[no title necessary...]

Courage Campaign

Equality California

San Diego Equality Campaign

- T

A Bit of Poetry

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

You know, I'm in president during this period of time but I think
uh when the history of this period is written people will realize
a lot of the decisions
uh that were made on Wall Street
took place over
you know a- a decade or so, before I arrived in president, during I arrived in president.
I'm sorry it's happening of course, obviously
I don't like the idea of people
losing jobs or being worried about their 401Ks.
On the other hand, the American people got to know that-
that uh we will safeguard the system, I mean
we're in, and if we need to be in more, we will.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Nope, this isn't gibberish (well, I guess it is, actually....) This is a statement made by George W Bush to Charlie Gibson during an interview on ABC News on December 1st, 2008.

I see a kind of poetical beauty (free-form, to be sure) in the final, stuttering utterings of our diminishing, delirious president....

Good-bye George W.... We'll miss you....

N O T !

[many thanks to Language Log for sharing this piece of art]

- T

I'm Exhausted....

I haven't been this tired -- or this involved in our community -- in years. And I am not doing nearly as much as so many other organizers are to make this coming Saturday a success.

It will be an amazing experience -- simultaneous marches, rallies and protests. Across the country. All for one cause.

I've hung signs all around two different neighborhoods, in many restaurants, bars, cafes and bookstores. Handed out fliers and chatted with dozens of people outside of the KD Lang concert here in San Diego tonight. Attended a training and planning session this evening with dozens of other dedicated volunteers.

But now I need my rest. Saturday morning will be here soon enough -- and the excitement is killing me!

***************************************************************************************

Join us for a Peaceful, Positive Protest -- a Protest Against Proposition 8:

San Diego

Saturday, November 15 -- 10:00 AM Protest March

From 6th and Upas to SD County Admin Building
1600 Pacific Highway

1:00 PM Protest Rally
SD County Admin Building

http://protest8sandiego.wordpress.com/

Keith Olbermann Stands Up For Loveand San Diego Prepares toTAKE TO THE STREETS -- AGAIN!

In one of the most heartfelt pleas for justice and love and humanity that I have heard in a long time, MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann comes out STRONGLY against Proposition 8.

Please take some time in your busy day and watch this video:




And, in more local news...

The National Protest Against Prop 8 / JoinTheImpact
along with local organizers ask you to join us:

Saturday, November 15th
10:00 a.m.
6th Ave and Upas St

March for Our Rights!

This is San Diego's cooperative effort, along with protesters in other cities across the nation, to rally and march against hate.

Not in San Diego? No problem. Click here to check out the JoinTheImpact website. Click on links to check for organizers in your city who may need help getting the word out. Or perhaps you are a community organizer and your city has no one working on this important national protest.... You know what to do!

Click the thumbnail above for a .pdf to print and post (legally, please!) in your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, grocery store or ice cream parlor.

Our rights are too important for you to not get involved.

- T

San Diego Anti-Proposition 8 Rally - GIANT Saturday Edition

The support from and turn-out by those inside the gay community and also by so many other right-thinking citizens is amazing. The outpouring of energy, strength, commitment and, yes, even ANGER is overwhelming and revitalizing. The protests are taking place across the state -- and even across the entire country. Check out Join The Impact to see where upcoming protests are taking place near you. Another excellent source is Queers United. Or contact your local gay and lesbian center, such as San Diego's excellent The Center.

[Click this blog post's title for more photos of San Diego's huge Anti-Prop 8 March on Saturday.]

We must keep fighting for our rights. I know we all have busy lives with many responsibilities and duties pulling us in multiple directions. I am no exception. My time is divided between work, family, our current search for a new home -- all of these things, along with the mundane (grocery shopping, laundry, beauty sleep, the latest episode of Ugly Betty) can take up a lot of our time, keeping us from getting out and doing what we know we must do to repeal Proposition 8.

But, if we continue the fight -- if we continue to come together in such huge numbers as we did on Saturday the 8th here in San Diego -- we will certainly be heard by those around us. And they will know that we are seriously pissed off by the lack of social justice their passing of Proposition 8 has demonstrated.

On Saturday, by the estimates of the San Diego Police Department, somewhere between 8000 and 10,000 participants took to the streets to show their support for gay marriage. These thousands upon thousands upon THOUSANDS of protesters could have stormed churches, meetinghouses, temples, ministries, tabernacles -- what ever you call your evil place of worship. (We know who you are and where you prey if you gave funds to Yes on 8 -- it's on your Yes on 8 website!)

And yet, all 10,000 participants behaved wonderfully. Not one single arrest took place, not one incident was noted by the police. I'm very proud of how my community, and those from outside the community who joined us, behaved this past weekend.

Even the REPUBLICAN Govern-ator, our own Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, seems to have had a change of heart regarding gay marriage. He now has spoken out encouraging us all not to give up the fight. And he reminds us that we have a goal in mind: bring this issue back before the Supreme Court (as we have already done!) and have them settle it ONCE AND FOR ALL!

This from the Los Angeles Times in an interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Schwarzenegger tells backers of gay marriage: Don’t give up
By Michael Rothfeld and Victoria Kim

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage. He also predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already married would not be affected by the initiative.

“It’s unfortunate, obviously, but it’s not the end,” Schwarzenegger said in an interview on CNN this morning. “I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area.”

With his favorable comments toward gay marriage, the governor’s thinking appears to have evolved on the issue.

In past statements, he has said he personally believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and has rejected legislation authorizing same-sex marriage. Yet he has also said he would not care if same-sex marriage were legal, saying he believed that such an important societal issue should be determined by the voters or the courts.

Following that position, he publicly opposed Proposition 8, which amends the state Constitution to declare that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Today, Schwarzenegger urged backers of gay marriage to follow the lesson he learned as a bodybuilder trying to lift weights that were too heavy for him at first. “I learned that you should never ever give up. . . . They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done.”

See, in my view, civil rights are NOT a matter for the lowest-common-denominator in our society to decide for the rest of us. If this were the case, we would still have slavery, laws against miscegenation and women's suffrage.... Such important advances in our society are often brought about only by level-headed, reasoning and reasonable courts -- not by the teeming, steaming, brain-dead masses.

Stay angry, stay focused and stay peaceful. Mostly, though -- STAY ON THE STREETS!

- T

San Diego Anti-Proposition 8 Rally - Friday Edition

I'm all outta words tonight.... If you want vitriol, read a few of my previous posts on the subject.

Instead, why not enjoy some pics I took this evening?

- T














































































- T

Stand Up For Your RIGHTS!

Protests are springing up all over the place. Californians are NOT turning the other cheek this time. Proposition 8 may have passed (by the slimmest of margins), but unfair is unfair -- and we're speaking out. This would be the first time Californians voted to take away civil liberties from a group of their own citizens. Is this how California should be known to the world?!

