Last night, Valium and I cleaned our new apartment in anticipation of our move this Saturday. The new apartment is in an area of town known as Capitol Hill, a mostly young artistic and gay neighborhood in central Denver. In the time I have lived in Denver, I have moved onto and off of the hill a number of times and, each time I come back to the hill it feels like I am coming home. The neighborhood is made up of mostly older houses and apartment buildings covered in ivy with well-grown yards and some beautiful gardens. The streets are tree lined and we are now only 2 blocks away from the third largest park in the entire city.
When we went for a short walk to Queens (for those of you who don’t know, well don’t ask don’t tell) I began to remember why I loved living on the hill. As most of you know, I am not a huge fan of living in Denver. There are many reasons for this that I won’t go into now but, when I am on the hill, I kind of forget that I’m living in Denver. The hill begins to feel like a real city with history and substance. I have a theory that great cities are built on the intersections of the universal web, and there is a concentration of power, energy and life that feeds the people living there. It is similar to the feeling I get when I am in NYC, it is the feeling that even if no one lived there, the city would still feel alive.
I love living in places where there is a sense of history and character. I don’t think I could ever be happy living in suburbia where every house is essentially the same, and every detail is perfect. I love diversity in aesthetics and people and that is what we have on the hill.
So, if you are in the neighborhood, stop in and we’ll sit out on our front porch, have a cocktail and just absorb the power of the city.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
In the spirit of my last post, please visit Jack Van Impe, my favorite Christian loon. Not only is he a completely frightening Evangelical, he specializes in the second coming of Christ. What frightens me most though, he actually is one of The Shrub's (A.K.A. President Bush) closest advisors.
Need I really say more?
For a good time, see the question of the week.
Need I really say more?
For a good time, see the question of the week.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
I want to start a revolution. Seriously, I am tired of having to put up with ridiculous Christian rhetoric and the constant presence of God in my everyday life. I have tolerated many years of people telling me God bless you, God bless America, blah, blah, blah, but now I think it is time for it to stop.
Yet again conservative Christian groups are targeting cartoons that do not potter gays as evil. This time it is a PBS cartoon that has one specific episode where a bunny goes to Vermont for syrup. It just so happens that Vermont has same-sex Civil Unions for same-sex and, the bunny apparently encounters two lesbian couples in his journey. This time, the criticism comes directly from the Bush Administration. Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings, has stated that the program has violated the policy for public funding and should not be aired. (story)
So, I think that I am going to give up my progressive kindness and tolerance and start being just as much of a bigoted ass as the Christians. They want a culture war? As far as I am concerned, they have one with me.
Yet again conservative Christian groups are targeting cartoons that do not potter gays as evil. This time it is a PBS cartoon that has one specific episode where a bunny goes to Vermont for syrup. It just so happens that Vermont has same-sex Civil Unions for same-sex and, the bunny apparently encounters two lesbian couples in his journey. This time, the criticism comes directly from the Bush Administration. Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings, has stated that the program has violated the policy for public funding and should not be aired. (story)
So, I think that I am going to give up my progressive kindness and tolerance and start being just as much of a bigoted ass as the Christians. They want a culture war? As far as I am concerned, they have one with me.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Todays Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Today’s Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Over the weekend, I heard a news article on NPR that completely mortified me. I had not heard of the program called Indian Student Placement Programs until this article and I am apparently way behind the curve on this.
For those who may not know, from about 1954 to 1996 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would take children from a number of reservations and bring them to Utah to stay with foster families in an attempt to bring them back to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The reason that they were doing is because of the Book of Mormon’s teachings that the Native American’s originally held the gospel, and that once they fell from the grace of G-d their skin and hair turned dark and they were now the dark race. So, the Book of Mormon teaches that bringing them back to the church is one of their great missions.
