Let’s Put On a Show!

I just returned home from half a day at the Cancer Center (more on that in a later post) overhearing various rather scandalous conversations boldly spoken aloud by people I don’t even know.  Well, I don’t know them personally, except they’re usually getting Chemo or transfused on the same days I am.

It was only when one of the nurses got into the conversation I realized something was amiss, here. Turns out they were discussing some reality show or other and didn’t know the people they were talking about, either.  So, there!

Honest to Pete, people.  Isn’t your own life bizarre, boring, exciting, intriguing, mundane - well, you know, fill in the blank - already?  

How about this…Since they are all really  “pretend” anyway, why not pretend your life is your very own reality show?  No, really!  Think about it. If you have to set the mood, or make it worthwhile, set up one or two cameras (dummy or real) around your space (where ever that may be) so that you can occasionally break through the 4th wall, glance at one, roll your eyes, and/or otherwise show your emotions to any episode of your life. Right here. Right now!

If you set up real cameras you can record the show and play it back a few years from now when you know how it all worked out. Relive the drama as it happened, the stupefyingly dumb-ass, or brilliant decisions that helped you along your path; the best part is that you already know the ending…

No waiting for “seasons” to be released on DVD or Blu-Ray. You might even rent the "show" out to your friends, as well.  See, it’s a money-making and money-saving device, too.

From the YouTube clips that have made their way to me from sources who thought I'd give a shit - I don't, you couldn’t be anymore tacky, vulgar, or vile than many of the things on the tube.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.  No need to thank me now. 

And so it goes.

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Disturbing The Disturbed

You can't make this stuff up. Just had a conversation with my boss.

On my day off.  That speaks volumes. He never contacts me on my days off unless it's an urgent issue. However, he was befuddled.

The new scumbag partner my Ex left me for, told the locosguys my Ex is upset that I am still around, didn't leave town in shame after the nasty break-up situation, and therefore disturbing for the Ex.  Says they won't dine in the restaurant as long as I am working there. Such nerve! 

The boss explained that I am, and would be, professional in every way and that they shouldn't care about the past. He said that I was doing well personally, had moved on, was an asset to the business and that he was sorry about their choice to stay away. But, that it was their choice. These words seemed to annoy the scumbag new partner, no end. The boss told me that it sounded an awful lot like guilt to him.  He was right on the mark.

I've seen my Ex on the street, in stores, parking lots, and whenever he sees me he runs in the opposite direction or leaves as quickly as possible. When I saw him in the wine store last week, he actually ducked behind a display to avoid me.  I. Am. Not. Joking.   Disturbing to the already Disturbed?  Not my problem.

Guilt = the gift that keeps on giving.

I have no plans, nor reason, to leave this place, or this job.   OK, maybe for a short holiday.

And so it goes.
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"Dear Mr. Murdoch"

A personal note from Roger Taylor, Queen's incredible drummer.  And one of the best drummers ever. Seeing and hearing him perform sets LIVE that were difficult enough to do in studio, just knocks me out even to this day.

And the scandal grows...

And so it goes.
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To Come Out, or Ride the Wave?

I've had this bit of real estate now for 4 years and enjoyed just being 'the Cajun' rather than drag along baggage from my previous life to people not necessarily interested in the past.  Lately, however, I have been receiving comments from fellow bloggers using my real name (acquired through emails and other bloggers who shall remain nameless) and truth be told, I kind of like the idea of posting as myself.  So, why not just do it?

Well...I moderate all comments, receive (and delete) nasty, odious messages on some of my personal posts as well as the comments added to certain news posts. Like:

Anything related to Katrina.
Everything related to the BP disaster.
All things 'Tea Party' related (especially that Palin harpy)

Any post that includes:

All references to my previous life from people who relentlessly monitor my posts and inform the Ex of anything remotely related.  Yes, too complicated.
Anything related to Delaware and/or Rehoboth Beach, political or otherwise.
My opinions on political and religious douchebaggery.

So, what to do?  Suggestions?  The blog name will remain the same no matter what is decided. Should I 'out' myself and be on the lookout for pitchforks and torches? (Joking!) Or, do I continue to delete comments that reveal my real name?

Yeah, I know..."the answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind.  The answer is blowin' in the wind."

More later.
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Close Encounters of the WTF Kind. Part 2.

