Being Chad...

Addendum to May 6th Post

2009-05-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

MAINE Legalizes Same-sex Marriage

My apologies to the great state of Maine for not noting last week that on the same day that DC voted to recognize same-sex marriages from other states and countries, the governor, John E. Baldacci, signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.

It's almost impossible to believe how quickly states are legalizing same-sex marriages. Is it just a matter of time before the federal government follows suit?

I Love DCDD Marching Band

2009-05-12T12:25:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I normally play the saxophone for symphonic band. However, this is now the second summer that I have played bass drum for Marching Band. I absolutely love it! DCDD purchased a new battery of percussion equipment (5 tonal bass drums, 2 sets of quints and 5 snares). They are really nice. The great thing is, we have people in the marching band to play all these instruments as well as 3 additional folks playing cymbals. Because of this amazing fortune, Zach Parker, our director, commissioned a battery feature that we have incorporated into being our cadence as well as a stand-and-blow feature for marching gigs this year. It's really challenging but the section is really rising to the challenge and it sounds great. I absolutley love going to Marching Band rehearsals every Monday night and can't wait until Capital Pride (June 13th-14th). We'll be performing in the Pride Parade on Saturday evening and at the Street Festival on Sunday. Come out and give us a listen.

DC Council Passes Recognition of Same-sex Marriages!

2009-05-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely elated that the DC Council voted 12-1 in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages from other states/countries. It's really a step forward toward full equality for ALL DC residents... ALL DC families.
Marion Barry, as the only one to vote against it, is an idiot. In my mind, he doesn't count. He's a bigoted, drug-using, non-tax paying adulterer. How he's even still allowed on the council is beyond me!

Let's celebrate the happiness of this tremendous step forward!!!!

Are You Kidding Me?????

2009-04-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

Furious... that's what this video makes me.
It's time to turn fear into hope.

Another Step Closer... Woo Hoo DC!!!

2009-04-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Same-sex marriage rights a step closer in District of Columbia
Washington Council votes 12-0 for legislation recognizing same-sex marriages
Council is expected to hold a final vote on May 5; if approved, must got to Congress
City's law provides domestic partnerships for lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples
Human Rights Campaign urges federal lawmakers not to intervene
By Ed HornickCNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- On the same day that Vermont's House and Senate voted to override GOP Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, the Washington City Council voted 12-0 Tuesday in favor of allowing same-sex marriages performed in other states to be recognized in the nation's capital.

Congress may vote on whether Washington will allow same-sex marriages to be accepted in the nation's capital.
But nothing is set in stone yet.
The Washington council is expected to hold a final vote on May 5. The bill would then go to Mayor Adrian Fenty, a Democrat who supports gay marriage but told WTOP.com Tuesday that he has yet to review the legislation.
If approved, the measure would then encounter its biggest potential hurdle: It would be sent to Congress for a legislative review and vote, setting up what would amount to a straight up-or-down vote on same-sex marriage.
Because Washington is not a state, its legislation must pass congressional muster. Some measures approved by overwhelmingly Democratic Washington voters, including a restrictive gun law and a proposal decriminalizing medical marijuana use, have been vetoed by Congress in recent years.
"This is a right that should be enjoyed by all of our citizens," Council Member Jack Evans, a Democrat, said in an interview with WTOP. "Today is another major step toward the ultimate goal of all of us living in a city and a country where everyone is treated equally."
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, urged federal lawmakers not to intervene.
"We look forward to the final Council votes, and urge Mayor Fenty to sign this common-sense legislation," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said. "We also hope that Congress will respect the Council's votes and will respect the District of Columbia's choice to provide equal recognition for couples who have legally entered into relationships in other jurisdictions."
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Tuesday condemned the votes in Vermont and Washington.
"Same-sex 'marriage' is a movement driven by wealthy homosexual activists and a liberal elite determined to destroy not only the institution of marriage, but democracy as well. Time and again, we see when citizens have the opportunity to vote at the ballot box, they consistently opt to support traditional marriage," Perkins said.
"The radical left wants to destroy the traditional union of one man and one woman across the country and they will not rest until they do so. The marriage amendment movement has been many times more successful than the same-sex 'marriage' movement," Perkins added.
Washington law currently provides domestic partnerships for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples. The partnerships give access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage.
Four states recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Vermont. Iowa's recognition of same-sex marriages is slated to begin later this month; Vermont's would begin in September.
Conservative blogger Rod Dreher, writing on BeliefNet.com, a Web site that covers spirituality and religion, said the same-sex marriage rulings show the Democratic process at work.
While Dreher is opposed to same-sex marriage, he said if states are going to have it, "Vermont just got it the right way: democratically, through legislative action."
"A social experiment as radical as same-sex marriage should not be attempted without democratic consensus," he wrote.
Dreher said he believes the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately have to rule on same-sex marriages and most likely find them constitutional.
"And that being the case, it might be better for my side if it gets done sooner rather than later. If done sooner, there might still be enough backlash left in the American people to get a constitutional amendment passed erecting a high barrier or protection around religious institutions," he said.
For openly gay conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan, the Washington ruling, while preliminary, is "enough reason to celebrate."
"I have a chance to be legally married in the place I live for eight months of the year. Now, just think for a minute how many heterosexuals have ever asked themselves this question -- even immigrating to foreign countries, let alone moving from one state to another," Sullivan wrote on his blog, featured on The Atlantic's Web site.
"This is enough for me right now. It has been such a long journey, but we can see the mountaintop now," he said

A Phenomenal Trend Continues!!! Go New England!

2009-04-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Vermont becomes 4th state to allow gay marriage
Tue Apr 7, 2009 1:25pm EDT
By Jason Szep

BOSTON (Reuters) - Vermont legalized gay marriage on Tuesday after lawmakers overrode a veto from the governor by a wafer-thin margin, making the New England state the fourth in the United States where gays can wed.
The vote, nine years after Vermont was the first in the United States to adopt a same-sex civil-union law, also makes the tiny state of 624,000 people the first in the nation where lawmakers passed a gay marriage law instead of the courts.
"We've shown that truth and fairness and justice and love are more powerful than one man's veto pen," same-sex marriage advocate Beth Robinson said to cheers from supporters in the state capital Montpelier after Vermont's House of Representatives passed the bill by a 100-49 vote.
Known for picturesque autumn foliage, maple sugar and colonial-style inns, Vermont joins New England neighbors Connecticut and Massachusetts in allowing gay couples to marry. Iowa legalized gay marriage last week.
The bill looked in peril after a vote on Thursday in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives that fell five votes short of the support needed to clear a veto threat from Republican Governor Jim Douglas.
Douglas vetoed the bill on Monday, urging lawmakers to focus on the economy instead. Supporters needed two-thirds of the votes in each chamber to override his veto. They got that easily in the state Senate, which passed the bill 23-5 earlier on Tuesday. Its fate in the House looked unclear.
The vote comes just four days after Iowa's Supreme Court struck down a decade-old law that barred gays from marrying. The surprise ruling, which made Iowa the first in the heartland to allow same-sex marriages, may have influenced some Vermont lawmakers to change their vote, gay marriage advocates said.
California briefly recognized gay marriage until voters banned it in a referendum last year.
Lawmakers in New Hampshire and Maine also are considering bills to allow gay marriage, putting New England at the heart of a divisive national debate over the issue.
The group Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which helped to legalize gay marriage in Massachusetts and Connecticut, has set a goal of expanding gay marriage to all New England states by 2012. Maine and New Hampshire already offer same-sex couples some form of legal recognition.
Forty-three U.S. states have laws explicitly prohibiting such marriages, including 29 with constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman.

Now when is the rest of the country going to wake up and realize that the legal recognition of love is for everyone!!!

Go Iowa!!!!!!

2009-04-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Iowa high court strikes down same-sex marriage ban

(CNN) -- The Iowa Supreme Court struck down a state law Friday that banned same-sex marriage.

Larry Hoch, left, and David Twombley, one of six couples that filed suit, celebrate Friday at a news conference.

