The irony is far from lost on me.
Muslim, Jewish, & Christian leadership alike agree on something: The Gays are evil and gathering them in a holy place could bring on Armageddon.
Condemnation, infighting, and blowing each other up is OK. Non-platonic love within the same gender is not.
(by the way: links are now clickable in the subject/title of posts. Nifty!)
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Like a phoenix...
...without all of the fire and death 'n' stuff. I'm just not that dramatic.
Nobody was reading the blog before - OK, one person was, but even he's bound to have gone away by now. But that's fine - I don't think I had anything to say before. Now I do. Days, weeks, and months have passed. I've thrown myself, full-force into observing life and think I may have some interesting things to pitch finally. And I also think I get this whole blogging thing a bit better now. Besides, if Rosie has a blog, why not me!?!
Spring is definitely upon us in Southern California. The sun is shining even on the days that it rains. There's not all that many birds around, but I think since I live near an airport, this isn't prime real estate for our feathered friends. But the butterflies are out in force. It's a sight to behold, hundreds of them gliding through traffic wherever the wind may take them - their cocoons are only a distant memory now. It's a sight to behold and it's inspiring, like the reflection of the sunset on the ocean. Was that sappy and Spring enough for ya? Ugh.
The whole Terri Schiavo thing is, if you'll excuse the term, done to death. This really should have a remained a private matter. Death with dignity, in my opinion, is impossible. Death is something nobody gets a pass on. It is cold, unflinching, and above all, solitary. What lies beyond may be better, but the passing is ours to bear on our own. Living life with dignity - that's the tricky part.
In the next few weeks, I'm hoping to revamp this forum. That best friend of mine really ought to be my partner in this - keeping a fresh perspective could only help matters. I want to introduce a new feature that will be a little autobiographical, making this tiny window a little clearer. More on that as I try and remember the clever title I thought up for it tonight...
I'll be around more often this time. I've taken my time off, written some stuff in advance (cheating, I know) and am ready to face this in a way that might actually inspire some folks to visit. Go f igure.
Until then, I'm J.
Nobody was reading the blog before - OK, one person was, but even he's bound to have gone away by now. But that's fine - I don't think I had anything to say before. Now I do. Days, weeks, and months have passed. I've thrown myself, full-force into observing life and think I may have some interesting things to pitch finally. And I also think I get this whole blogging thing a bit better now. Besides, if Rosie has a blog, why not me!?!
Spring is definitely upon us in Southern California. The sun is shining even on the days that it rains. There's not all that many birds around, but I think since I live near an airport, this isn't prime real estate for our feathered friends. But the butterflies are out in force. It's a sight to behold, hundreds of them gliding through traffic wherever the wind may take them - their cocoons are only a distant memory now. It's a sight to behold and it's inspiring, like the reflection of the sunset on the ocean. Was that sappy and Spring enough for ya? Ugh.
The whole Terri Schiavo thing is, if you'll excuse the term, done to death. This really should have a remained a private matter. Death with dignity, in my opinion, is impossible. Death is something nobody gets a pass on. It is cold, unflinching, and above all, solitary. What lies beyond may be better, but the passing is ours to bear on our own. Living life with dignity - that's the tricky part.
In the next few weeks, I'm hoping to revamp this forum. That best friend of mine really ought to be my partner in this - keeping a fresh perspective could only help matters. I want to introduce a new feature that will be a little autobiographical, making this tiny window a little clearer. More on that as I try and remember the clever title I thought up for it tonight...
I'll be around more often this time. I've taken my time off, written some stuff in advance (cheating, I know) and am ready to face this in a way that might actually inspire some folks to visit. Go f igure.
Until then, I'm J.
Friday, January 21, 2005
The toaster oven better behave...
(I'm proud of myself for finally writing in this damned thing again. You don't have to care.)
The new year has started out great in all areas but one for me - technology. In the span of just about a week, my phone service went out, I broke my portable CD player, and one the two-way wristwatches FB and I went in on so we could play James Bond broke down two days before we were going to give them a try at Disneyland. Hopefully the store will take them back for an even exchange since I can't find the receipt (which is completely unlike me). And if those break, all hell follows.
My land-line's break down was obviously the result of our recent torrential downpour in L.A. Even the people at the phone company say it's a grounding wire outside of my building that was probably damaged. But they still want to charge $55 just to come and look at the problem - maybe next week if I'm lucky. So my roommate and I sat down, had a short talk and decided to live without a landline. The monthly bill and our unused long distance plan come out to $50 a month. I could use the extra cash since I just joined a gym. And my cell phone works just fine and the long distance is free. Maybe I'll running kicking and screaming back to SBC sometime in the near future, but I doubt it.
It isn't all gloom and doom, though. I dug out my Sony MiniDisc player and discovered that it actually works when I thought it didn't. Turns out the new hard drive I installed (OK, my dad installed it) solved the problem I was having with it. So despite the fact that I wrecked my Discman, I am actually happier now than when I began the week. Having up to five hours of compact music to suit my ever changing moods is a happy thing indeed.
Yes, I can be that shallow sometimes.
The new year has started out great in all areas but one for me - technology. In the span of just about a week, my phone service went out, I broke my portable CD player, and one the two-way wristwatches FB and I went in on so we could play James Bond broke down two days before we were going to give them a try at Disneyland. Hopefully the store will take them back for an even exchange since I can't find the receipt (which is completely unlike me). And if those break, all hell follows.
My land-line's break down was obviously the result of our recent torrential downpour in L.A. Even the people at the phone company say it's a grounding wire outside of my building that was probably damaged. But they still want to charge $55 just to come and look at the problem - maybe next week if I'm lucky. So my roommate and I sat down, had a short talk and decided to live without a landline. The monthly bill and our unused long distance plan come out to $50 a month. I could use the extra cash since I just joined a gym. And my cell phone works just fine and the long distance is free. Maybe I'll running kicking and screaming back to SBC sometime in the near future, but I doubt it.
It isn't all gloom and doom, though. I dug out my Sony MiniDisc player and discovered that it actually works when I thought it didn't. Turns out the new hard drive I installed (OK, my dad installed it) solved the problem I was having with it. So despite the fact that I wrecked my Discman, I am actually happier now than when I began the week. Having up to five hours of compact music to suit my ever changing moods is a happy thing indeed.
Yes, I can be that shallow sometimes.
Friday, January 07, 2005
A serious question...
Is it OK to laugh at something like this as long as nobody gets hurt?
Aaron Carter Drives Over Mattress, Escapes SUV Moments Before Flames Erupt
Just askin'.
Aaron Carter Drives Over Mattress, Escapes SUV Moments Before Flames Erupt
Just askin'.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Holiday Jeer...
Ever the heartwarmer, Ann Coulter has this holiday message up on her site:
To The People Of Islam:Just think: If we'd invaded your
countries, killed your leaders and converted you to Christianity YOU'D ALL
BE OPENING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS RIGHT ABOUT NOW!Merry Christmas
I'm sure Jesus is very proud of her maturity and Christian compassion at this time. Too bad there isn't a well for Him to meet her at or a table of hers to overturn.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Finally!
The first post-Christmas post is also the much, much requested debut "Friends" post. More specifically, it's the Best Friend post. (And it's a holiday tie-in, natch!)
My best friend - FB for our purposes here - is easily the funniest person I have ever met. Inappropriate to be sure, but that's kind of his shtick. We dated briefly in his late teens/my early twenties. So, yeah, we've done the Fleetwood Mac thing. He's the Lindsey Buckingham to my Stevie Nicks. (He'll try and tell you otherwise, but every Lindsey is in denial about his role...). Thelast two years have easily been the most important of our time as friends. 2003 was about a shift in my professional life and living space. 2004, more than any year I can think of was filled with a lot of personal change. Through it all, my best friend and I grew as people and grew closer as a result. Everyone should be as lucky as I am, though I know almost nobody who is.
This year, FB shared with me some the best gifts in recent memory. I avoided all family & friend Christmas get-togethers and hid out, watching TV, including:
My best friend - FB for our purposes here - is easily the funniest person I have ever met. Inappropriate to be sure, but that's kind of his shtick. We dated briefly in his late teens/my early twenties. So, yeah, we've done the Fleetwood Mac thing. He's the Lindsey Buckingham to my Stevie Nicks. (He'll try and tell you otherwise, but every Lindsey is in denial about his role...). Thelast two years have easily been the most important of our time as friends. 2003 was about a shift in my professional life and living space. 2004, more than any year I can think of was filled with a lot of personal change. Through it all, my best friend and I grew as people and grew closer as a result. Everyone should be as lucky as I am, though I know almost nobody who is.
This year, FB shared with me some the best gifts in recent memory. I avoided all family & friend Christmas get-togethers and hid out, watching TV, including:
- Miracle on 34th Street - in B&W, not colorized, thank you.
- Boomerang's "A Very Jonny Questmas" marathon.
- BBC America's The Office Special.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- The Birdcage (is it me or is this never off the air?)
- The Judy Garland Christmas Special ("gayer than Christmas" joke, anyone?)
Some traditional, some offbeat to be sure, but it was what I wanted for Christmas and it's what my best friend gave me. Nothing wrapped in a bow could have compared. Here's hoping everyone has a safe New Year and if you don't have a FB, that you find one. Mine's taken.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Just a thought...
They say that when life throws lemons at you, make lemonade. I think with what today threw at me, I'm going to make a Lemon Drop martini. Tomorrow's Christmas Eve - maybe I'll have the holiday spirit then. For tonight, I'll celebrate a quietly sloshed Christmas Adam at home.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
From the main office...
According to my one reader I'm not posting enough. I can't argue with that, although hopefully yesterday's Christmas rant will satisfy my fan until I can come up with more substantial material. Of course, this anonymous commenter does seem to know an awful lot about me, including my best friend. Could it be my very first internet stalker? Does that mean he/she doesn't count as a fan? In any event, more frequent posts are coming, dear reader (whoever you are...) - I promise.
Monday, December 13, 2004
And so this is Christmas...?
(this sat in my "Drafts" for a week, which is why it's dated December 13th but published December 20th - I'm still getting the hang of this...)
A lot of Bah Humbuggerstm making the news lately. Target is banning Salvation Army bell-ringers, Denver's Parade of Lights bans any religious references or songs, and Macy's & Bloomingdale's won't use the words "Merry Christmas" in their sale displays. Much is made of PC thugs who would deny the true meaning of this season. I can't argue with Christians who are offended by a barrage of advertisements by stores who won't even acknowledge the holiday they're celebrating. But I do, as you may have guessed, have a few gripes about this whole Christmas thing.
First off, Christ's birth is a wonderful message of love and hope to world. Whether you believe or not, I think that point can be agreed upon. But has anyone else noticed that Christ's birth stopped being the focus of Christmas before this season? Saint Nick replaced the Christ child as gift-bearer throughout Europe centuries ago. And in the U.S., "Silent Night" gave way to "White Christmas" decades ago. Sure, all of this Christmas-phobia is silly, but so is the idea of "Merry Christmas from Macy's" having any real meaning other than, "Shop at Macy's, Christians!" As slogans go, "Happy Holidays" is more honest. (And hardly new, I might add. The likes of Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee recorded Irving Berlin's "Happy Holiday" - hardly icons of a heathenistic time like ours...)
Besides, we don't know for certain when Christ's birth was - the winter's just one out of 4 choices. We do know that cultures that predate Christ celebrated around this time. They even used fir trees. The church eventually co-opted traditions and approximate dates to celebrate Christ's birth. For similar instances, see Day of the Dead, celebrated the same day as the Catholic Feast of All Souls, created as a counter to All Hallow's Eve. For that matter, see Easter. Christ's resurrection is celebrated, but the eggs, bunnies, and springtime symbology were used in similar celebrations long before that too.
None of the above validates or invalidates Christian faith or the meaning of Christmas itself. It just goes to show that Christianity isn't all there is. Why can't Santa and Jesus just get along? And if they're OK with each other, what's so wrong with acknowledging that people, (good, intelligent people, no less!) celebrate Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hannukah, and/or Solstice? It seems to me that this time around there are two sets of Grinches trying to steal Christmas - those who don't want to acknowledge it and those who think they own it.
Season of giving indeed.
It's coming on Christmas they're cutting down trees, putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace...I wish I had a river I could skate away on... (Joni Mitchell, "River")
A lot of Bah Humbuggerstm making the news lately. Target is banning Salvation Army bell-ringers, Denver's Parade of Lights bans any religious references or songs, and Macy's & Bloomingdale's won't use the words "Merry Christmas" in their sale displays. Much is made of PC thugs who would deny the true meaning of this season. I can't argue with Christians who are offended by a barrage of advertisements by stores who won't even acknowledge the holiday they're celebrating. But I do, as you may have guessed, have a few gripes about this whole Christmas thing.
