Count down...

June 1st...yes, I am making plans to start my '50 for 50' campaign on that date.  The goal is 50 pounds to drop before my 50th birthday on November 30th.  I will be posting weekly updates as well as occasional video blogs to show before and after photos.  I'm ready for this...I'm tired of being on meds to control blood pressure and sugar levels.  I have a lot of motivation...I just need to keep it going.

I have fallen in serious like with the guys over at Film Riot.  These guys have a hilarious web series focusing on tips for filmmakers on a budget.  They are celebrating their 1-year anniversary and I filmed a 20-second video to help them celebrate.  I'll be submitting it this evening.

On May 1st, a very dear friend of mine was killed in a car accident near Centre, Alabama.  Kenneth Wayne Pittman was an amazingly funny person...and I have many fond memories of our time in Atlanta.  We hadn't spoken in over 10 years, but I was looking forward to finally reuniting on an Atlanta trip later this year.  Guess I'll have to wait a little longer to reunite.  Although he had given it up over the past few years, we all knew Kenny as Kathleen...he was a drag queen on Atlanta's bar scene during the 1980's.  He was always friendly, caring, and amazingly protective of his friends.  As a young man coming out during those years, he took me under his wing and helped me find my place in the gay community...and I will always remember him as Kathleen.  Rest in peace, K.  I will miss you terribly!

Rodney Webster, Kenny (Kathleen) Pittman, and me on New Year's Eve 1986.

Blessings to you all!

Sunday in the valley...

BEAUTIFUL weather in Sacramento this weekend.  I am spending this morning looking out my front window at some purple roses growing in my front yard.  They have bloomed beautifully and smell sweet this morning.  My grandmother loved roses...they make me think of her and of how much I miss her since she crossed over 6 years ago this June.  

Two nights ago, I had a long conversation in my sleep with my great aunt Margie.  She reminded me that it has been 20 years this month since she passed away...and she also reminded me of a poem she wrote when I was in my teens.  I put music to it for her over 30 years ago.  She even sang a bit of it for me...it was titled "Stand Me Still" and I haven't thought of it in years.  I have no idea if I have a copy of it or if a copy of it still exists anywhere other than in my mind.  I need to find it...I don't remember many of the words at all.  She sang two lines of it in my dream and that's all I can recall of it.  I'm going to try to jog my memory using some self-hypnosis sessions over the next few days.

I'm also saying goodbye to a dear friend who is about to pass away from cancer.  It's been a tough road for her and she knows that her time here is coming to an end.  This past week has been hard for those of us who love her...but I'm also overjoyed that I have had the opportunity to know her for so many years.  I feel the same about everyone I've known and lost over the course of my lifetime.  God has blessed me in so many ways; and knowing these people has made me a better person.

So, sitting here with my dog, Willow, cuddled next to me on the couch and listening to the sounds of the world outside today...all the while thinking of how blessed I have been to have so many incredible friends and loved ones.  What more is there to want in life?

Not a sad blog today at all...this blog is a celebration of my blessings.  What do you have to be thankful for?  Counting your blessings is a great way to remember just how much we have to be grateful to God for giving us.

Blessings to you on this beautiful day!!

Funny stuff for Friday afternoon...

I ran across this several years ago online, but just saw it again and had to post it...

Dear Reverend:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine believes this only applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own a Canadian?

Conversely, can I be sold into slavery in Mexico or Canada?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

Eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, but a friend of mine feels that it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan...

Melancholy Sunday

Couch potato Sunday...that's what today is.  I was watching TV for a while...a BBC America broadcast about the Beatles and let's just say that those boys sure got around.

I turned everything off about an hour ago and have been sitting here on the computer for the last 15 minutes or so.  Looked up some YouTube videos and found some funny stuff.  I recently ran across Film Riot...look them up on YouTube.  They have some hysterical skits over there.  But, I was also looking up one of my former employers, Rex Nelon.  Found a lot of videos of their performances over the years.  Great to see some old familiar faces, but nostalgia swiftly turned to melancholy.  Rex passed away about 10 years ago and his daughter, Kelly, has kept the group going.  She's the only one remaining that I know.  They were recently in the area up at a church in Yuba City and I seriously contemplated going, but didn't get the nerve up to go.  A lot of water has passed under that bridge...I also spoke to my mom last night and some old acquaintances are performing at my home church today.  Really makes me miss my touring days and some dear old friends.  It's just different now.

When I left Rex in 1985, I didn't look back.  The truth is...I was fired from Rex's band because he found out that I had been visiting gay bars.  It was an ugly and difficult time for me, but he was very gracious about it.  And it forced me to confront the truth about myself, so it is all good.  God has certainly bless me over the years and I found another outlet to perform in theater for a while.  But, it seems that my life has taken a new turn lately (the past three years) in that I just seem to be focusing on financial issues and trying to plan for my retirement.  James and I are trying to take steps now to secure our financial future...more planning and budgeting...but I am seriously coming down with a case of theater withdrawals.  More than anything, I need some kind of creative outlet.

Speaking of which, the webseries is in progress.  It's been delayed a bit, but I haven't stopped writing episodes or music for it.  So, stay tuned.  The editing is the hard part since I'm playing 4 different roles.

I realize I'm not saying anything specific in this post...I just had the urge to write some stuff down.  My job is going very well...the real estate side gig is a little slow at the moment.  I'm hoping that picks up soon.

My BFF Anne-Marie Trout has adopted a new puppy and as soon as she recovers from being spayed, I am taking Willow over for a play date.

I also decided to try and fix some broken springs on my couch.  It actually worked pretty well, but my hands are all scratched up from the sharp metal where the springs had broken.  I fixed a couple of them, but I need to finish it up.

If you're not a fan, then you won't understand why I'm so unhappy with RuPaul's Drag Race.  My favorite queen, Pandora Boxx, was eliminated two episodes ago.  The remaining three, (Juju, Tyra and Raven) have one more episode to go.  Of those, Juju is my favorite.  Raven would be my second choice.  And Tyra just has much too bitchy a personality.  Pandora was the most talented of all of the queens this year.  She was very funny and seemed to have a lot more to offer than being a lip-synch artist.  Guess RuPaul was going for something else.

Okay...yes, a very boring post today, but it feels good to write again.  Need to find more time for it.  Any way...have a great day!!  Blessings and light to you all!

Ray