Getting Ready to Bloom

Cactus update. The first bloom shoud open soon.

Vomita Needs a Home

I'm at my sister's and she is trying to find this cat a home. We call her Vomita because she has some kind of digestive problem where she pukes whenever she eats. My nieces took her to the vet and got her dewormed. She is very sweet and loves to sit on laps. You can change her name.

Waiting for My Mom

I drove up to visit my Mom today. When I arrived, she was still at a
doctor's appointment, so I waited for her on her front patio. This is
her arbor that is front of her small goldfish pond. You might also
notice that her small lemon tree has a lemon.

We're going to drive up to Lancaster, PA, to visit my aunt and cousin
in a nursing home. We're actually going to have lunch with my cousin
at the Olive Garden.

Feds to Get Token Same-Sex Benefits -- DADT Lives On

President Obama is finally throwing the gays a bone. He is set to announce his decision to allow same-sex partners of Federal employees to get "some" benefits. It is not clear to what extent these benefits will be or what the requirements are to get them, but this sounds like a step in the right direction.

It will be interesting to see if these benefits extend to retirement benefits. Though I appreciate getting any additional benefits, I still am confused and saddened that Obama is doing next to nothing about halting military dismissals based on sexual orientation. I expect our president to display leadership to stand up for what is right. I want him to work to protect the equality of all the citizens of this country no matter the risks or political price. Extending Federal benefits is a wonderful step in the right direction and it happens to benefit me personally greatly, but I can't fully be happy when others are still losing their jobs.

UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting these benefits will not include healthcare coverage. This is a HUGE disappointment. A great day just turned very sour. Could the administration have handled this any worse? I don't see how. It was widely reported at first that Feds would get a health and other financial benefits. Now, when learning it is all very minor stuff, the anger at how we are being treated is much worse than before. Obama needs to get a spine and stand up for equality.

Tips on Speeding Up Metabolism

While drinking milk is one of the tips,

sadly, none involve the chocolate pie.

One of the magazines we get at our house, believe it or not, is Redbook. Shane accidently ordered it as an add-on when he was ordering something on-line. There were a series of boxes and he checked it unintentionally. Anyway, we started getting it.

In the current issue, there is an article on how to speed up your metabolism. Metabolism, to me, is similar to your soul. Apparently, everyone has one, but it is difficult to narrow down exactly where or what it is. All I know is that mine is not speedy enough for my taste and I am very interested in making it faster.

The article listed 14 ways that a person can increase their metabolic rate. Actually, since the magazine is geared toward women, one of the ways was not to stop exercising during PMS. So, for me there were 13 tips that were applicable. I don’t think there is anything earth shattering in the list, but I thought I would summarize them so I would have them easily available.

-- Don’t overdo calorie cutting. It recommends eating the number of calories equal to 11 times your body weight in pounds.

-- Eat breakfast. Obviously.

-- Eat more protein. I have been cutting down on the meat in my diet, but trying to find ways to increase protein. I’ve been trying protein shakes of late.

-- Eat five to six small meals rather than three large meals.

-- Cut out bad carbs and focus on veggies, fruits and whole grains.

-- Skip alcohol. How about cut down on alcohol?

-- Drink milk. This is, I’ve found, another good way to increase protein.

-- Eat more hot peppers. I love hot peppers, but I find they can be not fun on exit. TMI?

-- Pump iron with a minimum of two 15-minute lifting sessions a week. I downloaded an iPhone app that helps you increase your capacity for push-ups. I did 40 yesterday (in five sets), which is the most I’ve ever done.

-- Add interval training to your workouts. For instance, do a 30-second sprint for every 5-minute jog.

-- Break up your exercise routine into two smaller sessions each day.

-- Sleep. I have a horrible time trying to get a good night’s sleep. They suggest a warm bath before bedtime.

-- Don’t be stressed. Good luck with that one.

One that they did not include, which I've always heard was a good way to increase metabolism was to drink lots of water. To see the complete article click here.

A Major Victory on Same-Sex Marriage Recognition in DC

The Washington Post is reporting that the D.C. elections board blocked an effort today to hold a referendum on whether the District should recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, handing gay rights advocates a major victory.

The decision by Board of Elections and Ethics removes one of the last remaining hurdles to the legislation that the D.C. Council approved in May.

The bill is slated to become law in early July after the required congressional review period has ended. It does not appear as if the Democratic-controlled Congress plans to intervene. See the complete article here.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #197

I can't wait to sashay her down the runway!

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #197. Let me know if you come up with a caption.

