The Blue Sponge Rating System Explained

Since I've started writing reviews of movies and such, I thought I should explain my rating system.  Archer left a comment on my review of Away We Go  about why I didn't give it four sponges instead of three, since I seemed to like it.  With no apologies to Seinfeld, Blue Sponge Worthiness is not a cakewalk.  Sponges have to be earned!  Here's how it works.

If a movie gets no sponges, it means the movie is horrible and totally unwatchable.  It is the worst.  I probably did not watch the entire film.  A prime example is Pet Sematary from 1989, based on the Stephen King novel.  I found no entertainment value in watching a child get run over by a truck.  I saw this movie in a theater when it first was released, and actually walked out.  I very rarely do that. 
One Sponge means that I do not recommend this film.  While it may have some redeeming value, overall it is just not very good.  An example would be the recent remake of Land of the Lost with Will Ferrell.  Yikes!


Two Sponges is just an average film.  If you can't think of anything better to do and its on TV, you might want to give it a try.  This includes  all the Harry Potter films (Sorry Shane) or anything with Adam Sandler.


Three Sponges mean the film is above average.  I liked it, but don't buy it.  It is a rental.  I don't want want watch it over and over.  Recent examples include Doubt, Away We Go, and Lars and the Real Girl. 

Four Sponges mean I liked the film very much, would buy it on DVD and watch it repeatedly.  Some examples are:  Moulin Rouge, Best in Show, Out of Africa, and October Sky.  Interestingly, some movies get more sponges on repeated viewings.  For example, I didn't like Moulin Rouge when I saw it in the theater, but loved it on successive viewings. 

Five Sponge films are  my favorites:  Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  Fargo, Casablanca, The Deer Hunter, The Wizard of Oz, and Ordinary People to name a few.  Everyone may not agree that they are the best films, but they are my favorites.  

"Away We Go" to the Land of Quirky

Away We Go  directed by Sam Mendes (who directed American Beauty) and starring Maya Rudolph (of Saturday Night Live fame) as Verona and John Krasinski (The Office) as Burt.  The supporting cast includes Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The premise is fairly simple -- Verona and Burt are expecting a baby and embark on a journey to figure out where to settle down.  It's a quirky comedy with some touching moments.  Its tone reminded me of Little Miss Sunshine with its oddball characters on a quest.

Rudolph and Krasinski give good performances, but its the supporting cast members that steal the show.  O'Hara and Daniels play Burt's parents with their big surprise announcement that sets the plot in motion.  Allison Janney is awesome, as usual, as a former work friend of Verona's who they visit in Arizona.  Maggie Gyllenhall's character is what you find in the dictionary when you look up quirky.  I wanted more of all these characters.  All their appearances were just too short. 

Another highlight of the movie was the soundtrack.  I loved the music.  I don't usually pay that much attention to the music in films, but the songs here made me take notice.  Nine of the 13 songs on the soundtrack are by Alexi Murdoch.  I was not familiar with his music, but I like him and his music mixes beautifully with the film.  

Overall, I'd give the film three out of five blue sponges. It is definately worth watching and is available on DVD.  Now, I'm going to go order the soundtrack.

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #223

"No Spin Zone" my ass!

The above cartoon is the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #223.  Let me know if you come up with any captions too. Click on the link above to enter.

Run to Florida Update #2

This is an update of my virtual run from my home in DC to our possible new home in Punta Gorda, FL. Today I went to the gym and ran 3 more miles in 24:23 after taking yesterday off. I didn't get much sleep last night. I woke up at 4:30 for some reason and couldn't get back to sleep, so I wasn't feeling my best, but I managed to get my run in and do some push ups.

Goal: Approximately 1,003 miles from DC to Punta Gorda, FL

Required Average Daily Distance: 2.75 miles

Actual Run Distance Completed Today: 3 miles

Total Distance Run in 2010: 9.25 miles (1 mile ahead of schedule)

Today's Run Time: 24 minutes, 23 seconds

Total Run Time: 1 hour, 17 minutes 23 seconds

My Virtual Distance to Punta Gorda: 993.75 miles

Today's Push Up Total: 30

Push Ups in 2010: 55

Year-End Push Up Goal: 10,000

I am going start to update this once a week. Check back next week to view my progress.

Review of A Single Man with Colin Firth

Fashion designer Tom Ford has made a new film called A Single Man, based on the book of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The story takes place in the early 1960s in LA. It is a day in the life of a college professor named George, played by Colin Firth (aka Mr. Darcy in Michael Caine black plastic glasses). George's partner of 16 years, Jim, was recently killed in a car accident. George is mopey and distracted, and is planning his suicide. We see George's relationship with his dead partner through several flashbacks, which are some of the best moments of the film.

Julianne Moore is Charley, a former girlfriend, current close friend and neighbor. Julianne gets to ham it up with a British accent. Her character also feels sorry for herself because she is also alone and wishing George would get interested in her again.

In Director Tom Ford surreal world, nearly everyone is gorgeous, white and well dressed (he is a fashion a designer after all). There are also lots of artsy touches -- dream scenes of naked bodies floating in dark water, philosophical speeches, owls flying from trees, and the like. It just seems he is trying too hard for artsy.

Poor George has his share of stunning young men propositioning him. Gee... I wish I had that problem. One is a very handsome college student that stalks him and manages to get naked quite a bit, though there is nothing too graphic (i.e. no wee wee shots).

Though it is a beautifully made film, there is not much drama or anything that interesting. The ending seems very flat and unsatisfying. When George brings that sexy student home (soaking wet I might add), I was waiting for someone to offer someone a massage. Instead, they decided on the need for a shower. It started to seem like a beautifully shot, well-lit porn movie with a very depressed main character.

Overall, I give A Single Man two out of five blue sponges for some good visuals.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #222

OK, I get it.  You would rather I had a vagina!

The above cartoon is the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #222.   It has been quite a while since I posted one of these, but I thought I would start again.  Let me know if you come up with any captions too. Click on the link above to enter.

DVD Recommendation: John Adams

One of the best gifts we received this past Christmas was the HBO miniseres, John Adams on Blu-Ray DVD (thanks Mom!) We also gave a copy to Shane's parents and to my Mom. We finished the final two episodes last night and then started watching the special features, including the "Making of John Adams." We originally watched the 2008 miniseries when it was on HBO, We had watched the first five parts of the show with Shane's parents while we were in Florida.

The series, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by David McCullough, which I had previously read. This really is a truly amazing series that I highly recommend, especially now that you can get the DVD for under $20 on Amazon. It is really worth it if you have any interest at all in American history. This is a gritty, realistic account of a flawed man who did some great things. I loved it and will watch it over and over. Also, I think if you like the series, this is one of the rare instances where reading the book after the movie would be worthwhile. The book is obviously much more detailed and just as interesting. I am considering reading it again myself.

Virtual Run From DC to Punta Gorda, FL, Day 1

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to to do a virtual run from my home in DC to our possible new home in Punta Gorda, FL. It is just a bit more than 1,000 miles. To run that distance in a year, I have to run an average of 2.75 miles a day. Today was my first segment of that run and I ran 10K (6.25 miles) on the treadmill at my gym. I wanted to get a bit of a cushion in so that if I miss some days down the road, I can still make my goal. If I had started at my house in DC, the distance I traveled would have taken me across the Potomac, into Virginia, past the Pentagon and down Interstate 395 (the Shirley Highway) to Glebe Road. Less than 1,000 miles to go. The map below shows the start near my house in South East DC and my finish today in Virginia.



Goal: Approximately 1,003 miles from DC to Punta Gorda, FL

Required Daily Distance: 2.75 miles

Actual Run Distance Completed Today: 6.25 miles

Total Distance Run in 2010: 6.25 miles

Today's Run Time: 53 minutes

Total Run Time: 53 minutes

My Virtual Distance to Punta Gorda: 996.75 miles

What date will I get to Punta Gorda?

I am also trying to improve my strength by doing push ups. I downloaded an application for my iPhone called 100 Pushups. It is designed to help you work up to doing 100 push ups a session, three to four times a week. I thought it would be fun to keep track of the number I do throughout the year. Goal for the year? 10,000.

Today's Push Up Total: 25

Push Ups in 2010: 25

Another one of my goals for the year was to weigh less than 165. I hopped on the scale today and weighed 178. Only 13 pounds to go, but with Christmas cookies and candies putting temptation in my way, for me, losing weight is not a cake walk (so to speak). Did I mention that Shane got me 5 boxes of Hot Tamales for Christmas? Four boxes remain.

My 10 Predictions for 2010

I thought it would be fun to try to predict what the coming year will bring. Here is what I think will happen.

1. I agree with Newsweek magazine's prediction that President Obama will do "nada" on gay rights. Though he could end the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell (at least temporarily until permanent legislation is in place), he won't expend any political capital on doing the right thing. I hope I am wrong, but we can see by his first year in office that change is not coming soon. As Kate Clinton noted, he is a thin man with a lot on his plate.

2. The economy will continue to slowly improve with the Dow hitting 12,500 by year's end.

3. The Washington Nationals will have a banner year and not finish in last place of all teams in baseball.

4. I will run a marathon in less than 4 hours -- more than 20 minutes better than my previous personal record. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, I have to run a marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes at my current age. I know I'm not near that.

5. Academy Awards will go to Mo'nique, George Clooney and Meryl Streep. The Best Picture winner will have the word "up" in the title.

6. Our purchase of a house in Florida will finally occur, but soon after, Al Gore's prediction of sea level rising due to global warming will also come true, making our house a giant aquarium.

7. The 2010 election will result in Democratic net losses in both the Senate (7 seats) and House (22), but will retain majorities.

