blue

XD Riririri à la parodie en premier. Embrace à la sensibilité du seconde.

Absolutely. Thanks, Richard and Des.

Please note, gentle reader: A fact check says the above is not in fact by John Cleese, but possibly by John Humberstone, apparently some American chap. However, it's not entirely clear there either. So, while one would be quite happy to quote Mr. Cleese, who one thinks may have become Sir John Cleese whilst one was not looking, one cannot in good conscience attribute this little article to him. Oh bother.

Spring forward. Fall back. I only like it when it means we magically gain an extra hour between time change, so we get to sleep an hour extra. I hate mornings. I'm a night owl by nature. I'd like night time even more if I could freakin' see in the dark, but noooo. I have nothing against the pretty sunrise or the early morning dew or the pleasant cool in the mornings (unless it's friggin' cold out, that I do mind). I just don't like having to be up so blasted early. But because most of the rest of the world thinks that's crazy, I have learned to get up when it's required. But I don't have to like it! I also learned to be civil when I get up. As long as I've had a shower to help wake up, and a cup of hot tea or coffee or other caffeinated drink, I can be reasonably civil to anyone else in the house when I get up. I'm fine once I get going. But this is a learned behavior. That just ain't natural, I tell ya! My grandmother and one very good friend were natural morning people, though. As in, pre-dawn and they are happy as larks, chipper and eager to talk and do. How, I ask you, can anyone *be* like that? The thing was, they were great, you couldn't not like them. Anyhoo, thanks for the reminder. I would've missed out. Haven't had the TV on in ages.

This was so good, I had to pass it along to friends. Blame John Cleese. He wrote it, not me. Nope, apparently, John Cleese didn't write it either. I still didn't. And now for something completely different.... More Here ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2012 EUROPE: BY JOHN CLEESE -- Or maybe by John Humberstone The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada. The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years. The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country’s military capability. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.” The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.” Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels. The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy. Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level. Note: While John Cleese apparently didn't write that, the following is still true of him: John Cleese – British writer, actor and especially tall person A final thought -“Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 BC.”

Of course, there are other cultures that don't shield so much, or at least, go about what they do shield in other ways, usually. There are people within our own cultures, generally subcultures with different beliefs on how to go about things, who take a different approach to what or how things are handled, but which tend to be more realistic about what's out there and how to deal with it. Oh, I don't know. I just can't help but feel like some things have gone too far, to absurd lengths, because someone, somewhere thought that was the way to go. Not that I'd necessarily do any better, but...why is it, exactly, that so much of our culture seems to have gotten so overly strict or protective, even fearful or denying what's plainly there? One can safely ignore that the earth moves around the sun, until one wants to move beyond the earth. One can safely ignore more earthly and mundane things, until one is faced with those things right there in front of one. But if one faces what's real and denies the truth, then one often finds that reality comes in twos and threes and tens and hundreds, and bites one in the ass, most painfully so. (What? I've been trying to write lately, and reading and watching historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and a few other odds and ends besides. Yes, the wording got a bit stuffy and flowery there for a second. Right up until it met the bricks and the concrete and steel.) (Oh relax, I'm just grousing to get it off my chest...and because I really wish things would get better, instead of wishing they'd get better.)

Shovel? Shovel? Oops, must've left that somewhere....

Unusually ribald comment from me: Always beware anyone who would like to wipe your butt for you. Someone who cares might be willing, if he or she must and you need it, but liking it is quite another thing altogether. Also, there is an important difference between a caregiver and a caretaker...or a total stranger copping a feel.... No, my comment was not necessarily the nicest. It was uncharacteristically rudely put, from me. But it does make a comment on people who want to keep someone old or mature enough to decide for him-/herself what to do. Having said something in such a shocking way, I'd like to say more nicely that there is indeed something wrong when a ratings system intentionally blocks meaningful content beneficial to the public well being, solely because there might be cussing or violence, underage or not. Has no one on the ratings committee ever been in school lately, seen what kids see, heard what they hear, been through what they experience day in and day out? Come on, I can remember very well what I experienced in the classroom, hallways, campus grounds, let alone in P.E. or the locker room or bathrooms. Or while attending a ballgame, which includes not only students but those supposedly pristine, fine upstanding parents so eager for their children's and neighbors' welfare. Let the ratings committee go through what real school kids go through today, for a school year, and then let them say whether this movie should not gain wide release with a PG-13 rating. Oh, and I didn't even mention what happens at the mall, in the neighborhood, in kids' homes, at their friends' homes, and what is no the nightly news or out on the streets, on the cell phone and internet and email, and what each kid experiences first hand. Does that mean we should put little cellophane-wrapped pillows and micro-fine filters on everything in sight, and put chastity belts on all the kids too? No. That's ridiculous. What's far more helpful is to admit that the real world is risky, messy, and dangerous, and sometimes fun and adventurous, and there's much to learn and much about which to be wary. So, instead of protecting everything and everyone, why not apply a little educatoin, a little preparation, a little wisdom, to the whole thing, some common sense, and do some good for a change. Or wasn't that the whole idea of a ratings committee, to do something to promote better cinema? No, I guess not, I guess it was to prevent people from seeing anything which might make them the least bit uncomfortable or surprised. In other words, let's limit them and feed them pablum, and then wonder why people don't grow up. Outrageously bad. There, I've fussed and fumed. Now let me watch the movie. I'll even buy a copy if it's on for sale. While I'm at it -- hurray for all the weird outsider kids. Right there with you, from the guy who was pale and skinny and geeky, handicapped and gay. There's a paraphrase from a book character that suits here: "Don't be ashamed of what makes you different. Be proud of it. Wear it like armour, so that when someone says something, they cannot use it against you." -- Tyrion Lannister (a dwarf and noble) of House Lannister, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Tyrion has got it going on.

