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July 27, 2005
And now for something completely different
Working on business cards for a friend from school, and I did something so not what she wanted just to try it out.
This look is SO used, over and over again... because it's easy and it works. :-)
Posted by Josh A. at 12:52 AM | Comments (2)
July 26, 2005
But wait, there's more
Don't worry, there's much more to my life than spreading the word about what's going on off the Fundamentalist radar, and therefore will be more to my blog in the future. (Like the herbal & essential oil formulas I'm working on, building my practice, finding a job, enriching my partnership, preparing for a visitor, and that's just the mornings and evenings...)
But right now, this is up for me, and there's more:
1. Serbia
Fundamentalists: You think you own whole countries. You don't. Don't tell me you're "persecuted" and "under attack" because they refuse to be owned by you.
Tell it to the four lesbians who were beaten to the ground, six police officers who suffered head injures, and who knows who else in Serbia last month as the people there shed your bonds.
They know what persecution and attack is. You, obviously, don't--unless you're on the hostile end of it, trying to oppose gay marriage or supporting you know who's nomination to the Supreme Court.
2. Latvia
At least the homophobes in the Latvian government got smacked down by their courts. Their first gay pride parade was allowed to go on.
Not that the courts could prevent the hysteria and violence that ensued. We're talking thousands of aggressive protestors, with walls of police necessary to keep them out of the street and from attacking the handful of queers that turned out to march. Meanwhile, Latvia is "stunned" and no one is sure where this is going to progress by next year.
And you call yourself a member of the European Union. Not quite ready to play with the adults I see.
3. Jerusalem
And what would Israel be without drama? Similar story, with the Jerusalem city officials trying to ban the parade. (On the grounds that it would offend people? Get over it.) The court not only told them how stupid they were, but also made them pay (both the city and the mayor personally) to help fund the parade.
Again, the court couldn't stop an Orthodox Jew from running out into the parade and stabbing three people.
4. Back to U.S.
Meanwhile, here in the ole' US of A, I know more gay people than straight who are against pride parades.
And that's just ridiculous.
The fact that other people don't get to (apparently Moscow, for example, has never allowed one), to me, is reason enough to go. Particularly for anyone who has ever said anything remotely jingoistic about "freedom".
In Latvia, many queers didn't come out to march because they were (rightly) afraid. Meanwhile, the best reason anyone here can come up with is just plain laziness, especially in SF where Pride is practically a public service we do more for the rest of the nation & world than ourselves.
This year, I went to pride to spend time with my partner and friends, and had fun. Next year, I will be there for the people who couldn't go this year, and the remaining people who probably won't be able to go next year.
No one should have to be afraid to go to a parade.
Pop quiz: WHO were the gays in Latvia afraid OF?
Posted by Josh A. at 02:08 AM | Comments (5)
July 24, 2005
Love in Action
If you're in or around Memphis, TN, please show up at the Love In Action rally on Friday the 29th. More details at the Queer Action Coalition article.
Posted by Josh A. at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2005
Ugh
When was the last time someone was attacked with a baseball bat for being Christian? Only if they're lesbians, too.
And here's a sincere question, since I am unsure of the answer: are there any countries that apply the death penalty for being Christian? I'm guessing no. You have to be gay to merit public execution.
So again, the next time you hear some fundamentalist spouting off, you know what to do. Look them in the eye and stop them dead in their tracks. They have absolutely no right to complain.
Posted by Josh A. at 07:24 PM | Comments (3)
July 20, 2005
Stuff
I've got this pretty still life on my desk and thought I'd share it... courtesy Jana, Fuji, my obsession with flower essences, and the succulent out front.
Posted by Josh A. at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2005
Breathe deeply and contemplate the terrible beauty you have wrought
Ninja laundry folding, in video and step-by-step photos.
Posted by Josh A. at 09:26 PM | Comments (0)
Unborn babies soaked in chemicals, eh?
