Now I Can Believe It

"If you want to discriminate, there is no place for it in Ameri...

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Time Travel Thursday

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We're Standing With You Dan

Sending prayers, good wishes and good vibes for a speedy recovery.   Thank you for all the work you have done, and are doing LT.  Your community owes you a substantial debt of gratitude.   Kristine W says it perfectly.....It's gonna be Alrig...

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Christmas Crack

Today is "C-Day" at our house. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S  Decorating day. The house has been cleaned, scoured, dusted, shined and vacuumed to within an inch of it's life. I've lugged the Christmas decoration boxes inside,  and later I will pull them one by one out of the dining room and begin unpacking all the treasures, all the memories, all the newly acquired Christmas Junk and attack the house with the frenzy of a masculine Martha Stewart on Christmas Crack. I'll break for lunch sometime around 1-1:30 but it will be a light meal because I'll have snacked on the mountain of Christmas Cookies I've been preparing for goody boxes...

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Could You Step Back A Bit Please.

If I came with an owner’s manual it would have a few helpful tidbits. Such as: If I’m driving, don’t bug me by grabbing my arm or touching me….anywhere really (and this includes my Mom). If I’m at a party, no problem….get as close as you want. If you have a beef with me? You’d better not be so close I can smell your breath. And if I’m in line at Fred Meyer waiting to return something…I do NOT want to feel your body heat on MY back, which is exactly what happened today. So I’m returning a vacuum cleaner belt because I bought the wrong one. It’s a simple exchange, and I know it’s near Christmas….I also know it’s a Saturday…..I can handle crowds....

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Up To 'Here'

From time to time I reach a saturation point when it comes to TV.    The bad news, horrifying news, the sometimes crushing disappointments and sickening politics, just get to be too much for me.   I didn't used to be this affected by the news, but I've noticed during the last couple years this is the case.   DADT, ENDA, Tax cuts for the rich, Lawmakers and Representatives who lie, Presidents who fail miserably on their campaign promises, murders, rapes......I've had it. So today I'm "TV free"...... for today.   I'm not insane after all, I could never just forego the news.   But just for today,...

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Time Travel Thursday

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"Cousin Liz" ahead of her time

My parents used to control the tv dial. Remember those days? The days when TV's had dials and Parents, not children, decided on what was watched as a 'gasp' family? One of the shows we had to endure was All In the Family. We had a love hate relationship with it. On the one hand we LOVED Edith. The sweet, innocent "dingbat" as Archie called her was the best. Archie however, sort of epitomized my dad who laughed a little too loudly every time Arch said a racial epitath, which was all the time. As an adult I've been surprised at how much "I" now enjoy watching All In the Family. I'm sure some of it is childhood nostalgia, but that was one smart...

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I Think Santa Is Following Me

About this same time last year I was feeling a little blue, and while I was waiting in line at a local drive thru.......... I saw Santa! I can't tell you how that simple event raised my spirits. Yesterday I was going to the grocery store and I saw him again! Of course he wasn't wearing the suit,because (duh)...it's waaaay to early, but it was the same car and the same beard and this time he was chatting on a cell phone. I think Santa is following me. Good thing I've been nothing but 'nice' this year! ...

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Pricetag On Civil Rights

The Atlanta police reached a settlement with the Eagle on the raid last year, remember that? Last year they burst through the doors in full SWAT gear, brutalized a couple patrons screaming anti-gay slurs and were just in general total douche bags. I remember being dumbfounded when I first heard about that story. Can you imagine what that must have been like? That day at the Atlanta Eagle was closely reminiscent of that night in NYC at the Stonewall Inn……..but this was 2009.  One thing that's clear, is that the struggle for civil rights is far from over, and that's sad. While I’m not a bar-gay anymore, I try to place myself in that situation...

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Horror Of A Good Man

I never thought I would write a letter to a man incarcerated for three counts of murder, but last night I did just that. In the mid 1980s, my grade school Principal took a shotgun and murdered his wife and two young daughters. I vividly remember watching the news and listening in horror as they played one of the girls 911 call which ended with a shotgun blast. During the early 70s when I was in the first grade, it was a tough time for my family. My mother brought my sister and I to a small Idaho town on a wing and a prayer and we lived with my grandparents. It was an especially hard winter, and I was scared at the idea of a new school and...