Sunday at Capitol Pride 2009

Shane and I went to the Capitol Pride festival in downtown DC yesterday.  It was a beautiful day for a festival.  

Some of the gays may have been confused by the "Manhunt" sign over the Newseum (a museum devoted to journalim), which bordered the festival.  It wasn't anything to do with the Manhunt website, but concerned an exhibit about finding the assassin of Abraham Lincoln.  

On the main stage when we first arrived was a gaggle of drag queens.  How iconic they look with the Capitol as the backdrop.  

These are the DC Cowboys, a gay dance group that was on the TV show, America's Got Talent.  They thrilled the "ladies" with a shirtless finale.  

Down East Magazine Profiles Hater

Shane's favorite magazine is Down East.   He was reading it in bed this morning and became upset by an article profiling Linda Bean, the granddaughter of the late L.L. Bean.  The article is called "Linda Bean's Lobster Dream."  It appeared to be about her efforts to help the lobster industry in Maine.  Then it turns into a profile about how the bible is infallible and that basically God hates fags (perhaps a slight exaggeration).  Below is Shane's letter to the editor in response. 

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

Dear Down East Editor in Chief:

I was very confused by your article on Linda Bean, which appeared in the July issue. At first I thought the article was going to showcase a Maine hero who is fighting for the poor and working class of Maine. Although not relevant to her fight on behalf of Maine's lobstermen, the article focused heavily on her fight against gay marriage, gay rights, and multiculturalism. In the end, she sounded like a bigot, not a hero. Readers can only wonder what she means by multiculturalism. The article even talks about her membership with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, "which teaches that the Bible is infallible."  This is extremely ironic as Leviticus tells us that eating shellfish is an abomination. Lobsters are shellfish, correct?  
 
I love Down East Magazine, but this kind of journalism is beneath it.

My Giant Cactus is Budding

This is the cactus we use as a Christmas tree. In the spring, I drag it outside and eventually it begins to bud. There are lots of buds this year. It must have been enjoying our very wet spring of late. These phallic buds turn into huge flowers that usually bloom one or two evenings and then drop off.

I've had the cactus since I was in college -- about 27 years. It was my neighbor's before that, and he had it for years and years. The cactus is growing out of control, and I've promised Shane that I would downsize it. He's not exactly fond of me having to bring the huge thing into our tiny rowhouse every winter. He says it doesn't go with our decor.

Previously, when a top section would break off, I would put it in some dirt and it would do just fine. I think eventually I'm just going to re-pot one of those single sections and keep it and find the main section of the plant a good home. I'll post more shots when it actually blooms.

Clicking on the pictures will make them bigger.

Gipsy Kings Not Performing at Wolf Trap -- "Bamboleo"

The Gipsy Kings were awesome last night. This clip is of them from 20 years ago at Royal Albert Hall, and they are still great. By the end of the show last night, everyone at Wolf Trap was on their feet and dancing. You don't have to understand the words to have a good time.

Sorry about the closing credits at the beginning of the clip. They are over by the time the singing starts.

An Evening at Wolf Trap to See the Gipsy Kings

Shane and I are with our friends Archer and the Boyfriend to see the
Gipsy Kings at Wolf Trap. Oy! See more photos at Archer's blogsite.

A Night at the Ballgame

We were invited to the Nationals game by a coworker of Shane's. The
weather is looking iffy. They are playing the Reds. Go Nats!

Next to Normal - Tony Awards 2009

We're going to NYC next month and we bought tickets to this show just before the broadcast of the Tonys, because we thought demand would surge after the show. Shane has become obsessed with watching it over and over.

Neil Patrick Harris Recaps The Tonys in Song

I swear this is not becoming a fan site for Neil Patrick Harris. His closing song on the Tony Awards last night was very cute.

Neil Patrick Harris on Letterman -- Top Ten List

Tank Man Stands Up to China -- 20 Years Ago Today

The amazing thing is that he did this after hundreds and perhaps thousands of others had already been killed. That man was committed to his cause. How many of us don't even bother going to rallies for causes we believe in because it is just too inconvenient?

6 Items from Today's Express

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* There was a feature on Valerie Harper doing a show playing Tallulah Bankhead. Rhoda Dahling! Hard to imagine. I think I'll pass.

* There also was a feature about Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Tony Awards on Sunday. It talked about his interest in magic. How adorably nerdy. I will be watching the Tony's and rooting for Billy Elliot.

* Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by a woman claiming to have been injured after struggling with the star during the filming of his upcoming film, Bruno. I have to say that although it was claimed to be staged, I think the MTV Award stunt with Eminem was real and they came up with the story it was staged later so Eminem wouldn't look like such an ass (much like the one in his face).

* FEMA is developing a plan to use vacant houses in Florida in foreclosure as shelters for people fleeing hurricanes. Shane and I are considering buying a house in Florida, because they are incredibly cheap, but I'm worried this might increase demand and raise the prices. Too self-centered? Perhaps.

* The FDA approval for a drug to treat malignant dog tumors comes about 3 years too late for my Chloe. We're talking about getting another dog.

* Inventor Kenji Kawakami demonstrates his funnel glasses. He's a genius. I can never get the damn drops in my eyes. I also like the idea of his "Hayfever Hat" that dispenses toilet paper from a dispenser on your head. That sounds like high fashion.

New Hampshire Expected to Become 6th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage

According to the Joe My God blog, New Hampshire's House of Representatives has passed the same-sex marriage bill and it is expected to be signed by the Governor today. Hooray for New Hampshire!!!

5 Items from Today's Express Newspaper

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* The front page article announced that no charges will be filed in a murder last year of a man in a Maryland jail accused of killing a police officer. And I used to think the show "Oz" was over the top. Guess they weren't far off.

* Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty won't run for a third term and there is lots of speculation he will vie for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. They also list the others who they think might be interested in that position -- Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Nevada Sen. John Ensign. I'm not worried for the Democrats, but of course I thought that about George W. Bush.

* More than 100 clergy gathered in SE Washington last night to show their SUPPORT for same-sex marriage. They have formed a group called D.C. Clergy United for Marriage and Equality. Who says there is never any good news anymore?

* The Nats are playing the Giants tonight and the Giants' Randy Johnson is going for his 300th victory. Since its the Nats, he's likely to get it, unless the predicted thunderstorms show up.

* Susan Boyle. Everyday there is something new about this dowdy Scottish lady. She had to go to the nervous hospital recently after she lost some talent show, but rest assured she is doing better.

Hump Day Art -- A Matter of Taste

Today's Hump Day Art is a comparison of two artists whose works I saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last month -- Claude Monet and Cy Twombly. I think they strongly demonstrate that art is a matter of taste. These photos were taken with my iPhone, so the quality is not that great. The first three below are by Monet.

The Sheltered Path -- 1873 -- Oil on canvas

Bend in the Epte River near Giverny -- 1888 -- Oil on canvas

Marine View near Etretat -- 1882 -- Oil on canvas

The next two works by Cy Twombly are part of a work called "Fifty Days at Illiam." The complete set of 10 are wall-sized, and completed in 1977-1978. They are oil, oil crayon, and graphite on canvas.

I thought these works present an interesting contrast.

Wednesday, June 3rd is National Running Day!

Grab your blue sponge and your running shoes and get ready to run. Tomorrow is National Running Day! I will be running. How about you? The photo is of me running last year at the Air Force Marathon in Ohio. You might also recognize it from my banner. I'm hoping to be able to run the Baltimore Marathon this fall.

I usually run in the gym on the treadmill, but it seemed like such a nice day, I ran outside. I work near the Pentagon, so I ran to Pentagon City and took the George Washington Parkway Trail that borders Reagan National Airport. It is pretty cool running with giant planes coming in for a landing over your head. I headed up the Potomac River to the 14th Street Bridge and back. It was hotter and more humid than I realized and I overdid it a bit. I had to walk back the last half mile to cool down. I think I did about 5 miles all together.

Top 8 Things in this Morning's Express

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* Jennifer Hudson is going to have a baby. She needed some good news after the hell she's been through. I hope it was good news for her. Congrats to her!

* Billy Bob Thornton's daughter is facing criminal charges in Florida after a year-old little girl that she was baby-sitting died. She is charged with child neglect causing harm or disability. I guess the sling blade doesn't fall far from the tree.

* In the TV listings, it said the two final episodes of According to Jim are on tonight. That show is still on? Who watches that?

* Bravo is searching for the Real Housewives of D.C. Where do I audition?

* Roger Federer rallied to win a 5-set match at the French Open. I haven't seen any of the Open this year. He beat Tommy Hass, who I never heard of. It said Andy Roddick lost also and he was cranky about it getting dark, but they wouldn't suspend the match. Damn that night blindness!

* A teenager was recaptured after escaping from a $46 million Maryland juvenile detention center the day after it opened. I guess they should have waited til they installed the locks.