It should come as no surprise that folks today face a slew of pollutants before they're even born, but read the article anyway.
So they found DDT... wonder where that came from? Eating non-organic produce from Mexico, allowed into our country because of NAFTA, perhaps?
They also found flame-retardant chemicals, not only in umbilical cord blood, but breast milk as well. That organic bed and natural fiber eco-carpet is looking a lot better right about now, not to mention consuming less meat and dairy, especially if you plan to breast feed.
It's obvious that a) action needs to be taken on many levels and b) we are NOT helpless to take action at the personal and household levels.
We don't have to wait around while California figures out how to enforce its ban on certain fire retardants to buy a natural wool bed that doesn't need chemicals.
We don't have to wait for every paint manufacturer to get a clue before we can use very low-VOC paint for our next project.
We certainly aren't depending on anyone else to take the simple steps of cleaning more often and thoroughly (with the proper HEPA equipment and eco-safe supplies) to reduce the amount of chemical-laden dust in our homes.
These have all been points of some contention in my own home... inertia, habit, and history are all in the way. It's easy for folks to feel judged and miss the point (this isn't about whether you're "bad" or "good", but whether or not your lifestyle is contributing to and creating the life you say you want). Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the impossibility of perfection and have to consciously remember to come back to my goal: gradual, continual improvement... baby steps in the right direction.
It's not easy to get everyone on board, but it's worth the time energy and educating. At least, I'm worth it, and the people I care about are, too... even when they don't always care themselves.
Posted by Josh A. at 02:19 PM | Comments (6)
July 17, 2005
MmmMmm... labyrinthy
Desmond found not one but two local labyrinths... ok, so they're in the same place, but they look beautiful: http://www.gracecathedral.org/labyrinth/
Posted by Josh A. at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2005
An open letter to Susan Davis
This letter was written after reading this article. If you have a blog, please link to it and encourage other bloggers to link to it.
Also, that site as an RSS 2.0 feed, an RSS .92 feed, and an Atom feed, so you can stay updated.
Dear Congresswoman Davis,
I just heard about HR 3156 and I AM ANGRY.
I cannot believe a Congresswoman from MY state, from California of all places, would even back, much less create, a bill like this.
This bill would force me, as a taxpayer, to pay to take away my own choices as to what nutrients I put in my body. I am outraged that you would put forth such legislation.
It's obvious that you care more about pharmaceutical companies than the American people. That is unacceptable.
I am contacting my Congresswoman and Senators to tell them to oppose your repugnant bill.
I am also telling my friends who live in San Diego about you and encouraging them to spread the word in their community.
You have one option to save face and show that you are working for the people and not corporations: stop trying to pass HR 3156.
Sincerely,
Josh Alexander
Posted by Josh A. at 01:01 PM | Comments (4)
July 15, 2005
SO over it
I am SO over the Christian Right. I'm so over people in my life who I love very dearly saying things like "Christianity is under attack in this country." and "Legal marriage rights? Oh that's between God, a man, and a woman."
I am so over people who think gays are the dangerous ones to have children around.
I am so over a group of self-righteous hypocrites who ARE and DO everything they claim is bad about gays: from "meth and the red states", to the crazy ex-gay program that's been protested in Mephis (talk about trying to recruit and convert to the "other side"), and now I read this:
http://gay.com/news/article.html?2005/07/14/3
I wish guttural sounds of anger and confusion had proper spelling, because honestly words rather fail me. Please tell me you understand my inability to cope with the INSANE.
Did I mention the church in Virginia that was SET ON FIRE after deciding to support same-sex marriage? Arson: the new family value.
Or the man in Niger who faces being STONED TO DEATH for sticking it in?
No one gets stoned for being Christian anymore. I'm sorry the Romans fed your ancestors to lions, but that's no excuse today.
Laughing so I don't cry,
Josh
Posted by Josh A. at 06:05 PM | Comments (3)