End of a Decade...

Off to work this morning for a short day (9a - 5p).  May or may not post later...

So, to all my Blogging Friends, Family and Friends that visit my little slice of the web; I wish you all a very

Happy New Year!!

Drive safely, Over and "Out", from Portsmouth, VA

End of a Snowstorm...

I had to post one more picture (taken Sunday afternoon) of the Christmas Snowstorm of 2010, here in Portsmouth.  The snow was still falling at this point and we racked up a record breaking 14.2 inches by Monday morning.

The store never opened Sunday, so work was not an option, and neither was clearing the driveway or cars since the snow continued to fall through out the day and night. Monday morning arrived and the big dig began... Cars were cleared, the concrete driveway as well (at least down the the 1" layer of ice), but there was no way to clear where the drive and street joined. We were stuck. All the front wheels on our cars would do was spin in place. We finally got one car out into the street (which still hasn't been plowed to this day) and got nowhere with it. We are one of the lucky neighbors with a drive, most park on either side of the street, so trying to navigate on the snow and ice was impossible without potentially damaging another car. Another day off for both of us.

We were both actually scheduled off yesterday so we (read I) made a big pot of potato soup for an early dinner, watched a couple of movies and "lap-topped" most of the day.  It was actually very pleasant...

The end of this one is in sight, although this is only December, I can hardly wait to see what the next two months bring, as January and February are usually the "snow months"...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA and another day off...

Meet Charlie....

This is the snowman our neighbors built just a bit ago...

Thanks Jill, Jullian, and Dave...  (I was only the director, never got my hands cold, shouted direction from the front porch)... Michael took the picture!

Over and "Out" from snowy Portsmouth, VA

White Christmas in the Gayborhood...

The panoramic view from the porch: (remember all this is the Atlantic coast of Virginia)....

Over, "Out", under 13+ inches of snow, from Portsmouth, VA

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

Just a quick post to wish all of my blogging friends a joyful day!

Over, "Out" and preparing for more snow, from Portsmouth, VA

Happy Holidays back to you HRC!

Just another of the Mis-Fit toys/girls/boys...

.

One of my favorite songs from the Rudolph Christmas Special, made even more special by the cast of Glee...

Merry Holidays, over and "Out", from Portsmouth, VA

Thanks Jay!

This was pilfered from Jay's Blog:

Put a smile on my face and warmed my heart every time he got to "Dignity"...  or the lack there-of (he is actually pretty cute)...

The following was from a post of mine in July 2008:

Over and "Out" just 5 days before Christmas, from Portsmouth, VA

I'm Dreaming of a "RIGHT" Christmas...

At 3:06 (EST) this afternoon the final vote on DADT began in the US Senate Chamber...  The result of that vote was announced at 3:30pm:  65 ayes and  31 nays...  Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (just a minor pun as a resident of the commonwealth of Virginia)...

The bill now goes to the White House to be signed into law by the man we helped elect in 2008.  But wait, it doesn't go into effect for about a year, so now we need our Commander in Chief to call Secretary Gates and have him STOP all pending proceedings/discharges under the old law.  We don't need to lose any more (than the 13,000 already discharged) of our dedicated service men and women to a law that has just been repealed.

Thank you President Obama...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Welcome Christmas...

.


Welcome Christmas...  Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA.

It's Beginning to look alot like...

The photo above is from yesterday afternoon

when I arrived home from work.

Above, it was hard to get the lighting just right when taking

this picture,  taken Sunday (before the snow).

Indeed, it's beginning to look (and feel) alot like Christmas...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

DADT... Gays in the Military???

Before and during the American Revolution:

In 1776, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (born Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben; September 17, 1730 – November 28, 1794) was alleged to be homosexual and was accused of improper sexual behavior. Whether or not Steuben was actually intimate with other men is not entirely known, but the rumors compelled him to seek employment elsewhere.  

