Today's Lunch Break

So, I was riding my bicycle over to the discount cigarette store, pondering my resolutions for 2005.......

and....um......I just gave up.

Happy New Year!

Sue Not Me......

Tsunami - Not So Bad, After All

For business, maybe......

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Munich Re, the world's largest reinsurer, expects its damage claims due to the tsunamis that hit Asia on Sunday to be less than 100 million euros ($136 million), it said on Tuesday.

It said it did not expect claims related to the world's strongest earthquake in 40 years to change its forecast of 2004 profits of between 1.8 billion and 2 billion euros.

While Munich Re estimates the total damage caused by tsunami at more than 10 billion euros, the reinsurer said the losses to the insurance industry would be limited.

"The insurance penetration is relatively low, and the insured property losses are likely to be limited due to the sparse concentrations of values," Munich Re said.

Translation: Most of the 60,000, 75,000 100,000 dead poor people didn't have insurance! Stockholders rejoice, indeed.

I Hate the RFT -- Part II

Daniel Finney was fired today from his job at the Post-Dispatch, thanks to the smarmy, self-important article in Wednesday's RFT. See, they wrote about his personal blog, his bosses found out about it and the shit hit the fan.

I got a call tonight from someone who reads this blog who also lives in Daniel's building. I went over and met him. He has one of the most amazing collections of pop culture memorabilia that I have ever seen. He gave me some vintage Avon buttons and we chatted about Wonder Woman and we watched the Buffy Musical, Once More with Feeling.

It made me very sad when he told me that the RFT's gloating pressured his bosses at the Post to let him go - they had to make an example, after all. And this story has leaked out to lots of media-focused industry publications. It will really fuck with his career, I imagine. He's leaving town to find another job.

If anyone has any shocking personal details about any RFT writers, editors or columnists, I suggest we start a message board to share this crucial and important information. God forbid that anyone's privacy be respected any longer.

Did a RFT writer give you crabs? They should be exposed (ahem) and surely that kind of info is as important and vital to the public's interest as a writer's personal blog. Maybe Deb Peterson can start a Which RFT Staffer Gave Me the Clap sidebar.

Let the swirl of snarkiness begin.

Merry Fucking Christmas, indeed.

I Hate the RFT

Now they've gotten a writer suspended from work

Attack of the Blog
A Post reporter is suspended for extracurricular Internet activities
BY BEN WESTHOFF

Following publication of an Unreal item in last week's Riverfront Times, newsroom management at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch seized the computer hard drive of staff writer Daniel P. Finney and suspended him from reporting duties.

I just sent them this letter:

I suppose that congratulations would be in order to Unreal for the debut of your “cutting edge” blog reporting, but getting someone suspended (and presumably, fired) crosses a line that really offends me. It also saddens me that the creative community here is constantly lashing out and damaging each other’s careers and reputations.

It’s not bad enough that nurses and teachers are on strike, that conservative ding-a-lings are running the state and country, but now the local bastion of arts and culture is hawkishly monitoring the creative expression of bloggers and will run “shocking exposes” doused with condescending, snarky vitriol.

In regards to the article, I do have a few questions why Mr. Westhoff and/or Mr. Gay went down that “young people” road and focused on Mr. Finney’s collectibles.

What’s up with the “young people” at the Post who spoke under the shroud of anonymity? Since when are Eve Harrington interns that swap blow jobs for New Times promo items considered reliable? And is 29 ancient nowadays – and is Geritol a must for anyone over 25?

Furthermore, is it really so strange, kooky and worth-mentioning that someone who writes about pop culture actually enjoys it? I know that’s a strange concept for most RFT writers (actually enjoying the subject one writes about) – but it honestly does happen. Try reading Playback or Sauce sometime.

I don’t know Mr. Finney, but as someone whose blog was mentioned in your publication last year (without warning), I do question to what depths the RFT will sink to brand itself as the supposed voice of alternative culture?

