Alright, it is my 100th post. And some of you thought it would never last.
I know it has been a while since I posted, so I have a lot to share.
First, we had an earthquake last night. I was sitting in a building committee meeting at the methodist church, the methodist church which is planning to do renovations, renovations which include seismic retrofitting. Yes that is right I was sitting in a building with a group of people who all knew that the building we were sitting in would not be able to withstand a major earthquake. The earthquake lasted longer than any that I have been in before. Probably 15 to 20 seconds. That is a long time in earthquake time. There appears to be no major damage. But I was particularly grateful, as all of you who are regular readers of this blog, that it was not in the middle of the night.
Second, I was recently in the Atlanta airport. I was standing at a urinal--this has nothing really to do with the rest of this story, but I like to set the scene. Anyway, I heard over the intercom "Flight such and such to Chicago Ohara airport is now boarding." Ohara? Chicago Ohara? The plane was not flying to Scarlette Ohara illegitimate sister, Chicago's house. Only in Atlanta.
I met with an account executive from Energy 92.7 today. This is a local radio station that plays mostly dance music. I refer to it as all-gay, all-time. He had seen our booth at the Castro Street Fair, a local neighborhood festival. He thought we would make good partners. We'll see if we actually advertise on the station, but my ego really gets the best of me. I want to become one of those radio preachers. Not like a televangelist, but instead one of those preachers who makes pithy statements on the radio. It makes me laugh to think about it. I've been practicing my radio voice.
I'm sure there are other thing to say about in this 100th post, but I can't remember what they are. i should have made notes.
Oh well. Until tomorrow, when it will just be post 101. Peace out.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Word
This is the 99th blog entry. That means the next one will be the 100th. I hope it is a good one. But for today, this is only the 99th. Today I baked a cake. I had some carrots left over from last week and I needed to do something with them. So I'm headed out to one of the gay's tonight and I decided to bake a carrot cake. Now here is my question: does it count as eating more vegetables if I bake them into a cake? I know it doesn't but I wish it did. While I baked my cake I listened to ABBA. I love ABBA. I mention this because on a blog I occasionally write on someone posted a video clip of ABBA from 1974. They were awesome even though a bit cheesey.
Today in my farm box I got bok choy, a pepper, some apples, green beans, salad greens, sweet potatoes (Does potato have an e in it? I am so Dan Quaye.) more carrots, and pistacios. Yay for pistacios. Apparently next week I can expect brocolli. How exciting is that?
For all of those out there with young children I read today on the internet that the Bumbo was recalled. The Bumbo is this foam seat for young babies. The child can sort of sit up. Well apparently there have been reports of children getting hurt on the chair, some even with fractured skulls. Now here is the thing. That is awful. Awful. However, the way they are getting hurt is that the chair was placed up on a table or a counter and then the child falls off not only the chair but the table/counter. Now I get it. I get why someone would put them up on a table or a counter. I also get how a parent could turn their backs for a minute and then the child fall. But can you really call it a recall when it is not based on the product but actually on human error? I mean there is nothing wrong with the Bumbo, the fault lies in the users of the Bumbo. Seriously, I think I just wrote that whole paragraph because I liked saying the word Bumbo. Bumbo. Bumbo. Bumbo.
I also like the word panacea. And persimmon. And now bok choy.
Alright, until number 100.
Peace out.
Today in my farm box I got bok choy, a pepper, some apples, green beans, salad greens, sweet potatoes (Does potato have an e in it? I am so Dan Quaye.) more carrots, and pistacios. Yay for pistacios. Apparently next week I can expect brocolli. How exciting is that?
For all of those out there with young children I read today on the internet that the Bumbo was recalled. The Bumbo is this foam seat for young babies. The child can sort of sit up. Well apparently there have been reports of children getting hurt on the chair, some even with fractured skulls. Now here is the thing. That is awful. Awful. However, the way they are getting hurt is that the chair was placed up on a table or a counter and then the child falls off not only the chair but the table/counter. Now I get it. I get why someone would put them up on a table or a counter. I also get how a parent could turn their backs for a minute and then the child fall. But can you really call it a recall when it is not based on the product but actually on human error? I mean there is nothing wrong with the Bumbo, the fault lies in the users of the Bumbo. Seriously, I think I just wrote that whole paragraph because I liked saying the word Bumbo. Bumbo. Bumbo. Bumbo.
I also like the word panacea. And persimmon. And now bok choy.
Alright, until number 100.
Peace out.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Long day!
I hoped to post pictures from the CERT drill, but the disc that I was given with the pictures on it says that it is blank. I'll keep trying. I've seen a printed photo and it is pretty disturbing. I'll share it when I am able.
Today was a long day. Not a difficult day by any means but a long day. I got a haircut and a massage. I went to pilates. Then I also met with the pastor of the Methodist church to talk about Sunday's worship service. Then I went to the hospital to visit a parisioner who had a pacemaker installed today. She is going home tomorrow. Crazy, huh? Then I went to centering prayer tonight. So I was glad to get home when I did at 7:00.
I had left over pasta from my dinner last night. I went out with my friends Shannon and Sean and Karen and Robin to celebrate Shannon's birthday. We went to this great Italian restaurant. I had a spaghetti carbonara. It was very rich last night, but seriously even richer tonight. It seemed much oilier. But I didn't have to make it.
Shout out to my friends Mark and Mary Sue in San Diego. So far they are safe from the fires,but they are still affected by the event.
Alright, that's it. This is my only night at home this week. So I'm just going to eat ice cream and lay on the couch.
Peace out.
Today was a long day. Not a difficult day by any means but a long day. I got a haircut and a massage. I went to pilates. Then I also met with the pastor of the Methodist church to talk about Sunday's worship service. Then I went to the hospital to visit a parisioner who had a pacemaker installed today. She is going home tomorrow. Crazy, huh? Then I went to centering prayer tonight. So I was glad to get home when I did at 7:00.
I had left over pasta from my dinner last night. I went out with my friends Shannon and Sean and Karen and Robin to celebrate Shannon's birthday. We went to this great Italian restaurant. I had a spaghetti carbonara. It was very rich last night, but seriously even richer tonight. It seemed much oilier. But I didn't have to make it.
