'tis the season

'Tis the season to be jolly and to remember our favorite things.  Here are some of my favorite YouTube videos and personalities of 2011.

Jeffery Self

Combine 13

Shane Dawson TV

Hey It's Milly

Simply Plimpton

Verbal Vogueing with Louis Virtel

Carpenter's New Year's Eve

I love this rendition by Karen Carpenter.  "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

Verizon Wireless wants more of your money.

Verizon wireless has issued a new "convenience fee" if you pay your wireless account on-line at their website.  They will charge $2.00 if a payment is made on their website.  No fee will be charged if paying by check by mail or using monthly automatic payment feature.  Read some of the forum comments here:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/forums/recentpostspage/post-type/message

Read the story here Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/verizon-wireless-to-charge-2-for-one-time-payments-by-credit-card-online-or-by-phone/2011/12/29/gIQAzmomOP_story.html

Ben Breedlove's message.

Benjamin Breelove had a heart condition that ultimately took his life on December 25, 2011.  He made a 2 part silent video documenting his condition and his travails using flash cards.  It's very moving and tells of his experiences as he was flat-line while paramedics are working to bring him back to life.  Watch the 2 parts here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TotalRandomness512

Merry Holidays!

During this holiday season, I want to wish everyone Peace, Love and Joy.  I hope this season brings you new hope, new beginnings, mending fences and giving love to all you meet.

The holiday season always brings me stress.  Will I have enough money to buy gifts and still pay the rent?  Will my car hold out until I can get it fixed?  Will I have a stress-free week at work?  All these things cause my stress-o-meter to go off the charts, but the night before Christmas, I always seem to get filled with the spirit.  You should see me dancing to Rock'in Around the Christmas Tree while I'm making a holiday treat to take to the family get together.

All these things kinda fade into the background during Christmas and I always try to keep that feeling going into the New Year.  It always doesn't work, but I'm human and I try.

I hope you have a wonderful time this Christmas and that your New Year brings you all you wish for.

Love to one and all....

The Beekman boys make an announcement

The Fabulous Beekman boys, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell , are going to be married.

From Queerty.com, "The two were the guests of honor last night at a party hosted by fellow reality TV star Sonja Morgan, who was joined by her Real Housewives of NYC co-stars Ramona Singer, Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson."

"I designed this ring for you,” he (Brent) said. “It’s imperfect on all sides, like both of us are. It’s hand forged from steel, like our 13-year relationship. And it’s also lined with silver. Because we always find the silver lining.”

With that, he got down on one knee and did the damned thing. “Will you marry me?”
Speechless and surprised, Josh didn’t have the words to say yes. After Brent put the ring on his finger, he said, “What’s your answer?”

“Yes!” said Josh

Mitt Romney chats with Gay Veteran

Mitt Romney sat down with a gay veteran and the gay veteran asked Mitt Romney if he would support same sex marriage.  Well, you probably know the answer to this already, but watch the video below.

Peace and Goodwill

This "Peanuts Christmas" clip always gets me filled with joy and hope.  I hope you like it too and that your Holiday season, no matter how you celebrate it, brings you joy, love, peace and goodwill to all.

Happy Holidays from:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech to the U.N. on LGBT rights

Here is the link to the video of Secretary of State Clinton's speech to the United Nations on LGBT rights.  Hillary Rodham Clinton is a wonderful speaker.  She is an admirable supporter of LGBT rights and this country is so lucky to have her and her ideals regarding LGBT rights in the U.S. and around the world.


http://bcove.me/qs3211sh

Here is the video:

Contact Governor Rick Perry's Candidacy website

Here is the link to Rick Perry's Presidential Candidacy page. Please write him and tell him what you think about his stance against Marriage Equality, supposed "abhorrent lifestyles" and anti-LGBT rhetoric:

Prick Perry for President 2012

Rick Perry hates LGBT people and here's proof.

Here is Rick Perry's response to President Obama's memorandum regarding gay rights and foreign aid:

"Just when you thought Barack Obama couldn’t get any more out of touch with America’s values, AP reports his administration wants to make foreign aid decisions based on gay rights.

