My New Life

I Dare You to leave a comment...

2012-01-27T09:42:00.000-05:00

Over and "Out" on a very rainy day here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Friend of Dorothy? Or Friend of Betty?

2012-01-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

As you can see by the above, I choose the latter...

Happy 90th Birthday Betty White... I always had a thing for Mary Tyler Moore, then when you came along as the Happy Homemaker (aka the happy home-breaker) as Sue Ann Nivens you caught and earned my allegiance as to what a snarky, funny, quipy woman can be...

And then came the Golden Girls... What can I say?

Bless you as a "Friend of Betty"...

Over and "Out" from another day in Portsmouth, VA USA

Does Mitt use lesbian quotes often?

2012-01-13T08:12:00.001-05:00

I was going to post one of the many "Mormon Tabernacle Choir" performances available on you-tube of this since the "Mittster" likes to quote the beautiful verses from the original poem written by Katharine Lee Bates. I just find it a little odd that Mr. Romney would use a poem written by an "alleged" Lesbian to try to make any points? That and who can resist a little "Babs in the morning"?

I have included the lyrics below, as I for one, never knew there were so many verses:

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the enameled plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till souls wax fair as earth and air

And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,

Whose stem impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till paths be wrought through

wilds of thought

By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale

Of liberating strife

When once and twice,

for man's avail

Men lavished precious life!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till selfish gain no longer stain

The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till nobler men keep once again

Thy whiter jubilee!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Republicans can play nice too...

2012-01-12T11:38:00.000-05:00

This is a video going around right now that many of you have probably already seen. The brother story is a phenomenal one that can't be beat...

The underlying story (that I see) is that the Republican Party is not all that bad. It's their alliance with the religious fundamentalists that has messed them up...

Remember my republican friends: Separation of Church and State... No candidate for any office in any state or federal office should be supported financially by any religious organization, unless that group would prefer not to receive all those (local, state, and federal) tax breaks they so enjoy.

Republicans are not all affiliated with the Christian Right, just like many Democrats are not supportive of gay rights and are not supportive of a woman's right to choose...

Golly, I need to use this soapbox to fill the holes under the fence that Ubu has been digging to play with the dog behind us...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth VA, USA

On Marriage and Divorce...

2012-01-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

One again I stood up and gave the ladies of the "View" (all of them including Elisabeth) an ovation of my own, after I saw this yesterday...

Marriage is Marriage, there is no law that says it has to be "performed" in a church or in any religious ceremony. I agree with the statement that divorce should be much higher on the priority list of what struggles any church or family has to contend with... I say "Give all Humans the right to marry whatever other Human they want to, but make divorce more difficult"...

Kicking my little soapbox back into the closet...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Who needs New Hampshire, When we have the Pope!!!

2012-01-10T17:07:00.000-05:00

Pope Benedict XVI denounced gay marriage in his annual “State of the World” address Monday, going so far as to say the same-sex nuptials threaten the future of humanity.

In the speech, the pope, 84, unleashed what some consider being his strongest tirade against gay marriage, saying it is among conventions that “undermine the family” and “threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself,” Reuters reported.

“Pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and woman,” the pontiff said.

“This is not a simple convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society,” he continued. “Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.”

The pope also condemned laws that “not only permit but at times even promote abortion for reasons of convenience or for questionable medical motives.”

The annual address was delivered to an audience of Vatican diplomats from nearly 180 countries.

The Catholic Church, which teaches that homosexual acts are sins, and that marriage should be between a man and woman, is a notorious adversary of same-sex unions.

Next month, the pope will elevate New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to cardinal. Dolan, a leading opponent of gay marriage, once sent a letter to President Obama, blasting the administration for not supporting a federal ban on gay marriage.

Dolan said Obama’s decision could “precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions.”

The pope touched on a wide range of topics in the new year address, including world violence and fiscal crisis.

Read the entire “State of the World” speech at Vatican Radio’s website:

As a cousin of mine said on her FB page: "The Pope's degrading and ignorant comments about gay marriage that he made in his state of the world address is a prime example of one of the many reasons I no longer consider myself a Catholic."

Thank you "M", I would have overlooked this ridiculous piece of oral-manure without you...

Over and "Out" from the side of my little soapbox, here in Portsmouth, VA USA

A Potential Bully... Your Own Father...

2012-01-09T13:15:00.004-05:00

You never know where some bullying stems from. Here is an interesting perspective from a store clerk that has some insight about potential threats from inside your own home...

This piece was originally published on Kristen's blog

You thought I didn't really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you.

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15 and 17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10 to 12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don't know how many of y'all play games, but that isn't exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called "Mirror's Edge." The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me, "Do you have any girl color controllers?" I directed him to the only colored controllers we have, which include pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually came in. He saw the game, and the controller, and started in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tried to convince him to get the new Zombie game "Dead Island" and the little boy just stood there repeating, "Dad, this is what I want, OK?" Eventually it turned into a full-blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he didn't choose different items.

That's when big brother stepped in. He said to his dad, "It's my money, it's my gift to him. If it's what he wants, I'm getting it for him, and if you're going to hit anyone for it, it's going to be me." Dad just gave his oldest son a strong stern stare-down, and then left the store. Little brother was crying quietly. I walked over and ruffled his hair (yes, this happened all in front of me). I said, "I'm a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There's nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it's different than what people think you should." I smiled, he smiled back (my heart melted!). Big brother then leaned down, kissed little brother on the head, and said, "Don't worry, dude."

They checked out and left, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.

I'm not sure that my Dad was a bully, but it sure felt like it sometimes...

More to come someday...

Over and comfortably "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

And... Finally This Week... Your Call...

2012-01-07T14:56:00.002-05:00

(Click to embiggen)

I have only used a couple of the photo's from George Takei's posts on facebook, here on my blog, but I found this one so appropriate considering today's political atmosphere... Please check out his blog as well...

Please excuse us if we are only a lighthouse... Your Call...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

A post script from: George Takei

Apologies to the fans for not checking first on the veracity of the naval incident. But honestly, lots of things that never happened are quite hilarious. Case and point: Michelle Bachman's bid for the whitehouse. Or her husband's conversion to heterosexuality.

Six on the Sixth - January 2012

2012-01-06T08:31:00.001-05:00

Once again, it's that time of the month, time for Six on the Sixth...

1. Employment numbers are Up, yet I remain unemployed.

2. Monday (this week) high temp was 33, yesterday was 65

(can you spell climate change?).

3. I have been having fun with "Archives.com" preparing a family tree

(with my family it's more like a forest though).

4. My paternal/biological Grandfather wrote at least two books,

Both are sitting on my coffee table and to my surprise, one is

actually autographed by him (I never knew the man) but ordered

his books through Amazon for $10 each.

5. It looks like Ubu's previous owners just abandoned him, welcome

to our family (he is so sweet and loyal).

6. I am writing this last night, and it's Beer-thirty... Cheers!

I need to jot down ideas for this series during the month rather than waiting for the last minute to come up with my Six... What about you (that we may not know) would you like to share? Give it a try!

Over and "Out" on another 6th day of the month, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Wash, Rinse and Repeat, Repeat, Repeat...

2012-01-05T11:54:00.000-05:00

For those of you that have followed this blog for awhile, you may remember (back in June 2008) I attempted to ween myself off of EFFEXOR, the anti-anxiety/anti-depressant that many people take in varying doses. My attempt failed on that round (even with my doctor's help)...

Here I am over three years later trying to deal with the withdrawal symptoms once again. All I can say is YUCK! I had forgotten how this medication works. It kinda numbs your senses, not just some of them, but alot of them... I have never teared up (watching movies, videos, and/or reading stories) so much as I have in the past few weeks. Between those events and the "buzzy-headed" feeling, the upset stomach and a multitude of other side effects (see the photo above for some of them) I have felt like crap...

Hopefully I will make it all the way through this time, to never again be tricked into the "possible" benefits from medications like these... On the upside, I am sleeping better, have regained short and long term memories, and... wait for it... wait for it... I actually had dreams (of a sexual nature last night) and they were awesome...

Wish me luck, and please understand why my posts may be just a little sporadic...

Over and "Out" on the first week of 2012, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Merry Merry Christmas Christmas 2011 2011...

2011-12-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

Meet my new twin Grand-babies Haiden and Hailey... Born December 19, 2011 at 11:19pm.

If that's not the best Christmas present ever, I don't know what could be...

Over, "Out" and beaming from ear to ear, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Merry Christmas 2011...

2011-12-25T07:33:00.000-05:00

Looking across the Elizabeth River at downtown Norfolk from downtown Portsmouth.

Safe travels to all!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

That's LIFE...

2011-12-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

This is an interesting snippet from the July 7, 1927 issue of "Life" magazine (as digitized by Google)... Does anyone remember when these magazines did not have photos? I kind of scanned the whole issue and found it fascinating... The ads were all drawn, including the Automobile ads:

The interesting thing about this, as I do not remember magazines having only illustrations (rather than photos), is that the winner of the "Alibi" contest for this issue, was my paternal grandfather, who happened to live in Richmond, VA at the time... You can click on any of the images and it will take you to the original issue...

More on this in future posts, but remember, I did not visit Richmond VA until I relocated there in 1999...

Over and "Out", from Portsmouth, VA USA

All Wrapped Up for the Holiday...

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

This has been a very frugal Holiday for me. I find it hard to get into the spirit of the season when I am more concerned about how I will make ends meet financially.

I like to shop for family and friends, but this year I have decided we just can't afford it... We got Michael's son his gifts (an iPod touch and all the trimmings)... We will figure out something for each other after I get back to work...

We did decorate and that has helped my mood some, as has the above photo as my desktop background...

I hope all my blogging friends have a great Christmas. I am sure to post more beforehand, but if I don't Happy Holidays to all!!

Over, "Out" and a little depressed, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Christmas Lights are UP...

2011-12-09T20:24:00.000-05:00

My first upload on YouTube... Am I a genius or not?... NOT

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Six on the Sixth - December

2011-12-06T07:47:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I've done this, where the heck did November go? Here goes this month's list of six things few of my blogging friends don't know about me:

1. All three of my siblings and I have the same mother, but only 2 of them

(and I) share the same (natural) father.

2. My Dad adopted all 3 of us and legally changed our name when he

was in his early 20's and past away in his mid 40's.

3. My natural father's family did not come into my life until I was in my 40's.

4. They all believed he (birth father) had passed away sometime in the '60's.

5. I have a vast number of "new" cousins, aunts, and uncles now.

6. My biological father (I call him Pop) reappeared about 5 years ago

(he has been living in Tasmania since the 1960's).

Interesting stuff huh? My Dad had some big ones to adopt 3 kids and then have another all before his 25th birthday. I do miss him...

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

Twenty Years Gone... RIP Pan Am...

2011-12-04T11:57:00.000-05:00

Twenty years ago today, December 4, 1991, Pan American World Airways ceased all operations. As I have written about in past posts, my Grandfather was a pilot for them for over 35 years. As an om-age to the long life of what was once considered the flagship airline of the United States, I found the video above that chronicles the airline's history through the 1970's. It finishes with hope for a hope for the future which never happens...

It's a little long, but the photos of some of the memorabilia is extensive...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

World AIDS Day 2011.. RVA Remembers...

2011-12-02T09:04:00.001-05:00

Who would have thought that the Capital of the Confederacy (aka: Conservative Richmond, VA) could have pulled this off? 400 red umbrellas (each sponsored by someone like me) opened at exactly 12:00noon, on a Thursday afternoon, on an island in the middle of the James River off the downtown area, to support World AIDS Day 2011...

