Come on baby...one night!

Although I saw "Dreamgirls" three times on a large screen, movie theatre, bought the DVD when it came out, (and even saw a 1990 touring company of it, at The Starlight Bowl in San Diego, complete with 747's flying above), I could not resist seeing it again as "Sing-Along Dreamgirls" at the Castro Theatre. The audience was a nice cross section of the GLBT community, which is why I don't mind goin alone to these events. I feel as though I am a part of a community, when there are other GLBT folk around me. I have heard that a number of people who identify as GLBT, don't feel part of of a community, but I believe while there are many fragmented "subcultures", an individual has to go out there and find a place for themselves and not allow anyone to determine who should be part of a set community.

Halloween weekend

This year city and community leaders have decided to enforce a "No Party" policy in the Castro, where many businesses will either close early, or not open at all on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, the official day of Halloween. This is due to last year's violence in the Castro brought on by people who want to ruin the usual fun and revelry on Halloween in the Castro. So this year, since I had both Saturday and Sunday off, I decided to be a spectator in the "unofficial" celebration in the Castro, and I felt safer than I did three years back, when as I was leaving I felt fear as I noticed many visitors with angry looks on their faces.

After the fun I walked from the Castro to SOMA to The Powerhouse, there was a benefit for charity, where for $5 dollars, I got to do a "frozen mudslide" shot off of Raging Stallion Studio star Tober Brandt. All in all, I'm glad I work on Halloween, where I am likely to avoid the angry scowls of those who wish to ruin a celebration of creativity and expression, now I can only hope those people decide to stay home

Remembering the Party

Last night and well into the early morning, I attended, "Remember the Party" in SOMA, a life affirming event for those of us of a certain age who remember the fabulous music of 70's and 80's. There were men (and a number of women) all with regular bodies dancing up a storm and feeling great. I felt so comfortable around men with regular bodies that I followed the tide and took my shirt off with the rest of them. I thank them for making me feel comfortable, I thank them for the energy they brought to the space, and more than ever, I will embrace my forties with a vigor.

Motivation

Last night, I went to the gym for the first time in 3 1/2 months. There was a time, not so long ago, that used to work out, 3 or 4 times a week. I stopped going after working full-time and attending school to complete my degree. This summer as I have been busy with work and participating in a job search group at The Center, I have not gone to the gym , but I've become aware of my need for exercise by atthe very least walking to my destinations rather than taking public transportation. My cerebral palsy makes me aware that my muscles need to to remain flexible....and lately they haven't. At the Folsom Street fair, last Sunday, I had difficulty with something any flexible person would have been able to do easily (and no, It's not what you think!) So, with that incident, I will be more motivated to work out at the gym at least a few times a week.

The Folsom Street Fair 2007: My thoughts

About an hour ago, I got home from work. Yesterday, I attended the Folsom Street Fair volunteering at a booth for The Center. I must say after 20 years as an out gay man, I've not tired and continue to get a kick out of being part of a GLBT(hetero-friendly) event. There were, of course, the usual naked people, who needed to cover up, however I saw several couples at this event and with all due respect to all couples, I find nothing hotter than to see two masculine, (not neccesarily muscle-bound) men holding one another's hand and going about their business. Anything public act that challenges archaic, stifling beleifs meant to control and conform, is something that, while I won't neccesarily partake in, I can accept.

P.S.: If those masculine, hand-holding couples happen to be wearing buttless chaps, it's extra points in my book!

Dropping off the face of the earth...then reappearing

Street fairs in San Francisco are more than just places to people watch or be seen, invariably you're bound to find someone you've not seen in a significant amount of time. Once at The Harrison Street Fair some years back, I ran into a friend who commented that we hadn't seen each other in so long, that he thought, I had either moved or fallen off the face of the earth. Indeed, when you pursue your studies and work full-time, you do disappear. Today, at The Dore Alley Fair, I ran into several people I knew, but had not seen in a long time. Many of these people, were members of AGUILAS/El Ambiente when I first moved to The City. Today, I had the opportunity to thank them for their encouragement and positive wishes. I am grateful for a chance to thank them in person, it made reappearing all that more sweet.

Big French doors, stylishly flying open

Okay, so now I've graduated, the challenging part is now to sort out the various opportunities open to me, now that I have 15 years work experience and a university degree under my belt. I expect to have some interesting experiences, more of that later.

Gov. Schwarzenegger

Gov. Schwarzenegger stated yesterday that Spanish-speaking immigrants should stop watching Spanish language television, in order to learn English. I do not agree. I am of the opinion that being bilingual is no big deal. I do agree that immigrants should learn to speak English, but not at the expense of losing Spanish. Which isn't to say I think Spanish language heard on Spanish language television is so great, I mean, do bradcasters not have any dictionaries around? I hear entirely to much slang on television. Spanish language broadcasters should use a sources available to improve on the Spanish the viewer hears while watching television. Don't play down to your audience, always play up.

Lower Back pain...

After 4 1/2 months, I'm back at the gym. I intend on taking it slow, but I intend to keep going. I could stand to lose some weight, with the cerebral palsy, I cannot gain too much weight,and then there's that lower back pain which is related to the added weight. I've gone two days in a row and I already feel good.

Those who forget the past....

As I've gotten older, I don't watch as much TV as I used to because, I'm not particularly interested in most of the content that's on TV. I have been following the coverage of the closure of RCTV in Venezuela by president Hugo Chavez. Chavez has been highly critical of the station because among other things, it's Anti-Chavez stance.(Quelle suprise!) So, the world watches as Chavez continues to tread on dangerous ground. I understand that the Venezuelan people wanted a change, but at what cost? According to a poll, 70% of Chavez's supporters (that's supporters) disagree with the removal of RCTV. Is freedom of speech and expression such a threat to Chavez's socialist values that he systematically removes what he deems as inapropriate? I, for one, hope the Venezuelan people don't regret voting "El Comandante Chavez" into office.

Doors opened wide

Today, I am humbled and humility is not something I consider myself to be, yet I am humbled and grateful, so grateful for the many words of encouragement family, friends, and acquaintances. I must give special mention to all those involved at
AGUILAS/El Ambiente, past and present, for inspiring me to pursue my education...muchas gracias, de todo corazon. Yes, I did the work, but your examples proved invaluable. To my fellow graduates of San Francisco State University, Class of 2007. thank to you all, as well, I forgotten how much energy you "students of a traditional age" have, neddless to say, it rubbed off. I'm happy for all of you. Good Luck!! Thanks to all for showing me humility, without the "hard knocks."

The last final for my last class

I'm done. All that's left is the formalities of the graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Irony

Irony is the Rev. Fred Phelps protesting the Rev. Jerry Falwell's funeral.
Irony is opposition to sex education for teenagers in some parts of India, when apparently 40% of women don't know what AIDS is.
Irony is going for a long walk from my apartment downtown to Fisherman's Wharf (to the only "In and Out" burger within the
San Francisco city limits.) and then walking back.

Justin, Buddy...and the joy of good karma

Sometimes I need to be reminded of how fortunate I am. As I walked down Polk Street today, I recognized my friend Justin about a block ahead of me. I wish him well, as he is not having the best of luck these days. I've admired him because I thought he had it so together at such a young age, he seems like a resilient young man. I wish him the best and only send positive thoughts out. At my age, I am beginning to use the wisdom I've learned over these years.
Further down the way, as I'm walking on Cedar Alley, between Polk and Larkin Streets, I see someone lying on the sidewalk wrapped in a blanket. I don't think much of this except, as I cross the alley, I catch a glimpse of his eyes. I ask, "Are you alright?" He nods, I then pull out a $20 bill, saying, "Here, take it, I'm fortunate enough, after he thanked me, I start to say, "I don't why, I did it, but I'm a lucky person." I finally ask him his name...Buddy. We introduced ourselves, and I go on about how fortunate I am. Buddy tells me he's a methadone addict and I realize he doesn't have it so great. I tell him not to ever lose hope. With all the issues that have come up in my life as a result of my past, I needed to be reminded of how fortunate I am. I am grateful to Buddy for teaching me a lesson in a gentle manner. My most positive wishes for you, Buddy.

So, are you a feminist writer or what...?

In order to save a bit of money, (actually quite a bit of money) I am taking what I hope to be my final class in the pursuit of my Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Communication. I am taking this English class at my old stomping grounds, City College of San Francisco. I'm currently writing a paper on the Joyce Carol Oates, short story "Where Are Going, Where Have You Been". Now, my ever curious Virgonian mind, immeidately goes to one of my favorite web pages, wikipedia.com. I see that Joyce Carol Oates identifies as a feminist writer. Fine, terrific, more power to you. However, the short story in question is one where a seemingly idependent teenaged girl, gets into a perilious situation with a sinister male.

I don't question the right to write whatever moves you, but is a story about a young woman in peril supposed to be a cautionary tale when written by a feminist writer?? It is a question that's been on my mind, since I decided to do a paper based on the story.

Turning a blah! day into a great day!

As I crossed the street at Post and Stockton, yesterday afternoon. I see two buff guys walking in the opposite direction. They were COLT models Carlo Masi and Adam Champ, who are also a couple in real-life. They looked so into each other (HOT in my book.) Seeing them made me smile. Carlo and Adam, if you should read this entry, thank you, seeing both of you smiling and into each other made my day. Gracias/Grazie!

Lat weekend, this weekend

Last weekend, the bear community had their events here in The City. Tommorow, Saturday, The Gay VMA's are having their annual ceremony at The Castro Theatre. What fun!

The play's the thing....

I am currently enrolled in one final class in the pursuit of my Bachelor's Degree, this means I have more time to do other things. I am starting to write a short play. A two-person play, completely in Spanish. Those who know me, know that I can be meticolous and just a teensy bit anal when it comes to language. With the internet and several Spanish language dictionaries at my disposal, I intend on using whatever it takes to give what I've written it's own flair. We'll see how it goes.