a wall for it that we've been looking to do something with since we moved in. It is artless.

The other thing that was huge was the price. $10,500! ($11,500 for the Superman / jigsaw puzzle one.)

A new friend at the dinner, Gregg (yes, three gs) - asked if found anything, and I told him the above story. He tried to rationalize it for me: if you really like the piece, you have been looking for that certain space to fill and you're committed to your house - why wouldn't you get it.

He almost had me. But it comes back to price. It's not that we can't afford it, but is that what we want to spend our hard-earned dollars on? I'm thinking of going back and saying - if you do not sell it and do not want to lug it all the way back to NY, call me.....we'll talk.

Song by: Rufus Wainwright

Rock in His Pocket (Song of David)

The other night I hung out with my newly (re)found cousin, David. You might remember me writing about him two months or so ago.

David was a cousin I didn't really know or spend time with (or vice versa), but when we had lunch a while back we just really connected. I mean really, how often does that happen? Any of it: lunch? 30 years in between seeing each other? getting along?

We exchanged a number of emails after that lunch encounter just trying to find time for each other and to get together again. He really took the effort to let me know he'd like to be friends.

Friends? With a cousin? This is a new concept to me. I have no other cousins I can say I'm close to. We're just not that kind of family really. I like some of mine, but we see each other maybe once a year. Maybe.

I don't think he knew what to say when I said I thought being friends would be good since family seemed more obligatory. He likes the idea of family as friendship. I guess in my own way, I do too.

So yesterday we just hung out at my/our place. Beer and some food and the cats. They were all over him - which was cool for him and them.

We just talked, traded stories and laughed a lot. Oddly enough, the picture of my parents I have on a shelf was taken at his sister's wedding about twenty years ago. How odd is that?

I figure, if David can converse and make me laugh like my best friends, he's in. That is one tough crowd - and he'd fit in just fine.


Song by: Suzanne Vega

Flower Man

At the picnic the other day, a number of people commented on our yard. They think "we" did a nice job with the plantings and all.

I didn't let on to anyone that "we" was really only Denton. As you read in last month's flower post, I don't know much about plants and flowers all that much. Some basics, but that's it.

The deer I also wrote about continues to eat some the stuff. Bother.

But I like taking pics of our flowers - and they don't turn out too horrendous. I still don't know what much of the stuff is. At least technically.

????

still ?????

Lily - red

Variegated lily - yellow & orange

no idea

Daisy - yellow

some kind of hydrangea

Daisy - white

Variegated lily - again

Daisy - yellow. again.

Song by: Tonic

Cure for the Itch

It turns out - you don't have to be a jock to get jock itch.

I know this to be true, as I am not a jock. But I got the itch. I got it bad. Ok, not sooooo bad. It's just annoying.

Honest to g-d, I've never had it. Maybe it is because I never really sweated that much - let alone, down there. And of course, I've never been that much of a jock.

I attribute it mostly to spinning. I sweat the most during that - and even though I shower well after it, clearly I'm not doing something right to not grow some fungus among us.

And let me tell you - nothing is more suave than to be in a locker room with other guys there, as you slather your nut sack, crotch and/or taint with lotramin or spray it down. Of course, if you use spray you're supposed to wait for it to dry. I feel a bit perv-ish putting on my shirt, tie and socks on and then still hanging around for my balls to dry before putting on my briefs and suit pants.

Eh! Whatta gonna do?



Song by: Linkin Park

Sarah


C'mon! Is this not the best bumper sticker ever????

It might be. It really really might be. It really didn't even need the secondary line. The primary line worked all on its own.

One would truly have to think that running for 2012 is no longer an option for this woman. Until Saturday, I thought it would have been a done deal - but no one likes a quitter.

I mean - I do. At least I am now.

But Palin is not your average Joe (the plumber). She doesn't think like you and/or I. I'm sure in her warped mind she thinks that leaving her job early gives her more time to plan for the race to the White House.

I'm not sure others think of her this way. But 2012 is a long way off - and even with a 24 hour news cycle, we as a country have no long-term memory.

Of course with misreports of the FBI looking into her shenanigans and her threatening to sue any blogger who says otherwise, she is a nutbag. She blames the media for all of it. ....and I, and I alone, have the solution:

STOP GIVING HER ANY MEDIA COVERAGE! Period.

If she ever has another run-in with a talk show host to get herself press - don't report it. If she does indeed runs for president - don't follow her campaign. If she were to cure cancer - don't put it on TV.

Of course, then she'd blame the media for that lack of coverage too. It's not like Fox isn't going to do it for us/her anyway. Just let her flounder on her own.

But still - it is a great bumper sticker. I'd hate not to be able to slap it on my car.


Song by: Ray LaMontange

Old Whore's Diet

It's been a long time since I've seen an article that made me smile.

I am so over politics at this point, I could vomit. Ditto with dying celebrities and the round the clock coverage of their life, death, career highlights and lowlights. At this point just give me news of the weird. No - not Sarah Palin. Honestly - is she really not going (or unable) to finish one term of the largest state (yet one with a dinky population and dinky budget) because she think she can sit in the White House in 2012?

No - while that is odd, it wasn't completely unpredictable.

Anyway, back to my odd finding. You know, stuff this blog was formed on. So, you'll want to read this little article.

I'll wait. (insert would-be whistling emodicon here!)

{waiting}
{waiting}
{waiting}
{waiting}
{...and we're back in 4...3...2...and 1}


Fellatio for a box of chips. How did she luck out? Oh - how many times others have come away empty-handed (so to speak).

Ruffled.....for her pleasure, I'm sure!


Song by: Rufus Wainwright

Stone Soul Picnic

Yesterday was one of our neighborhood to-do's. (I tried to spell that with and without the apostrophe and neither looked correct.)

We have a few events per year - a block party, christmas carols, an open house from one of the neighbors and this fourth of July parade and picnic/bbq.

And when I say 'we', I don't mean Denton and myself - though we are happy to participate. We just have never hosted - not that we wouldn't.

So yesterday at 11:00 was the parade. I got up much earlier to make dark chocolate brownies for the picnic. I wasn't doing store-bought (they came out good too!). I left two at home for us later - as I knew I wouldn't be eating sweets that early.

Anyway, this isn't a parade the way one might think. It turns out to be a neighborhood stroll that ends up at an old mansion which is now an assisted-living facility. It just gets the old folks out enough to see the kids on bikes and being pulled in wagons. Oh, and the dogs. Everyone brings their dogs along.

Oh - isn't Travis just one of the cutest nine week old puppies? He's a miniature labradoodle.

Before the parade there is a Bloody Mary station. I tried to beg off saying I had enough alcohol for the weekend. When a virgin was offered, I finally had to cop to the fact that it wasn't the vodka I don't mind. I just do not like tomato juice. I know - I'm a freak.

After the parade and old-folks stop, I walked home to get our brownies. Then it was off to the picnic. Nice folks, and simple fare. There are only seven known gays in the 'hood (including us) and we're all pretty unassuming, though we did have a 100% show rate at the event! Yay us!

By unassuming, I mean we didn't bring any frilly foods or desserts. Hell, the main course was kosher hot dogs. And while I'm not a hot dog fan by any means, these were pretty damn good. The hostess and I talked about them - a friend of hers brings them from lord knows where, but neither of us were sure if it was just the day or the dogs themselves that made them so good.

The sun was beating down - the first time it appeared all week, so we only stayed about 90 minutes and then made our way home for a mid-afternoon nap.

I'll be honest - we do not venture out for fireworks. If we see them from home or wherever, that's fine. But to be subjected to a soundtrack of Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood to go with the display is too much for me to handle. I'm fine with "patriotic", but that is just some over the top shit for me.

Overall, it has been a good weekend. I hope everyone had a fun holiday.



Song by: the Fifth Dimension

When the Hangover Strikes

Hard to believe I haven't used this title before, but I did a quick search over the last two years of posts and at least didn't see it. It's not to say I didn't, but it was a quick once-over. And, if I can't remember, then I'm sure you can't be bothered to remember either. Am I right?

It seems I have to be one of the last people to take in The Hangover.

Given great reviews, and it sounded like a 'guy movie', I figured I should see it. And yes, technically I am a guy - regardless of what others might say about me. So we saw it yesterday. (that makes movie #5 for the year, in case anyone is counting!)

My one word review? Eh.

It was certainly a serviceable movie and it definitely had its moments, but maybe the build up was too big.

The Hangover was a non-Judd Apatow, Judd Apatow movie. It had some of his elements and some of his casting regulars - but you had to believe Apatow would have done it a little better and a little smarter while keeping it raunchy.

All the actors are just fine in it, yet sometimes it just didn't click - at least not all the time. Half the cast seemingly came from The Daily Show roster: Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Matt Walsh, Rachel Harris. Probably others I missed. Don't get me wrong - they all did fine.

Oh, Heather Graham was in it too - playing the exact same role she plays in everything she has ever been in - maybe minus the rollerskates, but she seems so damned likeable, doesn't she? At least the weakest cast member (the groom) was only in the beginning and the end of it all.

To me, the funniest thing in the entire flick was the wedding singer at the end. An all white wedding band doing a cover of "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent was hilarious. I was DYING.

One thing I certainly didn't mind: Bradley Cooper.

Yeah, I'd heard of him, but never seen him in anything - at least as I scrolled through his IMBD credits.

To be truthful, he looks a little lot better unshowered, unshaven and a little roughed up. But there are so many guys I can say that about. He should do all his movies this way.

....next up: Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince. For me.....not for Mr. Cooper. At least I don't think.

Song by: Squeeze

Straight as the Crow Flies

I'm starting off late this morning. It's a holiday of sorts. I mean, work sees it that way since July 4th falls on a Saturday.

I planned my three-day weekend accordingly - by meeting my man-friend, Scott, for drinks. He mentioned to my bf that he hadn't talked to me in two week and figures we'd broken up. Oh, that Scott. Straight men are so queer.

Anyhoo...we planned on drinks, as we do every few weeks. Then he had to change the location since his wife was going to be out with her friends and we had to be near-by so he could drive her home. Awwww. I told him she could take the Rapid home. That wouldn't have gone over well with Mrs. Scott.

So I traipsed off to the west side for drinks. Scott wanted a Scottish pub (no pun intended), but I wasn't up for beer. I like beer, but lately it has not been liking me. And he was going for the scotch - which is never on my menu. Ruckiry (not Jon's boss), he acquiesced to a wine bar near where his wife would be. As it turns out, it was right next door to where his wife and her friends would be.

Scott and I only got a little bit of alone time before part of their group wandered over and joined us. Overall, I didn't care. Camilla liked me and thought I was funny - which I am. Her beau, David, was nice, and I wasn't 100% sure he was straight, but that's for them to figure out between them. Maybe he's just gay acting friendly. ...and then there was the twice divorced, drunk 48 year old. Umm.......that was fun. Not!

Seeing my ring, the divorcee asked about my wife. I go "wife???". Scott and Mrs. Scott laughed and laughed. Apparently I'm not as gay acting as I thought. Or she was just lit. Maybe a bit of both.

Even though there were three guys and three girls, after a bit, I clearly felt out of the loop. Party because my gaydom, but partly because I no longer had my guy-time.

Yes, I know some of you have mentioned my so-called repressed feelings for Scott, and while I appreciate them, I really think it is just friendship. At best a bromance, but that is it. And it goes both ways.

Actually, last Sunday's NYT had an article called, I Love You, Man (as a friend). It was about - yes you guessed it - gay and straight men friendships. I thought, at first, it would be fun to share with Scott, but it gets into some territory I think both of us would be uncomfortable with.

But I did like the part about gay men liking straight guys because they are so uncomplicated. Ain't that the truth. Usually.

Before the night ended, I had consumed an entire bottle of wine on my own - and Scott did the same. We probably should have eaten something more than cheese and crackers. I swear I did not feel drunk - and I know from drunk.

Obviously, I made it home ok, but I did kind of hit the hay by 22:30 or so and slept until 07:00, which is unheard of for me. I finally got my hairy ass to the gym by 07:45 and sweated out much of the remaining alcohol, as I woke up feeling drunk.

But I only did cardio, abs and legs. I tried a single arm exercise and realized my shoulder ain't where it needs to be, though it doesn't hurt while just doing nothing anymore. Maybe it's progress.


Song by: Kim Ritchey

867-5309

Jenny, Jenny - who can I turn to?

Fuck, I am such an idiot sometimes.

Here I go, just yesterday, and defend that wife of Governor Sanford and now I think I figured out why he went and cheated on her.

She's a cunt! (yeah, i went there!)

Chris, from From the Left, reports that Jenny Sanford blames gay marriage and the associated decay of the institution, due to same-sex unions, for her husband's fucking around.

Which of course, is ridiculous, except for the fact that I'm still waiting for it to come out that he's being fucked by fucking a Brazilian tranny.

So, clearly she is back on the political bandwagon for him - or for some other reason that will be coming shortly. You know it will. You know it ain't over.

...for the price of a dime I can always turn to you.


a dime! It's more than either of those two are worth. combined.


Song by: Tommy Tutone

My Affair

Poor poor Governor Sanford.

Caught in another lie. Or lies. And apparently several more indiscretions.

Yes, he cannot keep those fibs straight. Apparently he didn't go to Argentina visit his tranny mistress five times in the last year, but seven. I can see how he got confused, considering they are both prime numbers.

Oh - and he "crossed the line" with other women, but never had sex with them. Now, I know this is different for all gals, but I'll ask (since clearly I have no frame of reference), but where is that line? What is the line? And what must one do to cross it?

He's a douche and we all know it. Hell, deep down, I think he even he knows it. Not only because of his sons, his job and his voting record and stance on the 'sanctity of marriage' and 'family values'. To be fair, he never said what family. Could be Ted Kaczynski. Could be Morticia & Gomez. Charlie Manson had lots of "children"

Now, I will say, I am loving his wife. Soon to be ex, one can hope. She knew about his affair - yes, she forbade him from doing x, y and z and he did it anyway. She doesn't give a crap now about his career or his issues - she has a family to take care of and protect, which is more than one can say of him. Mr. Family Values.

I love she didn't show up to his tearful press conference. Seriously - what does he have to cry over, other than getting caught? No standing by his side, pretending to forgive "her man" for the sake of his sham of a political career.

I think that ship has sailed. Maybe he should get on it - back to Argentina.


Song by: Kirsty MacColl

It Hurts Me

If only my back and shoulders looked this way. ....if only.

But they don't. Maybe the red part.

While I know the my exercise routine is good for me overall, it has been taking a toll here and there on various body parts. I suppose that is bound to happen, not only with jumping into it, but continuing to add to what I do.

Weeks ago I complained mentioned to you all about a hurt left shoulder, which is why I supplemented my weight routine with yoga a few times a week. Eventually my shoulder got better and I thought I was in the free and clear.

Silly silly me.

Then it went to an issue with the left palm of my hand. I attributed it spinning and how hard I pressed on the handle bar. I'd done it before in real biking - so I just broke out my biking gloves and used those in class. Yes, I was the only one who wore them and yes, I looked stupid....but you gotta do what you gotta do.

That pain didn't go away so easily. And it became more aggravated when lifting. Honestly, it felt like a shard of glass going into my palm. I eventually cut down on some of my lifting and/or the amount of weight I would lift. ...and as luck would have it, I sat next to an physical therapist at a meeting last week and he gave me some advice.

Oh - and somewhere in all of this, between spinning a few times a week and having to sit on a block in yoga, I really hurt my tail bone. I would literally wince anytime I thought about sitting down - for work, for car, but especially for spin or sit ups. The pain was excruciating. But one cannot stop sitting so I just worked with it. I did have to skip one yoga class because the thought of being on that block was too much.

And yes, when stuff started all feeling better, I ended up putting all that weight back into my routine - which is where I now have an aching back and yes, my left shoulder is sore yet again.

I am just venting here. I know this. I don't want to stop my routine and feel I have a good thing going over all. It is just my age - I know this. Men of a certain age can only do so much so often. I'm not built for this - though I'm trying to get there. I think I will, but the reality is, I'm old(er).

You know those disclaimers on if you start a new exercise routine to consult your doctor? I didn't. Does anyone?

Maybe I should have. But at this point, I'll just put those co-pays into PT.



Song by: the Lynns

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

Released in the U.S. about a year ago, I'm finally coming around to listening to the entire Duffy disk, Rockferry.

It is easy to see why most reviewers and fans might lump Dusty Springfield in as huge influence of Duffy. There are aspects of that ("Warwick Avenue", "Mercy"). But the disk probably owes as much to artists like Jackie DeShannon and songwriters Burt Bacharach & Hal David ("Rockferry" & "Stepping Stone").

For sure she is a throw-back, as all of the aforementioned artists were very 1960's-based.

But what you get is what you see/hear. Duffy is an ok vocalist and a decent songwriter. I'm a little fascinated how her voice can soulful and a little tinny at the same time. The record isn't a studio creation - it's not strong enough to be. It is what it is. She sounds the same way live - which is more than you can say of the train wreck - Amy Winehouse.

I like the disk, but it's not one I can listen to for the entire length, just a few songs at a time. Still it is new and it is old all at the same time. Not such a small feat.

Spinning Wheel

Long time readers might remember me posting about my lack of wearing deodorant/antiperspirant. As weird as it was, only one person commented on it (RJ). Of course the funniest thing about the post was that a few days later, the Cleveland Plain Dealer on-line addition picked-up upon it. (From the media front, I can guarantee no more than 81 people ever saw that blurb.)

Of course, I was taken a little out of context. One of the reasons for not wearing aluminum under my pits was simple. I never really perspired before. Not really. You can go back and read the rationale for my lack of underarm protection if you feel the need.

With my work-out routine earlier in the year, I got to the point I'd break a sweat, but I was never one to stain, let alone soak, my shirt (or anything else).

Spinning has taken care of that. Completely.

If any of you drink (ha!), you'll probably know the term 'breaking the seal'. I can drink a half-dozen beers without peeing, but once I talk to that man about a horse, I'm back having that conversation much much much more often.

Sweating, I find, is like that.

In Spin, I broke the seal. Completely.

But it carries over from spin. Now I sweat completely at workouts and yoga too. I have the soaked shirts to prove it. ...shorts too. But I can sell those on fetish markets for a hefty price.

It has gotten to the point that if I do spin class and work out consecutively, and in that order, I have to bring a change of clothes. No one - and I do mean, no one - wants to follow you on a machine after you've put your sweaty back on the vinyl seats.

Yeah, I look all butch with my 94% wet shirt - and it shows that I have been putting forth the effort, but it's still a bit weird to walk around like that.

And do not suggest sweat wicking clothes. These ARE sweat wicking clothes I'm already wearing. "designed to transport sweat away from your skin" - MY ASS. I mean, they do, but then they trap them in the shirt, which rests against.....oh yeah.....your skin!

So with all of this you'd think I'd be more on-board with the deodorant thing. But so far I am not. So far, a good shower with soap in all the right places keeps me not smelling ripe. At least I'm pretty sure. I don't smell me.

I will keep an eye (and nose) on the situation. I do not want to be the guy I see three times a week rubbing an antiperspirant stick right above the crack of his ass after his shower.

What's that all about?


(above image is not me. I now sweat more than that)

Song by: Blood, SWEAT & Tears

Love for Sale

Ok - I got a weird offer two days ago. No no, not a proposition, per se. Well, certainly not the kind you might be thinking of. Nor the kind I was looking for, either.

It came via email:

We are interested to buy your domain name BLOBBYSBLOG.COM and offer to buy it from you for 80% of the appraised market value.

Who the fuck wants to buy my URL?? ...and better yet, why would I sell it for only 80% of the market value? Should I not be holding out for some kind of real profit?

I threw the offer out to my peeps and got a few responses back. Morty directed me to a wiki page for Mr. Blobby, thinking maybe they are the ones who want it. Mr. Blobby is scary. Scarier than regular old Blobby (me). ....but they have provided my clown reference for the week.

If I'd ever give up my website name, they'd better pony up a butt-load of cash for me to surrender this.

Dith emailed and said: DON'T SELL! YOU CAN'T BUY GENIUS.

First off, blobbysblog.com = genius? WOW!!! Even I wouldn't be that bold. Secondly, everyone has their price. Including me. But throw me a hard number. Write it on a piece of paper, fold it up - and slide it across the table.

We'll talk.


Song by: Fine Young Cannibals

Death or Glory

Poor poor Farrah Fawcett. Upstaged in death.

Lucky lucky Governor Sanford. Knocked out of the news cycle after just 48 hours.

Clearly I missed part of the news yesterday afternoon as it turns out, because I left work to go to yoga. My yogini (Kris swears that's a real world/title) was happy happy happy to tell everyone who walked into class last evening - "Did you hear Michael Jackson died?"

My first thought was "Oh my!". The immediate second thought was, "who cares?"

Like Grease or E.T., I might be the only person who never owned a copy of Thriller. I didn't care - for it or him. Oh, you might not know - I've never seen Grease or E.T. Yes, I'm the one!

I will cop to liking parts of Off the Wall, but that's about it. I will say that when I saw some of his crap belongings at the Rock and Roll Hall O'Fame I was disgusted. There were shoes on display that said they were designed by Michael Jackson, the King of Pop (and the phrase was copyrighted). I am telling you - they were Bass Weejuns.

By that point, any talent the man displayed had been replaced by freakish behaivour and looks.

Admittedly, in 1984, I purchased a child's watch with the cover of Thriller on it down on Canal St in NYC. It was for a joke - and mainly because I couldn't find a good Menudo one.

Though the strap is broken, I still have that watch. And it still works! (I tried to get a good pic of it this morning but it was a no-go.)

I'm sure there are millions of tributes in blog-land to him. And possibly to Farrah too - but I'm not one of them. I will go off on a tangent, though.

