Michael Jackson: The Man in Our Mirror

I've haven't done a post about my thoughts on Micheal. I have tremendous appreciation for Michael as a popstar. Yet, I cringe and sigh at his evolution into becoming the thing that he became.

I came across this article by Greg Tate over at The Village Voice. Tate offers an interesting peeling of the layers regarding Micheal's journey. While I don't agree with all Tate wrote, I had moments when I shook my head in agreement.

Some of the highlights:

"George Clinton thought the reason Michael constantly chipped away at his appearance was less about racial self-loathing than about the number-one problem superstars have, which is figuring out what to do when people get sick of looking at your face. His orgies of rhino- and other plasty's were no more than an attempt to stay ahead of a fickle public's fickleness."

"At what point, we have to wonder, did the line blur for him between Dr. Jacko and Mr. Jackson, between Peter Pan fantasies and predatory behaviors? At what point did the Man in the Mirror turn into Dorian Gray? When did the Warholian creature that Michael created to deflect access to his inner life turn on him and virally rot him from the inside?"

Click here for the full article.

Class Is In Session

Today was the first summer school session at the high school where I work. I'm co-teaching an academic enrichment course with a colleague.

The big deal about this course is that we were given tremendous freedom to develop a curriculum which allowed innovative content that is extremely student-centered. As a teacher you live for this type of opportunity, because you can create a model that can evolve teaching and content in the classroom.

We are guiding students through a self-reflective process that will hopefully enable them to understand themselves, so that they can develop habits that support them as a student and a creative person.

I'm focusing on teaching studying and research skills. You'd be surprise how so many curriculums don't take time to teach children effective ways of studying. The other portion of the course will focus on students developing their creative writing skills, which includes poetry. I'm excited.

Our students come from communities that are dealing with heavy issues, such as, crime, drugs and poverty. Today went well. These wonderful young people showed up today and actively participated in class. The program is totally voluntary and they are choosing to spend the next six weeks working on taking their career as a student to another level. Good on them!

So I am focused on giving them my best. They deserve it.

It Was Surreal

While I was in NYC last week, I experienced along with millions of NYers an amazing cloud formation visible during the early night sky. After a brief thunderstorm, the sky displayed the most unusual clouds I've ever seen.

I learned today these clouds are called Mamatis. The clouds looked like peachy-colored cotton candy. I was walking with my sister-friend of over 20 years, and her 17 year old son. I'm grateful to have experienced this with them. I adore Joslyn and Marco. We decided, along with other NYers, to stop and take pictures of the sky. We had to pause and appreciate the spectacle.

All of NYC was veiled in a hue of orange light. It was so surreal. I felt as if I was in a dream. While I respect the science behind these rare cloud formations, I also felt it was divine intervention reminding us to stop and take in wonderment. Here are the pics from my cell phone camera.

Can You Go Home Again?

Some of my readers will gaaaag at this post. Out of curiosity I went to check in on Chris Crocker over on youtube. It looks like homegirl went back home. The parasites of Hollywood had their fill of her and she had her fill of them. From the background of this video it looks like she is back at grandma's house, after dealing with the wolves.

I think this video clip is cute. I laughed. I was also reminded of the Chris Crocker I enjoyed during the pre-leave-britney-alone days. This looks like Chris being thoughtful in what he posted, less angry, and able to rest his head in a bed without thinking about finding a new place to crash in the morning.

Life is a hairflip at times Chris. Keep on, keeping on.

Let Your Light Shine

Photo: Ingrid Taylar

It's the last Sunday in June, and the streets of NYC are going to be filled with people showing pride in being G, L, B or T. I love my fellow queer folks. Many of us have survived so much ugly in the world, and yet we move forward trying share something special with the world.

I remember going to my first pride parade in NYC when I was sixteen. I was in the closet and had just started hanging out on the piers on Christopher St. just a couple of months before the parade. When I saw this endless stream of marchers being out, loud and proud, I was stunned.

I was going through so much inner turmoil as I had just started the coming out process. To see this exhibit of pride gave me hope. I didn't feel alone and that I was the only of my kind. I was eager and opened to the experience and it gave me an awareness of my humanity and how I mattered in the world.

I spent the entire time watching the parade with tears in my eyes and a knot in my throat. The emotion I was feeling was huge yet intimate at the same time. I felt liberated yet knew I had a responsibility. I had to let my light shine and let love rule.

I pray that those along the parade route get the same message. It starts with love. I learned to love myself, love those around me, and build a life that focused on proving that love is stronger than hate.

Todd does a great blog on quotes and today he posted one from Quentin Crisp in honor of Gay Pride. I was inspired with this idea, and wanted to share a few.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuss

In an expanding universe, time is on the side of the outcast. Those who once inhabited the suburbs of human contempt find that without changing their address they eventually live in the metropolis.
Quentin Crisp

It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.
Lucille Ball

La Familia

I've been MIA and all over the place lately. Just adjusting to changes in schedule and switching from student to teacher mode. I'm teaching summer school this year. Last year I served in a more administrative role. But, this year it's me in front of the yungins and doing my teacher thang.

With that said, look at my handsome nephew and darling niece. Gabriel graduated this week from the High School of Environmental Studies. Hence, the green cap and gown. He did really well and earned a regents diploma, which in NYC, means he had to take a significant amount of state tests to show a level of competency in the core subjects of science, math and English. You go boy!

In his arms is his cousin, Miss Brianna. I introduced Brianna to you guys in a previous post. This little angel loves to laugh and smile, and her amazing mother tells me that while Brianna is high maintenance, that she is a very good baby.

So, this week I got to celebrate my nephew's graduation and meet Miss Brianna in person. Life is good.

