Blog Endorsement: Go See Milk!

When I was a young man afflicted by puberty, my sources for information about being gay were primarily through impressions left by sexual abusers, peers, religion, and the newspaper. Initial impressions became the building blocks of my developing self esteem, sexuality, and spirituality.

I remember reading through a Sunday Arkansas Gazette as a boy about 40 guys being arrested in a mall's public restroom. I know the things done to me at an early age didn't give me a positive introduction to sex with a man or what "being gay" meant. There was some uproar about a gay character on a network comedy series. I also recall Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News occasionally referring to Harvey Milk, an elected official in San Francisco. His life as it publicly infolded did give me hope. Hope that I could live a full normal happy life as a gay man. There was little evidence in my rural religious culture to suggest it could happen, so Milk directly impacted my life in rural south Arkansas.

In searching for what I could do to make a difference, I came across the documentary The Life & Times of Harvey Milk, which I believe to be a must-see viewing for all the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community. Randy Shilts, himself a gay icon, has a book on Harvey's life. Shows what courage can do.

Milk the movie, opened November 26 staring Sean Penn. It's the 30th anniversary of Milk's assassination. It will open in Little Rock at the Col. Glenn 18 this Friday. It is an important film. Penn is deserving of the Oscar Buzz. Go see it!


Milk is an icon and inspired so many to do something to improve the lives of those gay kids being raised in life-threatening circumstances. I'm amazed almost daily how much better the circumstances seem for rural gay teens. At least there's more hope for happiness. Spend the money for a well-directed, well-acted, well-scripted, important life in world history.


It will not only be seen in Arkansas, it'll be seen in 19 countries across the world. You go Harvey! Since AIDS hit soon after Harvey's assassination, I don't think Milk's life ever got the recognition it deserved. There wasn't time.


Years ago local artist Stephano (who now has a fine arts gallery in the Heights—5501 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, 501-563-4218). asked for "less than obvious" gay icons for his line of "Pop" art. My dying partner and I talked about it and told him about Harvey Milk and suggested maybe a milk moustache with a "Got Milk?" theme.



Here he is on a former couch under the glow in the dark oil painting of Harvey Milk that was given to me.

World AIDS Day 08 in Little Rock

On December 1, World Aids Day, my day began with a 10am movie then on to the Clinton Center:





I know Dr. Elders spoke at UALR, which I couldn’t cover. Fayetteville hosted a showing of the Quilt. The World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil was held inside the State Capitol Building, where candles aren’t welcome…,

Yard Sale Therapy

I missed a march to repeal Arkansas’ Act 1 while focused on our yard sale.



The yard sale advanced us in many ways. The house, closets, and storage areas aren’t cluttered anymore. A financial want was met. Items let go in a moment for a few bucks to a stranger are often little pieces of your heart. Music boxes, garments, old computers or televisions are recycled to folks you briefly meet.




A young lady of a gothic persuasion, somewhat like NCIS ‘ Abbey, pulled up in a Hurse and searched our sale. A motorcycle-styled leather jacket belonging to a late partner caught her eye, and it became obvious to me that part of him was in her. As she shopped and considered the jacket, I got to enjoy her personality and easily found that part of her that was a part of him. I enjoyed the visit like a visit with my lost partner, and made sure that jacket found a home with her.

I’d often find Michael, in 23 degree weather, standing smiling at a small shirt or a music jewelry box, with a tear at a memory of his sister LaDonna. Grief is the art of letting go with love. It can take an hour or a lifetime, but it’s a process. I still visit with old departed friends and loved ones nearly everyday once anything triggers a memory.

Little Rock's ' "Join The Impact" rally: YouTub'ed

I took in an event at the State Capital Building that reminded me several anti-gay measures passed, not only in Arkansas, but also in California & Florida while Obama was elected. . Took the camera, here it is in five parts:














It should also be noted that hundreds marched in Fayetteville, Arkansas as well.

Farewell Election ’08: CHANGE

Delivering Mom & Pop to new their home and new lives is good for us. Lots of change in the air.

