Living for the weekend...

Well, it's Friday morning and I'm looking forward to the weekend.  But, I've found after being in the workforce for nearly 30 years now that the week flies by and then the weekend blinks by in an instant.  It seems the older I get, the faster the days pass.  Turning 50 years old this year seriously reminds me of how rapidly time goes by.  I don't feel any older...I mean, yes I have a few more aches and pains than I used to but most of it I blame on my weight.  It's getting better as I am slimming down.

Speaking of which, I am hovering now around the 30 pound mark in my Fifty for Fifty campaign with slightly over two months to go.  I need to put this in high gear to meet my goal of hitting 250 pounds by the end of November.  I've been a little lazy lately, so I am trying to get back in the habit of moving my fat ass on a daily basis.  I hurt my ankle during aerobics a few weeks back and it still wants to swell up on me when I walk alot or try to be more active.  I bought an ankle brace which is helping, but I still haven't returned to my workout routine on a regular basis.  I've been focused mainly on my diet...which is going well, but it is not enough to meet my goal.

For those of you who don't know, James and I have added another set of little feet to pitter patter through our house.  We adopted a new chihuahua, Norbu, about 3 weeks ago.  Norbu is Tibetan for "precious gem."  He is a sweetheart who gets along with our Willow so well.  We are blessed to have him with us and I thank spirit for bringing him to our family.  Here's a picture of him in the Jeep with me on the way home when we first met him.

He was very nervous and skittish when we first got him.  For the first two days he was walking around our house with his tail between his legs because he was so scared.  The paperwork we got from the rescue center had notes from the vet who saw him when he first came to the pound back in January.  He was difficult to examine at that time because he would scream and yelp when people would try to touch him or pick him up.  He also tried to bite people out of fear.  He's definitely come a long way though at times he goes back in to fear mode with us.  But, we just show him as much love as we can and he's making progress each and every day.

Last Sunday, we joined James' sister and mother for his niece's 5th birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.  It was actually a lot of fun even though I was getting over being sick and James was just getting sick.  We stayed for an hour or so, but it was honestly great to see his side of the family.  We haven't really spent much time with them since last Christmas which is sad since we only live about 6 miles away from them.

I was hoping to audition for a children's show at RSP a couple of weeks ago, but it just wasn't to be in the cards.  I have so much going on right now and am hoping to plan a trip to North Carolina for a couple of weeks in the fall, it just was not a good time.  I don't know if and when I'll be ready to go back to do a show.  I hope that it happens at some point, but I do miss performing.  I have been playing piano a lot more at the house and I'm trying to vocalize on a daily basis, but it's not the same as being in front of an audience.
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I've spent a great deal of time following news stories regarding the Prop 8 trial.  I was ecstatic that it was ruled unconstitutional back in August; but disappointed that the 9th Circuit court allowed a stay of the ruling until they can hear arguments in December.  I'm seriously trying to stay out of the politics of it, but I'm getting so tired of trying to be "tolerant" of people who are against my marriage when the truth of the matter is that even civil unions are not safe for us.  They could easily be overturned with a majority vote just as our right to marriage was.  We are expected to be happy for any crumbs that the majority throw to us...at some point, we have to have a court determine what our rights are under the constitution.  Otherwise, we will be at the mercy of the political winds forever.  

It really sucks that the United States is so far behind the curve on this issue.  I'm beginning to believe that its promise of freedom and equality for all is a bunch of bullshit...pardon my french.  James and I have seriously discussed leaving the country if Prop 8 is upheld by the US Supreme Court.  If this is what being an American is about...having your liberty be at the mercy of right wing nut jobs like Maggie Gallagher...then maybe I don't need to be here any longer.  I'll give my loyalty and tax dollars to a country that does support me.  Democrats (including Obama) have already lost my loyalty because they throw us scraps like hospital visitation rights through executive order which will probably be shot down with the next administration.  Plus, they really don't want to give us anything concrete because if and when we do get full constitutional rights, we'll not be locked into voting Democrat any longer.

Sorry for waxing political...it's been on my mind lately.  I'm following it closely which tends to drive my blood pressure higher...and I get chastised for referring to prop 8 supporters as bigots.  I don't apologize for it any longer.  I'm tired of being defensive about it...I'm going offensive.  And that means I'm going to offend a lot of folks!

Prayers of peace and blessings upon each of you!

Ray

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...