Jose Kicked My Ass

That's right: Jose kicked my ass! Jose Cuervo, that is! Went to my friend, Pax's last night to celebrate his birtday, and I had to resort back to my sophmoric college days!! (The reality is I never even did this in college). After having a couple glasses of wine, somewhere inbetween that and a beer, I ended up doing four shots of Jose Cuervo! Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good. My friend, who went with me to the party, and I left Pax's, and I must say my driving was excellent; slowed down appropriately when a policeman ended up behind us, and I did not even suddenly make a U-turn in the middle of the road when I missed a right hand turn I was supposed to take. On the ride home, my friend stated that he stays away from tequila because it gives him a killer headache. "That's because you're not a real man, and I am," I replied.


Well, this morning I realized what my friend was talking about. (I occasionally drink tequila in a cocktail or on the rocks, but, as I stated before about not doing something in college, I have never just drank shots of tequila). I woke up around 7:30AM this morning with a so-so headache. I stood up to make my way to the bathroom and I was leaning to the right as I walked! As I stood in the bathroom, my stomach started doing the "heave-hoe" dance. I waiting, expecting to loose all that was still therein, but didn't, so I made it back to bed and slept a couple more hours. Then I woke again, yearning a cup of coffee and something to eat, thinking I was probably hungry and eating would help. I walked to the kitchen, head pounding, and leaning to the left this time. I made 2 pieces of toast with a little jam and a cup of java. I ate about 2 bites of the toast before the "heave-hoe" dance started again. I tried to eat as much of the toast as I could, finishing about half a piece and downing about half the cup of coffee. I also managed to take 2 motrin, and back to bed I went. I woke again around 11:30AM. And this time, all was well! I ate a small bowl of cereal and went about my day!


Never again! Until the next time that is!!!! I remember those days on occasional when I was younger. The feeling of the room spinning and the stomach upping everything it could, then even what felt like the stomach lining! Gotta be the worst feeling in the world!

But thanks, Pax! I had a great time despite this morning. There were alot of laughs and joking going on amongst friends. It truly was what a birthday celebration is all about!

A Victory Over Local Discrimination

It was reported today by The Press of Atlantic City that Millville Police Chief Ron Harvey announced his retirement on Thursday. The 55 year old chief was among three Millville Police officers, Sgt. Michael Harvey, Chief Harvey's son, and lieutenants Edward Zadroga and Thomas Rominishin, currently under investigation for alleged discrimination against fellow officer Robert Colle, who is gay. Although the specific allegations have not yet been made public, Colle believes he has been mistreated simply for being gay. In June, the officers named in the discrimination allegations filed a petition in court to not be subject to disciplinary action because of the mistreatment of Colle. This hearing goes to court in the fall. Chief Harvey has been on medical leave and was scheduled to return to work July 30th. He has now said, in the midst of the discrimination investigation, that he will not be returning to the force.

Although I do not know Colle very well, I have had the opportunity to meet him. I want to applaud Bob for not allowing the Millville Police Department to treat him or any other gay individual, in a disrespectful manner. Millville is a small town that still has alot to learn about treating people fairly.

Do Your Part

Did you answer the call? I am talking about the call from Live Earth to make your pledge to answer the SOS to help save our earth. I watched much of the entertainment and info yesterday. It was on 3 channels for awhile, and I was switching between them to watch what I liked. The rap crap as I call it, had to go. And when 2 of the channels had Kelly Clarkson and Madonna on at the same time, I had to tip my hat to Diva, Madonna. Sorry Kelly, I like you, but Madonna is still just a bit better in my humble opinion.

In addition to suggestions given during yesterday's broadcast, I have come up with some idea of my own to save our planet:

1. Instead of just waiting until I have a full load of clothes to wash, I will do one better and not
wash my clothes until after I have worn them 3 times or more; my bedsheets will not be
washed for at least 1 month;
2. I will reuse all my toilet paper;
3. I will take my used napkins and lie them out to dry, then reuse them a 2nd, maybe even a
3rd time;
4. I will only get the newspaper every other day because the news isn't worth reading anyway;
5. I will wait until my trash can is about to overflow before compacting it and taking it to the
dumpster

Honestly, I have made my pledge to do my part. I have changed some lightbulbs already with the more energy efficient ones. I vow to change more. I will honestly do only full loads of wash, and use only papertowels that are recylced. I will try to eat less meat, saving grain used to feed the animals we eat. (Sorry, I cannot go vegetarian as I like my meat too much). And when I get ready to purchase my new car in 6 months to a year, I will seriously look at the Toyota Prius. In addition, I will try to use less heat/ac.

Will you do your part as well?

No Blood Donation

Today at work, someone walked by a group of three or four of us and said the blood donation mobile was out in the parking lot if anyone wanted to give blood. I commented that I cannot give blood. One of my coworkers said, "Get out," another said, "You'll pass out," and another said, "You're just scared." I further stated, "No, I'm serious. I cannot give blood." Now my lifestyle is no secret at work; most, if not all of my collegues, know I'm gay. Finally one woman asked me, "Why can't you give blood?" I said, "because I'm gay and they won't take a gay person's blood." Her response was, "You gotta be kidding me! In this day and age?!"

Yes, it's true! The American Red Cross will not allow a gay person, well actually, "if you are a man and have had sex with another man, even once." to donate blood. Even in the year 2007, gay men are excluded from donating blood. The Red Cross checks blood after it's been collected, and if not able to be used due to infection, discards that blood. Even so, a gay man cannot donate. Even during a catostrophic incident, such as Katrina, when blood is desperately needed, the Red Cross will not take the blood of a gay man.

Discrimination? Perhaps. Can't a woman be HIV+? How many men lie about not having any sexual encounter with another man? Maybe it's time the Red Cross move into the 21st century and change its policy.

Proud To Be An American? YES, But......

Yesterday I saw a bumper sticker on the back of a pickup truck that read, "IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A TEACHER; IF YOU CAN READ THIS IN ENGLISH, THANK A VETERAN." My first thought was what would be so bad if I was reading that in another language besides English? And wasn't' it some European who developed English, not the Americans? So what does me being able to read the bumper sticker in English have anything whatsoever to do with anything. Was the bumper sticker insinuating that I have all the liberties afforded Americans, one of which is to read English, because of the sacrifice of a Vet? Or did it mean a US Vet brought English over to America sometime ago? But it couldn't be that because the British I believe, brought over English. And it certainly were Vets that fought the British to gain our Independence, but the British still speak English today, so what's that got to do with America? Or, could it just be the arrogance that Americans have thinking we are the only worthwhile country in the world that speaks English? Ahhhhh............I think I have my answer.

This Fourth of July 2007, US Independence Day, I will state vehemently, "I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" I love my country and the freedoms I have here. I can freely write what I write here without fear of being arrested. I can bash my president, the imbecile that he is, without fear of the gestapo rushing into my door. But there are many freedoms, which I have discussed in other texts, that I do not yet have. But as a proud American, I also realize that I am not better than anyone in any other nation! I am not so arrogant to believe my way of life is the best necessarily.

Americans are really fed a lot of good old fashioned HOGWASH! Instead of being taught as children that we are part of the world community, we are told time and time again that America is the only way of life, that Americans are somehow better than anyone else in the world, and that if you do not live as America says you should, you are somehow less a person. I often wonder if other children in other nations are taught to be so adamant about just how good they are. Well, I know the Soviet Russian kids were, and of course, the Nazi youth were! MMMMM.......are we as Americans no better than Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany? Why, yes, of course we are.....because we're Americans! That makes propaganda and brainwashing OK then.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN???? YES. But also proud to be part of this great big old world! Proud to admit that I am no better than anyone else, maybe just luckier because I happen by chance to have been born into a free society. So......should I thank a Vet, or should I just thank God, or Fate, or Karma, or whatever it was that put me here?

More Gay News

Three former leaders of Exodus International, an "ex-gay" ministry that claims it can "cure" gays, including co-founder, Michael Bussee, have issued a public apology to those it claimed to have helped. The statement issued said, "Some who heard our message were compelled to try to change an integral part of themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their families." The statement continued, "Although we acted in good faith, we have since witnessed the isolation, shame, fear and loss of faith that this message creates." Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals have long stated that so-called "conversion" therapies offered little or no benefit, and could even be harmful to those subjected to them. The former leaders of Exodus International now agree.

