My Anniversary and A Homophobic Reminder That We Are Not Equal

We live three doors down from my adopted mother. My partner helps me attend to many of my mother's needs.

SCENE: On my way out of town to take my adopted mother to my Aunt's funeral, we had the following conversation:

ME:  (happy) You know Mom, today is my 15th anniversary.

MOM:  (sounding shocked)To who?

ME:  (deadpan) You know!  15 years drug free....What do you mean to who?! Who do you think???

MOM:  (agitated) Well, I don't count and keep track of how many years it's been.

ME:  (sarcastic) Well, that's obvious! Because apparently you can't keep track of who I'm with either!

:::LeSigh:::

This Week In Review At Our House

We had a very scary week but it ended upbeat thank goodness.

Our daughter-n-law who is months pregnant was sent to the hopsital Wed night with pains in her side. After much texting back and forth, all night long, we found out that it was an acute appendicitis and that she was being taken into surgery....and that she could loose the baby....which they had just found out was a little boy. Needless to say, everyone was worried. 

To make matters worse, we had reservations at Disney's Animal Kindom Resort's Boma for breakfast as well as tickets to the Christmas Candlelight Processional at Epcot starring Andy Garcia that night with friends from our church.  Fortunately for everyone, the surgery went well and we were told to get the heck gone and have a good time. This was a bit hard to do so we waited and after we spoke with the doctor, we felt enough at ease to literally leave.  Of course we kept in touch via cell phone the whole time. As it turned out, she and the baby did and are doing very well. And as for Andy Garcia; he is just as handsome in person as he is on screen! We actually sat in the front row....although it was a bit to close for comfort, he made it worth while and I'm not even attracted to men! So you go Andy Garcia!!!  By the time we got home that night, we were beat not having much sleep the night before.

It was a first at the processional where he actually told the story of Christ's birth in Spanish and in English. Very beautiful and moving. At Christmas time I always miss my biological mother because it was a holiday she enjoyed so much. Her Buenos Noches Dinner was legend; the roast pork, gandule rice, pasteles, salad, etc. . She loved cooking for all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and co-workers.  It was her gift to them. She spoke fluent Spanish and had a very thick english accent so, I always associate the language with her and Christmas. During the season, Spanish is what I want to hear. People could be talking about doing the laundry for all I care as long is it spanish. It is just music to my ears and I so enjoyed hearing Mr. Garcia.

On Saturday, we moved the youngest son into a new place in the well to do section of New Tampa. I say that with tongue in cheek but, it is a very nice location. The condo sets up against a Cypress Preserve and he and his girlfriend have a beautiful tiled, screened in back porch that overlooks the preserve. They love nature so this is ideal for them. The place is pretty large for a two bedroom two bath condo. I don't know the square footage but, it is bigger than the two bedroom duplex apartment they just left. I'm happy for both he and his girlfriend. They had just been broken into in their old place and of course things that were stolen were things they couldn't replace.  So this new place is much much more safer as it is not only in a nice section of town but, in a gated communtiy.

Saturday night we went out to dinner and then to the Christmas Concert at my church. We love the music and it was by no means a disappointment. There is so much talent in that church that I don't know why they don't try to make a record. Last night was no exception. We heard jazz, we heard gospel, we heard traditional Christmas songs and we saw ballet. Yep, they actually incorporated two of the most handsome talented young men ever dressed as angels who performed to the music. It was so inspiring and awesome I can't even describe it. I was angry that I didn't take my camcorder or camera. And we also got to see a lot of church members that we haven't seen in a while since we haven't been going because of  L's new work schedule. It was really fun. The only down side was I made a small pig of myself at the desert table and ate a small muffin AND three cookies. Waaaaay to much sugar for me. I felt sick and was afraid I was going to start that dumping syndrome but, I didn't thank goodness. Never again. I think one cookie would have been more than enough....it wasn't like they were small. lol

We came home late and stayed up until four this morning watching Christmas videos while we put up the Christmas tree. It was worth it. It looks beautiful. I am going to have to take a picture and post it.  Maybe for my Wordless Wednesdays.

Last weeks pictures were of my sons and my Grandson. My oldest son, the one in the suit in his office, is going to be on the radio this week for his job. I don't know the particulars about what he will be talking about but it is a new talk radio show.

I guess that's it for now. I still have a tiny bit of shopping left but for the most part I am through.

We are going to Disney's Pirate Pals Lagoon Cruise next Thursday. ( I'm hoping we can finish up the shopping in downtown Disney.  I looooovvvveee to shop down there even  though it is packed even during a week day.)  This event is for children and adults but, really more for children. L needed to know about the event for work so, she was given two tickets to attend. I'm just looking forward to being out in the lake at night. I love being on the water any where. lol Except the Everglades. Nope, don't like it there. lol

On Saturday we are attending a party at a dear friends house. I have a little surprise cooked up for her! Can't say what it is here just in case. The only downer is that my daughter-n-law may not be well enough to attend. But, we are looking forward to the party.

Well, that is about it. Hope everyone is getting caught up and ready to enjoy their Christmas Parties, Christmas and New Year. It is such a busy time of the year and I barely blog when it isn't busy so, I may not be back for awhile.

Take care everyone!!    

In Loving Memory Of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado 1990-2009

So sad that this happened. When will the hatred and intolerance end?

SCIENTOLOGY MAIL ENDLESS SCI FI

I received the following in the mail:

Dear Scientologist,

With the international Mecca of Scientology now under final construction, the imminent release of Super Power is more and more real with every coming day.

In fact, each floor of the new Flag building is under construction and moving rapidly to completion.

This forward progress marks the speed in which we will soon be clearing the planet-in fact, lightning speed with the fabulous 12 rundowns of Super Power.

The restoration of native state abilities for a thetan will guarantee that a team of beings of new levels, the Scientologists, will creat the new world here on Earth.