Another One Bites The Dust

Vea Marco llorar. Vea Marco llora para Maria. Vea Marco llora porque él fue agarrado. Vea Marco llora acerca de la condición del partido Republicano.

Translation: See Mark weeping. See Mark weep for Maria. See Mark weep because he was caught. See Mark weep about the condition of the Republican party.

SIDE NOTE: Is there really anyone out there that thinks the Republican party is the party of family values and moral purity?

A Meow From An Unlikely Source

As I was hanging up my laundry on the clothesline today, I had a nice visit with a neighbor that comes into town for the summers. He or she landed about eight feet away and perched on the clotheslines, right next to the sheet I just hanged and took a shit.

I said to the little birdie, "Oh hell no, don't you dare." Then the bird made a sound that reminded me of Geronimo. It was like a meow. I mimicked the sound and the bird ruffled the feathers on its chest and head, and then cocked his head. We continued our encounter by taking turns making the meow sound. We both checked each other out. I was impressed and told the bird "You're beautiful, thank you for visiting me."

I then tapped the clothesline with my finger, and the cord swayed, the bird open his wings slightly, but stayed on for just a bit longer. He meowed again and then flew away.

Thank god for the Internet, I did my research and found out this little guy is called a Gray Catbird. They are known for mimicking sounds they hear around them, and use it to construct their songs. How cool is that. The meow sound is a very common call they use, and is called a mew. Click here to learn more. You can play an audio clip of the meow sound the bird makes.

Where's Waldo?

I wonder if he's the type that says to friends and tricks, "Oh, I know where everything is, I have a system."

Image courtesy of Lurid Digs

I Need My Rollercoaster Fix

Summertime is here, and I need the thrills and chills of a rollercoaster ride. My first rollercoaster was the Cyclone at Coney Island. Tthe sensation of flying through the air, and having the air sucked out of you, became instantly addictive. The faster and more twisted the ride, the better. Let me check my calendar!

BTW, Six Flags Amusement Parks filed for bankruptcy this week. Noooooo. They promise that normal park operations will not be affected. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Another POV on Anti-Choice

Artist: Barbara Kruger
So I got this response to my post "Use Your Words Wisely." I asked the author if I can share it on my blog, and I got the go ahead. So here it is:

Upon reading your article “Use Your Words Wisely,” I wanted to bring a particular point to your attention.

Your use of the term “anti-choice” is very misleading, and shows a significant misunderstanding of the term.

The term anti-choice by definition means “one who opposes ALL choices”, no matter what the topic of choice be. The opposition to abortion does not stem from the opposition of choices in general (as the term anti-choice would lead one to believe). Those who oppose abortion are against feticide and embryocide, thus making them anti-feticide, anti-embryocide, or anti-abortion. Just as someone who opposes the choice of a man to hit his wife is not anti-choice, but anti-domestic-violence, the correct label for a person who opposes abortion would be anti-abortion (or anti-feticide, anti-embryocide, etc.)

I would invite you to visit the website www.notantichoice.com to review and read more information on this subject and on the use of the term anti-choice.

Thank you,
Liz Wheeler

Here's my response:

At the end of the day if you want to make abortion illegal, restrict access to birth control methods, censor sexual education materials by creating abstinence-only programs, then you are trampling over the right for women and their partners to have "choice." These ideas that are at the core of many anti-choice movements ultimately eliminate significant options, thereby, providing a false form of "choice."

Furthermore, by keeping the discussion on women's reproductive rights centered solely on the option of abortion, you are ignoring complex public health and social issues and constructions that create dire situations for women and children. If one is truly pro-life they would look into issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS transmissions, and violence and oppression against women. Keep reading for some disturbing facts regarding these issues.

Moreover, I have a strong aversion to any laws that tell anyone what they can or cannot do with their own bodies. Keep your laws off my body and out of my bedroom. I am also aware that many people out there are fighting for the rights they feel are due to the embryos and fetuses within the womb. When life is conceived is a whole other discussion. Stay tuned for a post on that one.

Ultimately, where one stands on this issue is usually tethered to very personal feelings and experiences. I heard a good joke the other day from Joy Behar (don't ask people LOL). Joy said "A conservative is a former liberal that was mugged, and a liberal is a former conservative that has a lesbian daughter." Our views are often initially shaped by what we encounter on our life's journey. However, these views evolve by what we read, contemplation and practicing empathy.

I offer the following to assist all with thinking more about the issues affecting the lives of women, children, and how significant freedom of reproductive rights is for all of us, regardless of gender. I kept the facts focused on the U.S. If I gave you world-wide statistics, it would truly be depressing. So I am offering a book selection at the end of the post that gives voice to women around the world.

Source: Children's Defense Fund (This information is comprised from data collected as of November 2008.)

In the United States:
A child is born into poverty every 33 seconds.
A child is abused or neglected every 35 seconds.
A child is born uninsured every 39 seconds.
A child dies before his or her first birthday every 18 minutes.
A child or teen is killed by gunfire every 3 hours.

Child Poverty in The United States
Number of poor children (and percent poor) 13,324,000 (18.0%)
Number of children living in extreme poverty (and percent in extreme poverty) 5,768,000 (7.8%)
Number of adults and children receiving cash assistance from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 3,741,535

Child Health in The United States
Number of children without health insurance (and percent uninsured) 8.9 million (11.3%)

Early Childhood Development in The United States
Percent of children under age 6 with all parents in the labor force 61.7%

Education in The United States
Amount spent per pupil in the public schools $8,044
Percent of public school fourth graders reading below grade level 68%
Percent of public school fourth graders below grade level in math 61%

Child Welfare in The United States
Number of children who are victims of abuse and neglect 905,000
Number of children in foster care 508,446
Number of children adopted from foster care 50,941
Number of grandparents raising grandchildren 2,514,256

Youth at Risk in The United States
Number of juvenile arrests 1,268,950
Number of children and teens in juvenile residential facilities 92,854
Ratio of cost per prisoner to cost per public school pupil 2.8:1

For more than 15 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights has used the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right. Click here for more information.

