Spring Has Sprung

Today, I tended to my altar in observance of the spring equinox. I cleaned it thoroughly, replenished the water, washed the stones, placed fresh flowers, served a libation, and lit a candle.

I then did my prayers and sent my love to the family and friends that have transitioned to the other side.

I also put in a request for a little miracle that will help me transition to the next chapter of my life on this plane.

Good people, may the spring rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Why Gentrification Sucks: Reason 242

Get into this interview that is linked below. In the interview you will learn yet another reason why gentrification sucks. Moreover, why this native NYer is often sad to see NYC's uniqueness disappear.

We are decades into seeing NYC being rebuilt for tourist and transplants, that want this city to conform, in order eliminate the unknown.

If you don't want to challenge yourself, then why travel? If you are escaping suburbia and the mall, then you shouldn't support the recreation of it in NYC. 

Ya feel me?

Click here to get into it. 

Now

Then

Blizzard of 2013

Yes, that is snowdrift covering two-thirds of my front door. Yes, that is snow almost up to my waist. Yes, I am sore from all the digging and plowing that went on today. Oh and yes, I am ready for spring to arrive.

A Young Ball Queen Is Living For...

Trust me when I say, a young queen in the ball scene is going to snatch up these Adidas poodle sneakers. She will either vogue for points in them, or walk a Lady Gaga vs. Niki Minaj category.  Click here for more info.

Thank you Musto for the kiki.

For Christopher

Hey good people! So, a few days ago I went across the street to visit Christopher. Do ya remember Christopher? I posted about Chris sometime ago.

Christopher is a member of my family of choice.  I've known his mother, Mitchell, for over 20 years. I first met her when she was a young girl of twelve and consider her a niece the Universe sent to me.

Well, when I went for this visit, Christopher showed me this cool construction kit his mother bought from The Discovery Store.  I immediately went to work and created an igloo for Chris.

I wrote the captions with Chris in mind. I want him to practice his sight words and short /i/ sound.

Christopher is in front of his igloo.

Christopher is in his little igloo.

Christopher is reading a new book.

Christopher and his father are in the igloo. They are very happy.

Behind The Scenes of the Recent Accomplishments

I felt weird after re-reading my post about the recent accomplishments I've made in the beginning of this year.

I left a few significant things out.  The first being that it has taken me two years to begin to make peace with the reality of moving forward without Marcos in my life.

There has been a lot of tears, anger, introspection and fear. I've actually fantasized that his passing was all a bad dream.

In order to deal with this reality I started therapy back in April of last year. I have tremendous gratitude for doing the work that I need to do, so that I can move forward.

I have been working to wrap my brain around losing Marcos. I had to learn how to understand dealing with the loss, the survivor guilt, and the fear about what comes next.

I am using my therapy sessions to understand my feelings, and to hold myself accountable for my choices.

I am also feeling blessed during those moments when Marcos' spirit comes behind me, gently hugs me, and reminds me to get on with it.

The Year for Change - 2013

So, during this first few weeks of the 2013, I have had some incredibly productive days.

I have been able to get major tasks done that have been on my "to do" list for the past two years.

Among these tasks have been:

• Donating all of Marcos' clothes to the local Goodwill. I cheated here a bit and had a friend actually clear out those closets and fold everything up into bags. I was then able to get to Goodwill and let the clothes go. 
• Beginning the process of clearing out the house. I dumped out about 20 bags of stuff! I am saving the good stuff for a possible yard sale.
• Selling the car that belong to Marcos. I didn't want it and was frustrated with it sitting inside the garage for two years. 

Good people, what you need to understand is that these tasks have been weighing on my mind for quite sometime. I had false starts here and there, and at times wonder if I would ever get them done. Now, within weeks of the new year - I got it done!

I am feeling 2013 is going to be a year of major wonderful changes for me. Well, that is what I am putting out into the universe and working with in my head and heart.

Jodie Foster Turned It OUT: Addendum

I cried and choked up tonight. Jodie Foster spoke from a place that is truly honest and divine. She let the world know the truth about living, loving, learning, and earning a living. 

I will stop here because I need to take in seeing my childhood idol come out. I will say more later.

Addendum:

Okay, so I pulled it together and this is what I have to say since Jodie's speech:

• It is hysterical that people are fussing about whether it was a real coming out speech. If you needed to hear gay or lesbian, think about how greater the impact of Jodie talking about her ex and their "modern family."
• Her coming out was just like mine. I started to come out first to family, then friends, and eventually co-workers. Yes, I came out to people that actually knew me.
• For those that say she is a public figure and her coming out would have helped the GLBTQ community. Yeah, maybe, or maybe not. She explained her reason for not being "out and loud." 
• We have to give her props for never creating a false public life that sold her as straight. 
• Those two young boys raised by one parent that is a world-famous, looked so sweet, connected, and happy. Bravo, Jodie and Cydney, ya did some fierce parenting. 

What I see in the future, from Jodie, is a gradually loudness about who she is, but done in true Jodie style. Also, some projects that have queer characters or stories about the GLBTQ community. 

She is embracing change, and is 50 dammit! Watch out world! Jodie is going to take her work to another level. 

I wish her all the best. 

Yes! The Conflama Continues

I am so ready for season 3 of Downton Abbey! Bring on the drama, intrigue, scandal and shade.

A Kiki from New Zealand

These Maori men done turned it out. The fellas werked the crowd by living it up with no shame in their game.

BTW, youtube Vogue Dance Crew and see what a group of young queens in New Zealand is serving to the masses.

I posted this because it just made me happy.

Getting On With It

I got bit by the cleaning bug today. It felt so good to make some progress in tending to things around here. Tomorrow, I will continue with the flow. I am feeling good energy.

I also put up two calendars for 2013. I am looking forward good people. I worked really hard this year to make peace with the changes in my life.

What helps me be at peace is feeling the spirits of my dearly departed looking out for me. Basically, they all have said in their own way for me to get on with it.

I have also been very inspired by family and friends around me that continue to move forward, despite the challenges in their lives.

Back to thriving and not just surviving good people.

For the Newtown School District and Community

Transformers! More Than Meets the Eye

"The meteroric rise of the workshop of Abraham Roentgen (1711-1793) and his son David (1743-1807) blazed across eighteenth century continental Europe." source: The Met Museum

Here are some extravagantly ornate, yet extremely functional examples of the Roentgens' amazing creations.

I smiled while fantasizing about the conversations, cocktails, and competition I would have around this table. Who is up for a game of Spades?



It's all very go go gadget. I wonder what secrets were kept in the hidden compartments.



Just an exquisite piece. There is a place for everything. It must have been divine to tend to daily tasks, both business and pleasure, on this piece of furniture. Gag on the desk's final transformation and function which helped its owner put everything in perspective.

Click here for the video.

My Daily Dose of Attitude Adjustment

99.9% of the time as I head into the day or wind down from my daily adventures. I speak words of gratitude and hope.

It goes like this.

"God thank you for another day. I know I am blessed and miracles happen everyday."

I said it tonight as I walked Gino. Once I finished speaking, the patch of night sky I was looking at gave me a star flickering into view. How cool!

Not bad for the closing of 12/12/12.

Julius': Libations and Liberation

Gay patron being denied service at Julius' in 1966. Oh, it's on now!

Ya remember when I said I was falling short of living up to my big-sister duties, when it came to Princess Rei Rei?

Well, yesterday I took her to Julius'. It was important for her to be in this space and know about Julius' role in GLBT history. I also wanted to share my personal history with this space.

For ya that don't know your GLBT history, Julius' is a tavern that played a significant role in GLBT civil rights movement.

Located in the West Village of NYC, this bar was the scene for the Mattachine Society's "Sip-In" in 1966. Click on Mattachine for the details.

My Julius' story took place back in 1984. I was taken to the tavern by a handsome man named Tolson. We stopped there for what would be my first Bloody Mary. We then went to his place for what would be my first time having sex with a man!

Tolson was very sweet to me, and I was so excited about finally acting on these feelings I had for men. I remember going home feeling liberated and empowered.

