Sunday, July 19, 2009

Image by Nevada Tumbleweed via Flickr

I read over the weekend that Walter Cronkite had passed away. He had become such an American icon over the years. I read that he was the most trusted and believed news caster of all time. I can honestly say I used to watch him every Sunday religiously on the CBS Sunday show. Hearing his voice and watching whatever he was presenting somehow connected me to America. I looked forward to his clips on different small towns in America. He presented a picture of small town America like no one I had ever seen. I could relate to the images and the comments people made.

So to Walter Cronkite's family I send my prayers. He was truly a great American.

Friday July 10, 2009

Image via Wikipedia

Ever see something that you wished you hadn't. Like seeing a 300 lb. man wearing a speedo. You know, it's the picture that you are obscenely horrified by, yet you can't pull your eyes from it. Example: The first time you realized your parents are sexual human beings and then the image of that pops into your head. It's that image that no matter how hard you try, it WON'T go away.

Today I was online cruising through the local bear website. Suddenly a picture pops up of a 72 year old man. Nothing wrong with that so far. Said man had a white beard. Still nothing wrong. Man was damn near naked. Ok, not pretty, but hey, he's proud of his body. Man looks like Santa Claus. Again, he's 72, white beard is to be expected.

Except in this case Santa is wearing a pair of black leather boxer shorts and a black leather Santa hat with the white faux fur trim. Ok, the image is now stuck in my head like a fly on flypaper. But the worst part of this whole scenario is the caption, "Who wants a big daddy Santa bear?"

Ok, this just seals the deal. I am going to require years of therapy to divest myself of this image. Yes, years. I will never be able to look at Santa again as that wholesome guy who brought the great stuff under my tree. Instead, I'm going to see an old white bearded fat guy bear chested wearing leather boxers asking me if I want a Santa bear. My life has sunk to a new low.

So to all you people who are going to put ads on social networks, please refrain from destroying childhood icons. Santa Claus, the Thanksgiving Turkey, the Easter Bunny are off limits. Let's just keep them the happy wholesome characters we've come to love growing up. Like my parents, I do not require the need to see them as sexual or sensual beings.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Image by nats via Flickr

Great news on the Marriage Equality front! Massachusetts has sued the federal government for over reaching their boundaries when it comes to marriage issues. The suit claims DOMA, Defense of Marriage Act, is forcing states to discriminate in the way they handle the benefits of same-sex marriages as opposed to the benefits entitled to opposite-sex marriages. Massachusetts stated in their suit only the states have the right to adjudicate who is allowed to get married, and the federal government, by claiming only a union between one man and one woman constitutes a marriage, is superseding individual state rights. Talk about a major jump in the direction of equality.

Speaking of marriages: This Monday I've been invited to witness two of my friends finally taking their vows after 10 years of being together. They are driving from Texas up to Iowa to take their vows and then they are off to honeymoon at Mt. Rushmore. Not exactly my idea of romantic, but after all those years of being together and traveling all over the world, Mt. Rushmore can have it's charms, I guess. (Think leather boots, jeans, and flannel shirts. LOL)

What really touches my heart about my friends wanting to take their vows is that said vows will not be recognized in Texas or in our federal government. Still, it means enough to them to say before God and witnesses that they are willing to commit to one another. It also means to them their union is recognized legally, even if that legality is only in a few states.

Maybe it shouldn't be a big deal to me, because I've known them for seven of the ten years they've been together. I've also witnessed plenty of straight marriages in my life. Maybe it's because I am witnessing first hand the indomitable human spirit and our sense of what is true equality and justice for all. Maybe it's because I am finally seeing the words of our Declaration of Independence ring in living action....."all men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.....life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

It's not about tax credits or federal benefits. It's not about religious persecution, religious freedoms, or freedom of religion. It's not about wanting to make a statement for change. It is about two people creating a life for each other with a statement that says; I will commit myself and all my worldly possessions, thoughts, endeavors, and actions to you and to us. No matter where your viewpoints lie, how can you argue against that? Is that not what everyone, who is united by love, ultimately wants?

With that thought, I happily look forward to the day I can say I do, I will.

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• The Flag of Equal Marriage (themoderatevoice.com)

Monday, July 6, 2009

Image by Dunechaser via Flickr

A few thoughts from today:

1. Marion Barry was arrested over the weekend for stalking a woman. I'm sorry but I can't help but laugh hysterically over this one. This is coming from the ex-mayor and current council member of Washington, DC. The same man who was arrested for smoking crack in a hotel room on a video drug bust by the FBI and who claimed he was entrapped. Ok, entrapped holding a smoking pipe to one's lips. That's rich. Then he goes on to be the lone council member to vote against DC's recognition of gay marriages from other states. He claimed he was the moral compass. What morals? I guess stalking is perfectly acceptable, even righteous. I think he needs to invest in a new compass.