It is the suppporters of the Super Power Expansion Project that have made this advancement of our religion possible.

And it is for this reason that I ask you again to give a generous hand in forwarding the purpose of the release of Super Power.

With a contribution of $100, $250 or more you make a cleared planet a reality.

Thank you for your gifts and help to the betering of mankind.

Much love,

XXXXX XXXXXXX

P.S. Please take this step now as your donation speeds this group to its final victory- a planet that can be free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. If I could make this schit up, I'd be rich!! 

What are friends for?

I don't blog as often as I'd like. I generally think about things I want to blog about right before bed and then of course by the time I wake up the next morning, I've completely forgotten about them. But not this time.


I'm a little upset today. The reason involves the older sister of a dear friend of mine. I have known my friend for over forty years. My friend, I'll call 'T' can't stand her sister and for good reason. The older sister was the favorite child of the two. You know the kind. In her parents eyes she is perfect but in reality she is trouble with a capital T. A good example; she use to sell pot. She hid it between the mattress and box-spring of my friend's bed. Her parents find the drugs and literally beat the crap out of my friend. Meanwhile, her sister who's dope it was, did nothing and said nothing. When my mother saw my friend and heard the story, she tried to intervene and speak to the parents. Their response? "She would NEVER do anything like sell pot! Now T would but, no sirree, we don't believe that story!"



Eventually her father passed away and T continued to live with her mother. She has held jobs, helped her mother out and been a constant in her life. Although extremely naive to the point of being labeled a simpleton, she is a good person. Her sister on the other hand moved on and never looked back. Never called her mother or came to visit whether it was her mother's birthday, Christmas or Thanksgiving even though she lived right here in the city. Until she needed something. According to her mother, she has bled over $10,000 off of her in the last year alone. The mother fell in the back yard and fractured two vertebras and is now unable to work. T has worked and cared for her mother alone. Then the end of Sept of this year the sister shows up having no where to go. Claims she lived in her car and a homeless shelter; that she lost everything she owned; furniture clothes apartment. To the dismay of both T and her mother, she moved her butt in even though they told her they didn't have any place for her. It is still unclear whether she was fired or quit her job as an Orthodontist assistant. 'T's mother called and asked me if I would help get her daughter a job by letting her apply online so she could get her out of the house before 'T' killed her. I said sure even though I can't stand T's sister. She came over alright and it quickly became apparent that she has no computer knowledge, doesn't want any knowledge, and doesn't really want a job. It's also iffy whether or not she has her certification like she claimed as I can't find it online.



T called yesterday to vent about how sick she was of her sister being there and how they exchanged heated words and the sister had called her a dyke and a few other things. T had lost control and hit her in the nose. But that at least now the woman takes off before T gets home from work and stays out till T goes to bed. This pleased and tickled T to no end as she is not the kind of person to stand up for herself and she felt proud that she had for once. But, it still didn't have the desired response which was to get her to leave for good. T is also worried about her mother. The sister is working the mother's sympathies to the point that T's mother had given in and gave her $500 to help her pay her car insurance and get gas. That is $500 that her mother didn't have to spare. T pays the living expenses and her mother helps with the groceries. The sister signed up and is getting food stamps but uses it strictly for herself. Other than buying her own groceries, the sister contributes nothing to the household. T was speculating where she takes off to everyday.



Now comes the good part. I passed the heifer today on the way back from the grocery store. Even though I had fresh shrimp and ice cream in the car, my butt just had to turn around and follow her. I forgot to mention earlier that she actually called me and left a very hateful message on my voice mail a few weeks back because I didn't want to help her...said I was heartless. Coming from her, I had to hold it in to keep from peeing my pants with laughter when I heard it. So out of curiosity, I had to know where she was heading. As it turns out, you'd never guess. The liquor store. Where she went in and came out with a bag. I'm pretty sure it isn't coca cola she bought. Unfortunately, I couldn't follow her to her next destination due to the groceries but, I sure would like to know now myself, just where it is that she goes every day. I feel so sorry for T and her mother. For someone who has to beg money to pay for gas, I wonder how she could afford the booze? And more importantly, how do you get someone like that out of your house once they've planted roots?  I'm certainly not going to tell T what I saw. But still, this just confirms what I've always thought about that woman. That she is a selfish self-centered lying using leach.

THURSDAY'S NIGHT JOB

Who said When it Rains it Pours?

The last few days have been fairly intense for us. So glad L took vacation days.

To begin with, my daughter-n-laws best friend, unbeknownst to anyone, as she kept it a secret, went into the hospital for surgery to have some growth on her neck removed. Turns out she has thyroid cancer and it had spread into her upper chest. They 'think' they got all the cells. Of course no one knows for sure. At first they said it was a stage two and she was given five to ten years. Now today they are not mentinoning time frames and talking more about her being young (32) and in good health otherwise and how she may, after chemo and radiation do well.  Whatever that means. Her mother, who just lost her mother in July to lung cancer basically collapsed and had to be taken from the hospital after being told she may have to bury her daughter in her life time. I am in shock at the way they were all first told personally as they said M's husband, likewise fell apart. The doctor must have come out there with guns ablazing is all I can figure out. They, just like my son and his wife, were high school sweethearts. In fact all four went to the same school and they are Godparents to my Grandson. Tough stuff. I'm hoping the doctor's are wrong and she will be okay.

Today we found out that someone crawled along side of or went under the Camaro we parked at my mother's house and sawed off the catalytic converter. In addition to that, they carved the words 'kill you' on the driver's side. I feel like leaving a sign on the door that reads: ' I may kill you first you piece of sh!t'.

