LOST IN THE WOODS

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:59:00 +0000

I play the organ at a church here in town. This is a little bit of a tricky situation for me sometimes, but the money is handy and I love to play for others. The tricky part is that there is a fairly strong contingent of evangelical true believers alongside more traditional mainline protestant believers. I'm gay, and an agnostic, to boot. It wouldn't be an issue if I weren't so highly visible to the congregation. Most of the church is aware that I'm gay, but they don't say anything. They like the music, and as long as no one actually says the word "gay", they can ignore it. It's actually a pretty safe assumption that any male church organist is gay.

It's a little more complex that I'm agnostic. At this point in my life, I simply choose neither to believe or disbelieve in a personal deity. I think Jesus is terrific, but I don't assume he's god just because of all the miracle stories. It's just not wise to build a belief structure around events that can't be rationally explained. I've experienced some wonderful and uncanny events, but that doesn't make me god. I choose to relate to the mystery of creation, and the love that energizes the universe, but I don't clutter it up with all the dogma.

Recently I heard that a woman in the congregation tragically lost her sister to cancer. To make it worse, I was told that the person with whom she was living had not told the family, and had her cremated and confiscated her possessions. No one had any idea why this person would do such a thing. This really puzzled me, since these situations rarely occur in a vacuum.

I was asked to play for the memorial service. It was a lovely service, as family members spoke movingly of this young woman. As she had been in her thirties, I waited to hear from any significant relationships outside the family. It seemed like she had a full family life when she growing up, and she had a full work life. But there was no hint of a personal life.

Then, at the end of the service, they showed a video montage of scenes from her life. As I watched, I became more and more sure of what was being covered up. I also thought of why the person with whom she was staying might have a grudge against the family. Two options occurred to me; either the family are really good at covering their tracks, or they are in complete denial that their daughter was a lesbian.

This young woman had to keep her family in the dark. She died of cancer and didn't feel able to communicate with them, and the family claims to have no idea why.

I thought about saying something, but then I realized my own family situation. My brother hasn't talked to my mother for years because she won't stop talking about the awful things (awful to her) that gay men do to each other. She wouldn't ask and he wouldn't tell, but she continually made remarks about it. Finally he just disappeared. I'm continually torn between his need for privacy and my need for him.

I think a lot of church people operate under a version of the "don't ask, don't tell" rule, even the ones that think they're gay friendly. It would be easy to say that we just have to speak up, but I wonder if that's wise in every situation. My mother is mentally ill and in her seventies. I can't see what good it would do to come out to her.

Here's a sample of the kind of thing I do on Sunday. If pipe organ music drives you crazy, don't listen to the clip.

You've been warned!

Be loved,

DEL

All About Rabbits

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:24:00 +0000

I didn't get a photo, but my room mate was cuddling her rabbit, when Ghira(delli), her chocolate Labrador Retriever, decided to give Bun-Bun a bath.

Bun-Bun is sort of a special needs bunny. He's seven years old, which is pretty old in human time, and his back legs don't really work any more. So taking care of him is a little bit of a handful sometimes. He requires regular attention.

Rabbits are amazing, but one has to get to know them, before they reveal their secrets.

For instance: Rabbits suffer from heat stroke, because they sweat from the bottom of their paws. So we keep a couple of water bottles in the freezer and swap them out in Bun-Bun's house. This way he can keep cool in the hot summer months.

Rabbits love to jump up in the air and do a twist when they are happy. Since Bun-Bun isn't very mobile any more, here's a video from you tube of a bunny doing it's happy dance. They also purr when they are being snuggled. Enjoy.

Be loved,

Del

NO GLAMOUR HERE

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:51:00 +0000

Back in January, the dentist took a look at my teeth, and the first thing he said was, "I recommend dentures".
So, being who I am and all, I decided to put it off until September, when "the eagle flies", as they say.
It was therefore entirely predictable that, sometime before September, I would have unexpected and massive dental trouble (this, coming right on the heels of massive and unexpected blood sugar trouble. more on that later...).
Suffice it to say that the good Dentist was really good. What that means is he gave me painkillers until the pain went away. That was on Friday, and now on Monday I still have numbness in my jaw.