Your latest efforts to be relevant will do more to kill creative expression in this town than your ill-conceived, trite and hate-filled reviews and columns already have.

You’ve taken smarmy to a whole new level and as writers, artists and creative citizens, you should all be ashamed of yourselves.

Rob Thurman
www.robthurman.com/weblog

The Sad Aftermath

The Unreal Story that Featured My Blog

Ho Ho Hos

Elissa hosted a little holiday thing tonight. This centerpiece really stood out.

Roxanna had on a fancy new hat with a super sassy pin.

And while Elissa donned legwarmers on her arms and paired super fuzzy warm slippers with her stylish black slip, I converted my Santa Lady Jacket with Bustle to a totally slimming mens jacket suitable for most holiday functions!

Holy Exploding Lymph Nodes

First American cases of rare STD found in San Francisco gay men - Queer Day

We Used to Call it Bad.....now it's ODD

and it's a really HOT disorder.

In children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), there is an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that seriously interferes with the youngster's day to day functioning.

Symptoms of ODD may include:
-- frequent temper tantrums
-- excessive arguing with adults
-- active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules
-- deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
-- blaming others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
-- often being touchy or easily annoyed by others
-- frequent anger and resentment
-- mean and hateful talking when upset
-- seeking revenge

Sounds like most people I know, seriously.....

Finally - A Drag Queen!

This post's title comes from what the cutie-patootey Scissor Sister's frontman said as I approached the stage last night. I had a great time with Joe and Rocky. It was a stellar concert and the crowd was extraordinary. I cannot wait to get the photos of me and some of the Marines that were at the River of Toys event that was before the S.S. More details later -- just wanted to post some pics of the outfit and the motivation!

The Make Up Test

The Evil Snow Queen

I held that snotty look for all of 2 seconds.

Hold the Wasabi

This fella is hot enough as it is


Apologies for being so....well....stupidly gay....but Namor is totally hot

Purple Pixie Glitter Star Pants!

Go visit this site:PeterPan's Fashion Pages!
NOW!!!!

Farewell Bill Moyers

Moyers Leaves a Public Affairs Pulpit With Sermons to Spare

Moyers has done nothing to endear himself further as he heads for the exit, telling anyone who will listen that "the conservative press is a propaganda wing of the current administration and the mainstream press thinks only of the bottom line."

The Death of Nightlife as We Know It

Club Paris

The Gay Problem

Somebody at my bank has a problem with a gay.

I walked in this afternoon and started writing up my deposit slip. My bionic hearing detected a conversation coming from the teller area. It had something to do with some drama over an upcoming holiday party and somebody was complaining about a “gay.” Gay nephew, brother, uncle.... some family homo. I filled out my form and approached the lady who always processes my paycheck.

“You got a problem with him ‘coz he’s gay?” the cashier asked the lady in some backroom behind the main teller area.

Backroom lady replied “No.... he is gay.... but my problem is that he always wants to change the menu, wants to change where we’re having the party, doesn’t like the liquor we’re serving and then he always shows up late....” and walked out to see me standing there hardly able to suppress a hearty laugh.

I just pursed my lips and silently accepted my completed deposit slip. When folks are right - well, they're right......

Men Will Screw Goats

So expecting them not to screw around on YOU is a big, big mistake.

At this time of year, it's easy to get even more bitter if you're single. It's Christmas (awwwwww) and it's cold outside (great snuggling weather they always say) but in the end, it's just not worth it getting showered and going over to a trick's house for 12 minutes of wiggly-woo.

Of course, he cannot come to you:
1. His car is broken down and is in the shop
2. His mother will have to drive him over
3. He's still under house arrest
so it's always up to you to travel -- and it all seems so senseless.

With that in mind, I went back to a post earlier this year to help keep my expectations focused as I look forward to being single on Christmas and throughout 2005.

Trashy Instead of Classy

My co-worker passed along this bit of holiday party etiquette.

