Memorial Day Weekend

And the summer officially begins, at least commercially. The tourists began arriving last Wednesday evening, clogging the major and minor roadways. It seems that what once was a three-day holiday weekend has morphed into one lasting five days.

After a good session with the therapist Thursday morning, I made my way into town for a service of healing held at a local church at 11:30 a.m. It was an interesting experience and well attended. I didn’t know what to expect, so I was pleased and comforted as a result. By afternoon, traffic was bumper to bumper as I desperately tried to run a few errands on my day off. Finally made it back to the house, made a drink, and settled in. Was watching a movie when my housemate’s brother arrived. We chatted a while before heading off to our respective beds. Work would be demanding this weekend and I needed some rest.

By the time I left work on Friday evening traffic was nothing short of gridlock and it took me twice as long to get home than usual. As I pulled into the driveway the brother was right behind me with a humongous load of groceries. I helped him unload the truck and asked why he bought so much for the short three-day weekend. “Well, it’s a holiday weekend and we’re going to spend some family time, cook out, and have some friends around” he answered. Then added, “I hope you’ll be around to share this with me. Act one is tonight – steaks and corn on the cob – with the encore tomorrow of more steaks, chicken, and corn. And I’ve invited my gal-pal and an army buddy and his wife to join us tomorrow evening.” Note: the bro and his buddy had already served in Afghanistan and Iraq and we’re praying that he isn’t called up again.

I didn’t know what to say. I was shocked that he would even consider including me in his weekend festivities. The housemate (the other brother) had not been informed of these plans and having to work a 12-hour shift that day, also had invitations to parties and chose not to join us.

Friday evening it was just the two of us sharing stories as we munched on fresh sweet corn and delicious NY strip steaks. And Saturday, following another long exhausting day at the store I returned to the house to be met my Mark’s gal-pal (his name for her) Jenna and a very much appreciated gin martini with olives. As we prepared the corn for the grill, Jenna picked my brain about Broadway shows. She’s a singer and does community theatre in the DC area. She happened to notice my WICKED CD and began asking Mark about me. He assured her that we would get along fine. He was right.

When the buddy and his lady arrived (with a case of Corona and limes) we sat on the deck as the sun began to fade and the air was cooled by a light breeze. I made vodka martinis for Mark and Jenna as the other couple guzzled those Coronas. The shared meal of steak, chicken, and corn was even better with so many at the table laughing and enjoying the company of strangers.

Talk ran the gamut from politics, the war, gasoline prices, Katrina, the economy, and finally the real meaning of this weekend. These guys are army and have lost friends and though that was not a topic of conversation, they did tell stories of their time in Kosovo. Most of them quite funny. As we say in New Orleans ‘a good time was had by all’ and I slept the sleep of the grateful last night.

Today, aside from being Memorial Day Sunday, was Pentecost Sunday, as a result not only was the church filled but also it was a sea of red. The service was wonderful as was the message [which was all about unity and not uniformity] and the Spirit filled my heart and blessed me greatly.

After service my friend Bob and I went to brunch where he tried to instruct me in the many forms of investments available and likely to encounter, and which ones to stay away from. Poor man, had to learn how truly ignorant I am about this sort of thing. But he was patient and promised a list of options in my inbox in the near future. Bob is great fun to be with – laughs easily (and has a great laugh), is easy going, gracious, and was a great help during my exodus.

OK, so I felt less blessed as I drove through the nightmare traffic (why weren’t these people at the beach???) trying to get home without getting broad sided by some cell phone addicted driver.

The tourist season is upon us. I saw a bumper sticker today that read “Why do we call it Tourist Season if we can’t shoot at them?” Ahem! This one may be more relevant in August.

More later.

*

Bird Bombs Bush!

“An outdoor news conference in perfect spring weather, with birds chirping loudly in the magnolia trees, is not without its hazards. As President Bush took a question Thursday in the White House Rose Garden about scandals involving his Attorney General, he remarked, ‘I’ve got confidence in Al Gonzales doin’ the job.’ Simultaneously, a sparrow flew overhead and left a splash on the President’s sleeve, which Bush tried several times to wipe off.”

