Ugh. Ick. Blech.

Yes, the Homosexual Agenda is all that. We're trying to corrupt the morals of society. We're trying to convert children. WE WANT TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!!! (insert evil sinister laughter here).

I can't find the exact quote right now (I think it was Barney Frank?), but one of my favorite quotes about this says something to the effect that The Homosexual Agenda is: Leave us alone. Let us just be who we are. We don't want to "promote" anything but having equal rights, protections, and the ability to live our lives like the rest of y'all. Let us be as normal as everyone else, with our boring domesticated gay lives. And no, we aren't after your children. And the Pride Parades? NOT our everyday bland lives. It's fun and humorous and basically a loving caricature of what everyone else seems to expect. As Joe says, PRANCE. "If you got it, baby, flaunt it, FLAUNT IT!!!!!" (Okay fellow immoral gay persons, tell me what that's from. You ALL know it - right?!?!?!?!)

(As I've said before, Scott and I are blessed to be surrounded by neighbors - with children - who understand all this).

This video is kind of sickening - definitely disheartening. The comments on YouTube are even more discouraging. Why do we even try ...

(The video is 3 minutes 14 seconds ... )

Pride and Priorities

This is Pride Weekend, when we in the GLBT community celebrate how far we have come, the fact that we are proud of who we are regardless of anyone else's opinions of us, when we celebrate and affirm that we are all as meaningful and equal as every other person in the world. Generally, Pride weekend is scheuled to celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Scott and I usually attend the Pride Parade and festival. Because we are, you know, gay, and proud of who we are in all aspects, and it's a wonderful life-affirming weekend. Even in fairly liberal Seattle, it's still a great time to be surrounded by people from all walks of life who show us that we're just as wonderful (fabulous, even) as anyone else.

We put out our flag on Friday:

But we ended up skipping the parade and rally and all the other Pride events. Something more important came up.

Kitty, one of our pups (okay, she's going on 11 years old) got sick. She threw up all over the bedroom Thursday night, and as delicately as I can put it, hasn't been able to keep any nutrients in her body for two days. We called our vet yesterday morning, and they said to take her to the doggie ER, which we did. Our poor baby could barely get up from the floor when we got her there; her temperature was very low (panic signal), she wouldn't eat, her eyes were all bloodshot ... not looking good. She's lost 15 pounds since last fall - not a bad thing for a somewhat pudgy pup, but not at all a good sign. The vet said she was very worried about her - she thought there may be some blockage or perforation of her digestive system, and because her temperature was so low, she was worried that Kitty was going into septic shock, which is extremely life-threatening. Scott and I had to coax her from the exam room into the hospital area.

Scott and I both thought that might be the last time we'd ever see her.

After putting down a deposit of about $1,000, we drove home in silence. Neither of us could say what we were thinking. We couldn't do a damn thing to make our baby feel better other than leave her in a strange place and hope for the best. So we went home. I cut the grass, because I needed something to do while Scott waited by the phone. Then it was my turn to sit by the phone while Scott took a break and went out in the yard for a while.

And we cried. We had to have the "how much can we spend on her if it's something terminal" talk. We knew we both felt the same way, but we have to anticipate the eventually inevitable.

The other dogs knew something was up. We could tell they were worried and knew that their Dads were upset.

We talked to the vet later in the afternoon ... they can't find anything majorly wrong. No bleeding, no blockage, no perforations. Her temperature came back to normal.

Today, her temperature is still normal. She's brighter, curious about everything about her, but still no interest in food or water. And her body is still expelling everything quite aggressively, but that could be a good thing. The vet thinks she may have gotten into something bad - god knows what.

We miss her. She's a big moose of a dog, and isn't a vision of patience with the other dogs, but she's a big furry cuddly baby. She's looking better, but not out of the woods until she starts eating and drinking again. I've always thought of her as "my" dog, only because Scott and I got her together. I'd give anything to take a nap with her right now.

How could anyone not fall head-over-heels in love with this creature?

Update: Kitty's home. She's still ... ahem... having some digestive issues. With the vet-recommended canned food, though, she's INHALING her food. And she's SO much more alert, responsive, and happy. And OH so happy to be home. We just took her for a short walk, and she was wagging her tail off like usual. Lots of meds and special diet for a while, but it looks like she's with us for a while longer. We're practically doing cartwheels of joy. Y'all just gotta meet her. A more grateful dog never existed.

I'm Family-Oriented

Thank GOD Rosie left "The View"

Not that I've ever watched daytime television (hell, ANY television, for the most part) ...

But this is just a breath of fresh fucking air, isn't it???

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I miss you.

Misplaced priorities

"When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one".

-epitaph for decorated Air Force sergeant Leonard Matlovich

If we cannot respect our own Government ...