On September 26, 1777, the Baron, his Italian greyhound, Azor (which he took with him everywhere), his young aide de camp Louis de Pontiere, his military secretary Pierre Etienne Duponceau, and two other companions, reached Portsmouth, New Hampshire and by December 1, was extravagantly entertained in Boston. Congress was in York, Pennsylvania, after being ousted from Philadelphia by the British advance. By February 5, 1778, Steuben had offered to volunteer without pay (for the time), and by the 23rd, Steuben reported for duty to then General George Washington at Valley Forge. Steuben spoke little English and he often yelled to his translator, "Here! Come swear for me!" Colonel Alexander Hamilton and General Nathanael Greene were of great help in assisting Steuben in drafting a training program for the Army, which found approval with Washington.

Americans (and British) had been mainly dependent upon using their ammunition to win battles. Throughout the early course of the war, Americans used the bayonet mostly as a cooking skewer or tool rather than as a fighting instrument. Steuben's introduction of effective bayonet charges became crucial. Steuben, by then serving in Washington's Headquarters, was the first to determine the enemy was heading for Monmouth. Washington recommended appointment of Steuben as Inspector General on April 30, 1778; Congress approved it on May 5th.


In the Battle of Stony Point, the first results of Steuben's training were in evidence at the Battle of Barren Hill in May of 1778 and then again at the Battle of Monmouth in June of 1778. American soldiers attacked with unloaded muskets and won the battle solely on Steuben's bayonet training. He was later forced to take sick leave, rejoining the army for the final campaign at Yorktown, Virginia, where his role was as commander of one of the three divisions of Washington's troops. 

During the winter of 1778-1779, Steuben prepared Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, commonly known as the "Blue Book." Its basis was the training plan he had devised at Valley Forge. 

Steuben gave assistance to Washington in demobilizing the army in 1783 as well as aiding in the defense plan of the new nation. He was discharged from the military with honor on March 24, 1783.

Yorktown VA is less than a half hour from my home in Portsmouth...

If, then General, George Washington can accept a gay man in the military, why can't our 21st century leaders?

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Three Votes WTF?...

I read that not one republican senator voted in favor of the repeal of DADT...  What a shame...  Perhaps one day they will be able to explain their stance on this issue to their LGBT grandchild.  Oh yeah, my guess is that at least 10% of those law-makers are going to have at least one grandchild with the infamous "gay gene" and will have to justify their vote, as did many of the law-makers in the 50's and 60's about the equal rights votes back then who now have LGBT grandchildren serving under-cover in the military...  

Shame on all of you!

Over and legally "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Where did November go?

I so try to keep my posts here somewhat upbeat, but where the heck did November go? I loathe my job, I feel I am in a rut, I eat, sleep, work, poop, drink, and periodically have sex...  I have no energy nor ambition to get anything other than the above done, what the heck is wrong?

I love my man Michael, yet I constantly feel I am not good enough for him (or more precisely, ENOUGH for him)...  I am in a Funk...

I love the lights and music of the holidays, yet all of it seems so mundane and "blue". Maybe I just need my annual fix of "Christmas Vacation" to get me out of this FUNKING RUT!

I did finally change the batteries in the smoke detector today, how lame is that?

Over and "Out" from a very chilly day in Portsmouth, VA

Gotta Love the Lyrics...

I listened/watched the video again this morning and got the goosebumps... I so hope this inspires at least one person to rethink any plans of taking their own life as a "way out"...

"FIREWORK"


"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

Like a house of cards

One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under scream

But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what your worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what your worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

It's always been inside of you, you, you

And now it's time to let it through

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what your worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

You're gonna leave 'em goin "Oh, oh, oh!"

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon"

Firework Songwriters: 

Esther Dean; Mikkel Eriksen; Tor Erik Hermansen; Katy Perry; Sandy Julien Wilhelm

If you want to watch the video again (or for the first time)...  Click Here

Over, "Out", and doing laundry on a rainy day off, in Portsmouth, VA

Home Late Needed a Laugh...

Two 12 hour days in a row is killer on the feet...  I got home tonight around 10:15pm, Michael was already asleep, so I took off the shoes, grabbed a beer, turned on the TV to catch the news, and this is what I saw:

As it first appeared, I could have sworn this baby was in a toilet bowl cruising down the highway...  Fortunately I was wrong... Someone knew I needed to laugh...

Over, "Out", and Goodnight from Portsmouth, VA

Thanksgiving 2010

One of the many things I am thankful for are the people that visit and comment here!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Over, "Out", and Thankful, from Portsmouth, VA

BEPeas Kick off O's 24th Season...

I have DVR'd every Oprah episode this season after I missed this one... Thanks BosGuy for posting this and reminding me how cool it is:

I understand the crowd was there hours in advance of "O's" arrival and that there were choreographers in the audience instructing the fans (yes just regular people) on the dance steps and moves...  Not sure if this was truly the largest flash-mob or not, but who cares...  It was so COOL!

Over and "Out" from Thanksgiving week, here in Portsmouth, VA

ps: at 2:57 in the video "O" looks to say "Oh my Fucking God", maybe it was me???

You're a Firework...

I know I have babbled quite a bit in here regarding the "It Gets Better" project, but if there is just one person that thinks twice about taking their own life as a result of being uncomfortable in their own skin, then my babbling has paid off...

Katy Perry recognizes and salutes all youth (including the LGBT community) that struggle with bullying, differences, and imperfections in her new song "Firework". The song was good when I first heard it, but after seeing the video and listening more carefully to the words, it's so much better now...

Over and "Out" from a very chilly morning in Portsmouth, VA

You Icy Hard yet?...

I thought I'd follow up with my "You Hard as a Rock yet" post with this one...   Funny again how nature mimics ummm... human anatomy.  I hope none of my family are offended by nature's humor, and the fact that I actually took the time to find these ironic images (and also suggest that if you are reading this line, you may want to exit before reading the rest).  If only my balls were that big!!!

Regardless of the size of my personal parts, I am happy to say that the "spark" that lacked for some time (usually due to my heart and anxiety medications) has miraculously re-appeared in our relationship...  Michael is a quality guy and is quite understanding of my chemical needs' effect on my personal performance and libido. He has finally also "got it" that I am a "Morning Person"... It's a challenge sometimes, but I have also learned to help him time things better too. We both have screwy retail schedules, so when I get home at 9.30pm there are times that I just need to de-compress... Likewise, when he starts at 8.00am and I don't go in until noon, I just get up earlier, with him (thank you Eastern Standard Time), we both usually wake at the first signs of daybreak and after a cup or two of coffee, I am ready and re-energized...  Likewise I understand that he peaks in the evening... We play and kiss/cuddle and I usually help him fulfill his 38 year old needs, he's always good for another round in the morning :) or early morning if I wake up too early and need to fall back to sleep...

For those of you that question your compatibility after a couple years (Michael and I are celebrating our 2 years), all I can say is: "It too... Gets better". I was married (to a woman) for the 2nd time for almost 20 years. We had a few ups and downs (in bed and out of it) during that time, but it always came back together when we made adjustments to each other's needs and the needs of the family.  Michael is my family now, so I heed my own words...

I know it's been awhile since I opened my soul on what it's like to live a gay life...  I have been filling my posts with political and social propaganda and I apologize...  I have re-discovered one of the reasons I started this thing almost 5 years ago thanks to some of the new blogs I have linked in to...  You "newbies" to this "New Life of your's" will hopefully get me back on track...

Over and "Out" from a beautiful gay day, here in Portsmouth, VA

Lately Gay...

I am not working today, so amidst the cups of coffee and GMA I have been reading and linking through my personal blogroll, then reading more...

I happened across a blog that really touched a nerve. "Lately Gay" or as it's creator refers to it "LG", is a wonderful resource for those of us that grew into, or came to terms with, our sexuality later in life.