Shout out to my friends Mark and Mary Sue in San Diego. So far they are safe from the fires,but they are still affected by the event.
Alright, that's it. This is my only night at home this week. So I'm just going to eat ice cream and lay on the couch.
Peace out.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Massive Head Wound Dixie
So I was a victim today. I showed up at the Community Emergency Response Training drill that my friend Sean was running. He bought makeup that included latex wounds. I had a hole in my cheek and then a large wound on my neck. Then I was given instruction. I was going to be at a house about three blocks away from where the drill would begin. And when the team arrived I was to be unconcious and then come to and tell them the last thing I remember was being hit on the head and then lose conciousness again. First problem, I was hit on the head but I had a gash in my neck and a hole in my cheek. But whatever. So I layed around for a while. Where Sean told me to lie down was in a shaded area. And eventually it got cold. So I stood up in the sun and just waited to see the team walking down the road. They were in flourescent vests so they wouldn't be too difficult to see. Well when I saw them coming I went back and laid down. About that time the mail carrier showed up. I was right next to the mailbox. So I had to look up and tell her what I was doing. She said "Oh is that why all the fire engines are around. I was grabbing for my cell phone." She was about to call 911. Then the team walked up. I had my eyes closed. One of the member comes up to me and I give my line and I lose conciousness again. At that point they are supposed to get me on a stretcher and carry me the three blocks back. Well first of all they were having a hard time getting the stretcher together. Then I was sort of in a doorway so they were trying to figure out how to get me on the stretcher. They decided they would roll me over. Well they did alright except for the neck. The guy held it but then they realized that they were not going to be able to just roll me onto the stretcher, so they turned me back on my back and the guy just let go of my neck. If I had a real neck injury I would have then had a broken neck. So they have to pick me up by my legs and my shoulders. They did alright but it just made me laugh. Then when I was finally on the stretcher they started carrying. Oh I almost forgot at first they weren't going to strap me down to the stretcher. Fortunately they thought better of that idea. So they tied me down and then began carrying me down the street. All the while my eyes are closed. And then they kept having to put me down because one of the women kept getting winded. And they would change sides. At one point I was slanted. See good thing they had me strapped in. Then finally they had to call for help because the woman couldn't carry me any further. I heard her saying she had been on disability all year. Hello, then why in the world is she being trained emergency response. She is going to be the person who will be rescued. (That was rude. I know.) Well anyway then they get me back to the site. And they keep saying I'm the happiest dead person they had ever seen. And I kept saying I'm not dead just unconscious. And the guy failed to tell them about the fact that I had been conscious and had been hit on the head. I'm sure they did fine but seriously if there is an earthquake I hope I'm not in Colma--that's where I was today.
I did get free pizza though and the firefighters were hot.
So that's it I have to write a sermon now. Until tomorrow.
Peace out!
I did get free pizza though and the firefighters were hot.
So that's it I have to write a sermon now. Until tomorrow.
Peace out!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Hanging out in Clark's pants
Honestly, I'm not the person who encourages conversations with strangers. This might be the reason why I'm still single, but that's me. However, yesterday I went to lunch at my favorite little diner down the street from my house. I sat at the counter as I usually do, and almost immediately the woman sitting two seats over from began talking with me. Now technically she was almost directly across from me because the seat between us was actually on the curve of the counter. She was this little old lady and she did not stop talking. At one point I started to look down at the journal that I was going to read, but decided I was just going to sit and listen to this woman. I was guessing that she was lonely and so it didn't cost me anything to listen to her. But seriously she did not stop talking. I couldn't hear all of what she was saying. But she was talking a lot about books. She asked me if I had been to our new library. But I hadn't because it only just opened and as you know I've been sick. She was excited to be going to the library which is in the same block as the diner, but thought it was unfortunately the library didn't have a fireplace. Her version of heaven was a library full of books with a fireplace. She actually told me this. And she told me about all these pleasant memories she had throughout her life. And then the best parts were that she kept saying that she was interrupting my lunch but then she didn't stop talking. She was done eating when I arrived but didn't leave until right before I did. The other great thing was that she completely stole the menu. I saw her tuck it right into her bag. And then she headed off to the library. And I went on my way. I don't even know what to make of this experience. I'm just noticing it and hope that I have other experiences similar to it.
Went to Borders today looking for a book for my sermon on Sunday. I looked the book up on the internet to see if this Borders had it and the website said that it did. I also was going to buy a book my friend Clark had been talking about. But I couldn't remember what the name of the book was. So I called him on his cell phone. I think he answered the phone but I think he was trying to turn it off because he was engaged in some business conversation. But the thing is he didn't turn off the phone, instead he answered it. But I'm assuming that the phone stayed in either a bag or his pants. Because I could hear a muffled version of his conversation. Not enough that is was some violation of some confidentiality, just enough to know that I was hearing a conversation. It was also weird to think that I was hearing this from inside his pants. Finally I just turned off the phone. Then I got to the Borders and they didn't the book I was looking for for my sermon. So I the trip was sort of a bust. But then I ended up buying three other books. Doh!
So there you have it. I'm headed off to have dinner at a friends house. Then tomorrow I'm most likely going to participate in a Community Emergency Response Training. I'm going to be a victim. My friend Sean is a firefighter and he asked me to volunteer. To which I asked will there be food and he said yes. I think basically all I have to do is lye around and play dead. I'll let you know.
Peace out!
Went to Borders today looking for a book for my sermon on Sunday. I looked the book up on the internet to see if this Borders had it and the website said that it did. I also was going to buy a book my friend Clark had been talking about. But I couldn't remember what the name of the book was. So I called him on his cell phone. I think he answered the phone but I think he was trying to turn it off because he was engaged in some business conversation. But the thing is he didn't turn off the phone, instead he answered it. But I'm assuming that the phone stayed in either a bag or his pants. Because I could hear a muffled version of his conversation. Not enough that is was some violation of some confidentiality, just enough to know that I was hearing a conversation. It was also weird to think that I was hearing this from inside his pants. Finally I just turned off the phone. Then I got to the Borders and they didn't the book I was looking for for my sermon. So I the trip was sort of a bust. But then I ended up buying three other books. Doh!