2. The military ousted the Honduran President Zeyala and sent him accross the border into exile. In the meantime they have instated Roberto Micheletti to be head of the caretaker government. So the U.S. is calling for the re-instatement of President Zeyala even though he illegally tried to force a change to the constitution vote which will allow him to retain power indefinitely and he wants closer ties to Venezuela. Pardon my ignorance, but aren't we supposed to be on the side of constitutional law and democracy. How is one person retaining indefinite power democratic? On top of that, shouldn't we be concerned about his growing desire to form a closer relationship with Hugo Chavez's leftist government in Venezuela? Again, it's another case of the U.S. meddling into affairs which quite frankly we have no business in. A wise person once said, "If you're off minding other people's business, who's minding your's?"

3. Roger Federer rocks!!!

4. Sarah Palin resigned from being governor. This is sad news, why?

5. Archbishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali said the Anglican church welcomed gays because "we want them to repent and be changed." Rev. Nazir-Ali is a leader of the conservative branch of the Anglican church that has issues with gay marriage, gay ordinations, and of course, women being ordained. Does this mean women need to repent for being women?

6. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev are talking nuclear missile reduction. Well, North Korea wants nukes, so how about we drop them on North Korea. Problem solved....we get rid our nukes and Kim Jong-il gets his wish to be a nuclear country.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Image by Matt Stratton via Flickr

Today was the perfect day in Chicagoland. Talk about awesome!!!! Sun was out, very little humidity, temperatures were in the 70's. Completely a 10!!! As I drove up Lake shore Drive it seemed everyone else in the city had the same idea. Talk about gridlock....It took me over an hour to do the 7 or 8 miles from one end to the other. At least the guy next to me was blasting his dance music so we could move and groove. HAH!!!

Today I met a new friend. Talk about an instant attraction. We hit it off like we had known each other forever. He was from the same area of Southern California that I had lived in when I went to college. Talk about a small world.

It turns out that he and his room mate have a gorgeous American Bulldog named Gryphon. Gryph is 100 lbs. of pure puppy love. It's good to meet another dog lover. Now I am missing my "little" Annie something fierce.

We took Gryphon for a walk down to the beach and watched the people out barbecuing, enjoying family, and in general celebrating the day. Gryphon was the center of attention which, in true lovable pooch style, he lapped it up. He knew he was a star attraction wagging his tail at every passerby and earning some serious petting.

After sitting on the bench overlooking Lake Michigan for what seemed like an hour of pure bliss, we decided to head off to get something to eat. We went to a local pub cum restaurant kind of place. Sorry if I can remember the name. What I can remember is that they had the most awesome burgers. So there we sat stuffing our face and washing it down with beer. That, my friend, is the meaning of life. I am still stuffed from dinner at this writing.

Next we went for a Sunday drive up Sheridan Ave. For those who have never been here, Sheridan Ave is home to some of the most ostentatious houses in America. I've never seen so many mansions lining the street. It was absolutely jaw dropping and yes, I drooled over many homes.

We followed Sheridan north through Northwestern University, Evanston, Wilmette and finally North Shore (I think). Each town was prettier than the last. Stately homes on beautifully manicured lawns. How gentile.

On the way back we stopped at the B'hai Cathedral. This is an absolute wonder to behold. The entire structure is white sandstone or limestone (not sure which). The carvings covering the building are absolutely breathtaking. In the top of the dome is a scrip in Arabic that praised the holiness of God.

Yes today was an incredible day with great company. What more could I ask for? To do it again of course.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Image via Wikipedia

Just a quick note to say I'm still alive and kicking. Not much has been happening recently. I finally asked the guy I've been seeing if he'd like to spend the weekend together. We've been casually getting together for 2 months now, and I figured it would be nice to spend the holiday together. I have a strong feeling he wasn't that receptive to the idea. With all his joking about wanting to get to "know" me, when I finally acquiesed to the idea, he seemed to back off. So now I'm left to wondering.

Today I took a long drive to try and clear my head. It's amazing how much clearer I think when I'm alone in the car with no destination to hurry to. It's just me, the road, and whatever music was on. In this case it was a station on XM called Coffee House. Pretty good "unplugged" music, which at this point, was very soothing.

I drove through some towns that were all decked out in their Red, White, and Blue finest. Naperville is having a Ribfest and from what I hear, it's pretty damn good. La Grange is having a picnic in the park day tomorrow. Downer's Grove is having a street festival. To be honest, it felt like I was driving through an endless parade of Norman Rockwell paintings.

For the past couple of weeks I've had this strong urge to retreat back into myself. I don't know if it's because I'm facing possible surgery on my ankle, again. Maybe it's because I'm in a new place and haven't really made any close friends or connections. But more than likely it's because I'm not working yet. It's amazing how one defines his/her entire life around what they do for a living. Take that away and what's left.

I guess this is me trying to figure out who I am, yet again. Something we all do, but at 50 years old, I would have thought by now I'd be pretty sure of who and what I am. Mabybe this is what they call a midlife crisis? It's pretty daunting when one comes to the reality that he has no job, no home, no friends to gather around and yet he's still got to keep plugging away.

So, in the end I guess I'm being called to coccoon. Rebuild my life and my thoughts. Reshape myself for the possibilities ahead. Here's to hoping the product of this respective is stronger, more resilient, self-assured, and independent.

To all who are coccooning also, may you be the brilliant butterfly you've always dreamed you'd be; beautiful, graceful, artistic, and independent.