I don’t want to go too far off on this subject because it is new to me but I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts. First, I cannot understand how as recent as 1996, organized intellectual genocide was still being sanctioned against Native Americans. I had hoped, perhaps with a little naiveté, that we had moved past this mentality as a Nation. Second, I find it unconscionable that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would take children from their homes to indoctrinate them into their religion. I understand that this is not a new policy but for some reason I really see this as being far worse than anything I have heard before. Above all, I am offended that this is the first I have heard of such things taking place in my lifetime. That is not the fault of any one person, but I believe the cumulative fault of many, myself included.
What this information has really taught me is that I apparently don’t know as much as I thought about the struggle of the American Native. I guess I haven’t really gone beyond what I have learned in grade school, and that saddens me. I realize that I want to learn more, that I need to try and understand what my country has done to its own people. As our soldiers are fighting and dying to liberate a country from a leader who systematically tried to eliminate one of the sects of his own country, I am learning more of what we have done and, are still doing as a Nation to our own people. I have often had difficulty with our hypocrisy as a country but the more I learn, the worse it gets.
So, I will close with this. If you have any credible resources or links that you can share with me on this subject, please do.
Shaych
Over the weekend, I heard a news article on NPR that completely mortified me. I had not heard of the program called Indian Student Placement Programs until this article and I am apparently way behind the curve on this.
For those who may not know, from about 1954 to 1996 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would take children from a number of reservations and bring them to Utah to stay with foster families in an attempt to bring them back to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The reason that they were doing is because of the Book of Mormon’s teachings that the Native American’s originally held the gospel, and that once they fell from the grace of G-d their skin and hair turned dark and they were now the dark race. So, the Book of Mormon teaches that bringing them back to the church is one of their great missions.
I don’t want to go too far off on this subject because it is new to me but I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts. First, I cannot understand how as recent as 1996, organized intellectual genocide was still being sanctioned against Native Americans. I had hoped, perhaps with a little naiveté, that we had moved past this mentality as a Nation. Second, I find it unconscionable that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would take children from their homes to indoctrinate them into their religion. I understand that this is not a new policy but for some reason I really see this as being far worse than anything I have heard before. Above all, I am offended that this is the first I have heard of such things taking place in my lifetime. That is not the fault of any one person, but I believe the cumulative fault of many, myself included.
What this information has really taught me is that I apparently don’t know as much as I thought about the struggle of the American Native. I guess I haven’t really gone beyond what I have learned in grade school, and that saddens me. I realize that I want to learn more, that I need to try and understand what my country has done to its own people. As our soldiers are fighting and dying to liberate a country from a leader who systematically tried to eliminate one of the sects of his own country, I am learning more of what we have done and, are still doing as a Nation to our own people. I have often had difficulty with our hypocrisy as a country but the more I learn, the worse it gets.
So, I will close with this. If you have any credible resources or links that you can share with me on this subject, please do.
Shaych
Friday, January 21, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Yesterday I was surfing through the channels looking for some interesting coverage of the Inoculation of George W. Bush as our Nation's sovereign and G-d chosen leader, when I came across FoxNews' Bill O'Reilly. I managed to catch his show just as he was going into commercial break and played the bumper for his Most Ridiculous Item of the Day segment. Hoping to hear some fun conservative rhetoric about the protesters that lined the Inoculation parade route, I stayed tuned.
However, when he returned from the break, the story that he used as his Most Ridiculous Item of the Day, was not about the Inoculation at all. Instead, he covered a story about the Canadian government allowing openly gay soldiers to marry each other. For those of you who don't know, the Canadian government allows gays and lesbians to serve openly in their military as well as allowing same sex marriage. What astounded me was that O'Reilly acted offended that the Canadian government had the audacity to allow fags and dykes to actually not only defend their country openly, but to actually get married. His highlighting this story as his Most Ridiculous Item of the Day shows his true fear and loathing of all things Canadian (I truly think this stems from his intense hatred of the French) and gays and lesbians.
I just don't freaking get it.
However, when he returned from the break, the story that he used as his Most Ridiculous Item of the Day, was not about the Inoculation at all. Instead, he covered a story about the Canadian government allowing openly gay soldiers to marry each other. For those of you who don't know, the Canadian government allows gays and lesbians to serve openly in their military as well as allowing same sex marriage. What astounded me was that O'Reilly acted offended that the Canadian government had the audacity to allow fags and dykes to actually not only defend their country openly, but to actually get married. His highlighting this story as his Most Ridiculous Item of the Day shows his true fear and loathing of all things Canadian (I truly think this stems from his intense hatred of the French) and gays and lesbians.
I just don't freaking get it.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Hollywood Gossip
I am so fucking sick of hearing about how audiences stayed away from Oliver Stone's Biopic Alexander because Alexander the Great was gay. People stayed away from the film because it was miscast, misdirected, mislead and otherwise just sucked. I know because I saw it.
As far as which character on The Simpsons is going to be outed, I am 99% positive that it is not Waylan Smithers. First, it would be a news event equivalent to Nathan Lane coming out. Second, for years he has been open about his love for Mr. Burns and he has never really hidden his sexuality (if you want I can provide a list of gay Smithers moments). I mean for Christ sakes he wrote a fucking musical about Malibu Stacey, The Simpsons' version of Barbie. I think this is one of the things I have always liked about Smithers. He has always been openly gay without ever really having to say... I'm gay. In fact, I really hope that it is not Smithers. My money is on Selma or Patty, though I have heard some rumors about Flanders, which would just rock my world. I mean have you seen Flanders topless? (see the episode where he plays the lead in Streetcar) Then again there is always Milhouse..... hmmm wonder what the odds are on him?
Sorry, I just had to get those two things off of my chest.
Shaych
I am so fucking sick of hearing about how audiences stayed away from Oliver Stone's Biopic Alexander because Alexander the Great was gay. People stayed away from the film because it was miscast, misdirected, mislead and otherwise just sucked. I know because I saw it.
As far as which character on The Simpsons is going to be outed, I am 99% positive that it is not Waylan Smithers. First, it would be a news event equivalent to Nathan Lane coming out. Second, for years he has been open about his love for Mr. Burns and he has never really hidden his sexuality (if you want I can provide a list of gay Smithers moments). I mean for Christ sakes he wrote a fucking musical about Malibu Stacey, The Simpsons' version of Barbie. I think this is one of the things I have always liked about Smithers. He has always been openly gay without ever really having to say... I'm gay. In fact, I really hope that it is not Smithers. My money is on Selma or Patty, though I have heard some rumors about Flanders, which would just rock my world. I mean have you seen Flanders topless? (see the episode where he plays the lead in Streetcar) Then again there is always Milhouse..... hmmm wonder what the odds are on him?
Sorry, I just had to get those two things off of my chest.
Shaych
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Thank you Rush, you saved my morning.
I set out this morning hoping to find some fun conservative commentary on the heated exchange between, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.) and, Secretary of State Nominee Condoleezza Rice to post as today's thought. I hit some of my usual sites, Coulter, O'Reilly, FoxNews but it was my old favorite Rush Limbaugh that came through in the end. In fact, because it is a transcript of his show, it even includes Sen. Boxer's remarks as well as Rice's responses. Thanks El Rushbo.
The transcript, called "Boxer: Designated Kook Democrat," turned out to be exactly what I had hoped to find. I could go on for pages on how Boxer has been rocking my world lately and how much Rush makes my colon hurt, but I won't. All I really want to say is this, since when is it considered Kooky to ask someone to acknowledge that they had made mistakes or even that situations had changed. What Boxer really wanted to get out was that the entire purpose for the war had changed over time, and the administration and even Rice herself has contradicted herself a number of times. When Bush ran for office the first time, he talked at great lengths about personal accountability and not blaming others for your mistakes. What we perhaps didn't realize was that the other side of this was to completely ignore the problem and just pretend like it didn't happen. They aren't even denying some of this, they are just plain pretending that it never happened.
Denile is not just a river in Egypt, apparently it is also a National Policy.
Oh, and I have this saved on my computer so in case it should be taken down from his site in the future, just email me and I'll send you a copy.
I set out this morning hoping to find some fun conservative commentary on the heated exchange between, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.) and, Secretary of State Nominee Condoleezza Rice to post as today's thought. I hit some of my usual sites, Coulter, O'Reilly, FoxNews but it was my old favorite Rush Limbaugh that came through in the end. In fact, because it is a transcript of his show, it even includes Sen. Boxer's remarks as well as Rice's responses. Thanks El Rushbo.
The transcript, called "Boxer: Designated Kook Democrat," turned out to be exactly what I had hoped to find. I could go on for pages on how Boxer has been rocking my world lately and how much Rush makes my colon hurt, but I won't. All I really want to say is this, since when is it considered Kooky to ask someone to acknowledge that they had made mistakes or even that situations had changed. What Boxer really wanted to get out was that the entire purpose for the war had changed over time, and the administration and even Rice herself has contradicted herself a number of times. When Bush ran for office the first time, he talked at great lengths about personal accountability and not blaming others for your mistakes. What we perhaps didn't realize was that the other side of this was to completely ignore the problem and just pretend like it didn't happen. They aren't even denying some of this, they are just plain pretending that it never happened.
Denile is not just a river in Egypt, apparently it is also a National Policy.
Oh, and I have this saved on my computer so in case it should be taken down from his site in the future, just email me and I'll send you a copy.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
Ok, after about a week of being off the net, I have to come back with a big story.
Apparently, some Pentagon documents have been declassified and it has come to light that the US Government had requested that research be done on the development of a GAY BOMB. Essentially, this would be a bomb that would turn the enemy "gay" and allow for our troops to defeat them.
I don't even know where to begin with this. All I can say is the sooner this is turned into a porno, the better. Seriously, what the hell am I paying for with my tax dollars? You just can't make stuff like this up.
I mean really.
Apparently, some Pentagon documents have been declassified and it has come to light that the US Government had requested that research be done on the development of a GAY BOMB. Essentially, this would be a bomb that would turn the enemy "gay" and allow for our troops to defeat them.
I don't even know where to begin with this. All I can say is the sooner this is turned into a porno, the better. Seriously, what the hell am I paying for with my tax dollars? You just can't make stuff like this up.
I mean really.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
"What the activists really want is the stamp of acceptance on homosexuality, as a means of spreading that lifestyle, which has become a death style in the era of AIDS."
Syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell
What the hell century are we living in again?
Syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell
What the hell century are we living in again?
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Ohio... The Black Box State
Check your local media, check CNN.com and Fox News.com, and you will find very little mention of the actions that were taken by our Congress today. There has never been a clearer example of the inadequacies of our mass meida than this one issue. For those who haven't heard examples of what happened in Ohio please click here for the summary of the 120 page report by the House Judiciary Commitee and educate yourself on exactly why Sen. Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Jones (D-OH) did what they did today.
This is the beginning of my first fight to try and regain my faith in my country. We must trust that our voted is counted and that our elections are fair. This seems so simple to me, I don't understand why there is any debate or argument on this issue. We should not vote into black boxes that are built by corporations whose executives have a clear agenda (story). We must not priviatize the most basic aspect of our system of government. We must not allow those who call people who try and fight for voters rights "conspirators" and "sore loosers" to continue to hold power. We must not continue to drink the Kool-Aid offered by the press in an attempt to keep us in the dark. Most of all, we must not stand idely by while others lie outright feeding on fear and ignorance. We must stand tall, proud and loud.
Vive la revolution!