I have a great friend Kelly Stern (over at Rambling Along in Life), that was very involved in this event, as was the Fan Free Clinic and numerous sponsors... Thanks Kelly for making sure the umbrella I sponsored opened on time! (I do hate a pre-mature release of any kind, at any place)...

I wish I could have been there...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Just a PS on this... The front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch AND The Washington Post, both featured this story and event.. Congrats to all!!!

Macys Screams for Bieber...

2011-11-23T07:43:00.000-05:00

Saw this this morning... Had to share...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

A Lesson in Making a Difference...

2011-11-17T08:42:00.001-05:00

There's a story I would like to share with you. It was inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley. Eiseley was a very special person because he combined the best of two cultures. He was a scientist and a poet. And from those two perspectives he wrote insightfully and beautifully about the world and our role in it.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" the wise man asked.

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" said the writer.

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. "It made a difference for that one!"

His response surprised the man. He didn't know how to reply. So instead, he turned away and walked back to the cottage to begin his writings.

All day long as he wrote, the image of the young man haunted him. He tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late in the afternoon he realized that he the had missed out on the essential nature of the young man's actions. Because he realized that what the young man was doing was choosing not to be an observer in the universe and make a difference. He was embarrassed.

That night he went to bed troubled. When the morning came he awoke knowing that he had to do something. So he got up, put on his clothes, went to the beach and found the young man. And with him he spent the rest of the morning throwing starfish into the ocean.

You see, what that young man's actions represent is something that is special in each and everyone of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can, like that young man, become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our vision the power to shape the future.

And that is our challenge. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, We can all make a difference to someone or something. IT DOES GET BETTER!!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Bullying and the Crumpled Paper Lesson... The View...

2011-11-09T11:46:00.002-05:00

Today on "The View", Elisabeth (one of my least favorite of the hosts) Hasselback, re-counted the following lesson "from a NY teacher"... I prefer to give Kelly Ripa of "Live with Regis and Kelly" the credit for this story forever (although I would love to know the teacher's name, that came up with it originally).

While Elisabeth's segue seemed less meaningful than Kelly's, I do give her credit for bringing the story back up in her abbreviated form. Here is my original post based on Kelly's story of the teacher's lesson at her child's school. Again it is paraphrased based on my limited recollection and does contain a little artistic license:

"The teacher gave each student a clean crisp sheet of paper. She then instructed the class to crumble up the piece of paper, toss it around, get angry with it, and stomp on it.

After which, she told the students to return to their seats (with their piece of paper), flatten it out on the top of their desks, making it as flat and perfect as they can, and finally, apologize to the paper.

When all the students had done their best to iron out the paper and apologize to it, the teacher picked up the paper on the first classmates desk, held it up so the entire class could see it and said:

If this piece of paper had been another person, and you had done all those things to him or her, by making them feel less than perfect (through your words or actions), these are the scars you would leave. That person would never be the same, no matter how many times you tell them you are sorry, no matter how many times you try to smooth things out..."

Again, what a great way to share the point. While I am a firm believer in the "It gets Better" campaign, wouldn't it be so much better if we all learned this lesson beforehand?

Thank you to all the bloggers, parents, and concerned citizens for linking back to my page for the original story... And thank you Kelly Ripa for sharing it with all of us...

IT GETS BETTER!!!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Six on the Sixth - November

2011-11-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here is the next installment of my Six on the Sixth series. This time I am going to include the number 6 in each of my six disclosures...

1. This month my blog (the one you are reading) hit 66,000 page views.

2. I am truly Six feet tall.

3. I turned Fifty "6" years old this year and am feeling it.

4. Yes, it's only Six inches long... But it works fine for me.

5. The sailboat I grew up on "Firebird" was Sixty-Six feet long overall...

6. I had my cardiac event (Heart Attack) Six years ago this past February.

So, there you go... Six on the Sixth, including the number 6, for November 2011...

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

Crumpled Paper and Bullying Revisited...

2011-11-04T14:56:00.001-04:00

It appears that my post about crumpled paper and bullying has been a hit... I went from an average of 100 hits a day to over 300 hits in a matter of days... Here is the story one more time:

I was watching Regis and Kelly the other morning. Kelly was talking about being on a panel at Rutgers University (the night before) as a part of an AC360 (Anderson Cooper) special about bullying.

After she explained what it was all about, she added that her kids go to a very "progressive" school and recounted a lesson by one of the teachers at that school. The following is paraphrased based on my limited recollection and does contain a little artistic license:

"The teacher gave each student a clean crisp sheet of paper. She then instructed the class to crumble up the piece of paper, toss it around, get angry with it, and stomp on it.

What a great way to make a point. While I am a firm believer in the "It gets Better" campaign, wouldn't it be so much better if we all learned this lesson beforehand? I think even most of out politicians can learn from this too...

Thank you to all the bloggers, parents, and concerned citizens for linking back to my page for the original story... And thank you Kelly Rippa for sharing it with all of us... IT CAN GET BETTER!!!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Halloween - GOP Style...

2011-10-31T07:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Over, "Out" and waiting for the trickle-down, from Portsmouth, VA USA

This is Halloween... Another look!

2011-10-29T14:20:00.000-04:00

Another look at the same house in my last post with a different song...

Halloween is a comin' get ready!

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

Party Rockin' Halloween...

2011-10-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

My blogging and FB friend Jeff (who doesn't blog much anymore) posted this and I thought it fun to watch and listen to as we all approach All Hallows Eve...

Enjoy!

Over and "Out", the Sunday before Halloween, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Spirit Day 2011

2011-10-20T12:22:00.003-04:00

Happy Spirit Day, hope you all wore purple!

Info from HRC: Human Rights Campaign:

It's more evident than ever: discrimination and hate aren't reserved for far right politicians and pastors.

Last month at The Master's School outside Hartford, CT, a model student told school administrators she was a lesbian – and was immediately told to withdraw.

And just last week in New Jersey, a special education teacher publicly tore into gays and lesbians in a hideous tirade on Facebook, calling homosexuality "a perverted spirit."

It's all happened in the last few weeks around National Coming Out Day, a time to encourage openness – not intimidation, discrimination, or hatred.

If incidents like these make you want to stand up and say "No more!" you're not alone. Since we launched our new Call it Out campaign, HRC supporters have written hundreds of thousands of letters holding people accountable for discrimination..

HRC has made remarkable progress together in the last few years. From repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," to boosting awareness of bullying, to winning marriage equality in New York – our movement has only grown in its victories.

But opposition to LGBT rights continues, and it isn't relegated to the far-right fringe. You and I are up against mainstream, powerful organizations like the Catholic Church, whose top U.S. bishop just sent a letter to President Obama threatening a "national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions" if he continues to stand up against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

We won't stand for these damaging attacks, and I know you won't either – certainly not when lives and livelihoods are at stake.

Demand school policies that protect students, just as we did this week when HRC supporters like you sent 49,619 letters to The Master's School asking that they adopt a non-discrimination policy;

Continue to push New Jersey school officials to investigate teacher Viki Knox for her anti-LGBT Facebook rant;

Mobilize red-state communities to fight for equality and help stop bullying through our "On the Road to Equality" national bus tour; and,

Grow our Welcoming Schools program, which helps school communities embrace family diversity and reject harmful bullying and name-calling.

Just some info worth thinking about...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Choice or pre-disposed genetic variation?....

2011-10-12T12:38:00.001-04:00

I was chatting with a man online today. He described himself as a bisexual cross dresser. I understand the bisexual part. I think that every person is sexually attracted to the same sex in some way (say on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being almost exclusively attracted to the opposite sex and 10 being almost exclusively attracted to the same sex). The person's choice (yes I said choice) to act on their personal (genetically predisposed) attraction to the same sex as a sexual partner, is totally based (I believe) on their upbringing and where they fall in that scale. For people on the low end of the scale they may never act on that attraction, while people on the higher end of that same scale may never act on the opposite.

My upbringing as a practicing Catholic fooled me into believing that acting on the same-sex desires that I had all through my young life, was wrong or sinful. I did act on them periodically but always felt dirty and sinful afterwards. I pretended for years that I was near the bottom of that 1-10 scale, got married two times (to women), and have four great children as a result of my religious beliefs (and those marriages). I do not regret any of that especially knowing that I was not the only one to stifle those desires for a same sex encounter or relationship.

Now for my point (as vague as it may seem to be), I have dressed up a total of three times in my life, as a woman. The first was when I was 9 or 10 and I dressed up like Aunt Jemima for Halloween. The second time (also for Halloween) was as the "Church Lady" from SNL in the early 80's. The last time was as Lady Gaga last year for a neighbor's Halloween party (yes the photo above was me, not the real Gaga). I am a pretty open-minded guy, but for something other than a Halloween "scream", why would any man think he would be sexy or attractive to another man if he was dressed as a woman? Personally to me, I am sexually attracted to men that are MEN (not that I don't like a good Drag Show)...

I guess the whole point of this post is: Is Cross-dressing (not Transgender or Transsexual) a choice? Or is it too, a pre-disposed genetic variation of our species?

Just wondering what others might think...

Over and "Out" on a rainy day, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Ode to my Baby Brother, and Coming Out...

2011-10-10T11:44:00.001-04:00

Today is my baby brother's 53rd birthday... How in the world have we gotten this old? Wait... Don't answer that, I'm not ready for the truth...

I have posted about my coming "out" stories before and since tomorrow (10/11) is National Coming Out Day, and today is my brother's birthday, I figured I'd write something about his reaction when I finally came out to him...

I was very concerned as to how he would think of me if I were to tell him I was gay so when I came out (actually quite inadvertently on 10/11/2005) I did not call him or talk to him for a couple of months.

As a little back story here, I have always been very proud of my little brother. He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and passion and I so admired him for that, but I really never knew where he stood on issues (such as gay rights). Even though he moved to Cape Cod many years ago, I suspect that there are still a few conservative souls left in that State/Commonwealth... He and I became closer over the years that he was promoting Star Trek conventions all over the country and world and would call me (in Miami) and fly me to the city he was hosting a show (asking if I could help him out), but I still really never knew how accepting he would be.

On Christmas Day in 2005, he called me. By then he had probably talked to several other family members, but in his words to me that day, he wanted to hear it from me. I hemmed and hawed a little before just blurting out that I was gay and felt that I always was, even though I was married and had four kids...

I waited for his response...

He said: "Tom, I am so proud of you, that you have done this, I'm sure it took a lot of consideration, and I am so happy for you and so proud to be your brother"...

Not at all what I expected, and to this day I still don't know why. He has always been supportive and never gone off on rants (like I sometimes do), he is the only of the 4 boys to stay married to the first person he wed. I guess by not confiding in him in those years preceding my coming out, I was the one that missed out on something...

To my little brother: Happy Birthday, thanks for being my friend, and I love you!

Over and "Out" Six years tomorrow, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Crumpled Paper and Bullying...

2011-10-07T06:00:00.005-04:00

I was watching Regis and Kelly yesterday morning. Kelly was talking about being on a panel at Rutgers University (the night before) as a part of an AC360 (Anderson Cooper) special about bullying.

"The teacher gave each student a clean crisp sheet of paper. She then instructed the class to crumble up the piece of paper, toss it around, get angry with it, and stomp on it.

When all the students had done their best to iron out the paper and apologize to it, the teacher picked up the paper on the first classmates desk, held it up so the entire class could see it and said:

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

ps: If you liked this please leave a comment or click on "Home" above and read more of my story... and thanks to ocalamom.com for including a gay man's website link to your stories...

