God's Hands

My fifth-graders have been obsessed with this photo. I find it interesting, some of the most foul-mouthed, disrespectful, angry students have gone sentimental talking about God opening the sky. As one boy put it, "Mr. S, we have to be good now, because God is watching us."

I wonder how long the Godspell will last.

Dogs Can Be Gross

Dogs can be grossed at times. I've seen Gino eat his own vomit and once ate a piece of Luna's poop! One day Luna was out walking with me and there was a dead suirrel on the road and she ran over to it and started to rub her entire body over it. WTF!

I came across this video that proposes an explanation for why dogs lick their human's face when he or she comes home. I love Gino to the tenth power. However, if he wants me to throw up a little, so he can eat, it is so not happening.

Born This Way

Super Full Moon In Your Eye

"Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.

"The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. "I'd say it's worth a look." Source: NASA

Ya know I'm a happy star-gazing-loca. Lucky me. The night sky in CT will be clear on Saturday!

Good people, make sure you look to the sky on Saturday.

The narrator is mad mussy-boo-cunt. Love it.

The Never-Ending Story Of Our Journey

Don't get it twisted, we have all been further activated. I send much love to my fellow atomic babies. Radiation has always been part of our unseen experience on this planet, and with the recent tragedy in Japan, the volume has been turned up.

Good people, the radiation in Japan has already hit the air and the sea.

With that said, follow Renee's advice and:

"Just go around giving people hugs and handshakes and telling them that you were glad they were here at the same time you were because it made life fuller."

It will get ugly as we pray for the cute. The poison will be in our water and food. Ripple effect in full effect.

When you get back to the god-source, remind the other lights that the life forms on this planet once consumed with respect, but then got selfish and consumed with no respect to maintaining a natural balance.

Please continue to live, love, learn and pass it on. When you transition from this earth-bound experience my hope is that your spirt can realize you did your Godly duty.

Heavy Times Require Enlightenment

I'm just looking at what is going on in the world and truly gagging. What is really turning me out is how the earth is sending all kinds of messages that things are not right.

It was tragic to see the devastation in Japan. To see the tsunami waves, made thick by debris, consume fields of various crops and neighborhoods was just horrific.

My jaw dropped. All I can think was that nothing will grow of flourish there for decades. The land had been polluted.

Now, I read that radioactive vapor had to be released into the air from reactor 3, at the nuclear power plant. That vapor is in the air and will flow throughout the rest of the planet.

This development coupled with the tsunami hitting parts of the U.S. and South America truly show how connected and small the planet has always been.

As always, some are saying these are signs of the apocalypse. Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce have been credited with predicting not only the natural devastations, but also the recent shift of the magnetic pole.

According to what apocalypse theory you subscribe to, life on this planet will cease to exist or the human race will experience an enlightenment that bands us together to heal and do things differently.

I'm sending healing vibes out to all with the hope that we do things differently.

I Had To Kick Some Ass

Image Source: Boys At Art

I had to stop and regroup this week. I've been very busy at times, and at a complete stand still the next moment. I'm not feeling very rhythmic. As a result, I let negativity creep in and trust me when I say it tried to do a number on me. Those dreaded dark forces wanted to make me feel inferior and afraid.

I spun around three times and started kicking ass. While my challenges are still there, I was able to get a sense of the direction I need to go, in order to handle what is in front of me. Work and life take no break except for when you are sleeping, and I'm not planning on going the Rip Van Winkle direction.

So I told the negative thoughts to "go fuck yourself" and I'm just going to keep on keeping on. I hope you all do the same.

Tio Johnny Doing His Thing

This is my Tio Johnny. He has always loved to dance and has always been an amazing dancer. Back in the days of disco, he was something to behold. I think every young woman I knew always wanted a chance to throw down on the dance floor with him (and off *wink*). Aint he cute!?
He has never stopped dancing. Here are some pics of him hitting the floor with a dance troupe, that has as members, adults living with physical and intellectual challenges. I believe most members of this group are dancers that are living with Down's Syndrome. Aint she cute!?
Tio Johnny has always been amazing in my eyes. He's the uncle that always has something interesting to tell you about. He is an avid reader. Moreover, he's someone that is trying to live his life in a way that has a sense of humor and grace.

