As I Sit Here

-Thursday … the 9th of July, just 10 days away from my upcoming birthday.  Good morning everyone and welcome.

-Outside this morning in our back yard we have clear skies and 50 degrees.

The weather forecast for today for our back yard and this region of Minnesota is calling for: Increasing clouds. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning…then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 65 to 70. Cooler by Lake Superior. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Color weather radar does indicate a long narrow ban of rain from Canada to Iowa along the western border to Minnesota and North Dakota/South Dakota borders at this hour moving in an easterly direction.  The bulk of the rain appears to be in the southern half of Minnesota while that rain in the northern half almost appears at this our to be dissipating.

-Today is weigh in day for me.  This will be the end of week 4.  Last week, on weigh in day at the end of week 3, I had lost 17 pounds.  We did have the 4th of July and for one meal I did slightly go off of my diet having a burger and bun with chips and a few baked beans … plus the fact that for the past two days I’ve been suffering from a cold and although I’ve gotten out to walk and eat well – this morning I am not sure if I lost much or not.  But when I weigh in about 6:30 a.m. time will tell for sure.

Ok, I just weighed in and I lost 2 more pounds for a total of 19 pounds.  I’m pretty happy about that weight loss.

-Yesterday was a really quiet day for me … Steve was gone all day and all evening.  He worked days at his primary job and then went to play softball at 7:00 p.m. and stopped to have a beer and supper at the bar with the rest of his team at 8:00 p.m. and didn’t get home til a bit after 9:00 p.m.  His team, unfortuntely lost … I won’t post the score, but let’s say it would have been closer to a football game score than a softball game score.

I felt bad for him, when he called and said his team lost.

Earlier in the day, I had the misfortune of getting into a discussion with a relative of Steve’s on the internet … about our being “gay” and our lifestyle.  It was an unfortunate situation … and one that I tried to avoid at all costs … but seemingly this relative just kept pushing me in chat and eventually it ended in a more unhappy way than what I would have wanted.

That left me in a “funk” most of the day, because all I ever wanted in June of 1999 when I met Steve was (1) his friendship, (2) his love and (3) is loyalty to that love and the privacy of our relationship to last forever.  But some people, and this is not the first time in my life this has happened … just need to pry and pry and get overly inquisitive about the lives of others (Steve and I) and need to know more than they should about our lives.

One of my clerical staff a few years ago, starting prying into our lives … and what Steve and I do in our lives is for the most part our own business.  We are not two gay men who wear our lives on our sleeves and parade around the world and here in our community saying “hey…see us, we’re a gay homo couple”…etc., etc.  That’s just not us, and never will be.

In our ten plus years, we’ve kept our relationship personal and private and we’ve just enjoyed what God has made us to be…a gay couple in love.

I felt bad telling Steve about this chat with his relative on the internet … it left a feeling of distrust, hurt and confusion in my mind … and made for an uncomfortable day … knowing that someone … a relative of his was … going way out of bounds to place me and perhaps Steve in a some what uncomfortable position.

Life marches on … I know for a fact I won’t be chatting with that individual probably ever again – and that in fact is sad, because I only met this person one other time – and thought he was a very nice guy.

Such is life.

-I was reading the internet yesterday and I came across something that was delivered back in 1992 to the Bennington College class commencement.  I could not help but realize how absolutely amazing this concept would be, if just allowed to work in the lives of every person who would take time to put these principles to work for themselves:

1. Never lie, and never let anyone cause you to lie. Truth, or the pursuit of it, is all we have.
2. Never do anything you are ashamed of. If you’re ashamed that means somewhere inside you think it’s wrong; and if you think it’s wrong, you shouldn’t be doing it.
3. Take full responsibility for yourself. You are the only one who can say what goes into or comes out of your body.
4. Always admit when you’re wrong. You’ll save thousands in therapy later — and a few friendships too.
5. Change your mind as often as possible. Just because you thought something yesterday doesn’t mean you have to think it today. Don’t ever become a prisoner of your own opinion.
6. Beware of anyone who says they know. Trust me, they don’t, or they wouldn’t have to say they did.
7. Take care of yourself first, then your family, then your friends. And if you have anything left over, share it.
8. Do something, anything, every day to change the world. It doesn’t have to be big, it could be giving a dime to a street person, planting a flower, picking up litter. Anything will change the world.
9. When you have nothing better to do, smile. You’ll have to trust me on the miracle this step brings.
10. Make a bit of time every day to be alone and think. Five or ten minutes is enough. It will keep you sane.
11. Have all the sex you want — safe sex. Get lust out of your way. It’s the only way I know to make sure you fall in love for the right reasons. And I want you all to find true love.
12. Learn something new every day. Read a newspaper article that you wouldn’t normally read. Open a dictionary to a word you never heard, or never understood.