These are Stephen's own words as to how "Lately Gay" came to be:

"My name is Stephen and, in common with other users on this site, I've only reconciled myself to my true sexuality in my middle years. I was motivated to set up the site having realised that I was far from the only person in this situation (and unlikely to be the last!). Undoubtedly, its a bewildering stage in any person's life and made all the more difficult because it usually comes off the back of a marital break-up. Planet Gay (as I regularly think of our domain) is a world which, on the surface of it, many may know as the bars and clubs of Soho and Vauxhall with thousands of bright, young things struttin' their stuff. Now, if you happen to be middle-aged this may not be quite your thing. Even if it is, it can still be an intimidatingly young scene. However, that's merely a light candyfloss coating to the gay community. Beneath the veneer there are no end of interest groups, sports groups, theatre groups, ballroom dancing nights and the like which are very open and welcoming. Hopefully, Lately Gay will become a gateway by which the older new gay boy in town can feel his way around and start to feel comfortable in his new life."

Take a click over to his site and tell him you came over from here!

Over and "Out" from a day off in Portsmouth, VA

You hard as a rock yet?

I found this today, whilst on my cyber travels...

Who would have guessed that mother/father nature was so intuitive, and had such a sense of humor?

Over and "Out" from my much smaller world...

Tristan's Dog Tags

I never got dog tags, yet here are my grandson's....

Over and "Out" from my place in Portsmouth, VA

Star Trek's George Takei: It gets Better!

I have met George  and worked with him on more than one occasion during my brother's promoting days. He has always been so eloquent in his manner of speaking and who could forget his famous "Ohhh Myyyy" line?

Watch the video and listen to the message, It Gets Better!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Vote 2010!

Just a quick post to remind you, Yes, I'm talking about you my friend...   Take the 15 minutes to go over and vote today.  You can't gripe about what our government is doing, unless you participate in the process of electing the people that represent you and make the decisions for you, in that government.

On a side-note, I don't care who you are voting for...  JUST DO IT!

Over and "Out" on November 2, 2010, from my little precinct in Portsmouth, VA

Coming OUT 2010

I have written and reposted things in the past that truly epitomize the way I feel about my life today. This is a repost of exactly one of those things.  Since this is the official month of "coming out" I remind those that have not made it to this side of the closet, It gets better:

"I have met a number of people since coming out that have always been out, and what I mean by that is that they have lived their lives as homosexuals (hopefully I don't need to define that), yet they choose to hide their identity from the rest of the world. That is, they live in something that closely resembles "the closet" and describe themselves as "straight acting" and not into the gay scene. I have news for these folks. You are not gay! You are just homosexuals!

If we don't let the world know that we exist, (that we shop at the same supermarkets as they do, that we attend the same religious venues, that we park our car next to theirs at the mall, that we serve their meals to them when dining out, that we are their favorite performers and artists, that we are the people that answer the phone when they call our company for help), then we will never gain their trust and respect. We know who we are, and it's our responsibility to enlighten the rest of the world. It's our responsibility to help them understand that what we want is nothing more than what they want. We will never win the battle on equal rights by not allowing them to see us (and know us) as we are every day.

What I say to the "straight acting" homosexuals out there, that are embarrassed or uncomfortable to be gay and proud is: BE PROUD this month and let someone know (maybe just ONE person) who you really are, and what it is you really want! Unless all you want in your life is just sex behind closed doors without an open caring relationship to go along with it!

ps: I am a MAN that likes a MAN and if I offend anyone by using the term "straight acting" I apologize..."

Over and TOTALLY "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Editor's Pick? Be Careful what you wish for...

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

President Obama on "It gets better"...

This is the man I voted for two years ago...  Maybe there's still hope...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Gay Research...

A fellow associate at my old store has gone back to (Graduate) school to get an advanced degree (go for it KR!)... One of her papers is on Homosexuality and she has asked if I would participate by answering some questions for her research. Here are the questions and my responses:

1. When did you first notice having homosexual feelings? 

A: I think I have always known.. But if I had to put an age on it probably around 8-9, I just had no idea what it was called.

