We The People

I've been meaning to post about this since the November 2008 elections. Melissa Etheridge had insinuated that she was planning on not paying her 2008 State taxes and ended her statement that suggested the same for Federal. I don't know what she actually ended up doing. I imagine that she paid her taxes responsibly. Or at least I hope she did.

With the passage of California's Proposition 8, Etheridge stated the above in this blog post. She believes that she is being treated as less than a full citizen, therefore, she should not have to pay full taxes and that by doing so it smacks of 'taxation without representation'.

I tend to side with that notion, but not with holding back on taxes owed.

But I do think that there may be some sort of option to put at least a little bit of hurt, into Uncle Sam's Hetero-ego. On the State or Federal side; and mind you I have no knowledge if this is plausible or not, I just like the idea of it - I suggest paying the taxes, but holding them back from the IRS in an escrow account. The State and the Federal government are our landlord's, if you will. So if you can escrow your rent from a landlord for not acting in good faith on your tenancy, why can't you do the same to Uncle Sam?

This would mean that taxes have been paid, but held from our government to benefit from using that large sum of money in a timely fashion. Every little bit would hurt from the GLBT communities throughout the U.S.A. Just imagine the punch if supportive members of the Non-GLBT community followed suit.

Now, if I knew for sure that I could legally do that, you would see my name on the early list.

Hey Melissa Etheridge - are you listening?

How long can you last?

Oh, I think I could last a bit longer...

Perception

Frustrating isn't it? Other than the birdie that Jadielady and I see, we can't figure out what the anti-image is. I was thinking about people's perceptions and I came along stuff like this. I'm not hunting down the answer until I give it more time, or until ya'll make some suggestions. So have at it folks. Tell me what you see. But why was I thinking about perceptions? Something a colleague said to me at work. She almost outed me to another colleague which was a result of a conversation she had previously had with another person. Apparently, I may be viewed as not a happy camper when someone "outs" me. That the anger is ME being angry with MY being outed. While I do care to some extent if I am outed, that's not really my concern.

What bothers me more, is the ability of the offending person doing the outing. I question how that person can be so inconsiderate to do that to another person. Gossip is gossip and nearly everyone does it or has done it. We talk to our friends, or people we believe to be friends and the Pert Commercial begins. Why does anyone talk about intimate details of another with anyone. Some of the answer goes back to perception. I know my friend at work almost outed me because she "believes she can" (perception) trust, the person she was talking to. And while I'm confident that the receiving party can be trusted; I'm not confident that same person would approve of the news.

Now here is where it gets sticky. I believe to the point of having the perception that my company is accepting of diverse lifestyles because I read my employee manual and it tells me so (hence I don't trust management and HR, ever). I believe that many - not all - (due to pre-conceived or otherwise perceptions) that my fellow colleagues are accepting of diverse lifestyles. The rub - my overpowering cynical streak believes that given the chance, my colleagues would use any type of information for ill, both purposefully and by accident. You may remember my post about my being a Pessi-Optimist. I believe in the positive but plan for the negative. I believe you can be trusted, but plan for you to be human. To my friend at work - I'm glad that you kept your mouth shut! Why, because I like my job. Now if you can get that other chic-a-dee near you to stop absentmindedly insinuating all the time, that would be a big help. Again, frustrating, isn't it?

Rainbow Flag

My rainbow is intensely shaded black and orange.

**Rainbow Here, but it's a no show**

What it says about me

I am a strong person.
I appreciate mystery.
Others are amazed at how I don't give up.
I may meet people who are afraid of me.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Wow, my "rainbow" flag is really ugly. I like it! I am strong. I do appreciate mystery. I never give up, come on now - everyone say it - Can't Never Could Do Nothing! And some folks are afraid of me, which I find just silly. But I can be oddly defiant, unemotional, bossy and evil. But usually in a good way. Usually. *Hey wait a damn minute - I need more GREEN!* *stomps feet*

Highways

Idiots!!

Virgina State Police car, license Plate 128-182L, you are a whole ass.