Except for Charlie's Angels, I'm not sure I saw her in anything. Like all those things I listed above - I didn't care to. I wasn't going out of my way - that's for sure. ...oh, and I didn't buy her poster in hopes of concealing my homosexuality. Trust me, I know a few guys who did.

But I certainly had a thing for her then-husband - Lee Majors. I didn't realize it at the time, but what a huge gay-crush I had on him, not just in the Six Million Dollar Man, but he was frickin' hot The Big Valley, as Heath, the bastard son of Victoria Barkley's dead husband. Heady stuff for the '60s. I love how they acknowledged illegitimacy at least in the first episode that introduced him. Granted, it was never discussed again.

I'm not sure she traded-up with that freak, Ryan O'Neal and his family. He was never hot. He was no Steve Austin, a man barely alive. Of course, Lee did wear those leisure suits - so he wasn't that big of a catch.

...and poor Ed McMahon. He's not even on the radar....even for the Angel of Death. Even in the 'it comes in threes' rule, he is still the side-kick.


Song by: the Clash

Throw Me a Curve

Everything that's old is new again.

You can still buy Quisp cereal, if you look hard enough. They advertise for Fanta in the theaters. Morty still drinks Fresca. Spandau Ballet is threatening to come back on the scene. They (well, someone) are re-making that originally horrible g-ddamn movie Footloose.

It's like there isn't one new thought in the entire universe.

So I was not incredibly surprised to find this in the store the other day

Oh, how it made me smile. Impaling of little children be damned. To paraphrase that scene from Airplane: they knew what they were getting into, I say: "Let them die!"

Then I saw the little round red "disclaimer" near he bottom of the package. ROUND TIP.

You bunch of pussies! Man-up!

Grow a pair and put a metal spike on the bottom of a flighted plastic throwing object and let 'er rip!

I have yet to meet anyone who has been killed by a lawn dart (before the "accident, of course). Or anyone who has used one to kill. Though it would make a great CSI show. Probably the lesser Miami version, more so than Wad Vegas.

...but 'everyone's favourite lawn game'? Better than badminton? I mean, that has shuttlecocks. hehehe.


Song by: the Go-Gos

Do-Ri-Me

It seems we're home to a deer.

Usually I see them travel in twos or threes, so this guy (or gal) is all alone. (S)he sleeps either in front of that stone wall, or sometimes behind for cover, I suppose.

We assume it came from down in the ravine (which is across three lanes of very very busy traffic), where there has to be plenty to eat, but maybe it's not the right stuff.

Apparently what is, is all our new plantings. Hostas, Dogwood blooms, Hydrangeas. It's problematic to say the least. I want him/her to be safe, and it's great we provide that safe haven, but I don't want to feed them our expensive pants either.

Up close(r) he/she is so cute....and really notices our every move - even when we're in the house and well behind glass and closed windows and doors.

We've sprayed stuff on the plants that is deer repellent: Deer B Gone, or something like that. It has garlic and cayenne pepper in it. Other stuff too. We'll see if it keeps (s)him away.

UPDATE: Oh - it is a she. As I sit here and type this, she is out there with a baby standing under her, nursing. The baby is so cute!!! How can I possibly kick this little guy out? Not that I would know how to get rid of them in the first place.

Hopefully they just need a safe haven until junior gets a little bigger and they'll be on their way. Maybe in a week or so?


Song by: the cast of the Sound of Music

Once I Had a Love

Yes, I could have called this 'Heart of Glass', but that would have been too easy.

For those who are not Blondie-o-philes, you might not know that "Once I Had a Love" was the original title of the song.

As you know from this here blog, I'm a big fan of music. What you don't know is that I'm just as big of a fan of how it is made. Not just the songwriting process, but especially the recording process.

I love knowing how the the music is put to tape (or now, a computer) and put together via recording, mixing and mastering. It has been a l-o-n-g time since an entire band has sat in the studio all at the same time, playing a tune beginning to end. Anymore it is about editing: taking the best take from each instrument, or worse, splicing parts of them together to make a song.

Because anymore, it is commerce and not music or art.

I'm way amazed that any band can play their own songs live. That is assuming things are not pre-recorded and playing through the monitors without the need for the actual musicians.

Oh - back to my original post stuff.....but it's all tied in. My friend, and fellow Blondie fan, Jon, sent me this little link the other day, which of course, just fed into all of it.

There is a website that breaks down Blondie's "Heart of Glass" almost track-by-track (which is different than song by song). Using 1977-78 state of the art analog equipment and Mike Chapman's production skills, they used a 24 track recording system to put together a number of drum, guitar, percussion, synthesizer and vocal tracks that make up the now classic song.

None of you might have the slightest interest in this, but I found it quite fascinating. ...and I think Jon knew I would. So thanks to him (and now to me), you can enjoy it.

Or not.


Song by: Blondie

Dog New Tricks

This is one of the cutest ads I've seen in a while. Of course, I have a huge soft spot for doggies and kitties.

I love how they can show emotion, or edited to seem like they can (but I believe they can).



I don't care that the commercial is for an investment firm. I like how in one minute it can tug at my heart strings for sadness and love.

It's just a fun Monday morning video to kick off the week. Enjoy.



Song by: Garbage

Love and Pride

Yesterday we went to Pride. Just the after-event, not the parade. I'm not a parade kind of guy - participating or watching.

Yes, you can decry that my lack of involvement is what brings 'the movement' down, but it's Cleveland. There aren't that many in the parade (yes, I know - because people "like me" don't participate) and no one comes out to watch it - to cheer or to taunt us.

To be fair - the gathering downtown isn't much to write home about either, but we go. Or usually go. It turned out to be a nice day and not too hot, though I still might have gotten too much sun. I did not slather any SPF anything on me.

It is now mostly vendors anyway: State Farm Insurance. Time-Warner Cable. Petco. We get it: you're gay friendly or at the very least want our alleged disposable income. Because if we don't have babies or families we have tons of money to just throw around - right?

And don't get me started on the competing music sections - situated an entire 50 feet apart - playing different music with their speakers pointed at each other. Who the fuck organized this?

One was the 'beer garden' where there was no dancing. The other was the dancing area - where no beer was sold - or allowed to be in the area. Fucked up, I tell you (not that I was drinking - I had had enough the night before, and the night before that). And both camps volume was ear-bleeding. (I know, I sound like an old man - but anyone I ran into said the exact same thing.).

But g-d love the lesbians. Only they would have someone standing in front of a bank of PAs signing the words to the blaring disco. Trust me - any deaf person could have heard this music - that's how loud it is. ...and how does one sign "oooh yeah.....oooh yeah....oooh yeah", you know that standard almost backing/filler "vocal" that has been a pre-requisite on 84% of all dance tracks since 1988?

I know - I sound like I'm complaining, because I kind of am. I don't care about dykes on bikes or the drag queens that much on whether they do or don't represent us by overshadowing 'the normal gays'. I don't put much worry into some who say they bring the movement down and we're not taken seriously as a community.

How can you when, if the paper carries anything at all about the event, it's buried on page 8 of the metro section and it barely even hits the evening news cast anymore. No one is paying attention much anymore.

The best part of the day/event was just sitting and watching the folks come and go. Everyone in their garb and me remembering my shirt that I used to wear at the Columbus Pride event that said So Many Gerbils, So Little Time (thanks Garkawe!). It always got a few raised eyebrows and a number of pointed fingers at me.

Oh - and they had a youth tent, which was cool. And it was PACKED. ...and get this, I would estimate that 80% of it was kids of colour. Are they more comfortable with attending such an event? The demographics of that area intrigued me to no end.

I will say, my favourite were how many lesbians were eating penis shaped pride lollipops. I guess they didn't make vagina shaped ones.

I'm glad we went, but it was just enough participation for us. We got out, donated some cash, got some sun, saw some friends. What's not to like?


Song by: King

Doing What I Can

I know - I know, I'm late posting. What can I say? I have good excuses, of course. I always do.

Let's start with that I hit G2H2 again. It was better than the last few times, but still a very very controlled environment. They actually took over the entire restaurant for it and closed it to the public. Ok. But again, why give the $$$ to the straight establishment - give it to the queer guys if you're just gonna do that.

Denton opted not to go, so I went right after work. Me and one other guy were there in suits. Oh well. I looked good. I hung out with some guy I see at the gym and know peripherally, and his partner. They introduced me to a few guys too. No biggie. I stayed for three drinks and then met the man for dinner....and a bottle of wine. Yikes.

In between I went home and our power was off. We had storms earlier, but I don't think that was it. I do love that in a way. Neighbors are all out yakking since there is nothing to do inside and people are carrying around wine and such. But we were hungee and went for food. And wine.

I was not really thinking ahead here. I had Spin class at 08:30, a bunch of booze in me and no power at home. And it didn't come on until about 02:30. I didn't notice because for all intense purposes, I was down for the count.

Since things were running late this morning, it was all I could do to get my padded shorts on and get down to sit on a bike for an hour. ...and by sit on a bike, I mean be tortured by cute Andy on moving faster and using more resistance. I think I do it for his approval. I found myself wondering if he counts down the way he does when he's about to ejaculate. 10.....5..2.1!!!! One can hope.

So Spin and then my weight routine made me sweat any access alcohol out of my body.

...and that's why I'm late for a post.

Now I'm just waiting for the man to get back from his gym (yes, we go to separate facilities) so we can go to lunch and stop by Pride. Assuming it does not downpour again - for the 14th time today.


Song by: Lindsey Buckingham

Just Friends

It's possible I'm a little bit drunk.

Not because I'm still drunk early in the morning. I'm drafting this the evening before you read this. I hope not to be drunk in the morning anymore. I've outgrown that by a decade or so now.

It's been about a month, but I had an evening out with my straight friend, Scott. We just met at a wine bar and he drank. We had a bit to eat, but barely a bit. More like four Maker's Mark and four glasses of wine - him and me respectively.

Maker's Mark to me is a grown-up drink. It's something I could never touch. Wine is good. Beer is good. Clear alcohol is good (vodka. gin.). Brown is like medicine to me. Hate the smell, hate the taste.

I love Scott - in a completely platonic way. We get along great and he likes Denton and I like his wife. My friends would love Scott and his wife too. It's so rare when one doesn't have to explain their jokes.......or their quotes.....or cultural references. Maybe it's an age thing.

We tried to steer away from work talk, but it came up. We tried to nip it in the bud. ...or 'in the butt', as our previous assistant insisted was the phrase. It isn't.

I hurt my tailbone in my workout routine. Either yoga or one of the five spin session in the last eight days. Or a combination of the two. I skipped my first scheduled routine because of it. Yoga. No way to use my sit bones with the pain I'm feeling.

...but four glasses of wine took care of that. Temporarily.


Song by: Amy Winehouse

Missing

You know me (or perhaps you do not - not really), but if you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know when I see a good license plate, I'll snap a pic of it. And post it here.

It can't be just any vanity plate - it has to speak to me!

Ok, that's a bit much - but it's gotta catch my eye and make me laugh. Like this one:

We were out to lunch on Saturday and I got out of the car and saw it immediately. I just laughed and laughed and laughed. And laughed.

If you haven't really looked at the car, it's a Mini Cooper. If you don't know who DB is - then I seriously cannot help you with the in-joke.


Song by: Everything but the Girl

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!
...and this, people, is why Whole Foods is so much better than every other market out there.

The cantaloupes (can't elope without a ladder!) and honeydews I buy in other stores are filled with seeds and gunk. Not here!

Oh sure, you pay a little more at Whole Foods, but isn't a berry filled melon totally worth it? Do you know how many genetic engineers had to go on someone's payroll to figure this out?

Or maybe these just came from the magical Melon Land (no no, not Dr. 90210 - a different melon land!).

Sixteen

Take a look at the attached image.

The weird psych-out make-up aside, the guy is intriguing. And by "guy", I mean "kid". Bryce Harper is 16.

He's also just quit high school to join the major leagues. WTF?

Oh - with his parent's father's permission / encouragement. Double WTF?

Technically he's not joining the majors just yet. First he has to get his GED and pretend to get into/attend community college so he can get in the 2010 draft. And technically, he'll probably be 17 when and if he gets drafted or starts spring training.

Of course, who can blame the kid when at 15 you've been deemed 'the chosen one'? Who can blame him when he clearly has talent - pushing 600 home runs since starting playing baseball? Who can blame his parents for wanting to cash in on this ASAP?

I don't know - but someone should. Hopefully it will be Bud Selig. But most likely it will not.

What a frickin' bad message to send. Not that he'd ever be a stellar student, most likely, but how responsible is it to have a 16-17 year old play against 30 year olds? Who takes liability for looking after a minor when during 81 away games?

MLB can't even look after its adults, let alone children.

I'm hoping no major league team takes the bait and Bryce is stuck at DeVry for a few years. I'm not saying I hope he doesn't make it - but what is 24 months? Somehow I just have to blame the dad for this.

People have (and will) make the argument of LeBron James. Say what you want about him - he finished high school. People have (and will) make the argument that gymnasts and tennis players drop out as well. ....and how well is that working for 99.7% of them?

"....would you like fries with that?"

Bryce Harper - you're on career injury away from being on the permanent disabled list. At age 19. With a GED.

Welcome to your life.


Song by: No Doubt

Record of the Month - Classic

Another installment of a disk I have enjoyed over the years. I'm trying to keep the Record of the Month posts to be fairly new releases. Classics are going to be ones that are at least 5 years old.

I have no idea if any of my readers besides Birdie knows from Great Big Sea. RJ might, - if he still reads this blog. Tornwordo might, since he lives in (but doesn't hail from) Canada. But that might be it.

I became acquainted with them over a decade ago when our cable use to carry MuchMusic. For years, that is where I went to find new music - as it was a real music and music video cable station. Then our service came up with a bastardized version: MuchMusic US - which tired to imitated the already flat-lined MTV Then that disappeared after a few months.

But on the original MM - I came across Great Big Sea playing a festival in their native Newfoundland. I was hooked immediately.

Their playing was tight and upbeat. I can't say their style was original, as it is basically celtic drinking/folk music. The style has been around for a century or two - just hardly done by anyone under 60 playing in a pub somewhere.

Rant and Roar is their first U.S. release - which is basically a collection of their first few Canadian disks. And what a fun collection it is.

The set starts with probably the two most accessible tracks ("Ordinary Day" and "When I'm Up") - which would have been perfect for US radio, but it was not to happen. I guess it's the most accessible they can be with fiddle and penny whistle. I find these two very infectious.

But the next song is my favourite on the disk. "Mari Mac" is a two and one-half minute ditty that is an exercise in vocal theatrics.....and in just out and out breathing techniques for a singer. Any singer. Denton hates it. It drives him up the wall, but I am totally fascinated by it.

I don't think it is any accident that the album sequencing goes right into R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)", as that itself has always been too many words in too short of a time or measure of music.

GBS does slow it down a bit with a number of tunes - "Fast As I Can" and "Something to It". But they have some much more traditional stuff to - "General Taylor", the instrumental "Dancing with Mrs. White" and "The Day Paddy Murphy Died".

I can see where not many would embrace this. It is fun for me - and like it or not, I don't think anyone could deny how talented the guys in the band are.

GBS seemingly tours all the time and have landed in Cleveland a dozen times since we've lived here, but I can't seem to get Denton to go. Oddly enough, my niece came across them on some music I gave her and she really likes them - so maybe I can get her to go with me to see them.

I will say you might not like an entire disk, but you might want to scan iTunes and sample some tracks - and even purchase them.

Andy, You're a Star

This was to be titled "Joy Ride" which still would have been a Killer's song, but this title works too.

I've made no secrets about my OCD, (except what my actual tics might be) but as I sat in my third spinning class in four days (shut up, I know!), it became clear to me that this isn't obsessive or compulsive. It's addiction.

Back in the day, I took an MMPI that told me I had addictive behaviours. I was young enough then that I might not have picked that out had I not heard it from a trained professional. I've kept it in the back of my head since then - during many destructive phases.

But there are worse things than being addicted to exercise, I guess. Alcohol, Sex, Gambling, Narcotics, Cutting. I find addicts to be weak-minded. Of course, I guess that's what makes them addicts. I'm not judging, I'm just saying.

I had a fairly unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but could I quit anytime I wanted? Yes. Yes I could. And I didn't need a higher power to do it.

Ok - I didn't quit. But I quit drinking and getting drunk 4-5 nights per week - a habit that lasted almost a decade. ....and for the record, I would never cut myself. Ouchy. Maybe that's where people get their narc habits, to ease the pain from all their cutting.

So yesterday was the best Spin class so far. Each time there have been different instructors. Each has a different style. The instructor yesterday, Andy, had the best style....and the most engaging.

Oh, and he's hot. (in a nerdish glasses-wearing dentist with a hot body, kind of way.)

It turns out Andy, not Virgil, is the dentist. Now, I think dentists have sadistic tendencies. Couple that with him being a Spin instructor, what did I think I was getting into? There was no mercy. But it's probably what I need - someone to kick my ass. Figuratively, people. Figuratively. ....and he did.

I've blogged before about the amount of gay dentists there seem to be, and I think Andy is on that list. Just like Morty predicted. Though the dance remix of "Holding Out for a Hero" might have been a dead giveaway on its own. Still, his music choices were slightly straighter than Virgil's. All I'll say is Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" was one of his song selections.

Whereas I said in the first Spin post that I liked, but not loved, the class - I am liking it more. I can see me skipping Virgil's class as he wasn't that enthused nor did he get others jazzed either. And you kind of need that. Or I do.

Oh - and what is with the resistance knob on the bikes? They are like hotel showers. You can turn and turn them and get nothing - and then you get scalded. Or feel like your stuck in molasses. The latter description is for the bike, not the hotel shower.

After class, I hit the weights (after I changed my soaked shirt) and ran into Andy as I was leaving. He asked if I liked the class (oooooh.....he talked to me!) and we just chit-chatted. Yeah, I probably have a guy-crush on him, but it will pass. It is just some transference for my exercise, I'm sure.

Jon posted on FB yesterday: All your posts are the same...off to the gym..off to the gym. Is it your substitute for love?

It isn't. It's just all I have got going on in my life right now, besides home and work - and I'm ok with that. For now.

And you know, it's not even addiction. I don't have an addiction. The MMPI said I have addictive 'behaviours'. So I can quit anytime I want to.

But for now, I'll be heading out for Sunday Spin and work out. But I won't be posting it on FB (psssst.....check my Twitter account though!).



Song by: the Killers

Kung Fu Fighting


This is a phone-it-in blog post. It's not that I don't got nothing (which is possible a triple negative, which implies that I do indeed have nothing), it's just that I'm way way way tired from a restless night of sleep (and killing a bottle or Dr. Zen Zen at 21:00 last night oddly enough didn't help) and I still have to eat and get ready for the gym.

But I laughed at the above someecard notice I got. The entire David Carradine thing is weird. Do I think he probably committed suicide? I don't know - I don't care. Do I think that his family would rather have a ruling of accidental death so they can collect his life insurance? Well, that seems more probable.

My g-d! I'm writing about David Carradine (who starred in a show I never watched once!) and auto-erotic asphyxiation.

That triple negative was right !!!!!


Song by: Carl Douglas

Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train to Peking

I got an email about a potential career opportunity. I will leave the company name out of this post, of course. I'm not going to copy/paste the entire email here, but this is how it started!

Job Description

Wie zoeken we?
Ambitieuze financiële experts met minimaal 6-8 jaar werkervaring met financiële processen (adviseren, implementeren, optimaliseren). Kennis en affiniteit met de Gezondheidszorg , bijvoorkeur in de Cure en Care Sector. Je hebt bewezen acquisitie ervaring en een aantoonbaar netwerk op bestuurlijk niveau. Je opereert goed in teamverband, kunt zelfstandig projecten leiden en hebt een professionele uitstraling. Eigenschappen als overtuigend, commercieel vaardig en resultaatgerichtheid zijn je op het lijf geschreven.

First, I love how in the intro there as no mention that the job was in the Netherlands. And secondly, that the entire ad was in Dutch....except 'job description'. What's that all about?

Ironically, you can kind of make out what the actual needs of the employer are - and figure out the job description.

Naturally, I emailed it to my peeps and Becky responded with: zabat ist ferked uppa!

...to which I replied, now you just sound like Jar Jar Binks.

...and that just totally skeeved out Jon, which I admit was kind of fun to do. I've known him for almost a quarter of a century and never been able to do that.

I'm not even responding to the email about the job. As much as the Netherlands would be cool, I don't think I'm ready to up and move....or learn a new language.


Song by: Rickie Lee Jones

Spinning World

A while back someone on FB asked me what my motivation for exercise was. I responded, equal parts vanity and humiliation (if I failed). As I've mentioned here before, if I tell enough people I'm doing it - and then don't follow through, I kind of look like an ass (more than I already do! ha! I beat you to the punch, fuckers!!!!).

Mind you - Morty chimed in that stream and said 'and a healthy dose of OCD'.

Damn him for being right. But maybe in this case OCD can do something for me, instead of me being a slave to it.

My intent was never to have this be a blog on gyms and work-outs, but as they say, write what you know. ...and right now, this is it.

Yesterday I started spinning. Should that be upper cased? I just don't know.

It was never the plan. I bike. I like to bike, but Spin class just didn't seem like me. But on the weekends, I would see people file in and eventually out of the class and I'd think about it. Then, as only I can do, I started to dream about it. I even had my bike helmet on in the class - in my dream. Yeah - even in dreamland, I'm a dork.

So I went. Now, the weekend classes are packed. Maybe 30-40 people per class. So I was kind of expecting the same thing at 06:00 on a weekday morning. I was expecting to get lost in a sea of people where no one would notice me. Silly silly me.

