What a year! It has been one hell of a ride. 2007 brought us the protests in Myanmar where thousands of Monks were jailed and several were killed. There was the horrible massacre at Virginia Tech. The mortgage crisis exploded onto the financial markets causing new home sales to plummet to the lowest point in 12 years. But on a more positive note we finally saw Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales resign from the U.S. Government. And, His Holiness, Steve Jobs, gave us the iPhone. In Gay news, efforts were made to pass two important bills in Congress, ENDA - the Employment Non Discrimination Act, and a Hate Crimes Bill. ENDA did much to divide the GLBT community when the final form of the bill left off the protection of Transgendered people. A watered down version is still being considered. The Hate Crimes Bill - named after Matthew Shepherd was tabled and is stuck somewhere in the halls of the Capital building. New Jersey became the third state to offer Civil Unions for Gay couples, and beginning January, 2008 the state of New Hampshire will join that list. Several allegedly heterosexual Religious and Political figures were caught soliciting gay sex, or were outed by rent-boys. Larry Craig became the quintessential poster boy for a Closet-case and his defense of having a “Wide Stance” has become a euphemism for gay. I for one don’t want him to be gay. Let the straights keep him.
On a personal note, 2007 was a very busy year for me. Especially at work where I have been putting in 50 - 60 hour weeks. It has taken its toll. I started a Podcast and I was able to put out 19 episodes, but as of this writing the future of the Podcast is unknown. I want to continue with it, but my time and energy has been very limited. I went on a wonderful vacation to Alaska, but I had to cancel my winter vacation to Puerto Vallarta. I’m still single and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon.
So, 2007 is over and 2008 is coming whether I’m ready for it or not. I thought I would close out the year with a picture of a cute guy. Cute guys are always in vogue, no matter what year it is.
With all the chaos happening in the world today I’m beginning to feel as disjointed as this Picasso self portrait looks. And, just to add insult to injury, I’m actually starting to look like it. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto yesterday is deplorable and an unconscionable act that will , in my opinion, lead to civil riots in Pakistan. I can’t help but think that this assassination was politically motivated by Musharraf in order to tighten his rule over Pakistan. His role in this will come to light and I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that the Bush administration was involved in it in some way. In the days and weeks to come the events that happen in Pakistan will have an impact on our (USA) political process as well. President Bush, not one to ignore the opportunities created by chaos, will act to enrich his –personal–interests. A Pakistan in chaos is sure to open up new financial frontiers for him and his rich friends. Because of the unrest Bush will deploy the US military to Pakistan to ensure that the nuclear weapons that we gave them are kept out of the wrong hands. Once the U.S. military has established a presence there, and the world is soothed by the talk of a “Free, Democratic Pakistan,” then it’s time for Halliburton to move in and start the rape reconstruction of the country. Of course, with Halliburton comes the private militia “Blackwater USA.” Voila! New revenues for Corporate America.
While this is only speculation on my part, and I truly hope that it doesn’t happen, the disturbing truth is that it could happen. I think we’re in for a bumpy ride folks, better fasten your seatbelt.
Well it happened again! Santa snubbed me. He didn’t come down my chimney, he didn’t eat my cookies, and he didn’t leave me a gift. I must have been a bad boy this year. So bad that he didn’t even leave me a piece of coal. This isn’t the first time he’s passed me over. I’ve gotten use to it. In the beginning it use to hurt, and I’d cry a lot, but I’ve grown accustomed to expect his rejection. Really, who am I to think that he’d visit me? What have I done to deserve his gifts. I’ll be okay, don’t worry about me.
I had hoped that things would be different this year, but that wasn’t to be. I sent Santa a list of the things I wanted. It was a simple list, nothing too extravagant. I’m very easy to please. Maybe he’ll still show up. It’s not too late. He could be stuck in traffic, or maybe he had to return to the North Pole to restock his sleigh.
Ah, who am I fooling? He’s not coming. I never liked him anyway.
This holiday weekend has become an Ugly Betty marathon weekend. I’d bought the DVD box set of the first season of the popular TV program fully intending to spend the next few weeks watching it in place of the programs that are are on hiatus due to the writers’ strike; just as a fill-in. That was my plan, but Ugly Betty is a very addictive show, you can’t watch just one episode then turn it off. No way. I knew after the first ten minutes that I was in trouble. There was no hope for me. One episode led to another then to another and another, until they were all gone. Ugly Betty is one of the best TV programs that I’ve seen in quite a long time. It indeed lives up to all its hype. I’m glad I bought the DVD set, I just wish it didn’t end so soon. When does the second season DVD set come out?
We had our “Office Holiday Party” this evening, but I decided not to go. I love a good party, but this event had disaster written all over it. In the past we’ve had the party at a nice restaurant or hall, but because the budget was so tight this year the powers that be decided that we would have to have a simplified (cheap) party, in the office. I shouldn’t be so pessimistic, but serving vienna sausages and cheese-in-a-can at any event is never cool. I guess the real reason I decided not to go was because there wasn’t going to be any liquor served. I see these people for nine to ten hours a day and if I’m expected to put in overtime with them, then I need liquor. I had thought about sneaking in a flask full of scotch, but what kind of example would that be setting?