Princess Rei Rei and I enjoyed our time at a table in the back sharing some fries, while I ate one of their  cheeseburgers. Julius' takes pride in their burgers.

We went on to talk about tenacity and wondered what else made us want more in life, despite the obstacles that where in our way.

We both agreed that what made a big difference in our lives was we excelled in school during our elementary years. We were able to acquire the fundamentals in the three Rs. These skills then gave us access to experiences that helped us grow, thereby, expanding our options that we could pursue regarding career and life.

I would also add that we developed a sense of pride in being ourselves, because we came of age within a fierce GLBT community that taught us to be out, loud, and proud.

And, this pride and community was slowly built by fearless men and women, that came together in places like Julius'.

The Ying and Yang of Teaching 11

Here are some of the highlights from the past few weeks:

• I had to tell two eighth-graders to stop throwing snowballs. It resulted in one of them calling me a cabron to my back. One of my fourth-grades ratted him out. I then called the principal and we approached the student. Let's just say this kid has major issues, and at one point he got angry for getting caught and got all banji and started punching his palms. It could have gotten ugly. 
• Last week, while cleaning up my room after my class party,  I gave a group of fourth-grade girls the last few bags of Doritos snack-size bags, as they passed my room. It was a random act of generosity. Today, one of the girls saw me coming in and she yelled, "You gave me a bag of Doritos! You rock!" I laughed and smiled most of the morning.
• Yesterday, one of my students told me he and his sister need coats for the winter weather, but their mother doesn't have the money to buy them. They have both been wearing hoodies during these chilly weeks. My amazing school keeps a supply of coats for students in this predicament. I got both students this morning, took them to the storage room and they walked away smiling with their new coats, gloves and hats. 
• I am seeing progress with comprehension in my reading groups when I preload comprehension questions, so that the students read with purpose, while emphasizing "pause and reflect" while we read together. 

Random Thoughts

• I have made some choices with my coins this month that has left me in a financial bind! I need to stop being lazy and focus on my bottom line. There was no need for me to be so broke that it choked. I am forgiving myself, applying the lesson learned and moving forward.
• Hey Mitt! Dude, mama bear Barbara Bush said, "People spoke. Move on, get on with it. I want to do other things and not to be ugly." Learn it and live it. 
• I am going back and forth on choosing country sausage or sweet Italian sausage, for my stuffing this year. Ahhh fuck! Now, chorizo came to mind. 
• I am thankful for RuPaul's Drag Race on Mondays. Drag Queens are proof that God wants us to be happy. 
• Any action and every thought that had fear, apathy, greed and/or dishonesty as its soil, will bear bitter fruit. 

Guy Gets Dissed!

The NYT printed one beat-down of a review for Guy Fieri's new restaurant in Times Square. Here is a sampling:

"Did you notice that the menu was an unreliable predictor of what actually came to the table?"

"How did nachos, one of the hardest dishes in the American canon to mess up, turn out so deeply unlovable?"

"Why did the toasted marshmallow taste like fish?

I gagged while reading this review. I thought Guy had a respect for food that has integrity; even if it is a pulled-pork sandwich. He seems to celebrate good-quality food on his show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. 

Well, the place has a gift shop and is in the right location for the tourists that think Red Lobster and Applebee's is fine dining. It will make some cute coin for about a year and close up shop. 

Hey, ya remember when Emeril Lagasse was the man? 

The Village Voice found some more shade thrown at the restaurant. I have to wonder if Guy was even there for the first few weeks.

Haiku In Honor of Pres. Obama's Re-election

I am so looking forward to seeing what Pres. Obama does during his second term. He is older and wiser.

He knows how the game is played and all the shady that goes down in D.C.

He better turn it out and get it done.

He doesn't need to make enemies, but he should leave some haters and blockers sucking their teeth and rolling their eyes. You know who they are Pres. Obama. I know you have your list.

And, now a Haiku!

the second time around

people said forward
give them the leader they need
trustworthy and brave

This Nuyorican Queer B-Boy Nerd Showed Up...Dassit!