Thank you for driving the speed limit of 55mph along I-64East to I-95South. I understand that your precious cargo you were carrying in the backseat needed to get to his special appointment safely. I appreciate that too. What I don't appreciate is your lack of use of your left signaler to alert me to the fact that you intended to merge into me. Not ahead or behind me, but into me. Thankfully I saw that you didn't even look when you weren't signaling and I adjusted to avoid an accident with not just you but the asshat that was riding my tail. Kudos to your brother in blue that was also carrying precious cargo to his destiny (License Plate 128-181L); he was intelligent enough to use his signal when he slowly merged with oncoming traffic on to I-95South.

And to you, you friggin nitwit ponytail blonde female driving the Volvo at 8:00am on I-64West this morning; You also need to learn to use your signal as you're are merging directly into my driver side door. You so narrowly missed me as I layed on my horn to alert you to the fact that you are in fact a stupid bitch. And no, I didn't find it funny when you waived me off twiddling each of your fingers at me like we were best friends. Next time put your damn cell phone down. I hope you spill hot coffee - all over Ms. Pus.

AND, to Mr. Construction worker in the red van that was following so close that I could count your chest hairs; Next time, follow me home all the way, damn it!!!!

I did just say that

Yes, I did

I did tell a fellow co-worker I thought he was cute. Now I know I didn't really want to go to work today after a week of vacation. But apparently I was so school-girl giddy about having a week of vacation to myself that my guard was down all day. I was relaxed, not the least bit edgy or defensive. My week was for ME and I deserved it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently the euphoria rolled into today as well. Many folks commented about my more than usual jovial self. As opposed to the often prickly nature I can exude on occasion. But at the end of the day, nothing caught me more off kilter than explaining a situation to a colleague (who is aware that I am gay by the way) and revealing to him that the general consensus about him was that he is cute. Which by, his thoroughly blood red blushing face conveyed, that consensus included in part - me. I'm normally very reserved at work about such things. I have no idea what got into me to blurt that out the way I did, but only as a part of the conversation at hand. But golly...

Well shit yeah, he's cute. And I did have a nice personal vacation.

HUG TIME

BreenLantern needs HUGS
^^^^ click here ^^^^

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A bit about me

Meme Time
I'm lifting this from earth2karen who pilfered it from Sassy and Tina:
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I am: Trying to restructure my life patterns.
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I think: I should have left work on time yesterday to mow the lawn.
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I know: Jesus loves stupid people.
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I want: Immortality.
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I have: Very tolerant friends.
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I wish: I had more energy
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I hate: And can’t forgive the boys that mugged and raped me when I was 12. They challenge my prejudice everyday.
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I miss: Andrew
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I fear: Black cars on I-64. I wonder if I’m going to get shot at again.
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I hear: That the 2008 Presidential Election is right around the corner. You’d think that the news would report on that a little bit more.
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I smell: Smoke…. Oh, that’s me.
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I crave: Carbohydrates, damn it.
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I seek: To know the blonde guy at work a bit better.
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I wonder: If the blonde guy at work digs dudes.
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I regret: Trying to burn a house down when I was a teenager. I also, oddly, regret failing.
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I love: My dog.
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I ache: At my left shoulder and left hip. I don’t care if the x-rays came back negative. I know something’s not right.
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I was not: Guilty of pelting the substitute high school music teacher with an acorn. It was probably Obama.
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I’m not: A Barack Obama follower.
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I cry: When I watch the Color Purple.
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I believe: That children are our future… oh please! shyeah right!
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I dance: Unexpectedly, anyplace. Just to make you giggle.
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I sing: Similar to how I dance.
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I read: And write all day long and come home and do more of the same.
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I don't: Have a significant other.
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I fight: More intelligently now that I’m older.
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I write: And read all day long and come home and do more of the same.
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I win: When luck is on my side.
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I lose: Cause I’m best friends with Murphy.
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I never: …Oh yes I do.
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I always: …and often do.
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I confuse: My co-worker on purpose.
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I listen: But you do not hear.
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I’m found: At work or at home and often at friends.
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I’m scared: Of heights.
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I need: A lovah with a slow hand…
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I’m happy: Most of the time since age has mellowed me.

TAG You're It !!

Today is:

• Pedigree - Celebrate Your Dog day, and
• National Coming Out Day

That explains a lot. Solomon went to the Vet today and had to have his anal-glands expressed. He's feeling so much better. *here's to you little buddy - ya freak*

Gay Fat Fury

Read: Open Letter by Earth2Karen

I wrote the letter below to the folks listed and if you agree you might consider writing to share in your support.