From A Prairie Home Companion's website. I knew there was a reason I still liked Garrison Keillor:

Post to the Host:

This letter is not in anyway made to reprimand PHC but i feel that so many entertainers these days take cheap shots at the current presidential administration. I believe in freedom of speech 100% but there is a time and a place for it. Whether in the spotlight or on the airwaves you all are a role model to people of all ages. If we as Americans cannot respect our own government how can we teach our children and people of other countries to do so as well? Celina T.Jesup, GA


[Garrison Keillor] Thank you, Ms. T., for your endorsement of free speech and I have to agree with your last sentence 100%. If we cannot respect our own government, then how can we teach our children to? Well put.

Touche.

June 12 of 12

It's time for June 12 of 12!!!! Thanks to Chad for the idea and keeping it rolling.

This month:

Issues, issues, issues.

No work pics this month. Maybe next month.

Old Mr. Sony Mavica gave out when I tried some pictures late this afternoon, but thankfully it was just a dead battery. So I was able to finish.

The back yard and pond. Probably about 8:15 this morning. Beautiful day in Seattle.

Yes, we are planning on replacing the fence. We just haven't figured out how to do it when the dogs are in the backyard during the day.

I don't think y'all have met our Indian ringneck parakeet. This is Boo Boo. He's adorable. He says "Hi Boo Boo", laughs, and can imitate the telephone being dialed. Drives houseguests crazy. Sometimes he talks like Cousin Itt from The Addams Family. But he's a sweetheart.

Late this afternoon. It's about 68 degrees and gorgeous. Heading to the store - Marion Street (a block down from our house) has been torn up recently, putting new gas lines in. At least it's open now.

Heading up 23rd Avenue toward Safeway. This is a major north-south street that goes from the University District in the north to Rainier Avenue in the south, connecting to Rainier Valley and all the way down to Renton. No one wants to live on such a busy street (we live just a block off of it on 24th) - but there have been a lot of remodels lately, with houses selling in the $400 - 500K range. On the left, just past the last few houses, you can see a sign for Collins' Gold Exchange (now closed). The sign used to flash "G - O - L - D" and then "GOLD". Then the "G" and "L" burned out. For years it flashed "O - D". We thought it was funny. We're pretty sure they sold crack there. Like a lot of places in the neighborhood. And you can buy a "Good Time, Mister?" still for $5 within a few blocks of our house. Maybe I should have gotten a "12 of 12" picture of one of the Good Time Ladies.

Waiting at the stoplight at Union Street. A couple of major bus routes come through here. You can't quite read it on the Union 76 sign on the far left corner, but they're selling regular gas for $3.39 per gallon. They tend to be a little pricey, but it's not that out of line with the rest of Seattle.

Coming up to the Safeway. It's a little less than a mile from our house, which is nice. They built big ol' condo units above it, which isn't as nice. There's a grocery store closer to us that was a nasty neighborhood place for years, until the last one shut down and they renovated it. We were hoping a Trader Joe's would end up there. We got a Grocery Outlet instead. Some of our friends' kids dubbed it the Gross Out.

Back home. And now introducing another family member ... Schotzie, the blue and gold Macaw. He's big. He's bad. His beak could tear your finger off - easily. He laughs at the television - often before we've even realized something was funny. He eats peanut butter from a spoon - while holding the spoon (he likes Adam's crunchy). He's cuddly - with Scott. Macaws mate for life, so in captivity they tend to bond with one person. It wasn't me. He only gives me the time of day when I feed him grapes. But he's amazing.

Heading upstairs. Hunter The Amazing Cat With Thumbs (seriously) loves his perch on the stair landing by the window. He's big and soft and cuddly and still has a high-pitched kitten "meow". He doesn't like to be held unless he's calling the shots. You can't tell from this picture, but he's always wearing little white socks.

Took a trip out to the back yard to take pictures of the puppies. Stoli hid behind the California Lilac. She's a little shy. She's also one of the smartest and most loyal, lovable dogs ever created. She's almost 11 years old. But a real lady never reveals her true age - so don't ask her.

Kitty basking on the deck. She's the same age as Stoli. She loves the sun, long walks on the beach, and being cuddled. We almost lost her a couple of years ago. We adore her. She didn't make that horrible mess on the deck - that was Kali the Amazingly Large and Resilient Puppy. Kali drags anything she can find onto the deck, sometimes by ripping it out of the ground or off of the house. We've given up on trying to keep the deck clean, or in one piece. We've also given up on keeping the back door clean, obviously. But we have happy dogs. That's more important, isn't it?

Kali (the Amazingly Large and Resilient Puppy). Kali is almost 11 month old now. She's huge. Probably about 75 - 80 pounds now and still growing. She still thinks she can curl up on the bed with us. Scott and I have probably both woken up on the floor more than once because of this. She's hyper, she's a chewer, she's a digger, she's incorrigible, she's KALI! We can't imagine life without her. I love the way her eyes are closed but her mouth is open. Imagine waking up with that face in yours and her (large) tongue in your nose. No really, imagine it.