Here is a book recommendation for those interested:

Patriarchy and Accumulation On A World Scale: Women in the International Division of Labour by Maria Mies

I offer it with a heads-up that it is very academic and packed with ideas. But, be patient with it, and take it in small doses. This book uncovers the systematic oppression of women from soup to nuts. Amazon.com offers this description of the book:

"This now classic book traces the social origins of the sexual division of labor. It gives a history of the related processes of colonization and "housewifization" and extends this analysis to the contemporary new international division of labor and the role that women have to play as the cheapest producers and consumers. First published in 1986, it was hailed as a major paradigm shift for feminist theory. Eleven years on, Maria Mies' theory of capitalist patriarchy has become even more relevant; this new edition includes a substantial new introduction in which she both applies her theory to the new globalized world and answers her critics."

Let's look at the world around us and work together to address these problems, so that the babies that are born into this world have a fair chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Use Your Words Wisely

Artist: Barbara Kruger

Good people, I have a recommendation. I feel strongly that we should stop using the term anti-abortion, when discussing issues regarding women's reproductive rights. Since the murder of Dr. Tiller, I've been reading articles that focus on the issue of abortion. I've come across a term which I believe can be powerful in reshaping the dialogue about women's reproduction rights.

I say let's replace anti-abortion with ANTI-CHOICE. Here is why:

- By using the term anti-abortion we keep the focus only on the option of a women terminating a pregnancy. This is a disservice to the personal process a women engages in when deciding what to do about an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy.

- She has many other options to consider. For example, a women may choose to discuss with her partner and or family ways to bring that pregnancy to term, and welcome an infant into a loving and stable home.

- A women may also consider giving birth to the child and placing him or her up for adoption.

- She may also consider raising that child on her own with the support of family and friends.

The bottom line is giving birth to a child has significant impact on a women's own personal health, and will alter her life, along with her partner and family in significant ways. We're talking at least an 18 year commitment to nurturing another being.

So in keeping with the ideals and virtues of America's love of liberty, choice is so American. We apply choice and free-will to so many other aspects of our lives. Why does it have to stop when it comes to our own bodies?

So, if you find yourself in a conversation with someone that is anti-choice when it comes to women's reproductive rights, look at them with pity and say, "That is so un-American."

Then if they throw in chapter and verse from the bible, simply say, "Our founding fathers believed in the separation of church and state, how un-American of you."

If they persist then say, "Hey, if your movement is so pro-life, why do your members kill so many people that provide safe and legal medical procedures for terminating a pregnancy, which enable women to have control over their own bodies? How can you be pro-life when it comes to the womb, but then okay with the death penalty and committing murder."

Then the final kick in the teeth is to say, "Hey, this planet is experiencing major problems because of pollution, war, overpopulation and corruption, what is your church or you for that matter, doing about that?"

Now, be careful, these right-wingnuts are getting violent. So be ready to put that hair up in a tight bun, remove your earrings, thrown some vaseline on your face, and have at it. It seems to me that these days conservatives are loving to take the route of violence. So, suit up people, because it is on!

I Love Raul, But Tony Doesn't

When is Raul Esparza going to get his Tony!? I've seen Raul in Taboo, Cabaret and perform at Bryant Park; he is amazing. His voice is divine, his stage presence is magnetic. I just don't get it. Is he to become the Susan Lucci of the Tonys?

He has totally paid his dues. He's a true workhorse of a performer. I bet every Broadway producer and theatre company has that papi chulo on speed dial. Life is not fair sometimes.

A side note, Bret Micheals performing at the Tonys was just plain ewwwww.

Minding Other People's Business...Again

The woman with the hat and Colgate smile gave birth to another Bobby Brown offspring. Why would anyone want to have one of Bobby Brown's kids? Why would Bobby Brown himself want to have another kid?

I wonder if Bobby works with that dumb ass script about "spreading your seed" and measuring his manliness by how many babies he can create with a night of pumping and dumping. Sorry for the crewdness, but I think that's how Bobby feels about the act.

I wonder if she thought this was her last chance to make a baby, and since she is managing Bobby, she can also put him on baby's daddy lockdown, and not have to worry about being fired. BTW, that baby's daddy lockdown strategy NEVER works!

You know what at the end of the day, people can be real twisted and have a warped sense of reality. Oh and I'm sure this moronic behavior seems genius when you add booze and drugs into the mix.

Click here for the absurdity.

Werking It!

Hey good people, so the grades from my 18 credits-semester have come in and here are the results:

Global Women's Issues (Intensive Writing): A
Integrated Mathematics and Science for Elementary Education: A-
Ethnography (Intensive Writing): A+
Classroom Management Techniques
in Educational Settings: A+
Language Arts for Exceptional Individuals: B
Collaboration in the Schools: A

Term GPA: 3.78

A big thank you to the family, friends and fellow students that supported me through a very challenging semester.

ABCs a la Ms. Patti Labelle

I Guess MTV Didn't Like Eminem's New Video

Hey Miss Kitty, instead of reading about it, let's watch the video again, and again, and again. Eminem gets a face full of man-ass. Hardcore thugged out men like him don't like that sort of thing. Poor baby, he had to ask his bodyguards to remove the man-ass from his face, and Bruno's head from inbetween his legs.

Digging Deeper About Down-Low Living

I went to a poetry slam tonight with Marcos. Things started off real good. There were some standout poems and the evening looked promising. Then a poet, that I've heard before, came up to do her thing. She's very popular, provocative and nothing is taboo. I've applauded in sincere appreciation of her performances in the past.

