Marine Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, of Tacoma, Wash.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 14 in Farah Province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. Also killed were Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass, Pfc. Dawid Pietrek and Pfc. Michael Robert Patton.
“Firefighter’s Son, Third Generation Marine, is Killed in Afghanistan”
As a kid about 10 years ago, Michael Washington was something of a fixture at Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood firehouse, where he sometimes accompanied his firefighter dad.
The men and women who worked there recall a fun kid mature beyond his years, who looked you straight in the eye while his legs dangled from the end of a recliner. Eventually he grew to tower over his dad, after whom he was named and whom he admired.
The elder Michael Washington joined the Seattle Fire Department in 1994 and served 23 years in the Marine Corps and reserves, including tours in Desert Storm in 1991, Bosnia, and two tours in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2003 before retiring as a master sergeant in 2004. His own father had served in the Marines in Korea.
So, after graduating from Stadium High School in Tacoma three years ago, the younger Michael Washington at 17 became the third generation from his family to serve in the Corps.
In Iraq a year ago, the younger Washington earned citations for bravery, providing cover as fellow Marines extricated themselves from a deadly field of fire.
In April, he went overseas again, this time in Afghanistan as a sergeant with his unit, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The unit was assigned to train and help struggling Afghan national police units in southwestern Afghanistan.
On Saturday, Washington, 20, was one of four Marines riding in a Humvee who were killed by a homemade bomb hidden in a roadway near Farah Province in Afghanistan. It was the worst single attack on coalition forces in Afghanistan this year.
Washington is the first Marine with ties to Washington state among the 23 locally connected members of the armed forces who have died in Afghanistan since the war there nearly seven years ago, a month after 9/11.
Washington's dad said he was pulling duty Sunday morning at Fire Station 16 at Green Lake when Marine casualty notification officers tracked him down and broke the news.
"You think about that but you can never prepare for that," Michael Washington said Monday as he sat in his garage near North Shore Golf Course in Tacoma, where his son once played and worked. "This loss is obviously personal and my family is grieving, but I want the city and the country to know we lost somebody pretty special," he said. "My son was just a good guy -- a kid who would cut elderly people's yards when they were sick and couldn't cut it themselves."
Washington is survived by his father, now working mainly in Georgetown's station 27; his mother, Grace, an artist; and a sister, Aja Collins, a former Army linguist who now lives in South Korea where her husband, also an Army linguist, serves.
Since receiving the news, Washington said his family has been embraced by an overwhelming response.
"It is amazing how many people care. I just want to say thank you, from Michael and Grace, to all the brothers and sisters in the Seattle Fire Department and all the citizens. Michael touched a lot of lives," he said.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
My Quilting Ways #06
Well, it's summer time and the livin' always involves quiltin'
Park of my latest project. Perhaps, more to come.
Park of my latest project. Perhaps, more to come.
What I'm Reading #8 (Summer Reading #3)
Still more poetry, and this one's a real find! A new poet to me. Jason Schneiderman is quick, witty, playful with things most serious. He knows how to make his point with a unique, original voice.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, at one point not to long ago he was a neighbor unknown.
Here's a taste of his dark whimsy:
V
When you die, I get your heart
Because I need a piece of you
That's the way it was when you
Were alive -- not a memory or a photograph
But a part that I can hold
In a box, that I can keep in the bed
And hold while I sleep.
Love, I love all of you --
The cobblestone of your acne-scarred back,
The ring of stomach fat you hate,
There is nothing I can't embrace,
Nothing I won't miss or remember.
All things come to those who wait:
God loves an expiration date.
You won't likely find this collection in a local bookstore (If you still have one of those things), but you can buy it online and I would heartily recommend that you do.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, at one point not to long ago he was a neighbor unknown.
Here's a taste of his dark whimsy:
V
When you die, I get your heart
Because I need a piece of you
That's the way it was when you
Were alive -- not a memory or a photograph
But a part that I can hold
In a box, that I can keep in the bed
And hold while I sleep.
Love, I love all of you --
The cobblestone of your acne-scarred back,
The ring of stomach fat you hate,
There is nothing I can't embrace,
Nothing I won't miss or remember.
All things come to those who wait:
God loves an expiration date.
You won't likely find this collection in a local bookstore (If you still have one of those things), but you can buy it online and I would heartily recommend that you do.
Vintage Post Card
A friend sent me this
great vintage post card.
The caption reads:
"Suicide Oak, City Park
New Orleans, Louisiana"
On the reverse
he writes: "Doesn't
the picture look like
a very lazy, relaxing
place to be?"
Hmmm....
Not really.
Not yet....
great vintage post card.
The caption reads:
"Suicide Oak, City Park
New Orleans, Louisiana"
On the reverse
he writes: "Doesn't
the picture look like
a very lazy, relaxing
place to be?"
Hmmm....
Not really.
Not yet....
Monday, June 16, 2008
What I'm Watching #148
"The DL (Down Low) Chronicles" are a series of 4 vignettes about life as a gay black man dealing with both homophobic cultural and familial obstacles. The shows are tied together by a narrator, who quickly vanishes after setting the stage for each episode.
They deal with how black gay men come to share/reflect upon their sexuality with 1) their wife, 2) their daughter, 3) their community, and 4) their cousin (closeted). The results are cruel, forgiving, redemptive, judgmental, transformative and epiphanil. The only glaringly omitted aspect of living Down Low was the bi-racial thang.
Black men who love Whites, Hispanics, and Asians have an extra hurdle to cross.
Hopefully the second season of the series will address this.
They deal with how black gay men come to share/reflect upon their sexuality with 1) their wife, 2) their daughter, 3) their community, and 4) their cousin (closeted). The results are cruel, forgiving, redemptive, judgmental, transformative and epiphanil. The only glaringly omitted aspect of living Down Low was the bi-racial thang.
Black men who love Whites, Hispanics, and Asians have an extra hurdle to cross.
Hopefully the second season of the series will address this.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
What I'm Reading #7 (Summer Reading #2)
Another collection of poems that I am reading is the most recent by the poet W. S. Merwin. "Present Company" is a series of over 100 odes to many aspects of Merwin's life and world. If there is an over-arching theme to the collection it is a wanting; a missing of things gone by.
A prime example of this motif can be seen in the anonymous poem:
To ----------------------
There is no reason
for me to keep counting
how long it has been
since you were here
alive one morning
as though I were
letting out the string
of a kite one day at a time
over my finger
when there is no string
Merwin is a national treasure, and his career has spanned many decades. Many of the poets who started out with him are no longer with us. This poem could be written for any one of them, or all, or none. Yet it suggests that longevity comes with a price of its own.
I hope Merwin will be around for many years to come and continue to offer his reflections and insights though his poems.
A prime example of this motif can be seen in the anonymous poem:
To ----------------------
There is no reason
for me to keep counting
how long it has been
since you were here
alive one morning
as though I were
letting out the string
of a kite one day at a time
over my finger
when there is no string
Merwin is a national treasure, and his career has spanned many decades. Many of the poets who started out with him are no longer with us. This poem could be written for any one of them, or all, or none. Yet it suggests that longevity comes with a price of its own.
I hope Merwin will be around for many years to come and continue to offer his reflections and insights though his poems.
The Wrens
There's a painting, done in the style of Audubon, which depicts a family of wrens who have built their nest in an old hat hung on a fence post by a nail. I was reminded of this today when a wren darted out of a wrought-iron wall planter that I have attached to the back of my sun porch.
Well hidden among the flowers, the nest is built on its side like a wigwam. The enclosure is entered from the side and has a solid "roof" over the chamber where the eggs are to be laid.
The problem is that I will need to water the planter on a regular basis or the plants will die which would actually defeat the purpose of building the nest where they have. I guess I will try to do it with a gentle shower from a hose held at a distance.
Wrens are fascinating.
Well hidden among the flowers, the nest is built on its side like a wigwam. The enclosure is entered from the side and has a solid "roof" over the chamber where the eggs are to be laid.
The problem is that I will need to water the planter on a regular basis or the plants will die which would actually defeat the purpose of building the nest where they have. I guess I will try to do it with a gentle shower from a hose held at a distance.
Wrens are fascinating.
Mid-June Gardens #2
Blackberries! And the strange thing is that last year this patch was only raspberries.....
Mid-June Gardens #3
The Oakleaf Hydrangea is a winner all year long! And here in June it's blossoms extend like some hyperactive lilac. But unlike the lilac, these blossoms will linger all summer long.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
What I'm Reading #6 (Summer Reading #1)
For some reason I read a lot more than I share with you on this blog. Recently, I've been reading a lot of poetry collections.
"Blackbird And Wolf" is by Henri Cole. His poetry is very intimate and insightful. In this collection he writes often of loss and offers his attempts to make sense of this.
In the poem (My favorite in the collection) "Gravity And Center" he states: "I don't want words to sever me from reality./I don't want to need them. I want nothing/to reveal feeling but feeling--as in freedom,/or the knowledge of peace in a realm beyond,/or the sound of water poured in a bowl." and that visceral aural image stops one dead and becomes the fulcrum from which the rest of the poem is balanced.
That's how he gets me: with images that captivate and encapsulate ideas. This also occurs in the poem "Homosexuality" which is about his being awakened in the middle of the night to discover a duck trapped in the flew of his wood stove. After rescuing the sooty survivor the poem ends with: "climbing back naked into bed with you." Thus his sexuality is far more common, far less remarkable an event than a duck caught in his chimney; and still it is important and intimate in a way that heterosexuality ought to be.
I love Henri Cole’s poems. I worry about him...too many of these poems are about loss and loneliness. Perhaps he congers up in me an openness to a place where we are birds of a feather.....
"Blackbird And Wolf" is by Henri Cole. His poetry is very intimate and insightful. In this collection he writes often of loss and offers his attempts to make sense of this.
In the poem (My favorite in the collection) "Gravity And Center" he states: "I don't want words to sever me from reality./I don't want to need them. I want nothing/to reveal feeling but feeling--as in freedom,/or the knowledge of peace in a realm beyond,/or the sound of water poured in a bowl." and that visceral aural image stops one dead and becomes the fulcrum from which the rest of the poem is balanced.
That's how he gets me: with images that captivate and encapsulate ideas. This also occurs in the poem "Homosexuality" which is about his being awakened in the middle of the night to discover a duck trapped in the flew of his wood stove. After rescuing the sooty survivor the poem ends with: "climbing back naked into bed with you." Thus his sexuality is far more common, far less remarkable an event than a duck caught in his chimney; and still it is important and intimate in a way that heterosexuality ought to be.
I love Henri Cole’s poems. I worry about him...too many of these poems are about loss and loneliness. Perhaps he congers up in me an openness to a place where we are birds of a feather.....
Art I'm Seeing #29
"Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures From The National Museum, Kabul" has just opened at the National Gallery of Art here in Washington, D.C.
It's a show of modest proportions with some utterly amazing artifacts. Prior to my going, all the buzz over the show was focused on an incredibly ornate and beautiful solid gold crown retrieved from a gravesite at Tillya Tepe. And it is very impressive.
But hands down my favorite was this artifact. It's called the "aquarium," and, in fact, it is an ingenious centerpiece for a banquet table. Looking at the image you see it from above straight on. It's the size of a large dinner plate. In the center is an image of the Medusa alluding to the Hellenistic influences present in much of the art in the exhibit. Circling the Medusa is a couple of dozen bas-relief images of fish. The fins and some of the tails on the fish are actually thin detached appendages that cut through the disc and are held in place by short chains and tear-drop-shaped weights on the underside.
The disc sits in a 2 inch deep bronze frame and was presumably made water tight in that frame with a resin. This frame was either held up by some sort of pedestal or set on top of a bowl. And here's the genius part: When water was poured into the basin created by the frame it would cover the disc. Then it would seep out through the slits created by the fins and tails and as it ran down the chains and weights, it would cause the fins and tails and wobble and wiggle back and forth!
This mechanical wonder delighted guests at banquets held in the barren steppes of northern Afghanistan at the very time when Roman soldiers were crucifying Jesus of Nazareth. Amazing!
As to the show as a whole it focuses on artifacts retrieved from four major sights: Tepe Fullol, AÏ Khanum, Begram, and Tillya Tepe. Each excavation offers it's own insights into the culture and art of Ancient Afghanistan. At Aï Khanum you experience architectural elements, stone statuary and two of the most amazing sundials that I have ever seen. At Bergram the stores of two rooms of merchandise reveal elements in bronze, gold, clay, glass and ivory rich with Hellenistic, Roman, and Indian influences. And the exhibition ends with the treasures of Tillya Tepe which come from 6 tombs of noble lineage; 5 of women and 1 of a man.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the show is traveling to others venues: San Francisco, Houston, and New York. If you can go, you should and you'll not be disappointed.
It's a show of modest proportions with some utterly amazing artifacts. Prior to my going, all the buzz over the show was focused on an incredibly ornate and beautiful solid gold crown retrieved from a gravesite at Tillya Tepe. And it is very impressive.
But hands down my favorite was this artifact. It's called the "aquarium," and, in fact, it is an ingenious centerpiece for a banquet table. Looking at the image you see it from above straight on. It's the size of a large dinner plate. In the center is an image of the Medusa alluding to the Hellenistic influences present in much of the art in the exhibit. Circling the Medusa is a couple of dozen bas-relief images of fish. The fins and some of the tails on the fish are actually thin detached appendages that cut through the disc and are held in place by short chains and tear-drop-shaped weights on the underside.
The disc sits in a 2 inch deep bronze frame and was presumably made water tight in that frame with a resin. This frame was either held up by some sort of pedestal or set on top of a bowl. And here's the genius part: When water was poured into the basin created by the frame it would cover the disc. Then it would seep out through the slits created by the fins and tails and as it ran down the chains and weights, it would cause the fins and tails and wobble and wiggle back and forth!
This mechanical wonder delighted guests at banquets held in the barren steppes of northern Afghanistan at the very time when Roman soldiers were crucifying Jesus of Nazareth. Amazing!
As to the show as a whole it focuses on artifacts retrieved from four major sights: Tepe Fullol, AÏ Khanum, Begram, and Tillya Tepe. Each excavation offers it's own insights into the culture and art of Ancient Afghanistan. At Aï Khanum you experience architectural elements, stone statuary and two of the most amazing sundials that I have ever seen. At Bergram the stores of two rooms of merchandise reveal elements in bronze, gold, clay, glass and ivory rich with Hellenistic, Roman, and Indian influences. And the exhibition ends with the treasures of Tillya Tepe which come from 6 tombs of noble lineage; 5 of women and 1 of a man.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the show is traveling to others venues: San Francisco, Houston, and New York. If you can go, you should and you'll not be disappointed.
McCain VS Obama #03 ~ MISSISSIPPI: Will The South Rise Again?
I think it will. And I think that Mississippi is a good place to gauge this latest rebirth. Like Montana the citizens of this southern delta state are feeling the economic pinch of rising gas prices far more acutely than the rest of us. There is not a single county in the state where the monthly average percentage of household income is below or even equal to the national average of 4%. For all but nine of the state's counties the average is from twice to four times! the national average. This cannot be making the citizens of Mississippi very happy with the economy.
This is an unhappiness that was recently expressed in a special election when a long-time Republican held house seat was picked up by a Democrat. Mississippi is presently represented in congress by 3 Democrats and 1 Republican.
This fall Mississippi will be electing both of it Senators, and while Thad Cochran is probably likely to retain his Republican seat, I predict that there's a very good chance that the Democrat candidate, Ronnie Musgrove, will pick up the open seat left by Republican Trent Lott when he quit to go work for a lobbying firm before a new law kicked in that would have kept him from doing that for a couple of years -- can you blame him? Life is short, and who can afford to forego making millions off of your public service even for just a couple of years....