It is hard to find a definitive list of upcoming events to follow the first few protests in Los Angeles at the Mormon Temple yesterday and the day before. But, here is one blogger who is doing a good job of it. I will post any other lists of protest sites I find as they become available.

Here in San Diego, there will be a rally and march tonight:

Friday, November 7th. Rally and march will begin at 6th and Laurel at the edge of Balboa Park and progress downtown to City Hall. Meet at the rally site by 9 p.m. (2100 for you military types.)

Then there is this information from a site called Saddleback 8 Protest:

Saddleback Church Prop 8 Protest!

No one’s religious beliefs should be used to deny fundamental rights to others,” said Lorri L. Jean, chief executive officer of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. “Our civil rights are inalienable.”

This peaceful protest will take place this Sunday (November 9th) at 10AM PST. Please spread the word!! Prop 8 is unfair and unconstitutional. A church’s definition of marriage should not be allowed to be applied to the whole population.

Rick Warren of Saddleback Church came out publicly in an email to his congregation telling them to Vote Yes on 8.

Please bring your friends - gay or straight. Christian or not. All who support marriage equality are encouraged to come show their support in front of one of the largest churches in America.

Bring your signs if you have them!

C'mon, San Diegans -- it's Orange County. It's not THAT far away!

Rick Warren had this to say about our rights:

Warren Endorses Prop 8 in California - October 29, 2008

CBN - Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren has publicly taken a stand against gay marriage in California.

In an e-mail to his Lake Forest congregation, Warren endorsed the state's proposed constitutional amendment. It defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.
On Nov. 4, California voters will go to the polls to determine if they agree with it.

"We support Prop 8, and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support prop 8," Warren wrote. "I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear."
"For 5,000 years, EVERY culture and EVERY religion -- not just Christianity -- has defined marriage as a contract between men and women," Warren wrote in the e-mail.

"There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2 percent of our population. This is one issue that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have publicly opposed the redefinition of marriage to include so-called 'gay marriage,'" he added.

"Of course, my longtime opposition is well known," he continued. "This is not a political issue, it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about. There is no doubt where we should stand on this issue."

"This will be a close contest, maybe even decided by a few thousand votes. I urge you to VOTE YES on Proposition 8 -- to preserve the biblical definition of marriage. Don't forget to vote!," Warren concluded.

Here's my response: KEEP YOUR DAMN BIBLE OUT OF MY BEDROOM!

And, in a very gracious move, the gay and lesbian community in Utah is staging a protest at LDS company headquarters. Read this interesting article to find out more about it.

I send out a big thank you to those Utahns who stand behind us in our fight for equal rights.

- T

Done Sittin' Idly By

Time to take to the streets.

We're not in the mood to be placated or toyed with. It turns out when you begin to take people's civil rights away, it does strange and unpleasant things to their psyches. You force them into action -- which is exactly what happened today. Watch here to see video of the demonstration at the Mormon Temple in Los Angeles today.



And here's a laughable snippet from a news organization somewhere along the Utah/Idaho border (KIDK News):

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple in Los Angeles is closed as hundreds of people are protesting around the building.

The protesters are upset about the LDS support of the Proposition 8 ban against gay marriage.

Opponents of Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage in California, are marching, waving banners and chanting. The protest started about two hours ago.

Los Angeles Police Department has put several officers on the scene.

Thousands of gays protested in LA Wednesday night shutting down streets. At least seven people were arrested, four at the intersection of Hollywood and Highland, where one man jumped on top of a police car.

Television cameras captured one protester struggling with officers and being struck on the legs by batons.

The LDS temple is apparently being targeted because of church members' funding and support of the proposition.

Church spokeswoman Kim Farrah issued the follow statement concerning the protest:

“The Church acknowledges that such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life — family and marriage — stirs fervent and deep feelings.

The Church calls on those involved in the debate over same sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.” [text highlighted by me]

Can you BELIEVE the hypocrisy spewed by the Mormon spokeswoman?! "No one ... should be vilified ... harassed..." Is she KIDDING?! Did she even WATCH the videos her damn organization funded?! Or did she not see them, cuz she's watchin' TV in UTAH! Not here where she sent her damn money and where her funds were doing their evil work?!

And don't you "call on" me to act civilly and respectfully. Those days are over, church-lady! I will loudly and proudly demand my rights here in CALIFORNIA. Your demands may sway people in UTAH with that type of chiding, but here in CALIFORNIA, I get to decide how I act toward those who will deny me my rights.

The LA Gay and Lesbian Center has set up a website to allow those who wish to donate money to fight the legal battle against the Proposition 8 fallout. And, best of all, they will send a postcard to President Monson, king of the Mormons, telling him that this donation was made IN HIS NAME to fight hatred and bigotry. (A bit of an inside joke as I see it: his church baptizes dead people into the LDS faith who have had no say in the process - - - cuz they are DEAD.)

Also, a local group here in San Diego is gathering signatures and planning rallies to begin the process of removing the Mormon Church's tax-exempt status. Seems that if you spend too much time and money on political actions and not enough on feeding the poor, letting black people into your church, sheltering the homeless or just plain leavin' people the hell alone then you become something other than a tax-exempt church! Find this group's information here.

I know that the Mormons were not the only group that spent dollars and nonsense on Prop 8 -- but they were the biggest, loudest and most 'generous' and therefore have earned (now, how did that spokeswoman put it...?) - - - OH YEAH - - - VILIFICATION, INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT!!

- T

Thank You, Mayor Sanders

Last night at the San Diego Center, hundreds of members of the gay and
lesbian community gathered to hear some of the leaders in the fight to
defeat Proposition 8 discuss our options now that 8 seems to have passed.
We can expect many legal battles before this is over -- already, the ACLU,
HRC, and the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco are bringing cases
before the court to void the proposition's results.
And our city's mayor, who took such a strong stand against the proposition,
was recognized and then gave a rousing speech encouraging the crowd not to
give up the fight and to press on with our demands for true equal rights.
His daughter and her partner joined him on the stage.
There was some good-natured ribbing from the other leaders on stage, as
Mayor Sanders is a Republican. But, his stand and commitment is so
commendable that everyone gave the mayor a huge round of applause. In fact,
his speech may have been some of the most strident I heard last night.
Thank you, Mayor Sanders.
- T

A Sea Change

A huge victory was won by Barack Obama and also by the United States tonight.

To think that so many Americans could look past race, an uncomfortably alien-sounding name and only a few years' experience in national politics and elect Barack Obama as our next president. It is truly amazing.

It is very heartening to know that, given the situation we're in today in the United States, we would look to someone with well-articulated, new plans for the country and not to someone mired in the past, linked to the current Republican administration and obviously representative of a less-than-popular, outdated point of view.

Congratulations, Mr Obama -- please serve us and represent us well. I have faith that you will.

And yet, on a night filled with such positive emotions and hope for the future, I'll be going to bed with some disappointment and anger in my heart.

