it may get better, but it is really bad for gay youth now

In case you missed it, there have been too many tragic suicides from anti-gay bullying this week. This newsletter e-mail sums it up pretty well and I thought it important to repost it here in case these events have not been on your radar.

I had an interesting conversation with a self-described "conservative Christian" last weekend and she lamented the popular view of "the church" as cruel and oppressive. The more I talked to her about her values, the more I was convinced that she is not conservative in the least, and that "Christian" and "compassionate" do not have to be mutually exclusive, and rather by definition and theology absolutely should not.

The real conservative Christians are contradictions in terms. It should not surprise my friend that mainstream Americans and liberals in general see organized Christianity in America as evil oppressors. There are many, many efforts aimed at stopping bullying, particularly anti-gay bullying in schools, and they are almost always thwarted by highly-organized and well-funded "Conservative Christian" organizations who devote ridiculous money and resources to keep bullying and abuse as a Christian right in schools. How could any one defend bullying and call themselves a Christian?

I don't know, but they do so with fists of cash in one hand, and a spiked cross in the other.

Christ is love and forgiveness, not judgment. It's pretty obvious that He would be against bullying, not hate any kid or man for being gay (as that is how His Father made them), and he certainly would not suggest spending millions on keeping gay kids beaten or gay adults from getting married. Hey, look over here: the poor, the suffering, the sick and the oppressed are everywhere. Lil' help? No? Tied up in political campaigns and demonization of love? Uh, not in MY name if you don't mind...

Here's the newsletter:

We all know how much has changed for LGBTQ people in this country. And yet, just this month, we've had this tragic news about LGBTQ youth:

Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers freshman, jumped off a NYC bridge to his death this week after his roommate filmed him in a sexual encounter with a man and posted the clip:
link

Asher Brown, a 13-year-old in Houston, shot himself after years of anti-gay bullying:
link

Seth Walsh of Tehachapi, also 13, hung himself after years of anti-gay bullying, and just died after nine days on life support: link


Billy Lucas of Greensburg, Indiana, died at 15 after hanging himself in response to years of anti-gay bullying: link

Against this backdrop, we learned this week that the Assistant Attorney General of Wisconsin is making vicious personal attacks on the University of Michigan's openly gay student assembly president: link

News items like these remind me how much has changed in some ways, how little in other ways, and how much remains to be done. I never hear stories like these without thinking of the classmate who, along with me, was the identified "homo" in our high school: after weeks of walking past students praying for us at the entrance to school, she shot herself in the head with a shotgun, suffering permanent damage. My memories of her, and of so many others, have helped fuel my years of work as an LGBT center director.

AT&T FAIL becomes its own meme

Sure, the knowledge of and frustration with AT&T's shitty coverage and service in SF is so pervasive as to become cliché, but the clever people at the True Sake shop in Hayes Valley have taken it another step, pushing it into the realm of the "What if Microsoft made cars" joke series.



Indicative of the meme: "If AT&T Made Sake…Your bottle would always look full, but your cup would always be empty."

Ha. I do love that.

Read more over at Laughing Squid.

(Photo by Todd Lapin via Flickr.)

when you wish upon a star

from Alert Reader and Man of Science Barney May: Check out National Ignition Facility and Photon Science "Bringing Star Power to Earth." Watch the video on their home page (it auto plays)

Laser Inertial Fusion Engine (LIFE)
LIFE is an advanced energy concept under development at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Based on physics and technology developed for the National Ignition Facility, LIFE has the potential to meet future worldwide energy needs in a safe, sustainable manner without carbon dioxide emissions.

The NIF plans to focus a 192 of the strongest laser beams ever created onto a single hydrogen target about the size of a BB and ignite a sustainable fusion reaction. Pretty cool. Or hot, I suppose. Unless it ignites the planet's atmosphere or something else all sci-fi and scary. The LHC didn't create a world-eating black hole when it was fired up. Maybe this will just make popcorn one kernel at a time.

blessed be

Here is the video local awesome guy Matt Baume put together on Sunday afternoon. It's brief, bright, and well worth watching. I'm surprised at and proud of the number of friends I recognize in this video and it made me think how incredibly amazing my life is today. I never would have or even could have imagined a life so well lived as I was scared and hiding away in high school and college. That It Gets Better is true. But also, I think, it gets great.

just sinful

Sadly, this seems to be the typical Voice of Christianity in America today. I know good and loving Christians, but they seem to be an increasingly diminishing denomination, and also so very silent when the other flockers are so vociferous.