Six on the Sixth - October

2011-10-06T08:06:00.001-04:00

This is part of a continuing series. On the sixth of each month I will post 6 little known facts about myself:

1. On the 11th of October I will have been totally out for 6 years.

2. I did not know that October 11th was National Coming Out Day.

3. I didn't tell my Mom I was gay until her 70th birthday.

4. I think she was surprised, but it didn't change a thing.

5. I have never owned any "Apple" product.

6. I feel a little guilty about #5, especially with the news of Steve Jobs passing.

Life is good here in Virginia. The weather is finally getting a little cooler and I am happy for that.

Over and "Out", from Portsmouth, VA USA

I Loves PUSSY...

2011-09-21T13:45:00.000-04:00

Ok, maybe not "pussy" but definitely kittens... And Star Wars ...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Cheney's both ok gay marriage... I am so relieved...

2011-09-18T11:34:00.000-04:00

The above video was from Tuesday's broadcast of The View. A friend of mine suggested I post this on my blog, I just wish Whoopi's reaction to the final comment by Mr. Cheney was included in the clip. It was truly "priceless".

Here is the account of the interview:

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, surprised viewers on Tuesday's episode of "The View" when they they expressed their support for gay marriage.

"I think freedom means freedom for everybody," said the former vice president, "and you ought to have the right to make whatever choice you want to make with respect to your own personal situation."

"I certainly don't have any problem with it," he added.

Barbara Walters, one of the hosts of "The View," raised the subject when she asked Lynne Cheney what she thought of gay marriage.

Lynne Cheney responded by telling Walters about their gay daughter, Mary, and her partner, Heather, who have two kids. "Whatever Mary and Heather decide to do is up to Mary and Heather," she said.

"So you're not against gay marriage?" Walters asked.

"That's right," Lynne Cheney said, nodding as the crowd applauded.

This isn't the first time that Dick Cheney has expressed support for gay marriage, and his comments on Tuesday echoed what he said at the National Press Club in June 2009. But in those comments, however, he added that he believed that same-sex marriage "ought to be handled on a state-by-state basis."

The former vice president was on "The View" promoting "In My Time," his new memoir.

Over, "Out" and a year older (today) from Portsmouth, VA USA

Filler between the Meat...

2011-09-15T09:38:00.000-04:00

Einstein Optical Illusion - Watch MoreFunny Videos

Who doesn't like British humor... Just a note... Make sure you watch until the end... You'll love the optical illusion of the Queen too!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA (with obviously too much time on my hands).

Welcome Home Lower Manhattan!

2011-09-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

Now that the memorial ceremonies are over... I felt it more appropriate to look to the future... Welcome home Lower Manhattan... Welcome Home!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Intense wireless hack...

2011-09-08T18:00:00.002-04:00

Something fun:

Images Courtesy of The Chive

I love a good hack, especially one that requires me to throw back a cold one before hand (or during). This simple wifi boost has actually been shown to increase signal strength by at least 2 to 4 bars. And, well, I will drink to that.

These instructions came to us via The Chive and we think they are most definitely worth checking out. But here is the most important question: what kind of beer will you use?

For this project you are going to need scissors, a utility knife, some adhesive putty and an empty beer can. More than one empty beer can is acceptable but don’t kid yourself, the router only needs the one.

The first step is to wash out your empty beer can, unless of course said beer is a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. If it is PBR, promptly go drink a better beer. You really should be ashamed of yourself.

Once the can has dried, you will want to remove it’s pull tab.

Only perform this next step if you have not been drinking. Using the utility knife, saw off the bottom of the can. Chances are your can will not have a red dotted line. If you see one, put down the knife…you’ve had too much beer.

You’ll notice in the above step that the can’s pull tab has returned. Clearly, there are only two possible reasons for this. One, you are really drunk and you never removed the tab in the first place. Or–the more likely answer–beer cans can regenerate themselves.

It’s the home stretch! You just need to attach your modded beer can to the wifi router. Hopefully no other parts of the can have actually grown back. You now have beer-fi!

So, what kind of beer did you use?

I swiped this from here

Over and "Out" with great signal strength, from Portsmouth, VA USA

ps: I only drink beer from a bottle, I had to find a can in the neighbor's trash....

Six on the Sixth - September

2011-09-06T06:06:00.000-04:00

Has is already been a month since I did this last? Seems like just last week, where did the Summer go? Here goes the six on the sixth for September:

1. I learned to cook out of necessity (on the boat), as my family got seasick.

2. I prefer hanging by a pool rather than hanging at the beach.

3. After 30+ years in the tropics, I prefer snow to heat and humidity.

4. I love older homes with character (ours was built in 1929).

5. By choice, my cellphone is not a "smartphone" and has no internet access.

6. I like all sorts of fruit, but will rarely eat watermelon.

That's it for this month's six on the sixth. I hope someone is learning a little more about me... If nothing else it's kinda fun to list this stuff!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Labor Day 2011

2011-09-05T14:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Labor Day to all!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Mommy, they are just like me....

2011-09-01T02:04:00.001-04:00

This was posted by a fellow blogger and originally came from HERE...

It's a great story and brings back just a couple of memories from my youth (that never happened)...

My oldest son is six years old and in love for the first time.

He is in love with Blaine from Glee.

For those who don’t know Blaine is a boy…a gay boy, the boyfriend of one of the main characters, Kurt.

This isn’t a ‘he thinks Blaine is really cool’ kind of love. It is a mooning at a picture of Blaine’s face for a half hour followed by a wistful “He’s so pretty” kind of love.

He loves the episode where two boys kiss. My son will call people in from other parts of the house to make sure they don’t miss his ‘favorite part.’ He’s been known to rewind it and watch it over again…and force other to, as well, if he doesn't think people have been paying enough attention.

This infatuation doesn't bother me or his father. We live in a very hip-liberal neighborhood, many of our friends are gay, and idea of having a gay son isn’t something that bothers either of us. Our son is going to be who he is, and it is our job to love him. End of story.

He is also six. Six year olds get obsessed with all kinds of things. This might not mean anything at all. We always joke that he’s either gay, or we have the best blackmail material in the history of mankind when he’s a 16 year old straight boy. (Take that naked bath time pictures!)

Then the other day we were traveling across the state listening to the Warblers album (of course), and in the middle of Candles, my son pipes up from the back seat.

“Mommy, Kurt and Blaine are boyfriends.”

“Yes, they are,” I affirm.

“They don’t like kissing girls. They just kiss boys.”

“That’s true.”

“Mommy, they are just like me.”

“That’s great, baby. You know I love you no matter what?”

“I know…” I could hear him rolling his eyes at me.

When we got home I recapped this conversation to his Dad, and we stood simply looking into each other’s eyes for a moment. Then we smiled.

“So if at 16 he wants to make a big announcement at the dinner table, we can say ‘You told us when you were six. Pass the carrots’ and he’ll be disappointed we stole his big dramatic moment,” my husband says with a laugh and hugs me.

Only time will tell if my son is gay, but if he is I am glad he’s mine. I am glad he has been born into our family. A family full of people who will love and accept him. People who will never want him to change. With parents who will look forward to dancing at his wedding.

And I have to admit, Blaine would be a really cute son-in-law.

I love this story and wish I had this kind of support when I was younger (it didn't exist in the 60's)...

Over and "Out" from 2011, in Portsmouth, VA USA

Bye... Bye... IRENE...

2011-08-29T12:17:00.002-04:00

Ok, so that was not too much fun...

Saturday began with tons of rain and alot of wind coming out of the north and northeast... We kept the TV set to our local favorite wvec.com (the ABC affiliate here in Hampton Roads). They ran non-stop all day and evening and the coverage was exceptional (though at times very repetitive)...

We had some dinner and settled in to bed around 9:00pm after switching to the Food Network for something other than hurricane coverage. I awoke around midnight hearing some unusual noises. It appears our power crapped out at around 10:30pm and I started to hear more of the effects of the "backside" of Irene, coming from outside the house. I headed out to the front porch (which had been safe all day) only to find that the wind had shifted dramatically and was now coming from the side of the house and nearly blew me off the porch (in only my boxer-briefs)...

Irene's posterior proved to be much more intense than her front side. The rain was not as severe, but the wind was much stronger (at least for us). Large tree limbs and alot more smaller debris arrived during the overnight hours.

After a very sporadic (sleep-wise) night, we woke to yards and streets filled with organic materials layered over all the normal surfaces.

Our neighbors upstairs to the west (all 3 homes) and across the street were either already out of town or had bugged out on Friday. I texted all of them to "Not hurry back" as we had no power. Most showed up before noon-time regardless. We did a group cleanup of the leaves and branches then all hung out on the porch hoping our electricity would come back on before bedtime. Our neighbors' two young girls were a bit antsy so we fired up a sprinkler in our front yard to give them something to do. Of the six adults, I don't think one of us didn't take a run or two through that sprinkler to cool off too...

I will probably recall more of our experiences as the days pass. I would however, like to thank our really cool neighbors for making the day (Sunday) more palatable... Thanks Toni, Meredith, Ryan, Brian, and of course my Michael for helping the day pass with a little less stress.

Over and "Out" for today, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Four)

2011-08-26T13:50:00.002-04:00

Just received this on the City's Facebook feed. Our garbage can is still full and in the street... I am not bringing that smelly thing into my house!

Over and "Out" from the closed city of Portsmouth, VA USA

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Three)

2011-08-26T10:13:00.003-04:00

Forecast for Portsmouth, Virginia

Hurricane Warning in effect...

Today
Partly sunny this morning...then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds around 5 mph...becoming east 10 to 15 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Tonight
Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions possible. Cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then rain likely with scattered thunderstorms after midnight. Rain may be heavy at times after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. East winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph...increasing to 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Saturday
Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions possible. Rain and scattered thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times. Near steady temperature in the upper 70s. Northeast winds 45 to 55 mph. Gusts up to 70 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Saturday Night
Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions possible. Rain and scattered thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times. Near steady temperature in the mid 70s. North winds 55 to 70 mph with gusts up to 85 mph...becoming northwest 50 to 60 mph with gusts up to 75 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Sunday
Tropical storm conditions possible. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph... diminishing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon.

Not looking so good for us here...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Two)

2011-08-25T10:25:00.001-04:00

Hmmm... Based on my first post (two days ago) it looks like the Hurricane Center's prediction about Irene is pretty close. The local news has pretty much dropped any discussion on the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the east coast (including our area) and in it's place is repetitive coverage of the impending hurricane.

I understand the need to encourage residents to act early to protect property, but the local news here runs from 5pm to 6:30pm in the evenings and from 4:30 to 7:00 every morning... Irene, Irene, Irene... Yack, Yack, Yack...

I know it's only going to get worse over the next few days... I so remember Brian Norcross (the local ABC Weatherman in Miami) before (and after) Hurricane Andrew blew through South Florida 19 years ago yesterday. He was talking to people in closets, bathtubs, and under mattresses (on the phone) giving them advice as to what to do. He is now one of the Hurricane Experts on the Weather Channel...

I'll try to keep everyone posted, unless "someone drops a house on me too"...

Over, "Out", in the path of Hurricane Irene, here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Eye... Eye... IRENE...

2011-08-23T11:37:00.001-04:00

I was pretty convinced that Irene was going to slip right into "Hurricane Alley" (that area of water between the Southern Bahamas and Northern Hispaniola)... When living in Miami and the Bahamas, we always were warned that when these storms come up through "The Alley" you've got to watch out as Miami has often been the preferred destination of hurricanes on that path....