I was reminded by a friend as we head to Georgia that "it's not safe for gay people in the Deep South", and that holding hands could get us killed. I feel safe in our "People's Republic of" Hillcrest bungalow in Little Rock, but it's true I'm more careful outside of my liberal hub. It's a damn shame. Given time, our society evolves. Generational change. It's happening right now.


In an odd twist of fate, I may not have access to a television on election night. I do have peace about the candidates and issues I support, and expect better government in the future. Today, one of my favorite artists allowed the Obama campaign to use one of my favorite songs in a campaign ad. By the time I return, perhaps I can remember life without Barak, McCain and the Clintons. I leave the topic with hope and with a commercial with Paul Simon's "American Tune":

Lt. Gov. Bill Halter Opposes Initiated Act 1

One moment of many at Friday’s Obama Rally struck me to be particularly inspiring. Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter took a few moments to project an impassioned mainstream appeal against Initiated Act 1.

President Clinton & Arkansas Dems rally 4 Obama

My friend Trey and I went to the River Market in Little Rock Friday afternoon and caught the trolley to the Obama Rally featuring several Arkansas Democrats leading to President Bill Clinton. With 11 days to go until the General Election, it seemed a great time to rally. Here in 6 -10 minute segments, are most of the speakers and what they had to say. Enjoy & VOTE EARLY:

Arkansas Family Council: Strike 2

A new U of A poll shows Arkansans opposing Initiated Act 1 (see previous blog post) by a 55-38 margin. Wow. An almost victory for children! The lottery amendment would be approved by 65% if the election were held today. Wow. An almost victory for gambling interests.



The Arkansas Family Council, which has made a decent living for years skimming money from homophobic church folk and out-of-state gambling operations, is 0 for 2 in this poll.




Vote early :)

FOR Children: NO on Act 1

Because Arkansas kids are worthy of as many pre-screened foster and adoptive parents as possible, here's a short commercial from Arkansas Families First. They encourage us to vote No on Act 1, which would prevent unmarried cohabitating couples from serving as foster or adoptive parents.



I pulled up some testimony from Arkansas' House Judiciary Committee when this policy was pursued, but failed, in our legislature. Beyond Martha Adcock and a data driven pediatrician is the public testimony of a young Arkansas kid with lesbian parents.




Vote Early.

Tonight the cook’s back: Chili.

Burger King Mushroom & Swiss Steakhouse Burger Bulls***

No one expects much from fast food. Michael & I really try to avoid it, but now and then our cook steps out. After spending the afternoon watering the yard and planting pansies today, I decided to give the Burger King Steakhouse Mushroom & Swiss a try.

You’ve seen that horrible new “Simon & Garfunkel”-like ad showing a sandwich with fried onions topping the mushrooms and Swiss cheese (see corporate image below:



With very low expectations, I spent about $14 on two combo meals featuring this sandwich. Here’s what the sandwiches actually looked like once I got home from my neighborhood BK…



There were no fried onions at all, only little onion shreds rubberized by a microwave then totally overwhelmed by a mushroom sauce which strangely tasted nothing like the included mushrooms presumably canned a few decades ago in China.

Hey BK…your Mushroom & Swiss Steakhouse Burger is USDA Black Angus Bullshit, and Gawd as my witness I will never, ever eat your bullshit burgers again.

Early Voting: Duty Done

Early voting was a breeze for Michael & me. Thirty to 45-minute wait tops in the Pulaski County Regional Building in downtown Little Rock around 2pm yesterday.



I was honored to stand behind a guy with well matted shoulder length gray hair. Judging by his stench, he probably had a hundred things he could have been doing, but he prioritized his vote.

Anyway, I strongly encourage early voting in case you croak before Nov. 4th.

General Colin Powell Nails It: Obama!

Obama strolls into a Republican stronghold North Carolina café, and people scream “socialist!” and “terrorist!”

The honorable Senator John McCain is directly responsible for the dismal, desperate campaign he’s been running. I once respected Sen. McCain, but no longer. His very campaign is dishonorable.