Obviously that later had to be the work of someone who knew the car wasn't driven and that there was no one who would see the deed being done. All fingers point to the punk living behind her. He has had numerous scrapes with the law....very anti gay (left a condom on our doorknob once and then was dumb enough to video our reaction and show it to my son.)  Of course we had no reaction. Just opened the door, saw it, went and put a garden glove on and removed it. Eh...

Other than the above, I don't have any news. Which at this point is a blessing.
We carry on the basic of insurance on the car as no one drives it anywhere but, now it is over $500 to repair it because of the damage to the pipes as well. My hope is that it was taken to use on another car. My guess is it was a pos as the car ran jerky and most of the time stalled out. lol That is why we didn't sell it. That and the fact that it served a purpose of making it look like someone lived at my mother's house. Of course like I said, anyone who lives around in the area or passes the  house knows the car never moves. I really doubt you could get all that much for the part itself.

My mother's dog is still having seizures. Had a super bad one on Monday while I was at the cardiologist's office with her. Came back to find the poor thing laying sprawled out in her own waste and unable to move. Also crying her eyes out. I got it all cleaned up. She apparently tried to get up so much she bloodied her back feet which totally failed her. Carried her to the living room and then to the car for the trip to the vet. They are now saying she has what is equal to Parkinson's and Althemizer's in dogs. She's  a 13 years old German Shepard. She's been on steroids for months now  for what they originally diagnosed as a brain tumor. But it looks like it may have been this all along. Same kind of seizures...so we've had to add pain meds and some kind of anti parkinson medicine.  Poor Mother would be lost without that dog. Not sure how that is going to play out in the end. Will most likely take our Blue Dobie down to live there if something happens as she will be a great watch dog for Mom and it would help the dog out as she is 8 years old and has artheritis. Becoming an inside dog would be like she died and went to heaven for her. She was inside here all last winter because of her artheritis and chewing of her feet to a bloody pulp and she got use to it REAL quick. lol

   

SCIENTOLOGY: NO DOES NOT MEAN NO TO THEM

At first I wasn't going to blog about this but, I can see that it is going to be another one of those funny little Scientology stories that should be told.

I received a standard letter a few weeks back from a woman I'll call Tweedle Dee. It read:

HELLO,
This is Tweedle Dee. I am a Service Consultant at the Church of Scientology of xxxxx.
I have been helping people with the technology of Scientology to find the right solution for them for the various difficulties they have in life. I thought you would be interested to know some of the things which can be handled using the technology of Scientology.

In looking at this list you might find a situation you are in yourself. If so, that's okay-It can be handled. (unfortunately non of the situations include being a) stalked by the Church of Scientology b) being bombed with phone calls from the Church of Scientology c) being sent butt loads of Scientology junk mail)

Each item on this list can be dealt with and handled. the way it gets handled is different for every person, but it starts with deciding to do something about it. None of these things get better on their own. It requires your decision to handle it and help yourself get rid of the unwanted conditions in your life. (Never mind that THEY are the only unwanted condition in my life.)

In Scientology, we have the knowledge and tools to handle these conditions. But it does start with your participation.

Call me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or mail this form back to me as the first step.

Sincerely,
Tweedle Dee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To which I responded with the following form letter:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear _______________[insert name]

I received your letter dated____________

I signed up and completed the Communication course. Someone else signed me up for the Dianetics Original Thesis Course. I came in and did not care for the course nor the structure of the environment and have no plans to return to any Scientology courses now or in the foreseeable future.

Repeated requests to be taken off all mailing lists go ignored and I have become accustomed to the daily sorting and trashing of Scientology literature of which I am certain you will not understand.

If however, an explanation is needed, I'm quite sure you have gone to a store shopping for shoes and may have tried on several pars only to find you didn't prefer them for reason or another. Perhaps you even went toa different store where eventually you found what you wanted and what best fit you. This is what I have done; found a church I prefer to Scientology. This revelation will without a doubt, have absolutely no impact on the actions of you church and is why I will continue to use this standad from letter to reply.

Peace be with you,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Personally, I think the above response is waaaaay nicer than any of them deserve but, whatever. I was stupid. I saw a personality test online and I was dumb enough to take it. I then got sold a bill of goods and took a course. My mistake. Why was it a mistake? Because I went to a place to learn about communication. Communication people. A place that when someone tells them NO about something you would think that they would GET that. But, they don't. What does that say to you about the way THEY communicate? Now here comes the stalking sic part about this that I have come to expect from the likes of them. I got the same form letter in the mail again today. Are you starting to see a pattern here folks? These people are robots. They do the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over again and that is all they know to do. So, of course I just hit print and in their envelope the standard reply goes. It is their envelope and their postage so I don't care. I just want this to be a lesson to anyone out there who is even REMOTELY curious about this group. DON'T BE!!! They really are relentless. And unless you have the fortitude and the stamina to deal, they will eat you for breakfast and eventually suck every dime you have. Their courses are expensive and if you can't pay for them then you can work for them. It is a win win for them. Money or slaves.

Their new tactic is to sponsor ads on MySpace and other networking sites where teens who question their existence and the meaning of life on a minute to minute basis can be found. A veritable smorgasbord of prey. They also use these websites to track people. It is what they do. It is all a tremendous number of them do. It's their job. Don't make it yours.

For Jess

I am running late tonight and just read Jess‘s latest post, in which he challenged readers to use their camera phones to take photos of themselves just as they are, right in the moment. So, here I am in all my tired glory. lol

Don't Tell Me Who To Love by Ray Boltz

MCC Tampa this Sunday 5:00 pm Free Spaghetti Dinner and concert by Ray Boltz

Tuesday's Tune

Jullian's new favorite song. His father on the other hand, says this song makes him think of me...

Monday's Memory

SCIENTOLOGY: DANGEROUS CULT, INTERNATIONAL SCAM

SCIENTOLOGY: DANGEROUS CULT, INTERNATIONAL SCAM
By Andrew O'Connor
Daily Egyptian, serving Souther Illinois since 1916

Share this article Published: Monday, July 13, 2009

Today’s topic is Scientology, and the next 500 words will guarantee that I won’t get work in Hollywood.