Clearly this bird was part of a sleeper cell of sparrows living in a cherry tree near the white House.

Ah, if only elephants could fly and drop a steaming payload on the chimp-in-chief. I'm just sayin'.

More Later.
*

Mary Cheney: The Virgin Birth?

OK, spew alert. This headline is the best, and the story by Andy Humm is, well, interesting - and short. Oh, but the headline is what did me in.

Note: there is a picture which I will not post here, of the dark lord and his wraith holding the baby and smiling, even.

I haven't heard any head explode yet, but it's only a matter of time.
More later.
*

New Orleans Update

Note: Harry has a home in New Orleans and has covered this story since shortly after the disaster. It's been 20 months and no one seems to care anymore. Harry does. Read the whole piece by clicking on the link below.

From Harry Shearer via HuffPo:

There were also news stories of a less celebratory nature: the Road Home program, Louisiana's attempt to funnel Federal money to NO homeowners for repair/rebuilding/resettlement, announced, through the private company that administers the program (ICF of Virginia) that it was at least $2 billion short of what would be needed to pay the claims of all the homeowners who had applied (estimates of the claimants and their damage from the federal floods had apparently been seriously short of the mark); the same program was reported to have imposed an impossibly short deadline on homeowners who opted to sell out and buy a new home in-state, a deadline that was repealed almost as soon as the story hit the Times-Picayune; and of course there was that Biblical rainstorm, sheets and sheets of water coming down on May 4, proving that the famous pumps, long able to clear the city of the most abundant rain, had been compromised by the flooding and its aftermath -- television news that day was full of video of flooded neighborhoods and, most memorably, a car at a Canal Blvd. underpass that was up to its mid-windshield in water, its wipers still running.

Read the beginning and end here.

Because some of you didn't know who he is...Harry’s Bio:

Harry Shearer is the co-creator and co-star of "This Is Spinal Tap", and has appeared in movies ranging from "The Robe" to "A Mighty Wind" to, most recently, "For Your Consideration". His weekly radio broadcast, Le Show, is heard on dozens of public radio stations nationwide, and around the world via harryshearer.com and kcrw.com.

He has been caught practicing journalism in venues ranging from Newsweek to slate.com. And he's the voice of a dozen characters on "The Simpsons". His first novel, "Not Enough Indians", is in stores now, as is his DVD, "Now You See It", featuring some classic Saturday Night Live sketches he co-created and co-starred in.

Now you know. More later.

*

Gays OK in UK Military

From the Gray Lady:

LONDON, May 20 — The officer, a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force, felt he had no choice. So he stood up in front of his squad of 30 to 40 people.

“I said, ‘Right, I’ve got something to tell you,’ ” he said. “ ‘I believe that for us to be able to work closely together and have faith in each other, we have to be honest and open and frank. And it has to be a two-way process, and it starts with me baring my soul. You may have heard some rumors, and yes, I have a long-term partner who is a he, not a she.’ ”

Far from causing problems, he said, he found that coming out to his troops actually increased the unit’s strength and cohesion. He had felt uneasy keeping the secret “that their boss was a poof,” as he put it, from people he worked with so closely.

Since the British military began allowing homosexuals to serve in the armed forces in 2000, none of its fears — about harassment, discord, blackmail, bullying or an erosion of unit cohesion or military effectiveness — have come to pass, according to the Ministry of Defense, current and former members of the services and academics specializing in the military. The biggest news about the policy, they say, is that there is no news. It has for the most part become a nonissue.

The Ministry of Defense does not compile figures on how many gay men and lesbians are openly serving, and it says that the number of people who have come out publicly in the past seven years is still relatively low. But it is clearly proud of how smoothly homosexuals have been integrated and is trying to make life easier for them.

Read the rest which includes the following :

“We’re not looking to have quotes taken out of context in a way to imply that we’re trying to influence the debate in the United States,” the British official said. “There are some sensitivities over the timing of this. We have had communications from our counterparts in the United States, and they have asked us questions about how we’ve handled it and how it’s gone on the ground. There does seem to be some debate going on over how long the current policy will be sustainable.”

