Ravings of a Random Mind...

So I'm listening to Taylor Dayne for the first time in 25+ years, thinking it's going to be a lovely journey into nostalgia, and the lyrics are lovely - I'm thinking to myself, "of course this is why you grew up to be a Poly-person"... " Saying goodbye is never an easy thing / but you never said you'd stay forever / So if you must go / Darling I'll set you free.. ." Great stuff. But then it immediately downshifts into fantasy. "Love wilI lead you back into my arms where you belong." No. I've never been under the impression that any of my loves would come back. " You'll walk out this door (yes) But someday you'll walk back in (no)." No, Darling. I don't know that this will be.  I've had my heart broken into a bunch of pieces, little and big. Sometimes I did it to myself, sometimes not. Never though, no matter how much I've wanted it, was I ever under the impression that they were coming back. Even when ...

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.  -Martin Luther King, Jr. My Dearest Friends and Family, I have heard much outrage, fear, sorrow, grief, and an outpouring of love after the recent massacre in Orlando, Florida. The thing that I've noticed is that it is almost entirely from my fellow Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, And Queer brothers and sisters - those who have felt this as deeply as I have, and do not doubt that I have felt this all the way from Seattle. It's not about the distance, because the distance between me and a 20-something Latino fag is the space between two heartbeats. You see, I am that little Latino fag. I always have been. I always will be. When the internet went tricolore for Paris, and you jumped on that in support, I supported you. I'm not French, but some of my very good friends are. When the epicenter of violence was Brussels, I too posted "Je suis Bruxelles", just as you did. None ...

Tonight begins Yom HaShoah. Holocaust Remembrance Day. Normally I refrain from using this day for anything other than what the name says - to remember the 6,000,000+ of my people who died in extermination camps in Europe from 1939-1945. Why is this Yom HaShoah different from all others? Because in the Republican race for a Presidential nominee, a racist, fascist demagogue who preys upon the ignorance and fears of the American populace is the clear front runner, and the only remaining declared candidate. My country is looking much like Italy or Germany, post WWI, politically speaking. If you would vote Republican, I would ask you to read this letter http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/an-open-letter-to-my-frie_2_b_9293694.html Then ask yourself some difficult questions. Primary among them, "does Trump really represent you and your ideals?" If the answer is no, please do not vote for him. There are other options. I can't bear to think of the possibility that the answer might hon...

RIP Prince Rogers Nelson, b. 7 June 1958; d. 21 April 2016. We shared a birthday. I've always found him to be a role model, being another petite gentleman - I wear my masculinity as it suits me, regardless of what others expect or perceive. I am who I am, in part because of his example, and equally because of his music. Thank you,  ‪#‎ Prince‬  - you are gone, but you will not be forgotten. And from +Alyssa Rosenberg , who summed it up more succint than I. 

Dear Kristi Merritt (and anyone who thinks she has a point with this stunt, below ) No, the Seahawks jersey, helmet, and football do not make you Russell Wilson, but then they aren't what make Russell Wilson, Russel Wilson, either. Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson because of WHO HE IS, not because of what he wears. Mexicans don't all wear sombreros, drink beer, and eat tortilla chips - you're thinking of Americans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Have you ever been to Mexico? Mexicans are light, dark, black, brown, white, Asian, African, European, Native - just like in the United States. Mexico is a nation of immigrants, just like the United States and Canada. Just like every other country in the Americas, it's population is a blend of peoples from EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. Also, did I mention that Mexicans don't all wear sombreros, any more than all Americans wear cowboy hats. So no, your sombrero doesn't make you look Mexican. It makes you look like a gringa ...

First World Problems, right? Seriously, though - first thing in the morning I just want my coffee. I don't want to teach you how to make it. I can. I can come right there behind the counter and do it my own bloody self if necessary - but I pay you $5USD a cuppa so that I don't have to do that. It's simple. Flat white. Two shots ristretto, Heated (not scalded) milk. No foam - hence the name FLAT WHITE. The milk is velvety, but it is the OPPOSITE of a dry cappuccino. Not the same. Dear Starbucks,I realise that most Americans won't know the difference, but can you get together with your baristas to... Posted by  Wim Gates  on  Thursday, 17 March 2016 Hey  +Starbucks Coffee  - are you listening? I sure hope so. I'd just like a coffee. Thanks.

Last week @SenOrrinHatch says #MerrickGarland is "a fine man", an acceptable #SCOTUSnominee ; today he won't meet him https://t.co/hDyfsze14q — Willem Gates (@WimGates) March 16, 2016 Sen. Hatch commented just last week that Garland would be an acceptable nominee,  telling Newsmax  that Obama "could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man," adding that "he probably won't do that because this appointment is about the election." Hatch also  sang Garland's praises  back in 2010, and offered his support: "I have no doubts that Garland would get a lot of (Senate) votes. And I will do my best to help him get them."   Then today: Hatch says he won't meet with Garland though he notes: "I have a high opinion of him." — Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) March 16, 2016 If you think Congress should get off their collective asses and get to work, I encourage you to let them know. Here's one place to start: Tell...