Random Thoughts In Haiku Form

This image from Fischerspooner's album art has inspired me to do yet another round of Haikus. To read my past haikus, just search under haiku.

On teaching in an environment that focuses heavily on testing:

An NCLB Inspired Education

a young brain must thrive
wonderment no testing yes
child left behind

For Marcos:

From Lover to Starchild

soaring through the stars
thank you love for the visit
metamorphosis

Mother Nature is profoundly and ultimately in charge.:

Mami Nature

nurture her nature
took for granted mami's tit
bitter milk we drink

Past Grammy Moments That Stayed In My Head

I will tune into the Grammy Awards tonight. Over the past few years they have really turned the award show more into a concert. Plus music folks are so much more interesting to look at, because they be crazy. Who can ever forget the Grace Jones and Rick James pairing way back when? That moment was a hoot.

Here are some moments that have stayed in my head over the years.

Marcos so loved this performance. We would watch Pink over and over again.

I was a huge Culture Club fan! I was home with my family watching and totally turned red when Boy George said "You know a good drag queen when you see one." As a closeted gay teen I felt exposed.

I remember feeling an emotional pain, while being soothed by their voices. I was just a kid. Wow! The emotions music can stir within a person.

Spidey's Tangled Web

Julie Taymor must be having a fit these days. The past few weeks have not been kind to Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark.

It seems critics got frustrated with the fourth delay of the official opening for the show. So, they decided to attend the Feb. 7th show, that was suppose to be the opening, as a night to see and review the show. Click here for the reviews. It is brutal what they had to say.

The show also got some bad press because full-ticket prices are being charged, and rumor has it that theatre does not provide signs to inform paying audience members they can ask for a refund or exchange on their tickets. And, the show was recently hit with two safety violations.

Then last night SNL had a kiki with the show's troubles with this ad:



After I read the reviews I was reminded of the moments that soared and flopped. In a previous post I shared that I saw the show, and expressed my optimism (click here), by hoping the people involved with this show can fix what ails it. After reading the reviews is seems very little was done to fix the holes in what has become a sinking ship.

The funny thing is that ticket sales have continued. I guess at this point people want to pay to go see what has become a sort of theatrical car accident. Bono and The Edge must be spitting nails!

Lacroix, Sweetie, Lacroix

"Camilla Morton, fairy tales are taking a very fashionable twist. “It all started when I was trying to explain my job to my godson,” Morton says. “And, I realized when you watch a couture show come together — the drama, the glamour — you literally see magic.” For “Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty,” the first of what will be a series of fantasy designer biographies (Manolo Blahnik and the tale of the elves is up next), Morton has spun the story of Beauty, a starry-eyed princess condemned to wearing bland sack dresses." Source: NY Times

I love this idea. I need to look into this. The library I keep for my students is due for some new additions to the collection. I always look for books that are clever, have a good message, and of course superb illustrations. Take a look at what Lacroix has done below. Gorgeous!

Click on images for a larger version.

Millions Of People Excluded From Donating Blood

However, the following need not apply.
The Red Cross has an eligibility criteria for donating blood, which is a good thing. They want to make sure that people are safe while donating and that the blood being collected is safe for distribution. This is all very sensible.

However, there are a few criteria items that when you look at it really are just fucking silly. The first being that their policy excludes gay men from donating. This is the line in the criteria for donating blood that keeps yours truly from being allowed to donate blood:

-- are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977 (source: American Red Cross)

The list then goes on to say you are also ineligible to donate if:

-- have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone that:

-- used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by a doctor
-- is a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
-- ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977

Now, I have a question. Shouldn't this exclude a large segment of the population as well? The way I see it many men and women cannot answer this question with 100% certainty.

