It's Always Over So Fast

The abrupt end to Christmas never ceases to amaze me.   Preparations in my house as a child, and now as an adult actually began in October, and I think it was that 'getting ready' phase I enjoy(ed) the most.  

The first step was deciding what goodies to make, and who they went to....and then came the lists....lists for the pantry, lists for wrapping supplies, menus, party, and yes ultimately the gifts.  

It seems everything is built on the anticipation for the big day, the big moment, and once it's done....it's done.   Christmas is flicked off like a light switch, and I'm not just referring to the decorations.   The good will, the getting along, the stress fun and excitement  all seem to disappear as fast as you unplug the lights on the tree. 

It's always over so fast.   

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Deep Voice 101

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And With True Love

--and brotherhood each other now embrace.

Merry Christmas Blog Buddies!

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My Monsters

2007, Mugsy (10) and Molly (12)  They're a lot greyer but still as wonderfully monsterous as when they were pups.   

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Balloon Boy Parents....Ugh

It's really hard to listen to the defense speak to how "wonderful" the Heene's are, how 'exemplary parents' they are.  I know they didn't murder anybody, but if you haven't seen the gross 'music' video they made with their little boys, (homophobic slur intact) called 'not pussified', and the other vids showing their 'exemplary family life', you might have a different idea of how 'wonderful' these two so called parents are.

I watched the balloon boy hoax on tv and was one of the duped millions.   The fact of the matter is, these are two people who use their children for their own satisfaction, gain and greed.   They sicken me, and are a symptom of fame seeking at all cost nutjobs in this media world we live in.   
Richard received 90 days with a type of work release or public service after the holidays with some type of probation and his wife?  She received 20 days of the same type of jail sentence and has to contribute to the restitution.

Although the court evidently has banned them from benefiting from any future commercial endeavors, when all is said and done, they still walk away with the fame (notoriety?) they originally sought, and will probably gain even more.

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Sex 2

I'm embarassed to say that I get excited like a giddy girl when it comes to this.  They just hadn't better fuck up the Carrie & Big relationship is allz I gotsta say.   Mmmmkay?

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The Night Santa Went Missing

It's been about 17 years since I wrote this poem/story for my youngest niece and nephews.   I had just started a new job (which was absolutely awful) and on my lunch I scribbled this out on a piece of scrap paper. 

The first time I read it to them, they were a little too young and I remember how let down I was.

However the next year they loved it, and it became a family tradition.   I finally produced it about 2 or three years ago, and while my critical ear begs me to produce it again....I kind of like this version.  I hope you like it too.

Merry Christmas To You and Yours

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Hope

Hope seems to be in short supply these days when it comes to gay marriage equality.   However there have been a couple of glimmers  lately. 

Washington DC legalized* same-sex marriage about a week ago, and today Mexico City did the same thing.  

Yes I realize Mexico City isn't in the US, however......any shift in progress when it comes to gay marriage equality is reason to give thanks.   

After the setback in NY, I believe these latest events give us hope.

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It Drives The Season

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Aunt Frannie Xmas Card

Aunt Frannie sent this along, thought I'd share.

There is a fun story behind the picture on her website:  dearauntfrannie.blogspot.com if you like old hollywood gossip.  

My Auntie was quite the dish back then wasn't she?

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Advice To My Younger Self

If you could go back in time and have a 10 minute conversation with your younger self, knowing what you know now.....what would you say?

What wisdom, encouragement, advice, or even warnings would you choose to impart in the hopes of bettering, or simply changing your future?

I think about this from time to time, and it's an interesting scenario.   

For me, I would tell my younger self  these top 5 nuggets of wisdom:

1)  To have more self esteem!  I always thought I was fat.....and my god I look back at old pictures now and realize how beautiful I was and how much time I wasted feeling horrible about my body.

2)   The church doesn't know shit and to come out earlier!  Although I knew I was gay back in the first grade, and had my first sexual experience at 19.....I didn't begin coming out until I was 25, and it was so traumatic becuase I had been force fed the BS that gays are destined to hell.   So much time wasted over religious destruction.

3)   Learn how to save money!   Doing it earlier would have saved so much trial and error and I would be retired by now!

3)   Build your body up and keep it up!  It will save you (me) so much time, pain and anxiety if you make healthy choices early on.

4)   Make laughter a high priority in life!   Savor every funny and not so tragic experience.  The best memories are built on laughter.