The Church of Scientology is something many people have heard about, but few know much about it. Allow me to set the record straight: Scientology is a dangerous cult founded by a tax-cheat, B-list science-fiction writer that continues to use its vast wealth and land ownership to harass the critics who dare criticize it.


Scientology is structured in a hierarchal pyramid, where the more “auditing” $essions a person goes through, the more of the founder’s (L. Ron Hubbard) “truth” they are exposed to.


Of course, thanks to the Internet, the highest level “science” Hubbard ever dropped on humanity has been published for more than a decade. And here is the basic gist (familiar to those who have seen the South Park episode): Ahem, 75 million years ago evil space emperor Xenu captured a bunch of aliens, put them all in space planes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs in volcanoes on Earth. The souls of these dead space aliens then tried to float back out into space only to be trapped on Earth by Xenu’s ozone layer-esque alien soul stopper. The souls roamed the Earth for a millennium until they found something to which they could attach themselves in man. These parasitic alien souls, called Thetans, are the reason for our depression and bad television today.


Now let me be fair, I don’t want to defame blatantly individual scientologists. I’m sure that many Scientologists are good, decent people who have just found something of value. It is not my, nor anyone’s, place to disparage anyone’s right to believe anything he or she wants. I was raised Catholic so I am quite familiar with, ahem, more fanciful beliefs (Transubstantiation is just archaic Jesus Magick). My problem here (like my problem with Catholicism) is the institution and specifically the church leadership.


A few weeks ago, Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder, the two most senior officials ever to leave the Church of Scientology detailed the bizarre, violent and potentially criminal goings on of high-level church management, specifically the head of the church, David Miscavige. Now like all things Scientology, this takes some backstory.


Hubbard founded Scientology a little more than 50 years ago. Since then the empire has grown into a worldwide force, with millions of members, huge amounts of wealth and power and a whole bunch celebrity converts. How do you get all that in such a small amount of time? You lie, cheat and steal every chance you get.


From their tax fraud to their criminal break in of government buildings to extreme intimidation and harassment of family members, governments and journalists, they have cut themselves a huge slice of the pie, which they operate from a cartoonishly evil cruise ship command center (look it up) and the home base in Florida (where else?).


When Hubbard died, there was a power vacuum that was created in church leadership and Miscavige filled that vacuum. The head of the church reportedly beat, humiliated and abused other high-ranking members of the church in order to maintain a dictatorial control. Under his leadership, the church has conducted numerous “black” campaigns, which often use less-than-legal tactics to harass and intimidate anyone defined as an “Enemy of Scientology”(like yours truly).


There is a plethora of credible information available out there on the dangers and evils of the Church of Scientology worth reading, but the real point is this: Scientologists aren’t allowed to read this. Members are conditioned to ignore anything out there that is critical of the church. Any member of the church reading this should know, I love you and so does Jesus, especially when you question your leaders.


So please, if you have family members in the church (especially if they just started) read up on Scientology, and try and persuade them to as well. And if you are approached by Scientologists (or its cover, Dianetics and Business Management Technology) run, don’t walk, toward the nearest escape hatch. Then the 75-million year war for the Earth will be won.


Praise Xenu.

O’Connor is a junior studying
political science and philosophy.

Lori's Beloved Brother

May he rest in peace.......


LeRoy H. Pfaff, age 62, of Sacramento, CA died on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on September 20, 1946, the son of Henry Pfaff and Ruth(Cook) Bailey in Lancaster, WI. LeRoy graduated from Lancaster High School in 1964, received a B.S. in Computer Science from Chapman College in 1984, and a M.S. in Telecommunications Management at Golden Gate University in 1993.On August 23, 1969, LeRoy was united in marriage to Alberta Breuer at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville, WI. LeRoy served 21 years in the USAF and received the Meritorious Service Award. He retired at the rank of MSGT. He was stationed at Mather AFB, CA from 1980-87 and remained in Sacramento, CA after retiring. He was employed by Anteon from 1987-2001. From 2001 to the present he worked for Anteon Corporation of General Dynamics of Sacramento, CA as a consultant for the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Senior Analyst/Programmer, CAD Manager Supervisor.LeRoy was a Scout Master for 5 years and received the Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed computer technology and programming. He also loved camping, fishing, and gold panning. LeRoy dearly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandson Mark Joshua Vaughn. He hosted 38 exchange students from around the world since 1992.LeRoy is survived by his wife Alberta of 40 years, a daughter, Denise(Luke) Vaughn of Hillsboro, Oregon, a son, Craig(Aimee) Pfaff of Sacramento, CA, and one grandson, Mark Joshua Vaughn. Also survived by three sisters Charlene Ingebritsen, Marita Hale, and Lorissa(Darlene House) Pfaff; five brothers, Loren(Kathy) Pfaff, Warren(Viola) Pfaff, Darvin(Ginger) Pfaff, Galen Pfaff, Terry(Chris) Pfaff along with many nieces and nephews. Survived by father-in-law Albert Breuer and 13 brothers- and sisters-in-law and exchange students turned son, Jakub Magner(Poland), and daughter, Nataly Lessa(Brazil).He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Marilyn Breuer, brothers- in-law Jim Ingebritsen, Vernon Hale, and Markus Breuer.Funeral services will be held on Monday July 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Rancho Cordova, CA with Father Martin Moroney officiating. LeRoy was buried in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Sacramento, CA. A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009 from Noon until 5:00 p.m. at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Ln. Sacramento, CA. Memorial donations may be made to the Children's Cancer Center of your choice. Services July 13 2009 10:00 A.M.