1. DRESS PROFESSIONALLY.
Even though this is a party, remember it is sponsored by your company, not your neighborhood pals. Refrain from dressing sexy or provocatively.
2. MINGLE.
It’s easy to cluster with the people you work with daily, but break out of the clique and circulate the party. Spend five to 10 minutes with as many different people as you can. This is an excellent opportunity to find out about new projects or clients and get to know new faces including upper management. Don’t be afraid to say “hi” and thank the big wigs for hosting the holiday party.
3. BEWARE OF CRUDE LANGUAGE.
Nothing says trashy instead of classy like foul language and inappropriate jokes. Respect your co-workers and keep your conversations “clean”.
4. TWO DRINK LIMIT.
Be careful with your alcohol consumption. Limit yourself to two drinks or better yet, no drinks at all. You would not want to say or do something you may regret come Monday morning and although it probably won’t be documented in your files, the court of public opinion may rule you unfit for promotions or raises in the future should alcohol cause loose lips to embarrass you.
5. NO EXCESSIVE FLIRTING.
Inappropriate soulbearing or chest-bearing in light of sexual harassment issues is frowned upon in most workplace settings. Gone are the days of office parties giving license to discreet indiscretions. It’s your career. Manage it and your emotions, and hormones wisely.

1.1 Million Really Stupid Homos

· According to the National Election Pool’s (NEP) exit polling, more than 4.6 million self-identified lesbian, gay and bisexual voters cast ballots in the 2004 presidential race.
· Of those 4.6 million GLBT voters, 77% of them cast a ballot for the Kerry-Edwards ticket. According to the L.A. Times national exit poll, 81% of GLBT voters cast ballots for Kerry, with 17% casting ballots for Bush.

Weltschmertz

Listening to the news this morning, I realized that I gotta lotta this right now.......

Weltschmertz \Welt"schmertz`\, n. [G., fr. welt world schmertz pain. See World; Smart, v. i.]
Sorrow or sadness over the present or future evils or woes of the world in general; sentimental pessimism.

My Cat Hates You

The Gays Are Boring

I'm so looking forward to Friday's Scissor Sisters show. I'm all crushed out on their frontman after reading this: The Gay Anti-Gay Revolution is brewing.....

"I'm speaking in very general terms here, but you get a room full of urban gay professionals together in America in 2004 and you won't be able to tell the difference between them and a bunch of right-wing Republicans."

"A lot of the gay mainstream is so desperate to assimilate into straight culture that they've turned into their own high school principals, except with a spoonful of ketamine up their nose on the weekends."

Posted by robt at 01:02 PM | TrackBack

Cookie Fest 2004

For three years now, folks have gathered to get high on sugar on a Sunday afternoon. In addition to watching the Star Wars Holiday Special and Pee Wee's Christmas Special, we drank mulled cider and tested our decorating skills.

Last year's photos are here

.

Red Hot Photo Session

It all started with my sewing table being clean (which has happened, um...once.....since March). Some goofy boy online had chastised me saying that I needed a new profile photo, 'coz my goatee is M.I.A. Mulling over what outfit I might wear for my new online image, I walked towards the closet where my fashion jackets live and I glanced over at my sewing table.

I recall thinking, "Hey! That looks like a stage!"

First, I moved the lamp to provide light and then had to determine if my laptop, camera and mouse could reach my new venue for self-expression.

I kinda liked this hand-on-the-knee All American pose. The flower is just an extra dose of patriotism.

But there's only so many of those photos I could take before drag powers took over  - and I started taking photos so I could employ some PhotoShop tricks later.

I was thinking Rebel meets Xanadu as a black and white photo in the Weekly World News.

Being a big fan of action, this is me as Lucy Liu...

but this this was my favorite...

Cleaning makes life so much more fun around the house! And now my profile is up to date!

A Virtuoso of Deceit

We talked politics and playa hatin' today at work. Sitting here waiting for the West Wing - this scene stumbled across my mind. I just watched this scene from Dangerous Liaisons...and....whooooo....chills.