In my estimation … powerful stuff, as I sit here on this Thursday morning … those are my thoughts.

Getting Over Being Bummed Out

-We’ve made it to the middle of this week … it’s Wednesday!  Good morning and welcome.

-Out in the back yard this morning it is 51 degrees under clear skies.  Today’s northland weather forecast for this area of Minnesota is calling for: Mostly sunny. Highs 62 to 67. Cooler near Lake Superior. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

Not exactly summer weather, when the temperatures don’t even get up into the 70’s now in the day time.

Color weather radar this morning shows a few small areas of rain in southern Minnesota – but most of those are breaking up shortly after they occur – so it looks like most of the day is going to be clear.

-I’m going to be honest. I don’t feel like writing this blog today. Yesterday I woke up with nasty feeling of getting a “summer cold” and today I have the reality of it.  My throat is a bit sore, my head aches and my chest and throat feel congested.  I know that when I feel this way there a certain things that help snap me out of this funk:

1. WALKING: I know. But it’s true. When I have a good walk I feel a little better.

2. BEING OUTSIDE: I’m fortunate that I live in Minnesota and a good amount of days are normally sunny and warm – except this year when the weather has just plain sucked. There’s something about the sun shining that just makes me feel good. Of course applying sunscreen to my bald head to keep from getting all wrinkly and protect me from the harmful rays.

3. LISTEN TO MUSIC. On my little iPod … it sounds so great on there.

4. TALKING IT OUT: I’m blessed with a great partner. So sometimes I just use him to let it all out, but most of the time I just don’t say much of anything and live my life out carrying around some misery. Steve has his own life, we don’t see much of each other … during the work week with softball two night and his second job the third night.

However; I have to be careful that I don’t take advantage of his kind ears because I don’t want to be known as that guy who does nothing but complain.  Sometimes, I think when you get all alone – it’s easy to get down and just feel bad about this or that or whatever it may be.  So you complain and feel sorry for yourself but who in the heck listens anyway.

In really tough times taking advantage of a close friend ( and not  your partner ) is probably best. That way I can complain all I want then go home and not have to worry about bombarding my partner with my problems – so our relationship isn’t encumbered.  But so far life is not so bad, that I need to do that.

Hmmm…looks like I finished my blog post for today!

How about that?

Finishing this has made me feel a little better too. Thanks guys!  Now it is on to the events of this Wednesday ~ whatever they may be.

I think it will soon be shower time.

-Steve is up and out of the bathroom, and now getting dressed for the day.

Steve has another softball game tonight – so he’ll be gone, and tomorrow night he works his second job – so he’ll be gone.  He’s been busy at work, as usual – and that is about it.

He’ll be leaving here for work at about 7:15 a.m.

-Have a great Wednesday and be kind.

The King Of Pop

Michael Jackson

1958 ~ 2009

My Thoughts Are

-Good morning, it is Tuesday and I’m awake – but not feeling 100%.  I think I’m getting a cold and feel just a bit under the weather.

-Talking about the weather, we have partly sunny conditions this morning … with 52 degrees.  The weather man is saying we should expect it to be partly cloudy today. Highs 65 to 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the late morning and afternoon.

Color weather radar shows a few rainy spots in extreme south western Minnesota at this hour – but the rest of Minnesota appears to be clear – which is good.

-Today – Tuesday the 7th of July is a new day and it is a day to commit to taking one new risk.

I don’t usually do this, but today I would like to challenge you to do one thing that will take you out of your comfort zone.  You know how we all get into our “comfort zones” and never do anything different.

Here’s my suggestions:

• Talk to a stranger, he won’t bite
• If your a single guy, ask someone out that you’ve had an eye on for a long long time
• Speak your mind, don’t just sit there like a bump on a log and let people walk all over you
• Sing in your car with the windows down, and crank up the volume – life is good
• Buy that naughty shirt, something hot and sexy looking – you know you will look hot in
• Eat a few extra carbs today – like some spaghetti and love it – after all one day won’t kill your manly body
• Invite someone new to lunch, that you know and have never gone to lunch with before
• Remind someone you love them, like your partner
• Write a letter of gratitude, to someone or some organization which has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help you or someone you know – say thanks
• You decide…but take the risk today

-A final thought this morning:

Casey Kasem has done his final countdown show.