This administration’s war on traditional American values must stop.

I have proposed a foreign aid budget that starts at zero. From that zero baseline, we will consider aid requests based solely on America’s national security interests. Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money.

But there is a troubling trend here beyond the national security nonsense inherent in this silly idea. This is just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country. Investing tax dollars promoting a lifestyle many Americas of faith find so deeply objectionable is wrong.

President Obama has again mistaken America’s tolerance for different lifestyles with an endorsement of those lifestyles. I will not make that mistake."

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/12/rick-perry-blasts-obama-over-memo-on-gay-rights-and-foreign-aid.html

Here's something fun...

 

Facebook suggests some people I may know ???

  

World AIDS Day



December 1, 2011 is World AIDS Day.

I will always remember living during the early 80's and hearing about the first reports of something called AIDS and HIV (the gay cancer).

I will always remember going out to the bars/clubs and mixing with friends, acquaintances and noticing in the coming days that some people were no longer around anymore.

I will always remember hearing of the first of my friends succumbing to AIDS and how it made me feel.

I will always remember going to get my first AIDS test with my good friend Bill and how scared to hell we both were going there and then waiting to hear the results.

I was so blessed to become a volunteer and eventually the office manager for "The Sharing of Hope" which was later to become, the Beaver County AIDS Service Organization; BCASO.  I was one of the people of BCASO to plan the first ever AIDS walk in Beaver County Pennsylvania. 

I am so happy to have helped in my little way to bring AIDS awareness to my community and to help those afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

The fight continues and the stigma of AIDS is still something we must overcome.  Bigotry and hatred need to be made a thing of the past. 

To those who have died, I hope that they have not died in vain.  I hope that their deaths have brought light to those around them and I hope that their deaths will bring about change, understanding and compassion.

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

With Thanksgiving coming up, I think it's appropriate for us to remember all the Transgendered people's triumphs and tragedies.

Many transgendered people have come to a tragic end to their lives.  For a nation that has come so far in the area of tolerance, there are many miles to go. 

I had no idea that there was such a remembrance.  I found out about this through visiting sites such as "Queerty", "AfterElton" and "Towleroad".  This is actually the 13th year of "International Transgender Day of Remembrance".  If you would like to know more information and read some stories about many courageous people's struggles, you can visit http://www.transgenderdor.org/?p=62

Anderson Cooper daytime show with his mom, Gloria Vanderbilt

Anderson Cooper had an episode featuring his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt (Gloria Vanderbilt-DiCicco-Stokowski-Lumet-Cooper). It was a wonderful show and explored the death of Anderson's father at 50 years old, the death of his brother by suicide and tidbits of wisdom from his mother. Gloria made a comment that I found particularly insightful, "We are put on this earth not to look through people, but to help people through."

Gloria Vanderbilt has had an amazing life. She had a very traumatic childhood, lived through the death of her husband Wyatt Emory Cooper who died during open heart surgery and the suicide of her son Carter Cooper.

Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Vanderbilt
Anderson Cooper's daytime show: http://www.andersoncooper.com/

Anderson Cooper is the sweetest man----E V E R ! ! !

Watch this clip of Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa. Kelly puts a picture of Anderson (when he was in 8th grade) down her bra. At 4:37, in the clip, Anderson says, "sweety, that's the last place i'd look." Anderson is so funny to watch and he always seems to have a great time when he's on with Kelly.

Penn Badgley

I recently stumbled across a story about Penn Badgley. Wow! How did this incredibly handsome guy escape my notice?
He's starred in "Gossip Girl" and is now in a movie with Zachary Quino; "Margin Call".  It's about the beginnings of the market crash in 2008. 

Watch this video/photoshoot/interview with Penn from NylonMagazineTv:

A-List: Dallas on Logotv.com is already a trainwreck.

Already skeletons are falling out of the "A-List: Dallas" closet.  Levi Crocker's mugshot has been posted and spread around the interwebs.