5)  Moisturize and slather your sunblock!  The idea to blog about this topic, came as I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror after shaving today.

(BTW, this weeks header has a few photos of me from early christmases interspersed with net pics. The main one on the far right, is my favorite. I begged and worked all the manipulation tactics I had to get that picture (it cost 1.00 in 1976) and then of course I was too petrified to say anything to santa.)

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Holiday Baking

Some of my Christmas baking. There's alot but at the end, Santa pays a visit .

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Merry Christmas

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The Christmas Spirit Found Me

I was on my way to pick up some dog food tonight, and was feeling a little blue so I decided to get something to drink.

While I was in the drive thru I looked over and saw a man in a red car facing my direction. I thought, "That guy could be a really good santa" and when he scratched his nose and I saw the red sleeve and fur trim, I grabbed my camera.

I have to be on guard around the holidays as I can get a little depressed but when he waved at me, I suddenly felt like a little kid again.

I guess the christmas spirit found me.

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Sad Goodbye

Dennis deLeon, former New York City human rights commissioner and long-time AIDS activist, has died,

The Latino Commission on AIDS issued a news release Monday, saying that deLeon was a "pioneer" and a "visionary," as well as a "tireless advocate for social justice and one of the first openly HIV-positive Latino leaders in the country."

New York Mayor Bloomberg praised deLeon on Monday, saying in a statement that the activist "demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service."
Dennis DeLeon was 61.

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A Really Good Movie Night

I finally had a chance to watch a couple of movies I have really been wanting to see.  Julie & Julia, and Precious.    It's been a long busy week, but tonight was movie night.  

I absolutely loved Julie and Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.   I don't think I've smiled and laughed as hard or often  as I have during the 123 minutes of this movie.    I don't think Meryl can do any wrong....I even forgive her for Mama Mia.  If you haven't seen it, rent it (or go here).   


Then when I was up all by myself, I couldn't leave well enough alone, and had to finish watching Precious.   I don't handle abuse or confrontational situations in movies very well.   I'm not sure why, but I don't.  I had actually begun watching Precious about a week ago....and made it through about 20 minutes before I had to turn it off.    It was too raw. 

But after Julie & Julia I guess I was on a feelgood roll so I gave it another shot, and absolutely enjoyed it.   It wasn't easy for me to watch some of what went on, and while it broke my heart and made me gasp loudly several times....I made it through the whole thing, and am so glad I did.   It too, is well worth the time.  Everyone in the movie rocked, and I was really surprised at some of the movie elements (lesbian teachers, Monique's performance, Mariah Carey's performance.   Damn! Crazy she (Mariah) may be in real life but she was actually GOOD in this movie....and the list of things I liked just goes on and on.   The girl who played Precious (Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe) is amazing.  Go see it, (or go here)

Tonight was a really good movie night.   I'm glad I can sleep in.

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Some Good News (For A Change)

Annise Parker made history Saturday by becoming Houston's first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city's hotly contested election.

"This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that's what my administration will be about," Parker told supporters after former city attorney Gene Locke conceded defeat.

Of the more than 152,000 residents who turned out to cast ballots in the fourth largest U.S. city Saturday, 81,652 chose Parker — some 11,000 votes more than were placed for Locke.

The election battle leading up to Saturday's balloting was marked by fierce campaigning and anti-gay rhetoric.

Several smaller U.S. cities have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Ore., Providence, R.I., and Cambridge, Mass.

Houston, the country's fourth largest city, is predominantly Democratic and about 25 percent black and one-third Hispanic. About 60,000 of its 2.2 million residents identify as gay or lesbian.

By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer Monica Rhor, Associated Press Writer
 
About time we had some good news for a change.

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Quick Ski Trip

In light of all the recent snow...Park City Utah beckoned.  

I uploaded the podcast before we left, but didn't wait to ensure it was successful, I'm sorry!   Next podcast will be monday.   Hope you're all having a great week, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK to Kevin at The Lisp!

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Nonsense About Terrence

Terrence McWilliams.

I don’t know why that name came to me just now. It’s kind of an odd thing to happen don’t you think? I wonder if there is a Terrence McWilliams somewhere in the world, and if so…......did he just think “Geoff Martin” out of the blue?

Now that would be strange.

I suppose Terrence could be a girl, or maybe not…..no he’s definitely a man….a man born in Sussex….another name (a locale really) that I don’t know a thing about, so it goes quite well with my Terrence.

