One World Youth Project

The youth of today never ceases to amaze me. I was online this morning looking at one of the Ambassador's entries on my Niece's website: http://www.oneworldyouthproject.org/aidsday.html and was enlightened to see what today's young adults are capable of. Although the event was in May, I was in awe of the insightfulness of these young people. I hope the AIDS awareness event went well for them and other adults (politicians and government officials especially) were as taken aback as I was.

AWARENESS ALWAYS LEADS TO A CURE!

HIV/AIDS (awareness) and my other pet peeve BREAST CANCER (awareness), will always be on a front burner for my energies...

AWARENESS ALWAYS LEADS TO A CURE!

Acceptance (not just tolerance) of GLBT equality is another topic that is close to me. Unacceptance is not a social or moral issue, it's a disease of those who are afflicted by it...

AWARENESS ALWAYS LEADS TO A CURE!

All are issues that can not be ignored any longer. All (or at least one) that each of us should have some interest in. Whether it be by donating our time, our professional skills, or our monetary resources, we need to think about some aspect, one or more, of these ailments as a part of our lives...

Ok, enough said, I got that off of my chest early today...

Otherwise, "My New Life" is going quite well. I am getting ready for my move to Williamsburg, and already am expecting guests. My brother and family, from Cape Cod, are planning a visit next week after they deliver my niece back to her dorm at Georgetown. I haven't seen them in over a year and it will be nice to catch up in person. Then, JD's parents are coming for the Labor Day weekend. I have not met them yet, and look forward to that as well (although I do have a small knot in my stomach, as I have not had to endure a "meet my folks" event in a number of years). These and my move are keeping me very busy, which is a good thing!

Over and "Out" once again from Williamsburg!

Did you know? Queer GAY facts...

Ok, after my gut wrenching drama yesterday - at least to me - I've decided to follow a friend's format and do something different (thanks Kelly http://kellystern.blogspot.com) every now and then. I encourage all to leave some "Queer GAY Facts" after reading mine, in my comments.

Here we go!

DID YOU KNOW?

The gay pride flag, which made it's debut at the 1978 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade, was designed by Gilbert Baker. It's inspiration came from the black civil rights and hippie movements.

Each color on the gay pride flag (also known as the rainbow flag) has a different meaning. Test your knowledge below.

RED = Life
ORANGE = Healing
YELLOW = Sun
GREEN = Nature
ROYAL BLUE = Harmony
VIOLET = Spirit

Adding a black stripe to the bottom of the flag represents victory over AIDS. It can also signify leather daddy pride.

How did you do?

Now it's your turn. Let's see what you know about your heritage...

Over and "Out" from Williamsburg (today)...

I Love "My New Life"!!!

It's hard to put into words, the way I feel. I am content, and very pleased to be me... How can one say that without dismissing one's past? I have no regrets about how I got to this place, I am just very happy to be here. I have children I love, I have friends and family I love, and I have a man that I love AND am in love with. Who could ask for anything more?

I still have obstacles every day, I have disappointments as well. I just refuse to let them govern who I am or where I am at this place in time. I fell to sleep last night in the arms of someone I care so much about, yet I can't forget the times I have done that in my previous life. I hope reading this does not cause anymore hurt to that person. Love is not something that can be discarded like an old shirt, it lasts forever if you let it.

I read a Blog from a friend of mine today and realized regardless of your intentions, the pain you create by your actions can sometimes never be forgiven. Unless they let it... I cannot focus on that, but rather concentrate on being true. To myself and to others. The feelings one has about things that have happened are their own. I have my feelings too, I just try not to have others' affect who I am or what I am.

Enough of the babbling... I am Happy, I hope they can be as well...

Over and "Out" from Williamsburg

Brothers will be Brothers...

It must be my week for emails from my past. My Brother and his wife - also "Canes" fans but in Atlanta - did not react well to my coming out. As a matter of fact, I can count the conversations we have had since that day last year on one finger. Well, I got a very nice email from him earlier this week. It seems they just needed some time to digest my whole situation. I was lucky enough to have all sorts of time to adjust, I guess I shouldn't be so critical of those that had less. We both apologized (in that brotherly - you know what I mean - kind of way) and I am optimistic that we will be able to mend the rips in our relationships, His, Her's and mine...