I wish I had the rhetorical skills to express my opinion on this Presidential race, but I’ll let the honorable Gen. Colin Powell handle it for me:

Hillary In Little Rock for Obama

We took a few minutes on a beautiful Friday afternoon (10-10-08) in Little Rock, to drop by an Obama Rally at the State Capitol Building. We took the camera, so here it is..edited for time in five 10 minute YouTube clips:

Mom & Pop: Georgia on My Mind

My parents sold their Magnolia, Arkansas, home Saturday, and purchased one in Cartersville, Georgia (an hour or so north of Atlanta). Within weeks, Michael & I will drive them to their new home, which will provide them with a living space more suited to their needs, closer access to quality medical care, along with my sister and a brother, and their families.

My childhood home and the land my father played on when he was a child, was sold to a cousin who also has deep family roots on that rural county road in south Arkansas.

Mom & Pop have only seen their new Georgia home only on a DVD, as my sister did an amazing job of finding just the right home for them.

This move is absolutely right for them, and while this devoted Momma's boy and other Arkansas family members will greatly miss having them so close, we will all take comfort in knowing their remaining years will be less difficult and that they will be well loved and cared for by the Georgia side of the family.

I'm so proud of the faith and courage shown by my parents at their age and with their health issues to seize this opportunity, and for my sister and brother-in-law, Pam & Paul, who worked so hard to make it happen.

McCain Acts Like a Looser

Another guilt by association tactic (like Rev. Wright) first smeared on Obama by Hillary back in April. According to an article in the Chicago Sun Times:

"Bill Ayers, 63, spent 10 years as a fugitive in the 1970s when he was part of the "Weather Underground," an anti-Vietnam War group that protested U.S. policies by bombing the Pentagon, U.S. Capitol and a string of other government buildings."

Ayers lives in Obama’s neighborhood. Their paths crossed at times, but now you’d think Obama was booty-buddies with this man once considered a domestic terrorist. The New York Times ran an article about Ayers today saying nothing that wasn’t learned in April, and suddenly Sarah Palin is sayin’ Barak's pals around with a terrorist.

John McCain is quite desperate to divert public attention from the economy, and such tactics piss me off. Deep breath….let it out. One month to go. One day at a time.

Justice for the Juice

I fell asleep last night waiting on the O J Simpson verdict. Even in the middle of the night, once the jury had reached a verdict, all parties were summoned back to court to hear the verdict. It struck me as strange, but it was Vegas.

Thirteen years to the day after being acquitted of murder charges, OJ was found guilty of enough kidnapping and robbery charges to jail him for the rest of his life.

I didn’t spend nary a second watching the gavel-to-gavel coverage on CNN’s Headline News, as there were at least 700,000,000,000 other more pressing matters. This morning, for one final time, I uttered to myself, “Go OJ…Go."

VP Debate: Biden

Senator Joe Biden won the VP debate impressively. Governor Sarah Palin proved to be a quick study (at memorizing flash cards) and confident, yet still woefully unqualified. I believe the air-headed comments given to Couric in the days leading up to the debate were calculated to drastically lower expectations. CBS News was used yet again. I don't expect Palin will be allowed to give interviews for the rest of the month, but will be at rallies with Senator McCain and strictly on the teleprompter.

If House Republicans once again vote against the bailout bill, McCain's campaign is dead. On life-support now with a month to go, McCain's campaign is about to go negative big time and quickly, as early voting begins shortly.

A medical professional friend of ours told Michael and me yesterday that McCain suffers from war-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition with no cure. If temperament is to become an issue, as some have suggested, it will probably arise in the next two weeks as the final debates are held and McCain tries to mount a last minute comeback.

History Reveals Itself

HIV went undetected in the human population for about 70 years, according to new research published in the journal Nature. It still is thought to have spread to humans who ate chimpanzees and the AIDS epidemic correlated with the rise of cities and associated prostitution 100 years ago in Africa, principally in the present-day city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

McCain Leadership Sucks

I'm disgusted with the leadership vacuum in Washington. House Republican leaders promised votes they couldn't deliver. They haven't had so much egg on their faces since Newt Gingrich shut down the government in the Clinton era.


