Gone. Finished. Done. Good riddance. BUH-BYE, loser.

Oh, happy day. :) Congrats to all my married friends and those who have been waiting for this day. This entire fight proves that endurance, patience and love eventually triumph. #lovewins

Interesting. According to the Pennsic Land Office's records, 2015 will be our 22nd year on E12. That also means it'll be the 24th encampment.

I... wow. Seriously. Just wow. I never in a million years thought that would happen. I think the first year we started out with like 6 people camped up against the East royal's ass (behind the portajohns at the top of Horde Hill). Then we were forced to move over by the barn for a year. And then we ended up on E12 (in the sun, no road access, no fire pit, no kitchen tent, no sign).

Corey​ and Kevin​ remember. Charles​ was there, too. So were Alexandros and Carson. And Celeb​'s been around almost that long, too.

(And damn, that means this will be my 25th Pennsic! Double wow!)

The halcyon days of yore are gone, people. *sigh*

For those who have known me the longest, I have sad news.

Mom is filling in the pool this week. The halcyon days of summer pool parties are officially over.

Goodbye, old friend. I replaced your liner, painted your coping, backwashed your filter, and spent countless hours enjoying the company of friends and family in and around you. I wish we could have had one last fling, but your time has come. Rest in peace.

Thanks, SCOTUS, for being reasonable (well, 5 of you, at least). :)

It's interesting to watch today's decision come down for a few reasons.

First, this is happening exactly as I've always predicted. The next step is for someone to get married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage, then move to another state that doesn't, sue, and watch the 14th amendment kick in and basically decide that every state just legalized marriage equality (it may happen state by state before then, but I doubt it).

Second, since I came out in 1987, I was witness to the shift in activism from the previous LGBT generation. Because of the horrible AIDS crisis that was just coming to fruition politically, my generation was ACT-UP and "we're here, we're queer" and NGLTF and, essentially, a great deal of "mainstreaming" in order to achieve our political goals (which were incredibly prevalent and timely at the time, given people were dying all around us). Contrast that to a lot of the previous 20 years' worth of community activism, which was more about establishing our own unique identity as a community, including doing away with such classically heterosexual institutions like marriage. I mean, get married? Who'd want to do that? Let's create our own families and relationships and to hell with those "normal" people. It was definitely a time of free love, even if it was tinged with a glacially slow change in societal attitudes (the 70's were better than the 50's, just not by much). So the idea of my progenitors celebrating - or even contemplating - marriage equality was, I'm sure, a completely foreign concept (as if it could ever happen in their lifetime anyway, right?). And now watching the last 20-30 years change even more as the next generation is coming out and establishing its own set of priorities, it's pretty interesting to watch indeed. :)

And, lastly, Scalia needs to take a long walk off a short pier. That man is a scumbag.

Pope Francis sort of kind of looks like/reminds me of my dad. WEIRD.

So yesterday the Board of Directors of the SCA, after a months-long debate period, ruled thusly (and unanimously):

"Each competitor in a Royal List must be fighting for a prospective consort of the opposite sex unless the Crown has elected to permit a competitor to fight for a prospective consort of the same sex."

What that means is that two men or two women can now fight to be King and King or Queen and Queen of their kingdom, with the caveat that the currently reigning King and/or Queen has the option to deny them entry to the competition.

This is what we're calling "inspirational equality," as the idea behind it is to have the ability to fight for the one who truly inspires you, regardless of who it might be. It's also not just an LGBT issue - who says a daughter can't fight for their mother, or a brother fight for his brother, if that's who truly inspires them to greatness?

Given this dialogue only seriously started just a couple of years ago (something we queers in Clan Blue Feather had been kidding around about for 20 years), this is a huge first step. Alas, the BoD didn't take a more decisive forward step by leaving that caveat in, but based on what I know of their deliberations, they felt like they hadn't gotten a clear mandate like they'd hoped (they recently did a Society-wide census and although a majority favored equality, there were clearly areas of the map that did not). Given that, they came up with this imperfect (ha!) step. I'm hopeful that it will prove to the nay-sayers that not only is it not a bad thing, but it's actually a very good thing for the SCA, and the Society won't crash and burn because of it. (Similarly, the SCA got better when they made other changes, such as letting women fight, making positive changes for the disabled to access events, etc.; we're supposed to be re-creating the best of the Medieval period, after all.)