Published in Sacramento Bee on 7/12/2009

TOGETHER AT REST

RIP

I got a call from my Aunt this afternoon. The first thing she said was that she was sorry. I asked her for what? And she said, 'You don't know?' To which I replied, know what? 'Your father passed away this morning.'

The person she is referring to is my biological father. The one that once he found out I was gay wrote me off. I didn't exist. My sister had tried to mend that fence a little over a year ago but, it didn't work. He wouldn't even look me in the eye. I was pretty done after that. I even told her so. It didn't take long before our relationship began to deteriorate as well. Fast forwarding a through a long story here, let me just say it is terribly hard on siblings when one is adopted and sees a parent in a different light than the one that got to stay sees that same parent.

I was 16 when I met my birth parents. I fell in love with my mother. My father I actually thought was cool. He was thin, tan, sporty dresser, drove a Camaro and had a thick spanish accent. Very sexy. But, getting close to him was a whole nother story. He mumbled alot, seemed moody, distant and always one step away from a fight. I never liked the way he spoke to my mother. But to his advantage, as an alcoholic he was just the opposite. When he was drunk he was the nicest person you ever wanted to meet. He would hand over the keys to his prized car in a nano second if he thought you wanted to take it for a joy ride. He would pull out wads of cash and hand you a couple of twenties. Always laughing. And dance? The man loved to dance. He also loved to play poker, dominoes and bet on the dogs. Which is why he lost a lot of money. It was so bad that my mother's house was in my brother's name up until she passed away so that my father couldn't gamble it away. Still we actually had a decent relationship for about 22 years. Then he found out I was gay. And from then on, I no longer existed.


So now here I sit. I have no idea what I should be feeling. And I can't say that I can describe what I am feeling. I like to think that if my Aunt hadn't called, I wouldn't know. Therefore I wouldn't have to deal. Put of curiosity, I decided to get in my car and drive over to his house to see who was there. I only made it about three houses down from my house before I was actually blocked in the street by a large red pickup which pulled caddy cornered across the street so I couldn't pass. As it inched by me, I saw it was my nephew in law. I rolled down my window and said, "I know why you've come. To tell me that my father passed away." Back at my house, my neice who had passed me in the vehicle ahead of his was waiting in the driveway. So here I had planned to observe his passing from the outside looking in and not communicate and now I was forced to do just the opposite. I faced them for an hour and a half listening to details that I really didn't want to hear. Details about what happened. Details about his last moments. I shouldn't be upset by any of this. I mean, I wrote him off. I'm surprised that it bothers me to the extent that it does. The wake is at 5pm today for the family. I really don't want to go but, I know I will. As my lesbian Aunt put it; "Go! Show them you have class. Pay the respect that you never got."

Justin Roberts - Willy Was A Whale

My 2 year old Grandson LOVES this song. His parents play it in the car for him and the minute it finishes playing, he says, "Again!"

I HAD NO IDEA

I just found out that today is National Donut Day. For this day, Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme outlets are giving out free donuts. To get your free donut at Dunkin' Donuts, you have to buy a drink. But at Krispy Kreme you get your donut today for free without the need to buy a drink. Hmmm, I think I'll go with Krispy Kreme. After all, they make the best glazed donut ever!!!!!

Wikipedia Vs Church of Scientology

I read an article today that states Wikipedia has had enough of the Church of Scientology and some of its critics. Apparently there are "edit wars -agressively adding or removing complimentary or disparaging material from articles related to Scientology."

The article stated that Wikipedia has literally banned people using the Church of Scientology's computers from changing any articles about Scientology. The site's administrators imposed the ban after concluding that church members have been making a "COORDINATED EFFORT" to "REPEATEDLY EDIT" Wikipeida entries to "GIVE A FAVORABLE SLANT" on the controversial religion. The site also banned a "handful" of church critics including the blocking of IP addresses for certain congressional offices. The site even temporarily blocked the Department of Justice, when Wikipeida editors stated they found abuses coming from IP addresses affiliated with those offices. This might explain why they get by with tactics of harassment that anyone else would be persecuted for and I do hope someone looks into this. If nothing else, just fire the perps for using government computers for their own misguided agenda on company time.

Still, it always amazes me how Scientologists as a group have nothing better to do than mount a "coordinated effort" to bomb articles that say anything about them they don't want to hear, blow up people's phones because they have a number that may or may not belong to the person they are calling, mail out mass quantities of unwanted junk mail and still call themselves a religion. Shouldn't they be praying to somebody instead of harassing the rest of us with their rhetoric? Oh that's right. This is a religion that doesn't pray or turn the other cheek. My bad!

Sex With Ducks: the Music Video by Garfunkel and Oates

PROPOSITION 8's FIGHTIN WORDS

"Equal protection" is "by its nature, inherently countermajoritarian."

"It cannot depend on the will of the majority for its enforcement, for it is the will of the majority against which the equal protection clause is designed to protect...Proposition 8 represents an unprecedented instance of a majority of voters altering the meaning of the equal protection clause by modifying the California Constitution to require deprivation of a fundamental right on the basis of a suspect classification. The majority's holding is not just a defeat for same-sex couples, but for any minority group that seeks the protection of the equal protection clause."

Justice Carlos R. Moreno

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

This just in:

6Pak on Gay Marriage

SILLY SATURDAY

TXT MSG

stolen from tina-cious.com because this was just to funny.

Here are the rules:

1. Take your cell phone.
2. Open your txt messege inbox.
3. Answer the questions with a first sentence of the txt messege that has arrived.
4. Question 1 - First sentence from the first messege.
5. Question 2 - First sentence from the second messege, etc...