Including the instructor, there were four people in the room. Much like part of my workout motivation, I was going to finish that 60 minute routine out of a sheer desire to not be humiliated. In the back of my mind I kept telling myself: you bike. you've seen people in this class 10 years older than you and 70 pounds heavier. YOU can do this.

Lord. I became Stuart Smalley.

But you know, I could do it. And I did do it. I won't say it was easy. And I'm not sure I have ever sweated that much in my life. The room was hot....or I was. Or both. I thought, if hot yoga was this hot, could I do it?

They tell you to bring your water bottle in there, but I don't know why. I don't know how you'd have a moment to grab it and drink. There's no time. Hell, I only wiped my head down twice - it's all I could do.

Getting my shirt off afterwards was a chore. It was adhered to my back. But Morty told me I was not to use natural fibers in classes like these. I knew this to be true, but there was part of me that wanted people to see me sopping wet and to know how hard I worked. How manly I was. g-d, I'm an ass. (btw......14 hrs later, the shorts and shirt were still way damp.)

Oh - and the only thing harder than a 06:00 Spin class is one led by a lesbian. I'm just sayin......
...and one who liked to use a lot of Coldplay in her song mix. I'm not a Coldplay fan, but some of their stuff worked for what we were doing - or I thought.

Friday, it will be run by a dentist named Virgil. I kid you not. The poor guy already has those two strikes against him. I'm 90% sure he's family. Morty even insinuated it and he has never been to my gym, nor does he even live in town. Maybe this is true of many Spin instructors.

Here is what I wasn't expecting - Yoga kind of plays into Spinning. How you stretch for the front of the bike or put your sit bones back on the seat, your breathing and how you place your shoulders all really ties in. My g-d, my workout life in a linear fashion. CRAZY!

As I told my email group about my morning adventure, Mort noticed I didn't say I enjoyed it. True that. I responded, 'I didn't not enjoy it'. It's work. I feel good afterwards, but it is work.

I'm going back, but I don't think I can do three classes per week. That would make me be at the gym seven days a week, and two of those days I'd be there twice a day.

That might be a bit much - even for my OCD.


Song by: Lori Carson

Black Cadillac

I had a pretty crappy day at work yesterday, but ruckiry (not Jon's boss), an old work friend of mine, Kathy, sent me this:

Prom Night in Sugarcreek, OH

If you hadn't guessed, Sugarcreek is a town that has a number of Amish folk. But it just made me laugh and laugh. I needed that.

Also, one of the people who used to work for me dropped me another email that made me really laugh out loud. Maggie's daughter is graduating high school today. But this was part of the email she sent to me: Tomorrow is the actual graduation and I guess that I will have to sit near my ex, his whore wife and his mother, "Mrs Scott".

I was amused that Maggie never called her former mother-in-law 'mom' or by her first name. But I LOVED the 'whore wife' comment.

Maggie is one of the best people I have ever worked with and I miss collaborating with her. Thank g-d for email. Sometimes my friends just help me get through the day.



Song by: Rosanne Cash

Site of the Month


It's no shock I lean to the more liberal side of politics, so it might be less of a shock to know that I follow Christopher's From the Left.

I follow him on Twitter and read his blog too.

For the most part, he makes rational points for what is going on (and going wrong) in the world - mostly of politics. Though I won't say I agree with him on every point - why should he be different than anyone else I know (or don't know, for that fact)?

He is very hard on Obama - mostly on gay issues. ...and if you've been reading me for the last few weeks, you know where I stand on that, at least for the moment. I just don't get what they think the left guys who are now seemingly against Obama think the alternative is.

McCain/Palin proves how much of a short term memory some people have - not that he's advocating that. I don't mean to put words in his mouth.

Still - it is an interesting site and he doesn't overdo it with dozens of posts per day. It is usually once per day - like mine.

It doesn't hurt that he's handsome (at least via his Twitter pic).

Are You Out There

No, it's not National Coming Out Day. Or is it? Or more precisely, isn't it always?

Time had an article this last week about coming out on Facebook. The article is very much a non-article. It is space filler for an already crappy magazine (or it was the last time I read a copy a decade ago).

Coming out used to be an exhausting process. It says.

News Flash: It still is. Or certainly can be.

You had to come out again and again and again to all your friends at different times. Nowadays, even with social networking, gays still have to come out, but one of the key differences between our pre-profile selves and our new online presentations is that now (finally!) the burden is also on our friends to discover and digest our identities. For the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, Facebook et al have finally leveled the identity field, and it's kinda nice.

You still have to come out again and again at different times to your friends. There is no real difference - as they are not all finding you on Facebook all at once. And I don't buy into that the burden is now on our (straight) friends. There certainly is no 'leveling'.

Yes, you can put 'I'm in a relationship. You can even fill in the next part: with......' (fill in the blank). Is the blank supposed to be a name? A gender? What? And what do I want Facebook telling others? I'll gladly tell you my music choices before I tell you of my religious affiliation. Why should my relationship status be different?

The thing is, social networking sites are not just social. If you think Human Resources is not Goooooogling every potential candidate they might make an offer too, you're nutso. And it is not that I think many HR folks aren't enlightened to the ways of homos. But really, why would I give them that potential ammo?

I tell who I want - and how I want to tell them.

Case in point have been a few old friends I left behind decades ago. Lester, Dann and Fred both reconnected with me and I have always liked them. I'm happy to be their friend. But of course, when you're playing 'catch-up' they start with their kids, (ex) wives, etc . You feel compelled to do the same - but then again, it has been two decades........

I don't want to say I framed it like a 'take it or leave it' scenario, as I have way too much respect for them - and clearly they did for me too. Dann's response was classic (and he meant it with good humour): "Well, looking at your friends, I kind of figured....." OUCH.

To be fair, Dann was an early FB friend when I only had gay friends on there. Now my straight friends outnumber the gay ones. Fred and Lester don't care either.

I'd say it is easier to come out in this day & age, mostly because as you mature, you just don't care as much about what people think. I would have been disappointed if either of those three reacted badly - but I wasn't basing my happiness on it. There was a time that might not have been the case.

The article actually ends with a 'Dos and Don'ts' of coming out on FB. Like I'm taking my advice from Time.

Song by: Dar Williams

The Sporting Life

Still catching up on our socialization opportunities for this year, we went out to dinner with our friend Todd (no, not the former porn adult film ingenue, Todd). It was a beautiful night so we went to a local place that had outdoor seating. The temps, the sky and the company were perfect.

...the service, not so much.

Our "server" was an incompetent boob. Let's start out that I can't actually spell out how he mispronounced the word 'noir' as in pinot noir. You'd think if he got any of it wrong it'd be the first part. Let's not start out that as he tried to rattle off the specials that there is probably nothing that is 'vegetable stuffed asparagus'. If they can stuff spears of asparagus, I'd like to see it. I was tempted to order it just to take a look-see. Water was asked for (and ignored) four to five times. Oh - and I got the wrong dish.

Ruckiry (not Jon's boss), Denton and Todd did not have me pay the bill. A 5% tip would have been generous in my book. I still think they gave him like 18%. I do not reward bad behaviour or service. Had that been my first time there, I never would go back - that's the kind of customer I am. But since normally I really like the place and have frequented them often, I will return - and just avoid "Dan".

...and speaking of Dans, Danny Ferry and his wife sat right next to us during dinner. Mr. Ferry is the current general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers - and a former player for that team. I thought he was attractive then and much more so now. No shock that Todd and Denton had zero idea who he was - but I knew the second he walked up the sidewalk, his almost seven foot frame aside.

We also ran into my friends Ken & Heather, who asked if I had given Danny a hard time (the Cav guy, not the waiter). You see, the Cavs had an incredible season only to lose in the playoffs last week. But I did not give him a hard time.

If I were to give anyone a hard time, I told them, it would have been Mark Shapiro (btw, the hyperlinked picture doesn't do him justice as he's not all that unattractive, just does not photograph well) who had also been at the restaurant before Ken & Heather arrived.

Mr. Shapiro, is the general manager of the Cleveland Indians. Why he was out to dinner, while his team was in Chicago losing yet another game is beyond me. For g-d's sake, he wasn't even watching the game on television.

The Indians, this year, suck beyond belief. It is like pre-1994 Indians, where we would often start and finish in last place. Maybe that's why Mark was not with the team - because they are cutting expenses in having him travel with them. And maybe, just maybe, they'll be cutting his job. (fingers crossed!)

...at least both Todd and Denton knew who Mark Shapiro was, by name and by sight, so they kind of butched it up a bit. Kind of.


Song by: the Decemberists

Shanti-Ashtangi

Kris has a great piece from the other day on her yoga history. And it is possible that 'yogini' isn't a real word. I could be way off base on this - as I still don't know the lingo.

And while I was going to write on yoga for the last few days, she kind of beat me to the punch - but what the hell. I'll still do my thing.

I started yoga a few weeks back to compensate my work-out time due to a bad shoulder. The shoulder is better, but I'm sticking with the yoga too. It's still beginner level and I expect to stay there for a bit which is tough. I'm the kind of guy who wants to jump to the end-result. I want to lift more weights, I want to fix the problem at work that no one has done for three decades. That thought process has usually left me a bit defeated in the long run.

So that I recognize I'm not going anywhere just yet is tough, yet the right thing.

I am no longer the worst one in my twice a week class. And it's not a class class. People come and go with each session. Except for one other guy, I have not seen anyone else as a constant besides myself, and the instructor. Barrie (the instructor) no longer singles me out constantly. Now and again, sure - but she's moved on to others. Score!

But Kris is right - I went into yoga thinking it was about relaxing and such. It's not. It is work. It is about focus and concentration, but it is physical work, make no mistake.

She says she has and likes the oms and the chants and the candles. We have none of that - and for that I am eternally grateful. It is a little too new age-y for me. I'm much more comfortable with the English / bastardized names of the poses we do. I can barely remember those - but them into another language and I'm lost and defeated.

This is why I can't move onto the next level. I'll assume that they assume you know these poses / name and can just get into them without re-describing what they are. I've got a ways to go.

The only one I got down by another name is savasana. ooops... I mean savasana. I won't say it's the best part of yoga, but it is the most relaxing - a total re-centering of yourself at the end of class. And of course, the bonus is I have not drifted off and started snoring.

As for the image and title of this post. It's Madonna - and I have no idea what it means or if it pertains to yoga. It's just the closest music selection I had that might somewhat incorporate into the practice.

The image.....apparently there are hot naked yoga classes. I haven't done hot yoga yet. But naked? I think I'm self-conscious doing yoga now? ...just wait until I drop my shorts! (as if!)

Namsate, indeed!


Song by: Madonna

Don't Stop the Music

I've always been an 'early adopter'. When it comes to music. Not children. Never children. Not that there's anything wrong with them.

My first portable music device was the Sony Walkman II. It was so much more portable than the original - so maybe I'm not a first generation adopter, but I was the first one I knew who had one. ...well...except Lori Silverstein. But we hung together my freshman year of college, so we'd be at the main liberry trying to study while tunes pushed through those headphones. It turns out most everyone else could hear whatever we played too.

But after that I died, I got other cassette players - and then of course a few portable CD players, which really weren't that easily portable. And then finally graduated to .mp3 players.

Steve Jobs has enough of my money to pay for all his alternative therapy treatments that won't extend his life one hour - but if he thinks it will, more power to him. Keep positive Steve - the Apple shareholders need you.

I am embarrassed to say (well....kind of) that I have a new iPod. Another iPod.

This house now has four, not including the iPhones. FOUR!

To be fair, we only really paid for two. Denton got me the 30 gig one for my birthday years back. It was the 2nd generation version before there was video. Big as a house, it is. It now resides in his car hooked up to his mocked up iPod dock. Way too much Chicane and Coldplay for my liking. Don't get me started on Lime, Cher and Teena Marie. As far as I'm concerned, that iPod can stay in that car - and when we go out together, I drive!

About five years back I got the first generation Nano. It was so cute - it still is. And it's a workhorse. Holding about 900 songs and their cover art, it has seen me through hundreds of work trips, work outs, bike rides - you name it. When it's at home, we have it hooked up through a Bose radio in the kitchen. It really has outlasted it's prime, I'm sure.

The other two are Shuffles. I got the 2nd generation one for Denton from a rebate I got because of the first iPods shoddy battery. It never went bad, but Apple paid up 'just in case'. He got it for the holidays two years ago. I think I dolled out about $19 for it. But it was good for his workouts.

And now, I have the new Shuffle. I got a MicroCenter gift certificate from my parents this last holiday season that I could not find thing to use it on. I don't need any more blank disks or firewires. We went to the store about six times and left empty-handed.

I didn't need the Shuffle, but I could not bare to go back to that store one more time to look around and leave with nothing. And you know, it's new, it holds as much as my Nano and it works better at the gym - when it comes to size.

Look. Look how small it is.

Yeah - I suppose it is bound to be misplaced. Hell, on day one I had trouble finding it in my gym bag. But it clips easily on my shirt and makes it nicer to use the machines and weights.

The headphones take a bit of work - as that is where all the controls are. One click for forward, another to pause, two to go skip a track and three to go back a track. Oy.

I'm using the Shuffle specifically for workouts. While it probably would behoove me to have music that is conducive for warm-up and cool-down, I haven't loaded that stuff onto it. Right now it is just music to get the blood flowing and to keep my adrenaline flowing.

But I think that's it for my Apple music playing devices. I'm good for another year.


Song by: the Michael Stanley Band

Altered State

It seems that Six by Twelve thing has been blown out of the water. In a good way.....in a good way.

With New Hampshire passing same-sex marriage yesterday (and governor approved!), they have now become the sixth state in the U.S. to allow gay marriage.

For those unaware, there has been an initiative to have six states pass gay marriage by 2012. Barring any grassroots appeals and voter repeals, we've more than made it - and with three years to spare. Or at least two and a half.

Who knows what other states could see the light before 2012. Can you imagine a presidential election cycle that doesn't have gay marriage as a talking point? g-d, it would be like heaven, if that even existed. Politicians and pundits would actually have to focus on real issues like education, economy and healthcare.....and somewhat pretend to mean it.

Live Free or Die. I fucking love that state motto - and now New Hampshire has finally lived up to it.

Ohio's is: With g-d, All Things are Possible.

Not Probable. ...just Possible.

It will take an act of g-d to even consider it in this state. We might be well behind Alabama for ever getting same-sex recognition. Sad Sad Sad.



Song by: Teddy Thompson

Tolerance

Have I mentioned I'm tired of Dick Cheney?

Actually, I think I have.

“People ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish." So says he.

I love the bloggers who say he's for gay marriage. He did not actually say that. I guess it is implied, but he didn't actually say that. To be pro-gay marriage would put him outside of the GOP's parameters. Even Michael Steele (not the bassist for the Bangles) has to bring up Barack Obama's name saying that he stands with him on the matter and Cheney's view is not that of the RNC.

Of course, my reaction is to do the complete opposite of what he says - so now I'm against any kind of gay union. Then I thought - maybe he's using reverse psychology and he's really just saying that to talk us out of this state by state march to repeal bans on same sex marriage. He's like Wallace Shawn's character in The Princess Bride.

"We ought to do everything we can to tolerate and accommodate whatever kind of relationships people want to enter into," he said back in 2000. Pundits say that his stance on gay marriage relationships has been steady. B.F.D.

Guess what? I don't want to be tolerated.

What do parents do when their kids act up in an unflattering way? They tolerate their behavior.

Let's define tolerate, shall we?

• to put up with something or somebody unpleasant
• To allow (something that one dislikes or disagrees with) to exist or occur without interference
• Toleration and tolerance are terms used in social, cultural and religious contexts to describe attitudes and practices that prohibit
• a disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations
  

So we're unpleasant, disliked and prohibitive?? Yayyyy! I feel all warm and fuzzy. Thanks Dick. Mary must love coming home for the holidays. Actually, that bitch probably does.

The most laughable shit coming out of his mouth, and though tied to his gay speech, is hilarious on multiple levels:

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone."

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Valarie Plame. Scooter Libby. Waterboarding. Secret energy committee meetings and their rosters of attendees. Any documents having to do with anything in the government. Illegal wiretapping. Made up data on WMD ......shall I go on?

What he meant to say is, freedom means freedom for everyone I determine and when and where I say it's ok.

Once again, why won't he go away??


Song by: 10,000 Maniacs

dogs

I guess I could have done 'who let the dogs out' - but I don't own that song, nor have I really ever heard the entire thing either. Is there anything else to it but that g-d awful chorus?

I came home from workout Sunday to find this in our yard:

....two big mutts in our yard. Asleep. I'm taking these from about 100 yards away - so they're much bigger up closer. Not that I got that close.

this guy (?) is mostly Mastiff. Big feller - or lady. Especially when he/she stood up.

This one was of an unknown breed. I'd suspect 100% mutt. But it was one mean doggie.

I love dogs. I get in trouble by getting on their level, whether they like it or not. Normally they do, but now and again it comes back to bite me. Literally.

These dogs I knew better than to go, 'oh what a cuuuuuuuuute doggie!!!!!!'.

For the last few years we've had a pack of wild dogs roam the 'hood. Nasty dogs. Ones that kill every living animal they come across - smaller dogs, cats, bunnies and squirrels (say like Veruca Salt). I don't care about the squirrels, except that they leave part of the dead carcass in our yard somewhere.

Two years ago there were four dogs. Last year five. This year looks like two.

But when I got out of the car, they awoke. If you've seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - you might remember when Sirius Black showed up early on as a dog, growling and snarling? Remember that?

Sirius was a cute little puppy compared to this black dog. I can deal with barking. The growling and snarling was a bit disconcerting. The charging at me? I did not like one little bit.

I ran like a little girl into the garage and hit the button to shut the door.

All I could think of is that I'd get bitten and have to get the rabies shots, since they'd never catch these dogs.

Two years ago I complained to animal control. They knew all about them but can't do anything about them. They've set traps and can't catch them. Or when you call them, by the time get there the dogs are long gone.

Mr. Mastiff got up and ambled away and the black pooch followed....but not before taking a leak on some of our new plants.


Song by: damien rice

Wither, I'm a Flower

"Oh, I took a train, took a train to another state / The flora and the fauna I saw were really great....."

From that Schoolhouse Rock line (in a song about nouns), I think was first time I had heard the words 'flora' and 'fauna'. ....and that's about as far as my education went when it came to plants and flowers.

My mother is an avid gardener, though she couldn't keep a plant alive inside the house to save her life. But from March to November, she's outside making her yard prettier than the year before. You would have thought some of that rubbed off - but it didn't. You're looking at a guy who took the weed eater to dozens of her Hostas, because I thought they were skunk cabbage.

....but at least after that, I knew what a Hosta was. But save your petunia, tulip and a few others, I'm sort of clueless when it comes to flowers.

The way I see it, it's like art.......or porn. I don't know it, but I'll know it when I see it.

So we have now been in this house for four years (today, actually!). Some of the foliae we inherited, some we have planted....or had planted. When I look at the pictures, you'd think Prince or Apollonia live here, as there is a lot of purple.

But for a kick-off to the week and the month - I'll just leave you with some pictures of what's been opening up in the garden. We have worked with a lady who picked stuff so there will be some colour all spring, summer and autumn long. It will be staggered, so this is nice.

Anyway - enjoy. I'd label the stuff, but....well........you know............










Song by: Whiskeytown

Up!

I'm so on track for making the quest of one movie per month this year. I know it seems like a small goal - but so far, it is one that has not been achievable.

I guess it's really an average of one movie per month, considering we've seen three this month alone and I'm still falling one short year to date. But with Harry Potter and Julie & Julia on the way, I should make it.

Yesterday we saw Up. In 3D, no less.

Except for Honey, I Blew Up the Kids down at Animal Kingdom, I'm not sure I've ever seen a three dimensional movie.

Aren't the glasses fabu? Aren't I? I look so very European.

For all of Pixar's releases, we've made most of them on their opening weekend. Up has gotten rave reviews. And maybe it works on multiple levels, but I have to say, I didn't see it from a kid's perspective. I found it to be extremely kid-unfriendly for the first two-thirds. VERY.

Much like Wall-E, the first half-hour is a poignant movie on its own, but obviously goes on longer and with other or extended story lines. But still, I wondered (aloud) why the kids in the audience weren't in tears or scared. Again, Disney is the master of making movies work on multiple levels, so maybe I can't see it through a child's eyes.

The story is ok, but it didn't WOW me. As always, the visuals were great - though I can't say the scenery shots were better than Cars or the Incredibles. Those were outstanding. Some of the 3D stuff was good, but I'm not sure the movie wouldn't have worked without it. Visuals have always been Pixar's strong suit, so I'm not sure that 3D is necessary.

Up is a decent 90 minute or so flick. I wouldn't say you need to rush out to see it, but it's something to do on an uneventful afternoon.


Song by: Shania Twain

Lost

I've seen this the last few days on my way to work. I finally snapped a pic of it yesterday. All I could think was......

Oh No! Jody Whatley lost an earring.

Ok - that this was all mostly for my friend, Jon.



Song by: Sarah McLachlan (what??? I don't own any Jody Whatley!)

Is it a Crime?

This was in my email yesterday. It didn't even make it to my spam folder - which is how I saw it.

Granted I am always looking for new career opportunities, but I never thought anything I would do for cash would start out with a theme song done by the Who.

You know I'd be on some critical mission, but be the one given the walkie-talkie. I don't even see anyone carrying their special lights to identify semen stains in the dark. What's up with that? Maybe the specially trained don't need that light. Is that what you were going to say all so snidely????? IS IT???

Though I'm sure I can come up with worse career choices, this is still nothing I would ever consider doing. Unless of course, I get to work with George Eads.

And by "work", I means "sleep with". And by "sleep with", of course, I mean "have sex with". And by 'have sex with", of course I mean....... Oh you don't want specifics.



What? You were thinking I'd be wanting to hook up with Marg Helgenberger? Puh-Leese!!! (say like Squidward.)