Meanwhile life goes on... I was hoping to have the Sebring back this week, but it will not be done until Thursday or Friday. I have a new collection of UM (University of Miami) window magnets and other car accessories to replace those damaged or faded. Also a beautiful new rainbow stripe for JD's Jeep, a bright new rainbow flag for the house, and rainbow wrist bands for our tolerant and supportive straight friends (thanks SB, HB and AB, we love you like family)...

I never doubted my little brother (who turns 50 this year) would come around in his own time. I'm just glad it's happened...

That's all for now... Over and "Out" from Richmond, VA

What a small small world...

The other day I received an email from a great friend and business associate from Florida. She and I worked together for about eight years at one company. Then when I left for a great job with Circuit City, I recruited her and she came to work with me for the couple of years I stayed in Florida. I then relocated with CC to Richmond and she took over my position in FL. That was 7 years ago... Her email informed me that she was coming up to Richmond this month, and possibly relocating here in November...

I do believe in destiny and fate. This woman and I are meant to have intertwining lives. At least professionally. I look forward to seeing her and helping her find her way around... Congrats Pat, I can hardly wait to give you a huge HUG!

I am at the end of a long week. Two 12 hour days followed by an eight hour Saturday. I get off today at 5pm and can't wait to see JD. It's only been a couple of days but it seems forever sometimes. We are attending a birthday party for a neighbor tonight, and I went by Priscilla's yesterday to pick up a couple of gifts for him...

That's all I have for now... Over and "Out" from Richmond VA

Not in Toano anymore Toto...

Max, Mikey, Kodie, or Dinero (the four black and white k9's in residence) either, for that matter... On Friday - after a week of 100 degree plus temperatures - a cold front plowed trough central Virginia. The first line of storms was nothing more than very high winds and a few light showers. Then came round two, heavier horizontal rains, back to back lightning strikes, winds that could move small cars in a single bound, and debris flying through the air like Dorothy's farmhouse in the Wizard of Oz... After the second batch of storms, JD called me to let me know a hail storm may be on the way and that I should move my car into his garage... I told him I really didn't think it was necessary, but told him I would. I went out and opened the driver's side door to find MILLIONS of small pieces of glass all over the interior of my poor car. It appeared a huge chunk of hardwood had been torn from it's Mother Tree somewhere overhead and been flung into the side of my car and shattered the passenger side window. Thank goodness for tempered glass... Am I dramatic? or what?

Well, the damage to the Sebring was not as bad as it could have been. The top does not appear to be injured, although the nice folks at Bruce's Body Shop in Williamsburg has not finished assessing the total damage. The best weather in weeks is about to happen, and I am off Tuesday and Wednesday stuck with a 2006 Hyundai Sonata... Not complaining, it could be worse.

I plan on telling my room mate tonight about my decision to move at the end of the month. I am not looking forward to it, but I owe it too him to let him know, as he has been so good to me over this past year.

I miss JD already, and have only been home since this morning...

That's all for now. Over and "Out" from Richmond, VA

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is a funny movie, even though the first time I saw it, with my step-daughter, I fell asleep through parts of it. I own it on DVD now and watch it frequently .

DON'T PANIC!

The time has come for me to make some adjustments in my life... I have interviewed and been accepted in a transfer to our store in Newport News (for those of you unfamiliar with VA, that is where they build the big ships down towards the ocean from Richmond). There just aren't many reasons to stay here in Richmond. So, I am moving down to Williamsburg, to be close to the guy I love, and continue "My New Life" there.

There will be some raised eyebrows over my decision to move, but I think it's best for me, and that's what matters. It has been almost a year since I moved out, so I don't feel I have made a hasty call. Anyway, it's my movie, I am the Producer, Director, and lead Actor, let me make it the way I see fit!

I would be so lucky to have it turn out as fun as h2g2...

Over and "Out" from my neck of the Galaxy