Oh-là-là! Hmm, and to quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail, regarding protecting the menfolk, "But, I don't want to be rescued!" OK, in fairness, that was a young lad being, ah, nursed back to health, by a bevy of quite attractive young lady nurses who had been too long deprived of, ah, friendly companionship. What happened to me being shy and playing hard to get? It's the sunspots, baby, ever'body have a real good time, to quote Bob Seeger. No, it's more like I'm getting much less picky (and more desperate) as time goes on. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm just as reserved as usual. Only...my subconscious really wishes for this nice guy who...but I've said too much, alas! It appears I'm still here and still have an active web connection. I haven't grown a third eye yet, or any extra "appendages" (one for each hand, maybe?) or anything else too grotesque (or any more so than usual, at any rate). At least, not so far. -- Anyone who might find such extras more intriguing than repelling, well, I don't know. As I said, perhaps I'm less picky or more desperate. LOL. Where's that collander, blast it? Please Note: If you hadn't figured out that this post is all just a bunch of malarkey purely for humor value, then please go see a doctor about your sense of humor immediately. While there might be a grain or two of truth in there...oh, never mind, where's your sense of fun and adventure. Laugh a little. Please.

Oh, it's legit. They're offering a few of their major software products for free for a "limited time," and hoping while you're at it, you'll buy some of the packages of pre-built 3D models tu use with the programs. I was planning to get at least one, because I could tell myself that was within my budget. It's a major company, it's not a sham. I went round with their site again, and it claims it's sent the activation email now twice, but either their system hasn't sent it or my system hasn't received it (has blocked it). I tried to get it to re-send the confirmation / activation email and to send a reset password email. I double-checked, and I didn't have a typo in the email address I gave. But when I tried to get past that to their link to contact them if I still had a problem -- 404 Page Not Found, customized so it's within the company's theme. So, I've given up on them and thanked the person who gave the recommendation, with an explanation of what's happened. TANSTAAFL -- Is exceedingly good advice, whether you're on the moon in the middle of a rebellion, or on earth or elsewhere. (For anyone who doesn't know, please read The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein. In fact, read several of his other books. The man was opinionated, had a few strange ideas, was a product of his times and education and work, but he could write some marvelously entertaining and thought-provoking science fiction tales, which shaped nearly all science fiction after him. Besides which, TANSTAAFL is good practical advice, whether engineering or everyday life. :)

I at least recognize the term, Eigenvalue, but I'm not sure I got that high up. I got to Calc III but not to Dif. Eq. Haven't used much calculus since college, as it didn't apply usually wo what I do, but I *liked* calculus. Yes, you can all edge away slowly now. :) I got the gist of what Colin's saying. He's trying to say that there's a new techno-babble gadget, software rather than hardware, if I understand right, that will help block spam and phishing attempts from ever getting past the server, which is the intermediary between the sender (spam source) and the receiver (you). In practice, there are several midway points between that spammer and you, which is just fine, as the spammer likely makes people with poor hygience and worse social skills look like real charmers by comparison. Colin was also trying to say that the protective or preventive gizmo is newfangled, so it has to be put in place on a lot of server computers (and individual's computers) before it helps much. ----- Meanwhile -- Any attachment that looks like that, any that has "_doc.exe" on the end of it, is just plain bogus. Don't open those. They're spam. Delete them. Or report them and then delete them. To Trab's comments, I'd say that spammers are rarely ever terrorists. They are more usually thieves and con artists, or working for same. What they're doing is at least a nuisance and in general illegal, because usually, they're trying to get data or steal information or money, besides cause aggravation and wasted time and effort. Yes, they're wrong. The people who write the spambots could be using their skills for something useful or at least entertaining. They're wrong and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. Go write a game and make yourself some honest money. Go do something practical and useful. Go do something helpful. Much better than causing damage or stealing. I don't admire them and I make a distinction between a skilled programmer or network admin or designer, versus someone in it to cause trouble or steal. There is a difference between using hacker skills for good or for bad, or simply doing your job as a skilled professional (or amateur).

Don't forget the talking wildlife! Solar flares.... I'm not making fun, I'm not. This is actually a possibility where shielded electronics are a good idea. Why? Because solar flares and EMP's and various other odd things are real possibilities, and though some are usually harmless, others are not, nor do we know for sure how severe a bad one might be, because we haven't experienced them during the modern communications and electronics era. I do recall a couple of 60's and 70's science fiction movies that had some sort of event, natural or man-made, that took out major sections of humanity world-wide, leading to the survivors having to make their way in the post-apocalyptic world. (I am trying to remember the name of those.) (Alas, Babylon is another, as is On The Beach.) (I might be thinking of Damnation Alley. I'll have to look them up.) Wild-eyed hysterics or a call of "the sky is falling!" aside, just be careful out there and do what you usually do. If a truly bad solar flare can do what we think it could, then your electronics won't be too safe anyway, and neither will you or I. The possible safety zones? Massive, thick shielding through lead or concrete or stone. But if some of the more exotic rays are really in that, then even that might not do it. -- In other words, don't worry too much about something you can't do a whole lot about anyway. Be aware though. And be thinking about what to do if there were to be a problem with electronics suddenly not working. You can watch for the Northern / Southern Lights (aurorae) if you want, those could be cool. I went through Hurricane Ike and after. Our major city was without any and all services, I mean absolutely *anything* for weeks, and electricity, gas, phones, clean water, food, medicines, took literally weeks to be restored. Over a month and a half, nearly two months, before it was all back to normal. Imagine going from the 21st century in one of the world's most modern cities, to the 19th century or earlier, in terms of technology and resources, overnight, and staying that way for nearly two months. Yes, I made it. Most people made it, oddly enough. (And it got almost no attention, while Katrina and Rita did.) But -- a solar flare? These things happen often. This one's bigger than normal. The scientists aren't sure what's going to happen. So the best plan is not to panic, but to be smart and go on as normal. Chances are slim it'll be a major catastrophe. If it is, well, I've been through those too and I got very frazzled, but made it fine. (Having said that, don't be like the idiots on various coastal islands and beaches, who refused evacuation orders and they and all they had were washed out to sea, just completely wiped clean. I don't mean I have no sympathy. I mean, if you get an order to evacuate, if people (neighbors and authorities) come around and offer to get your butt out of there well beforehand and you refuse common sense, then, well...that's not a smart decision, I'm sorry.)

The past couple of weeks, I've been working with a big name drawing program, trying to get it to do what I want it to do, and unlearning how its major competitor did things before being eaten by said competitor. Well, mostly, I've learned the new program does things how it wants, and not how I want. But I am learning. I tried something new: the 3D Effects tools. Well! That was actually kind of cool. But the 3D tools are limited in what they can do, and of course, one of the first things I did was to think of something they aren't quite designed to do. But, giddy with success at making the program do what I wanted, and seeing the possibility of more, I went out in search of an actual 3D program, one I could afford, that might do more of what I want to do. I did find Blender, which is free and open source, but that's not what this is about either. I also found Inkscape, free and open source, and which (I hope) will be easier than the big name, too pricey upgrade, program that gets in my way every time I do something. So, on to what this post is about: A web design gone wonky. While looking, I asked at forums I visit and happened on a reply about a software vendor offering its major products for FREE for a limited time. Yes, seriously! Oh boy, I thought, here I come. I hop to the site, put the freebies in the cart, and I'm prepared to check out. That requires registering. No problem, I'll do that. So I do the registration thing. It tells me it will send a confirmation / activation email, which I expected. Also no problem, I thought. Everything's grand, right? -- Except I can't complete the cart purchase process until it recognizes my registration. Well, shouldn't be a problem, I think. So I check my email. Nope, nothing. I check my spam folder. Nope, nothing. I go eat supper, come back and check again. Nada, Rien, Zilch. Huh, OK, we'll contact customer support and have them resend the email or straighten out the issue. Fine and dandy. -- Except in order to get to any contact info for the site, you have to login with your username and password. Oh, bother. -- Tomorrow, I will ask the oracles of the Google and the Wiki if there is a way to send a plea to the lofty software vendor's support staff, to get my registration completed and get my free stuff. Uh-huh. -- But no, this is not the way to win friends and influence people. This could be why they're willing to give away their software for a limited time. When and if I get to contact them, I will note that I couldn't get to their contact info, because for some unimaginable reason, they think it's only available to registered users, so if you have trouble registering, or if you're simply surfing by and want to say hello, tough luck. And you know, I'm not really sure I want to use software from a company that's that bad about customer relations or interface design. Otherwise, I would've given them a plug by saying what software it is. Notice I didn't give the other software a free plug either, though people who know me can guess that one. Notice I did give a free plug to two products that are better about how they do things. The lesson is: Make your contact info available. Make things easy to get to. Provide links back to your major site areas. Keep it simple, but don't make it hard for your visitor to get where he or she wants to go. I can also say I've dealt with people, often, who don't listen to good design advice or help sometimes from their own staff, other times from consultants, and then wonder why they don't have people as first time or returning visitors happy with their site (or book or magazine, etc.). I'm really astonished to find a software website that won't let visitors have a simple contact email without first being registered users. What kind of nonsense is that? Who thought that made sense or was customer friendly? Wow. It's about bedtime and still no email, either. I will try to contact them, simply because (a) their products are widely used and have a good reputation, and (b) I'm motivated to get something for free or a substantially reduced price. -- But it might not be worth the effort, given what I see there. My mind is boggled.