2. How and when did you come out to yourself? 

A: I started coming out to myself in my mid to late 20’s… Remember, it was the early 1980’s and being gay was not as accepted as it is today. The process took years.

3. How and when did you come out to others? 

A: The first person I ever “outed” myself to was my 2nd wife, before we got married. She asked me to marry her and I explained my situation to her. I did not truly come out to the rest of the world until 2005, it was my 50th birthday present to myself.

4. What were the first reactions you got from others? 

A: Most were very “stand-off-ish” after being told. I found out who my true friends were immediately. My youngest son and one of my brothers still do not talk to me.

5. Did their reactions change over time? 

A: Some did, most did not…

6. How did your family react?

A: Most were tolerant, very few accepted me.

7. How long did it take for you to start dating others of your gender?

A: Hahaha… About 10 minutes!! No, seriously I had already dated and had sex with other men earlier on in my life. But more so on the “DL”.

8. Have you encountered discrimination because of your sexuality? What types? 

A: Not to my face, but I have suspected it both professionally and personally.

9. Have you ever been favored in any way due to your sexuality? 

A: Yes, when selling… Gays and women seem to like to work with gay men.

10. Do you know of other homosexuals who are afraid to "come out"? Do you feel the need to "out" them involuntarily? 

A: I know of some yes… No I would NEVER out someone else…

11. How do you feel about the issue of same sex marriages? Homosexuals in the military? 

A: Civil Marriages between humans should not be limited in any way, nor should anyone’s right to serve proudly in the armed forces.

12. What groups and/or people (if any) helped you deal with the process of accepting your homosexuality?

A: Other gay friends helped some, but it was ME that accepted me…

I love enlightening other people... I know she would appreciate anyone else responding to the same questions as a comment here...

Over and "Out" from an overcast day in Portsmouth, VA

ps: You may want to add whether you are part of the GLBT community, or are a Straight Supporter (or not).

It Does get BETTER! Pass it on...

This is a great video message and here is another:



Pass either on if you know anyone that is questioning their life's value...

Over, "OUT", and BETTER...  From Portsmouth, VA

Purple on October 20th

On October 20th, 2010, I will wear purple in memory of the 7 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes or at at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what I’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Billy Lucas and Cody J. Barker. You are loved. Please show your support for the families and all those affected by these awful tragedies due to prejudice, discrimination, hate, and homophobic behavior.

Over and "Out" from the less than purple community of Portsmouth, VA

Life and Times, Born That Way...

I am grabbing a post from my blogging friend Geoff, over at "Life and Times of a Gay Guy".  It's not that I don't have my own views on the subject matter, it's more that he says it better...

"I have no experience being Italian, Jewish, Female, Blue Eyed, or Left-handed. So if I were to mount a public campaign against....let's say left handed people telling them I knew for certain they were not BORN left handed, but instead chose the sick immoral lifestyle of using their left hand predominantly...wouldn't you think I was insane?

Would the goal of my argument be to convince lefties to be righties? Or would it simply be a transparent effort to convince others that lefties were of the devil, reprobates or "less-thans"?

Why do political candidates and religious leaders even receive airtime with this drivel?

Let's step out of the crazy box for just a second and imagine some of the current crop of nuts like O'Donnell and Paladino, and the whackadoodle from Nevada get elected, because like it or not, it is a possibility. O'Donnell's campaign is picking up speed and Sharon Angle for all her batshit comments might look like a longshot but she hasn't been stomped in the dust like she should have been from the get go. So IF they get elected...what influence will they have on policy? What will life be like for their constituents? What will it be like for US when that kind of thinking becomes acceptable and spreads to OUR neck of the woods? 

The pathetic rhetoric of 'gays weren't born gay' may be laughable to you and I...but if it is allowed to be repeated and repeated and repeated...we may just find ourselves in a very familiar struggle all over again. 

When the Nazis came for the communists,

I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,

I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,

I did not speak out;

I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,

I remained silent;

I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out"

Over and "Out" once again, from Miami, FL

Welcome to MY-YAM-EEE (Miami):...

