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July 30, 2003
Respect
James summed it up rather nicely, but here's my two cents.
This cruel joke occupying our White House was never amusing, and his betrayal of our values deserves punishment. I refuse to pledge allegiance to the flag, because I pledged long ago allegiance to the values our country stands for. I so wildly believe in our country that I went out as a Peace Corps evangelist. I served my country without killing anyone, except possibly with my cooking.
Even though I don't salute the flag, I still respect it. This greedy petty idiot betrays undercover operatives, keeps raising the alert color to distract people from his domestic betrayals, and has squandered fifty years of international reputation. We shouldn't have to wait for the elections to begin the process of reconciliation to the rest of the world.
More information and photo credit here.
Posted by G at 11:20 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Two things
1) Calculus II is whupping my ass. The final is on Thursday.
2) I had no idea that my blog had no links to my email address until yesterday. Fixed, in the upper right corner. It is also my first experiment with html code using secondary titles.
Posted by G at 01:05 AM | TrackBack
July 28, 2003
If you can help, do it.
Texas Chris made this comment after watching the news about the gay man who assassinated a NYC Councilperson earlier this week- "The gay community doesn't need any more villains. It needs another hero."
Let me introduce you to Ruslan. Living as an out gay man in Uzbekistan is dangerous, yet John's former student Ruslan Sharipov not only lives boldly, he lives for helping other people. Now he's in serious trouble. Following is a letter from my friend John Smart, another RPCV from Uzbekistan. If you have time, please write a letter or go to one of the websites in the extended entry.
From John's letter - I'm referring to the arrest and imprisonment of Ruslan Sharipov, of Buhoro, Uzbekistan, formerly the president of the English Language Club there, and a former student of mine in evening classes that I conducted at the state university in 1996 and 1997. I'm proud to call Ruslan a friend.
He has been working as an investigative journalist in Tashkent, and seems to have angered the Karimov regime, which is not known for its wonderful human rights record. He is also an gay man, and that's what he's being charged with. He's currently standing trial, but it is a closed trial, and most of his family are not even allowed to be there.
I've gotten information from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, and I'm attaching a letter from Matilda Bogner of HRW, with names and addresses of people to write to. We are trying to send as many letters as possible to anyone who might be able to put pressure on the Uzbek government.
Check out the websites following Matilda's information, and please join our efforts. We need all the help we can get. Just click on the "Continue reading..."
I would recommend writing to the Uzbekistan Ambassador here in the US or the EU. That's what I'm doing.
From Matilda Bogner, HRW, Tashkent
Dear John,
Thanks for your e-mail and for the support for Ruslan. Ruslan’s trial has started, but is at the beginning stages. It has now been adjourned off to Tuesday next week. The judge has declared the trial closed, which unfortunately is legal here for cases that involve sexual crimes. Ruslan’s mother will be allowed in to most of the trial though, and he has a lawyer and a local defender representing him.
I’ve pasted in below an urgent action that we put out with another group- it has suggestion of where people can write and what to write. I would also suggest that you write to your government, asking them to raise the issue with the Uzbeks- you probably know who is best to approach- whether it be your congressman or senate representative, or direct to someone in Washington. If the US takes up the case more strongly than it has thus far, it would be very useful. I would change the letter a bit, putting in that you personally know Ruslan and respect him and so on.
I’ll try to get your message through to Ruslan. I’m sure that he will be very grateful for the support.
Thanks again, and let me know any response to letters that you write. I’m happy to keep you up with how the trial is going, but you should write and ask me sometimes (otherwise I’ll forget in this hectic environment).
Matilda
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ SUMMARY @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
On Monday May 26th, 2003, activists Ruslan Sharipov, Oleg Sarapulov, and Azamat Mamankulov were arrested and detained by the District Internal Affairs Department. Ruslan Sharipov is now charged with violating articles 120 (homosexual sex), 127 (sex with a minor), and 128 (sex with a child under sixteen) of the Uzbek Criminal Code. Oleg Sarapulov is charged with article 131 (providing premises for debauchery). The police continue to question Azamat Mamankulov, however, it remains unclear whether he is being questioned as a witness or a defendant. There is evidence that the police have used physical and psychological pressure to obtain evidence from him. On May 26 police also detained three fifteen-year-old boys and held them for three days of questioning. The police state that Ruslan Sharipov had homosexual sex with two of them for money.
