in good company

As I am reading this week's Entertainment Weekly, I come across an interview with news-hottie Anderson Cooper. I wouldn't have imagined that I had much in common with good-ole-Andy until I read the part about his "guilty pleasures."

"I TiVo a lot of shows on MTV - stuff like My Super Sweet 16 that's jaw-dropping and mind-numbing -- and I'll watch it on weekends. Now I like Tiara Girls. Oh, my god. On the second season of Super Sweet 16, all the really horrible girls had seen the first season and were trying to top them in horribleness. On Tiara Girls, there's a fresh level of horror."

I love that it's just not me that enjoys this very special kind of trashy television programming. And I wonder if Andy screams in a very special voice, "Sweet Sixteen, " each and every time the show goes to commerial break? Oh, I suppose only some sort of weirdo would do something like that...

transamerica

While still recovering from my awful bout of food poisoning I watched the dvd of Transamerica this afternoon. It was easy to see why Felicity Huffman was nominated for both an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe. She played a pre-operative transsexual who a week before having "the surgery" to become a woman; finds out that she has a 17-year old son. The movie follows their journey from New York back to California. Along the way they both learn a great deal more about each other and them selves. It's a story of forgiveness, acceptance and love. I highly recommend this movie. If you've not heard of the movie, you can view the trailer here.

possible side effects

I've finished Augusten Burroughs' new book. It was published the week I was in Toronto. Unfortunately, books are not released on the same day in Canada as they are in the U.S. I had to wait till we got home to buy it. It was worth the wait and quite a quick read. The book is made up of short stories and essays. Some of the best are: The Georgia Thumper, a tale about his visits with his eccentric Grandmother; Fetch, the story of how he talked his mother into letting him get a dog; and Bloody Sunday, about dealing with new-found fame. You can find more information about this great author by visiting his web site at www.augusten.com

ch-ch-ch-changes

It was time my blog had a new look. A little simpler and cleaner for the summer.

songs in heavy rotation on my iPod

• Is It Any Wonder? - Keane
• Free Loop - Daniel Powter
• Spiralling - Erasure
• Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
• Apple Candy - Ben Lee
  

no rules, just wretch

Greg and I went to dinner at a certain australian themed steak house Friday night. Saturday morning we were feeling the pain. We both woke up with severe stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. At dinner we both had had salads with blue cheese dressing and chicken breasts.
By mid afternoon, my stomach pain was unbearable. Our friend Michele came over and took us to an urgent care medical center. I don't like doctors. So it was a big deal that I wanted to see one. The doctor was pretty sure I had food poisoning and gave me a shot in the bum-bum and sent me home with three prescriptions. I slept most of the rest of yesterday and a good portion of today. Right now, I'm feeling much better. Greg's tummy is still making quite a few grumbly sounds. It's safe to say we won't be making a trip back to this restaurant any time soon.

i'm with stupid

The Pet Shop Boys are back in late June with a new album, their ninth. The first single, "I'm With Stupid," is a love song of sorts, inspired by the relationship between Tony Blair and George W. Bush. The video for the song features the UK comedy team, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, stars of the series "Little Britain." You can view the video at the PSB's site by clicking here.

smart senators speaking

U.S. Senate committee passes same-sex marriage ban

The following are highlights from an article at Advocate.com.

A Senate panel today advanced a measure that would amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The measure passed 10–8 on a party-line vote. The same-sex-marriage ban is one of several hot-button social issues Republicans are raising to rally conservative voters ahead of November's congressional elections. Because the measure would change the Constitution, it must pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds majority and then be approved by at least 38 states.

Here are some intelligent comments from a few Senate Democrats:

> Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, the committee's top Democrat, said the same-sex marriage ban was a waste of time for a committee that needs to tackle a wide range of other pressing issues, from judicial nominations to oversight of the National Security Administration's domestic-spying program. "I didn't realize marriages were so threatened. Nor did my wife of 44 years," Leahy said.


> Wisconsin senator Russ Feingold, who may run for president in 2008, wrote, "The Constitution of the United States is an historic guarantee of individual freedom. It has served as a beacon of hope, an example to people around the world who yearn to be free and to live their lives without government interference in their most basic human decisions. I took an oath when I joined this body to support and defend the Constitution. I will continue to fight this mean-spirited, divisive, poorly drafted, and misguided amendment when it comes to the Senate floor."

i'm on a sugar high

Many people ask, "Hey Mike, what-up with the candy obsession?" I don't know, I just like my fruity-delicously flavored sweets. This picture is proof that I started early in life. By the way, the skittles are out again in the vending machine...
Click on the pic for a close-up. There are quite a few peeps in that basket! Can you count them all?

my mom

With Mother’s Day yesterday, I got to thinking about my mom. It’s been 19 years since I was able to spend Mother’s Day with her. She died in a car accident on January 29, 1987. I was 14 at the time. I probably didn’t appreciate her as much as I should have for those 14 years. But looking back I know how special she was. Her love for me has left a lasting imprint on my life. Everyday I strive to do things that will make her proud of me.
The following is a letter one of my mom’s friend and co-worker wrote to us after my mom’s death:

Diana Derr Was My Friend

She loved her family so much. Her main priorities in life were: her family, including her mother, her church and her job. She was devoted to them in that order.

We became “group friends” when several of us ate lunch and attended Westfield functions together. Once, I joined an exercise class in Rittman where we exercised to Christian music and were measured once a month. I invited Diana to come with me. She was reluctant at first but she finally did join and came faithfully. One time when they took her measurements, she had lost several inches and she was just excited! I was so happy for her.

When the weather was really bad, I was scared to drive, So Diana said I could ride with her whenever I wanted to. I usually went in earlier than she did but on the bad days I always relied on her.