So there you have it. I'm headed off to have dinner at a friends house. Then tomorrow I'm most likely going to participate in a Community Emergency Response Training. I'm going to be a victim. My friend Sean is a firefighter and he asked me to volunteer. To which I asked will there be food and he said yes. I think basically all I have to do is lye around and play dead. I'll let you know.
Peace out!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mmm good!
Well it has been several days since my last post. The cold took over. So I spent much of Monday and Tuesday on my couch. But finally last night I turned the corner. And today I'm still not well, but I'm better.
Monday night I was not feeling great but the gays were getting together and all I had eaten was a banana and an apple, so I was hungry. And I knew that at least there would be food at my friend's house. I at least tried to stay away from them while we were together so no hugs, etc. But if they get sick it is probably my fault. Although, as I told them this cold is going around and wouldn't they rather get it from me than from a some stranger on the bus.
Today I have been making chicken soup. So that the next time I have cold I can pull a bag out of the freezer. Although, seriously, I hope that day is not anytime soon. The house smells delicious. It's been simmering all afternoon. Mmmm, good.
Now the best thing that happened today is not that I'm getting better or that I'm making soup and the house smells delcious. No the best thing that happened today was that I found my crossword puzzle pencil. I'm sure this sounds ridiculous. But I have a pencil with a good eraser. You know what I'm talking about. There are pencils that are so old that the eraser just smudges the errant mark instead of actually erasing it. This is a mechanical pencil, so the lead is always sharp and the eraser works. And it was lost. My cleaning lady came today and when I came home it was on my side table. I was very excited. I don't know where it was I just know it once was lost and now it is found. I hadn't worked the crossword puzzle yet today, but when I found the pencil it was as if the universe was saying to me work the crossword puzzle. So I did.
And then tonight is Pushing Daisies. Yay!! Now I'm headed off for a meeting at church and then chorus rehearsal. Have I told you all that I'm singing with the San Francisco Civic Chorus? The concert is mid-November. It's okay. Oh yeah, I told you, because I talked about the utilikilts.
So until tomorrow, stay well!
Monday night I was not feeling great but the gays were getting together and all I had eaten was a banana and an apple, so I was hungry. And I knew that at least there would be food at my friend's house. I at least tried to stay away from them while we were together so no hugs, etc. But if they get sick it is probably my fault. Although, as I told them this cold is going around and wouldn't they rather get it from me than from a some stranger on the bus.
Today I have been making chicken soup. So that the next time I have cold I can pull a bag out of the freezer. Although, seriously, I hope that day is not anytime soon. The house smells delicious. It's been simmering all afternoon. Mmmm, good.
Now the best thing that happened today is not that I'm getting better or that I'm making soup and the house smells delcious. No the best thing that happened today was that I found my crossword puzzle pencil. I'm sure this sounds ridiculous. But I have a pencil with a good eraser. You know what I'm talking about. There are pencils that are so old that the eraser just smudges the errant mark instead of actually erasing it. This is a mechanical pencil, so the lead is always sharp and the eraser works. And it was lost. My cleaning lady came today and when I came home it was on my side table. I was very excited. I don't know where it was I just know it once was lost and now it is found. I hadn't worked the crossword puzzle yet today, but when I found the pencil it was as if the universe was saying to me work the crossword puzzle. So I did.
And then tonight is Pushing Daisies. Yay!! Now I'm headed off for a meeting at church and then chorus rehearsal. Have I told you all that I'm singing with the San Francisco Civic Chorus? The concert is mid-November. It's okay. Oh yeah, I told you, because I talked about the utilikilts.
So until tomorrow, stay well!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Oh no he didn't!
Alright, well I still have a cold. Also, I've been pretty hung-over all day. But still a lot has happened since my last post. First, I went out last night, hence the hung-over part of today. We went to a bar called the Deco Lounge. At midnight last night they had a wet jockstrap contest. (Warning probably about to give too much information.) I don't fully understand a wet jockstrap contest. I mean making a jockstrap wet doesn't reveal anything else. And seriously a lot is already revealed. Plus where we were standing all we could see was the top of people's heads. But I found out that I have missed out on a significant guy experience. I have never worn a jock strap. Apparently all over the country when boys were in high school they were required to wear jock straps. But i never did. I mean I didn't even shower in high school gym. So there was not going to be any slipping into a jock strap. Another friend asked why I didn't wear one when I was running the marathon last year. But I didnt' need to, or least I didn't think I did, because I wore the shorts with little built in underwear. Anyway, I don't suppose I'm going to go out and buy a jock strap now. Nor am I going to be entering a wet jock strap contest. But it is just something that apparently I missed out on.
I got home late and drunk. Now I don't drink a lot but last night I drank more than I normally do. And what I realized is that I am not the angry drunk. Instead, I'm the one who keeps announcing "I'm drunk." And as some of you know, I'm also the drunk who has a hard time holding his head up. But last night I managed to keep my head up and get myself home. About 2:30 this morning to be exact. Then I had to get up at 7:45 and walk down to the BART station and get my car from where I parked it last night. I drove to the BART station and had intended to park it in a parking lot, but and then pick it up some time today. But there was a sign prohibiting overnight parking. So I had to park in a metered space, but metering starts at 8 AM. So I had to get it early. That was a long walk!! Then I came back home and went back to bed.
This afternoon I had to go to a birthday party of a parisioner who is turning 70. (Can I tell you how little I wanted to go to a birthday party, what with the cold and hang-over.) But a very "interesting" thing happened And by interesting I mean really, really uncomfortable. As I was saying good-bye to the birthday boy and the host, his partner, the birthday boy told me a story. When his former partner was living he took him to a house of someone the birthday boy(BB) did not know. And when the BB entered the house the owner gave him a side hug and then grabbed his crotch. Well now just hearing the story would have been uncomfortable enough, but he was demonstrating on me. HE GRABBED MY CROTCH!!!!! Now in all fairness it wasn't a full on grab, but there was contact. Can you say boundaries!!! In the end he is an old man, although not that old. And I didn't get him a birthday gift. (Oops, I just realized I didn't mail his birthday card. I send a birthday card to all my parisioners.) So he got his gift. But eeewww!!! I felt a little violated!!!