Not so this time... Looks like Irene is heading our way (the mid-Atlantic coast) and may be arriving as an unwanted guest for Sunday dinner... (See forecast graphic above)...

We'll see where this one wanders. Meanwhile:

Over and "Out" on an absolutely beautiful day, here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Virginia's First Light Rail System...

2011-08-19T10:13:00.000-04:00

Is there any other state in the union that doesn't already have a light rail system? I was amazed when first moving to Richmond (from Miami) in 1999 that there was none there.

Anyway, Introducing the "TIDE"... 13 years in planning, almost 4 years of construction, 330 Million dollars (way over budget) and a year and a half behind schedule...

Today was almost like a holiday in downtown Norfolk. The local news had live rides, and interviews all morning, people showed up just to "Ride-The-Tide"... Now, I do remember when Miami's Metro-rail opened (the first phase) and later the elevated Metro-mover, and it was a helluva hoopla... So I guess Norfolk touting Virginia's first light rail is truly a BIG thing...

Congrats to the City and to all the taxpayers of Virginia!

Over and "Out" from across the river in Portsmouth, VA USA

Who Says Bachmann doesn't Suck?

2011-08-15T09:51:00.000-04:00

I know this picture is making it's rounds (as are many of Ms Crazy Eyes) but I had to download it and post it for shit's and giggles... I wonder if "Marcia" (aka Marcus) taught her how to do this as part of his "pray away the gay" program...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Who can't resist a Gay Top...

2011-08-14T12:28:00.000-04:00

A friend from Vegas posted a few of these vintage 1950's (or possibly earlier) ads, from gaytwogether on his facebook page and I was amazed by the titles more than the content...

What wonderful ads they would make in today's media marketplace, or even the upcoming election cycle...

Speaking of which, is anyone else surprised that Michelle and "Marcia" Bachmann are claiming a "major" victory after some 4900 people voted for them in the Iowa Straw Poll yesterday? I can get 4900 people to vote to see me with my pants down (and that certainly ain't sayin' much)...

Over and "Out" with less than 4900 votes, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Show us Integrity and grow some Huevos....

2011-08-09T13:54:00.001-04:00

As some may know, I am a firm believer in the theory of "The Four Agreements", a book by don Miguel Ruiz. Our elected officials (Congress, Senate and Administration) should take heed and take a peek at this book and the teachings it contains. Go ahead, take your time, enjoy your summer vacation (while some of us have no job)... Take a quick look at what the four agreements shares:

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

I have probably shared these with alot of people in my life, but after the past few weeks, I firmly believe Washington DC politicians need to open and read something other than "How to fuck up America" ...

Over and "Out" from my soapbox here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Best Thing about Me...

2011-08-07T08:22:00.000-04:00

I was reading some of the Facebook posts on my feed and ran across the above video posted by my sister-in-law. I have always liked the songs that Ricky Martin chooses to perform, but this one has an infectious melody (thanks Sharon) that I will be humming all day now...

Over and "Out" with the best things, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Six on the Sixth - August

2011-08-06T01:00:00.005-04:00

Ok, I started this and will continue until someone tells me to "Shut the F**k up"...

A few more things that some may not know about me. Unless you have read my blog from the beginning:

1. I was born in Doylestown (Bucks County). Pennsylvania, in 1955.

2. I migrated (with my parents) to Santa Barbara, California in 1956.

3. I moved to Carmichael, California in the early 60's (with my
Mom and soon to be Dad).

4. We all (3 brothers, a cat and dog) moved to St. Croix in the
US-VI's in the late 60's.

5. After that, also in the late 60's we moved to Coral Gables, Florida.

6. We (my parents) found a family sized sailboat to live on, in
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in the early 70's.

Obviously there are a few more things you may (or may not) know about me coming on the 6th... Stay tuned, or tune out... Your choice!

Over and "Out" on the sixth, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Duck and Cover...

2011-08-02T10:11:00.001-04:00

I totally swiped the above off Joe My God's blog... I watched it a couple times just to put the timelines in perspective... There were several periods that the tests were ravaging, yet there were also months and years where almost no blasts occurred... How many of you remember those "Duck and Cover" drills in school?

And they wonder what causes global warming... Where is all the fallout from these explosions? Doesn't the radioactivity hang around for like a zillion years?

Just Sayin'

Over and Thermonuclearly "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Happy Summer w/Kenny Chesney...

2011-07-28T16:44:00.001-04:00

Everyone needs to have something to look at during the summer... I think I found mine (see above).

Over and totally "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

ps: I have been to a lot of places but I have never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can't go there alone! You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there! I have however been in Sane! They don't have an airport though, you have to be driven there. I've made several trips & I am planning another one in the near future...

Brian Williams on Letterman about Regis...

2011-07-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

This was too funny not to post, especially if you are a fan of Live with Regis and Kelly:

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Attack of the killer June Bugs...

2011-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Last night after a sweltering 102f degree day, we had a nice batch of thunderstorms move through the area. They were more like mini-monsoons and blew practically everything off our front porch.

Waking up this morning at around 6:30, I went out front and picked up the scattered mess only to find another disaster... June Bugs everywhere... Every time I opened the front door, several would make a dash for it and the inside of the house...

After a short walk around the "gayborhood" I realized that no other house has a swarm of these beetles hovering around the front yard... WHAT THE HECK????

Must be something sweet in the grass, perhaps that crepe myrtle I trimmed last week, attracting them...

Over and "Out" from inside the house, in Portsmouth, VA USA

Sue Sylvester: Please... Save your money, this thing...

2011-07-22T16:09:00.001-04:00

SUCKS, Or so Sue Sylvester says in the trailer... Another I will probably wait for DVD, but you knows I likes me some GLEE!

Over and "Out" on another HOT day, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Neil Patrick Harris and the Smurfs...

2011-07-21T10:35:00.000-04:00

While I was never a big fan of the Smurfs while on TV, my younger kids were... I remember them both "humming" that annoying tune for what seemed like years (yeah you all know the one)... I had heard they were making a Smurf Movie, but had no idea that NPH was in it. Based on the trailer (above) it looks cute in the same kind of way the Chipmunk Movies did...

NPH seems to have some great lines and "slapstick" kind of moves... I will probably wait for the DVD, but I thought it worth letting all the "Smurf-a-holics" know it is coming out next week...

Over and "Out" on a 100 degree day, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Sixty Thousand Thanks...

2011-07-17T08:54:00.002-04:00

This is the 600th post I've made here (in five years and five months). Additionally, late yesterday evening, someone from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, loaded up the 60,000th page-view (and yes, I think I know who that might be).

Every time I hit another little milestone I get all mushy inside. I can't tell you all how much it means to me that you are interested enough in "My New Life" and me, to come back and read my stories, points of view, and rants (without naked pictures or descriptions of my fairly normal sex life).

Thanks to all the returning bloggers, non-bloggers, and even those that happen to google things that direct them to a photo or post that has little to do with anything other than a guy having a vehicle to express himself that he enjoys using... and I do enjoy it! Now only if my "followers" could gain some strength, I have been stuck on 37 for months...

Happy Sunday, over and "Out", from my world in Portsmouth, VA USA

The Edge of Glory taking on a new meaning...

2011-07-16T15:15:00.001-04:00

Quick post today, saw this over at Wicked Gay Blog and had to repost. How could anyone deem this "Barbaric" or "Satan-like"?

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Let's concentrate on the debt, not DADT...

2011-07-15T12:34:00.002-04:00

If the administration has refused to defend DOMA, why would this be any different? Or is it just me?

From CNN News:

The Obama administration Thursday evening asked a federal appeals court in California to reconsider its order last week temporarily blocking the U.S. military from enforcing its "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians serving in the military.

U.S. officials have been moving ahead with dismantling the policy but had objected to having the courts force the government to officially repeal it at this time.

At issue in the complex legal fight is whether "don't ask, don't tell" can remain in effect -- even in name only -- while the legal fight over its constitutionality is being carried out in the federal courts. Judges have been at odds over the enforcement issue for months.

The case has put the Obama administration in an unusual position of supporting a repeal, but at the same time filing court motions to prevent it from happening faster than planned. Military officials suggest the policy compliance changes eliminating "don't ask, don't tell" could be finished in a few weeks.

Federal courts -- including the Supreme Court -- have bounced back and forth over the temporary enforcement question, ignoring for now the larger question's of the federal law's constitutionality.

In its second appeal Thursday, the Justice Department in an emergency motion said the federal courts are overstepping their authority.

"The Armed Forces are moving forward expeditiously to prepare for the repeal of ("Don't Ask/ Don't Tell) in a fashion that Congress and the President consider the most effective way possible, and consistent with the nation's military needs," said the appeal. "The (judicial) panel's order cuts that process short and overrides the judgments of Congress and the President on a complex and important question of military policy."

In a brief order a week ago, the 9th U.S. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said "the process of repealing (the policy) is well underway, and the preponderance of the armed forces are expected to have been trained by mid-summer" on abiding by the new guidelines. However, said the three-judge panel, "The circumstances and balance of hardships have changed," concluding that as a result, "don't ask, don't tell" cannot remain in place.

The San Francisco-based appeals court's order is temporary, until it can fully hear the issue with oral arguments in late August.

A gay rights group -- the Log Cabin Republicans -- had sued over the 18-year-old ban on openly gay and lesbian members serving in the U.S. armed forces. In September, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips declared the military's ban to be unconstitutional, and demanded the government immediately stop enforcing it.

Congress has since passed legislation signed by President Barack Obama to gradually eliminate "don't ask, don't tell," but Pentagon officials had refused to issue a timeline on when that policy change would be completed.

It is an issue Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who took over the post this month, will now have to confront.

If "don't ask, don't tell" is fully dismantled, and any current investigations of gay and lesbian service members are suspended, the legal appeals might quickly become moot. But the Log Cabin Republicans have vowed to continue the legal fight until then.

The Supreme Court last fall upheld an earlier order keeping the policy in place.

Log Cabin Republicans slammed the administration's newest court action. "This latest maneuver by the President continues a pattern of doublespeak that all Americans should find troubling. All this does is further confuse the situation for our men and women in uniform," said R. Clarke Cooper, the group's executive director, who is also a captain in the Army Reserve.

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an offense to American values that should have been gone long ago. It is shameful that a president who has taken credit for opposing the policy is taking extreme measures to keep it on life support."

Obama had said he long wanted to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," and had reached an agreement with then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on a process that included a military review of how to make a successful transition to openly gay and lesbian soldiers serving.

The three men would then have to certify the repeal.

Gay rights groups say the policy -- even as it is being discarded -- violates the due process and First Amendment rights of military members. In their appeals, the Log Cabin Republicans said allowing the policy to remain in effect pending appeal would be unacceptable and would cause "irreparable harm."

The government presented "no evidence to support a finding that open service by gay and lesbian individuals harmed the military's interests, and ... both civilian and military leaders admitted that DADT actually impairs military interests," the appeal claimed.

"Deference to military judgment here tips the scales against a stay, rather than in favor of one," it said.

But the Obama administration, supported by Pentagon officials, argued that suspending the policy and forcing the military to immediately change course while the case is being appealed would cause problems during a time of war.

"The military should not be required to suddenly and immediately restructure a major personnel policy that has been in place for years, particularly during a time when the nation is involved in combat operations overseas," said the government in an earlier legal brief.

After the court's order last week, Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said the military "will of course comply with orders of the court, and are taking immediately steps to inform the field of this order."

He added, "In the meantime, implementation of the DADT repeal voted by the Congress and signed in to law by the President last December is proceeding smoothly, is well underway, and certification is just weeks away."