It's hard to believe that I called South Florida and Miami home (on and off) for 30 years...  What's even more difficult to believe is that Miami, (Miami-Dade County), continues to develop and sprawl out towards the everglades. Where once stood U-Pick tomato and strawberry fields, now stand Condos, Strip Malls, Wal-Marts, and the lot...  North Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street), which was once difficult to navigate, now has another lane with twice as many cars trying to claim passage...

Someone recently asked me if I would ever move back to Miami...   I have a standard response for those people...  "ONLY TO VISIT"...  The area is multi-cultural and a great place to spend a few days to absorb the sights and sounds.  But after that, I prefer a smaller town/city to a big one.  I will never complain about traffic in Virginia again...

Over and "Out" from Sunny MY-YAM-EEE

Meeting Tristan for the First Time:

This is my grandson Tristan and me holding each other for the very first time, today in Miami...

Totally "Messed" Up... Why?

Something is wrong...  Why should anyone have to wait to graduate high school to experience happiness?  The story of a College freshman begins here:

Just hours after his nosy roommate tried to turn a Rutgers University freshman’s date into free gay porn for his iChat buddies, the freshman was standing on the George Washington bridge.

When 18-year-old Tyler Clementi figured out his roommate was video taping his dates via Skype, he felt death was a better option than living on campus as an openly gay man.

A shy Rutgers freshman was so humiliated when two cruel classmates secretly streamed live video of his gay encounter that he leaped to his death from the George Washington Bridge, authorities said yesterday.

“Jumping off the gw bridge sorry,” Tyler Clementi, 18, posted on his Facebook page just eight minutes before his plunge at around 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 22.

It all started on September 19 when Dharun Ravi tweeted “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly’s room and turned on my Web cam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.”

If that wasn’t enough, authorities say Ravi didn’t keep the video to himself:

Ravi, 18, activated the Webcam on his computer and headed to high-school classmate Wei’s room down the hall.

Using Skype, the two remotely accessed the feed and saw Clementi engaged in a “sexual encounter” with another man, authorities said.

That’s when they had their “American Pie” moment — callously sharing it with Ravi’s network of friends on iChat.

It’s unclear how many people saw the streaming video, but Ravi bragged about his sordid spying in a Twitter post later that same night.

The roommate tried to do the same thing on September 21 and tweeted: “”I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12. Yes its happening again.”

Tyler’s body was discovered Wednesday. His two tormentors were arrested earlier in the week.

Ravi was arrested Tuesday, charged with invasion of privacy and freed on $25,000 bail. Wei, 18, of Princeton Junction, was arrested Monday on privacy-invasion charges and released without bail.

These freshmen had only been in college for a whole month...  Why does it have to start in College?

Over, "Out" and pissed off that someone took his own life because of bullying, from Portsmouth, VA

Not so Lady GAGA...

Corrine sent me a link to this video over on Facebook and I knew I had to share it over here:

I am still laughing...

Over and "Out" from laundry day, in Portsmouth, VA

Over and "Out" for Four years...

I just realized today, that I have been closing most of my posts with that line for over four years...  I have often thought about varying from that line and occasionally have purposely omitted it, but always come back to the fact that it's "my moniker", "my line", not unlike "Good Night and Good News" or "And That's the Way it is"... 

Perhaps it's alot less known in the world, but it is ME...

I guess my question, to anyone reading this is, is it annoying? Is it offensive?

Simple post for a rainy day from home, in Portsmouth VA

Oye Vey...

This week is going to be a killer...  I worked Saturday, Sunday and Today and I find I have even less tolerance for stupidity than I ever have... Most of our sales staff have been around for over a year, yet they never cease to amaze me with questions that only a month old "rookie" would ask.  Sometimes I just want to go over, slap them upside the head, and ask them if they took "stupid pills" on their two days off...  But I don't, I just let it get to me...  