That this is posted on the heels of "kill the gays" evangelical legislation and "destroy the gays" DVDs produced by the Catholic church, is it any wonder gay kids are killing themselves, or that their tormentors are inspired to bully them to death?

"Christianists" have discovered the It Gets Better project, and are condemning scared gay kids to hell and eternal torment.

Presumably, because that's what Jesus would do.

Look! Up in the air!

What happens to those future old shuttle craft and space ships when they are decommissioned?  They join the Sci-Fi Air Show of course! 

The Sci-Fi Air Show is the result of the passion and experience of Friend of the Blog Bill George:

People have asked me why I’ve put all the effort and energy into this project. My answer is, “Because sometimes just loving something is not enough.”

Nerds, geeks, and all dreamers should rejoice.

well helloooo Dolly

Brain Farts' theme last night was Six Degrees of Dolly Parton, and with the Indian Summer Heat Wave it was 96 degrees in that bar. I didn't study up, but we still managed a respectable third place (losing our tie for second in the sudden death round).


Notable team names were: "Tranny Theme Park Dolly's Wood," "We Just Left Dollywood and Are Suffering from Post-Parton Depression," and simply "Boulder, Colorado."

It was a hot night for Testarossa 80s night at Trigger (with a lackluster Ghostbusters theme this time—I think they are running out of ideas). Oliver Twist was back in his booth with bright balloon creations and face/body painting. I realize I have not posted stories or photos from the Big Country 40th Party yet but I hired Oliver to paint tattoos at the birthday party and he was a HUGE hit. His first tatt' taker got a cool Koi, which fluoresced and sparkled remarkably in the black light. I was happy with whatever he wanted to work on and he offered a rose or banner tattoo, which I loved.

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Of course the name was my idea. Only real fags would get the joke. I sent this to Jeff M., who's muscled canvas was missing from our 80s night last night. Jeff got the anchor last time. He loved my Rose Nylund and replied "OMG that cracks me up! There need to be more GG themed tattoos in the world."

Sadly, there are:

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Folsom scenes

I didn't take any photos at Folsom this year. Come to think of it, I don't think I've taken any photos at Folsom in years. As I said yesterday, "That's what Flickr is for."

I would like to have pics of me and my friends, or scenes particularly worth commentary, but sometimes these scenes are just best left to the professionals, like certain Friends of the Blog. (Photos likely restricted based on your own "safety" filter settings. If you don't want to look at photos of fetish play or good clean adult fun, then don't. It's really that simple. It's all on you.)

look out!

Via Laughing Squid via Geeks are Sexy:

The Waldo Ultimatum:

Hey, Boo.

Be subversive and read: it's Banned Books Week!

From the ALA:

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.  Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week.  BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

Consider this, the top ten challenged books last year (2009):

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
   Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
2. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
   Reasons: homosexuality
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
   Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
   Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
   Reasons: religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
   Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
   Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
   Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
9. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
   Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
    Reasons: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group 

I never really understood the impulse of busy-bodies to challenge or ban books, until I realized that those with no real ideas of their own are afraid of anyone else's.  Subsequently they feel they must panic and kick and scream and shout when faced with an idea contrary to something already in their head.  (Na na na na na na, I'm not listening to you.  Those who cannot think critically have no business leading.)

Foslom weekend and summer in the City, SF is all kinds of hot

There's MUCH goings on tonight and this weekend. Other than the dozen or so Folsom-related parties (calendar, NSFW), tonight I recommend:

7:00 Tribute to the Songs of Shel Siverstein, at the Elbo Room
9:00PM-2:00AM Leather Titleholders' Party hosted my SF Mr. Leather and Friend of the Blog Lance Holman, the Powerhouse
9:00PM-4:00AM Bearracuda Folsom Friday at the Cat Club. Furry fun with great DJs

Y'all have fun, and see yo at the Fair. I'll be serving beer for the Rodeo all day at 8th & Folsom.

lament

Another blogger posted a video today: Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe." I found that timely considering the It Gets Better Project (see previous post).

