Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Summer's Last Hurrah

I'm taking  a little time off from my day job for one last vacation this summer. I'm in Washington, DC most of this week and since today was a rainy one, I enjoyed some indoor activities including a visit to the DEA Museum in Arlington, Virginia. I found the museum's offerings small, but interesting. You can view a lot of drug paraphernalia and read about the government's efforts to stop the flow of drugs into the United States over the years. The picture below shows the La Santa Muerte Skull Statue that was seized by the DEA during a drug bust. I thought it looked both creepy and fascinating.


Saturday, August 26, 2017

Blue Velvet

My latest short story "Blue Velvet" is available for sale now:

When Patrick Holt’s ex-boyfriend Clay Teal asks him to serve as the best man in his wedding to the man he left Patrick for, Patrick initially balks at the request. Even though he and Clay have been on fairly good terms since their breakup, Patrick is still bitter about the way Clay dumped him. But after Patrick’s new boyfriend convinces him that being a part of Clay’s wedding would help to resolve the years of “issues” between the two men, Patrick reluctantly agrees. In the weeks leading up to the big day, Patrick discovers he’s having a very hard time dealing with Clay’s upcoming nuptials. He also finds himself thinking more about his failed relationship with Clay and the events that led to their breakup. And, at the center of it all, is one lovely blue velvet jacket.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Post-Eclipse Disappointment

Well, after seeing people unified around yesterday's eclipse, we're back to back to being angry, divided, annoyed, disappointed, whatever. The skies where I work and live didn't go totally black because I don't live in an area where the eclipse could be seen clearly, but I did still get to see a crescent shape of the moon during my lunch break and that was cool. I didn't have any eclipse glasses, so I just peeked at the sun through the blinds in my office. (I hope my retinas aren't damaged for the rest of my years.) It was nice to see the news diverted from Donny T. for a while (although that didn't last for long). I remember being in school during the last full eclipse back in 1979. Well, I don't actually remember the 1979 eclipse, but I remember making an eclipse-viewer in school with a box. As I watched news reports about this year's eclipse, I saw many reports that showed kids in school doing the same thing. It's hard to believe that 38 years later, kids are still making eclipse viewers with shoe boxes.

I took this picture while I was downtown over the weekend. It has nothing to do with the eclipse, but I figured I'd throw it in anyway because the giant deer looks creepy.


Sunday, August 20, 2017

Riverwalk

I paid a visit to downtown Chicago this weekend and took a stroll along the Riverwalk. It's changed a lot since the last time I was in the area. It's a great way to see the river and get some exercise at the same time. The floating art display in the picture below was interesting. It was on a barge in the Chicago River as part of an on-going series. I have no idea who the artist is or what the sculpture is called. I prefer to call it "Two Melting Faces."


Friday, August 18, 2017

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well, one less clown for the car. Donny T's Funky Bunch loses a member. I highly doubt the latest dismissal will change much because the problems start and end with the grifter in charge. As I've watched the on-going outrage following Charlottesville, I have to shake my head at people like Murdoch's son who gets on the bandwagon to condemn white supremacists and the Klan while the company he owns and supports spouts racist and bigoted content every freaking day on Fox News. Give me a break. How about stopping the hate that comes from your own organization and donating some of that blood money to a group that helps racial minorities or LGBT groups, James?

I've heard and read that a huge free speech rally is scheduled to happen tomorrow in Boston. The hate groups should feel right at home there. As someone who was called a nigger during a visit to Boston in the 1990's, there is no love lost between me and that city. While I certainly hope no one is injured or killed at tomorrow's rally, I'm not going to waste my mental energy on worrying about that city and its woes. I've got enough problems to worry about already.

Do I sound angry? I am. It's hard not to be annoyed, angry, disgusted, whatever with the state of the world right now, but I'm trying (really, I am) to read some good news and appreciate when good things happen to good people these days. At least the coming eclipse gives people something else to think and talk about that isn't related to Donny T. or terrorism or hate groups or anything else that's terrible. Yea, eclipse!


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Finally, Some Good News

It's hard to find some good news these days, but I read an article on the Huffington Post today that women in federal prisons are now guaranteed feminine hygiene products. You'd think in the United States, it would be a given that incarcerated women would receive the products needed for their menstrual cycles. After all, this isn't some third-world country where women are banished to menstruation huts when that time of the month comes. Unfortunately, women in federal prisons were forced to pay, beg, or whatever to get needed hygiene items each month. But now the Federal Bureau of Prisons has stated that incarcerated women are required to receive free pads and tampons. Hopefully this rule will be enforced in federal prisons around the country. I'm no criminal sympathizer. If you do the crime, you should do the time. However, I do believe in people being treated with dignity. Incarcerated women shouldn't be forced to bleed through their clothing or create DIY maxi pads and tampons. Just as prisoners are given three hots and cot, they should also receive pads and tampons as needed and at no cost.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/federal-prisons-pads-tampons_us_59930a82e4b09096429a16e0?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Leslie Odom, Jr. at Ravinia

I went to see Leslie Odom, Jr. at Ravinia Park on Sunday, but I didn't actually SEE him. I did HEAR him and he sounded great. Let me explain. I had lawn seats for the event and he performed in a concert hall on the grounds. I thought for sure Ravinia would broadcast the show on the jumbo screens used in the outdoor pavilion, but they didn't. The folks on the lawn had audio only, so we weren't able to see Leslie. What a disappointment! I guess I should have ponied up $90+ to see him in the indoor venue. He did sound great and if he comes to town again, I'll cough up the cash to see him live and in person rather than just hear him live.