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A Unicorn F@#$ing A Dolphin

If I were to get a tattoo, it would have to be a unicorn fucking a dolphin in front of a beautiful gay rainbow.   Why?  because I'd cock it up anywhich way I went.   My 'cool' would be nerdy.   My 'cutting edge' would be sooooo 80s. I admire some tattoos on some people, but when it comes down to it, I just don't trust myself to make that kind of commitment. I have two nephews who are pierced and tattooed beyond belief. Though I love them dearly, if I’m being 100 percent honest…..they look just plain awful. Demonic skulls, writhing monsters…and other rotten art decorate arms, legs, heads and other nether...

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Time Travel Thursday

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We've Forgotten

We have forgotten about AIDS.   Well, maybe not completely......but almost. Of those currently infected with HIV, one in five doesn't know they have the condition, and the majority of new infections are spread by people who are unaware of their own status. About 41% of new infections last year affected young people aged 15-24, and women accounted for about 51% of new infections. I am 43, which might as well be 158 in gay years...but I'm okay with that.  Really. I was 2 years old when Stonewall was happening, 8 when Anita Bryant was singing about orange juice while trying to eradicate gay people.  I was 16 when I saw...

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Love My Hair

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Remembering Matthew

Seems like we're adding names 'to remember' left and right lately, there's so much hate out there.  I hope and pray the trend stops....but the truth is, it won't stop until it ends with you and me taking a stand. &nb...

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This Should Be National

This wasn't produced by a nation wide power player ad agency...this is grass roots and in my opinion.....very very effective.   (found via Joe.My.God...

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I Guess That's Why They Call Them Crushes

I distinctly remember the argument with my cousin. "I get to be Ponch!" "No, I do!" Riveting eh?   We were somewhere around 7 or 8 (maybe 9)  but CHiPs was the big thing on television and motorcycle cops were what all our friends were playing and we were no exception. Ponch was so cool.  He had the hair and the teeth (almost like the Osmonds) plus it was fun pretending our bikes were motorcycles and riding side by side like they did on TV.   I of course, won the argument and my cousin Larry had to be "the blonde guy".   We didn't even know Larry Wilcox's characters name. (Officer Jon Baker FYI). ...

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Asshat In Sheeps Clothing

I always kind of liked Rick Sanchez on CNN, and wondered what the heck was up with this guy when he was fired a few days ago.   He's known for being somewhat opinionated and outspoken which I'm okay with, after all I don't have to agree with every word that comes out of someone elses mouth, and healthy discourse makes me think which is always a good thing, know what I'm sayin???? Hmmmm?  But I definitely raised an eyebrow when I heard his Jewish remarks about John Stewart, and I wondered if maaaaaybe he'd taken a sip of the ol' crazy koolaid Mel Gibson has been chugging the last few years. This morning I woke up to find...

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Time Travel Thursday

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Rain And A Regular Wednesday

Is there anything better than waking up to the sound and smell of rain?    Sure it can get old after awhile, but it was particularly nice this morning. I'm not sure what's on the tap for today, a few errands, lunch, dishes.  Boring stuff...... the stuff of living. It's tempting to feel ho-hum about a regular everyday sort of day but I'm trying to adjust my outlook, because let's face it.....even my most boring day of the week beats the pants off what other people have to contend with in other parts of the world.   After all, I don't have to worry about grabbing what posessions I can...

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Feeling Sorry For....

I woke up this morning, from a gay dream, in my gay bedroom and turned on my big gay TV.  For about an hour I channel surfted from one gay show to another, thinking gay thoughts and then I finally got up.   I looked in my gay mirror at the biggest gay I'd seen all day and gave myself a wink.    After flirting with my big gay self, I hit the gym where I was surrounded by all sorts of gays doing gay things.  After my workout I showered and got ready for work by putting on my gay clothes and the gayest cologne I had on my gay shelf in my gay locker.  Then I gaily headed off to my gay job. I feel sorry...