Bobbie Gentry later said in an interview that the song was about "casual cruelty," and that Billie Joe killed himself because he was gay, or rather, killed himself to stop the suffering forced upon a gay teen in rural Mississippi because he was gay.



A haunting and beautiful song.

Glasgow Jan's brother-in-law loves county music, but most the songs "that tell a story." So I made him a compilation of good old story songs, which tie up rather nicely in the Jenkins' ode to southern story songs, "Blame It On Mama."

When I was six or seven, Mama tucked me in,
With a lullaby that made my eyes open wide again.
I'd lie awake and wonder why a boy named Billie Joe,
Jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge to the river far below...

Blame It On Mama @ Yahoo! Video

it gets better

The suicide rate among gay teens remains a nightmare, but in recent months, two young boys killed themselves over constant, excessive bullying at their schools, sometimes including harassment by their teachers, and often with the full knowledge of the school officials. This is inexcusable, as is the right wing's organized attempts to keep bullying alive and literally kicking in the nation's schools. I'm sorry, but that's just evil, and hardly Christian as they love to claim.

But back to the kids. Being young and gay in America sucks. The fear of familiar rejections is almost enough to make anyone suicidal, but add to that daily torment at school and it's no wonder the suicide rate is so high. Especially when this torment is egged on by parents, teachers, principals, and clergy.

Dan Savage was moved last week to do something to help these kids surrounded by a barrage of hateful messages. He started a project to tell them the truth: Being gay, closeted or not, as a kid sucks, but it gets better. Most of these kids don't have anyone taking them aside and saying, "Yeah, this is dark, and despairing, and painful but hold on. This year, and maybe next year, will be a little miserable. But serious: it gets better. Do not kill yourself. It may look bad now, but it will get better."

But through modern media—the Internet social networks, and YouTube—we can be that voice a tortured kid so desperately needs.

Dan Savage and his usually shy partner posted a video and have started a channel on YouTube: It Gets Better. Here people like you and me can record our own videos and experiences as a gay teen, and assure gay youth that it does, in fact, get better. hang in there.

Here's the incident that prompted this project. Here's a letter to Dan's column: "I just read about a gay teenager in Indiana—Billy Lucas—who killed himself after being taunted by his classmates. Now his Facebook memorial page is being defaced by people posting homophobic comments. It's just heartbreaking and sickening. What the hell can we do?"

Here's an excerpt of Dan's response:

Nine out of 10 gay teenagers experience bullying and harassment at school, and gay teens are four times likelier to attempt suicide. Many LGBT kids who do kill themselves live in rural areas, exurbs, and suburban areas, places with no gay organizations or services for queer kids.

"My heart breaks for the pain and torment you went through, Billy Lucas," a reader wrote after I posted about Billy Lucas to my blog. "I wish I could have told you that things get better."

I had the same reaction: I wish I could have talked to this kid for five minutes. I wish I could have told Billy that it gets better. I wish I could have told him that, however bad things were, however isolated and alone he was, it gets better.

But gay adults aren't allowed to talk to these kids. Schools and churches don't bring us in to talk to teenagers who are being bullied. Many of these kids have homophobic parents who believe that they can prevent their gay children from growing up to be gay—or from ever coming out—by depriving them of information, resources, and positive role models.

Why are we waiting for permission to talk to these kids? We have the ability to talk directly to them right now. We don't have to wait for permission to let them know that it gets better. We can reach these kids.

So here's what you can do, GBVWS: Make a video. Tell them it gets better.

I've launched a channel on YouTube—www.youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject—to host these videos. My normally camera-shy husband and I already posted one. We both went to Christian schools and we were both bullied—he had it a lot worse than I did—and we are living proof that it gets better. We don't dwell too much on the past. Instead, we talk mostly about all the meaningful things in our lives now—our families, our friends (gay and straight), the places we've gone and things we've experienced—that we would've missed out on if we'd killed ourselves then.

I really wanted to post my own story and speak to these kids, but I can't seem to work something up without crying. Which surprised me.

There are some amazing responses though, including a new one from Dave Holmes, co-host of DVD on TV on FX.