* After reading the following headline, "Strict Rules Take Effect at Borders," I was worried it was going to be a big hassle to buy books now, but they didn't mean the bookstore, they were talking about our national borders. My bad.

* Last, but not least, Dick Cheney Monday said he thinks that people should be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. I recall he said something similar during the vice-presidential debate in 2000. Unfortunately, he did nothing to encourage this kind of activity during the 8 years he was in office. He did manage to start two wars and shoot a man in the face.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #196

So far they've developed a deadly cat plague

and a new, delicious cheese.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #196. Let me know if you come up with a caption.

My Levi's Purchase

I mentioned previously that I was planning on making a Levi's purchase this weekend to support their support of marriage equality. I bought these Men's Regular Fit Light Stone Wash Jeans. I was going to get "Straight Fit" jeans, but that just didn't seem right. You can order stuff online here.

Clouds in the Sand

Upside Down Horseshoe Crab

This horseshoe crab washed up on the beach. Though they look like
crabs, they are actually descendents of spiders. That is according to
Wiki.

Rightside Up Horseshoe Crab

I flipped it over and it swam away. They are supposed to be able to
flip themselves over using their tail, but I thought I would ignore
the Prime Directive and help out.

Me on the Beach

Shane on the Beach

Fenwick Island Beach

We drove south and are at a state park at Fenwick Island, DE. The
beach isn't as crowded and is wider. That is Shane's knee in the
corner of the shot.

The Beach at Bethany Beach

I haven't been to Bethany Beach in a long time and it looks way
different. You can't see the shore from the boardwalk. They built
the dune way high, I suppose to prevent erosion. The beach is very
crowded and much more narrow.

Me in Bethany

Bethany Beach Sights

We made it to beach. We stopped to buy two umbrellas and beach chairs, had a quick slice of greasy pizza and are now sitting on the beach. Awesome sights!

Crossing the Bay Bridge

This is the bridge that crosses rhe Chesapeake Bay. You can't tell by
this shot, but it has been very trafficy. They closed the road just
ahead of us to allow a huge herd of motorcycles merge on the highway.

Last Minute Beach Day

Since it is such a beautiful day, we decided on a whim to have a beach
day. We are on our way to Delaware, and we should be there by 12:30
( depending on the traffic). It usually takes about 3 hours.

A Chuckle from Fail Blog

This was from http://www.failblog.org/. It made me laugh. "It's not Rocket Surgery" is my new favorite expression.

Support Levi's for Supporting Equality

My apologies to Bob at the I Should Be Laughing blog for stealing his post, but I thnk it is very important to support companies that support the gay community is such a bold way. I will be shopping and buying Levi's this weekend. Also, check out Bob's excellent blog. Below is his posting about Levi's.
----------------------------

Quality Never Goes Out of Style.

And neither does doing the right thing.

Levi's has launched a new ad campaign in more than twenty of it's company-owned stores from New York to San Francisco, with mannequins wearing Levi’s jeans and shirts fitted with White Knots, a symbol of solidarity with the same-sex marriage movement.

A Levi's spokesperson says "We always try to connect to the energy and events of our time. What’s the pioneering spirit of today? A lot of people are rallying around marriage equality and fighting for that and so many individuals within our company feel so strongly about it."

Levi's has always put the LGBT community out front, as it were. They have a long history of supporting LGBT rights, from taking ads out on LGBT television, to even signing onto an amicus brief last year challenging the validity of Prop 8.

What's even greater, is that Levi's started this new ad campaign in an instant. Within 24 hours of the California Supreme Court upholding Prop H8, Levi's was standing with us again.

Levi's, where equality never goes out of style.

Carol Leifer Debates Gay Marriage with a Macaroon

This is the brilliant Carol Leifer, who is on Larry King to debate some idiot minister about gay marriage. She is a great spokesperson for the gay community. She is smart, funny and likable. She should lead the charge.

Pacino in Talks to Play Dr. Death

Al Pacino may star in a new HBO movie about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, aka Dr. Death.

Dr. Kevorkian helped more than 150 terminally ill people commit suicide before being sent to jail in 1999 after a 60 Minutes story showed him helping someone die. He was released from prison in 2007. I think he is a real American hero that sacrificed himself for his values. How many of us can claim to have done that?

The HBO movie will be based on Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Assisted Suicide Machine and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia, by Neal Nicol. The movie is set to be directed by Barry Levinson.

HBO movies are getting quite a reputation as high-quality products. The recent Grey Gardens, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange was excellent and that project can expect to get some awards come Emmy time.

Nats on Steroids?

There have been news reports that a steroids dealer in Florida has claimed to sell performance-enhancing drugs to one or a number of Nationals players (and to members of the Washington Capitols hockey team). It begs the question, if players for the Nats are on steroids, how bad would they be without them?

Right now, the Nats are by far the worse team in National baseball. So far this season they have won 13 games and lost 32. That means they have won fewer than 29 percent of their games so far. To give you some perspective, the next worse team is the Colorado Rockies. They have won 40 percent of their games. The Nats are more than 10 perentage points behind the second worse team.

I love that we now have baseball in DC, but how long will it last if this is the quality of a team they are overcharging to see?

Hump Day Art--Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge

This is a new feature on Running With Blue Sponge called Hump Day Art, which will feature a piece of art each Wednesday. I’ve always wanted to learn more about art, and I figured this might be a good way to do that.

Today’s painting is an oil on canvas called “Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge,” which was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1879. Cassatt was an American painter born in 1844 and died in 1926. She created a series of theater scenes in the late 1870s, displaying an interest in city nightlife shared by many of the Impressionists. This work, showing a woman (said to be her sister, Lydia) seated in front of a mirror with the balconies of the Paris Opera House reflected behind her, demonstrates the influence of Cassatt’s friend, Edgar Degas, particularly to the attention paid to the effects of the artificial lighting on the flesh tones.

I saw the painting in the European gallery of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The photo was taken with my iPhone.

My Email to President Obama

I have a comment and a response is requested. During the Presidential campaign, you stated you would work for equal legal rights for same-sex partners that married couples currently enjoy. You said you would stop Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I see no evidence of any action on either of these issues. There was no comment on California's court decision taking away the civil right of a minority of the population by a vote in a popular election. GLBT constituents are feeling let down and left out of this administration. I realize there are other issues facing the country that are a higher priority, but this administration has shown it can multi-task. We need some acknowledgment that these issues are important also. While we wait for some action, hundreds of qualified soldiers continue to be removed from our armed services simply because of their sexual orientation. The President has the power to stop these removals with a stroke of the pen. We want some leadership on these important issues.

When I pressed send, the page said it was unavailable at this time. Try again later. I will.

One Sane Voice on California High Court

These are the six California Supreme Court Justices that voted to uphold Proposition 8 that took away a civil right by banning same-sex marriage based on a popular vote.

There was one voice of reason among the seven: California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, was the only judge dissenting in today's 6-1 decision. His dissenting opinion was this:

In my view, the aim of Proposition 8 and all similar initiative measures that seek to alter the California Constitution to deny a fundamental right to a group that has historically been subject to discrimination on the basis of a suspect classification, violates the essence of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and fundamentally alters its scope and meaning. Such a change cannot be accomplished through the initiative process by a simple amendment to our Constitution enacted by a bare majority of the voters; it must be accomplished, if at all, by a constitutional revision to modify the equal protection clause to protect some, rather than all, similarly situated persons. I would therefore hold that Proposition 8 is not a lawful amendment of the California Constitution.

Write to Justice Moreno and thank him for efforts. Also feel free to write the other six and let them know what you think of their judgement. I could only find a snail mail address, which is:

Supreme Court of California
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4797

The California Supreme Court Upholds Hate

It breaks my heart. California's Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 banning marriage between same-sex couples. I just do not understand how the court can justify people voting away the civil rights of a group of people. It is frustrating that with every step forward, there seems to be another step backward. I just have to keep reminding myself that things are getting better. Write to President Obama and your Senate and Congressional representatives and demand equal rights for same-sex couples. Tell them to push forward on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Demand your rights! Give money to support our cause. Do something today.

More of the Mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

These are more shots from my iPhone of the mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  It was on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport (such a catchy name), part of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  There was some interest in my earlier posting of this item.  Sorry the quality isn't any better, but the ship is inside a very reflective case, making it difficult to take pictures, and the iPhone camera isn't exactly high-resolution.  

The top photo with Shane pointing gives some perspective as to the ship's size.  Shane would not be happy if he knew I posted that photo of him though.  He is very particular about photo approval.  It isn't exactly flattering.  Luckily, he doesn't read this blog and will never know.  

You might notice a small CP3O (from Star Wars) located on the edge of the ship in the middle photo.  There is a list of all sorts of items to find, such as mailboxes and other items I don't remember.  The third shot loses much of its sci-fi effect by having a bathroom-like tile wall in the background. 

Walt from the blog, WCS, posted a funny comment on the earlier posting about having a strange urge to make a mountain out of his mashed potatoes.  Enjoy the French Open Walt!