1. What would you say if your significant other was unfaithful?
"I know it's coming lol."

2. What do you always say to your best friend?
"U did this before."

3. What is the first thing you say when your friend is hit by a bus?
"Your VZW bil is ready to view online.."

4 What is the worst thing you could say to your enemy?
"Ha ha....thanks."

5 What does your mother say before you go to sleep?
"Ok"

6 What would you scream if you won over a million in lottery?
"Might try stopping by tomorrow with insurance check."

7 What would you say to God if you met him/her?
"There are only three types of snakes on the island of Tasmania and all three are deadly poisonous."

8 What would you like to hear the most?
"In 20 min"

9 What will be your last words?
"Thanks again for directions even though it was frustrating lol"


--

L Word Finale

Well, it is over...sort of. I can't help but wonder if it wasn't an accident since so many comments were made about the 'unfinished loose railing.' Hard to tell. Then the discovery of the tapes.....Did Niki steal them and put them there? If it was murder, do you think it was Bette? Or was it Niki? Or maybe even Kit.. Hmmmmm Guess I'll have to stay tuned online now. What do you think?

March 7th

Happy Birthday Lori!!!! I hope you like my surprises for you....lol

Rachel Maddow's Take on The Republican Response- PRICELESS

YBOR BATMAN AND ROBIN

It looks like the saga of Batman and Robin verses the Tampa Police Department may be over, for now at least. Batman was in court on Monday to face charges of wearing a mask in public and guess what? He won! That's right. There is justice after all. The Judge agreed that wearing a mask to promote a club and eating sushi on the public streets is not a crime. Who knew? Apparently everyone but the police officer who made the arrest. (How I wish I had his name because I would certainly publish it.) The judge also ordered the police to return the mask to Batman. Not that he didn't have others but frankly that's not the point. They shouldn't have taken it in the first place.

To recap, Batman and Robin were not fleeing or commiting any crimes. "Law enforcement approached and detained Batman who was sitting on the curb eating sushi and wearing the "traditional" Batman apparel, complete with cape and partial mask. His attorney's motion to dismiss states. "It was a dark day for the Dark Knight, as he was subsequently placed under arrest for wearing a hood on a public street."

During an interview on Bay News 9, Batma said a sergeant in Ybor City had an issue with his costume and caused him to land _ Pow! Zap! _ in the slammer. The sergeant, Batman said, had previously advised him to unmask himself and told a fellow officer to arrest him.

"They actually didn't let me finish my sushi,'' Batman said.

Batman and Robin at the time of Batman's arrest, were being paid to promote a club called Level Three in Ybor. Fearing runins with the police who seem to frequent 7th Av more than most streets, now can be found promoting The Castle.

Yesterday, they were interviewed on 102.5 The Bone radio station. It doesn't take long to listen to know that these guys are there to have fun. But make no mistake. They're far from stupid. When asked if they would once again take to the streets Batman replied, " I wouldn't want a bag of cocaine to suddenly fall at my feet." POW! ZAP!!

All I can say is HOLY DEFENSE BATMAN!!!

LOVE AND MARRAIGE

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Tampa Gets Ready for the Super Bowl

I took these pictures a couple of nights ago. You won't be able to get any where near the stadium or downtown this weekend.

Art being projected on the side of a parking garage....


One Bucaneer Place next to Raymond James Stadium....












Over our house earlier today...

MEME Favorites

Stolen from Tina at Tina-cious.com


These are a few of my favorite things ...

Entertainment

Movie: The Long Long Trailer, Send Me No Flowers, Please Don't Eat the Daisies

Comedy: The Folks

Romantic Comedy: Three Weddings and a Funeral

Children's Movie: The Incredible Mr. Limpet

Movie Musical: Bye Bye Birdie

Disney Animated Movie: Peter Pan

Disney-Pixar Movie: Finding Nemo

Actor: Nicolas Cage

Actress: Jodie Foster

Child Star: was Kristy McNichol but she grew up.

Book: No one favorite

Author: Varied. I prefer autobiographies

Television Show: of all time, I love Lucy; currently on the air, NOTHING

Video Game: Wii Fit Games

Computer Game: Majohnng Toy Chest

Musical: Mama Mia!

Play: Phantom of the Opera

Band: Weezer

Song: Rainy Night in Georgia

Concert Attended: Santana

Food

Food: Italian

Meal to Cook: Chicken Carbonera

Dessert: Key Lime Pie

Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Mandarin Orange Tea

Alcoholic Beverage: don't do

Restaurant: Boma's in Orlando (African cuisine)

Fast-Food Restaurant: Boston Market

Pizza Topping: any combination but leave out bacon, anchovies, and pork

Hamburger Topping: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo and steak sauce,

Hot Dog Topping: ketchup, brown mustard, relish,chopped onions (sometimes sauerkraut)

Ice Cream Topping: chocolate sauce, marschino cherry

Shopping

Store: Hollister Co

Item of Clothing: shirts

Pair of Shoes: Nike

Brand of Toothpaste: Mentadent

Brand of Soap: Suave Ocean Breeze

Brand of Shampoo: Suave RefreshingTangerine (Use to be Vidal Sassoon but can't find it)

Brand of Laundry Detergent: Cheer Free and Gentle Liquid

Brand of Dish Soap: Dawn Orange Antibacterial

Dust Bunnies

This is going to be a long blog, so if you don't have time to read it, you might want to check back later.
I was thinking about how this election and election before it really polarized this nation. A lot of gays and lesbians lost friends and family back in 2004 for sure when Bush was reelected. If the polls could be believed, it was like a slap in the face and put you on one side of the issues and them on another. It was a bitter pill but, we swallowed. Now it looks like there may be hope at the end of the tunnel. Someone who will rebuild that foundation of support we lost....or so it seems. Someone who will unite and not divide this country. Someone who will help end a lot of the prejudices and sterotypes we hear every day. Little did I realize that so many on that Bush wall would be so bitter. And bitter believe you me, they are.