A Virtuoso of Deceit
written by Christopher Hampton, novel by Choderlos de Laclos

Marquise De Merteuil:

When I came out into society I was 15.

I already knew then that the role I was condemned to, namely to keep quiet and do what I was told, gave me the perfect opportunity to listen and observe. Not to what people told me, which naturally was of no interest to me, but to whatever it was they were trying to hide.

I practiced detachment.

I learned how to look cheerful while under the table I stuck a fork onto the back of my hand.

I became a virtuoso of deceit. I consulted the strictest moralists to learn how to appear, philosophers to find out what to think, and novelist to see what I could get away with, and in the end it all came down to one wonderfully simple principle: win or die.

Alamosa Will Buy AirGate PCS for $392 Mln in Stock

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Alamosa Holdings Inc., a seller of mobile-phone service under the Sprint PCS brand, agreed to buy AirGate PCS Inc. for $392 million in stock to ....

Oh, wait.....

Ahem.....

Maybe I took too much cold medicine.......

Tommy Lee's HORRIFYING Gay Experience

--Rocker TOMMY LEE came close to having a gay experience with one of his pals recently - until he decided the man wasn't good looking enough....

So, if he were good looking enough - would it not have been an "attack?" And, c'mon now......do you really think this is the first time some homo tried to get into his pants? We all watched the video, honey.....

Lemonade Stands? How passe.....

This Story will surely be on tomorrow's Today show.

The girl told the principal that her mother, who works in a bar, makes alcoholic shots at home and sells them at work. The fourth-grader said her mother had instructed her to take the shots to school and sell them, three for $1, to make some money for Christmas...

Diet pills lead to lesbian daughters

Looks like our pal speed might do more than add to extra hours at the disco or bath house.

The story is here.

Researchers from Minot State University in North Dakota claim that pregnant women who take a certain type of diet pill will likely have lesbian daughters.

Researchers studied thousands of pregnant women to study the effect of prescription drugs on their babies and discovered that the drug thyroxine, used to treat thyroid deficiency, and amphetamine-based slimming pills appear to influence homosexuality among female children.

Feral Hogs - The Other White Meat

After reading this article on pork spending I am thrilled to see that it's literally being applied to pigs. It's time to address the feral hog crisis here in Missouri. After all, all those feral pigs pillaging towns.....

With less money for many federal programs, and growing concern over the long-term financial health of programs such as Social Security and Medicare, politicians had little trouble tucking special projects into the $388 billion spending package Congress passed over the weekend. Among the items in the spending bill are $1.1 million for "alternative salmon products" in Alaska, $70,000 for the Paper Hall of Fame in Wisconsin, and $1 million to convert animal waste into energy in Missouri. The Show-Me State also got $50,000 for feral hog control, while the Center for Grape Genetics in Geneva, N.Y., secured a $3 million appropriation.

Then I read this story about Pell Grants being reduced and I'm even more ashamed of this country's ever-increasing stupidity, callousness and greed.

Nearly a quarter of low- and moderate-income college students who currently qualify for federal Pell grants will see their awards reduced or eliminated under a change in federal rules that Congress allowed in its new spending bill passed over the weekend, according to an estimate from higher education analysts.

Great. Let's keep money from kids who want to go to college - and throw those dollars into cow shit and wild boars.

Forces of Evil, Unite!

This press release creeps me out. I predict that within 10 years, Fox will have acquired these stations into their stable of media outlets.

See....News Corp (Fox's parent company) is moving its headquarters to the U.S. There were some restriction preventing foreign ownership of U.S. media. Soon they'll be a U.S. based company and that means that if they want to own a radio network, they probably could.

I'm not a master of FCC regulations - but so many restrictions have been lifted..... I could see it all happening.

This is my conspiracy theory:

Fox starts its news format on 100 stations. Within a few years, it has clearly branded itself as a news leader (in radio). THEN - they buy Clear Channel (or hostile takeover, whatever) and then they have Clear Channel's radio and entertainment empire. It's a natural fit. Like AOL/Time Warner...ahem...

