Vacation Teaser

I thought I'd post the pictures before the strories...

Updating

I've been on vacation for over a week and did not have access to my laptop. Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm typing away and a new post should be up by tomorrow morning.

Check back soon!

.

Let's Talk Politics

Last week I was in the middle of a debate about deregulation. When I say in the middle, I mean physically in the middle between the two people having the debate. Political issues rarely interest me and I choose not to form an opinion because I recognize my own naivety on the subject matter. As usual though I thought it would be a good topic for a blog post. However it’s tough to write a decent article when you have no opinion on the subject. Then I realized I could tackle it from a different perspective.

During major elections I always try and get out and vote. Once I’m in the voting booth my choice is always easy, Democrat across the board. My choice has less to do with political ideology and more to do with the lack of a better option. A clear line has been drawn down the middle of the current political map dividing everyone into either Republicans and Democrats. With only a two party system there is not a lot of room for options. In general, Republicans are socially conservative and believe that less is more when it comes to government interaction. Democrats on the flip side are pro regulations and socially liberal. But what happens when you have one key issue that negates every other issue? Obviously in my case that would be gay rights. I'm always going to vote for the candidate that is more socially liberal and who supports equal rights. By default that means that I always vote democrat. There in lies the problem. What if I want socially liberal with deregulation or vice versa? I wish conservative didn't automatically equal republican and each party had more of a mix.  

The more I think about it, the more I find these combinations an oxymoron. Republicans are in favor of deregulation and less government interference in their business lives. However they are all for government getting into our personal lives making rules on birth control, abortion, marriage and death. Shouldn't it be the Democrats that want social regulation along with their corporate rules? Logically it would stand to reason that someone who is so intent of regulating our bodies and minds would want the same rules applied to business and industry. When you really look at it from an outside perspective, the combinations don't make sense. It makes you start to wonder is one side's opinion is only based in opposition to their rivals. Can Democrats have an opinion without knowing what Republicans think? That would be a good sociological experiment.

 

For the record, I'm a registered independent.

An Open Letter to Rihanna

Dear Rihanna,


Let me begin by saying that I'm a big fan and I love your music. You continue to come out with hit singles that fuse R&B rhythms with great dance beats. We Found Love the current hit song from your sixth album Talk the Talk is better then ever. Bravo! At the young age of 23 you've become bona fide superstar.

You are no doubt a busy woman so I'll get to the reason for my correspondence. At one time you were dating Chris Brown until that fateful night when he beat you up. Since then it appeared like you distanced yourself from him and continued on with your career. Any simpathy the public may have had was just washed away when you announced the duet (titled Birthday Cake) with your former abuser. I listened to Birthday Cake and it's a shitty song. Adding in the violent past you shared with Mr. Brown makes the song even more vulgar. Part of me feels bad for you because you're obviously young and lack the self worth to know you deserve better. You probably think he's changed and learned his lesson. That's a load of crap.

Whether you like it or not Rihanna, you're a role model for young women. The choices you make in your personal life have broader consequence. Your actions reinforce the message that a strong and successful woman is pushover for a man. I can hear the Woman's Studies majors churning out their thesis papers as we speak. By supporting you it feels like I'm supporting a PRO-domestic violence charity. Chris Brown has also moved on with his career much to the dismay of the general public. It bordered on offensive when the Grammys had him perform twice. He has every right to live his life but the Grammys didn't need to promote him. What was truly shocking was the wave of tweets and messages that followed the show. Maybe you caught Buzzfeed.com's  25 Extremely Upsetting Reactions to Chris Brown at The Grammys . Many of the posts had a similar tone: "Like I've said multiple times before, Chris Brown can beat me all we wants... I'd do anything to have him oh my." [posted by @kelllllx]

So Rihanna where do you go from here? My (unsolicited) advice is as follows:

1. Do a major TV sit down interview with Oprah. (her network could use the ratings) Distance yourself from Chris and take a public stance against domestic violence
2. Pledge to donate the proceed's from Birthday Cake sales to a women's shelter.
3. Get some much needed therapy.

Sincerely

The Gay Gasp

Elementary Refresher: Congress

The US Federal Government is broken up into three branches: executive, judiciary, and legislative. The executive branch consists of the President and his cabinet while the court systems make up the judiciary branch. This refresher is going to focus mainly on the legislative branch filled with our elected officials.

I started to research the our government because I did know what the difference was between a Congressman and a Senator. Truth be told, I couldn't remember. I'm sure way back at St. Marys, Mrs. Kenny taught us all about it and over the years that brain space has been replaced by Rihanna song lyrics. The legislative branch of our government is broken up into the the House of Representatives (nickname- the House) and the Senate. The term Congress is an umbrella term for them both. Therefore, to answer my original question: a Senator is the same as Congressman but a member of the House of Representatives is also a Congressman. While we're on the subject let's dive in a little deeper. The House of Representatives has 435 member representing each of the 50 states. The number of representatives vary from state to state based on population. As the population grows and redistributes the number can change. For example Connecticut has 5 Representatives down from 6 several years ago. The Senate however consists of 2 Senators from each state regardless of size or population. For a bill to become a law it must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then be signed by the President. If you like to go more in depth and learn about the Legislature visit the links below as a start.

To find out who your US Representative is:

http://www.house.gov/representatives/

To find out who your US Senator is:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Hopefully this helped clear up some confusion and now we'll both be a bit more aware during the next election. In general politics bore me, but it's good to have a basic knowledge about the people who run the country.

Gay Gasp Gossip

This is what's been on my mind this week:

Taking a look back at one of my more memorable posts, I think it's time for a Triad update. You'll remember I mentioned that several of my friends were giving triads (in some form or another) a try. I'm sad to report that three of the relationships are no longer a three some. In most cases the three downsized to a traditional twosome. The good news is that two of teams are still going strong.

Are dildo's TSA approved? Has anyone ever traveled on a plane with sex toys? Do you have any tips? Does and don'ts?


I've started the packing process for vacation. This year I'll be on vacation for 10 days straight! Gasp. First I start out in Naples, Florida with my parents and then off to Dallas for TBRU. Both are warm climates but very different audiences. One if comfortable and polite then next is bearish and sexy. I don't know if my suitcase hold that much... This is going to be a challenge especially because I want to bring more then one pair of shoes. Big shoes take up a lot of valuable packing space.

Dear Kirk Cameron, I honestly didn't know you were still alive? You have every right to voice your opinion and it's cute that you think anyone cares. KTHANXBYE.

TV News: Sharon Needles is my obsession on RuPaul's Drag Race and thank god Jarrell went home on Project Runway. Oh, and Tyra... I'm over ANTM. I fast forwarded through the first episode just to get to judging and then I fast forwarded some more. Plus I've switched from Chelsea Lately to Bravo's Watch What Happens Live. (weeknights at 11:00pm) Also, Sandra Bernhard's Sandrology is shockingly funny. Finally, did anyone watch La Lohan on SNL? I'm happy to say she wasn't bad. #SnookiProblems

I think my next audiobook purchase (for the plane) will be Ali Wentworth's new book Ali in Wonderland.  (she was on In Living Color and now she's married to George Stephanopoulos)

One of my favorite bags is my infamous PanAm bag. However I've had to pack it away because that shit ABC show of the same name is ruining it's vintage charm. I don't want people to think I'm pimpin' Christina Ricci. Gag. Hopefully it'll get cancelled soon so I go back to looking retro cute with my white leather carry on.

My favorite new commercial is White House Black Market's add featuring Coco Rocha. Amalzing.

If we're doing Charlie's Angels, I'm Farrah Fawcett!

Feeling a bit nostalgic I went back and read through my old Livejournal. I kept the online journal from 2006 to 2008 and it made me cringe a bit to read through my old ramblings. It also gave me an important realization that I'm always trying to change myself. I've always tried to look at myself objectively and change the things that aren't working. Whether the goal is to be more outgoing or save more money, I've always got a new mission or resolution. Yet it seems that through the years I've done nothing but stay the same. To quote myself:

'Recently I've been aware of how naive I am. I wonder if people think to themselves, "That poor boy, he's so clueless about life." I realize that I don't and can't know everything, but I thought I was doing pretty well and on a good path to wisdom. Now, I find out I don't know a damn thing. Everything I though I knew about myself is crap! I question every choice or instinct I have. I don't know when to trust myself. I've been spun around so much, I'm lost in the middle of the woods.' [April 2006]

First things first... How mellow dramatic and cliche is that?!? Gag. Yes I know I'm fucked in the head but I'm much better at editing myself now. You don't want to read my online therapy. To avoid that trap I've started to ask myself a simple question: "Is the post meant for the public or is it a passive aggressive way of telling someone something?" My other observation is that I'm meant to be single. [I'm going to try an walk the fine line between observation and online therapy here] I've had mixed feelings about my love life over the years but I've learned an important lesson. If god sent me my perfect man, I would still find a way to fuck it up. Very simply, I don't have enough self esteem to make healthy choices but there's no sense in beating myself up about it.

When I turned 30, one of my goals was to stop over analyzing all my thoughts and feelings and no more trying to change myself. After 30 years this is me like it or not. I've been doing very well so far but old habits die hard. But as the British say 'Keep Calm and Carry On.' I'm going to forge ahead into a great future and even though I may not have a boyfriend, at least I have a full closet.

.