I love Matt Baume's reasonable videos tearing apart the lies in the ads from the insidious "national Organization for Marriage" (NOM), and it turns out he's a local writer, and now supporter of the It Gets Better Project. Here is Matt's video announcing a live and in person flash mob for this Sunday in the Castro where we can all say "It gets better."



There is also a walk for marriage equality across the Golden Gate Bridge this Sunday, so this event is timed to begin when those walkers return to the City/the Castro.

However, Sunday is also Folsom Street Fair, and most homos who will be there, so I worry about the turnout. The It Gets Better flash event is scheduled to run from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. I'm volunteering at the Rodeo booth serving beverages from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday so I'm out.

Update from Matt: Yes, they will be in the Castro this Sunday and know they are competing with the incredibly popular Folsom Street Fair, but they will also be at the Castro Street Fair next Sunday (October 3). They wanted to have an event this Sunday too so they could post some community videos as soon as possible.

the one tea party ad I can get behind

Because there are costumes!

Tea Party Republicans With Signs And Costumes Against Glenn Beck

Takedown of NOM's lies in MN

So well done. This needs to run, on air, nationally, over and over again. Maybe Rachel Maddow should pick it up.

either he's dead or my watch has stopped

I can't believe that guy just said he "doesn't want to beat a dead horse, but..." Of course he wants to. For his birthday I almost got him a gift certificate to Equine Piñatas.

Word!

Last night was the members-only opening of the ridiculously big 46th Annual Big Book Sale.  As a Friend of the Library, I had members' tickets, but instead joined T and his family for a Glee premiere party, which was totally worth it.  Sure the books are varied and cheap but I do not need to spend any more money frivolously, nor do I need to add to my two-foot stack of "to read" books. With all books priced between $1 and $5, I'm sure I'd want to leave with a forklift. 

But the Big Book Sale opens today at Fort Mason, running 10:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m. through Saturday the 25th.  Sunday's final day runs 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Check out the new Reader's Cafe adjacent to the bookstore in Building C, featuring famous Blue Bottle Coffee.  members of the Friends of the Public Library enjoy a 10% discount, this weekend and all year long.  

While I'm on books:  Many thanks to Kevin P. for his generous birthday gift certificate to the Booksmith in my neighborhood! I went a little lit wild and now just want to sit home with a cup of coffee, comfy chair, and several thousand pages.

And LitQuake is coming soon, celebrating it's 11th year and running October 1-9.

I see dead zones

Three AT&T service-related posts from the SFist:

• The Business Times reports that AT&T is "proud" of their network and is trying to improve their network in San Francisco. Which we will believe when someone successfully reaches me in my own apartment on the AT&T network to tell me so.

• The SF Business Times also has an awesome map of Bay Area wireless dead zones, with AT&T's ridiculously Swiss cheese coverage over San Francisco.

• And of course this gem, which seems to have been picked up by the entire worlds in less than a day. The owner of the Red Devil Lounge (Polk Street music venue, @ Clay) put this up on his marquee as a lark this week:

Why we love San Franciscans.

in the fog of love

or in the love of fog.

In this engrossingly beautiful time-lapse film of San Francisco, The Unseen Sea, by Simon Christen, you can almost feel the little cat feet. 

The Unseen Sea from Simon Christen on Vimeo.

What a love letter to where we live.


Via Laughing Squid.

misc

We all screamed. Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous's ice cream parlor out on 3rd at 22 (down dogpatch way) is amazing. Bright, beautiful, clean, simple, all fresh, all homemade down to the sprinkles—even your cone is made when you order it. And that is some super tasty stuff (and all organic and eco-friendly too of course).



And a pleasure for the eyes too. And the incredibly charming and tattooed young husband and wife team are gracious hosts.


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(The tip jar reads "new tattoo fund.") The candied violet reminded me of making violet jam as a little bitty kid, and the pralines might have made my mother weep. For my next self-indulgent treat (or hopefully, date) I'm looking forward to a soul food lunch at Hard Knox across the street followed by a scoop or two from the Mr. & Mrs. Misc.

excuse me, can I park here?

so, that's a "no"?

such a pushover

We did not know this dog. He kept running over to our blanket in the park and dropping a bit of cork for me to throw and play with him. But we knew once we started there would be no stopping the fetch game. Ultimately, I caved.