How many women engaging in heterosexual sex ask their partner(s), "Hey, you ever had sex with a man, pimped yourself out, or shot up?" I would guess less than 15% of women ask this question.

The same goes for heterosexual men. I would guess .02% of men have asked their female sex partners the same question. Most men are pigs and just need hole and a heartbeat.

So, when men and women are asked this by the nurse, in all honesty most of them would have to say, "Not that I am aware of." or "I've never asked that question of my sex partners." Thereby, making them ineligible because they don't know the answer.

Oh and if you are from Africa, or had sex with someone from Africa, you can just forget about getting juice and cookies on that day, after helping out the blood bank.

Am I wrong in coming to this conclusion?

BTW, thanks Todd for bringing up this issue, while still encouraging people to donate. You gave me a post item. Oh, and Todd I had another snowday on Friday (Todd just growled people.).

Couture Fix - Oh So Satisfying

The couture collections have spread their magic. Click here to see what is next. Armani made me gag with these shimmering dresses that looked like electrically illuminated melted candy (see pictures above). I have to find the video to see how the garments moved.

Another Snowday - Chillin' with Andy

Today, was my fifth snowday from work! Todd just growled a bit. See the thing is the majority of students in my district are bused to school, therefore, the slightest occurrence of inclement weather results in school being closed. At this rate we'll probably have the school year extend into July. So, don't be to envious people, I'm playing now but will pay later.

Anyhoo, I decided to watch on tv, Ovation's airing of the documentary Andy Warhol's Factory People for like the upteenth time. I'm fascinated with the stories and characters. To see the surviving members of that crowd share insights and stories is amusing.

My favorite story is the one about Andy having Bob Dylan sit for one of his "screen tests" and Dylan was cordial and sat for two hours basically not doing much. Just being all aloof in that rockstar sorta way in front of the camera.

The kiki of the story is that when it was all done, as Dylan left the Factory, he saw the silver painting of Elvis with the cowboy costume and gun drawn (see picture above). He grabbed the painting and said to Andy, "Hey man, I'll take this as payment." To which Andy just stared at him and turned "tomato soup red."

The scandal was that Andy thought he was alpha-art bitch, and he was so not ready for a contemporary that also thought he was alpha-art bitch. It gets better. A few months later Andy finds out that Dylan traded in the painting for a piece of furniture. The end result was that Andy and Dylan never "worked" together again. I find that hysterical.

Check Ovation's programming schedule for the next airing. It really is a fun and at times fascinating look into a modern mythical time.

Music Therapy - Old Skool Style

Good people, today was rough. I found myself missing Marcos and then frustrated that he is not here with me. I actually argued with him by talking to the air. I allowed myself that moment. Then I remembered that he fought long and hard, but was ill. While writing this I remember how handsome he was, and that I would love to give him one long kiss.

I know find myself, like I usually do, going back to the past. Today's therapy required me to revisit the music that ushered me into being a hip-hopper. I'm just visiting, but not staying. I needed a jolt of the old, in order to continue to allow me to move forward. When I heard old skool hip hop I was never the same. I found a profound connection to my time and generation. I was 12 years-old.

So this is about feeling a connection and accepting the time I am living within. I know there are some former hip-hoppers navigating life just like I am. Aint that right Renee?


When I heard this song I realized I was a teenager! Gag on this. I first heard this song at a Christian church dance!


This song will influence my movement into loving and vibing off of House Music. Yeah, I know the song in this video is very techno, but the subject matter and sonic vibe brought me to appreciate the scene at the Paradise Garage.


I love this man's voice.

A Night With Spidey

Intermission Time!

Okay so back in December I went to go see the Spider-Man musical! It was meant to be a night out with Marcos and my sister, alas, things sadly had changed.

I lifted m head up and went out to get back into life, and brought along two of my dearest friends that I've known since high school. Time with dear friends and a night out in NYC to see live theatre is just what my spirt needed.

Well, as many of you have read, the "Spider-Man musical" has been plagued with many problems. There have been canceled performances due to some scary moments that involved performers being injured. Most recently one of the actors that plays Spiderman fell over 20 feet into the orchestra pit when a restraining cable failed to break his leap. And, the lead actress playing Arachne, that suffered a concussion weeks ago, left the show this week.

Did someone connected to the show mentioned the Scottish play while in the house? It feels like the show is cursed.

What I saw that night was a preview and it's traditional to not offer a review while a show is in preview. It's just not fair. The directors, actors, musicians, et. al. are working out the kinks. So what I offer now is not a review but my own reflection on what I saw that night and that lingered with me.

- The proscenium is framed with this huge web that comes out into the theatre. Very cool looking and a perfect foreground for a comic coming to life on stage.

- When Spidey ran down stage in slow motion as the Brooklyn Bridge slowly ascended with Mary Jane dangling at the end, the audience cheered. I knew we were in for something new.

- Arachne descending from the heavens as she sang an ethereal song that told of her run-in with Athena was made even more surreal as the female members of the chorus swayed back and forth while dangling from long bolts of silk in order to weave a shimmering curtain. Genius!

- Watching Spidey fly above our heads was great fun. I gagged when he would land at different areas, because you can hear this thump when he landed, that let you know this was some serious acrobatics.

- The towering 3D televisions moved about the stage and illuminated the theatre to great effect. Seeing the Green Goblin 20 feet tall in techno-green while he taunted Spider-Man was particularly creepy.

- I admired the group of performers that really gave it their all. It must not be easy to try to get things right, while so many things have been going wrong. Great singing, great dancing, wonderful portrayals of their characters. America Olivio, the stand-in for Arachne, has a beautiful voice. The show must go on.

Okay, so maybe this was sort of a review. I guess I wanted to share that on that night I saw something that was really trying to take live theatre to another level. I wish all involved with the show the stamina and inspiration to make it work.

My Family of Choice

Sy Fy Fashion Fantasy Moment

While dreaming about the future, I took a short glimpse into the past. I remembered how Thierry Mugler excited me about fashion with is vision and major fashion show productions. I even got to see one of his garments upclose and try on one of his necklaces when Willie Ninja walked for him back in the day. It made a then young gayling smile and feel fierce.



About 22 seconds into the video you will see Willie Ninja werk the Paris runway with his idol, the legendary Iman. I was so happy for Willie. He went from the projects of Queens, NY and served it in Paris and Russia along side a diva that he adored. Dreams do come true.



This is an amazing and fun fashion show extravaganza. They don't build shows like this anymore. Please note Thierry Mugler's fashion has become a major inspiration for many designers of today. He was really ahead of his time.

Happy New Year

As Renee said in her blog "Like all the years before it, 2011 will offer the good, the bad, and the ugly." This is so true. As you know in 2010, I accomplished a major goal by becoming a certified special education teacher. I then lost Marcos who has been my partner-in-life for the past twenty years. Highs and lows is the natural flow of things.

I have resolved the following:

I will evolve my teaching skills to another level.
I will spend more time with the people I love and inspire me.
I will move forward from the profound changes in my life with love and grace.

Marcos whispered my name into my ear this morning. I smiled and it made him feel good. He's working his way to his next experience and I will do the same.

You take care of yourself good people. I wish you positive internal changes that will attract all that is beautiful in this life.

Glimpses Into The Past

Todd over at Hell's Kitchen shared a major tip for folks that love photography. He had mentioned that the Museum of the City of New York has a great archive of photos of NYC. Yo! He was totally correct.

The Jacob Riis portfolio is heartbreaking. He really recorded the underbelly and poverty of NYC during the 1890s. As I looked at the photos I imagined the stories of each of the subjects. I was transported.

Here is just a taste of what you will find. Take some time to check it out.

Pietro learning to write
A young scrub girl
A dive bar circa 1890, called a black and tan
Young thugs out for no good, chillin' at their spot
A boy and his bootblack kit
These young girls were part of a team that reviewed election results.