The 77-year-old DJ told “American Top 20″ listeners across the country this past Saturday that the program would be his last.

Kasem launched his weekly countdown of the nation’s most popular songs, the “American Top 40,” on July 4, 1970. Ryan Seacrest took over the show in 2004, and Kasem went on to host two syndicated spinoffs, the “American Top 20″ and “American Top 10.”

Kasem said he “loved every minute” of his broadcasting career, but that he was leaving the show to “free up time I need to focus on myriad other projects.”

We all grew up with Casey in one form or another … and his voice will indeed be missed.

-That’s my thoughts for today … have a great day everyone and be kind.

Getting Comfy

-It’s a beautiful 78 degrees here in the Duluth, Minnesota area.

The Stone Cutter

-Ah yes, it is Monday – the first day after the long 4th of July holiday weekend.  I’ll bet your saying to yourself – “yuck” – I hate the thought of going back to work.  Well, I can’t say as I blame you for those thoughts – I used to have the same thoughts back when I worked.

It’s normal, you’ll get over it – and before you know it … Friday will be upon us! 

-Out in our back yard this morning, we have clear conditions and 58 degrees.  Today’s north land weather forecast is calling for: Mostly sunny. Highs 68 to 73. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Not really a “hot” day, but indeed a nice day in the north land.

Color weather radar indicates a small area of moisture this morning in extreme west central Minnesota, moving toward the south and east.

-I could not help but share this little chinese fable, that I came across ~

There was once a stone cutter, who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.

One day, he passed a wealthy merchant’s house, and through the open gateway, saw many fine possessions and important visitors. “How powerful that merchant must be!” thought the stone cutter. He became very envious, and wished that he could be like the merchant. Then he would no longer have to live the life of a mere stone cutter.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever dreamed of, envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. But soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants, and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. “How powerful that official is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a high official!”

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around, who had to bow down before him as he passed. It was a hot summer day, and the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. “How powerful the sun is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the sun!”

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. “How powerful that storm cloud is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a cloud!”

Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. “How powerful it is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the wind!”

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, hated and feared by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it — a huge, towering stone. “How powerful that stone is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a stone!” he thought. “I wish that I could be a stone!”

Then he became the stone, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the solid rock, and felt himself being changed. “What could be more powerful than I, the stone?” he thought. He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.

The moral of this story is simply this: It is to be happy with what you have.. after all the stone cutter is more powerful than the stone.

I often wonder if – perhaps – even more important than the ability to see the fruit your desires is the insight to realize that they are no better than what you already have.  Perhaps not better, not worse – but simply just different.

-We are on the downward side of the year 2009 and have been since June 30th … Here’s to a great new last half of the year filled with great opportunities and wonderful fun and laughter!

Talking about opportunities … hey, I’ve lost 17 pounds in the past three weeks.  If I can do this, you can do it to.  Or perhaps accomplish something else that you’ve been wanting to do.  Paint the bathroom, clean out the garage, work in the basement, save some money … whatever it is, you can accomplish it!

So get up, move your butt and make it happen.

I guess I’m going to find some breakfast … after all, it’s about that time of the morning.

-See you tomorrow.

Sunday Sunshine

-Fourth of July started out with a bang at our house.

-Hello everyone and good morning … it is the day after the 4th of July.

-Out in our back yard this morning we have 62 degrees under clear blue skies.  It’s really beautiful outside this morning.

Today’s northland weather forecast is for: Mostly sunny. Highs 68 to 73. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

You really couldn’t ask for a better forecast than that one.

Color weather radar is showing clear conditions over the entire State of Minnesota this morning.

It looks like “sunday sunshine”.

-Yes Fourth of July started off with a bang – not really intending to do so – but it did.  Steve was on the computer, printing off some free tickets for us to go see a movie yesterday and he asked me for my email.  I was like totally surprised … he didn’t know my email???

So I said, “you don’t know my email???”  And he replied back, “no, i don’t know your email – you’ve changed it so many times”; to which I replied “I’ve had the same one now for a couple years” … and that’s where it all started.  I was more or less joking – but it turned into a disagreement – that last for most of the first half of the morning.

Steve said, “I don’t remember telephone numbers, email addresses, etc. … I’m not like you…” and our morning turned out crappy.