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Born That Way

I have no experience being Italian, Jewish, Female, Blue Eyed, or Left-handed. So if I were to mount a public campaign against....let's say left handed people telling them I knew for certain they were not BORN left handed, but instead chose the sick immoral lifestyle of using their left hand predominantly...wouldn't you think I was insane? Would the goal of my argument be to convince lefties to be righties? Or would it simply be a transparent effort to convince others that lefties were of the devil, reprobates or "less-thans"? Why do political candidates and religious leaders even receive airtime with this drivel? Let's step out of the crazy...

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Oh My God

Over breakfast a couple days ago I mentioned that I had prayed for D- and his upcoming test, which has been weighing on his mind lately and he seemed a little surprised. "I didn't know you still prayed" Hello? I thought to myself.....have we just met?" "Of course I pray " I said.   "I still believe in God, just not religion" What followed was a familiar conversation to us, exploring the idea/nature/belief of God, suicide and the hereafter.  Deep stuff over a cheesy omlette at eight in the morning. I think it's natural at this stage of life....(that stage being middle age ),  to contemplate the bigger questions about....oh...

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Blood On Our Hands

You and I didn't violate Tyler Clementi's privacy and shatter his soul.   We didn't taunt, torment or attack the other young people who committed suicide this week either....but you and I are guilty. I won't get overly maudlin or introspective with this post, but my premise is this. You and I could be mentoring a young gay adult.  I could be volunteering at the GLBT community center, you could be doing the same thing.   Each of us COULD be calling our school officials, city, state and federal representatives inquiring about anti bullying policies, insisting some be put in place, making ourselves heard, being an unrelenting pain...

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FB Photo Of The Year

This was on Facebook today.   Here's the guy's page that originally posted it.  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31578982&id=1146373033  He's received a lot of kudos for finding and posting this.   I personally  L O V E    I...

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Elisabeth .......

It's true....."They've done studies" as Mrs H pointed out on the view tod...

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Good Taste

Joy Behar:  "Your mother, Judy Garland and you, are such gay icons.  Why is that?" Liza:   "Because they have good tast...

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Who Do You Think YOU Are?

About two years ago I began working on restoring the old family pictures, and I wondered about the people, and the times they lived in etc.   We knew a tiny bit about my mom's side of the family and practically nothing about my dads.   Then last Christmas, I decided I would see if I could research my family tree.   I had no clue as to how to begin, and I soon hit a brick wall and gave up.  Then, "Who Do You Think You Are" aired on TV.  Produced by Lisa Kudrow, the show featured real life family searches by celebrities.  Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields...

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La Lohan Parte Deux

I'm a Lindsay Lohan sympathizer probably because she reminds me so much of my wayward niece.  So sad to see a talented kids life swirl down the toilet.  During her court appearance yesterday I did notice her nails and thought "Wow that is one shitty manicure".   Today I ran across this blowup of said manicure from an article on CNN.   Lindsay was offering up a little message on her middle finger.   How sad this kid just doesn't get it. &nb...

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Get Better Lindsay

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Special Order Of The Court?

So I get back, and find out I'm up for jury duty. Okay...no big deal.  I found out in plenty of time, and really, I'm all for serving.   I believe in the system (in it's imperfect perfectness....mostly) and since I escaped serving the first time I was called when I was 25, I'm kinda looking forward to it. I wonder if it will be like "Twelve Angry Men"....or "The Juror".   Will it be hot and sexy like "The Practice?" Or cleverly funny like "Ally McBeal"?  What will I wear?  Will I be sequestered?   I quickly receive my card which is complete with my juror number and instructions, so I log on to...

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It's Monday!

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Happy 4th

I've been traveling, sunning, and just enjoying life.   Hope to be home soon and blogging again.  Have a Happy 4th !...

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Family Service

When I was a little kid, my father (who had served in the Air Force during the Korean War), told me the story about my grandfather.   The story was about how grandpa (my father's step dad) had served time in prison because he was a conscientious objector during WWII.   A devout Jehovas Witness, he didn't believe in fighting or killing.  My dad, who was prejudiced beyond belief about anyone who was different or believed differently than he did, told the story every memorial day when I was little. I had a brother who served in the Armed Forces during Vietnam when I was an infant, and other family members who had...

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No, Please. Do Tell.