Iowa becomes the third state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Friday's decision upheld a 2007 ruling by a lower court that Iowa's 1998 law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples went against the state's constitution. It becomes effective in 21 days.
"This is a great day for civil rights in Iowa," said attorney Dennis Johnson, a co-counsel with Lambda Legal, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of six same-sex couples seeking to marry in Iowa. "Go get married. Live happily ever after," he said at a news conference where there was loud clapping among plaintiffs.
Other organizations were not pleased. "It's, quite frankly, a disaster," said Brian English, a spokesman for the Iowa Family Policy Center. "Obviously, we're extremely disappointed. We're saddened, perhaps a little bit surprised in the unanimous decision that the court handed down."
The state's highest court determined that "the Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution," court spokesman Steve Davis said in a written statement. Read PDF of court ruling
"The decision strikes the language from Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman. It further directs that the remaining statutory language be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage," the statement on the court's Web site says.
The Iowa Supreme Court said it has the responsibility to determine if a law enacted by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive branch violates the Iowa Constitution. "The court reaffirmed that a statute inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution must be declared void, even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion," the court said.
Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson found that the law violated the Iowa Constitution's guarantee of equal protection, and hurt gay and lesbian couples "in numerous tangible and intangible" ways
"Civil marriage in Iowa is the only gateway to an extensive legal structure that protects a married couple's relationship and family in and outside the state," Hanson ruled in Des Moines.
"Iowa reserves an unparalleled array of rights, obligations and benefits to married couples and their families, privileging married couples as a financial and legal unit and stigmatizing same-sex couples."

The case was joined on appeal by several state lawmakers who opposed Hanson's ruling, calling it "a mockery of the judicial system." They argued that the ruling stepped on the state Legislature's authority by using the courts "to effectuate fundamental changes in public policies regarding marriage."
Legislatures in two New England states, Vermont and New Hampshire, have taken steps toward legalizing same-sex marriages.
The Vermont Senate and House have voted to legalize same-sex marriage -- the House voted Thursday night -- but Vermont's governor has said he will veto the measure. New Hampshire's governor has signaled his opposition in the past.
Vermont, New Hampshire and New Jersey allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.
Nationwide, the issue of same-sex marriage remains highly divisive. A June 2008 CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that 44 percent of adult Americans believe gay marriage should be recognized by law as valid; 53 percent are opposed.
The issue took center stage in the largest U.S. state in November, when California voters narrowly approved a proposition amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. California had been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since a May 2008 ruling by the state Supreme Court legalized the unions.

What a Great Weekend!

2009-03-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

All I can say is I love my fellow musicians... my friends in DCDD more than words can express. What an amazing group of talented and dedicated individuals. I wish everyone in the world could have the opportunity to be surrounded by such people in their own lives. I am honored to be among you!

This was indeed a great weekend. The Capitol Pride Symphonic Band performed our Blossoms concert on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. We sounded wonderful and gave two phenomenal performances... if I do say so myself. We also had very appreciative audiences both days. On behalf of the CPSB, I would like to thank all of you who came out to hear us and I hope you come to more performances in the future and bring friends. This weekend closed the CPSB 2008-2009 concert season and we are on hiatus until August. Now the Marching Band takes over for the summer and what a summer it is shaping up to be. We have a new battery of percussion equipment and will be marching 5 bass drums, 4 snares, two quints and two cymbals. We have a great variety of parades and other events planned so stay tuned and come out to give us a listen. The best place to hear/see us will be at the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday evening, June 13th and the Palisades 4th of July Parade.

Here is a Youtube video from the weekend.

Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed performed by the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band and conducted by Joseph Bello.

March Madness!

2009-03-05T07:26:00.001-08:00

Not what you're thinking... this has nothing to do with college basketball!

This is a very busy month. DCDD is taking up much of my time. We have rehearsal every Monday night. Next Tuesday is the Board meeting during which our major focus will be fund-raising for the organization. It is already shaping up to be a great agenda and I know that it will be productive with some great action items. The following week will be rehearsal Monday, dress rehearsal Thursday and then concert Saturday and Sunday. If you are reading this and have no other plans, please come. The concert is called Blossoms. Saturday, March 21st at 8pm and a Sunday, March 22nd matinee at 3pm Lutheran Church of the Reformation 212 East Capitol Street, NE. The concert features works by Richard Wagner, Ron Nelson, and Leonard Bernstein and the newly commissioned Crimson, by Brett Miller. Tickets available from band members or in our Box Office. March 18th is also a very special day that week. My honey's birthday... he is turning 48. Happy Birthday, Mister!!!! Then, the following weekend is going to be ALL SORTS of CRAZY FUN! My 20th high school reunion is being held in Uniontown, PA. I am so looking forward to it... and THAT is saying SOMETHING! When I graduated in 1989, I swore that I would NEVER go to a class reunion. I didn't really enjoy high school. Being a well-dressed honor student in the band was a triple threat in Pennsyltucky. There was seldom a day that I didn't have the word "faggot" shouted in my direction. Had it not been for Kevin McElheny and my time with the band, I shudder to think how much worse it would have been. Well, ever since planning for the reunion started, via the website that Kim created and Facebook, I have been in contact with several folks from the classes of '87, '88 and '89 and have had NOTHING but positive conversations regarding what I've done with my life since leaving the hallowed halls of Jefferson-Morgan Jr. Sr. High School. I've reconnected with Christopher from the class of '87 and we've been in almost daily contact for the past 2 months. We have a whole weekend of festivities planned. Look out SW Pennsylvania... you may never be the same!

Recaps... Music and Politics

2009-02-25T10:02:00.000-08:00

As I thought, last weekend was fantastic. The Intimate Winds concert went off without a hitch. All the groups did an amazing job and we played to a sold out venue. Okay, so the venue was the Adirondack building at Hillwood Estate and it only held 70 people, but it was still sold out. Also, it was in large part a new audience for us. Thanks to those members of DCDD not playing in the concert for coming out to support the small ensembles. We appreciated your being there. I played with the saxophone quintet, for now we call ourselves Sax in the City. Being part of this small group for the past 1 1/2 years has been an amazing gift. Not only do we gel so wonderfully from a musical standpoint, we also get along so well as individuals... as friends. Stan, Aditi, Mark and Paul, I love you all so much. Thank you for your many gifts. Now, let's all get ready for a great rehearsal this weekend with CPSB (except you, Paul) and prepare for a fantastic spring concert!!!
__________________
How about that President of ours?!? I don't know about you all, but the negative feelings about the economy that have permeated every corner of the country have really been getting me down. Yes, we are all touched by this horrible AND TEMPORARY state of affairs and it's tough. I was worried about how President Obama was going to address Congress and the country. What was he going to say? How was he going to phrase it so that we all could leave our TV sets and actually feel good and hopeful and have a forward direction in which to move from here forward? Well, needless to say, after watching his address last night, I do feel very positive and hopeful. I hope the support that was shown by the bipartisan audience in the Capitol last night continues and the important legislation that the country needs is crafted and passed quickly.

Thank you, Mr. President!

Concert Weekend

2009-02-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's going to be a great weekend. 4 small chamber ensembles from DCDD are putting on an "Intimate Winds" concert Saturday afternoon at 2:00PM at the beautiful Hillwood Estate. We will be performing in the Adirondack Building. There will be a variety of music offered from classical wind quintet arrangements, Klezmer pieces for flute and bassoon, Russian folk music for clarinet trio and some swing and jazz interpretations for sax quartet. After that, some friends, my honey and I will be headed out for drink, dance and ogle! SUNDAY I AM RELAXING!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

2009-02-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

Here is Tom Goss's new music video that Matthew and I are in.

Be sure to visit Tom's website at http://www.tomgossmusic.com/.

DCDD... Poised for Greatness!