Hahahah! Thank you! I can so relate. Great Onion!

The petition is to be delivered today, Wednesday. As of the email, they have between 210,000 and 220,000 signatures. I'm of the opinion to keep the cuss words. any middle school age kid has heard them all. Most kids by then have seen enough on TV news or in person to know the world isn't always pretty and safe. Why should parents pretend things like this don't exist, or their kids are too innocent to see and hear things like it? It is, I think, part of the problem itself, a way of saying, if we pretend it doesn't exist, because we don't like it, it will go away...and not bother us and our dear child. Except sometimes, trouble comes looking for that nice kid, whether he or she is that sheltered and naive or not. If those parents truly love their kids, and I don't doubt they do, then prepare them to meet the real world on real terms and deal with it successfully, informed, not ignorant. It will help their kids face what they will, at some point as adults, have to face head on. Better to learn before than after. It is possible to be a well-meaning, conscientious parent, yet still to overprotect your child, to his or her detriment now or later. It is also possible, by how you handle things, to send your child the spoken message he or she can talk to you about anything, but the unspoken message, except those topics there, including the ones that are bothering you.

Yes. -- And other fiction and non-fiction. For that matter, the Barnes & Noble nearest here has a section on gay and lesbian / LGBT books, though those are non-fiction. Yes, I got myself up to the checkout counter more than once. Big whoop. Discovered it was a non-event. At least, the woman who checked me out didn't give me the hairy eyeball. :)

Yeah, Cole, that too. And yes, it is absurd. I sure had questions, as a preteen and teen, when awareness and physical and psychological development started kicking into higher gear. And there wasn't exactly a long list of people or sources to find those answers. (Add to it that I was shy and thought I wasn't supposed to have/express sexual feelings, at least, not much, and about other boys? What was up with that? Pun intended.) So even a very reserved kid is going to have feelings and want (and need) answers, support, friends...and a chance to figure it out with others like-minded. (I think that often, the lack of those opportunities short-circuits gay people's development as people. In other words, it tends to create some of the problems, not the fact of being gay (or bi), but the lack of an outlet as normal as the straight kids have.) I found myself thinking about my answer above over supper. I stand by my answer, but I think it was too knee-jerk and ignores something. I'm not sure yet how to put it, so I'd like to come back to it when I can figure out what I want to say better. Maybe I'll manage that now, but I think it's still percolating, so I'll write later if I can figure out how to say what's in the back of my mind.. This is 2012. It is a much different world than the one I grew up in. In some ways, today's world is really getting better. Yes, really. But in other ways, it's getting worse, and because of those, it is so easy to lose track of the good stuff. * There is more acceptance of gay/bi people in general and more in the under-30 age groups. At least some of these folks have figured out it doesn't matter to them if Johnny or Joanie is gay. I'm glad for that. I know very few gay/lesbian/bi folks in person. I've been so caught up in my own (and especially my grandmother's) problems up until she passed away, that everything else, especially the support I needed most, or my own growth out of the closet, went by the wayside for a long, long time. It'll be a while yet before I really get to where I'm making headway. But at least the ball's rolling. * There's so much access to information, books, movies, TV, the internet, cell phones now. There's a lot of good in that. It is at least somewhat possible to answer some questions about it all, including about being gay, and it's possible to find both positive and negative views out there, the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of things...and that there are people who just want to be themselves and love who they want to love. Example: Yes, there are gay stories out there. These can tell some of the truth of what gay folks want and how we feel. They can also show the less than saintly fantasies some have, but then, straight folks have less than saintly stuff too. (And why there are other things around with little to differentiate what and where, probably says more about the lack of acceptance of being gay, the lack of equal readiness to put out a published story that wouldn't get even a blink, if it involved straight characters.) (I am not trying to divide or downgrade straight people. I'm saying that our world does not offer as equal and ready an acceptance of gay people or gay content as it does for straight relationships.) * Online: Sure, there are jerks and nuts and people masquerading out there. But let's face it, that happens in the real (offline) world too. There are ordinary, nice people online too. The anonymity online is both a blessing and a curse. It means the ones out there who want to impress or get away with something or pretend they're something they're not can act that way. It also means the ones who want to be just themselves can be themselves. It also means there is information and misinformation and disinformation out there. We have to learn to figure it all out for ourselves, whether "we" are adults or teens or kids, male or female, whoever, whatever our background. I bring that up, because people get so all-fired up in the air about it all, and because anybody with a podium seems to want to fan the worries instead of point out all sides of things. * GSA's, Gay-Straight Alliances -- They exist. A student under 18 can go to one at his/her school. A student over 18 can go to one at his/her college/university. (Crud, there was a new one when I went to college, but I was too uptight and self-righteous and downright scared to get my butt through that door. Wish I could go back and give that guy a shove over to the building and in that door...but he would've had to find out when they met.) Despite the detractors who claim this is for gay dating or gay recruiting, or promotes an immoral/unhealthy "lifestyle," if there's a GSA there, and if a student can get his/her butt in that door, there is at least that much of a chance for dialogue and support and acknowledgement, publicly recognized and supported openly, that you and your friends are OK, whether you're straight or gay. That tiny bit of truth in itself is important. (Wow, if I'd known anyone at all in school who would've been OK with being gay, that would've seemed so amazing and impossibly wonderful. You mean, I could talk to someone? Without getting called names or getting hit? Cooool!) * TV and Movie Characters: Hey, I can actually turn on the TV or a movie and see gay characters. And some are ordinary, not the villain or psycho or freak of the week. -- OK, I could do with a little less over the top or camp or a few other things sometimes, I admit. But...well...why *not* a little camp too? One of my friends, whom I stood up for, in school was...a lot like Kurt on Glee...with some important differences, both more and less than the way Kurt is portrayed. One important difference: If my friend *was* gay, he wasn't saying. My own speaking and singing voice are not some deep bass, there's more variation in tone and higher pitch than many guys. (Aw, listen, you can go hear recordings by me at Codey's World and my own site, and if you heard past recordings on AwesomeDude Radio, you'll know what I sound like. So there.) In school and college, I got pretty self-conscious about trying to sound/look more, well, like the other guys. (Yeah, more butch, dude.) I did finally figure out that was silly, just be myself. But it was something I thought about and tried to change for a while, and yes, I still get pegged as "Mizz" Blue now and then. But wait, what about those gay characters on TV and the movies? Well, dang, they weren't there when I was growing up, but they are there now. That's progress. There *is* a Kurt on Glee, along with Artie, Mercedes, and all the rest. And God bless Kurt (and Chris Colfer) for being there, being gay (or queer) and being himself. How great it is to see there can be a guy being a gay guy, on TV, and not have so many howls of protest that he can't be there. That goes for the young kid on Ugly Betty, who is or isn't gay, which I think is an important distinction, that maybe he is and maybe he isn't, but he's still an OK kid, as weird as any other there. Jack on Will and Grace? OK, it was a comedy, and one I hardly ever watched. But it wasn't meant to be literal or serious. Yes, there are other examples I should mention, but these days, I haven't watched much on the old telly or in theaters. Lack of opportunity. Yes, perhaps it's good for me to be challenged a little bit in my own assumptions or past or present or future, to see that say, not every gay guy or girl is what I expect them to be. I might just grow personally a little and understand a little better, myself and people like me...or people not quite like me too, sometimes. I can say, though, that yes, I would like to see some gay parents. Some very average, ordinary, who'd-a-thunk, he's or she's gay folks. That could, and should, be any character. The local office worker. The small business owner. The neighbor boy. The geeky kid. One of the guys on the school team, football, track, basketball, swimming, I don't care; the important part is, he's not who the audience might think at first glance is, "oh, that's the gay one." Why? Because who he is and what he's going through in the story are more down to earth, relateable, and real, than the, "Oh, we'll make the character so-and-so, because that way, no one will have trouble figuring out he's the gay guy. Phooey. What about the small town boy who's living his life, town or farm or ranch or anything else around there, but yes, he happens to be gay? -- See, I'm throwing out all those, not as tropes to copy into some formula, but because I haven't really seen much on TV that wasn't pretty readily identifiable as, "say, that's the gay guy or girl." While we're at it, I would like to see a positive, optimistic character, not "oh, always the poor victim," but, "hey, I'm doin' alright," or "hey, listen bub, I'm gonna stand up for myself and you're gonna listen and make nice, hear me?" Or even such things as, "Junior is our son. We love him. We love his boyfriend too. So quit getting in my face." Or even, "Yes, my grandson and his beau were over to fix up the house for me this weekend." (I don't say beau, but that grandma would, you just heard her.) Or how about, "Hey, Jimmy, glad you could make it. Guys, this is Jimmy." (Jimmy is already known by the audience and the group of friends to be gay. If the issue comes up, Jimmy gets supported, can say what he wants, and the people who try to make trouble can't. Or possibly some guy there asks him to dance, date, etc. -- Why all these? Because it happens rarely, if at all, in any video form I've seen. Too often, the gay guy or girl is fighting a tragic battle and losing somehow, or the outsider and staying that way. Yes, that happens in real life. It would be nice to see the successes too, the times where we've gotten beyond that or it is at least not happening then, whether it did before or will again. -- And yes, I can say I have often yelled or whimpered in my posts about my own past or current state. Yes, that's too true. I would very much like for that not to happen so much. It's a symptom of having spent the last many years with so little outlets of any kind, so focused on myself and my grandmother, with online being one of the very few safety valves where I would say what was on my mind, my private self made sometimes too public because...where else, who else, could I say those things to? That last is an issue too. I'm not the only one out there, my age or otherwise, who doesn't have the opportunity or friends/support or comfort levels to let loose with what's inside, deep down. Now, I'm rare in that I will post in forums where I visit, about such things. No, I don't often post those inner musings or insecurities about being gay or my life experience, on other forums. But yes, I've been known to, and yes, the forums where I'm a member, I've been there long enough to be comfortable saying what I do say, and -- and here's the important part -- getting feedback, especially the helpful, positive feedback, or sometimes the challenging, get your act together, or what do you mean, sort of feedback. I can also say, once in a while, I've gotten as good or better support there than gay-friendly forums. Why? I'm not sure why, and it puzzles me some. But when I post here or elsewhere, it's what's on my mind, it's how I feel, and it is for sure, the real me, strengths and faults and all. About those TV shows and movies, those characters, those stories, books and plays and whatever else? -- I once joked that I couldn't remember a single story where the hero got the guy, either his sidekick or the handsome prince or the ugly frog. (Note: Mercedes Lackey notably did write a set of three or four books, the Herald Mage series, Valdemar stories, but there's a very tragic ending. Still worth reading. Actual gay characters in a medieval sword and sorcery story.) -- Well, it would be nice to see all kinds of stories and all kinds of characters, just as ordinarily uncommon as the straight characters and stories. That is why it's important that there are gay story sites like this one and others, and why there's room for them all and a need. It is precisely because I can't simply walk into the bookstore or library or get a video and find those stories just as easily and unremarkable (and available to everyone) as all the other stories out there on the shelves. (And here my teenage self wasn't so sure how to take the appearance of any gay characters in the very few, mostly science fiction, stories where they might appear. Relax, buddy, it gets better.) ...Maybe that's what I was trying to say. Still not sure I have really said what I was trying to get out, earlier....