Simple this .. simple words .. my error, it’s no big deal if he doesn’t remember my email … I was wrong, and finally I apologized when we got into the city – as I was riding with Steve in his car.

I won’t say anything more … except it happened, I apparently over reacted (as I apparently always do) and we moved past it … life is good … and yes, of course I love him.  I’d never not love him … even if he forgot my birthday date! 

Which he better not, or I’ll kick him in the butt!

-We went to see the movie: Public Enemies!

No one could stop John Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie Frechette to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’ gang — later including Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis — thrilled many, J. Edgar Hoover made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Melvin Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.” However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals — from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti — were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.

Personally, I love all of Johnny Depps movies and I’d rate this one at a B+. I thought it was a great movie!

-After the movie, as we were coming out of the theater – Steve’s sister called, and she and her husband had just flow into Duluth and were out at Sky Harbor Airport.  So we drove out, and picked them up and stopped with them as they had supper … visited and gave them a little tour of the city of Duluth – from the Skyline Drive.

Steve was pleasantly surprised because he does not always hear from this particular sister and I could sense he was enjoying his visit with her and her husband … which was nice to see.

They had flown up to Duluth from south west and central Minnesota for the day … and when we dropped them off back at the airport – they were not sure if they would be spending the night or flying on to some other city in Minnesota to spend the evening.

What a free spirit the two of them have gotten … being able to fly off to just about any location that is their hearts desire – just by have a pilot’s license.

I was happy to just sit back and interact with them at dinner, and afterwards Steve said, “she’s a lot like me … on the farm growing up we didn’t do as many chores in the barn as the other’s did … she more about traveling and getting out to see the world”.

It was fun to visit with Steve’s sister and brother-in-law.

-We returned home, and along with some other relatives … grilled hamburgers and Italian sausages on the grill … and had a couple small side dishes for our 4th of July supper meal.

Later last evening, we went to see the fire works display and by 11:00 p.m. or so … we were off to bed.

Even though our day started off with a bang … we gave each other a hug and kiss good night … and all is well that ends well … as the saying goes.

-Today, Steve leaves about 11:45 a.m. for his second job and won’t be back home until about 8:00 or 8:15 p.m. this evening.

As for me, I guess maybe I’ll go out and take a ride down to the lake this afternoon and enjoy my life.  Kind of do my own thing.

Have a great Sunday … and take care.

Happy 4th Of July

-Good morning world…it is the 4th of July…a day of celebration!

We are proud to be Americans, but we wish that we as a gay men had the same rights as other Americans on this day.

Someday, maybe soon our wish will come true and we will have our Independence Day!

Happy 4th to all Americans … it’s a great day to get out for a picnic, a summer swim with friends and just relax and enjoy the freedoms that we do have.

Life Lessons

-Friday … the day before the 4th of July … good morning.

-It goes with out saying, that by this time of year – we Minnesotans are enjoying “summer”.  But this year, summer and warm weather have just plain eluded us for cooler temperatures and limited amounts of sunshine.

Out in our back yard this morning, we have 54 degrees and clear skies.  Today’s weather forecast for the back yard and surrounding areas of Minnesota is: Partly cloudy. Highs 68 to 73. North winds around 5 mph becoming southwest in the late morning and early afternoon…then becoming northwest late in the afternoon.

Color weather radar shows most of Minnesota being clear this morning, with an area of rain in south and eastern South Dakota moving toward the south west corner of Minnesota.

-I got me thinking the other day, as I was sitting here at home – all alone … how there are so many life lessons you learn as a gay man but we never seem to share them all with each other.

Sadly, there is really no book or guide for us to follow from the time that we realize we are gay and our life begins.  Most of our lives as gay men, is simply by trial and error.  We try this or try that, and it either works or it doesn’t work.

I thought I would share with you the lessons I came across a few weeks ago, hoping they’ll help you along your journey.  Some may be lessons you already know, but it never hurts to read them again, and they may even help us support each other through life.

Here are some really good life lessons for you as a gay man:

1. If he loves you, accept that love and don’t be a nit picker and a complainer.  Accept his love for all of your life, and be happy.  Wow, that’s certainly an area all of us can work on – but most especially me.  My partner Steve is so awesome and I’m so dumb … he gives and gives for “us” and for me – and yet I sometimes don’t recognize his love and giving – because I get wrapped up in me, me and me.  Hey, I’m not the only one alive in this relationship … it’s “us” – the two of us, not the one of us.