2009-02-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

A new and exciting year is officially underway for DC's Different Drummers. After a year away from band leadership, I am now back on the Board as Vice-president. I am so very excited at our prospects for 2009. This past Saturday, the Board convened for our annual leadership retreat. What a day it was! I was so impressed with the level of professionalism, collegiality and candor in the room. We had an especially delicate topic that consumed a fair amount of our agenda time (rightly so) and concluded with a very positive outcome and action plan. We then had CPSB rehearsal on Monday night which went very well. Then last night, we had the first Board Meeting of 2009 which convened the new members for the first time. Including myself, we welcomed Adam and Nathan. The meeting went WAY over our 2-hour limit but went very well and also resulted in some realistic action items. For me, the most exciting thing that happened last night was voting in a new Community Board member who is excited and seems very dedicated to our mission and vision. Congratulations, Patrick!!! We are glad to have you! I am so very proud to be part of this amazing organization. They truly are members of my family. We truly are poised for greatness!

Tonight's Festivities... So Excited!

2009-02-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight is going to be GREAT fun. There is an informal group at work to which I belong that goes by the name FIST (Friends in Science and Technology). We are all gay men and we get together at work at least once a week (usually more) in the afternoon for coffee/tea and great conversation. We have all gotten to be good friends. We also try to plan an after-work outing at least once a month to enjoy each other's company in a more open environment. Well, tonight we are heading into the city and taking in a Capitals game. I know, Chad isn't into hockey... very true. However, it is something different to do and besides, we're having drinks and dinner before the game at Rosa Mexicano. They have great guac and amazing pomegranate margaritas... YES, that is why I am going. LOL! No really, I'm looking forward to the evening out with my friends and am sure I'm going to enjoy the game, as well. I told my sister, who is a huge hockey fan, (loves the Penguins) that I was going to the game tonight and she is sooooo jealous. Ha Ha Ha!!!

Now That's How to Promote Safer Sex!

2009-02-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

This is absolutely one of the best videos I've ever seen and it sends a good message, too! Enjoy!!!

I Might Finally Get Discovered!

2009-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

Matthew and I had a really nice weekend. We had originally planned to head to Rehoboth but we had more going on that we thought so we stayed in town. It was relaxing and fun. Friday night I met a friend from the band who moved to Atlanta a year ago for Happy Hour. Matty and Gary were there as well and we had a really nice time. It was great catching up. He may even be moving back to the area. Good luck in the job search, Michael. Saturday was sleep in and relax day and also included one of my favorite things to do in the world... grocery shopping. I'm serious. I really love to go to the grocery store. However, I took Matthew with me and he hates it. Thank goodness the list of things to get wasn't long. He tolerated it pretty well and was much happier afterward when I got him some Starbucks. Later that evening we headed to another friend's in Virginia to play poker. It was a hoot. I hope we get the chance to do that again. Scott, Sara, Heather, Joe, Dan... next time I am going to win the pot! LOL! I'm really not a good poker player... AT ALL! We were also invited to my friend, Adam's birthday bash that night but obligated to the poker game first so we had to miss the party. I'm sorry Adam, but it did sound like you had a wonderful time... and Happy Birthday! The weekend concluded with Matthew and me participating in a video shoot for Tom Goss's new video "Till the End." We shot it at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast on R Street. It was so much fun. Tom hopes to release the video by Valentine's Day and you can bet I'll find a way to get it on my blog for your viewing pleasure. Thanks again to Tom for allowing us to participate. Be sure to visit his website at http://www.tomgossmusic.com/! Well, that's about it for now.

The Newest Addition to the List of Most Powerful Women in the World!

2009-01-23T10:07:00.001-08:00

The new Secretary of State! Yes, Ma'am!!!The Senate overwhelmingly approved the nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton as President Obama's secretary of State on Wednesday, after a one-day delay forced by Republicans who wanted to continue debating her husband's overseas fundraising activities.

Oh No! WHY... WHY... WHY???

2009-01-22T07:48:00.000-08:00

LOCAL OFFICIALS ASK ORE. AG TO PROBE PORTLAND MAYOR SAM ADAMS
Oregon's attorney general has agreed to investigate Portland Mayor Sam Adams, who has admitted he lied to cover up an affair with a teenager...
By William McCall

FREDRICK D. JOE / AP
Portland Mayor Sam Adams took the oath of office at 12:01 a.m. on New Year's Day 2009. Adams has admitted to having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old man he mentored in 2005, after denying the allegations for more than a year.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon's attorney general has agreed to investigate Portland Mayor Sam Adams, who has admitted he lied to cover up an affair with a teenager in 2005.
Adams took office this month, making Portland the largest U.S. city with an openly gay mayor.
On Tuesday, he admitted he lied when he denied having sex with Beau Breedlove. Adams says the relationship began after Breedlove turned 18, Oregon's legal age of consent.
Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer and Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk asked Attorney General John Kroger for an investigation.
Kroger issued a statement Wednesday agreeing to look into "matters pertaining to Portland Mayor Sam Adams that have recently come to public attention."

Making History with LGBA!

2009-01-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

OMG! I am still living the high from yesterday. It was an amazing day! I won't be able to come close in words on this post to expressing the true level of emotion that I felt being in the Inaugural Parade yesterday. I will steal the words my friend David H (Davida the Duchess of Dupont). used yesterday on the bus. "I have never been prouder to be a musician, to be an American and to be gay than I am today. Thank you all." I have watched several clips today of our group, the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) Marching Band, as we paraded for President Obama and Vice-president Biden... making history as the first openly gay organization to ever be invited to participate in an Inaugural Parade. (LINK to PARADE FOOTAGE)
We looked and sounded fantastic! President Obama, in the spirit of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is reviving the message of hope that we all have the ability to live and fulfill our dreams. Many of us haven't had this hope for the past eight years. I too have a dream... my hope is that our appearance yesterday somehow planted a seed that will eventually grow into a nationwide recognition and acceptance of gay Americans in all facets of life and that it inspired all gay Americans watching to live and fulfill their own dreams and destinies as openly gay citizens of this country. My hat is off to you, Mr. President. I am so proud to be and American... a GAY American!

Sick But Still Excited!!!

2009-01-17T05:57:00.000-08:00

I may have a wicked cold, but I am still excited about this Inaugural weekend! Matthew and I went out last night with Matty, Terry and the artistic director of the LGBA Inauguration Marching Band, Rice. We had dinner and drinks at Ulah Bistro in U Street and then headed to Nellie's Sports Pub for a drink. We had a very nice time. Dinner was delicious and the company was second-to-none. Don't forget to set your VCR's or DVR's and record history on Tuesday.
YES WE CAN !!!!

A New Beginning!

2009-01-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about this weekend. Yes, we are in the home stretch. It is now 5 days until the new First Family moves into the White House. We will celebrate the end of 8 long years of disappointment and turmoil and rejoice for the beginning of what I am hopeful will be a time of rebirth, refocus and (while not immediately) prosperity. We are in hard times but we will overcome... YES WE CAN!

President Obama, I salute you!

This weekend also marks a special event for me and my 175 fellow GLBT musicians from around the country who will be coming to DC to participate in the Inauguration Parade on Tuesday. We are so honored to have been chosen to represent LGBA on this historic occasion. We have received lots of press over the weeks since the formal announcement of our acceptance was released. Some of it good and some of it downright hateful and un-Christian. Regardless, we are going to march proudly into our new future in song and hopefully in step :-) !!! We are going to sound wonderful and look great and we will show the entire world that members of the GLBT community are talented, respectable, professional Americans who share the same joys and suffer the same disappointments as everyone else. I hope that young musicians who may be watching and perhaps struggling with their own sexual identity see us and realize what I wasn't able to realize when I was young. It's okay to be a young gay person. I also hope they get the solace from music that I did in those oh so awkward teenage years. I hope they hold onto that love of music into their adulthood and not ever take it for granted or lose it. Music is the language that all people around the world regardless of origin, race, ethnicity, sex, religion, creed or sexual identity understand. Music is the language of love, friendship, spirituality, celebration and peace.

To All of Us...

Have a wonderful weekend of celebration for hope and change we can believe in.

Join me in welcoming our new President and Vice-president and their families to their new homes.