8. TLC will develop a spin-off channel completely dedicated to reality shows about dwarves with sextuplets. My mom will be in heaven.

9. Celebrity deaths will include Elizabeth Taylor, Don King, John Gosselin, Betty Ford, Jerry Lewis, Bob Barker, Annette Funicello, Alex Trebek, Michael Richards, Sen. Robert Byrd and both remaining Golden Girls. Yes, I went there.

10. Same-sex marriage will become legal in Washington DC, and a certain runner with a blue sponge will tie the knot in May.

Furry Happy Monsters -- Happy New Year!

"Come on Monsters, you don't have to cry. We can be happy!"

We had a great New Year's Eve at Archerr's Boyfriend dinner party. The food was amazing, as usual, with gumbo, black eyed peas, pork loin, dirty rice and lots of wine. We did a champagne toast at midnight. See the video at Archerr's website here.

New Year Resolutions--Another Futile Attempt at Self-Improvement

I've only had so so luck with New Year Resolutions. Who doesn't fall short of all their goals? I know I do, but I think I go further with goals, so I make goals. Here's what I came up with for 2010. With a new year comes new hope.

1. Decide whether to say "Two Thousand Ten" or Twenty Ten." I'm sort of leaning toward Twenty Ten.

2. Read 30 Books. This should be a cinch with my Kindle.

3. Run to Florida -- This is not a actual run to FL, but I want to run a total of the distance to Punta Gorda, FL, from DC (about 1,000 miles). That is an average of 2.75 miles per day or 19.25 miles a week. I need to develop a map that tracks my progress.

4. Weigh less than 165 lbs. This is a perpetual goal for me, but I still hover around 180. It could be worse, I guess. I used to be over 200.

5. Run two marathons. I am planning to run The Delaware Marathon in May and another marathon in the fall. I am also running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in April, and perhaps the George Washington Parkway 10 miler, also in April.

6. Get more than 100 Followers on my blog. I currently have 10. Please consider following me. To that end, I'll try to think of something interesting to post.

7. Save money. Suzi Orman speaks and I listen. With the pending purchase of our Florida house, I need to build my emergency fund back up. I have a specific goal in mind, but enuff said.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy Birthday Mary!

Mary Tyler Moore turns 73 today. The above is the theme to the first season of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Today is also the birthday of Ted Danson (62), Jon Voight (71), Patricia Clarkson (50), Paula Poundstone (50), Jude Law (37), and Marianne Faithful (63). Who needs Entertainment Tonight when you have Running With Blue Sponge?

Merry Snuggie Christmas!

I just had to try on my mom's Snuggie. Though it makes me look a bit frumpy, it is very comfy. I must have one!

Never Ending Christmas

Christmas is over, right? Not quite. Since we were going to Florida for actual Christmas, Shane and I went to my mom's to celebrate Christmas with her and my sister and her family the weekend before Christmas. It was also the weekend of the blizzard in DC. I had Friday off, so I took the train up Thursday night (a week before Christmas Eve) and Shane drove up Friday night. The storm came later Friday night and all day Saturday. We managed to drive ourselves and my mom over to my sister's house (about 5 miles away). We had a nice snowy evening, exchanged gifts, ate pizza and desserts, and, thanks to our trusty SUV, we managed to get back to my mom's house Saturday night. We got about 20 inches of snow at my mom's so I shoveled her out and we drove back to DC and shoveled our own house out, including our roof. My back was killing me.

Thursday night (Christmas Eve) Shane and I had to work half a day and then drove to Baltimore to fly to his mom's house in Florida. It was a nice break from the cold and snow of DC. It was nice and quiet until about 11:30 Christmas Eve night. We were getting ready for bed and I thought it was a little stuffy in our room, so I thought I would crack the window. I did not know the alarm was set, so when it started blaring (louder than any siren I've ever heard) I didn't know what to do. Both Shane and I were undressed and Shane's parents were already in bed. By the time I got my pants on, Shane's stepfather was already deactivating the siren. The alarm company called and because they weren't sure what the password was, they called the police. So much for Silent Night. Luckily, they convinced the alarm company to not send the police and we all finally got to bed. Actually, Shane and I went back to bed and didn't hear anything about the police drama until the next day.

It was a very nice Christmas after that. Shane got to spend Christmas with his family for the first time in years, and his grandmother, who just moved to Florida from Maine after a long illness. His Nana is starting to feel better and that was the best present we got.

We came back from Florida yesterday and, since I have off from work all this week (I love use or lose), after going to the gym this morning, I drove back up to my mom's. I am driving her back to DC tomorrow to celebrate our final Christmas with my friend Elaine (with whom my Mom exchanges gifts). The photo above is my mom in her brand new Snuggie as she examines the book light that came with it.