The debate in the United States was rekindled in March when Gen. Peter Pace, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the country’s top-ranking military official, told The Chicago Tribune that he believed that homosexuality was immoral.

Not that the US military is desperate, or anything, but you know they wouldn’t be entertaining this idea of lifting the ban if they were meeting recruitment quotas. Hell, they’re taking gang-bangers, and ex-cons, as well as illegal immigrants (promising citizenship - should they return), so who is left? Uh huh! [Emphasis mine.]

You’ll find the rest HERE.

More Later.

*

Falwell – Fare(not so)well!

I have remained silent on the death of our pasty, porcine pastor for a self-selected proper length of time. Sort of like sitting Shiva with a tambourine. (And wouldn't the very idea of Shiva drive him batshit crazy?) When I read that he was found dead not long after gorging himself on a breakfast of all kinds of pork flesh, well I thought, if his bloated "vessel" made it across the river Styx, Lucifer probably planned a pig roast and party in hell that day. Oh, maybe even all week.

No longer in mourning black and back in my festive purple, here is offered a few of his many hits:

From the Carpetbagger Report

March 1980: Falwell tells an Anchorage rally about a conversation with President Carter at the White House. Commenting on a January breakfast meeting, Falwell claimed to have asked Carter why he had “practicing homosexuals” on the senior staff at the White House. According to Falwell, Carter replied, “Well, I am president of all the American people, and I believe I should represent everyone.” When others who attended the White House event insisted that the exchange never happened, Falwell responded that his account “was not intended to be a verbatim report,” but rather an “honest portrayal” of Carter’s position.

August 1980: After Southern Baptist Convention President Bailey Smith tells a Dallas Religious Right gathering that “God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew,” Falwell gives a similar view. “I do not believe,” he told reporters, “that God answers the prayer of any unredeemed Gentile or Jew.” After a meeting with an American Jewish Committee rabbi, he changed course, telling an interviewer on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “God hears the prayers of all persons…. God hears everything.”

July 1984: Falwell is forced to pay gay activist Jerry Sloan $5,000 after losing a court battle. During a TV debate in Sacramento, Falwell denied calling the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Churches “brute beasts” and “a vile and Satanic system” that will “one day be utterly annihilated and there will be a celebration in heaven.” When Sloan insisted he had a tape, Falwell promised $5,000 if he could produce it. Sloan did so, Falwell refused to pay and Sloan successfully sued. Falwell appealed, with his attorney charging that the Jewish judge in the case was prejudiced. He lost again and was forced to pay an additional $2,875 in sanctions and court fees.

October 1987: The Federal Election Commission fines Falwell for transferring $6.7 million in funds intended for his ministry to political committees.

February 1988: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a $200,000 jury award to Falwell for “emotional distress” he suffered because of a Hustler magazine parody. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, usually a Falwell favorite, wrote the unanimous opinion in Hustler v. Falwell, ruling that the First Amendment protects free speech.

February 1993: The Internal Revenue Service determines that funds from Falwell’s Old Time Gospel Hour program were illegally funneled to a political action committee. The IRS forced Falwell to pay $50,000 and retroactively revoked the Old Time Gospel Hour’s tax-exempt status for 1986-87.

March 1993: Despite his promise to Jewish groups to stop referring to America as a “Christian nation,” Falwell gives a sermon saying, “We must never allow our children to forget that this is a Christian nation. We must take back what is rightfully ours.”

1994-1995: Falwell is criticized for using his “Old Time Gospel Hour” to hawk a scurrilous video called “The Clinton Chronicles” that makes a number of unsubstantiated charges against President Bill Clinton — among them that he is a drug addict and that he arranged the murders of political enemies in Arkansas. Despite claims he had no ties to the project, evidence surfaced that Falwell helped bankroll the venture with $200,000 paid to a group called Citizens for Honest Government (CHG). CHG’s Pat Matrisciana later admitted that Falwell and he staged an infomercial interview promoting the video in which a silhouetted reporter said his life was in danger for investigating Clinton. (Matrisciana himself posed as the reporter.) “That was Jerry’s idea to do that,” Matrisciana recalled. “He thought that would be dramatic.”

November 1997: Falwell accepts $3.5 million from a front group representing controversial Korean evangelist Sun Myung Moon to ease Liberty University’s financial woes.