I think Obama was correct not to inject Presidential politics into the situation. The maverick McCain sure wandered off the preverbal political plank. Pay attention politicos: He took credit for a vote he didn't deliver. That was McCain's "Mission Accomplished" moment. His own party rejected his leadership.


Daym. The Biden-Palin debate might be the best thing to happen to McCain this week, and that's not saying much.

Or Else

The bail-out, rescue, or buy-in is finally before the US House for a vote. The mother of all debts might be assumed by taxpayers. $700,000,000,000. $ 2,300 for every man, woman & child in America. Thank God John McCain suspended his commercials for a few days or we'd really be screwed..


If Congress doesn't pass a bill immediately, there will be hellfire, damnation, locusts, plagues, mushroom clouds, melting polar ice caps, clean coal, nuclear waste, global warming, and gas shortages. The Grapes of Wrath. The politics of fear.


Since so few Americans, including myself, most reporters and members of Congress, can wrap their brains around the scope of the financial crisis, it's hard to have confidence in any hastily proposed solution.

Sarah Palin car spotted in Little Rock??

A bumper crop of Obama bumper stickers has arrived somewhere in Little Rock. Michael & I saw many today at the River Market, to our surprise. After a neighbor had her Obama yard sign stolen, I went to the Obama office in North Little Rock. I was told there had no bumper stickers or yard signs. Then a volunteer led me to a parking lot and sold two yard signs from her trunk at $ 8 each.

A bright shiny Chrysler Sebring convertible caught our eyes in a River Market parking lot.



Nice car on a sunny day, but what caught our attention was the oxymoron on the bumper. Let's have a closer look, shall we?



What twisted naive Arkansan could proudly display this on their car? As we walked alongside the car, we noticed a big bulky purple purse in the front seat screaming for theft.




Okay, she equates McCain with peace signs and leaves her moneybag visible and unsecured. We’re not sure, but perhaps we found Sarah Palin’s car.

"Huckabee": The PTH Club

"Huckabee", the new weekend show on Fox "news", is still not ready prime time or any time.

It is structured like a late night talk show, complete with a monologue, interaction with a small studio audience, a guest, and lots of folksy humor. He's an odd mix of Rush Limbaugh, Andy Griffith, Paul Harvey, and Kenneth Copeland.

His first guest? That blonde puritan from The View. Huckabee lavished her with praise and idle chatter.

"Huckabee" felt like an infomercial in desperate need of Chuck Norris and a product, somewhat like his campaign for President. It was PTL without the L-word. Praise The Huckabee more or less.

McCain must debate!

I awoke from my viral crud to see Senator McCain wants to "suspend his campaign" and delay Friday's debate due to the financial crisis, Bullshit!

When did McCain do this before? Oh yeah, the hurricane. The hurricane that kept Bush & Cheney away from the Republican convention. Now that the economic crisis has Palin off the front page and McCain loosing ground, he pulls this stunt. Obama's right. Can't he multitask?

McCain is the nominee of his party. He knows squat about the economy. I understand why he'd rather not show up and debate. I believe America needs to hear from the future President on the economy and other issues. Hold is feet to the fire Obama!

Bush Legacy: Near Collapse of American Empire

On the day Iran's President told the U.N. that the "American Empire" is about to collapse, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said as much to Congress while selling a $700,000,000,000 bailout for the American financial system.

The worst president ever wants quick rubber stamp approval of his plan, or else. I say compromise with Congress in the next few days, or else.

Some lacking-regulators and folks on Wall Street committed overt acts of economic terrorism on America, as the bailout costs every man, woman, and child in America $ 2,300. I'd like to know that justice will flow like a mighty stream through Wall Street, and that executives are not just denied golden parachutes, but are prosecuted. It's not so unreasonable to ask that taxpayers draw interest on this enormous investment, and profit in an economic recovery. Letting judges decide if individual mortgages can be tweaked to keep folks in their homes saves everyone money. Let there be compromise.