And I think that Obama would be smart to put resources into Mississippi, especially as far as they support the election of a Democrat to the senate. The move will also force the RNC to spend money in a state that they probably hadn't given much thought about. The more spent in Mississippi, the less to spend in Florida and Ohio.
This is an unhappiness that was recently expressed in a special election when a long-time Republican held house seat was picked up by a Democrat. Mississippi is presently represented in congress by 3 Democrats and 1 Republican.
This fall Mississippi will be electing both of it Senators, and while Thad Cochran is probably likely to retain his Republican seat, I predict that there's a very good chance that the Democrat candidate, Ronnie Musgrove, will pick up the open seat left by Republican Trent Lott when he quit to go work for a lobbying firm before a new law kicked in that would have kept him from doing that for a couple of years -- can you blame him? Life is short, and who can afford to forego making millions off of your public service even for just a couple of years....
And I think that Obama would be smart to put resources into Mississippi, especially as far as they support the election of a Democrat to the senate. The move will also force the RNC to spend money in a state that they probably hadn't given much thought about. The more spent in Mississippi, the less to spend in Florida and Ohio.
Friday, June 13, 2008
2008 Senate Races #01
In any given election year, there are 33 or 34 seats up for re-election in the United States Senate. This year of amazing possibilities and public discontent there are 35. It should be 33, but Trent Lott of Mississippi (R) quit to avoid a new law and be able to earn millions of dollars as a lobbist; and Senator Thompson of Wyoming (R) died weeks after being re-elected.
Given the recent history in both states, and this present quagmire that the Republican Party has placed our nation in (can you say $5.00 a gallon gasoline?); it seems likely that the two open seats in both states will be split between the two parties.
Net Gain 2.
There are also 5 open seats: VA, NM, CO, NE & ID. I predict that 4 of these will go Democratic.
Net Gain 4.
Of the remaining seats, 8 of them are also vulnerable: and I will predict that 6 of those will go to the Democrats.
Net Gain 6 seats.
On the Democratic side there are 2 vulnerable seats, but given the over all climate, I can only generously predict that 1 of them may flip.
Net Loss 1 seat.
Final tally:
+ 12 + ( - 1 ) = 11 pick-ups.
Add that to 48 uncontested and safe seats and you get 59 Democratic senators. 59 + a faithful Independent from VT = 60. 60 is the magic number. The number that makes D-I J. Leiberman of CT utterly irrelevant. This is the year that that could happen. Let us all pray that it be so!
Given the recent history in both states, and this present quagmire that the Republican Party has placed our nation in (can you say $5.00 a gallon gasoline?); it seems likely that the two open seats in both states will be split between the two parties.
Net Gain 2.
There are also 5 open seats: VA, NM, CO, NE & ID. I predict that 4 of these will go Democratic.
Net Gain 4.
Of the remaining seats, 8 of them are also vulnerable: and I will predict that 6 of those will go to the Democrats.
Net Gain 6 seats.
On the Democratic side there are 2 vulnerable seats, but given the over all climate, I can only generously predict that 1 of them may flip.
Net Loss 1 seat.
Final tally:
+ 12 + ( - 1 ) = 11 pick-ups.
Add that to 48 uncontested and safe seats and you get 59 Democratic senators. 59 + a faithful Independent from VT = 60. 60 is the magic number. The number that makes D-I J. Leiberman of CT utterly irrelevant. This is the year that that could happen. Let us all pray that it be so!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Why I'm Voting Republican
After watching this, who in their RIGHT mind wouldn't? Thank god for the LEFT of us!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
McCain VS Obama #02 ~ MONTANA: Harbinger of the New West
Yes, that's right: Montana. Long thought of as a Red State when it's ever tilting, tilting, tilting populism has rendered it BLUE in so many ways.
The maps show (top to bottom) 1) the relative price of regular gasoline (the first week of June '08), 2) the median annual household incomes, and by extrapolation, 3) the % of household income now being spent of filling up the family car and the farm equipment.
In the top map you see that there's a lot of blue. And blue represents gas under $4.00 a gallon--the darker shade of blue the better. Most of Montana lags behind the national average--lucky Montana.
The middle map shows the annual household income averages for the state's 55 counties. Montana is not a rich state. 9 or 16% of it's counties boast annual average incomes below $25,000 and 62% of the counties make a living with less $35,000 in annual average receipts.
Granted that the cost of living in Montana is less in many ways than in other states, yet based on a national average of 4% of household income going to buying gasoline, the third map shows that NO COUNTY in the state is either at or below 4%. Ergo, the rise of gasoline is impacting the people of Montana more profoundly that most other states.
So, what does this have to do with the premise of this posting or this series? Plenty.
Montana is a state in political flux in the way that many western states are, but in Montana the tides have turned with great power. In Montana, both of its Senators (or the seat of it real power in Washington, D.C.) are Democrats: Max Baucus and Jon Testor. (Only western neighbors California, Washington, and Hawaii can claim membership in that club.) Montana's governor, Brian Schwietzer, is also a democrat and hugely popular--neigh beloved by Montanans.
So where does Obama hold the high ground in Montana?. . .with the economy, stupid. With the earnest support of Brian, Jon & Max. Montana is utterly open. It may only have 3 votes in the quest for the magic 270, but when you expect, as I do, that Obama will win all of the states that John Kerry did, he only needs 18 votes to win. Winning Montana would a symbolic paradigm shift for both the state and the region.
And I think he can do it!
The maps show (top to bottom) 1) the relative price of regular gasoline (the first week of June '08), 2) the median annual household incomes, and by extrapolation, 3) the % of household income now being spent of filling up the family car and the farm equipment.
In the top map you see that there's a lot of blue. And blue represents gas under $4.00 a gallon--the darker shade of blue the better. Most of Montana lags behind the national average--lucky Montana.
The middle map shows the annual household income averages for the state's 55 counties. Montana is not a rich state. 9 or 16% of it's counties boast annual average incomes below $25,000 and 62% of the counties make a living with less $35,000 in annual average receipts.
Granted that the cost of living in Montana is less in many ways than in other states, yet based on a national average of 4% of household income going to buying gasoline, the third map shows that NO COUNTY in the state is either at or below 4%. Ergo, the rise of gasoline is impacting the people of Montana more profoundly that most other states.
So, what does this have to do with the premise of this posting or this series? Plenty.
Montana is a state in political flux in the way that many western states are, but in Montana the tides have turned with great power. In Montana, both of its Senators (or the seat of it real power in Washington, D.C.) are Democrats: Max Baucus and Jon Testor. (Only western neighbors California, Washington, and Hawaii can claim membership in that club.) Montana's governor, Brian Schwietzer, is also a democrat and hugely popular--neigh beloved by Montanans.
So where does Obama hold the high ground in Montana?. . .with the economy, stupid. With the earnest support of Brian, Jon & Max. Montana is utterly open. It may only have 3 votes in the quest for the magic 270, but when you expect, as I do, that Obama will win all of the states that John Kerry did, he only needs 18 votes to win. Winning Montana would a symbolic paradigm shift for both the state and the region.
And I think he can do it!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
May War On Terrorism Up-Date
The Pentagon reported that this past May was the safest for U.S. troops since February of 2004. And, indeed, it was a very low casualty month, but as usual my numbers differ from theirs. The press cited 21 deaths as reported by the Pentagon for purposes of news reports; however, as I read and collect Department of Defense casualty reports as presented in news releases on a nearly daily basis over the month of May, I come up with 36 casualties.
So "Does the right hand know what the left is doing?"
Upon a more careful and disaggregated examination in which I tallied the casualties by 6 categories, I came up with the following results:
Iraq combat deaths = 14
Iraq non-combat deaths = 4
Afghanistan combat deaths = 13
Afghanistan non-combat deaths = 2
Other combat deaths = 1
Other non-combat deaths = 2
Excluding the 15 deaths in Afghanistan, you do get 21 casualties.
