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February 26, 2006
Geek Watch/Night Watch
Geek Night was amazing as always. Fifteen men all congregating to celebrate the tasty goodness of Jamie Bamber on Battlestar Galactica, plus Chinese food and beer.
Sometimes it amazes me that any geek is single, as geeks are repositories of pure sexual energy, just concealed behind a well developed brain. Hasn't anyone watched Revenge of the Nerds? They aren't exactly tan (spending inside time being brilliant), but their cuteness,, sweetness and bawdiness, fuzzy-ness, and charm make for a fun evening. There are numerous boys without blogs, which means they even have outside social lives. Very strange.
Saturday night I met up with my friend Simon, Michael, and the very cute Robocubs to watch Nochnoi Dozor (Night Watch). As Simon said afterward, it was the best Russian film in some time. However, that does not mean it was good. The creepy doll was only in one scene, the plot dragged, and most of the inside jokes were only for Russians. However, the protagonist's apartment was EXACTLY the same design as my apartment in Samarkand, and it was good to see regular, mind-altering Russian wall paper. We also had some excitement as three gang members decided to have a fight at the bottom of an escalator. Normally New Yorkers avoid fights like this, but when the stairs inexorably lead you to the fight scene, people suddenly become elaborately interested in the scenery. It didn't appear too alarming, although I did tell Michael that if bullets started to fly, I was using his body as a shield. That's what friends are for!
Posted by G at 11:59 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
February 25, 2006
Clarification and rebuttal
Nothing like venting to get me in trouble. Both my sister and my good friend Brian responded to my previous blog entry. I'm halfway through my "I love Texas pictorial/list," but I guess I should have posted the negative and positive entries simultaneously. I've never been good with editing html, plus organizing photos is a nightmare. Apologies to everything good in Texas.
Nothing I wrote was a blanket statement covering ALL Christians. I singled out a nutcase CARRYING A CROSS on the side of a highway and a radio station show (housed in the same building as my sister's radio station) that espouses invading Iran because of visions of angels, protecting marriage from homosexuals (god forbid we honor monogamy!), and predicting bombs in all the liberal cities of America.
Yes, I would actually say that many Christians are very nice people who do charitable work, embrace diversity, and believe their beliefs should not be forced on everyone (although the last one usually doesn't happen, as their God is the one and only true god). However, these people are NOT present in the voting booths, on the airwaves, or in positions of power right now. Or if they are, they do not feel they have the support or strength to tell people that fear and hate are not acceptable ways to run a country. Texas is a state that overwhelmingly opposed gay marriage, writing it into their constitution. Texas is a state that rivals China in the enforcement of the death penalty, executing a disproportionate number of minorities and retarded people. Texas also leads the nation for hate crimes (including burning of black churches, this isn't just about gays).
Let me talk about the National Religious Broadcasters and their conventions, since I was upset about radio. The NRB claim they have 1600 stations and an estimated 140 million viewers. The NRB website of 2005 (http://www.answersingenesis.org/) actually advocates that humans domesticated dinosaurs and talks about ways to force religion into the science classroom. Even more fun, the head guy Frank Wright vowed at the last convention to fight hate-crimes legislation because it might inhibit radio dj's from espousing violence to gays. After the recent massacre in Boston, Dr. Dobson is being accused of encouraging the violence. He's on that radio station in Dallas, twice a day, when he is not drumming up support for anti-gay legislation or approving Supreme Court justices.
I know my sister and Brian feel personally attacked by my blog entry, but you were not the topic of conversation. By commenting on the blog, now you are. Yes, we had an argument about Fred Phelps, and I know I hurt your feelings by getting angry. However, it is VERY frustrating to me that this man has been preaching hate and murder for 8 years, even as violent crimes against gays are up 11% in NYC alone. Yes, I feel angry when his insane marches on gay funerals are ignored until his marches on soldiers' funerals bring popular opposition in the media. The death of a soldier who volunteers and was paid to support his country is in no way more valuable or important to the families than the gay man who was the victim of a hate crime. I believe that human life is valuable regardless of country, occupation, sexuality, religion, or how they died. Phelps is a horrible man who violates the privacy of families in the worst times of grief.
Does that Christian radio station (or any pleasant Christian radio station) come out against Phelps? Does that radio station come out against Pat Robertson when he clearly calls on the assassination of foreign leaders like Hugo Chavez, or blames the gays and liberals for the WTC attack? Does that radio station come out against Dobson when he predicts gays will lead to the "utter destruction of America?" More tellingly, did that radio station pull the other dj you described as virulently anti-gay? No, he brings in more listeners. When one of his listeners freaks out and beats a gay man to death, who stands out and tells him that his hate fueled a murder? If many Christians are good, caring people, why aren't more of them calling Christian radio stations and telling them that the stations are advocating hate?
There are many things I love about Texas, most especially people like my sister, Brian, and the rest of my friends. My sister's concern for people in need would make my mom proud. Brian has always been there for me. However, there are some glaring problems in Texas that many people ignore, either out of the insulation of wealth, a lack of concern for the future, or a mistaken belief of "it won't happen to me or my friends." I'm guilty of this myself. I don't tell kids at my school that I'm gay, even though it could theoretically help some kid see some positive gay role model. However, I'll hold a kid for detention for ANY bigoted comment. I have to pick my battles, just as any person in Texas must pick theirs.
Normally I can also just put up my defenses, ignore the worst of it, and enjoy myself. Maybe it was the homophobe at the wedding. Maybe it was the hate-filled, fear-filled radio rant. Maybe the normalcy of a cross-carrying crazy on the highway pushed me over. Maybe it was the drive to Lubbock and the reminder of how much I hated myself back when I lived there, the attacks on my friends at the gay bar in Lubbock, or the memory in Austin of marching down Congress to protect a gay person's right to adopt while surrounded by signs threatening death. All I know is that I had to write about it.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote, "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
Posted by G at 10:25 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
February 23, 2006
Texas in the Rear View Mirror
Having a goal-oriented trip to Texas always delivers strange results. I had plenty of fun moments, it was fun to see many of my friends, but it becomes more and more apparent to me that I really don't belong there. Tye unwittingly called me at a low point and it really crystallized how frustrated I am with some parts of this painfully red state. Things that normally didn't bother me now drive me to the point of distraction. Living in a multi-culti city makes you aware that the Texan way isn't the only way, even as they cheerfully legislate away their environment, their civil rights, and any containment to urban sprawl.
Things that Texans would be better for discovering:
SUV's aren't fuel efficient or environmentally friendly. Houston doesn't have sparkling air, and they are one of the big culprits. The vaunted elevated vantage point disappears once everyone else is driving an SUV.
Walking down the interstate with a cross will just get you struck down by an SUV driven by a Christian with a cell phone. Now that's an accident I would like to see. I think it is irony if your intent is to get someone closer to Jeebus, then you suddenly are a LOT closer to Jeebus.
Giant size doesn't mean good. Devouring giant plates of food for less than $8 is not good for you. Since your goal is to get to Jeebus quicker, this is a great way. Super-sizing is also super-cardiac arresting. However, you will NOT make a pretty corpse, and may require extra corpse carriers at the funeral.
Just because there are endless prairies ripe for expansion is not an excuse for suburban sprawl. Kudos to Austin and Fort Worth for attempting to address those needs, and curses on the new 10000 home developments outside of Dallas.
Just because you're having visions from angels does not mean god is speaking through you. It just means that your bigotry and fear are manifesting themselves in your subconscious, giving your rants an audience on Christian radio.
Don't even get me on the marriage bills or the alarming percentages that believe they will be raptured in the next ten years. My right to get married is not one of the signs of the apocalypse.
Now that I've lanced the Texas boil, I feel much better.
Posted by G at 09:35 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
February 22, 2006
Lots of driving
So the first day, I drove the four hours to Houston. The next day I drove the three hours to Austin. The next day I drove the three hours to Dallas, then left the next morning for Lubbock. After five hours of driving, I had lunch with my dad and stepmom, then drove the five hours back to Dallas.
Enough of the driving, already!
Posted by G at 08:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 20, 2006
You know you're in Texas
When you're on an 8 lane highway, surrounded by SUV's, and you see a man walking down the side of the road, hauling a cross.
I would have taken a photo, but the SUV's prevented me.
Posted by G at 08:40 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
February 15, 2006
Blarg'ed and blizzard'ed
As far as going out drinking with around 40 bloggers to NINE gay bars on Christopher St., one should always remember to bring along the spare liver. I promised myself that I would drink lots of water, and I did. It was mixed with lots of hops and barley, so it made everything a little hazy.
Drinking lots of beer will not help you remember much. I only clearly remember the first bar Pieces, but I thought it was actually a decent bar. The clientele and bar staff were very friendly, the music wasn't too loud, and the Brooklyn Lager was good. I rarely go to bars on Christopher Street, but I would totally go back there. Ty's is also great, although I wish they had more beers.
The worst stop was Boots and Spurs, which was just surreal to me. It definitely wasn't western, it wasn't modern, it wasn't anything. It did have a very strange man humping the jukebox in the back. He ordered up a bunch of Madonna. I did get to hang out with GayestNeil and his man Bryce,both of whom I would like to meet again. We've met before, but each time the alcohol blocked the correct web addresses.
This was my first time really hanging out with Joe, who did a fairly impressive Loveboat Julie directing us from bar to bar, and most importantly, introducing people to each other. I got to hear some great stories from him that I know have not made it online, so I feel pretty special. He also bought me a beer, which enhanced my brain cell blockage.
Here's what I took home, aside from the future hangover:
People always defy expectations and initial evaluations. The great thing about a blog is the ability to get to know someone on a different level. It's not necessarily better, or more intimate, or sometimes even real. Some guys are witty on their blogs, and they are witty in person. Some people that aren't comfortable in the spotlight had me blushing and curtsying because of their brilliance online. I think I am somewhere in-between.
Also, everyone now knows my natural drunken tendency is to have my mouth open in posed photos. Go figure.
Posted by G at 07:03 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
February 14, 2006
Dallas, Houston, Austin?, Lubbock?, Dallas
Did I mention that I'm heading to Texas for a wedding this Friday? I'm on my winter break, so Friday night flight to Dallas, Saturday morning to Sunday in Houston, then back north. I return to a blue state on Thursday, 23rd.
Nothing is in concrete, except for the wedding Saturday evening.
Posted by G at 07:50 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
February 11, 2006
Blizzard
Dear Zod-
Why do you always unleash blizzards on the weekends in NYC? Haven't you ever heard of a SCHOOL DAY?
glenn
P.S. My news prediction for tomorrow:
"Tons of drunk gay bloggers found dead in snow."
Posted by G at 06:01 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 09, 2006
My must-see movie
It's not just because it's Russian horror. . It's because it has creepy dolls.
Who wants to go with me?
Posted by G at 07:52 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
February 07, 2006
Working for the weekend
I went to the gym today for the first time in over two years. To say it was intimidating would be an understatement. I feel like the boy raised by wolves in there. All of the cycles have little televisions with CNN, machines have elaborate graphs on how to contort your bodies, and New Yorkers are incredibly intense. Even drinking water is done with this tightly wound action, not just a sip, but this power jab into the mouth, a bit like a whale feeding its calf. I felt like a total dolt, flabby, and clumsy. Just like pools have steps that lead you into the water, I would have liked a simplified area that was cordoned off for idiots like me. Once I got rid of my exercise waterwings, I could swim with the big boys.
I figure that by doing this until Friday, I'll be all buffed up for Joe's brillliant blarg hop on Saturday night. With a super high-tech gym, shouldn't perfect abs be just days away?
I'm actually quite worried about Blarg Hop 2006. Why?
1) I'm quite the alcohol lightweight. One beer at every bar makes for 8 beers. I'm under the table at 5 beers.
2) I'm rarely nervous, but I'm meeting some people whose writing skills dwarf my own. If I'm really nervous, I'll drink a beer quickly. I'll then blurt out something stupid, or curtsy, or something.
3) I have never gone into quite a few of the bars, and in fact didn't know some of them existed. However, Boots and Saddles might make me belligerent, as it is both bar/beer #5 and will have faux cowboys out the wazoo. I don't like faux cowboys, and what if they have a rodeo clown? Nobody wants to see me wrestle down a rodeo clown in a bar, smearing its evil makeup into the questionable murk on the floor of a gay bar.
4) At least Mark won't be there, as he has a skill for taking compromising pics, and he hasn't taken a pic of my dick, yet. Not that there's anything wrong with that....
Posted by G at 08:58 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
February 05, 2006
Brokeback, New Mexico
“It’s a slap in the face to our way of life and the Western industry,” she said. “(The film) promotes homosexuality. They are trying to convince us that it’s natural and it’s OK and it’s just a matter of choice. But it’s not.”
Posted by G at 08:19 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
February 02, 2006
The big gayme
I saw my aunt and uncle a few days ago. I love hanging out with them, so I asked what they were doing for the weekend. Our conversation:
Uncle: We're watching the game on Sunday.
Me: What game?
Uncle: Um, the SuperBowl?.... football...
Me: I had no idea it was even football season. Who is playing?
Uncle: Steelers and Seahawks.
Me (Now talking mental notes): Seahawks? They're a team? And they are from?
Uncle: Seattle.
Me: Anything else interesting, in case someone asks me?
Uncle: They have never been to the playoffs, and they're going to the Superbowl.
Me: Ahhhh (nodding, but not really understanding).
Don't get me wrong. I've actually watched some Superbowl games in my life, maybe even three. I really like the snacks, the commercials are fun, and now that I think of it, they usually happen in the winter. For some reason, I thought this was basketball season, but I guess I was wrong. I think there is some rule that they happen in the same city as one of the teams, so I'm guessing the game will be in Pittsburg or Seattle.
Anyone who has ever seen me throw a baseball accompanied by my girlish shriek knows that sports are not my thing. Last year we were dining with some of Derrick's friends and wondering why the restaurant was so empty before we realized that it was the Superbowl.
Now I just have to find out where to go this Sunday.
Posted by G at 06:37 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack