"His Kiss"
Acrylic
Unknown Artist
Friday, August 31, 2012
"A Song For Lovers Under The Moon..."
"I saw the moon in his eyes and the moon reminds me of him..."
Moon Song
Want to find out where the moon goes
When it leaves the western sky
And night dissolves again to morning
Azure turns to gold
Azure turns to gold
Gonna sleep with one eye open
Gonna keep the shades half drawn
Nearly silent dressed in shadows
Lines and colors fall
Lines and colors fall
Gonna watch her through the window
Just as I watched you before
Smile knows but just won't tell me
I just watch her go
I just watch her go
Now I know just where the moon goes
When it leaves the western sky
And night dissolves again to morning
The moon is in your eyes
The moon is in your eyes
The moon is in your eyes
The moon is in your eyes
"Fear Eats the Soul"
"The Poet's Corner..."
Blue Moon Light
by Jason Louis Gaydos
In the quiet calm of night, we walk hand in hand.
Down the path, across the sand.
Looking into your eyes, I feel the time is right.
Standing together, beneath the blue moon light.
The wind starts to blows, trees shake.
The ocean waves begin to break.
Holding you close, I feel the time is right
Holding one another, beneath the blue moon light.
The tide rises slowly, our feet in the surf.
A star falls from heaven, on its way towards the earth.
Making a wish, I feel the time is right.
Wishing together, beneath the blue moon light.
Our time has come, we must say good-bye.
Night has fallen in the November sky.
No need to cry, for this time was right.
To fall in love, beneath the blue moon light.
"The Truth About Blue Moons..."
When you look at the moon tonight, pause to remember Neil Armstrong
His memorial service was held today
His memorial service was held today
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1085"
"Love Is Simple... Follow Your Heart"
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
"The Truth About Love..."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The Truth In Cinema..."
"Enjoy!"
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1084"
"When You Look Deeply, You Can See Love..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1083"
"Summer Days Are Meant For Love..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
"Poetic Justice, Innit...?"
A coming out story... but you'll be surprised, it's not what you think.
As for the title of this post, it's from an episode of the 1970-80's British TV series "Minder." Which was one of my favorites when I was a young man.
"Fear Eats the Soul"
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1082"
"Home On The Range... Cowboys and Husbands"
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
"Wedding Day Dreams..."
Warning: You will cry if you watch this.
For every couple, their wedding day is a dream come true, a fairy tale made real. And for some, the dream of a literal fairy tale wedding does come true. This was the case late last year for a same-gender loving couple in Washington, D.C. Power-couple, Corey L. McCathern and Reginald Van Lee held a sumptuous affair to commemorate their 10 years together and celebrate their love and marriage.
With events taking place at the finest venues in the nation's capitol and no expense having been spared, this couple dared to dream the dream of a perfect day to proclaim their love. In so doing, they also declared loudly that their marriage is equal to and just the same as anyone else's...
A Dream Come True.
Visit their wedding website here.
A lovely description of the event is here.
See the performance of "Diana Ross" at their reception here.
"Love Is Love"
Monday, August 27, 2012
"This Will Make You Feel Happy..."
This short film from 2000 will capture your heart and make you feel happy... Enjoy!
"Fear Eats the Soul"
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1081"
"The Joy Of Love Is Found In An Embrace..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - 1080"
"A Kiss Says About Love What Words Never Can..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
"The Artist's Corner..."
Modern Biblical translations say Daniel found favor from Aspenaz, the eunuch boss of Nebuchednezzar's harem. But the Hebrew version implies there was physical love between them.
"Babylon Hath Been A Golden Cup"
Oil on canvas
Simeon Soloman
"The Truth About The News And Politics..."
I typically don't watch American television news reporting. I find it to be unsurprisingly, very xenophobic and ethnocentric. And the resulting bias means that you never get the information that you really need to make informed decisions about how you want to engage your responsibility to participate in the politics of your country. Consequently, I tend to seek my news from less well known and non-traditional sources.