2. There used to be an old idea of thought … that big feet equaled having a big dick.  Just because that guy your interested in, has big feet doesn’t mean he will have a big dick.  Look on the inside and see how big his heart is – and regardless of his dick size, you’ll be glad you did because you’ve found a quality guy who loves you.

3. No one will make you happy.  They will do their very best, and you’ll experience happy moments and days in life, but you ultimately have to make yourself happy – no one can really do that for you.  This one has been a valuable lesson for me, because in the past few years – I’ve finally realized that I am ultimately responsible for my own happiness.

4. To get love, you must give love.  This is another one of those lessons that I’m learning … because I want love from Steve always – but I don’t think I return love in an appropriate way or sometimes I just get bogged down in my own feelings.

5. Opportunity knocks only once, so you need to be ready to answer the door.  I realized that in June of 1999, when I met Steve … and I answered the door and thank goodness I did – because Steve was then and is now the man I NEED in my life always.  I hope and trust that is the same feeling he has for me.

6. There are two types of people: go-getters and no-getters. I like to think I’m a “go-getter” and I hope I’m not failing at that task.

7. Learn to forgive and let go; no one likes someone who is bitter.  Now this is another valuable life lesson that I’m learning right now … sometimes I get upset … no actually many times I guess I get upset – and I’m very very poor at letting go or learning to forgive and forget.  It’s an area I’ll have to work on, til the day I draw my very last breath.

8. Don’t be an asshole.  Surprisingly, there are many guys who are … not necessarily by out right choice – but it just happens.

9. If you don’t know where you are going in life you’ll be stuck exactly where you are right now.  In my own life, I know that I made bad choices 35 to 40 years ago – and now today, I’m paying for those choices – because I can not always be me – as much as I want to.

10. Learn to laugh at yourself.  Now I have to tell you, this is something I am really bad at.  I don’t take joy in myself … and many times I am my own worst enemy … I beat myself up, and sometimes it is simply because I don’t like who I am.  Ever have that happen to you?

11. A partner will never complete your life; he can only add to it.  Here again, only you – yes you – can complete your own life – no matter how hard that may seem, you have final and ultimate control over your destiny by the choices you make.

12. A friend points out your flaws in life. A true friend and a loving partner loves you as you are.  This is one area where I am very fortunate, because my Steve, is constantly putting me up and building me up and telling me how good I am – because as much of a block head as I am most of the time – Steve loves me, and he wants the best for me, so he doesn’t look for the flaws in my life (for which I have many) but he accentuates the positive aspects of who I am and why he loves me.  He builds me up.  (How can I thank you pal, for being the rock in my life?)…I’ll give of myself to you not only today, but always … because even though there are 27 years difference in our ages – I know he loves me and I love him.

13. We can either look for the flaws, mistakes and shortcomings in people, or we can look for the successes, the opportunities and the joy.  Steve has perfected this in me and his life, and I need to do the same.

14. No one cares what you say you are going to do. They only care what you actually do.  Here again, action speaks louder than words.

15. Accept the decisions you have made for they have made you the person you are today. You can always change the person you are, going forward.

16. When in doubt, just whip it out … have sex with your partner, love him, laugh with him and enjoy life – because I’m learning at age 62 .. almost 63 – that life is damn short.  Have fun!

OK, so maybe number 15 isn’t the best life lesson but you get the point. I really hope these life lessons help you or even make you laugh and think about who you are and what you have in life.

I would love to hear what life lessons you can share with Steve and I.

What are some things or ideas you have learned along the way – as a gay male?  We’d love to hear your comments.

-If your upset because I’m “sanitizing” our blog – with better photos and less “cock” – it is simply because I realized your can see “cock” any where on the internet – but there are hundreds .. no thousands of good looking guys – who will keep your imaginative eyes and mind wondering what they’ve got “under neath” – that I don’t have to show them in some sleazy way – but you instead can see the beauty they have for who they truly are.

I hope that gives you a glimpse into my thinking … if not, well it works for me.

-If your heading out today for a long 4th of July weekend … please remember to be safe, and watch your driving and that of the other guy.

-Happy 4th of July weekend to all of you … we’ll see you again tomorrow morning, right back here.

Clean Up

-Hello everyone and good morning … it is Thursday, the 2nd day of July and just two days away from one of the biggest holidays of our nation – Independence Day.

-Out in our back yard this morning we have cloudy skies with 58 degrees … not exactly a barn burner of a morning with that temperature.

Today’s north land weather forecast is calling for: Cloudy. Highs 65 to 70. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.  Just kind of a ho hum day in the weather department.

-I just finished cleaning up our blog just a bit. Gone are the current adult photo, simply as a measure to bring our photo selection up out of the “gutter” section to the curb level.  I am sure this will “disturb” some guys – but I’ve decided for the sake of decency to clean the blogs’ photos up and bring other very attractive men (without their genitals showing) to the blogs daily posts.  In the days to come the remainder of the blog will be “scrubbed up”.

If your upset … I understand, but like with all good things – we will all get over it.  We’d like to make this a “safe for work” blog instead of the alternative. Thanks for your understanding.

-I hope your Wednesday wasn’t bad…mine was relatively quiet – until Steve asked me to come and see his softball game last night.  I did some work around the house yesterday, went to the post office and mailed out a payment … and spent the balance of the day – just relaxing and enjoying some of the quiet of the house.

I did drive into the big city last night and watched Steve’s game. We got back home about 7:45 p.m., after watching Steve’s softball game at Wheeler Field in Duluth. For most of the game, his team was ahead 9 to 7, except in the last inning when the opposing team came ahead – and the final score was 10 to 9. Steve was 3 for 3 when he batted – as I recall!

-Yesterday, the Federal Recognition Board of the National Guard ruled to discharge First Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate who served in Iraq with the New York National Guard, for violating the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” policy.

After Choi cam out on public television in March of this year, he received a notice of dismissal from the Army in May.

The panel’s ruling still has to be approved by General Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, before it’s official.

Choi, who was an infantry platoon leader, submitted a petition of support with 162,741 signatures to the board during the hearing as part of his defense. In his statements to the panel, he spoke about “Army values of integrity.”

According to one of his post on the website for Knights Out, an organization Choi founded for OUT LGBT West Point Alumni:

“I also said I am gay. I refused to lie, and told them I refuse to stay silent, particularly since the soldiers in my unit respect honesty above personal gain.”

Regardless of what many are saying, the White House is working towards resolving this issue. Also earlier today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters the Pentagon is searching for ways to make “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” less rigid while President Obama’s administration works to repeal the law.

-He lost the race for U. S. Senator in Minnesota earlier this week … but Norm Coleman is seen by gubernatorial contenders as someone with big pluses and minuses.

-In yet another blow to our economy … locally Duluth-based Monson Trucking is shutting down operations Aug. 31, putting 200 people out of work.

Michael Monson is one of the owners. He said Wednesday that the 100 employees in Duluth were told of the shutdown plans in multiple meetings.

Another 100 additional employees at its terminals in Virginia and Red Wing in Minnesota and at Mauston, Wis., were told via video conferencing.

Monson said the Duluth employees will work until Aug. 31, but those at the other terminals were being terminated immediately.

He blamed the economic downturn, decline of the paper industry and bankruptcy of two major customers for prompting the decision to close the 94-year-old trucking business.

-Steve goes back to work this morning … his last day for this work week.  Unfortunately, being Thursday he also has to work his second job this evening from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

That means my partner won’t be back home until after midnight … what a stinking long day for him.

Hopefully his primary job will allow him to come back to full employment along with all the other employees soon – but I’m not holding my breath for that to happen either.

Steve’s company is doing alright, but business is down from last year at this time – but then that is true with many companies around the nation.

Hopefully our economic woes, will cure themselves by the end of this year and we can all see an upswing to the over national economy.

-Times are changing even here in the northern part of Minnesota … Jackie MacMillan is introduced Wednesday as St. Scholastica’s first women’s hockey coach.

-Finally this morning, check out this excellent post over at dumpbachmann.com ( Michelle Bachmann, U. S. Congresswoman) on the MSM’s years of silence on Minnesota’s #1 whack-job  here.

Now there’s a woman who is not to tightly wrapped!

Nut case, would be a better term for her.

-Steve will be up and moving in a few minutes … I’m going to head to the bathroom and check out the scale.  It’s weigh in day for me.  So far I’ve lost 14 pounds in the past three weeks – let’s see where the scale takes me today.

I’ll give you an update on the number of pounds lost tomorrow.

Hang in there .. have a great day .. thanks for being so faithful to reading us daily.  You are loved by Steve and I.

Where Is The Sun?