It strikes me as kind of odd that of those 21, one was from natural causes in the tiny African nation of Djibouti, and another was a soldier killed by a hit-and-run driver in Chicago; and yet, 15 soldiers killed in Afghanistan appear to have been conveniently omitted from the monthly pentagon report....
And THIS really IS the story. After more than six years since our victory over the Taliban in Afghanistan it has become again an arena of U.S. occupation as deadly as that of Iraq: A trend that is moving rapidly in the wrong direction.
So "Does the right hand know what the left is doing?"
Upon a more careful and disaggregated examination in which I tallied the casualties by 6 categories, I came up with the following results:
Iraq combat deaths = 14
Iraq non-combat deaths = 4
Afghanistan combat deaths = 13
Afghanistan non-combat deaths = 2
Other combat deaths = 1
Other non-combat deaths = 2
Excluding the 15 deaths in Afghanistan, you do get 21 casualties.
It strikes me as kind of odd that of those 21, one was from natural causes in the tiny African nation of Djibouti, and another was a soldier killed by a hit-and-run driver in Chicago; and yet, 15 soldiers killed in Afghanistan appear to have been conveniently omitted from the monthly pentagon report....
And THIS really IS the story. After more than six years since our victory over the Taliban in Afghanistan it has become again an arena of U.S. occupation as deadly as that of Iraq: A trend that is moving rapidly in the wrong direction.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Pretty Window
I've been having fun with a hot glue gun!
And glass beads. . . . . transforming a couple of my windows into sparkly more private little works of art.
Cool, eh?
And glass beads. . . . . transforming a couple of my windows into sparkly more private little works of art.
Cool, eh?
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
Random Quote #90
"I strongly believe that they will destroy all of the flowers, but they cannot stop the spring. One day we will have everything in our country."
~ Malalai Joya, 1978 -
[Malalai Joya is a member of Afghanistan's newly elected parliment. She has been banned from it's proceedings because she dared to call members who are criminal warlords out for what and who they are. They are her reference in this quote as she lives under constant survallience, threats, and protection. Her life is a gift to freedom.]
~ Malalai Joya, 1978 -
[Malalai Joya is a member of Afghanistan's newly elected parliment. She has been banned from it's proceedings because she dared to call members who are criminal warlords out for what and who they are. They are her reference in this quote as she lives under constant survallience, threats, and protection. Her life is a gift to freedom.]
Sunday, June 01, 2008
The DNC Has Spoken
But is the way toward a nominee any clearer?
Without Michigan's and Florida's delegations the magic number to clinch the nomination was 2,026. And the candidates totals were Obama 1,977.5, which gave him the need to secure an additional 48.5 delegates, and Clinton was sitting at 1,777 delegates with a need to acquire an additional 249 delegates. Obama was 97.6% of the way to clinching the nomination. Clinton was 87.7% of the way to a victory.
Now add in Florida and Michigan. Florida was assigned 158 delegates, and Michigan 128. Clinton won 55.2% of Michigan's popular primary votes. Obama was not on the ticket out of respect for the DNC's decision to originally not seat the delegation; however, 40.1% of Michigan's popular primary vote went to "uncommitted" and these delegates have been awarded to him. In Florida, both names were on the ballot. Clinton received 49.8% of the popular primary vote and Obama received 32.9%.
The DNC is giving delegates from Michigan and Florida half a vote each as its punishment to the states for breaking party rules.
This means that Obama will receive 25.5 votes from Michigan and 30.5 from Florida for a total of 56 additional delegates. Clinton will receive 35.5 votes from Michigan and 46 from Florida for a total of 81.5 delegates from the two formerly disenfranchised states.
The additional delegates recalibrate the calculus for victory moving the magic number from 2,026 to 2,098.
With this change Obama now has a total of 2033.5 delegates, is 96.9% of the way to clinching the nomination, and needs 64.5 additional delegates to win. Clinton now has a total of 1.858.5 delegates, is 88.6% of the way to obtaining the nomination, and needs 239.5 additional delegates to win.
Can she do it?
There are three delegation contests remaining. Today Puerto Rico awards its 55 delegates. On Tuesday, Montana awards its 16 delegates, and South Dakota awards its 15 delegates. There are enough delegates to give Obama victory but not enough to allow Clinton to win. Realistically, neither candidate will win with popularly voted delegates.
So it comes down to the remaining super delegates.
There are total of 762 super delegates. Obama currently is supported by 321.5 of them and Clinton by 275. This leaves 165.5 left to make their choice of candidate known.
Combining the remaining delegates (super and state/territory) you get a total of 251.5 still uncommitted. Obama needs to win 26% of these delegates to win and Clinton will need to win 95% of these delegates to secure a victory.
Where will he stand after June 3rd?
The remaining delegation contests will likely be split between Clinton and Obama. I prediction that Clinton will win Puerto Rico and Obama will take both Montana and South Dakota. Out of these contest I anticipate that Obama will receive 41 additional delegates and Clinton 45. And so Obama will be a meager 23.5 delegates away from victory with a pool of 165.5 super delegates holding the power to end the primary race. On the other hand, Clinton will be 194.5 delegates short and statistically out of the race.
The figures of super delegates I used in this article come from The New York Times. The associated press reports that Obama has 331. If this is true, then he would actually only need 13.5 of an available pool of 155.5. I don’t know about you, but to me it seems like the writing is on the proverbial wall.
It's time for Clinton to be a big girl and do the grown-up thing. We've heard rumors of a gracious concession...it's time for this to happen. Will history judge her as one of our foremost female political leaders, or as a streeching, ranting spoiler? Honestly, Hill, it's time.
Without Michigan's and Florida's delegations the magic number to clinch the nomination was 2,026. And the candidates totals were Obama 1,977.5, which gave him the need to secure an additional 48.5 delegates, and Clinton was sitting at 1,777 delegates with a need to acquire an additional 249 delegates. Obama was 97.6% of the way to clinching the nomination. Clinton was 87.7% of the way to a victory.
Now add in Florida and Michigan. Florida was assigned 158 delegates, and Michigan 128. Clinton won 55.2% of Michigan's popular primary votes. Obama was not on the ticket out of respect for the DNC's decision to originally not seat the delegation; however, 40.1% of Michigan's popular primary vote went to "uncommitted" and these delegates have been awarded to him. In Florida, both names were on the ballot. Clinton received 49.8% of the popular primary vote and Obama received 32.9%.
The DNC is giving delegates from Michigan and Florida half a vote each as its punishment to the states for breaking party rules.
This means that Obama will receive 25.5 votes from Michigan and 30.5 from Florida for a total of 56 additional delegates. Clinton will receive 35.5 votes from Michigan and 46 from Florida for a total of 81.5 delegates from the two formerly disenfranchised states.
The additional delegates recalibrate the calculus for victory moving the magic number from 2,026 to 2,098.
With this change Obama now has a total of 2033.5 delegates, is 96.9% of the way to clinching the nomination, and needs 64.5 additional delegates to win. Clinton now has a total of 1.858.5 delegates, is 88.6% of the way to obtaining the nomination, and needs 239.5 additional delegates to win.
Can she do it?
There are three delegation contests remaining. Today Puerto Rico awards its 55 delegates. On Tuesday, Montana awards its 16 delegates, and South Dakota awards its 15 delegates. There are enough delegates to give Obama victory but not enough to allow Clinton to win. Realistically, neither candidate will win with popularly voted delegates.
So it comes down to the remaining super delegates.
There are total of 762 super delegates. Obama currently is supported by 321.5 of them and Clinton by 275. This leaves 165.5 left to make their choice of candidate known.
Combining the remaining delegates (super and state/territory) you get a total of 251.5 still uncommitted. Obama needs to win 26% of these delegates to win and Clinton will need to win 95% of these delegates to secure a victory.