Tonight she recited a poem about men who are on the down low. I got nervous because I know that when this topic comes up, you can go two different ways. She went down that path I was hoping the poem would not go. Basically, she's pleading to men that like to "pack fudge" to come out the closet, and she wishes a "real man that loves women" would come into her life.

She mentions in her poem her intentions were not to gay bash. However, the crowed ohhed and wowed at the more salacious parts of her poem. The overall experience left me with the impression that the poem kept this issue stuck in a contemplative-free zone by oversimplying the issue. Plus I smelled homophobia when I'm left with the phrase "packing fudge" which to me denotes that gay men are doing something dirty. Then to hear "real men" are males that love women, in that bump and grind way.

The poet calls for these men to come out and be truthful. I can dig that idea. As an out and proud queer man I know my life is so much better when I decided to be honest to myself and others, while flaunting my feathers. I feel pity for the down low men and the women that fall in love with them. Living with secrets and doubts is not an easy life.

However, the solution proposed in the poem assumes being "honest" is an easy thing to do. Within society, and in particular within certain communities of color, coming out of the closet can lead to a person putting their life at risk. Homophobia can be brutal, deprive liberty, and dehumanizing.

Here's my suggestion on how the down-low dynamic can start to be chipped away in order to free the men and women trapped within in it. Why don't we encourage a culture that respects the full spectrum of sexuality and gender expression. Let's find ways to love and raise gay, bi, transgendered, or lesbian children within families and communities that won't force them into being ashamed of themselves. At some point most GLBT kids get a comment or slap across the face that sends them into that closet.

By encouraging a person to grow into adulthood being out, proud of who they really are, should make the closet and living on the down-low an option that seems absurd. Moreover, if we start to embrace the diversity of sexuality, people can have more free and honest discussions with potential partners about what turns them on.

When I began the process of coming out I was terrified. I worried my family would disown me. I also feared the fellas in the neighborhood finding out, because it could have meant me catching a serious beatdown. And, since there were no gay role models in the community or popular culture, I thought life as a queer man would be lonely and tragic. Thank god I found Christopher St. in NYC. I found a community that embraced me and a culture that empowered me to continue my journey to living my life authentically.

Men on the down-low are living within a distorted sense of self, that was not entirely of their own making. I'm not excusing their behavior. What I am doing is looking deeper in order to see all the moving parts that were constructed overtime to create the trap. By having a greater understanding of what creates this mentality you can dismantle the situation and free some souls.

The situation at the event went from awkward to just plain disappointing. I took the poem like a real man. Hey, it challenged me and gave me insight of one person's view. Art doesn't always have to be cute, fuzzy and easy. However, right after the poem one of the MCs got up and asked the women in the audience to standup and look to a man and say "I am a Woman!" and then he asked the men to stand up and look at a women and say "I am a Man!" The man on stage felt it was necessary to reinforce the male-female heterosexual normative. At one of the tables in front of us, the guys actually thumped their chest when they said it.

Marcos and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes, then sucked our teeth. Back in the day we probably would have gotten a bit loud, well actually Marcos would have said something. We decided to get up and walkout. The vibe changed for us, and we didn't want to clap anymore. So, we came home, had a little chat, watched a movie, and played with Gino. We move forward instead of going down or low.

I Needs Me Some Friday

Work ended with a bang today. My boss and a "consultant" were bickering all day long. I was intent on staying out of it. Then I had to help the consultant with writing up her job description! Which resulted with me being in the middle of them two continuing to bicker.

What made it really extra sucky was that I worked with that consultant before, and I really don't care for that person. She's very insecure, a name dropper, and offers a great deal of non-constructive criticism with complicated solutions. She drains one's life force. I usually stay about 15 feet away from her at all times. I ran out of luck today.

I often feel compassion towards her, it seems to me she's had a hard life. Then, she pulls a stunt that shoos the compassion right out the window. Here's an example: It was recommended we delegate a certain task involved in her job to two student workers that once belonged to our college readiness program and are now Juniors in college.

Ms. Consultant grimaced at the idea and said something along the lines of "How are you going to have kids do that task. I'm the one with the expertise." She was referring to parent outreach via phone. Which the students did for us last Summer and with moderate success. FYI - Ms. Consultant was not with us at that time.

I got immediately heated because I believe in passing on knowledge and skills, especially to the younger folks. I replied "First of all they are not kids, both women are twenty years-old, they are adults! And, perhaps what you can do is train them utilizing your expertise. One of them is studying to be a social worker, and the other is working towards her nursing degree! I'm sure they can benefit greatly from your years of experience. This is their internship and we should offer them something a little bit more than opportunities to file and copy papers!" I then walked away.

May I add that I trained staff and student workers in the use of various software and office management techniques that I've learned over the years. I give it away and get so much back in return, without expecting it.

10 Things About Judge Sonia Sotomayor

President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court. I'm reading up on her, and came across this bit of information. Take a look.

I have to admit I'm excited. Her academic history is impressive. She was the editor of the Yale Law Review. Seems like she's a person that can hold her own. Which I'm not surprised. She's a Puerto Rican from the boogie down Bronx. Good luck homegirl from your little hermano from Brooklyn.


Ten Things To Know About Judge Sonia Sotomayor

1. Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the bench than any Supreme Court justice in 100 years. Over her three-decade career, she has served in a wide variety of legal roles, including as a prosecutor, litigator, and judge.

2. Judge Sotomayor is a trailblazer. She was the first Latina to serve on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and was the youngest member of the court when appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York. If confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. While on the bench, Judge Sotomayor has consistently protected the rights of working Americans, ruling in favor of health benefits and fair wages for workers in several cases.

