Am I just getting too old?

I'm not sure as a grandparent I would like to see my 4 yr old grandaughter dancing like this when she turns 7...am I just getting to old? They can dance up a storm, but I mean really now...

Focus on the ads

With all the contoversy around the Focus on the Family Superbowl ad, let just look back at some of the old ads that were fun...and some we may have missed along the way.

Madfest juggling festival

One of the featured performing groups at the juggling festival I was vending at this past weekend was SMIRK. They were so much fun and got the audience going. The other featured performer was Steven Ragatz, a 10 year vet of Cirque du Soliel. I have a video of his performance on my facebook page. Both acts were simply amazing.

Pat Robertson on Haiti

I just can't believe my eyes and ears when I hear Pat talk about why this massive tragedy has struck Haiti. It boggles my mind and it is boggled even more when I think of how many people out there listen to him and believe his ramblings like the woman sitting next to him shaking her head in agreement with his every word. At least I assume she is agreeing with him...she doesnt say anything contrary like "Pat...your and idiot!" At least Fox news got it right on this one.
After just returning from a disaster that happened over 4 years ago in the Gulf coast, and seeing what people are still contending with down there, my heart goes out to everyone in Haiti right now and I pray that the help they need...food, water and medical care arrives swiftly. Please keep them in your prayers.

New Orleans Blues

I know, its been a long time since I posted. Sorry, I'm bad. I am trying to rectify this after coming back from my New Orleans Mission trip with the Lake Edge UCC Church in Madison and feeling somewhat Dazed and Confused. Maybe that was just due to the hurricanes (the drinks rather than the storms). Although we didn't try every place in the French Quarter due to time limitations, the place we found that made the absolute best hurricane in our humble opinion (and gave us the recipe...from scratch which of course we forgot due to the hurricane...go figure) was right across the street from the fabulous condo Christines friend let us stay in in the warehouse district...the Sun Ray Grill at 1051 Annunciation.

The work we did was hard and tiring...and roofing in the 35 plus or minus temps was a bit rough, but gave us a feeling of accomplishing something good for a family in the Westbank area. We hear alot about the lower and upper 9th ward and the northern section of the city where the levy broke, but there is so much more to the story that we haven't even heard yet. Scam construction companys have swooped thru the area and done such shoddy work that roofs they did are needing to be replaced and insurance companys are refusing to pay for them. One elderly woman 4 homes down from where we were working still has a blue tarp on her roof, no money, has 1 chair in her living room to sit on and the parish is fining her daily for still having the blue tarp and not getting the roof repaired. She is next in line for the UCC project, but I'm sure it has to be depressing still waiting 4 years plus after the storm just to have your roof repaired. At our orientation meeting on Monday before we started work, Allen, the person in charge of the SCC Disaster response Ministry told us he saw an article in the paper that there are still an estimated 50,000 homes yet to be repaired. In the four years since Katrina they have helped to competely finish 40. Of course there are other faith-based groups , habitat for humanity, Brad Pitts Make it right project and Harry Connicks work with the Musicians VIllage, but there is such a long way to go yet...a conservative estimate is 10 years.

On our tour of the disaster areas, we also made a stop at the Community Center of St Bernard in the lower 9th ward and they are doing amazing work...and could use donations if you feel the urge to help out. The director showed us a 12 minute video they should have up on their website in about a week that is well worth the time to view.

On Sunday, our second day there, before starting work, we went to the IMax theatre and saw the 45 min film "Hurricane on the Bayou". I highly recommend it and also bought a copy if you are close by and want to see it(it can also be purchased on Amazon.com for less than I paid in the gift shop). It's focus is on the disappearing wetlands south of New Orleans and this is where this story should actually have started, because unless the wetlands are saved, all the work we are doing now may all be moot anyways. Please, PLEASE take the time to watch this short u-tube video and the write, call or shout at your congressmen and tell them something MUST be done NOW, before we loose a national treasure...the City of New Orleans.


One more thing...if you have never done a mission trip, take the time out to do it...you will be amazed how good it will make you feel afterwards. I'm going back!!!

A belated Christmas wish

Merry Christmas to All

As the 2nd winter storm descends on us in Wisconsin on Christmas day, I thought I'd share this beautiful version of "In the Bleak of Winter" sung by the 12 men from the choral group Chanticleer based in San Francisco. Happy Holidays!!!

Teacher accused of putting 'hit' out on supposed gay student

A teacher in Clayton County GA is accused by a student of putting a hit out to kill one of his students because he is supposedly gay. He took the 16 yr old male out of the classroom and asked him if he was gay.The word inappropriate doesn't even seem worth using in this instance, but this incident was just the first of many.