But seriously, how could I not? I know I'm cool but I'm not made of ice people! This bit of fluff was working the cute with all black fur, no discernible eyes, and a bright pink tongue.

SF summer bipolar

It's finally Summer in San Francisco, which means we're experiencing alternating cold wet foggy periods and clear warm sunny days—generally in cycles of three days of each. But when the sun comes out, so do we.


Dolores Park becomes "Dolores Beach" in September, and we all flock to the "man shelf."


Wait a minute—is that dude to the left buying an ice cream in a jock strap? Yep. Oh SF, how you keep amusing me.

build anything

I've touted the surprising joy of Play-Doh Fun Factory Coffee Dates.

I may have to move on the Legos next.

Build Anything from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

on the other hand is a completely different rule of thumb

From The New York Times, two articles about what your thought was about right is no so much any more:

When to change your oil.?  The 3,000 mile guesstimate is antiquated.  Change your oil closer to 7,500 to 10,000 miles. 


How much soap should use use in the dishwasher or clothes washer?  About an eighth of what you're using.

Simon says "smile!"

Actually Simon says "squish squish!"

Simon James is a world-traveling photographer from Australia specializing in events and portraits.  I had the pleasure to meet him in Nashville in May when my good friend Carolyn Palmer brought him to the Racers and Chasers cocktail party I hosted to introduce Shilpa and Paul Day around the Nashvegas social set.    While I was home I managed to wrangle the family together for a portrait sitting, and he took some great family photos. I HIGHLY recommend him.


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Simon is also BIG FUN and became one of our favorite people to play with while in town, and we were happy to hear he would be spending the last weeks or so of August in the Bay Area.

Simon came to the Nashville via the DeFrances, when they hired him to shoot Tori's wedding.  Tori's older sister Samantha and I were in the same class growing up.  Simon was in the Bay Area to shoot the other sister's wedding (Tiffany) in Tahoe.  His photos are, of course, gorgeous, but I really just like the candid one of the groom before the wedding.

Ahem.

At any rate, post nuptial and all of that Simon stayed for a week and we go to take him out for some fun time in the City, starting with a quick two-step lesson to prepare him for my birthday party, followed by margaritas and burritos at Puerto Allergre in the Mission, and then general messy mess after that.


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There was also tasty Indian dinner at Shilpa's too with new peeps to the set Rob and Peter.


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Simon will be back in a couple of weeks with his mother and daughters, and we're looking forward to meeting the family. I don't know if he's taking any booking, but you may be able to take advantage of him while he's here. US bookings are handled by Carolyn Thombs in Nashville (cpthombs@comcast.net).

lush life

Speaking of the Mid-Market Revitalization Project, the Shilpa and I had the opportunity to visit the new and expanded Lush Lounge on Polk Street last Saturday after a work conference. So very, very nice.


I say "speaking of" as it was a lovely sunny day, the bar was nearly empty and we sat in the window seats talking with the owner David for most of the afternoon, and he told us that the Chamber of Commerce selected him as the Small Business Owner of the Month and the City has asked him to open another location in Mid-Market as part of the renewal effort. This new Lush has a lot of the charm of the original with much more space, light and air; and I'd welcome another one downtown. He did the build out himself and it is quite, quite lushful. And Cosmo the Bar terrier is almost impossible to resist when he brings the tennis ball and those pleading puppy eyes. I am such a pushover for cuties with fur.

cool shit going down tonight

Two don't-miss events tonight in SF:

Matt Colagiuri Art Opening and Reception
Brilliant local photographer Matt Colagiuri launches a new show featuring his amazing "sculptural photography" opening tonight at Triptych tonight from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Triptych is located at 1155 Folsom Street between 7th & 8th. This will be his last local show for a while while the collection tours other US points then Europe. Besides being a great artist, he's an all around great guy.

Mississippi Rider at the Hotel Utah
Ridiculously awesome bass player Mike Anderson will be playing with the also awesome Mississippi Mike and Cree Rider with the band Mississippi Rider at the Hotel Utah at 500 Fourth Street at Bryant. They're scheduled to go on first at 9:00 p.m. sharp, so pop over after the show at Triptych.

