A LIttle Kiki with the Family Circus

I use to love reading the Sunday comics when I was a kid.  Some of my favorites were Peanuts, BC, Garfield and Family Circus. 

Marcos Makes Another Visit

Yesterday, on Linda's porch, we talked about Marcos. It was his birthday. I said to her, "He will always be a part of me." Linda said, "Yes, that's true. Look! He just touched me!" Linda shows me her forearm. "I have goosebumps! He is with us now!" Wow! How you continue to show up whenever I need you.

BTW, papito I still preach the three lessons you taught me:

1. Get rid of your colonial mentality
2. Read more
3. When people reveal who they are, believe it.

Titi Maria's Turn at Metamorphosis

I lit a gardenia scented candle for Titi Maria in front of my altar last night. I said prayers and expressed my sincere appreciation for my Titi being a significant and essential part of my life. I was blessed to have her.

She then gently sent images to my mind that showed how she worked her beauty through out the years. She was fine, fashionable and about family. I will endeavor to carry her torch.

Btw, I recently made me spaghetti and Spam for dinner. This dish was one of her go to dishes when money was tight. Back in the day money was often tight. Titi Maria taught me the importance of making a dollar stretch in order to feed your family and take care of business.

When I eat this dish I am reminded about how Titi's creativity was used to take care of the people she loved. She always worked her knowledge, talent and spirit in order to take care of all of us. She done taught me well.

Bien hecho Titi. Muchas Gracias.

I now have a grade A, top-notch, Wonder Woman of a guardian angel on the other side that has joined Marcos, James, Joselito, Willi Ninja, and others that I loved; that will guide me as I continue my journey.

Frankie's Turn at Metamorphosis

Go on Frankie! Thank you for giving my tribe the "church" we needed when we strutted into the Paradise Garage. Sometimes,  I turn to the sonic medicine you gave this lost queer boy, whenever I need healing.

All of my senses are re-activated when I remember the first time I walked into the Garage, while you played the House Music all night long.

I found my place in the GLBT world on Christopher St. and you gave us our soundtrack. I stomped to the beats because this baby wanted to ride.

I also remember meeting you at the Roxy one night. Willi Ninja and I went to the DJ booth to give you some love. I was so impressed that you were kind to us.

You then focused on giving the crowd the music they needed to feel connected while feeling fab and free.

Your work saved many lives, which in my mind makes your work divine. Now, papito go onto the divine and learn about how you mattered in this mortal coil.

I love you. I thank you. I have your music to sustain me.

With gratitude,
Allan

Haiiiikuuus! God Bless You

four seasons - spring

Spring-a-ling-a-ling!
Scent of la primavera
summons the robins.

backstabber

Tried to hide your lies
by stabbing me in my back.
My armor is truth!

cooking for others

As I united
the sweet and the savory;
my love stirred the pots.

homophobia's true root system - one

Gays going mainstream!
My skin shivers from the fear;
my child might turn.

Shirley Temple's Turn At Metamorphosis

Like so many others, I adored Shirley Temple films when I was a kid. She was a little living doll. Watching her act, sing and dance made me smile!

I give her props for transitioning into adulthood with a new found purpose after being such a mega-star in her youth.

Thank you Curly Top you were Our Little Girl for many Americans, with your Dimples and Bright Eyes that made many people Stand Up and Cheer! Baby Take a Bow, you will be remembered Now and Forever as The Little Princess.


 

A Perfect Visual Metaphor

So good people, the fifth ring failed to open during the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. 

It was a perfect visual metaphor for the current condition the LGBT community is living under in Russia. Click here to learn more about Russia's anti-gay law.

This little ring was not able to fully open up and become it's perfect rounded-self. No, not this ring. It had to stay small and live in the closet 

Putin must have spit nails with this epic fail.

Random Thoughts On A Snow Day

On this first snow day in the new year, I have time to kick back and write down some random thoughts:

• While I do have wonderful family and friends that have had my back on many occasions, at times the best persons I can rely on is me, myself and I. 

• I saw drag queens from Kinky Boots perform at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a gay couple get married at the Tournament of Roses Parade. Who would've thunk it! 

• I have yet to know anyone that watches Duck Dynasty. Moreover, all of the Duck Dynasty crap being sold at Kohl's and Walmart, in my neck of the woods, is just collecting dust on the shelves.

• A&E compromised its commitment to "being strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community" for a show that will have a short shelf-life. If you gonna support the LGBT community you gotta be able to deal with the heat.

• I feel so frustrated because one of my former students is living in a homeless shelter with her younger sister and mother. I don't know what to do. I see the mother almost everyday. How can I assist them in this difficult time?  I feel so awkward about approaching this mom that is trying her best. She is a proud woman that has always impressed me.  I feel if I discuss her situation she will feel embarrassed. Good people please offer suggestions.

• I am so grateful that my 23 year-old nephew decided, on his own, to visit my mom, brother, and 3 year-old nephew in Florida for the holidays. He offers me a new optimism about how a very dysfunctional family can move forward with each new generation of yungins. BTW, he had a great time and wants to revisit in the June. My sister did a good job raising him.

• I will have 46 years on this planet in March. I see, contemplate and react so much better than my earlier years. Some of us alien spirits need that amount of time. 

The Domestic-Do

Did you ever notice Miss. O'Brien and Alice both rocked a curled banged?

World AIDS Day 2013

Thank you to those that have made my ongoing journey fierce and fab! Your uniqueness left an imprint on me. Well, you know this since your essence is part of the ether, and you see all.

I continue to share the lessons you taught me with others. And, when I feel down and out, the love and/or kikis we shared lifts my spirit.

With love and appreciation I type the names:

Willi Ninja
Sandy Ninja

Angie Extravaganza

Danny Extravaganza

Evelyn

Brother Ralph

Memo

May we do better when the next pandemic comes. 

My Halloween Ritual

On the night when the veil between this world and the one we pass onto for metamorphosis is at its thinnest, I lit my candle and worked my altar for the spirits of my loved ones on the other side.

I told them how I appreciated what they brought to my life and wished them peace.

Recently, my Tio Edwin and Nereida (aka Blondie), a long-time family friend, made their transition. Marcos, James and Willi, please look for them and help to guide them.

Get Into It or Step Aside

Rick Owens had a fierce show for his Spring 2014 collection. Get into this army of warrior women stepping in high fashion.

This kind of shout-out to African-American culture has never happened in a fashion show in the U.S.A.

Cher Is So Not Feeling It

"Cher was offered a gig to perform at the opening ceremony of the [Winter] Olympics and said "No." straight-up, full stop. "I immediately said no," Cher told Canadian magazine Maclean's. "I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there."  -- source: Out.com

As you know, folks are not digging Russia's new antigay laws.  I give two-snaps for Cher standing in solidarity with the other folks expressing their dislike of these laws that oppress a group of human beings.

Yet, secretly I wish Cher would have showed up and flame out with a bunch of queens in a spectacular extravaganza that only Cher could serve to the masses.

Feeding My Brain

Hey Good People, I have some good news to share. I was a awarded a full-scholarship for a Masters in TESOL!  The acronym stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

I started my class this week and I am very excited to have this opportunity to learn new ideas and theories that will take my teaching to another level.

I am also grateful that there are three teachers from my school that are part of the cohort! Oh, and we all  really get along with each other.  It is awesome to have a built-in support group along for the journey.

So, here I go again!

Random Thoughts

This post consists of my thoughts from the self-absorbed, to the serious, to the observant and then ending with a daily mantra that continues to sustain me.

• I am now totally free of credit card debt! I just paid off my final card and feel very fortunate to be able do so.  I had to turn to my cards when I was laid-off for a few months awhile back. It took some time to pay them off, but I got it done.

• Zimmerman was found innocent in a court of law, but guilty in the court of public opinion. Zimmerman disregarded his training and the words from the dispatcher when he was told told not to pursue Trayvon. Trayvon had the right to stand his ground. Oh, and the lawyers on the prosecution side should be fired for doing such a shitty job. Phew! I got that off my chest. 

• I see you yungins. I see how what came before you influences you, then you put your spin on it in order to make it your own. I now ask you to respect the elders that gave you those influences by asking questions. The answers to those question will take what you do to another level. 

• I still continue to say 95% of my mornings, "God thank you for another day. I know I am blessed. And, miracles happen every day. 

F-Off I Am Going To Do Me

If Huma Abedin is half as powerful as the women that I know, she is contemplating a way out from her hot mess of a husband. Her husband Weiner has already showed he is looking to become a freak later in life.

I think her hesitation is due to considering if Weiner will be able to pay the monthly bill for raising the offspring while keeping her comfortable and provide her status.  A classic trap.

In my opinion she would do better by telling Anthony to go fuck himself, and rely on her own gifts to pave a liberated way for her to move forward with her children by her side.

Go here for the bochinche.

When The "Other" Inspires

While looking at this piece created by artist Mickalene Thomas (click here for more), I was reminded of erotic Japanese prints of Geishas. 

This memory then brought me back to when I heard A Taste of Honey cover the Japanese love song Sukiyaki. A Taste of Honey was a R&B/Disco band that had their first major hit with Boogie Oggie Oggie, which still turns it out to this day. 

I remember as a 12 year-old boy hearing, the Puerto Rican and African-American girls at I.S. 383, in Brooklyn, singing this song during lunch. Oh how they loved singing the final verse "sayonara."

I love it when we see beauty in other cultures and it becomes an introduction to appreciating what "other" cultures have to offer to us. 

In Very Old New York

While looking at Alice Austen's photography circa late 1800s, I came across this image. It is titled The Darned Club. I bet their spirits having been jumping for joy with the recent SCOTUS activities.

"The Darned Club," named by disrespectful Staten Island men, strikes a pose of girlish friendship on the Austen House's lawn overlooking the Narrows.  Alice (left) and her three friends, Trudy Eccleston, Julia Marsh, and Sue Ripley went to school together for years, and later spent most of their time at each other's home

"The Darned Club" and its four members -- Alice, Trude Ecoleston, Julia Marah and Sue Ripley. How did it get its name? "I guess that's what the boys called it." says Alice. October 29, 1891.

click here for more. 

In Old New York

While reading one of my recent blog obsessions Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, I was turned onto photographer Saul Leiter. I am digging his work. Here are Saul's images of New York in the winter on this first day of summer.

Click here for more.

Musto's New Home

Michael Musto is back online at Out magazine. I'm glad to see this old queen has a new home where she can do her thing. I hope Musto plans on still doing the blind items that have become legend.

I wonder what his take will be on the Tony Awards tomorrow.

Click here for more.