The theme for the Bonus Pic this month is "Secret". I tried taking Kali's picture about eight times before I got that last one - she always got away as I was trying to take her picture. This is one of the pictures of the Elusive Yet Amazingly Large and Resilient Puppy. It may seem like a picture of nothing, but it's where dogs have been, dogs will return, and part of our home. And it's a Secret as to where she is right now ...

(P.S. Thanks to UriZone! for pointing out that my "secret picture" looks like it spells out "12". How cool was I. Secret even from me ... )

Happy 12 of 12!!

Don't forget to take a peek at Scott's first 12 of 12!

Someday he'll come along ... the man I love ...

And he'll be big and strong, the man I love ...

Actually, he has come along. Almost ten years ago.

Scott mostly posts videos of songs and movies that we love. That's him. He's a music and movie junkie. But the videos he posts are important, sometimes funny and sometimes poignant, and I understand why he posts them.

Last night, he posted a beautiful grouping of music videos, dedicated to not just me, but to us.

I saw his post this morning and thought it was wonderful, but I just now actually watched the videos. They are all beautiful and powerful, and mean a lot to me. If you have the time to watch a few, I think it's worth it. Especially the final video, of Westlife singing "You Lift Me Up". The part with the boy hopping around in his grandfather's shoes reminds Scott of his Grandfather, and always makes both of us smile.

And, just to be sappy, Scott really does raise me up. I can't begin to describe how much he is helping me in my new job. He's been in management for years and is damn good at it, and has taught me so much even in the past month. I've needed that, and he's always been there to remind me what I'm capable of. And every day he reminds me of who I am and that I'm more amazing than I thought. That's a good thing to be reminded of.

Enjoy. Really - take the time and enjoy.

He's amazing, no?

Celebrate PRIDE.

I wish I could write like Joe. But at least I can link to him.

Here's a must-read - a piece he wrote two years ago about pride celebrations and the observations of it by some people ... I know he changed my view about some things ...

Thanks Joe.

Celebrate Diversity?

It's been a while ... but once again, it's time for Matterday's jaw to hit the floor from the absurdity of it all!!!

(Hat tip to Pam):

This is just too much to fathom - street preacher Ruben Israel is crying foul because he has been denied being allowed to march in Chicago's Gay Pride Parade. Apparently, the GLBT community and its' supporters are being hypocritical by discriminating against him and others like him, for not accepting them as who they are, for not showing the tolerance that they demand from others.

Of course, my first thought is - are you freakin' kidding me???? You want to march in a Gay PRIDE Parade in order to spread your hatred and inability to accept reality? And then blame us for being intolerant for laughing in your face? Tell ya what, Mr. Israel - when I and my community are invited into your forums, and you actually listen to us - not just hear us - then maybe, just MAYBE we won't think you're an ignorant, hate-filled, opportunistic blowhard. Do I have an "amen"?

However - in what I hope is seen to be true Matterdays style - I am open to hearing other thoughts. Am I missing something glaringly obvious here? Is this a legal issue? Or just an issue of rationality? Isn't a pride parade a privately-sponsored event, with the right to exclude someone who opposes - no, hates - the sponsored group?

Discuss.

Celebrate Diversity

Kelly has posted his second annual Celebrate Diversity/Pride picture, asking for others to do the same. Very cool idea - all about acceptance, diversity, recognizing the worth of others of different races, faiths, politics, orientations ... being open to the reality that our world is made up of a diverse mass of people, many different from ourselves.

Great reminder that we should celebrate each other every day. Thanks, Kelly.

No, really, I'm okay ...

I know, I haven't been around much lately. I've only been making random mindless video posts. You haven't heard my opinions on the state of the world lately. Shhh, shhh ... it's okay, I'm still here. And yes, I've missed you, too.

This new job is taking up a lot of my time and energy. I still love it, for the most part, although there are challenges/opportunities that I thought I'd have more time to address. I work 9 - 10 hour days and feel like I'm just able to get the daily operational duties done. I do have enough "big picture" view to understand what some of the issues are - but addressing them is the challenge. However, this post isn't to talk about work, really, so off to other whining ...

There's some kind of cold/flu thing going around these days. My boss was really sick over the holiday weekend and is just now feeling better. Scott has been sick since Monday or Tuesday, too ... and now I have it. Not too horrible, but sinus congestion and pain, sneezing, achey, and my eyes feel swollen. And, my ears are kinda plugged up, which really sucks since I'm partially deaf in one ear anyway. Blech. It's been a beautiful day in Seattle, sunny and about 80 (for the past week actually), but I haven't gone out and done any yardwork like I need to do because I'm just too tired and cranky. I hope I'm feeling better tomorrow, because I'm going to have to do ALL of my chores then.

I feel really out of touch with the world ... I don't have the time or energy anymore to keep up on the current news and political blogs that I love, and barely anytime to read up on y'all either. But I'm trying, and am working on getting into a better routine soon.

So, I'm still here and in the land of the living - I just need a little more time to adjust to this new life of mine. I have some priorities to figure out and there's a lot on my plate. But please, don't stop visiting ...