4. Judge Sotomayor has shown strong support for First Amendment rights, including in cases of religious expression and the rights to assembly and free speech.

5. Judge Sotomayor has a strong record on civil rights cases, ruling for plaintiffs who had been discriminated against based on disability, sex and race.

6. Judge Sotomayor embodies the American dream. Born to Puerto Rican parents, she grew up in a South Bronx housing project and was raised from age nine by a single mother, excelling in school and working her way to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and to become an editor of the Law Journal at Yale Law School.

7. In 1995, Judge Sotomayor "saved baseball" when she stopped the owners from illegally changing their bargaining agreement with the players, thereby ending the longest professional sports walk-out in history.

8. Judge Sotomayor ruled in favor of the environment and against business interests in 2007 in a case of protecting aquatic life in the vicinity of power plants, a decision that was overturned by the Roberts Supreme Court.

9. In 1992, Judge Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate without opposition after being appointed to the bench by George H.W. Bush.

10. Judge Sotomayor is a widely respected legal figure, having been described as "...an outstanding colleague with a keen legal mind," "highly qualified for any position in which wisdom, intelligence, collegiality and good character would be assets," and "a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity."

Source: Moveon.org

Thoughts On Teaching Math

Last year I worked one-on-one with a third-grade student that was having difficulty with his math. He was familiar with most of the math concepts, but tended to work with unusual algorithms when solving the problems. This clip is a great example of how some children make up their own math rules when solving problems.

I call it the round peg, into square hole syndrome. The cure is re-teaching the steps and practice, practice, practice.

A Diva Ascends

Octavia Saint Laurent Mizrahi passed away on Monday. If you saw Paris Is Burning, you know that she was an amazing diva. She had a body that was severely sexy, and gave fierce face.

My favorite memory of Octavia was hanging with her and a friend at Tracks, a NYC nightclub. We gossiped, kiki, and did a few bumps. I was 19 and enchanted by her. I kept staring at her and my friend laughed at me and told me to stop. Octavia laughed and did a hairflip and said to my friend "Leave him alone." We then kept on hanging. I adored how she was such a lady with the cool amount of outrageousness.

Over the years our paths would cross. We gave each other smiles and a look that I felt conveyed, that we were happy to see we were both still out and about doing our thing. We both saw a lot of our friends die. I'm of that generation. Ocatavia always looked put together and served it. The last time I saw her at The Monster, she was giving you luscious realness.

Willie greeted her and a reunion is took place up in heaven. It included Angie, Danny, Paris, Dorien, Pepper, and the rest of the Paris Is Burning stars. Then they all starting giving runway to Love Is The Message.

The 18 Credits-Semester

I've done it good people. I got through the most challenging semester. I took 18 credits instead of the 12 credits that students usually puruse. Like Miss Kitty said in a recent V blog, I'm too old to be in school for a long time. I will be graduating this time next year. Hallelujah! I'm blessed.

In the middle of the experience the doubts crept in and tried to make themselves at home. I tapped into thoughts of love, history, and motivation in order to evict them. I reflected on the undeniable fact that I am surrounded by family and friends that have and continue to thrive beyond the bullshit.

I'm a life-long learner and with that comes personal and intellectual challenges. A high-riding bitch never punks out when it comes to doing things that will take him or her to another level of being.

Why I Loved ZOOM

ZOOM was a show back in the 70s on PBS. This show gathered together a diverse group of young people. We shared our time together doing the following:

- Respecting how we are all have different ways of expressing how we are alike.
- Getting a glimpse into the world of other young people
- Learning about crafts, art, and self-expression
- Having "rap" sessions where we talked about what we were feeling and thinking about
- Playing games like Fannie Doodle

For those not in the know, Fannie Doodle hates the forest, but she likes trees.

At the end of the show the ZOOM kids, gathered together to sing and dance, while I joined in with them. It didn't matter if our voices were on pitch. It was about us realizing we had to love who we are becoming, working in unison, and celebrating our own unique gifts.

I'm blessed good people. This is my spiritual compass.

I hesitated posting this because it seems sappy. My upbringing within hard times tells me it has no real value. Then I said to negative thoughts, kiss my Puerto Rican ass, I strive to see wonderful possibilities. It's amazing to know many can accept over one million people being incarcerated, yet many can't imagine that being prevented, needed or immoral.

May Your Numbers Hit

Hey people gamble their money on Wall Street everyday. Good luck people.

The Story of a She and a He

I saw something. This it how it goes.

There was a young girl, with a perfect face. There was a young boy, with brilliant eyes. Both of them lived miles away from each other. They are not related. In their homes and within their family there was harshness.

They were often ignored. At times insulted by the lips that should have given them affectionate kisses. Their bodies violated by hands that should have tucked them into bed.

Their minds challenged not by thinking, but by competition, from adult minds that knew the use of mental trickery, instead of thoughtful inquiry.

The boy and girl became bitter, shameful, angry and vengeful. She and he said to themselves, "One day I'll be powerful." This became their mantra that lulled them into a sad slumber for many years.

Girl becomes woman, and boy becomes man. They move in the world with devious tactics in mind. They have been taught by dear ol' mom and dad. Win, win child anyway you can. You must crush those beneath you. You must plan to make friends with those above you. Make them think they should love you.

So they spend their lives living the plan. They don't see light only signs of fight. They abuse and use all that come in their path. She and he would often laugh. She and he would often think how weak are those around them. They would think how simple minded they are, because, they are not able to see.

She has become very ill. He has grown very old. The coldness of their lives no longer matters. It is the loneliness that has moved into every inch of their being, that provides torturous discomfort. The plan did not work.

