"IT'S....A NEW CAR!"

Don't you love that moment on The Price is Right when they do the big reveal of the car that the contestant can win and Rod Roddy says, "It's....A NEW CAR!" You know what's coming, but it's so exciting when he hypes it like that, isn't it? Well, today was one of those kind of days. I knew that I had enough money to buy a car, but what kind? And how much "car" could I get for my money?

Wonder no longer, dear reader. The day took a turn the first dealership we went to and next thing I know I'm the proud owner of a Chevy HHR. They're cool looking cars, but what sold me was that I could get in and out of the thing without straining my back. The old Mercury Tracer I had was like getting in and out of a hole in the ground. It's nice to have a car that's designed for grownups. Here's a pic of my new baby:

A Rousing Defense of People With AIDS

I found this post at Poz.com, in the blog of Peter Staley, founder of AIDSmeds.com. In the YouTube video embedded in Peter's post, New York state senator Tom Duane, openly gay and poz, fights for his bill that would cap housing expenses for PWA's at 30% of their income. Apparently someone made the mistake of laughing that they were going to defeat the bill. This touched off Duane's 22 minute tirade, which ultimately got him a standing ovation and the bill passed 52 to 1.

Good job, Senator! If you're ever in Kansas City I want to buy you a drink.

St. Louis Gateway Arch

Haven't posted any new wallpapers lately of good American architecture. Found a good one of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri that I wanted to share with you. The arch is meant to symbolize the "gateway to the west." Missouri (both Kansas City and St. Louis) was a major "jumping-off" point for settlers headed to California and the west. At one time, St. Joseph, MO was also a major source of settlers going west, but it eventually lost out to Kansas City, though the Pony Express was anchored in St. Joseph, of course.

Keith Olbermann Calls Out Folks In Congress Paid By Health Care Industry

Jaw-dropping. Last nite's "Special Comment" from Keith Olbermann, in which he calls out, by name,Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats who have accepted campaign contributions from heath industry interests. Amazing. Must-See TV!

Why Torchwood Is Bloody Brilliant

I watched the second episode of the Torchwood mini-series "Children of Earth" tonight. I've been a fan for a long time, but got to really thinking about the show itself, and the characters. What struck me in this episode (minor spoiler alert) is that you wind up with Gwen and Rhys and Jack and Ianto working together. Essentially, the quintessential straight couple and a gay couple working together to expose government corruption and save the world from aliens!! Brilliant!

I've seen interviews with Russell T. Davies and he's obviously an ego-maniac, but he's also a terrific writer. "Children of Earth" makes the point that, before the aliens even arrive, there are forces in the government that want to cover their own asses and deny all responsibility even as they are conspiring with the aliens. I know this is the same theme that Chris Carter explored in the X-Files, but here it's even more sinister, if that's possible. Davies has made the government the real enemy, not the aliens - they're almost incidental.

And as a gay man, I love Capt. Jack Harkness. Gay kids haven't had any role models, and Jack is long overdue. He's dashing, he's gorgeous, he comes in guns blazing and saves the day; oh, and he's shagging the coffee boy. LOVE IT!

Even more I love the idea of the four of them (Gwen & Rhys and Jack & Ianto) working together without squabbling, calling each other names, etc. They don't care what the other ones are "into," they've got more pressing problems at the moment, thanks very much. That's an attitude that a lot more people need to see and adopt.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, it looks like a hell of a good ride!

being gay

being gay isn't 'gay.'

it's parents that forsake you.

lonely nights slept

on picnic tables in the park.

it's being prey for

grifters in search of money

and drugs, stealing stuff.

it's no family tree.

it's new friends

who help you through 

the pain left behind.

doctors who care more than dad.

it's wisdom, earned at

the point of a knife

leaving bitter scars.

it's unwholesome, it's 'gay.'

tell me again about

our 'agenda?'

who has the time?

jerk.

Kellogg's vs. Michael Phelps

So Kellogg's has cancelled Phelp's contract.  What hypocrites.  I'm here as a member of the baby boom generation to say that at least half the boomers that work @ Kellogg's have probably smoked pot, and a good number of them probably still do, despite drug testing.  A lot of employees keep that quiet as a part of their private life and know that as long as they don't come in to work fucked up, they'll skate by the need for a piss test.

I'm really disappointed in Kellogg's.  You'd think in the first part of the 21st century they'd take a more enlightened position on this.  He's only 23, trains very hard, and was blowing off some steam after all his hard work. 

I think it's sad that someone at the party was vicious enough to take the picture in the first place.  There's a level of trust that should be assumed at a party, after all most of the participants are doing the same things, legal or not.  

Konkrypton's Party Rule #1 - Don't rat someone out. Next time it could be you.

Anyway, if you'd like to register your opinion, here's a link to send Kellogg's a comment.  Look on the upper right side where it says, "Request More Information."  On the next page, under "Product" put "Michael Phelps" and type your message in the box below.