I'm so pissed at the worst president ever, as he not only screwed up his own presidency, but leaves the future president with little wiggle room to address major issues of our time.

It's becoming clear that Congress will be controlled by Democrats next year. I know America tends to set herself up for gridlock. The times call for a Congress and a President who can work together to move this country in a different direction.

I believe the election boils down to a referendum on the Bush Presidency. Worst ever.

Rove's Rally Your Base, Chapter 17: Shotgun Wedding

Sarah Palin’s children are off limits, unless the diversion benefits your campaign.

I find the17 year old Palin daughter’s pregnancy and the mystery father fiancé a diversion from the fact that Palin is shockingly unqualified to be President. Palin was an outspoken opponent of sex education in public schools during her 20 months in office, a policy issue which deserves scrutiny. My own impulse was to go back and fight the sex education-abstinence-only education battle all over again, but wait.

This is a red meat issue for evangelicals. The base is being prodded. The media took the diversion bait and ran with it. The story Obama said should be off limits, was indeed discussed to death. As Sarah prepares to speak to the country, instead of defending her light resume, she now merely needs to defend her family’s lack of abortions to social conservative cheerleaders. Come on, we’re two months away from the election. Let’s stay focused.

I suspect if the media returned focus to the fact that she’s not qualified to be President, this GOP convention would end in the Palin daughter’s shotgun wedding.

Bridge To Nowhere: Sarah Palin

My heart goes out to New Orleans and others in the path of Hurricane Gustav.
The 24-7 coverage is warranted, and the region seems more prepared this time. This time W. isn’t on vacation in Crawford, press reports indicate he’ll be in Austin, Texas, when the storm hits. Political opportunists are shaping this as a chance for W., and the Republican Party to gain redemption from Katrina Even as a partisan opponent, I hope they do a heckuvajob this time.

McCain seems finally to be catching major breaks. His convention will now be free from saluting the worst President ever. The white hot intensity of the media spotlight quickly shifted from the Gov. Palin, who has served 18 months as the governor of a small state, and now finds herself potentially a heartbeat away from leading the free world.

I’m struggling to wrap my brain around McCain’s decision to put her on the ticket. She’s a maverick like him, I’m told. She said no to the ‘bridge to nowhere’ in her state; although, she supported it as a candidate until the project became an embarrassment to her state. So she supported it before she was against it, which was unpopular in the last election cycle.

She wants creation science taught alongside evolution in science classes. She’s big oil, all about drilling up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She’s all about hunting and eating moose, bringing images of Teddy Roosevelt to the National Rifle Association. She’s got a son going to Iraq during the campaign. The clincher: she didn’t have an abortion upon learning her child would have Down syndrome.

Conservative pundits say evangelicals are dancing in the isles and suddenly can’t wait to vote McCain. She’s also responsible for state-funded benefits for the partners of Alaska’s gay employees. She abused the powers of her office over a bad brother-in-law, a state investigation will conclude a week before the election. McCain is still has that Keating 5 corruption scandal on his permanent record, but that was back in the 80s, when Gov. Palin was running for Miss Alaska. She played the flute and won Miss Congeniality.

I think I’m going to like this Alaskan Governor’s personality and energy. She’s profoundly unqualified. Evangelicals succeeded in keeping Lieberman off the ticket. Give credit where credit is due.

Gov. Palin, You're No Hillary Clinton

I was appalled that 72 year old John Mc Cain thinks two years as Alaskan Governor qualifies Sarah Palin to be President. This is John Mc Cain's Harriett Myers!

I don’t mean to be cruel or insensitive, but seems to me her baby with down syndrome requires a lot of love and care. Perhaps I’m sexist but my heart suggests Palin be should be a mom right now.

Palin’s wild west spunk today came across as somewhat trailer-trashy, as was the strange investigation into Palin’s firing of a state employee for not firing the state trooper boyfriend of the Governor’s sister during a messy custody battle. The results of the investigation are to be released one week before the election. Sounds like a Maury Povitch pay-per view to me.