So that has been my day. Oh and I watched "Legally Blonde, the Musical" on MTV. I tvoed it while I was at grabby mcgrabbersons house. I saw the original when it was here in San Francisco before it went to Broadway. It is great. For those of you who have cable and who like a musical and who liked the original movie, you should watch this. They'll keep rerunning it because it is MTV.
So there you have it. That has ben my hung-over day. Until tomorrow.
Peace Out!
I got home late and drunk. Now I don't drink a lot but last night I drank more than I normally do. And what I realized is that I am not the angry drunk. Instead, I'm the one who keeps announcing "I'm drunk." And as some of you know, I'm also the drunk who has a hard time holding his head up. But last night I managed to keep my head up and get myself home. About 2:30 this morning to be exact. Then I had to get up at 7:45 and walk down to the BART station and get my car from where I parked it last night. I drove to the BART station and had intended to park it in a parking lot, but and then pick it up some time today. But there was a sign prohibiting overnight parking. So I had to park in a metered space, but metering starts at 8 AM. So I had to get it early. That was a long walk!! Then I came back home and went back to bed.
This afternoon I had to go to a birthday party of a parisioner who is turning 70. (Can I tell you how little I wanted to go to a birthday party, what with the cold and hang-over.) But a very "interesting" thing happened And by interesting I mean really, really uncomfortable. As I was saying good-bye to the birthday boy and the host, his partner, the birthday boy told me a story. When his former partner was living he took him to a house of someone the birthday boy(BB) did not know. And when the BB entered the house the owner gave him a side hug and then grabbed his crotch. Well now just hearing the story would have been uncomfortable enough, but he was demonstrating on me. HE GRABBED MY CROTCH!!!!! Now in all fairness it wasn't a full on grab, but there was contact. Can you say boundaries!!! In the end he is an old man, although not that old. And I didn't get him a birthday gift. (Oops, I just realized I didn't mail his birthday card. I send a birthday card to all my parisioners.) So he got his gift. But eeewww!!! I felt a little violated!!!
So that has been my day. Oh and I watched "Legally Blonde, the Musical" on MTV. I tvoed it while I was at grabby mcgrabbersons house. I saw the original when it was here in San Francisco before it went to Broadway. It is great. For those of you who have cable and who like a musical and who liked the original movie, you should watch this. They'll keep rerunning it because it is MTV.
So there you have it. That has ben my hung-over day. Until tomorrow.
Peace Out!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Here comes the rain again
So I have a cold. It is not a horrible cold right now. I'm hoping it doesn't get horrible because I started almost immediatley taking extra Emergen-C packets and then went to Airborne. But here is the thing, I think I'm being taught a lesson. My first thought was that God was smiting me. Even though I don't really believe that. But here is the reason why. I had just been talking with friends on Sunday night at the deep fried mac and cheese event. We were talking about how my friends Robin and Karen had recently gone to eating all organic. They also are now members of a CSA. Robin has had some health issues for a while now that mostly manifested themselves in horrible coughing spells. Well since they started eating all organic Robin really hasn't had those problems. I added to this discussion by saying that because of what I eat, the vitamins I take and the general way I live that I--wait for it, wait for it--"I just don't get sick." Yep I said that. And what happens only a few days later I get a freakin' cold.
Now I don't think that God is smiting me. I don't think God does that. However, God/the universe is offering me a lesson. I realized the connection today. Recently my sunglasses broke and I also lost me umbrella. This was a particular problem today because it is a real golly washer of a day. You see what I'm saying. Well let me explain. I try so hard to keep myself safe from harm, or at least safe from annoyance, thinking that if I do all of thees things I won't get wet or sunburned or sick. I do this because I want there to be a reason for everything. And honestly I do recognize that eating well does keep me healthier, but sometimes there are things I can't protect myself from. Part of the reason I'm doing this is because I'm still trying to make sense out of my brother's cancer. He doesn't eat well. His house is a mess, closed up, dusty and dirty. He doesn't really exercise. So if I do all these things I won't get cancer. And perhaps I wont. But despite all of these efforts I still might get sick also. Sometimes it just wont make any sense.
I know i've probably written about this before, so forgive me. It's a lesson I'm learning and I'm guessing I'll keep coming around to it.
One more thing, I'm going out with the gays tonight whether I'm fully well or not. I know this is a stupid idea, but I'm going. My friends never want to go out on a Friday night because they all have been working all week and are tired. So they would rather go out on Saturday night but obviously that doesn't work for me. So anyway, I'm going to load up on vitamin-c and head out about 9:30 tonight. I took a long nap this afternoon and will take another one. But I'm going! I know it is stupid, stupid, stupid. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Peace out!
Now I don't think that God is smiting me. I don't think God does that. However, God/the universe is offering me a lesson. I realized the connection today. Recently my sunglasses broke and I also lost me umbrella. This was a particular problem today because it is a real golly washer of a day. You see what I'm saying. Well let me explain. I try so hard to keep myself safe from harm, or at least safe from annoyance, thinking that if I do all of thees things I won't get wet or sunburned or sick. I do this because I want there to be a reason for everything. And honestly I do recognize that eating well does keep me healthier, but sometimes there are things I can't protect myself from. Part of the reason I'm doing this is because I'm still trying to make sense out of my brother's cancer. He doesn't eat well. His house is a mess, closed up, dusty and dirty. He doesn't really exercise. So if I do all these things I won't get cancer. And perhaps I wont. But despite all of these efforts I still might get sick also. Sometimes it just wont make any sense.
I know i've probably written about this before, so forgive me. It's a lesson I'm learning and I'm guessing I'll keep coming around to it.