Specks of light surround her and him. Each still miles apart. They both fall to their knees. They are not able to be still. Their bodies quiver as they let out flows of tears that sting their eyes. They feel humbled by not being able to dam this show of emotion. They thought they expelled that part of themselves.

The lights whisper to her. The lights whisper to him. The lights say "Why are you crying?" She and he say, while miles away from each other, "I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be understood. I wanted to be safe."

The lights say to him and her, "Did you offer that to others? Did you love? Did you try to understand? Did you offer sanctuary?"

She and he respond, in unison, miles apart from each other, "No."

The lights meld a thunder and a whisper together and say, "You have lived in your creation. Come home children and you will try again."

She has become a he, and he has become a she. Their flicker of light moves in the ether to find a new home, a new beginning. What they have learned goes deep into a shell that can be cracked by an affectionate kiss, and loving hands tucking them into bed.

Movie Going Extravaganza

When I was a little kid, my family went to see a movie at Radio City Music Hall. It was The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella with Richard Chamberlain. There was a floor show prior to the screening, and the Rockettes did their thing. Then a man in front of a large organ rose up from the floor onto the middle of the stage and played the overture of the movie we were about to watch. The pipes of the organ filled that vast space with music. I kept looking around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. It was amazing. As I got older I realized I was lucky to have experience this style of movie going extravaganza of days gone by; it was truly an event.

Well, the movie started. This huge decadent curtain rose to the heavens revealing a vast screen. I felt posh. I have to admit I spent more time looking at the art deco surroundings and the onto the audience below us, and the people above us, we were sitting on mezzanine level.

I came across this ad for a special showing of LOTR at Radio City. A full orchestra will play the Oscar winning score along with the movie! I feel tempted. Click here for information. My concerns are, will it suck, and am I suppose to wear a costume. Let me meditate on this.

Yeah, I Know It's A Commercial

Click here to get caught up in some fantasy. I bet Junior will like this.

Losing Religion?

Tara Stiles recently wrote a post about a significant percentage of Gen-Xers choosing not to participate in organized religion. I have to say I am of that socially constructed generation, and many of my friends and family do not go to church. However, which Stiles brings up in her post, many of them are practicing some form of spirituality. A lot of folks are just choosing new places and ways of connecting to their understanding of a higher-power.

I've kept my mind and heart open to the idea of a divine energy in the universe, that can sustain me on my journey. The result has been moments where I experienced profound moments of being loved and nurtured by divine energy. At times this energy came from within, or through my surroundings, and my interaction with other people. I am resolved that the divine is real for me.

I am also convinced that many attempts, by organized religion, to harness or own this energy compromises its true beauty and power. Confining divine energy into words or rituals is an effort to sustain what is suppose to be experienced briefly, in order to believe it is real. To have experienced it and know it is real, then letting it go, is empowered and graced liberation.

Assigning time, place, method and prescribed ideas about faith in the divine is a dangerous thing. Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner, and the third president of the United States, had this to say, about that:

From his book "Notes on Virginia" 1784: "Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burned, tortured, fined, and imprisoned, yet we have not advanced one inch toward uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half of the world fools and the other half hypocrites."

In a letter to Baron von Humboldt, 1813: "History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose."

In a letter to H. Spafford, 1814: "In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own."

In a letter to John Adams, 1823-APR-11: "The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as His father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."

- Source: religioustolerance.org

Right Wing Ralphie

Right Wing Ralphie is looking battered and bruised these days. Click here for more.

It's About Equality Y'all

From Governor John Baldacci of Maine, after signing a law allowing same-sex marriage:

"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."

"Good for him. But I wonder if this is an example of how gay marriage opponents are going to end up losing this battle entirely when they could have won at least a partial victory if they'd been less strident in their opposition. If they had actively supported civil unions, that could have become the de facto standard across the country, accepted by courts and legislatures alike. But the ferocity of their opposition to any form of marriage equality might have been instrumental in convincing a lot of people like Baldacci that half measures are impossible. And if half measures are impossible, then full marriage rights are the only alternative.

In the long run, maybe none of this matters. But in the medium term, marriage opponents have adopted an attitude of such extreme intolerance that fewer and fewer people want anything to do with them. And with that, the cultural battle was lost." -Kevin Drum

Source: Mother Jones

Trannie Wisdom...Mark Her Words

"And finally, while Carrie Prejean—the Miss California traditionalist who favors "opposite" marriage—might not be a monster, she does have some pigheaded ideas to go with her falsies. But at least she once paused to take photos with trannie extraordinaire Amanda Lepore, as uncovered the other day by Us Weekly. I called the trannie—meaning Amanda, not Carrie—to ask what party that was shot at, and she cooed, "I don't remember meeting her. You know how many pictures I take!" Fortunately, Amanda had an opinion of the beauty queen's gay-baiting stance anyway. "That was stupid," said the club diva, who just launched a perfume to go with her doll, Swatch, CD, and vagina. "She could never make a career in TV. Gays monopolize everything! She's a dummy!

"Now she's trying to have churches help her," Amanda went on. "That doesn't sound promising. But at least she has big tits. She can marry a high roller and have miserable kids that hate her." All thanks to opposite marriage!"

Thank you Michael Musto for sharing the unique knowledge of our Trannie Sisters. Click here for more.

Live Long and You See A Lot of Things Happen

I love my fellow Nerdy, Geeky, Square kinda people. This is for you. Click here NOW for the full kiki.

Pork Industry In Full Effect

Isn't it funny that the swine flu, is now being referred to as H1N1. I am guessing the powerful Pork Lobby, got nervous about their product being connected to a treatable illness, that is being hyped as a death sentence. Well, it is for people that don't have money that gives them access to treatment. But, that's another post.

Moreover, isn't it funny that this Swi...um..I mean H1N1 virus is being used to flare up anti-immigrant opinion. I smell a red herring, with a side order of bullshit.