At work today someone from the previous life (whom I had not seen in 4 years) walked into the restaurant and seemed stunned when I greeted him.

I said, "hi *****,  it's good to see you.  (And I meant it.) How many in your party?"

He: I thought you left the area years ago.  What are you doing here?

Me: Why would I leave this place?  I love it here, in fact, I live in town now. All bad things (like the good ones) must come to an end. I take it you've not been here in a while; much has happened since then.

He: well, after all the trouble you caused no one expected you to show your...

Me:  Whoa! NO ONE? Whatever you heard 4 years ago, wasn't valid then and isn't valid today.  There is no reason for me to hide or run away.   Now, how many in your party and would you like a table or booth?

He: Um, I don't think we will be eating here.  Thanks, anyway.

Me:  No problem.  It was nice to see you and I hope, clear the stale air from 4 years ago.

With that - looking puzzled and a bit disoriented - he gave me one last side glance and slithered out the door.

I have no idea what he heard and believed, and I don't care. All of that ancient history is his problem, not mine.

I can't believe this is still happening. You just can't make this stuff up.

And so it goes.
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Bad, Good and Ugly

Yes, in that order.

After a hectic day at the restaurant yesterday I arrived at the apartment/house to find a "FOR SALE" sign in place. WTF?
There was an email from the landlady explaining the situation - that her ex was putting the screws to her for a lump settlement and that she's discovered that the place is high maintenance, and it is -
reassuring me that she's not optimistic about getting her price so "please don't panic."

Haven't been able to have a face-to-face with her, but will sometime this week. Don't panic, indeed.

Work has been wonderful and busy, working with a terrific staff and learning new bits from the boss to make me run things more smoothly as the season approaches.  Due to the bright sun and warmer than normal temps the restaurant has been jumpin' and the town packed with folks celebrating what they hope is the end of a nightmarish winter. In fact, yesterday's numbers broke a record for the date - with over a thousand customers served between lunch and dinner.  No small feat, that.

Today was much the same for lunch, which helped take my mind off that damned SIGN on the street in front of the house.

I heard more ugly rumors being spread around town regarding my previous life; they make me angry and sad at the same time. It's frustrating to have the truth on your side, but no way to fight allegations by a person no one is willing to name. Four years ago I was given advice to just keep being me and do what I've always done, and sooner or later people would catch on and know the truth. So, why does this keep becoming an issue and why would anyone care about me anyway? Everything taken for granted for 30 years was lost in a flash. The worst damage has already been done, there is nothing more to squeeze out of me, so why bother? I mean, what is to be gained? My total destruction?  Maybe that's it.

That's what makes these rumors so insidious, there is no one to confront - although I have a good idea who is behind them, there's no proving my suspicions - so it becomes a classic case of "they said-I said".  And that just doesn't cut it. It drives me nuts, but I'll stick to "keep on keepin' on" and those who believe the rumours will believe what they want to believe and there's nothing to be done about it.  That's the hard part.


Time for a cocktail, a light dinner and settle in to watch the first two episodes of LIFE.

And so it goes.
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Sadness & Feeling Trapped

Multiple sad news/events have slammed into me over the past 36 hours, or so. I am struggling to take it all in, process it, and not put too much effort into making sense of it all. It's just overwhelming at the moment and I am exhausted.

I thank G*d for work today. The bright sun, melting snow, and cheerful diners help take my mind off of darker things. The collective positive energy always lifts me up and for that I am truly grateful.

I need to talk to someone, but there is no one nearby that I trust. Talking to myself is an option, if I don't give myself advice, which I am too tired to do, anyway.

I have nothing more right now.

Be kind to one another and to yourselves.

And so it goes.
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The 2008 Misinformers of the Year Awards

This is a bit long but, you know what I say, "well worth the read" by the BlackTsunami. Here's just a taste:

As 2008 draws to a close and we anticipate the possible joys and pains of 2009, let us not forget those who have tried to make life hell for lgbts.

This year, they were in rare form. Sometimes, they drove us a little north of where we were supposed to be.

But at other times, it was pleasureable to watch them leap through all sorts of ethical hoops in their ongoing struggle against the evil of the so-called Godless homosexuality, which everyone knows is the best kind of homosexuality.

So with that in mind, I present . . .

(drumroll please)

The Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters Misinformers of the Year Awards

“Who are you gonna believe? Me or your own eyes” Award Part 1

Peter LaBarbera - You just know that our friend Peter was going to snag at least one award. Of all of Porno Petey's exploits in 2008, one stands out.

Earlier this year, there was a small break out of staph infections amongst a group of gay men in San Francisco. Rather than waiting for the entire story to come out, members of the religious right (especially LaBarbera) claimed that this infection (MRSA) proved that homosexuality is a so-called “dangerous lifestyle.” LaBarbera in general tried to link MRSA to the early days of the AIDS crisis.

The Centers for Disease Control quickly said that based on the information, the MRSA infection had nothing to do with the lgbt orientation. In an attempt to backtrack from earlier statements, LaBarbera claimed that “gay activists” were falsely accusing him of calling MRSA a “new gay plague.”

But no one accused him of this. LaBarbera was playing a game of semantics to cover up his jumping the gun. However, judge for yourself after reading LaBarbera’s original claim:

Is this not an eerie reminder of the initial stories 25 years ago about AIDS -- then called GRID (Gay-Related Immunodeficiency Disease)? It is unfathomable that after that plague, disease specialists and the media are now surprised at the correlation of new infections with homosexual behavior;Wake up, medical and political establishment: homosexual behavior is unhealthy -- no matter how many secular sermons you preach against "homophobia." Due to liberal political correctness, which treats aberrant -- even deadly -- behaviors as a "civil right," we as a society don't seem to have learned much from the AIDS pandemic.

Who are you going to believe? Me or your own eyes " Award Part 2

Rick Warren - Warren is a classic example of giving some people enough rope to hang themselves. In the furor caused by President-Elect Obama’s selection of him to give the inaugural invocation, Warren tried to blame lgbts for the controversy. In a video message on his church’s webpage, Warren said he never equated same sex relationships to incest or pedophilia. Unfortunately for him, an online interview with Beliefnet.com proved otherwise.

So the question remains were we the ones who gave Warren the rope or was it Obama?

“Now that I’ve got it on my shoe, how do I get it off” Award

The Mormon church - Come on guys, while it is true that you were well within your First Amendment rights, there are consequences for every action done and every word said. In your victory regarding the Proposition 8 vote in California, you did the following:

Jumped into a situation that had absolutely nothing to do with the survival of the Mormon church.

Put up a wad of cash to fund lies about gays forcing children to be “indoctrinated” about homosexuality.

Aligned yourselves with people and groups who think that you are a cult and basically despise you.

Beat up on a group of people who, to my knowledge, have never done you any harm.

And all in the name of God.

The "Height of Hypocrisy" Award

The American Family Association, various religious right groups - After weeks of railing against lgbts for our Proposition 8 protests, after espousing the beliefs about a free nation and people's right to make choices unafraid, after wrapping themselves up in the flag of democracy, the AFA and various religious right groups made a 360 degree turn and called for a boycott against Campbell Soup for ads placed in the Advocate magazine. And the main bone of contention - the ads dared to show a same-sex couple and their child enjoying a bowl of soup.

Now see, I thought we were going to do the soup indoctrination thing after the inauguration.

"If Edward R. Murrow was alive, he would beat the hell out of you" Award

American Family Association's One News Now - This phony news services makes any of the yellow journalism committed by William Randolph Hearst look like Pulitzer Prize-winning material.

From writing articles telling only one side of the story, to its citing of Paul Cameron and legitimate studies taken out of context, to the hilarious comments section (where the so-called Christian readers of the site repeatedly reveal their abject ignorance and bigotry), if One News Now tells the true "Christian" side of today's cultural issues, then I think Jesus needs to sit some of his followers down for a looooong talk on truth.

Posted with permission. Please go over to Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters to read the whole thing. I'd bookmark him, if I were you.

And so it goes.
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McCain: A futile Attempt to Smear

I am Mr. Lucky. Remember the TV show? What I loved about the show was Henry Mancini's music. Never mind.

I am (un)fortunate to work with one of the single digit supporters of the current pResident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

You cannot imagine the joy that filled my being when she arrived at work this afternoon and proceeded to regurgitate verbatim a video report aired on Fox Noise yesterday afternoon about Obama's ties to Avery, a 60's radical. I had seen the video (bless YouTube) and noticed that Caribou Barbie was spouting the same debunked tripe on the stump.

