My Bear Life

T-Shirts for Gay Bears

2012-05-25T10:29:00.000-06:00

T-Shirts for gay bears: they're all the rage. But sometimes finding these gay bear themed t-shirts is a pain in the ass. I know every time I look for them I have to start from scratch. So here's my resource list.

Dpcted Apparel

Based in St. Louis, they make signature shirts with nothing but words printed on top of (usually) bold colors.

Wooftease

Once the most awesome bear shirt company on the interwebs but now it's gone. I guess Mickey decided he wanted his ears back. You can still order some of their designs on Zazzle and Cafepress, but the designs are more limited: Wooftease on Zazzle and Wooftease of CafePress.

Gay Bear Clothing on Zazzle

Speaking of Zazzle ... Get your Zazzle on with a bunch of clothing for gay bears. Lots of funny stuff, and a lot of old-school weird stuff!

Gay Bear T-Shirts on CafePress

CafePress has a good selection of shirts. There's a lot of duplication of the shirts on Zazzle, but some unique ones as well.

Cubstock

A couple of neat originals over here!

Killer Bob Graphics

Who could forget about Killer Bob? The master of awesome, quirky, scary, and unique t-shirts never pulls the punches.

beartshirts.com

A nice collection of unique shirts. Of course, just as with Wooftease, there is the occasional problem with trademark and copyright infringement. Pick these up before they get a cease and desist letter too!

BearCubHouse

While researching this article, I ran across a new site that I've never seen before. Here are some very interesting designs!

Gay Bear T-Shirts on Spreadshirt

There are some really cool designs here too.

The Bear Outpost

This one is new to me, but I believe I've seen some of these designs elsewhere. Some of these logos look to be trademark infringing, so get them while you can!

Gay Bear T-Shirts on eBay

Don't forget about a big selection on eBay! And oh, by the way, woof!

Bear Cub Clothing

Bear Cub Clothing has some of my favorite designs.

Suggestions?

Do you have any suggestions that are not on this list? Let me know!

Adventures in Virtualization: Windows/SQL Server

2012-05-15T15:59:00.000-06:00

So it turns out that you can't install a 64-bit OS inside a Windows 7 Pro Virtual PC. So here we go with Oracle's VirtualBox. So far so good ... I figure I'll install the Enterprise version of Windows 2008 R2 SP1. I started with 50GB of hard drive space and 4GB of RAM. Installed in less than 20 minutes. Very fast! Next up: SQL Server 2012!

Windows 7 Issues: Wake-on-Lan (WOL) for Windows 7 Made Easy!

2012-05-04T10:16:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you just need to wake your computer up to use RDP to get to it! But if you're conscious of saving energy (and hence money), you've got your sleep settings on. In that case, you need WOL.

Windows 7 Issues: Wake-on-Lan (WOL) for Windows 7 Made Easy!

Multi-monitor Support in Remote Desktop

2012-05-04T08:16:00.000-06:00

There's a cool little check-box in Remote Desktop on the Display tab under Options: Use all my monitors for the remote session. It would be awesome, except that it doesn't work. I found that out today. A very quick Google search and I found the answer:

Remote Desktop Multimon – Just Kidding!

Hidden deep inside it is a vague description of the problem. Under “Which editions of Windows 7 include multiple-monitor support for Remote Desktop Connection?” it admits that you need Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise Editions. Even then it doesn’t say whether the host or the server needs to be running Ultimate/Enterprise, but a bit of testing confirmed that it is the host (the machine you are connecting to) that needs the extra licensing power.

Blargh. Whatever. Who actually runs Ultimate or Enterprise at work? Those are -- I think -- for the most part -- high end versions that nobody actually uses.

Is Electricity the New Smart Drug? - Percolator - The Chronicle of Higher Education

2012-04-26T08:33:00.001-06:00

Is Electricity the New Smart Drug? - Percolator - The Chronicle of Higher Education:

Awesome! I was involved in this study! So exciting!

Misunderstood Dead Metaphor

2010-10-07T11:48:00.002-06:00

Concept: A dead metaphor (or nearly dead metaphor) that is so poorly understood that people say it wrong (usually a small phonetic/phonological change) to help it make sense in their cognitive-linguistic domains. Two examples follow.