Where will he stand after June 3rd?
The remaining delegation contests will likely be split between Clinton and Obama. I prediction that Clinton will win Puerto Rico and Obama will take both Montana and South Dakota. Out of these contest I anticipate that Obama will receive 41 additional delegates and Clinton 45. And so Obama will be a meager 23.5 delegates away from victory with a pool of 165.5 super delegates holding the power to end the primary race. On the other hand, Clinton will be 194.5 delegates short and statistically out of the race.
The figures of super delegates I used in this article come from The New York Times. The associated press reports that Obama has 331. If this is true, then he would actually only need 13.5 of an available pool of 155.5. I don’t know about you, but to me it seems like the writing is on the proverbial wall.
It's time for Clinton to be a big girl and do the grown-up thing. We've heard rumors of a gracious concession...it's time for this to happen. Will history judge her as one of our foremost female political leaders, or as a streeching, ranting spoiler? Honestly, Hill, it's time.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
What I'm Watching #147
There are actually four films in this collection of shorts, but the one called "Katydid" really isn't worth writing about.
So the final review from this collection goes to "The Best Men". The story of a gay-straight friendship in which the straight half is getting married. It takes place on the day of the wedding. It's a bittersweet little story. One that I could relate to personally.
So the final review from this collection goes to "The Best Men". The story of a gay-straight friendship in which the straight half is getting married. It takes place on the day of the wedding. It's a bittersweet little story. One that I could relate to personally.
What I'm Watching #146
"Float" is the short film in the collection "Not | Gay" from the Bahamas. It's a tale of two worlds. One white. One black. One decidedly gay. One at war with itself over the issue.
It's a beautifully shot film, but with the backdrop of the Bahamas as your setting...beauty just seems to be everywhere.
It's a beautifully shot film, but with the backdrop of the Bahamas as your setting...beauty just seems to be everywhere.
Friday, May 30, 2008
What I'm Watching #145
Is a short film from Brazil (avec France's Canal + financing) called "Cowboy Forever". It's part of a collection of films called "Not | Gay".
It's told in a documentary style. We meet the young gay gaucho, Govinda...though he knows he is different from his companions, he's never acted out on his feelings. Enter the new guy into the crew, Jones, who takes a shine to Govinda; and then takes him to the city to meet his gay and utterly inclusive circle of friends--even though Jones is decidedly straight.
It is the awakening Govinda has been waiting for, and Jones is the friend whose love and understanding brings him there.
It's a beautiful short film. Neatly conceived. Beautifully filmed.
An excellent 27 minutes of cinematography.
It's told in a documentary style. We meet the young gay gaucho, Govinda...though he knows he is different from his companions, he's never acted out on his feelings. Enter the new guy into the crew, Jones, who takes a shine to Govinda; and then takes him to the city to meet his gay and utterly inclusive circle of friends--even though Jones is decidedly straight.
It is the awakening Govinda has been waiting for, and Jones is the friend whose love and understanding brings him there.
It's a beautiful short film. Neatly conceived. Beautifully filmed.
An excellent 27 minutes of cinematography.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Olly Olly Ox In Free! -- Gay Is Just Another Stripe On The Rainbow Of Celebrity Status
It's a milennial-thang! Back at the end of the second milennium; gay remained by-and-large the kiss of celebrity death. It wasn't that celebrities weren't gay: There were gay actors (Rock Hudson, Errol Flynn, Marlena Deitrich, Barbara Stanwick), gay musicians (Leiberaci, Billy Stayhorn), gay writers (James Baldwin, Langston Hughes). But they lived in closets, because that was the only way they could practice their art viably.
And here we are in the third millennium, and how times have changed! Here are 30 successful totally out GLBT Celebrities. How many names do you recognize?
CHAD ALLEN, actor
LANCE BASS, singer
ROBERT BLY, poet
DAN BUTLER, actor
RICHARD CHAMBERLAND, actor
ALLEN CUMMING, actor
ELLEN DeGENERES, actor, comedian
MELISSA ETHERIDGE, singer
RUPURT EVERET, actor
HARVEY FIERSTEIN, playwrite, actor, producer
PATRICK HARRIS, actor
Sir ELTON JOHN, singer, composer
CHERRY JONES, actor
LESLIE JORDAN, actor
T. R. KNIGHT, actor
NATHAN LANE, actor, voice artists
K. D. LANGE, singer, actor
GREG LOUGANIS, athlete
IAN McKELLEN, actor
GEORGE MICHAEL, singer
CYNTHIA NIXON, actor
ROSIE O'DONNELL, comedian, actor
MARY OLIVER, poet
RuPAUL, drag queen, actor, comedian, singer
DAVID HYDE PIERCE, actor
ANTHONY RAPP, actor
MICHAEL SYPES, singer, composer
GEORGE TAKEI, actor
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, singer
B. D. WONG, actor
And where are the others?
Come out, come out, where ever you are! Come out Richard. Come out Ann. Come out Tom. Come out Sean. Olly-olly-ox-in-free.....
And here we are in the third millennium, and how times have changed! Here are 30 successful totally out GLBT Celebrities. How many names do you recognize?
CHAD ALLEN, actor
LANCE BASS, singer
ROBERT BLY, poet
DAN BUTLER, actor
RICHARD CHAMBERLAND, actor
ALLEN CUMMING, actor
ELLEN DeGENERES, actor, comedian
MELISSA ETHERIDGE, singer
RUPURT EVERET, actor
HARVEY FIERSTEIN, playwrite, actor, producer
PATRICK HARRIS, actor
Sir ELTON JOHN, singer, composer
CHERRY JONES, actor
LESLIE JORDAN, actor
T. R. KNIGHT, actor
NATHAN LANE, actor, voice artists
K. D. LANGE, singer, actor
GREG LOUGANIS, athlete
IAN McKELLEN, actor
GEORGE MICHAEL, singer
CYNTHIA NIXON, actor
ROSIE O'DONNELL, comedian, actor
MARY OLIVER, poet
RuPAUL, drag queen, actor, comedian, singer
DAVID HYDE PIERCE, actor
ANTHONY RAPP, actor
MICHAEL SYPES, singer, composer
GEORGE TAKEI, actor
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, singer
B. D. WONG, actor
And where are the others?
Come out, come out, where ever you are! Come out Richard. Come out Ann. Come out Tom. Come out Sean. Olly-olly-ox-in-free.....
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Original "Post-a-Notes"
Before the Internet and even television--Back when the radio was the new kid on the block--Information was conveyed by the word. Newspapers reign supreme and when things got really bad, or ideas demanded repeated attention there were POSTERS.
This one comes from the "WPA Art Project of Chicago" back in the early 1930's. It was sent to me by a dear friend on the cusp of my recent (now annual) STD blood work-up--All the negatives and positives where correctly arrayed.
And as a Gay Man who is "not dead yet", this ritual is for me an important part of being responsible. It's honestly nothing that I ever imagined I would have to do, but what can I say? Life isn't ours to script nearly as much as it demands of us constant improvisation.
This one comes from the "WPA Art Project of Chicago" back in the early 1930's. It was sent to me by a dear friend on the cusp of my recent (now annual) STD blood work-up--All the negatives and positives where correctly arrayed.
And as a Gay Man who is "not dead yet", this ritual is for me an important part of being responsible. It's honestly nothing that I ever imagined I would have to do, but what can I say? Life isn't ours to script nearly as much as it demands of us constant improvisation.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
What I'm Watching #144
Is a quirky Sino-Anglo Homo comedy called "Cut Sleeve Boys" The film's title is a slang expression used to identify gay men in China. The film is set in London.
It's a poignant/comedic tale of three friends (all Chinese) which begins in their post graduate school years upon the sudden and tragic death of one of them. The remaining two are forced to examine their lives as they pursue happiness and two often find in their pursuits the very thing that the other one most desires. The process introduces us to an array of friends and acquaintances. In the end, some win, some don't, no one looses, most are left still waiting for an answer.