Recent episodes have shown Levi Crocker getting drunk at a poker game and falling out of his chair.  Also, he got drunk at his "Inch Wear" promo party and made a VERY inappropriate comment to Ashley concerning her nipples and boobs.  Needless to say, she threw a drink in his stupid, rude, twisted face.

Now, pics of Levi Crocker's cockshot are all over the interwebs.  Here's the story about Levi Crocker's recent bare-all from NewNowNext.com http://www.newnownext.com/a-list-dallas-star-levi-naked/10/2011/

These Logotv reality shows are really entertaining, but so disappointing as far as showing gay men as responsible, honest, sober, loving people.  Is it their ages?  Is it just bad casting?  Is it just a mash-up to get ratings?  Who knows?  I understand that no one is perfect and believe me, I've had my share of irresponsible life choices.  Does this much drama really happen in gay men's lives?  URGHH!!!! 

A more realistic portrayal of gay men is Sundance Channel's "Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys".
http://www.sundancechannel.com/girls-who-like-boys-who-like-boys/



Season 1 is a wonderful portrayal of gay men who have heterosexual women as their besties.  It shows the personal interactions between friends; their loves, hates, demons, joy, fear and getting through the dramas and humdrums of everyday life.  I watched all episodes of Season 1 of GWLBWLB and enjoyed each and every episode.

Personally speaking, my longest relationship in my life has been with my heterosexual female best friend in the world.  We met one another during our Junior High School years and our lives and the lives of our family members have been intertwined for over 29 years now and counting.  We've been through the thick and thin of life all this time.  I wouldn't change this friendship or hope for any other person to share my life's ups and downs with for all the money in the world.

Bullying is a reality that no one wishes to have.

I was bullied in high school and it's a terrifying experience.  The bullying not only happened at school, but I was terrorized in my own neighborhood.  The sight of that Chevy Blazer in my neighborhood sent shivers down my spine.  There was no support for a young boy who was bullied back in 1975.  You just had to deal with it the best way you knew how. 

Today, bullying is front and center and there is much more support for victims of bullying.  Watch this video on Youtube from a 12 year old girl who has brought this terror to our attention in a beautiful and poignant way.

Keenan Cahill, aka "BeenerKeeKee19952" AWESOME!!!

Keenan Cahill, aka BeenerKeeKee19952 is one awesome Dude. Watch this video to find out more about him and his life and the people who support him.

Gaying it Forward.

Zachary Quinto recently came out.  One reason he came out was the recent suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer.  Now, ABC news reporter Dan Kloeffler came out while reporting on the story of Zachary Quinto's coming out.  WOW!  One gay comes out, then another gay comes out and so on and so on.  We're gaying it forward!  Who knows who will come out next?  It's soooo exciting.  Someone new seems to be coming out everyday.  Whoo hoo!

Dan says in his blog, "As a journalist, I don’t want to be the story, but as a gay man I don’t want to stand silent if I can offer some inspiration or encouragement to kids that might be struggling with who they are."

Geoff the Gay Robot

Geoff is the gay robot sidekick to Craig Ferguson.  I liked the gay robot when he was introduced on the Late Late Show, but now, he's new and improved and GAYER!

Geoff now has a human voice.  Whoever is playing "Geoff" is a wonderful compliment to Craig Ferguson.
Craig is a very gay friendly and gay humorous comedian.  He has no problem doing "gay" and he's brilliant at it.  Craig Ferguson's humor is an acquired taste and he makes me laugh. 

The give and take with Geoff and Craig is very snarky, intelligent and funny.  This is a forwardly progressive show and I'm so happy Geoff and Craig are still around.

Zachary Quinto has COME OUT!