In non-Leslie-related news, are people really surprised by Donny T.'s latest bout of diarrhea of the mouth? I'm not. Have people forgotten that this is a man who (with his father) discriminated against blacks in their real estate properties in the 70s and got sued for that? (But since he settled with the government he feels he did nothing wrong. Just because you don't admit guilt doesn't mean you aren't guilty, Donny!) Oh gee, a racist guy defends other racists. Color me shocked!

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Welcome to Donny T.'s America!

If you didn't already know how things go down in Donnyland, you sure know it now (courtesy of Charlottesville), don't you? And while Donny complains about Mitch "the Turtle" getting back to work, when is HE going to get to work and do something about this situation? Probably never considering he has white nationalists on his staff and these folks helped to put him in the White House. What a waste of space these people are.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Two Wild and Crazy Guys!

If Donny T. and his Korean counterpart, Coo-Coo Kim, don't get us all nuked, I'm hoping for a relatively quiet weekend. (Two wild and crazy guys indeed!) I'm currently reading Less by Andrew Sean Greer and it's so great, I hate to put it down to actually do, you know, work. Once I finish it, I'll do a blog post about it. I also need to get back to some writing myself. I'm not working on anything right now and I really should be. I get a little antsy when I'm not working on something. Maybe I'll go back to the manuscript I put down last year before I turned my attention to Fluidity. I don't know yet if the manuscript is salvageable, but if I can't save all of it, I'm sure I can save some of it. I think it just needs a different story line.

Later this month, I'm taking a trip to Washington, DC. (No, I will NOT be stopping by the White House to see Donny T. and the Funky Bunch and I wish people would stop asking me if I'm going there when I tell them I'm going to our nation's capital.) I am looking forward to visiting the African American Museum and the Lincoln Monument. I haven't been to DC in many years and every time I go, I see something new. The last time I was there, I was impressed that so many people there seemed to actually dress for work. No business casual stuff for these folks. I guess when you work for the government (or a government-related entity), you can't slouch with khakis and dark jeans. Back in the olden days when I was a secretary, I had to wear business attire. Before my current day job changed their clothing policy (and while I worked in New York), I also paid more attention to (and spent more money on) my work attire. Those days are over now.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Think for Yourself

I read an article on New York Magazine's website today about a blogger who trashed a YA book over perceived racism and bigotry in the book and, as a result, many others have trashed the book also. The book hasn't even come out yet, I should add. I'm all for people giving their two cents on a book. You like what you like, you don't like what you don't like. However, I have a problem with people writing off a book they haven't even read yet. I'm not sure if the blogger in question got an advance copy or what, but I don't understand how the kids (I assume most are kids) who read the blogger's review decided to trash the book based on the views of one person alone. Think for yourself, kids! Don't let some blogger tell you what to read or not to read. Read what you want and form your own opinions! It's so unfortunate that these kids would rather read a blogger's views and take those to heart rather than reading the material in question and deciding for themselves whether they like the work.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Mario, Maria, and Margaritas

As this week draws to a close, I must give praise to three M's that made life bearable for me over the past few days.

1. Mario Cantone. His impression of Anthony Scaramucci in skits on Comedy Central's The President Show has been so wonderful and funny. I hate that the Mooch got canned just because it means no more Mario impersonations. I guess I'll have to placate myself by reading his Twitter feed (that's also very entertaining).

2. Maria Rita. If you love Brazilian music (and if you read my blog, you know I do), do yourself a favor and download, buy, and listen to Maria Rita. Her voice is so beautiful. My current favorite song of hers is "Coração a Batucar." It's just great. I'd love to see her perform live. Come to Chicago, Maria, or be in New York during a time when I'm in town!

3. Margaritas. No explanation necessary.


Thursday, August 3, 2017

Cook County Crooks

When I lived in New York and Bloomberg was the mayor, he tried to push a policy that would restrict the size of soft drinks. His policy almost passed, but was, thankfully, stopped at the last minute. Now, here in Cook County, Illinois, a law took effect August 2 that adds a one penny per ounce tax on all sugary beverages (pop, iced tea, etc). Because Cook County is in the fiscal hole yet again (are they ever NOT in the hole?), they had to find a way to scrape up some cash and putting a tax on soda pop is the way they plan to do that. It's bad enough that basic sales tax rates here are sky high (like 10%), but now there's yet another tax placed on the backs of people who can least afford them. After already being forced to pay seven cents per bag at the grocery store if you don't bring your own, now your bottle of Coke will be taxed too. Great. And Illinois politicians wonder why people are leaving the state. You get taxed like crazy here and yet the state remains in a perpetual state of debt. The bills never seem to get paid and you don't seem to get much for your money.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Dog-Napped

I don't often think about committing crimes but, when I do, the one at the top of my list is dog-napping. If I see a cute dog on the street with its owner, I think about grabbing that pooch and making a run for it. (I doubt I'd get far, but still.) When I first moved to Evanston, I used to see a guy walking his beagle and another little white dog. I wanted that beagle but figured if I grabbed him, I'd have to take his fluffy white "brother" also. No, I would never actually steal someone's pet. I'm not a thief and I certainly don't want to go to jail. What are you in for? Stealing a dog. Seriously? I'd just be asking to get shanked in prison with that story. In any case, I can and will wait until I get my own dog, hopefully when I retire or hit the lottery (whichever comes first).