April 1998: Confronted on national television with a controversial quote from America Can Be Saved!, a published collection of his sermons, Falwell denies having written the book or had anything to do with it. In the 1979 work, Falwell wrote, “I hope to live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!” Despite Falwell’s denial, Sword of the Lord Publishing, which produced the book, confirms that Falwell wrote it.

January 1999: Falwell tells a pastors’ conference in Kingsport, Tenn., that the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible is alive today and “of course he’ll be Jewish.”

February 1999: Falwell becomes the object of nationwide ridicule after his National Liberty Journal newspaper issues a “parents alert” warning that Tinky Winky, a character on the popular PBS children’s show “Teletubbies,” might be gay.

September 2001: Falwell blames Americans for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen.’”

November 2005: Falwell spearheads campaign to resist “war on Christmas.”

February 2007: Falwell describes global warming as a conspiracy orchestrated by Satan, liberals, and The Weather Channel.

More later.

*

"Settled!"

As it says at the top of this blog, “same ingredients, different vessels” and last week was, as expected, one of anxiety, fear, and expectation, as I prepared to settle on the ‘old’ vessel and prepare to move on.

The nightmare ended yesterday morning. It was not without drama and more than a little “spice” called deceit. Won’t go into it now. I am not good at this sort of thing, never have been and probably won't be until I die. I was 'had' - There it is.

I spent a rather sleepless night (which is why I am writing this so early) and I was tired of tossing & turning and questioning my actions, or the lack thereof. I didn’t advocate for myself very well, but that’s where it is. For whatever it’s worth papers were signed, the vessel now goes to new occupants, and I search for another vessel.

I am angry with myself, but I’ve beaten myself up enough for the past 18 hours. Time for a shower and then off to work. Hopefully it will take my mind off all that is still haunting me.

More later.

*

I Hear Ya John!

Now I don't do this very often, so stop freaking out. It is really all about us. Tune in and take possession of your place at Christ’s table because there is always room for more.

I heard John’s message loud and clear at least three times this weekend. Three different interpretations, but all fundamentally saying the same thing. Funny how these things just fall in to one’s lap, just when you least expect it, but need it desperately. It’s all about loving one another, stupid. Get it? Not yet? Is there any simpler way to say it, or anything more difficult for us to do?

I’m talking about the Easter Gospel reading for Fifth Sunday, of course. To be precise, it’s John 13: 31-35.

John's is not my favourite Gospel, but at those times he’s good, he’s damn good. Back in the 60's I would only read John when I was high. We live and learn. John speaks to me now in a very esoteric voice. Multi-layered and easily interpreted to apply to today’s world. And my present world.

It’s all about loving one another, stupid. But it's more than that. Get it? Not yet? Is there any simpler way to say it, or anything more difficult to do?

We cannot love anyone until we love ourselves. We cannot forgive anyone until we forgive ourselves. Why is this so difficult to get through our thick heads? What is it that keeps us from forgiving and loving ourselves?

Baggage!

The baggage we were brought up with; the tapes we replay in our heads of our not measuring up, being disappointing, and not meeting family (or church) expectations.

OK, I can forgive anyone - - in the abstract - - just so I don’t have any dealings with that person down the road. No, that’s not what Jesus was talking about. Is it the pain from the initial hurt, the fear of being hurt again or our unwillingness to let go and let God that keeps us from truly forgiving and moving on? I don’t know.

I do know that this phase of my life is teaching me things that I thought I had already confronted and dealt with. Well, I did. But that was another lifetime ago. The world only moves forward and our lives take us into unknown and scary places at times. And, it’s always new and dangerous territory. I have learned not to apply the same old answers to the new questions. I inevitably fall short of the mark.

Letting go of the past, the most difficult thing to do, is the only way to move forward and answer today’s questions.

More later.

*

UPDATE: I wish I had read this earlier. My dear friend Elizabeth says it so well. Her message from Sunday. Enjoy.