First off, Christ's birth is a wonderful message of love and hope to world. Whether you believe or not, I think that point can be agreed upon. But has anyone else noticed that Christ's birth stopped being the focus of Christmas before this season? Saint Nick replaced the Christ child as gift-bearer throughout Europe centuries ago. And in the U.S., "Silent Night" gave way to "White Christmas" decades ago. Sure, all of this Christmas-phobia is silly, but so is the idea of "Merry Christmas from Macy's" having any real meaning other than, "Shop at Macy's, Christians!" As slogans go, "Happy Holidays" is more honest. (And hardly new, I might add. The likes of Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee recorded Irving Berlin's "Happy Holiday" - hardly icons of a heathenistic time like ours...)
Besides, we don't know for certain when Christ's birth was - the winter's just one out of 4 choices. We do know that cultures that predate Christ celebrated around this time. They even used fir trees. The church eventually co-opted traditions and approximate dates to celebrate Christ's birth. For similar instances, see Day of the Dead, celebrated the same day as the Catholic Feast of All Souls, created as a counter to All Hallow's Eve. For that matter, see Easter. Christ's resurrection is celebrated, but the eggs, bunnies, and springtime symbology were used in similar celebrations long before that too.
None of the above validates or invalidates Christian faith or the meaning of Christmas itself. It just goes to show that Christianity isn't all there is. Why can't Santa and Jesus just get along? And if they're OK with each other, what's so wrong with acknowledging that people, (good, intelligent people, no less!) celebrate Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hannukah, and/or Solstice? It seems to me that this time around there are two sets of Grinches trying to steal Christmas - those who don't want to acknowledge it and those who think they own it.
Season of giving indeed.
It's coming on Christmas they're cutting down trees, putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace...I wish I had a river I could skate away on... (Joni Mitchell, "River")
Monday, December 06, 2004
Retainers
Also highly recommended: visting your high school alma mater. I've been out of HS ten years this coming May and just attended a football game for the first time in almost as long. I also went and saw the fall play. Now, I only recommend this kind of venture if you feel comfortable answering the inevitable questions ("So what are you doing now?" et al) should you run into anyone. In my own weird way, I was ready. So off I went.
Oddly, rather than reflect on how much I've grown and changed over the years, I was first awestruck by how much the old place looked and felt the same. There's new buildings and a ton of new faces, but it really was the same place. I almost felt like picking up my books and going to class. And then it hits me: I'm not the geeky queer with braces anymore. I'm a grown-up, a boy (the "full grown man" thing doesn't work - I still can't get stubble) with a decent job and his own place. And there's a world full of kids who don't know how easy it is - and thank God for that. Trying to comprehend that life only gets harder even as it gets better would have killed me. They should also know this: I never wore my retainer after they took off those braces. And you'd never know it by looking at my teeth.
Seriously, though, I couldn't help but reflect how little I've retained with me since my days as a barely closeted dork. A few friends, some CDs, and my diploma were about all I can think of. Fewer and fewer friends are left as time goes by. Most of the CDs I've traded in for better ones. My diploma will almost certainly be lost sometime in the next few moves. And deep down, I will always be that geeky queer with the braces.
Oddly, rather than reflect on how much I've grown and changed over the years, I was first awestruck by how much the old place looked and felt the same. There's new buildings and a ton of new faces, but it really was the same place. I almost felt like picking up my books and going to class. And then it hits me: I'm not the geeky queer with braces anymore. I'm a grown-up, a boy (the "full grown man" thing doesn't work - I still can't get stubble) with a decent job and his own place. And there's a world full of kids who don't know how easy it is - and thank God for that. Trying to comprehend that life only gets harder even as it gets better would have killed me. They should also know this: I never wore my retainer after they took off those braces. And you'd never know it by looking at my teeth.
Seriously, though, I couldn't help but reflect how little I've retained with me since my days as a barely closeted dork. A few friends, some CDs, and my diploma were about all I can think of. Fewer and fewer friends are left as time goes by. Most of the CDs I've traded in for better ones. My diploma will almost certainly be lost sometime in the next few moves. And deep down, I will always be that geeky queer with the braces.
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