I was aware of a new documentary about the Keating Five (you can view it here) so I allowed her to huff and puff and draw herself up to full-of-herself height listening quietly.

Then getting online, I navigated to the documentary video on YouTube, and let her watch it.
It was like a time-lapse film as I watched her deflate minute by minute as the events of that terrible time were reintroduced to her consciousness. I took no pleasure in this, but was saddened that our collective memory is so short.

When confronted with already debunked lies we must respond with facts and throw the ball back in their court. (I can't believe I used a sports metaphor!) G*d, I need a cocktail.

More later.

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Five Hilarious Anti-Obama Smears

Over at Alternet, Brad Reed offers this article entitled “The Right’s Five Most Hilariously Boneheaded Anti-Obama Smears".

In recent months, right-wing opinion outlets of varying pedigrees have accused Barack Obama of participating in an increasingly preposterous web of dopey conspiracies, including plots to make himself the next Hitler, to forge his birth certificate and, most sinisterly, to make children learn Spanish. And thanks to the wonder of the Internet and right-wing blogs, we can now chronicle how right-wing memes are spawned, from their genesis within the comments section of the Free Republic Web site to their viral spread across the Michelle Malkin blog empire to their final destination in the pages of "respectable" conservative opinion journals such as the Weekly Standard, the National Review and the Wall Street Journal op-ed page. In this article, you will learn about the Right's five most unintentionally hilarious not-ready-for-prime-time smears that have been trial-ballooned in various forms during the 2008 presidential campaign. Each conspiracy will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 wingnuts that will be a reflection of its originality, implausibility and sheer, flat-out insanity.

While I'd like to say that this article will be informative and enlightening, I'm not going to lie to you: Your IQ will plummet by at least 10 points just by reading about the first two smears, and by a whopping 30 points by the time you get to Obama's unseemly affection for fancy vegetables. I recommend listening to a nice collection of Bach cantatas while reading this article, and also having copies of Joyce's Ulysses and Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow nearby in case you need to take a break and feel smart again. Now if you're ready, we're going to move on to the first smear, which just happens to be:

I will list the five titles below.

SMEAR #1: OBAMA IS A COMMIE NAZI!

SMEAR #2: BERNIE MAC/LUDACRIS/SOME OTHER BLACK ENTERTAINER WILL BRING DOWN OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN!

SMEAR #3: OBAMA'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE PROVES ?

SMEAR #4: OBAMA EXERCISES TOO MUCH AND DOESN'T GORGE HIS FACE WITH FATTY, UNHEALTHY GOO!

SMEAR #5: OBAMA WANTS YOUR CHILD TO LEARN SPANISH!

Go over to read the whole story HERE. It is somewhat long, but worth it.

Warning: Spew Alert.

And so it goes.

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Obama: Fight the Smears

By now, I am sure that many have begun receiving those viral emails regarding "the real Barak Obama" so you know the swift-boating has begun. And, as per usual, the volume of the right-wing Mighty Wurlitzer noise machine's been cranked up high.

However, Obama isn't going to rollover as Kerry did. Nope. His campaign has already launched a site to put the truth out there. Visit Fight the Smears to fact check what the crazies are touting as fact. Essentially the site says "prove it!"

Example: one email insisted that "Obama wasn't born in the Hawaii, rather he was in fact, born in Africa, not an American at all. Oh, and the state of Hawaii doesn't release copies of birth certificates, so just trust me."

Really? Wanna see the certificate? Follow this link.

Like him or not, Obama isn't going to back down and for me, that's a good beginning for 'change'.

So, if you're unsure of the truthiness of some email, you now have the ability to get the facts. Use it and send the correction to the sender of the original email received. They may not believe you (they rarely do) but at least the truth is in their hands and the decision to believe, or not, is theirs.

And so it goes.
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Torchwood: Since You've Asked.

Some of you don't receive BBCA and have been asking about this Torchwood thing. Well here is a segment from my favourite episode from last year.

Yeah, I wept.




And I can identify with many scenes, but this is so good.

And so it goes.

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Are YOU a Moron?

I found this over at pasterdan's place: Street Prophets. You might want to read it, cut and paste it into an email and send to all your friends.

ARE YOU A MORON?

Certain people are banking on it.

You may have received an e-mail this year outlining a number of FALSE claims about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

I am not going to repeat those claims, because that's what the jackasses who create such e-mails want. They want to distract you with irrelevant lies so that you DON'T ask questions like:

• When is the war going to be over?

