A Serious Problem

Posted on April 27, 2007 | Leave a comment

There is a serious problem that is sweeping across the nation: People are talking on their cell phones while on the toilet in public bathrooms. It’s an epidemic. I know that with this blog I am moving into the world of ranting. But, I raved last week, so I have to even things out. I don’t want to seem too positive.

So, I have given in to the fact that people are always on their cell phones. And, in all sorts of inappropriate places. Not too long ago, I listened to a girl on the bus break up with someone on her cell phone. On the AirBart bus, I consistently have to listen to business people taking care of business on their cell phones. I live on a busy street and can hear everything that happens on the sidewalk in front of my place. One night at about 2 am, I was awakened to a guy telling someone about all the things that he could do…sexually.

I can handle all of those things. It’s an intrusion; but, I’ve just decided to put on my big girl panties and deal with it. But, I have to draw the line. It’s one thing if someone wants to talk on the phone at home while sitting on the toilet, but, if there is any place where a person should be able to have a moment of privacy–it is while they are going to the bathroom.

Here is part of a conversation I overheard not too long ago while in the bathroom:
(Please pardon the sound effects, I think it gets my point across.)

“Hey, Honey…” (ppffffffttt)
“No I’m not busy…” (ppffffffttt)
“Oh, baby that’s great!” (ppfffffffttt)
“Oh, that’s just cars going by…” (ppffffffttt)
“No, No…you’re not interrupting…” (rrrrrgggggpppffffftt)
“Okay, bye, love you.” (flush)

I have just one thing to say to those who choose to use their phones at the most inopportune times: VOICEMAIL.

God, I feel much better now.

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Posted in Food for Thought, Humor, Rants, Uncategorized

Take a Ride on the Shortbus

Posted on April 16, 2007 | Leave a comment

One of my favorite movies of last year was “Shortbus.” What a great multi-layered movie. I’m just now writing about this movie because Jeff and I rented it again last night. And, it has taken this long for me to really process the film. I originally saw it last fall when I was in NYC with Jeff. It was a highlight of the trip–to see a movie in New York about New Yorkers trying to deal with the aftermath of 9-11, the aftermath of each other, and the aftermath of themselves. 2 kudos!

Here’s an overly brief synopsis of the movie for those who didn’t see it. The movie begins in a post 9-11 New York City following the lives of a few New Yorkers. We see them struggling to live their lives and deal with each other in meaningful, truthful ways. It is difficult to summarize such a multi-layered story. I guess one way would be to say that we are all flawed, in some way, and that life is measured in the amount of love that we give or don’t give. (Very “RENT”, huh?) Anyway, so these people created a space called “Shortbus” to gather and deal. And have sex. And give love. And be loved. The movie unfolds as these peoples lives unravel.

I realize that “Shortbus” is one of those “love it or hate it” movies. Some think that there is too much sex. Some think the sex is not titillating enough. Others just hate all of the threads that are being woven together. Some are just not ready to be confronted with the idea that we all have flaws and are taking a ride on the “Shortbus.”

I guess knowing how the movie came together really makes it special for me. The actors were cast first, then the story came together out of a series of workshops, then they found financing and filmed. This process gives the movie such a quality of realness. And, the actors are dealing with their real issues and are having real sex. Really. I guess that I just completely lost myself in their stories.

Its rare that I would care enough about a movie to write about it, just for fun. But I find this movie continuing to play itself out in my life. And that is even more rare…

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Posted in Food for Thought, Movies

Easter in the Castro

Posted on April 12, 2007 | Leave a comment

Okay, so check it out dawg. (Soooo sorry, just having a Randy Jackson moment) Easter was last Sunday. I have always thought that Easter was an interesting holiday. For you to understand why I feel this way, I should probably give a little history…

I grew up in a your typical midwestern christian family–which will provide many more stories to come. So, anyway, Easter always involved a certain amount of pageantry. First, we were dressed up in our matching (all 4 of us) Easter outfits. Now, mind you, we were a poor farming family, so, this was quite a feat in and of itself. But, nevertheless, we wore matching Easter outfits. Usually, a very nice shade of baby blue or some other Easter color that worked really well with my skin tone. After we were fully dressed, we were paraded out to the front of the house to take pictures. All four of us usually looked completely pissed off, in my opinion. We were then carted off to church to show off our new clothes. Afterward, there was some sort of Easter feast followed by digging through the front bushes and grass for candy. All pretty standard, really. I don’t think we really understood what all the hoopla was about.

Rush ahead 25 years. My boyfriend and I are strolling through Dolores Park in SF one beautiful Sunday afternoon. What a scene! Drag queens dressed to kill, groups of friends high as a kite, a girl on a stage singing songs about pussies, and good looking men dressed up like hunky Jesuses.

You can understand why I think Easter is such a bizarre holiday.

I guess if I had to choose, I would have to say that I prefer the latter version of Easter. Although they really aren’t that different. You know all of the pageantry and such. Church ladies who look like drag queens, groups of friends high as a kite. However, I would be hard-pressed to find any example from my childhood of anyone singing songs about the female anatomy. And lets get real, Jesus was a hunk in his little loin cloth. It was always exciting to see which cute guy was going to play the role of Jesus in the Easter pageant, wearing nothing but a itsy bitsy teenie weenie…did I just say weenie?

Come to think of it, Easter is definitely one of my favorite holidays…

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Posted in Gay, My Life, The Early Years

My Latest Addiction

Posted on April 7, 2007 | Leave a comment

Ok, so I am totally in love with my DVR. What an amazing invention. TV–whatever, whenever, however you want it. Commercial free, basically. This device was created specifically for the obsessive type of person, like me.

I seriously have no idea how I survived for years without one. Its not that I even used to tape my shows on a VHS tape, and this is making my life better by not have to use a tape–no–I seemed to have discovered lots of shows that I can’t live without. Shows that I never would have found the time to watch before, I can now squeeze into my schedule at 3 am.

And, in my true obsessive nature I can’t just let the DVR fill up and have all these shows to watch at random when I get bored. I have to watch them as soon as I see that they’re on there. 9 hours of Top Design marathon just taped. Oh my God, I have to watch it now. Why? Because I can. And also, so that I can clear the DVR screen. See, I told you, I ‘m obsessive. It really is about checking things off a list. Which is like my favorite thing to do in the world. Nothing gives me more joy than checking/erasing something off of a list.

The DVR is basically one big “to do” list. And now I only have to spend $10 a month to check things of its list. I told you it is like the best invention ever, next to antibiotics or something…

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Posted in Pop-Culture, TV, Uncategorized

Something to Say

Posted on March 31, 2007 | 1 comment

I’ve got something to say. I’m sure of it. I’ve learned to avoid saying something because I didn’t think I had anything to say that was different or special or would make people laugh or feel anything in particular. But I’ve decided that I have something to say. Now, I guess that I just have to figure out what it is…

I suppose that it is this idea of having to stand out in the world. Having to be unique. Having to be different. This need for individuality. But I have decided that it doesn’t matter if I am unique or different. I am just me. And I have a perspective. And some great stories. It’s time that I start sharing.

I am selfish in this desire to share. It primarily is about me expressing myself. Somehow, over the past 15 years I have lost the drive to express. It may have something to do with going to a religious college that not only discouraged expression, but, made it seem sinful. Or working in a profession that requires uniformity and allows you to detach so easily.

When I was in high school, I used to write a column for the newspaper. It was all about my perspective on high school life. I’m going to tap into that old self and just write.

OK, so back to this elusive idea of individuality. Are any of us really, truly individuals? Can any of us actually say that we are unique? Clearly, even those who would consider themselves nonconformists are conforming in their nonconformity. And, anyone who would be considered as a “one of a kind” is still just part of a million other “one of a kind”‘s.

And why do we feel this need to be different? Is it because that if we are like everyone else, then, we think we have no self worth? Or, that if we have nothing new or original to say, then, we won’t leave our mark on the world?

I think that maybe the way we leave our mark on the world is simply by being a part of the whole. None of us is truly an individual because none of us is truly alone here. We all share the same space and air. We all contribute to life just by being here. Everything we say or do has an affect on those around you and in some manner your community. Which is what makes each of us individuals. We individually are part of a much larger whole. And the pressure to stand out in that huge ocean of people is overwhelming.

So, I that is why I’m just going to be me. And that’s enough.

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Posted in Food for Thought