-July is here … today is Wednesday the 1st of this new month.  Welcome to our blog.  We are Steve and Warren, a male couple from Minnesota.

-Out in our back yard this morning it is cloudy and 52 cool degrees.

The weather forecast for today for our area is: Mostly cloudy. Areas of drizzle in the morning. Scattered rain showers through the day. Highs 55 to 60. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Color weather radar this morning does not show any rain in Minnesota … but the a forecast like the one above – it could rain any time.

Where is the sun?

-At last Minnesota now has a second senator who will be representing us in Washington.  The Minnesota Supreme Court’s unanimous decision for Al Franken over Norm Coleman ends a wait that began eight months ago, sending a key Democratic vote to D.C.

All Steve and I can say about this is: “It’s about time!”

-Yesterday, I spent the better part of the day washing and drying our clothes from last week.  It was a rainy, drizzle filled day around here – the kind of a day when you really didn’t want to go outside to do anything.

Steve worked all day, and then went to play softball – which by that time the weather had improved somewhat.  It was a blow out game, with his  team losing.

It seems the team’s manager, who was also the team’s pitcher last night – got into a verbal disagreement with the umpire and was ejected from the game.

Apparently the guy wasn’t wise enough to keep his mouth shut and just play softball – and it turned into an ugly verbal match.

Steve’s team lost … and so did the team’s manager, who was finally ejected.

-Lt. Choi loses round 1 in his fight … The military board hearing Lt. Dan Choi’s case suggested that the West Point graduate be discharged from the Army National Guard for violating the armed forces’ ban on openly gay service members.

The four-officer panel made the recommendation Tuesday in Syracuse, N.Y., after a day of testimony. Lt. Gen. Thomas Miller of the First Army Division, and Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, will make the final decision, according to The Post-Standard of Syracuse.

Choi said in a news conference following the hearing that he was disappointed but not deterred, adding that he refuses to lie about his relationships to keep his job.

The hearing was at the Thompson Road Armory in Syracuse, the headquarters of the 27th Brigade Combat Team, which oversees Choi’s National Guard Unit.

Choi, who came out in the Army Times newspaper and on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC in March, graduated from West Point in 2003. An Arabic linguist, he served with the Army in Iraq for 15 months before leaving in 2008 to join the New York National Guard.

According to Fanning, Choi is the first officer in the 10,600-member New York National Guard to face a discharge because of alleged violations of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

-Well the guys’ body is barely cool … and leave it to the news media … Unauthorized Michael Jackson biographer and investigative celebrity reporter Ian Halperin has claimed in London’s Daily Mail that the “king of pop” was gay and that Halperin had spoken to two of Jackson’s former lovers.

In 2006, Jackson’s brother Jermaine said he and his brothers had suspected that Michael was gay.

In this writer’s opinion … Jackson was a musical talent, but I hardly would call him “gay”.

-Steve goes back to work today … then has his second softball game of the week this evening.  I think he plays at 6:00 p.m., but I’m not entirely certain of that.

After that he’ll be back home, with only one more day of work – that being tomorrow – Thursday, when he works his primary job and then tomorrow evening works his secondary job.

Good thing is … one of the key management people in his company may be leaving by September 1st and there could be a remote chance that Steve may go back to work for his primary job on a full time basis.

We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed and see how it goes and hope that he gets back on full time – so this “crazy work schedule” ends and his life gets back to normal.

-In birthday’s today, on this July 1st:

• Actress Olivia de Havilland is 93.
• Cookiemaker Wally Amos is 73
• Actor-comedian Dan Aykroyd is 57
• Olympic gold medal track star Carl Lewis is 48
• Actress Pamela Anderson is 42

-I’m going to the kitchen and get myself some breakfast … Steve will be up in just a few minutes – so you guys – have a great Wednesday.

Texas Police Raid Gay Bar

Police raided a gay bar in Texas on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, police raided a gay bar in Fort Worth, TX, and arrested seven customers for public intoxication. (One man was reportedly taken to the hospital “with bleeding in his brain after officers threw him to the ground and used zip-ties to handcuff him.”) Police said they were simply conducting an “alcohol beverage code inspection” when several customers made sexual advances toward the officers. However, the owner of the Rainbow Lounge, J.R. Schrock, said that claim was a “lie.” “The groping of the police officer — really? We’re gay, but we’re not dumb,” Schrock said. Todd Camp, the founder of Q Cinema and former reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, was at the Rainbow Lounge when the police showed up:

“I have friends who are cops and I know what to do when officers are working,” Camp said. “No one was acting aggressive to officers.”