Gentlemen, we are poised for greatness and ready to follow.

I could sure use a...

2009-01-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

For My Sissy...

2009-01-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

My Sissy and his honey have had a bit of a rough several weeks... for you to make you smile!
I love you!

I am a Blog Loser

2009-01-05T12:21:00.001-08:00

A belated Happy ChristmaChannuKwanza and Happy New Year to you!

Okay okay... it's been a really busy past 6 weeks. Is that an excuse for me to not blog? No! I can always squeeze 3 minutes in to post pictures or say something profound. Well, here it is... my official entry back into the world of blogging. Thank you, Jolene, for the kick in the butt to get back on the horse! Yes, it has been a busy 6 weeks. Here is the run down of what I've been up to... THE HOLIDAYS! Need I say more? Concerts... shopping... visiting family and friends... traveling to Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Rehoboth... parties... shopping.... Needless to say, I am happy to be back home and plan to stay in one place at least for a little while.

I am really excited about 2009. I have many goals for myself... many of which are probably ones you may have for yourself. It is that time of year when we make resolutions. I don't call my goals resolutions, because to me, resolutions get broken. For me, a goal is more likely something I will attain. My goals all fall under a theme... focus:

Focus on my physical, nutritional and emotional health - I want to get into the best physical and mental shape of my life this year... AND MAINTAIN IT!
Focus on relationships - I want to strengthen current relationships with my honey, my friends and my family and reconnect with those with whom I've lost contact over the years.
Focus on my endeavors - I am running for Vice-president of DC's Different Drummers for 2009. I have some great ideas that I think will help take the organization to a new level. We have a great board... all of whom are amazing people and highly dedicated to the organization, to music and to each other. We have things we need to accomplish and with their leadership we can do nothing but succeed.
Focus on my career - I am approaching the year mark of being in my most current position. It has been a great year of learning so far and I hope to learn more and become an indispensable member of the team. I am 5 years away from retirement which means this is the time for me to really concentrate on setting myself up for a successful second vocation.

I am also excited about 2009 because we are getting ready to celebrate the end of an ERROR and begin a new era filled with hope (YES WE CAN!). I am one of approximately 200 individuals who are taking part in the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) Marching Band chosen by the Inaugural Committee to march in the Inauguration Parade on January 20th. This marks the first time an openly gay organizations has been chosen for such an honor. We will have the opportunity to show the world, in a very positive and exciting spotlight, that gay individuals are a normal part of society... and fabulous musicians to boot. Then again, most of us have known this for years. It's just a certain hideous conservative sect of society that can't seem to understand it. YES WE CAN!!!

Finally, I'm excited about 2009 because I am going to be a father again. My friend Jill is pregnant and due to deliver Noah's little sibling on June 1st. We don't know if it's a boy or girl yet... another 2 weeks before she can have the confirmatory ultrasound. More to follow on that.

Well, there it is, my re-entry into the blog world. I'll be back soon... I promise!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

Okay okay. This is mostly because my friend Blake said to me the other night, "So, are you ever going to blog again or should I just stop reading?" So, Blake, here you go. Actually, I've been wanting to blog for several weeks and have just never had the time to sit down and do it. Okay, that's a complete lie. I've had plenty of opportunity. For instance, instead of watching hours of Smallville, Dancing with the Stars, True Blood, Top Chef and a couple others that I've forgotten, I could have had many entries by now. Oh well... the important thing is, I'm blogging. Now, I'm not going to sit here and bore you faithful few who read and fill you in on everything I've been up to since my last entry, at least, not in detail. Here is the abbreviated list:

LGBA Conference in NYC
CPSB rehearsals
Sax Ensemble rehearsals
Work
Visit to see Noah and his moms
Happy Hours
Evenings with my Sissy
Decision to run for the Board of DCDD for 2009, Vice-president
Decision to accept nomination for the Board of ANAC
Probably a couple other things I am forgetting

So there is the quick update.
I'm sitting here in Rehoboth on the day before Thanksgiving. My sister, Darcie and her husband, Lloyd arrived around 11:00. My honey will be showing up this evening. I've spent the day doing laundry and prepping food for Turkey Day dinner tomorrow. The bird is soaking in it's sage, rosemary and cinnamon brine solution and will go in the oven around 10:30 tomorrow AM. I'm also making a cornbread/sausage/date stuffing, sweet potato gratin, roasted brussel sprouts in a balsamic and lemon reduction and for dessert, rolls and fudge sent from my mom in PA. All in all, I think we're pretty well setup for a nice dinner. I'm happy and excited that my sis and her hubby are here. We're going to have a lovely visit.
Friday, we'll head into town for the Christmas Tree Lighting. I am NOT going to the outlets! You couldn't pay me all the money in the world to suffer through that. LOL!
Darcie and Lloyd will be leaving on Saturday morning and then I'll have to head back to DC on Sunday early afternoon. CPSB has dress rehearsal that night and then Monday it's back to work for a partial day and then the World AIDS Day Concert that night. After our last rehearsal Monday night, I am actually looking forward to it. If you are reading this and do not have plans for Monday night, I hope you will think about coming to the Harman Hall on F St. NW for our concert.
At this time of year, it is natural to give thanks. I have many things for which I am thankful this year: my life, my health, my honey, my friends, my biological family, my son Noah and his mommies, my DCDD family, a political future that has hope, employment, my DC home, my Rehoboth home. I am a very lucky man to have great people and things in my life. I owe much to the people over my 37 years who have influenced and impacted me. The wife of one of Matthew's co-workers who is an accountant once left us a note that said, "It's an accrual world." I know it's a bit corny but it really is true. We measure the success and happiness in our lives by those important people that we acquire and then grow to love, honor and respect. That is at least how I measure my success.
I wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.

It's October and the Fervor of the Winter Season Ensues...

2008-10-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially fall. If you've had any question, just step outside. The trees are either in beautiful color or mostly bare... it's rainy... and it's cold. I just love this time of year (sarcasm). Yeah, I'm not so much a fall/winter person. I much prefer the beauty of flowers in bloom, bright blue sunny skies, the smell of freshly cut grass, warm days at the beach and LONGER DAYS! With the fall and winter comes the business of the season. It pretty much starts for me in mid-October with the CPSB Fall Concert. Following that comes Halloween festivities, which this year includes marching in the NYC Halloween Parade as part of the Lesbian and Gay Bands Association (LGBA) conference. Then in November comes the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Conference, this year in sunny (YEAH!) Tucson, Arizona. I'm really looking forward to that trip next week!!! Next thing you know it's Thanksgiving, crazy days of shopping for the holidays and the DCDD Holiday Concert. This year is even busier because we have an additional concert thrown in there. CPSB is doing a benefit concert on December 1st, World AIDS Day. Proceeds go to three AIDS non-profit groups in the DC Area. Then you have the holidays and New Year. Whew! I think that's it. As much as this time of year is CRAZY, I do get much enjoyment out of it. It's a great time for hustle and bustle, visiting friends and family and eating (most of the time to excess). Plus, it helps the cold, dark days pass that much quicker. After New Year my spirits begin to rise because that's when I start getting excited about warmer weather and longer days coming just around the corner in 2-3 months.

What an AMAZING Weekend!

2008-10-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

This was the best weekend ever!!!
CPSB gave two phenomenal concerts. Thank you to the members of the band for their tireless preparation and superb performances. Special thanks to our conductor, Joey for his inspired musical leadership, poise on the podium and sincere gratitude for our efforts. On top of the great performances, we also had a very positive silent auction headed up by our own VP, Laura. Thanks for all your hard work on that. I hope we did VERY well! We had a great after-party on Saturday night at Annie's upstairs which was very well attended by band members and their friends and family. Thank you to the staff of Annie's for being so responsive and helping to bring our concert weekend to a wonderful close.
Sunday, my honey and I went to see Noah and his mommies. We had a great visit. I am so astounded by my son. He is growing more and more and has the best personality. Everything is interesting to him. I am loving, so very much, learning the world again through the eyes of a toddler. He makes me realize that there still is such a think as innocence in this world... something that we seem to be lacking in great proportion these days.