Gates last fall raised the level at which gay and lesbian troops can be discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" by ordering that it only be done by the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In a memo written to the heads of all the military services, Gates said his action was taken in direct response to the legal uncertainty surrounding "don't ask, don't tell" law.

The case is Log Cabin Republicans v. U.S. (10-56634).

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Attack of the Crepe Myrtle 2011...

2011-07-14T13:41:00.003-04:00

While we did have three crepe myrtle trees in the back yard of our home in Miami Shores, they were always a bit shy in their foliage and blooms (perhaps it was the sub-tropical climate or the limestone based soil), they were not a common sight for me growing up there, or in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Since moving to Virginia in 1999 it seems these colorful summer bloomers have taken over. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful to drive down most streets in the residential areas and see something similar to the above picture and the blooms last for months. They just keep on coming... The photos above were taken about six months apart, (the top was taken today, the bottom taken during one of our snow storms this winter). The following was taken on Independence Day looking towards the house (from down the street)..

Most of the blooms in our "gayborhood" are of the deep pink/fuchsia variety (seems the deep red and lavender are unusual up this way)... If not kept well groomed, the flowers are a mess. Covering cars, sidewalks, and even grassy areas. Fortunately, they are worth the headaches as they add a summer-like feeling to the whole area...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Bachmann's Turned her Overdrive...

2011-07-12T09:04:00.001-04:00

I'm sure that many people watch The View on ABC... I try to record or watch it when there are first run episodes and the above clip (from yesterday) is just one reason why... I think by adding to the already huge list of gaffes by the Bachmann "sisters", even Elisabeth seems to have given up on the republican's chances of being a viable candidate...

Sherri's comment about watching out for politicians that are quick to judge others' behaviors without disclosing their own faults, is another strong point in this "Hot Topics" piece...

Whoopi takes offense to the single parent reference (regardless of race) and lastly, Joy finds a way to add a little humor to the mix...

Well done ladies, Well done!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Neighborhood Ironman...

2011-07-10T12:35:00.003-04:00

Brian K

BIB	AGE	STATE/COUNTRY	PROFESSION
639	38	Portsmouth VA USA

SWIM	BIKE	RUN	OVERALL	RANK	DIV.POS.
39:11	2:53:03	1:39:38	5:16:54	218	42

LEG	DISTANCE	PACE	RANK	DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM	1.2 mi. (39:11)	2:03/100m	394	51

TOTAL BIKE	56 mi. (2:53:03)	19.42 mph	332	62

RUN SPLIT 1: 2.3 mi	2.3 mi (16:10)	7:01/mi
RUN SPLIT 2: 4.5 mi	2.2 mi (30:32)	13:52/mi
RUN SPLIT 3: 6.9 mi	2.4 mi (18:55)	7:52/mi
RUN SPLIT 4: 13.1 mi	6.2 mi (34:01)	5:29/mi
TOTAL RUN	13.1 mi (1:39:38)	7:36/mi	218	42

TRANSITION				TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE				3:24
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN				1:38

Great job Brian...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

ASS-umptions... Follow-up

2011-07-09T13:10:00.004-04:00

From a couple of the comments I received on my original post yesterday, some thought it was odd that our landlord (whom I absolutely love to death) is/was wrong in disclosing that we are gay (to perspective tenants of the upstairs unit)...

Please remember, we live in the "Commonwealth of Vagina", one of the most backwards, conservative, provincial, homophobic, and unchanging states in our union... The last thing we want is an intolerant bigot living upstairs (see photo above, we share spaces such as back yard, front yard, and our doors are like 16" apart and can you tell which is our's?), why would anyone want to have a neighbor that close (potentially an Anita Bryant relative) find out, only after moving in, that there are "sinners" living in the same house???

I suggested to our landlord when she goes through the interviewing process, that she might want to mention that the couple downstairs was gay. Otherwise I honestly don't think she would have... Besides, it makes it easier for us, we don't have to explain anything, including the loud moans (of a potential sexual nature) that may emanate through the 85 year old structure...

Call me proactive, lazy, or just plain scared to have to "come-out" to strangers, but it has worked for the past 3 tenants upstairs...

Over and "Out" from our little Gayborhood, here in Portsmouth, VA, USA

ASS-umptions...

2011-07-08T09:28:00.001-04:00

I got caught up in an assumption yesterday and I wonder if people do the same about us... Our navy neighbors (Audrey's parents) got reassigned from Portsmouth, VA to Portsmouth, NH at the end of June. We will miss them dearly...

The new neighbors (He, she, and their 3yo daughter) are also military. The landlord informed us they were being transferred from San Diego with the US Coast Guard... For the first couple of days they were here, we welcomed them and had some neighborly chats, mostly regarding the arrival of their household belongings that were somewhere in limbo. They spent the first two nights at a local hotel...

My assumption: He is USCG and she is "the military wife"...

The truth: She is active military, he is going to be attending school (he was also USCG but finished his stint). I had to admit to them that my assumption was entirely wrong (they said that was not unusual)...

Our landlord has been very forthcoming with any potential tenants for the upstairs. She lets them know up-front that there is a gay couple in the downstairs unit. That we take care of the basic yard work and have exclusive use of the driveway (all other parking is on-street)... I guess the parallel to my misguided assumption is: I wonder what these folks "think" before they meet us and get to know us? So far (with the exception of one tenant) we have all become great friends and neighbors... But I still wonder what preconceived notions they may have had...

Ok, just a short post today, Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Something New: Six on the Sixth...

2011-07-06T09:24:00.000-04:00

I am in the mood to try something new... As some may have already noticed, I changed the blog header from the patriotic banner to something more "summer-y"... I have noticed several of my blogging friends have started to participate in something called "Five on the Fifth", where they snap five photos prior to the 5th of each month, then post them on the fifth... Since I don't take a lot of pictures, I am going to start posting something called "Six on the Sixth". Rather than photos, I will be disclosing six little known facts about myself or my life each month on the 6th (just a brief little monthly "me-me")... So here goes the first in the "Six on the Sixth" series:

1. My second toe (on both feet) is longer than my Big Toe..

2. I now have small hairs popping up on my ear lobes...

3. I was addicted to All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital

in my college years...

4. I had a crush on both Karen and Richard Carpenter...

5. I played little league baseball as a youth, and hated it...

6. I was born the same year that Disneyland (yes the one in CA) opened...

These could be fun, and may get a little more graphic as I run out of things to list (my life is not all that different than your's), but I'll bet there are a few of my regular readers that might have some fun and interesting things to list on their own blogs for Six on the Sixth...

Over and "Out", from the Gayborhood, here is Portsmouth, VA, USA

More Reasons to Continue our need for Fossil Fuel...

2011-07-05T17:17:00.000-04:00

An Exxon Mobil pipeline ruptured on Friday night about 150 miles downstream from Yellowstone National Park near the town of Laurel, Montana, just southwest of Billings, dumping an estimated 1,000 barrels, or 42,000 gallons, of crude oil into the flood-swollen river.

Toxic fumes from the oil overcame a number of people who reported breathing problems and dizziness and were taken to local hospitals. But state and federal officials on Tuesday said they lacked a tally of health problems or the number of riverside homes that were evacuated after the accident.

The spill also has wreaked havoc on ranching and farming operations along the Yellowstone, the longest river without a dam in the United States, which provides irrigation and drinking water for communities along its banks.

Jerry Williams, who raises livestock, wheat, alfalfa and hay on some 800 acres of land around Laurel, said high water from the river has washed oil across much of his property.

"It was the night the river peaked, so the river water was flooded all over the place, and that brought oil all over both ranches," he told Reuters. "All of our grasslands ... have just thick, black crude stuck to all the grass, trees, low lands."

Williams said his spring wheat crop and alfalfa are both in need of irrigation, but farmers in the area were advised not to take water from the river for the time being. Drinking supplies also are in limbo, he said.

"We get all our drinking water from our wells and for our animals," Williams said. "We don't know if we'll be able to use them since the river was high. All the groundwater, I assume, is probably contaminated. We just don't know."

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer said on Tuesday he has told Exxon and federal agencies overseeing the spill response that the state alone will decide when the cleanup is done.

"The state of Montana is going to stay on this like the smell on a skunk," he told Reuters by telephone as he toured areas hit by the spill.

State and federal authorities had few answers to questions about the extent of oil pollution or the potential impacts on human health.

Environmental experts said it will likely take months, even years, for the ecosystem to rebound from the influx of crude.

"It will be unclear even next spring as to what kind of recovery has taken place," said Ronald Kendall, chairman of the department of environmental toxicology at Texas Tech University and head of its Institute of Environmental and Human Health.

"It's a very significant amount of oil moving downstream right now, and oil is a toxic substance in itself," he said. "A whole suite of organisms, from mink to herons to sturgeon to dragonflies, are going to be affected as waves of oil come through."

Concerns about petroleum contamination prompted downstream communities that rely on the river for drinking water to shut off their intake valves, but it was unclear whether residents who depend on well water had been urged to avoid drinking it.

Many state health and emergency workers had been told to direct inquiries about environmental contamination and health concerns to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA officials said on Tuesday that readings were not yet available from air and water monitors mostly downstream of the spill.

Some Montana residents have reported symptoms ranging from shortness of breath to fainting spells linked to exposure to petroleum-based chemicals.

Stacy Anderson said on Tuesday her parents, Bob and Patty Castleberry, are still living in a hotel after their home was evacuated Saturday along the Yellowstone less than a mile from the site of the ruptured pipeline. She said her mother, who suffers from a respiratory condition, passed out several times even after the couple left the house.

"All their clothes, the suitcase -- everything smelled like solid crude oil; when my mom got away from it, her symptoms disappeared," Anderson said.

She said Exxon is paying her parents' hotel bill as well as covering the cost of feed for the couple's 10 goats that have been steered away from oil-soaked grasslands.

The cause of the rupture was under investigation, but possible damage from erosion caused by unusually heavy river flows following a spring of heavy rains and runoff from record mountain snows are likely to be examined as a factor.

Exxon shut down the pipeline in May after the city of Laurel raised safety concerns due to rising river levels, but the company said it restarted the line after conducting an inspection.

Shares of Exxon Mobil fell slightly on Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange as investors worried about the bad publicity from the oil spill. Exxon said its Billings, Montana oil refinery cut back production over the weekend as a result of the spill but other refineries in the area were operating normally.

The Montana oil spill is far smaller than the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year and the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989. The BP spill spewed 168 million gallons of oil and the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil. By contrast, Exxon estimates the Montana pipeline has leaked only (an estimated) 42,000 gallons of crude into the Yellowstone River.

All I can say is who is watching these guys?

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA (which still prohibits offshore drilling), USA

Two-Hundred Thirty-five Years and Counting...

2011-07-04T09:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Independence Day to the United States of America (July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2011)...

Over, "Out", and feeling a little Patriotic, from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Just in Case You Have Never Read it:

2011-07-03T13:24:00.007-04:00

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome
and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation
till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended,
he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation
of large districts of people, unless those people would
relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature,
a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their
public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them
into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly,
for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the
rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions,
to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers,
incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People
at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the
mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from
without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States;
for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization
of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage
their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of
new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice,
by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone,
for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment
of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices,
and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people,
and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace,
Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of
and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to
a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged
by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment
for any Murders which they should commit on the
Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province,
establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its
Boundaries so as to render it at once an example
and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws,
and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures,
and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate
for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries
to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny,
already begun with circumstances of Cruelty &
perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages,
and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive
on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country,
to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren,
or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us,
and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers,
the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare,
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1

Georgia:

Button Gwinnett

Lyman Hall

George Walton

Column 2

North Carolina:

William Hooper

Joseph Hewes

John Penn

South Carolina:

Edward Rutledge

Thomas Heyward, Jr.

Thomas Lynch, Jr.

Arthur Middleton

Column 3

Massachusetts:

John Hancock

Maryland:

Samuel Chase

William Paca

Thomas Stone

Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:

George Wythe

Richard Henry Lee

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Harrison

Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Francis Lightfoot Lee

Carter Braxton

Column 4

Pennsylvania:

Robert Morris

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Franklin

John Morton

George Clymer

James Smith

George Taylor

James Wilson

George Ross

Delaware:

Caesar Rodney

George Read

Thomas McKean

Column 5

New York:

William Floyd

Philip Livingston

Francis Lewis

Lewis Morris

New Jersey:

Richard Stockton

John Witherspoon

Francis Hopkinson

John Hart

Abraham Clark

Column 6

New Hampshire:

Josiah Bartlett

William Whipple

Massachusetts:

Samuel Adams

John Adams

Robert Treat Paine

Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

Stephen Hopkins

William Ellery

Connecticut:

Roger Sherman

Samuel Huntington

William Williams

Oliver Wolcott

New Hampshire:

Matthew Thornton

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VIRGINIA on the 3rd day of July, 2011

Time to Lighten up a little...

2011-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

The past three weeks have been a little depressing... While there has been lots of positive news from the gay community (including the NY Marriage Equality vote and passing), I have been job hunting and trying to deal with other financial issues here on the home-front... There are days I just want to curl up in bed and do absolutely nothing but feel sorry for myself...

This past week I went to my new doctor (who is absolutely wonderful), she listened, commented, and increased the Effexor dose on my prescription (I had been taking it for anxiety already) to try to compensate for the depression I had fallen into. After a couple of days with some funky side effects, I am feeling much better although getting back to work would help a lot more...

I saw the above picture on a FB friend of mine's wall, and it did to me exactly what it says...

Over and "Out" for now, from the beginning of Independence Day Weekend, here in Portsmouth, VA, USA

Pat Robertson declares the end of America...

2011-06-28T18:27:00.003-04:00

From the Human Rights Campaign:

It's getting ugly. Just days after the New York State Senate approved marriage equality, Pat Robertson declared that America may not survive since it has now "embraced homosexuality."

That's not all. Leaders of the right-wing Tea Party Nation warned about the "queering of America," and compared gays to drug addicts. One right-wing Christian publisher even wrote that politicians who voted for marriage equality should be "subject to indictment, trial, and punishment" because the vote violates "God's law"!

Our victory in New York has the right-wing riled up because they never thought that a GOP-led state legislature would approve a marriage equality bill. But there's a fundamental shift underway that you and I have seen coming. We're at a tipping point in our culture and the right knows they're losing – so they're lashing out.

It so amazes me how these "folks" claim to have their fingers on the moral pulse of America... "God's law" was once interpreted to violate inter-racial marriages and those "fears" along with that frame of thinking no longer exist. Times change, and the moral pulse of America changes with it... Thank Goodness...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Marriage Equality in New York State...

2011-06-25T08:05:00.001-04:00

Congratulations New Yorkers and thanks for all your hard work!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

FOD... Men with Kittens, Woof...

2011-06-21T11:04:00.000-04:00

Hot Dudes with Kittens from Sam Trammell

No sane man should follow directions... What is "For Ladies Only" supposed to mean??? Of course it means let's check it out...

I know, I am just a tease...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

It doesn't take a wiener to be a Father...

2011-06-19T10:46:00.000-04:00

Not to stray too far from wieners (we all know how babies are made), I would just like to wish all my friends (real life and blogging) a very Happy Father's Day...

This is a picture of me and my 2nd son in 1980/1981

Those of us that actually have children are not always the ones that are entitled to actually claim the title as "fathers", however the opposite is also true. There are many people that I know that have taken on the role as a father that never actually produced children, or raised children as a mother and father (my first wife's mom is one of those that I always call on Father's Day) many moms take on both roles these days. Happy Father's Day to all of you non-biological dads as well...

This is a picture of 2nd son with his son

I know that between all my kids, there have been (and possibly still will be) times where they want to disown me as their father. I have always tried to do my best and will continue to until my last breath...

Once again, Happy Father's Day!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Whiner, Weiner, or Wiener... The End...

2011-06-17T12:13:00.001-04:00

Less than a week ago I suggested/predicted Weiner would resign in less than a week...

While I identify myself as a Democrat, truly believe Representative Weiner was doing some great things on Capital Hill, and really didn't care where or when he was taking pictures of his private parts, he was a distraction to "politics as usual" and my personal opinion was that he would not survive... Too bad...

I guess I'm glad I am not in politics due to the fact that I have probably shared with way too many people pictures of myself that were "less than appropriate"...

A question for my regular and occasional readers... Have you ever shared a picture of yourself that might even embarrass Anthony Weiner>>? Let me know...

Over and embarrassingly "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Posts with Rainbows Missing...

2011-06-15T16:01:00.000-04:00

I know, I committed to having a pride flag or rainbow in each of my posts this month... MY Bad... The last two did not contain either, so this one will make up for both:

This is a great reason to live in a house built in the late 20's.

Transoms over the doors, and a way to express yourself.

This is not as big as the one I had in Toano a few years ago (or Kelly's)...

But it's our's and the neighbors love it!

Over and "Out" from the Gayborhood, in Portsmouth, VA, USA

Sometimes LESS is MORE...

2011-06-14T09:16:00.000-04:00

I can't top this today...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Who needs a Rainbow, when we have NPH...

2011-06-13T07:38:00.000-04:00

Took me a little while to find the above, but for those that may not have caught the opening number last night on the Tony Awards... Check it out!

Awesome performances by all including Doogie Howser, MD...

Over and Gayly "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

So much for Weiner's... Wiener...

2011-06-11T13:07:00.000-04:00

I am guessing a week at most... Too bad, I actually like Congressman Weiner... I may have tweeted him too if he weren't married...

Today is the 2nd day of Harborfest here in Hampton Roads... The Indigo Girls come on stage, right before the fireworks later tonight... I think it very cool that "Out in the Park" was a lead up to Harborfest, which is a very "big deal" down here... Yesterday was the "parade of sail" which the local news covered from beginning to end. The only difference in Town Point Park, was the absence of the pride flags that lined the brick walkways just 5 days earlier...

Happy Saturday, Over and "Out" from across the river in Portsmouth, VA, USA

Oh I Wish I Had... Weiner's wiener... Not Really...

2011-06-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

Who in the world would have thought that my post "Whiner, Wiener or Weiner" would have generated so much activity on my little blog? In the past 3 days I have had over 750 page loads and more than 570 unique visitors (I normally see only about 60 to 70 hits a day)...

All just to sneak a peek at this picture of Weiner's covered wiener:

I hear there may be more (more revealing) pictures coming. We'll see. For now here is a favorite of mine (containing a rainbow, as I promised for each post this month):

Happy Friday ALL!

Over and "Out" from the Gayborhood, in Portsmouth, VA, USA

Rainbow Flag Controversy for Pride 2011

2011-06-08T11:18:00.001-04:00

Every June you can always count on some controversy surrounding LGBT Pride. Usually it is some slight, failure to issue a proclamation or other symbolic rejection. This year's Pride is proving no different. In the last week our Rainbow colored flag has become the center of two heated debates: one for flying the flag and the other for refusing to fly the flag.

In Virginia the LGBT flag flying over a Federal Reserve Bank is causing a storm of protest. To listen to some commentators you would think all the money inside would turn pink and the onslaught of the next Depression is just the corner because of it. In Seattle, the Space Needle has decided not to fly the flag. Concerned that the decision might be misconstrued as anti-gay, they offered to do events and fundraisers. Nevertheless, many in the community were outraged that Seattle phallic symbol refused to raise our colors!

Quite honestly, my approach to both of these incidents is somewhat the same. While it is always a welcome sight to see the Rainbow fly and I detest when someone burns it, the issue itself is not a compelling one to me. All this energy around two flags seems misplaced. Yes, I understand the importance of symbolism and visibility. Although with ballot measures, pending marriage legislation and our epic struggle for freedom, maybe we should spend just a wee bit less energy on the issue. As for Virginia, not sure the Federal Reserve Bank should fly any flag above it except the American flag. Don't want to look up someday and see a Christian flag flying above it.

If symbolism and visibility are important and worth this energy, time and comment, here is a suggestion! Instead of fighting over one flag why we don't start a campaign where on one day a year every LGBT household flies the Rainbow flag from their homes. Talk about getting people's attention. Can you imagine the sea of Rainbow flags in Seattle or imagine the shock of conservative Virginians driving down a street and seeing it lined with Rainbow flags? Just like on the Fourth of July when Americans drag out their American flags, we should do the same every June.

One single flag over a building does not proclaim we are everywhere. Yet thousands and thousands of them in neighborhood after neighborhood do send that powerful message. And if you are afraid to fly the Rainbow flag over your own homes don't expect someone to do it for you.

This article is from DavidMixner.com

Over and "Out" with my rainbow garden flag fluttering in the breeze, from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Whiner, Wiener or Weiner?

2011-06-07T11:35:00.007-04:00

You say "poe-taugh-toe" and I say "poe-tay-toe" (potato)

You say "toe-maugh-toe" and I say "toe-may-toe" (tomato)

I say it was definitely Weiner's wiener in those grey boxer-briefs (oh wait, he already confessed to that and no, I have never seen it). Unfortunately for him, Anthony Weiner has one of those names that bring out the worse in people's minds (mine included) especially after he suggested at first that he was "unsure" that the wiener was actually his. Come on... We all know what our wieners look like (in and out of inexpensive Fruit-of-the-Looms)...

This is the actual and infamous twit/tweet picture

An interesting and educational summary of the wiener (better known as a penis) follows:

The heart may be regarded as the seat of the soul, but the penis is the autopilot - the joystick, if you will. No other part of male physique causes men as much anguish, self-doubt and pride. We brag, joke and lie about it. And despite urban legends and some unsettling wide-screen skin flicks, we’re all created more or less equal.

How the penis works (like we don't know already), it is a truly wonderful piece of machinery, worthy of the same respect afforded the heart and brain for its versatility, rather than being the butt of nun-and-priest gags. If you've thought of it as just a flexible hose, think again. It exists to do three things:

To urinate in any direction you choose;

To fill with blood and become engorged enough to enter a vagina (or other orifice of choice);

To deliver its payload of sperm/semen where it can help make a baby (or just make you or someone else feel good).

The penis is actually shaped like a wishbone, with the Y-shaped end anchored deeply and firmly within your abdomen. The ends are attached to the pubic bone. So while it seems benign when flaccid it can be steered from the hip when erect.

Inside the penis are three chambers, running the length of the shaft. Two sit side by side on the top and are spongy so they can accommodate the blood that’s pumped into them. The third chamber runs along the underside and accommodates the urethra, which leads from the bladder to the outside world, as well as conducting sperm.

You’re unlikely to be tested on the names of the two big chambers – they’re called corpora cavernosa – but it’s worth knowing how this part of your sex submarine floods when it’s time for action stations.

During arousal, blood gushes into the spongy chambers, filling them and pinching closed the blood vessels that drain them. Your mind will send the signal to release them. This depends entirely on what you’re feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, tasting or even dreaming at the time.