The IT Crowd, Season 4, Episode 6, "Reynholm vs. Reynholm"
http://video.yandex.ru/users/lina-friebus/view/643/ (Russian site, hopefully legal)

Scene 1 (starting about 7:00 minutes, office scene)

Jen: I mean, I don't expect to be put on a pedal stool, but please... Show a little respect.

Roy: Oh, I'm sorry, you don't expect to be put on a what?
Jen: On a pedal stool.
Roy: A pedal stool. What's a pedal stool?
Jen: Oh you know, you put women on it when you admire them. You know, the phrase.
Roy: Oh yeah, no, the famous phrase: to be put on a pedal stool. PEDESTAL!
Jen: What?
Roy: PEDESTAL is the word! What's a pedal stool? Did you really think there was such a thing as a pedal stool?
Jen: Shut up, everyone has blind spots.
...
Roy: A pedal stool!

Scene 2 (starting about x 15:00 minutes, courtroom scene)

Roy: That's right, and furthermore, I would like to say at this point that I think this whole case to be a damp squid.
Lawyer: Thank you. No further questions.
Jen: Oooh, I have one more question, your honor.
Judge: Yes?
Jen: Eh, what did you say?
Roy: What?
Jen: What did you say the case was? May I have it read back please?
Court Reporter: "I believe this entire case to be a bit of a damp squid."
Jen: A damp squid? What does that mean?
Roy: Oh, oh Jen. It's um... It's an expression. Eh, it means that I, uh, believe, that everything that's been said in this case, everyone already knew.
Jen: Hmm, yes. But did you say "damp squid?"
Roy: That's right.
Jen: Did you not mean "damp squib?"
Roy: No it's squid. What's a squib?
Jen: It's not squid. Squids are already damp.
Roy: Hence the phrase.
Jen: Your honor, please.
Judge: It is squib. I must say, I find it extraordinary that you, a man in your early thirties, could have reached this point in your life without knowing that it is squib.
Roy: I think it's squid!
Jen: I have no further questions, your honor.
Roy: Your honor, no, wait wait wait!
Jen: That will be all.
Roy: Everyone has their blind spots!
Jen: I said, THAT WILL BE ALL!
...
Jen: [closing arguments] Think of the simpleton who thought the phrase "damp squid" was correct.

What's this really called???? Does it have a name????

official music site update

2010-08-05T01:32:00.000-06:00

About three years ago I started a redesign of my official music website, but basically abandoned it.

I got bored, so I completed it today.

Check it out if you want.

the music efesar: official site

If, for some strange reason, it looks like the old site, just SHIFT-reload.

Q10 as a typewriter replacement

2010-07-28T09:09:00.002-06:00

I love typewriters. They give me the chance to not get on "fucking" Facebook for an hour. I can concentrate on what's in my head. But my typewriter collection is out of hand, so I think I'm switching to Q10.

Five Hundred Thousand Words

2010-05-25T17:11:00.001-06:00

It's true that he can stare at her face and guess wrongly that she's angry, because that's the mask she wears to distance him. She's accustomed to that mask. She sculpted that mask so carefully with her own experiences. But if he knew how she really felt, he'd cry with her. She knows that humans are clunky, bio-chemical organisms and she commands five hundred thousand words in her language, yet her poet's laboring lifetime can barely string them together to simply communicate one hour's worth of real emotions to a few meager souls. So inside she laughs, cries, screams, elates, shivers -- but she can't find the time to write the poetry that would move his soul, and even if she did, he doesn't read poetry.

BTW Podcast - the new Btalk?

2009-12-19T10:59:00.003-07:00

So it's rather difficult to subscribe to the the BTW Podcast (apparently, the new BTalk) in iTunes. It took me a while to figure it out.

BTW Podcast

So there's the link in case you're looking for it! Just click "subscribe in iTunes" and it should add it to your podcast list.

Stupidly cute kitten

2008-12-18T16:27:00.001-07:00

Stupidly cute kitten.

Letter to Newsweek

2008-12-12T14:05:00.001-07:00

Dear Newsweek editors,

I have many religious friends who accept me for who I am: Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and believers in Native American spiritual traditions (Navajo) alike.

I also have many friends who are part of these religions, most especially Catholics and Protestants. A large majority of their families accept them for who they are.

It is my personal opinion that a majority of the people in this country (and also the post-industrial world) don't believe that homosexuality is an abomination.

Recently, it was pointed out to me that you published an article (Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy) reflecting my opinion when it comes to religion and gayness (particularly gay marriage).