Camp said that he has been attending bars for years in Fort Worth when TABC conducts raids.

“Usually, they’re very orderly and respectful –- they work with the bar staff and check IDs, it’s quick and painless and then it’s over and then they’re out,” Camp said. “This was not that. This was harassment, plain and simple.“

The Rainbow Lounge incident came on the 40th anniversary of the famous Stonewall uprising that sparked the modern LGBT movement, when police also raided a gay bar in New York City. Today, protesters rallied in downtown Forth Worth over the weekend’s raid.

Minneapolis Gay Pride Weekend 2009 Was Awesome

-Thousands of gay men lined the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday to watch the 2009 Minneapolis Gay Pride Parade…it was a fantastic day.

-Hello everyone and good morning … we’ve returned home and today it is back to reality.

Taking a look outside in our back yard this morning it is cloudy and 53 degrees.  Not feeling any to warm out there.

Today’s national weather service forecast for our area is: Cloudy with a 60 percent chance of light rain. Highs 55 to 60. North winds 10 to 15 mph.  Then for this evening they are saying: Cloudy. A chance of light rain in the evening…then a slight chance of light rain after midnight. Lows 43 to 48. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

It is looking like it is going to be cooler the rest of the week up until Saturday, the 4th of July.

Color weather radar does show a few very small areas of rain in northern Minnesota at this hour.

-Steve and I got home last night about 7:30 p.m., unpacked and he washed a few clothes for his softball game tonight.  Our time away was fantastic and the weather was almost perfect.

Here is just a quick run down of our activities:

• We left Thursday afternoon, when Steve got done with his second job about 2:30 p.m.
• Arrived in Minneapolis around 5:00 p.m. and stayed at the Minneapolis Hilton for only $50.00 per night plus parking.  We had a very nice king suite with a very relaxing bed.
• Thursday night we went to see Power Balladz at the Lab Theater in downtown Minneapolis – a great show.
• Friday night we went to see the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus in their Diva Concert – it was wonderful.
• Friday night we went out the to Minneapolis Eagle and Bolt – where we had a couple drinks.  Steve has about six or so, we danced, we had fun but unfortunately Steve ended up having a few to many and got sick when we got back to our room around 2:30 a.m.
• Saturday Steve spent the vast majority of the day in bed, and I was with him until mid day.  Then I showered and dressed and went to see the Gay Pride events in Loring Park – which I walked to – which was only about 7 blocks from our hotel – the Minneapolis Hilton.
• Steve did manage to get up later that evening and we did go out – but not to bars.  Steve and I did enjoy the Minneapolis Gay Pride fire works over Loring Park at 10:00 p.m. that evening.
• Sunday, we were up early and both feeling a lot better – having breakfast at Panera Bread on the Nicollet Mall then walking over to Hennepin Avenue and joining the thousands of gay men who lined the street for the big Minneapolis Gay Pride Parade.  The parade lasted nearly three hours and was just fun to see, and it was fun to be around thousands of gay men.
• Sunday afternoon, after the parade was over we walked from our parade location down to Loring Park where we stayed until about 5:00 p.m. just mingling and walking around the park from exhibit to exhibit – seeing the many hundreds of displays available.
• Sunday evening we were going to go to the block party – but we were both just tired and didn’t feel like standing and walking anymore – so we went to a movie in Roseville at the new AMC Theater.
• Monday was spent, hitting a few of our favorite shops and Steve’s buying – you guessed it – some DVD’s to add to his collection.
• About mid afternoon on Monday we headed back home ~ having had a great weekend away together.
• The weather was perfect, the event was the best and being with my partner Steve – made our time togther the most special of all.

-Gay pride has come and gone … and “reality sets in today” as Steve returns to his primary job and then goes to softball tonight.  We had fun, we saw some great events and did some great things together.  We laughed, we argued a bit, we ate (and yes, I did stay on my diet), we had a great great time … but the truth remains that gay men in America are still second class citizens not being able to enjoy all of the rights and privileges of other Americans in this year of 2009.

As for us … we had a fantastic time.

-I love you Steve, and thanks for a great “gay pride weekend” together, away and always in love with one another.

On Vacation Today Through Monday

-Steve and I are at Minneapolis and St. Paul Gay Pride and we will be gone Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and returning home Monday evening.

We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Have a great week.