Song by: Sade

Bigmouth Strikes Again

What the hell is up with Dick Cheney?

I know this is has been question that has plagued the U.S...no...no.. ..most of the world...for the last decade or so. But I'm talking more recently.

Actually so has he. That's all he's been doing. Yak yak yak yak. He's like a frickin' woman. Sorry girls. And he's worse than the H1N1 - and spreading himself around just as much.

I know there is a group probably for just about everything on Facebook and normally I just can't be bothered with that shit. But when this came up, I had to had to had to join. Had to.

That's right: Telling Dick Cheney to Shut the Hell Up.

Of course I would have changed one word in that title. I'm sure FB wouldn't have allowed it, so from now on you can just say it in your head. You know what I'm talkin' about.

Your time is over old man. Go sail off into the West - as if they'd even have you.

I cannot fathom how a man who left office with a 13% approval rating has become the mouthpiece for the GOP - especially when he almost refused to talk for the eight years he was in office. Like he was too good for his royal subjects.

Connie Schultz, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer (and wife of Democratic Senator, Sherrod Brown) had a good piece in yesterday's PD.

I guess the bigger question to me is, save for Fox....because, well.....they're Fox....why does anyone give this man the opportunity to speak? He can't be that much of a ratings draw - can he?

And what the fuck is up with that torture press conference that Obama gave last week and Cheney had his counter one at the same time??? Do you know how fast the GOP would have shut that down had it been the other way around? Where are the Dems balls?

One could say the Dems are just happy to watch Cheney & Co implode with this, but this has taken on a life of its own (this blog piece included). Not only is Dick going on and on and on and on....so it everyone else.

The last eight years can't go away fast enough. Why won't he let it? WHY?


Song by: the Smiths

Super Sugar Supreme

Believe it or not, I have no songs with the word, 'court', 'judge' or 'trial'. Who knew? I have like 14,000 songs in my liberry, how is this even possible?

Yesterday was a big day in the name of justice. Some good. Some bad. Both kind of expected. Let's start with the good.

Obama picked his first (and hopefully not last) Supreme Court Justice nominee - Sonia Sotomayor. His short list was reported to have been made up mostly of women, so it's not a huge surprise that his final pick was one. That she is hispanic is a plus. That court needs some diversity. Thomas doesn't count. He's as white as they come when it comes to matters of the law.

The Prop 8 decision was the bad. And again, not horribly unexpected.

And guess what, I'm going to be a seemingly bad apple here: Good for the California Supreme Court.

Before you berate me and start thinking of your flames, let me tell you why I say that:

If last November, Prop 8 had not passed and things gone our way and yesterday the court were to turn over that election, we (the gays and gay loving public), would say it was a travesty and an outrage that the court reversed something the public voted for.

So how is this different?

This is not 2000 where the courts were looking into voter fraud and election tampering. This was a population not happy with an election result.

But here is my positive take away on the result from yesterday. I feel there is a huge loophole in the court's decision. There is zero equality in allowing 18,000 gay couples to be married and recognized by the state and no others. It's a risk, but there could be thousands of lawsuits over this fact.

Of course I want there to be the ability for same-sex couples to marry. I am for all the rallies going on and I do think there will be another initiative in California - and soon. I also think more people are now aware of how election language is set forth and how to educate those around what is right and what is real.

Good and bad yesterday. You see the winds of change with a hispanic woman judge potentially being on the Supreme Court. It was unfathomable that it could even be a possibility a few years ago. The same will be true for gay marriage. Soon.


Song by: the Philosopher Kings

Up, Up & Away

You really have to click on the image to see what I saw. ...and even then it won't be that impressive. Unfortunately.

What is up in the sky are six hot air balloons.

In the town I grew up (as if I ever actually grew up!), they have hot air balloon races each Memorial Day weekend. On and above the horizon you can see the half dozen of which I spoke. A few minutes later there were an additional six.

For a good 30-40 minutes they would bob up and down, above and below the tree line. Or some of them did. About half kept their height.

The plan was to have them fly over and past my parents house, from where I took this picture. But neither the festival, nor the balloon pilots have much control of anything other than the amount of hot air they put into the balloon. They are kind of dependent on the wind, of which there was none. Nary a leaf was moving on any of the trees.

The balloons never made it over my parents house - this was as close as they got. They certainly never got to wherever their final destination was supposed to be.

I was hoping to have really cool close-up shots, but that was out of my hands. I love it when they fly right over - you can hear almost every word that is said in the gondolas. .....and they can hear everything that is said on the ground (or so I've been told - as I've never been up in one).

Maybe next year folks. Maybe next year.


Song by: the Fifth Dimension

Memory in the Making

I just love someecards.

I have no feeling for Memorial Day per se, other than it's my first absolutely scheduled day off since January 1. So for that I'm psyched.

Yes, folks in the healthcare industry rarely get off on MLK, President's Day, etc. Don't even get me started on Columbus or Veteran's Day. Damn sick people!

I mean, I guess back in the day for people who died fighting for freedom are to be honored is a noble thing. I have nothing against that, but let's face it - between Shrub and his father and their fake-ish wars, they've kind of cheapened what freedom is and how we go about achieving it. Atrocities just as big are happening in other parts of the world, but well......they have nothing we want, so we can't be bothered.

As for our 'black president', I have seen this rising ire from the gay community on what he is or isn't doing for us. Of course, that's assuming we all want the same thing. But those speaking out assume we do and yet I don't remember officially being asked by anyone.

Whether I want to get married is irrelevant. Yes, it should be a right, whether we opt to take up those vows after/when it's legal. But Obama pretty much made it clear what his stance on same-sex marriage is prior to the election. So if you voted for him and are bent out of shape on his inaction - suck it up.

DADT (and to a degree, DOMA) is another matter, as he implied it would be changed. But for g-d's sake, give the man a break. Yes, it's not done yet and who knows when or if it will be. Between a crappy economy, record foreclosures and unemployment (and all the things that go along with that), and a supreme court nominee to get through Congress - all within the first four months, I think he is ok in working with his timeline. Not necessarily "ours".

I believe change will come - sooner rather than later. Clearly it is not soon enough for some. With social change like this, I'm a patient man - go figure. I want it done right and without the potential for backlash. I keep thinking some of these outspoken folks have good intentions, but sometimes come across acting like Veruca Salt (the character, not the band).

All I'm saying is give the man a break. Or at least give him a chance. It's only been 120 days.

There are still worse things out there - like Dick Cheney.


Song by: John Kilzer

Star Me Kitten

One of my sisters, and her family, are the proud caretaker of a new family member. A kitten. Or another one. They've almost always had two cats and two dogs.....and two kids. Don't knock symmetry, there is a beauty to it.

They actually got one a few years back, but Marty disappeared two months back. He ran away, or someone took him. No one wants to say the other things that might have happened, but he liked to roam and they live on country roads.....and it is not unusual to see a fox or coyote on these roads now and again.

My sister kept telling me how upset the kids were. Her husband would tell me that it was my sister who'd go to the door three or four dozen times a day calling for him. That's my family - transfer your feelings and emotions to others while absolving yourself of them.

Anyway, they got X yesterday. X, you say? They have not come up with a name yet. I say their oldest, college-bound daughter doesn't get a way (she's picking the worst names) doesn't get a choice as she's leaving home.

It is a house full of male pets too. They had (well, have) one girl cat, but all the other cats and dogs have been male. X is a guy too.

He's got great markings. Better than show up on the iPhone. He's on high-alert as the two dogs who share the house are trying to familiarize themselves with him. But they're not allowed in the family room - something X will use to his advantage in the very very near future.

I'm loving the two little dots on his nose.

Here's me looking a little shlubby, but I completely attribute it to my posture, or lack of. I plopped down on the couch and the little guy curled up right next to me. I think he'll be a cuddler, but in reality I provided a save haven and warmth for him. Hey - it works for me.

I HATE his pic of me, but it's cute of him. I love how it shows how small he is (no, not how large I am).

Of course, all this makes me want another kitten, but deep down I know better. And Denton asked me if I even remember that stage: all energy, jumping, running, climbing and clawing?

My response, naturally was, 'you mean like Sophie now?'. Sophie turns three in a few weeks. She has yet to outgrow kittendom.

I'll let you know the chosen name when they get it. My brother-in-law said they had to have one by the end of Monday. He's so funny when he attempts to lay down the law in that house.


Song by: R.E.M.

Family

Well - my time away didn't last very long - did it?

I kind of suspected it wouldn't. You know - routine and/or OCD. Some habits are hard to break.

In this very left-of-center effort to make connections with some of my lesser know relatives, I had lunch again with my cousin Bill. This time he invited his nephew (also my cousin), David, to tag along.

David is two years younger than I am and I think it might be 30-35 years since I've seen him last. He didn't remember ever meeting me. Normally that would have shot my already low self-esteem even lower, but really, it's been three plus decades and not everyone is blessed cursed with a memory like mine.

I say this with the utmost affection (honestly): David is one big bag of crazy.

And I immediately connected with him.

Denton always asks me if I ever have an unverbalized thought. Normally I would said, 'no, no I don't', until I (re)met David. I absolutely loved it. In a matter of minutes he was talking about mulch, his sister, bath houses, high school reunions, San Francisco, volunteering and being a germaphobe. None of (or very few of) these subjects had to do with each other.

Just to be clear on the bath house and SF comments - I guess I should note that David is not gay. Clearly gay-friendly, but not gay. At least I'm 71% sure. He is married. To a woman.

He goes on to mention how absolute nuts everyone in his family - immediate and otherwise - are, then proceeds to ask me 'so, what's wrong with you?'. Without missing a beat I said, 'where would I even start......?' Then I think he asked what my credit card limit was.

At this point I honestly couldn't tell if Bill was enjoying himself or just tolerating us. I think he is genuinely fond and close to his nephew, so I think he was good with it all. Lunch lasted a good 90 minutes, and yes, it was a work day for me.

After lunch we walked over to the Western Reserve Historical Society. Bill had taken the liberty of calling ahead and pulling some strings and had achieved history of our family pulled out and waiting for us. Apparently we have at least 40 linear feet of documents and photographs chronicling our family here. They gave us little white cloth gloves if we were to touch anything.

There were pictures of at least part of one side of the family (paternal) here. We kind of chuckled over some that were there from a family reunion from 30 odd years ago and I got to relay my house hunting werido story.

We also got a special tour of the facility and where/how they achieve stuff. For some reason, WRHS has the (or one of the) largest collections of Civil War documents. Allegedly Ken Burns spent mucho time there for research when doing his PBS series. Who knew?

I'd love to do something with David again, as he just seems like a lot of fun. That he's family is a plus - and how many times can you really say that? But since getting reacquainted, he is someone I can see hanging out with just because he's smart and funny.

So anyway, it's 04:11 and I can't sleep. ....and I'm back. Or still here, to be more precise. Insomnia is a wonderful thing - isn't it?


Song by: Dar Williams

When You Say Nothing At All

OMG. I've got nothing.

I'm seemingly tired of talking about the gym, yoga and work. And let's face it - that's all I've got lately. And you're probably tired of hearing about it. I gotta mix it up. I gotta.

Am I really taking a break? Probably not - but I'm almost seven months in, without missing a day of posting. Who wouldn't need a day here or there?

It's a holiday weekend, so maybe I will. No one is going to be reading anyway - you all got stuff to do.

Of course, you can check in and see what there is to see - if anything.


Song by: Allison Krauss

You're the Top

I'll go out on a limb - that if you are the owner of this license plate, that you're the bottom.

Just a hunch.

This car was parked outside yesterday at a mexican restaurant on the way to my parking garage. I rolled my eyes and kept walking and thought, 'oh fuck it' and then walked back and took the pic. No doubt the queen owner had a window seat and wondered what the fuck I was doing.

This is where I lose my gay card. I'm a homo of a certain age...maybe off the cusp by a few years. Thankfully. I'm not one who does the gay inhale when they announce her super duper final farewell tour. I don't think she's a good actress or singer. I even loathe that she ingratiates herself in politics and I usually side with her party/candidate.

Though not in the movie, she was a running "joke" in "In & Out" - that shiteous gay movie with Kevin Kline and Tom Sellack. g-d, I can't believe I just typed that. One more reason to associate her with bad things.

She has done one thing that I like - What's Up Doc? And while she is decent in it, it really is because it is such an ensemble piece. If you look at the individual players you'd never think it could work, but it does. Ryan O'Neal? But Madeline Kahn in the best debut role ever!

Do prisoners still make license plates? (did they ever? really?) I wonder what that rapist who had to forge this thought when he had to make this one.

I have to get my registration renewed this year. I'll have to see if STACEYQ is taken.



Song by: Barbara Streisand (for the record, I normally put songs I own as the blog titles. I do not own this!)

Bend and not Break

If goooooogle images were to be believed, every man who does yoga is inked.

I can confirm all are not - as I don't have a tattoo. It's not so much that I don't want one as that I'm a huge huge wuss when it comes to getting one. Haven't I had enough needles and other things poking into me and cutting my skin?

....well, that and I probably could never decided on a design.

Anyway, yesterday was day two of yoga. It went slightly better than the first. It had to - right?

Same place, same instructor, a few of the same participants, though I went during lunch instead of after work. I'm not a complete imbecile when doing it - or at last no worse than anyone else . I think. To be honest, I didn't look around. I wasn't going to relive aerobics from all those years ago. And the point of yoga (or one of them) is to be centered and not worry about your surroundings. I'm trying to do this correctly.

But I will say, it really grinds my gears that some folks come in 10 minutes late. The instructor really probably should have squashed that one - but she didn't. Where is common decency?

Over the weekend, I went and bought my own personal yoga mat. This way I don't have to use the bacteria-filled communal ones. Yesterday we used yoga "straps". I didn't have a set, so I had to use my towel. You use them to stretch parts of your body and have something to grasp and use for resistance. But my legs are too long and the towel was too short, so there were a few things I couldn't do.

So I guess now I have go buy straps. Or as Denton pointed out, "is this some kind of pyramid scheme?"

Don't even get me started on the blocks.


Song by: Dashboard Confessional

I Can't Wait

Normally, I don't take pictures at the gym....mainly because normally I don't have my iPhone in the gym. I have a Nano for my music while working out. But on Sunday, I forgot the Nano - and if I'm spending 30-45 minutes on the elliptical, I need a musical distraction. So I actually used my iPhone.

What sucks is, the shorts I was wearing had no pockets and I have no arm strap for the device, so I had to hold it for all my work out. Very difficult to do.

But since I had it, I thought I'd snap a few shots....if nothing else, to prove I do go to a gym.

Here I is, in the Big Boy Weight Room - which I've just started to get the nerve to go back into. Normally, I'm on the Nautilus equipment, but I'm trying to be a man. TRYING! (menwithiphones.com - I'm still waiting for my big debut!)

This is kinda sad. These are my new cross-training shoes. My first new pair. It's not that I've gone to the gym barefoot (except at yoga), it's that I've been cheap and have just gotten hand-me-down shoes from the BF and my 16 year old nephew!!!!

I'm not really cheap - not really. I'm just a bit pathetic. Oh - and I loathe shopping. The used shoes never really fit, but then until a few months ago, I never truly wore them for work-out, just bike rides and to cut the lawn.

And though my purchase didn't provide the title of the post, I went with a round-about means, since the group name did.

No, the above image is not an illusion. Nor is it trick photography. With those above hairy legs (and new shoes), I can push out 260 pounds. Probably 280, but I'm not trying to hurt myself.

Today is day two of yoga. And I'm doing it over lunch. But with out shoes.



Song by: Nu Shooz

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!


It's really a shame the Cardigans started off their U.S. career with their more than fluffy single "Love Fool". At the time it was annoying as hell and they were written-off stateside almost immediately. Upon listening to it a decade later, it is actually not a half bad song.

What is even better was their three follow-up disks which never found footing over here. I'll have to make their Long Gone Before Daylight one of my Classic disks. It really is in the top five disks of the first decade of the 21st century. Seriously!

But those three disks were eventually released here in America - a good 12-18 months after their initial European launch. So it is no shock or surprise that lead singer, Nina Persson's side project, A Camp, suffered the same fate with Colonia.

Colonia is not a bad album, but it won't hit any airwaves here - nor does it strive to. Or at least I don't think that was the intent. The group is a lot lower key than the Cardigans, and they weren't too 'out there' to start with.

The music itself is sparse - some guitars, rudimentary keyboards, drums and the occasional strings. That's it. But that combo has its moments. I really like "It's Not Easy to be Human", "My America".

There is this weird early '60s girl-group/Phil Spector vibe weaved in and out of part of the album (horns on "My America", vocal arrangement "Here are Many Wild Animals"). The latter being about survival - with references to the bomb, the ark and cockroaches. I don't think it's really about eating our young, as that is more of a metaphor than meant for literal translation. Either way - you'll never hear something like that on radio.

There are clunkers along the way - the too sleepy "The Weeds Had Got There First" and "Chinatown".

I liked the last three Cardigans disks so much, I had high hopes for Colonia, but in reality this is a so-so disk. Lots of promise and little follow-through.

...but I love the cover art.

Return of the Grievous Angel

Oh, how I wish this were a post about at least a half-nekkid David Boreanaz. You know Angel, from Buffy.....or, I guess Angel. .....but mostly I care about Buffy.

Even with the bumps on his left shoulder (go ahead, enlarge the image and look), he's still dreamy.

No, this is about going to see Angels & Demons yesterday. I know, I know - it goes against most everything I stand for: catholicism and Tom Hanks. But short of being rude - what could I do? I was out-voted 3-1.

We rarely see our friends David and James, and they really wanted to go. For full-disclosure, they'll see almost anything and everything. David worked in film (in a way) and has an appreciation for most everything - though it is not to say he likes everything.

Denton wanted to go too, so what's a good bf to do? I went.

I never read the book and I think I'm one of 18 people in the U.S. who did not read The DaVinci Code. I tried. Honest. I could not get past page 104. I'm not estimating here.....it is not an approximation. I distinctly remember the page I gave up on the book, even years later.

Clearly, I didn't see that movie either.

But we went. It was exactly what I expected, though with a few twists I didn't quite see - but the end result was how I figured it, about 25 minutes into the picture.

One twist was that Ewan MacGregor was in it! Who knew? Probably anyone who read an ad or the movie poster. I wasn't one of those people.

I don't care that Hanks has two Oscars to his credit and one is a Jonathan Demme movie about a person with AIDS. It could be argued, he peaked with Bachelor Party. But once he went down the road to Big, I started to find him insufferable. Ok, maybe that's a bit harsh, but the schmaltz with Forrest Gump and that FedEx movie......oy.

I'd say 70% of the movie is background information. Them walking and talking and explaining a few millennia of history, but just enough to end up fitting very very very neatly in the the jigsaw puzzle of a movie was annoying to me. Yeah, lots of movies and TV shows do it - but they do it better. Raiders of the Lost Ark comes to mind, or something a little more didactic like The West Wing.

For the blockbuster it was supposed to be, I doubt there were more than 25 people in the theater. ...and it was a rainy Saturday.

...oh and the music. The overreaching score. The Gregorian chants in the background. And bombastic approach to the final credit music. Way too much, Opie.

As it turns out, no one thought it was a great movie, so I wasn't the cheese standing alone. I doubt that Dan Brown or Ron Howard even scraped the surface of how evil the catholic church is, but it's not exploding anti-matter.

On a positive note - I'm up to my third of at least 12 movies for the year (you all remember my never-achieved goal, right?). And with a few movies slated for summer release, I honestly think I'll make it.

But at least for this, I got a really really cute image of Mr. Boreanaz.


Song by: Gram Parsons

Clean

I'm a bit hungover today. More just tired than hungover. Yeah, I probably killed a bottle of wine by my lonesome, but it was worth it. Oh c'mon - I could have easily killed another one. You know me.

My man-date, Scott, and his wife came over last night. It was supposed to be dinner, but we ended up just noshing on cheese, hummus and the likes. I even had macerated strawberries and bought angel food cake (oh yeah, and ice cream) for a dessert-like finisher.

We never got to that last part. Too much wine or Makers Mark.

Scott and Celeste had not been over before. We've had many failed attempts. And then we lost the person who helped us clean our house. Poor Florida got cancer and decided to retire. My mother tried not to laugh and attempted to look appalled when I tried to wipe a faux tear from my eye when saying: "It's true.....cancer does affect everyone!"

As a cancer survivor, I thought (and think) I could get away with a joke as crass as that.

It took us almost a year to find someone new - someone we like and trust. She started yesterday, so we got right back on the social bandwagon and had guests over on day one.

Today we have plans with other friends, but not here. I love them, but really am ambivalent about the actual plans. More on that tomorrow.

Now, it's off to the gym.


Song by: Depeche Mode

I Am Stretched on Your Grave

So, yesterday I ventured into a new realm of exercise. Yoga.

A few weeks ago I hurt my left shoulder while doing my weights. I tried to power through it for another week, but all I did was continue to aggravate the injury. So I'm off lifting for at least this week, possibly next.

I've wanted to try yoga, but the reality is that I'm not very bendy and I'm not sure I have a center. I know I don't have "a happy place". Since I was in 6th or 7th grade my legs have always been longer than my torso, and since then I've never been able to touch my toes (see the bendy comment above). So I wasn't horribly optimistic on how it would all work.

I actually worked out at my usual 05:30 time and then returned to the gym at 18:30 for Yoga for Beginners.

I wasn't sure how it would work or how the set-up would be, so wouldn't you know that when I got my mat down I ended up in the front of the class? Frick.

And while the class may have been for beginners, I felt like I was on the Yoga Short Bus.

It seemed the instructor continually used me as the example of how to do things correctly, since apparently I wasn't. She'd gently guide me to the correct positions and such, but I suppose it helped the other members of the group to do the right things as well.

