A White Christmas with Presents Under the Tree

For only the second time in my lifetime, the City of Fort Worth had a White Christmas.  It was after it had rained all morning but by mid afternoon had changed to one of those medium, swirling snowfalls which seemed to change the world into a white wonderland right before your eyes.  As I stood on my balcony observing the beauty of the snow, I remarked to Will that all we needed now was someone to sing White Christmas.  As we stepped back into the apartment, the first strains of the original Bing Crosby version of White Christmas came on the Internet radio station to which I was listening.  It was eerily coincidental but highly appropriate of that magical moment on a Christmas afternoon.  I got so excited I called both my Mother and my Niece to tell them about it.  Both of them seemed to enjoy the coincidence and its appropriateness.  I found some neat stuff under my tree from around the web that I though I would share with you today starting with this first video of the "Twelve Gays of Christmas" courtesy of and hat tip to John Aravosis over at Americablog:

Then there was this episode of "This American Life" on NPR of Act Two of the Santaland Diaries featuring comedian David Sedaris recounting his two years as a Christmas Elf at Macy's on Herald Square originally broadcast on NPR's Morning Edition in 1996.  Charming and beautifully funny.  Set aside an hour to listen, you won't regret it.  Next comes "A Holiday Message to the LGBT Community" from the "An Enduring Vision" blog that is both poignant and to the point.  This message was followed by Andy Towle of Towleroad.com waxing poetic with "The Dead Sea At Dinner" via DavidMixner.com.  Then comes a touching OpEd from the New York Times by blogger Frank Bruni chronicling "A Father's Journey"  into acceptance of his son and the Father's evolution on Marriage Equality.  

Surely by now you have OD'd on Christmas Music even though it is still only Boxing Day (the day ofter Christmas in most of the present and former British Empire).  So I thought I would bring you this performance by Robert Barto of Lute Sonatas Numbers 45, 7 and 23 by Sylvius Leopold Weiss who wrote over 600 of these Sonatas.  They are not to be confused with the Classical Sonata form as these are more Suites for the Lute as a  solo instrument.

Finally, we have the remainder of this season's Sexy Santas, A Heavenly Angel and other Christmas themed photographs to finish off the Christmas celebration and get ready for the coming New Year of 2013 next Tuesday.  Sorry I am so late in getting this up today, but being the only place open on Christmas is such that it can wear even Superman down, I felt it almost impossible not to take a nap when I did get home from work.  So I did, I took a nap, sue me, lol.  Thanks for your continued loyalty and support.  See you again tomorrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Food For Thought

In my wanderings on the Internet yesterday, I found some interesting reading material that I thought I would share with your today to give you some food for thought.  The first article I would like to share with you is from An Enduring Vision blog, written by a reparative therapy survivor, in response to the death by suicide of 14 year old Phillip Parker.  In Gay Kids Choose To Be Bullied, the author gives an excellent analysis of the situation facing too many of our young people, eventually asking: "how many children must we lose before the American people fully recognize that being bullied because of one’s sexual orientation is wrong?"  The article is incisive and is told from the author's 'been there/done that' point of view.  

When I was a child growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time involved in the Southern Baptist Church including entire summers in Vacation Bible School.  My Mother was the regional roving Bible School President who went to various churches directing the VBS's and mission studies all summer long.  I have since come to differ greatly with the Southern Baptist point of view in light of my acceptance of my orientation and their rejection of the same.   However, not all Christians adhere to the radical fundamentalist ideology, rather they embrace the love and acceptance of everyone as espoused by Jesus and the example he set for us.  I ran across the Canyon Walker Connections website whose stated purpose is to "repair the breach between the church and the LGBT Christian Community".   In Ten Things I Learned About Gay People In Ten Years / A Christian Perspective, the author relates her journey from a typical Christian with no knowledge of real Gay people to the enlightenment she now enjoys and shares with others seeking the truth of God's love for us all.  I wish more Christians would learn these same 10 things which she has taken to heart.  She also points the way to the Gay Christian Network which is a "nonprofit ministry serving Christians who happen to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and those who care about them."  I am not one to prosyletize, but if you are seeking a better understanding of being both Gay and Christian, either website would be a good place to start.  

Finally on your reading list for today, is an excellent political rant over at SnipeMe that addresses both the Left and the Right, pulling no punches in the process.  You're Voting For The Wrong Reasons takes both sides to task on the three major hot button issues that are constantly being used to try to gather votes to a particular party or platform, Abortion, Gay Marriage and Gun Control.  Rather than basing your vote on these "personal" issues, the author urges you to base your vote on the issues that affect the country as a whole while "sending these fucking politicians the very clear message that we are WATCHING what they are actually DOING, not just buying their bullshit moral messages!"   This one is a must read for any of you out there who are or hope to become politically aware.  

 

Now that you have your reading list, how about some music to soothe the savage beast?  Today's play list is comprised of String Quartet Number 20 in A Minor, Opus 74 and String Quartet Number 21, Opus 74 by Louis Spohr. Both pieces are performed by the New Budapest Quartet. "The Opus 74 string quartets are among Spohr's best. They are fine examples of his musical personality but based on the principles set down by Mozart." The quote is by Wilhelm Altmann writing in his Handbook for String Quartet Players.  Then before you head off to read the above mentioned articles, scroll down the page and cast an admiring glance or two at the Sexy Studs in Swimwear taken from the pages of the Eyecatcher blog who are cavorting about the page waiting for your lascivious leers.  Thanks for the visit, come again tomorrow when I will have more music, more men and whatever else happens to suit my fancy on the morrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!