I enjoy the perspective of outsiders... I find that they, although also biased, tend to give more coverage to all sides of a topic. One of my favorites is Aljazzera English. In my estimation, they are almost the diametric opposite of Fox News which I find to be so unbearably biased that I can't watch it at all without becoming angered by the blatant lies and overtly political motivations of their "news coverage." I also, like to get my news from overseas providers like the BBC, the venerable grandfather of news gathering organizations. And, like its British cousin, the CBC in Canada does a great job of unbiased reporting on the "giant to the south." In fact, I really like Canadian news coverage of America. Canadians realize how inextricably their fate is tied to America's and so they follow events here with more interest than we do in some situations. (Read a very good article on American culture and politics from the CBC here.)
Also here in the U.S., although definitely left-leaning, NPR and American Public Radio do a good job of delivering multiple perspectives to important issues. But while public broadcasting's coverage of issues is never broad, the issues they do focus on get deep and meaningful examination which is something that the for-profit media in America rarely do. On American public television, I especially love the documentary series "Frontline." I find their reporting to be far more trustworthy than anything I see on regular network television. And finally, when I'm led to follow world stories, I love the age of the internet because I can go to sources close to the events for news and information (thank you Google translation!)
On television, I love the "The Cafe" on Aljazzera English, the episode above seeks to answer a question that I think many Americans are asking themselves these days... "Is America still No. 1?" I enjoyed the pundits opinions about this and I have my own ideas about this question too. But if I had to answer in a one brief statement, it would be this...
"Yes, America is still No. 1 although I don't know why we feel we have to rank everything. But yes, despite all of her problems and faults, America is still the preeminent leader of the world. I know this because everyday, people from all over the world risk everything including their lives to get here to our shores... They hope to be free and to have a chance of finding their own piece of the "American Dream." And I also know that when this is no longer the case, that will be the day when you can say, "the American Empire has fallen... she no longer leads the world."
I believe to a still significant portion of the world's people, America is seen as this...
by Emma Lazarus, 1883
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
"Fear Eats the Soul"
"A Sunday Love Song..."
Canadian country music star Drake Jensen is openly gay and this song is dedicated to a James Hubley, a young victim of bullying who tragically sought his escape in suicide.
"Fear Eats the Soul"
Saturday, August 25, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1079"
"Love And Life At Home..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
Friday, August 24, 2012
"In The News..."
Malaysian-born Ngeo Boon Lin (L) and his African-American partner, Phineas Newborn III, have reportedly become the first gay couple to marry in a Muslim-majority country
First ‘gay marriage’ held in Muslim-majority Malaysia
August 7, 2012 - Kuala Lumpur
A gay pastor who married his musical producer boyfriend in New York last year has fulfilled a vow to hold a wedding banquet in his native Malaysia in what they believe is the first such event in the Muslim-majority country.
Malaysian-born Ngeo Boon Lin and African-American husband Phineas Newborn III, quietly held the closed reception Saturday - complete with public kisses and karaoke ballad performances - with about 200 guests, including a handful of Chinese-language journalists who were asked not to report on the event until afterward.
The couple risked the ire of a government that has banned a gay arts festival, prosecuted a politician for sodomy and declared that homosexuality has no place in Malaysian society.
“We’re thankful to be able to make Malaysian history here,” Newborn said.
Malaysian-born Ngeo Boon Lin and African-American husband Phineas Newborn III, quietly held the closed reception Saturday - complete with public kisses and karaoke ballad performances - with about 200 guests, including a handful of Chinese-language journalists who were asked not to report on the event until afterward.
The couple risked the ire of a government that has banned a gay arts festival, prosecuted a politician for sodomy and declared that homosexuality has no place in Malaysian society.
“We’re thankful to be able to make Malaysian history here,” Newborn said.
Ngeo, an ethnic Chinese pastor who has lived mainly in the United States since 1998, attracted criticism from Malaysian officials and religious groups when he married Newborn, a Broadway musical producer, last August.
Even though Ngeo identifies himself as a Christian, Malaysia’s Cabinet minister for Islamic affairs voiced fears at the time that his nuptials could promote “extremism” among Malaysia’s 28 million people, including ethnic Malay Muslims who comprise nearly two-thirds of the population. A newspaper owned by the ruling party urged authorities to prevent Ngeo from holding any wedding celebration in Malaysia.
But by this summer, the couple, both in their 40s, believed enough time had passed for them to fly to Malaysia for a few days without fanfare and invite Ngeo’s mother, friends, former colleagues and schoolmates for a traditional Chinese wedding feast.
“It’s my right to celebrate my joy with the people I care about,” Ngeo told The Associated Press. “The government can make noise, the religious conservatives can make noise, but they’re not welcome here.”
The Malaysian government had no immediate reaction to news of Saturday’s event.
Banquet guests ushered to their seats at a Chinese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur had found small, heart-shaped chocolates wrapped in Chinese-language notes that translated into “God loves gays.”
Two guests serenaded each other with Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ duet “Endless Love,” while a transgender entertainer tearfully praised Ngeo and Newborn for reminding everyone that “there is only one sexual orientation: love.”
One guest, Eric Goh, said gay Malaysians “need to come out in bigger numbers and we need to have more straight people support us.”
Ngeo made his trip back to Malaysia a month after Prime Minister Najib Razak said in in a speech that gay, lesbian and transsexual behavior was part of a “deviant culture” that should “not have any place in this country.”
Najib’s statement marked a reiteration of the government’s stance and did not trigger new concerns. But for gay Malaysians, especially Muslims, it nevertheless meant that the door to public self-expression remained slammed shut.
Most gay Malaysians live free from direct harassment by authorities, and a law that prescribes 20-year prison sentences for sodomy, even consensual, is rarely enforced. The most prominent person charged under that law was Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition leader acquitted this year of sodomizing a male former aide in what he claimed was a politically motivated case.
“I understand the sensitivities. I’m not demanding for gay marriage to be allowed now in Malaysia,” Ngeo said, adding that his advice to gay Malaysians was to “keep going and be creative.”
Even though Ngeo identifies himself as a Christian, Malaysia’s Cabinet minister for Islamic affairs voiced fears at the time that his nuptials could promote “extremism” among Malaysia’s 28 million people, including ethnic Malay Muslims who comprise nearly two-thirds of the population. A newspaper owned by the ruling party urged authorities to prevent Ngeo from holding any wedding celebration in Malaysia.
But by this summer, the couple, both in their 40s, believed enough time had passed for them to fly to Malaysia for a few days without fanfare and invite Ngeo’s mother, friends, former colleagues and schoolmates for a traditional Chinese wedding feast.
“It’s my right to celebrate my joy with the people I care about,” Ngeo told The Associated Press. “The government can make noise, the religious conservatives can make noise, but they’re not welcome here.”
The Malaysian government had no immediate reaction to news of Saturday’s event.
Banquet guests ushered to their seats at a Chinese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur had found small, heart-shaped chocolates wrapped in Chinese-language notes that translated into “God loves gays.”
Two guests serenaded each other with Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ duet “Endless Love,” while a transgender entertainer tearfully praised Ngeo and Newborn for reminding everyone that “there is only one sexual orientation: love.”
One guest, Eric Goh, said gay Malaysians “need to come out in bigger numbers and we need to have more straight people support us.”
Ngeo made his trip back to Malaysia a month after Prime Minister Najib Razak said in in a speech that gay, lesbian and transsexual behavior was part of a “deviant culture” that should “not have any place in this country.”
Najib’s statement marked a reiteration of the government’s stance and did not trigger new concerns. But for gay Malaysians, especially Muslims, it nevertheless meant that the door to public self-expression remained slammed shut.
Most gay Malaysians live free from direct harassment by authorities, and a law that prescribes 20-year prison sentences for sodomy, even consensual, is rarely enforced. The most prominent person charged under that law was Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition leader acquitted this year of sodomizing a male former aide in what he claimed was a politically motivated case.
“I understand the sensitivities. I’m not demanding for gay marriage to be allowed now in Malaysia,” Ngeo said, adding that his advice to gay Malaysians was to “keep going and be creative.”
"The Things That Love Says..."
- Robert Sexton
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1078"
"To Love, Be Together In The World..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
"In The News..."
Joy as couples celebrate the Supreme Court's decision.