In this morning’s gospel, we find ourselves, sitting round the table in that upper room, once again, at the Last Supper, which, of course, became the First Eucharist. Jesus says to his disciples. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another”

These very ancient words have found three very modern expressions this week. The media have been all abuzz and agog with the goings on of three very different people who are living out three very different aspects of this very ancient text. I want to talk to you, this morning, about Peter, Paris and James.

Peter Jasper Akinola is the Primate and Archbishop of All Nigeria who has consecrated an American priest, Martyn Minns, former rector of an Episcopal Church in Truro, Virginia, as a bishop in the Church of Nigeria.

Yesterday, he came to Virginia to install Minns as head of the Nigerian-based Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). In so doing, he ignored a request from our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori as well as one from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to reconsider this schismatic action. He broke an ancient rule of boundary crossings, a serious transgression.

The Anglican Diocese of Nigeria considers its theology “orthodox” or having the greatest obedience to their interpretation of scripture. To be “orthodox” is to be “right.” Neither Akinola nor Minns, as well as their followers, can accept the ministry of our Presiding Bishop because not only is she a woman, but they believe her theology to be unorthodox, or, to put it bluntly, “wrong.”

Now, I cannot for the life of me see how Akinola or Minns, or CANA are living out the great commandment given to us by Jesus himself. How is it that the exclusion of people based on God-given traits of gender and sexuality live out the Great Commandment?

Jesus called absolutely everyone to him. Everyone. We see this in the first reading from the passage of the 11th Chapter of the Book of Acts. The first big controversy in the ancient church was really no different than it is today. The question was: Who can be a member of the church?

In its earliest manifestation, it was a question about Gentiles who were considered “unclean” because they did not follow the dietary prescriptions of the Levitical or ‘holiness’ codes. Peter has this dream – three times – about eating non-Kosher food. Because of this dream, he is able to take these words as the basis for welcoming Gentiles into the church: “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

When Peter tells the disciples of this dream, scripture tells us, “. . .they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." The orthodox truth is that all, all, all are welcomed in the household of God.

Peter Jasper Akinola, the self-professed uber-orthodox Christian, Archbishop and Primate, may need to reconsider the orthodoxy of these words of Jesus: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

But, are there limits to love? Is it “anything goes” with Jesus? It is a young woman named Paris who begs the question about the limits of love.

You all, no doubt, have heard of Paris Hilton. Just in case you haven’t, she is the poor little rich girl who is famous, well, for being the poor little rich girl who is famous. She has no obvious talent, except the genetics she inherited which give her what our culture defines as a near-perfect body and the money to wear next to nothing in order to show it off to the world.

Our Ms. Hilton was convicted a few months back of DUI and had her license suspended. Well, seems that she’s been driving anyway without a license. Indeed, caught three times and sternly reminded by the police that she was driving without a license.

It seems that the poor dear didn’t understand – not the first time or the following three times. So, the judge ordered that she should spend 45 days in jail to consider the serious consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol as well as driving without a license.

We call this form of love “tough love” but make no mistake – it is love. Truth is, it’s probably the first time in her young, pampered, luxurious, permissive life that she’s ever had authentic love.

The only reason this form of love had to get “tough” is due to the fact that no one has loved this poor child enough to help her understand that love is really love – most authentically love – when tough decisions need to be made.

Sometimes those decisions are “no” but sometimes they are “yes.” Sometimes, it takes “yes” three times after being stopped before you have to say “no” because your behavior is putting yourself and others in danger.

As adults, you have the freedom to drink and you can drink to intoxication. As adults, you can drive, but driving while intoxicated is a deadly combination. Just talk with parents who have lost children to this social epidemic.

Inclusive love does not mean that there are no limits. As one of my professors of ethics once said, “You have the absolute right to swing your arms as wildly as you wish. But, your right to do that ends at the tip of my nose.”

Paris Hilton teaches us that the inclusive love of God in Christ Jesus includes the love that is bold enough to set limits on dangerous behavior, but never, ever, ever sets limits on membership and belonging. God’s love is never exclusive – it is always all-inclusive – especially when the going gets tough and the road we travel together hits a big bump.

Which brings us to the lessons we learn from James. McGreevey, that is. You know. The former governor of NJ who left office as a “gay American.”

On Friday I wore one of my favorite T-shirts to the gym. It’s aqua with the shield of the Episcopal Church on the front and on the back it says, THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU. I wore it because I knew that some of the old codgers who go to the gym in the morning wouldn’t be able to resist making a comment about it.

And, of course, they did. One of my favorites is Ed, a spry old fella in his mid-80’s with a body like Jack La Lane and a mind like a steel trap who greeted me with, “Ho ho! Guess you ‘Piscopalians learned your lesson with THAT saying, now didn’t you? You keep holding the door open and you just might let the wolves into the hen house.”

He and his two buddies practically fell over one of the machines, laughing and guffawing and slapping each other on the back.

When they saw that I wasn’t laughing, they came over to the elliptical machine where I was warming up to begin my 30 minute cycle. “Hey, seriously, Rev. You can’t be lettin’ that crooked politician into the church, much less the priesthood! I mean, c’mon. That’s ridiculous! C’mon! You see that, doncha?”

I found myself looking into the serious, quizzical faces of these three men of whom I have become very fond and found myself saying this:

“The question Jim McGreevey poses in going to seminary, as I have heard it, is not one of a path to ordination, as the media have reported it, but one of discernment."

"This is an important time, after what he and his family have been though, to discern what it is God may have next in store for him. He needs to be able to find the way God has set for him on the path that leads to his redemption and salvation."

"As for his sins, well, I seem to remember the Psalmist saying: ‘The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (51:18)”

“I know this much to be true: God works best through broken vessels. If God can work through this broken vessel named Elizabeth, picking up the broken, shard pieces of my life and mending them together again, God can do a few good works of ministry through just about anybody. Perhaps we should allow God to work on this for awhile and see where God leads and what God might have in store for the church through the broken pot with Jim McGreevey's name on it.”

Hal, another one of the old guys, looked pensively and then said, “The Rev is right. It’s like Gracie Allen used to say,

‘Never put a period where God has placed a comma.’”

From Gracie Allen’s mouth to God’s ear. THAT, my friends is a near perfect example of the New Commandment of Jesus.

God has given to Peter and Paris and James and even you and me the repentance that leads to new life. “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

Because it is by the love we show one another, not the judgement or the labels or the condemnation or the exclusion, but the love – even when that love leads to tough decisions to find a way to hold each other accountable for our actions while still keeping us together in the fold – the demonstration of THAT love is how we will be known as disciples of Christ Jesus, who said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Amen.

Again, More later.

*

Moved In. Wahooo!!

I think the picture says it all. I am out of the toxic environment of the past year and into the new space. I'm a stranger in a strange land. Sure, there will be bumps and adjustments, but I am on a new road, and while I am a bit scared, I will do my best to enjoy the ride.

More later.
*

I've Been Tagged!

I was sent this meme a while ago and finally filled it out. It’s a bit long but kind of interesting.

What is your name?: the cajun
Are you named after anyone?: Not that I’m aware of
What’s your screen name?: the cajun
Would you name a child of yours after you?: Probably not.
If you were born a member of the opposite sex what would your name be?: Ruby.
If you could switch names with a friend who would it be?: Chance
Are there any mispronunciations/typos that ppl do w/ your name constantly?: My last name is always butchered, and the same mistakes are always the consistent.
Would you drop your last name if you became famous?: Never