To be fair - I didn't suck at it. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. I didn't feel nearly as self-conscious as I thought I might, even with Barrie walking me through some routines. (she did it to others too - not just me.)

I felt things stretch, but all I really did was confirm my un-bendi-ness. I'm sure it takes time to become more adept at it all. I've got my Warrior poses down, and I'm decent at the Triangle. I don't remember the names of the other moves.

There is something relaxing about it, but I definitely broke a sweat too. Not soaking wet like when I'm doing the ellpitical.

At the end, Barrie made a point to ask me how I liked it (was I the only new face in the class?) and then continued to encourage me and congratulate me on the 'good job' I did.

Yeah - I was being treated like I rode the short bus, but I can deal with it. I'll go back. I think it would be good for me.


Song by: Sinead O'Connor

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!


I'm a big fan of cauliflower. Mostly raw - the vegetable, not me. I can have it cooked, but it seems to loose whatever appeal I truly have for it. I like the crispness of it and the texture.

But hell, you cook it enough and it tastes like nothing and it looses all that crispness and texture.

The other day I came across something I had never seen before: orange cauliflower. orange! What the hell is that?

Of course, the wrapping says 'multicolor'. I guess.......if you include the leaves.

I have no idea if this is genetically manipulated food or not. And as much as I like cauliflower, my guess is if it were put in front of me, I might not eat it. I can guarantee you that I would not purchase it.

But I will take a picture of it.

Don't Ask Me to Choose

Yesterday the mailstudman brought me a present. One of my oft used phrases, by way of Lisa Simpson and Ralph Wiggum, on a t-shirt.

...and yes, I've used it at least twice in Valentine posts. And now I have a shirt to go with those posts and fond Simpsons memories.

But it was not from "my beloved" that cho-cho-chose me. Well, maybe it was. I don't know. I'm so confused.

I mean, it was not from the man I've spent the last 20+ years with. You'd think that would be the obvious choice - but that's not how we operate. Unless one of us is traveling and then we might surprise each other with a little gift.

No, it was Rebecca. Maybe she loves me more. {sigh}

How fun!

Way back when "blogging" was new(er), I surprised her with a Blogger t-shirt and mug. I thought it would be fun. This was before WordPress and all the other sites existed. Certainly before more and more people started hosting themselves. ...and it was also before I had a blog.

Anyway, this shirt totally brought a smile to my face. I thought I'd call her immediately and then thought better of it. Not better - but different - of it.

Wouldn't it be more fun....or funner....or funnerer...to log on to my blog and see the shirt you bought someone? and they were wearing it? and they were writing about it? and writing about them?

Of course, I always write about Rebecca. If it weren't for her, I'd only have about 500 entries and not 1500.

The bestest thing about the shirt? It's a Large. Not an Xtra-Large. And it fits. g-d love her for affirming my work-out routine. A risky gamble though. An ill fitting shirt could have sent me into a shame spiral that would last until Friday's happy hour.

I also didn't realize my forearms were that hairy. I look so manly. ....kind of like a certain cab driver in Los Angeles, eh Morty?

Of course, now I feel obligated to get her a t-shirt that says "Look in the tunk".



Song by: Fine Young Cannibals

Fast as You Can

...so on Saturday, I got pulled over and given a ticket for speeding.

ME!

Would it surprise you to know that I have never been ticketed in all my years of driving? It's true.

I've been pulled over four times and never ticketed. Once, they not only should have fined me, but probably hauled me in. I had had a few drinks, but was not drunk. Speeding? Yes. And I ran a four-way stop sign where two cops sat. And still they let me go.

It must have been my devastating good looks. Or my winning personality. Yeah - that's it.

At my last job, I logged a few hundred miles a month by way of driving. And I flew. Not on a plane, but down the highway. I never got pulled over. I'd tell people this and they would say 'don't say that, you'll jinx yourself'. Quite the opposite, I'd think. I figured if I said it, I'd continue my lucky streak.

Saturday I was not so lucky. After working out and then buying pastries for my mother to take to her for Mother's Day, I was going 38 in a 25. I'm not trying to let myself off the hook here, honest. I was speeding. I got caught. But I wasn't even able to keep up with the two cars ahead of me. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.

I kind of thought he'd give me a warning as when he checked my priors he'd find I had none. But no, we're in cash-strapped times - and no tax levies have passed in a few years. Our roads are for shit and our services diminished. Catching law-breakers is our revenue generation these days.

So the fine? $150 !!!!!

The funny thing is - I'm not even upset. How can I be?

If there was any rub to the situation - the cop was not hot. Not by a long shot. But hot cops are like the Holy Grail - or mythological creatures. The chances of them looking more like Chief Wiggum is even money. Eye candy would have been nice. I should have gotten something out of the situation - right?

And I did - a ticket.



Song by: Fiona Apple

The World is Full of Stupid People

You might look at this title and the accompanying image and assume that I went to go see the new Star Trek movie and didn't like it.

You'd be wrong.

I mean, I did go see it. But I more than liked it.

The reason for the song title - which is about a decade old or more - is because it contains lyrical references to Jean-Luc Picard and the United Federation of Planets.

See, I was never ever a fan of the original Star Trek series or their movies. I saw Wrath of Kahn. I saw Search for Spock. I saw the one that was #V - whichever one that was. You know, the one where they were going to Shakaree or something. Of course, Jon and I would substitute Chaka Kahn just for our own giggles. Awful!

I remember seeing that last one with Jon in that old Grandview theatre and successfully (?) quoting dialogue that had yet to happen. THAT is how predictable it was. I remember turning to him and saying, "hell! I could have written this", to which his quick reply was "thank g-d you didn't!!!" Oh how we laughed. The movie cost us a dollar and I still wanted a refund when it was over.

I really enjoyed The Next Generation series though, but not so much their movies. I could never get into Deep Space Nine, Enterprise or Voyager. TNG was an anomaly.

Anyway - back to the movie. Yes, we saw it on day two, so the place was packed. They even had an 'event coordinator' to make sure all seating was utilized. They tried to get me to move to the center to make it easier for others to get in. Tough cookies, babe, I got here early, I scoped out my seat. I'm keeping it.

JJ Abrams did a great job with it. Better than he's done with Lost or Felicity (insert laughing here). The effects, the storyline and the acting. Except for two or three lines they had to throw in (c'mon - did anyone think Scottie wasn't going to say his frickin' trademark line?). I was annoyed at a few product placements that clearly every movie has to do anymore to off-set financing. The Nokia ringtones are a blatant display was just crappy.

And then there was Lenord Nimoy talking around his new dentures. It was a distraction.

Oh oh oh.....and Winona Ryder!!! She didn't take anything away from the flick, but she certianly didn't add anything to it either. It could have been played by anyone. But it probably keeps her in Actor's Equity for another 3-5 years. Denton didn't even recognize her.

The cast was actually really good. I don't know why all the gays pine for Chris Pine. He's a better actor than he is a looker - but that could be my opinion. But Zachary Quinto was great as Spock. And of course Harold (or was it Kumar?) as Sulu. Even Uhura was good - though she a bit of a space slut.

And is there anything that Eric Bana is in where he isn't totally hot? Even as a Romulan?

Don't get me wrong, there are great scenes but little suspense. It's not quite a spoiler alert when you know none of the main characters are in complete danger - as they all live for another 6o years....or 60 films. Whichever comes first. (flash on the Simpsons: Star Trek XII: So Very Tired!)

You know we don't go out to tons of movies, mostly because I'm picky....and cheap, so I heartily recommend it.

Go. Now. I think they need the cash.



Song by: the Refreshments

Mother Stands For Comfort

Can I say this? For the most part, I have a pretty great mom.

Except for a few blips when I was a teenager, I think we've always had a pretty good relationship.

Naturally, those blips were all about me becoming......me. I think my sexuality came a lot more easily to me than it did to her. Mind you, when I was 15 or so and she was figuring it out, as I was. I had less of an issue with it - I'm assuming.

It's not that she was ill equipped to deal with it all, it was just a different time. Hell, we didn't know anyone who was divorced way back then, let alone who was gay. It certainly wasn't what anyone talked about.

Of course, it might have just been about me being a teenager. Who the hell knows?

But we've come to a great place where not only am I not the black-sheep of the family, but more like the golden boy. Yes, granted, I am the only boy, but now you're just nitpicking.....

My mom has been extremely supportive of how I've lived my life. It probably doesn't hurt that I've never asked them to move back home or asked for cash and have always had a steady job (well, except for that 5 months in 2006-2007 - but I had a severance package, so there's that...).

She has always accepted Denton and you know that has to be a huge plus. I know so many people who do not get along that well with their in-laws - whether they're queer or not.

Like me, my mother has a great sense of humour. For the most part, so do my sisters. My "aunt" (quotes used, as she's not really my aunt) Rosemarie said at my mother's 70th birthday, to my mother, (almost like I wasn't at the table), "he has the same wicked sense of humour as your mother."

I can't say that for sure - as she was just my grandmother and died when I was 10. My keen sense of humour was not fully honed at that point - and I don't remember her being funny. But my mother is, and I think her grandkids know she is.

So like most every Sunday, we'll go over to have dinner with my parents. There will be a gift or two, but she really wants nothing.

I always try to make time for my mom - and she for me. It's not just about a day. It never is.




Song by: Kate Bush

So Good to See You

I don't know how "out there" in the blogosphere this video is. I just found it funny. I doubt it is being shown on America's Funniest Commercials You've Never Ever Ever Seen - or whatever that show is.

...and clearly it is not even meant to be shown in the U.S. We just don't allow that. We're not that progressive.




For the record, how could you not know the difference?

....and yes, I know I'm just phoning it in with a YouTube Saturday. Sue me.



Song by: Shawn Colvin

Record of the Month - Classic

Another installment of a disk I have enjoyed over the years. I'm trying to keep the Record of the Month posts to be fairly new releases. Classics are going to be ones that are at least 5 years old.

I was all set to go with another selection and then a song rotated through my iPod play list and I completely changed direction.

Maria McKee's third release, Life is Sweet is one great disk. Granted it is not for everyone, but what music is? And it is an album - one meant to be played front to back. It's not just a collection of songs thrown together and set out for sale.

Unlike her work with the short-lived band Lone Justice (a totally other RotM-C) or her first solo disk it is not country-rock. And unlike her second solo disk, it's not blues-tinged.

Life is Sweet is electric guitars, distortion and strong vocals. It is everything I want out of Maria McKee.

Opening with what is arguably the best track on the disk, "Scarlover" is as rough and painful as the title suggests. Oddly enough it's off-set the background vocals which tend to draw you in lessening the edge if only for a few seconds. Then you're drawn back in. Or I am.

Even with the guitar work, sometimes her lead and backing/harmony vocals really set the tone for the disk. Hard and soft. Mean and nice. ("This Perfect Dress", "Everybody")

The theme of the disk is clearly being an outcast ("I'm Not Listening", "Smarter" "What Else You Wanna Know?"). But there are underlying hints of duplicity and/or schizophrenia ("Absolutely Barking Stars", "Carried").

As much as I love "Scarlover" it is really the title track that makes the disk. Maria must like it too - as she has recorded and released it thrice - once here, once on a live album and then on her High Dive disk.

In my opinion it works best on this disk and it really encapsulates the entire album into one four minute song (though technically you need to play the following and accompanying "Afterlife").

Depending on when you go to amazon, Life is Sweet may or may not be available for purchase. Oddly enough, it is the only McKee disk not available on iTunes.

But I'd recommend finding it.

Pineapple Head

Rebecca sent me this photo while I was driving. I should have known better than to steer, gas, brake and download photos on the iPhone, but c'mon - it's Becky.

She had me ROR'ing (that's asian for LOL dontcha know). So she immediately got a call - because texting while driving in Cleveland is now against the law. I don't want to be a felon.....again.

I will admit to seeing High School Musical. One. Not Two or Three. One! And once was enough. I have three nieces and nephews who were pre-tweens who loved it and while watching them I was forced to sit through it ("We're all in this together").

Isn't Zac's head HILARIOUS?? At first I assumed it was an optical illusion, because of his hair-don't. Or as I said to Becca: "HE'S a HAIR HOPPER!" Then launched right into "....but Zac ain't no first lady....is she?".

If you haven't seen the original Hairspray, you might not get that. Ironically enough, Becky had to tell me he was in the musical remake of it (which I have refused to watch. Ugh....John Ravolta!).

But Becky insists that it's just bad photoshopping that makes Zac's head look like it is being continually filled with helium. She has even submitted the image to PhotoShop Disasters.

I'm loving the website - and could have held out until June (omg...June is on its way already!) for my Site of the Month, but I really wanted to get this up ASAP. I'm very fond of Tatooine's Best Restaurant. If for nothing else, because I missed Star Wars Day three days ago (may the 4th be with you!).

Enjoy the image. Enjoy Zac Big Head. Enjoy the site. Enjoy doing all those hundreds of Hairspray quotes in your head and chuckling to yourself while you do it ("Tracy! Don't run. You've got heels on - you'll fall !!!").



Song by: Crowded House

The French Mistake

Poor Dom DeLuise. Dead.

He'll be missed - not that he's really been seen in the last decade. At least not by me. Unless of course, I'm watching Blazing Saddles - which can be a frequent occurrence.

It is such a great movie and so could not be done now-a-days. I think it was my first R-rated movie. My mother would have said 'no', so of course I went to my father who was clueless about these things and gave me his permission.

Naturally, it was the bean/fart scene that had 12 year olds just rolling in the aisles - me being one of them. There were so many other jokes that were so much funnier, but you needed some age and wisdom behind you to catch on. It's not like the entire movie isn't quotable. My man-date, Scott, and I do it all the time.

Of course, I distinctly remember the entire two minutes or so "Buddy" was in the movie - right near the end. It's still funny when he says, "watch. me. faggots!" Like I said, I'm not sure they could pull off some of this shit anymore.

Enjoy the clip.




Song by: a bunch of Sissy Marys.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

I told my friends I wouldn't talk about this anymore, so of course I have to get in one last reference to an on-going conversation we've been having.

I have been in discussions with an organization about employment. Yes, I know I'm gainfully employed - so it's been a relatively no stress situation.

The COO/VP to whom I would report to had an immediate connection during our first phone call. It was a great hour phone call. It wasn't an interview - he made that clear.

I did interview and it went well. Not well enough, but they liked me.

How do I know? Because the COO/VP called to tell me, personally. I know, right?

Ok - in our first call, he said he would always be the one to let me know where I stood. No HR. No recruiter. No secretary. My first thought was, "what the hell is wrong with this guy - who, at his level, does this?" My immediate second thought was, "I want to work for this guy".

The next day he left me an email thanking me and giving me his contact information if I had questions. Not his secretaries line - his direct one. And his cell phone. That above question and above foll0w-up statement came back to mind.

So yesterday, when I was told I was not the candidate, the COO/VP called me personally - as promised. And even though I did not get the job, it was still one of the most positive conversations I have had - even for a turn down.

He acknowledged that connection I felt we had - professional, people.....just professional. I, in turn, told him exactly what I typed about my reactions to his personal interaction with me. I think he was really struck by that - in a good way. I also told him I mentioned that same reaction to the president of the company and the head of HR.

Mr. COO/VP then told me he'd like to keep my contact info - as he plans on there being a job opening up (i.e. being created) possibly in 3-6 months. Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. It was still a classy way to be not chosen.



Song by: Alice Cooper

Comfort

Ugh. Yesterday we went over to my little sister's house for a small-ish gathering. It was when we were halfway there did I realize we had not been over, or invited over, for almost two years.

I guess it should be mentioned that she lives less than 30 minutes away from us.

I don't think she is harboring resentment at us or anything, but we certainly don't see them a lot. I see them at my parents and they've been over our house a few times, but it is usually to drop off their kids so we can babysit. I'm not really complaining. While I like my sister and her husband, we clearly don't see eye-to-eye on politics. And by that it would be closer to eye-to-big toe.

A bigger group of right wing nuts you'd never want to meet. So maybe that has a bit to do with why we're not asked over. I really don't know. Or care.

The other thing we differ on is religion. She married into a large Italian Catholic family - and raising their kids as such. Strike Two, I guess.

I could almost deal with their Jesus this and Jesus that crap it weren't for the hypocrisy - which I guess is the spine of Catholicism. You know, having their kids sing songs about Jesus while downloading music from the internet without paying for it.

I mean, I'll peer to peer share songs too, but I don't tell my kids not to steal from the other side of my mouth.

Let's say nothing of my brother-in-law's previous divorce and my sister living with him before marriage. Aren't those on the pope's 'Not To Do' List?

But the actual thing that I loved about the day was that one of the in-laws in-laws came up and introduced themselves to me and then to Denton. I missed the exchange, but apparently she asked who Denton was to Denton. Just being honest he said, "we're partners".

It seems that a records needle got dragged across the vinyl with that statement. Denton said her face just dropped! I'm sure we were persona non-grata upon leaving - though I'm guessing they did indeed all talk about us afterwards.

I have zero idea of my sister and brother in law have never mentioned this to some of their family or not. I mean, her in-laws have known us for longer than a decade, so are we just too embarrassing to talk about?

I kind of hope so. And I'm happy to make those kind of folks squirm a bit and forced to sit there and have cake with two homos.

Luckily the "flatware" was plastic, so they can just throw everything out because lord knows whatever we touched can't ever come truly clean.



Song by: Michael Penn

Smoothie Song

It's happened. I have started..........eating better! I know, right? I've always tried to eat somewhat ok, but never gone out of my way to eat..................healthy! ewwwwww.

Hey, I like cheese and I have no issues with mayo. Sorry Becca, but it's true. And of course, I like alcohol, cookies and chocolate too. But I do try. I also like salads. The other day, this found its way to my desk.
The few times I've eaten sushi, I think it will never be enough - and it always turns out six pieces are more than enough. It's all that bed of cold rice that fills you up. It's ok, but not my favourite of foods. But it sure is better for me than the fried chicken tenders in the cafeteria.

Then at home, I started making these.......

Yup. Fruit smoothies. In this blender, I got a little OJ (not the alleged murderer), fresh strawberries and b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Also included is frozen blueberries, red raspberries, black berries, and yogurt. Oh and some ice cubes to thicken it up a bit. A little frappe and you get............

.......this. Ok - yes, it made a lot. A LOT. But you know, you just throw it into a container and put it in the freezer or refrigerator. I have a little when I get home and it keeps me till dinner. Or I take some with me on the way to work or the gym. It beats the other crap I used to eat. Well, I still eat. But less of......and fewer times.

Doesn't it look refreshing?

I really wasn't planning a lifestyle change when I went back to the gym, but it seems to be happening. Slowly. Nothing extreme. It's not like I want to be Wynonna or Kirstie Ally. ....except for maybe spending time with Parker Stevenson, of course.

I seemed to have gotten off topic. As usual.



Song by: Nickle Creek

Lovecats

Hello. I'm Tovah. I'm ever so cute. Look at me. I'm quad-coloured. I know calicos are supposed to be tri-coloured, but they never account for my pink triangle of a nose.

Yes, I know my whiskers make me look like Wilford Brimley's love child, so what? They help me maneuver though doorways and such. They're functional and look good - at least on me.


I just turned 15 the other day. I used the be the rambunctious one of the household, but now I'm more like the Grand Dame. I'm very ladylike and sophisticated.

I'm pretty spry for a 15 year old, but now and again I like my downtime - like resting my paws and chin on my dad's hand. We do this daily. He loves it - even if it makes it impossible for him to read......or type..........or eat.

When I need downtime, I just hit the ottoman. Yeah, I know it makes it look like I have been hit my nerve gas - but it's just how I unwind. And again, it makes me look ever so cute.

My pink pads match my pink nose. My dads are gay. Of course I coordinate.



Song by: the Cure

Site of the Month

I'm going against my own self-imposed rule of not posting a Site of the Month too early in the month. Is the first too early? Probably.

But like a fool, I've been holding onto this site for about a month too long - and now everyone and their brother has it posted. I feel like I'm jumping on the bandwagon - which I'm totally not! You make one simple blog rule-of-thumb to follow and it comes back to bite you in the ass!

And while I have an iPhone - see above - you will not be seeing me at Guys With iPhones.

I should mention - before clicking on that hyperlink, that it is totally NSFW. TOTALLY. NOT.

And if you're not Fairview Sue and yet, still a woman - it might not be suitable at all. Ever.

I won't lie, some of the pics are not bad - and some are even inventive. In the best of times, with multiple takes, I can't get a good picture of myself - let alone nekkid and with the iPhone camera. Someone who operates this site has to be taking the best of the best submissions.

I have to say - you see what you want to when going to a site like GwiP. The first time through (yes, I've been several times.....so what?), I assumed all there were nude. Not true. Not true. Many were clothed or partially clothed. Somehow I missed those guys at first pass. Go figure.

But since this site has been done to death in the blogosphere, for a limited time only, I'll give you a second SotM at no additional cost. If you act now.

Yes, people, we have Hot Prison Pals. When eHarmony just won't do, (btw.....whomever signed me up for JDate - very funny! NOT!) you can find yourself a hot incarcerated man. Mind you, "hot" is all relative, though their not all heinous.

I did click on a few to see what they write and it's quite amusing actually. First, I was taken on how many never actually specified they wanted a woman. Maybe they never assumed guys would be looking at this site. Maybe they don't care. Maybe prison has changed their mind. I've seen Oz!

Or maybe they're just that lonely, that they need some kind of outside contact.

It's not NSFW, but you still might want to wait until you're in the privacy of your own home before going to Prison!



Please note: I do have shorts on in my picture. Most on GwiP do not. Though I might cop to going commando under those shorts.

Oh - and how about that rockin' gym bod? Ok Ok......give me another 6 mos...then maybe......