THEN - Fox buys Reuters or the Associated Press.

I'm nervous.

Clear Channel Radio Names Fox News as Primary National News Provider to More Than 100 News/Talk Stations

Service Includes Five-Minute Top-of-the-Hour Newscast, Nightly Signature Newscast and Dedicated 24/7 National News Coverage Deal Creates Direct Competitor to ABC Radio and CBS Radio

San Antonio and New York – December 6, 2004 – Clear Channel Radio and Fox News today announced that Fox News Radio will be the primary national news service for more than 100 of Clear Channel’s news/talk stations under a five-year deal beginning in 2005. The agreement incorporates many of Clear Channel Radio’s most prominent news/talk stations, including those in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Atlanta. Fox’s new full-service, general-interest news offering will feature Fox News’ top talent and include a five-minute top-of-the-hour newscast, a nightly signature news broadcast, and 24/7 dedicated national news coverage. Fox will also be the primary provider for breaking national news. Also under the agreement, Fox News Radio will have access to news produced by Clear Channel’s more than 500 local news journalists via the company’s Clear Channel News Network.

Putting the FUN back in Funeral

A friend's husband died last week. A sudden heart attack and he was gone. And while I know that I'm prone to exaggeration, I am not stretching the truth when I say he was one of the kindest men I have ever met.

I was handed hundreds of images of this wonderful man and asked to do something to explain his life visually. His wife cried in my arms, telling me about she trusted me to do this right. She said I'd take care of it. She said she trusted me to honor his memory.

It was too hard a project to work on alone. I needed someone to keep me focused as I was surrounded by 54 years of photos and the narrative that each image told and I needed space to work. It’s not an easy thing to call someone up and say, “hey…. I have a favor…..my friend…who you don’t know….well, her husband died…..no…you don’t know him either…..can I come over there and work on this project for his funeral?”

So....I created six presentation boards and made a huge mess. I watched lotsa Buffy, ate pizza and Krispy Kremes (at the same time even) and reflected on the life of a very kind man as I mapped out his life one photo at a time.

Working on this project was very emotional, haunting and strangely comforting. The boards turned out to be effective. His family thanked me. My friend (his wife) just broke down. It was so very strange being told "good job!" at a funeral - but I did what I needed to do. And I think it helped everyone just a little bit, too.

What I realized today, though, driving home from the funeral parlor that while one had family lost a very precious member this weekend, my family had grown by one.

Thanks Ryan for the coffee, the conversation and the companionship.

No Coloreds in Illinois

This Story absolutely floors me.

What pisses me off is that having worked a variety venues distributing condoms, I can speak with certainty that colored condoms work!

I say that because after years of the same hum-drum safe sex conversation (which folks clearly aren't heeding) colorful condoms in public venues make people stop and talk to HIV/AIDS educators. It encourages education, not activity - 'coz folks are gonna screw, regardless of what color rubber they do (or do not) use.

This whole "encouraging activity" nonsense is just more right-wing kowtowing!

Excerpt:

"...some health workers said they were disappointed that Blagojevich had ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health not to buy any more condoms in bright colors or flavors for distribution to clinics and local health agencies.

"It catches the younger people's eye, and that's the generation we're trying to get because they're engaging in risky behavior," said Dante Bryant, an outreach specialist at Springfield's Sara Center.

He said the center gets flavored and colored condoms from the state, then distributes them at bars or areas frequented by drug users to promote safe sex.

The Public Health Department has given clinics and local health agencies about 360,000 flavored condoms and 910,000 colored condoms this year. That's in addition to the millions of ordinary condoms it provides every year. This year, the state has spent more than $117,000 in federal funds on condoms.

After learning about the special condoms, the governor, a Democrat, ordered the department not to buy any in the future.

"He just felt it was inappropriate," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch. "It's one thing to promote safe sex. It's another thing to encourage sexual activity."