Reply from Sen. Susan Collins Regarding Maine Marriage Vote

Above is the letter (double click to enlarge) I received in response to my letter to Sen. Susan Collins regarding her silence on the recent vote in Maine to uphold same-sex marriage. That vote resulted in Mainers taking away the rights of a segment of the population to marry each other. Haters won the day and Sen. Collins justified it by stating she supports the right of Mainers to voice their opinion on state law via ballot measures, and that she respects the recent decision to overturn the same-sex marriage law.

I never thought Ms. Collins was a bright person and this seals my opinion of her (or whatever staffer wrote this tripe). To accept that a bigoted majority is allowed to take away a minority's civil rights is plainly wrong. As has been argued numerous times, if southern states were permitted to vote on interracial marriage in the 1960s (or even today) it is unlikely many of those states would ever permit such unions. I am certain that same-sex marriage will be a non-issue some day, much like interracial marriage is today (in most of the country). Sadly, haters win again for now.

Sugarland and the B-52s Do Love Shack

Christmas Shoes--Worst Christmas Song Ever--The 12 Days of Christmas

I heard this song on the radio while driving one night and it made me throw up. It is the hokiest song I've ever heard. Maybe I'm just cynical, bit I think it is bad. Leave it to the Mormans to ruin Jesus' birthday.

One of the Best Christmas Songs -- The 12 Days of Christmas

This is from Yo-Yo Ma's holiday CD Songs of Peace and Joy. It features the angel-voiced Alison Krauss singing "The Wexford Carol." Beautiful! Merry Christmas!

The Waltons' Homecoming--The 12 Days of Christmas

This is one of our favorite Christmas shows that we watch each year on Christmas Eve. This predates the TV series and the cast is a bit different. Patricia Neal is amazing as Olivia Walton. It might be that she reminds me of my grandmother, but I love her. Richard Thomas still plays John Boy -- in fact all the kids are the same as the series cast, but only Ellen Corby, who plays the grandmother, did the series of the family adults.

Shane and I use many of the lines from this show in much of our everyday conversation. For example, if one of us suggests we should buy something, the other person usually says, "That's the first thing I'm going to do once this Depression is over!" (Olivia was referring to a getting a phone.) "Favorite line: What were you doing in your room John Boy with the door locked?" I realize this is a long show, but it is worth it.

Grace Jones Sings The Little Drummer Boy -- The 12 Days of Christmas

This is yet another clip from Pee Wee Herman's spectacular Christmas special (available at www.peewee.com). This one features Grace Jones singing The Little Drummer Boy. Get back in the box Grace!

Charlie Brown -- The 12 Days of Christmas

A classic children's holiday that tackles holiday depression... I remember watching it every year as a kid. "Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, your the Charlie Browniest."

Grinch Documentary -- The 12 Days of Christmas

This is a very interesting 1994 documentary from TNT that shows how the Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, was made. Hosted by the late Phil Hartman and featuring Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, and the folks responsible for making the show. Part 1 is above and Part 2 is below. Very cool!

Returning to the Snow in DC

Shane works on our steps.


We were at my Mom's celebrating Christmas over the weekend. She lives in Rising Sun, MD, near the Pennsylvania line in the northeast corner of the state. We made the trek down I-95 this morning to see what the snow situation was at our house. It was deep. We were able to dig out a parking space and dig out the front steps and sidewalk. We then had to dig the drifting snow off the roof (we are afraid too much weight up there will cause a catastrophe) and dig snow off our back deck (also afraid of a possible collapse). After helping my Mom dig out yesterday and this morning and then coming home and digging for a large part of the day, my back is killing me. They said we got 16 inches in DC, but I think it all drifted over to our house!

SNL's Debbie Downer -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Santa gets depressed after surprising Debbie Downer in this sketch from Saturday Nightl Live.

Vomita Lives!!!

You may remember Vomita from an earlier post in June. My sister was looking for a home for this cat with a hard-luck story. My sister didn't find anyone willing to take Vomita, so she still has her. The cats name now is Emesis, which is a medical term for throwing up. The cat had a tendency to throw up a great deal in her youth. She doesn't throw up anymore and everyone refers to her as "Emmy."

Poor Emmy isn't right in the head--a bit downsy I think. She can't stop herself from climbing up on counters and tables. She knocks things over and gets into food. It is a constant battle to keep her out of things she shouldn't be doing. She loves to climb the Christmas tree. She is a very high maintenance. If we're having a family dinner, Emmy has to stay in the basement or she would be walking on people's plates and on the food. Emmy is lucky she was found someone willing to put up with her craziness.

Saturday Evening Snow Accumulation

This was taken at dusk and you can see the foot and half of snow higher on the fence (compare to the photo below taken this morning). I did some shoveling, so some of the snow on the left side of the fence is from piling of shoveled snow. It was certainly a snowy day. We are going back to DC to shovel our house out tomorrow.

The Snow Storm Begins

Bing's Dream Comes True -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Although Christmas is 6 days away, Washington DC and the metro area is getting walloped with a HUGE snowstorm today. Accumulation of 2 feet is expected. Shane and I are about 2 hours north of DC, at my mother's house to celebrate an early Christmas. We are flying down to Florida on Christmas Eve to spend the actual holiday with Shane's family. We hope to be able to drive home to DC on Sunday, but we'll have to wait and see if that is possible.

The song is by Bing Crosby and from the holiday classic Holiday Inn. Enjoy!

SNL Finds Lost Ending of It's a Wonderful Life -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Dana Carvey does an amazing Jimmy Stewart in this Lost Ending "found" to It's a Wonderful Life from Saturday Night Live. "He's not even a cripple!"

Should the Government Use Baby Jesus for the 2010 Census?

I don't think so. Do you? How many people who see this are going to think because there was a census in a bible story, that it is something that is very sacred and we should go along with it? I don't have anything against the census, and I plan to participate in being counted, but using the bible as propaganda is not a good idea. It isn't that I think it is disrespectful to religion. That is the least of my concerns. I just think it is tacky. Next thing you know, Health and Human Services will have a foot washing campaign featuring Jesus spraying anti-fungal medicine on the 12 disciples.

DC Mayor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Scenes from Elf -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Cha Cha Heels -- The 12 Days of Christmas

This is a scene from the John Waters film, Female Trouble, starring Divine as Dawn Davenport who just wanted some cha cha heels for Christmas.

Update on the Florida House

We are still in the process of buying a second house in Florida. There has been yet more complications. As I blogged about earlier, we had to notify the neighbors about a getting a waiver from the city because our survey showed the house was built over land the city requires for utility use. The normal procedure is that the they send out notice, the city makes an exception, and it is no big deal other than the delay of getting it all done.

The variance notice was suppose to expire this Friday and then it just had to be recorded by the city, which could take up to 2 week, but there was hope it could be done sooner so we could close by the end of the year. We had plans to drive down starting on New Year's Eve and spend the first week of the new year at our new house.

We just heard that the orthopedic surgeon that owns the house next to the house we're trying to buy has made an objection. Some neighborhoods have the Welcome Wagon -- this neighbor wants our house to be bulldozed. Because the fine doctor thinks our shabby house is an eyesore compared to his mansion and is detrimental to his house's value, he is asking the city to require that the house be torn down. That seems reasonable, doesn't it?

The result is that the city council now has to vote on granting the variance, and the earliest it can be scheduled is February 17. We were suppose to have this house before Thanksgiving. Of course, we're worried that something else could go wrong and the bank will not want to extend our contract and the whole deal will fall through. We assume the city will eventually grant the variance, but it has frankly become a huge pain in the ass. We just have to keep our eye on the prize and remember that this will all be worth it when we finally get this house... Won't it?

Same-Sex Marriage in DC a Done Deal?

The DC Express newspaper, the free paper version of the Washington Post, seems to think that same-sex marriage in DC is a done deal.  Mayor Adrian Fenty is expected to sign the bill, passed the second time yesterday by the DC Council.  However, the bill must then survive a 30-day review period.  To block the bill, the House, Senate and President would all have to sign off on a disapproval resolution in the 30 days. The paper says advocates of the bill do not think this is likely to happen in a Democrat-controlled Government.  The only other way this could fall through is if there is a Maine-style voter referendum, which so far has been denied as a violation of the DC civil rights law.  Same-sex marriages could begin in the spring.  I wonder if anyone will ask for my hand in marriage!

Delicious Schweddy Balls -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Another classic Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Alec Baldwin promoting his delicious Schweddy Balls on National Public Radio's Delicious Dish. Good Times!

Feliz Navidad by Charo -- The 12 Days of Christmas

If this doesn't make you happy, you are clinically depressed. Who doesn't love Charo? This is also from Pee Wee Herman's Christmas Special (the whole show is available for free at www.peewee.com). Feliz Blah Blah Blah!

The Del Rubio Triplets Sing Winter Wonderland -- The 12 Days of Christmas

Today is the first entry for my 12 Days of Christmas. Each day, until December 25th, a new posting will celebrate the season. Today is the amazing Del Rubio Triplets as they performed Winter Wonderland on the Pee Wee Playhouse Christmas Special for 1988. I have this special on video, but you can watch the whole show for free on Pee Wee Herman's website at www.peewee.com. There may be a few more clips from this special here before the 12 days are up! I love that show!

Guess Where I Was -- 10 Years Ago

I was going through some old photos today and found this one of me in Laos. Technically, I was in Laos, i guess, since they were flying the flag of Laos, but it was really an island in the Mekong River. Shane and I were touring the Golden Triangle area of Thailand in 1999 and we took a boat ride that took us to this island so we could say we were in Laos.

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

House Committee Passes Partner Benefits Bill

The Advocate reports: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday voted 23-12 to pass the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, which would extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal government workers.

The bill is now likely to move to a full House floor vote, which many anticipate could take place before the end of the year.

Debate over the bill split along party lines with Democrats emphasizing the concepts of fairness and equality and Republicans objecting to the legislation on the basis that it would begin to redefine marriage or would create special rights for LGBT people.

DC Doing Same-Sex Marriage Right

The DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled yesterday that a measure to let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriage in DC cannot go on the ballot because it would violate a city human rights law. Bravo! This makes me proud to be a DC resident. Why can't other places get the fact that voting on civil rights doesn't work? Would there even be interracial marriage in many southern states if it required a vote? I don't think so.

The DC Council is expected to approve same-sex marriage in a vote on December 1, but it has to be voted on twice before passing. Apparently, DC can't be trusted with just one vote. We need an "Are you sure?" vote. Then, because DC government apparently rides the short bus to work, the U.S. Congress can override the vote.

The DC Council seems to be standing up to the Catholic Church threat of leaving a third of the city's poor in the lurch if the bill passes. The church has threatened to abandon its charity and adoption work in the city because gay marriage would violate the institutions core values. As we all recall from our bible studies, "the Lord said, feed the poor and clothe the naked, unless the gays can get married. In that case, let them go to hell." With all the gay priests out there abusing children, isn't it a bit self-righteous of the church to take such a hard line? I'm happy, at least, to see the tactic not working. I wouldn't think it is helping make the church look very Christian.

UPDATE: 11/19/09 -- Lawyers for the Alliance Defense Fund and Stand4MarriageDC have filed a lawsuit in DC Superior Court to get the initiative on the ballot.

Flowers at Eastern Market

We had a great weekend. Friday night after work I ran 10K at the gym and came home and made my first quiche. OK, technically I bought frozen stuff in a carton, which I thawed and poured into a pie shell and baked. It turned out delicious.

Saturday we had a lazy day and then went to Archer and the Boyfriend's house for one of their trademarked dinner parties. The boyfriend outdid himself with a wonderful dinner and the wine flowed all night. We had a great time. I was a little hung over this morning, but not too bad.

This morning I had some leftover quiche for breakfast and this afternoon we went for a walk to the park and browsed around at Eastern Market. It was a warm and beautiful day, perhaps the last nice day on a weekend for the year. I took the photo of the flowers while we waited in line at the Market Lunch, where Shane got a burger. I was still full from the quiche. You can get a better view by double clicking the photo,

Delay Getting Florida House

We were suppose to be the proud owners of a beautiful house on a canal in Punta Gorda, FL, by now. Closing was set for yesterday, but good old Friday the 13th lived up to its reputation. The survey on the property discovered a bit of a problem. This is how it was explained to us:

I understand that you have been made aware of the problem where the home sits on the land. Apparently when this home was built the City Board looked the other way and let it be built without a variance. Also everyone who has purchased the home before you either paid cash or didn’t request a survey. Today with all the problems with foreclosures every mortgage company is requiring a survey. This home is one of the reasons.

If we don’t get this cleared and you were to close, then you may never be able to sell it or even give it away. Back in Illinois I saw a property that didn’t get a variance and when the seller tried to sell it, the County told him that he could not sell it or if he did he would have to tear down the home first. Not many options. We have an option today and we must take that option in case it may not be there down the road after you own it.

Now I know that is not what you wanted to happen since you must cancel all of your plans and change dates on your insurance etc and I feel very bad for you. But your lock is good until Dec 13th so I would change my insurance date to Dec 11th and see what happens. The zoning official said that it would take 21 days from the time of application before we could close. It is my understanding that the Seller’s Agent has started working on getting the application completed at this time and I am picking up the revised Survey tomorrow to take down to the zoning official.

Before this week, I didn't know the meaning of the word "variance." Basically, the house has an easement -- the house is built over part of the land the city could claim for utility use, or for whatever. We are waiting for the city to give us an exemption. So, we do not own the house yet. We will not own the house by Thanksgiving, so we won't be going to Florida over Thanksgiving week as we planned. We hope to go to closing sometime during the week of December 7th and are planning to start driving to Florida on December 11th for a week. Cross your fingers!

UPDATE 11/19/09: As of today, the bank that owns the house has still not submitted the variance application. It takes 3 weeks after the application is submitted! The bank can't sell the house until this problem is resolved, so WTF are they waiting on?

Sugarland - Keep You - CMA Awards 2009

Recent TV Observations

I'm not proud, but when I was off of work yesterday for Veterans Day, I watched Tyra.  She was back in the fat suit learning that straight men discriminate against big girls.  What I found to be the most interesting thing about the show was that part of her sermon on the subject stated that prejudice against fat people is the last acceptable form of discrimination. 

 

Really?  Fat people can't get married because they are fat?  Do they have votes about the rights of fat people?  Can you not adopt a kid if you are too overweight? 

 

Another thing -- she was all self-righteous about the three guys she went on blind dates with as a big girl.  She thought they treated her differently than if she showed up as say, Tyra Banks.  Instead of dressing up as a fat girl Tyra, why not actually date a really fat man?  I'm sure there are lots of grossly obese men that would love to date her.

 

After Tyra, I watched Oprah interview Charla Nash, the victim of the chimpanzee attack earlier this year.  It was mesmerizing TV.  I have to admit that it took me a bit longer to fall asleep last night.  I couldn't get that image out of my mind.  That poor woman deserves every cent she can get from the chimp owner for the hell she has been put through. 

 

I also watched some of the Country Music Awards last night.  It was nice to see that Darius Rucker (formerly Hootie from Hootie and the Blowfish) won best new artist.  It is interesting that he is considered a new artist, since he's been a singer for years.  I guess he's new to country. 

 

It was the first time a major CMA was won by a black man since Charley Pride in the 1970s.  It was also interesting that as Rucker wondered around the audience during his number that he was the only African American person in the room.  I hadn't seen that many white people in one place since the Republican National Convention. 

 

The highlight of the CMAs was the performance by Sugarland.  They are awesome.  They won for best vocal duo (although only one of them sings).  Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year.  Is it me, or does she sound flat a lot during her live performances?  I don't get her appeal unless you're a teenage girl.  Maybe that is who votes on these things. 

Perfect Song for a Cold, Rainy Day

Yo Yo Ma and James Taylor do an amazing version of "Here Comes the Sun" from Ma's album, Songs of Joy and Peace, which came out last year. It is the perfect thing to listen to on a cold, rainy day. Skip to about 1:45 into the video to get right to the song.

Pentagon Rainbow

We can see the Pentagon from our office window. Today, a rainbow
sprang out of it. DADT!

Haters Win in Maine - My Letter to Sen. Snowe

Below is my letter to Maine Senator Olympia Snowe after the defeat of ballot question 1 overturned marriage equality in Maine.  Please feel free to send similar letters to her and Maine Senator Susan Collins.  They both remained mum on the vote. 

 

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

 

November 4, 2009

 

The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe

United States Senate

154 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC  20510-1903

 

Dear Senator Snowe,

 

            I would like to be able to thank you for your support of the civil rights of Mainers regarding the vote on marriage equality on November 3, 2009.  I would like to thank you, but I cannot.  Your silence on the subject helped ensure the bigots and haters in Maine won, taking away a basic civil rights to many Maine citizens before it was even enacted.

 

            It is understandable why you remained silent on Ballot Question 1.  Why risk losing support from either side on such a divisive issue?  Your silence keeps everyone guessing on where you stand.  Why get down in the weeds?  Perhaps your support of marriage rights for all Mainers would have made a difference (and perhaps not).  We will never know.  It seems to be easier to play it safe with the goal of staying in office.  Why bother to have the integrity to stand up for what is right and lead on important issues?  Those politicians may not win re-election. 

 

            Of course the consequence of this vote is that gay and lesbian couples are not afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples.  That may seem a small price to pay.  However, the youth of Maine get a message from a vote like this – that being gay or lesbian is wrong – a defect – something of which they should be ashamed.  I hope you are not too troubled that, by remaining silent, you are basically reinforcing that message.  It is easy to understand why the suicide rate for GLBT youth is many times higher than it is for straight youth.  Try to imagine growing up in rural Maine knowing you are a homosexual and the overwhelming message you get is that you are sick and not deserving of the same rights as "normal people."

 

            Though I am currently not a constituent of yours, my partner and I do own land in Sedgwick, ME.  My partner grew up in Maine (he knows first-hand what that is like for a gay kid).  We still love Maine, though.  We had hoped to build on our land and to live there in retirement in 8 years.  Obviously, we are rethinking that plan. 

 

In addition, we have always enjoyed vacationing in Maine every year.  This past year, we rented a house on Little Deer Isle for two separate weeks.  We won't be returning to Maine next year.  We won't be buying any Maine products (we're going to miss shopping at LL Bean).  We don't support places that basically tell us that our rights do not matter.

 

I am hurt and angry that Maine has rejected marriage equality.  I am also saddened that you have chosen to remain silent on this issue.  I hope you will reconsider your actions and, in the future, show Maine the way a leader leads.  Thank you. 

Proposal at Washington D.C. Gay Marriage Hearing

Halloween Costumes for Effeminate Boys

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

Obama Remarks on Passage Of Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act

Mainer Philip Spooner is Voting No on 1!

How can you argue with this?

Our Furnace Tale of Woe

It started to get chilly last week, so we turned on the heat for the first time of the season. We heard a strange rumble and a click. The fan came on, but there was no heat. We have a gas furnace on the roof of our row house in DC. We just bought a new one soon after we moved into the house, so it is about 6 years old.

On Thursday morning, I used my trusty Angie's List to find a well-rated repairman and scheduled an appointment for Thursday afternoon. I talked with them later that day, and they pointed out it was raining, and since this involved electrical equipment, they couldn't work on it until it wasn't raining. I said fine, and made another appointment for Friday. It continued to rain. I made another appointment for Saturday. Guess what? Rain. Luckily, we have a gas fireplace we used to keep warm over the weekend.

The repairman finally came this morning (the fourth appointment scheduled). A fan motor needs to be replaced. The repair is going to cost at least $900 (including $20 off coupon) and he has to come back again once they get the part. This isn't the best time for this to happen, since we're in the process of buying a house in Florida. What can we do, though? We need heat. Waaaa!

Florida House Update

Here is a short slideshow of photos of the house we're buying in Punta Gorda, Florida.  We are set to close on the house on November 13, and we are planning on driving down for the week of Thanksgiving to start furnishing it and doing some repairs.  We hope to be able to fly down once a month or so for long weekends.  When we retire, we will use it to snowbird between Florida and Maine.   We can't wait!  

Today Marks 25 Years of Federal Service!

Today is my 25th anniversary of working in the Federal Government. I started working at the U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory as a temporary GS-5 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds at Aberdeen, MD on October 15, 1984. I was an Editorial Assistant reading very dull technical reports all the live-long day. There were four of us in a room. My desk was opposite a girl that smoked like a chimney. We didn't have any computers. We had to make any edits using an eraser, white-out, and a typewriter.

I worked at BRL for 10 months before getting a permanent Government job at the U.S. Army Engineering Topographic Laboratories in Fort Belvoir, VA, as a clerk typist, GS-4. I was able to transfer into an Editor-Writer slot after a few months that was at the GS-5 level and became a GS-7 after a year and a GS-9 after another year. I mostly did "technology transfer," which is as boring as it sounds.

I stayed at ETL (later TEC) for 11 years and eventually became the acting supervisor of the office and a GS-12. That is where I found out one of my employees was exposing himself to little girls, so I had him arrested. That is also where I decided being a supervisor isn't my cup of tea.

I then got a position at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, as a Public Affairs Specialist. This was a much more interesting job. I got to work with reporters, write consumer recall press releases, and play with recalled toys. I stayed there for 10 years and got my GS-13.

Now I'm at another agency that shall remain nameless. I've been here for more than 2 years and I mostly answer Congressional mail. It is a great job. I'm eligible to retire in 8 years. I may stick it out here, or who knows where I may go next?

We Got the Florida House!

We got it! The third time was a charm. I reported previously that we did not get this house. Someone else got the contract. On our train ride back from New York City (more than 2 weeks ago), we found out that contract had fallen through. We resubmitted another offer. We waited and waited and suffered greatly, only to find out this Saturday that we again did not get the house. Then yesterday we got another call saying those people also walked away. (What is wrong with this house?) Anyway, we just found out our offer was finally accepted. The house is in Punta Gorda, FL, just north of Fort Myers. This area was devastated by Hurricane Charley about 5 years ago, but it has been rebuilt better than before. We are unbelievably excited about getting this house. Look at that view!

Gay Marriage Coming to DC?

As announced previously, DC council member David Catania introduced a bill allowing same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. It is being supported by a vast majority of the other council members (not Marion Barry though, boo!), so it looks like it will pass. Mayor Adrian Fenty says he will sign the bill, but Congress has 30 days to "review" the legislation.

God forbid the children of DC be allowed to make up their own laws. They might come up with something like this: If a man cheats on his wife, or vise versa, both the cheaters must be put to death.

That actually isn't a crazy law from the DC Council --That is one from the Bible -- Leviticus 20:10. Passing that law sure would make The Jerry Springer Show a lot more interesting.

However, the Washington Post reports there does not appear to be strong movement by Congress to block the DC gay marriage bill from becoming law in DC. Keep your fingers crossed. Any suggestions where I should register for gifts?

Why Would They Think Polanski Might Run?

Roman Polanski lost his plea Tuesday to be released from Swiss custody after his arrest stemming from a U.S. extradition order for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. Apparently, there was some question of him being a flight risk. You flee one felony charge more than 30 years ago, and a fella gets a reputation.

Hump Day Art -- Abstracts in the White House

"I think I'll..." 1983, Ed Ruscha

"Sky Light" 1973, by Alma Thomas

"Watusi (Hard Edge)," by Alma Thomas

Here's some examples of the art decorating the private areas of the White House. For complete details, click here to read the Associated Press article.

DC Councilman to Introduce Marriage Bill

DC Council member David Cantania plans to introduce a same-sex marriage bill at Tuesday's DC council meeting, according to a story in today's Washington Post. It is expected to pass at some point, but then it has to clear Congress, which can overturn DC legislation under Home Rule. Who knows if that will actually happen? Hopefully, all those closeted Republicans will stay in their wide stances in airport restrooms long enough to let the bill pass.