I voted for the guy, I've supported him because I know he has a full plate of issues on his table......issues that affect the entire country. But he promised. I'm a sorta-kinda patient person.   I realize things take time, priorities shift, things come up. But he promised. I know better than to believe a politician.  After all, they have to be all things to all people, work the room, make the deals....make friends.....make  ....compromises. But he promised. I thought this President, would be different....because he promised. DADT is wrong.   The President and his last minute compromises are wrong.  ...

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I'm The Kinda Guy.....

I'm the kinda guy that performs at his best when there's a deadline involved.  An end goal, a reward (or penalty) at a firm finish line. For me, there has to be something 'to' the journey.  A method to the madness otherwise, otherwise I flail. If I have an open-ended amount of time, I don't do well....I procrastinate.....I get distracted by shiny things. I know this about myself and while I hate it, I've come to accept it,  It's just who I am. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy free time, because I do.   But too much free time?  Too much expanse without a final destination?  To me, that is...

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It's My Birthday Bitches!

Another year, another birthday.  I think I'm just beginning to realize they are piling up surprisingly fast.   Oh well, no time for self-pity.  I'm privileged to be in this world and count my glbt friends as my family.   Today it will be chinese for dinner, followed by the cake I have insisted on since the first grade:  devils food chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, round, two layers.....and no fucking candles. So carbs be damned!   It's my birthday bitch...

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Happy Birthday Harvey

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Full Circle

It was 1985. Ronald Reagan was President, Amadeus won the Oscar for Best Picture, New Coke was introduced and I was about to graduate High School. Twin Falls Idaho was (and in many respects still is), a small town USA kinda town. Patriotism, church, conservativsm all reigned supreme. I knew I was gay, but could not envision a future anything close to what I have now. I felt very much alone, and remember the 80s were pre internet so unless you moved to a big(ger) more progressive city…you really were kind of alone. My graduation present came early, a project and gift from my Dad. It was a 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring, in original condition...

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Time Travel Thursday

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Chalk It Up

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BIZZY Day!

Today was one of those days where I was playing catch-up from the moment my feet hit the floor!  It wasn't a bad day, just freakin busy...so in lieu of a real post (and believe me I had plans for one)......here's a photo I came across that kinda floored me. I love them both, but daay-ham! ...

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This Week's Artist Spotlight

This Week's Artist Spotlight is Ross Bleckner.  His slideshow featuring some of his work is in the far right column.  Ross Bleckner new he wanted to be an artist from childhood, but unlike most children who eventually leave behind the joy of creativity, he stayed with it, and today at 60 he has achieved a level of skill and popularity most can only dream of. He graduated high school in 1967, and attended NYU where an influential art teacher advised him to enroll in art school, which he did in the early 70’s. At California Institute of the Arts, conceptualism and minimalism were the trends and his early painting reflected some aspects...

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Time Travel Thursday

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I Need To Prooffread

I just left a comment on one of my favorite blogs and yet again...failed to proof it before hitting enter.  How many times can one use the word 'amazing' without sounding like a seventeen year-old air head? This bitch needs to start proofi...

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A Rainy Day & A Huffy Ten Speed

It is freakin raining....again.   I gotta say, I'm longing for some sun, some blue sky, some free time outside, but it just isn't happening. I have a love/hate relationship with rainy days.  I always sleep sounder when it's raining, I love storms, I don't have to water the lawn, and by nature I'm an 'enjoy the dark' kinda person so I'm usually welcoming to this kind of weather.   On the other side, I know I'm somewhat prone to depression so too much of a good thing simply isn't.   I also need to be active and rain seems to prevent that. My main rainy day memory is a good one.  ...

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Lena Horne

Much like Daphne Moone off of Frasier, I am a little bit psychic.   Nothing major, nothing earth shattering...mostly inconsequential stuff that has no bearing. This weekend, I kept thinking about Lena Horne on the Cosby Show and wondered aloud how old she was and if she was still singing.   Odd huh?  Especially given she passed away yesterday.   I'm not a huge Lena Horne buff, but I knew of her.   She was more of my mother's generation, but I loved her signature song "Stormy Weather" and read about her contribution to Civil Rights in the 60s and beyond. In addition to her huge talent, she...

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