The DINGER Zone

OH HENRY!

2007-08-08T09:14:00.000-04:00

756*

PAPER OR PLASTIC?

2007-06-29T09:08:00.000-04:00

Sightings at the grocery checkout...

Have a wonderful, boozy, weekend!

6/26/93

2007-06-26T11:03:00.000-04:00

14 years ago today was my first Grateful Dead show. It's funny, when I listen to the CD of the show I can still pinpoint the exact moment that I got on the bus.

Man I miss those days.

ketchup, catsup, what's up?

2007-06-21T19:46:00.000-04:00

it's been a while since I have posted anything...so here goes!

1) Happy Birthday MOM!!!

2) DC GAY PRIDE: The weekend was a blast. The BF has many pics posted. We were invited to 3 party's on Saturday, made it to the first one and never left...thanks CT! BLOWOFF was very fun thanks to Rich, Bob, Nick, and Laura the "Rock & Roll Muther Fucker" bartender. The BF and I got a room in town for the weekend and walked everywhere. We were surprised at how many people are on the street a 4am! The street festival was fun (I still HATE the beer corral) got to see Fitz and his band The Mesmer's play a great set. One note...I saw a LOT of people with angel wings tattooed on their backs. I don't get it?!? Unless you can flap those suckers and flutter to the front of the beer line and get me another beer then what's "that" all about?

3) Jennifer for a night...more on that later, the Chinese Food just arrived and it's time to eat!

BILL FRANCE JR. 1933-2007

2007-06-05T08:54:00.000-04:00

GO NATS

2007-05-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

OK, so it has not been a stellar start to the baseball season for the Washington Nationals. Yes they are still in last place BUT the NATS just finished a 3 game sweep of the Reds and have won 10 of their last 14....GO NATS!

heaven or HELL?

2007-05-16T00:40:00.000-04:00

Discuss...

Taste Like Chicken

2007-04-25T22:42:00.000-04:00

So it seems that some scientist found the remains of a 68 million year old Tyrannosaurus rex and extracted some collagen from its bones. The closest matching collagen from an animal living today is a chicken. That's right, the big scary T-rex from Jurassic Park was nothing more than a big chicken. Hmmmm I guess "The Colonel" gonna need a bigger bucket and it better come with 4 biscuits!

As a side note, collagen extracted from the soft tissue of a 68 million year old bone. WOW, now wonder Bill Clinton was so worried about some dried up DNA on a dress.

BIRTHDAY

2007-03-08T15:46:00.000-05:00

Dinner with the Hubby $60
Trip to DMV for a new drivers license $30
Tickets to see THE WHO tonight $230
Turning 45 and still rockin'....Priceless!

Feburary 2

2007-02-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

To hell with your super, viper, 3-D, Double Doppler Radar...Bill Murray DID NOT see his shadow today!

Spring's on the way. Pass the suntan lotion.

SUCK IT COMCAST

2007-01-31T22:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome Verizon FiOS

We ROCK 'cause we NEED to

2007-01-24T22:47:00.000-05:00

I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING FRIDAY NIGHT :-)

2007

2007-01-03T01:22:00.000-05:00

A phrase to live by...

"IT'S THE START THAT STOPS MOST PEOPLE."

Rest In Peace

2006-12-27T22:11:00.000-05:00

The Godfather of Soul, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, 3 Time Grammy Winner, Inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Soul Brother #1...You will be missed.

GRINCH!

2006-12-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

Nothing good can come from this.

Yo Adrian

2006-12-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

Seems Santa is bringing the new Mayor of D.C. and his City Council a big fat pay raise for Christmas. The Mayor is currently paid $152,000 the increase ($48,000) will be to $200,000 and make Fenty the 4th highest paid Mayor in these here United States. City Council members making $92,530 now will move on up to $115,000 per year.

Boston City Council members make $87,500 and in New York they make $112,000.

This means that...Yep, that slow driving crack head Marion Barry will now be making $115,000 per year. Oh, almost forgot, the median income in D.C. is $47,221. Fenty's raise will be more than the median income for D.C. residents.

WATCH THESE

2006-12-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

Two of the best new shows on TV that don't end in CSI or begin with Who Wants To Marry My...

SHAKE THEM BONES

2006-12-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

Saturday night, Dark Star Orchestra played at the 9:30 Club. Dark Star Orchestra is a GRATEFUL DEAD cover band. Just prior to the beginning of the second set, I turned to Tucker Carlson and said (with my index finger and thumb a 1/4 inch of each other) that "I now have this much respect for you." He said "why"? I said "just because he was into the music of the DEAD." He then told me that he had been to 75 GRATEFUL DEAD shows and started to follow them in California as a 15 year old. Who Knew?

I then asked Tucker if he brought Anne Coulter(another DEAD HEAD)and he said "No, I brought my wife....she's much prettier!!!"

After the show Tucker turned to me and asked how I liked the show? We chatted a but, formally introduced him to the BF and he introduced us to his wife. She told us a cute story of when Tucker met GRATEFUL DEAD bassist Phil Lesh. She said he was so nervous that it was the first time she ever saw Tucker speechless! Tucker asked the BF and I how long we had been together and seemed surprised when we told him almost 11 years. He said "wow, that's longer than most marriages." Me, being me, replied "yep and you need to stop using gay people as a weapon, we deserve better." He asked us if it were legal would we get married? We said "yes" we wanted the same legal rights as he and his wife. To my shock he agreed. That's right...Lord of the Anger Twinks is cool with gay marriage, well, at least to my face and after few Stella's.

The show was a blast. The high light (for me) was the wicked-sick SHAKEDOWN STREET from the second set. It still amazes me how the music of the GRATEFUL DEAD can bring so many people from so many different backgrounds together....Oh, did I mention the guy dressed in drag?

On The Road To No Where

2006-11-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

Thinking that Duh-bya's ROAD MAP TO PEACE could use one of these.

Notice Anything???

2006-11-13T11:08:00.000-05:00

ELECTION EDITION

2006-11-06T13:04:00.000-05:00

thou shall not...

2006-09-27T11:05:00.000-04:00

So, the Pope lands both of his holy Prada loafers in a steaming pile by reading a quotation on how Islam is a religion spread by fear and violence. And how do the (radical) followers of Islam react? Why with violence and the spreading of fear of course. I guess irony is just totally lost on these people.

FALL

2006-09-26T19:12:00.000-04:00

the first sign of fall.

HAIL TO THE....

2006-09-12T09:55:00.000-04:00

REDSKINS 16
VIKINGS 19

Well, at least the pressure of having an un-defeated season is now off.

ON NOTICE!

2006-09-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

Adventure to the HOME DEPOT

2006-08-31T19:12:00.000-04:00

Actual transcript of a conversation I had today with 3 HOME DEPOT employees.

ME: Excuse me, do you have any spray on water repellent? The kind that you put on boots, or coveralls, or tents.
HD guy 1: That should be in the paint department.
ME: Thanks.

I then proceed from Hardware to Paint and the conversation starts again...

ME: Excuse me, do you have any spray on water repellent? The kind that you put on boots, or coveralls, or tents.
HD guy 2: That's in hardware.
ME: Well, hardware sent me to paint.
HD guy 2: hmmmmm and gazes off into space.

It was then that I used my super vision power to look into his mind. Yep, just a damn white mouse on an exercise wheel. So it was back to Hardware where HD guy 1 had been joined by HD guy 3....this is where it gets good

ME: (to HD guy 1) Hey man, the guy in paint says it's in a hardware.
HD guy 1 : What?
ME: The water repellent spray I asked you about. (like 90 seconds ago)
HD guy 3: ahhh that's in Inside Garden.
ME: So it's not in hardware and it's not in paint?
HD guy 1: No

Then HD guy 3 looks me square in the grill and says...

"You may want to try looking for it in a HARDWARE STORE."

I kid you not, I busted out laughing and said " I thought I was in one!"

Needless to say, I will be sending this gem in Email form to the ATL.

PLAY BALL!

2006-08-10T09:58:00.000-04:00

TUESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2006
Went to the Washington Nationals night "out". The BF did an awesome job of organizing the event. Found if kind of interesting that another group that night was the Republican National Committee (RNC). I guess that just made it easier for those closeted GOP'ers to get a date. Also thought it was funny that when their group name was displayed on the jumbo-tron a loud BOOOOOO was heard in the stadium. And now for some pics!

Da BEARS!

Star was in the house

PITCHER

CATCHER

Hot Beer Boy made lots of tips

Teddy has chest pains during the "Running of the Dead Presidents"

Jimbo loves him some cotton candy

$58 BUCKS for THAT!?!?! Repeat after me...Are you out of your fuckin' homo mind?

One Bad Apple?

2006-08-03T11:44:00.000-04:00

The National Enquirer is reporting that Marie Osmond was hospitalized for a failed suicide attempt. Her spokeswoman however said that "She had an adverse reaction to some medication and blacked-out."

hmmmm...Maybe SHE is a "Little bit Rock & Roll."

Get Well Sugar Tits!

CANDYGRAM*

2006-07-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

IT'S SHARK WEEK PEOPLE.....BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.

The Discovery Channel bldg, Downtown Silver Spring MD.

*humorous entry title provided by DUMBEK

U go girl

2006-07-19T10:56:00.000-04:00

See, there are women in SF.

FOG

2006-07-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

The fog rolls in and it gets cold... As you're getting one of the worst sunburns of your life.

Good Eats

2006-07-12T09:45:00.000-04:00

HOUSE OF NANKING, San Francisco, CA.

So we get into the cab and tell the guy to take us to Chinatown, it's dinner time. He ask "any place in particular?" We reply nope, any recommendations? He takes us to HOUSE OF NANKING and says "you're lucky, no line." We walk in to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant and are seated on metal lawn chairs at a table that is in a row with 2 other wobbly tables. Our waiter hands us 2 hand written menus in those protective plastic sleeves. Seconds later he returns with our water and ask if we are ready to order. We look at him perplexed. He knows it is our first time there and quickly snatches the menus from our hands and ask "what kind of meat you like?" We both reply shrimp. He writes down what he thinks we will like, including appetizer, and is gone. Minutes later he returns with our food. It is the best Chinese food I have ever had. I still have no idea what the dish was named. All I can recommend is that if in SF go to HOUSE OF NANKING and let the older Asian guy with grey hair write your order. When we leave there is a line.

San Francisco Days

2006-07-07T10:48:00.000-04:00

Time to write about the vaca to SFO. The BF put up a bunch of PRIDE pics on his blog so run over to DUMBEK's blog and enjoy.

I will spend the next week posting a picture, my thoughts, and any overheard comments.

Overheard while sitting in a gay bar at Haight & Ashbury: "I would vote for Oprah for just about anything. Unless she were running against Cher, then I'd have some real issues."

Honey, you already have some real issues ;-)

Days of Rain

2006-06-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

So what the hell happened?

I leave for our vacation and you people almost drown. Geeeesh, do I have to do everything? AND control the weather?!?!

Seriously though, it is a very helpless feeling to be 3,000 miles from home when something like that happens. I hope everyone is safe and dry.

More about the vacation later.

Good Lord, Stanley

2006-06-20T08:38:00.000-04:00

Last night the Carolina Hurricane's won Lord Stanley's Cup and hockey season is now over.

That's right, it was 90 degrees in NC yesterday and they were still playing hockey.

FREEDOM?

2006-06-14T21:43:00.000-04:00

Today, June 14, is Flag Day. Soon Congress will again vote on a Constitutional amendment to outlaw the burning of our flag.

If such an amendment passes, we will join 3 other countries that have outlawed flag burning.

Oh, those other 3 countries.... CHINA, IRAN, and CUBA.

PRIDE

2006-06-13T19:56:00.000-04:00

Go CHICKS Go!

2006-06-09T09:40:00.000-04:00

For the second week in a row The Dixie Chicks have the #1 CD on Billboard. Almost 800,000 copies of Taking The Long Way have been sold in 2 weeks.

I totally admit to buying this CD for (1) as a sign of support for the Chicks and (2) to protest against all of their former "fans" who smashed Chick CD's and threatened their lives. What I found was a very strong, emotional offering. Unlike past Chick CD's (and most all country acts) the ladies wrote every song on this one and you can tell.

As for their summer tour 4 dates (Oklahoma, Indy, Memphis and Houston) have been re-evaluated and may be dropped. BUT it seems the Chicks are selling well in BLUE STATES. The D.C. show has only behind the stage seats, Philly sales are ahead of prediction and the Toronto show sold out Air Canada Center in 8 minutes.

On Larry King the Chicks proclaimed their new mantra: What Would Bruce Springsteen Do? Not a bad way to live your life.

Oh Ann

2006-06-09T09:37:00.000-04:00

I hope Ann Coulter's vagina gets caught in an escalator.

American Idle

2006-05-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

THANK GOD IT'S ALMOST OVER!

I'll be honest with you, I just don't get the appeal of this show. I hate it and I can't escape it. It's everywhere!

FOX 5 morning "news" spends up to 15 minutes of each hour talking about the show. promoting their own prime time show during the morning news. But what amazes me is that competing networks cover the events of American Idol.

Well, it's almost over and as for the winner...WHO GIVES A SHIT. But I just don't see a bunch of teen age girls running out to by a CD by Jay Leno!

Where's Rubin?

IRIS in the RAIN number 1

2006-05-13T09:37:00.000-04:00

Georgia Okeffe would be so proud.

FATTY, FATTY, 2x4......

2006-05-11T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hey Boys and Girls, guess what today is???

It's NATIONAL EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT DAY!

Great, so how is this different from any other day in America? Should we really be celebrating gluttony in a country where 1 in 5 adults is considered obese? And they ain't ALL glandular disorders. Obesity is a leading cause for 300,000 deaths per year.

Here's the thing that gets me, people today are not just fat, There fucking huge. And some are getting uppity about it. Taking pride in their girth. They demand wider seats in theaters and airplanes. Toyota and GM are already ahead of the curve. Both car manufacturers will add 1 extra inch to the seats of 2008 models. Some blame the switch from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup. Some point to the day when SMALL became MEDIUM, MEDIUM became LARGE and the SUPER SIZE was invented. "SMALL" is gone. My 1994 Honda Accord doesn't even have cup holders big enough to secure a "LARGE" beverage.

I say get off your FAT ASS and go for a walk. Cut your food intake, push yourself away from the table. Join a gym...and actually go to it.

Now I know some of you are thinking "Gee, Dinger is really being hard on the fatties". Well as a former fatty I can. At 6 months of age I was overweight (thanks Mom) and got to a high of 225 LBS and a 40" waist in 1986. That's 24 years of being overweight. Earlier this year I realized that some how over the last 6 years I managed to put on 30 LBS and was over the 200 LB mark for the first time in 19 years. Needless to say I was shocked!! How did this happen? Oh, that's right, my fattening ass was on the couch more than the treadmill. Cake or Pie? I'll take 1 piece of each, thanks.

Time to take control. Since the end of January I've loss 21 LBS. I started to watch what I was eating, taking ZANTREX-3, and going to the gym. I feel sooooo much better. Still have 9 LBS to go before my goal date of DC PRIDE. After all, gotta look good downing my fat free BUDWEISER!

My hometown

2006-04-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

With tourist season off to a blazing start and friends and relatives making plans to come to DC this summer I provide you with the following PSA:

The streets in DC, like New York and Philly, are constructed on an easy to follow "grid system"....

(except for the circles)

TEXAS....ugh

2006-03-31T11:09:00.000-05:00

So now it seems that you can't even be drunk in a bar in the "state" of Texas. Even if you are drinking at a hotel bar and staying in that same hotel if you get drunk you run the risk of being arrested. I'm soooo glad I don't have to travel to Texas for work anymore!

REASONS I HATE TEXAS:
1) That fucking arrogant "Don't Mess With Texas" slogan
2) Dallas Cowboys
3) BUSH 41
4) BUSH 43
5) Enron
6) Tom Delay

REASONS I LOVE TEXAS:
1) Ken Ryker
2) Ann Richards
3) AUSTIN
4) J.R.

All in the Family

2006-03-24T17:42:00.000-05:00

Like many Americans, former First Lady Barbara Bush made a donation to the hurricane Katrina relief program. But Babs put the stipulation that her donation be "ear marked" to buy specific computer software for the Houston, TX school system. She believed that do to the overcrowding of Houston schools from evacuees that they would need this new software.