We're much nearer the point when the corporations become de facto governments. That's been one possibility in science fiction, going back to around the 50's or 60's. I'm not so sure we haven't already reached that point. * A boy (of whatever age) having questions about his body's functioning and maturing, or his feelings developing along with that? Believe it or not, some places/people think that's inappropriate. Kids at elementary and middle school and high school levels still have to get parental permission for sex ed in health, P.E., or biology. Yes, in the local districts I'm aware of, from what friends and relatives have said. For that boy to learn about his own body, or anybody else's body, male or female, in terms of its sexual function, development, hygienc, health, safety, disease prevention, contraception. I'd joke you're just supposed to hold it, but they'd say you're not supposed to hold it. Heh. * A boy's attraction to another boy? It might be OK if he's attracted to a girl, but maybe not. If he's attracted to another boy, well, how could he be? -- So goes the thinking. Never mind that he is indeed attracted and wishes some other boy would be attracted to him, particularly the boy he's attracted to. Why it's OK for him to think about or express attraction to a girl and ask her in public, but not a boy, is a question. Why, further, he's not supposed to be very attracted to the girl either, when after a certain age, he's likely to be attracted to *someone*, and that's normal, is another question. * Two boys acting on that attraction, hugging, kissing? (Making out?) If it's a boy and a girl, then it's fine even on prime time family TV. In fact, it will boost ratings and be very popular and talked about in positively glowing ways. Except by the people who think the boy and girl should do absolutely nothing and think nothing until they reach 18 or after. How they're expected to develop normal relationships and affection like that, and express them, I don't know. If it's two boys? My goodness, can that air on TV or get printed in a book? Whatever were you thinking? You're one of "those people" with an "agenda," aren't you? -- Well, yes, my agenda includes living my life, paying my bills, making it to the next day, -- and being honest with myself and getting to love someone and him love me in return. -- Only very, very recently has it been at all possible to show that without an R rating, while again, it's just fine and dandy to show it between a boy and girl, of whatever age, and have it be a nice, romantic, sweet story...or a compelling if not sweet story. * Two boys going any further than making out? Oh my goodness gracious, hide grandma and the kids! Hide the dog! Just hide! No, grandma, don't peek! -- Now, if grandma actually thinks it's fine for those two boys to love each other and do whatever it is they were doing under the covers, then old granny's probably gone round the bend and needs to be in the old folks home. ^ Please note that is total sarcasm on my part...and I've seen old folks homes and am not too fond of even the best of those, along with the thinking about granny, whether she's still got it or not. (Granny is cool. I've seen many thinks about growing old up close and personal. It ain't pretty, but it's very real.) Ahem, sorry. Again, if it's a guy and a girl (man and woman, or boy and girl) then it's somehow fine, except for the "don't ever do that" folks. It is not so popular if it's boy and boy. (By the way, I'm saying "boys" and not also saying "girls" because it gets really tedious and confusing writing he/she, him/her, boys, girls every sentence. Also because most of the audience here are males. Not everyone, thankfully, but most.) And please note, I'm not saying what should be or ought to be, or even what is accepted in more places than it used to be. I'm stating the majority reaction, which unfortunately, we are probably already too familiar with. Maybe more useful is this line of thinking: Yesterday morning when I signed on the web, my home page, which gives news and info and other less useful stuff, had among its eye-catching headlines a large photo of three women for "Winter Swimsuit Pictures." (Don't blame me or say I'm focused. I had nothing to do with the choice of articles.) In fact, that's from a major cable provider's choice of articles. They went with what they thought the public would most like to see, and being a cable provider, they'd know what their viewers watch. So, three women over 30 or 40 in very skimpy swimsuits somewhere warm and sunny and attractive. Hey, they look good, good for them. If I were a straight guy, it would've brightened my day a lot more. Instead, being a gay guy, I thought, "You know, if they showed three good looking guys that age in as little clothing as that, it'd probably be shouted down as inappropriate and prurient content. Instead, any straight man or boy who sees those nice big pictures of nice big um, curvy body parts, has nothing to worry about when he looks. Why is it, I ask, that those women can be shown (in very tastefully neutral and inoffensive, very attractive) photos, I might add, but yet it can't be of good looking men, whether in swim shorts or speedos or baggies or well, as little as those bikinis were hiding? It is because our cultures are, on the whole, worried about the possibility of any male having feelings for any other male and expressing those feelings, even looking. Now, the women in those photos happened to be in their 30's and 40's. But the same source shows young women in their 20's or teenagers on the beach with other teens. But no, again, doesn't show (or hardly ever, ever shows) men in similar pictures. It is only in sports or outdoor activities or beach or vacation type photos. Because, you know, for a male of any of the same ages that females can be seen in beach wear or sports, is simply not OK. You're not supposed to see the guys like that. (Unless, of course, you're a straight female. Then it's OK, but you'll be looked at funny, especially if you cuss. And yes, women are as bad or worse about it, when they say what they like in a man, than the guys are when they say what they like in a woman.) Yes, I did wonder, when I saw those photos. Mind you, I don't object to the photos or the article being on there. Good for them. People like people-watching and celebrity and travel and all that. Nothing wrong with that. It's great when they have real news to report too. But why is it that there is such a huge double standard, such a huge difference, when it comes to how people can see women, versus how people can see men? -- As long as those women can also be seen as beautiful in an evening dress, or jeans, or capable in business and technology and personal or home life, then what's wrong with seeing them as beautiful on the beach, not wearing much? -- And why is it that people don't think it is every bit as OK to see a man or boy the same as they have no problem seeing a woman or girl? Why? Double standard. Homophobia too. Insecurity about a male showing any feelings of affection or compassion or "softness." (Oh, all sorts of connotations in even that word, "softness.") Why? Because many or most people still don't see it as OK for men or boys to express feelings for each other, even the most basic kinds of affection like a hug or arm-in-arm or arm-around-waist or holding hands, or caring if your buddy is down; much more so if there's not just friendship, but love (non-sexual); and outright problematic for many, if there's attraction and romantic or sexual feelings between two guys (two boys, or two men). A couple of stories tackle that question head on: The boy in the story is gay. Most of his friends are straight, which, of course, is usual. But he gets frustrated with them and finally asks them why it's OK for them to talk about the girls they like, who they like, what they like in a girl (body and emotionally); but if he wants to chime in with the guys he likes, who he likes, what he'd like in a guy (body and emotionally) it suddenly gets very uncomfortable and the conversation dries up. That is precisely the kind of thing I'm talking about. And that is so often even with friends who are mostly accepting. (Yes, they are mostly, but they're still not always comfortable with it directly.) That does not say it's right for many/most to think and act without tolerance or acceptance, or to exclude even the possibility, the images, or the discussion. What a shame that so many can't even admit the possibility. I'm saying, I think it's obvious I'm saying, that they should be as accepting of how males are viewed and portrayed as they are of how females are. We aren't there yet. There is a long way to go. At least I can still say what I think in some places and to some people. I am very glad that some people, whether friends or family, like that hypothetical granny and some of the families and friends of people here, do "get it." I just wish I didn't run into so much of the static from people who don't get it, each week. (Note: I'm not advocating all the gay people moving off into their own little safe neighborhood. That just ignores all those friends and family who do care and accept, and it deprives the gay folks and the straight folks alike, from getting to know each other the way we all really are, and getting past that fear of "other-ness.") My opinion, that's all. -- I just wish I could see more positive stuff from more people.

This rocks. Glad they're having fun with it. And on behalf of skinny, pale, and geeky kids everywhere: Thank you! (Yes,

She does have a sort of "chocolate in my peanut butter, peanut butter in my chocolate" look. Caramel? -- Ah, but how to say it? "Care-uh-mell" or "Car-mell" ? Chips Ahoy? ...Hmm... I should really eat breakfast now. -- No, not candy, either. Sorry, I don't appear to be much help today. But yesterday, a neighborhood dog (whose, I don't know) decided to come over and say hello. Friendly dog. Not the best looking dog you've ever seen: tan and brown jumbled patches. But a sweet dog. Somebody must love her. Thankfully, she headed back home instead of out toward the subdivision entrance and highway. Eek.

Heheheheh! But Lugnutz is right. Upward, forward, around, over, through. Still, I like apes.

Good! Acceptance. Reconciliation. Healing. Hugging. Making friends. Rebuilding from the broken. If only more of us, wherever we come from, could do this more. Tomorrow's my birthday. Thanks for this ray of hope. I have seen people who are supposed to be friends and family, who cannot accept gay people. I have seen people who are also friends and family, who do accept gay people. A few months ago, I got an amazing hug from someone I'd just met. -- Because of the circumstances, I have been reluctant to go back and say thanks, but I still need to. Whether just a gesture of compassion and friendliness, which I think it was, or whether meant as more, which it probably wasn't, that nice guy deserves another thank you for being so kind. That day, it made a huge difference. I am not a perfect guy. I have my stuff too. I want to be better. I want the people I care about to be better. I hate it when people can't bring themselves to understand. I've run into people, including relatives, who refuse to understand. That saddens me. I don't like it when I see my own faults either. I especially don't like it when my stuff and other people's stuff clash and hurt each other's feelings. There are some people I will always miss, and still think of as friends, despite that either of us changed. So when we see something positive, where people find ways to get together or get back together and put the old junk behind them, that is an inspiration. Friendship and love are far too rare in this world. We need to celebrate them, male or female, opposite sex or same sex. "Love" and "relationships" are about more than who we want to be our partner or boyfriend or girlfriend, after all, though yes, that is one of the important kinds. Go hug somebody, underwear or not!

I have friends of various religious views: liberal, conservative; Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, several others; I have friends who are agnostic or atheist; I have one or more friends who say they are pagan or other variations on that; I have friends who may have native religious views. They are my friends because I like them and think they are good people. I have had good discussions with some of them about their beliefs, even if we don't believe the same things. They still have something worth discussing, and some point to it I might not have though of, without being able to talk with them. I remember one discussion that went very well until one idiot spoke up to say her way was the only way, and the others were going to hell if they didn't convert. That pretty much killed all discussion right away. Including, oddly enough, with those nominally in the "same" religion. It was a clear example of how *not* to treat people. I told her and those friends, I liked the discussion, and disliked her telling people who were supposed to be her friends that they couldn't talk about what they believed, which I liked hearing about. But... taking it further and killing someone because they don't act or believe as you do, in religion or something loosely like / related to religion? ...Right out of the Dark Ages. Have we made so little progress, that some people would happily slide back into the muck of ignorance, fear, and forcing others to do what one person says? I realize they'd argue he was "doing sinful things" or the like. How do they know? Did they ask him what he believes or does in worship? Probably not. Yes, there are some people who worship things / gods and in ways I would not agree are right or good. -- If those people do wrong, morally or legally, that's for the courts to decide, not me as an individual or as part of some group vigilante action. I didn't want to read the article right now. I may get brave and read it later. Part of me wants to react with a smart aleck reference to the Monty Python and the Holy Grail skit. Part of me just has trouble accepting that people, calling themselves whichever of various religions, want to kill people for believing differently than they do. Note I mean any of several religions which have intolerant people acting like that. Note also I do still consider myself to have a religious faith. I often have questions I'd like to ask the Big Guy, and I often do ask, so it's no secret to said Big Guy or anyone else. If we don't learn to at least tolerate, if not accept and celebrate and value, the differences among our own species, then how are we ever going to grow beyond our foolishness and reach out into the solar system, let alone beyond that? Klaatu, barada nikto. Where's the next shuttle off this benighted little mudball?

Now for it to remain in the law instead of getting repealed, and to keep the ball rolling. Roll over here, please, just don't roll over us forgotten. Still hoping to see equality in my lifetime. Dearly hope so.

Unfortunately, many/most middle schools won't show an R movie, and many/most high schools either won't show one or will skip parts. Yes, that's right, the teacher pauses and madly scans forward. Very silly for both teacher and students. Teachers on another forum are saying they're unhappy because kids who should get a chance to see the film won't. Not in the theater and not in the schools where they teach. District policy. Concerned parents. -- As I said, the MPAA decision and the worries of "concerned" parents and administrators are hiding their heads in the sand, ignoring reality, and thereby, complicit in the problem. It is far better to teach your kids or your students how to deal with observed reality, to prepare them for it and not overly shield them from it, rather than to pretend things like that don't happen or the kids are "too young and naive" to need to know about them. My own parents too often sheltered me as a kid and teen. Reality is much different, and finding that out, particularly when you're already naturally a dreamer type, can have a lot of bite to it, even way into adulthood. That example of scanning forward? Not only do I know teachers still do that, I remember our English teacher, whichever year in high school, zipping through the less, shall we say, "clothing intensive" scenes in Excalibur. -- But it was just fine for our History class to watch a documentary which showed, over and over and over...and over some more...the Kennedy assassination news footage. I would've rather have seen the nekkid bits in Excalibur than that. It must've been cheap to produce that documentary. Serious looping going on there. Back on-topic -- I hope the petition gets enough signatures and the MPAA rescinds its decision. More, I hope that schools will show the movie anyway. I hope it will go to DVD or Blu-Ray and to download via the various services. I think they're planning to release it on disc. Anyway, I emailed, hoping they'd put it out on disc and download, and streaming online too. These days, if you have a video that's worth seeing, or audio, or a book -- there are plenty of ways to releasei it.