Lol……’My Terrence’….he’s not really ‘mine’. Hmm there’s another odd thing to think about. Can one own a made up person? Is there a made up law against it? Probably not. If there IS a made up law against owning a made up person (who might be real), I’ll just repeal it because I just elected myself President of made up land. Not much of an election really because the only person in my made up land happens to be good ol’ Terrence. Maybe I’ll make up a friend for him later.

Makes me kind of sad to think of all the billions of people in the world, all the people I could never possibly meet, and I think Terrence is among them.

It’s starting to rain, I should go inside. I hope Terrence is wearing a raincoat. I just made up one for him.

I hear it rains a lot in Sussex.

BTW...I did a google search on 'Terrence Mcwilliams"....that's him in the pic, he's from Ireland. Go figure.

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Monday Must See TV

It takes alot for me to get excited over TV these days.   It's not like when I was a kid and planned my life around the Six Million Dollar Man and Wonder Woman.   But December 7th, I get to be a kid again.

Monday night....TLC....Cake Boss!

If you haven't  seen Cake Boss, It's a fun 'reality' show about an Italian family bakery in Jersey.   It's head baker is a short and loud (and cute) guy named 'Buddy', and he creates all these amazing cakes every week.   Personally, I like Cake Boss MUCH better than Ace of Cakes (another cake show, duh) because Buddy actually makes cake....as opposed to fondant covered rice crispy stuff.

Anyhoo.....the reason Monday's episode is "must see"?   

MISS RICHFIELD 1981 is commissioning a cake! 

If you don't know who Miss Richfield 1981 is, check out her website:  missrichfield.com   She is hysterical!  I can't wait to see this tricked out gay comedic icon interact with my favorite bunch of Guidos (no disrespect intended, I use that with love)!
I love to support/enjoy/savor whenever a proud, out, gay celebrity is featured on mainstream tv......so monday night, you know exactly where I'll be!

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Old Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Aunt Frannie sent this to me this morning.   Thought I'd share.  

You can find the story behind the photo at her blog:  dearauntfrannie.blogspot.com

I'm thinking retirement villas sound like alot of fun.

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Atoms Colliding

Sam Wagstaff.   You probably don't know his name, unless you're in the art world. 

Robert Mapplethorpe.   Maybe his name rings a bell, when you think of iconic and very controversial gay imagery. 

They were two men, who connected during a raw and exciting time.   Wagstaff, born with a pedigree and the privlieges that come with such circumstances, and Mapplethorpe his polar opposite, smashed together like two atoms, and the resulting blast shook the 70s and beyond. 

I watched, "Black, White and Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe" the other night and was enthralled.   It's an amazing true life story about two men, who likely would never have been remembered for much if they hadn't met.   

While many recognize Robert Mapplethorpe as the photographer of explicit subject matter mostly pertaining to gay bondage themes, many don't recognize Sam Wagstaff at all even though he is responsible for shaping and setting the standard for photographic art collecting the world over.   These two men had incredible backstories and when they met, and began a relationship it was amazing.  Of course it took place in the 70s and 80s, and it was in NYC  during a time when gay life was much different...much freer, and raw in some respects than it is now.   The film is FANTASTIC.

If you haven't seen "Black, White and Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe"  you really should.   I watched it free at snagfilms.com which is a spectaular free (and legitimate!) movie site where you can watch scads of documentaries and films for free. 
Enjoy!

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Time Travel Thursday

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Thanks Alot NY

By a vote of 24-38, New York's State Senate has voted against same-sex marriage legislation. 
After demands for a vote on the bill, we finally received one. And it wasn't the answer we were looking for.
Among the "no" votes, inexplicably: political dancer Hiram Monserrate.

Says Sen. Tom Duane, the bill's lead sponsor: "I wasn't expected to be betrayed, and so I have some justified anger. But it's just going to propel me to – I don't want to say redouble my efforts, because my efforts have been pretty strong – but I'm not going to let up. I'm angry. I'm disappointed. I am let down. I'm betrayed. But I am not going away."  source: queerty.com

Although DC did the right thing, analysts warn that even the perception of the tide turning against gay marriage rights success,  spells doom for the other states when they tackle the issue.

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Welcome

Dear Meredith,

Welcome to the Gay Club.
Your membership card and complimentary Birkenstocks are in the mail.
Please remember to read your handbook as you explore your newly public life. 
Although many of us have known for years, we are excited you have taken this very important step.

Best wishes,

The Homosexual Welcoming Committee

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