It's also another excellent example of hyper-independent film making along the lines of "Slutty Summer" and "Regarding Billy".
It's a poignant/comedic tale of three friends (all Chinese) which begins in their post graduate school years upon the sudden and tragic death of one of them. The remaining two are forced to examine their lives as they pursue happiness and two often find in their pursuits the very thing that the other one most desires. The process introduces us to an array of friends and acquaintances. In the end, some win, some don't, no one looses, most are left still waiting for an answer.
It's also another excellent example of hyper-independent film making along the lines of "Slutty Summer" and "Regarding Billy".
Late May Gardens #1
I've really enjoyed working in my yard this year. The cool and record-setting wet month of May has really helped to create flourishing gardens.
When I bought this house in 1994 the deck in the backyard had 6 flower boxes attached to its railings. After 14 years, two remain and they are dressed out this year with a generous blue flower (who's name I do not remember) a begonia with blazing red flute shaped blossoms and a varigated lemon thyme.
And they look amazing.
When I bought this house in 1994 the deck in the backyard had 6 flower boxes attached to its railings. After 14 years, two remain and they are dressed out this year with a generous blue flower (who's name I do not remember) a begonia with blazing red flute shaped blossoms and a varigated lemon thyme.
And they look amazing.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
What I'm Watching #143
"Fat Girls" is the creative child of it's lead actor (writer and director) Ash Christian. It plays out a little like My So Called Life set in Buttf&*#, Texas. It follows the life of Rodney Miller and his band of outcaste friends from his asking out to the prom of another boy through the actually prom night. In between he goes to his first gay bay, experiences the death of his father, and becomes a Christian...all set to a comedic tone.
Is this a great movie? No. It is sweet movie. And with the right group of friends, perhaps a bottle of Rosé, potentially even a very funny movie, too.
Is this a great movie? No. It is sweet movie. And with the right group of friends, perhaps a bottle of Rosé, potentially even a very funny movie, too.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Our Latest American Hero #118
Army Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, of Phoenix; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died May 15 in Halifax, Canada, of wounds sustained May 1 in Baghdad when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.
“Phoenix Soldier Dead After Grenade Attack In Iraq”
An Army soldier from Phoenix has died of wounds he suffered in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Baghdad earlier this month, the Department of Defense announced Friday.
Sgt. John K. Daggett died in Halifax, Canada, on Thursday. While en route from Iraq to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on May 1st, four days after he was wounded, the plane had to land in Halifax in order to tend to his injuries.
Daggett, known as Kyle, attended Pinnacle High School in Phoenix where he played football for four years.
“He worked hard to put himself in the position of starter and a linebacker on our defense,” said his former coach, Dana Zupke. “Every day, he came to practice with a positive attitude and can-do attitude ... he was just that kind of kid.”
He also cared about academics as much as sports.
“You get that sometimes with athletes — they have an incredible work ethic on the field but don’t apply that in the classroom,” Zupke said. “Kyle definitely was not in that category. He was on top of his grades all the time. Beyond decent grades, I think he genuinely enjoyed learning and being in high school and being involved in different classes.”
Daggett was assigned to a Stryker combat team in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was a fire team leader.
Daggett joined the Army in June 2005. He was serving his first tour in Iraq.
Zupke said Daggett often talked about the Army and the strong sense of duty he felt.
“He came to see me and said he planned to enlist in the Army Rangers,” Zupke said. “I believe he referenced Pat Tillman at one point.”
“Phoenix Soldier Dead After Grenade Attack In Iraq”
An Army soldier from Phoenix has died of wounds he suffered in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Baghdad earlier this month, the Department of Defense announced Friday.
Sgt. John K. Daggett died in Halifax, Canada, on Thursday. While en route from Iraq to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on May 1st, four days after he was wounded, the plane had to land in Halifax in order to tend to his injuries.
Daggett, known as Kyle, attended Pinnacle High School in Phoenix where he played football for four years.
“He worked hard to put himself in the position of starter and a linebacker on our defense,” said his former coach, Dana Zupke. “Every day, he came to practice with a positive attitude and can-do attitude ... he was just that kind of kid.”
He also cared about academics as much as sports.
“You get that sometimes with athletes — they have an incredible work ethic on the field but don’t apply that in the classroom,” Zupke said. “Kyle definitely was not in that category. He was on top of his grades all the time. Beyond decent grades, I think he genuinely enjoyed learning and being in high school and being involved in different classes.”
Daggett was assigned to a Stryker combat team in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was a fire team leader.
Daggett joined the Army in June 2005. He was serving his first tour in Iraq.
Zupke said Daggett often talked about the Army and the strong sense of duty he felt.
“He came to see me and said he planned to enlist in the Army Rangers,” Zupke said. “I believe he referenced Pat Tillman at one point.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Difference....The Slim Difference
With an ability to communicate across cities, nations, continents in seconds via cell phone, TV, radio, computer screens -- we live in a time when information challenges our capacity to comprehend the world around us. Ideas, experiences, events enter our minds and we scarcely have time to integrate them before the next onslaught of data.
So how do we make sense of life in 2008. What matters? What do we care about?
More than ever we must seek and trust in an anchor in truth. In all directions we see truth maligned and co-opted to mean a blind following of lies. We see this in Politics. We see this in Religion.
Truth is used as an excuse to foment evils like death, torture, hatred. None of which is truth. Truth is the purest form of self-actualization. Truth unleashed allows each of us to live life in the open with honesty and integrity. Truth (like LOVE) defeats fear and all it's minions, while those who twist truth into doctrinal imperatives designed to control others with fear neither understand truth or love.
No where is this paradigm more evident than in the story of Mehdi Kazemi.
From a recent article posted on the BBC:
"Iranian Refugee Is Granted Asylum"
Mehdi Kazemi is granted asylum in the UK. Mehdi, now 20, was studying in the UK when Parham (his boyfriend) was arrested for the crime of homosexuality by the Iranian government. Mehdi was named by his boyfriend and warned he was liable to arrest on his planned return. The UK Home Office denied him asylum [despite a thoughtful campaign by human rights campaigners] - because it was said he had overstayed his student visa and was therefore not seen as genuinely seeking asylum. So he escaped to the Netherlands. That's where it gets complicated.
Under EU asylum rules, generally someone seeking asylum is required to apply in the member state first entered. That meant, Dutch judges ruled, that he had to return to the UK - and the risk of being deported to the place where he was at risk of losing his life. Mehdi's case has attracted international attention.
Mehdi was informed that Parham, his boyfriend, was executed in Iran in 2006.
[I can only hope that somehow and in some way, Parham's martyrdom is memorialized as a testamony to TRUTH......]
So how do we make sense of life in 2008. What matters? What do we care about?
More than ever we must seek and trust in an anchor in truth. In all directions we see truth maligned and co-opted to mean a blind following of lies. We see this in Politics. We see this in Religion.
Truth is used as an excuse to foment evils like death, torture, hatred. None of which is truth. Truth is the purest form of self-actualization. Truth unleashed allows each of us to live life in the open with honesty and integrity. Truth (like LOVE) defeats fear and all it's minions, while those who twist truth into doctrinal imperatives designed to control others with fear neither understand truth or love.
No where is this paradigm more evident than in the story of Mehdi Kazemi.
From a recent article posted on the BBC:
"Iranian Refugee Is Granted Asylum"
Mehdi Kazemi is granted asylum in the UK. Mehdi, now 20, was studying in the UK when Parham (his boyfriend) was arrested for the crime of homosexuality by the Iranian government. Mehdi was named by his boyfriend and warned he was liable to arrest on his planned return. The UK Home Office denied him asylum [despite a thoughtful campaign by human rights campaigners] - because it was said he had overstayed his student visa and was therefore not seen as genuinely seeking asylum. So he escaped to the Netherlands. That's where it gets complicated.