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General Manager fwood@amfamfit.com

General Manager jlakey@amfamfit.com

General Manager dmayton@amfamfit.com

General Manager destes@amfamfit.com

General Manager sreed@amfamfit.com

General Manager svaden@amfamfit.com

General Manager tbrightwell@amfamfit.com

Events cbrown@amfamfit.com

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Kelly would have you know that Gold's Gym does provide discount packages for any people that reside at the same address and can provide a valid license that documents the address. Here's my letter if you want to see more of how I think:

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Dear Ms. Wood,

It is my understanding that you have received an email from an acquaintance of mine. I just finished reading her open letter to you, shared on her blog. As you can imagine she suggested that interested parties write to you as well. I write for two reasons:

1. I support Karen in her efforts for your company to amend their current practice of discrimination of the GLBT community with regard to special rate packages for couples and families, and
2. As a current consumer seeking a health and fitness center for myself, I was strongly considering AMF as a choice for me since there is a location nearby by home on the Northside of Richmond.

To my knowledge, her email was only directed to yourself. I have included the other General Managers as part of my email to bring this issue to their attention. Thoughtful consideration of this matter can only be accomplished when all are involved. I have also included Ms. Brown, as I would think she might appreciate the impact that the GLBT community has on regional sponsorships, community relations, and events.

Please draw your attention to your FAQ section your web-site, it states:

How much is membership?
American Family Fitness offers several different memberships including special rate packages for couples(1), families(2), seniors, students, and police. We also have special corporate packages. Please contact your local club for an appointment to discover all applicable membership rates.

• (1) is a membership available to a legally married couple as defined by Virginia law or a parent and a child or stepchild.
• (2) is a membership available to 3 or more people consisting of at least 1 parent, children, or stepchildren, who regularly reside in the same household, but excluding children 21 years of age or older, unless they are full-time students and reside in the same household.

While it is fully legal for you to discriminate based on Virginia law; I challenge you to think outside the box and consider becoming innovators and initiators in your field. I ask you to consider publicly displaying heart in your business ethics. What dumbfounds me is that Karen is now a legally married woman in a committed relationship for a number of years. Many employers locally provide "domestic partner" benefits and require little to qualify for those benefits. Karen has a marriage certificate! Not just a year of bills to show a couple resides together.

It seems to me that your end goal is human health (also ironic given Karen's profession); and that should be your focus. But your company practice is to turn folks away that want to give you money, to benefit in the glory of your goal. I am not "fit as I want to be"; and sadly my perception of your company is that you are "not as fit as you could be."

I'm still considering AMF since it is so close to me. But as a gay male, I seek out businesses that appreciate me and my money.

Your turn and thank you for your time and attention.

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Readers, please consider writing your own letter in support.

The Silver Fox

In this corner - Kelly !!

The Silver Fox

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He needs your votes on Gay.com to win the contest for the Silver Fox category.

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No log-in is necessary, but you are going to a Gay friendly website.

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Vote as often as you like and frequently.

Rock em, Sock em

I am not often on the fence about issues:

1. If a friend needs assistance I will do what I can to be of assistance. Like watching my friends dogs or helping a friend move. Yes, of course I will be there for you.
2. If you're a pushy and demanding regulatory agent that uses your position to get your way, I will not help you win your battle. I believe contracts are contracts are contracts. So to you Ms. Bitch out there on the west coast, I still say NO. You may have won your battle by pissing and moaning about me to my superiors, but I am confident by your actions that YOU are a biased piece of shit motivated by your own personal convictions an not by fairness.
3. If you take the position of the urinal next to me, and rip one mother of a fart; I'm going to laugh and make some sort of remark. Don't get ticky with me because you couldn't have been a tad bit more civil about it. I get that it's a bathroom, but your effort to break the sound barrier at Mack 5 was a bit overkill. and yes, it was funny.
4. I am very selfishly giddy and gayly happy that a co-worker has taken a new job and moved the hell on. Now maybe I can try to like her... or not.
5. My job is hell right now. The financial world has gone just a tad bit stupid and along with it all the people we service appear to be fearful. Granted I understand, but folks you really need to chill and just let the machine work. The bailout is a bad idea. Let the sharks fight it out. Let the economy suffer a little bit. Maybe it will knock some sense into everyone. You're not supposed to coddle a whiney baby ALL the time. You're not supposed to let your kids off the hook when they've been bad. Spank the crap out of them and let them pay the price. Tighten your belt a bit, suck it up, grow a pair.
6. oh and one more fencing issue: Nobama!!!

