Eric with a "C"

The Return of Eric with a "C"

2010-11-12T16:29:00.004-06:00

And I'm back.

Chicago Marathon 2009

2009-10-22T22:38:00.003-05:00

The following letter was sent October 8 via email.

Dear Friends and Family,

I want to thank you all for contributing to my Chicago Marathon fundraising goal, which was to raise $1,600 with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, benefiting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’m proud to say that I more than met that. With your help, I raised $2,226.20, which will go a long way in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

I regret to inform you, however, that I won’t be racing in this Sunday’s Chicago Marathon. This past summer I was faced with some major medical problems, which included a week in the hospital followed by a week of recovery at home. In September, my doctor confirmed what I had already realized: that I wouldn’t be able to participate in this Sunday’s race. I was deeply upset by this, but understand that my health is ultimately what’s most important.

The National AIDS Marathon Training Program has offered to roll my fundraising over to Chicago Marathon 2010, so a year from now, I hope to be sending you an update with my race results. Rest assured that although I'm not participating in this year's race, your contribution is still going to this great organization.

Scott and I will be in Chicago this weekend, and are excited to explore the city and watch Sunday’s race. Of course it will be somewhat bittersweet, but I’m looking forward to cheering on the other program participants in their yellow race jerseys.

Thank you again for your generosity and support.

With love and thanks,

Eric

Mean Girl

2009-09-15T11:47:00.006-05:00

It's been over two months since my last blog post, and I know many of you have wondered what is up with Eric with a "C." I will say this: It's been one hell of a summer, and although I do have plans to return to blogging, I've given myself the task of "re-entering" the blog world with a BANG!

I've wondered for a while if Eric with a "C" should go a different direction, like if I want to blog exclusively about one subject (e.g., knitting, competitive endurance events, gay life and culture, guys with iPhones...), and I've decided no. I really like the content of my blog, that I can blog about a X-C ski race or triathlon, or about knitting, pie baking, gay rights--that it just sort of encompasses a day in the life of eWAC. But what I'm really tired of is the look and feel of Eric with a "C"--I honestly can't stand to look at Bowman's Minima template any longer.

I've played around with other Blogger templates as well as explored some of the other third-party templates out there, but to no success. I love good layout and design, I love typography, and I've decided that the only way to get this is to create it myself. I know nothing about the HTML coding world, so this could take me a while. In the meantime, enjoy this post from today's commute to work.

So there I am, minding my own business, reading my book on the bus ride to work. I am seated towards the back of the bus on a side seat, facing the windows. A few stops after mine, a young woman (i.e., Mean Girl), gets on the bus and sits directly across from me. Her MP3 player, which has a speaker and no earphones, is playing loud rap music. I give her a Minnesota look, and return to my book. She begins shuffling songs, the music gets louder with more “thump thump,” and my Minnesota look returns with disapproval. The dialogue begins:

Mean Girl: "Is my music bothering you? Why are you staring at me?"

Me: "Actually, yes, your music is bothering me. I shouldn’t have to listen to it."

Mean Girl: "Well I don't have my earphones with and I want to listen to my music. Are you prejudice?"

Me: "Excuse me?"

Mean Girl: "Are you prejudice? You’re sitting there staring at me, and I'm just sitting here listening to my music. Why don't you just ask me to turn it down?"

Me: "No, I’m not prejudice, and I shouldn't have to ask you to turn your music down."

Mean Girl: "Well your music’s bothering me."

Me: "I’m not listening to music."

Mean Girl: "Well you reading a book is bothering me."

Me: "I’m not going to argue with you."

I return to my book; actually, I stare at those two pages for the remainder of the trip, filled with rage and unable to concentrate on my reading. Meanwhile, she turns to the person to her left and asks if her music is bothering him. He replies, "It's fine." (Thanks, Pal.)

Always one to personify a song or movie to any life situation, I'm reminded of a scene from "The Wizard of Oz" with Auntie Em and Miss Gulch. I've always liked Em's response: "Almira Gulch! Just because you own half the county doesn't mean you have the power to run the rest of us. For twenty-three years, I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you. And now, well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it."

My stop is before Mean Girl’s, and a small part of me wanted to smugly tell her to have a nice day, or point out to her that maybe she's unable to read the graphic at the front of the bus that illustrates no amplified music,* but being the good Minnesota boy that I am, I exit the bus without a disdainful look or scornful word, and walk to work.
______

* According to the Metro Transit website: "If you're traveling with children, make sure they stay seated for the whole trip. Fold strollers and keep them out of the way. Don't smoke, eat or LISTEN TO MUSIC WITHOUT HEADPHONES [emphasis mine]. Finally, the aisle-facing seats in front are for seniors or riders with special needs. If the bus is full, please give your seat to a senior or a person with disabilities.

HBO's New Mr. Big

2009-06-23T14:38:00.001-05:00

Who is this Thomas Jane and why am I just hearing about Hung, HBO's newest series, only five days before its Sunday premiere?

From the HBO website:

Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ray Drecker's situation couldn't be much tougher. The former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach is divorced and struggling to provide for his kids when his already run-down house catches fire. Looking to take on a second job, Ray decides to exploit his best asset in a last-ditch attempt to change his fortunes.

Created by Dmitry Lipkin and Colette Burson, Hung uses dark humor to tell the story of a man fighting to survive personal setbacks that have been compounded by a troubled economy.

Scooter and I canceled HBO when Sex and the City went gone with the wind, but there's a new wind blowing, and it's...well...Hung.

Neti Pot: Not Unlike Waterboarding

2009-06-15T08:17:00.004-05:00

According to Pollen.com, most of Minnesota is currently experiencing a moderate level of allergy conditions, which means that my life sucks for much of summer, and oftentimes into fall until Mother Nature's first frost. Having already suffered enough this allergy season--first with strep throat, then flu-like body aches and now severe head congestion--this time I'm forgoing the steroid nasal sprays and inhalers and trying the more homeopathic route of the Neti pot. Never heard of it? Neither had I, until Scooter sent me the following link by way of Doppelgänger.

I wish I could say my first Neti experience was reminiscent of fresh mountain breezes, or that the warm salt water exited my nasal passage like a fluid stream, but there was none of that. There was, however, some minor gagging, choking, spitting up and heaving. And although I've never been a victim of torture, I'm certain the Neti pot comes about as close to waterboarding as I will ever experience. Scooter captured last night's Neti on video, and you don't want to see it.

I tried it again this morning and, although there was less waterboarding, it's still by no means that "mother and daughter share an excited Massengill Douche moment together" experience.

I'm frightened, Auntie Em. I'm frightened.

Sexy Bread ca. 1980

2009-06-10T14:21:00.003-05:00

Here's my secret to making good bread.

"The rain...gives me the blues."

2009-06-10T10:40:00.006-05:00

Yet another day of rain, and it's making me go all Annie Wilkes.

Annie Wilkes: Here's your pills.
Paul Sheldon: Annie? Annie, what is it?
Annie Wilkes: The rain. Sometimes it gives me the blues. When you first came here, I only loved the writer part of Paul Sheldon. Now I know I love the rest of him, too. I know you don't love me, don't say you do. You're beautiful, brilliant, a famous man of the world and I'm...not a movie star type. You'll never know the fear of losing someone like you if you're someone like me.
Paul Sheldon: Why would you lose me?
Annie Wilkes: Book's almost finished, your legs are getting better. Soon you'll be wanting to leave.
Paul Sheldon: Why would I leave? I like it here.
Annie Wilkes: That's very kind of you, but I'll bet it's not all together true. [pulls out a gun] I have this gun. [pulls the trigger] Sometimes I think about using it. I'd better go now. I might put bullets in it.

Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather.

Thank You for the Music

2009-06-08T13:45:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday evening was the Episcopal Church of St. Paul's biennial parish choir fundraiser. My parents attended, which was awfully sweet of them, and below is a photo of my mother and me photographed by Scooter, who managed to include it in the night's PowerPoint. Mother was overjoyed--and somewhat perplexed--to see a photo from that very evening. Sweetie scored big points for that.

At some point in the evening's festivities, my father decided to add some bling-bling by wearing the wineglass charms that Meema created and which ornamented 80-plus wineglasses.

Overheard from Mother:

First my son is gay, and now I have a gay husband.

They love their gay son, and I love them.

One of my silent auction contributions, "Bread So Good, I Can't Believe It's Not Jesus!" (Description: French croissants or baguettes, Norwegian Julekake, Italian focaccia, English muffins--Breadsmith Eric will bake 6 breads of your choice over the course of a year. It's the holiest bread ever!), and which I valued at $72, went for a whopping $150! "Norwegian Lefse Making with Eric the Red" also did well, as did "Log Cabin Weekend in Northern Minnesota." Thanks again to my parents for donating the family cabin for a weekend.

Jacob and John, newest friends and Doppelgängers, attended and sat at our table. (I continue to marvel at this sinical form of bilocation!) Fun to spend more time with them, and thanks to Jacob for capturing the bling-bling image of my father.

Scooter et al did a bang-up job with this year's gala--congrats to everyone involved on such a successful and fun event.

Screwed Without a Kiss

2009-06-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

So I was totally dissed by Lass in Google Chat today, as in what I like to call a "Screwed Without a Kiss" kind of way. Twice I tried to chat her, and after minutes had gone by, I finally got the, "Sorry, busy with work don't have time" response. I felt betrayed and bewildered for much of the morning, and so when I did hear from her--in that "Gotta go!" Irish perkiness of hers--I decided to fight back Gilly style.

Lass: bye bitch, I'm headed out for the day, will talk to you tomorrow

eWAC: huh

Lass: love ya

eWAC: too bad you can't come to dinner tonight with other eric and burton

Lass: why can't I???

eWAC: oops

Lass: perhaps because I totally wasn't invited!
great, now I can go cry myself to sleep tonight

eWAC: LOL

Lass: bye

eWAC: :)
bye

Sorry.

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

2009-06-04T09:12:00.003-05:00

While Scooter's finishing up the morning rush over at Scooter Pie, A Bakery, having risen at 2 a.m. to perfect the day's goodness, I'll be getting my Big Gay Ice Cream Truck ready for the day's journey around the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes.

From Serious Eats: New York:

Rainbow sprinkles might mean something a little different on a soft serve cone from The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. Doug Quint, a New York-based bassoonist who just finished coursework for his musical arts doctorate at CUNY, is rolling out his playful new mobile dessert business as soon as his permit shows up (hopefully next week).

Let's face it, ice cream trucks are kind of queer, and a middle-aged white man driving one is pretty suspect," Quint said. "That's not to say that I'm a rolling hotbed of perversion. Hardly the case. It's all in the name of silly." That means his Twitter updates (@biggayicecream--yes, he's another street vendor on Twitter) won't be limited to the truck's whereabouts, but also involve haikus and requests for good cha-cha music.

There are a few noticeable differences between him and Mister Softee. For starters, his concern for Proposition 8 in California, but also his topping selection. The BGICT will offer olive oil and sea salt, Nutella, bacon, and any suggestions from his clientele, who will earn freebies when they sport his apparel (the tank top is called the "husband beater").

Be on the lookout for the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck in the West Village during the day, near East Village and Chelsea bars and clubs at night, and maybe even some Brooklyn appearances. If you hear cha-cha music, the rainbow sprinkles shouldn't be far.

Best of all possible worlds, indeed.

Betty Bowers Explains Traditional Marriage to Everyone Else

2009-06-03T05:56:00.003-05:00

Betty Bowers, America's best Christian, explains the biblical origins of marriage. NSFJF (Not Safe for Jeebuz Freaks).

Expialidocious

2009-06-01T16:36:00.003-05:00

From YouTube member Fagottron. Love this!

Will Gay Marriage Also Cause Your Kid to Misspell?

2009-05-28T22:47:00.007-05:00

You know I love me a good typo, like this one found in the final frame of NOM's most recent New York marriage ad.

Once the misspelling of marriage was pointed out, NOM "corrected" it with this version:

Will third time be the charm?

Tonight's Fashion Previews of Chef and Lass

2009-05-21T09:49:00.003-05:00

Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University

2009-05-21T06:20:00.003-05:00

A preview of tonight.

Ellen's "Commen Cement" Address at Tulane

2009-05-20T07:45:00.003-05:00

I post this very excellent address in honor of Scooter and the class of 2009.

Matthew Fox and Jimmy Kimmel's Staring Contest

2009-05-15T09:14:00.004-05:00

Almost as funny as "I'm F-ing Matt Damon."

Words Fail Me

2009-05-14T15:22:00.005-05:00

From this site.

Dick in a Box: The Sequel!

2009-05-11T16:47:00.003-05:00

"This Mother's Day will be special." If you missed "Motherlover" on SNL with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg (and featuring Patricia Clarkson and Susan Sarandon), it's damn good.

Ask, and it shall be given you...

2009-05-02T12:35:00.007-05:00

Seek, and ye shall receive the most fabulous quilt ever!

I came home from a yucky workday to find a USPS notice of attempted delivery, and seeing Scooter's father's and his partner's names as the senders, says to myself, He didn't!

I could hardly wait to get to the post office this morning, and was even more giddy on the way home to open the package.

Remember this from the 2008 Minnesota State Fair? Scooter's dad, Carl, heard my not-so-subtle hint, and behold! He brings us great joy with this here gayest of gay quilts, featuring the most hottest and shirtless firemen, construction workers, cowboys and lumberjacks you've ever slept with. I. LOVE. IT.

As you can see, Carl does beautiful work. From the maker:

I didn't want to cut up the guys so used a design where I could keep them off the chopping block as much as possible. Also when I quilted it, Jon [Carl's partner] says I "kept the boys unspoiled" by not quilting over them.

And on the reverse are dancing hibiscus ladies.

Thank you, Carl. I'll sleep well tonight, and for many nights to...

Goodbye, Papa

2009-05-01T22:21:00.001-05:00

My grandpa, Leonard, died early this morning. Papa, as we called him growing up (it was the closest my brother, the first grandchild, could get to saying "Grandpa"), was 87 years old, and lived at home with my grandma, Nana (also coined by my brother), his wife Lois of 66 years, up until his death. My mom, their oldest child, was at his side, while my grandmother slept in their bed next to his. He died peacefully, at home and with family. I call this wonderful.

Knowing that his health was rapidly declining and that this would be my last chance to see him, I went to see Papa the Monday after Easter. I kissed his forehead, stroked his silver-white hair and said goodbye to him while he slept, and while he was awake, knowing why I was there, he said thank you.

At Papa's request, I'll sing one of his favorite hymns, "How Great Thou Art" (O Store Gud), at his funeral this Tuesday. At my mother's request, Scooter will be organist.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;

But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin;

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!"
--Carl G. Boberg, Lutheran Book of Worship

Rachel Maddow Interviews Judy Shepard

2009-05-01T09:43:00.004-05:00

If you missed the statement by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) from Wednesday's House hate crimes debate during which she called the murder of Matthew Shepard a hoax, it's repeated during Rachel Maddow's excellent interview with Judy Shepard.

National AIDS Marathon Training Program: Chicago

2009-04-30T22:36:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, scheduled for October 11, 2009, as a member of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, an official charity program of the Chicago Marathon that benefits the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). I've committed to a fundraising goal of $1,600, all of which benefits AFC.

The Chicago Marathon hosts thousands of runners who choose to make their marathon experience more meaningful by running on behalf of a charity. As I begin my training for this marathon, my goals are for personal bests in my marathon time and in fundraising dollars.

While this is not my first marathon, nor will it be my last, it is the first time I’m combining training with fundraising. What I find particularly exciting about this challenge is knowing that every dollar raised supports an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AFC is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Chicago area by funding prevention programs and vital services to stop the spread of HIV and help people live full and productive lives. With nearly 1.2 million Americans living with HIV, and 40,000 more becoming infected this year, the services provided by AFC are vitally important.

I know that it is a tough economic climate and that you have many opportunities to direct your charitable dollars to any number of organizations that provide valuable services. Please consider joining me in donating to a worthy organization by visiting my fundraising website, clicking the “Sponsor Me” button and helping me reach my fundraising goal, with the knowledge that your contribution will make a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Opera Singer/Marathoner Really CAN Have It All!

2009-04-30T16:50:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday was my Minnesota Opera chorus audition, that lovely time of year following the end of the opera season when returning and prospective choristers audition for the next season. Of the five operas on deck for 2009-2010, I'm really hoping that The Pearl Fishers, Bizet's lesser-known opera, is one I'm offered. (His well-known Carmen was my first Minnesota Opera production, and one of my all-time favorites.) Performances are September 26, 29 and October 1, 3 and 4.

I realized before the audition that the 2009 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is October 4, which means that if I registered and was later offered the Bizet, I would perform the night before the race, run 26.2 miles from Minneapolis to St. Paul the next morning, and then hobble from the Capitol to the Ordway for a closing matinee.

And don't think I didn't think about it. Once faced with reality (and sanity?), and after learning that the Chicago Marathon is a week later on October 11 (in 2007, Twin Cities and Chicago were the same day), I decided that this is a much more realistic--and manageable--goal.

I'm now registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I'm a little sad that I won't be running with Chef McSteamy, Other Eric and Burton, but looking forward to a new race in a city that I love.

Senior Adult Choir Hip Hop

2009-04-30T14:48:00.001-05:00

A church choir that sings Eminem and OutKast? I'm in!

Dingy: Democratic connection to outbreak "interesting"

2009-04-29T15:21:00.002-05:00

Dingy just doesn't know when to stop.

"What's this right here?"

2009-04-29T10:48:00.001-05:00

Overheard

2009-04-23T15:13:00.004-05:00

From Joe.My.God.:

Walgreens, Second Avenue, 8:30 a.m.

Little Old Lady: Is this on sale?
Clerk: No, next in line please.
Little Old Lady: Do you know when it goes on sale?
Clerk: No, next in line please.
Little Old Lady: You're not very helpful.
Clerk: Sorry, next in line please.
Little Old Lady: Fuck you.
Clerk: OK, next in line please.

Judy?

Sweden's REALLY Got Talent!

2009-04-21T15:10:00.005-05:00

It's great to see the lost art of Knäckebröddansen making a comeback.

Barber of Seville

2009-04-19T16:38:00.000-05:00

We're now in Act 2 of Minnesota Opera's final performance of Barber of Seville, also the company's final production for this season. Eight shows in nine days--I'm done. It's been a good run, and it's been great fun being back in the chorus this year.

Here we are, the chorus men dressed in our townspeople costumes, along with our two supernumeraries.

And here we are as soldiers. (We like Evan and his sword.)

Auditions for the 2009-2010 season's chorus are next week, and I have no idea what I'm singing.

Do You Twitter?

2009-04-14T15:27:00.003-05:00

I can't help but think of Stephen Colbert's response to Meredith Vieira on Today whenever I'm asked if I Twitter. It happened yesterday at my grandparents' house when Aunt Katharine asked me, and it happened again a few minutes ago with a colleague.

And kudos to Marty for her witty response.

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)

2009-04-14T12:28:00.005-05:00

Snoopy Dances with Bunnies

2009-04-12T20:39:00.002-05:00

Silence of the Lambs: A New Lego Musical

2009-04-11T13:53:00.003-05:00

Love this. (So NSFW.)

Turtle Rapes Shoe

2009-04-10T13:11:00.003-05:00

I'm at the final dress rehearsal for Minnesota Opera's Barber of Seville, which opens tomorrow night at the Ordway. Today we have an audience of school kids, who seem to be enjoying the show as heard by their laughter. Nothing like some good opera buffa.

Off stage, it's this kind of stuff that's keeping us chorus boys entertained.

Vermont

2009-04-08T07:38:00.002-05:00

Maple syrup for everyone!

More Good from Iowa

2009-04-03T10:21:00.001-05:00

Iowa's making me smile even more! From today's New York Times:

Iowa became the first state in the Midwest to approve same-sex marriage on Friday, after the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously decided that a 1998 law limiting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional.

Read full article here.

I Love You, Coach!

2009-04-02T10:50:00.004-05:00

Ah, Iowa...you really do make me smile. From Sissydude, my new favorite, and so NSFW, blog.

How is it possible that Other Eric, Burton, Scooter and I didn't make it to a Gopher Wrestling event this year?

Almost No-Knead Bread

2009-04-01T21:31:00.002-05:00

Family Squab, the newest members of my Really Good Bread Club, invited us to a dinner party scheduled for tonight, and we agreed to bring bread. As dinner gift, I made a batch of my multigrain sandwich bread (see Daily Bread), which they've had before and loved.

But I wanted to bring something new for dinner and decided on the "Almost No-Knead Bread" recipe from Cook's Illustrated (January/February 2008), a variation and reportedly improved version of the November 2006 recipe that New York Times writer Mark Bittman published.

Following the recipe are four variations, one of which is "Almost No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread," replacing some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, and adding honey. I went with this variation and started yesterday afternoon.

After mixing the ingredients--the two flours, a small amount of yeast, salt, lager beer, water, vinegar and honey--the dough rises for 8 to 18 hours.

I woke up early this morning for the next step: kneading the dough a few times, shaping it, and transferring it to a parchment-lined skillet to rise again for 2 hours. Next, the Dutch oven is preheated 30 minutes before baking, and the dough is picked up by lifting the parchment paper and placed in the heated pot.

The dough is baked for 30 minutes, covered, and the lid them removed for the remaining 20 to 30 minutes. I checked the bread temperature after 20 minutes, which was just under the required 210º and which had definitely achieved a "deep brown."

Here's my attempt at capturing the Crafty Lass moment:

Where did we go wrong?

Judy's Copco Dutch oven instead of our Le Creuset. I wanted round instead of oval.
My choice of lager beer. I went with my latest discovery: Victory Prima Pils.
Not enough parchment paper.
Realize that Cook's Illustrated isn't always better. Try the Bittman version next time.

Thank god the dinner party was canceled and I didn't have to present Family Squab with this sad loaf. It's all about saving face, right?

Gmail Autopilot

2009-04-01T10:52:00.005-05:00

Google today announced Autopilot, it's newest approach to email. According to Google:

As more and more everyday communication takes place over email, lots of people have complained about how hard it is to read and respond to every message. This is because they actually read and respond to all their messages.

Sign me up.

Update: April Fools!

If April showers bring May flowers...

2009-04-01T09:04:00.003-05:00

...what does April snow bring?

I'm so ready for spring.

Vizsla Rules

2009-03-30T11:24:00.000-05:00

As evidenced by a Vizsla Facebook group I found earlier today, we are not alone.

The Vizsla is not allowed in the house.
Okay, the Vizsla is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
The Vizsla is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
The Vizsla is only allowed on the OLD furniture.
Fine, the Vizsla is allowed on all the furniture, but is NOT allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
All right, the Vizsla is allowed on the bed, but ONLY by invitation.
The Vizsla can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but NOT under the covers.
The Vizsla can sleep under the covers every night.
Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the Vizsla.
IN ALL CASES OF DISPUTE...THE VIZSLA RULES!

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 11

2009-03-27T11:31:00.003-05:00

We're now at ground zero, folks. One week left of Biggest Loser 2009, and with zero pounds lost or gained, I'm not helping feed the hungry children--just myself.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Week 5: 208.2
Week 6: No weigh-in
Week 7: 207.6
Week 8: 207.8
Week 9: No weigh-in
Week 10: 210.8
Week 11: 210.6
Total Pounds Lost: 0
Total Percentage Lost: 0

I'm Not Taking It Lightly

2009-03-26T08:50:00.004-05:00

Current standings following last week's weigh-in.

Did You Happen to See the Most Beautiful Baby in the World?

2009-03-23T20:00:00.008-05:00

We did! That chocolate cake Scooter blogged last week was for our friends Alyn and Chris, whose adorable little boy, Ellis Reid, was born on Election Day. (Yes, the proud parents voted absentee.) When we stopped by with dessert, I remembered that I never posted this photo of Ellis in the Norwegian baby hat I made. Hello, Ellis!

The Garden of Eatin'

2009-03-22T15:54:00.003-05:00

You've likely read about First Lady Michelle Obama's plans to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House, the first in over sixty years since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden during World War II. In the Opinion section of yesterday's New York Times, several commentators responded, and one of my favorites was from Roger Doiron, founder of Kitchen Gardeners International, a nonprofit network of 10,000 gardeners from 100 countries, and leader of the Eat the View campaign, which collected over 100,000 signatures on a petition to replant a kitchen garden at the White House.

As much as we'd like to think otherwise, presidents and first ladies are not superheroes. They are humans and shaped by popular culture which for the better part of the past 50 years in America has looked at kitchen gardening as a pleasant enough form of recreation, but not fundamental to the human condition and certainly not worthy of a new president’s attention "on day one."

When I started up the campaign in early 2008 to push for a White House vegetable garden, the goal was not only to alter the White House grounds, but our broader social and cultural landscape. As a patient gardener myself, I was bracing myself for a long germination period for this change (gardeners: think parsley), but I’m encouraged at how quickly things are moving.

The pace of change speaks to the power of the first family to shift people's views and the public's sense of urgency about environmental issues. I don't think previous presidents were able to connect the dots between food, health, economics, and sustainability as we can now. The important and wonderful news about the new White House garden is that those connections are being made in a visible and lasting way on our country’s most emblematic patch of ground.

Be sure to watch The Garden of Eatin', Roger Doiron's animated video that was part of the campaign.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 10

2009-03-20T09:31:00.003-05:00

OK, I officially suck.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Week 5: 208.2
Week 6: No weigh-in
Week 7: 207.6
Week 8: 207.8
Week 9: No weigh-in
Week 10: 210.8
Total Pounds Lost: -.2
Total Percentage Lost: abso-fucking-lutely nothing

Obama's Tonight Show with Jay Leno Visit

2009-03-20T07:12:00.004-05:00

President Obama sat down with Jay Leno last night to talk about politics, the economy and adjusting to his new lifestyle.

Further Tales from the Last Frontier

2009-03-13T04:49:00.003-05:00

Still in Anchorage, but no longer staying at the shithole apartment in Muldoon. We're now shacked up at the Super8 Motel in Spenard, also a shithole, and I'm not sure which is worse. Let me explain the change in shithole accommodations.

On our way back from our last meal in Anchorage--a place called Thai Village, which looks like it's in an old Pizza Hut--I saw a moose on the side of the road. I'd been anxious to get a shot of a moose the whole trip, and I had only seen one other--the morning of the ski race--and of course didn't have my camera with either time. (I had also forgotten my camera on our drive down the Turnagain Arm, so was unable to capture photos of the Dall sheep we saw off to the side. Anyhoo.) I ran up the stairs while Dad and Jon stayed in the car, and walked into the apartment, only to find Sam's girlfriend Jackie, her two kids, and their two dogs sprawled out in the living room. Some words were exchanged, which included "Sam tried to call you," "our house was flooded," "no, I'm not Jon, I'm his brother Eric," "I just came up to get my camera because there's a moose down the road." I walked back to the car, and told my brother and dad to just drive, and I'd explain. Once I repeated what I had just walked into, I told them I would be staying at a hotel. My dad's initial response was that we would just call someone he knew, and ask if we could stay with them--like 10 miles out of Anchorage in a town called Eagle River. That was when the first and only argument of the trip erupted...and here we are at the Super8 in Spenard.

If you look really close, you can see a photo of a moose.

Breaking Iditarod news about the Norwegian:

Norwegian musher Bjørnar Andersen has scratched from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Race officials say the musher from Elverum, Norway, scratched Thursday after being injured in a sled crash between the Rohn and Nikolai checkpoints. He traveled nearly 70 miles to the Takotna checkpoint after the crash, and that's where he decided to scratch. Race officials say he will be taken to Anchorage for medical assessment. The nature of his injuries weren't immediately known. He's the third musher to scratch this year, leaving 64 in the race.

Time to leave for the airport.

Update: free wireless at the Ted Stevens International Airport!

That's right. The airport here is named for Sen. Ted Stevens, convicted felon.

Turns out I missed seeing Gov. Sarah Palin at the Iditarod start on Saturday.

Alaska is absolutely stunning and beautiful--I always say the best thing about Anchorage is that it's only 10 minutes from Alaska. (I also describe Anchorage as a beer can in the wilderness.) It's a great state to visit, and you don't need a passport. There's a lot of crap here, too--hence the beer can metaphor. I'm done with the moose and puffin stuff. Here's a sampling.

See you back in MSP.

More Tales from the Last Frontier

2009-03-12T17:17:00.004-05:00

This will likely be my last post from Anchorage, as I depart really early tomorrow morning. It's been a good week with Dad and brother Jon, and I'm ready to return to my other little family back in Minneapolis. A few more words about my last few days in Anchorage.

I told myself after last Sunday's race that I would not ski again until next season, or at least until off-season roller skiing began. But I gave in to a day trip up to Hatcher Pass today, where Dad and I skied uphill. Truth be told, it was absolutely stunning, and I'm glad I went. I should have had my classic skis along, however, as our ski was all but a climb up a mountain, which at least made for a really fun downhill return to our car. Before arriving at Hatcher Pass, a popular winter destination for snowboarding, I had this recent story of two brothers on my mind. Very sad.

My friend Kari, who I've known since my days with Anchorage Opera, left the company and opened her own business, Dog Tired Doggie Daycare. I was able to visit her at Dog Tired today and tour her space. Tons of dogs with lots of space to play. Way to go, Kari.

I was able to visit most of my favorite spots here in Anchorage and the surrounding area--Snow City Cafe, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Moose's Tooth, Humpy's, Café Del Mundo, Chair 5--but unfortunately will miss stopping at my two favorite bars, Darwin's Theory and Mad Myrna's, the local gay bar. Both are fun places, and couldn't be more opposites.

Alberta, the sweater vest I've been working on (aka "Steeks on a Plane"), is finished. Tubular cast-on, V-neck decrease, hand-crocheted steeks--lots of learning (and ripping) went into this sweater, and it looks great. Post forthcoming.

I love my father; really, I do. But his new love of crossword puzzles, which involves everyone's help, can be a lot. And it started at the airport on our way up, and has continued for a week. I'm done.

I've been put on a "strong hold" for a modeling job with Cox Communications. Evidently this means they want me, but are unable to formally book me until the schedule is made final. Possible shoot dates are March 31 or April 1. I had planned to shave my beard upon my return to the Lower 48 and post-ski season, but they want me to keep it for the shoot. I'm predicting I'm being cast as the Cable Guy.

Gmail video chat made me miss Scooter and Viggo even more. I'm coming home, Baby!

Tour of Anchorage

2009-03-09T12:24:00.004-05:00

It is finished. Yesterday's 50km Tour of Anchorage was a challenge. The race began at Service High School and the first 10-15km takes you on a series of nasty uphill climbs, which brought on a bit of elevation sickness. I recovered with some fun downhills, including a series known as the Luge. Most of the final 20km was along the Coastal Trail, with views of the Sleeping Lady for much of the way, and the race finished at Kincaid Park.

Dad and Jon both skied the 25km Classic race; I skied the 50km Freestyle. Here we are, the Evil Three.

Six races in 8 weeks is a lot--and I'm ready to hang my skier hat for a while. What's next? Rehearsals for Minnesota Opera's Barber of Seville begin Saturday.

Tales from the Last Frontier

2009-03-07T17:53:00.004-06:00

Hello from Anchorage. A few words about the trip.

Iditarod ceremonial start way cool. The actual race starts outside of Anchorage tomorrow in Wasilla, where Palin was mayor. Today's event was an event for the peoples. I scored big points calling Lois before Scooter. Lois loves the Iditarod.

Yesterday's trip took over 9 hours, with a stop in Seattle and a 3-hour layover. Thank god for the current knitting project, which I'm calling "Steeks on a Plane." Scary stuff, Folks, but it passed the time.

We're staying at an absolute shithole. My brother's colleague Sam graciously left us his house while he's away on business, and we spent last night and this morning cleaning. I don't mind cleaning toilets, but cleaning somebody else's toilet is not a vacation.

My 50km Tour of Anchorage race begins tomorrow and I'm kind of dreading it. Emphasis will be on "tour" rather than "race."

My father is a lot when it comes to Norway. Even more than me. But I love him. Of course he managed to find the Norwegian team, and we bought T-shirts.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 8

2009-03-05T15:55:00.001-06:00

I'm on vacation starting tomorrow, so did the weigh-in this morning. I'm up, but not by much. I'll kick it in after my vacation.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Week 5: 208.2
Week 6: No weigh-in
Week 7: 207.6
Week 8: 207.8
Total Pounds Lost: 2.8
Total Percentage Lost: 1.33

American Birkebeiner

2009-03-04T16:35:00.004-06:00

Finally, a few words about and some good images of the American Birbebiener (my ninth!), that little event in the western woods of Wisconsin lovingly called "the Birkie."

I'll just come right out and say it: this year's Birkie was a motherfucker. And the photo above, which Scooter carefully captioned "Waiting for the Short Bus," pretty much says it all.

Determined to make this my year of qualifying towards wave 1, I started in the front line of wave 2 with a good burst of speed for about the first kilometer, and then fell apart on the power line hills. I simply couldn't find my groove until about the 15km mark, which is when I finally started to calm down and relax. But with 35km to go, that burst of energy didn't last long. The trails were slow for me, a combination of the freshly fallen (and falling) snow and wrong wax, and I felt sluggish much of the way.

Me on Main Street, Hayward.

Scooter and me at the finish.

Brother Jon and me at the finish. Jon skied the Kortelopet (half Birkie) Classic, and then headed into Hayward (still wearing his bib) with his son Aden and our mom to see Dad and me finish. Jon had a great race. Good job, Jonny.

Earsicles.

In other Birkie news, anyone catch this New York Times feature on Google executive Marissa Mayer?

There are some things that [Ms. Mayer] hasn’t previously revealed about herself and that the media have overlooked. Like her self-described athletic prowess.

"It hasn't shown up anywhere that I am really physically active," she says. "I ran the San Francisco half marathon this year. I did the Portland marathon. I went skiing just yesterday. I'm going to do the Birkebeiner, which is North America’s longest cross-country ski race. That just shows you how much there are gaps."

Way to go, Marissa. (Note to editor: the Birkie is North America's largest cross-country ski race. There are others that are longer, including the Mora Vasaloppet, which is 58km.)

As always, a fun weekend at our rented cabin with Scooter, Other Eric, Burton and Sherpa Scott.
(Sherpa raced as well--this being his thirteenth Birkie.) Onward to 2010. But first, wish me luck in this Sunday's Tour of Anchorage. That's right, I'm heading up north to Alaska for a week with my dad and brother.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 7

2009-03-04T15:37:00.003-06:00

I missed the week 6 weigh-in because of the Birkie, but last week's weigh-in showed a little progress.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Week 5: 208.2
Week 6: No weigh-in
Week 7: 207.6
Total Pounds Lost: 3
Total Percentage Lost: 1.42

Minnesota Finlandia

2009-02-22T20:07:00.005-06:00

The Minnesota Finlandia in Bemidji was last Saturday, February 14, and I'm finally getting around to posting some photos. Here I am with my father, right on my tail, at the start. Photo from Skinny Ski.

I skied the 25km pursuit, which was a first for me. For this race, the skiers use the classic ski technique for the first 13km, and then switch to freestyle technique for the final 12km. I found the transition from one technique to the other difficult--I would be smart to start training this way.

After the race, a spectator asked if he could photograph me with his cellphone, as the icicles on my face made for a rather cool sight. Thanks to Cellphone Guy for sending these photos.

The next race to be blogged is the mother of all, the American Birkebeiner. Stay tuned.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 5

2009-02-13T14:57:00.002-06:00

At least I'm maintaining.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Week 5: 208.2
Total Pounds Lost: 2.4
Total Percentage Lost: 1.14

Where's Joaquin Phoenix?

2009-02-13T14:54:00.003-06:00

If this is for real, Joaquin Phoenix isn't doing so well. If it's not, he sure as hell fooled me.

Award Ceremony of the Dala Horse

2009-02-12T22:41:00.005-06:00

I forgot to mention my proud little moment at the Vasaloppet Award Ceremony, which following the race was held at the Mora High School theater/auditorium. Now that the photos are available online, let me explain.

Prior to the moment when they called my class division, I was scoping the stage and the podium levels where the first-, second- and third-place finishers would stand. Somehow my little head was telling me that once there, the lower third level is where I would be standing.

So when I walked up to the stage to receive my little pony--I was the only one of the three in my class who stayed for the ceremony--the pretty woman in the Swedish bunar asked which place I was, and I responded third. I then turned, with my third-place white Dala horse statue in hand, and smiled for the photographer and my adoring fans. It wasn't until I got back to my seat when I realized I misspoke, that I was second place, and therefore had claimed the wrong award. I was going to wait until after the ceremony, but my brother made me go back up.

So I interrupted the host of ceremonies, and to much applause and my embarrassment, stood again for photos with the blue, and much prettier, Dala horse.

Long live the magic of the Dala horse.

Daily Observation

2009-02-12T07:33:00.002-06:00

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart isn't as funny when there are no Republicans to make fun of.

Mora Vasaloppet

2009-02-11T19:03:00.003-06:00

The 2009 Mora Vasaloppet was held this past Sunday, and with weather in the mid-20s, excellent snow and well-groomed tracks, it was likely one of the best Vasaloppets in history.

It was also the first Vasaloppet where I took home one of the coveted Dala horse awards. With a finish time of 1:53:50 for the 35km Freestyle race, I took 2nd place in the men's 35-39 class 7 age group. That stinkin' rocks!

Nordic skiing is without a doubt a lifelong sport for me, and it means the world to have others in my family sharing the experience. My brother Jon, who for 13 years has lived in Alaska, has finally returned to Minnesota and skied his first Vasaloppet, the 42km Classic. This was the furthest he's ever skied, and he did great. And our dad, bless his insane little heart, skied the 58km Freestyle race, taking 2nd in his age group and thereby acquiring another Dala horse to add to his herd.

Dad, Jon and me at the race start.

Me headed towards the finish in downtown Mora. Photo from Skinny Ski.

Jon and me at the finish.

Dad, Jon and me at the finish after Dad's race.

Next race is the Minnesota Finlandia in Bemidji on Saturday. I'll be skiing the 25km Pursuit, which is 13km of classic ski, with a transition to 12km of freestyle ski.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 4

2009-02-06T11:33:00.003-06:00

It's week 4 of Biggest Loser 2009, and I suck. Comrades, I'm again up 1 pound from last week's weigh-in. Is it time to resort to more desperate measures and bring out the juicer?

Actually, gaining some weight in the middle of my competitive ski season is to be expected. (Remember week 5 from 2008?) I'm skiing 4 to 5 nights a week, racing every weekend--my body needs to refuel, and now's not the time to be dieting.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Week 4: 208.2
Total Pounds Lost: 2.4
Total Percentage Lost: 1.14

Plus, Scooter is almost back to normalcy, so last night we went to the Bulldog. No regrets.

City of Lakes Loppet

2009-02-02T22:27:00.002-06:00

Yesterday's Hoigaard's Classic, an event of the City of Lakes Loppet in Minneapolis, was my second race of the season.

A shuttle to the start is provided for Uptown residents and meets at Hennepin and Lagoon, across from the Walker Library. Dad and I were seated together, and Mayor Rybak was directly behind us. Rybak is one of the race founders, and I love that he's such a proponent of Nordic skiing.

The race starts at Theodore Wirth Park, is approximately 25km, and finishes in Uptown, but avoids some of the more difficult terrain and includes a bit less skiing on the lakes than the 33km Freestyle Loppet. This photo from Skinny Ski shows the start up the sledding hill.

Here I am crossing near Wirth Chalet and onto more of the golf course. Photo also from Skinny Ski.

I'm glad the temperatures came down from Saturday's high of 41ºF; yesterday's 15-20º temperature was perfect race weather. I had a good race, but my arms/shoulders got tired early on and I wasn't feeling too strong, especially on the hills of Wirth Park. I also wasn't thrilled with how my kick wax worked with the snow, especially going up the hills. Skiing was much better on the flats. Here I am headed towards the finish on the Mall. I love this photo taken by Burton.

Scooter took all the other photos. Thanks for being there at the finish and making me smile, as seen in the above image.

Dad and me after the race. I finished ahead of him, but only by about 4 minutes. He's insane, but I love him.

Next Sunday is the Mora Vasaloppet and I'll be skiing the 35km Freestyle. Three Vollens will be in this one, as brother Jon will be skiing his first Vasaloppet, the 42km Classic.

Luminary Loppet

2009-01-31T22:28:00.000-06:00

The City of Lakes Loppet cross-country ski festival is this weekend, and tonight Scooter, my dad and I skied the Luminary Loppet.

The 5km noncompetitive "Tour of Light" is a popular event for all levels and ages of skiers and snowshoers. Participants head down the Mall behind the Walker Library and onto the lagoon between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. New this year were beautiful luminary globes on the lagoon and under two bridges, before arriving on the luminary-lit trail around Lake of the Isles.

The Luminary Loppet features more than 1,000 luminaries, an ice pyramid, the Brock White Ice-Cropolis and five stations with fire pits and goodies, including hot cocoa and coffee.

Thanks to Other Eric and Burton for providing the best pre-race meal ever tonight--carb loading for tomorrow's 25km Hoigaard's Classic.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 3

2009-01-30T16:01:00.003-06:00

It's week 3 of Biggest Loser 2009, and today's weigh-in shows that I gained 1 pound. I have nothing else to say.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Week 3: 207.2
Total Pounds Lost: 3.4
Total Percentage Lost: 1.61

Queer Women's March Scheduled for Tonight

2009-01-29T07:49:00.003-06:00

A week ago today, a lesbian was attacked by two men in Uptown, just 3 blocks from where I live, while walking to Rainbow Foods at night. (Read the StarTribune article here; City Pages article here.) Join tonight's Queer Women's [and Allies'] March and help demonstrate against violence and hate in our communities. Details from the march MySpace page:

QUEER WOMEN AND ALLIES!!!

Join us at Bryant and Lake in Minneapolis at 9 pm on Thursday, January 29th to march in solidarity with Kristen Boyne, who was violently gay-bashed in the streets of Uptown. Kristen was walking less than three blocks from her home when she was brutally attacked by two men. The unidentified assailants called her an "f---ing dyke", then punched and kicked her until she lost consciousness.

Love, compassion and understanding is the only cure for hatred and fear. So in response to this senseless act of hate and violence, we will march to demonstrate that queer women (and all women!) will not tolerate being victimized by hateful bigotry and violence.

Let us gather the collective energy of our community to promote awareness and understanding with a loving and peaceful demonstration. Let us "Be the change we want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

The march organizers would also like to reiterate that we ENCOURAGE allies of all genders, ages and orientations to march with us on Thursday. Our intent has never been to exclude but to make a special call to queer young women because we feel that this segment of the GLBT community is often underrepresented in pride and other events. We hope that everyone feels welcome to join us in solidarity to demonstrate against violence and hate in our communities.

Email Queer Women March if you wish to volunteer in some way, cover the march or get more information.

The Gay Alphabet

2009-01-28T10:46:00.001-06:00

Obama! Hat

2009-01-28T10:38:00.002-06:00

Love this.

Thanks, Meema!

Saddlebacking

2009-01-28T09:42:00.005-06:00

The results are in for Dan Savage's "saddlebacking" contest.

Saddlebacking: sad•dle•back•ing \ˈsa-dəl-ˈba-kiŋ\ vb [fr. Saddleback Church] (2009): the phenomenon of Christian teens engaging in unprotected anal sex in order to preserve their virginities

After attending the Purity Ball, Heather and Bill saddlebacked all night because she’s saving herself for marriage.

Governor's Cup Ski Race

2009-01-24T23:05:00.002-06:00

My first ski race for the 2009 season was today's Governor's Cup at Camp Ripley. The temperature for the 12:30 p.m. 25KM freestyle start, delayed from 11 a.m., was -6ºF, and after 100 minutes or so of skiing, it didn't feel that much warmer by the end.

There was absolutely nothing given to me during this race--I had to work for every meter of those kilos. Cold, dry snow makes for a slow track, and this was some slow skiing today. The rolling hills, of which there are many, were painfully slow, and just darn-right painful. Even the downhills were slow.

I drove up with our neighbor Josh, another skier who also happens to be from St. Cloud, my hometown. Josh and Jane are great neighbors, and it was fun sharing the drive and spending more time with him. Here we are at the finish.

Finish time: 1:40:14

Finish time: 1:43:24

I purchased some new classic equipment this year and have really enjoyed getting back into it. Next week is the local City of Lakes Loppet and I'll be racing the Hoigaard's Classic, which is approximately 25KM. I haven't skied a classic race since I was a kid, and am looking forward to it, but also a bit nervous. I grew up with classic skiing, but freestyle took over around the time I was racing in junior high and high school, which is around the time classic skiing virtually became obsolete. I joke that it feels like I'm going back to my roots, but it's kind of true.

Thanks to Skinny Ski for these additional race photos.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 2

2009-01-23T15:02:00.002-06:00

It's week 2 of Biggest Loser 2009, and I'm craving candy, cookies and all other sweets. I've been able to stay away from them for the most part, especially after my overindulgence of Christmas gluttony, but this week the cravings returned. Today's weigh-in showed that I've lost an additional 3.2 pounds, so yippee for me.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Week 2: 206.2
Total Pounds Lost: 4.4
Total Percentage Lost: 2.09

Wish me luck in tomorrow's Governor's Cup Ski Race. Weather forecast for the noon start time is -2ºF. Uff da.

Born Again

2009-01-21T16:37:00.008-06:00

I recently finished reading The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk by Randy Shilts, the first openly gay reporter with a gay "beat" in the American mainstream press. Great book, and one that I'm proud to add to my lavender collection. So this means I can finally go see Milk, but may hold off until I see The Times of Harvey Milk, the 1984 documentary. (I can be a lot when it comes to biopics or when books are adapted for screen.)

First published in 1982, The Mayor of Castro Street broke new ground, as the very idea of a gay political biography was brand-new. Shilts also wrote And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic (1987) and Conduct Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military: Vietnam to the Persian Gulf (1993), the last chapter of which he dictated from his hospital bed while dying from AIDS. Amazing writer and researcher--his loss is huge.

Just over 30 years ago, California Proposition 6 was an initiative on the California State ballot on November 7, 1978, and was more commonly known as The Briggs Initiative. Sponsored by John Briggs, a conservative state legislator from Orange County, the failed initiative would have banned gays and lesbians, and possibly anyone who supported gay rights, from working in California's public schools. The Briggs Initiative was the first failure in a conservative movement that started with the successful campaign headed by Anita Bryant and her organization Save Our Children in Dade County, Fla., to repeal a local gay rights ordinance.

Sound familiar? All you need to do is swap "6" with "8," "public schools" with "marriage," "failed" with "approved," and "Briggs" with "the Mormon Church," and then fast forward 30 years to 2008...

Shilts writes about Proposition 6 passionately, as well as the hateful initiatives of Briggs and Bryant, but the following paragraph from The Mayor of Castro Street struck a cord with me, and I've reread it a number of times. With its parallels between gays and fundamentalists, it may as well have been written today.

Few groups were as evenly suited to battle each other as gays and fundamentalists. Both gays and evangelicals shared a profound experience that shaped their politicking; they had both been born again. For evangelical Christians, it was a theological experience, finding God in a sinful world. For gays, it was a social experience called "coming out," expressing one's gay sexuality and identity in a generally hostile heterosexual world. For both sides, the born-again experience usually meant breaking with the past, establishing a new social network and building a new life, one that was happier than the life left behind. Both sides also put great faith in the necessity for testifying to the born-again experience. Fundamentalists did this in their routine rounds of testimony for the Lord; gays did this by acknowledging their homosexuality to friends and relatives, a move that practically represented an article of faith for those in the gay movement. Both camps also saw themselves in an ultimate struggle. For gays, that meant the eradication of prejudice; for fundamentalists, it was the scripturally demanded battle against sinners and their sins. Most significantly, the costs for losing the struggle were incredibly high. During the fundamentalists' anti-gay groundswell of 1978, gay activists talked ominously of how failure could lead to a Hitleresque extermination of gays. Born-again Christians needed to go no further than Revelations to see that gays were the harbingers of the Final Days, times when Christians must fight sin or go to hell. Both sides, however, stood on polar opposites of society, with fundamentalists calling for a return to the most traditional American mortality while gays stood for some of the least traditional social values. The troops of both sides were also incredibly motivated--gays were fighting to keep themselves out of modern-day Dachaus while, for fundamentalists, fighting gay rights became the surest way to keep their polyester leisure suits from melting in hell.

Now swap "Gene Robinson" with "gays" and "Rick Warren" with "fundamentalists"...

It has been 26 years since The Mayor of Castro Street was first published; 31 years since the assassination of Harvey Milk. Despite the achievements gays have made with laws, court decisions and changing attitudes--and I think we've come a long way--I'm still completely blown away by the obstacles and setbacks. Harvey Milk, in his Gay Freedom Day Parade speech from June 25, 1978, said:

History says that, like all groups seeking their rights, sooner or later we will win.

The question is: When?

With the potential rebirth of present-day gay activism, the timing of Milk couldn't be more perfect.

Vizslas for Obama

2009-01-21T14:26:00.004-06:00

Back when he was just a little puppy, Scooter and I got out the vote by parading Viggo through Uptown wearing his custom-made "Vizslas for Kerry" T-shirt for the 2004 presidential election. We were going to do the same in 2008 for Obama or Hillary, but never got around to it. Was that a result of learning we weren't the first to come up with "I Bark for Barack"? Or perhaps our need to forsake such expenses in a weakened economy?... Anyhoo. Here he is.

Don't Call Us, We'll Call You

2009-01-21T11:53:00.005-06:00

From Kenneth in the (212).

Pulling Down the Bush Statue

2009-01-21T10:36:00.001-06:00

Watch Bush get face humped!

The First Couple

2009-01-21T10:28:00.004-06:00

On today's front page of the New York Times.

Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President

2009-01-20T16:52:00.005-06:00

With a hand on Abraham Lincoln's inaugural Bible, and before a crowd stretching across the National Mall toward where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream of racial equality 46 years ago, Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States of America. Read his full inaugural speech here.

Did anyone who went to work today get anything done? Thanks to CNN.com Live with Facebook's inaugural streaming, I didn't. I saw it all at my desk, along with MSNBC's coverage in one of the agency's conference rooms. Where did you watch history in the making? And why do I feel as if waking up tomorrow will be like Christmas?

We Are One?

2009-01-19T18:46:00.003-06:00

Scooter and I had a great weekend in Bayfield, Wis., with friends Kyle and John, John's son Gabe and his friend Autumn. We cooked, knit, watched Drop Dead Gorgeous, relaxed, slept in and I skied twice at nearby Mt. Ashwabay.

One thing I did not do, which I was looking forward to, was watch yesterday's "We Are One," the inaugural concert celebration in Washington, on HBO. For me, one of the scheduled highlights included the opening invocation by the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire. But while returning to the Twin Cities this afternoon, I learned via NPR's Talk of the Nation that I wasn't the only one who didn't hear Robinson's prayer--millions others did not as well.

HBO, which had exclusive air rights for the concert, failed to include Robinson in its live broadcast, and to make matters even worse, a malfunction to one of the massive speaker towers meant that much of the crowd gathered at the Lincoln Memorial and along the Reflecting Pool, didn't hear him either. You can read one New York Time's blogger's account here.

I was thrilled to hear that Robinson was invited, especially following the disappointing news of Rick Warren's invitation. (Warren, the evangelical pastor who pushed Proposition 8 in California and considers banning gay marriage more important than banning torture, was chosen to give the invocation at Obama's swearing-in.) Obama officials, HBO, NPR and a host of others have apologized, but I still think it fucking sucks.

You can watch, and listen to, Robinson's opening invocation here:

The Moment

2009-01-19T16:29:00.005-06:00

This could be cool. From CNN:

When Barack Obama takes the oath of office, history will be unfolding. If you are one of the millions attending the inauguration, you can help document those seconds of history through our special iReport assignment. With photos sent in by you and Microsoft Photosynth, we'll capture the most detailed experience of a single moment ever.
Take one photo of the moment when Obama takes the oath. If you have a digital camera with a zoom lens, take three photos (wide-angle, mid-zoom, full-zoom).
E-mail each photo as soon as possible to themoment@cnn.com (one photo per message, 10MB size limit). Don't forget to include your name in the message if you'd like to appear in the list of the contributors. Please only send in photos you took yourself.
Go to cnn.com/themoment to see all of the photos in our photosynth.

Biggest Loser 2009: Week 1

2009-01-17T07:52:00.004-06:00

It's week 1 of Biggest Loser 2009 and I'm back in the competition! Weigh-in was yesterday and since kick-off the previous Wednesday, I've lost 1.2 pounds. Keeping food on the shelves of Second Harvest Food Shelf is a great cause, and as many of you said, I thrive on competition. So I'm in.

The ringing in of 2009 has brought good health, and it feels great to be exercising again with some regularity. I developed a cold around the time of Twin Cities Marathon back in October--not unusual for me with the change in season and allergies--and on the second of three visits to the doctor over the fall/winter, he diagnosed me with exercise-induced asthma and prescribed two inhalers. So far, so good.

Stats
Starting Weigh-in: 210.6
Week 1: 209.4
Total Pounds Lost: 1.2

Follow my progress for weekly updates.

eWAC Obamicon

2009-01-15T17:33:00.004-06:00

Paste Magazine has developed this cool site where you can create your own "Obamicon" image in the style created by Shepard Fairey.

My kind of holiday, Ann.

Hand Warmer

2009-01-10T10:02:00.005-06:00

Scooter has wanted a pair of fingerless gloves for practicing piano, especially after seeing a pair he liked at December's No Coast Craft-o-Rama. So after finding a hank of Misty Alpaca yarn in his stash at home, I sent him to The Yarnery to find a pattern where he found Fits Like a...Glove by Nancy Lindberg. It includes four glove styles for DK weight yarn and double-pointed needles: Hand Warmer, Fingerless Glove, Fingerless Glove with Flap and Regular Gloves. Although I started them in early December, they were put aside to make way for holiday knitting. Now that Scooter is on sabbatical from his church job and focused on practicing for his recital this spring, I decided it was time my baby had warm piano hands.

The Specs
Pattern: Hand Warmer
Author: Nancy Lindberg
Source: Fits Like a...Glove, Nancy Lindberg Patterns (NL 27)
Yarn: Misty Alpaca Yarns
Color: Sundance Tapestry
Needles: U.S. 6 (4 mm) and U.S. 4 (3.5 mm)
Started: December 8, 2008
Finished: January 6, 2009

Shake Ass

2009-01-09T17:13:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Little Buddy at the agency for today's best laugh. Josh called me from his desk and said he had a video he wanted me to see--that it was from a soccer match and he was curious if I had ever seen this particular stretch done before. Right away I knew where Joshy was going, and I asked him if the video involves one man "stretching" another man. It just so happens, it does. So Josh sends me the link, and wants me to watch it while we're still on the phone so as to hear my reaction. A few seconds go by, then a minute, and still no email from Little Buddy. I told him I'd call him when the email came through and would be sure to have him on the phone when I watched it. A few minutes later, Josh calls again to say the email went to the wrong Eric. Turns out that his account client, also named Eric, was the recipient of the following link:

Note to Little Buddy: Tara wants to know how you just so "happened" to come across this link.

Who's a Good Boy?

2009-01-08T22:27:00.004-06:00

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart has finally returned from its two-week break. In case you missed the CNN Pick of the Litter Pupidential Debate from Monday's episode, here it is again.

Meow!

Knitted Superhero Costume!

2009-01-06T11:23:00.002-06:00

Go, Spidey!

Pillbox Hat

2009-01-06T08:11:00.002-06:00

My most recent completed knitted ware: Pillbox Hat by Elizabeth Zimmermann. This one is a belated birthday gift for my mother, and I'm anxious to get it in the mail today.

Many thank yous to Heather at The Yarnery for introducing me to Thirteen Mile Yarns, one of the best I've ever worked with. Made from Montana (Glory of the West) sheep, the organic fiber is natural-colored and plant-dyed, and the range of colors are stunning. I'll be making many more creations with this stuff.

Instead of a half-inch seam and sewing it up later, I started with a provisional cast-on and knit for 1 inch in a size 3 needle, which is one size smaller than my gauge size. I switched to the size 4 needle with my purl fold row, and knit another inch before the 3-needle bind-off. I like creating hems this way--no sewing up at the end. I wanted a longer hat than what she suggests (3-1/2 inches of stockinette following the hem and before shaping the top). Mine is just under 6 inches, with hem, before the shaping.

I'm thinking the V. Warm Hat, same newsletter as the Pillbox, will be my next hat with this yarn--maybe one of the natural colors, or a charcoal/heather of some sort. Also considering a men's vest as a shop model, and am in conversations with Theresa at the Yarnery about patterns.

The Specs
Pattern: Pillbox Hat
Author: Elizabeth Zimmermann
Source: The Opinionated Knitter
Yarn: Thirteen Mile
Color: Lavender
Needles: U.S. 4 (3.5 mm) and U.S. 3 (3.25 mm)
Started: January 4, 2009
Finished: January 5, 2009

To Diet or Not to Diet: Biggest Loser 2009

2009-01-05T22:33:00.004-06:00

From an agency list-all:

The Biggest Loser is back. But this year we’ve made one REALLY cool change...

We’re going to turn your loss into a gain for others.

For every pound the agency loses, we will donate $2 to Second Harvest Food Shelf.

If you haven’t seen the news recently, food shelves are in desperate need of assistance and all you have to do is lose a little weight. Losing one pound will give the food shelf $2, which it can then use to procure $18 worth of food for people in need. So even if you don’t expect to win the whole thing, sign up just to help out this incredibly worthy cause.

Biggest Loser 2009 returns this week, with weigh-in Wednesday through Friday and kick-off lunch on Friday. To be honest, I'm on the fence about joining this year's challenge. Although I've gained much of the weight I lost from last year's triumphant second place finish, do I need the competition to help me get back to where I want to be?

The Project Managers (aka "My Girls") are telling me no, and perhaps with good reason. They're of course recalling my Friday morning weigh-ins, having returned from the gym after 30 minutes on the treadmill, 20 minutes in the steam room, and not allowing myself a drink of water until after the weigh-in. And maybe my hypoglycemic whining at 3 p.m. from fasting, blending or juicing did them in as well.

Good friends: Do I join the cause and help feed those in need, or do I walk away from this year's competition and forever revel in last year's glory?

Hello, 2009!

2009-01-04T22:05:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year to all. And happy birthday to Scooter and Mom, who both celebrate their birthdays today. Scooter, born Baby New Year in Glendive, Montana, did a little birthday dance today just like in the above illustration. Bare butt, banner and bald--that's my boy.

Let's make 2009 the best year ever!

"Lights, please?"

2008-12-25T11:24:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Meema and her reminder to us of what Christmas is all about, I'm reprinting last year's "Lights, please?" post. Merry Christmas, everyone!

* * *

For me, it just isn't the holidays without A Charlie Brown Christmas, which airs tonight on ABC.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is about Charlie Brown's search for meaning in the Christmas holiday, and he begins his "seeking" by trying to understand why he always gets depressed around the holidays.

On the advice of Lucy, he gets involved in a school play about the Nativity. When he loses control because the cast members won't listen to him, he's given the lesser task of finding a Christmas tree for the play.

Frustrated with the over-commercialization of the holiday, he ignores Lucy's advice to find a "big, shiny, aluminum" artificial tree, and instead, chooses a pitiful little one--symbolically, the only real tree in the lot--certain that "all it needs is a little love."

When Charlie Brown returns with his tree, he's the target of laughter from all except Linus. He cries out in desperation, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" Linus replies, "Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about."

Linus then takes the stage, cues the lights, and recites the story of Jesus' birth from the Gospel According to St. Luke. When the show first aired on December 9, 1965, one critic hailed: "Linus' reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season."

Much of Charles M. Schulz' success with Peanuts lies in his ability to show children with real, adult struggles and anxieties, and how very adult the children are in their concerns. Charlie Brown's feelings ring true for all of us--and is one reason why this hour-long special is a classic.

On a much lighter note, watch Whitey do his little dance thang to JT.

Felted Oven Mitt

2008-12-22T12:48:00.008-06:00

What kitchen doesn't need a felted oven mitt? I bought this pattern years ago and made one for my friend Suzanne as a housewarming gift upon moving into her condo. This one is a Christmas gift for Nana, my grandmother.

The Specs
Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt
Author: Ellin Ray
Source: Three Kittens Designs
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heather
Color: Red (2427)
Needles: U.S. 11 (8 mm)
Started: December 18, 2008
Finished: December 21, 2008

Here's a photo of the pre-felted mitt.

Warm Woolly Mittens

2008-12-22T08:39:00.002-06:00

A few words about two finished pairs of Theresa Gaffey's Warm Woolly Mittens, just in time for the niece's and nephew's Christmas gifts. Ava's pair is knit with Cestari, and thanks to Mary Lou for passing on the remains from her stash. (I love this color!) Aden's pair is made with Heritage; I had enough left over from the Modular Tomten Jacket.

The Specs
Pattern: Warm Woolly Mittens
Author: Theresa Gaffey
Source: Theresa Gaffey Designs #51
Yarn: Cestari and Heritage
Colors: Burgundy Heather and Blue Heather
Needles: U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) and U.S. 5 (3.75 mm)
Started: December 19, 2008
Finished: December 21, 2008

Call me a freak, but I love knitting with double-pointed needles. And I love little projects that you can finish in a day. Now back to the two pairs of Felt Clogs! (Post forthcoming.)

Washington Pets

2008-12-17T10:16:00.007-06:00

Best news to come from Washington since Election Day: Joe Biden has a new puppy! Vice President-elect Joe Biden picked out a three-month-old male German shepherd from a suburban Philadelphia kennel to bring with him to Washington. On Saturday, Biden visited German Shepherd breeder Linda Brown’s home in Chester County, Penn., and left having chosen the nation's Second Dog.

Jill Biden promised Joe that if he and Obama won the election, they too would buy a dog. (Obama's children will also be getting a dog when they move to Washington.) Biden's pup will be trained and housebroken over the next several weeks and delivered after the inauguration, and his grandchildren will get to pick a name.

Your move, Obama!

More Presidential pet news: Betty Currie, who was personal secretary to President Clinton and who kept Socks, the presidential cat, after Clinton left office, has reported that Socks, now 19 years old, has cancer.

Even More Baby Hats

2008-12-14T21:15:00.001-06:00

A couple more of the Dale Norwegian baby hats. (See More Baby Hats for details.) Must get these in the mail for Christmas!

And here's a photo of Luke, Tom's little one, wearing his hat.

Viggo Turns Five

2008-12-14T18:04:00.007-06:00

And he's still as bad as ever. Our little Viggo the vizsla turns five years old today.

This is my favorite photo of him, which was taken by my good friend Claudia on a walk through the Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area. And if it's your favorite too, then please vote for it beginning December 29 at the StarTribune's Cutest Canine Contest. We could win $1,000!

Happy birthday, Wiggles!

Seamless Hybrid Sweater

2008-12-10T23:16:00.015-06:00

Keep an open mind, and venture into the territory of the seamless sweater.
--Elizabeth Zimmermann, Knitting Without Tears

My romance with Elizabeth Zimmermann continues with my newly completed Seamless Hybrid Sweater.

Let me begin by saying this romance was a bit rocky at first. I attempted this same sweater over five years ago and quit, ripping it out nearly three-quarters of the way into it out of frustration and madness. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what all this Zimmermann lore was about. I guess you could say I really had, in Betty's words, "sup[ped] the porridge of regret with the spoon of sorrow."

Back then, I'm sure this all had to do with how "chattily written" the pattern was. I was used to being told what to do in knitting--how many stitches to cast on, knit to such and such length, then cast off--rarely did a pattern require any original thought. But with Zimmermann's Seamless Sweaters, to which there are four variations, much thought and planning was in order.

Five years later, I have literally fallen in love with her Baby Surprise and Modular Tomten jackets, so back in October I decided to give the Seamless Sweater another chance. Of the four variations, I still liked the Hybrid best...and I still had that bag of Cestari Navy from my first attempt. (Beautiful yarn and great to work with--I even love how it smells.)

To begin, she has you determine the width of your sweater by laying flat one of your own, and measuring it. You multiply the number of inches around by your gauge, the result being the number of stitches to cast on for the sweater body. The sweater I measured was just over 19 inches, and with my gauge of 5 stitches to the inch, I rounded to 20 inches, giving me an even number of 200 stitches around. (She even assumes the number 200 in her pattern, which makes things easier.)

One thing I don't like about sweaters knit in the round is how "round" they seem to fit on the body. So I created a false seam with a single purl stitch on each side that goes up the full body length, and which helps the sweater hang flat on the body.

I knew I wanted a knitted hem rather than a rib, and liked the idea of the reverse hem in a contrasting color. (Thanks, Brooklyn Tweed.) I also had some leftover Cestari Natural Medium Gray, which I thought would create a nice contrast to the Navy.

To me, a seamless sweater reads a sweater with no sewing, so I knew there was no way I was going to be sewing any hem. I decided to use the provisional cast-on, which can be easily undone to expose live stitches, and then creating the hem with a three needle bind-off. Pesky at times, but worth it.

I started with the inside of the hem, the side with the contrasting gray, on a U.S. 5 (one size smaller than my gauge needle size), and switched to the main color for one row before the purl/fold row in a U.S. 6 (main needle size). Once the right side/main color reached the same length as the wrong side/contrasting color, I picked up the stitches from the provisional cast-on with a second needle, and then continued with the three needle bind-off.

I did the same for both sleeves.

It's a little more tricky with the neck, as you're going the opposite way (main color to contrasting color). Once all my neck stitches were on the needle, and while I was knitting the first round, I threaded a darning needle with a third contrasting color through each stitch before it went to the right needle. This didn't provide open stitches as the provisional cast-on did, but it at least provided a visual for where my stitches were to be picked up. (Is there another way I could have done this?)

I love the look of saddle shoulders and am really pleased with my outcome--but it wasn't all smooth sailing. If you know me on Facebook, you may recall my status on December 1, which read something like: "Eric thinks Elizabeth Zimmermann can take her Seamless Hybrid Sweater and shove it up her ass." That was during a moment of weakness while working the shoulders, and I said I was sorry.

I also like the Shirt Yoke, another option with the Hybrid.

Weaving the shirt yoke stitches together was a little clumsy at first, but once I figured it out, was able to weave the armhole stitches together with better ease. Zimmermann gives great instructions on how to weave in Knitting Without Tears, and the outcome is completely invisible. Thanks to Mary Lou for sewing up the remaining armholes. They look perfect; mine would have been a mess.

I couldn't be more happy with this sweater (alright, it could be 1 inch longer in the body), and consider myself three for three with Elizabeth Zimmermann. Betty, you rock.

The Specs
Pattern: Seamless Hybrid Sweater
Author: Elizabeth Zimmermann
Source: Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: Cestari Traditional Wool Yarn
Colors: Navy and Natural Medium Gray
Needles: U.S. 6 (4 mm) and U.S. 5 (3.75 mm)
Started: October 25, 2008
Finished: December 2, 2008

Modular Tomten Jacket

2008-12-09T20:21:00.005-06:00

Tomten is the small Swedish elf who specializes in good deeds, and your child will resemble him strangely, if you put a Tomten jacket on him or her.
--Elizabeth Zimmermann, Knitting Without Tears

Finally, a few words about my latest finished knitted garment: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Modular Tomten Jacket.

When I saw that Theresa at The Yarnery was wanting a Tomten shop model made with Heritage yarn, I jumped at the opportunity and eagerly volunteered. I had studied the pattern before in both The Opinionated Knitter and Knitting Without Tears, and after finishing EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket last year, I was anxious to start another one of her timeless patterns.

The pattern first appeared in her fall 1961 newsletter as a "Tyrolese garter-stitch jacket" and was reprinted in The Opinionated Knitter (Schoolhouse Press, 2005), a collection of those newsletters from 1958 to 1968. But the little knitted hoodie goes back even further--to around 1940--when she made the first one for her infant son. It was renamed the Modular Tomten Jacket in 1971 when she included the pattern in Knitting Without Tears.

The sweater is fun to make and, in my humble opinion, pure Zimmermann magical genius. Its garter-stitch pattern is worked back and forth, which means nary a purl stitch to knit. Here I am, wearing my newly completed Elizabeth Zimmermann Seamless Hybrid Sweater (blog post forthcoming) while posing next to the completed and displayed Tomten.

My only modification to the pattern was the added garter-stitch button band, which incorporates the EZ buttonholes she includes in Knitting Without Tears. I'm glad I made that addition and am really pleased with how it turned out. I'm also glad I listened to Scooter about keeping the sweater all one color.

We haven't seen the last of the Tomten jacket--I'm currently on the hunt for anyone's leftover Cestari (the yarn used in the Seamless Hybrid Sweater) for my next one, and can't wait to get started.

Thanks again to Debbie for sewing the adorable Norwegian pewter buttons. You can barely see the little trolls in the photo--but they're perfect.

Shop models are displayed for 8 to 12 months, so once it comes home, I'll determine the lucky recipient. Stay tuned!

The Specs
Pattern: Modular Tomten Jacket
Author: Elizabeth Zimmermann
Source: The Opinionated Knitter and Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage
Color: Blue Heather 42
Needles: U.S. 6 (4 mm)
Started: October 18, 2008
Finished: December 2, 2008

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

2008-12-05T12:04:00.006-06:00

"Wait, I bought a what?" Don't you just love a good typo? I wonder what one does with the bonus blade....

(Cross-posted from Sean's Soapbox.)

An eWAC Teaser

2008-12-05T11:01:00.002-06:00

So much to blog about, so little time. Comrades, stay tuned for lots of knitting posts. Seamless Hybrid Sweater and Tomten Jacket, both by Elizabeth Zimmermann, are finished. Also to be photographed and posted are a few more Norwegian baby hats. And holiday knitting is underway: felted slippers and mittens!

The 12 Gays of Christmas

2008-12-03T15:43:00.003-06:00

This one comes courtesy of Dan Savage.

My favorite comment to the Savage post is from W. T. Foxtrot: "Huh, I just gained a Kinsey point watching that."

Prop 8: The Musical

2008-12-03T15:28:00.003-06:00

A star-studded cast turns out for "Prop 8: The Musical."

Thanks for sending, Karen!