In other gay news, a new poll shows that the majority of younger Americans favor gay marriage. Seems the kids, ages 17-29, are also interested in immigration reform and universal healthcare for Americans. The poll was conducted nationwide between June 15 and June 23, and was a joint undertaking from The New York Times, CBS News, and MTV. In all, 659 respondents were polled, between the ages of 17 - 29. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.

I attended the gay pride parade in NYC last weekend, and it was a tremendous feeling seeing the thousands of people line the streets of 5th Avenue to view the parade. The parade began on 52nd Street, in the heart of the Big Apple, not relegating the gays to the backstreets for the march. I felt a tingle as public officials, particularly Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn, as well as the NYC gay policemen and firemen, marched proudly through the streets.

I feel the tide turning. The Conservatives, lead by George W., have had their say. They have basically f**ked things up, and the non-issues they constantly tout, such as the evil gays and the need for family values which they themselves do not emulate, are no longer "bought" as much by the public. As the poll mentioned above indicates, most do not care who marries whom, but realize there are many more important real issues the US faces!

NYC Gay Pride 2007

Some scenes from the Big Apple's 2007 Gay Pride Parade/Celebration


Let The Parade Begin


A Real Cutie


Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn


Equal Rights, Please


Her Mom's Gay! That's OK!


My Thoughts Exactly!


NYPD Gay Pride

June Is Gay Pride

June is the celebration of gay pride. Most major cities have parades and other festivities to mark gay pride. Tomorrow, MyGuy and I will be heading off to NYC to celebrate!! Give an udate when we return.

And The Livin' Is Easy

Gotta Love Summer! Almost here! Have a great one!

Stop The Violence

Erase Hate!!!!!

We Were Whacked!!

Listen to this: DON'T STOP GUESSING

Summer's Begun

Whew! A busy Memorial Day Weekend so far. Today is just a relax at home, eat a few burgers and sit back!

Started the weekend on Saturday planting flowers. Bought my favorite Begonias. Easy to care for and very hardy. Began at my significant other's (henceforth known as MyGuy) house turning the soil and preparing the flower beds. I was much surprised because it turned out an easier task than I expected. Not too many weeds, and the soil turned easy. A cute little robin would not leave us alone. He kept jumping around us, never seeming to mind that we were humans and his enemy! I believe he was a pretty smart robin because he knew the worms and bugs would be easier to get to after we prepared the soil. After a few hours there, I brought the remaining Begonias back to my apartment and planted some pots on my apartment balcony. I was not going to "waste" the money for plants on my balcony this year, but I am glad I did. They look fabulous!

Saturday night, I kicked off the summer season by joining some friends at The Pier Shops at Caesars, first having a beer at Trinity, the Irish Pub, then eating a fantastic meal at Contintental. MMMMMMM!!! Seared tuna! Then, off to one of the AC beach bars to have a beer, listen to the music and watch the crazy drunks dance! I wasn't really in the dancing mood so I just sat and enjoyed. One rather drunk young man kept coming over to our table to dance, jiggling his ass and saying, "what do you think of that?" Still not sure if he wanted Joey or Patsy, but I don't believe he could have done much with either, being so wasted. But he was having fun, and so were were.

Sunday night it was Woodys Bar in Philly to dance the night with the boys. I really did not want to go but was talked into it and I am glad I did. Been awhile since I've been to Woodys, and it was actually fun, fun, fun! Ran into a nasty thunderstorm as we drove over the Ben Franklin Bridge and the winds and rains kicked up once in Philly. I have never experienced Philly in a thunderstorm and it was quite interesting. I enjoyed watching the pedestrians running for cover once the rains came.

So the Summer has begun. Looking forward to NYC for a weekend in June, and Boston and PTown in August for Carnival. That, and hopefully the usual poolside and beach side adventures, in addition to the BBQ's and family gatherings that make summer so much fun!

The Question

It’s 2017. The US has been so busy in the Middle East that it has let its guard down and not been able to protect its borders as well as it should. China launched the attack in 2014, and overthrew the existing President and Congress, and has now helped the US establish a new government. The US people were able to vote, but that government, of course, was created by the Chinese authorities and it’s pretty ineffective. What do you assume the reaction of the people of the US is?

There are, of course, insurgent groups carrying out attacks against the Chinese troops occupying the US. These insurgents attack when most inconvenient to the Chinese troops. The insurgents are called “terrorists” and the varying insurgent groups often fight each other as well; each wants to be in power. The Americans call for the occupying Chinese to leave, but the Chinese government insists it must stay because that is what the American people need and want. The Chinese government tries to decide what to do with the US in order to leave so its people are not killed and the US is not left in utter chaos.

A fantasy? I hope so! But it does sound somewhat familiar, doesn’t it? The US in Iraq. Today I read in the paper that another Senator, Sam Brownback, is calling for Iraq to be divided into three states and separate the warring factions. Brownback is not the first to call for this division, but what hit me was, “Why is the US, anybody in the US, telling Iraq what should and should not be in a country that is not the US’s in the first place?” Who is the US to decide what is best for Iraq? And what makes the US not understand why the Iraqi’s hate it? Would the US just sit back if China or some other country overthrew the government and occupied the country? I think not!

Trying to Redeem Himself

Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy does a public service announcement to be aired on ABC. Every little bit of help for the GLBT community helps.

What Choice To Make?

Yesterday I wrote about making choices. I stated that we all have choices to make in life and we choose what our lot in life is. I also admitted it's sometimes easier said than done to make good choices. It's not always easy to figure out which choice is the best. Today, in Parade, the magazine that comes in the Sunday newspapers, I was given a realization why it is so hard to make the right choice in life. In Parade there were 2 articles that puzzled me. One article was titled, "How to Jumpstart Your Diet," by Michael O'Shea. O'Shea gave tips in the article on dieting, one of which was to eat foods that make you feel fuller than foods that leave you hungry soon after eating them. O'Shea said apples are nutricious and make you feel full. So eating apples is good, right? Well I always thought so. Then a few pages later in Parade, was another article titled, "How to Stop the Sneezing," by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld. In the article, Dr. Rosenfeld summarized 4 ways to help allergies, one of which was to "avoid certain raw foods-like apples, pears and carrots-which contain a protein that resembles pollen and causes a reaction in people who have pollen allergies." Well, I thought apples were nutricious and good for you? Which choice to make?

The Choice Is Yours

About 8 months ago, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after swimming with sting rays and getting stung. About 3 weeks ago in Mays Landing, a guy who had robbed 2 banks in the area was running from police, smashed his vehicle, got out of the car and fled on foot, was confronted by a police officer, was shot and killed. Yesterday in Mullica Township (Atlantic County), a 30 year old Hammonton man riding a dirt bike was being pursued by police, when he ran a red light and hit a vehicle, then was thrown from his bike and smashed into another car, being killed! What these 3 guys have in common is that they all made a choice, then paid with their lives by the consequences of these choices. All our choices come with consequences!

We have all made choices throughout our lives, some of those choices good and some not so good. We have all had to live with the consequences of the choices we have made. If you choose to swim with the rays or chase after crocodiles and pull them by the tail, you may become famous and have your own tv show, but you also risk getting hurt! If you choose to rob a bank, sure, you may get away with a ton of money and live happily ever after, but you also may get shot and killed. If you run away from the police, you may get lucky and return home safely, but you also may end up in jail or dead!

The more of life I experience, the more important it becomes to me that the choices we make are so very important. We hope to make good, smart choices that get us ahead in life. We all want to do things that make life easier and more enjoyable. But we're all human and making bad choices, out and out mistakes, happens! We can make all the excuses in the world we want to as to why things have happened, but the bottom line is we all make choices. I am not so naive to believe that it's easier for some people to make a good choice than others, and I also realize that depending on your situation in life it is easier to make some choices than others. I know it is easier for a 25 year old to leave a job he is dissatisfied with as opposed to a 45 year old with a family and kids depending on him/her to bring home the bacon. Speaking of which, I hear coworkers all the time moan and groan about their work. Quite honestly, I often come to the point where I just feel like saying, "Get a new job then!" Again, it's one's choice to be in a certain line of work, and if it makes ones life that miserable, then get out and do something else!

So we all make choices. And we've all made those horrid, life-altering choices that can really mess things up. So what? Where do we go from there? Well sooner or later, you have to stop the pity party and choose to alter things and make them right again. We all get knocked down in life, but what we do after getting knocked down is what's important. Do we lie on the ground, crying, "Whoa is me!" Or do we get up off our asses, dust ourselves off, and make another choice to get things right again?

You're A Rich Girl

"You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far 'Cause you know it don't matter anyway. You can rely on the old man's money..." (Rich Girl, John Hall and Daryl Oates). Let me try to find some sympathy. Let me try to shed some tears! Hope Daddy's proud of you now!

I would usually show some compassion to a young person being sent away to jail, but somehow I cannot in this case!

Hate Crimes Bill Faces A Veto??!!

Sometimes it's hard to believe we live in 2008! Sometimes it's hard to believe we live in the US, supposedly one of the most advanced societies on the face of the Earth. Sometimes I am just flabbergasted and at the same time appalled. To think that Congress yesterday passed a bill that extends federal hate crimes to include crimes against gays and lesbians and gender-based hate crimes, but the bill faces a Bush veto is simply so very hard to believe. And the main reason why the bill faces a veto? Conservatives and religious groups feel the bill will target ministers who speak against homosexuality. Others think the bill will elevate the status of homosexual to that of other minorities! A hate crime is a hate crime! And whatever group is included in the law is just a plus in my book!

I am so sick of the "holier than thou" minority forcing its beliefs on me! I am so tired of the religious right running this country! It's time we all stand up and say, "Enough is enough!" I don't oppose any one's religious beliefs, so don't oppose my freedoms either! I hope, and pray, that Congress has enough votes to override any veto of Bush.

The Circle of Life

This weekend was an intersting lesson in the "Circle of Life" for me. On Friday evening, I went to a retirement dinner for a former co-worker of mine. The lady is certainly not ancient by any stretch of the imagination, but nonetheless, is retiring after 30+ years of work. (Congratulations, Judy)! Then on Saturday morning, I went to the funeral of my 80 year old grandmother. Although Grandma Ethel and I were not that close in the past several years, I do remember some of the times I spent with her in my earlier years, and how much she amazed me at the wonderful arts and crafts type stuff she could do. Then finally on Saturday afternoon, I attended a birthday party for a 1 year old girl! The full gamut of life: a child, someone retiring from work to enjoy those "golden" years, and death!

And so goes the "Circle of Life"! Each and everyday someone is born, someone goes to work, someone retires, and someone dies! Every now and again, stuff happens in between, like the situation at Virginia Tech. Although we all hope to enjoy the "Circle" in the order in which it is supposed to happen, birth, life, work, death, it does not alway follow that path. We try to explain stuff when it happens in all kinds of ways, but as the saying says, "Stuff (just) happens!" No matter what the reason, it just does! There's not a damn thing anyone of us can do about it or prevent it from happening. All we can do is pick up the pieces the best we can after the stuff of life occurs.

So what do I learn from this? Don't spend my time worrying about the stuff that can happen. Keep living, and enjoy doing it! And when the time comes for stuff to come into my life, which it surely will, move on and don't let it stop life's enjoyments!

"If I Only Had A Heart!"

Comedian Jim David wrote a small article in the latest addition of The Advocate magazine (April 24, 2007) which I thought was quite hilarious. In the article, David states that since the Reverend Ted Haggard has declared that after 3 weeks in rehab he is "completely heterosexual," other celebs have now come forth with "makeovers" of their own:

"After a week on a gay cruise and two hits of ecstasy, former NBA star Tim Hardaway says he is now a 'complete pig bottom.'"

"After a weeklong visit with the Reverend Haggard in rehab, Jerry Fallwell said he is 'completely bi.'"

"After two weeks in rehab and four singing lessons, Britney Spears claims to be 'completely talented.'"

"After four weeks with a psychotherapist in an undisclosed location, Dick Cheney announced that he is 'completely human.'"

Oh the lives of celebs!