Disease

First off, let me tell you how disappointed I am in the lack of good images from Pigs in Space.

The likenesses of Link Hogthrob, Dr. Strangepork and Firstmate Piggy are beyond bad. The best I could do was get a shot of the Swinetrek!

But my post isn't really about the Muppet Show.

No, it's about pigs. Or Swine Flu. Or H1N1.

From NPR to my friend Jon to any number of bloggers (many of them queer - but not you Torn, never you), folks have been reacting to and questioning the reaction of this outbreak. Mostly that the information is overkill. I hear them, I really really do. But only to a point. At first it seemed like a slow news day when this broke last week(end), but you know it is all valid.

Let's forget that the WHO (no, not Roger Daltrey & Pete Townsend) upped the level to orange, or moved down to Defcon 2 or whatever they call it. Yes, the perception that there is too much information is partially due to a 24 hour news cycle that somehow must employ Dr. Sanjay Gupta 13 hours per day (how do his patients in regular hospital-land ever see that man?), but I like to think that all the info is just and needed.

There are even certain gay bloggers who talk about the hype. They are also the first ones if this "flu" killed 16 gay men and no one did anything about it, they'd be all over that shit (no Torn, not you). As well they should. But 91 (or whatever the number is now) of others who died of Swine Flu are no less important than us gay men. Depeche Mode even said, "people are people".

And no offense to the people who expired from this flu, but now this situation is about containment. It's good places like the CDC and WHO have learned from past experience. SARS, Mad Cow, and let's not forget GRID back in 1981.

Having worked in Emergency Medicine and disaster preparedness for a decade, I am really ok with this exposure - of the media, that is. I think it's important that the word gets out. Sometimes you need a 2x4 to beat the public into listening - and this is one of those times.

Cough and sneeze into your sleeve, folks. And for g-d's sake people, wash your fucking hands!

Not that I'm asking you to loiter in public restrooms (unless of course you're Larry Craig), but stand there for 5 minutes and watch how many people don't wash - it's disgusting. And it's no wonder illness is spread so easily. They are the pigs!



Song by: matchbox twenty

Rock in this Pocket (Song of David)

I was out at MicroCenter the other day trying to spend some hard earned gift cards, when I stumbled up on this:


You know I have an eye for the absurd (like....you know...what's in the mirror!), so it didn't take me too long to see what was wrong with this "book".

Now take note: my hands are of normal size. I do not think they are bigger or smaller than your average male. We're just talking about hands here, people.

Anyway, now take your also average hand and place it on or over a pocket......any pocket. Is this book fitting in anywhere that would be convenient for you to carry? Je think not.

Oh, it's also like 200 pages long. My pockets ain't that thick/wide.


A side note: I was going to call this post Pocket of a Clown and then realized I had already used the Dwight Yoakam tune almost a year ago. If you remember (and if not just click on the hyperlink in the last sentence) a friend told me about not going a week without a clown reference - and it really does hold up. And right now, this was yours for this week.



Song by: Suzanne Vega

Education

I'm still not totally sold on Facebook by any means. I even got unfriended by one person - but to be fair, he was not totally sold on FB and just unfriended all and then deleted his account, so it wasn't totally personal. Or so he says.

But I've slowed way down on my Twitter stuff too, but I got this from one of my Twitter peeps. It's humourous, but not laugh-out-loud funny. But really - isn't it always that way when videos are done in that 1961 educational filmstrip style?




Song by: Pearl Jam

Birthday

It's like Birthday Central this last week.

My oldest niece turned 18. I swear it was like a nano-second ago she was born. Her parents had a party for her - well a cookout with just the family. It was nice....and great weather. 80s at 21:00. You gotta love that in April. Four years ago on that same day we got about 14" of snow, so it really can go either way.

But she modeled her prom dresses for us. Only one stays - the rest go back. She didn't want to show us, but I did an impromptu Kelly Kapoor-ism "fashion show! fashion show! fashion show at lunch!!!" which made her parents burst out laughing. Who knew they'd remember an Office episode from like three years ago?

Both were nice, but prom dresses are not what I thought they were - at least they're not now. I didn't go to prom for a number of reason - one being unsaid and yet still fairly obvious. The second being I went to an all boys school and knew no girls - which ironically enough has/had nothing to do with the obvious reason.

Our prom theme was Bruce Springsteen's "She's the One", which I never understood. I thought prom themes were supposed to be timely from the year of the actual prom - not a song released six years earlier. I provided a write-in vote: Nick Lowe's "Cruel to be Kind". It wasn't picked.

Denton's birthday was yesterday. It was a low key event - him and me. Usually we do a combined thing, but he wanted my niece to have it all to herself. He really just didn't want undo attention. So he got none. I mean - we went out for lunch and made a nice dinner and I got him a nice present. I thought. So did he.

Yup, I bought him art. I saw this at a local exhibit and purchased it - without his prior approval. Risky, I know, but I really really liked it. And hell, I have known him so long I was 87% sure he would too....and he did.

Denton has a background in architecture and city planning so anything with buildings usually gets a pass.

But I thought we needed more original artwork in the house and it is from a local artist, so I thought it was a good move. We're not sure where we are going to hang it, but it is safe to say it will most likely go in the living room.

I hate the title of the piece though: Gossip in the City. Of course I think of Sex and the City - which makes me think of Brian on Family Guy saying: "so....this is basically about three hookers and their mom?"

We have two kitty birthdays this week too: Kylie would have been 18. We lost her almost three years ago, but we still honour her in any way we can. Tovah turns 15 !!! She'll get wet food (which totally grosses me out) and some extra treats.

Now the focus is on a next year. It's a big birthday for Denton, so we do have to honour and acknowledge it. We're planning on doing it with a trip. We have it narrowed to two places so hopefully it will all work out. It seems a long way off, but we really do need to just buckle down and do it.



Song by: the Jesus & Mary Chain

Get Right With G-d

I loved this bumper sticker I saw in a Panera parking lot the other week.

Do you think there are ones that say "Don't Honk if You Hate Ugly Jesus"? All that non-honking is deafening!

What makes Jesus sexy? And is Jesus being sexy a conflict of interest for the catholics? I mean - not for the priests, because they certainly like their men to be sexy. But usually they are relegated to altar boys and not lord and saviour.

And I guess with altar boys it is more "vulnerable" than "sexy"....though it might be a fine line with that sacrosanct group.

Of course, it is not too hard to find hypocrisy elsewhere when it comes to religion either.

Take this story from CNN today. A frickin' rock formation in the form of the hand of g-d. As opposed to the hand of Paul - the guy down the street. Or Charles, the accountant over at H&R Block.Anyhoo....the guy who found this is selling it on eBay. Since it is a rock formation, clearly it can't really be moved - so what is to sell? Well......here it is: The buyer will "basically be buying the rights, complete and exclusive rights" to the rock, including literary and movie rights.

LOLLLLLLL. I. AM. DYING. ....but not to be resurrected. Just of hysterics.

I'm not even sure the WB could pull off a crappy bio-pic of.....a rock slide? Mel Gibson's schedule seems to be open right now.

But even more laughable of course, are these so-called believers who will sell out their lord for a quick buck. Because Jesus wants his uncopywrited image auctioned off on eBay.......like they did with that grilled cheese sammich and potato chip.

Apparently eBay is the new Temple and yet these douchebags don't see the similarities.



Song by: Lucinda Williams

(If You Were) In My Movie

Well if you or the police needed to know where I was on Saturday, 4/18 at 7:35pm - I have my alibi.

Denton and I have two separate ways of seeing what else is on TV (because guys don't care what is on - just what else is on). I use the remote to scroll through the stations. He uses it to scroll through the menu - never actually changing the channel until he gets to something that interests him.

But the descriptions are usually cut off and you have to click on the actual channel to know what half of it is anyway.

That is most likely not the case with Blow Me Sandwich 3. Clearly Denton was the one scrolling via his method, since I'm 99% sure that Ron Weasley probably wasn't about to receive fellatio from Hermione......or Draco.

I'm not sure where the sandwich comes in. Maybe it's like American Pie and they do it with a ham & cheese on rye. (suspected dialogue: "Hey! That's not mayonnaise!")

We didn't watch. It would have been too hard to pick up the plot without seeing Blow Me Sandwich 1 and/or 2.


Song by: Suzanne Vega

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

Let's face it - if nothing else Morrissey has always had the best song titles - "You're the One for Me, Fattie", "Hairdresser of Fire", "Lucky Lisp" and "We Hate it When Our Friends Become Successful".

Ruckiry (not Jon's boss), he has the musical chops to pull those off as real songs and not just throwaway music. He did with the Smiths and on his own. He kind of stepped the game with his last disk, You are the Quarry, and he continues it with his new one, Years of Refusal.

Actually, I am really digging the disk. Morrissey is in fine form with his writing and vocals.

When I said last month that Raul Malo had one of the best songs of the year, Morrissey has the other with "All You Need is Me" (though Annie Lennox's "Shining Light" is right up there!). It is possibly the most rocking song he has ever done. Yeah - you read that right. Morrissey. Rocking.

Actually, there are a number of jammin' tunes (man!). "That's How People Grow Up", "Sorry Doesn't Help" and "I'm Ok by Myself".

Don't get me wrong, there are still the trademark What Would Morrissey Do? songs (write a song about how lonely and miserable he is. The answer is always "C". - some of my readers will get that, but not many) like "You Were Good in Your Time".

But I'm a big fan of "Black Cloud" - that and "All You Need is Me". And liking the entire disk - and you know often I don't say that!

And even if you don't like his music, you can at least appreciate the inside jacket photo. Morrissey looks pretty good for a 50 yo man.


Of course, I'm working out to look like the guy on the left. Or to get him. Either/Or. I can live with it.

You're the Storm

The attached video is ok. Nothing more. Nothing more, nothing less. But so far, I've found that true of about 94% of all Funny or Die videos. It's a bit sad when their two best bits were a Lindsay Lohan spoof of an eHarmony ad or Paris Hilton's bid for run at president.

This one is a parody of the National Organization of Marriage's viral video. The one that includes "real" doctors and parents. And by "real", of course, I mean "actors". At least with Funny or Die you get real actors playing fake people and know it - not that you've actually seen Alicia Silverstone in anything since Clueless so it's hard to remember she acts. But a girl's gotta work.

I'm more amazed at how much exposure Sarah Chalke keeps getting. She sucked so badly as the second Becky on Roseanne, who knew she'd be the go-to person for any number of sitcoms. I love her in Scrubs.

Some of the dialogue is pulled directly from the NOM video. If anyone can truly explain the line to be about the doctor and faith, more power to you.

Anyway, the video makes the point. I just assume had they put some more thought into it, that it would have been funnier.

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

Hopefully it plays well for you. I had buffering issues - and I'm not sure if it is Funny of Die or my every so slowly dying laptop. I think the latter.



Song by: the Cardigans

I Feel the Earth Move

David G sent this to me four and a half months ago and I've been holding onto it for Earth Day - which is today. Or as he said about Little Democrats: I love this book - so over the top! Even the right kind of brainwashing is still brainwashing......

Nothing against Democrats, as I am one, and while we might make it feel better again, I'm not sure we'll make it better again.

The thing is, all of us regardless of political affiliation, have fucked it up for so long, it will take all of us to make it better - even if it is a little bit at a time. Ok...ok.....the republicans with their lenience to environmental law have fucked it up a bit worse than we have.

There. I feel better.



Song by: Carole King

Supermodel

As g-d is my witness, I did not tamper with this box.

Yes, I think Christie Brinkley is vapid and has all the dance moves that barely beats a blind paraplegic (c'mon, have you seen the "Uptown Girl" video?). And Chuck Norris, that right wing nut job? The pair makes it hard not to fuck with package.

But yet, there we were at Dicks Sporting Goods (for g-d's sake, do not type in dicks.com if you're looking for sporting goods. You won't be finding them. Not there anyways!). And while we looked for new gym clothes, I stumbled upon this and took a closer look:

Perfection!

I can see why anyone who knows me, or reads this blog, would think I did this work of art, as it so is my style. But I swear, I never even shop with Dixon Ticonderoga #2.....anymore.

Naturally, I started making comments about Christie and her failed Hormone Replacement Treatments.

...and I'll still take that over Norris' threats to run for president in 2012.


Song by: Juliana Hatfield

Warmth of the Sun

Saturday was our first truly truly warm day. Actually, the second day in a row that it has been nice. It was great since we have had so much rain.

But it was so nice, the first windows and storm windows were flung open.

The girls loved it. Naturally Sophie tried to keep the window for herself, but Tovah made attempts and her nose was going a mile a minute to smell all that the outdoors has to offer.

It's weird....for the cold winter months, when we go upstairs, Sophie races ahead of us to the top. And waits. But she never tries to leap up onto the closed window and its sill. But in the last few weeks, as it's gotten nicer out, she races up and makes half-hearted attempts to see if it's possible to get to the window.

I guess she knows the weather is turning.

Now it is where one or both cats will be until we close up in October. They love that one window - mostly because we can leave it open all the time. No one can get in that way and for some reason, it is sheltered enough that rain never comes in. I'm 90% sure Sophie sleeps there - uncomfortable as it is - during most of the summer.

Me? I'm still convinced there is one more snow to be had. It happens to often here. And if I'm wrong, then I can be pleasantly surprised.


Song by: the Beach Boys

Technical Difficulties

I am having definite difficulties getting images to upload here - and let's face it, almost all my posts contain images. You didn't get one yesterday due to the same issue, but I had stuff to put into letters and characters, so all of your lips could move while you read.

But today's post was more about an image. I hope it resolves itself soon (as opposed to me having to resolve it). It was happening yesterday, because I did have an image to go along with the post, but figured I could work around it. Not so much today. Fudge.

Come to think of it, the posts were taking forever to go-live. Double fudge.

Please stand by. We'll try to have this issue fixed as soon as possible.

Never Going Back Again

What can I say - I'm a glutton for punishment.

Last night I agreed to take my 17 year old niece and one of her friends to go see Fleetwood Mac in concert. Not that anyone is counting - but this would be the 8th time I've seen them in my life.....and the last four really should have just not been done.

Had it not been for Katie, I would not have even entertained the idea. But, I'd taken her brother to concerts, but never her. This is something she wanted, I well, I want to do well by her. I almost forewarned her that this was not the band of the music she listened to. That band was in their 20s and 30s. Not 60s. But I kept my mouth shut (I know, right?!) and let her have her moment.

Let's start out that it is possible that Katie and Marsha were the two youngest folks there. I'd say the mean was my age or slightly higher. I'm sure some of these people were at the Richfield Coliseum, along with me, back in 1977 for the Rumours tour. Scary....on all levels.

I will give them this, three of the four remaining members (no Christine McVie again/still), play incredibly well. And then there is Stevie Nicks. I pine for the days before her three pack a day habit, klonopin and coke rehab stints ravaged her voice. Or even for the days when she could sing higher than Lindsey Buckingham. We're about a decade or two beyond that.

Nicks had her moments for sure, but the songs have been rearranged to meet her ever shrinking vocal range. She tackled "Storms" from Tusk - which was a first for me. And I've always rated that as one of my favourite Fleetwood Mac songs. This version almost ruined that for me. At least she looked good - for 60.

Buckingham though - I say this everytime: wow! He is the most underrated guitarist out there. And while his work on the live version of "Big Love" is innovative, I always find myself smiling (I know, right?!) when he does his incredible solo during "I'm So Afraid". After 30 years, it has never gotten old.

There were some highlights for sure - but I'm not sure for the larger group (almost a sell-out) - and all of them from Buckingham. The aforementioned "Big Love and "I'm So Afraid" for sure, but the never before seen and perfectly peformed "I Know I'm Not Wrong" and then a marching band less "Tusk". He also did his solo "Go Insane" - which was pretty frickin' good.

Then there was the bad - other band members attempting to do Christine McVie songs and "World Turning". I've always liked the song, but hate it live - mostly for the insufferable 15 minute drum solo by Gandalf the Grey Mick Fleetwood.

Oh, and then there were the six girls/women sitting/standing next to me. The screams that came from them - they weren't as much of enthusiasm as if they sounded like the last sound Nicole Brown Simpson may have made.

The set was simple but the show was slick. Too slick, in fact. Where are the says of unscripted anything and just deviating from the set-list? The video screens and camera work was DVD ready worthy - and you half expected them to sell it on disk on your way out of the arena.

I could see that Katie enjoyed it though - and that was the important thing. She'd watch the video screens to see Lindsey Buckingham's guitar work. I'm glad I went for her, but I don't think I'll be going back again.



Song by: Fleetwood Mac

Day Off

Believe it or not - I'm taking a day off from a real blog post. I mean, you're still getting this one, which means my streak of 4+ months without missing a day is still intact.

I win. Or lose. It is a fine fine line.

I'm traveling today. Not for work. Well......not exactly. I suppose there might be more on that later. Depending.

The killer is, I'm in my old stomping grounds but have to return home the same day, so I can't even stop and see friends. You know these guys - well, kind of: Morty, Dity, George. You read about them here - but you never really see them. I could never post a pic of them without their approval and they have good representation and demand creative control. ...and I just can't do that.

So anyhoo.....enjoy the day off.

Site of the Month

I am stealing this directly from Curtis. But I put in a bit of a buffer time between his post and mine to make it faux and still seem like it was actually my idea. It totally wasn't. Curtis was much more creative than I would have been with it - so you can read his post here.

He might have LA and NYC booked up with his modeling gig, but I got Tokyo. They love us guys with the round eyes - meaning me and Speed Racer.



In my world - I'm just a model for Apple. As if! I wish. ....oh, and they pay me in product instead of cash. I'd just use the money to buy stuff at their store anyway.

It's really just PhotoFunia that can make you a star. But for that moment we can pretend we're stars.

To a Stranger

I considered having this be my Site of the Month, but I think I have pretty much decided on what that will be. And I also decided this one isn't worth enough to hold onto for another few weeks for the May (omg, is it pushing May already?) SotM.

Omegle is this site where you randomly talk with a stranger. And by talk, I mean chat - like IM. Not like Twitter, or weirdos who find you on Facebook. It's like (well not "like" so much as "is") IM with somebody out in cyberland. They cannot identify you, or you them.

As the site says, there is nothing stopping you from exchanging information - but "ick" - on so many levels.

To vet the system for you, I tried it.

Stranger: I was born in a bucket
You: What?
Stranger: I was born in a bucket of paint. How about you?
You: I was born in a hospital. Not nearly as exciting.

Your conversational partner has disconnected

I think I was dissed by an anonymous FREAK!

You all know my self-esteem is fragile at best. This doesn't seem to help. But in reality, it is just kind of freaky - and I don't assume I'll ever be that lonely or that removed from my friends or other random strangers.

Hell, I'd rather talk to folks on the elevator.



Song by: the Golden Palominos

Record of the Month - Classic

Another installment of a disk I have enjoyed over the years. I'm trying to keep the Record of the Month posts to be fairly new releases. Classics are going to be ones that are at least 5 years old.

Of all the 10,000 Maniac disks, I opted to go with In My Tribe. Mostly because it was the first one I purchased way back - get this - 22 years ago! Fuck I'm feeling old. I remember getting ribbing from Denton and his friends about a group with such a weird name. Mind you - these guys were more used to Shalamar and Evelyn Champagne King, so what the hell did they know?

In My Tribe wasn't their debut disk - hell, it wasn't even their major label debut, it was just the first time I had heard of them. And for 1987, it was a pretty unique disk. They are a tough group to define if you've never heard them before. Maybe like R.E.M., but with a more snooty attitude and more jangly guitars.

They touch on lovely things here like child abuse, alcoholism, illiteracy and greed. On paper, they can seem a bit full of themselves, but they pull it off. And by 'they', I'm pretty sure we're talking about Natalie Merchant. I'd been to a number of concerts where she admonished the audience/city about their woeful ways.

That all being said - the songs still work. I'm not a fan of "My Sister Rose", but other than that all the songs are good. If you don't have a first edition of the disk, you'll be missing one song - a cover of Cat Stevens' "Peace Train". The Maniacs and Elektra Records pulled it after they found Stevens became a Muslim and there was false information regarding him supporting terrorism.

Peter Asher did a good job with the production (mostly known for his work with Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor - and lesser so for being part of Peter & Gordon'). I have favorite songs though - "A Campfire Song", "Don't Talk", "Gun Shy" and "Like the Weather". And I like "Peace Train" too.

In My Tribe probably isn't their most cohesive, most listenable or most successful disk, that would be Our Time in Eden, but this disk put them on the map - which is why it's getting the nod right now.

Non Religious Building

Yesterday was the first time I broke with my work-out routine since starting two months ago. I wanted to go, but Jesus wouldn't let me. It's his fault. Isn't it always?

Can you believe they close the gym on easter? What's that all about?

If Jesus actually did come back from the dead, don't you think part of the reason would be to tell me to get healthier and get a better body? I'm assuming that would be on his top 10 list - considering in 2000+ years, he hasn't really done much more than put his image on water towers and potato chips. Allegedly.

When you come to think of it, the son of g-d is kind of a slacker.

When it comes to the gym I try not to be a Jesus slacker. Ironically enough - I have been religious in going. Four days a week, every week since joining. When you add it up, I've been 34 days in the last 59. Not that I've been counting.

Depending on whom I listen to, results should start showing any day now. Hmphf! We'll see.

I'm trying to keep my expectations low as to not get discouraged - but I think we've been all over this before with an earlier post. I am not making this a work-out diary. Just now and again I have to write about it to humiliate motivate myself to keep going.

I keep saying this is not about losing weight and I'm trying to believe it. I only weigh myself once every week and so far it's been about a pound per week that have been shed. Honestly, I'm ok with that. Slow and steady - and all that crud. I guess if I wanted to really do a weight loss program, I'd change my eating habits a bit more. And I like cookies and booze (not at the same time........usually).