This is the beginning of my first fight to try and regain my faith in my country. We must trust that our voted is counted and that our elections are fair. This seems so simple to me, I don't understand why there is any debate or argument on this issue. We should not vote into black boxes that are built by corporations whose executives have a clear agenda (story). We must not priviatize the most basic aspect of our system of government. We must not allow those who call people who try and fight for voters rights "conspirators" and "sore loosers" to continue to hold power. We must not continue to drink the Kool-Aid offered by the press in an attempt to keep us in the dark. Most of all, we must not stand idely by while others lie outright feeding on fear and ignorance. We must stand tall, proud and loud.
Vive la revolution!
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
I have one thing to say to Sen. Barbara Boxer, "You go girl!"
I will be writing about this in a little more detail but let me sum up:
1. This is not about overturning the election or, a publicity stunt. This is about making sure that the serious election inconsistencies that have recently come to light are fixed.
2. This is not about this election but the future of Democracy in our Nation.
3. I don't want to drink the "conspiracy theory" Kool-Aid but, I have to seriously question anyone who does not want to fight for fair and honest elections. There are a number of small and quick solutions that can be enacted easily to try and make our elections true.
Support Barbara Boxer, support the Democratic House Members who are standing up for Democracy.
I will be writing about this in a little more detail but let me sum up:
1. This is not about overturning the election or, a publicity stunt. This is about making sure that the serious election inconsistencies that have recently come to light are fixed.
2. This is not about this election but the future of Democracy in our Nation.
3. I don't want to drink the "conspiracy theory" Kool-Aid but, I have to seriously question anyone who does not want to fight for fair and honest elections. There are a number of small and quick solutions that can be enacted easily to try and make our elections true.
Support Barbara Boxer, support the Democratic House Members who are standing up for Democracy.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
I have been waiting for it. Usually by now some Evangelical Christian utilizes a natural disaster to throw mud at the GLBT community. I was kind of surprised though to see that the first one out of the gate, was Muslim. I guess this is just another example of how similar religious extremists are no matter what the faith.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
Yes Virginia, there is a constitution; not that you really care. Oh and by the way, perhaps it is time to reconsider your whole "Virginia is for Lovers" campaign, eh?
Monday, January 03, 2005
Computer Horror
It really frustrates me when people speak with authority on a subject that they really know nothing about. Instead of just admitting they have no idea why I am having the computer trouble that I am having, they just feed me some line of bullshit and send me on my way.
Recently Valium and I purchased a new fancy printer to replace our sad old HP that recently died. Long story short, both of our computers can't print to the printer that is currently hooked up to our Airport Extreme. So, we trekked down to our local Mac Genius bar and asked the "genius" what the problem was. We were given an answer that on the surface seems to make sense. Then, much like a doctors diagnosis, I wanted to get a second opinion. So, we went to CompUSA and talked to two people there who had two totally different solutions that both conflicted with what the Mac Genius suggested.
So, at the end of the day, we still have a printer problem and no idea how to fix it. I really began to become angry that I can't seem to get the same answer out of two people, a phenomenon that has been happening a lot lately. It seems that lately every customer service person I talk to gives me a different answer to the same question. I just wish there was somewhere I could go and actually get the right answer, not smoke blown up my ass.
Recently Valium and I purchased a new fancy printer to replace our sad old HP that recently died. Long story short, both of our computers can't print to the printer that is currently hooked up to our Airport Extreme. So, we trekked down to our local Mac Genius bar and asked the "genius" what the problem was. We were given an answer that on the surface seems to make sense. Then, much like a doctors diagnosis, I wanted to get a second opinion. So, we went to CompUSA and talked to two people there who had two totally different solutions that both conflicted with what the Mac Genius suggested.
So, at the end of the day, we still have a printer problem and no idea how to fix it. I really began to become angry that I can't seem to get the same answer out of two people, a phenomenon that has been happening a lot lately. It seems that lately every customer service person I talk to gives me a different answer to the same question. I just wish there was somewhere I could go and actually get the right answer, not smoke blown up my ass.
Today's warm and fuzzy thought.
Will someone please think about the children? Another example of good Christian values and how they apply to families.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
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