The group of people we ate lunch with slowly dwindled away until there was just the two of us. Our friendship blossomed into a true personal friendship that I valued so much. Ours was a warm, low-key and peaceful friendship and I loved her and I knew she felt the same way about me.

Diana was a very intelligent, kind, gentle and giving person. She wasn’t loud or boastful. She shared her achievements with me when she got a promotion, raise or pat on the back and she listened to mine. One beautiful fall day in 1986, we had lunch then went outside and sat on the steps. Our conversation that day was about getting old. She told me she just couldn’t get a picture of herself as old. I asked her why and she said she just didn’t think she would live that long. I said, “Oh Diana, that’s silly, you’re not sick or anything are you?” She said, “No, but I just don’t think I’ll live to get old.” She didn’t say it in a scared, upset manner. It was just in a matter-of-fact way. I have thought of that conversation so many times.

As her 40th birthday approached, she became more and more upset and depressed. I told her that turning 40 was just one day and that she wouldn’t fall apart, etc. I couldn’t understand it because Diana was not a vain person. I think somehow she knew what none of the rest of us knew.

The day she died, we had lunch and she walked me back to my office. She said, “Oh it’s supposed to start snowing tonight and be bad tomorrow, do you want me to pick you up in the morning.” I told her I would call her and let know that evening. She told me she was invited to stay over for an agent function but she would be home between 7:00 and 7:30. I called her later and Ed said she wasn’t home yet. He sounded worried and said he would have her call me when she came home. Around 9:30 or 10:00, Diane Leatherman called me with the awful news. Bill and I went to the Derr house and stayed with Ed and the children until his parents got there.

When I go to the cemetery to visit my first husband, I always visit with Diana, too. I miss her so much. She was such a good person.

I miss her too. I’m sad that she missed my sister’s wedding and meeting her two beautiful granddaughters. I’m sad that she never met Greg. I’m sure she would have loved him and welcomed him to our family. I miss the hugs, her laughter and her calm. But I’m so happy that I have letters like this and other memories that I will cherish always.

moo

"Kenneth Blackwell spoke to an energized crowd at the Cathedral of Praise [in October 2004]. Blackwell drew a comparison between same-sex couples and farm animals. 'I don't know how many of you have a farming background, but I can tell you right now that notion [of same-sex marriage] even defies barnyard logic...the barnyard knows better."

-From a 2004 report by Toledo, Ohio's WTOL TV. Currently the Ohio secretary of state, Blackwell won the May 2nd primary election for the Republican nomination for governor.

Gee, sounds like he would be ok with farm animals right to marriage...interesting.

where's my damn gnome?

Today Greg and I planted three hostas near the garage and several varieties of basil in a container on the back patio. There's something about fresh basil that really gets me excited about summer. My allium have begun to bloom. I'm really looking forward to the spheres of color that they will add to front planting beds of our home very soon.

niagara-on-the-lake

Our friends Tom and Brett suggested that we make a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the way back from Toronto. We're glad we did. It was a very quaint little town with a gorgeous downtown. We visited the shops and took in all the vistas of beautiful tulips that were in full bloom. They were everywhere. We hope to stop back, perhaps for a long weekend, when we could take more time to explore the area and all of its wineries and sights.

last day in the great (really great) north

Today marks our last day in Toronto and Canada. It really is a great place to visit. The last several days I've spent more time around the hotel and area shopping centres. I've seen three movies, probably more than I had seen in theaters this year so far. I've seen Stick It, United 93 and Ice Age 2. All fairly enjoyable for what they are. In addition, I've spent quite a bit of time in the hotel gym. Each day I've done several miles on the treadmill. I forgot how good it makes you feel to do a little exercise. I hope to keep up with it when we get home. I've been sleeping better as a result of the exercise, and I have a great deal more energy. And, it wouldn't hurt to lose a few more lbs.
We've also made a couple friends while we have been here. We had dinner and did some shopping with Kyle (who works where Greg has been this week) and his partner Greg. Two Gregs, too funny. We plan to go out with them again tonight. They are really great guys. And will give us an excuse to visit this wonderful area more often.
It's been a long week and we miss home, Tucker, work and friends.

riding the bus with myself

There you are! And here I am, still in Canada. So today was my first day on my own in the big city of Toronto. Also known as the day Mike over dosed on public transportation. I started by taking a taxi from the hotel to the train station. Our hotel is in a suburb of Toronto called Brampton. Greg's got the car at work, so i'm walking and enjoying the wonders of public mass transit. The train into downtown Toronto was quite nice. It was a double decker train. It took about 30 minutes from start to end. I then purchased my subway tokens and headed off to the eastern side of the city. Ok, so after this trip, I know that I could never go on the Amazing Race. Every time I emerge from underground, I loose my sense of direction. My plan was to head towards the Allan Garden Conservatory. Well I headed the wrong way...but no big deal, this way I headed straight towards a Starbucks and was able to score my favorite spring/summer beverage, the Passion Tea Lemonade. Yumtastic. By this point I was headed to the two City Hall's of Toronto. Yes, I said two...there's the Old City Hall, pictured here in my blog, right across the street from the new City Hall. The new City Hall looks like a UFO landing pad. After the city halls I headed up Yonge Street. There I passed the Church of Scientology...no Tom Cruise, guess he's got his hands full with that new baby. Later, I jumped back on the subway, then on the train back to Brampton. When I arrived in Brampton I caught a bus, that drove right past our hotel without stopping. Several miles later, I got off that bus, crossed the street and boarded another bus back to the hotel. So now, I would consider myself a seasoned public transportation fella.