Ruslan Sharipov does not deny his homosexuality. He believes that the charges are being fabricated because of his human rights and journalistic work, critical of government policies and in particular of police corruption. Sarapulov and Mamankulov have been released. Sharipov has been subjected to beatings, threats of sexual violence, and verbal abuse by the police.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Watch urge you to write letters to the addresses below urging the immediate release of Sharipov pending an investigation of the charges against him, the dismissal of the Article 120 charge against him, and the dismissal of all charges against the two other activists. A sample letter is provided below. Please also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Uzbekistan accredited to your country, as well as to the United Nations representatives of Uzbekistan, and the European Union (EU - Europa House) and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) offices in Uzbekistan.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND INFORMATION @@@@@@@@@@@@
According to Eurasianet.org, members of National Security Service of Uzbekistan attacked Ruslan Sharipov near the court building in Tashkent on the morning of July 12, 2001. According to the same source, he had reported being followed by the NSS for several months prior, when he began working as a journalist at the PRIMA news agency and as the press-secretary for the NGO "Society for Human Rights of Uzbekistan." According to Reporters Sans Frontieres, on August 1, 2001, Ruslan Sharipov was arrested by NSS agents and accused of being involved in a terrorist group. Secret service agents also applied pressure on his relatives. His mother, brother and a cousin were questioned and threatened. In an open letter to the Uzbekistani President, Ruslan Sharipov asked that an order be issued to end his being followed by the security services, that the pressures on his family stop and that he be allowed to exercise his profession as an independent journalist.
Human Rights Watch has documented other prior harassment of Ruslan Sharipov,
Oleg Sarapulov and Azamat Mamankulov. On October 21, 2002, National Security Service officers forcefully escorted Mamankulov out of an Internet cafe, hit him several times in the stomach and head, and warned him to stop working with Sharipov. On February 22, police detained Sarapulov and questioned him about Internet articles in his possession that were critical of the Uzbek government. He was released after two days. He told Human Rights Watch that the police planted leaflets on him belonging to Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic group banned in Uzbekistan.
In March 2002, Human Rights Watch wrote to President Karimov, expressing
alarm at three attacks on Sharipov in January and February 2002, including being dragged into a car by police officers and questioned about his journalistic activities, and being beaten twice by unidentified attackers who took his mobile telephone, journalist accreditation card, passport and money.
Since 1994, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), has called on countries that are party to the convention to repeal sodomy laws, or laws that punish adult, consensual homosexual acts. The Committee held that such laws violate protections against discrimination in the ICCPR, as well as article 17, which protects the right to privacy. Specifically, the Committee held that "sexual orientation" was a status protected under the ICCPR from discrimination. Uzbekistan ratified the ICCPR in 1996.
President Islam Abduganievich Karimov
Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Rezidentsia prezidenta / The Presidential Palace
700000 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Fax: +998-71-139-53-25
E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz
Salutation: Your Excellency
Siradzhuddin Mirsafayev
Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Respubliki Uzbekistan Ministru
ul.Sayilgokh, 5 Ministerstvo yustitsii
700047 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Tel: if fax is not working: +998-71-133-1305, or mail/ telegram letters.
Fax: +998-71-133-51-76
E-mail: no e-mail available at this time: please fax or telegram letters.
Salutation: Dear Mr. Mirsafayev
Sayora Rashidova
Oliy Majlis Commissioner for Human Rights /
Upolnomochennoy po pravam cheloveka pri Oliy Majlis
pl. Mustakillik, 2 Oliy Majlis Respubliki Uzbekistan
700008 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Fax: +998-71-139-85-55
E-mail: office@ombudsman.gov.uz
Salutation: Dear Ms. Rashidova
Sodiq Safaev
Minister of Foreign Affairs
ul. Gogolya #87
700047 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Fax: +998-71-239-4348
E-mail: jahon@tiv.uz
Salutation: Dear Mr. Safaev
To write to the Uzbek Ambassador to the US:
Hon. Shavkat Khamrakulov, Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
1746 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington DC, 20036
Fax: +1-202-293-6804
E-mail: uzbconsul_dc@yahoo.com
Salutation: Your Excellency
To write to the Uzbek UN Permanent Mission:
Hon. Alisher Vohidov, Ambassador
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan
to the United Nations
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 326
New York, NY 10017
Fax: +1-212-486-7998
E-mail: uzbekistan@un.int
Salutation: Your Excellency
To send a copy to the Uzbek office of the European Union (EU - Europa House) and OSCE:
Peter Reddish, Co-ordinator
Europa House of The European Commission - Tashkent
11th floor - International Business Centre
107A Amir Temur Street
700084 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Fax: +998-71-139-18-68
E-mail: office@europahouse.uz
Salutation: Dear Mr. Reddish
Hon. Ahmet Kamil Erozan, Ambassador
OSCE Centre in Tashkent
Western Side, 2nd Floor, Khamid Alimdjain Sq.
70000 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
Fax: +998-71 120 61 25
E-mail: oscecao@online.ru and cmusinschi@osce.sand.uz
Salutation: Your Excellency
To send a copy to the US Ambassador to Uzbekistan:
Hon. John E. Herbst, Ambassador
Embassy of the United States
ul. Chilanzarskaya 82
700115 g. Tashkent
RESPUBLIKA UZBEKISTAN
fax: +998-71-120-6335; +998-71-120-5448
E-mail: consular@usembassy.uz
Salutation: Your Excellency
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MODEL LETTER @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the detention and abuse of Ruslan Sharipov, and to request his release pending the investigation of charges against him, and the immediate dismissal of the charges under Article 120 of the criminal code. We also ask that all charges be dropped against his colleague Oleg Sarapulov.
According to local sources, these men are being singled out for punishment due to their sexual orientation and regular publication of their views expressing outspoken opposition to government practices. Ruslan Sharipov in particular has been subjected to abuse in detention due to his political views and sexual orientation.
Uzbekistan ratified the ICCPR in 1996, which, according to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, protects the signatory countries' citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The UNHRC also holds that laws such as Uzbekistan's law outlawing homosexual sex (Article 120), allegedly violated by the accused, violate ICCPR protections against discrimination, as well as the right to privacy (Article 17).
I anticipate your swift action to end the harassment of journalists and human rights defenders and to guarantee respect for human rights in accordance with international human rights standards in Uzbekistan. Please contact me with news of your response to this incident at the address below.
Sincerely,
(your name, organization and address)
@@@@@@@@@@@@@ INTERNATIONAL LAW @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The right to freedom from torture and cruel or inhuman treatment is protected by the UDHR (Article 5), and by the ICCPR (Article 7).
The right to liberty and security of person is protected by the UDHR (Article 3), and by the ICCPR (Articles 6 and 9).
The United Nations Human Rights Committee affirmed in its decision in Toonen v Australia (1994) that existing protections against discrimination in Articles 2 and 26 of the ICCPR should be understood to include sexual orientation as a protected status. Numerous other human rights mechanisms of the United Nations have subsequently condemned discrimination based on sexual orientation. The UN Committee on Economic and Social Rights has made a similar observation, in its General Comment 14 on the right to health, to be applied to all economic, social and cultural rights.
Rights of human rights defenders: the UN Declaration Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (G.A. res.53/144, UN Doc. A/RES/53/144 - 1999) affirms: "Everyone is entitled, individually and in association with others, to be effectively protected under national law in reacting against or opposing, through peaceful means, activities and acts, including those by omission, attributable to States which result in violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as acts of violence perpetrated by groups or individuals that affect the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms" (Article 12.2). And it adds that, "In this connection, everyone is entitled, individually and in association with others, to be protected effectively under national law in reacting against or opposing, through peaceful means, activities and acts · attributable to States that result in violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as acts of violence perpetrated by groups or individuals that affect the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms" (Article 12.3).
The right to equality before the law and to be free from discrimination are protected by the UDHR in its Articles 2 and 7, by the ICCPR in its Articles 2 and 26, and by the IACHR in its Articles 1 and 24. The right to equality before the courts and tribunals is protected by ICCPR in its Article 14.
The right to privacy is protected by the UDHR in its Article 12, and the ICCPR in its Article 17.
In 1996 Uzbekistan became a signatory to the ICCPR and is bound by its provisions. The UDHR is considered customary law for all Member States of the United Nations, including Uzbekistan.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ABOUT IGLHRC and HRW @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Please contact IGLHRC or HRW for further background information.
IGLHRC's mission is to secure the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or _expression, gender identity or _expression, and/or HIV status. A US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), IGLHRC effects this mission through advocacy, documentation, coalition building, public education, and technical assistance.
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice; we investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable; we challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law; we enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.
@@@ HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK (ERN):
To receive our action alerts via email (saving printing costs, postage, and trees), write to autoshare@iglhrc.org, with a blank subject line, and the following message in the body of the email:
For the English version: "subscribe ern-en
For the Spanish version: "subscribe ern-es
If you would like to cancel your printed ERN subscription, let us know by contacting IGLHRC. Contact information is above.
@@@ HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS EMAIL LIST:
If you would like to unsubscribe from this email list, please send a plain-text e-mail with a blank subject line to autoshare@iglhrc.org from the address you want to unsubscribe with a blank subject line and the following text in the body: "UNSUB ern-en"
@@@ CONTRIBUTIONS:
Participation in the Emergency Response Network is free, but contributions are greatly appreciated and needed. Contributions are tax-deductible in the United States. Contributions can be made on your Visa or Mastercard (just include the amount, your account number, and expiration date). Alternatively, contributions can be sent by check via regular mail to the address above.
###
--
Sara Moore
Program Associate for Eastern Europe & Central Asia
sara@iglhrc.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission -
1375 Sutter St, Ste 222 - San Francisco, CA 94109 - USA
tel: +1-415-561-0633 - fax: +1-415-561-0619 - http://www.iglhrc.org
See our website for Mexico and New York office info.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IGLHRC's mission is to secure the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or _expression, gender identity or _expression, and/or HIV status. A US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), IGLHRC effects this mission through advocacy, documentation, coalition building, public education, and technical assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2003/05/ennews29052003_h.html
http://action.web.ca/home/lgbt/alerts.shtml?sh_itm=9579284b3beac1e6e69aabf809d08dd6&AA_EX_Session=f0c2c427e922c8d8a8348613ad251bae
http://www.uiju.org/eboard.html
http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/05/uzbek052903.htm
Posted by G at 11:11 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 27, 2003
Texas Chris' rebuttal in defense of erotic bruising
It has recently come to my attention that the proliferation of erotic bruises (known more crudely as "hickeys") about my neck in recent weeks has caused quite the controversy on my roommate's website. Of course, such joking may be nothing more than petty jealousy at my numerous sexual exploits and the exuberance of my still flowering and youthful libido. Regardless of the direct causes for such derision at the expense of my reputation, such innocent joking belies the seriousness of rampant sexual fascism that stigmatizes those of us who can actually get laid once in a while.
The stigmatization of non-normative sexual practices finds its historical and cultural roots even in our American past. While it might come to the surprise of some, American history is, indeed, a history of sexual hang-ups. The practice of erotic bruising evokes images from Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, The Scarlet Letter. Erotic bruising, after all, is nothing more than a scarlet letter with less precision. In each case, an anxious society constructs an atmosphere in which jealousy and repressive sexual mores conspire to ostracize persons of healthy sexual appetite.
While Hawthorne's tale certainly speaks to the personal heartbreak and scandal of a vicious society, Hester Prynne's isolation from her community also acts as a metaphor for the ways in which the state strips the individual of her or his basic human rights by exploiting her or his sexual practices. Much like the recently overturned sodomy statutes in Texas and various other third-world countries, these outdated conventions only harm the citizenry of this great Nation. After all, if I should enjoy a good plowing now and again, what business is it of the state? I can think of nothing more patriotic than a good dicking. We might well say the same things for erotic bruising or any other act of sexual pleasure deemed unacceptable by fascist sexual moral codes. To quote a great American statesperson, President Thomas Jefferson, "In the entire history of man, no practice has emerged more odious than the oppression of the greatest right endowed by his Creator--getting kinky." After Mr. Jefferson's address to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Sally Hemmings reportedly put him in the stocks and gave him a good spanking.
The issue of erotic bruising must be addressed in our public discourses as its practice becomes increasingly widespread. Why, Jenna Bush's recent exploits with k.d. lang produced so much erotic bruising that the First Daughter has earned the University of Texas' reputation as the A-Chi-Ho of Fraternity Row. The use of such a vicious moniker should be spurned and Jenna Bush should be afforded the right to act out her desires whether with k.d. lang, Ashton Kutcher, or the entire Texas Tech University Goin' Band from Raiderland. Nonetheless, she should really get those nasty little bumps downstairs checked out.
As for myself, I must admit that despite my more than healthy sexual lifestyle, the presence of what might at first appear to be erotic bruising is truly more innocent than Glenn implies. I have recently been diagnosed with anemia and am thus given to bruise easily. In all honesty, the appearance of what my roommate has interpreted as "hickeys" are no more than bruises from when I fell and bumped my neck against a curb--seven times.
Posted by G at 01:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 25, 2003
Reflections and Decisions
Taken from one of my comments last week:
"So here you are... one full summer after you started NYCTF Math Immersion. You were ready to bag it during the winter, but said that the right thing to do was wait until the summer to make a formal decision.
Are you going to continue with it, or have you not made a decision yet? Not to bias you, but it sounds unbearable... the kids, the principal, the whole nightmare. It's hard to even read about! Wouldn't you be happier doing something else? Your well-being counts too, you know. :-)
Posted by A Former NYCTF Hopeful at July 20, 2003 04:45 PM "
Comments like this definitely hit the nail right into my mental status right now. The NYC TEaching Fellows, which was just found to be one of the bestalternative teaching programs in the US, has provided a strange mix of stress and support over the last year. I have one week left of Calculus II and geometry (90 and 93 for my midterm test grades, thank you very much) and then I have a whole month to reflect, recharge, and make decisions.
I've had a miserable time over most of my first teaching year, and my blog has been my most effective form of venting. I write this to keep friends and family informed, but more important, it is a diary for me. My fears, my anger, my depression have all been probably a little too public. I probably didn't write enough about the good times and the good lessons, because I'm too self-critical, and I already have so many ideas for how this next year will be different.
Next year will be different. I'll be teaching at the junior high above my old school with a new principal, a new set of kids, and a new set of rules. I'm much more experienced after only one year, and everyone says the first year is the worst. I'm far from looking forward to the year, but I'm not dreading it like the last one. I will focus on the successes, correct the mistakes, and forgive myself for being far from perfect.
Will I stay with the program after the coming year? I haven't decided that yet. I might move overseas again, I might teach in England, I might take some time off and apprentice with a restoration company. Maybe I'll start up my car mechanic shop that I occasionally dream about. I am pretty certain I won't be teaching junior high, because I want to transition to high school. Hormones are too crazy during junior high, and their acne is infectious. I have too much forehead surface area for that.
Posted by G at 10:56 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 24, 2003
Language lessons
Some friends have made snarky comments about my discernible accent on my answering machine message. Some callers have merely not recognized the person as me. I recorded the message months ago, not realizing how much I sounded like a country music singer with perky breasts and a smoking habit or Yosemite Sam without the hair.
I prefer to think of it not as a suddenly revealed flaw, but as a linguistic relaxation. I’m from the Southwest, but I have always preferred that people look at me as a person rather than a dialectically challenged redneck from a region famous for its death penalty, idiot presidents, and hats. My accent has been cultivated over the years to eliminate all but the most fun hints of naissance. People sound like their families and environments. My Texas nieces sound solidly Texan, but with a somewhat neutral accent due to my sister’s radio voice. My British niece sounds solidly British, but with an occasional American turn of phrase. Give my sisters or me alcohol, and our accents roam randomly from country to country. My Russian accent is fairly neutral, but my Uzbek/Turkish accent makes me sound like I just escaped from the Bush compound in Crowley.
If I occasionally let slip with a ‘baa’ instead of a ‘bye,’ it is because I’m at a point in life where I can accept where I am from, where I am, and where I’m going. Where am I going? I’m fixin’ to go yonder.
Posted by G at 11:01 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
July 19, 2003
Creature Features
I always thought Triple D was merely the cup size of my girlfriend Leah back in high school. Now I have another experience for it- Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D! On Thursday I went with Kieran, JD, Simon, John, Justin, and Jessica to the show on the big screen at Prospect Park. They gave us 3D glasses, and I felt like I was in one of those pictures of moviegoers in the 50's. I invited Texas Chris and Jason, but Chris was busy doing something Honors College Flag Bearers apparently often do. I should point out that mockery does not mean that the same thing hasn't happened to me before, on two wild occasions. Check Chris' rebuttal, which he wrote on 'inspiration.'
Friday night was even more fun. Stephen scored me some free tickets to see Avenue Q on Broadway. Since it references Sesame Street, I wasn't expecting something that brilliant. I went with Chris (a Broadway virgin) and we laughed until our sides hurt. I really hope it does well, because it is a brilliant show, Sesame Street with a twist. Muppet creatures having sex is something everyone should see.
Tonight it is an art showing in Williamsburg, then Rock and Roll rollerskating in the neighborhood. Tomorrow I'm back on Calculus.
Posted by G at 03:53 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Math is hard!
I just finished working for six hours on ten problems in my Calculus 2 course. It really has made me think about how important vocabulary and prior knowledge count in mathematics. Most of the math teachers taking this course haven’t taken any form of calculus in over ten years, yet we’re expected to remember the differential forms of trigonometry.
We have no idea what we’re doing, we just simply mindlessly apply the formulas, hoping to get an answer similar to the answers in the back of the book. It is dreadful, because we are essentially the university MA equivalent of the Level 1 students we teach in our middle schools. We apply algorithms because they might work, and we have no idea if the answer makes sense.
We strive every day to help make math sensible to our kids, yet we might as well be shouting out ‘one million!’ to our teacher’s questions. We’ll remember this long enough to make it through the test, and then never deal with it again.
Posted by G at 11:31 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 17, 2003
Quadriplegic named Art
I'm sure someone out there wants me nailed to the wall. Now you have your chance.
Apparently my body, along with other Bushwickites, is on display at Chashama Galleries, 135 West 42nd street (ground) btw 6th and 7th avenues. I'll be on display until the end of the month, courtesy of the talented Melanie Grizzel.