Palin has evoked the name of Hillary Clinton, and suggests the Republican ticket can now chip away at that glass ceiling with 18 million cracks. Hillary worked hard and earned those votes. Palin was appointed by a man with increasingly questionable judgement. No way, no how, you’re no Hillary Clinton Gov. Palin. You simply aren’t qualified to be President under any circumstances, but certainly not under current circumstances.

Dems in Denver: Day One notes

Dem Convention: Day One notes

I noticed this morning that the three major TV networks were providing one hour of primetime coverage. Disappointing, but that’s why we have sallelites. CNN, MSNBC and C-SPAN were my choices for the “gavel to gavel.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was chewing gum during her speech. I was taught in high school that this is disrespectful. During her speech, CNN was interviewing Gov. Kaine. MSNBC let us chew on the Speaker. The gum was white best I can tell. It matched her dress anyway.

Rep. Jessie Jackson, Jr. gave a speech that deserved coverage. Excellent speech delivered with the vigor and eloquence of his father. CNN carried it live, while MSNBC carried commentary from Pat Buchanan.

President Jimmy Carter had a video about New Orleans. I have a fondness for the Carters, and was disappointed when after his introduction, he waved and left. No speech. I want to say it was 10 or 15 minutes went by before Anderson Cooper and cronies asked why.

God Bless Ted Kennedy, who overcame many barriers just to be there to symbolically pass the torch from the Kennedy family to the Obamas.

As prime time arrived, I thought NBC and ABC boiled the evening down fairly well into an hour. However CNN’s David Gurgen and James Carville were saying the Convention’s speaker lineup during prime time coverage was lack luster, and the night had no central message, so they thought the first night of the Convention was wasted. Donna Brazile defended her party as her microphone cut out.

Michelle Obama’s speech was insightful, educational, remarkably well written and delivered. She was clean and articulate, as Biden might say on a whim.

So as the day closes, the Kenndys and the Carters have passed the torch. In the next two days, the Clintons will pass the torch.

CNN and MSNBC provide more time to “their political teams,” and simply use the Convention as a backdrop or a new set for the same old show, plus a couple of speeches.

I know more about the Obamas now. Mission accomplished as far as I’m concerned. I'm sorry some were dissappointed. There was no big Bush bitch slap. Policy issues, which attract me to the party, were lightly touched vagueness. I heard more about the enviornment from the T Boone Pickens commercial.

I think the evening’s schedule was just fine for network prime time. They got Kennedy and Michelle and their own political teams in a neat tight package. THe schedule was designed to be boiled well and easily into that primetime hour.

Southern Baptist Sissies opens in Little Rock

Southern Baptist Sissies, a play about four gay men in a Texas Southern Baptist Church, is now running at The Weekend Theater in Little Rock. Director Ralph Hyman says the first act is a comedy and the second is a drama/tragedy that ends with hopefulness.

Hyman tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that “it talks about how the church, unfortunately, teaches children who are gay to hate themselves.”

Playwright Del Shores is said to have based the play on personal experiences.

I have such deep scars from my Southern Baptist childhood, which also left me a self-loathing gay man. We all know what happened to self-loathing gay men in the 70s and 80s, AIDS. I don’t blame my southern Baptist upbringing for my disease. I was mighty ignorant in my early 20s, and should have been paying attention. I numbed pain with Jim Beam, Willie Nelson, pills, and weed. Antidepressants work so much better.

I do blame the church’s teachings for the enormous pain, confusion, depression, and suicide attempts endured in the closeted rural isolation of my childhood. I almost didn’t live long enough to ignorantly face AIDS. The rage within is still there, just below the surface. It's sometime pointed at the Southern Baptist Church, and sometimes pointed at myself.

There is plenty of comedy to be had in a play with this subject matter, and Shores has the background (produced three seasons of the Showtime series Queer As Folk) and writing talent (also wrote Sordid Lives) to make me laugh, relax, and be vulnerable during the first act, while ripping open old wounds in the second.