No worries, all is good. I'm feeling no pain.

Be loved,

Daniel

Hi Everyone

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:45:00 +0000

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

I'll be posting soon.

Love,

Daniel

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:45:00 +0000

WIKILEAKS-TERROR ORGANIZATION?

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:27:00 +0000

In the midst of all the outrage, has anyone noticed how skillfully attention has been removed from the contents of these low level diplomatic memos?

All Assange has done is draw attention to the somewhat sleazy gossip of the diplomatic corps. Never before has treason law been used to punish a whistle blower, which after all, is all that Assange is. There is no evidence that his actions have cost lives, certainly not compared to the mountainous lies of Bush, Cheney, et al.

I never heard the politicos shrieking in outrage when U.S. troops were videotaped double clicking wounded civilians, an outright violation of international law and U.S. military policy. I never heard much anguish when the pervasive culture of torture and degradation was revealed at Abu Graib et al.

Someone made an excellent point to me the other day. If a family group is sitting around the table and one of the children decides to inform the family that he or she has been molested by Uncle Bob for the last five years, with whom do you think everyone will be angry? The child, of course.

Shoot the messenger...it's a time honored strategy.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Be Loved,

DELDEL

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:09:00 +0000

TECH SUPPORT

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:29:00 +0000

The following is a series of letters between myself and the technical wizards who work in the basement offices of the Telegraph, Limited. The Telegraph publishes a blog I occasionally read.

Me- June 25th 2010

Dear Sirs,

I am not able to log in to comment on the Stephen Hough blog. I never receive the confirmation link in my e mail, I am also not able to create a new log in account for the same reason.

Awaiting your response,

Klem Kadiddlehoffer
********

Them-

July 3rd

Dear Mr XXXXXXX,

Thank you for your email to the Telegraph Media Group.

Further to your enquiry to enable you to post comments on Telegraph.co.uk, please log in, click on your name at the top of the screen. This will take you to your profile page, where you can amend your details, choose newsletters etc.

Under the heading of “Other services you might be interested in” please select My Telegraph. Choose a screenname and you should now be able to post your comments on the website.

There are also a few things to do with the way your computer is set up that it is worth checking if you are having difficulty commenting. The Telegraph no longer supports Internet Explorer 6 and we have found intermittent problems with commenting when using this browser. You can download a more recent version of Internet Explorer here.If you’re not sure which version of Internet Explorer you are using, click on “Help” in the menu across the top of your screen. Then click on “About Internet Explorer”.

You also need to have Javscript installed on your machine in order to see comments. You can check this by clicking here.

If this still does not work, please check that your browser is not blocking cookies, to do this whilst using Internet Explorer, open an Internet Explorer window and click on "Tools" and then "Internet Options". Under the "Privacy" tab make sure slider is set to "Medium".

If you are still unable to comment, please let us know and we shall investigate this further.

With kind regards
Customer Services
Telegraph Media Group

Me-
Later in the day, July 3rd

To whomever might eventually read this e mail;

Thank you for the kind form letter. I assume that it was a form letter because the problem is not that I cannot comment. It's true that I can't comment, but I if I was able to log on in the first place, I am sure that I would be able to comment. It was probably all my fault for using unclear language. Please allow me to lay out the problem for you in a more comprehensive manner.

I attempt to log in, and I am not allowed. I click the reset password button. I wait for the e mail with the magic link to arrive. It never arrives. I cannot log in. I sit disconsolate, until an idea occurs to me. I now try to re-register, attempting to create a new account. I am assured that I will receive a magic e-mail allowing me to confirm this wonderful new account. Alas, this e mail, too, never arrives. Just in case a question has occurred to you, yes, I am entering my correct e mail address. I have Javascript installed, and use the most recent version of Mozilla Firefox. My computer also has Internet Explorer 7 installed. My browser does not block cookies. Incidentally every time I try to log in or create a new account I am entering the same information.

Gentlemen and/or ladies, the problem is not commenting. In an attempt to eliminate ambiguity from my communication with you, let me confirm to you that the problem is that I am not able to log in. Once upon a time I could log in easily. When the (Stephen Hough) blog went to the new format, I ceased being able to log in. I implore you to set your keenest and most alert minds to help me with my problem, which is that I am not able to log in.

Sincerely,

LeadBelly Jones

Them-
July 5th

Dear Mr Jelly Roll Morton,

Thank you for your email to the Telegraph Media Group. Please accept our apologies that your enquiry was misunderstood. Please could you forward your email and password used for logging onto the Telegraph website and we shall investigate this further.

With kind regards

Customer Services

Telegraph Media Group

Me-

I think this will be fun

Be Loved,

DELDELL

Of Indigo Girls, Ethiopian Cuisine, and Whatever...

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:42:00 +0000

The old flour mill was built on the Spokane River in 1895, where it spread pollution and killed fish until the 1970's, when it closed. When the World's Fair came to town in 1974 (the last big thing to happen here), they declared it a national heritage site and renovated it, turning it into shops and eateries.

Indigo Girls rock. I just thought you should know that.

Jeff, Andrea (my favorite lesbian), and I went to eat Ethiopian tonight at the old flour mill, which is now a semi-upscale shopping center. The problem is that everything closes at six p.m. here. I can understand it in the winter, as it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon. Everyone just hibernates in the winter. Then one day in April or May, everyone wakes up, dumps their partner that they spent the winter with, and goes on a bender until they get their new partner. They then stick with the new one until next spring. It's a fun week or two at the bars, though. There are hardly any bears in Spokane, though. They all moved to Seattle, and they all seem to be drag-bears, into glitter and lots of mascara. I was looking forward to hairy lumberjacks in flannel shirts and jeans, but alas, very few to be found in this neck of the woods.

The Ethiopian food was fun. It's served on a bread plate, and you tear off chunks of bread and scoop up the food.It's almost all outrageously hot. The bread dough is fermented, and so it's a little like sourdough, and a little like soda bread, but flat like naan, or tortillas.

We ate and ate, and had Ethiopian coffee with cardamom afterward, and laughed a lot. I've been in the middle of a huge EEO complaint on campus, which is still going on, and it's been wearing on me for quite some time. The constant pressure, and the surveillance. I don't want to be tantalizing, but I can't say anything specific. I'm hoping it's safe to come back. If not, I may just start another blog, on the down low.

****************************************************************
So is he real, or is he photo-shopped?

Le sigh...

Be Loved,

DEL

Jay Brannan

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:33:00 +0000

***************

You should download Jay Brannan's new christmas song here

In new news, I just got offered a job at the school library. It's a small cut in hours, but I can walk to work every day. I applied and they didn't even ask me to interview. I don't know what to think about that, but I hate interviewing so bad that I don't really care. I kind of hit on the guy that I handed in my application to. I think they're hiring me in spite of that. Or not. I don't know, but I'd give head to all of them just to get away from the big box where I've been working for several years now. Maybe it was the desperation that they sensed, that and my general sluttiness. I ping back and forth between the virgin Mary and Mary the slut bunny that works down on Sprague Avenue. But, I figure even with the cut in hours, with the church organ job I'll get by, and I'll have more time to spend on research.

Which nicely segues into my next topic...

I'm about halfway through the candidacy process, which is where they tell you if you get to write a dissertation or not. You get to write a paper for publication, and then they get to pick it apart as much as they want, and then you get to go back and write it again and again and again, and each time they tear it to shreds. Fun, huh? But it'll be cool when it's done.

*************************************************************
Just because it's the right thing to do...

Be Loved,

DEL

Gay Uganda

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:24:00 +0000

GayUganda

Be Loved,

DEL

GRUMPY (MURDEROUS) OLD MEN... AND A LESBIAN BISHOP

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:04:00 +0000

Lesbians watching porn...

Ohmygod, I just read that (many) lesbians like gay male porn. Of course, I applaud their discernment, if that's really the case. I mean, I find gay male porn compelling and exciting viewing. Well, I'm going to have to ask all my lesbian friends about this.

On a totally unrelated front, the faintly ridiculous Archbishop of Canterbury has released the news that he is in ultra-private talks with the Anglican church of Uganda, which officially supports the passage of a new bill which mandates the execution of homosexuals. The Archbishop has been trying to placate conservative Anglicans for some time now. The conservatives, mostly in Africa and the U.S., are opposed to women and gays having full standing in the church.

Here he is, looking silly. This man needs some serious eyebrow work.

Totally apart from the ironic idiocy of announcing that one is in super secret talks (I'm talking to you-know-who, but don't tell anyone, it's a secret!), the Archbishop says that personally he is all for gays and women ministering in the church, but in the interests of unity, we should stay in the closet, to make the troglodytes who want to murder gays happy. Because, you know, it's more important to keep the church together than to save lives. I've lived in families like that. They're called dysfunctional. Can you say that?

Meanwhile, the Anglicans in Los Angeles nominated, not one, but two lesbians to becomes Bishop.

Within 12 hours the Archbishop released a public statement to the effect that he hopes that neither of the two lesbians gets to be Bishop of Los Angeles.

He's now basically in the position that, no matter what he says, everyone will do the opposite. If he speaks out against the murderous anti-gay law in Uganda, it will only make it more likely to pass. If he speaks out against the lesbian candidates for Bishop, everyone will just vote for them anyhow. By trying to please everyone, he has become irrelevant to events.

Ironic...

But it does strike me that the church is willfully passing up a golden opportunity here. People everywhere are obviously dissatisfied with mindless consumerism and the destructive capitalism that fuels it. The church could easily position itself as a force for unselfish love and service to the world and it's people. The church could easily position itself as the champion of the dispossessed and disadvantaged by embracing gays and women into leadership. Instead, it looks more like a club run by angry old men who are more interested in peering under people's bed sheets to see who's doing whom.

Did you touch that man's pee-pee? Confess!!!!!

PRESENTING THE NEW BISHOP

Here she is, the Most Right Reverend Mary Glasspool, the Bishop Elect of Los Angeles. Doesn't she look nice?

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A few random candidates for the Bishopric....

Anyone up for a hot, sweaty romp?

Be Loved,

DEL

CHRISTIAN SIDE HUGS

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:57:00 +0000

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This is so bizaare. Or is it bizzare? or maybe bazaar...

I wonder if they even know what a rough rider is.

What the heck. Go find someone and give them a christian side hug today. Preferably a stranger that you accost on the street. Or just give them a friendly chest bump.

Gay chest bump...

Be Loved,

DEL

THE FUGITIVE KIND...

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Swiss arrest Polanski on US request in sex case

Because God knows we don't have enough to do.

Things to know...

The woman he did it to was a few weeks short of the legal age of consent in California at that time. She now wants the case dropped, accusing the LA District Attorney's office of a witch hunt.

The District Attorney unlawfully and unethically colluded with a corrupt judge. Both were out for publicity.

Polanski realized that what he did was wrong. He was told he would get a moderate sentence, and agreed. Instead, he discovered that the judge was planning to make a public spectacle of him, to put him away for a long, long time. Like any normal person with opportunity, he fled the country, a move that the DA later said was understandable. He has lived in exile since that time.

Polanski has tried to deal with the LA District Attorney's office on this matter, but the DA basically insists on unconditional surrender, evidently still going for the headlines.

Evidently, Switzerland is now our Bitch, and will do anything we ask. Shame on them.

It's good to know that the U.S. government is hounds 76 year old miscreants all over the globe, prosecuting 35 year old cases that even the victims want dropped, and invading people's privacy in foreign countries, while unimportant things like world hunger and genocide sit on the back burner.

Maybe if we create a media circus around Roman Polanski's worn out case we won't think about things like Obama's (NO)Change presidency, or the unwinnable war in Afghanistan.

Because we haven't arrested Bin Laden yet or Robert Mugabe, have we? And what about President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan?

But those guys are only murderers. If they had unloaded sperm on their victims instead, we would be all over their cases. Because, you know, we're really really righteous.

No pics today. I'll upload some later this evening. Right now I'm so mad I'm going to take a nap.

Be Loved,

DEL

Barack Obama...the total package

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:17:00 +0000

Barack Obama has the total "Package" - watch more funny videos

Couperin, Scott Ross, Cellulitis and Speedos(Take Your Pick)

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 04:49:00 +0000

***

Scott Ross, 1951-1989 The piece is Mysterious Barricades. No one is sure what the title means. I think the composer, Francois Couperin, was being deliberately enigmatic, just for fun. It's considered remarkable, because there's never a full cadence, all the way through the piece. However, none of that explains the sense of serenity and completeness that steals over me when I listen to this sublime music, played by an artist of such integrity as Scott Ross, who died in 1989 0f AIDS related complications.

I've been away so long, I don't know what to say, except Hi. I've had a few things going on up here. I got a nasty Cellulitis, which almost got into my blood stream. I've been in the emergency room three times in the last month.
It didn't help that my blood sugar is a little high. The infection had almost reached my knee, which is the point where the infection enters the blood stream, which then becomes a really big deal. My leg was swollen up about three times the size of the other leg, and a deep dark angry red, all over. Of course, I waited way too long to go to the doctor, because I'm a hero, right? Well, now my right lower leg is significantly smaller than my left leg, 'cuz the little bacterias just ate some of it. I guess I'm going to have to face reality and give up my dreams of winning that speedo contest I had my heart set on.
I also have a non-venous(which means it's not in the vein)blood clot, and my right knee is kind of torn up. Kid stuff.
The good news is I have no insurance. The hospital is working with me, though. I'm still supposed to be lying in bed with heating pads wrapped around my leg. I'm not sure what that means for my two jobs and full time schedule at school. But I still have my leg.
But when I listen to music like Scott Ross is playing in the clip, I just don't care about all that stuff any more. I'm determined I'm getting through this program, and I'm determined I'm going to make music.
And (striking a dramatic pose), As Gawd is mah witness, I will never go hungry agayun!

Cue the violins!

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Speaking of Speedo competitions....

Fun down at the swimming hole...

What's a little bondage between friends?

I dunno, I think I'm including this because he just looks so natural...

Treasure trail!...

You can just never be too rich or too thin...or too butch, either.

Be loved,

DEL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:44:00 +0000

It's official, I'm 5X years old today. Surely someone out there is looking for a father figure, even if it's another father figure.

I now drink more tea than coffee.

I don't knit, and never have, and I have a deep suspicion that I never will.

I've gone from being a cowboy/horsetrainer to being a musician/music teacher to being a preacher to being a desert hermit to being a crusty old academic type, all in one lifetime.

I'm getting read to stand for PhD candidacy at the school which I attend.

I miss my brother, who I haven't spoken with in years.

I am an Amazon junkie. I have 4 wish lists, one of which has over 8 pages of wishes on it. I have one wish list for Mostly Gay Film, one for Music, one for Philosophy and Science, and one for Mostly Queer Books. This fairly neatly sums up my life at this point in time.

On the whole, life is good.

Thanks you all for coming by. Even though I don't blog nearly as much as I'd like, I'm thankful for every one of you that comes by. The relationships that I've formed by blogging matter a great deal to me.

Be Loved,

DEL

I WILL SURVIVE

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:57:00 +0000

This says so much about me...

Oh, and can you believe the gall of the redneck cops in Fort Worth, trying to tell the world that they had to beat up the fag, because, "he groped me while I was arresting him". Here's a FaceBook page, if you want to find out more.

Be Loved,

DEL

STONEWALL

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Police raid Texas gay bar on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots

More than 100 protesters held a demonstration on Sunday evening after a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas, was raided on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

Chanting "No more", the group stood on the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse to demand an investigation into the incident.

According to various accounts, police entered the Rainbow Lounge on Jennings Avenue and arrested seven people. It is thought that one of those arrested is in hospital with a fractured skull.

Todd Camp, a former Star-Telegram critic who was celebrating his birthday at the bar, said: "This looked like random harassment, plain and simple. It’s sad that in this day and age, on the anniversary of one of the most important days in gay rights history that the Fort Worth and State police would choose to attack gays in such an aggressive and unjustified manner."

Chris Hightower, a friend of the injured patron, told the Star-Telegram excessive force was used on the man, saying he had simply been going to use the bathroom.

A police statement said the bar was one of a number raided in the area. It added that two patrons were arrested for public intoxication after making sexually explicit movements towards officers, while a third was arrested for grabbing an officer's crotch.

The statement also said that the bars were raided as part of 'alcohol beverage code inspections' and that the allegations of violence by officers would be investigated.

Several patrons claimed the police had never been assaulted and that no one had been acting in an aggressive manner towards officers.

The Stonewall riots have been heralded as the unofficial birthplace of the gay rights movement. On June 27th 1969, patrons who were used to being targeted by police decided to resist, sparking riots which lasted for several days.

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You know, I've never been in a raid on a straight bar. It seems like it's only gay bars that have all these alcohol problems. Hmmmm...

Maybe they didn't make their payments on time.

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Hanging out...

Vatos in the 'hood...

Hiding a boner...

One more beer and they'll be fondling each other...

I just don't know what to make of this...

No words needed here...

Be Loved,

DEL

SUSHI

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:15:00 +0000

Sad about Michael Jackson's death. I personally don't think he was nearly as weird as people made him out to be, and I never thought he molested those kids. But he was a little crazy. He had to be, to be preparing for a world tour at age 50. People that age just don't do those kind of moves without medical help. But he put together a lot of good music in his life. That's more of a contribution than a lot of people get to make.

But the real news is that I learned a vital new health strategy.

The Law of Sushi...

Even if it's cooked "Krab" meat, if it smells the least bit fishy, run, don't walk to the nearest trash can, and toss it.

I had all kinds of a bad time with some sushi the other day. I got it at Fred Meyers, a huge WalMart type supermarket here in Spokane, where I often stop on the way home from work. The sushi is usually fresh. A sushi guy comes in and makes it twice a day, and they keep it just above freezing temperature. I noticed as I opened it up that all the raw fish smelled just fine, but the cooked whitefish smelled fishy.

Well, I wound up not eating for 24 hours (because of you know what), and staying in bed for most of that time with chills and fever.

Very bad news.

But all better now...after having lost about 15 pounds (due to you know what).

So hurray!

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Pics.....

We're talking massive cruising here...

Have fun at the beach!

Be Loved,

Del

SUMMER VACATION, AFTER ALL

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Well, it looks like I'm going to have considerably more time to write this summer. Yesterday afternoon I received a letter in the mail stating that my loaning body just wasn't going to be able to shoot me that loan they had promised. It seems that summer loans are based on credit, and mine (Credit) is in the toilet. It's just as well, as I have plenty to do anyway. I can catch up on my readings for my dissertation, and there are two classes I took earlier that I want to audit this summer. Only difficulty is I was counting on that loan to come through, and my bank account is perilously depleted. Oh well, all will be well.

I may also have time to force myself to come out of hiding and get out and meet people. It was all too easy with Achmed just down the hall, always ready for fun. the one thing about it was always having to be undercover. I swear the walls have ears here. Not only that, but ALL middle easterners know each other, AND know everybody's family back home. Other than that middle eastern culture is like a one billion member dysfunctional family, they're all really great. And some are more great than others.

Since I obviously won't be busy enough, I'm thinking of putting together a musical program to sort of introduce myself to the university music crowd. Maybe I can pick up a job as an adjunct faculty at one of the community colleges around here. You know, at some point, I'm going to have to get a real job so I can pay back these gigantic loans I'm racking up.

Ah well, it's Friday night and the laundry is calling. God forbid I should, you know, go out or something. I think it's happy hour somewhere.

Ciao bebés (I know it's affected, I just don't give a damn),

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The one who always jokes about it is the one who's always thinking about it...

Oh wait, you missed something there...

Oh baby, oh baby, just a little harder...

Putting his best foot forward...

Just buds, just chillin..

Be Loved,

DEL

A CAUTIOUS RE-ENTRY

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:57:00 +0000

I'm just writing a note to say hi to everyone. I've taken a huge break from blogging, as many of you have no doubt noticed. Thanks to those of you who've checked in on me from time to time, letting me know of your interest.

THE STATE OF THE UNION IN BRIEF.....
I've gained back most of the weight I lost last year.
Achmed has gone back to Jordan. I get a little lonesome for him sometimes.
I'm almost halfway through the doctoral program, and I'm not completely burnt out yet.
I've missed my blogging friends.

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What I'd rather be doing right now...

Be Loved,

DEL

DEEP THOUGHTS...

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:59:00 +0000

Nice....

Be Loved,

DEL

THE INTERFAITH DIALOGUE POST

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:41:00 +0000

**
Tonight I went with Achmed to an interfaith dialogue meeting at the local Church of Unity. He wanted to go to represent his mosque, and I wanted to go to be with him.

We got there, and it was all the usual blather. The discussion questions were about "What brings you joy?", and Twinkie stuff like that. I kept on feeling as though I just didn't belong there. I can't make myself really care about the metaphysical claims of religious faith anymore. It felt like a tupperware party, except we were trying out religions instead of cookware.

Afterward, we were sitting around with one of his mosque buddies, eating snacks from the buffet and some some horrid little man sat down and asked Achmed which Koran they read from at his mosque, the good Koran or the evil one. Then his wife started in and literally wouldn't stop talking about how deeply pained the Jews were about killing all those Palestinian women and children in Gaza, but it was all Hamas' fault, and how they (the husband and wife team) were here to keep these things from being swept under the rug (being an open accusation that since we didn't agree with her, we were trying to sweep the "truth" under the rug), and yada yada yada yada....
her truth seemed to be that Christians and Jews are good, and Islamics are bad, and why can't you Muslims quit making us blow you up?

And I lost it pretty bad. Achmed had to get me out of there. I'm starting to think I have an anger problem.

I'm going to the counseling center on campus this week. I've been thinking about it for a while. We'll see how that goes. the last time I went for counseling was when I was still in Arizona, maybe about four years ago. The fellow I went to was on the faculty at the U of A, so I'm sure he was really good. But I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford him. All he seemed to be interested in was hooking me up to his sleep research machine, which required an overnight stay at the hospital, along with 3 or 4 thousand bucks. I didn't think that sleep was my issue, needless to say. I quit after about ten sessions, feeling really defeated and frustrated, like we never connected at all.

I hope I have better luck up here.

I'll let you know how it goes.

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In a word, sublime...

Matt Mitcham...

Be Loved,

DEL

LIKE FATHER,

noreply@blogger.com (A Bear in the Woods) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:19:00 +0000

like son...

T.D. Jakes son was arrested in a public park in Dallas for pulling out his pee pee and playing with it in front of an undercover cop who didn't have anything better to do. By the way, it turns out that Jermaine is a lefty.

so much for living on the down low.

But T. D. Jakes needs to get real here. He consistently opposes gay marriage, hate crime legislation, and anything else that would make gay peoples lives better. Of course, the ultra right wing KKKristian Krowd thinks Jakes is going to hell for wearing an ear ring, but that's par for the course for that crowd. They'd eat live rats if they thought Jesus wanted them to.

Now, mind you, the good Bishop Jakes is not entirely above suspicion, either. There are accusations that he is on the down low scene, himself.

But in order to become the next Billy graham, he has to maintain the orthodox line on sexuality, which involves the notion that homosexuality is brokenness, and that god can fix it. You know, the usual twaddle. It's a shame he's had to sacrifice his son for the sake of his career as a public man of god.

It makes me wonder if Jermaine is getting back at Dad for all the years of self loathing and denial that daddy heaped on him.

Duh...

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Some gorgeous black men...

Be Loved,

DEL