June 2005 Archives
- June 30, 2005: My Summer of Love || No. of Comments: 0
“My Summer of Love” certainly doesn’t describe my summer, but it is the title of a great movie I saw tonight. The characters are believable and complex, the story is intense and emotional, and the photography is beautiful. The movie’s characterization of born-again Christians was so spot-on it was painful for me to watch as an ex-born-again. It has a limited release in the U.S., but if it’s playing anywhere near you, make sure to check it out….
- June 29, 2005: That’s Right, Let the Sun Shine In || No. of Comments: 4
Tonight as I sat on my front stoop, the brown bricks hard under me, lightning flashing in the dark sky and rain falling lightly in the eaves, I withdrew into myself — as I often do — to think and recharge. I almost missed the runner as he sprinted by on the sidewalk eight feet in front of me. But something caught my eye and I did a complete doubletake. That something was his bare white butt cheeks, twitching with every stride. Streakers DO exist! That’s even better than finding out Santa Claus is real. Especially if they’re all like…
- June 28, 2005: Cardboard Signs || No. of Comments: 7
She held a cardboard sign in her hands and looked at me expectantly. Her brother stood nearby, wrung his hands and gave me the look of desperation, saying “Please!” I slowed the car and reached for my change. The brother, 11 or 12 years old, jumped up and down with joy. The girl put down her sign with its handdrawn advertisement — KOOL-AID 50ยข — and reached inside the cooler. “What kind of Kool-Aid is it?” I asked. “Watermelon kiwi!” the sister said as she handed me a styrofoam cup through my passenger-side window. I drove away with the first…
- June 26, 2005: Let’s Do it Differently Next Time || No. of Comments: 11
Dan spotted me at the festival (with non-drunk but eyes-closed Matt) on Saturday. He somehow managed to take a photo but not say hello. Last year I avoided all Pride-related activities, minus watching my roommate play volleyball in the annual tourney. This year, however, I dove in face first and swam through seas of parties, people and booze. There were a few shining moments, like finally meeting Josh K., who has eyes that will stun you, a late-night swim with just a handful of friends after a long day, and Doug and Bill’s party, documented by Mighty. Mainly, though,…
- June 23, 2005: “We are a Family” || No. of Comments: 0
One of the things I’m proud of is to share three vowels and two consonants with someone as amazing as Aaron at aanthems.com. His blog entries are honest, painful, humorous and inspiring — often at the same time. In his own words, here’s what makes him proud: I’m proud that it’s almost July 1st. That’s the day the county placed Jeremiah, our four-year old son, with us. It’s the day he found his way to us, his forever-home. I’m proud of all that he’s accomplished in one short year. When he arrived, he wasn’t potty-trained, couldn’t ask for help, didn’t…
- June 23, 2005: Call Me Malcolm || No. of Comments: 7
Hey, here’s a non-bar related activity for Pride weekend: A screening of “Call Me Malcolm,” a documentary about a transgendered 27-year-old seminary student. You can watch the movie trailer here. Here are show times and locations: Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26 5:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at Bell Auditorium, University of Minnesota-East Bank Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6.50 for students, and $6 for the 5:15 p.m. matinee. If you attend the 5:15 or 7:15 film screenings, you’ll also get to experience Fred Phelps and his crew, of God Hates Fags fame. No extra admission…
- June 22, 2005: The Real Pride || No. of Comments: 16
This weekend is Gay Pride weekend here in Minneapolis. My schedule is full of parties and parades, which is fun and all, but I don’t think I’ll be feeling much pride there. So let’s express some real pride here. There are many who read this site who aren’t gay (and who don’t understand those who are gay), and there are many (or at least a few) readers who are gay but not yet out. For those people, and to remind ourselves, let’s share the things we’re proud of in our personal lives, our family lives and our communal lives. You…
- June 20, 2005: Afraid of the Dark || No. of Comments: 7
Somewhere in the past year or two, I’ve become convinced that the boogeyman is coming to get me. I think it started two summers ago when two men tried to mug me in Chicago (I told them no and offered my pizza instead), and continued after stories from various friends who have been beaten, mugged or robbed. The icing on the cake (so far) was when my car was broken into a couple of months ago. I’m not quite ready to move into the suburbs and hide behind a barbed wire fence while stockpiling food and cherry bombs in my…
- June 19, 2005: It’s Not Blurry, It’s ‘Soft Focus’ || No. of Comments: 4
And it’s not drunk, it’s “tipsy.”…
- June 16, 2005: I Like Free || No. of Comments: 9
At least once a week, but usually twice, I withstand long lines just for the chance to gorge myself on a Chipotle burrito, or if I’m feeling guilty, I skip the tortilla and meat and get a veggie bowl. It’s so good, and so close to my office that I can’t resist. And, even better, I haven’t paid for a single meal at Chipotle in the last two months. It’s been free every time. Why? I have a burrito daddy. Whenever I get in line, we make eye contact, he behind the counter and I at the end of the…
- June 12, 2005: Skepticism and Glee || No. of Comments: 4
- June 12, 2005: Fly Fishing on Lake Harriet || No. of Comments: 0
- June 7, 2005: Green Thumb || No. of Comments: 5
Flower shops are one of my favorite places to browse, along with chocolate shops and book stores. But. as much as I like plants, I’m a bad parent. A few weeks ago Nate gave me a huge ivy plant for my birthday. “You can’t kill ivy,” he said. Well, I proved him wrong. (Sorry, Nate.) Around the same time as I received the doomed ivy, my mom gave me a gift certificate to Smith & Hawken and suggested I buy an orchid. So, with tredipation, I did. Telling the saleswoman at Smith & Hawken it was my first orchid,…
- June 3, 2005: That One Song || No. of Comments: 3
I don’t think “Rent” is that great of a show, but there’s just something about that one song. You know which one I mean. Watch this and tell me if it doesn’t hit you in the gut, too. Thanks to Kyle for the link….
- June 2, 2005: Daydreams || No. of Comments: 2
I don’t daydream often, but when I do, it often involves me giving a public speech. If the truth is told, I frequently compose amazing oratories in my head. They inspire the audience — whether it’s my high school class, my friends, a loved one or an entire nation — to great things. Sometimes I even get a little choked up when imagining the content, the amazing delivery that is characterized by impeccable timing and tone, and the audience’s reaction. I think this penchant for thinking of myself as the next Winston Churchill is a result of the fact that…
- June 1, 2005: Goals. I do have them. || No. of Comments: 2
The other day someone (whose name I won’t mention because you’re probably tired of hearing me talk about it) asked me what my goals were for the coming months. The answer I gave was less than satisfactory. It sounded something like this: “Well, uhhhhh. I don’t know. Ummmm. Gosh. That’s tough.” I felt ashamed of my lack of articulation, like I was a slacker kid with no ambitions or thoughts beyond what I’m going to wear tomorrow. The thing is that I do indeed have goals, but I don’t line them up with bullet points and charts for easy review….