Basics

Your gender: Male
Straight/Gay/Bi: Gay
Single: Very
Do you want to be?: For now.
Birthdate: 1946
Your age: 60
Age you act: About 30
Age you wish you were: I’d love to be 25 and know everything I know now.
Your height: 5’11”
Eye color: Brown
Happy with it?: They are all I’ve got.
Hair color: Hair?
Happy with it?: I have no choice
Lefty/righty/ambidextrous: Left handed
Your living arrangement: Renting a room in the home of a friend. Long story
Your family: I don’t understand this question
pets?: Unfortunately, No
What’s your job?: sales/service
Piercings?: ears
Tattoos?: one.
Obsessions?: Not really, maybe dark chocolate.
Addictions?: Not anymore
Do you speak another language?: I barely speak English.
Have a favourite quotation?: A few.
Do you have a web page?: Yes, a blog
Do you live in the moment?: I try..
Do you consider yourself tolerant of others?: Most of the time.
Do you have any secrets?: Maybe a few.
Do you hate yourself?: Hate is a strong and negative emotion.
Do you like your handwriting?: No, arthritis is a bitch.
Do you have any bad habits?: Define 'bad' habit.
What is the compliment you get from most people?: It’s been a while.
If a movie was made about your life, what would it be called?: I’ll let you guys decide.
What’s your biggest fear?: Being homeless.
Do you ever pretend to be someone else just to look cool?: no.
Are you a loner?: Not by choice.
What is your #1 priority in life?: Staying healthy
If you were another person, would you be friends with you?: I’d like to think so. I’m funny and silly, and very devoted. I work to stay in touch with people from my past.
Are you a daredevil?: I’ve been known to take chances I shouldn’t.
Is there anything you fear or hate about yourself?: My constant analyzing of situations over which I have no control .
Are you passive or aggressive?: both, depending on the activity.
Do you have a journal?: Yes, and my blog.
What is your greatest strength and weakness?: I am very dedicated and I’m very dedicated.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: My fear of homelessness.
Do you think you are emotionally strong?: I have been told that I am. Especially with all that’s happened to me in the past year.
Is there anything you regret doing/not doing in life?: Not really. But not traveling more would be right up there.
Do you think life has been good so far?: For the most part, my life has been a great adventure.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from life?: You get back what you put out. Karma is powerful.
What do you like the most about your body?: My eyes.
And least?: My lily-whiteness
Do you think you are good looking?: Not very.
Are you confident?: Sometimes, much more so when I’m better informed
What is the fictional character you are most like?: I have no idea.
Are you perceived wrongly?: I’m told sometimes that I am intimidating…so there must be something to it.

Do You…

Smoke?: No.
Do drugs?: Not in a long time.
Read the newspaper?: On line, mostly.
Pray?: Not as much as I should.
Go to church?: Yes.
Talk to strangers who IM you?: I don’t do IM.
Sleep with stuffed animals?: No. But I have two.
Take walks in the rain?: Not often enough..
Talk to people even though you hate them?: I don't hate. People I choose not to socialize with I speak to as infrequently as possible.
Drive?: I have no choice.
Like to drive fast?: No.
Have You Ever Liked your voice?: Yes
Hurt yourself?: That’s a story in and of itself.
Been out of the country?: Yes, several times.
Eaten something that made other people sick?: I’m sure I have.
Been in love?: Yes.
Done drugs?: Yes.
Gone skinny dipping?: Yes. In the Hudson River and Lake Pontchartrain.
Had a medical emergency?: Yes.
Had surgery?: Yes.
Ran away from home?: Yes. Another long story.
Played strip poker?: Not that I remember.
Gotten beaten up?: Not since Jr. High school.
Beaten someone up?: No..
Been picked on?: Yes
Been on stage?: Yes
Slept outdoors?: Yes
Thought about suicide?: Another very long story.
Pulled an all nighter?: Too many to count. The last one within the last year.
If yes, what is your record?: Way too many to count.
Gone one day without food?: Yes. And recently.
Talked on the phone all night?: Yes
Slept together with the opposite sex w/o actually having sex?: Yes.
Slept all day?: Yes
Killed someone?: No
Made out with a stranger?: Yes
Had sex with a stranger?: Yes
Thought you’re going crazy?: Yes.
Been betrayed?: Yes
Had a dream that came true?: Yes.
Broken the law?: Yes. Are you kidding? Being Gay is breaking the law!
Met a famous person?: Many times. It happens a lot in New York.
Have you ever killed an animal by accident?: Yes
On purpose?: No.
Told a secret you swore you wouldn’t tell?: No.
Stolen anything?: Another long story…did I mention Karma earlier.
Been on radio/tv?: Yes, both.
Been in a mosh-pit?: Nope.
Had a nervous breakdown?: Not clinically.
Bungee jumped?: No.
Had a dream that kept coming back?: Yes.