Under EU asylum rules, generally someone seeking asylum is required to apply in the member state first entered. That meant, Dutch judges ruled, that he had to return to the UK - and the risk of being deported to the place where he was at risk of losing his life. Mehdi's case has attracted international attention.
Mehdi was informed that Parham, his boyfriend, was executed in Iran in 2006.
[I can only hope that somehow and in some way, Parham's martyrdom is memorialized as a testamony to TRUTH......]
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The End Of The Democratic Primary Is Finally In Sight
A rally for Barack Obama in Portland Oregon blew Obama off his optimistic ass! 75,000 Americans showed up to rally him on to victory. His previous crowd record was back in Pennsylvania with 35,000 in Philadelphia. And he's never had a problem drawing crowds at rallies.
America is ready to move into the future. And Obama can lead us there like no one else.
America is ready to move into the future. And Obama can lead us there like no one else.
What I'm Watching #142
"Eleven Men Out" is my first Icelandic film. And as such, I may not be very fair in my review, as I have nothing else Icelandic to compare it to. When compared to the bulk of the other films I've seen, it is wanting.
The box blurb reads [my sidebar comments in the brackets]:
"When the team's most popular and sexiest [Björn Hlynur Haraldsson is a fine piece of eye candy--the films most redeaming aspect] soccer star admits he is gay, the sports world is turned upside down [I saw no evidence of this in the film. The one dimensional team owner was nasty about it, the homophobic general manager was blunt about it, and the coach who was also the man's father, behaved like a snivelling, lying, neanderthal about it--remember this is a comedy.....but no one in the greater sports world seemed to give a rat's ass about it]. Immediately suspended by the team, he forms a gang of other players who have come out, [This is a bold-faced LIE! His friend from childhood invites him to play on his ultra-minor league team. He accepts and his presence on the team starts rumors and eventually the straight players quit one by one, they are replaced by gay men who stumble onto the team for various reason, not one of which is because our former star, Ottir, invites them. Makes me wonder if the guy who wrote this even saw the film.] and what happens next is a hilarious comedy [Okay, that seals it, he clearly didn't see this film] as eleven men out win game after game on their way to the championship. [They "win" a grand total of one game, because all of the other games are forfeited by opponents too homophobic to play them, even in the play-off rounds.]" End of blurb.
Other hilarious characters include a mysogynistic, filthy mouthed older brother, Orri, (played by Jón Atli Jónasson) who runs a video store where he spends most of the time in the back room chocking his chicken to porn or forcing his hapless self-hating girlfriend to give him blow-jobs; Ottir's ex-wife, Gugga, (played by Lilja Nótt Pórärinsdóttir) who plods through most of the film so flat out drunk all she can do is screech at him and stumble around with a bottle of some alcohol in one hand and a cigarette in the other; and a son, Maggi, (played by Arnmundur Ernst) who is so filled with adolescent angst--and given his parents, who can blame him?--that he barely speaks, and even when he bothers to, says nothing worth listening to.
I did learn somethings about Iceland. 1) Apparently, it's not nearly as progressive a society as I had always thought, 2) It RAINS every fucking day there, and the locals carry on their lives without umbrellas as if it were a pleasant sunny day, and 3) the Icelandic sense of humor is very close to what we in the state's would call ennui, and so I shudder to imagine what a depressed Icelander would be like!
The box blurb reads [my sidebar comments in the brackets]:
"When the team's most popular and sexiest [Björn Hlynur Haraldsson is a fine piece of eye candy--the films most redeaming aspect] soccer star admits he is gay, the sports world is turned upside down [I saw no evidence of this in the film. The one dimensional team owner was nasty about it, the homophobic general manager was blunt about it, and the coach who was also the man's father, behaved like a snivelling, lying, neanderthal about it--remember this is a comedy.....but no one in the greater sports world seemed to give a rat's ass about it]. Immediately suspended by the team, he forms a gang of other players who have come out, [This is a bold-faced LIE! His friend from childhood invites him to play on his ultra-minor league team. He accepts and his presence on the team starts rumors and eventually the straight players quit one by one, they are replaced by gay men who stumble onto the team for various reason, not one of which is because our former star, Ottir, invites them. Makes me wonder if the guy who wrote this even saw the film.] and what happens next is a hilarious comedy [Okay, that seals it, he clearly didn't see this film] as eleven men out win game after game on their way to the championship. [They "win" a grand total of one game, because all of the other games are forfeited by opponents too homophobic to play them, even in the play-off rounds.]" End of blurb.
Other hilarious characters include a mysogynistic, filthy mouthed older brother, Orri, (played by Jón Atli Jónasson) who runs a video store where he spends most of the time in the back room chocking his chicken to porn or forcing his hapless self-hating girlfriend to give him blow-jobs; Ottir's ex-wife, Gugga, (played by Lilja Nótt Pórärinsdóttir) who plods through most of the film so flat out drunk all she can do is screech at him and stumble around with a bottle of some alcohol in one hand and a cigarette in the other; and a son, Maggi, (played by Arnmundur Ernst) who is so filled with adolescent angst--and given his parents, who can blame him?--that he barely speaks, and even when he bothers to, says nothing worth listening to.
I did learn somethings about Iceland. 1) Apparently, it's not nearly as progressive a society as I had always thought, 2) It RAINS every fucking day there, and the locals carry on their lives without umbrellas as if it were a pleasant sunny day, and 3) the Icelandic sense of humor is very close to what we in the state's would call ennui, and so I shudder to imagine what a depressed Icelander would be like!
My Quilting Ways #05
This is a quilt that I designed and made for my dear friend, J., the Librarian who lives in southern Maryland. It's based on a geometric pattern of diamonds called "Broken Star". And so I called this one, "J---'s Stained-Glass Broken-Star" and it was one of my more prolific creations with a start date of August 1998 and a completion of January 1999. Machine pieced, it was hand-quilted.
Sunday Funnies #20
Ten Questions Linguists and Logicians Like to Ponder:
1) Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
2) Why is it called "tourist season" if we can't shoot at them?
3) If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?
4) If you ate both pasta AND antipasto, would you still be hungry?
5) When the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to talk?
6) Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone might attempt to clean them?
7) If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
8) If humans evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
9) When a deaf child swears, does his or her mother wash his or her hands with soap?
10) When someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill him- or herself, is it considered a hostage situation?
1) Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
2) Why is it called "tourist season" if we can't shoot at them?
3) If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?
4) If you ate both pasta AND antipasto, would you still be hungry?
5) When the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to talk?
6) Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone might attempt to clean them?
7) If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
8) If humans evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
9) When a deaf child swears, does his or her mother wash his or her hands with soap?
10) When someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill him- or herself, is it considered a hostage situation?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Breeding and Dying in the United States
The NYTimes has an interresting article on the relative relationship between death rates and birth rates in urban areas. The focus is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where one marker of the ascendency of dying over birthing is a dramatic drop in school children--in the past 20 years the number of children being served by the public schools has gone from 70,000 to 30,000!
Other loosers include Buffalo, and Utica, New York; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Duluth, Minnesota; and St. Petersburg, Florida.
But all is not lost. Municipalities where birth rates continue in the positive range of 2 to 3 births per 1 death include; Metro Washington D. C.; Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; San José, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Texas towns of Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, and Brownsville.
Not factored into the shifts are the influx of immigrants....
Other loosers include Buffalo, and Utica, New York; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Duluth, Minnesota; and St. Petersburg, Florida.
But all is not lost. Municipalities where birth rates continue in the positive range of 2 to 3 births per 1 death include; Metro Washington D. C.; Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; San José, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Texas towns of Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, and Brownsville.
Not factored into the shifts are the influx of immigrants....
Mid-May Gardens #4
It was a great day to spend weeding and planting and enjoying my yards and gardens.
When working in the front, I was blessed by the azaleas and Korean dogwood, both glowing in the light of the mid-afternoon sun.