I take issue(s) with this:

1. What good is more software if you do not have more new computers to put it on?
2. You can't sleep under, eat, wear, or drink software.

Oh and before I forget....the company that makes the specific computer software she requested is owned by her son Neil Bush.

Ahhh nepotism, think of it as incest for the rich.

SHAME ON YOU BARBARA!

3 years 5 months

2006-03-23T15:15:00.000-05:00

So you want to play with fire Scarecrow?

The last time Duh-bya called on Helen Thomas at a press conference was October 2002. So just what the hell did he expect?

LET'S PLAY TWO

2006-03-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

We get a NEW ballpark AND we get to keep our name! It was a good day for baseball in DC.

27 Days until NATS home opener.

BING, DING...Doors Closing

2006-03-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

17 minutes later the train arrived.

Project Ringtone

2006-03-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

* Designer's gather round.
* Santino, where's Andre?
* Where's my fucking chiffon?
* Carry on.

And my favorite...

* It's a mother fuckin' walk off.

IT'S ONLY ROCK & ROLL......

2006-02-01T08:33:00.000-05:00

....BUT I LIKE IT

TONIGHT, THE ROLLING STONES
TOMORROW, LARYNGITIS

28 lbs of AWWWWWWWWW

2006-01-27T11:28:00.000-05:00

Guess who I got to see yesterday?

He's sooooooo cute!

ROE V. WADE

2006-01-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

IF MEN WERE THE ONES GETTING PREGNANT, THERE WOULD BE DRIVE-THRU ABORTION CLINICS!

WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT?

SAY WHAT???

2006-01-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

What in the hell got into our political leaders yesterday? On a day that celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, one of the most articulate leaders of our time, it seems that a rash of Foot in Mouth disease struck.

First, the Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton compared the U.S. House of Representatives to a Plantation. Then New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin said that GOD was punishing the U.S. with hurricanes because of our involvement in Iraq. Nagin also called for the rebuilding of a CHOCOLATE NEW ORLEANS.

Just to set Mayor Nagin straight, D.C. is and always will be "CHOCOLATE CITY" so back off bitch, it's ours! Is it a racial comment when a black person makes a comment like that? What would have been the uproar if David Duke had said the same thing or rebuilding a marshmallow New Orleans? I will now add Ray Nagin to the list with Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Fred Phelps as those who think they know what GOD is really up to. As for Hillary....Honey, phaleeeeze, you already have the black vote so stop saying stupid things.

JUST WHAT IN THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING?

GOLDEN GLOBES 2005

2006-01-17T09:26:00.000-05:00

BEST PICTURE - DRAMA: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
BEST DIRECTOR - ANG LEE: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
BEST SCREEN PLAY : BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

MAL / BLOWOFF

2006-01-17T08:46:00.000-05:00

WOW, what a weekend. Hot men, cute boys, leather, drinking, friends, dancing. MAL was even better this year because Bob and Rich threw a BLOWOFF party on the Saturday night of this already fun weekend. All in all, just a real good time.

Under the Influence

2006-01-11T19:32:00.000-05:00

The people who have supplied the soundtrack to my life.

the GRATEFUL DEAD, the gratest show on earth!

ELTON ....need I say more?

BOB DYLAN the greatest singer songwriter ever.

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND but only up to May 2000. Fuck you Gregg Allman!

PEARL JAM balls to the wall rock

WASHINGTON SOCIAL CLUB showed me musical life in DC
THE MOODY BLUES college rock opera

Who wrote YOUR soundtrack?

MESMERS-izing

2006-01-11T00:40:00.000-05:00

Got the new CD from Fitz's band today. Listened to it twice straight through. What a really great CD. Like I always say about music..."I know what I like." And I like this. I have never seen them play live, but that will change in 2006. Go here and buy it! The packaging is really cool too, have never seen anyone use it before and there are some big time record companies that need to. Come on people, we have to support our DC music scene!

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (updated 01/09/06)

2006-01-04T09:56:00.000-05:00

You MUST see this movie.

I will write more about the movie after I see it again....

....So last night I went to see this movie again. I am not much of a "go to the movies guy" and this is the first time that I have ever paid to see a movie twice. I have seen this movie twice in 6 days. It was just a powerful and moving the second time. For me, it is the best movie that I have seen that deals with gay love. It is a VERY powerful movie. I can understand why straight people see this movie because it is a great love story. BUT as a gay man, there is so much more that I believe we (gays & lesbians) relate to. After graduating college in 1986, I was faced with the dilemma of either marrying the girl that I had been seeing for 2 years or coming out. I knew I had to make a choice. I knew I could not get married and ruin both of our lives.

It is that choice, those emotions, the feeling of keeping a secret life that is captured so well in this movie. And these are the choices, emotions, and feelings that we take from the movie that I don't believe straights get because they have never lived it.

We've lived this movie, and some of us live this movie even today in 2006.

NYE 2005

2005-12-30T10:35:00.000-05:00

The typical NYE celebration usually never lives up to all of the hype. The only exception to that was in 1999 when my friend Mark gave us his apartment to use and the BF and I went to NYC to welcome in a new millennium. But this year is going to be different. Washington Social Club (my favorite local band) is playing at DC9 and it will be a blast!

Finally something FUN to do in DC for NYE....BTW does anyone remember the dropping of the lighted stamp at the old DC post office to welcome in the New Year? God that was lame.

Christmas

2005-12-29T11:17:00.000-05:00

The BF did such a great job writing about our adventures on his blog you can read it all there.

The Dinger Zone's PERSON OF THE YEAR 2005

2005-12-29T09:53:00.000-05:00

MOTHER NATURE
Face it, her actions have had the most effect on the world's people. From the final days of 2004 which saw a tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands of people, to a record hurricane season which devastated the U.S Gulf Coast, to earthquakes, and wild fires MOTHER NATURE has been on a 365 day PMS rampage.

So who ever took the bitches butter, will you please give it back!

HEY SANTA.....

2005-12-24T11:45:00.000-05:00

If it's not too late, I really need a new muffler for a 1994 Honda Accord.

Thanks,
Dinger

DECEMBER SKY

2005-12-23T12:41:00.000-05:00

12/22/2005 6:10 p.m.

FA, LA, LA, LA, LA

2005-12-22T19:47:00.000-05:00

Airing of Grievances....CHECK

Feats of Strength.....12 ounces at a time, all weekend long!

TINSEL....NEVER

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING HOMO MIND?

2005-12-16T09:27:00.000-05:00

ORYLAG

BURRRRR.....With below average temps and lowering your thermostat because of sky high fuel prices, someone in your home is bound to utter "baby it's cold in here." Well, our friends at OUT magazine have just the solution. A fab-u-lous Orylag Throw Blanket by Agnona....cost $10,000. That's right, killing the cute bunny because some thong wearing MO doesn't think "she" looks good in flannel!

Now repeat after me...Are you out of your fucking homo mind!?!

RELIGION

2005-12-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

Before I begin this rant, I am not attempting to offend anyone. These are just my beliefs and this is my space to express those beliefs....

I have long contested that religion is a learned behavior. We need food, clothing, shelter. Religion, much like mathematics, is learned. We have no instinctual need for religion. We are taught religion.

I say...
RELIGION, AND ITS USE, IS THE ROOT OF EVIL.

Since the beginning of time, man has use religion to divide and segregate people. Religion has been used to start wars that has killed millions of people. This blind faith is used for evil and hate all over the world today. The church is the most segregated place you will find. Everyone secure in their belief that their GOD is the ONE and only true Savior (can I get an amen?) It's fine with me that you may want religion and the camaraderie that goes with belonging to a church. All I ask is that you don't impose your beliefs on me and my beliefs.

I know many people get strength through their spirituality. But why does it have to be "believe in my GOD or you burn in hell?" I was taught that GOD and his son are a loving, caring, forgiving people. I was taught to fear my Savior. I have grown to NOT fear my Savior. I believe that it's the way you treat your fellow man is how you will truly be judged.

This Holiday Season we have been treated to an example of the way religion is used to divide people. Jerry Falwell and Fox News have teamed up to declare that there is a "War on Christmas." They are pissed off about people using the "Happy Holidays" greeting instead of "Merry Christmas." They say that since the majority of people in the U.S. are some form of Christian that "Merry Christmas" is the only acceptable greeting. AGAIN, let's use religion to divide people and create more hate. This same majority rules mentality was used to keep this country segregated until the mid 1960's. Hate is Hate. You can wrap it up in Christmas paper and put a pretty bow on it...But it's still Hate.

In a month that sees the celebration of the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the beginning of a New Year can't we all just be inclusive and wish everyone a HAPPY HOLIDAY?

Let the religious hatemongers can go back to spewing their message on January 2 after I get over my hangover!

WHAT IS VICTORY?

2005-12-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

Last night I broke my curfew on watching too much TV news to see the hour long Brian Williams interview with Duh'bya. I figured that with the Iraq elections tomorrow it might be good to see what he had to say. And since he was sitting down with a journalist from a "liberal media" outlet maybe some real questions might be asked. Not the kind of fluff that someone from Faux News would ask. The debate over the war has heated up recently thanks to some Democrats that have found their balls. There has been a lot of talk from Dems saying we can't win this war. The reply from Republicans is that we can win, will win, and that anyone who questions our ability and their leadership is a Commie.

So I ask, What will victory in Iraq be? And will we know it when it is achieved?

This is a question that no one seems to ask.

2,140 American soldiers have died in Iraq. 2,000 of those deaths have come since the "Mission accomplished" speech. The U.S. deficit is at an all time high. Our standing in the world has been greatly tarnished. We are guilty of torture.

Will victory be setting up an Iraq government that is fair to all people and free of corruption? Hell, we don't have that here in the U.S.

Will victory be an "acceptable" level of killings per year? Say something between P.G. County and NYC's?

I agree that the world is better off without Saddam in power. And yes, freedom for the people of that region might make for a more stable world. But the one thing that I think no one in the administration seems to recognize is that the people of that region fight wars. They fight wars based on religious beliefs and they fight those wars for hundreds of years. Duh'bya says we will win, and if he had to do it all over again he would.

So I ask, what will victory in Iraq be?

SICK

2005-12-13T17:34:00.000-05:00

uuuugh....I have a cold.

Santa Baby

2005-12-13T17:25:00.000-05:00

Hi Gang, just wanted to thank everyone who made it to the Holiday Party last weekend. Hope everyone had fun, I sure did! And even though Jake couldn't make it because he was snowed in on Brokeback Mountain it sure was great to see our friends A&E from NC and all the rest of ya.
BTW...Who made those peanut butter and chocolate candies?

IMAGINE

2005-12-08T19:47:00.000-05:00

1940-1980

THIS WEEKEND

2005-12-02T18:18:00.000-05:00

Howdy all, This weekend the BF (aka Dumbek) celebrates the first anniversary of his 39th birthday.

The fun started last night at the Green Lantern where we got to hang out with Chirsafer, Clickboo, Copperred, and Mr. Bartender. Actually had some time to talk with Mr. B as he was on the customer side of the bar. What a great guy. Also ran into Brian (with an i) who the BF and I had not seen in like a year. It was great to catch up with him.

Saturday, one of my best buds Bob is coming to town from Philly to party and the three of us are going to the 9:30 Club to see Dark Star Orchestra. They are one of the best GRATEFUL DEAD cover bands I've seen. They pick a set list from an actual show and play it from start to finish. It should be a blast.

Sunday evening will involve an outing to a place but I can't go into details since the cone of silence doesn't apply to reading. BUT you will be notified. Later Sunday night we might go to TAINT, David (outofstepdc) will be DJ-ing.

Monday, the actual day of birth, we will again be at the 9:30 Club to see X

.....gonna be a hell of a weekend! And hope to see many of you in our adventures.

SEE ME, HEAR ME

2005-11-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

IN MY EARS:

Franz Ferdinand- You Could Have It So Much Better
Medications- Your Favorite People All In One Place
The Rolling Stones- A Bigger Bang (fucking rocks, best since Tattoo You)
MORRISSEY- Best Of
Elton John- Tumbleweed Connection (re-mastered). Originally released in 1970, it focused on Bernie Taupin's fascination with America's Old Wild West. The most noted song from this album was Burn Down The Mission. This CD is great. You can hear the youth in Elton's voice. BUT the re-mastered CD also contains the bonus track of the original title song for Mad Man Across The Water. This version did not make it onto the album. It run for almost 9 minutes and has 2 Dee Murray guitar jams. This version is much darker and more powerful. And if you listen closely you will hear some masterful use of the cowbell by Roger Pope.

IN MY EYES:

The Office- NBC
Curb Your Enthusiasm- HBO (much better than last season)
Scrubs- NBC
Drawn Together- Comedy Central
The Daily Show- Comedy Central
Family Guy- FOX
Days of our Lives- NBC (Marlana still has amnesia and Belle's baby is sick)

Listining to as I write this: Bob Mould- Workbook

YES VIRGINIA,

2005-11-09T00:37:00.000-05:00

There is a DEMOCRAT for Governor!!!!

EH

2005-11-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

Can anyone tell me (other than the fact that their Canadian) why the hockey team from Toronto is called the Leafs and not the Leaves?

Is the whole Leaves thing just American/English?
Anyone? Anyone? Buler?

THE GAYEST.......

2005-11-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

.....CHRISTMAS TREE EVER!!!

This is the Drag Queens of Christmas Trees. It is a cross between the 4th of July and Christmas.

I LOVE IT!

It can be found a HECHT'S (not macy's)

DOANS PILLS

2005-11-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

A few week ago, after the rain stopped, I did some Saturday yard work. Now, I either do yard work or landscaping....I DON'T garden. I must have been really working hard because I woke up Sunday morning with a really sore back. My back hasn't been the same since the Blizzard of 1987. I have hurt my back getting off the couch, taking off a T-shirt, and one time I sneezed so hard I threw my back out.

What I usually do is just take some tylenol, wear those THERMA-CARE heat wraps and just suffer for a week. But this time I did something different. I thought hmmmm, what do they make just for back pain? And then from my childhood came the flashback of the Doans Pills TV commercials. You remember those? The one where Granny takes two steps up the stairs and grabs her back in pain. I use to think, damn, old people throw their backs out just climbing a few stairs.....that sucks I'm never gonna be like that.

So here I am, in my 40's taking Doans Pills. And guess what....they work! You can get 'em at Peoples Drug.

MAY I SEE YOUR I.D.?

2005-11-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

OLD: D.C. Transit
BECAME: METRO

It's almost complete and I HATE it!

Washington, D.C., the city was born in, and grew up around has lost most of it's hometown identity. NO, I'm not talking about tourist sites, The Mall, or museums but the businesses that made Washington, D.C. different from other cities. The businesses that made D.C. home. I grew up with Peoples Drug, Waxie Maxies, Hot Shoppes, and Roy Rogers. All of them gone. All we had left was HECHT'S, one of the best places ever to shop, but that too will be gone in 2006. Here's what I'm talking about.....

OLD: Woodward & Lothrop
BECAME: J.C. Penney's

OLD: Landsburgh's Department Stores (closed)

OLD: HECHINGER'S
BECAME: HOME DEPOT (more correctly was put out of business by Home Depot)

OLD: Hot Shoppes / Hot Shoppes JR.
BECAME: Bob's Big Boy / Roy Rogers (both since closed)

OLD: Roy Rogers
BECAME: Hardee's and then McDonald's

OLD: Dart Drug (closed)

OLD: Trak Auto
BECAME: Advanced Auto Parts

OLD: Peoples Drug Store
BECAME: CVS (to this day I still call it Peoples Drug and I miss the lunch counter)

OLD: Butterstick
BECAME: Tai Shan

and now the one that is really gonna stick a fork in us.....

OLD: HECHT'S
BECOMES: MACY'S....ugh!

Let's not forget Kemp Mill Records, Little Tavern, Britches of Georgetown, Britches Great Outdoors, Garfinkle's, Raleighy's or Crown Books either.

BUT there is some good news. The Washington Nationals have brought baseball back and I hear that Roy Rogers is going to open new locations soon. Man I can't wait to get me a Double R-Bar burger and a holster of fries!

BRAVE

2005-10-25T12:54:00.000-04:00

Rosa Parks 1913-2005

One of the bravest people in all of history.

24

2005-10-24T17:43:00.000-04:00

Jeff Gordon,WINNER, Martinsville, VA 10/23/2005.

Win number 73

7th win at Martinsville.

My weekend was spent at the NASCAR race in Martinsville VA. My favorite guy, Jeff Gordon, won. He also won the spring race at the same track. Gordon took the lead for the final time on lap 360 of 500 and never looked back.

YEEEE HAAAA!

RAIN

2005-10-17T14:44:00.000-04:00

It rained last week everyday for one week. From Friday to Friday.

I started a beard.

a BOB weekend

2005-10-14T12:43:00.000-04:00

Rocker Bob Mould and fans.

So now that I'm getting caught up....This past weekend the BF and I went to Philly to see Bob Mould at the Troc and hang out with my twin brother separated at birth Bob. Bob and I have been friends for over 10 years. He's the type of person that no matter how long its been since we've seen each other we just pick up our fun right where we left off. He's just a blast to hang with.

We drank dinner at WOODYS and went to the show. I had never seen Bob with a full band so I was completely blown away by the rocking performance. It was also great that the boys came out to meet those of us who hung around after the show. I bought a T-shirt.

Friday we got an early start and headed home. We met up with Chris, TJ, Rob, Carl, John and others at TITAN for happy hour before Bob's 9:30 club show. It was great to see some old friends and meet new ones. After knocking back a few 20's and dinner we headed, in the pouring rain, to the show. Once inside the club, which was packed, we found Jimbo, Tom and ran into Bob who was going through the crowd with the other band members giving out wrist bands for a private party after the show.

As for the show, the guys were on "GO" right from the first song right through the final encore. They were full of energy, louder than hell, and just plain ROCKED. Brendan's film crew was there filming for a DVD or other form of media release. After the show we went down to the back bar where Bob and the guys later came to say Hi.

Thanks to Bob, Rich, Brendan, and Jason for 2 great rock & roll shows.

THE NC

2005-10-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

The first weekend of October found the BF and I heading to North Carolina for the partnership celebration of two lesbian friends of ours A&E. They have been together for almost 18 years and the BF and I have been friends with them for the last 10 years. A&E used to live here in the DC area but moved a year ago to the Outer Banks of NC to run their newly acquired motel and dodge hurricanes.

The BF and I load up the car and head out on Thursday night around 10:30pm to begin our 7 hour trip. The plan was to drive at least half way so we would be able to get to the beach the next day and get some sun. Driving at night is great, no traffic and the speed limit in NC is 70 mph!!!

As we headed down I95 we noticed the there were like no "South of the Border" signs. OK, who the fuck kidnapped Pedro? It seems that some prick who goes by "J.R." has plastered his little flea market ads on all the billboards between here and there. We were NOT pleased. Then we thought "Holy crap, did South of the Border go out of business?" Well, you can relax, after some research I have found that it is still open.

As we approached the I95-I40 interchange we figured we'd stop and get a room. I mean, come on, 2 major Interstate Highways are intersecting, there has to be hotels, food, gas.....Right? BZZZZZZ Wrong! As we merged onto I40 east we were greeted with nothing but total darkness. So on to Wilmington, NC.

We woke in Wilmington around 10am so 6 hours of sleep was ok. We only had another 20 miles to reach our destination which would mean some beach time if it weren't for the clouds that filled the sky. We discovered that our hotel in Wilmington was near 2 points of interest to each of us. For me there was Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, yep, THAT Jeff Gordon. And for him, there was Waffle House.

So after our chow down at Da HOUSE and getting the BF a Waffle House coffee mug from a very nice waitress we headed down the road.

We saw THIS, THIS, and THIS

Who knew that North Carolina was soooo gay friendly?

Friday night the girls threw a big bash with free booze and lots of steamed shrimp. It was great to see them and all of our other mutual friends.

Saturday we awoke to more clouds and some rain. I guess that's why we look so grumpy in the pic. That's me on the left with my new Jeff Gordon Chevrolet hat and the BF

Saturday night was the big ceremony on a tour boat that took us out to the intercoastal and bay for a 4 hour ceremony/dinner/dancing cruise. I had never been on a large boat for a cruise so I wasn't sure about the whole "sea sick" thing. It seems that Cosmopolitans are just the right medicine. The cruise was great, the ceremony was both unique and beautiful, and the dancing was a blast. We were so happy to be a part of our friends very special weekend.

Sunday we drove home.

and remember...Pedro sez "Chili Tonight, Hot Tamale"

KATRINA

2005-09-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

I chose to wait and write my thought on Katrina AFTER seeing what happened in the weeks following the storm. While I could not believe the inept response of FEMA, I was amazed at the efforts of the rescue workers pulling people off of roof tops day after day. The magnitude of this flood blew me away, a whole city lost. Watching people on that I-10 overpass for 3 days getting no food, water, or medical attention. The people at the convention center, that FEMA only found out about from watching TV, just going un-noticed for days. I just could NOT believe that this was happening in America.

Was the Government response slow in New Orleans because the people were poor blacks? I would like to think NO, but I can't help believe that if this happened in Chevy Chase and the "blue hairs" were looting Sack's and Neiman's the response would have been swifter. Then again, the folks in Chevy Chase have the three "C's" Cars, Cash, and Credit. They simply would have gone to their place in West Palm.

Would FEMA had been any less fucked up if the storm had affected a mostly white area of the country? I doubt it. But our government has a way of letting its "less significant" people fade away. Remember the early 1980's as the AIDS epidemic was killing thousands, Ronald Reagan, our President, refused to acknowledge or even say the word AIDS. Would this have been different if thousands of straight white men were dying?

So what have we learned? What did 9-11 teach us? What will we learn from Katrina?

Face it folks, we are not safe from terrorist, natural events or our government. They spend billions of our tax money and devise "plans" but it's all bullshit! And for the life of me, I can't figure out why more people can't see it. I live 15 miles from The White House, I had F-16 fly fast and low over my house on 9-11 and every time someone enters the No Fly Zone. I know I live in the danger zone and NO plan of evacuation is going to work. Hell, DC rush hour is 3 hours in the morning, 3 hours in the evening. We're all gonna die on 495, 270, and 66.

Maybe we as humans "feel better" to know that our government has a "plan" that will save us from all the evil doer's. BUT this is the same government that told children of the Cold War to hide under their wooden school desk in case of a nuculear (Duh-bya speak) attack.

Did that make them feel safer? Did they not see the huge fire fuck ball and mushroom cloud film of Hiroshima? My Mom, who can "duck and cover" with the best of them, says that "It did make us feel safe and no one thought it through or even asked questions because that is what our government told us to do."

I guess false security is better than reality........ Scary, very scary.

GIVE WHAT YOU CAN: www.redcross.org

FATWA!

2005-08-24T12:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, a fanatical religious leader issued a fatwa on Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. NO...It wasn't Osama, it was our own Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, VA. You remember this nut case, head of the Christian Coalition. The same Pat Robertson that proclaimed that America got what it deserved on 9/11. Yep, that guy.

Just what part of "thou shalt NOT KILL" does Pat Robertson NOT understand?

The only thing that would have made this better would have been if Jerry Falwell had issued the fatwa. Then the heading for this entry would have been " Fat one issues Fatwa".

BTW... Someone needs to remind Falwell that GLUTTONY is one of the "7 deadly sins".

Lord, please save us from your followers.

PUMP "clap" YOU UP

2005-08-23T18:08:00.000-04:00

I have notice that most of the BIG SUV's in the DC area all have "W 2004" or "Bush-Cheney" stickers on them. I don't know about you but I just love the sweet justice that is being served at $2.95 a gallon to these people who voted for DUH-bya because of their fear of two dudes getting married.

So the next time you fill up, if you see one of these people just smile at them while they fill-er up. Or, do as I do, and point and laugh as the dollar amount soars past $100.

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING HOMO MIND?

2005-08-23T17:40:00.000-04:00

The title of this entry will be an on going theme......

As a gay man I know that I am supposed to be very fashion savvy and have LOADS of disposable income but this is ridiculous!

In the July edition of OUT magazine they listed their "Summer Must-Haves". Among the goodies were a normal looking pair of flip flops. But these flip flops must have some sort of super powers because the price was listed at $240.00 U.S. Dollars!!! Upon closer inspection I notice that they were Louis Vuitton flip flops. I don't know about you but unless these flip flops are going to walk to the bar, get my drink, and pay for it, then someone is (repeat after me) "OUT OF THEIR FUCKING HOMO MIND!"

In the mean time I will stick with my $12.00 OP flip flops from DSW. Seems people step on the back of them just as easily.

PULL UP TO THE BUMPER BABY

2005-08-23T17:33:00.000-04:00

Bumper Sticker I saw today....

"Who Would Jesus Bomb?"

That's Entertainment!

2005-08-22T17:58:00.000-04:00

What I'm watching & listening to.

TV

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - FX network
Starved - FX network
Rescue Me - FX network
Being Bobby Brown - Bravo
Footballers Wive$ - BBC America
Weeds - SHOWTIME
Over There - FX network

MUSIC

Washington Social Club - Catching Looks
Bob Mould - Body of Song
Metropolitan - The Lines They Get Broken
Ambulance LTD - LTD
Medications - Medications

I know it's been a LONG while since my last post......Gonna try to get better about that

70

2005-06-22T15:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my Mom celerbrated her 70th Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Putting the "F" in F1

2005-06-20T23:01:00.000-04:00

The fans of F1 got "F"u*ked Sunday during the United Stated GP at Indy. For years I have contented that F1 is nothing more than a billion dollar parade. Everyone follow Michael. Well this season the rules changed and the competition was better than it had been in years. I, a confirmed NASCAR fan, started watching F1. That is until now.

As I settled in to watch F1 at Indy I set my DVR to record the NASCAR race at Michigan. The F1 broadcast started with news of a tire issue and the possibility of all 14 Michelin shod teams withdrawing from the race. I couldn't believe it. Would F1 shoot its self in the foot again? I was riveted to the TV. As all the cars started the warm-up, I thought the drama was over but when they came up to PIT IN, every Michelin shod car pulled off the track, all 14 of them. I could NOT believe what I was seeing. 6 cars, two from Ferrari, Jordan, and Minardi sat on the grid waiting to start the race. I was in shock. And much to my amusement it was once again "everyone follow Michael".

I could not believe what was going on. These self proclaimed Greatest Drivers in the most technically advanced cars in the world just quit. The FIA, Michelin, and the teams could not come up with any solution so they just quit. Over 150,000 fans got to see 6 cars run 73 laps. Hell, most funerals have more cars!

Hmmm....maybe "F"uneral is the right word to describe the USGP.

fragasagacrapa.....

2005-06-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

Ok world, I've decided to start a BLOG. Why you ask??? Because I've got LOTS to say.