Thanksgiving Day 2008

I was re-reading some of my older posts the other day, and found a piece that summed up my feelings this Thanksgiving Day. While the names have changed (as have the circumstances of my current life) I thought it worth editing a little and re-posting today.

Life in Chesapeake has been good. I can't believe it's been six months since my exodus from country life in Toano. My work here and the volunteer things I do on the side keeps me out of trouble. My new friends here and my work family make all things that transpired this past year more palatable...

My children, two in Miami (30 and 28) and two in Richmond (22 and 20), are my legacy. They are each challenging in their own way. Some talk to me regularly, some don't. I am thankful that they are mine, and hope that they all know how much I love them...

My Mother and two brothers (and their respective families) who I don't speak to enough, are always in my thoughts. My Mom is my inspiration and more than likely is where I got my optimism from. Thanks Mom, I love you! Thank you Skip and Pat, I know you have had to deal with alot from your older brother these past years, I love you guys, your wives, and my nieces and nephew...

To my new found Pop and his family in the land down under, I am glad you came to visit, I am glad you have someone special in your life, and I am extremely glad to know you!

To my blogging and HROC friends: You all have made my journey this past year so enlightening. It is so nice to know that complete strangers can connect and impact the lives of each other in such a positive way sometimes... What a lucky man I am to know all of you! Thank you for your input, your comments and your support of "My New Life" and me personally...

You know I am not much into the "prayer" thing, but I do send my best wishes and thanks. This video kind of says part of how I feel towards you all (Celtic Woman's The Prayer):

There are many others in my life that have supported me and continued to care for me through all my ups and downs. To all of you: Thank You!

I will be thinking and thanking everyone for a wonderful year and life, as I spend this Thanksgiving Day...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, Virginia, USA

My First Snow in Chesapeake

I woke up a little late this morning. As I was doing the morning routine and started the coffee, went in to relieve the overnight bladder, turned on GMA, then opened the blinds in the living room, I realized it was snowing outside!

My first snow living down here. I am excited and I love snow.

Mind you it wasn't sticking to anything and it phased from a sprinkle to snow off and on, but it was beautiful. I went out on to my front porch and just took it all in...

This summer and fall reminds me a lot of the first year living in Virginia, back in 1999. I was told by most of my colleagues at Circuit City (the company that relocated me from Miami) that it rarely snowed in Richmond, and when it did, it rarely lasted long. The summer that year was hot and humid and the fall very short lived, not unlike the seasons we just experienced. That winter became the most extreme one in years. The first snow was in mid November (sound familiar?) and the unusual thing was that it stuck AND accumulated. The whole city seemed to close down for three inches of snow. And that was just the start...

We had more accumulating snow, two ice storms, sleet, and freezing rain that year than we have had any year since. I got a taste of winter and snow that first year that I actually enjoyed and kind of expected from that point forward... Each winter since has been a little different with a lot less precipitation. Although I have also moved closer to the water over the past few, first from Richmond to Williamsburg, and then from the "burg" to Chesapeake, so I suspect the chance of a "white Christmas" will be somewhat diminished.

None the less... We got snow this morning and I loved it!

Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, VA

The Prop 8 Song

I am not all that fond of rap, but listen to the words:



Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, VA

Join the Impact in Norfolk

The Hampton Roads folks did their part on Saturday!


11-15-2008 - 13 News - Join The Impact Protest - Downtown Norfolk from coolasbluefire on Vimeo.


Only wish I could have been there,
but someone had to mind the store!

Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, VA

In Someone Elses Words...

I know I have been slow to post in here, and no, that doesn't mean anything other than I have had little to say after history was made earlier this month...

I did receive an email from a friend, that after the nation wide protests that took place yesterday against Prop 8, seemed enlightening and appropriate:

"The California Supreme Court did in fact rule, for the first time, that Gays are not just another minority group, but a “suspect class” of minority. This status has only previously been extended to race, sex, and religious minorities. This means that discrimination against a “suspect class” triggers “Strict Scrutiny” on the part of the courts, and this analysis requires the government to come up with a “compelling state reason” for the discrimination. Historically, once a minority group has attained status as a “suspect class” discrimination against it has always been prohibited because the government has never been able to come up with a “compelling state reason” for the discrimination.

This analysis will survive Proposition 8. Gays are still a suspect class and the government will have to come up with a compelling state reasons to justify denying them fundamental rights including marriage.

This means several things; The court may rule that the California Constitution cannot be amended to take away fundamental rights from a suspect class by a simple majority vote. They may well decode that a constitutional convention is required to take away fundamental rights. This requires a two-thirds vote of the state legislature.

A writ has already been filed by a collection of civil right’s lawyers (moi included) seeking to obtain such a ruling. If so, the election could be tossed out and the homophobes left with having to get two-thirds of the legislature to agree to a constitutional convention.

Lots of luck.

This would mirror the Federal Constitution which cannot be amended without two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress plus ratification by three -quarters of all the state legislatures.

As you recall, the last gasp of the Federal Religious Right attempted such an amendment in Congress on this very issue and they failed to get even a simply majority of either the House or the Senate let alone a two-thirds majority.

So the argument goes: California’s Constitution must reflect the Federal one. It can only be amended to take away fundamental rights by a Constitutional Convention which requires two-thirds of the state legislature.

This battle is far from over.

Thanks (Joe) for forwarding me the above!

Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, VA

In my own words...

I am thrilled about the outcome of the Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections... I just heard on the news that North Carolina's results are finally in as well!

In addition, the Hampton Roads OUTReach Center had two major events this past week... Carnivale, on Saturday night and our own Post Election Party on Tuesday... The turn out to both was HUGE!!! Much more support and participation than any of us ever anticipated. Thanks to all who volunteered and came out to join us...

We all had a blast, which is quite evident if you go through the pictures and videos on our website theHROC.org Who says you can't have fun while making money for a good cause?

Check out the calendar of events on the website if you missed the last ones... Oh, and yes that might be the beginning of a blond go-tee, not sure if it will last...

Over and "Out" from Chesapeake, VA

Change has come to America

This two minute clip says it all...



Over and "Out" from my corner of the United States of America!