I had a friend; eh, ex coworker rather, that constantly peppered me with email forwards that were chaulked full of; English is the language spoken in America, Live by our rules or get out, Marriage is between one man and one woman, Obama is a Muslim, Obama isn't really a US citizen, etc., The kind of ignorant rambling convoluted emails you would expect from a teenager or a person with a low IQ trying to show what they think is political savy. I asked her in a joking manner to not send them because they were well, stupid, inaccurate and a waste of time to track down, correct and send back to her in an attempt to point out the obvious to her. I did for a while just hit delete but, it seemed like if I didn't comment, even more came. I even tried being blunt and saying, listen please don't send me this stuff. Always the same whiny excuse that they were "for entertainment purposes" only and not to be taken literally and that I should get out more (whatever that meant) came back to me as if I were the one with the 'problem' not her. Well, who's entertainment? Certainly not mine. This finally came to a head last Friday and I want to share this with you. I along with several others in her address book received the following forwarded email:

Prime Minister John Howard Australia:
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians'.

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'. 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriat e to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LA ND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,

'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the
same truths.

If you agree, please SEND THIS ON.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I I responded with,

Xxxxxxxxx,
"It is a real shame that people who forward this rubbish, don't have the backbone or the God given deceny to hit delete instead of forwarding them to propagate intolarance and hate. I would suggest that given the tone of this last election, a great many people in this country are moving forward not backward in their desire to learn to live and work with people of all religions, cultures, creeds, and nationalities. Many of us have grown tired of self professed Christians who spew hatred from their lips as they wave American flags and have their wives press their white KKK robes for future wear.

In the future, should you receive similar hate spewed versions of the same message, please leave me off the list of forwards as I will hit delete for sure. "

With that, I hit reply to all. I figure one of them surely has to either feel as I do or they were like her. Either way, I wanted everyone on the list to know I didn't agree with this. Which I'm pretty sure looking back, I accomplished. Within a matter of minutes I received the following:

I have no Idea who Xxxxxxx Xxxxx is but she comes across as a very intolerant person. 47% of the people in America rejected Obama and we have a right to any opinion we want as guaranteed by the Constitution. 90% of American's profess a believe in God so where are you going with this anti-christian burst. Anyway I totally agree with the Australian Prime Minister and have the same opinion for any one wanting to live in America. Live by our rules or stay home.
XXXXXXXXX's Father Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
From the Boonies

Alright, that totally enraged me. I have never been called intolerant in my life plus here he is writing this like I've committed blasephemy. So, thinking I know who this guy is because I thought I knew who he wasn't. (as my ex coworker had not to long ago, cried to me about her father dying and how she had been torn for days and couldn't stop crying) and also wanting whomever this was to understand my position. I responded:

Mr Xxxxxxx,
I know who you are and last I heard, Xxxxxxxxx's father was dead. However, I assure you I am not the intolerant one here. You might want to check your facts. You certainly have a right to any opinion you so choose but, you don't have to email it to me and that is why I asked not to receive these emails. You also might want to try researching some of it before you send it as that whole speech by the Austrailian prime minister was written out of context. Bottom line is, I can't reconcile prejudice and hate with Christianity no matter how I try. Obviously you can and good luck to you and your 47% sir because the 53% of the people that voted for Obama don't think the same way.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx

Apparently I hit a lot of nerves. Turns out that she was adopted and this was her adopted father. Ooopps, my bad. Still, the tone wasn't set by me and I really don't feel I said anything all that hideous to receive the following response from her. His response was brief and with none of the poision of his first msg so I can only surmise that he was saving it for her.

First his response
I adopted Xx a very long time ago
Then hers:
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx is my father in every sense of the word. The person that died in April of 2008 was my donor. I will never send you any emails. you are just full of hate. Emails that I forward to me are nothing but entertainment not for anyone to take out of context.
Thank you and it sure was nice knowing you.


Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Now, normally I would be upset and try to arrive at some understanding because I was out of line to say I knew who the man was when in fact I was mistaken. But, it was so obvious from even the way that was worded, that she was determined to try to inflict some type of gaping wound in my psyche and was confirming that she was not interested in what anyone thinks of her source of reading material as long as it is entertaining to her. It made me think back to all the insults and arrows that had been thrown my way when Bush was elected in 2000 and all the emails I was bombed with after the 2004 election. I began to see just how far wide and deep the gaping wounds in this country really are. Like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter and others who called us unpatriotic, and not worthy enough to have the same rights as they have. People who said they were our friends but then supported people that caused us harm and wished us ill. People like that are not my friends. Granted they shouldn't be my enemies either. And so I pondered on that and finally I had an epiphany. What I should have said and done in the first place was to treat them like you would a dust bunny. And so I emailed:

Whatever Xxxxxxxxx. They won't be missed.

And then I deleted her email address, her myspace link and went out to dinner.

Jullian

I have my Grandson for the day!! We went down to 'Grannie's (my mother) house and picked up all her grapefruit and oranges. Thank goodness he didn't get them confused with the German Shepard droppings. Before that, we danced and played and looked at books and for a little while and in between we watched some of his favorite programs. Now he is taking a nap. Sounds like a wondrful idea, doesn't it?

OMG! PB & J ?

I stole the following from Jess I am who stole it from her pal Val and so it began; the Tale of the Peanut Butter. And remarkably accurate! I'll never look down my nose at a peanut butter sandwich again!