No, my goal was/is to tone and tighten things up. I think it's working. Like I said, I keep expectations low, but sometimes in the mirror I think.....is that........muscle? And we all know that weighs more than fat, so it's no wonder I'm not shedding the pounds - right? RIGHT?

I wish I could say I love the gym, but I don't. I like it. Some days more than others. I've always been one who could never find their center, or hit their zone. Years of running in cross-country and I hated every single minute of it. I'm so amazed and in awe of Morty and his umpteen marathons and triathlons.

Some of the stretching I do is now the best part of the work-out, but I don't think I'm a candidate for yoga. At least yet. I'm not that bendy. And there is that centering thing that they kind of focus on.

My mind would more than likely wonder to what I looked like to the person behind me and what things were on my work 'to-do' list (are you listening Jesus???). I guess it is another goal to work on.

I always questioned how Denton and Todd could hit the gym for two hours daily. Now I can't figure out how to get out of there in under 90 minutes during the fastest routine.

Next gym post - when I get to it: Best Songs to Work Out To.



Song by: Maria McKee

I Only Wanted Sex

It is not that I don't care about my blog public when I do a video post. It's that I care too much. I could rattle off some crappy bunny/christ post today and probably get away with it, but I'd be going through the motions.

This way you know I'm going through the motions.

Disclaimer I: I've never seen any of the Fast & Furious movies. Nor do I plan to - even if Vin Diesel is somewhat hot. Yes, I admit it. I don't love him for his thespian skills. To paraphrase Aretha Franklin, I just want to go for an extended throw-down with him.

Disclaimer II: I can't tell you the last time I saw a full episode of SNL. I still don't. And since the Tina Fey/Sarah Palin thing is over, I don't even bother to tape and fast forward through it.

So thanks to Hulu and the likes for being able to watch clips you hear are funny. This one is funny in a way. I think they could have kicked it up a notch or two, but you gotta love Seth Rogen. Or I do. I actually think I might have to.

And yes, the two disclaimers come together in this clip.




Song by: Jann Arden

The World is Full of Crashing Bores

My friends told me this is what happens when I drink. And it would be good advice - if I had been drinking. Not even a sip I had, let alone drunk.

Clearly, just distracted after I got home from work two days ago.

The Culprit

The Result

You can see the cabinet is kind of hard to miss. Not only that, it goes on for another eight feet beyond what you see in the picture.

It was not dark out. Natural light still streamed in the windows. And I was not drunk. Or drinking.

Yet I ran full-on into the cabinet corner. I have no excuse. What you see in The Result picture is my upper thigh. And this image is two days after the event. It was not only much worse initially - but looks worse in real life than the photo suggests. And it felt like an immediate scar.

You know how when you have surgery (what? I can't be the only one with multiple surgeries here - can I?) and a scar will harden and raise above the skin line? That is what this did - in a matter of minutes. Of course, let us not discount the rigidness just came from my multiple work-outs per week and all I was feeling was solid muscle.

Stop laughing. It could happen!

Oh well, at least I'll look manly at the gym.


Song by: Morrissey

Crucify

I thought this was hilarious and I make no apologies for it. So save your indignation if you actually have any. And save your breath.

Personally I'm surprised at how many organizations are closed on this day. My place of business isn't. Hell, I have a meeting that starts at 16:00. And on this the holiest of days: Opening Day!!

I should be in a bar watching the Indians play their home opener. For g-d's sake, Travis Hafner is off the disabled list!!! (seriously, click on the hyperlink. you'll be glad you did!)

And.....and....and...since so many of these people can't actually eat meat today, the line at the concession stand wouldn't be nearly as long as it would normally be. Not that those hot dogs actually have an ounce of meat in them, but still...... These people believe in the resurrection, so they can certainly believe that hot dogs aren't just full of snouts and entrails.

But yes - TGIF. Indeed.

It's been a shitty week. No details needed - I'd bore you. I'd bore me. No reason to relive it. Next week is a short one for me. Kind of. Four days in the office anyway. One day of travel - but more on that later.....after the fact. You people are on a need-to-know basis.



Song by: Tori Amos

Wash Me Clean

What is it about people wanting to talk about their colonoscopies?

Seriously, in the last two weeks I have had three people tell me in detail about their bowel prep, their twilight anesthesia and the post-procedure cramping. Yayyyyy. This does not count the men in the locker room of the gym who yak about theirs either.

Yes, men of a certain age are supposed to get this done. I'm one of these certain-aged men. But I'm not chomping at the bit - or the mag citrate - to get this off my 'to-do' list.

My doctor alludes to that men my age should be getting them. He's also alluded to I'm way overdue for a tetanus shot, but he's never told me I had to get one. And unless told, I'm not really asking for one. Ever. Of either - in fact. I ask for my annual flu shot and that's about it. The rest has just got to be dictated to me or I ain't doing it.

So, I have this ex-co-worker who was telling me about his. I have no idea how it came up, but it did. I'm not a friend of Martin - and at some point I'll get that in another post (though somewhere four of my friends are snickering already), so it is anyone's guess why he told me in detail about his.

He's not even of this certain age bracket who needs one and trust me, I did not ask the rationale behind his getting it. Rest assured, he told me he'd be happy to be my Colonoscopy Buddy when my time came - because apparently you need someone to help you through this (queue more snickering from said friends). My friend Cara thinks he was just flirting!

Really? Is this how gay men flirt? (yes, Martin is gay.)

Or more to the point, is this how straight women think gay men flirt? It has to do with the ass, so it must be. Right?

Mind you, Martin once pushed a bowl of pretzel/peanut mix my way, or out of his, while we dined out (work event!) because I had touched some with - get this - my bare hands!

So, he won't share a humanly touched bowl of trail mix with me, but he'll be my Super Colon Blow Buddy?

Hmmmm.....maybe Cara is on to something.

When the time comes (yes, not 'if'), I'm sure I already have my Super Colon Blow Buddy. And it is highly doubtful it will be Martin. I mean, unless he springs for a really really nice meal.


Song by: k.d. lang

Radio Radio

I would be remiss if I didn't make some kind of post for Ms. Rebecca Flowers' latest segment on NPR's All Things Considered.

g-d, I write about her a lot, don't I? Her agent should be forking over some cash to me.

Becky: author, mother, wife, gamer, friend, commentator has been doing sporadic ATC spots for the last decade or so. Sometimes she is really really good about letting me know they are coming. Sometimes, not so much.

Take Web Site Story. Denton and I were going to meet my parents for dinner (Corky & Lenny's - dontcha know!) and it came on as soon as we got in the car. We howled. At the end, Robert Siegel or possibly Noah Adams read off the names of the NPR Players - one of them being Becky. We had no forewarning.

Oddly enough (or not so much) my parents heard it too. At least we had something to talk about over kosher pickles and deli sammiches.

Other spots, I got to see drafts of before she recorded them. And the piece for Father's Day a few five years back was just golden. It probably didn't hurt that I know her dad, but it is a good piece even if you've never met Jim. You'll feel like you have after you listen to it.

So anyhoo - yesterday, Becca had a new ATC piece for their Three Books series. I think I got 4-5 hours notice - which can be a considerable head-start with her, but I wasn't in a car to hear it. So I had to listen to it on-line. Here. Actually, I got a few weeks notice - kind of. She put out Twitter and FaceBook and email messages asking for book suggestions that were a bit more out of the norm than the ones most would think of.

She does a good job (as always). But the more surprising thing to me is that Tama Janowitz is still writing books - and that someone is still publishing them. Hasn't 1986 already come and gone? I'm sure Becky nails it when she states "it's not great literature".

Mr. Becky might want to take the advice of I Capture the Castle. He can lock Mrs. Becky up in the cellar until she turns out her next book. Or at least until she includes me in it as a character.

You can find all (or most) of Rebecca Flowers' NPR work right here. ....and of course, feel free to comment on her works and recommend it via the NPR site. Yes, it's a shamless plug. I'm not above it.



Song by: Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!


OMG! That thing I started doing at like age 14, in the privacy of my own room, now comes is packaged in a spray can. Like Redi-Whip. Which, in a certain way, isn't too much different than what I used to do up in my own room at like age 14.

I mean, I don't like pancakes anyway (you know - with IPF and all: icky pancake feeling), and the Blaster of Batter does not make me crave them any more. They might have a marketing niche somewhere, but it is not working with me.

The making of pancakes in not that difficult - how much easier could it be to spray them out of a can.

.....I guess I'll never know.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

It's Monday - I'm tired and I got almost nothing. But this is where the sub-title of this blog comes in handy: stuff & nonsense. I can throw almost anything up here and pass it off as a post.

Take the accompanying image. A random shot while going to get toothpaste at CVS. The other side of the isle was almost nothing but deodorant. And trust me, I could not get the entire stock into this shot.

With my zany stream of consciousness I thought (to myself) of David Letterman's first Film Festival. I think he only had two. Bette Midler did one of the short clips. It was funny and honest to g-d, I think we still have it on VHS from when we taped it way back in 1987 or so. It is nowhere to be found on YouTube or even referenced in Goooogle that I can find.

But in it she laments (and I probably am directly quoting from my freaky memory): "the deodorant section in any drugstore in the United States is larger than the largest meat market in all of Russia. Tell me - do we as a nation smell that bad?"

Naturally I was just chuckling to myself, because there was no one around to tell.

I wish I could find the movie, it was funny. Actually what was funnier was the interview before they screened the film.


Song by: Nirvana

Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo

Another year - another induction into the Rock n Roll Hall o'Fame. Another year of being almost non-plussed.

Last night was the second time since the Rock Hall began that induction ceremonies have been in Cleveburgh. All other umpteen hundred times have been in NYC - even though the actual Hall resides on the Mistake on the Lake.

I really don't think Cleveland is a mistake - but it definitely needs some sprucing up and some major city planners to come in and overhaul the place. Obama's entire stimulus package could be used up on this project alone.

But seriously - we hold no street cred to have these ceremonies here. I think it is a no-brainer that the inductions should be held here if they want to get in. All baseball players must go to Cooperstown and all NFL folk make the trek to Canton.

We now are slated to get every third induction year to be conducted here in town. Whoopie. Naturally, this year, the one we get, we are treated to the likes of Run-DMC (HUGE rockers that they are!) and Bobby Womack! Really? I think they just let anyone in. But I've said that in previous posts.

Ok ok....we are getting Metallica. I'm not a huge fan, but a few million folks like them. And....and....and.....I sat next to the lead singer, Jim Hetfield, (see pic at top of post) yesterday at lunch! I missed his entrance, since I was in the restroom, but I came back to the table and there he was facing me. I knew him right away.

Denton quietly asked me who he was, since a few people had come up and said 'hello'. (How long was I in there?!) I wanted to casually aim my iPhone and snap a pic, but Denton nicely scolded me not to do it. And I listened. He couldn't stop me from entering a quick Tweet though. Score a win for Blobby!

I searched high and low (ok...more than a slight exaggeration) for a decent picture of the man. He looks positively heinous in most of his photos, but in real life, he is a fairly handsome man. Maybe it's the stage lighting that makes him look that way. The above pic is the closest I could come to showing what he looked like yesterday. He ordered hot tea - since I know you were all wondering.

Truth be told, I would have rather to run into Rosanne Cash. She is going to be inducting Wanda Jackson. I'm a huge Cash fan and would have loved to just seen her speak, but I'm not paying the price of the ceremoies for just that. And sorry - I know a LOT about music and I have no idea who Wanda Jackson is. Zero. Zilch. Nil. Nada. Nothing.

This is why Corey Hart will seemingly be a shoe-in within a couple of years.

Anyway, it was nice to run into Mr. Hetfield. Other than peeing next to Jeff Goldblum at a Broadway play, or buying my ring from Little John, eating lunch next to Jim is my closest brush with greatness.

Well, there is Rebecca Flowers, but she likes her privacy. You know those arty types.



Song by: Rick Derringer

Ok Computer

I'm seeing some issues with my PowerBook G4. You might remember that about a year or so ago I had issues as well - to the point I lost everything on my hard drive and just had it replaced.

But now I'm getting the same slow down, the same spinning beach ball of death and the whir of either the hard drive or the fan (or both) that goes on almost continually. I'm also seeing problems with my battery....or the power, I should say.

That all being said - my G4 is five and one half years old. Not bad for a laptop - or any computer, I dare say. I think it's past its life expectancy. I think. Denton thinks too.

...and that last part is important. Because I won't get too much flack for going out this weekend and buying a new Mac. I also have to get something to back up what is on my current one before it goes to the big Apple Farm in the sky.

I'm sure Denton will try to play with it after I'm done with it, and maybe recycle it to his parents or something.

I'm a little sad and a little excited. I'll keep you posted.


Song by: Radiohead

Ode to My Family

I'm still on the fence about this whole Facebook thingy. People coming out of the woodwork and all. Some of them are very welcome, some middle of the road and some are just immediately....or eventually ignored.

Judgmental? Possibly. Pick and choose? It is what we do. Life is an extension of high school - but you all knew that.

One good thing has come from it though. I have reconnected with a cousin of mine. He was connected to another friend which is how we found each other.

Bill, like most of my cousins, is fairly older than myself - pushing 20 years my senior. His kids are closer to my age.

We went to lunch yesterday. And we had a GREAT time. We had not seen each other in eons and just chatted during lunch. I guess it could have been weird, but it totally wasn't. We got along so well, I loved it and I could tell he did too.

We just sat there, him telling me things about my side of the family that I had never known and me doing something similar about his. Clearly he had more reference material than I not only being older, but had the capability and willingness to take it all in. And clearly he was not a fan of my grandfather - but truth be told, I have yet to meet anyone who was.

Bill was thrilled, for some reason, to know I had a partner - or as he said "mozel tov!". He was much more engaged after he found out I wasn't married or had kids. Again, it wasn't weird. "I can't believe I have a cousin who has a partner"! I guess as opposed to "I can't believe I have a cousin who is gay!". But it was in an excited way, not the disappointed way many say those kind of lines.

He was so into it, he wants us to have lunch with one of his cousins. I know - you'd think Steve would also be my cousin, but he isn't. Exactly. How do I say this nicely? My aunt and uncle were first cousins who go married. They both had the same last name. It sounds all so Kentucky - but I don't think it really is. So this cousin of his isn't really mine. I don't think.

Are you following any of this? Are you even caring?

Maybe I should go on record that I like some of my extended family, but not a lot of them - and I'm certainly not close with any of them - especially on my father's side. We just all lost touch when my grandmother died 20 odd years ago, not that we were ever that close before that. It wasn't that kind of family.

Bill's family was always very active in the Jewish community - and his big thing now is to take me to the Jewish Federation to see some of our family things over there. His wife (his second) is a Cantor at a nearby temple. Bill is also active in the arts community, just like his mother - so he knows a lot of "us". That's probably what makes him so accepting.

I'm looking forward to more lunches and to have him and his wife over for dinner and just reconnecting. He is alone now - as both his parents have passed as have his brother and sister, so I think he appreciates this too.

Ok, I'm babbling a bit. But I'm a bit drunk too.



Song by: the Cranberries

Silence

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

One of my nephews is autistic. One of my friend's sons is autistic. Oddly enough, the kids (both boys) were born three days apart. Total coincidence since they had never met at this point and lived states away.

Each one of my four sisters (including the somewhat aforementioned one) has had a speech delayed son. It might be a coincidence, but maybe it is just a sign of the times. About 1 in every 162 children born has Autism. Isn't that fucking crazy?

I'm sure it existed when I was a child, but I will assume we never saw those kids. I never did. I think families hid them away.

Max, my nephew, is a great kid. He is fun, funny, social and loving. He has his moments of meltdowns, but he's a kid. Maybe they are a bit more severe because of the A word. (btw...when you see a kid having a screaming fit in public, don't just assume they are some kind of a brat. Sometimes it is something so out of their control you would not believe and the parents can't possibly be equipped to control as well.)

He is what I'm assuming clinical folks would call "high functioning". That has more to do with his mother than anything else, I imagine. She was smart enough to figure out the signs early - and she was his biggest advocate and champion.

She lobbied the state (NY) for services - and at no cost, other than her time and temporary hold on her career to do this. Getting these services can be a full-time job on their own. But Max had in-home treatment at least five days per week and six hours per day. One-on-one care with a behavioral, speech and occupational therapists. Unthinkable when you really think about it. No school in the world gives you that much attention.

But I do believe due to that it has made him much more mainstream. I know there are groups out there who do not believe in mainstreaming their Autistic kids, but I cannot see how this is doing them a service in the long run. It's hard to say - since I'm not a parent, and not a parent of a special needs child.

There is no good explanation on what causes Autism. Too much heavy metals in the blood system? Immunization? Genetics? All good thoughts, but no one agreeing on this. Which does not help the cause of these advocates trying to find cures.

It simply amazes me that insurance and social programs (local, state and federal) are so slow to respond to the needs of these kids, these families - if they respond at all. Treatment is so frickin' expensive in the best of circumstances and the families I see with multiple children in this situation is horrific.

And by 'treatment' I mean therapy. There is no treatment or cure. Not yet.

I have talked with some neurosurgeons on this. There is preliminary development of using Deep Brain Stimulation for some cases - the way they are currently doing for Parkinson's Disease and doing trails for OCD, Chronic Pain, Depression and Addiction. Different parts of the brain have certain responding mechanisms. So there is hope, but this is not a cure either - just a treatment. And probably a decade away.

It'd be nice if people would lobby their local and state leaders. The parents of autistic kids can't do it all. They don't have time. How could they. And let's face it - Jenny McCarthy can't do everything for these kids.



Song by: Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan

Nobody Does it Better

It's April 1st.

I have no fools prank to pull. And I have no words of wisdom regarding some worm that is supposed to infect all of our PCs (this is why you should have an Apple, folks!).

As promised, I have a Site of the Month entry, but not using it so early in the month - in case something better comes along. It's kind of like holding out till the bar closes before making your man-selection. Choose too early and you might miss 'the one'.

So I have a nothing post. Not nothing, but not anything.

Two weeks ago, I stumbled upon some new series called Better Off Ted. It's not bad....and Ted is cute (see pic). Cuter than his pic actually. Maybe it's in his acting style. The premise revolves around a working think tank that develops things we don't need or want, but you know these places exist. Scientists and marketers who push weird-ass shit down our throats, literally and figuratively.

This last week they made cowless meat. Or, meat grown in a test tube. A meat blob. Or as they called it: Blobby. "It's like Bobby, but with an 'L' ". They try not to name their experiments so not to get too attached to them - like Chester the Carrot (they all nod their heads knowingly).

But how can you not love or become to attached to a Blobby? I know you all do and have.



Song by: Carly Simon

The six random things meme that I never did

The six random things meme that I never did

The Rules
1. Link to the person who tagged you who in this case is Tornwordo, as I seemingly get most of my memes from him
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them. (Not doing this, consider yourself tagged if you're reading)
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog. (See parenthetical above)
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

I'll be honest, I do not get the title of this. Should it be a random list of things I've never done? That would be easy. But if you go to Rule #3, well - it doesn't sound that way - do it? I'll just run with it and see what happens.

1. I let Eileen Perry hit me (repeatedly) in 4th grade, as I was told never to hit girls. From then until high school I was considered less of a boy in the eyes of my male classmates. I'm not sure they weren't correct - but not for the reasons they thought.

2. My blood type is A- Just in case I need a transfusion. Keep that in your back pocket.

3. Until my late 20s, I had an immortal fear of needles. I was certain that when getting a blood draw, I would flex my arm, breaking the needle off into said arm. During monthly blood draws as a child, my mother and three nurses had to hold me down while the doctor did the phlebotomy.

4. I tell people Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" tour was my first concert. In reality, two years earlier, my mother dragged most of us kids to Blossom Music Center where we were subjected to the musical stylings of one Mr. Barry Manilow. It is a shame I have never mentioned until now. I blame Tornwordo for this forced revelation.

5. I had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches almost every day for lunch during 1-12th grade. My schools had no lunch programs. The best way to eat a PBJ, is to leave it in your locker for four hours with a piece of fruit on top, where the jelly is almost seeping through the top piece of bread.

6. Part of (but not all of) my self-diagnosed OCD comes with me repeating things in my head over and over again - sometimes for days on end. I cannot shut it off. It is infuriating. I once had a seemingly never ending tape of myself saying "Boutros Boutros-Galli" playing in my head. For weeks. Maybe months.


I don't really tag anybody for these things. If they want to do it - fine. If not - fine. I also found out, I could probably never get through that Facebook '25 Things About Me' list. Six was bad enough.

Adult Education

I cannot take credit for this. I mean, not only did I not do the research, I didn't even find the link, except for that Glenn provided it to me.

The Stranger tells of Wellesley College's student population and their virginity based on their area of study.

I was kind of expecting the Undeclared bunch to fall right in the middle, but clearly I was wrong.

I am sure there are tons of things you can infer from this graph, but you'd probably really need an Anthropology major to sort it all out for you..........and you can clearly see they might (not) be the best benchmarks for determining the hows and whys.

However, you'd think for the proactive, the International "Relations" gals might have started a little earlier - and also been closer in the Spanish and French majors to be a success in their career.


Song by: Hall & Oates

Human

Last night we put a crowbar in the wallet and attended the annual HRC dinner here in Cleveland. As always - it was ok. Nothing more than that, but it was ok.

I always "joke" that it is a bad chicken dinner and an equally bad comedian - both leaving a sour after-taste. And all for the low low low price of just under $200 per head.

At least last year, Joe Solmonese attended (and sat at our table). But since this is not a major election year and Ohio pulled its head out of its collective ass, we've not as needed in the big scheme of things. This year, there was no Joe - and very little outrage.