One more thing, I'm going out with the gays tonight whether I'm fully well or not. I know this is a stupid idea, but I'm going. My friends never want to go out on a Friday night because they all have been working all week and are tired. So they would rather go out on Saturday night but obviously that doesn't work for me. So anyway, I'm going to load up on vitamin-c and head out about 9:30 tonight. I took a long nap this afternoon and will take another one. But I'm going! I know it is stupid, stupid, stupid. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Peace out!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Hopelessly Devoted to Daisies
Its late so I not going to make this a long post. I'm just going to say that I have a new favorite television show. It might possibly be my favorite television show ever, but I won't make that statement yet. What is the show you might be asking. Well it is Pushing Up Daisies. I wrote about this last week, but I was no where near as excited as I am tonight. And I'll tell you why. Not only does it have a very quirky premise. Not only does it have fantastic lines. Not only does it have this fantastical setting. Not only does it have Broadway actors. Tonight, it also had singing. Yes I said it, singing. Kristen Chenoweth--she is a wonderful Broadway actress: Galenda in Wicked, Sally in You're a Good Many Charlie Brown, and many more. She was also Leo's assistant on the last season of The West Wing.--sang Hopelessly Devoted to You from Grease. And not just a couple of lines. The entire freakin' song. Oh my God. This show is what would result if Picket Fences and Fame had done the horizontal mambo and nine months later had a bouncing baby dramedy. It is very Desperate Housewives (1st Season) meets Ugly Betty meets Six Feet Under.
Now my fear is that it is so good that no one is going to watch it. So this is my plea. If you watch television give this show a chance. If for no other reason than to help me out. Not the actors and the writers, etc. No me. I need to have a show that I love this much. (Seriously, I need a man I love this much.) I hope to one day be as evangelical about Jesus as I am about this show.
Alright, I've said enough for now.
Peace out
Now my fear is that it is so good that no one is going to watch it. So this is my plea. If you watch television give this show a chance. If for no other reason than to help me out. Not the actors and the writers, etc. No me. I need to have a show that I love this much. (Seriously, I need a man I love this much.) I hope to one day be as evangelical about Jesus as I am about this show.
Alright, I've said enough for now.
Peace out
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Warning: This is a heavy, potentially painful post
Okay, I try and typically write only about my story. And to a certain extent I'm going to do that today. However, in many ways this is not my story. And I will freely admit that I have no way of knowing what I would do if I were in a differently situation.
But today I was watching Oprah and she had a variety of women who have struggled with infertility. Now I'm at a point in my life when many of my friends are dealing with infertility issues. Some have been successful in getting pregnant and some have not. But the people on Oprah today were doing something that I think is a bit extreme. The first couple was a couple who have hired a surrogate in India. According to the program in the United States surrogacy could cost as much as $80,000 but in India this couple is paying $5000. Now that $5000 in India is helping a woman buy a home and better provide for her family. So the money is doing good work. And it was framed as women helping women. The other story was Alexis Stewart, Martha's daughter. She is spending approximately $28,000/month to get pregnant through IVF.
Now again, I don't have any idea what it would feel like not to be able to do somethign that should be a biological given. And I know from my friends who are unable to get pregnant how painful this can be. And I think the ways that we are able to medically help people get pregant are really wonderful. But when does all of it become unethical? And I would guess that the ethical line is different for everyone.
And again, I realize this entry is treading on ground that I have no real experience with, and in many ways will never have experience with. But I think today I was just grieving for the children in this country that won't be adopted because a couple decided to hire a surrogate in India or another women is spending thousands of dollars a month. And I know that adoption is also fraught with all sorts of problems as well.
And I know that there are people who will read this that have struggled with these very issues. I don't even know what my point was in writing this. Except to get out what I was feeling. And know that I am not trying to judge anyone who has made any of these choices. One of the women who was on the show today when asked about people having ethical issues with what she was doing responded, "who is anyone to judge what I am doing" And I'm not judging her, or maybe I am. I don't want to judger her for doing what she is doing.
I think there was just so much there. So many questions for me.
For those of you who this is a much more real issue than it is for me, I hope that you will hear me saying that I support whatever is the best decision that have to make. Alright, I'm going to stop trying to take care of every reader of this blog, and trust that those of you who know me know the spirit that I'm trying to to say this. (Those of you who don't know me, sorry.)
Peace out.
But today I was watching Oprah and she had a variety of women who have struggled with infertility. Now I'm at a point in my life when many of my friends are dealing with infertility issues. Some have been successful in getting pregnant and some have not. But the people on Oprah today were doing something that I think is a bit extreme. The first couple was a couple who have hired a surrogate in India. According to the program in the United States surrogacy could cost as much as $80,000 but in India this couple is paying $5000. Now that $5000 in India is helping a woman buy a home and better provide for her family. So the money is doing good work. And it was framed as women helping women. The other story was Alexis Stewart, Martha's daughter. She is spending approximately $28,000/month to get pregnant through IVF.
Now again, I don't have any idea what it would feel like not to be able to do somethign that should be a biological given. And I know from my friends who are unable to get pregnant how painful this can be. And I think the ways that we are able to medically help people get pregant are really wonderful. But when does all of it become unethical? And I would guess that the ethical line is different for everyone.
And again, I realize this entry is treading on ground that I have no real experience with, and in many ways will never have experience with. But I think today I was just grieving for the children in this country that won't be adopted because a couple decided to hire a surrogate in India or another women is spending thousands of dollars a month. And I know that adoption is also fraught with all sorts of problems as well.
And I know that there are people who will read this that have struggled with these very issues. I don't even know what my point was in writing this. Except to get out what I was feeling. And know that I am not trying to judge anyone who has made any of these choices. One of the women who was on the show today when asked about people having ethical issues with what she was doing responded, "who is anyone to judge what I am doing" And I'm not judging her, or maybe I am. I don't want to judger her for doing what she is doing.
I think there was just so much there. So many questions for me.
For those of you who this is a much more real issue than it is for me, I hope that you will hear me saying that I support whatever is the best decision that have to make. Alright, I'm going to stop trying to take care of every reader of this blog, and trust that those of you who know me know the spirit that I'm trying to to say this. (Those of you who don't know me, sorry.)
Peace out.
Monday, October 8, 2007
If I only had an Iphone
I'm having computer/phone issues. I have this T-mobile phone that has a windows operating system. What this means is that I have to download an application from the internet for my computer that allows it to sync up with my entourage--outlook for you pc users. Well now it gets stuck before it completely syncs up, and then it starts the computer fan and slows the computer down. To get the computer back up to speed I have to shut down the computer and reboot. Now why am I telling you all of this. Well I don't know. But it has been what I have been focusing on all evening. I finally e-mailed the company that makes the program that I downloaded. Because I'm fairly sure that it is related to the application not my computer. This means that my apple care that I bought to cover my computer won't help me. Otherwise I would just take it into the apple store and tell them to fix it for me. Because let's be clear I really don't know how to do much oither than check e-mail and type sermons. And this blog.