So, being all excited, a lot of people started celebrating this victory, even while acknowledging there is still more work to be done (it will definitely be interesting when the first royal couple decides to deny a same-sex couple the right to fight, which will likely end up back in the BoD's lap and we'll have to re-evaluate yet again, but I'm confident equality will win out in the end). And certainly there were those who were opposed to the idea altogether that have rumbled and threatened to boycott any same-sex reign and whatnot. What I found most disappointing, though, were the ones who supported IE but who were also grumbling about it, that it didn't go far enough, that it wasn't really a victory at all, etc. Certainly they had a point, but I felt their timing was kind of shitty.

After getting into a couple of online discussions about it, I wrote this to a friend on LJ:

"... I'm more concerned that [so many people] were so quick to jump on the news as bad rather than good. Not only did it feel like my feelings were being shit on, but [also on] all those who were taking a moment to celebrate the progress before buckling down for the next wave of work to be done (not saying you or anyone did it intentionally, that's just what came through my filters). It also kind of struck me that the first person I saw post about it was Master Guiseppe (joeguppy), who has not only worked hard for this change (as in personally in touch with members of the BoD discussing the matter passionately), but is also the husband and co-Baron of the first same-sex baronial pair in SCA history (along with Master Giles). When a whole bunch of people come down quite vocally and basically say, 'Stop celebrating, this isn't a win at all!', it read to me like a backhanded slap to [them]. ([They] didn't take any of it that way, but I did.)"

I'm more than willing to admit that some of this also stems from other things going on of late (as in several people, friends and strangers alike, both disrespecting me and feeling free to shit all over my feelings), but the whole idea of one group of people telling another group of people that they were wrong for feeling so happy about what they saw as positive change just struck a nerve. Then again, maybe I'm just a cranky old man... MAYBE. :P

Regardless, I, personally, am quite pleased with this step, and I realize there are more steps to take to make the SCA a better place for all those involved. Onward! :)

Who remembers when Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets came 3 to a pack wrapped in wax paper? Or that infamous repeating phrase, "WATCH THE TRAM CAR, PLEASE?" Or clickers that actually clicked? :)

I CAN HAZ KILT! w00t.

This... I don't... what the... OMG...

Elderly Woman's Hilarious Failed Attempt At Restoring A 19th Century Fresco In Borja, Spain



(Yes, this actually happened.)

Um, hello? PENNSIC, of course. :) I go for the people and the chance to relax and, quite literally, get away from it all (although that's harder and harder to do every year with the advent of such portable modern conveniences like smart phones and such). It's my annual battery recharge. :)

Oh, and I don't think I'd live there permanently, but I would love to someday have a permanent structure there rather than having to set up a tent every time. If I had that and other people were interested, I'd vacation there more often than once a year.

Have you ever actually looked at the money in your pocket?

When I was a kid I got and filled up a couple of coin collecting books - one for pennies, one for dimes, and one for nickels. I think I actually completed the book except for a couple of the really hard-to-find dimes.

I seem to accumulate a lot of change over time (mostly because of my murse - it builds up), and every once in a while I pull out a handful and look at them.

The pennies particularly strike me. The newer ones have the shield back rather than the Lincoln Memorial. The ones before 1983(ish) were of the old metal blend before they changed over to the cheaper, shinier mix. (HINT: If you ever get a pressed penny at an attraction or amusement park, make sure to use one of those older, duller pennies - the impression is drastically better.) Every once in a while I hit one of those "ONE CENT" reverses (I keep those). And the dates! Just now I ran across a penny from 1941. That's almost as old as my mother, yet it's in good condition (for a circulated coin) - you can read the date and the details clearly. Where this coin must have gone over the years! I can only imagine.

I also check out the quarters. For a while I was collecting the state quarters, but have no idea where my collection is on that. I also keep a look out for the 1976 bicentennial quarters, which were a big deal at the time (this was all before they started mixing up coinage and bills in the 90's and 00's to keep things interesting). I keep those, too.

I also really love the dollar coins. I always try to remember to get a whole bunch before Pennsic because they're fun to toss into the buskers' bowls along the road to the food court - you're giving them something substantial, and it looks pretty sitting there in the sunlight. (Besides, no one had bills in the Medieval period.) I definitely like the presidential series, but I admire the Sacagawea coins, too. I wasn't as hip on the Susan B.'s, only because they were also silver. (Canadian twoonies are neat - a gold center in a silver ring! Those are pretty.) Before that, my friend Carson used to live in NYC and he'd go to the depository and get a sack full of the Eisenhower dollars - those were HUGE, and he loved using them at Pennsic.

Sometimes I'll run across a JFK half dollar, which I'll also keep. My mother has a few liberty head dimes and really old nickels, too.

Anyway, was just musing. Carry on. :)

Happy First Contact Day, and happy anniversary to the Medians - 27 years of Fine Oriental Cookware and Quality Ball Bearings! "We're Fucking YOU Now!" :D

I'd be satisfied with Delaware, Illinois, Nevada, California, Maine or Wyoming. Rhode Island would make a cool name, too. I don't think any of them really suit me, though.

The NAMES Project Quilt was on campus this week. Always sobering. Some of these people were so fucking young...





( More photosCollapse )

3+ hours for rides at Walt Disney World in the 70's and 80's. In my day we didn't have FastPass! :P

Went from Computer Engineering to Computer Music to Music Education, and if I go back it would probably be for Communications.

I use none of these things in my career (well, occasionally I'm forced to communicate with someone, but otherwise...); that wellspring started from a single typing class in high school (my fastest speed was 123 wpm).

Comedian Alan Sues of "Laugh-In" fame dies at 85.

Sad to see such an icon leave us, but happy he lived to a ripe old age. I think back to the fabulously campy TV personalities from when I was a wee gay boi - Paul Lynde, Charles Nelson Reilly, John Inman, hell, even Jim J. Bullock. They paved the way for a ton of acceptance, even if they weren't out during their careers (I mean, everybody *knew* - you could tell they were laughing with us, not at us). Later actors like David Hyde Pierce and Sean Hayes and Nathan Lane and Scott Thompson all owe them a debt of gratitude (and inspiration, I'm sure). Fey and sissy, I love and remember them.

Edited to add: Oh, hell, just saw that Harry Morgan died, too. Blah. Not gay, but still a memorable actor.

The Medians, and anything by Earl Grey Slurpee.

"I'm gonna slap the shit out of you, then slap you for shittin'..."

Several:

* One Step From Earth, by Harry Harrison - a collection of short stories that document the discovery and future use of B-space, which is used to create doorways between distances; literally, everywhere in the universe becomes one step from earth. A very interesting collection that explores different facets of how society would adapt to such a discovery.

* "The Incarnations of Immortality" series, by Piers Anthony - I go back and re-read the entire series every few years, because I enjoy the interwoven storylines, and the concepts put forward in that particular universe.

* All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum - Always an amusing read. This book made me decide that my last career will be as a UU minister.

It's been so long since I sat down and read a book (at least when not flying on a plane) I think it's time I went through my library (most of which is still in storage in San Diego, alas) and thought about what other ones mean a lot to me.

(It also does not help that I now work in a library and end up buying a box full every year at the book sale.)

"Your mother's always right."

Totally missed the 14th, which was the anniversary of Stuart's death, but maybe that's a good thing - better to remember his inherent awesomeness than that day.

I've been thinking about Stuart a lot lately, mostly because my life situation has changed and I'm hoping to be able to make it back to San Diego soon. I realize he was starting preparations to leave it, but IIRC he said he'd stayed there the longest out of all of his travels in his life, so I think that says something about the place.

It'll be sad going back knowing I won't have him as a friend to rely on (and have missed being able to call him and get his advice on my own woes). Still, the friends I have there all remember him, so we'll have lots to reminisce about. I'm certainly going to continue to ask his all-purpose greeting, "What's your damage, Heather?" :)

Miss you lots, you bastard.

Just got back from Mom's to the big news. Lots to process, but I guess I'm glad at least that part of the war is over. What happens next will be just as important.

If Moses had the internet, the Exodus would have looked just a wee bit different (and it would have been HILARIOUS)...

As Jim reminded me, it was 26 years ago today that he and Rick met Steve, Carl, Myke and Dave at Waldenbooks. Hilarity ensued. Happy anniversary to us wacky Medians! "We're fucking you now!" See you at Christmas (I'll bring the warm Valvoline and dolphin nuggets this year).

Forgot to wear orange today. Maybe I'll wear something out to the Mexican restaurant tonight.

I'd laugh at them, probably. I had no regular tormentors, but the few people who I can recall being mean to me turned out pretty pathetically, and I'm far better off as a person than they are. What happened then made me who I am today, and it's far enough in the past that it's irrelevant to me today.

I love hearing stories about bullies finding their prey on Facebook now that they're all grown up. One of two things seems to happen - they either apologize for their behavior way back then (which is usually met with shock, silence, and/or disdain), or they have no clue how horrible and scarring their behavior was and act like just the fact that they were classmates/friends/neighbors way back when is enough to warrant being BFFs online (which is usually met with shock, silence, and/or anger). Either way, what's the point? Move on, folks, move on, and leave those you were cruel to be unless and until they contact you first.

How amazing it must have to been to have been there!

How often do you get to see this outside your office window?



One of the things I will miss once we finally get out of here.

Torn on the costuming front - do I go for a full re-creation of a classic Hollywood costume, or do I tweak it to suit my tastes as many have done over the years? I've already been forced to make a few adjustments due to materials at hand and lack of knowledge and time, but it's still coming together pretty close to what I originally envisioned.

And of all things, it comes down to the boots. I'm such a costumer.

Jeez, what got me thinking about my friends back in my early college days? Peter and Brian (and Joe), Gordon, Sean, Bill Biskup, Ken... I only keep in touch with a few folks from way back when, but these few I've lost touch with completely. Looks like a Facebook search is on! :)

Spent the day Friday touring some of the monuments. Did a loop of the White House, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, WWI Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and one I'd never seen before, 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial, which I rather liked (I'll post pictures later). It was about 4-5 hours of walking, so we were bushed by the time we were done, but I still had a 3-hour drive up to Mom's.

Saturday was doing stuff around the house, and then helping my sister move a couch. Afterwards we took Mom to Applebee's for dinner.

Today we got up a little earlier and went to Generations (nee The Little Inn) in Media for brunch with defenestr8or and buddykat, which was wholly pleasant - both the food and the company were beyond satisfying. We zipped home, grabbed the cats, and made it home so Q could get to work.

One bit of unfortunate news - found out last week that Gaylaxicon in Montreal has been cancelled this year. Disappointing for boywhocantsayno and his team, no doubt, but on the plus side the bid from Atlanta for 2011 has been approved, so we'll just see them 6 months later. And fandom chugs along... :)

Office was around 88 this morning, but it looks like the A/C *finally* kicked in as it's down to 85.3 right now. Turns out we weren't on the waiting list - the chiller broke, but no one bothered to tell us until we pestered them about it. Took 'em long enough. Now I'm warned the building will be freezing for the rest of the summer. Lovely. Also, the pollen has been outrageous in this heatwave - my truck looked like it had a yellow paint job overnight.

Anyway, lots to do today, DC tomorrow, Mom's for the weekend, and brunch with the Medians on Sunday. w00t!

Just when I think I'm out, THEY PULL ME BACK IN.

In other news, I have requested a copy of my father's service record. I'm hoping to find out what, exactly, his role was in the liberation of the concentration camps, and maybe do a little research at the Holocaust Museum. We also have a lot of stuff he brought back from Germany after the war that I'd like to catalog and donate to them as well (or possibly the Philadelphia Jewish history museum).

filmbuff reminded us that today is Fay Wray's birthday. Gosh, whatever happened to her?

You will be missed.

The week with Q's brother and his fiance visiting has been going quite well.

( Read more...Collapse )

Happy Stonewall Anniversary!

40 years ago a bunch of disenfranchised drag queens, hustlers and faggots stood up, fought back and said, "No more!" I owe the fact that I can live my life openly and honestly in this country to these people, and I will always be thankful for them.

THANK YOU!

Now everyone go out and do something fabulously gay today. :)

Irish, smirish...

I'm Scottish!

GIP as well. BASTARDS!

Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate with you. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given.

akirashima gave me these, uh, interesting choices:

1. Disney
   
2. Colourful flames
   
3. poddlings
   
4. Cows
   
5. Arc Wielding

( Cut for WTF-nessCollapse )

We don't do a manger scene ourselves, but my parents used to, and now I would like to know why we did not continue the tradition of the caganer. I, for one, am outraged.

For some reason while driving to lunch today I was trying to come up with different ways people cheer, or just shout general exclamations. For example:

• Boring white folks like me say, "Hooray!", "Yippee!" or "Yahoo!"
  
• Shakespeare would have said, "Huzzah!"
  
• SCAdians from the East say, "Vivat!"
  
• pinkvinylangel taught me, "Opa!" (and he's ever so cute when he does it)
  
• Those in the Army, Marines or Navy might say, respectively, "Hooah!", "Oorah!" or "Hooyah!"
  
• Jews would say (at least under certain circumstances), "Mazeltov!" (I know that's more "congratulations")
  
• Some Chinese friends of mine say, "Aiyah," but I think that's more of a term of frustration or shock
  
• adventdragon taught me the Filipino expression, "Ay nako!" which is also sort of exasperation or surprise

So what am I missing?

Yahoo is reporting that AP's talley says Obama's clinched it, but they're the only ones so far (CNN says he's closing in). And with previous reports of Clinton being open to veepness...

Wow. :)

Link surfing on Wikipedia is fun. :)

On this day in history...

( I'm so curious!Collapse )