It looks like my fellow Californians will have decided to take away from my fellow gays and lesbians marriage rights currently in place. I couldn't be more saddened that there are so many bigots and religious Neanderthals in my state.

Shame on all of you who voted for Proposition 8. Shame on you for not thinking with your heads and your hearts and instead following the 'party line' set down by the royalty in your various religious sects....

That so many churches got involved and made an election issue into an issue they would spend pulpit time and (tax-free!) money on disgusts me. Why must these bigots take an issue that has NO effect on them (unless they are involved in a gay or lesbian relationship) and push their hate-driven agenda on their 'sheep'? And why must there be so many 'sheep' who can't see past their superstitions?

Speaking in tongues? Handling snakes? Baptizing dead people? Avoiding cheese with beef? Really? You think this crap is still viable in the 21st Century?

Again: shame on you. Now crawl back into your caves.

And to those of you who did the right thing and voted NO on 8, I thank you and hope you know how much your vote is appreciated by those of us for whom you were trying to help secure civil rights.

- T

What if they held a hate-fest . . .

. . . and nobody came?

S'posed to be about midway through the evil gathering -- sure does look mighty empty, doesn't it?

Did they perhaps fly their brooms instead of drive to the hate-fest?

Vote NO on Proposition 8!

Voodoo Snake-Handling Inquisitionists for 8

I'm working today -- right next door to Qualcomm Stadium. Usually, we have to deal with visiting Raider groupies or the occasional drunk Charger fan coming through the store.

Today, though, we'll be faced with a far more ridiculous yet malicious visitor: Yes on Proposition 8 religious fanatics.

It seems the religious nuts have decided to hold a 12-hour fast and prayer-athon to ask GAWD to pass Proposition 8. They're gathering at Qualcomm Stadium and fasting for 12 hours, so no food will be served there.

[The mall I work at has the nearest McDonald's and Subway, so you KNOW they'll be sneakin' out around lunchtime and coming over here. I decorated my truck to welcome them. (Don't ya just want to bake some bread and cinnamon rolls and barbecue some ribs next to the stadium -- and then rent a big industrial-sized fan...?)]

So, instead of getting out and building homes for the homeless, cleaning up trash on the highways and beaches or cooking meals for the many hungry families around SoCal, they're wasting hundreds of thousands of man-hours focusing all their hatred and bigotry and evil thoughts on just one cause: bug the old man on the cloud long enough and loud enough that he'll magically revoke civil liberties with his wand.

Very "Christian" of them, isn't it?

- T

Vote No On Proposition 8

Interesting reaction to my post of yesterday evening.... NO comments, neither positive nor negative. But nonetheless, a HUGE amount of interest created by the posting.

In less than 20 hours, I've had 60+ hits on just that one blog entry. The majority (nearly 50 hits!) are from just two ISPs: the Californian State Senate and the California State Legislature.

Mighty curious.... Are staffers for those politicians listed as endorsing Proposition 8 searching the web to see who has noticed their bosses' bigotry?

Are there actually interns sitting in offices in Sacramento taking a tally? "Senator Tom McClintock: 10 blogs against his support, 2 blogs for. Assemblywoman Mimi Walters: 22 blogs against, 5 blogs for." I sure hope they're unpaid interns.... I can't imagine that the State of California (that is to say: "we taxpayers"), with our dismal budget issues, can afford to PAY people to do this on government time using government internet access.

And now, for your viewing pleasure:





- T

p.s. Had to remove my Google Ads banner on the right side of my site. The first ad I noticed Google had posted there this evening was a "Yes on 8" ad. I'll forgo ad revenue to keep hate speech off my blog, thank you very much! (On the other hand, Google has spoken out against Proposition 8. Much obliged, Sergey Brin.)

Bigots

There is a chance that Proposition 8 may actually pass -- in 2008 . . . in California!

This would mean that a majority of voters in my own state would want to limit my civil rights and the civil rights of every other gay and lesbian citizen of this state.

And why would they want to do that?

Because they feel threatened. Threatened that somehow, by allowing gays and lesbians to marry, their own marriages would be in danger. Through some magical form of marital transference, two people in one part of the state getting married and living happily ever after with each other would suddenly cause the otherwise stable and happy couple Joe and Jane Breeder in Podunk, California to suddenly turn on each other, causing their marriage to spiral into a deep, unhappy abyss ending eventually in a messy divorce. Jane will become a hooker workin' a truck stop in Blythe and John starts having anonymous sex with young hustlers he picks up along Santa Monica Boulevard....

Sorry, my imagination got the best of me....

But seriously -- there is no affect on your straight marriages, people! We already HAVE gay marriages in California. Can you name one straight marriage that's failing because of it?

I am quite certain that the ONLY reason these groups and individuals are spending so much money and spreading so many lies is . . . BIGOTRY.

Bigotry: Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself

The largest contributor by far to the Yes on 8 campaign has been the Mormons. (I realize I have recently spent a lot of space here slammin' the Mormon Church -- but, really.... Keep your nose out of my business and I'll lay off your religion, capisce?) But just wait. They're not the ONLY players in the bigot game. There's plenty of bigotry goin' on in this fine state -- and I want you all to have a good, long look at the following list.

See if your neighbor, your dry cleaner, your mom's church or the sweet, old woman on the corner is on this list. Maybe the nice day care provider who watches your children is listed. The restaurant owner you give so much of your hard-earned cash to.... He may be on here, too.

And worse -- look at all the elected official on here! Do they not KNOW that they represent the very people they are trying to oppress? Of course they do - - they just don't care. They think that you support them in their bigotry. Do you?

The worst offenders, as usual in my opinion, are the churches. They MUST keep their damn noses out of politics! Or, they can pay taxes like any other business and carry on with their bigotry. BUT, you don't get it both ways, churches. Stick to what you say is most important to you: love, caring for the poor and sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the indigent.... I believe that's what Jesus was tellin' you folks to do. NOT promote political agendas which take away civil rights! Even I know that much about your religion.

And LDS -- stay in UTAH where you belong. Do not cross over the state line and try to tell us what to do here. I don't come there and tell ya to display your liquor bottles in your bars or to take off your funny undies, do I?

If you do find those you know on here, please confront them. Tell them that they have nothing to be afraid of. No one will annul their marriages, sneak into their bedrooms or void their wedding licenses. (Wait, those are the very things THEY want to do to our marriages!)

And, if you are listed here.... Be aware that "bigot" is really not a pleasant tag to have put on you. In fact, it hasn't gotten much use since bigots were on the wrong side of the Civil Rights Movement in the '60s. You may find you lose friends, that your business contacts stop networking with you or that your parishioners find a more Christian church to attend....