Mexican States Ordered to Honor Gay Marriages
The New York Times reported:
"The court had already ruled this month that Mexico City’s same-sex marriage law, which took effect in March and has resulted in hundreds of same-sex marriages, was constitutional.
But on Tuesday, the court went a step further, ruling 9 to 2 against a complaint from the attorney general’s office, which had said that other jurisdictions should not be required to honor marriages that were performed in Mexico City."
Read more here.
It's about civil rights...
"Fear Eats the Soul"
"The Poet's Corner..."
The Prophet: On Love
Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, it directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
From "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran
"Fear Eats the Soul"
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
"The Truth Of What Love Asks..."
"That's All I Want From You"
Written by Fritz Rotter
A little love that slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes
That's all I want from you
A sunny day with hopes up to the sky
Not a day that comes and dies
That's all I want from you
Don't let me down, oh show me that you care
Remember when you give, you also get your share
Don't let me down, I have no time to wait
Tomorrow might not come, when dreamers dream too late
A little love slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes
That's all I want from you
A sunny day with hopes up to the sky
Not one that comes and dies
That's all I want from you
Don't let me down, oh show me that you care
Remember when you give, you also get your share
Don't let me down, I have no time to wait
Tomorrow might not come, when dreamers dream too late
A little love slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes
That's all I want from you
*****
"Fear Eats the Soul"
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1077"
"Love Is Always Enough..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
"I Am Always Remembering..."
"Dear Heart, you and I are connected in ways that transcend anything we might have ever imagined."
It was on this day six years ago that my life changed so much so that this is one of few dates that establish the milestones of my life, and it is from these that I have measured both my past and my future...
The above is from 100 days later. As I look back on it, I remember it as though it were just yesterday. In fact, it all lives on in my mind as freshly joyous and painful as it was then. At some point in each and every day that has passed since, I relive it all and I remember.
I find that I am not unlike the old man who was sitting upon the fallen tree, which the traveler came upon last, at the edge of the woods... "What do you do here?" And the old man said, with a calm smile, "I’m always remembering. Come and remember with me."
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1076"
"Togetherness... It's What Life Is For"
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
"The Truth Of Growing Older..."
On this date in 1888, William Seward Burroughs received the patent for his adding machine. Burroughs invented one of the earliest and most accurate adding machines of the day and the company he founded, headquartered in Detroit since 1904 became a leading manufacturer of adding machines, banking equipment and in the mid 20th century main frame computers.
I can well remember not only seeing mechanical adding machines, but also using one in the 1970 and '80s. Adding machines were not calculators, they could generally only add and subtract. But for basic accounting this was enough and they revolutionized the world of banking, finance and accounting in their day.
As I remembered my interaction with adding machines today, I also was reminded of when I saw my first multi-function portable calculator. It was just before Christmas 1973. I was nine years old and the J.L Hudson's department store was the first retailer in Detroit to have them. My brother William bought one of these first very expensive gadgets (about $45) and brought it home. We were all amazed.... Not only could this little white box (about the size of a small transistor radio of the day - 3"x6"x1") add and subtract, it could also multiply and divide. Those were its only four functions. I remember it had a red LED display that produced boxy shaped numerals about 1/4" high. It could calculate values up to 7 places including decimal computations. It ran on batteries (which lasted about 20 minutes) or on an AC adapter for up to an hour after which its early integrated circuit (processing chip) would succumb to heat failure and you had to let it rest and cool off.
As with other technological advances of that day, within a few years, calculators became smaller, less expensive and more capable. I recall buying a financial calculator in the 1980s for about $20 that could compute complex amortization tables and perform other scientific functions as well. But even now, I remember when mechanized computation was commonplace. I can remember mechanical cash registers and adding machines very well and I remember the familiar clanking and whirring sound of the gears inside them and that reminds me that I've lived through some momentous changes in the world.
That I can write about and publish this and it be able to be read from almost any place in the world almost instantaneously is something that I could never have imagined on that day in December 1973 when I saw my first electronic calculator or in the years before and after when I still used a mechanical adding machine and paper and pencil for bookkeeping and accounting.
Monday, August 20, 2012
"Same Gender Loving People - No. 1075"
"It's Just Love..."
Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.
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