It may be that the party turned out to be a blast, miracles do happen.
Hope you have a nice holiday; however you celebrate it.
In support of my efforts to beautify the world, and to help those of you who are struggling with winter’s frigid bite, I offer up this picture. It’s sure to warm the cockles of your heart, and possibly those nether regions south. I have no idea who he is, or where I got the picture, it’s just one of the many pictures that are lurking about in my iphoto library. If anyone knows who this adorable man is, please let me know. It’s always nice to have a name to put with a body face.
I was going through some of my old posts in preparation for my move to a new server and seeing that the “Holiday Season” is upon us, I though I would re-post a piece I wrote last year about this time. It’s still relevant. Hope you enjoy it.
Ciao
Now that the Holiday Season is firmly upon us I want to take a minute to share a few of my favorite things about this time of year.
• I love that people decorate their cars with wreaths and red bows and wear red Santa Caps. It makes it so much easier to see them when they cut across three lanes of traffic to make a left into the shopping mall.
• I love the look on peoples’ faces when they wish me a Merry Christmas and I wish them a Happy Hanukkah. “But I’m not Jewish,” they say. “That’s okay,” I reply, “I am.”
• I love how empty the movie theaters are on Christmas Day. My favorite time to go to the movies.
• I love that no matter how many times I tell people that I don’t celebrate Christmas I usually end up with at least 3 Christmas Cards and one or two Christmas gifts.
• What I don’t love is that those people who didn’t listen to me now expect me to reciprocate with a card or a gift.
• I love how some people try to group Christmas and Hanukkah in to one holiday. After all, Hanukkah is just a Jewish Christmas; right?
• I love people who wish me a Merry Christmas, then realize who they are talking to and quickly apologize for their comment, or somehow try to slur their Merry Christmas in to a Happy Hanukkah which always comes out a garbled mess. The ones I really like are those people who wish everyone a “Happy Whatever.”
Podcast number 19 is here: I talk about the Presidential elections, my recent birthday, a great new movie Breakfast With Scot, and the TV program Ugly Betty. The closing music is Evaporate, by Chris Ayer, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network. Please leave a comment, send me an email, or call the listener hot line at 206.337.0678 to leave a message. Thank you so much for listening.
We got our first snow of the season in Baltimore today. It’s only about 2 inches–so far–but as I drove past the food store on the way home tonight I noticed that the parking lot was jammed full. Everyone getting that milk and bread they so desperately need. According to the weatherman the snow should end around midnight and tomorrow will be clear, but very cold. Welcome to winter! Ciao
I miss New Mexico. I miss the evening sky lit up from all the colors of the sunset. I miss the smell of the burning pinion coming out of the chimneys in the crisp air during my morning run. I miss the frozen blue margaritas at Rancho De Chimayo. I miss riding my motorcycle from Los Alamos to Jemez Springs, through the Bandelier National Forest. I miss Santa Fe, sitting in the Plaza, watching the tourists buy jewelry and art from the vendors under the portico of the Palace of the Governors. I miss the cottonwood trees. I miss living in Santa Fe, on Dunlap street off of St. Francis drive. I miss going to Ten-Thousand Waves in February with snow on the ground and sitting in the communal hot-tub, drinking champaign and catching falling snowflakes on my tongue. I miss Taos. I miss the food, the Hatch Chilies, the Indian Fry Bread, and the Posole. I miss the people, the artists, the artisans, and the families that have lived there for hundred of years. I miss who I was, open, accepting, giving, and happy. I miss New Mexico. I want to go home.
What a year! It has been one hell of a ride. 2007 brought us the protests in Myanmar where thousands of Monks were jailed and several were killed. There was the horrible massacre at Virginia Tech. The mortgage crisis exploded onto the financial markets causing new home sales to plummet to the lowest point in 12 years. But on a more positive note we finally saw Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales resign from the U.S. Government. And, His Holiness, Steve Jobs, gave us the iPhone. In Gay news, efforts were made to pass two important bills in Congress, ENDA - the Employment Non Discrimination Act, and a Hate Crimes Bill. ENDA did much to divide the GLBT community when the final form of the bill left off the protection of Transgendered people. A watered down version is still being considered. The Hate Crimes Bill - named after Matthew Shepherd was tabled and is stuck somewhere in the halls of the Capital building. New Jersey became the third state to offer Civil Unions for Gay couples, and beginning January, 2008 the state of New Hampshire will join that list. Several allegedly heterosexual Religious and Political figures were caught soliciting gay sex, or were outed by rent-boys. Larry Craig became the quintessential poster boy for a Closet-case and his defense of having a “Wide Stance” has become a euphemism for gay. I for one don’t want him to be gay. Let the straights keep him.
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