What can I say the Georgie's administration made me very skeptical about MSM.

He Promised Change

Looks like Pres. Obama is going to get his first opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court Justice. One of the names being put out there is Kathleen Sullivan. She is an out lesbian and has the impressive credentials. I don't know much about her, but will dig deeper as the story unfolds.

An out lesbian on the Supreme Court. Now, that is change I can believe in. Here is her pic and short bio.


Stanford Law School professor Kathleen Sullivan, widely considered one of America’s top constitutional scholars, is being mentioned as a possible replacement for Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who has announced he will retire at the end of the court’s current term.

Sullivan’s name appears on lists compiled by the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and numerous law blogs. She is the founder and director of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center, and served as dean of Stanford Law School from 1999 to 2004.

Sullivan has filed amicus curiae briefs in some of the most important Supreme Court cases involving LGBT rights, including Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas. Source: GayPolitics.com

Paradise Garage - 1

Picture it, late 80s, NYC, at the Paradise Garage. I'm young, supple, cute in the face, and thin in the waist. The Garage attracted the after-hours crowd, so the folks are fierce, fab, and fucked up.

There's the crowd chillin' with the weed, and other party people had been out boozing [Garage didn't sell liquor]. However, at the bowls of orange Tang, is the folks tapping into the mystic magic of hallucinogens, Acid or Mesc, have a sip [So the legend says].

I bought my own outside, while I waited for a member to get me in. Yes, good people, it was a kinda sorta members only club. It was bullshit, we all got in. Diversity was the key, str8, gay, lesbian, white, black, latino, walks of all life, ya know.

There I is in the mix. I know my twenties are coming, but I'm not there yet. Still a young chicken at the age of nineteen. I'm rocking the look of the time. Tight, black, tapered Levis, make me look, oh so fuckable. However, I'm not here for that.

Larry Levan is doing his thing on the turntables. I'm a part of the tribe of tonight. This beat comes on, and I feel it on my lips, my tits my body and my hips. It was magic good people. Here is a taste.


I had to put down those days, for my own survival and to continue the journey. This song gave me my cue to walk on and love what I had just lived. Much gratitude for NYC's Paradise Garage!

Forever Working Class

Back when I worked for Time Warner, I actually thought I was going to be set for life. Big ass media company with huge assets was going to take care of little ol' me.

Once TW merged with AOL, that expectation dropped along with the stock price. Here's an interesting take on how many of us got fucked without Vaseline. Yeah, he's a bit of a sour grape. However, I think there's some insight to how many people got played with being advised to buy into an "insider's game." Aint it fierce that many folks bought into a game, that they weren't given all the rules to?

"No one seemed much bothered by the move of a vast portion of Americans' retirement funds into risky securities-based funds. The Fed supported the 401(k) boom, just as it later would the housing boom, by championing deregulation and keeping interest rates low. Who would choose to invest their retirement funds in safe but low-interest bonds or T-bills when they could make 10, 15, or 20 percent in the market? In 1983, according to a survey conducted by two securities-industry groups, just 15.9 percent of American households owned equities; by 2005, the figure was 56.9 percent. More than half of households that owned stocks had first gotten into them through a 401(k) or similar account." Click here for the full article.

It Turned Me On

I dig sharing content from some of my favorite bloggers. While I have links to a few on them on the left, I sometimes worry folks are not paying a visit. You really must click on over to these blogs. To prove my point here's a mad funny moment posted on Todd's site Postcards...

Love that it's Ms. Bea and Rock. They must of had a hoot rehearsing for this number.

Reactions to Taylor's Op Ed Piece

Well, people are reacting to Mark Taylor's Op Ed piece End the University as We Know It. Seems like a lot of folks, mostly in the higher-ed world, are not digging his proposals. Click here for an article by David Bell, which sums up many of the opposing views shared on the web.

Re-Think, Re-Invision, Re-Purpose Education

I'm a huge believer in developing innovative ways of teaching. I'm always thinking of ways to do things differently with my students. I want to appeal to all of their senses, and sensibilities. I was very intrigued by this article in the Times. Take a look and let me know what you think.

The author, shares this with his students: “Do not do what I do; rather, take whatever I have to offer and do with it what I could never imagine doing and then come back and tell me about it.”

I'm loving that on so many levels. Click here for the full article.

Thank You For Being A Friend

Bea Arthur passed away today. I always digged her. When she was Maude, and later when she became Dorothy. She was one of a kind. Now, she's meeting up with Estelle Getty, and going over old times.

My New Favorite Show

My new favorite show, DESIGNER PEOPLE, on a channel I often overlook. Click here for more. I love to know, why they do, what they do.

Rick Astleyed via Dialog Box

Aaron over at Relentless Egomania always finds the most darling things. Here's an example:

The Kids Are Gonna Be Alright?

I find it fascinating that the students at the university I attend, refer to each other as "kids." They say stuff before class like:

"I didn't like the presentation the kid that sits there did."
"Dude, after finals the kids in my dorm were burnt out."
"So, like that kid from the party finally called me and I was like, wassup."
"Oh my god, that kid is crazy."

You get the picture. What is fascinating is that this is the term used by people in their very early twenties! They giggle at me when I substitute "kids" for "man," "guy," "lady," or "woman." I guess it takes awhile to adjust to leaving the late teen years.

I find it cute. Took me awhile to feel comfortable with being called "Mister" or "Sir" by younger folks. I would look around me, trying to figure out who was being addressed. Perhaps, I'm afflicted with Peter Pan Syndrome. So be it!

Raining On The Parade

I'm happy for Susan Boyle. She stunned the world, and has her time in the spotlight. I happen to love the song she sang, and she did it justice. However, I have these sour predictions to make about her rise to fame and it's influence. I'm also aware of the fact she was a ratings ringer.