Beliefs

Believe in life on other planets?: Human life…not necessarily. In other forms of life…why not.
Miracles?: Yes.
Astrology?: Yes.
Magic?: Not really
God?: A higher power yes. A 'Christian' God…I’m not always sure.
Satan?: No.
Santa?: No.
Ghosts?: Yes.
Luck?: Yes.
Love at first sight?: Yes.
Yin and yang (that good can’t exist w/o bad)?: Unfortunately, I think that’s the case.
Witches?: Why not. There are people who call themselves witches. Who am I to argue?
Easter bunny?: Hmmmm.
Believe its possible to remain faithful forever?: Yes, although very difficult.
Believe there’s a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow?: There’s something at the end of the rainbow. I saw twin rainbows recently. Amazing.
Do you wish on stars?: Sometimes.

Deep Theological Questions

Do you believe in the traditional view of Heaven and Hell?: Depends on the day.
Do you think God has a gender?: No.
Do you believe in organized religion?: I believe organized religion exists. There’s too much hate preached by most “churches.”I hope that people stop believing in the teachings of the "church" and follow the teachings of Christ soon.
Where do you think we go when we die?: I have no idea. On some days heaven. On others….you just die and maybe come back as a cat...At least I would like that.

Friends

Do you have any gay/lesbian friends?: Yes.
Who is your best friend?: Barbara.
Who’s the one person that knows most about you?: Barbara
What’s the best advice that anyone has ever given to you?: Be myself.
Your favourite inside joke?: I don’t see nothin’ – I love in the back.
Thing you’re picked on most about?: Depends on whose doing the picking.

Love and All That

Do you consider love a mistake?: No.
What do you find romantic?: Exploring new places. Candle lit dinners. Snuggling on the sofa. Walks on the beach.
Turn-on?: Sense of Humor.
Turn-off?: Racism…another long story.
First kiss?: I was 12 and he was a neighbor. We were in the woods behind my home. I wanted to do it some more.
If someone you had no interest in had interest in dating you how would you feel?: Uncomfortable. It’s happened a couple of times and it never ends well.
Do you prefer knowing someone before dating them or going out?: Not always.
Have you ever wished it was more socially acceptable for a girl to ask a guy out?: That doesn’t affect me in the slightest.
Have you ever been romantically attracted to someone physically unattractive?: Hmmm. How does one decide what is unattractive?
What is best about the opposite sex?: Hmmmm.
What is the worst thing about the opposite sex?: Hmmmm.
What is best about your sex? Hmmm.
What is the worst thing about your sex? Inability to remain faithful.
What’s the last present someone gave you?: A Chocolate Fairy Bunny – at Easter.
Are you in love?: Not anymore.
Do you consider your ’significant other’ (or whatever) hot?: I wish I had a significant other.

Right This Moment…

Are you going out?: Yes. Appointments all day.
Will it be with your significant other?: Nope.
Or some random person?: Neither.
What are you wearing right now?: shorts and t-shirt.
Body part you’re touching right now?: Chin.
What are you worried about right now?: Money, car, and mental health.
What book are you reading?: Daring to Speak Love’s Name.
What’s on your mouse pad?: Don’t have one.
Use 5 words to describe how you’re feeling?: Scared, Free, Hopeful, Determined, and Lonely.
Are you bored?: No
Are you tired?: Yes
Are you talking to anyone online?: No.
Are you talking to anyone on the phone?: No.
Are you lonely or content at the moment?: Content.
Are you listening to music?: No, it’s quiet.

More later.
*

Hate Crimes Bill Veto?

The Expanded Federal Hate Crimes Bill passed in the House by a 232 to 180 vote. Now, the Chimp-in-Chief threatens to veto. Is anyone surprised? He is just so compassionate, isn't he. Well, isn't he? From WaPo:

"The White House, in a statement, said state and local criminal laws already provide penalties for the crimes defined by the bill and 'there has been no persuasive demonstration of any need to federalize such a potentially large range of violent crime enforcement.' It also questioned the constitutionality of federalizing the acts of violence barred by the bill and said that if it reaches the president's desk 'his senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill.'"

Watch this spot from the Human Rights Campaign.

Seems some hate is less important than other hate and then there are some deserving of hate.

And the stupid, it burns us. Yes, it does. precious. Yes it does.

More later.

*