So, in the spirit of California's beautiful, bright sunshine, I herewith list (directly from the Yes on 8 website -- luckily my computer didn't explode when I went there!) all of the bigots who have publicly supported Proposition 8.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO ARE AGAINST CIVIL LIBERTIES:
Senator Dick Ackerman
Senator Sam Aanestad
Senator Roy Ashburn
Senator James Battin, Jr.
Senator Dave Cogdill
Senator Dave Cox
Senator Jeff Denham
Senator Bob Dutton
Senator Tom Harman
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth
Senator Abel Maldonado
Senator Bob Margett
Senator Tom McClintock
Senator George Runner
Senator Mark Wyland
Assemblyman Greg Aghzarian
Assemblyman Joel Anderson
Assemblyman John Benoit
Assemblyman Chuck Devore
Assemblyman Bill Emmerson
Assemblyman Guy Houston
Assemblyman Bob Huff
Assemblyman Rick Keene
Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa
Assemblyman Bill Maze
Assemblyman Mike Duvall
Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi
Assemblyman Roger Niello
Assemblyman George Plescia
Assemblywoman Sharon Runner
Assemblywoman Audra Strickland
Assemblyman Van Tran
Assemblyman Michael Villines
Assemblywoman Mimi Walters
Mayor Candace Andersen, Town of Danville
Mayor Neil C. Blais, City of Rancho Santa Margarita
Michael Calta, Chino Valley Unified School District
Dick Daniels, Escondido Councilmember
Mayor Curt Hagman, City of Chino Hills
San Diego County Supervisor, Bill Horn (District 5)
Mayor Eric King, City of Folsom
Mayor Pro-Tem Dan Kirby, City of Monrovia
Placer County Supervisor Bruze Kranz (District 5)
Imperial County Supervisor Wally Leimgruber (District 5)
San Bernadino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfel (District 1)
Linda Lindholm- Laguna Niguel Councilmember
Mayor Jeff Miller, City of Corona
Mayor Pro Tem Leroy Mills, City of Cypress
Mayor Pro Tem Robert Ming, City of Laguna Niguel
Mayor Randall Norton, Town of Duncan
Mayor Curt Pringle, City of Anaheim
Frank Ury- Mission Viejo Councilmember
Mayor Todd Seymore, City of Cypress
Mike Spence, West Covina Unified School Board Member
Mayor Pro Tem Justin White, City of Chowchilla
Marie Waldron, Escondido Councilmember
Mayor Dennis Yates, City of Chino
Ken Campbell, Placer County Republican Chairman
Former Assemblyman Ray Haynes
Former Assemblyman Tim Leslie

CHURCHES THAT ARE AGAINST CIVIL LIBERTIES:
A. V. Alpha & Omega Ministries, Palmdale
Abundant Life Assembly of God, Copeland
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship
All Seasons Ministries, El Cajon
Alpha and Omega Arlington Apostolic Church, Riverside
Alpine Anglican Church, Alpine
Amador Family Fellowship
Baldwin Park Church of Christ
Bethel Christian Fellowship
Bible Fellowship Church, Ventura
Biggs Community Assembly of God
Bright Mission Chapel
Bundy Canyon Christian Church and School, Wildomar
Calvary Assembly of God
Calvary Assembly, Milpitas
Calvary Baptist Church
Calvary Baptist Church, Modesto
Calvary Chapel of the Harbour
Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
Calvary Chapel Rancho Santa Margarita
Calvary Christian Center
Calvary Church
Calvary Temple
Camarillo Community Church
Canopy of Prayer Ministries
Canyon View Church of Christ, San Diego
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Centerpoint Church
Central Baptist Church of Indio
Centro Cristiano Pan De Vida
Chapel in the Pines, Arnold
Chinese Evangelical Free Church, Monterey Park
Chinese Grace Bible Church, Sacramento
Christ Driven Church of Fowler Ca.
Christian Life Assembly
Christian Life Center
Christian Life Tools
Christian Outreach for Armenians, Glendale
Church of Christ, Upland
Church of the Living Christ
Church of the Living God of Perris
Church of the Nazarene
Church of the Rock
Church of Scientology of San Diego
Community Counseling Services, Inc.
Community Christian Alliance Church
Core Christian Fellowship, Murrieta
Cornerstone Baptist Church
Cornerstone Baptist Church, Nicholasville KY
Cornerstone Christian Church, El Dorado Hills
Cornerstone Community Church of San Clemente
Cornerstone Fellowship, Livermore
CrossPoint Community Church of the Nazarene
Dan Kricorian Ministries Int'l
Dayspring Christian Fellowship
Desert Stream Ministries
Destiny Faith Center
Divine Mercy Knights of Columbus (14158), Natomas
Door of Faith Ministries International
East Clairemont Baptist Church, San Diego
Eastside Christian Church
El Cajon Wesleyan Church, El Cajon
Elsinore Christian Center, Lake Elsinore
Evangelical Free Church of Walnut
Faith Chapel Church of God in Christ, San Diego
Faith Community Church by the Sea, Encinitas
Faith Tabernacle
Faith to Faith Fellowship, Temecula
F.C.F. Int'l Ministries
Filipino American Community Church
First Baptist Church Anaheim
First Baptist Church of Fillmore
First Baptist Church of Hesperia
First Baptist Church of Menlo Park
First Baptist Church of Taft
First Baptist Church, Lomita
First Evangelical Church of Cerritos
First Fil-Am Christian Church
First Foursquare Gospel Church of San Jose, San Jose
First Fundamental Bible Church of Monterey Park
First Presbyterian Church, Amarillo TX
First Southern Baptist, Yucca Valley
Fontana Foursquare Church
Foxworthy Baptist Church
Free Indeed Christian Fellowship, Perris
Freedom Community Christian Church, Perris
Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, San Diego
Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, San Diego
Friends Church, Yorba Linda
Friendship Christian Fellowship Church, Moreno Valley
Gem of the Valley Church, Murrieta
God’s Word Church, Apple Valley
Golden Altar Ministries, San Jose
Golden Gate Christian Church
Hamilton Square Baptist Church
Harvest Christian Fellowship
Heart of the Canyons Church
High Desert Church, Victorville
Highland Springs Fellowship, Banning
Hillsdale Baptist Church, North Highlands
Hope Vineyard Church, Santa Clarita
House of Luke, Hemet
Independent Church of Lake Elsinore
Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church
Joy Ministry for Christ, Los Angeles
Jubilee Family Church, Oskaloosa IA
Kingdom Conditioning Ministries, INC.
Koinonia Evangelistic Center, Moreno Valley
Lake Murray Church, Assemblies of God
Life Center Church, Lakewood
Light by the Bay Church, San Lorenzo
Lighthouse Assembly of God, Murrieta
Lighthouse Community Church, Lathrop
Live Ride Christian Church
Living Faith Christian Fellowship, Garden Grove
Living Stones Ministries
Living Word Christian Church, San Diego
Love and Unity Church of God in Christ, Compton
Luke Four Eighteen Ministries International, Temecula
Maranatha Chapel
Maranatha Chapel, Rancho Bernardo
Menlo Park Community Church of God in Christ, Menlo Park
Meridian Southern Baptist, El Cajon
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, San Diego
Mountain View Community Church, Temecula
Mount Zion Assemblies
Napoleon Washington, Jr. Evangelistic Assn.
Nations Harvest Church, Sunnyvale
New Birth Kingdom Covenant
New Covenant Ministries Christian Fellowship
New Day Church
New Destiny Christian Church, Inc.
New Life Presbyterian Church
New Light Church of God, Riverside
New Seasons Church
Newhall Church of the Nazarene
New Venture Christian Fellowship
Northside Christian Church
Oasis of Faith Christian Center
Oroville Nazarene Church
Our Lady of the Redwoods Catholic Church
Our Redeemer Lives Church, Lake Elsinore
Paradise Hills Southern Baptist Church
Progressive M.B.C. of Berkeley
Rancho Baptist Church, Temecula
Ray of Hope Church, Pomona
Redemption Christian Fellowship
Refuge Ministries
Resurrection Power Ministries
Revival Christian Fellowship, Menifee
Ripon Grace Brethren Church
Rose Drive Friends Church, Yorba Linda
Rubidoux First Assembly of God
San Antonio Heights Community Church, San Bernardino
San Diego Christian Worship Center, San Diego
San Jose Church of Christ, San Jose
San Jose Foursquare Church, San Jose
San Jose Open Bible Church, San Jose
San Jose Word of Faith Christian Center, San Jose
San Mateo Pro Life
Santa Rosa Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
Set Free Ministries of San Diego, San Diego
Seventh Day Sabbath Second Advent Church
Sierra Madre Congregational Church
Shepherd of the Hills
Skyline Wesleyan Church, El Cajon
Solid Ground Brethren in Christ Church, Alta Loma
Sonoma Valley Community Church
South Coast Christian Assembly
South Valley Christian Church, San Jose
Southwest Christian Church, Temecula
Southwest Community Church, Indian Wells
Spirit Life Worship Center
St. Andrew Orthodox Church
St. Joseph Church
St Timothy Orthodox Church
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Patrick's Church
State College Blvd. Church of Christ, Anaheim
Survivors of Assault Recovery/Living Word Christian Church, San Diego
TEN27 Church
The Bridge Church
The Calvary Chapel Churches
The Church of God of Prophecy, National City
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Home Church, Campbell
The Oasis Foursquare Church
The Rock Church, San Diego
Trinity Baptist Church
Tyler Baptist Church, Riverside
Valley Christian Church, Chino
Victory International Church, San Mateo
Victory Outreach of Eagle Rock
Vineyard Family Christian Fellowship, Downey
Vista Hope Church of the Nazarene
Voices of Hope Ministries
Whittier Church of Christ, Whittier
Wildwood Calvary Chapel
Windsor Hills Baptist Church, La Mesa
Word of Life Ministries Int’l, Riverside
Word of Truth Ministries
World Overcomers Church International
Zion Christian Fellowship, Spring Valley
Zion Lutheran Church, North Highlands, CA