Other than that I had lunch with a friend today and then bought some new running shoes. Took a nap this afternoon. So nothing else really to tell you. Wish I did. Nothing funny or all that interesting.
Maybe tomorrow.
Peace out!
Other than that I had lunch with a friend today and then bought some new running shoes. Took a nap this afternoon. So nothing else really to tell you. Wish I did. Nothing funny or all that interesting.
Maybe tomorrow.
Peace out!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Eeewww! That is not good
Totally dissapointing and totally disgusting. Seriously, that is what deep fried macaroni and cheese was. It was as I thought it might be, not all that gooey and hot in the center. And the bacon was a little undercooked, not undercooked in the food poisoning sense but in the kind of not quite crispy sense. And unfortunately it is still wtih me. If you know what I'm saying. It was a delicious meal over all. But the deep fried mac and cheese--not good!
This is the end of my very long weekend. Worship was good. Then I had lunch with friends and we went to the Castro Street Fair. Nearly every neighborhood in SF has a street fair. My congregation had a booth at the fair. (Of course, this meant that I had only 2 other people in worship besides myself. Fortunately it was a combined service or I'd been upset.) Anyway, I thought I would leave my friends and go sit in the booth for an hour. But I really, really didn't want to do that. So in the end I didn't. I went by said and hello. I thanked the folks for organizing it and for being the booth. Then I continued on with my friends. Now part of me feels a little guilty, as if I was shirking some responsibilities. But the other part of me, the bigger part, is glad that I didn't do anything that I really had no desire to do. And that I just would not have felt good about. I know there are parts of my job that I have to do even though I don't want to necessarily do them. But this was not one of them. Then i had a great dinner. Well except for the deep fried mac and cheese. And now I am tired! T-I-R-E-D!!!
So I'm going to watch Brothers and Sisters and then it is off to bed. Thank goodness tomorrow is my day off.
Oh and by the way yes, I obsess about my body and my weight way too much. I know in reality that I'm nowhere near as big as I think I am. But it is the journey I am on-a journey to loving my body. Although, with the mac and cheese I'm on my way to really having a double chin.
Peace out!
This is the end of my very long weekend. Worship was good. Then I had lunch with friends and we went to the Castro Street Fair. Nearly every neighborhood in SF has a street fair. My congregation had a booth at the fair. (Of course, this meant that I had only 2 other people in worship besides myself. Fortunately it was a combined service or I'd been upset.) Anyway, I thought I would leave my friends and go sit in the booth for an hour. But I really, really didn't want to do that. So in the end I didn't. I went by said and hello. I thanked the folks for organizing it and for being the booth. Then I continued on with my friends. Now part of me feels a little guilty, as if I was shirking some responsibilities. But the other part of me, the bigger part, is glad that I didn't do anything that I really had no desire to do. And that I just would not have felt good about. I know there are parts of my job that I have to do even though I don't want to necessarily do them. But this was not one of them. Then i had a great dinner. Well except for the deep fried mac and cheese. And now I am tired! T-I-R-E-D!!!
So I'm going to watch Brothers and Sisters and then it is off to bed. Thank goodness tomorrow is my day off.
Oh and by the way yes, I obsess about my body and my weight way too much. I know in reality that I'm nowhere near as big as I think I am. But it is the journey I am on-a journey to loving my body. Although, with the mac and cheese I'm on my way to really having a double chin.
Peace out!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
That is not cool!
It's Saturday night, I'm finished with my sermon. I've made macaroni and cheese and it is on the counter cooling. I'll put it in the refrigerator so that it will be cool and solid by tomorrow evening when we are ready to deep fry it. Yay. And it is only 9:30. I was expecting to be working much later.
I've been in a workshop all day. It was really great, but it was all day on a Saturday. The speaker was John Bell. He is a hymn writer and theologian from Scotland. He is from the community that I want to visit on my sabbatical--Iona, Scotland. It really was a great day. We mostly just sang all day. The hymns that he writes focus on social justice. And they are beautiful. And they are real. The don't water down theological language. THey talk about real life and what and why people believe. And he has a Scottis accent. How can you go wrong with that?
One last thing, before I start getting ready for bed. The other day when I yelled, okay not really yelled, at the old lady, I had another incident. I was sitting at a table with two ladies for lunch. Another woman sat down. She started talking about how she had lost some weight. Well in a self-depricating way I said I found all the pounds she lost. Well one of the other women at the table said "yeah I can see that in your face." OH MY GOD! You aren't supposed to say that. Even if it is true you aren't supposed to agree with the person who says that. Even if it is true. The most you should say is "Oh no, you don't look like you've gained any weight." But at least just snicker and don't say anything. Seriously, that just isn't right.
Alright, good night. I'm goign to hope that I lose some of the weight I'm retaining in my face over night.
Peace out!
I've been in a workshop all day. It was really great, but it was all day on a Saturday. The speaker was John Bell. He is a hymn writer and theologian from Scotland. He is from the community that I want to visit on my sabbatical--Iona, Scotland. It really was a great day. We mostly just sang all day. The hymns that he writes focus on social justice. And they are beautiful. And they are real. The don't water down theological language. THey talk about real life and what and why people believe. And he has a Scottis accent. How can you go wrong with that?
One last thing, before I start getting ready for bed. The other day when I yelled, okay not really yelled, at the old lady, I had another incident. I was sitting at a table with two ladies for lunch. Another woman sat down. She started talking about how she had lost some weight. Well in a self-depricating way I said I found all the pounds she lost. Well one of the other women at the table said "yeah I can see that in your face." OH MY GOD! You aren't supposed to say that. Even if it is true you aren't supposed to agree with the person who says that. Even if it is true. The most you should say is "Oh no, you don't look like you've gained any weight." But at least just snicker and don't say anything. Seriously, that just isn't right.
Alright, good night. I'm goign to hope that I lose some of the weight I'm retaining in my face over night.
Peace out!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Yay for Thursday!
Tomatoes, yali asian pears, sweet peppers, green beans, seedless grapes, sweet dumpling squash, and red cippolini onions. That is the list of vegetables from my CSA today. I swear it is like Christmas every Thursday. I get so excited to find out what it is in my box. I go right at 4:30 which it the time I'm told they will be at my pick-up site. The only problem so far is that my box has been on the very bottom of the stack. And the stack is as tall as I am. So that means I have to move all the boxes to get to mine.
Yali asian pears are like other asian pears but they look more like pears than apples which is often the shape of an asian pear. I'll let you know how they taste. The grapes are delicious. The red cippolini onions are small, about the size of shallots. According to the Terra Firma Farm newsletter they are red onions but more pungent than regular red onions when raw but delicious when cooked. So again I'll let you know how they taste. I'm going to make a green bean salad for a pot luck I'm going to on Sunday night.
The potluck is for my friend Sean. It was his birthday yesterday. Now lest you think this is going to be a big ol' healthy meal, you should know I'm making something else. Deep fried macaroni and cheese. Sean and his wife Shannon bought me for my birthday a deep fryer. And I was watching Paula Deen one day and she was about to make deep fried mac and cheese. So I immediately called Sean and said oh my God you have got to see this. So ever since we have been talking about deep fried mac and cheese. And on top of the obscenity of this idea the mac and cheese before it is breaded and deep fried is wrapped in bacon. Yes, bacon! Can you believe it? I mean it sounds so bad and yet so good! Again I'll let you know how it is.
Thursday is a great day all around. I get my CSA box. Then I hang out with the gays on Thursday night. Tonight is at Alan and and David's. (Shout out to Alan, a regular reader.) Alan is a great cook and also a member of Terra Firma Farm CSA. It is always very exciting to go to their house. Then I will come home to find, hopefully, two great shows, Ugly Betty and The Office, waiting for me on my tivo. I say hopefully because sometimes the tivo doesn't change the channel. So I know I'll get Ugly Betty but not necessarily The Office because it is on a different channel than UB. So keep your fingers crossed. I know I will be.
That's it for today. What will tomorrow hold? Well I know it wont be a box full of vegetables. But if I did get a box full of vegetables every day it would make Thursday so much less special. And Thursday wouldn't want that would it?
Peace Out!
Yali asian pears are like other asian pears but they look more like pears than apples which is often the shape of an asian pear. I'll let you know how they taste. The grapes are delicious. The red cippolini onions are small, about the size of shallots. According to the Terra Firma Farm newsletter they are red onions but more pungent than regular red onions when raw but delicious when cooked. So again I'll let you know how they taste. I'm going to make a green bean salad for a pot luck I'm going to on Sunday night.
The potluck is for my friend Sean. It was his birthday yesterday. Now lest you think this is going to be a big ol' healthy meal, you should know I'm making something else. Deep fried macaroni and cheese. Sean and his wife Shannon bought me for my birthday a deep fryer. And I was watching Paula Deen one day and she was about to make deep fried mac and cheese. So I immediately called Sean and said oh my God you have got to see this. So ever since we have been talking about deep fried mac and cheese. And on top of the obscenity of this idea the mac and cheese before it is breaded and deep fried is wrapped in bacon. Yes, bacon! Can you believe it? I mean it sounds so bad and yet so good! Again I'll let you know how it is.
Thursday is a great day all around. I get my CSA box. Then I hang out with the gays on Thursday night. Tonight is at Alan and and David's. (Shout out to Alan, a regular reader.) Alan is a great cook and also a member of Terra Firma Farm CSA. It is always very exciting to go to their house. Then I will come home to find, hopefully, two great shows, Ugly Betty and The Office, waiting for me on my tivo. I say hopefully because sometimes the tivo doesn't change the channel. So I know I'll get Ugly Betty but not necessarily The Office because it is on a different channel than UB. So keep your fingers crossed. I know I will be.
That's it for today. What will tomorrow hold? Well I know it wont be a box full of vegetables. But if I did get a box full of vegetables every day it would make Thursday so much less special. And Thursday wouldn't want that would it?
Peace Out!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A big ol' wad of fear and anxiety
Today has been a very long day. I had an on-line chat that began at 9 AM, but because my cleaning lady comes every other Wednesday, this being that Wed., I had to go to my office for the chat. So I was out of the house earlier than normal. (I know some of you get out much earlier than this. But this isn't your blog now is it.) (Oh and yes I have a cleaning lady. Don't judge me. I realized that i have two conflicting issues: cleanliness and laziness.)
Anyway then I had to be in Oakland at noon for an all afternoon meeting. This meeting happens once a month. It is a gathering of local Baptist clergy. We gather for lunch, BLT, Baptists Lunching Together, at an assisted living facility. Yes I said at an Assisted Living Facility. And when you look around the room at the people gathered there is a lot of gray hair. And then the board of the organization that sponsors the lunch meets and I'm on the board. So I get there for a fairly crappy lunch and am there until 4. Today I had corn & carrots, stuffing, and turkey pot pie. How much more starch can one fit into a single meal? Then during the board meeting I got frustrated with an old lady. She always frustrates me and so I have little patience with her. So often she will say something and I'll just say, "no you don't need that" or "that doesn't make any sense." I say this with much less compassion than I might to someone else. Board meetings frustrate me. I don't really like the way I behave in these meetings. It's not that I am just plain out mean. I just think I'm not very centered. I need to figure out how I can be more centered.
Then tonight I had a meeting from six to eight at the church. FInally, I got home about 8:20 for dinner. And I watched this new show on ABC called Pushing Up Daisies. It was pretty good. Quirky and interesting premise. It had some great lines. My favorite was "I wish I could give you an emotional heimlich and make you cough up a big wad of fear and anxiety." Seriously, isn't that fantastic? But now here is the absolute best part. Three of the actors are Kristin Chenoweth, Swoosie Kurtz and the woman who played the lead in the movie version of Little Shop of Horrors. All Broadway actresses. Love them. Love it!!!
It's time for Top Chef.
Peace out!
Anyway then I had to be in Oakland at noon for an all afternoon meeting. This meeting happens once a month. It is a gathering of local Baptist clergy. We gather for lunch, BLT, Baptists Lunching Together, at an assisted living facility. Yes I said at an Assisted Living Facility. And when you look around the room at the people gathered there is a lot of gray hair. And then the board of the organization that sponsors the lunch meets and I'm on the board. So I get there for a fairly crappy lunch and am there until 4. Today I had corn & carrots, stuffing, and turkey pot pie. How much more starch can one fit into a single meal? Then during the board meeting I got frustrated with an old lady. She always frustrates me and so I have little patience with her. So often she will say something and I'll just say, "no you don't need that" or "that doesn't make any sense." I say this with much less compassion than I might to someone else. Board meetings frustrate me. I don't really like the way I behave in these meetings. It's not that I am just plain out mean. I just think I'm not very centered. I need to figure out how I can be more centered.
Then tonight I had a meeting from six to eight at the church. FInally, I got home about 8:20 for dinner. And I watched this new show on ABC called Pushing Up Daisies. It was pretty good. Quirky and interesting premise. It had some great lines. My favorite was "I wish I could give you an emotional heimlich and make you cough up a big wad of fear and anxiety." Seriously, isn't that fantastic? But now here is the absolute best part. Three of the actors are Kristin Chenoweth, Swoosie Kurtz and the woman who played the lead in the movie version of Little Shop of Horrors. All Broadway actresses. Love them. Love it!!!
It's time for Top Chef.
Peace out!
Monday, October 1, 2007
A music survey on the subway?
Do you like hip-hop music? That was the question that I was asked out of the blue while I was waiting on a BART train today. Just a random stranger asking me if I like hip hop music. Now I don't so I said "no," and the man wandered off. I don't know why he wanted to know this or what he was doing with the information. Maybe he was taking a survey. I don't know.
Then I went for a run today and this is what I overheard as I ran buy a couple, "I'm not saying it was the root cause just that is might have exacerbated it." I just loved that sentence and I don't have any idea what they were talking about.
There are two things I want to write about. I'll start with my brother. He had a cat scan last week and he got the results today when he went in for his next round of chemo. The cat scan showed that the tumors had not grown since he began this new round. They haven't shrunk but they haven't grown. It's interesting how normal can change. We are now working with a new normal. Now news that isn't bad news is good news. He will continue this chemo treatment for the next two months. Then the doctor is looking into an experimental treatment that might help my brother. So for now we continue to wait. But on a day when we didn't receive bad news we are just being grateful.
The other things is this. I saw a movie today which wasn't great. It wasn't The Nanny Diaries or Transformers but still it wasn't good. (Feast of Love.) But there was a trailer before the movie. It is a Tyler Perry movie. He is the one who made Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion. I didn't care for DOMBW but I loved the character Madea. Today's trailer looked terrible. It's called Why Did We Get Married. It is also starring Janet Jackson. But here is the question that I'm pondering. It is an entirely African American cast. So I wander do I think the movie is really bad or is it racism? I grew up in the south. I know that I have a history of racism in my family and where I grew up. The town I grew up in was segregated. There was a part of town that was referred to as the quarters and that is where all the African Americans in our town lived. And I knew that there was an unspoken word that went before quarters. I say unspoken but it wasn't always unspoken. There was a "quarters" in most of the towns near where I grew up. We used to drive through one on our way to high school. One day my brother was driving and we had an accident. So I had to go into someone's house and call for help. I called my Dad and was trying to tell him where we were. Since I didn't know what the name of the road was I just had to try and describe to him where we were. But I knew that I couldnt' tell him that I was in the quarters, not while I was standing in this woman's house. I just don't know. My racism really scares me, because I'm just not sure how aware of it I am. I guess I am more aware of it than most. But I just don't know if I'll ever escape it. I don't think I treat peopel differently or view them differently because of their race. But is that enough? I don't know.
And is this why I don't like hip hop and rap music?
Well there you have it: that is my personal confession for today. I don't need absolution. I don't think.
Peace out!
Then I went for a run today and this is what I overheard as I ran buy a couple, "I'm not saying it was the root cause just that is might have exacerbated it." I just loved that sentence and I don't have any idea what they were talking about.
There are two things I want to write about. I'll start with my brother. He had a cat scan last week and he got the results today when he went in for his next round of chemo. The cat scan showed that the tumors had not grown since he began this new round. They haven't shrunk but they haven't grown. It's interesting how normal can change. We are now working with a new normal. Now news that isn't bad news is good news. He will continue this chemo treatment for the next two months. Then the doctor is looking into an experimental treatment that might help my brother. So for now we continue to wait. But on a day when we didn't receive bad news we are just being grateful.
The other things is this. I saw a movie today which wasn't great. It wasn't The Nanny Diaries or Transformers but still it wasn't good. (Feast of Love.) But there was a trailer before the movie. It is a Tyler Perry movie. He is the one who made Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion. I didn't care for DOMBW but I loved the character Madea. Today's trailer looked terrible. It's called Why Did We Get Married. It is also starring Janet Jackson. But here is the question that I'm pondering. It is an entirely African American cast. So I wander do I think the movie is really bad or is it racism? I grew up in the south. I know that I have a history of racism in my family and where I grew up. The town I grew up in was segregated. There was a part of town that was referred to as the quarters and that is where all the African Americans in our town lived. And I knew that there was an unspoken word that went before quarters. I say unspoken but it wasn't always unspoken. There was a "quarters" in most of the towns near where I grew up. We used to drive through one on our way to high school. One day my brother was driving and we had an accident. So I had to go into someone's house and call for help. I called my Dad and was trying to tell him where we were. Since I didn't know what the name of the road was I just had to try and describe to him where we were. But I knew that I couldnt' tell him that I was in the quarters, not while I was standing in this woman's house. I just don't know. My racism really scares me, because I'm just not sure how aware of it I am. I guess I am more aware of it than most. But I just don't know if I'll ever escape it. I don't think I treat peopel differently or view them differently because of their race. But is that enough? I don't know.
And is this why I don't like hip hop and rap music?
Well there you have it: that is my personal confession for today. I don't need absolution. I don't think.
Peace out!
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