Thank you for that.

I also am aware that you received a bitter reaction to the article from (I assume) members of religious right. Understandably, such a reaction might seem scary to you, to your publishers, and to your corporate sponsors. However, I would like to remind you that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" and that such a bulk of mail from one group does not mean that group's views represent a belief per-capita. It just means they hate more effectively.

In fact, the opposite may be true since they have organized themselves against gays on behalf of their own agenda. Their hatred is neither random nor representative, but rather focused. The sun, when focused through a magnifying class, can certainly burn an ant. They want to burn us, Newsweek, and it is your job to stop their childish destruction. You've already spanked them for bad behavior. Now please ignore their temper tantrum and send them to their rooms without dinner.

P.S. -- I quote, "no sensible modern person wants marriage — theirs or anyone else's — to look in its particulars anything like what the Bible describes". I believe some on the religious right would like to have marriage according to the Bible (for instance, Mormons): polygamy, wife-selling, surrogates, slaves, servants and all. Keep that in mind when you rebuff their reactions.

-Me

Lazy Soap Day

2008-11-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

So this morning I was too lazy to actually leave the shower, go to the cabinet and get a new bar of soap. Instead, I used an old bar of SafeGuard that mom had left behind. Normally, I'm very soap-conscious, but today I just felt lazy.

Well. That was a mistake.

When I got to my office this morning I took off my jacket. Much to my chagrin, I smell like a urinal cake.

Why, oh why, would anyone design soap that smells like urinal cake?

La-la-la

2008-11-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Proposition 8 in California passed. Gay people are now constitutionally discriminated against. I never thought, of all places, California would be a hate state. Never. Arkansas, yes. Missouri, yes. Arizona, maybe. But California? Isn't that the gay state? I mean, I think it's their official state motto or something.

Anyway, I'm happy Obama got himself elected. Could you imagine Palin in office? Wow.

I'm also happy that my state went back to 100% liberal. All 5 of our national representatives (2 senators, 3 house members) are now Dems. Good for us. We're not as backward as people think!

Hmm. What else? I went to the podiatrist. He gave me a new foot wrap and some injected steroids. I have plantar fasciitis. Yay! Or, not really. It sucks and will take months to heal. I probably got it by walking around Las Vegas for 72 hours. Those freaking casinos are huge.

Anyway, what else? Not much of public interest. Semi-private thoughts are reserved for the Livejournal blog.

Early Voting at University of New Mexico (UNM)

2008-10-20T10:01:00.001-06:00

We can vote early at UNM this year.

Donate to Stop Proposition 8 - Keep Marriage Legal

2008-10-20T09:43:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I've not posted in over a year. I guess I got burned out on the blogging thing.

Lately, the bug to write and to be active again hit me.

California legalized gay marriage, and the social conservatives are trying to take that right away. Proposition 8 in California will take away that right.

I live in New Mexico, so the only thing I could do was to donate money.

As a poor graduate student, I don't have much to give, but I did it anyway.

And so should you.

Donate here. Give $25. That's a night of movies and popcorn. There are an estimated 15-30 million gay men and women in this nation. If a fraction of those give $25, the EQCA (Equality California) will have enough money to buy enough ads to stop proposition 8 and make equality legal in California (at least until the next election, when the opposition will no doubt sink their money into the pit again).

The Silver Surfer Goes Surfing

2007-08-14T10:32:00.000-06:00

Bunnies

2007-08-13T23:32:00.000-06:00

Rugby Players Kissing

2007-07-28T12:38:00.000-06:00

I like rugby. It's one of the coolest contact sports. The men are beefy and they don't wear gigantic pads like American Footballers. Plus, they're not so self-involved as US athlethes.

Oh. And did I mention. They kiss? Yeah.

Via Jockohomo:

Following last year’s campaign to attract Londoners to Paris, the Regional Tourism Committee of Paris Ile-de-France has once again called upon a French agency, to launch a new ad campaign in Britain’s capital. The campaign uses the offbeat wit of players kissing and the Rugby World Cup to show the world that Paris is also the capital of humour. The Paris region will be hosting several World Cup matches in September, including the final at the Stade de France. Kissing rugby player wallpaper here. Thanks Ben!

