Pride In The Neighbor

There are little moments where I have to stop and smile. Truly.

This morning on my way to work I caught a sight that you don't see too often in my neck of the woods. Two black men, in their 30's, holding hands, all boo'd up happily, without a care in the world, walking down the street.

Yes, it was a beautiful sight to see. And just when I had given up on open expression of romance here, at least for black men. I see more often with men of other races, but rarely with gay black men in Harrisburg.

This isn't the big city. This is central PA. Attitudes are strange around here. Not necessarily backwards, just conservative. I wouldn't be surprised seeing this in Philly, DC, New York, Atlanta, LA, wherever... Openly displaying same sex affection like that in my conservative, judgmental, one-horse town community? Wow.

All right y'all. I tip my hat. Yeah, I'm gonna hold on to that small moment all day.

Thank you gentlemen,
-Ian

And....What?!?!

Been a few thoughts ratting around in the grey matter that I haven't commented upon. Here's a rewind of some moments catching my attention this past week.

RuPaul's Drag Race Season Three Finale: First off, congrats to Raja...don't want it to seem like I'm sore loser cause I was a supporter of Team Alexis and Team Manila. That said, why the FRAK did I waste my time this season???? I knew from the FIRST episode Raja was probably going to win! Even though she worked my nerves at times, I grew to love Manila. By the Final three, I knew poor Alexis would be first to go, so I threw hope behind Manila. Alas...

The Weather/Tornadoes: OK? What in Samhain is going on? I'm not one to hit the panic button, but the last few weeks of Tornado activity has been just down right scary. Tornadoes hitting St. Louis' Airport, Tornadoes flattening entire towns in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia... What the Hell?!?! Even PA wanted to horn in on the horrible weather. Two confirmed twisted rolled through my area on Thursday. Trees were down, flooding galore from the torrential rain, the Susquehanna way past looking menacing....Ugh! Getting to work, which normally is a 20 minute commute, took over an hour. Suffice to say our area wasn't as bad as the South, my point is why is Mother Nature tearing like a woman scorned? She's pissed!

Obama and his birth certificate: You know? Really? Why was this necessary? Honestly, Trump and the rest of the Birthers needed to go over this issue long ago. How commendable that on 44's part to put up with it this long. Mind you, I was one of those who really felt our president showing his birth certificate was so unnecessary. Officials and Reps from Hawaii time and time again gave the proof required to show his birth as US citizen. Yet, Trump and cronies just weren't satisfied. Lord! Donald just go get a haircut and leave us alone already!!! Why hasn't anyone mentioned HIPPA in all this? But I guess the highest citizen in the land isn't entitled to privacy. In any case, 44 showed 'em the long form.

The Royal Wedding: Is it done yet? I know I was one of the ones way back when to watch Charles and Diana, but I have no, none what-so-ever, interest in William and Kate. That's saying something cause usually anything British, and I'm so there. Dunno. Maybe cause Wills and Harry did a flip flop in the cuteness factor? Harry has gotten more over the years....Yeah he looked good standing next to his brother in West Minster. OK, I peeked at the highlights! I didn't watch it Friday morning though.

Superman's Citizenship: Are people really reacting over a comic book character renouncing U.S. citizenship? Really? C'mon people, it's a work of fiction! Get with the program. Let's worry about the frakkin' economy instead a make believe character written for children.

Doctor Who Series 6: After seeing part two of the season opener, I'm completely disillusioned with Who. What complete garbage! Both episodes seemed rushed and loosely tied. I do realize the point to Who has never to wrap things up in a tidy package, but these episode had too many plot whole. And can anyone explain the Silence to me? Um, the Doctor's been visiting Earth for hundreds of years and this is his first encounter? Oh yeah, you forget them when they're outta sight. I get it, outta sight, outta mind. Uh no...

This was perhaps one of the worst Doctor Who episodes to date. I don't know if I was more frustrated with BBC America's commercial interruptions or trying to understand a hastily written story. I've been watching the show since the 70s. I've long said the problem with the new incarnation of Who is it needs to go back to its root. Go back the Tom Baker era telling of story arc. Any one Remember the Invasion of Time? Now that was a story arc for the ages.... Ugh! Moffett, please turn this show around. It needs H-E-L-P. If need be, bring back some the older characters, while keeping the zest and underlying promise. Matt Smith are times shows incredible spark.

Despite my critiques, I'm still intrigued by the Doctor and River's relationship. The show is giving us the truth piece meal, but I think I've worked through the red herrings and alleged theorist on who exact River is. I might be important to not the child from the Season opener. Who was she? Why did Amy react they ways she did in child's room at the Ophanage? What was the real reason Amy told the Doctor she was pregnant and not Rory? Might point out the plot gap...HOW THE HELL DID SHE DISCOVER SHE WAS PREGNANT???

Skipping my rant, I do have speculations who the child trapped in the Apollo 11 suit was. Deconstruct the episode, piece all you know so far about River, and it all makes sense. Had to go back and re-watch River's introduction to the Doctor while he was in his David Tenant incarnation.... Oh I won't spoil it, but I would be très surprised if my theory was wrong...

First Snow

"Well the weather outside is frightful, but inside the fire's delightful."

Maybe not so delightful inside either. Still haven't turned on the heat and I'm cold as Nanook of the North! I'm running around the house wearing extra sweaters, blankets, and putting on the space heaters. Whatever it takes. Gotta save cash!

The heat in the house ain't going on until absolutely necessary. At 53 degrees in the house, it's bitter. Desperate times call for desperate measures. What doesn't help is the white stuff came fallin' over night. The first snow for 2008. I knew it was coming. Was standing outside the other day, and as the old folks used to say, I could smell it in the air. Days later, here it is. Gonna be a bitter Winter this year.

Snow, when you're a child, is fun and exciting. When you're an adult? It's a major pain in the ass, and not the good kind either! All snow does is complicate driving conditions. Folks are damn careless. They drive like it ain't nothing but a thing, like it's normal weather conditions. Is y'all crazy! They'll drive your ass off the road too for going too slow or being cautious. Yes, these country bamas will speed, cut you off, run traffic lights, and still be on their cell phones! Hell, folk don't even bother to put their headlights on! Just accidents waiting to happen.

Fortunately, I don't have to leave out here until late morning. Most commuters should be at work, so I'll avoid the mornin' madness. Thank God when return to the homestead tonight there'll be a hot meal waiting. Last night I quickly prepped a crock of chilli and put it in the crock pot. I'm mixed up a batch of cornbread, so that only need go in the oven for 20 minutes or so, and it's on.

For now though? Time to clean off the car. Sheesh! I'm soooooo not ready for this season.

Boyfriend, Birthdays, & Action Figures

I knew I was running late for work this morning when I drove passed my morning boyfriend walking across the State Street Bridge.

Ah...my morning boyfriend. He's a definite cutie! I don't actually know the guy, but I've seen him on and off for the last four years during my morning commute. There are days when I'm glad for the visual epiphany! Others where I'm screaming obscenities cause I'm gonna be late as Hell!

The morning boyfriend is a very cute, Abercrombie & Fitchish, but not too "white bread," kinda like a more mature frat boy who realizes its time to grow up. My fellow is in his mid 20s (not a word Hester!) and he works for some State office downtown. His most stunning feature is he has the most perfect, round, bubble butt I've EVAH seen on a white guy. DAAAAMN! The picture the right is no comparison!

Oh the thoughts, the licentious thoughts, those dirty, erotic, nasty, can't think about anything else, thoughts. One day I almost ran into the car into front of my trying catch a glimpse of that azz in the rear view. Oh and his face ain't bad either!

This morning before I left the house was a comedy of errors. I woke up late, getting my ass outta bed at 7:15! Normally I'm up at a quarter till six and need to be out the house by 7:25, no later than 7:30. The commute takes about 30 minutes to navigate the congested traffic through all the happy little State workers takin' their slow-ass, annoying, lolly-gagging time, driving 10 miles under the speed limit.

I'm notorious for obeying the speed limits and barely doing 5 miles over, but in the mornings, the gloves are off! I'm a maniac trying to cut across the boroughs to get downtown. I have to be at my desk and clocked in by 8 sharp. Plus, Lawd knows my day ain't starting until I've had my Mocha nut flavored coffee and Quaker Walnut, Date, & Raisin Oatmeal! This requires being on time though. Nope. Not this morning! No time for breakfast today. I was ready to eat the carpet by lunchtime. At least I had my "eye candy" to tide me over, eh?

So after passing "morning boyfriend" (If I had to give him a name, I'd call him "Brett." He's so delicious it really doesn't matter what your flava man you regularly enjoy, you'd like Brett. Mmmmm.) I was flipping back between the Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) and WINK 104 on the radio. Between the two programs, one of them gave a roll call of celebrity birthdays for January 17. Among them were James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, and Muhammad Ali. Really?

Wow! How interesting. Now Eartha Kitt, despite what was mentioned in Too Wong Foo, was the ONLY Cat-woman who rocked the house in the original Batman TV show.

Sorry Julie Newman and Lee Merryweather, but Eartha kicked ass and was sassy! A true sophisticated Diva. And who doesn't jive over her voice and enunciation when she speaks? Hmm? LOL.

James Earl Jones, the voice of CNN and Darth Vader from Star Wars, is a damn fine actor. I've always admired and respected his acting ability and his own challenges over adversity. I remember seeing a biography on him where it was mentioned he had a stuttering problem as a youth. You'd never know it now.

As far as Muhammad Ali, well he's just the greatest of all time.

Interestingly enough, I didn't think about this until I was driving home from work, but I guess all three of them at one point and time have been action figures!

Yep only a true child of the 70s would remember Muhammad Ali had not only his action figure, but a TV show, and cartoon series. I had to laugh at myself because memories of my older sister giant Barbie head doll and Ali's action figure met there unfortunate demise one day in my youth.

In case you've forgotten, but the Barbie head was just her head and shoulder made life size so girls could style her hair and paint make up on her face. Clearly till this day I can see the hideous thing side on my sister's toy table, staring out, menacingly with the annoying glamor bitch smile only Matel Toy Company could manufacture.

One day, I got the obnoxious idea to cut all the hair the damn thing to torment and placate my big sis. She got the last laugh though. Like every other little girl in the 70s, my sister also had the Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven. Once she had seen my handiwork, she snatched up several of my action figures (boys didn't play with dolls, not even ones who grew up to be homos!) including my Ali, Batman, and Six Million Dollar Man, threw in the oven, and melted the shit out all of 'em. Ah, childhood memories.

Thanks Eartha, James, and Champ. I hope y'all had an awesome birthday. Thanks for all the childhood memories. May the Force Be With You as You float like a butterfly and sting like a bee! Yes, that's perrrrrrfect!

Making the Journey More Amusing

Sometimes I think my morning work commute could make a best selling novel, a tale of the truly bizarre.

This morning I stopped to purchase a newspaper, a diet Pepsi and a pack of smokes before heading out for work. As I entered the convenience store I took notice of a tall brother standing at the register waiting in line to be rung up. He seemed rather odd and I'm ashamed to admit I became a little suspicious of him. Not because he was black, but there was something extremely off about him. I could place my finger on it at the time; still can't. I wasn't afraid for my safety, I know how to handle myself and how to be inconspicuous if needed, but his odd appearance and mannerisms were enough to be on edge. I didn't want to be near him in case he was a nut job off the streets. Another local convenience store was robbed in my area recently, which is truly amazing, given I literally live right next to the township police department. Crime is definitely on the rise.



Forgive my poor description skills, but "brutha man" was a tall, lanky, clay colored complexion man of indeterminate age. His appearance was of someone trying to look much younger than what he was. He wasn't very successful. His attempt was something in his mid 20s and I gather he he probably was in his mid to late 40s, if not his early 50s. In both ears were thick diamond stud earrings and a silver bracelet was strapped across his one wrist, with the other having some gaudy bauble dangling from his arm. "OK," I thought to myself, "If my friend here is gonna rob the place, at least I know he's family!" Brutha-man completed his ensemble with a silver rope necklace and and over sized Jackie-O sunglasses. On top of his head was a Yankees ball call covering a shock of orange colored hair, which hand traces of silver and grey around the edges and the nape of his neck. The hair, naturally, had to have been dyed. "Oh honey you are deep in denial about your real age," I again thought to myself.


My oddly dressed, deep in age denial friend, had a slightly nice body for being lanky. His was lean and sinewy, with muscular arms. However, when I got a closer view of his face, he reminded me of some crack-heads I've known. (I hate to judge, I just got that vibe. I know several crackerjacks that trick frequently for their shit. Sad.) His face was beat-down, definitely not attractive in any sense to me. Perhaps once upon a time, but not today. His clothes fit well, revealing just enough ass cleavage to reinforce his a card carrying homo.



I'm watching him cashing out, waiting patiently 'cause I hadn't yet had my morning smoke, jonesing for my nicotine. He spoke to the Pakistani cashier and his voice sound scratchy and high pitched. Definitely sounded like some junkies I've known. The proprietor told him to have a nice day.


"Hmm? What's that? Have a blessed day? Huh?" asked the suspect junkie.

"No, no, no, sir. I say have a GREAT day." corrected the store owner, obviously a bit uncomfortable and showing sings he wanted the patron out of the store as much as I did.

"OOOOOOH! OK. You too!" squawked the anomaly and I watched him sashay out the door. Interesting. From first glance, I knew instantly he was gay, but I didn't realize how over the top gay. DAAYYYYYMMMN! When some men go queer, they really go for the full statement, don't they. LOL. Again, I'm not judging, just amused. The later could be a statement about my own insecurities, but I'm just not a big fan of overly exaggerated, effeminate men. I'm not. I hate the typical gay black queenly stereotype. I'm not hating on them, just the stereotype tends to often be heaped on gay black men. Traditionally gay black men are assigned to two groupings, the over hyped, butch masculine types or the swishy, Lamar-esque queens. (For those not familiar with "Lamar," think the gay character from Revenge of the Nerds movies from the 80s.)

So where does that put me? Ah, yes. The reoccurring theme in my life is I'm neither-nor. At least I had some laughs driving before hitting the punch card.