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.

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.

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.

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."

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!

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

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!