When you climax, an exhilarating squirt of adrenaline races into your bloodstream. The adrenaline releases the blood vessels that drain the penis and shuts down the big arteries feeding the erection. Down periscope. Once the adrenaline has subsided and the appropriate stimulation is provided, it’s in the hunt again. This downtime varies greatly, from a few moments, to what can seem like forever.

It’s interesting too that the average man experiences five erections during a night’s sleep. This isn't related to the content of dreams, though. It seems to be your body’s way of ensuring that oxygenated blood continues to flow through this vital area of your body. This ensures the production of prostaglandin E1 (again, you won’t be tested on this), which helps keep the penile arteries clean.

What can go wrong and how to look after it, because it’s delicate and versatile, the potential hazards to your penis are many, but the safeguards are simple:

Be shy: take care where you put it. If you’re able to read this you’re literate and so you know about STDs, HIV and Aids. Monogamy isn't always a fashionable word and if it’s not in your vocabulary you’d better condomise.

Don’t push it: apart from the “something-that’s-social-and-itches” hazards so vividly portrayed in those air force training films, you can hurt your member by not giving it free rein. An erection that won’t go away is called a priapism, so if you caught your todger in something mechanical and it stays hard, it’s time to get help. The problem is that oxygen-depleted blood gets trapped in the chambers we mentioned. If it stays there long enough there can be damage, Extreme cases can lead to gangrene. Banish your bashfulness, wear a big jersey and see a doctor.

Fractured sosatie: If it’s been forced the wrong way suddenly – particularly while it’s angry – your can experience what’s called a penile fracture. It’s not a fracture, because there’s no bone to break. But if the tissue in the erectile chamber tears you’ll suddenly lose your erection and the penis becomes discolored. It’s not usually painful and it generally heals on its own, but get The Man seen to. There’s speculation that this sort of injury causes Peyronie’s disease, a condition in which the penis slants badly to the left, right or downward when erect.

Do right by it: Physical damage can include bizarre accidents like getting it caught in the cold brass zip of your Levi’s, being batted at by the cat while going for a midnight snack. The skin is also susceptible to heat and moisture, which can cause heat rash or a fungal infection. Treat it with respect, soap and water, clean underwear, and over-the-counter remedies when needed. Talcum powder before a sweaty workout can help prevent the dreaded jock itch.

Get into a pinch: Do daily kegel exercises: tense the muscles you use to stop peeing. Tense up, hold until the count of ten and release. Do that nine more times, and do three sets each day.

Stay lean: Look after it by not eating fatty foods that clog the arteries to your penis and everywhere else. Get enough exercise too. Playing with hoola-hoops apparently stimulates circulation to the pelvic area. Elvis Presley is cited as evidence of this. If you don’t mind being laughed at by pimply teenagers, try it. If not, general aerobic fitness ought to do it.

Ejaculate: having sex is regarded as a primary way of keeping the whole mechanism in shape. We hate to bear these tidings, but that’s the way it is. You might want to discuss it with your partner (or your hand of choice).

Put out: forget Hollywood’s post-coital puff. Smoking clogs all your arteries with plaque and it makes the sheets stink. Use your imagination and find alternatives.

Lighten up: stress can lead to diminished libido. Get some rest, take some exercise, get some sun and you may be surprised how things perk up.

The dumbest thing you can do: To boldly go where no unprotected penis has gone. On their days off, paramedics and emergency room staff may chuckle dryly about the man who attempted carnal knowledge with two belt sanders and a bottle of hand cream, and of the yarn they told the deceased’s (there was a tragic short-circuit) next of kin to spare them unnecessary embarrassment.

Get an enlargement: Unless you have a micro penis (Not the name of a grunge band from like, Seattle, but a medical condition where the erect penis measures a centimeter or less), you should not consider enlargement. There are vastly expensive procedures that inject fat from elsewhere in your body into the shaft.

Some surgeons are also willing to sever the tendons that anchor your penis to the underside of your pelvis. With this done, more of your penis can protrude from your body, increasing its length by an inch or so. They can also go badly wrong, leaving you with something that’s asymmetrical and spends Saturday evenings at home, with no company and no prospects.

Myths and misconceptions: The average penis size for white males is around 6.2 inches (16cm), so if you don't quite measure up, don't worry: penis size has relatively little to do with one's capacity to provide pleasure.

The largest medically verified penis on record is 13.5 inches (34cm) long and 6.25 inches (15.8cm) around, documented in the early twentieth century by Dr Robert Dickinson. Then there are the dubious claims of immense penis size by personalities operating within the sex industry (that’s porn actors to you and me). These claims are almost invariably false. Incidentally, if you feel you have to pursue this, you measure along the top.

Race card = hung jury: going strictly by the Kinsey data, which still remains one of the most exhaustive studies on penis size to date, the average white male has a penis measuring 15.7cm long and 9.4cm around (that's 6.1 inches long by 3.7 inches around for us in the US), The average black male has a penis 16cm by 9.6cm, a difference of 0.25cm (you can Google the conversion). That’s not what you'd call statistically significant.

When it came to flaccid length, however, blacks score a little better: 10.92cm (4.3 inches) long, versus 10.16cm (4 inches) for white males. So it may be that while blokes of African heritage appear larger in the shower at the gym, under working conditions things tend to even out.

Bizarre facts and other stuff: Among land animals, African bull elephants lead the pack with their 1.8-meter (70.87 inch) penises. Whale penises, called dorks (yes, Americans do call each other by that name), are the largest in the world, the blue whale taking the honors with a member around 3 meters (118.11 inches) long. (And no... I never took a measuring tape to either)...

Sorry this was so long... Maybe I was over-compensating?

Over and "Out" in a penis state of mind, from Portsmouth, VA, USA

HR Pride "Out in the Park" Norfolk 2011

2011-06-06T07:17:00.000-04:00

Sunday at Out in the Park was AWESOME! Some of the following photos were taken by me, and some were taken by others.

Next time we will try to get there earlier. The very diverse crowds had already thinned a bit by 2.30 (when we arrived) and we missed the DC Cowboys perform. There were Gays, Lesbians, Straight Singles, and whole families (kids, strollers, and all) Gay and Straight, participating. Truly the first time (at least in this area) I have ever seen people from all walks of life attending. Maybe there is hope?

WE ARE ONE, was this year's theme... There was no drama, no over-exposed bodies, no crazy/queer outfits, and best of all no conflicts of any type... Perhaps We ARE One...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Pride Still Flying High in Richmond...

2011-06-05T18:16:00.000-04:00

Va. Lawmaker Wants Pride Flag Removed

By Advocate.com Editors

Virginia delegate Robert Marshall wrote a letter to the president of the Richmond Federal Reserve urging that a rainbow flag being flown for gay pride month be removed.

The Washington Post reports on the letter that Marshall wrote to Jeffrey Lacker, president of the Richmond Federal Reserve. Prism, the bank’s LGBT group, requested that the flag be flown, and a Federal Reserve spokesman said that the flag reflects the bank’s commitment to diversity, adding that some critics mistakenly think the bank is a government entity.

However, according to the Post, Marshall, among the most conservative members of Virginia General Assembly, said that homosexuality “adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, promotes venereal diseases, and worsens the population imbalance relating to the number of workers supporting the beneficiaries of America’s Social Security and Medicare programs.”

He wrote, “I do not believe that a celebration of ‘gay pride’ has anything to do with the mission of the Federal Reserve under the Federal Reserve Act passed by Congress. This is a celebration of a behavior that is still a class six felony in Virginia. How can the American people trust the judgement of the Federal Reserve as an institution when its spokesperson celebrates an attack on public morals?”

Delegate Riley E. Ingram also contacted the bank to oppose the flag.

Rainbow on the River...

2011-06-05T09:30:00.003-04:00

This picture (rainbow and all) was taken on the Elizabeth River, with downtown behind the tug
(used without permission from the AltDaily website)

Hampton Roads (the name commonly used for our area) Pride, is sponsoring "Out in the Park" today. This year it will not be tucked away in some suburban city park, but rather in downtown Norfolk's newly renovated Town Point Park, sitting right on the Elizabeth River... In front of EVERYONE...

It starts at noon (which is good, as there is a line of showers moving through this morning) and runs until 6pm. Normally the Hampton Roads Pride event gets a little blurb or two on the local news, but this year because of it's high profile location, it's been all over the news...

Great move for a great event...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Federal Reserve Celebrates GLBT Pride Month...

2011-06-03T22:20:00.002-04:00

Today, Equality Virginia sent a press release commending the Federal Reserve Bank (in Richmond, VA) for raising the rainbow flag in celebration of National LGBT Pride Month.

The Family Foundation and Delegate Bob Marshall are against the flag’s display. On the Family Foundation’s blog, they write:

"Although the Federal Reserve is a private entity, it is disappointing to see it participate in this celebration. Media reports indicate that there have been complaints from employees who are offended by the flag. According to Sally Green, chief operating officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, “We strongly support a diverse and inclusive culture at the Richmond Fed and have learned that it is important to value and embrace differences, both seen and unseen.” Apparently that inclusivity doesn’t apply to those who do not condone homosexual behavior."

Equality Virginia’s Executive Director James Parrish supports the Federal Reserve Bank on its action.

“The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond should receive accolades for its decision to recognize and celebrate its GLBT employees, customers and vendors during Pride month,” Parrish said. ”It’s a private business and should be able to make its own personnel and corporate policy decisions without Bob Marshall’s guidance or the Family Foundation’s approval.”

Parrish also notes in the statement that the Family Foundation is out of touch with the mindset of most Virginians – stating that 80% support non-discrimination for LGBT individuals.

Sexy Baby with Tom Hanks...

2011-05-31T08:44:00.000-04:00

This is yet another reason to love JKL... I was watching GMA this morning and they did a piece on "Pageant Dads", and the public response to dads being involved with their daughters for shows like Toddlers & Tiaras (rather than the traditional parenting role most dads have).

Not sure how Jimmy got Tom Hanks (and the rest) to participate in this spoof, but he definitely has some "big ones" to pull it off...

Make sure to watch the reaction Hanks has after the winner is revealed.

Over and "Out" on the first day of National Pride Month, from Portsmouth, VA, USA

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T06:39:00.000-04:00

All there is to say...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Zip-a-Dee-Ga-Ga...

2011-05-27T11:57:00.003-04:00

Just like Hugh Jackman did in the Oprah Australia show:

Lady GaGa ziplined (without a crash into a light) onto the stage this morning in the kickoff to ABC's GMA Summer Concert Series in Central Park (NYC). Click the interview below to watch her answer some questions from George, Robin, and fans:

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

A Little "Blogscaping"...

2011-05-26T09:08:00.001-04:00

I am planning/doing a little housekeeping on "My New Life". First item is the new banner to celebrate the upcoming holidays... Second was a minor clean-up of the side-bar (over there >>>>>). Next I took off a link to my blogger profile and added a page (up there ^^^^^^) About Me & the Blog...

More to come!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA, USA

MEAN... Taylor Swift's new Anti-Bullying Video...

2011-05-21T08:50:00.005-04:00

Whether or not she is "Gay-Washing" for our "Pink Dollars" is not important. Taylor Swift has just released her new video "Mean" and is helping to sustain the awareness about bullying. I post this in memory of a kid I met a few years ago (the son, of a boyfriend's, sister's, girlfriend) who, for whatever reason, decided to take his own life this past week, at the age of 21...