According to the student's lawyer, Terrence Madden, Forde then got into a verbal altercation with the student on the very next day, resulting in the teacher threatening that he would hit the boy in his "f-ing mouth".

When the boys mother reported the incident to the principal, nothing was done about it.
You can read the whole story here: http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/Georgia-Teacher-Accussed-of-Putting-Hit-Out-on-Supposed-Gay-Pupil/

Boy refuses to Say Pledge

It's not often a 10 yr old refuses to follow the system and refuse to stand and say the Pledge of allegience in school, but this boy has some balls. He refuses to do it because he says gays and lesbians are discriminated against...and our constitution states "All men are created equal" which he says isn't true. Here is his interview with his father on CNN. He is in a small town in Arkansas and has been harrased by his classmates and called a "gaywad" for his action, but he stands behind his decision.

January plans - 2010

Planning to celebrate my birthday next year...hitting the big 65...in New Orleans with a crew from Lake Edge United Church of Christ. This will be their 2nd trip down to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Its hard to believe that after all this time, people are still trying to rebuild their homes and lives. I have wanted to do something to help ever since it happened and now have the chance. Can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday. OK, heres the kicker...we ALSO get to participate in the Joan of Arc Mardi Gras kick off parade. We will be costumed as 1500's monks and nuns and sprinkling parade watchers with holy water...and handing out holy water as throws...now how cool is that. I am soooo looking forward to this. The above video was from last years trip...looks like they had a great time!!!

What a fantastic routine!

This is so beautiful, you gotta love it!!!

Costume Tips for Effeminate Boys

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

I Just Wanna F**in Dance

A Facebook friend posted this and said she made it for Pride 2004 and a copy was taken from her and was shown in Gran Canaria and made its wau to every gay bar/club around the world without her knowing it I found a copy on uTube from Out London. Watch it if your feeling down and you will be on your feet dancing in no time. Its Fabulous!

A Republican in Maine speaks out for equality

Help protect equality in Maine and Washington

http://www.protectmaineequality.org/








http://www.approve71.org

Sand art

This sand artist was the 2009 winner of the Ukrane's got talent show. What she does is truely amazing.

Heres how we stay fit in Wisconsin

THE WANDERER from Joel Fletcher on Vimeo.

Iraq Inequality

When we hear about all the good we are doing in Iraq to help bring freedom to that country, I guess it doesnt apply to LGBT persons. This clip is from CNN...why isn't more attention being brought to this. I think of the contrast of our Pride weekend this weekend where we marched around the Capitol square with cheering crowds, and then moved on to Willow Island to celebrate with a speach from Tammy Baldwin and music and entertainment. This story really rips out my heart.

A break from the insanity

This is just something for a little fun...enjoy.
Its called Dime in the slot from MECHANICAL ORGAN and is performed by the Nikolais Dance Theater.

A Capitol Event

MADISON, WI (from WKOW news) -- Same-sex couples in Madison took to the Capitol in what they call a "quest for equality."

Seven same-sex couples recognized their commitment to each other through a symbolic ceremony in the middle of the state capitol Friday evening.

The ceremony was similar to that of a marriage. Couples, both men and women, who had registered already for domestic partnership benefits through the state, celebrated a lifelong commitment to each other. A few faith communities also recognized the couples.

Derwin Leigh, with Wisconsin Capitol Pride, says, "It's the idea that eveyone has a right, in a higher power, to join into a relationship."

Scott Willens, also with Wisconsin Capitol Pride, says, "At the same time, we're still not at full equality, so having the ceremony in the capitol itself is a good statement that not all members are able to get full rights in the relationships they have."

One group, Wisconsin Family Connection, has spoken out on their website against domestic partnership benefits. On their website, they say, "This is precisely the type of marriage imitation that the constitutional amendment approved by Wisconsin voters was intended to prevent. A reasonable person looking at this registry would easily conclude that the registry creates a legal status that is essentially the same as marriage."

These couples who've registered for the state's domestic partnership benefits will receive one- fourth of the benefits that a licensed married couple would. Those benefits went into effect August 3.

Wisconsin has a ban on gay marriage. That's stemmed legal challenges to these benefits.

Steve was one of the clergy that took part by performing a section of the ceremony. Afterwords, we went to the opening of the newest gay bar in town, Plan B, to help the couples celebrate with snacks and a huge sheet cake provided by Wisconsin Capitol Pride.