Wikipedia:

Quinto, who is of half-Italian and half-Irish descent,^[1] was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Green Tree, Pennsylvania, with his mother Margo and his brother Joe.^[2] His father, John, who was a barber, died of cancer when Quinto was 7 years old.^[3] He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1995, where he participated in their musicals and won the Gene Kelly Award for Best Supporting Actor, and then attended Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, from which he graduated in 1999.^[4][5]

In a NY Magazine article in the October 17, 2011 edition, on-line now, Zachary Quinto stated that he is a gay man.  Zachary commented that the recent stories of gay suicides and in particular Jamey Rodemeyer has compelled him to definitively come out.  Zachary Quinto played Spock in the Star Trek movie and has played gay roles in Tori Spelling's "so noTORIous" and in the Broadway revival of "Angels in America".

Read more at http://www.homorazzi.com/article/zachary-quinto-gay-coming-out-nymag-interview-angels-in-america-american-horror-story-gay-roles/#more-119010.

Wikipedia Bio : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_quinto

New York Magazine article:  http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/10/zachary_quinto.html

Remembering Matthew Shepard 13 years later.

Can you believe that it has been 13 years since Matthew Shepard was murdered?  Every time I recall this tragedy, I feel so sad and melancholy.  It was a terrible tragedy and a situation that we should never forget and strive to have this never happen again.

Unfortunately, bullying happens a lot and we've all heard and read about the most recent sad stories.  Let's listen to our children.  Let's sit them down and ask them how they are doing.  Let's take the time to notice subtle changes and even if your suspicions maybe be nothing at all, at least you'll know that you took the time to check in on you kid.

December 1, 1976 -  October 12, 1998

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

Nancy Grace Farts on DWTS

First there was the Nancy Grace nipple slip and her denial of it.  Now there is the fartgate debacle.  Here's the video clip so you can judge Nancy for yourself:



Watch Tristan MacManus touch his nose. Nancy clutches her stomach right before the release. It's been known that many people fart while doing Yoga and I'm sure that physical exursion may cause flatulence also.  He who smelt it, dealt it? She who concealed it, dealed it?

Wall Street Drinks Champagne

Wall Street drinks champagne while protesters march past. 

When I first heard of "Occupy Wall Street" I was thrilled.  The people are taking their voices to the streets and demanding action.  We, the taxpayers, bailed out Wall Street and no one was held accountable, no one put a face(s) to this financial melt down and it felt to me like another problem was swept under the rug. 

These smug Wall Street workers have the audacity to stand there and sip champagne!!!  This shows how callous and greedy we Americans can truly be.  It's like putting gasoline on a sinking ship. 

Bank of America has the gaul to charge basic account customers $12.00 a month unless the account carries a $1,500 balance!!!  $1,500 !!!!!!  http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/story/2011-09-29/bank-of-america-debit-card-fee/50608896/1
Where does it end?  When do we stop this blatant greed?  I think Occupy Wall Street is going to wake up some people.

Homophobia and religion muddy the 2012 political waters.

It seems that homophobia and religion are front and center in the 2012 political debates. I understand that people's religious beliefs will have an effect on their views of all subjects, but isn't there a separation of church and state in these United States? Are we really united?

GOP candidate (R) Rick Santorum recently stated that he would reinstate the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military rule if he is elected. He also states that openly gay soldiers will cause uneasiness when it comes to close sleeping quarters and showering. Really? These are his major concerns?

Candidates often use the bible as their defense of their anti-homosexual stances. I thought a political candidate or office holder was to use the Constitution as a barometer of the nation's laws?

Many candidates openly base their views on the bible and their religions. In the past, people were concerned that John Fitzgerald Kennedy would base his Catholicism and loyalty to the pope, in his decision making as President. Well, as we know, the problems that plagued his presidency had nothing to do with religion.

Can we really truly be united and keep religion out of politics? It seems that we cannot. This election year has put the bible and religious views front and center for better or for, on the most part, worse.

Is our country going in a new direction and philosophy? Has the GOP become a new political dynamic? I think that marriage equality and the repel of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" have just hit many raw nerves and the candidates are just frustrated and grabbing at anything they can to make their points.

I feel the country is changing, for the better.  New York State has allowed Marriage Equality, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" has been repealed, people's attitudes towards LGBTQ are changing, LGBTQ people are better understood and we know that it is NOT a choice.  It's going to be OK and I feel good things are in store for LGBTQ people.