- The darling women will fall victim to media masters that will wring her out for all the dollars they can make off of her. She'll get a slice of the pie, but nothing near to what is fair.

- This women that has never been kissed, will have many an opportunistic Cassanovas knocking at her door. Miss Boyle, get that prenup. Moreover, Miss Boyle, if it seems to good to be true, maybe it is.

- Future contestants on these talent shows will take on a dowdy appearance, in order to recreate the Boyle effect. It's gonna get contrived. The build up to her pre-performance is the new template.

- People will still judge a book by its cover.

BTW she made me cry and feel good. I'm grateful for the experience of watching her perform. It reminded me this heart still loves to see people rise and take flight. Take care of yourself Miss Boyle.

KRS-One at SCSU

On April 27, KRS-One is going to be dropping some knowledge on the Southern Connecticut State University campus. He's going to speak on the evolution of hip-hop culture. Now, for those of you not in the know, KRS-One took rapping to a whole other level. He brought an awareness to the art form that focused on elevating the people. I am and have always been an admirer of what he does. Lyrically KRS was tight with his. Here's a taste:



To his credit when record companies starting exploiting that foul "gangsta rap," KRS-One took a pass on that bullshit. I plan on heading out to Southern and represent. Bushwick, Bushwick, always funky fresh!

By the way, back in the day at around the tender age of 13, I was giving this look (see below). However, I had blunt in one hand, forty in the other. I was on that B-Boy trip for three years. Then my homeboy Eric gave me a taste of his good and plenty, found my way to Christopher Street and never looked back. However, I will always have mad love for my early days as a hip-hopper. My inner b-boy still surfaces from time to time.

Let me go play some Erik B, MC Lyte, KRS, and Soulsonic Force. I need to throw down with my moves. I can still do the Rooftop, Smurf, or just bop to the beat.

The laces on my Adiddas always matched with my gear.

The Dissing Continues

Not a good week for the Palin family. First, Sarah's daughter's baby's daddy calls the Palins liars on national tv, than on Leno, John McCain treats Grandma Palin like a wet food stamp.

People Crack Me Up: 8

Watch CBS Videos Online
I would so do Levi. However, I knew this dude had a Plan B cooking up in his head, when he started making the media rounds. Among the highlights of this clip are:

- His concern that his family was being labeled as "white trash."
- Gradma Palin treated him like a wet food stamp, after she lost the election.
- The reporter says to Levi's mother, "Your boy became a man."
- Levi's future aspirations. It comes towards the end of the clip. I cracked the fuck up when I heard it! Wait till you hear what Levi is open to.

Let Me Entertain Ya

This is for my readers that were down with the Nirvana trip. Click here for the madness.

Did You Know?

Okay, so awhile back Food Network fired Robert Irvine from the show Dinner: Impossible. It came out that Irvine had lied and/or exaggerated about his past work experiences. Food Network doesn't like that sorta thing. They feel that when they put "talent" on their network, that these folks should be trusted by the audience, and lying on your resume undermines that trust.

Now, I know this desire to maintain integrity on the network is important because when contestant Joshua Adam Garcia aka "JAG", removed himself from the Next Food Network Star competition, because he lied on his resume, the network execs quickly took his resignation. Moreover, they gave him the little speech about having talent on their network that can be trusted.

So the rules change. Robert Irvine is coming back for a new season of Dinner: Impossible. Food Network spokeswoman Carrie Welch said in a written statement.

"Our audience has continued to demonstrate its interest in and support for Robert," Welch said. "He has taken responsibility and made a conscious effort to clear the air, rebuild the relationship with Food Network and apologize for the earlier inaccuracies."

I guess good ratings that lead to higher advertising dollars trumps integrity and policy. I get really uneasy when I see rules get changed for some and not for others. I tend to think that it's unfair to have that sorta practice in place.

I wonder if Food Network is thinking about letting JAG have a second chance to do his thing. The man is talented and passionate about what he does. If Irvine can have a chance to redeem himself, to keep things fair, perhaps JAG should be allowed another go at it.

Me Likey Her

Rachel Maddow was interviewed by Mother Jones recently. Here is a bit of a taste:

"My central thesis is that we need more politics in the military. This idea of "the foreign policy consensus" gave Congress an excuse to be hands-off about deploying armed forces for reasons that never got debated and were often scandalous when they came to light. The number of Iraq veterans who ran for Congress this year? Holy shit. To have the Democratic Party become the party of the veterans? There's a realignment happening at the urging of members of the military who are sick of being used."

Click here for the full interview.

For Miss Kitty

In a recent post Miss Kitty used the term "mind your p's and q's." She was not sure what it meant, but in true Miss Kitty style has defined it for herself. Loves her! Anyway, here is a couple of definitions I tracked down.

In a nutshell, I would say it means: pay attention to what you are doing.

"What does "mind your p's and q's" mean?

I could be mistaken. I believe it comes from the fact that lower case p and lower case q are mirror images in many fonts. Compounding the problem (when fonts were collections of individual tiny letter stamps) is the fact that the physical letter stamp is a mirror image of the printed form. This must have led to a lot of confusion and constant typographical errors. 'Mind your p's and q's' would then have an obvious meaning.

It may, also, be associated with Irish coloquial vernacular. When regular patrons of an Irish Pub would draw or pour their own beer during an evening their count or number of drinks would be tabulated on a black board in the size ( i.e. pints and quarts) and number of the drinks they consumed during their visit. And as the night drew on the bar keep would remind each to mind their tab with "mind your pints and quarts" or "mind your P's & Q's". This would really mean that they should settle their bar tab before they left the establishment. "

Source: WikiAnswers