• Why did we go to war in the first place?

• Was it worth it to go to war?

• When is somebody going to help everybody get health care without going bankrupt in the process?

• When is somebody going to do something about the fact that I'm working harder than ever, yet more financially strapped than I ever was? When are they going to do something about the jobs that have been shipped overseas by the armful? I'd like to retire in peace some day, but I'm not sure my pension will be there.

• When is somebody going to help my kids go to college or live a better life than I did?

• When is somebody going to do something about the government working for the corporations and executives, instead of for people like me?

Some people really don't want you to ask questions like that. It makes them very, very nervous because they don't have good answers for you. So they try to distract you so you don't ask them.

Whose business is it how Barack Obama worships God, anyway? I thought we were supposed to have freedom of religion in America. Well, guess what? That means nobody can tell you or me or Senator Obama what to believe. ESPECIALLY when they're not really interested in religion at all. They just want you to think they are So. You. Don't. Ask. Questions.

They don't care about the Bill of Rights that gives us the freedom to follow God - or not follow God - in any way we see fit.

They don't care about faith, except to tell YOU what THE RIGHT WAY (their way) to believe in God is.

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU AT ALL.

As a matter of fact, they think you're stupid. They think that you'll take your eye off the birdie long enough for them to win the election and keep on doing what they want to do. They have spent a lot of time and a lot of money to keep you in the dark, because they don't want to take care of your needs at all.

All they want is for you to sit still and not ask questions.

Is that any way to run a country?

Pastor Daniel Schultz
Campbellsport, Wisconsin

P.S. - it isn't just Obama. A lot of money has gone into convincing people that Hillary Clinton isn't religious. In fact, she's a life-long Methodist.

Why do that?

Because they know that people don't like atheists, and won't vote for them. So they think that you're stupid enough to believe the lie that she is a non-believer, and they think that you're stupid enough to be bigoted against non-believers.

And they don't want you to ask questions.

P.P.S. - If you want to know the truth about Obama's faith and church, see:

• Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama...
• The United Church of Christ:

http://www.ucc.org/news/thomas-denou...

And to learn more about some of the people behind these lies, see this site:
http://illinoisreason.wordpress.com/...

Or you can look up my site:
http://www.streetprophets.com

And P.P.S.: forward this to everybody you know! It's time we stopped letting people use religion to divide us so they can get rich and start wars.

The stoopid is just beginning. Swift boaters are already spreading rumors and the welfare wingnuts are waiting in the wings. It's going to be a bumpy year.

And so it goes.

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I Have a Question...

How long must it take for all the entanglements from a previous life - a 3 decade relationship - to come to an end? A conclusion? A finale? When does the fat lady do her thing?

No boring details, thank you very much.

Just this morning another issue popped up that needed to be resolved. Having to explain and regurgitate the past is not only annoying, but emotionally upsetting. I hope it ends soon.

Having done laundry and a few errands, I was back home by 9 a.m. and feeling pretty good about the day. Then WHAM! - And I don't mean George Michael. Now I'm exhausted.

Dinner is cooking and a martini is waiting to be stirred.

I'm just sayin'

More later.

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What Is It With People...?

What is it with some people from my previous life who feel the need to either ignore me, or have to tell me the latest gossip about that other person from my previous life? I’ll never understand it.

If I must talk about him at all, I try to keep it on a positive level, usually about his talents, his creativity, and his curiosity. If I relate some story from the past it is always one of the many good times and adventures we shared in the three decades we were together.

But it’s over. Done. Finished. Like the Beatles sang: Let It Be!

We’ve gone our separate ways. I haven’t heard from him since shortly after we sold the house in May.

I keep telling people that I am not interested in hearing about him, but they insist on telling me anyway. When this happened at the post office yesterday, I turned on my heels, got into my car and drove away. The person was still talking and clearly didn’t get the message. I’ll probably run into this person again and it will be interesting to find out what they will say of my rudeness. They may pay attention long enough that I can get the message into their thick head.

Note: In an older post where I wrote about the trials and frustrations of my life in turmoil one commenter suggested that I change the avatar to the image of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. But I found the image above on the Internets Tubes and thought it a bit more appropriate.

I am not a big Simpson's fan, since I don’t have cable and use the box only to watch DVDs and Videos.

More later.

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