Mark, was one of the sweetest and most intelligent kids I have ever met. He was not afraid to dress differently, wear his hair differently, or act differently. His mom (I'm sure) was challenged by his style, interests, and behaviors, but always supported him. He got good grades, was an avid reader and introduced me to the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", from where this blog get's it's description (in the banner at the top of each page) "A Colorful Perspective on Life, Love, the Universe, and Everything". I don't know if he was ever bullied for his uniqueness (although I suspect he was), but I do know he will be missed by many...

My heart and thoughts are with his mom Denise, who will always be my friend...

Over and sadly "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

RAPTURE... Take me Away...

2011-05-20T20:43:00.000-04:00

A request of all my blogging friends... Please let me know if you are taken away by tomorrow's Rapture, so I can remove you from my blog-roll...

Sarcasm is a wonderful tool, isn't it?

Over, "Out" and here to stay, from Portsmouth, VA

A Sense of Humor...

2011-05-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

I have been told by many that I have a weird sense of humor... Personally, I have no idea what those people are talking about. As Forrest Gump's mom may have said "Weird is... as Weird does". Who, beside myself, is better qualified to put a label on my "quirky" sense of humor?

If I were to put a finger on the adjective that best describes mine, it would not be weird or quirky, it would be "Sarcastic"... I know it's a bit of a fault, but it's all I got folks! I ran across this a week or two ago, and know many of you (in retail or service industry jobs) might at least empathize with me as to where it comes from...

Over and Sarcastically "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Mothers Day in Absentia...

2011-05-09T11:46:00.002-04:00

Four years after coming "out" to the world (and my kids) in 2005, my two youngest children lost their Mom (see post here) to breast cancer that metathesized into her bones... I will never try to compensate for their loss, as I could never replicate the feelings they had for their mother... I can only be there for them when they want or need me.

Yesterday was one of those times. Michael had gone up to Charlottesville Saturday to watch his son's baseball game, then stayed with his Mom in Richmond overnight. We planned an outing for Sunday for all the Mom's on his side of the family at Islamorada Fish Company, at the Bass Pro Shop in Ashland, VA.. Not knowing what my youngest's (daughter's) plans were, I invited her to join us (and the 5 collective Mom's attending) for the event. She accepted...

I had to work Saturday, so I drove up Sunday morning, picked up my daughter, and headed up I-95 to Ashland. We all had a grand time, although with almost 20 people at the table it was difficult for her (or any of them) to really get to know each other very well. (note to self: smaller gathering next time)...

Everyone was capturing the multi-generational event with their cameras, yet this is the one I liked best:

She is so much like her Mom (although her Mom would never have tattooed her arm like that) she is definitely "her own person" and I love her for that... (another note to self: invest in some anti-aging serum for those wrinkles)...

While I can't replace her Mom, I am so glad I got to substitute for the day...

Over, "Out", and so proud... back home in Portsmouth, VA

JKL: Just another reason...

2011-05-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

This is just another reason I record JKL:

Who else could make you smile in the light that there could be some serious retaliations being plotted, as I type this entry...

Over, "Out", and still giggling, from Portsmouth, VA

I never Knew...

2011-05-02T18:26:00.002-04:00

While watching the news this morning about Osama bin Laden's capture and death, there was a piece on a memorial that I have never seen. After a close look, I didn't understand the design or intent (other than the fact that it memorialized the 184 people that lost their lives at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001). The following is a CBS video on the Pentagon Memorial, a couple of the families, and the designer:

Sorry for the commercial up front (if it shows), but the video explained enough to me that I thought some of you might find it interesting as well... The benches are all in line with the track of American Arlines flight 77 as it plowed into the building. Those pointing towards the building were on the flight, and those pointing away were in the Pentagon...

Over and "Out" from the day after "his death", in Portsmouth, VA

Four of My Favorite Divas...

2011-04-27T22:23:00.003-04:00

While watching American Idol tonight, Scotty came up with a rendition of "You've Got a Friend" by Carole King. I had to prove to Michael that it was not Janice Joplin that performed the original. I found this cool video of Carole King, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, and Shania Twain singing the same song back in a 1998 live performance:

I also "Wickipedia'd" the song and proved to him that Carole King (wrote and first performed the song) and James Taylor re-recorded it almost 2 years after Joplin's death.

I actually loved Scotty's performance, but these four are now on my favorite "playlist"...

Over and "Out" from a nostalgic Portsmouth, VA

Me and You...

2011-04-25T09:04:00.001-04:00

Thought I'd post something more cuddly today (after that nasty picture from yesterday). This is dedicated to all of you that have visited my little place on the web, and especially to the great friends I have made in here!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

ps: thanks to my facebook/blogging friend Adam for the photo

Easter Sunday 2011

2011-04-24T09:25:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter All!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Baby Gym Rat 2?

2011-04-21T12:06:00.001-04:00

I couldn't have called this Baby Tree Rat, after my first post...

Ok, so Audrey (the upstairs neighbors Great Dane) is in the front yard being slightly distracted by me, Michael has gone over to check out the baby squirrel two doors down...

All of a sudden I hear Michael yelling something. My attention was still on Audrey trying to keep her occupied, so the words he uttered were not really that clear. He yells a bit louder and I hear "Get a Box"!!! and my mind is saying "NO he IS NOT" bringing a critter back to the house. I see him trotting down the sidewalk with a small animal on his shoulder, through my eyes, but this is all my mind sees:

"SQUIRREL!!!" is all my mind hears... Michael has a baby squirrel on his shoulder!!! I go inside to look for a box and Audrey sets off to see what all the fuss is...

Audrey approaches Michael, the squirrel jumps off and then next thing you know, the squirrel is in Audrey's mouth... I can say at least one thing at this point that may make the PETA followers out there feel better, Audrey is one of the sweetest most harmless creatures I have ever met. Her oral grasp on this baby squirrel was more like a mother (dog's) hold on one of it's own pups. She let go as soon as she was told to...

We got the squirrel into a box and covered her with a sweatshirt to try to calm her down. I then went and "googled" (yes I just used that as a verb) "baby squirrel rescue" and found a local wildlife rescue organization Wildlife Response, Inc... I called the local number and left a message... I then searched further and found two people locally that rescue small animals (birds and mammals), called one who referred me to the other (who specializes in squirrels) and attempted to call her several times, receiving nothing but a busy signal...

After a few other tries, we made contact and she suggested I bring the baby to her home a couple of miles away. I arrived and she invited me in to assist her. She first took a look at suggested the baby may be very underweight. She attempted to put her on a scale and the little rascal jumped out and onto her kitchen floor. She thanked me for being there and asked if I could lift up the end of her kitchen island so that she could catch the squirrel, which I did and she did. After finally getting a weight, she confirmed that the baby was about half it's healthy weight. First thing she did was give it an oral antibiotic (in a proper dose) to ward off any infections it may have received from the cat or dog. Next she offered a syringe full of (a special) formula to the baby and checked it's sex. The baby "Shirley" was in fact a female and took every drop of the formula.

Afterwards, Susan (the WRI volunteer) told me what her treatment plans were and assured me she would keep in touch as to Shirley's progress (more for Michael, than me)...

She has, and Shirley is recovering well...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Baby Gym Rat 1?

2011-04-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

Oops, I meant Baby Tree Rat (better known as a squirrel)...

Yesterday I arrived home from work, changed, grabbed a cocktail, and went to go sit on our front porch. While out there, enjoying the beautiful afternoon, I noticed one of the ferrell cats from across the street in our front flower bed. They are usually quite skittish but this one seemed intrigued by something... After I spooked it off, this little thing appeared on the porch right beneath my feet:

I called her Shirley, she seemed so docile and friendly (very unusual for our neighborhood squirrels) but then she was just a baby... She wandered around me for about 45 minutes, then headed out through the railing at the end of the porch, most likely (I thought) never to be seen again...

Michael and our neighbors arrived home shortly afterwards. Our upstairs neighbors have a Great Dane (I have posted about her in the past) named Audrey, and she loves to chase squirrels but never catches them. We were all chatting, when a family walking down the street started making a bit of a fuss. Michael (my own little "snoop dog") went over to see what was going on...

Apparently, Shirley was in the lawn in the front of the house a few doors down. The family saw her and got a little freaked out. Michael noticed that she (Shirley) was a bit distressed and wanted to see if he could help. She was very scared (of the cats chasing her) and when Michael found her, she jumped up onto his shoulder for safety. Then, as he was returning home, shouting to me to "get a box", Shirley jumped off his shoulder and onto the cross street, one house down from our's...

Audrey was out in our front yard and I was trying to keep her occupied by pointing to things in the opposite direction. It worked for awhile until...

The rest to come tomorrow, Over and "Out" from the wild kingdom, here in Portsmouth, VA

My New Life

I Dare You to leave a comment...

Friend of Dorothy? Or Friend of Betty?

Does Mitt use lesbian quotes often?

Republicans can play nice too...

On Marriage and Divorce...

Who needs New Hampshire, When we have the Pope!!!

A Potential Bully... Your Own Father...

And... Finally This Week... Your Call...

Apologies to the fans for not checking first on the veracity of the naval incident. But honestly, lots of things that never happened are quite hilarious. Case and point: Michelle Bachman's bid for the whitehouse. Or her husband's conversion to heterosexuality.

Six on the Sixth - January 2012

Wash, Rinse and Repeat, Repeat, Repeat...

Merry Merry Christmas Christmas 2011 2011...

Merry Christmas 2011...

That's LIFE...

All Wrapped Up for the Holiday...

Christmas Lights are UP...

Six on the Sixth - December

Twenty Years Gone... RIP Pan Am...

World AIDS Day 2011.. RVA Remembers...

Macys Screams for Bieber...

A Lesson in Making a Difference...

Bullying and the Crumpled Paper Lesson... The View...

Six on the Sixth - November

Crumpled Paper and Bullying Revisited...

Halloween - GOP Style...

This is Halloween... Another look!

Party Rockin' Halloween...

Spirit Day 2011

Choice or pre-disposed genetic variation?....

Ode to my Baby Brother, and Coming Out...

Crumpled Paper and Bullying...

Six on the Sixth - October

I Loves PUSSY...

Cheney's both ok gay marriage... I am so relieved...

Filler between the Meat...

Welcome Home Lower Manhattan!

Intense wireless hack...

Six on the Sixth - September

Labor Day 2011

Mommy, they are just like me....

Bye... Bye... IRENE...

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Four)

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Three)

Forecast for Portsmouth, Virginia

Hurricane Warning in effect...

Today

Tonight

Saturday

Saturday Night

Sunday

Eye... Eye... IRENE... (Part Two)

Eye... Eye... IRENE...

Virginia's First Light Rail System...

Who Says Bachmann doesn't Suck?

Who can't resist a Gay Top...

Show us Integrity and grow some Huevos....

Best Thing about Me...

Six on the Sixth - August

Duck and Cover...

Happy Summer w/Kenny Chesney...

Brian Williams on Letterman about Regis...

Attack of the killer June Bugs...

Sue Sylvester: Please... Save your money, this thing...

Neil Patrick Harris and the Smurfs...

Sixty Thousand Thanks...

The Edge of Glory taking on a new meaning...

Let's concentrate on the debt, not DADT...

Attack of the Crepe Myrtle 2011...

Bachmann's Turned her Overdrive...

Neighborhood Ironman...

ASS-umptions... Follow-up

ASS-umptions...

Something New: Six on the Sixth...

More Reasons to Continue our need for Fossil Fuel...

Two-Hundred Thirty-five Years and Counting...

Just in Case You Have Never Read it:

Time to Lighten up a little...

Pat Robertson declares the end of America...

Marriage Equality in New York State...