I am off tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday, work early shift on Thursday, all day on Friday (bell to bell), but now have Saturday off.  We will leave earlier on Saturday for Miami and probably find a non-descript motel somewhere on the I-95 corridor in South Carolina or Georgia along the way to break up the long drive.

More to come, in the coming days...

Over and "Out" from home, in Portsmouth, VA 

Stepping Down, Part Two...

We, Michael and I, head to Florida this coming Saturday...  I am so looking forward to meeting my Grandson.  We will also head back up the coast to re-visit my Mom, hopefully reconnect with a great friend in Merritt Island, then visit another friend in Daytona, on our way back home to Virginia...

When we return I will no longer be the Operations Manager at the VCF Store at Chesapeake Square...  I will be (one of many) Home Furnishings Consultants (read: Sales Persons) at the VCF Store across from Greenbrier Mall, also in Chesapeake.

I am so looking forward to just minding my own business, and not having to deal with any one else's issues or complaints...   Good Lord I need a break...  Hopefully this will do the trick for awhile...

Greetings, and thanks for reading...  From Portsmouth, VA

Harry Potter... The end of a Phenomenon

I was never a big Harry Potter fan, until about halfway through the series of movies...  I have still never read, although I do love to read, any of the books... These movies, coming out in November of this year and July of next, seem the appropriate way to finalize the Harry Potter story...

Over and "Out" from my world in Portsmouth, VA

Stepping Down...

I have been pondering again, this past Saturday was the 55th anniversary of my birth in Bucks County, PA (yes, I am truly a Yankee), oddly enough, I spent it in Richmond (the Capital of the Confederacy) with my daughter.  While there, I got to thinking about work (how messed up is that? I hadn't seen her in over a year, and I was thinking about work)...

As a few of you might remember from posts back in May and June of 2007, I was excited about getting back into management after some time refocusing and de-stressing in the wake of my Cardiac Event in 2005. Part of that process included selling furniture on a 100% commission basis (enter my now five years with American Signature/Value City Furniture).  Anyway, back to this past weekend...  While enjoying time with my daughter, talking about stuff most parents and children never have to talk about, I started thinking about stuff that needed to be done at work, and whether my boss and the new Sales Manager would be able to handle the operations stuff for a whole weekend.  I realized the stress and anxieties that I had once shed, had returned...  I went back into management for the steady paycheck and because I know I am good at what I do.  A year after taking this job, I found out that the bonus I was promised, and had met all the criteria for, had been eliminated/terminated by the company (they forgot to communicate that fact with a few of us).  No biggie though, I knew I was excelling in this position, and I knew my merit increase would make up for some of the bonus loss.  

Enter the Bush Administration induced economic collapse and most signs for at least, a cost of living increase. The following year was pretty much the same, as is this current year (all merit increases for all associates happen in September/October)...  Mine will be less than 2%.  FUCK that!

On Tuesday, I sent an email to my store manager and the regional manager asking to "step down" from my current position as soon as a sales position at a neighboring store opened up...

More to come, as I process it...

Over and most certainly "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Just being silly...

I thought this a good way to finish my day...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

US Senate Vote 2:15pm 9/21/2010...

And better yet, this video from today:



Who would have thought that 24 year old Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) would be the one to reach out to the Millions of young Americans (represented by the same politicians that we are) that will be voting this year and the years to come.  The same youth that have been going to High School, College, and the MILITARY with other American GLBT friends, family, and acquaintances.  The same youth that already realize that DADT is an antiquated idea that could be reversed by the Defense Authorization Bill coming up for a vote tomorrow...

My thoughts, from my world...  In Portsmouth, VA

My Favorite version and video of F.U.

Thanks to my Cousin Jane, I remembered and am reposting this video in the shadow of DADT being voted on once again... Lighten up everyone, it's not the end of the world (oh wait, that's another great video)...

Over and "Out" once again from a day, less productive than I thought it would be! Thank goodness for previous posts and You Tube!!!

United 93... The one that got away...

