Lady Astronaut Pampers

A display at the Air and Space Museum. On the left is a fecal collection device and on the right is a ladies diaper.  Interestingly, all astronauts now usually wear commercial diapers.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise

This is me in front of the space shuttle prior to watching the
fictional Enterprise in Star Trek.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Near Dulles

We were going to see Star Trek in Imax, but it was sold out.  This is the Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The museum was pretty cool. We later went to see Star Trek in Georgetown. It was so so. I'm not that into time travel plots.  

Nats Players during the National Anthem

We had awesome seats!

President Washington at the Nats Game

Mingling prior to the game.

Nats Celebrate Loss with Fireworks

The Os win in the 12th. We watched some fireworks on our walk home.

More George

George Will and a male companion stand between innings. It is still
tied 2-2 in the 10th.

George Washington Leans in to Win Presidents Race

Ryan Zimmerman just hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. Nats and Os
2-2 so far... Bottom of the 4th. That's George Will sitting behind
guy standing with the Nats Jersey.

At the Nats Game -- Preshow

Late Lunch

These frozen dinners never look as nice as the picture on the box.

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #194

Is this a convenient time to discuss your life insurance needs?

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #194. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption and share any suggestions you have here. 

Sign the Petition to Urge the President to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The military is still discharging soldiers for being openly gay.

One of these soldiers is California's own Lt. Dan Choi, who is also an Arabic linguist. In March, Lt. Choi went on Rachel Maddow's show and spoke honestly about his sexual orientation. As a result, the Army sent him a letter of discharge on April 23. Lt. Choi is now fighting the discharge and fighting the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

I just signed a Courage Campaign petition to President Obama -- signed by more than 100,000 people --  urging him to do the right thing by stopping the discharge of Lt. Dan Choi and other LGBT soldiers, and asking President Obama to uphold his promise to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  The Courage Campaign will deliver this petition to the president -- that's why it is important that as many people as possible speak out right now.

Will you join me in signing and urge your friends to do the same?:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/DontFireDan

Thanks!

Cleaning Up the Yard and Not Touring the Capitol

A corner of our backyard.

I was off work today and had planned to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol.  I have lived in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 20 years and have lived on Capitol Hill for more than 6 years and I have never been in the U.S. Capitol.  I almost went in once before.  We were in line to view Ronald Reagan when he was lying in state.  We thought, since we went at around 10 p.m., that the line wouldn't be too bad, but it was soon apparent that it was going to take hours and Reagan wasn't exactly my favorite president, so we bagged it after about 30 minutes.  

So, since I had a day off, I decided it would be fun to take a tour of the Capitol.  I went online and read that you can get a free ticket for a tour, so I promptly signed up.  My ticket was for 10:30 a.m. today.  I arrived at the Capitol Visitor Center at about 10:20 and as I got close to the door, the Capitol Policemen were telling everyone to leave the area.  They were clearing the area and everyone had to go across the street.  I waited around a while and it didn't look like anything was going to change, so I walked down past the Supreme Court building.  There was a bunch of crazies with red Jesus shirts protesting against "Homosexual Acts" and other ungodly things.  They try to give me some literature, but I kindly refused with an expert eye roll. 

I walked around Capitol Hill for a while and slowly made my way back home.  Obviously, I'm not meant to visit the Capitol.  

I spent the rest of morning cleaning up our backyard.  Shane's mom is coming on Thursday, so we have incentive to get some projects done around the house.  Though our backyard is tiny, it quickly fills with weeks, pine needles and pine cones.  I also did some pruning of a bush in the front of our house.  It was a beautiful day and it was nice being out.  We spent most of the weekend inside.  Shane got my cold from the previous week and it hit him hard.  He spent the weekend in bed or on the couch trying to get better.  I still am still not 100 percent myself.  I had quite a sneezing fit working out in the yard today.  We're hoping it is the swine flu, so we'll have immunity and survive when everyone is is dying this fall.  

Art I Could Get Into (Or Vice Versa)

I took this photo with my iPhone at the Philadelpia Museum of Art last week. The sculpture is called Princess X by Constantin Brâncuşi, a Romanian sculptor, and was done in 1915-1916. I don't know why, but for some reason it spoke to me.

The following is from Wikipedia:

In 1920, [Brâncuşi] developed a notorious reputation with the entry of "Princess X"[1] in the Salon. The phallic shape of the piece scandalized the Salon, and despite Brâncuşi's explanation that it was an anonymous portrait, removed it from the exhibition. "Princess X" was revealed to be Princess Marie Bonaparte, direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte. Brâncuşi represented or caricatured her life as a large gleaming bronze phallus. This phallus symbolizes the model's obsession with the penis and her lifelong quest to achieve vaginal orgasm, with the help of Sigmund Freud. Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, condemned orgasm by clitoral stimulation and praised vaginal orgasm with a penis as the superior and only legitimate type. His condemnation echoed the social mores of his era which condemned masturbation as both morally harmful and as a cause of mental disorders. Her search for the elusive vaginal orgasm led her to have two unsuccessful surgeries and numerous affairs throughout her life with wealthy and famous men.

When it Comes to American Idol, I'm a 14 Year Old Girl

Though I hate to admit it, I do watch American Idol and I have to say that I am rooting for Kris Allen over Adam Lambert. Kris did a nice version of this song, "Falling Slowly," from the movie Once several weeks back. I realize that Adam is likely on my team, but I prefer Kris. I'm such a teenage girl.

More DC Flowers

This is from my walk Sunday evening around my neighborhood.

Mess by Ben Folds Five

I don't believe in god, so I can't be saved.

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #193

You're different Irving. All the other men

I meet want a "no strings" relationship.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #193. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption.

DC Flowers

I spent most of the day in bed feeling tired and recovering from my
cold. I did manage to muster enough gusto to go for a late afternoon
walk. I stopped to photograph this along the way.

C-Span Coverage of the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Obama's remarks begin at about the 20 minute mark in the video. You can slide the video marker about a third of the way over to skip the opening. Wanda Sykes speaks right after the President.

Yet Another Game Night

Archer and the Boyfriend beat us at Trivial Pursuit at our game night
at out house Saturday night. Here they are looking victorious and
adorable.

Jon Stewart on Gay Marriage and Marion Barry

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Gaywatch - Marion Barry
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Scene of Baltimore

Taken heading south just before entering the tunnel before Penn
Station in Baltimore.

Riding On the Train

Passing through Baltimore and bored.

Heading Home

I'm at the Perryville, MD, train station sitting on the Marc Train
heading home. I have a cold and am worried others may assume it is
the Swine Flu. I hope it isn't. I'm pretty sure it isn't.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #192

Stimulus Package? You're staring at them!

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #192. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption.

Mom's Stash

This is my Mom and her cat, Rudy, along with part of her stash from
the garden center we went to today.

Pink Dogwood

This is a pink dogwood tree in my Mom's front yard that I gave her
years ago for a previous Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

I took the train from Philadelphia to Aberdeen, MD, early this morning
where I was met by my mother. From there, I drove her to Valley View
Farm, a garden super store in Hunt Valley, MD. She was like a kid at
Disney World. This is her Mother's Day gift. I bought her a variety
of plants and herbs. She seemed to have a good time.

Cezanne @ the Philadelphia Museum of Art

I went to the Cezanne exhibit. The "Beyond" part is other artist inspired by Cezanne. It really was a very cool exhibit. Beside the painting by Cezanne would be a similar painting by Picasso and Matisse and a variety of other artists.

In addition, the museum has an amazing collection. Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Manet --and many more! And that is just the European wing, which is half of one floor. I'm about to hit the American wing.

Here's a very small example of what you can expect to see. Below is "The Bather" by Cezanne.

The painting belolw is by Marsden Hartley called "Canuck Yankee Lumberjack at Old Orchard Beach, Maine" done in 1940-1941. Hartley was a nice homosexual boy from Lewiston, Maine (1877-1943).

Evening Walk in Philly and Chinese Food

Shane had to work all day, but wanted to see some sites when he was finished.  We took an evening walk so he could see the Liberty Bell (from the outside of the building) and Independence Hall.  Below are a few photos from the walk.  It began to rain on our way home. 

We came upon this sign near the Liberty Bell site.  I was not aware of these Demonstrations before.

 

On the way back, we stopped at Chinatown for dinner.  As always, Shane had Sweet and Sour Chicken.  I had Broccoli in Garlic Sauce.  I was given the choice of regular broccoli or Chinese broccoli.  I chose Chinese broccoli, which is much different than regular broccoli.

Kids! What's the Matter with Kids Today?

Every school in PA and the surrounding states has a school trip here
today. It makes me turn into Paul Lynd in Bye Bye Birdie. They
couldn't be less interested in being here -- just like me when I came
here about 35 years ago.

Darwin Exhibit Closed

To get to see this exhibit, I'm going to have to come back tomorrow
evening. It will be open from 5-8 pm. It is the American
Philosophical Society Museum, which is adjacent to Independence Hall.
It includes Darwin's handwritten pages from On the Origin of Species.
Go to their website at www.apsmusuem.org.

Waiting to Tour Independence Hall

It is a cool, damp day in Philly, but the rain is holding off. I'm
outside Independence Hall waiting for my tour.

Liberty Bell

Yesterday I posted a photo from the web of the Liberty Bell, but I
took this one in person. Independence Hall is in the background.

On the Train to Philly

I'm on the train to Philadelphia. This is Havre de Grace, MD, which is
about 15 minutes from where I grew up. I grew up in Rising Sun, MD.
Havre de Grace is a cute little town with lots of antique stores and
an amazing candy store (Bomboys). It also has a cool decoy museum.

Off to Philly

Shane has a business trip to Philadelphia and I have lots of leave, so I decided to go with him and visit the City of Brotherly Love. We're taking the train up this afternoon. I haven't been there to see the historical sites since a school trip as a kid. I didn't really appreciate what I was seeing then. I plan to be doing some postings this week using my iPhone.

11 Years Together Today

Today is our 11 year anniversary. This is not a wedding anniversary obviously. This is the date we've always considered our anniversary. It was 11 years ago today that we had our first date. We met online (I know, how sleazy) and Shane drove down to the DC area from Connecticut. He had car trouble and was very late. We saw a play at the Kennedy Center and went to the Holocaust Museum (I know, very romantic).

It wasn't until several months later that we actually moved in together. The photo above is from our third date. We had been to Provincetown, MA, for a long weekend and this was taken on our way home when we made a stop-off in Rhode Island.

We've had our ups and down, but I never thought I would find someone that would make me this happy. Maybe one of these anniversaries we'll be able to actually get married. I love you Shane!

Hate Crimes Law 101 with Rachel Maddow and Judy Shepard

This is an excellent overview of what the Hate Crimes Law is all about. I never really understood why a hate crime was really necessary, since the crime itself is already against the law. This explains very nicely why hate crime legislation is needed and what it will do. It also includes the clip of NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and her beyond belief ignorant statement that Mathew Shepard's murder was not based on his being gay. I guess anyone can become a member of Congress. What a dumb ass.

Top 10 New Names for Swine Flu

The Government doesn't like the ring of the name, "Swine Flu." It gives a bad name to pigs and pork products. They suggest renaming it H1N1. That just won't catch on I'm sure. Below are my top 10 suggestions for new names for the Swine Flu.

10. Fox News Fever
9. Porky Plague
8. The Population Deploder
7. R2D2/CP30
6. OK to Eat Pork Flu
5. 1918 Revisited
4. Obama’s Outbreak
3. La Epidemica de Porko
2. The Gay Marriage Scourge
1. The Disease We Dare Not to Speak It's Name

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Marion Barry with 4 Marriages Protests My Right to Marry

Let former Mayor for Life Marion Barry and his staff know how you feel about his participation in today's anti-gay rally against marriage equality! Barry participated at the rally at "Freedom Plaza" with various "religious leaders."

This link contains e-mails for Barry as well as all of his staffers:

The following is a letter written by "Elizabeth," which I found as a comment on Joe.My.God. today.

Dear Councilmember Barry,

I was incredibly disappointed to learn about your participation in today's anti-gay rally at Freedom Plaza. The rally contributed to the ongoing stigma that gay Americans face, as we were compared to animals, pedophiles, and Satan, all because we want our government to recognize our families the same way it recognizes straight families. I find it absolutely represensible that an elected official would take part in such a divisive and demonizing event.

At the rally you reportedly defended your position against gay couples saying, "I am a politician who is moral." Forgive me sir, but I'd rather not take my lessons on morality from you of all people.

I am a tax-paying citizen who works, volunteers, and supports my family and my community. I am just trying to support my family the best I can, which is why it is wrong for you to deny my family the rights and recognition that other families take for granted.

To add insult to injury by going out of your way to paint me as immoral is simply enraging. I hope you find the heart to consider the real hardships that gay families face because of government-imposed discrimination, rather than rushing to denounce us.

You are a National joke and an embarrassment to all Americans, especially African Americans.

-------------------------------------

Awesome letter Elizabeth. The last paragraph, however, is my language. I sent it to Marion and hope you all do too.

Gay Presbyterians Ministers Must Stay Closeted

The Associated Press reported yesterday that another effort to allow gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the Presbyterian Church was defeated on Saturday.

Though I'm an atheist, I did grow up going to church and I eventually became a member of the Presbyterian Church. I haven't been to church in years (hence the atheism), but I am somewhat surprised that the Presbyterians are still dragging their feet on this issue. I thought they were a bit more progressive than that.

The AP story did add this quote: “The tide is turning before our very eyes in understanding that GLBT men and women are loved by God and called to ministry,” said the Rev. Janet Edwards, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, which supports changing the ordination standards. “The church is catching up with the love Jesus has for all God’s children.”

I guess not enough of them is catching up with Jesus's love yet.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #191

Fluffy suddenly realized this was not the best way

to test his "pigs are dumber than horses" theory.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #191. Let me know if you come up with a caption. I just couldn't come up with anything for this one. I'm not happy with this caption at all. It is weak, but let me know if you come up with somehthing better. I shouldn't be difficult to beat this one. Click on the link to enter your caption.

Churches that May Have Violated Political Restrictions Wait for IRS Response

According to a recent Associated Press article, nearly 7 months after defying a prohibition on endorsing candidates from the pulpit, 33 churches across the country are still waiting to learn whether the Internal Revenue Service will take action against them. Why are these Political Action Committees given tax exempt status? My guess is there are many more than 33 churches guilty of this sort of activity. 

The AP article states that "legal experts suggest a number of possibilities: The IRS has nothing to gain from a costly and mainly symbolic battle; it has limited resources; or it could still be deciding how to respond."

The clergy "urged worshippers to vote according to conservative views on abortion and gay marriage. Several endorsed Republican presidential candidate John McCain." It sounds fairly black and white to me.

Under the IRS code, places of worship can distribute voter guides, run nonpartisan voter-registration drives and hold forums on issues, among other things. But they cannot endorse a candidate, nor can their political activity be biased for or against a candidate. Churches that violate the rule can lose their tax-exempt status.

The protest was organized by the Phoenix-based Alliance Defense Fund and involved pastors in 22 states.

See the complete article here.

Goodbye Bea Arthur -- We'll Miss You