Black-tie had been going away, so I was surprised to see a number of folks all decked out in it this year. We were not one of these. Someone took our pic - and if they had already sent it to me, I'd be sharing it with you here.......but they haven't. We still clean up pretty good, even if just wearing regular suits.

We had a nice table. Everyone knew each other, save one. The guy has been in town for only two months. Who the fuck moves to Cleveland in January - on purpose? To be fair, he came from Minnesota, so it might be a tad warmer. Or was it from Milwaukee? Either way....... But we had some laughs, though it was very hard to have any conversation.

The drinks were expensive and food....questionable. But it wasn't chicken. It was beef. Beef with truffle mash potatoes. Blech. Not a fan. It looks like something the Titanic may have hit before it went down in the North Atlantic. (and sorry about the disgusting picture.)

There was also no comic. Thankfully. So they had dancers.

They started out with this guy - who did an ok routine, though let's be honest: he was brought in for the men to ogle. It was not as much about talent as it was about body form. Ruckiry (not Jon's boss), we had the front table and could see every frickin' muscle on him. I don't think my gym routines are going to get me to this place - but it would be nice.

The second group were two women who danced to Nina Simone's Feeling Good. It was supposed to represent 'freedom of choice'. It represented every 8th grade dance recital I have ever seen.

The last group had the same guy as above and two other women and honest to g-d, they "danced" to the theme and remix of........wait for it..............Speed Racer. I kid you not. I love when Eileen Flowers just pops into my head and I hear her say "oh...awful!"

The speeches were mostly uninspired and one was even pushing the domestic partner registry. You know the one I bitched about a few months ago (and still am). It gives you nothing more than a piece of paper, no rights and still costs more than a marriage license. This woman had the nerve to say, 'unlike Prop 8, this will not be voted down with our numbers'.

Are you frickin' kidding me? Prop 8 was at least a real "something". This is a nothing. It's a slap in the face. I think I was the only one at our table who didn't break into the obligatory clapping at her "outrage". Nor did she bother to mention that you get nothing with this or that it costs more than straight people pay for every right we are denied. That is where the outrage should be.......but the city council and mayor were there, and g-d forbid you provoke the status quo - though I kind of thought that was what HRC was supposed to be about.

It is nice to see 600 or so gay folks dressed up and showing numbers, but we might skip a year or two before going back. You see a lot of the same folks at G2H2 and the drinks are cheaper. So are the men.



Song by: the Killers

Black Thumb

When you make an effort to blog daily, sometimes you just have to yak about the most mundane things in your life.

Take yesterday - I finally went to the dermatologist to get that frickin' wart taken off my finger. Yes, I blogged about it about a year ago, but it is still there in full force (no Lisa Lisa or Cult Jam).

A dozen or so tries with that over the counter method of freezing did not seem to do the trick. So, finally I just wasn't feeling good about myself still sporting it on my right thumb.

The doctor's office axed me what I had done on my own to rid myself of this now evidence of an existing virus. I told them of the over the counter remedies I tried - in vain. That freezing stuff I bought, apparently, is only -50F. The stuff the doc was going to use on me was more than -200F. Yowza!

I axed him if it would hurt and he said, 'yes - why, did you want me to lie to you?' I said, 'absolutely'.

But he did the first round and it wasn't bad. He commented on how good my pain threshold was. I normally think I'm a wuss, but maybe my perception is off. We did 7-8 rounds of freezing in this session. I lost count.

Yes, I said 'this session' - but more on that in a bit.

By the time we got to round 4, I was feeling it. I would wince and he noticed. But I was a good camper. We chatted during the down time. He really liked my tie. I think he really liked it when I told him it had a name - which I don't think most ties do.

It's called Erythromycin as seen under a Microscope. I think he liked the medical aspects of it. I always liked it too.

We finally quit on round 7 or 8 when my face clearly was showing signs of pain. I was probably happy to keep going if I thought it would work, but he thought enough was enough - for this appointment.

That is kind of when he mentioned that it would take a few sessions to possibly get rid of it. Possibly. All this - and it might not even ever work. Yay me! "If it doesn't go away in 8 sessions or so, it probably never will."

Well, there's a ray of sunshine for you. I could be a hideous freak forever now! Or, a more hideous freak, as the case may be.

The doc was great, but now my thumb hurts. Not horribly, it's just annoying - like me. The wart is now hard as a rock and partially black....or necrotic, or something. My next time back is in three weeks. Lordy, I hope I see improvement by then. I won't really mind the treatments if they work.



Song by: Lori Carson

Queer

I'm just treading water today. I think I've kind of earned it. I'm not proud of the fact, mind you - but sometimes you've just a bad week and you just want to make it through.

So it is a YouTube Friday. Music. Gay Music. Or Pseudo-Gay Music, I guess.

I have no idea who Joel Evan is, but I saw him on Logo. The song was intriguing - for the first minute and fifteen seconds. Then it just kind of goes on for another three minutes. "Wherever you go - there you are" - as lyrics? Who wrote that part - Austin Powers?

The voice is a bit different than I would have expected. And at times he sounds a bit atonal. Or is it just me?

I will give him this - he's cute. That gives him some leverage. The tank top is a bit too queer for me, but I do love the profile shots. I've told you before - it's all in the nose, people - and this guy has got it.



For some reason, the video is a bit stretched or distorted on this here YouTube. It looked a lot better on TV.

Le Ballet D'Or

Spandau Ballet is reforming!!! Whoo-hooo?

Is this anything anyone was ever waiting for? I'd vote for 'no' - unless you are their accountant or collected the rent on their flat every month.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with them, per se. But there is nothing right with them either. They are just..............there.

I remember back in the day, my mother seeing them on some tv show singing, "True" - it couldn't have been MTV, as we didn't have cable then - and said aloud: (paraphrasing, but close) "oh, why can't all these bands be nice and wear suits like this group."

I think I bruised my eyelids from rolling the eye balls so hard.

I'm sure she didn't think that of the Beatles when they wore their suits back in 1963, so maybe she had come along with the times - to a degree.

"True" bored the ever-loving-shit out of me. It was a time of decent enough music (though many would disagree), but man, the word "banal" just comes to mind. I give credit where credit is due - their follow-up single, "Gold", was the best song that was never a James Bond theme song (not that it was rejected or anything - I just meant in the style of......).

But other than that? Really - what is/was there? How does reforming constitute anything more than playing rib-fests across the country. They're destined to be double billed with Rick Springfield for g-d's sake! Maybe it will be a throw-down to see who is the opening act.

Clearly they are serious about this little jaunt. They even have an official website. Hell, they were broken-up about 15 years before the inter-highway was even built. Though I don't think anyone other than these chaps were chomping at the bit to snag the URL.

Me? I'm just holding out for the big Modern English reunion. It's coming. Right?



Song by: Counting Crows

The Chain

Last Sunday we had dinner at my parent's house the way we usually do. These gatherings can be completely innocuous, or incredibly painful. Rarely is it somewhere in between. We've been doing these dinners for eons and I imagine they will go on until, well, ummm.... my parents die or go into assisted living or something. Nice thought, huh?

We used to go my grandmother's house every Sunday back in the day. And by 'go', I mean 'dragged by my parents'. The house was huge and cool, but my grandparents were not. It was never for dinner, thank g-d! Just an afternoon visit. Painful!

I like to think the Sunday visits with my folks, for my nieces and nephews, aren't nearly as bad for them. They seem to have fun, but they have much cooler uncles and aunts then I/we had.

This last trip was this weird confluence of events. One of those times that makes me feel old and finally grown-up. I've been fighting the latter all my life, but sometimes you just can't ignore the inevitable.

It started with my sister coming in with a boot on her foot. She had broken a bone in her foot and has no idea how she had done it. As she is about to turn 50 (!), she just said, 'it sucks getting old'. I hear that.

Right about then, my father pulls me aside and wants to speak with me upstairs. Deep down I knew what it had to do with. This wasn't the first of these conversations we have had over the last few years. He wanted to talk stocks and annuities. He was not giving me financial advice - just where they were and what I was to do with them upon his death.

You see, later this year, my father will be 89. And we've had these types of conversations before - me to be his power of attorney and control their living will. I also know how both my parents would like to be dealt with after death. We've never had the 'executor' conversation, but maybe it's implied. I should probably check that out.

The funny (?) thing was earlier in the week, I was driving behind some traffic at 06:45. Someone holding up cars at this time of the morning? WTF! I get closer and who should it be? My mother! Yes, she is 80 and still works daily. Don't ask.

Later I called to tell her if she keeps that up, I will be taking her car keys and license. I was joking, but told her - we'll joke about it now, but know that one day we will have to have this conversation. Why sugarcoat it?

So since she didn't know about my father's and my conversation, we just came downstairs and I did not prep my dad for what I was about to say and just blurted out, "so it's settled, we'll put your wife in a home later this month?" He just nodded. Either he played along really well, or his selective hearing was in place.

One of my brothers-in-law had also dropped off some DVDs he converted from old home movies. Old being 16 yrs old. Not ancient, but still from a dead medium. They were of my oldest niece and nephew - the latter had just been born.

...and there I was, holding and playing with him at 8 weeks old (him, not me). I was just kissing his head and all that stuff and there he was, sitting next to me - watching this. It was a bit surreal. Let's add to the fact that I brought him over some sport coats that no longer fit me, but did him - as he is now 16 and as tall as I am.

In the video I had hair and he did not. Now it is the other way around. Here I was in Florida on crutches due to my leg surgery - and now his mother was in a similar situation.

Birth. Death. Circle of life.

My father and I have an ok relationship and actually have no issue or weirdness talking about these things. My nephew and I have a great relationship and we just sat their silent not mentioning anything on the screen. I'd love to know what he's thinking, but hell, he's 16. I remember 16 - we didn't talk about that shit.

I'm just sayin'.



Song by: Fleetwood Mac

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!


Have you (n)ever experienced Raul Malo? It's possible you did - when going back a while he was a member of the Mavericks - a group deemed Country, but possibly too hip for that genre. If you weren't Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson or the likes, you had a harder time making in-roads into radio and sales when they were around.

Like the Mavericks, Malo continues that style: Some Country. Part Latin influence. A little Tex-Mex. And more than a hint of Roy Orbison thrown in. His newest disk, Lucky One, doesn't stray too far from what he knows or what he has done in the past. This is not a bad thing.

Malo can mix all those together and pull them off as being pretty original, as no one else out there is really putting those things together. Being Cuban, Malo brings authentic latin vibes to his music, but it is not overpowering.

Malo has always been a strong vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist - even if he has never attempted to downplay Orbison as an influence. That is not to say that all his songs sound like an Orbsion redux, Roy is an influence, Raul is not a copycat.

There are a number of strong songs on the disk - and I've always been a bigger fan of the things that go more in 2/4 time. The 4/4 stuff is just fine, but I like what I like.

"Haunting Me" is hands down one of the best songs (if not the best) of 2009. The guitar work is good, but it is really the vocals and the vocal arrangement that he totally nails. I have played this song to death and it does not get old.

I really like the title track, "Lonely Hearts", "Hello Again". "Moonlight Kiss" is fun, but it is not a continual play at this point.

As the slower stuff goes, let's get this right off the table: "Something Tells Me" is one of the best songs Orbison never wrote or released. Malo pulls it off flawlessly. He knows when to turn it on and not make it sound karaoke.

It is hard for me, sometimes, to listen to the slower stuff without hearing Orbison ("One More Angel", "Crying for You"). I'm a Roy fan, so it's all good. I think Raul finds it hard to sing slower songs any other way. Or maybe I can't turn off hearing what I think I hear.

Lucky One is a pretty strong album as a whole, but if you're only into downloading .mp3s and not an entire disk, and had to pick only one song, it should be "Haunting Me". ...but there are plenty of other good ones to chose from.

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!

This is actually Shopping with Dith.

She sent me this picture, via Facebook, from one of the Carolinas. They are called Keister Fruit. Allegedly.

That's what Dith says, but no Goooooooogle search comes up with any such thing. I think she's making it up. Just look at the butt cracks in them though. I guess they could be 'keisters'.

Yes, I'm stretching today. I couldn't get my Album of the Month post completed in time, so here you have this. Maybe tomorrow you'll have the aforementioned post. Maybe.

g-d! Maybe pushing four straight months of posting is over the top. Maybe I need a day or two off. But I'll probably lose you guys. All 16 of you. Then what?

Talkin' Myself Down

Just more G2H2 pre/during/post bitch sessions stories.

I wasn't fully awake when I posted yesterday. I was just slow to get through the post and it's all I could do to finish and publish the thing. In retrospect, I would have had one post (as opposed to this second one) and the entire thing would have not only been funnier, but flowed a bit better.

....at least in my dream world. I suppose this is why I need an editor. Not that I am great at taking constructive criticism.

I first invited my friend Todd to join me. Not my friend Todd, the porn ingenue. He lives in San Francisco where other male "stars" live. No, this Todd works in finance - which can be just as sleazy, I suppose.

Todd has a wicked sense of humour and he never fails to make me laugh. When I asked him (via email), his response was: I wish I had your courage to go out and consume hundreds of wasted calories that do untold destruction to my body. Bitch. ...so alone I went.

I said in last month's G2H2 post, that these aren't really flash mob scenes. It is all very controlled. The gay organization makes plans with the bars and it's nothing more of a gathering of fags. No one is taking over any straight bar. We're renting, basically. The only one benefiting from our disposable income are these bars. No straights are hurt or even offended in the process. Not even a little.

This time it was at the House of Blues. They have a very small bar and most of the place is a restaurant and a party room. Yes, we were in the party room. 100% segregated from any straight person who did not work behind the bar - which I'm not sure there was even one there.
This I do not get. Why not just have it at a fucking nice gay bar then? Why are we giving our money to these assholes who put baby in a corner! Nobody puts baby in a corner. (For the record - Dirty Dancing is another movie I have never seen. I just know of the quote. I think the first 'b' in baby should be upper cased, but whatever!)

So in I walk in and the hostess goes to me.....she goes.....oh you want the Cambridge room and tells me how to get there. Now I never said where I was going, or if I was just there for dinner or the bar. Bitch. Do I look that gay?

But back I went. There they made me show an ID! An ID!!!! Maybe if I were 30 I'd be flattered, but I am pushing 46. No one is thinking I'm underage or close to it. I made a crack to the other guy behind me, since he clearly was nowhere near the age of 21 either - but he didn't think my crack about "our age" was funny. Bitch.

Then there was the room. Now you just know a gay man designed this room, well since.....someone had to and who do these jobs go to? All I can say is: Worst. Flow. Ever. The bar (only one) all the way at the back of the room. It was like a Great White concert at a Rhode Island in reverse.

...and let me tell you, there is a special place in hell for guys who pay for drinks with plastic. It is $4 for a beer! If you don't have the money - get the fuck out of here! There are 300 thirsty fags behind you - and now the server has to stop, swipe your frickin' card, rip the receipt off for you to sign, etc. Get out of our way. We are functioning and practicing alcoholics - we cannot be bothered by you.

I know it sounds like I'm moaning, and I kind of am. But if you want to interact with a few hundred homos, where does one go? As Todd said, he can't do the gay bars, because by the time they get going, his hair is in curlers and the cucumber slices are already covering his eyes.

Will I go again? Maybe. I would clearly have to set aside my expectations and just go to go. There are flaws in the system but I guess I should just treat it as a bar and nothing else. I don't think I'll go by my lonesome anymore. First, as we saw with Eddie, the potential for me to get into trouble is too high.

I just want to drink and laugh with friends.



Song by: the G0-Go's

Tempted

Beer. The root of all evil.

Ok, beer is made with Hops, female flower cones, also known as strobiles, of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus) and not a root at all.....but I digress.

Last night I went, once again, to G2H2 - or gay guy's happy hour. Once again, I went alone because someone was working late. Once again, I was in a group of 300 gay men.

This time I knew a few more than last time - when I knew no one. There were probably a half-dozen people I knew from past lives, one being from the guy I was chatting with at the last G2H2. He introduced me to a table of men he was with. All were nice, though one guy was a little letchy with me. And D-runk! My g-d, it was 19:00. How long had you been drinking, bud? And a close talker too. A very bad combo.

But while I was at that table, I kept seeing another guy. What can I say? He was attractive - in a way I would find, but I could see that to someone else, they might pass him over on the first go-around. Let me tell you people: it's all in the nose.

Lest you think I was the only one doing the looking, think again. He was doing it right back to me - even though we were at a distance.

Now I sound like a letch - and maybe I am. But I think I was just being friendly. His name was/is Eddie. Not Edward or Ed. He had a great sense of humour or at least tolerated mine. I felt the need to mention his nose - which he immediately covered up, literally.

You know how caricature "artists" pick out your biggest flaw and accentuate it? No doubt for Eddie, it would be his schnoz. Me telling him it was a great nose probably could have come across as mocking - but honest, it wasn't.

The thing is - I didn't know where I was going with all of this. I was being friendly, but let's face it, nothing is coming from this. Nothing can, or should. To say in another place and time I wouldn't have gone for it - who can say? Who can say?

To say I did any of this because of beer would be unfair to the beer industry. They are not the root of all evil. How could they be?

As it was, I got a text message from you know who saying he was down the street and to let's have dinner. I excused myself from Eddie and told him I hoped I would see him again. ...and I hope I do.



Song by: Squeeze

Younger than Springtime

Today is the first day of Spring. Yayyyyyy. It's been a long long time coming.

Granted, it is not actually Spring until 23:47, but the Vernal Equinox still makes under the wire to appear today.

The winter has been a harsh one up here in Northeast Ohio. We got our January temps in mid-November, and they stayed. And stayed. And stayed. We had our second snowiest January - missing the record by less than 2.5".

But March has been ok. I know there are a few more snow storms to come before we're done with this season. There always are. Sometimes even in May - but we're always hopeful. ...and that is something you rarely hear from me.

Yesterday, coming home from work, I saw true signs of Spring.....and right on the side of our drive

Pretty cool, huh?

Before you know it, Morty will be emailing, telling us that college-aged boys are out on the South Oval in shorts playing Hacky Sack.

Maybe we can finally get him to use his digital camera!



Song by: Ezio Pinza

Seven Year Ache

Today marks the beginning of my seventh year of blogging! Seven! Can you frickin' believe it? I can't.

Unfortunately it is also the beginning for the seventh year of the wars in the mid-east. Yes, I started this blog with that intent. I write that part every year at this time, don't I?

I also write how this blog has evolved. As I approach my 1400th post, I do it a lot more consistently then I did back then. Hell, right now I'm going on about 105 days in a row...or so.

In the beginning the posts were as long as Twitter allows tweets to be. I was just funning around then. I still am. The posts are a lot longer then they were back in the day, and every once in awhile might actually have a little bit of substance.

I said, a little bit! ...and might.

The sub-title of the blog is still Stuff & Nonsense (taken from a Split Enz song) because that's what I'm about for the most part. Ask anyone. Or anyone who knows me.

Much like Bush and Iraq, I don't have an exit strategy. While running with the Iraq/blog metaphor, like most of America you probably think I should and wrap this debacle up. But for the moment, I might just run it into the ground until my approval numbers get as low as his did.

HA! Who am I kidding? At my worst, they'd never be that bad!



Song by: Rosanne Cash

Photograph

The iPhone has an app(lication) out that I am loving - and for absolutely no good reason.

PhotoSwap is just like it sounds. I guess. It's easy for me to say that now that I have been playing with it for a few days.

What it is, is basically a random, could be anonymous, social networking kind of app through pictures.

Here's how it works: You use your iPhone to take a picture - of anything you damn well choose. You have the option to use the picture or retake it. When you hit 'use', it just sends it to g-d knows who - since you have no way of knowing where into the ether it goes. You then immediately get one in return from someone else.

I got this one from an unknown chick. A iPhone pic of a reflection of her in her 1st generation iPod. How very meta.

Random for sure. Anonymous - if they choose (or you choose). However, I was getting some photos back that would say something like, "Stan/Straight/32". Whatever, dude!

I'd get some photos coming back that had nothing written. Since I can't see exactly my end result of what I was sending out, I was hoping it didn't have some text attached. Beau told me via Twitter (thank you Twitter - you were finally useful) how to get text on them thar messages.

How I got this info from Beau was that he was seeing folks' text that said 'no gays'. G-d, ya frickin homophobes, give it up. No one is wanting you so badly from a random snapshot that they are hunting you down to do you! No one!

I decided not to do age, sex, location. I'm not looking to hook-up. No, I went one worse. I just put this blog URL on it. Maybe it will drive others to said blog.

As for location, after you hit the 'info button' (see that above pic again), you get a location button'....and it brings up a Goooooogle map. Not an exact location, but a relatively close one, I'm assuming.

There is also a 'reply button', but I have not used that, nor has anyone to me. That's ok, I'm into it for the randomness. Another random feature, one I don't like; the camera does not keep the picture I took. It doesn't go to my photo album, it just gets sent and then goes away, like it never existed. In a way, that's kind of cool, but I can't show you any of my handy-dandy work.

Naturally, the app is free. I just can't see paying for it. But I'm cheap - we all know that.


Song by: Weezer

Progress

There is no real good reason for posting this. At least I don't think. I could have told you where (roughly) I came out on the scale without ever actually taking the 40 question quiz. Not only that, I swear I have taken and posted something like this before, but with over 180 posts that could be determined 'political' it was hard to find.

With 126 unaccounted for points - it seems that the term 'very progressive' would be overstating it, unless if you got to 400 they just branded you a Sandinista.

Most of the questions are clear cut, but sometimes the phrasing of it made me carefully chose my answer(s). If the word 'always' or 'never' appeared, I wasn't so quick to pick the number I initially might have, so I tempered my level of agreement.


I could not find a way to embed this sucker into the blog, so all you get above is a .jpg of my score. However, if you would like to take your own quiz of this - you can get to it by going here.



Song by: Laurie Anderson