I let you off lite. I was also going to rant again about St. Mary's Hospital. But I'm still waiting to see if they respond to my "very enlightening and educational" and blaming letter.

WRVQ - Q94

WRVQ - Q94

Thank you Q94

You have made things "right" in the universe.

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Reader's, several blogs ago I asked for your assistance to share your point of view with Melissa & Sid of Q94's morning show. This issue was over their "Go Gay In L.A." promotion. The winners, Karen and Joanne of earth2karen were elated, but soon found themselves in the middle of less than pleasant circumstances. I requested that you read their blog. I didn't want to put thoughts into your head. Though in retrospect, it did convey a "bitch" message was necessary. But then again I did believe that some fire under their butts was warranted. By "their" - I don't mean Melissa & Sid, so much as the radio station's management. But as the front-people that always want to know what your thinking - I figure Melissa & Sid are easy targets.

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Melissa & Sid - Having read Karen's recent blog and understanding that Karen and Joanne are completely happy with how you and management have rectified the matter - I would like to say Thank You. I would also like to thank you for reading my long winded email. I assume that you and management read it.

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Readers - I now request that you extend the same "thank you" to Melissa & Sid. They play you music in the morning and make you smile on your way to your second home. And it's the right thing to do.

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Karen and Joanne - Congratulations! You're getting married !!! Can Kelly and Jeff be your bridesmaids?

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Q94 - Please stop playing Wyclef Jean's "Dollah bill ya'll" so much. OMG Please!!!! Susan Powter says "STOP THE INSANITY."

Pride Month

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GAY

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Kelly's Challenge

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June is Gay Pride month.

Kelly has requested like minded bloggers too post the picture above in their blog in support of Gay Pride. He also asks the blogger to write about their coming out experience, not coming out reasons, or why the blogger has chosen to post the picture. Here's what I have to say:

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I'll spare you the childhood stories of 7 minutes in heaven, spin the bottle, strip poker, sleep overs, and the adult that shouldn't have but did. Sexually I matured early and enjoyed every bit of it with both genders. By the 9th grade I was sure that I was into other guys, but played both fields. It helped that I had a girlfriend that was sexually flexible as well. Chalk it up to an interesting neighborhood of kids, because we were. I've been engaged twice, but gladly dodged those bullets. I've had 2 straight and 2 gay - long term relationships. It's been a while since I've been in a relationship for any length of time. I'm now alone, but not lonely. I do what I want to do under my own terms. It wasn't before now, and is not currently, a need of mine to come out. I'm just me and I have always liked myself. Well that's sort of a lie. There was a time that I struggled with my faith. But then I realized that the big-guy and I, will deal with that when and if the time comes. I also believe my god to be a loving god and appreciates me for who I am. That settled, I go on with my life.

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I am not out to my mother and father, but my younger sister knows that I am gay. It doesn't hurt my feelings anymore that my parents told all three children at the dinner table when I was 16 that, "If you ever want to bring someone home - that is outside the norm - then don't come home." My folks are fairly simple when it comes to addressing life's issues. They don't care for complications. I respect that, if that's how they wish to live their lives. I'll let them live in ignorance. *But they know I'm gay.* You don't reach 42 years of age, not married and no children, without your parents wondering and cerebrally "knowing." Even if they don't want to admit it to themselves. *But they know.* So now you know.

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I'm not a hard read, nor do I stand out in a crowd carrying a flag like the one above. But if you're bold enough to ask, I figure that's reason to tell ya. Just for fun though, if you don't know and don't ask - it's fun to keep you guessing if your content on listening to the rumors. Because I don't give a rats ass. I do like me - others like me and some don't. But very few don't like me for the reason of my being gay. It's mostly because I told my "truth" about something else. Down below I mention my 5% negative side and 10% evil side, and my ability to show-out in public. Now, that's cause for concern. That's my story - and I'm not finished.

Gay Childhood Icon

Who is your Gay Childhood Icon?

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Okay so I took some liberties. I really didn't care for the picture that the program ended up spewing forth. So I google-imaged the picture I liked best. Hee hee - it's totally more gay!

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Click Here to see what your Icon is.