When working in the front, I was blessed by the azaleas and Korean dogwood, both glowing in the light of the mid-afternoon sun.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mid-Week Poetry Break
WHEN I HEARD THE LEARN’D ASTRONOMER
When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in
columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to
add, divide, and measure them,
When I sitting heard the astronomer where he
lectured with much applause in the lecture-
room,
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by
myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to
time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
~ Walt Whitman
1819 - 1892
When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in
columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to
add, divide, and measure them,
When I sitting heard the astronomer where he
lectured with much applause in the lecture-
room,
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by
myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to
time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
~ Walt Whitman
1819 - 1892
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
What I'm Reading, Periodically Speaking #2
The May-June issue of Harvard's "Gay & Lesbian Review" has a wonderful article by Richard Canning on the legacy of ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Based both on Mr. Canning's opinions and a host of recent post-mortem biographies of the Russian Dancer, Canning posits that chief among Nureyev's accomplishments was the return of the male ballet dancer to a status at least as important as the female prima dona's of the art.
The article plays around and speculates about the particulars of Nureyev's homosexual preferences without offering any absolutes. Yet included is the dancer's famous comment: "I know what it is to make love as a man and a woman."
And then the article explores in greater depth the conflict between Rudolf's felt-self and his own idealized persona: the slightly club-footed Tartar peasant versus the most iconoclastic male physique since Michelangelo's David; the adored bitchy diva versus the illiterate nymphomaniac with a penchant for anonymous, denegrating, "rough trade" encounters.
It's a very thought-provoking read.
The article plays around and speculates about the particulars of Nureyev's homosexual preferences without offering any absolutes. Yet included is the dancer's famous comment: "I know what it is to make love as a man and a woman."
And then the article explores in greater depth the conflict between Rudolf's felt-self and his own idealized persona: the slightly club-footed Tartar peasant versus the most iconoclastic male physique since Michelangelo's David; the adored bitchy diva versus the illiterate nymphomaniac with a penchant for anonymous, denegrating, "rough trade" encounters.
It's a very thought-provoking read.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Early-May Gardens #4 with Random Quote #89
This was a near perfect day for spring in Washington, D. C. I worked in the yard through the heart of it. transferring plants, planting others recently purchased, watering new beds before they become dry, and chatting with my neighbor, J.
Here, St. Francis stands on the edge of a sea of a purple leafed perennials who's name escapes me. Flanking him is the ornate foliage of several celandine poppies; while dancing in the breeze are the yellow blossoms of the ubiquitous European variagated Hawkweed--A plant that both blesses and curses: it's graceful flowers fill my gardens with flecks of yellow joy, even as, its seeds spread it's prolific progeny to the utmost edges of my yard and beyond....
And to think that only 6 weeks ago Francis stared down upon a barren landscape of dirt and stones....
So, says he:
"While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. "
~ St. Francis of Assisi, 1182 - 1226
Here, St. Francis stands on the edge of a sea of a purple leafed perennials who's name escapes me. Flanking him is the ornate foliage of several celandine poppies; while dancing in the breeze are the yellow blossoms of the ubiquitous European variagated Hawkweed--A plant that both blesses and curses: it's graceful flowers fill my gardens with flecks of yellow joy, even as, its seeds spread it's prolific progeny to the utmost edges of my yard and beyond....
And to think that only 6 weeks ago Francis stared down upon a barren landscape of dirt and stones....
So, says he:
"While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. "
~ St. Francis of Assisi, 1182 - 1226
Le Cafe
I don't think you need to speak French to get the message of this video. Oldelaf & Monsieur D have once and for all helped us to see coffee for what it really is: "the Devil's brew!" Merci, Oldelaf & Monsieur D.
J'espère que vous appréciez ceci, aussi.
J'espère que vous appréciez ceci, aussi.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Memories
Okay, I love it when two things I love come together. It's like chocolate and peanut butter, Simon and Garfunkel, Oprah and Stedwick.... and this time its "This American Life" and The New Yorker! Talk about your video magic!?
Early-May Gardens #3
I never realized until today just how much like butter covered exploded kernels of popcorn yellow irises are. Which is a completely fitting metaphor for these plants.
They were given to me by my dear friend J. who lives in southern Maryland. Each year, their "popping" reminds me of how much I love J. And J. loves popcorn!
Plants are gifts.
They were given to me by my dear friend J. who lives in southern Maryland. Each year, their "popping" reminds me of how much I love J. And J. loves popcorn!
Plants are gifts.
Early-May Gardens #2
The abstract expressionist quality of looking up through the waning blossoms of my red dogwood. Plants are art.
Early-May Gardens #1
In my front gardens, within and without the circle pathway that surrounds the fountain, ferns play a significant role. I have no less that 6 different varieties, and none are more magnificent than this duo. They could no doubt hold their own among the plethora of Pteridophyta lavishly covering the planet in the mid-Devonian era -- they have that "Walking With Dinosaurs" air about them.
And today I couldn't help but notice this pair of almost flower-like stalks shooting straight up from within their midst. Upon closer inspection they appear to be the latest two fronds laden with spores that will eventually fall into place on each of the leaf's undersides as they open and expand. Plants are fascinating
And today I couldn't help but notice this pair of almost flower-like stalks shooting straight up from within their midst. Upon closer inspection they appear to be the latest two fronds laden with spores that will eventually fall into place on each of the leaf's undersides as they open and expand. Plants are fascinating
Friday, May 02, 2008
A Beautiful Day
I love this video. It was sent to me by a parent at my school.
It speaks to us who ARE power (YES, that's you and I, that every American who owns a home and has a job, like it or not) with truth. We are not in control of this world or even our own destiny. And as long as we continue to choose leaders who are as pathetic as those we have before us now, where is our hope?
Bush is an imbecile, Cheney pure evil, McCain dances with senility (watch him read a speech that one of his handlers has written). Hilary isn't stupid, but blinded by ego, and Obama... His polite idealism represents our only hope.... a mon avis. But when was the last time polite idealism triumphed in the arena of politics?
It speaks to us who ARE power (YES, that's you and I, that every American who owns a home and has a job, like it or not) with truth. We are not in control of this world or even our own destiny. And as long as we continue to choose leaders who are as pathetic as those we have before us now, where is our hope?
Bush is an imbecile, Cheney pure evil, McCain dances with senility (watch him read a speech that one of his handlers has written). Hilary isn't stupid, but blinded by ego, and Obama... His polite idealism represents our only hope.... a mon avis. But when was the last time polite idealism triumphed in the arena of politics?
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Our Latest American Hero #117
I post this memorial in light of the fact that April was the deadliest month for our brave soldiers since September of '07.
I post this memorial because Merlin represents the countless many who where so severely wounded in Iraq, that in spite of our best medical efforts and their efforvescent zeal for life, succombed to the limits of mortality.
I post this to express my appreciation to the Department of Defense which has doggedly told the truth about U.S. casualties in the shadow of an administration hell bent on creating for themselves a reputation of greatness based on lies fueled by avarice, arrogance, and narcasism.
And I do this, even if at a time like this, the truth is belatedly revealed (Merlin died 20 days ago....)
.....without further ado.
Marine Sgt. Merlin German, 22, of Manhattan, N.Y.; assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005. He had been medically retired on Sept. 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.
I post this memorial because Merlin represents the countless many who where so severely wounded in Iraq, that in spite of our best medical efforts and their efforvescent zeal for life, succombed to the limits of mortality.
I post this to express my appreciation to the Department of Defense which has doggedly told the truth about U.S. casualties in the shadow of an administration hell bent on creating for themselves a reputation of greatness based on lies fueled by avarice, arrogance, and narcasism.
And I do this, even if at a time like this, the truth is belatedly revealed (Merlin died 20 days ago....)
.....without further ado.
Marine Sgt. Merlin German, 22, of Manhattan, N.Y.; assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005. He had been medically retired on Sept. 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.
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