Fall 2011 movies

"A Dangerous Method". A movie about Sigmund Freud. Starring: Kiera Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel,



"J. Edgar". Starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

When Turkeys Attack!

A news reporter/producer from Sacramento News 10 went into the field to find out if wild turkeys are attacking joggers and other pedestrians.  The video is hilarious as the turkey is relentless in its persuit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyW6Vz7FgHY&feature=related

The A-List: New York Season 2 Part 2

Mike Ruiz proposed to his partner.  It was a touching moment.  I'm sure his relationship will go far and Mike has a lot more to give back to the LGBTQ world.  Mike is the only cast member who seems to have a mature attitude and has his head on straight.

Nyasha doesn't really seem to have a future in the recording industry.  Her vocals all seem to be enhanced and she has no stand out style or anything that makes her unique, especially her "talent".

Derek has his spray on tan "Tansxyl" boring.  Good luck to him.

Ryan seemed to play both sides of the fence and somehow came out unscathed.  He seemed to enjoy pitting people against each other under the guise of solving inter-personal problems.  He's a real snake in the grass.  I hope he doesn't find himself, one day, getting into a real cat fight....meow.

I'm looking forward to the Season 3 reunion with Wendy Williams as the show host.  She did a good job on Season 1.  I wonder if Nyasha is going to be there?  The fur and wigs will fly, I'm certain of it.

The A-List: New York Season 2 wrap-up Part 1

The 2nd season of A-List: New York has wrapped up...FINALLY.  We all knew what was coming.  Austin has totally isolated himself from all the other guys and 1 girl (more on her later) and they have kicked him to the curb.  Reichen and Ryan confronted him on his batchelor party in Atlantic City and told him that they knew that Jake had cheated on him and that he had cheated on Jake.  What a time to confront someone on such a sensitive issue!!!  This show had many tasteless scenes and this had to be one of the top 3. 

Austin and Jake's relationship showed signs of trouble from the beginning.  They both seemed high strung and capable of physical violence.  Austin had shown quite a temper throughout the season.  There were hints among the cast members that Austin and Jake had some physical altercations, i.e. Austin's supposed "I ran into a cabinet" lip incident. 

Austin and Jake's batchelor party get-a-way seemed like a mess-in-the-making from the very start.  I could hardly watch the antics in the pink Hummer limo.  Austin was taking off his clothes, getting drunk and acting his totally obnoxious self. 

I had read Austin's writing that he was ready to start up some drama and that this is really what his intentions for his portrayal on the show was going to be about.  He certainly did stir up a lot of trouble and it bit him in the ass.  Even in gay marriages, trouble can ensue and he has shown that gay couples are not always destined to be in a monogamous, loving and caring relationship.

Nyasha.  Where do I begin.  Nyasha, Nyasha, Nyasha.  Why Logo decided to put her in the mix is beyond me.  She said that she is from Africa and won the title of "Miss Africa".  Well, she doesn't act like anyone I've met who is from Africa.  She is so abrasive, confrontational, evasive and rude.  She played the whole "you do not hit a woman" thing throughout the season.  TJ did an excellent imitation of her when he had the dress and wig on with Ryan in the boutique.

Nyasha comes across as an "I'm entitled, get out of my way, it's you and not me" type of personality.  She's the type of person whom I turn around from and would not give the time of day to.  She is the "CEO" of her wig company, "Embrace your hair", and she showed some awful wigs on this show.  One time, she had a wig on that looked like it was connected to a visible section of corn rows on the side of her head.  Nasty stuff.  She's not a fag hag (what fag would want her?), she's not personable and she thinks her shit don't stink.  Well, it does honey and yes that stink is coming from you....oozing from every pore on your body.

Everyone came to see her perform her single at the Atlantic City Resort Hotel instead of attending Austin's batchelor party.  It seemed like a very contrived situation, pitting her performance against Austin's party.  I'm sure that if everyone had their druthers, they would have neither attended her show or Austin's party. 

End Part 1