Washington State Domestic Partner Law Takes Effect

2007-07-24T21:30:00.001-06:00

Neat! Hey, it's not marriage, but it's a start. Via Towleroad:

News outlets are reporting that "dozens" of couples are lining up at government offices around Washington state today to register as domestic partners under a law that took effect over the weekend.

According to The Olympian, "Couples registered as domestic partners will get enhanced rights, including hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations and inheritance rights when there is no will. But domestic partners aren't getting all the rights that traditionally married couples have, and the registry is not the same as civil unions offered to gay couples in other states. To be registered, couples must share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18."

Now, I wonder if Dan Savage is signed up to get hitched?

Papua Considering Chip Implants for HIV Carriers

2007-07-24T21:28:00.001-06:00

Yikes! Don't you just love the idiots in charge of governments? Why not a triangle patch? Or a barcode? Oh. That's why. Yeah... via Towleroad:

A doctor involved in the preparation of a healthcare regulation bill in the Indonesian province of Papua cited dangerous behavior among some infected with the HIV as the reason lawmakers are considering the use of microchip implants in tracking some HIV carriers.

Said Dr. John Manangsang: "We in the government in Papua have to think hard on ways to provide protection to people from the spread of the disease. Some of the infected people experience a change of behaviour and can turn more aggressive and would not think twice of infecting others. Among one of the means being considered is the monitoring of those infected people who can pose a danger to others. The use of chip implants is one of the ways to do so, but only for those few who turn aggressive and clearly continue to disregard what they know about the disease and spread the virus to others."

What a great idea!

Fla. State Representative Accused Of Soliciting Sex In Men's Room

2007-07-12T23:25:00.001-06:00

Florida state Rep. Robert "Bob" Allen, R-Merritt Island, was arrested Wednesday and charged with soliciting an undercover male officer for sex at a park in Central Florida, according to police.Investigators said Allen was acting suspicious and went in and out of the men's restroom at Veteran's Memorial Park, located on East Broad Street.

read more | digg story

Howard Stern regular Joey Boots comes out of the closet

2007-06-29T19:29:00.001-06:00

I don't watch/listen to Howard Stern -- I don't think he was ever in Albuquerque when he was on radio. But when I saw this picture, I figured, what the hell? This Joey Boots guy is bearish. Why not post the news? Okay, so here it is. Joey Boots is gay:

This week Howard Stern regular Joey Boots came out of the closet as a gay man live on the air. Of course, a Howard Stern revelation wouldn’t be complete without the trash factor. According to HowardStern.com, “Boots then confessed that he was gay, saying he's been going out to gay clubs ‘on the sly’ to ... and otherwise ‘hook up'.” Boots went onto describe the many men he is attracted to — none of which were Howard. Comedian and producer of the Howard Stern radio show, Bob Levy, argued that Boots was only gay because he slept with Lisa Lampanelli — that’s a story I’m afraid to hear!

Cute Cubs on Jerry Springer

2007-06-29T19:09:00.000-06:00

This is a great clip from the Springer show! A guest tricked his way onto the show so that he could profess his love for the Producer. Cute!

True Colors Tour Benefiting HRC (Human Rights Campaign)

2007-06-20T12:50:00.000-06:00

I got this letter from HRC. If you are able to show support by watching the video and perhaps sending a letter to your congressional representative, then please do.

Dear Keith,

When you've been fighting discrimination for as long as I have, you develop a fairly thick skin. But I'll admit, the first time I saw this video, I got chills. It was produced for Cyndi Lauper's True Colors tour benefiting HRC, and it's now showing at concerts across the country.

Please watch the video, and share it with everyone you know.

This stirring video has the power to motivate THOUSANDS MORE people to take action for the Matthew Shepard Act.

And that's exactly what we need to do. As I write this, angry radical right-wing leaders are using scare tactics to fire up their base against the Matthew Shepard Act. They're saying it could "send pastors to prison for simply reading a part of the Bible." It's absurd.

Even worse: despite our House victory, we're hearing from Senate staffers that opponents of the Matthew Shepard Act are still beating us five to one in emails, calls, and letters.

Five to one. With the vote approaching and many senators still undecided, we simply cannot allow this to continue. So I'm asking you to turn that ratio around.

Watch the video - and share it with at least FIVE friends.

The vast majority of Americans support the Matthew Shepard Act. There are, quite simply, more of us. But our senators are hearing from more of them.

If every one of us tells five friends to watch the video and take action, we'll make sure they get the message: hate will not win.

Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
President