Just Had to Share This!

2008-10-17T07:23:00.001-07:00

It's Concert Week!!!!

2008-10-16T11:02:00.001-07:00

It's my favorite time of the fall. We are in the middle of concert week. The Capitol Pride Symphonic Band of DC's Different Drummers will present its "Turning Leaves" concert this Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00PM at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation located at 212 E. Capital Street. Director Joe Bello will conduct pieces by Shostakovich, Arnold, Williams, Sousa and Weber, with guest clarinet soloist, Shawn Buck. There will also be a Silent Auction. It's going to be a great show and I am so excited!!! We had a good rehearsal on Monday night and a great dress rehearsal last night. The concerts are going to be phenomenal. I'd like to think that what makes the music we produce so amazing is the level of musicality represented across the band. I'd be lying if I didn't think that was a big part of it. However, it's so much more than that. What makes the music so special to us is the emotion and love for each other as a band family that we inject into our playing. I'd venture to say that none of us hits every note exactly right or plays the correct dynamic level all the time. To me all that is just notes and letters on a page. The music comes from a deeper place in our minds and more importantly, in our hearts.

On a personal level, in my heart this entire week has been a very special person, Scott Barker. Scott was our Artistic Director for the past 10 years. Under his guidance and with his amazing support and friendship, he helped take a small group of musicians and turn them into an amazing band and wonderful family. We owe him so much and we all thank him from the bottoms of our hearts. I love you, Scott and miss you so very much.

We're performing this weekend for the first time under new direction. Joe Bello joined us as conductor this fall and has done a great job taking 70 very anxious existing and new members from a place of apprehension and uncertainty, playing very challenging music, to a level of musicality that quite frankly amazes me... all in a very short amount of time... 9 rehearsals. We are so lucky to be playing under him. As an organization we wanted to move to a new level and that is exactly what is happening. I'm confident that this weekend will be proof positive.

Well, I guess that's all for now. If you're reading this and have nothing planned for this weekend and you're in the DC area... come out and give us a listen. I'm sure you'll be happy you did!!!

To My Friend David! This is for you! Happy 50th!!!

2008-10-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Having a Blue Day

2008-10-06T06:38:00.001-07:00

Blah

Back in the Land of Normalcy... So to Speak

2008-10-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hey there! I know, once again it's been a long time since I last posted. Well, I was deployed to Texas for hurricane relief. I left on Friday September 19 and came back the following Friday. I was deployed to Federal Medical Station (FMS) College Station. It was located in the Texas A&M University's Reed Arena home of Aggie Basketball. This link gives a good overview of where I was and the type of evacuees I worked with. One of the people interviewed, Ms. Evans, was actually one of the folks I worked with my first night there. It was a great experience. I got to help people in need and met fellow officers from across the Public Health Service. I became really close with 4 individuals from the Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Services. We all worked the night shift together. On our down time we all ate and worked out together as well. I tip my hats to them, my new friends, for their care and compassion... Misty, Dan, George and Nick.
Upon my return to DC, I rushed home, packed another bag, once again bid farewell to my honey and got on the road to New Jersey for Band Camp. The band to which I belong holds a weekend-long camp every September to spend time rehearsing music for our upcoming fall concert as well as have fun and build family camaraderie with our fellow musicians. It is a GREAT time. I wasn't able to make it in time for the evening rehearsal but I did make it in time for Friday night's impromptu party. We had a ball. Thanks to my Sissy, the room was all setup and all I had to do was put down my suitcase and join in the fun. We had a great camp. We accomplished a lot musically and strengthened old and build new relationships in the group. Thanks goes out especially to Greg Tarker for organizing band camp and to our new conductor Joe Bello for leading us in some very productive rehearsals. We are READY for the concert which I'm sure will knock the socks off our audience. I also want to thank Mark and Matty for being my friends and for helping make my camp memorable. I almost wasn't able to make it because of the deployment. The only one who knew I was coming was Matty so it made for a nice surprise.
Now, if I could only get rid of this horrible cold I've picked up since my whirlwind tours of Texas and New Jersey... life would be grand.

Being Deployed

2008-09-18T16:15:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. I just wanted to let you, my few and faithful blog buds know that I am being deployed to College Station, Texas tomorrow morning. It's the home of Texas A&M University and is where they have setup a shelter for residents of coastal Texas who were evacuated as a result of Hurricane Ike. I'll be providing nursing care on all 3 shifts. I leave at 9AM and will probably return in 2-3 weeks.
I'll be thinking about you all, especially my friends in DCDD who will be attending a fun-filled Band Camp 2008 while I'm away.
Take care of yourselves and have a GREAT time!!!

I'm Still Here! Woo Hoo!

2008-09-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I am still in DC. Ike delivered a bad blow over the weekend but for some reason, I didn't get called to respond. Instead, I did some stuff around the house that needed done and had some well-deserved and overdue Chad time. I had planned to go to Rehoboth with my honey but decided against it because I didn't want to be 2.5 hours away if I did indeed need to be mobilized for the storm. Matthew went to the beach house and also had a nice relaxing time, got some stuff done and even went to Rehoboth Pride. The dog actually got to see Tiffany perform. He said she was great. Anyway, I'm happy to be here and am having a pretty good Monday thus far. It will be capped off in fine form as always with CPSB rehearsal tonight. I can't wait to see my band family. They are always one of the high points of my week.

Eek... Ike!

2008-09-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am really getting worried about Hurricane Ike. I'm worried on the normal human level with concern for those who are needing to evacuate and potentially lose their homes and hope that those who are CRAZY enough to stay and "weather" it out stay safe. However, I'm also worried on a professional level. I am an officer in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps so there is a strong possibility that I will be deployed for hurricane relief. I already have 4 friends who have been mobilized. They left about 2 weeks ago for support with Gustav and Hannah. They have now been moved to Texas in preparation for Ike. If he continues to strengthen as he has over the past 12 hours, he could become a very, very bad storm with HUGE impact on Texas and the Mississippi River basin. I'm hoping for some crazy weather anomaly to hit him so he'll blow out before he hits the coast but that is very unlikely to happen. Keep your fingers, toes, eyes, legs, arm and anything else you can crossed that we all come through this ok and mostly unscathed.

Rain, Rain...

2008-09-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

GO AWAY!!!!!

Catching Up

2008-09-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

I know... it's been a long time since my last post.
The closing on the house went great and we are all settled in our new Rehoboth house. Ok, so we're not completely settled. We have all we need to sleep 8, watch TV on the couch, eat at the dining room table and bathe. We still need things to decorate walls and such, but that will all come with time. That's the fun part of moving into a new home, right?
After the closing weekend, Matthew and I headed back to DC. I worked Monday-Wednesday and then headed to PA to be with my sister for her surgery. She was diagnosed with gastric paresis a year ago and has lost 85 lbs since then. She has tried several things to combat this problem to no avail so she had no choice but to have a jejunum feeding tube inserted last Thursday. We were expecting for her to be watched overnight and be discharged on Friday, however that night she had some complications which required an NG tube placement to rest her upper digestive tract. They removed the NG tube yesterday and I hope she'll be going home either later today or tomorrow. If you are reading this, please send good thoughts in her direction.
While I was in PA, Matthew came back to the beach and entertained our friends Kevin and Adrian for the holiday weekend. They had a great time.
This coming weekend, Matty and Terry and Michael and Diane are coming. We are really looking forward to their visit. More to follow on that early next week.
I am back at the beach house with my honey and we are enjoying some time together and getting things even more settled. We have some things to do today and need to get busy, so more to follow.
While we're here having a great time, our thoughts go out to the folks in the Caribbean and gulf area during what has turned out to be the start of a horrid September hurricane season. Fingers are crossed that weather patterns change and these storms burn out or divert and leave the US alone.
We also have a few friends who are attending the RNC in Minnesota. We hope for safe travels and they get back to the land of happy Democrats. Jared, I know you're a hopeless cause but I still have hope that you'll one day realize that you are NOT a Republican!!!!

Feeling Better and Excitement on a Couple Levels

2008-08-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the day. Matthew and I are here at our friends, Kathy and Jill's house in Lewes, DE. It's just a few minutes from our new place in Rehoboth. They came to our house last night with their pickup truck. After having dinner together, they helped us get packed up and we headed here. It was a great trip, not just because we were driving here to attend the closing on our home, but because the traffic was light, the weather was perfect, the bridge was beautiful, it only took 2 1/4 hours to get here and because we were with GREAT friends. Kathy has been Matthew's friend for 25 years and they have been confidantes and integral extended members of each other's families ever since. I got really lucky acquiring new wonderful friends when Matthew and I got together 14 years ago. Ok, back to the title of this posting...
First, I'm feeling about 80% better today. Granted, some of that may be because we are buying our beach home today, ya think? LOL!!!
Second, I'm excited because Senator Obama is supposed to be releasing the name of this VP running mate today. We have all been glued to CNN this morning awaiting the good word. I can safely say that all of us here have fingers and toes crossed that Clinton is the name that prevails! Too good to be true? We sure hope not.
Finally, we are meeting Deb, our agent at the house for the walk-through at 1PM and then we're off to closing. Whip, bam, boom... a couple hours and two cramped hands later (from signing our life away again), we will be Rehoboth homeowners. Can I get a "Woo Hoo?!?!?"

I Hate Being Sick!

2008-08-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

Ugh! This is the pits. Sore throat, fever, nausea, no appetite, blah! I'm actually feeling a bit better today. Went to the doctor yesterday and she started me on an antibiotic. It seems to be doing the trick. Two nights ago was horrible. I had fevers up to 101.5, was nauseous, couldn't eat and had the worst chills. I think the worst has passed. I'm really bummed that I'm feeling like this especially since the closing on our Rehoboth house is tomorrow. I hope a good night's sleep tonight will help. I'll be sure to post by Monday on the happenings of the weekend.

Monday Recap

2008-08-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

It's officially the beginning of fall for me as of mid-August. Why is that you ask? Well, that's when Symphonic Band resumes our rehearsal schedule. We started back last night. Matty picked me up around 6pm and then we headed over to pickup Ben. We got to the church and as we're walking down the steps I was surprised by the amount of music I heard coming from inside. It's common to hear a few folks warming up as I arrive but this was definitely more than I'm used to hearing. We walked in the door and I was blown away by the number of folks who were there. We were literally busting at the seams. If everyone stays for the whole season, we will officially have the largest number of players in CPSB history. We were sitting right around 60 musicians last night and had an all-time record for new folks. I'm not sure of how many there were exactly but it had to be around 15-20. The first night of rehearsal is always a bit overwhelming. It's like the first day of school... all the kids reconnecting after not having seen each other all summer and then there's helping make the new kids feel welcome. What made last night even more special, was we also had a new "teacher." I think everyone was overwhelmed and despite that we made some really good music for a first night. I have really high hopes for how the season is going to turn out. We are playing probably some of the most challenging music I can remember in my 5 years with the group. We only have 8 weeks to prepare for the October concert and then we have to prepare our program for the "Songs for Life" concert on December 1. It's going to be a furioso season and I'm pretty excited at the prospect of it.
As is a tradition for us, folks usually go out after rehearsal to La Lomita Dos, Mr. Henry's or Green Lantern. Several folks did just that. Matty, Schotzie, Aaron, Rob, William and I went to Green Lantern for drinks and karaoke and had a really fun time. It was a great cool-down for a great Monday. I hope all the other folks at La Lomita or Henry's had a fun and safe time. For the little gang who went to the Lantern... this is for you!

My Sissy is Blue... This is for You

2008-08-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

I Have Been Seriously Neglectful!

2008-08-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, my serious apologies for not posting in such a long time. It's been a week... and what a week it's been. I'll go in reverse chronology. The week finished off last night with another fun evening at Matty and Terry's. I went over there late afternoon to hang out, have some drink and another great dinner. Yummmmmmmm.... Terry, you are an amazing cook! Do you ever get tired of hearing that? We had a great time. We watched a John Water's movie starring Tracey Ullman called "A Dirty Shame." It was, ummmm, interesting to say the least and if I said I didn't enjoy it, I'd be a liar. If you're in the mood for a sexually overcharged Waters flick, then this is for you.
Thursday afternoon through yesterday afternoon I was in PA visiting Noah and his mommies. We had a great visit. Noah has a cold, but that definitely doesn't slow him down. He is walking all over the place and is talking up a storm. Okay, so he's not making sentences yet, but he has quite the vocabulary for a 14 month-old. Oh, and have I mentioned how amazingly handsome he is? I'm not at all proud. I have some new pics and will load them on here soon.
Last week was consumed with work and final details on the Rehoboth house. I can't wait until this weekend. That's right, we close on Friday and then the fun begins. I'm so excited to get settled into our new escape at the ocean.
Okay, now back to today. I am in such a great mood. You see, CPSB starts back up tonight. If you don't know what that is, I'll explain it. It's the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band one of several ensembles under the DC's Different Drummers umbrella. I've been a member of this amazing group for going on 5 years now and have acquired several new members of my extended family as a result. I am so lucky to have DCDD in my life.
Tonight, the group embarks on a new journey. We bid farewell to our Artistic Director Scott last spring. Scott was amazing. In the 10 years he led the band, we grew phenomenally as musicians, as friends and as a family. Our membership exploded in concert with our artistic portfolio. To Scott we owe so much. He left us perfectly poised to move on and grow even more. Tonight, we welcome our new conductor Joe Bello. We have high hopes and wish him the best of luck.
Okay, I think that will do for now.

Congratulations Joshua Allen!

2008-08-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

Joshua Allen is the Season 4 winner of "So You Think You Can Dance." Very well-deserved! For those of you who did not watch this season, Joshua and Twitch were the final two. For the first time ever, it came down to two hip-hop dancers, neither of whom had any formal dance training. Joshua continually amazed the judges and evidently the viewers throughout the season with his amazing ability to meet the challenge of every genre of dance thrown at him. He is amazing and will definitely have a long and successful dance career ahead of him. Congratulations to Twitch for being 1st runner up and to Katee for being the top female this year for which she went home with a nice $50,000 consolation prize.

Fun Night Ahead...

2008-08-07T10:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I have had quite the week and I deserve to have a nice evening, right? For those of you who have been in my corner over the past several days, thank you so very much for your thoughts of condolence, sympathy and support. You are great friends and I treasure each one of you more than you can ever know!!!

I am so excited about my evening plans! A group from work is meeting for Happy Hour at Halo this evening. The group is called FIST. Okay, gutter brains, it doesn't mean that at all!!! It stands for Friends In Science and Technology. We are a group of guys at NIH who get together to talk about research as well as the latest dish in our lives. We all have one major aspect of ourselves in common... shouldn't be too hard to figure that one out. Okay, so most of the conversations revolve around the dish and not so much the research. LOL! About once a month, we meet in the city for Happy Hour or dinner. This will be my first outing with the group and I am really looking forward to it. The guys are really nice and it should prove to be quite a fun time. After Happy Hour, my sissy is picking me up and we are heading to a surprise party for a mutual friend of ours. I'm pretty confident that this person won't see my blog so I'm not too concerned about ruining things. I wish it weren't a work night... alas, Sissy and I both have to work tomorrow so it won't be as rip-roaring a good time as I'd like. We'll have great fun nonetheless. So... there you have it. I've included a picture of my favorite beverage of choice which I'm quite sure will end up being my poison tonight. Keep me in your thoughts that I will be able to recognize my limit and not get too crazy. Thank goodness for ibuprofen and hydration. :-)

So Tired... Can't Focus... Swollen Ankle

2008-08-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

What a Monday. Got in at 1:30 AM after driving home from PA. I went to my friend, Kathy's wake. I wasn't sure I'd be able to go, given my ankle injury. However, I threw caution to the wind yesterday morning and went. I got on the road at about 11:00 AM and arrived at my folks' house about 4:00. I visited with them for a bit and then my mom and I went to the funeral home. It was so hard but I'm glad I did it. Having Mom there helped. The wake was over at 8:00 PM. I took Mom home, changed, got some coffee and got back on the road home. I hope to never have to that drive again... for so many reasons. I've had Kathy and her family on my mind all day. She was laid to rest today at noon. On top of being tired from getting in late and getting up early for work and thinking about Kathy and her family, I have been having the hardest time concentrating. Not to mention, my ankle has gotten increasingly more swollen as the day has progressed. I need to get home and get it elevated. I think this is all I have in me for a posting today. I promise to have more tomorrow.

A Great Evening Followed by a REALLY BAD Day

2008-08-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the day didn't start out bad. Got up early and drove to Matty's to pick him up to head up to Anja and Laura's. This picture was taken on the stoop in front of their old building. That's right, their OLD building. We were there to help them move from Takoma Park, MD to their new condo on Capitol Hill... it was the former residence of good friends of all ours from DCDD, Joe and Scott. Congratulations you two and hope you have many new memories in your new home! So why am I lying on the ground and (look closely) why do I have a bag of ice on my ankle? Well, several folks know already what the mishap was but let me rehash it for those who don't. We had been at the old building all morning helping with moving some things for them. The girls hired movers, but there were some things that they wanted us to take down in advance such as a cello, CDs, DVDs and some nice art work and mirrors. They were also nice enough to give my Matthew and me a bed frame, shelves and vacuum for our new place in Rehoboth. We had strapped the shelves on top of Jiffy (my Subaru Forester), taken to my house, had a sandwich and then went back to the apt. building to get the bed frame. Well, here's where it gets interesting. We were carrying the bed frame down when I stepped off the stoop onto an uneven spot on the sidewalk and turned my ankle very badly. I heard and felt several pops, experienced immediate mind-altering pain and my ankle began swelling immediately. I sat down at once and elevated my foot above my head. Matty called Matthew who came and got me, took me home, got me iced up with snacks for the afternoon and then headed off to golf. I was so happy I decided not to go to the hospital which was my initial irrational thought. As Matthew said, given my experience in orthopedic nursing, I should have known immediately that it was a bad sprain... especially since I was able to put weight on it. He found it comical that Matty and I were hysterical and thinking the worst. Looking back on it now, it was pretty funny. :-)
On the way home, I received a call from my mom who gave me some really bad news. My best friend from college, Kathy Jo (Beyer) Garrison had died the day before. Her picture is above. That really tore me up and it still is. A friend of mine from high school found me on Facebook today and told me what had happened. Kathy and I were pretty inseparable in school for 4 years and it was because of her that I have some of the greatest memories of my young adulthood. We fell out of touch over the years since we graduated, mostly my fault, and I will forever regret those missed years. Kathy, I will always remember you and love you. Rest in Peace my good friend. My thoughts go out to Kathy's husband Rob and their two sons, Joshua and Noah as well as her mom and brothers.
A couple hours later, Matty showed up at our place with David and they brought the bed frame into the house and hung out chatting for a few minutes. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my foot on ice and elevated and watched TV (one of my favorite pastimes). Okay, so that's the REALLY BAD day.
The evening before, however, was wonderful fun. Matty showed up at my house and (as you see from my previous post) we had some fun before Ben and Scott showed up. We hopped in Scott's new Jeep Liberty and headed out to Wolf Trap for our evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It was great. The picnic Scott furnished (even without forks) and the bubbly and wine Matty furnished were delish. The music was fantastic but the company... the company was first rate. Thanks for another memory I'll treasure forever.
I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I am sorry that I lost one of them this weekend but am so grateful for the friends that are still part of my life. Matthew, Matty, Scott, Ben, Anja, Laura, David, Bruce, Beth and my late friend Kathy... you are all key pieces that fit together to help complete the puzzle of my life. I am truly lucky that we all found each other... thank you for being part of my world. I love you!

It's Blogger Tutorial Time with Cocktails!

2008-08-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Here I sit with my Sissy drinking cosmos as he shows me some helpful hints about navigating around this Blog thing. Remember... I am really really new at this thing. Though, as I told him, I'm pretty proud of how I've done to this point teaching my little ol' self. We are premedicating you might say... waiting for Scott and Benny Ben to get here so we can make our FABULOUS trek to the wilds of the Commonwealth to tonight's show at Wolf Trap. We're not drivin' so WE ARE DRINKIN'!!!!

Rodgers and Hammerstein and the New Harry Potter Trailer!!!

2008-08-01T06:35:00.001-07:00

So, I'm heading to Wolf Trap tonight with my friends, Scott, Matty and Benny Ben. We're going to see the NSO's night with Rodgers and Hammerstein. It's going to be so much fun. Not only do we all love the NSO, but we are all musicians and have a certain affinity for the work of these two amazing composers. A little Sound of Music, King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific or Carousel anyone? Think of it, 4 men, some picnic fare, a couple bottles of wine, sitting on the lawn at Wolf Trap listening to the NSO play show tunes? Now I ask you, could that be any gayer? LOL!!! Do you think it will be like this? It's actually not half bad.

So I am also a HUGE fan of anything Harry Potter. Yeah, I know I am a child, but it keeps me young. The books are amazing and the movies are fantastic. Well, I got an email from Fandango that the new Harry Potter trailer was released. Here it is for your viewing pleasure. It looks like it's going to be a really good movie.

Okay, time to get back to work.

Another "So You Think You Can Dance" travesty!

2008-07-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am a bit addicted... I really love this show. However, America SERIOUSLY screwed up this week. Well, they got the female send off correct... good-bye Chelsie. It was her time to go. However, America also sent Mark packing. He was, by far, the most creative and unique dancer on the show who wholeheartedly embraced every dance and character with which he was charged each week. Last night, he was flawless absolutely killing a Viennese Waltz and amazing jazz routine. America, in its infinite wisdom, chose to keep Twitch on the show. Out of all the dancers, he was the 1 who messed up on one of his routines. Yes, he is an amazing hip-hop dancer, but he has shown on more than one occasion, that he does not have the breadth nor the adaptability of the other male dancers.
I want to thank my friend Swoper for bringing me to grips with Will being kicked off last week. He was absolutely right in saying that the judges brought his early departure to fruition because they kept saying each week that he was the best dancer on the show. I think America got sick of it and decided that someone else, equally good, needed to get the break. Swoper, you are wise, my friend.
To Mark, bon voyage. You were voted off prematurely and should be in the final. You will be missed and good luck in your dance career.

My God Is It Hot!!!

2008-07-31T05:38:00.000-07:00

My sissy will appreciate this...

It's so hot and humid outside that one word comes to mind - Icka!

Actually, I really like it on the warm side. I could do without the humidity, but I look on the bright side... it's good for my skin. When the weather gets like this, I just think of being in my favorite city by the sea, San Diego where it's always sunny and 74... that is, as long as you're west of I-5! As soon as you cross the 5, it's just hot, smoggy Southern CA. Ah, to be in Hillcrest right now, sitting outside, having coffee and reading the paper. "To dream, perchance to live."

Ok, back to reality.

Yes, I'm taking a bit of a break from work to write this. I didn't post yesterday so I have some catching up to do.

My honey got home from the Disabled Veterans Wheelchair Games. He had a wonderful time. He said the athletes are a true inspiration. One of the days was actually a big-brother type day. They invited kids in wheelchairs to spend time with the athletes and run through some of the games and obstacle courses. I can only imagine how awesome it must have been. They also played Murderball as one of the contested sports. Of course, it was billed as Quad Rugby. Now, if you're like Matthew and me, we were trying to figure out how a quadraplegic can play rugby in a wheelchair... come to find out that Quad refers to the number of players on the floor, not what level of paralysis they have. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this...

Onto another topic - is anyone else terribly addicted to "So You Think You Can Dance?" Well I am. I actually secretly like it much better than American Idol. Last week, a terrible travesty occured. America voted off the most gifted and talented of all the dancers, Will. He is a prodigy of Debbie Allen and is in a word AMAZING. I know that he is going to be a success and will likely end up in the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, but by all rights he should have been in the finale and have won the competition. Alas, democracy reigns supreme and the "voters" of this fine country messed up again. That's the way it goes I guess. Well, now it's down to the top 6. They danced last night and tonight 2 more will be gone. I would vote off Chelsie and Twitch. They are great, but not nearly as amazing as Mark, Joshua, Katee and Courtney. See what you think for yourself.

http://www.fox.com/dance/

Okay, time to get back to work.

Dolores, I'm Wet!

2008-07-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Two days have gone by and I haven't posted. By all rights, I should be in bed right now given that it's 12:36 AM but I just had to post before I went to bed. I just got in from my Sissy's. He invited David and me over to have cocktails and watch Dolores Claiborne. We absolutely love that movie and feel it was a huge travesty that Kathy Bates wasn't nominated for an Oscar in that role. She was fantastic.. ok, I know, it was a Stephen King novel adaptation, how serious could the role be, right. Then again, she won as Annie Wilkes in Misery, so there you go. It was a fun time which was topped off with T coming home at 9:30 and he and Sissy throwing some pork loin, beans, pasta and wine on the table for a VERY LATE dinner which I'll be digesting until lunch time tomorrow. And David... the CAKE WAS FANTASTIC. If only we'd had a bit more ice cream to go with it. ;-)
Kathy, here's to you!

Busy Past Few Days

2008-07-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hey there all my faithful readers... LOL! So it has been a busy past few days and I haven't had much of a chance to post so I'm gonna sum it up here in one fail swoop.
First and foremost... WE GOT THE HOUSE... WOO HOO! It was a busy couple of days with all the paperwork and bids and counters and calls to our agent, to our mortgage broker, etc., but it all paid off. We go to closing on 8/22. What a great relief. It was a monumental task but the work has just begun. Now we have to pay for the house... and furnish it. It's going to take a while to get enough to fill 3 BR, 2.5 baths, living room, dining room, screen porch and kitchen but we'll make it happen. Time to start looking at Ebay, Craigslist, Room Store, Ikea, etc. We'll do it though and it'll be a fun process. I'd like to pick a theme and stick with that... I think it'll make the process easier. Since it's at the beach, that will likely be the theme we choose. We have other friends who chose to do nautical, home away from home, etc. Another idea I had was to make it a place for us to showcase our travels. So, that's the house.

Next, it was Central PA Pride weekend and the DCDD Marching Band went to Harrisburg to participate in the parade and festival. It was so much fun. My Sissy and I drove up together... what a hoot of a road trip. Thank you Laura and Anja for catching up with us in Gettysburg and having lunch and then finishing the trip with us. The Dutchess and our Queen were in the adjoining room which made for a fun Friday evening of pre-med with Cosmos and champagne. Thank you, Your Majesty, for furnishing the bubbly, it was the most wonderful Vuevay Clickit (Veuve Cliquot) I've ever had... LOL! The 4 of us then went into H'burg and hit a great club called Stallions. I wish a club like that existed in DC. It was huge, great dance floors, wonderful music, great location. The price of drinks was good and the cover was only $5 but oy, we had the worst vodka gimlets I've ever had in my life. Thank you to the bartender upstairs who was able to redeem the establishment by making us a wonderful second round.

The parade and festival were great. The gay crowd were so receptive, well, except for the horrid Jesus freaks who were protesting at every corner. Thank you so much to the Silent Witnesses who screened them out with their fabulous rainbow umbrellas. It amazes me that they talk about the homos going to hell, yet all we were doing was having a wonderful celebration relishing in life, family and friendship. The "God fearing, Jesus loving, Bible based Christians" were the only ones there who were spreading hate. Now, you tell me who is going to be ending up in Hell.

Jill, Erin and that amazing son of ours, Noah also came up and cheered us on. Noah got to meet my band family. We all had a wonderful time. Noah was precious, clapping and cheering and running around chasing dogs and talking to geese. He is very smart for a 14 month old toddler. Plus, did I mention how beautiful he is? We finished performing at the festival and then Matty and I hopped in the car and headed home. Jill and Erin invited us to stop at the house along the way so we did. We popped into Walmart to get the fixins for a little impromptu cookout and had a nice late lunch/early dinner, hung out for a while and played with Noah for a couple hours. It was a fantastic visit.

The only thing missing that would have made the weekend perfect was if my honey had been able to come along. He would have had a great time. However, he is on a trip for his workplace in Omaha, Nebraska attending the Disabled Veteran's Games. He'll be back on Wednesday and I'm sure he is going to have an amazing experience. We sure missed him though.

I dropped Matty off at home last night and he gave me a tutorial on taking care of the dogs, Heidi and Nicky. He and Terry were supposed to be heading to Rehoboth for the day, but they had to cancel the trip because Heidi suffered some sort of allergic reaction this morning. They took her to the vet and all seems ok for now. Get better soon little girl. I'll be popping over there later today to return the house key and see how they're all getting along.

So, that's the last few days. Busy, busy, buys.... Now I'm off to the gym, grocery and Matt & Terry's. It's a fairly nice Sunday and I need to get out and enjoy some fresh air.

House Buying Made Simple

2008-07-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you something... if someone could write a book on how to simplify the home buying process they would become and instant millionaire. This is such stress. The things you have to consider, getting pre-approved, securing a lender, reviewing the contract and owner's disclosure, deciding how much to put down, making the offer, getting the counter offer, reconsidering the offer, do you want cash at the table or a lower list sale price, making the counter offer... oh and the waiting on pins and needles for the call back from your agent. YIKES! I have such a headache. Thank goodness I'm going to Rio Grande this evening with some of my work associates for a margarita and mediocre Mexican food. Now, going from memory because it's been 6 years since I last went through this process... once they accept the offer (or we accept another counter offer) then we finish up paperwork, get our funds together to come up with the down payment, have a home inspection, give the final ok that we are moving forward and then go to closing. Then there's closing day. I remember that day fondly. I remember that mountain of paperwork that you don't even attempt to read at the table unless you want to be there for 16 hours. You whip through it all, suffering hand callouses and finger cramps (because no one uses their hands for writing anymore) stand up, shake hands with the closing agents and owners, hug your real estate agent, receive the keys and then go out and celebrate. Now, did I forget any key steps? See what I mean? I've written a fairly lengthy paragraph just going through the steps and I'm quite sure it's not even an exhaustive list. I'm tired just thinking about it all. WE NEED THAT BOOK!!!!!!!! I bet there's a Home Buying for Idiots book out there somewhere. Maybe I need to look for it.

Matthew and I are waiting for the counter offer to come back. If you are reading this, keep your fingers crossed and wish us luck. ;-)

To My Friends David and Grant

2008-07-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

You and your families are in my thoughts and my heart...

Goodbye Estelle Getty... we will miss you.

2008-07-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FXLcSRoGB38

Rehoboth Beach, here we come!

2008-07-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we are ready to buy a place in Rehoboth. Going through the paces of getting pre-approved for the mortgage and making a bid. Five other people have looked at the house since we saw it Sunday. Fingers are crossed. It's so cute and in a great location and the price is right!

Getting the Ball Rolling

2008-07-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am REALLY new to this blogging thing but I have great hopes for myself. I've tried starting a journal on many occasions, all of which ended up miserably. I anticipate that this venture will not. My best friend, Matty, has tried on a few occasions to get me into this so today, for whatever reason, I decided to give it a shot. Of course, I'm sending this to him first for input, so Matty, you better respond! LOL! So friends, consider this kind of a preamble to the rest of the blog. I have much to talk about and many pictures of family, friends, places and such to share. Most importantly, you're going to learn a lot about the three most important men in my life... Noah, Matthew and Matty.
Hold onto your hats... here we go!