I think I might go this weekend.
Posted by G at 11:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 16, 2003
Why doesn't God call HIM home?
Tinman, the sexiest man in NJ, just pointed out this article on his blog.
I'm calling on all good believers to begin their own prayer chain. Pat Robertson probably misses Strom, maybe they should be reunited. Or even better, reunite all of the conservative judges AND Bush AND Cheney AND Thurmond.
I'd pray for a decent Democrat to appear, but I think God has his limits.
Posted by G at 10:27 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Noo Tattoo
Roommate Bryan G drew this up for me. Waddya think? 
Posted by G at 08:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
I love the French
Happy belated Bastille Day! Chris, James, Barry and I went to Florent’s for dinner. I had my first steak frites (who knew that steak and fries could be that tasty?), some good wine, and bubbly at the end. I introduced myself to Florent, the owner. He happened to be in drag, if drag can be described as wearing a giant cake. It really is terrible how business has dropped for anything French-related. Those shallow sentiments are as logical as harassing special education classes just because our president is retarded.
Posted by G at 08:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 15, 2003
Fraked nolicking
Considering how many of my posts have involved bitching about the nasty horrible weather over the last 8 months, I really should talk about how perfect the weather has been recently. It has been Goldilocked for some time. Too hot, too cold, and now it is JUST right. I don’t want to say that the weather has been like eating tepid oatmeal with my golden locks accidentally falling in the bowl, mind you, and I don’t want to fall asleep and have some horrible bear eat me. A bear would be nice, but that’s a different story. Every day that I have to do something inside just makes me act like my kids before school ended. I want to barbeque, hike, swim, maybe have some general frolicking. Naked frolicking, or maybe fraked nolicking.
On Sunday I had tons of homework that I desperately needed to finish. So what did I do? Went shopping, of course! As Kieran pointed out, x will still be approaching infinity whether I focus on the work or not. Kieran, JD and I went to Modell’s then Century 21. I always need my friends to help me on clothing advice, although this day was somewhat easy. Everything I bought was either black or white. What fabulous stores, especially since I now buy clothing in the boys section. Shopping has been a dreaded experience for me, beginning with shopping with my sisters and mom. The trips always ended up with mom furious and screaming, the girls weeping, and me playing inside one of the clothes racks. Now I know we just needed a homosexual facilitator, but I was too young, and it’s not really my forte.
It amazes me that I used to always buy extra large shirts. I always wanted to hide my body, hide my perceived flaws. Now I realize that it just looked like I was wearing pup tents, essentially. If nothing else, I have good shoulders, dammit. So I bought my very first muscle shirts, black, of course. It probably felt like how a girl feels with her very first bra. I’m carefully observing my arms, making sure my stomach doesn’t look too weird. Let’s just say that I’m much more comfortable with black. Kieran and JD bought a few things, but mainly they came along for moral support. As with all my friends that make supportive noises as I fret endlessly about clothing choices, I owe them beers.
I also bought some new swim trunks, as my old pair was truly disastrous. I had never tried the old pair on my body prior to purchase, and they were way too large. I had a safety pin attached to the side, and it kept coming loose and stabbing me. Not good, but the other option was to leap into a wave while my shorts went the other way. Although there is a whole section of nude bathing at Jones Beach, I’m not ready to let everyone confirm whether or not I have a tanline. I did fake N bake in the raw once, and I burned all my dangly bits. Not pretty, I assure you.
My last purchase was sad, as I finally bought a new wallet. For most people, this isn’t a big deal, yet I’ve had my old one for fifteen years. I just have to come to grips with wallet death. The poor thing has been on life support for years, I knew it was in pain, but I just couldn’t let it go. My dad bought it for me in Turkey, and it has been more than just a sentimental attachment. The wallet was made from the softest leather, and was so paper thin as to be unnoticeable in your back pocket. I’ve seen thicker condoms. I’ve searched for years for a replacement with no luck. One of these days, I really have to just go to a leather store and buy the basic leather. I really don’t think it would be a complex job making it, plus I could probably make a few improvements to the design. The new wallet is okay, although bulkier. Also, it only cost ten bucks at Century 21, center of the cheap clothing world.
After the shopping, we went to the South Street Seaport. It was my first time, although it was vaguely reminiscent of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Instead of beached walruses, large tourists flopped about, eating tourist food. Nothing wrong with tourists, it’s just that I’m allergic to them. I break out in conservatism, racism, and monolinguistic chatter. The only antidote is a discussion about literature, and I haven’t been able to read much for the last few months, so any exposure to tourists could be lethal. We went to this great little coffee shop that Kieran knows a few blocks away from the tourist center where we had some excellent chai and homemade Oreo cookies. It had a bright and cheerful atmosphere, plenty of board games, and some really whoop-ass pottery.
Hunger struck us bluntly about the head and neck, and we decided to go across the Brooklyn Bridge for food. When I first visited NYC, I had a disastrous experience going across the bridge, but it is so much easier now that I know that walking there from Williamsburg is a bad idea. The sun was setting, JD had never walked across the bridge, and the Watchtower Tower towered and watched us. I had no idea that there was a park under the bridge, and I was totally floored by the view. Now that I’ve been to this park, I’m really torn as to which bridge base is more spectactular- Golden Gate or Brooklyn Bridge. As a gay man, the gay beach leading to the Golden Gate has extra scenery, but the Brooklyn Bridge leads to one of the best views around. While at the park, I realized that Woody Allen filmed my favorite scene in Manhattan in the park, and also that Brooklynites built all the skyscrapers in Manhattan in order to avoid having to look at New Jersey. We had dinner at Superfine, a restaurant with Hatch green chile burgers. Only people that live in the Southwest have any idea what the word Hatch means. We’ll just laugh at our insider joke and then scarf our burgers. I really must explore DUMBO more over the next few weeks, as I saw all sorts of fun places I need to experience, and I now have a new favorite view of Manhattan.
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July 13, 2003
Maritess vs. the Superfriends
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July 12, 2003
The best groceries in the whole wide world
New age type people talk about mystic alignments and energy points on the globe. I've been to quite a few. Sedona was amazing, although I think the people have attached to it like lamphreys. For me, mystical spots usually are easy to find. In N Out Burgers, Taco Box in Clovis, the Big Shashlik in Samarkand. Food is a mystery to me, and it usually develops negative energy once it resides in my fridge.
However, last weekend we went to Trader Joe's, the best grocery store in the world
. For those poor people still toiling through the Walmarts and C-towns of the world, there is a paradise known as Trader Joe's. I had no idea that they had expanded to the east coast until recently, but I now take every opportunity to go there.
These opportunities are rare, as they are located in wicked wicked suburbia. Fortunately for me, so is Jones Beach. I loaded up for the next three months. As long as you loosely define healthy, everything in the cart was healthy. I bought 12 jars of salsa, about 30 packages of cookies, pralines, chocolate covered blueberries, and some low carb bars. I'm sure those will offset the items made with butter as the primary ingredient. Grand total on visa? $216. The enjoyment I get from their ginger snaps? Priceless.
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July 11, 2003
The best sunburn ever
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July 08, 2003
Stupid peaceful protests
I had no idea my dog read about Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
I buy relatively expensive dry dog food, Pedigree Complete. It is very sensible for the adult dog, plus it now has cream filled nuggets. I haven't sampled it yet, but the advertising said that dogs love it. Of course, research shows that cat poop is possibly the most delicious thing for a dog to eat, but they haven't filled any of the nuggets with those little delicacies.
Back to the story. She hasn't been eating it. It will pile up for a day, maybe a day and a half. I had no idea I was subjected to the canine version of a hunger strike, yet I caved in like the British. If she took too long, I would occasionally add some bacon grease that I save in a jar in the fridge. She loves bacon grease, but I hate to inject pure fat into her already relatively fatty system. She's not horrifically obese like certain other pets I could mention, but I would like her to live a long and happy life.
Every day she uses those cute mannerisms to slowly force me to buy canned dog food. She never surrendered to the thought of violence, tearing out my throat for the fresh meat she probably craves. No, she simply wags her tail, gets cuddly, and leaves me no viable option but surrender. Trader Joe's dog food is good stuff, and I mix a little into the bowl every day now. Healthier than bacon grease, cheaper than therapy.
Posted by G at 10:35 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 07, 2003
A 5th of July, please
I am SO paying for misdeeds this weekend. Not the usual hangover or trouble in school on Monday. No excessive drinking, and a sizeable chunk of homework was done.
Sunblock. I really need to remember to apply sunblock in the future. I think this situation is even worse than my usual food poisoning episodes. I went to Jones Beach with Chris and Simon on Saturday. The weather was perfect, my companions were perfect, my recall of when to apply sunblock was less than perfect. I didn't apply it in the car, as it would have been messy. I didn't apply the sunblock once we got to the parking lot, as I wanted to get to the beach quickly. I didn't apply the sunblock when we got on the beach, as it was difficult to rub it once I was covered in sand.
I knew I was in trouble when Simon looked at me and told me to get my shirt on. I figured it was because I was much fatter than the other guys on the beach, then I noticed my body flashing like some kind of brake light. Hmmm, maybe I should have put on that sunblock FIVE HOURS AGO.
Now I'm slathered alternatively in aloe vera and lotion, and the shedding begins in the next few days. I'll forget this by next year, and the circle of life will begin again.
Posted by G at 09:21 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Hotel GansFamily Name
Welcome to the Boarding House for Diverse Gay Men, you'll have to take the hammock, I'm afraid. 1400 square feet is great, but the Swanktuary is getting a bit smaller by the day. Texas Chris just moved back into NYC, Teaching Fellow Michael is still in the training program, NY Dennis is still waiting tables, and Idaho Bryan is healing up nicely. Currently Bryan and Dennis are snoring/coughing it up in the back bedroom, Michael is on the guest futon, Chris is on the couch, and I'm in my bedroom with Bear. Bear takes up most of my bed when she sprawls languorously across the comforter.
The crowd really isn't all that bad, really, as we are never home at the same time. Bryan and Dennis are nocturnal animals who shun the light of day, Michael is out by 8am, and Chris will be exploring the city. The only issues are fridge/shelf space and the bathroom nightmare. Five gay men, one small bathroom. If this were a movie on the Spice Channel, we'd be sharing the showers and helping each other shave (chickapow). In real life, we're trying to prevent mold from eating the shower curtain, wondering who didn't flush the toilet, and just trying to keep it clean. I can't wait to see the utilities this month.
Apparently Dennis snores loudly enough to trigger smothering fantasies among the other roommates, but I don't hear anything. Lucky me. Sometimes I hear him in the morning when I make the coffee, but I usually mistake it for the garbage trucks rumbling by outside the window or the chainsaw murderer on the third floor.
There are definite bonuses to the situation. Something strange is always going on 24 hours a day. Each guy contributes something unique to the group, and I bet we'd be amazing as a Trivial Pursuit team. Our movie/music/book collection rivals the Bushwick Public Library, that's for sure. Bear gets walked all the time.
We're like Three Men and a Baby, except there's no baby, and we aren't as gay as those guys in the film.
Posted by G at 01:32 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
July 03, 2003
Genetics
The idealized Gay Male Body was totally on display during Pride and the Pier Dance. Generations of Hatchetts and Family Names combined their genes towards me, double-spiraling to the anti-ideal. Darwinism shows a progression forward from ape to man to gay man, but I think my genetics didn't jump far enough.
I strive towards an approximation of the ideal, but I feel like the neanderthal competing with cro-magnon. I can totally hold my own with my brain and humor, but the homo-homo superior has certain advantages that I wish I had. Buff bodies- I know a lot of people who never work out, yet they always have perfect bodies. I work out and stay scrawny. On the plus side, I will never develop man-breasts. Perfect hair on the body or head- these guys always have the perfect coif, a slight bit of hair on the legs, maybe the chest. I'm basically a victim of a hair centrifuge that radiated down to my toes. Top of head? Hairless. Ass? Fuzzy. Toes? Hobbit. Personally, I take hair on the chest as a sign of entering puberty, so I'm not terribly worried. I just wish I could catch one of these beauties ripping out ear hairs.Odor- why am I the one who uses the maximum level of deoderant, yet it doesn't always work? Today I might have well been harnessed as a musk ox. Last but not least, their energy- how do they do it? They seem to live on bottled water and no sleep. These guys have to have good jobs to afford all the clothes, the parties, the gym memberships. So when do they have time to work?
I have time to blog. I really should have written a paper.
Posted by G at 12:35 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
July 02, 2003
I'm glad Tinmanic is back.
I'm glad Tinmanic is back. His entry on conservatism is EXACTLY how I feel.
Posted by G at 12:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 01, 2003
Schism
The dichotomy in my soul runs deep, a chasm that tears me apart on a regular basis. Tomorrow I will again be forced to decide between two equally important parts of my life: Terminator 3 or Legally Blonde 2. Violence and explosions, or affectionate mockery of a stereotype? This split doesn’t involve the normal choices of good vs. bad. It’s so much more complex than those easy choices. Good/bad choices involve Krispy Kreme vs. cholesterol count and love handles. Easy. Which type of insubstantial film to attend is difficult. The group of friends for each movie choice also clouds the current issue. Geeks vs. gigglers. Each has their benefits, and I really have to decide which group to go with to the movies. What do I need more? If this were the school year, it would depend on the day. If the teaching day involves anger, then I would choose T3. If the teaching day involves something depressing, then I would definitely choose LB2. Now that school is out, my movie compass has no north. Drama!