Get Him

MONTGOMERY - An Alabama lawmaker who sought to ban gay marriages now wants to ban novels with gay characters from public libraries, including university libraries.

A bill by Rep. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, would prohibit the use of public funds for "the purchase of textbooks or library materials that recognize or promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle." Allen said he filed the bill to protect children from the "homosexual agenda."

The whole frightening story is here....

Get Huh

Kelly sent the link below to me and it made me so very, very happy.....

I love these bitch songs - and there's a lot to listen to here: The House of Diabolique vs. Bitch Tracks

YOGA: Gateway to SATAN!

Every now and then, one stumbles onto a character like Laurette Willis.

PraiseMoves is "The Christian ALTERNATIVE to Yoga!"

Inwardly, many Christians realize there is something inherently wrong with their practicing yoga’s Hindu-based rituals – er -- routines. Some have invented “Christianized” versions such as “Yoga for Christians,” “Christian Yoga,” and yes, even “Chroga.” In one class, participants were invited to “Think about Jesus and breathe in the Holy Spirit,”. References are made to chakras or “power centers” in the body, such as the “third eye.” Postures retain their Hindu names and meanings, such as savasana, or the Corpse Pose. Frankly, this grieves my spirit.

Then, she goes on in here DVD section on how to spread the word.

Care to Share…?

Picture this: You invite a friend or neighbor to your house for a “Fun Alternative to Yoga” (perhaps you’ve been sharing your faith with her – maybe she’s expressed an interest in yoga – maybe she said she needs to lose some weight, but hates exercise…)

Before your friend arrives, pray and ask the Lord to guide you and give you the words to say. Hopefully you’ve asked other Christian friends to be in prayer with you for your friend.

• You have the video already cued up to the Prayer just before the 20-minute workout.
• Briefly mention any physical benefits you’ve noticed since you started doing the PraiseMoves workout.
• Let her know the workout has some cool affirmations in it you’ve been doing, and mention benefits you’ve experienced (less stressed-out, more peaceful, more patient with your kids, boss, etc.). Relate it to benefits she may be interested in. We don’t want to “scare” her by getting overly religious here or using “Christian-isms” (words she may not understand). I remember how, as a non-believer, I avoided well-meaning Christians who beat me over the head with Bible words and phrases I didn’t understand. They gave me “the creeps!”
• Do the 20-minute PraiseMoves workout together – then keep the video rolling…
• After the 20-minute workout, I briefly share some Bible-based information on how one can “know-that-you-know” Christ personally (from Romans 10:9-10 – “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”).
• This is followed by an Invitation to confess a Prayer of Salvation/Rededication to the Lord. In fact, if you feel a tug at your heart right now, I invite you to pray this prayer along with me:
  “Heavenly Father, I believe You love me. I believe Jesus died for me and rose from the dead. Today I confess Jesus as my Lord and receive the forgiveness of all my sins. Holy Spirit, please come into my life. Thank You for saving me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
• If YOU pray this prayer aloud (and mean it) when you’re with your friend, there’s a good possibility that she’s ready to pray it aloud (and mean it), too.
• Invite your friend to church with you. Begin to “disciple her” by holding a Bible study in your home. Or, if you’re a new Christian yourself, have a more experienced Christian with you for the PraiseMoves class, or available by phone to answer questions for your friend. Don’t just lead her to the Lord and leave her hanging! Follow-up with her and let her know you care.

  Here’s an idea: Why not hold a once-a-week PraiseMoves/Bible Study in your home or at church? Follow one of the PraiseMoves sessions on the video, then a chapter from a Bible study by Beth Moore, Henry Blackaby, Donna Partow, Joyce Meyer, Bruce Wilkinson – or any good Bible study teacher (ask your pastor or a seasoned Christian you admire, or ask your local Christian bookseller to recommend one).

  Just follow the Bible study book and the Bible, stay connected to a good Bible-believing church, pray daily – then keep praising the Lord…and PraiseMovin’!!!

You can find out more about Laurette here:Great Women of the Bible