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AGAINST CIVIL LIBERTIES:
A-K
L-Z

Now, get out there and vote next Tuesday! Our country's future and the future of many of the marriages of my friends depends on it.

- T

Palin Pants

More than a month now since I've touched my blog.... I'm setting a weekly alarm to remind me to post something, ANYTHING!, once a week! I've got so much to write about, including our recent trip to New York.

Got a few things to get off my chest immediately, though, and this is one of them.

Sarah Palin (the right-wing, anti-choice, anti-gay-marriage, ultra-religious cuckoo that McCain chose as his running-mate) has been given a wardrobe worth $150,000 by the Republicans. Actually, she didn't get the entire budget -- they spent some of the cash on her husband and children.

Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm more than happy to see some of the Republican's budget going for something as useless and clothes and makeup, instead of funneling the funds into another ad campaign. But it turns out that not only is this squandering of money in EXTREMELY bad taste when our economy is in the crapper and the two of them are claiming to be on the side of the average Joe, but it is ALSO illegal!

See, we've got got something called the FEC (Federal Election Commission). The FEC is in charge of enforcing campaign laws -- which state that you may not use election funds for personal use SUCH AS BUYIN' YOURSELF NEIMAN-MARCUS DESIGNER OUTFITS AND MAKEUP!!!

So, I say: lock up the lot of them. I'm not sure how many laws you can break (KEATING FIVE, TROOPERGATE) before you don't get elected and DO go to jail.

- T

The View From The Top Of Manhattan

Republican Gaffe of the Campaign?!

WHOOPS!

After all the hardened, saccharine-looking smiles on the faces of the Republicans this week when asked about the choice of Palin for running-mate, and after all of the forced-sounding soundbites proclaiming Palin to be the best thing since sliced bread.... After all of that GOP-speak, we finally get to hear exactly what two top Republican strategists REALLY think about McCain's huge mistake in choosing Palin.

Peggy Noonan (speech writer and special assistant to Reagan), and former McCain campaign manager Michael Murphy were caught red-tongued when the mic was left open after a piece they were doing with Chuck Todd on MSNBC.

(Thanks to the Christian Science Monitor and Talking Points Memo for the following transcript):

Chuck Todd: Mike Murphy, lots of free advice, we’ll see if Steve Schmidt and the boys were watching. We’ll find out on your blackberry. Tonight voters will get their chance to hear from Sarah Palin and she will get the chance to show voters she’s the right woman for the job Up next, one man who’s already convinced and he’ll us why Gov. Jon Huntsman.

(cut away)

Peggy Noonan: Yeah.

Mike Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor world: Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. I mean, these guys — this is how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it’s not gonna work. And –

PN: It’s over.

MM: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

CT: I also think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too.

PN: Saw Kay this morning.

CT: Yeah, she’s never looked comfortable about this –

MM: They’re all bummed out.

CT: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

PN: The most qualified? No! I think they went for this — excuse me– political bull**** about narratives –

CT: Yeah they went to a narrative.

MM: I totally agree.

PN: Every time the Republicans do that, because that’s not where they live and it’s not what they’re good at, they blow it.

MM: You know what’s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical.

CT: This is cynical, and as you called it, gimmicky.

MM: Yeah.

Click this link for the news story and click here for the YouTubed video of the debacle.

Refreshing to know that even the Republican strategists are thinking EXACTLY what the typical American is thinking about the Palin choice!

- T

Way to go, Pelosi!!!

California's congresswoman and the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi ROCKED today! She was on Wolf Blitzer's show on CNN and spoke some hard truths about GWB:

"You know, God bless him, bless his heart, the president of the United States, a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject."

She also said: " We're trying to sweep up after (Bush's) mess over and over and over again ... The president knows it. He needs something to talk about. Because he has no ideas."

Attagirl! Not nearly as much has been done as promised since she and other Democrats took the majority in the House -- but a lot of that has to do with the Senate's slim Democratic majority not being enough to pass these bills due to Republican senators blocking everything sent their way.

What HAS upset me is how quiet and soft-spoken she and other Democrats have been about the "Mission Accomplished" by our fearless leader.... FINALLY she's speaking her -- and our -- mind!

- T

Get out of my bedroom, Mr Monson!

Mormons enter Calif. marriage fight

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking California members to join the effort to amend that state's constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

A letter sent to Mormon bishops and signed by church president Thomas S. Monson and his two top counselors calls on Mormons to donate "means and time" to the ballot measure. A note on the letter dated June 20 says it should be read during church services June 29, but the letter was published Saturday on several Web sites. (thanks to Gay.com)
-------------------------------

So, apparently the new LDS prez does not yet realize he's in the 21st Century with the rest of us.... You'd think he'd bring an open mind, a loving heart and some basic human decency and understanding to his new post. BUT NO! Not a chance -- he's going after my friends and trying to influence legislation outside of his own state -- here in California.

Wait a minute.... Aren't there certain legal responsibilities churches must take on in order to remain tax exempt? Why, yes Todd, there are. So, what does the tax code say about this? Why, it says:

-------------------------------
Exemption Requirements
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. (thanks to IRS.gov) <<< [never thought I'd have an occasion to put THAT in print...!]
-------------------------------

So, mind your manners, mind your decency and MIND THE LAW, Monson! Do NOT think you are somehow immune (or protected by your holy underwear) from the laws of this country. And, please: stay tucked away in Utah where you may influence as many sheep as you like. Stay out of MY state's legislation and out of MY bedroom (unless I invite you there)!

- T

White House, Black House -- I Don't Care, Just Boot Out The Republicans!

This is one of the most distasteful things I've seen in a long time. These buttons were sold at the Republican Party's State Convention in . . . [drum roll please!] . . . Texas. (Big surprise.)

Throughout the primary campaign, I had to continually re-adjust my choice of candidates. Just as I would find one who suited my wishes for what I wanted the future Democratic candidate (and hopefully, President) to stand for, he would drop out. Kucinich, Edwards, Clinton....

There was a point, long before the primaries had even begun, when I began to hear Obama's name bantered about. He had spoken so eloquently at the 2004 Democratic Convention and I began to listen to podcasts of other speeches he had made. He showed himself to be a great speaker and a man with some reasonable, forward-thinking ideas.

BUT, very early on in the primary cycle, he made a huge error in judgment. At a rally, he chose to have a homophobic gospel singer perform and help him raise money for the campaign. And when he was called out for such a massive mis-step, his only reaction was to offer to counter the homophobe by having a pro-gay speaker appear at another time during the event.

So, his way of trying to rid his campaign of homophobia was NOT to remove the homophobe from the line-up, but rather to try a half-baked attempt at appeasement. Disgusting.

How would it look if I ran for public office and had a card-carryin' KKK member speak at my rally and raise money for me? Then, when called on it, I grudgingly found a representative from the NAACP to also speak...?? Funny, some things don't just require you to present two points of view. Some things should not be said in the first place. Every time there is a news story about an achievement by someone who is black, we don't counter that story with some Klanmember's press conference, do we?

So, I lost interest and faith in Obama. As a gay man, I've seen this double standard reaction before: a member of a minority who somehow, even though he or she has faced all kinds of adversity in life, does not recognize bigotry for what it is when the target is someone else. Or worse, condones and encourages said bigotry.

(I feel the same way when I hear about Asian-owned stores in black neighborhoods being vandalized, ransacked or worse because the residents don't like the Asians making money off of them in their areas.... What the...? Look in the mirror, bub -- you're a minority just like they are -- have some compassion, work together, build some alliances, put yourself in someone else's shoes, etc. Your histories may not be the same, nor your looks, nor your difficulties -- but surely you'd gain more from working together and increasing your influence than battling with each other, one small group against another small group?)

Anyway, Obama went from that debacle to the crazy priest problem at his favorite church.... Not to mention the other religious guy Pfleger and his rants.

So, I kinda ended up with Obama as my candidate as his last opponent (Hillary) fell out of the race.... He was not my first (nor second, nor third) choice. Nonetheless, he is going to be the Democratic candidate in November. And when presented with the two choices, Obama and McCain, there really is only one choice for me and for what future I would like this country to pursue.

Let's just hope that, between now and November, the campaign doesn't get much uglier than this button -- and that we can get a Democrat back into the White House without too many racial epithets. There may have been a time when such sentiments were considered funny, but those days are long, long gone and today such jokes are seen as sad and childish. Get into the 21st Century, GOP, or continue to lose your place in politics as the old, racist, right-wing assholes die off and can't (legally) vote for your backwards candidates anymore. At some point, there won't be anyone left who would buy and wear such crap as that button, much less vote for your candidates....

- T

p.s. I have been very neglectful of my blog -- in part because of long hours and more responsibilities at work and in part because of time spent on other things. I vow to try and devote a short writing session at least once a week to let ya know what's on my mind or new in the world of Todd.

More Californians Support Gay Marriage Than Oppose It

In a poll conducted between May 17 and May 26 by Field Poll, it was found that more Californians now support gay marriage than oppose it.

The poll found that 51 percent of respondents backed legalizing same-sex marriage and 42 percent opposed it, DiCamillo said.

In 2006, when participants were asked, "Do you approve or disapprove of California allowing homosexuals to marry members of their own sex?" 44 percent said they approved and 50 percent objected. In 1977, the first year Field posted the question to voters, 28 percent approved and 59 percent were opposed. - The Associated Press

Way to go, fellow Californians! You're lookin' mighty progressive there!

- T

Gay Marriage Ban DISSOLVED!

It is truly unbelievable -- and unexpected to this blogger. I was not expecting ANY movement on this issue until winter, when the California public is due to vote on amending our state constitution with a BAN on gay marriage.

[Could anything be more disgusting than wishing to amend our constitution in order to DENY a minority group of CITIZENS their human rights?!? Is this the 1800s? Are we not due the same damn rights as the straight citizens of California? Can a decent, loving, straight voter in this state REALLY stand in the voting booth and morally cast his vote to deny rights to me and my beloved friends...? If you can somehow justify doing this in your mind, all I can say is SHAME ON YOU.]

And yet, perhaps temporarily, those who wish will shortly be able to join their partner in marriage. If you are at all the marrying type, and you are in a committed, loving relationship -- by all means, MARRY!

If any one thing could keep this from being a short-lived blip on the radar screen, it is a large, vocal group being threatened with having their marriages revoked by the evil majority.

- T

p.s. If you have the stomach for this kind of bile, read an LA Times article describing the kind of hateful people we will be up against this November....

Read more >> Options >>

Yours, A. Einstein

... I read a great deal in the last days of your book, and thank you very much for sending it to me. What especially struck me about it was this. With regard to the factual attitude to life and to the human community we have a great deal in common.

... The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. These subtilized interpretations are highly manifold according to their nature and have almost nothing to do with the original text. For me the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them.

In general I find it painful that you claim a privileged position and try to defend it by two walls of pride, an external one as a man and an internal one as a Jew. As a man you claim, so to speak, a dispensation from causality otherwise accepted, as a Jew the privilege of monotheism. But a limited causality is no longer a causality at all, as our wonderful Spinoza recognized with all incision, probably as the first one. And the animistic interpretations of the religions of nature are in principle not annulled by monopolization. With such walls we can only attain a certain self-deception, but our moral efforts are not furthered by them. On the contrary.

Now that I have quite openly stated our differences in intellectual convictions it is still clear to me that we are quite close to each other in essential things, i.e. in our evaluations of human behavior. What separates us are only intellectual 'props' and 'rationalization' in Freud's language. Therefore I think that we would understand each other quite well if we talked about concrete things. With friendly thanks and best wishes

Yours,

A. Einstein

[Thanks to the Guardian for printing this excerpt of a letter written by Einstein in 1954.]

- T

Oh, Mrs. Beasley -- what have you become...?

Unbelievable what some kids still have to put up with in the more backwards, under-developed areas of the country....

Take a look at this blog entry and see for yourself what a PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL thinks is proper behavior based on rational judgment. This bitch, one Daphne Beasley, decided it was her place to out two gay students in her high school to not only faculty and other students -- but to the students' parents!!

Anyone who has dealt with the coming-out process knows that it has to be handled on a one-on-one basis. Some people tell their parents at an early age, others wait until they're safely away from home and not in danger of being evicted from their parents' home or even of being physically abused by their parents. And others may choose to never tell their families they are gay.

And yet here is someone supposedly educated -- and not only educated, but educated in childhood development -- who felt it was her place to tell the school, the faculty, the parents.... And why? No, not out of her sense of caring towards these students. Not because the students had caused a "scene" at the school, whatever that might mean. (They hadn't, by the way.) She outed them because she "didn't like gay people and wouldn't tolerate homosexuality at her school". Way to go, Memphis -- you sure can pick ya some damn fine principals there in the land of buck teeth and hayseeds.

And, remember -- this isn't some religious school where the students were told beforehand they couldn't reveal that they are gay, had to wear funny plaid skirts or kneel on a wooden beam before god. No -- this is a PUBLIC school, paid for with PUBLIC tax dollars -- which also pay this bitch's salary.... Again, way to go, Memphis....

Oh, if you'd like to e-mail Daph and let her know what you think of her modern education policies, you can reach her at: beasleyd@mcsk12.net

- T

Read more >> Options >>

Just a few things...

Suspicions Confirmed: “All-natural” Pinkberry frozen yogurt isn’t quite, but the founder of the firm thought he could legally say it that way because the “yogurt” part was all-natural, even if the dozen-or-so additives weren’t....

Tempe, Ariz., motorist David Lopez grabbed his gun to threaten an allegedly lousy driver in a Road Rage Moment, but then, while waving it around, Lopez accidentally shot himself.

[News of the Weird, Thursday, April 24, 2008]

Man, I love this kind of stuff.... We have SO much horrible news in the world -- food prices rising so quickly that it may lead to famine, war (Iraq, the threat of war with Iran, other conflicts going on around the world), that poor messed-up family in Austria and the even worse events south of San Angelo, TX. It is nice to know someone is still tracking the News of the Weird.

Thank you, Chuck Shepherd!

In other news: I've been playin' around this week with using Flickr instead of/along with Picasa for photo upload and sharing.... Many of my friends use Flickr, the interaction with others is really nice, the organization tools are great and easy to use (even after the photos have been uploaded).... And yet, I somehow think things will get complicated posting some photos in one spot, others in another.... Who else has used both products? What kind of suggestions do you have?

- T

Tag - You're It!

My days off went by too quickly. We went to a friend's 40th birthday party on Saturday. It was a great party but I wasn't really feeling it. I think my mind was elsewhere....

I worked part of the day Sunday (my day off) -- but made up for my diligence at work by partying quite a bit at the Hole later that afternoon! I definitely enjoyed my evening with Bill, Tj. and the gang at the Hole.

And today was a HOT one -- close to 95°. I spent most of the day sitting at home, staying cool, browsing the web, checking out friends' Flickr pix.... Not very productive -- until around 3 p.m., when a buddy came by and we went biking for 2+ hours. (With a much-needed pizza stop and a more needed Gatorade stop along the way.) Has anyone of you ever ridden your bike up/down the huge hill on Juniper St in South Park? I am way too much of a wuss and always get off and walk it.

This was posted on a blog I've taken to reading on a regular basis. The girl seems so cool -- and so very different from me. Nonetheless, she seems like someone I'd take a liking to. Hi, Ehu!

******************************
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Hmmm, my memory's not the best at [cough] 39.... Let's see, 1998.... I was living with Tj. in San Francisco! We were having a great time living on Hermann St behind the Safeway (although the other tenants in the building SUCKED!) and working downtown. That March, I moved from a job as Asst Front Office Mgr at a high-end, Japanese-run hotel just off Market St to a fun, smaller hotel near Union Square where I was Front Office Manager. Weekends were a blast and were spent exploring the city during the day and having a beer at the Eagle, Lonestar, Daddy's or the Edge at night. We also got out of town occasionally and went to Guerneville and the whole Russian River area. Fort Ross was as far north up the California coast as we ever made it.

5 things on my to do list:
1. Ship my uncle's birthday gift. I heard he was fond of one of my photos (see above) and I had a huge print (15 x 45) made for him.
2. Start my upper-body and abs workout. I've been successfully losing weight (about 8 lbs in 2 months) and getting out biking, hiking, walking.... BUT, I'm not happy with the lack of arm/chest definition I have right now. (I have to brag, though, that my calves and legs look damn good lately!)
3. Clean my desk at home. My desk at work is neat and clean -- can not say the same about the one at home. (Or the storage shelves behind it, either.)
4. Find out if my sister was able to download the QuickTime video I sent my nephew. It was kinda big -- I might have to load it to a server and send her the link.
5. Finally learn more about KPBS's Reading for the Blind service. I've been meaning to check into volunteering my time, but never seem to find the time to apply. This week at the latest!

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Trail mix -- prefer it to have yogurt-covered raisins or M&Ms, please
2. Wheat Thins
3. Chocolate -- of any kind
4. Marzipan
5. Baby carrots -- gotta put SOMETHING healthy on here!

5 places I've lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Monterey, CA
3. San Angelo, TX
4. Augsburg, Germany
5. Hamburg, Germany (I could keep going -- guess I'll stop at 5)

5 jobs I've had:
1. Busy Bee Bakery (one day and I was outta there)
2. Arboretum View Animal Hospital - all-around clean-up and surgery prep guy. One of the best jobs I've ever had
3. 98C1L-RU/GE
4. Night auditor at the Holiday Inn Munich-Schwabing where I had a lecherous boss
5. English teacher at Inlingua in Augsburg (excellent job, great co-workers, fun students -- one of my favorite jobs!)
******************************

- T

Apologies to Warhol

I am now the proud owner of a new MacBook. My PowerBook was beginning to show its age. It had seen me through thick and thin: being carted around town in my backpack and a move from San Diego to Hamburg and back again.

Five years of pretty much daily use had taken its toll. Recently I had the hard drive replaced after it kicked the big one. (A recent backup made that less of a major heartache than it could have been.)

Then, just a few weeks ago, the superdrive (CD/DVD burner) failed on me. I think I wanted to rip some Jamiroquai songs into iTunes [don't laugh!] when, instead of calmly taking the CD and opening iTunes, my PowerBook took the disc and spit it right back out again. How rude! Our relationship was never to be the same again.

I began looking at replacement options and felt the MacBook Pros were too big to be very portable. (They come in 15 and 17-inch sizes.) I was used to the carry-in-one-hand-while-juggling-a-Starbucks-and-a-pastry-in-the-other 12-inch size of my PowerBook. Also, at nearly double the clamshells, price became a factor, too.

But white? I'm just not really a bright colors, everything white kinda guy.... Luckily, the MacBook also comes in a great matte black.... You know which one I got!

And, once it arrived and I tested it out -- it was all over. The speed, the brightness of the new glossy 13.3-inch screen, the amazingly quick reaction times -- and the features in the new OS X Leopard. I haven't looked back.

The PowerBook got a good home, though. Tj. had been eyeing up my PowerBook for a while -- he'd been wanting to experiment with GarageBand, iPhoto, maybe even purchase Aperture.... So, along with his many other PCs, Unix boxes and Sun machine, he now has a Mac to hack away on.

- T

Read more >> Options >>

Palomar Mountain - Take Two!

Took another drive out to Palomar Mountain today. I met a buddy at IHOP in Escondido and, after breakfast, we drove out to Love Valley and got a short, easy hike in there.

Then we headed up to the State Park. We chose what we thought was a medium hike from Doane Pond to Scott's Cabin -- but the map didn't really tell us it was up the side of a large hill/small mountain! (That on top of the 5500-ft elevation left me panting a bit. But, I adjusted to the slightly thinner air fairly quickly.) And, at the end of the trail called Scott's Cabin, it turns out there is no cabin.... False advertising? :-)

The missing cabin notwithstanding, I got to enjoy a great day out on a mountain, a good workout (man, my calves are tight tonight!) and some damn funny conversation!

- T

"Hey! Preachers! Leave them kids alone!"

OK, I've said it before (and fairly recently) and I apparently have to say it again -- LEAVE THE KIDS OUT OF IT! We all have heard and read about the FLDS cult in Texas that has been in the news the past week or two. (And we've certainly all seen the crazy 1800s garb and hair-don'ts that the women wear....)

More important than what the adults do in their big white barn/church, how bad their fashion sense is, what kind of damn bread they bake or how many men or women or cows they each screw around with and how often - - - HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE THEY BRAINWASHED AND HAD SEX WITH?!

"The custody case is one of the largest in U.S. history and involves children from 6 months to 17 years in age. Roughly 100 of the children are under age 4.

State officials contend the children were being physically and sexually abused or were in imminent danger of such abuse. In initial court filings, they said girls were forced into spiritual marriages — relationships ordained by the church but not legally recognized — with adult men and that boys were conditioned to be abusers as they grew up." - The Associated Press

Do you know that some of these kids can NOT identify their own parents? Some of them have never left the compound -- and some of them are having sex with men IN THEIR FIFTIES AND SIXTIES?!?!

So, once again: do what you please. Wear whatever weird polyester farm dresses you like, go for the full-body underwear, wear a beanie or a necklace made of flower petals. Pray to Jehovah, Jah/Yah, Yahweh, Allah, Zeus, Satan, Thor or even some kook tax accountant from Utah (photo above) or his loopy rapist son - - - go right ahead. But leave the children out of it. (Again, I refer to my previous post.)

Thank you and good night.

- T

GraphJam

From the guys who brought you icanhascheezburger.com, it's self-proclaimed " pop culture for people in cubicles".

There are too many charts and graphs relating to rap lyrics, but the ones I actually understood I thought were at least clever and sometimes even damn funny!

- T

Disneyland and Record Heat

Yesterday (Sunday) broke temperature records for this date in Anaheim, CA -- 102°F!! Disney was tied for the highest temperature in the US yesterday -- and it was truly baking.

I slathered on the 30 SPF and got through the day without a sunburn. What I did manage to have, though, was a very good time.

View the pix, if you'd like.

- T

Disneyland Fireworks

We're joining a bunch o' guys at Disney tomorrow. And, we're in luck -- the
weather should be hot and sunny. (Hurray! Water rides!)

Tonight, though, we had a quiet evening. Dinner at CPK and the fireworks from
our hotel balcony.

- T

Heh heh heh heh

Thanks, xkcd, for a little bit of laughter before bed.

- T

Wisconsin Pix

You've read blog entries about the trip, you've seen shots of the Chicago part of the journey -- now be astounded by the actual photos taken in Door County, Wisconsin!

Took me long enough, I know. And what you see is actually only the first part. There's another batch of Easter pictures to come soon.

(You know the drill: click the pic, the post title above or worm your way through the web by clicking the Picasa link on the right.)

- T

Love Valley and Palomar Mountain

Hard to believe I had never been to Palomar Mountain until today. Beautiful countryside (although marred by the effects of the huge county-wide fires last year), winding country roads, lakes, an observatory. What had I been waiting for?!

Click the picture to the left or the post title to see today's pictures. (I decided to try out Tj.'s Canon Rebel XT today -- had some learning-curve issues, along with some dust or dirt on the lens -- but overall, I'm happy with the results.)

- T

Love Valley Meadow

Having a good day hiking out in the Palomar Mountain area. Beautiul out
here....
- T

Swarovski-Crystal-Encrusted Nespresso Coffee Machine

Mmmm.... Coffee from condensed coffee capsules AND Swarovski crystals...?! All for only 4000 bucks?

My birthday's in October, everyone. And you might want to coordinate with each other -- I don't need more than one. (I'd just end up re-gifting the extra ones anyways....)

- T

Late night . . .

. . . at the Ould Sod! [Diana and Patrick (our friends from El Centro) and Bill]

- T

Merrell Outland Hiking Shoes

I've needed some stable, good-gripping, hiking shoes for a while. (Don't want me fallin' off a mountain, do ya? DO YA?!)

So, after hearing Dave rave about Merrell shoes for so long, I decided to try 'em, along with some others. Finally decided to go for these Merrell's. (Like the fit so far and the color -- just not that the color's called Beluga Blue -- like a whale...?!)

Will get to try them out at Palomar Mountain on Monday. Watch for pix to follow.

-T