Update: Okay, so Matt's show wasn't the big one I was thinking about, and his major works have already left for NYC on their way to the gallery in London. I am excited to see his enormous Vegas piece which is still underway. Triptych may be my new "date" place though. I just heard from Jude that his culinary experience there was terrible, but Nicky at the bar is incredibly enchanting.

AND I have been remiss in finding Mississippi Mike online because in all these years I never noticed that he spells it with single consonants: it's MISISIPI Mike. And last night's show with MISISIPI Rider was a great set.

Favorite line of the night: "That smell's good!" "That's songs bakin' in the kitchen!"

high waisted fast talkers

This wearable camera that records everything all the time made me think of Alert Reader Paul Day.  It's called the Looxcie.







Now look, see!

mid-Market, low prices

Mayor Newsom is pushing for a gleaming new mall at the sketchy/skanky stretch of Market between 5th and 6th as part of the City's Mid-Market Revitalization Project. Just one block from the high-end mall Westfield and other points east, this mall would "be a haven in a hostile city" to discount stores.  Or as the marketing materials put it, "value-based retailers" such as TJ Maxx, JC Penny's and Ross.

Can anything (re)vitalize this area? It is pretty seriously scummy. Can a discount mall be nice, or will it be poorly-organized and poorly-maintained like the pretty nasty discount retailers already in the area?  The SF Appeal poll has 71% of people responding that they think it will just be a "dump" too.  Read the Appeal for the story.

However, I expect if there were to be a Target in that space people would be singing a different tune (anti-gay/anti-democracy corporate actions notwithstanding).  And a Target above a Muni station would be handy.

What do y'all think?

now THIS is muni

London's getting amazing new buses based on the iconic Routemaster, but designed to be the most environmentally-friendly, people-friendly and energy-efficient public transport in the world. 

what's in a name

Isn't it a bit arrogant, or maybe just presumptuous, to name a child "Christian?"  You don't see other people naming their kids "Jewish," "Islamic" or "Hindu."  WTF?

taking note

another day without hot water.  My building is pretty unreliable and I've been advised to keep a log of these things.  So I'm writing it down here: no hot water and day two with an arctic wash before work. 

branding FAILs

I applaud retailers who cater to their local customers, but a Walgreen's in Nashville completely missed it with this one.

This particular Walgreen's is just a block or two from the two primary private schools in the region: Ensworth and MBA. Ensworth originally fashioned itself after Princeton with a similar shield, orange and black school colors, and the Tigers as their mascot. (Go Tigers!)

Ensworth is relatively new (established 1958), but MBA was founded in 1867. Not only did my father and two older brothers go to MBA, but we ALL had the same English teacher. As did most, if not al,l of Nashville's prominent local leaders and businessmen (and Governors and Senators for that matter). MBA, formally Montgomery Bell Academy, is a local institution. But rarely and only formally does anyone call it "Montgomery Bell Academy". Occasionally, it may be referred to as "Montgomery Bell," but basically it's MBA." In Nashville, MBA is a school, not a degree. It's something transplants have to adjust to.

No one has ever, ever, referred to the school as "Montgomery."

There is a Walgreen's located near Ensworth and MBA, whose campuses themselves are only about two hundred yards from each other. I applaud that they sought to market to their local students with pep rally gear such as seats, cups, and megaphones. But you would think that if they were to make the effort to order specialized products, they would bother to get the name right.




"Go Tigers" is perfect for Ensworth.  MBA does not have an animal mascot. They are The Big Red. In all sporting events, MBA supporters cheer for "Big Red," or cheer/chant "Roll Red Roll!" I imagine it would be ridiculously easy to figure this out before ordering merchandise. Megaphones and flags reading "Montgomery!" makes it sound like they're cheering for Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

On a similar note, I noticed this generic knockoff while shopping at Lucky the other day. Seriously? The closest similar name you could find for a Reese's cereal was this?





"Cocoa Peanut Butter Spheres"? Where is this marketing department? I'm applying for a job—clearly I'm better than anyone they have.

Who is ever going to cry, "Hey Mom! Can I have Spheres for breakfast?!"

I would have gone for something like "The One-Two CRUNCH!" With a subtitle of "Cocoa and peanut butter puffs!" (Provided that "puffs" is a suitably generic noun and not a proprietary name in the food biz.)

oh what a tangled hair we weave

Disney's digital animation (but not Pixar) has a new take on the Rapunsel tale. Looks cute.


Click to watch the trailer.

Holy Cows!

Alert Reader and Bovine Prognosticator Carrington Fox has been selected as a local celebrity in the Kroger Celebrity Cow Milking Competition on September 17 at the Tennessee State Fair.

Oh God I can't make this stuff up. I so wish I were there!

I cannot believe how much this has made my day.

what's with the bad juju?

Yesterday I lost all Comcast services: internet, phone and tv. And with AT&T as a mobile carrier, that meant no phone service at all at home. Which was hard when I kept trying to be tech support with my mother who was having her own problems. They can't get anyone out to fix the line for a couple of days, unless I stay at home all day.

And this morning: no hot water.

It's going to be one of those days isn't it.

get a Lifetime

We used to joke that Lifetime was "television for women and gay men." Only if its more profitable and marginalizing. Their new movie aired last night: "The 19th Wife." Sure, they run gay schlock if its campy and super queer like "On the Road with Austin and Santino," but shows with gay people whom the audience might actually identify with? Cut that shit out right quick. Gays are funny and non-threatening and less than humans-- they're cute, funny, fashionable pets! Get your own gay BFF and be the popular girl! But said gay friend must be super faggy. No football-playing gays please.

"The 19th Wife" was written by a gay man and is the story of "Jordan, who has been excommunicated from the Mormon Church, and his efforts to help his mother, a member of a polygamous sect who has been accused of killing her husband." The secondary storyline (second to rescuing the mother from a sect) is the life, love and relationship of Jordan with his boyfriend Tom. Not that you would be able to tell from the movie, which changed the main character to straight and eliminated completely the story of his life, who he is, what he does, and why he might have the relationship he does with his mother and the Mormon church.

AfterElton has the story.

WTF Lifetime?

hold it together

Sometimes I think it is helpful to have a healthy detachment from whatever situation, environment, or unsettling world you find yourself immersed in. If you have a strong sense of self and a sense of character, you can think of yourself as a tourist in the land of Crazy.

Just don't go native.

Hey Remixer!

Cover me. I'm going in.

A history of what it means to "remix" - Everything is Remix:

Everything is a Remix from kirby1 on Vimeo.

born to hand jive

They call themselves Up & Over It: "Irish Dance for the Post Pop Generation."

word of the day gets all catty

Alert Reader Kevin K. writes:

"Hey! What are the origins of: catywhompus/katywhopous? A patient just said it and would love to tell them where it's from."

Cattywampus originated in the mid 1800s as a slang for diagonal or askew, similar to the expression "catty-cornered." Its generally accepted spelling is "cattywampus" but it is also seen as "catawampus." Its meaning of diagonal or askew physically later expanded to askew situationally as well. So a picture frame could be cattywampus if it wasn't hung straight or a situation could go "cattywampus" on its way to being a complete "clusterfuck."

when a sequin dies

Some sad news for my brother Mac and good friend Elizabeth James: the Liberace museum is closing.

Mac and his non-gold playing friends once spent the day there as an alternative activity (alternative to everyone else playing golf). He was the subject of a bet regarding posing certain questions to the docent while appearing completely sincere, including the question "Do you think he was a gentle lover?" (Thoughtful and almost tearful response: "You know, I believe he was.")

For Christmas one year, EJ game me a large magnet from the museum, and Mac gave me a beach towel, both bearing this image.   I treasure them. 

Guy Smiley

I've been running through my portion of the leadership retreat we're hosting tomorrow.  I made my educational section a version of Jeopardy, using the super amazing Jeopardy Labs website (built by Washington State University, Vancouver student Matt Johnson).

Mom overnighted my blue-sequined dinner jacket for the occasion.  I think I really missed my calling as a game show host.

I want one of those skinny mics like he had on Match Game.  And even though I'm using Jeopardy for my educational game show template, and Pyramid was my favorite, it is the Match Game theme song that has been stuck in my head all week.  

for someone who likes to take a red pen

to graffiti, I think this is hilarious.

"Anarchy Rules!"
"No. By definition, it doesn't."

Via The Daily What and World of Wonder.

stake. it's what's for dinner.

Word was leaked that SF Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer was coming out with a local restaurant review with an unprecedented zero stars for food.  Morton's should stick to frozen fish sticks and stop trying to be a decent steak house.  I have baseline disgust for chain restaurants and pretentious and ridiculously overpriced steak-themed restaurants, so I cannot say I'm surprised.  Although now I do want a really good steak.  I wonder when I make make a trip to Houston's next (yes, I suppose Houston's is a chain, if one other remaining from the mere original three spread across the country counts as a "chain").

The no-star review of Morton's on Union Square is very much worth the read.  Potential visitors take note. 

scarlet letters

Why is it that the only princes that write me claim to be from Nigeria needing my help to hide some cash?

I received this unsolicited message from an unknown person via Facebook.  He has no photos (save the one), wall posts, info, nor friends in common.  How did he find me?  There's much wrong with this message:

Aaaand blocked.

press pass

From Alert Reader Hala, as seen outside her dean's office.

Still smoldering

To my super-fun-yet-aging friends, welcome back from Burning Man!  Is it done yet?  I mean, jumped the ironic Fonzie and the Skark desert installation?  Like so many things before it, I hear that it has been a victim of its own success.  The Xers build something special and the Yers sort of trashed the place.   This year, what was the art-to-pharmaceutical ratio?  I wasn't there, but I heard it was not so much Burning Man any more as it was a sort of costumed-tourist-come-lately, week-long rave. (At least they were largely costumed, unlike Halloween in the Castro which suffered a similar fate.)

So what's the report?  Waiting for well-written tales and fabulous Flickr slideshows over here.

Although frankly,  I prefer and freakling love the Balsa Man Festival.  But I'm also a fan of being able to go home to a flush toilet or a shower or a cold beer when I'm done enjoying the art in the sand. 

even if you're kneeling

I come from a very faithful family. In my adulthood, I have pretty much abandoned all religion in favor of reason. I deeply respect the importance of ritual and community, but I've had enough of the hypocrisy and unintentionally ironic evil preached and practiced by organized religion. Those who most fervently identify as "Christian" are the least. I love my family. I respect their faith. But Presbyterians are pretty good about not being dicks about it. They are very American in that "freedom of religion" thing.

This came across my radar this morning, and I would love to see it posted it at every annoying teabagger/republican rally.

Freedom of religion includes freedom from religion.  Religious Americans should celebrate that.


Thanks to JMG/Eine Frage von Stil

This is what love looks like

I am blessed with a loving family. And a "crazy in the good way" one. And Mom always finds the best cards. This year, I found this bit of love in the mail that moved me to tears. And it's just spot on.


That is just so me/us in so many ways. And what's even more funny is that I have a hat very similar to that flamingo one that's a turkey, which my mother gave me. And I of course wear it proudly during the holidays.

But the kicker is the inscription:


I may be one odd duck, but I love and am loved by my family that's completely quackers.

A happy birthday indeed.

Hi Ho Hilma

Wilma and Hilma always have fun together. As I was stopping in the Castro for a quick lunch, I passed Harvey's as the couple at the prime corner window table was packing up. I took this as a sign and pounced on the best seat in the neighborhood, in front of the open windows on a sunny, sunny day. No sooner had I staked my claim did I hear a cry of "There's Wilma!" from the bar. Hilma briefly joined me for a refreshing beverage. How much do I love her: She was having her hair done down the street and all they could offer her was water or tea on this rare warm one, so during her setting period she bolted down the street, smock and all, for a cold beer on a hot day.


She was warned not to stay more than 25 minutes or her hair would over process. Even from the stylist's chair this woman is always stylin' and smilin'.

Cheers to Hilma!

shadow of my self

Living myself at a 545, I noticed this particular signage downtown waiting for a light to change on my way to the dentist.



I was particularly taken by the use of light and shadow as well as depth with this particular number sign. The contrast of light and dark mark the numbers more than the font.