I watched this film last night for the first time.  I felt it an apt end to the 9/11 weekend and my work week.  I have to tell you, I was tired when I got home at 9:30, but this movie kept me engaged until it's well known climax at Midnight... As soon as we got comfy in bed to watch this, I heard the little snarling noises coming from Michael's side of the bed and knew he was out...  It's usually the other way around. Michael can not fall to sleep with the TV on, yet for me it's like a mild sleeping pill. Once my body goes horizontal I am usually out like a light... After watching this last night it took me another 45 minutes or so (due to my brain still remembering that day), to fall asleep.

Anyone that feels a need to relive the date, the probable experiences of the heroes on that flight, and the chaos and frustration the FAA, Military, and Air Traffic Controllers had, must see this picture...  It was very intense...

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...  Michael and I are enjoying our mid-week weekend (we are both off today and tomorrow).  I go back to work Thursday and Friday, then head up to Richmond on Saturday (my 55th) to see my youngest and only daughter, then meet up with Michael on Sunday to head over to Kelly's (and Jeff's) wedding reception.  It should be a jam packed weekend...

Time to head to the grocery for some essentials, then start some laundry (I know, how domestic huh?)...

Over and "Out" from my little world, in Portsmouth, VA

ps: I changed the post date on this to yesterday...  just for fun...

Remember tomorrow...

It's been 9 years but I remember it like yesterday. So many lost, so many lost friends and family...

Remembering from my place in Portsmouth, VA

Earth Shattering News from Minnesota:

I was trying very hard to get a Stephen Colbert video to load correctly on blogger, but failed miserably...  Instead I bring you this breaking video from my Mom's birth-state of Minnesota:



Over and "Out" on a cooler evening, from Portsmouth, VA

Roller Coaster...

I love it that AT&T has used this theme for the new blackberry...   My cell service is through AT&T even though I choose not to browse the web on my little "zoo-lander" Walkman flip phone.  Regardless of my uses for a cell phone, I applaud the commercial...

Over and "Out" on the first day of September, from Portsmouth, VA

Who says you can't teach an "Old Dog" a new trick?

This is Audrey, our upstairs neighbor's 8 year old Great Dane...  Julian is in the Navy, he had to go on some submarine for a week or two.  His wife Jillian wanted to take advantage of her husband's absence and go visit her family in New Hampshire. She asked us to watch Audrey for the week...

Prior to this past week, Audrey was a non-smoking, tea drinking, no sex, run of the mill female Great Dane...  Michael and I have done our best to educate her while her parents were away...

We have introduced her to Miller Lite (you have to keep that girlish figure), Doral Ultralights (low tar and nicotine), and of course we pimped her out this week to help pay the rent...  Little did I know she would take it to this extreme, but at least it seems she is trying to recycle (a by-product of drinking beer from a bottle like her new gay step parents do) even though she knows smoking in the house is totally forbidden, it seems she got her "trick" out before we got home...

Please don't report us to PETA (just across the river from us in Norfolk). Over, "Out" and feeling a little guilty here in Portsmouth, VA  

Where were you: Eight-Twenty-four, of Ninety-two?

August 24, 1992, I was living in Miami Shores, a small city just north of downtown Miami (well actually about 85 blocks north)... and on that day in the wee hours of the morning, Hurricane Andrew made landfall twenty or so miles south of us.

What we experienced was nothing compared to what the people in South Miami, Kendall and Homestead had to deal with.  We had no power for a week, they had no power for (in some cases) 3-4 months... I can't imagine...

My first visit (post Andrew) to Kendall was like driving down some road on a distant planet.  The trees that once lined Kendall Drive had all been sheared off, mid-trunk. I mean, they weren't pulled out of the ground, or just topped, they were literally snapped in two my the force of this storm...

Funny thing, I lived in South Florida for almost 30 years, and since moving to Virginia in 1999, we have experienced the remnants of more named storms here, than we ever did there...  Am I a magnet?

Over and "Out" on a cooler evening, from Portsmouth, VA.