Your PB and J Says You're Adventurous and Accepting

Your eating style is gluttonous. If you like something, you're going back for seconds... no matter how full you are! You have an average sweet tooth. While you enjoy desserts, they aren't exactly your downfall. Your taste in food tends to be pretty flexible. You may crave sushi one night, and your favorite childhood recipe the next. You're a self loathing middle class person. You act a lot classier than you are, and you secretly feel like a fraud. You are a tough person who isn't afraid to live life fully. There isn't a lot that scares you. Precise and controlled, you can be a bit anal retentive when it comes to how you like things. You're definitely a perfectionist.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

FROM GOTHAM CITY TO TAMPA-WHAT A MISTAKE

On Saturday, the Tampa Tribune outlined 19 unsolved homicides in the Tampa Bay area.*
Yet the police seem more concerned with trying to arrest the Dynamic Dual who promote The Castle down in the Ybor nightclub district for violating a state law that forbids wearing a mask on the public right of way. {A statute written in the 1950's apparently aimed at the hooded Ku Klux Klan.) After they arrested Batman in Oct they went to great pains to slander both he and the Boy Wonder in the Tampa Tribune by prejudicially placing an article titled "Superpower Aliases" showing mugshots of crooks NOT dressed in costume but simply giving false names to law enforcement officers. The article quoted police spokeswoman Andrea Davis as saying, "You have to wonder why someone would choose to conceal his face."

If I had to respond to such an asinine statement, I'd go with; a) it's partof the costume for that character, b) it's entertaining for themselves and the crowds they are hoping to attract.

Bottom line, go catch some dangerous criminals and save the spokeswoman for when you solve a real crime.

I found Computer Hell and it is lonely

Well, I made it back to square one here. I know it has been a while since I posted. I've been having computer issues. Anyone who knows me knows I know very little about computers. Lori who has her A+ certification, Net plus certification and Microsoft certified professional, etc.,and knows even less. My son on the other hand seems to know everything about everything and I always turn to him when the going gets out of control.

In a nut shell, my Antivirus program needed to be updated. To do that I needed to install service packs that I couldn't because I had a bootleg copy of Windows XP so, I had a new XP but never had put it on. Well, after much screaming and crying....by Lori....because I don't want her near my computer, I mentioned it to Daniel and he came over to do it. The reason being, Lori has a way of doing things at times that makes me want to cut my wrists and bleed all over the carpet. I don't know of any nice way of putting it. I love her dearly but, when it comes to my computer our relationship takes a dive straight to hell with lots of cursing and crying and gnaching of teeth. Let me give you give you a pretend scenario of a burned out light to illustrate what I go through with this Mensa member.

I ask: How do you change the bulb on this new kitchen fixture?
Lori: Well it is has a red and black wire running from the electrical box which allows it to utilize 110 watts of power. It comes in on x wire and retuns on y and is hooked here to this circuit breaker. When the switch is on, the power travels through the cord behind this block and past the phone line ......

Okay, at that point, I've moved on. I don't care if the light ever comes on because I've adapted to the dark.

Now there is Daniel....
I ask: How do you change the bulb on this new kitchen fixture?
Daniel: You unscrew it in the back, take off the lid and then screw in a bulb.

SWEET! You see the difference? So when I tell you we can't talk about computers you can kind of see why. Something simple......takes hours! Something a little more serious can take days and if it is really a mess, it could be WEEKS! Or in poor Dane's case with his laptop, she took two months and he wound up getting it back and heading to the GEEK squad at Best Buy. Nuff said.

So today, my son Daniel came and wiped out one of my harddrives. I had two; C and D. Loriinstalled a 2nd one and told me to use it for backup. Oh how these words haunt me. To make sure I didn't get confused as I have a tendency to do, it was even labeled D Drive [Backup]

He wiped out the one hard drive and put the disc in for the new XP. To shorten this nightmare, I will tell you that Lori got this disc from Dell for Dane's laptop. He had a virus and she called them and they sent him the disc so that he could reinstall the program once he got it back from the GEEK squad. Turns out,contrary to what she said they told her, you can't put an XP disc on more than one computer. You need the key and it is only good for ONE (say it with me) ONE computer. SOOOO, we had this worthless disc and had to spend $150. for another key so Daniel could continue this whole update situation. But before I go to far, let me start with a few weeks ago when I made the decision to do this. I started copying things I wanted to keep. I did everything but the photos and music...

All was well until I looked in my backup drive which is.............PHUCKING EMPTY!!!! He thinks it is because it contained shortcuts and when the original files were deleted, the shortcuts went bye bye. Now what is the point of a backup?? I thought to copy files you wanted to save...but, I'm an idiot.

Bottom line is I have lost so many pictures I could cry. Most I can never ever get back. No copies no nothing. My music files??? Gone. Can't find them. I finally found a program disc I use to have and installed that. It asked if I wanted it to search for my music and I said yes. A miracle happened in that it pulled up a huge library. However, none of th great CD's of Dane's that he copied for me are on there. None of his music or videos are on there. I am just heartsick. I don't dare mention this to Lori. Not that she would have been able to save anything but, she will blame Dan and it isn't his fault. I asked her how to copy my pictures onto a disc before Christmas. Finally today, she spent over 45 mins trying to show me. Not that I'm stupid but, she wasn't doing it right and kept stopping. Finally I said nevermind. I called Daniel. He told me what to do and I did maybe two discs and that is all I had time to do before he arrived. He said not to worry if it was on my backup. Famous last words.

Jump ahead. All my addresses are gone too but, I had printed out a copy so, I'm hoping everyone is on there. If not, I will have to wait till you email me to have it again. ::Sheesh:::

I am so upset about my photos. I feel like I've had a fire all over again. I mean, I had baby photos of Jullian that I downloaded from my digital camera before I wiped the memory card clean. Gone. Just plain gone. I will never store photos on here again. NEVER. I will never save anything to this computer that can't be put on a disc or a floppy at the time I do it. I'm so done.

Anyway, now I get to install a bucket load of drivers and pray everything works. SO far at least all my favorites and my blogs are all up. Of course I saved them on other servers. But then, I'm an idiot for not asking sooner how to use this program I have for writing CD's and getting it done. Still it makes me physically ill.

I hope to never have to do this again. Sheesh! Like I have any say so in it.