I hear a movie based on the play is in the works as well, with Delta Burke. I look forward to seeing Southern Baptist Sissies. The $14 seat includes a hopeful ending. If not, Vino's across the street may have some Jim Beam. For more info, www.weekendtheater.org

Home Depot Special Order Hardwood Doors; How We Spent Our Winter, Spring, and Summer.

Buying hardwood doors this year was an endless nightmare with the assistance of Home Depot.

After waiting for Home Depot contractors to measure our current doors for a custom fit, we discovered the doors in Hillcrest are eight feet tall. We were then limited on companies who build good custom-sized oak doors. Finally, a company in Mexico had just what we needed. We special ordered two finished oak doors, and two storm doors with installation for around 5 thousand.

We were told the doors would be ready in three weeks. After several heated conversations with Home Depot management, we were eventually told getting the doors through customs would make the wait more like three months.

We were thrilled when the call came that our doors had arrived in Little Rock. Soon after, a Home Depot contractor called to schedule the installation. Three weeks we waited patiently for the installation. When the day arrived, the contractors stacked the doors in our living room and left them, saying the original Home Depot measurements were incorrect, and they'd have to have a new, more expensive installation plan approved by Home Depot. There goes another week. The next installation was then scheduled for, you got it, three weeks later.

Doors we thought would be delivered and installed in about a month took over five months and severely strained our relationship with the Home Depot in west Little Rock, Arkansas.




Anyway..the doors were installed yesterday. It'll be a long time before we trust the Home Depot in west Little Rock, Arkansas with a business project, but we are VERY happy with these doors.

Death by Effexor?

Arkansas Democratic Party chair Bill Gwatney was shot to death in his office earlier this week. The fall of Gwatzilla stunned me. He was a hero to those of us who survived the Mike Huckabee era in Arkansas. Public service makes people vulnerable.

We’ve learned little about the killer. According to press reports, the short list of items found in his home included loads of guns, a post-it note, and a bottle of antidepressants (how Tom Cruise of them to report). Not just any bottle of anti-depressants, every media outlet I’ve observed noted the specific antidepressant, Effexor.

Did we really need to know the specific name of his antidepressant? Is there an epidemic of Effexor-related shootings? If so, look out world, I was on Effexor for years. For the record, I’m on Cymbalta (“’cause depression hurts”) now.

I’ve been concerned for Senator Barak Obama since his campaign began. I hear some evangelicals are calling him “the anti-Christ” on the internet. I thought he was in danger from white supremacists, but the “anti-Christ” label may make him a high value target for Christian extremists as well. How horrible. Perhaps it’s just an effort to rally the Republican base to vote. With McCain heading their ticket, white supremacists and Christian extremists are probably eating a lot of Effexor these days.

Celebrate love

Michael and I have been a couple for seven years now, and this is the first "couple" picture to surface. My thanks to Samamtha for capturing the moment. Eric loves Michael.

Fair & Balanced: B B King live '08

Suffering from severe diabetes, 82 yr old icon B B King had children and grandchildren in his Little Rock audience last Friday. Some had never heard him play. Here are a couple of clips from BB's show:

BB King & Willie Nelson in Little Rock, Arkansas

An afternoon shower left hot heavy humid air without much breeze down by the river in Little Rock, where iconic legends B B King and Willie Nelson provided outstanding glimpses into their past and present. B B opened, and out came Willie for some stage time with his longtimne friend:



B. B. kicked into Nite Life and Nelson nostalgia as he closed his portion on the concert:





Then after a break to re set the stage for Willie's show, Hogs were admirably called, and Willie, kicked off a non-stop round of decades of hits, starting as always with "Whiskey River":




He simply can't play 'em all, but at 75 in this sweltering humid heat, he did his fair share.



I heard a guy say he left off so many songs from his typical extended songlist. He didn't play "Georgia on my MInd"! Willie was absent a long time guitarist and vocalist Jody Payne to retirement. It was great to see these guys, their history, B B's family running around the audience. Remembering the impact they've had on American culture and our lives. Worth every nickle to me, and then some.

Berlin Obama Moth Balls & Momma

Obama’s Berlin speech yesterday was quite impressive and amazingly presidential for his actual presumptive nominee-status. Every shot of McCain these days brings the essence of moth balls.

As many of you know, the Family Council of Arkansas has another month to gather signatures to get a measure on the ballot to ban cohabitating couples (gays and others) from fostering or adopting children in Arkansas.

My dear mother told me and old family friend was passing the Family Council’s petition around Central Baptist Church in Magnolia the other day. As it was handed to my mother for a peer-pressure signature from a decon's wife, she told the old family friend, “I can’t sign it.”

When our friend realized she had been rejected by my mother, their eyes met and Mom added, “I know too many gay people who’d make wonderful parents.”

Did I mention I love my Mom and Dad? Here's an old picture of her from thr front page of Magnolia's Banner News passing out AIDS info at her local Wal Mart in the early '90s.




The truth shall set you free. I know where my activist heart comes from, although mine carries the essence of moth balls.

B. B. KIng - 82 Willie Nelson-75

B. B. King returns to Little Rock July 25 (tomorrow as I'm writing) for an outdoor concert with Willie Nelson. Two major legends. I've been in awe at Willie being 75 still on a tour bus making music. B. B. King is 82. He's played concerts with legendary rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. He was a friend of Elvis'.

Twist, Arkansas, is about 45 miles northwest of Memphis. B. B. played there often back in the day. Two guys got into a fight one night in the Twist nightclub/dancehall, resulting in a kerosene fire. B. B. made it outside safely, but realized he left his $ 30 guitar in the rapidly burning building. He ran back inside. With the flaming wooden structure crumbling around him, he nearly died trying to save his guitar.

The guys who started the fire were fighting over a lady named Lucille. B. B. named his guitar Lucille to remind himself "never to do anything that foolish."








Willie finally left Nashville for Texas, where his career would flourish, when his Nashville home burned to the ground. Willie was said to have run into the burning house to retrieve a stash of premium weed.





From Farm AID to BioWillie to reforming American marijuana laws, Willie has been outspoken. Then there's the music. More importantly, the lyrics.

Willie, BB, Obama & the Batman

I’ve been very hesitant to blog for the last few months. Some things seem trivialized when posted. I’m not one to blog about the passing of loved ones for that reason.

For those who check my postings for pictures of my wonderful parents, they continue to be alive and well and dominant round their South Arkansas domino table (pics 2B included shortly).

YES I CAN and will support Barak Obama for President. If he really really needs it, I’d even send him a couple of bucks. I don’t think he needs my economic stimulus package.

Those who truly know me know I’m a hardcore Willie Nelson fan. In the late 70s, I took dear friends to see Willie with B B King in Shreveport. Willie & B B will be in Little Rock Friday, and I can’t wait to see them. It’ll be Michael’s first time.

OH, and in an effort to shake up our daily routine ‘round here, Michael and I took the time to go see the new Batman flick in IMAX Monday. Wow. We both enjoyed it a great deal. I didn't even let the not-so-great deal of 'two-sodas-and-a-bag-of-popcorn' for $14 get me down.

Back at home later that night Michael and the dogs found and confronted a bat swirling around a ceiling fan in our living room. While they handled the situation, I protected the rest of the house behind my closed bedroom door. I did bravely crack open the door long enough to attempt a picture:

Tats

We have a very sick and frail sister in our lives that just got tattoo work around her eyes as years of chemo have taken their toll. I took "before" and "after" pictures today. Still some swelling in the "after" picture, but she feels like a princess. That's all that matters. Thought I'd share her joy.

Before:


After:

Feel like hell and look good, U Go Girl!

Hillary in my Rear View Mirror

On April 3rd, a squall line containing tornadoes struck Arkansas. Driving near Hope, Arkansas the next day, I sadly watched half my Hillary sticker flapping in the wind. A moment captured on this brief video: