Gobble gobble?

I looked forward to spending the first morning of my three day weekend sleeping in for a couple hours. It had been a hectic week last week.

It was about 7:35 when I heard a peculiar screeching sound outside. The screech was a cross between a crow and a duck. Since it was earlier than I had planned on getting up, I stayed in bed and tried to go back to sleep. No luck.

I got up about 25 minutes later and as I raised my bedroom blind, I saw them. Four wild turkeys outside of my bedroom window. Actually, three hens and a "Tom". (according to Google he can also be called a Gobbler - imagine that) Apparently, it is mating season and this guy was all "puffed up" and giving the ladies his best effort.

Now even though it was early, I must say my interest was piqued because never have I had the opportunity to witness the mating rituals of the American Wild Turkey. Imagine........."Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" in my own backyard!

Anyway, his whole routine looked familiar to what I have seen in some bars - gay or straight. The "Tom" put on his best show........feathers fluffed out like a peacock......chested thrusted forward. He strutted around the three hens for at least 30 minutes - who were either playing "hard to get" or simply not interested.

After thirty minutes of watching this sad spectacle and deciding that this must end for the "Toms" sake, I picked up my 16 pound cat Oscar and set him on the window ledge.

This cooled his mood dramatically and everyone mosied off into the woods.

It's left me craving a turkey club.

Hicks-ville

I would be remiss if I did not provide a little "sumthin sumthin" about this year's American Idol broadcast now that the season has come to a close. I must say that I was not thrilled with the two finalists. Taylor had charisma and Kat had cuteness. I was a bit disappointed in both of their voices from time to time although Taylor did seem to do better than Kat. He knows how to work the stage and perhaps it was this footwork that allowed him to "walk away" with the title of "American Idol".

I'm sure you are all aware that the producers of American Idol lock down managing rights with their winners. I am not really sure how many albums they lock these kids into but Kelly Clarkson is on her third album and she is still being managed by Simon Fuller. If they hoped to make money from the winner, is Taylor Hicks a money machine? I don't know about that. I am still trying to figure out his musical genre. Although.......with that bright purple jacket he was wearing on Tuesday night I would have sworn he was heading to Vegas.

Egads......Vegas. Barry Manilow may finally have some competition with the little old ladies!

Ta Ta!

2006 Hurricane Names

While I am on the Hurricane topic this evening, here are the names of this year's storms. I think Oscar will be a doozy.

Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sandy
Tony
Valerie
William

Man the lifeboats!

Above-Average Hurricane Season Projected!

New Orleans re-elects Ray Nagin!

Both of these headlines, if used on the same page, should scare the bejeezus out of folks in New Orleans. It is a frightening thought really. While the Army Corp of Engineers are rebuilding the levies, they are nowhere near what they should be to protect the city from another head on collision with a Category 3 storm. Mayor Nagin says he now has a new evacuation plan to get citizens out of the city. Let's call it - Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Hopefully, his plan will actually work and not be quite as comical as the Steve Martin/John Candy movie.

So let's just say they are successful in evacuating the city. What about the city? As I said, the levies will not be strong enough to protect it. Recent news stories about the New Orleans levies sight years and years of government monetary cutbacks when it came to building these levies up to protect it from high category hurricanes. Numerous local agencies could never agree on what was practical and rational........so little or no money was thrown at resolving the issue. In other words, the devestation was inevitable and it will be again.

After Katrina, billions of dollars were poured into New Orleans by people and corporations from around the globe to get the city back up on its feet and provide aid. I gave a monetary donation because I thought it was the charitable thing to do. I can't say that I am going to repeat my performance year after year after year if the city or state government does not take the steps to a more permanent solution. I don't think that they will find Americans as generous the second or third time around.

Hurricane season starts on June 1st. Many Americans will sit glued to their televisions when the storm path sets its sights on New Orleans. Yeah.......it's good television.

Who needs Big Brother or Survivor anyway? A new reality show begins next month...............

Mary Cheney

Mary Cheney's new book is called "Now It's My Turn". Apparently it is filled with her thoughts and feelings of the last six years that she has chosen to keep to herself.

I watched her on Larry King last night talking about her life and the book. It doesn't appear that the book contains any new revelations about her that we don't already know. Yes....she is gay and is living happily with her partner. She is against the Marriage Amendment yet still thinks George Bush is the best thing since sliced bread. While this book may indeed be "her turn", I don't believe that she is really showing a side to herself that we don't already see. She appears to be a devoted Republican and refuses to make any waves with any kind of political statement even though GW and Dick are well into the "lame duck" portion of their terms. In fact, she appears to be a "chip off the old block". She is Dick in a blonde wig.

The timing of her book and her appearance on Larry King are nothing more than a good will campaign for the GLBT vote. With elections drawing near and the Republicans in trouble, she has become the token lesbian who is so devoted to her father she would do anything to garnish more Republican votes. Unfortunately, her book is receiving bad reviews on both sides of the aisle so it may just end up being a wash.

Thanks, but no thanks Mary. You continue to lose golden opportunities to do something really worthwhile for the community that you say you embrace.

Annnnnnd......their off!

Tomorrow is the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby. For most, a horse race is just another horse race. Around here, the Kentucky Derby is huge. The bourbon will flow and women will wear the most outrageous designer hats........all for a two minute race.

The bourbon will flow at my house too tomorrow but not in the form of the traditional Mint Julips. We are having Bourbon Slushes. We will have hats too! My girlfriend came up with the nifty idea that everyone will wear a derby hat and the best one will win a prize. It should be very fun to witness since I have some ingenious and creative friends.

So if you are curious, here is the list of horses that will "Run for the Roses" tomorrow. Good luck!

Gas Prices

The last time I blogged about gas prices was back in August. At that time gas prices were raging at $2.65 a gallon. I would love to have $2.65 right about now!

Today I offer up my hypothesis on where these high gas prices originate. At the time GW took office, a gallon of regular was $1.46 on average. We haven't seen that price since. What if........at the time of 9/11, GW said to his Arab buddies........."You turn your head on what I do in the Middle East to "fight terrorism" and I will not put up a fight when you cut back oil production - driving costs through the roof". Realizing that Americans consume the most oil by far than any other nation in the world.........the Arabs make a nice profit without it directly coming from the US Govt. for their cooperation.

Take a look at today's recent news clips........GW has told all Americans that we must "end our addiction to oil" or "we must look for alternatives". Not a word is said to the Arab nations in regards to OPEC control of oil production. GW hasn't uttered a peep. GW is an oil man! Do we really expect him to be sympathetic??? He has served the OPEC nations and his stateside oil buddies well in the last 6 1/2 years.

Anyway......we could rant about this all day I suppose. It appears that Govt officials are now concerned about it all just because this is an election year. No one wants to be seen not voting for the latest Congressional "bright idea" to lower fuel expensives or give tax rebates.

It's all about the vote now.

Martha

I have been in a bit of a quandary of late and it usually happens this time every year. What type of plants should I plant in my flower beds that the deer will not eat? Yes.......deer. You see.....they are very abundant in my "neck of the woods". Abundant may not be the word. They are hanging from trees. Every yard is an adventure in eating. A "Denny's" for the furry creatures.

Now....they are very cute. I have been known to feed them corn or salt licks back in the woods. However, when it comes to plantings, I don't want my yard to become one big salad bar for them. So yesterday, as I was listening to Sirius, I thought.........what would Martha Stewart do?

As it just so happens, I was listening to Martha on her Sirius program - "Ask Martha". Here was my chance. I would go "to the mountain" and ask an expert. I felt sure that she would have at least a dozen flowers she could recommend. So I called her show.

Within one minute I was talking to her. I posed my question. She paused.......then started into a story about how she has had the same thing happen to her on her farm until she eventually fenced every thing in. But she digressed and could only think of Holly and Vibernums as a recommendation. She said she would have to get back to me on this one. Wow......get back to me? I stumped the Martha? I continued to listen when she left for a commercial break and came back.

When she came back she was a plethora of knowledge! Wisteria.....lupines....etc etc etc. She even recommended the Oregon State University website that would give me these plants plus more. I also learned that daffodils are poisonous to deer and they won't eat them........but I digress.

I thought about it later. As soon as she went to break.....or maybe shortly before she went to break......she probably held up signs......"Info! I need more info on this!" She probably put some poor intern through their paces during that 60 second break.

All in all, she gave me some great information that was indeed very helpful. I found her to be quite pleasant overall. I don't think I expected her to be rude because this is her life and she is the expert when it comes to gardening or cooking.

After all, if she doesn't know........who does?

Ta Ta!

2006 Bengals Schedule

Oh yes indeed! Football season is just around the corner!

Special games to note: Sept 24th & Dec 31st - Vengence will be sweet.

Where in the world is.........Katie Couric?

Well....I thought I might weigh in with a few thoughts on the whole Katie Couric migration to CBS News. Interesting huh? Who would have thought......Katie a news anchor before Matt? I am not a big fan of Matt Lauer so I am thrilled at her success. She will leave the Today Show at the end of May and until her first appearance at CBS (I have read that this will be sometime in the Fall) they will build her a brand new set and groom her for more serious journalistic endeavors. Don't get me wrong......I firmly believe that Katie can assume a more serious role each night but I will miss the "bubbliness" of the Today Show Katie. I hear that she will also assume a role on the 60 Minutes telecast. Now there is a show that needs "bubbly" .....and lots of it. I am actually looking forward to her first broadcast. Ok......that might sound dumb......but I am a news junkie so its par for the course.

So where does that leave the Today Show? Unfortunately, they did not choose someone who is already giving their dying breath to fill in for the "Katie's and the Matt's". Solid and bubbly choices were Campbell Brown and Ann Curry. Both equally deserving of a promotion into Katie's seat.

But no. They went outside the family and chose Meredith Vieira from The View.

Now....Meredith is fabulous in her niche on The View. She seems to be the peacemaker of the bunch. But let's face it.........The View does go after a certain demographic and she is enjoyed by that demographic (women over 40 who stay at home with kids). I would say that she is not particularly bubbly............interesting and savvy yes.........bubbly.....not particularly. Yessss....it is true that Barbara Walters handed the Today Show off to Jane Pauley and Jane handed off to Katie. However, Jane and Katie were much younger when they joined the Today Show. Again.....I think the demographics are a bit different with Meredith. NBC has enjoyed the #1 Morning Show title for some time........followed closely by Good Morning America. This just might be the push GMA needs to advance in those ratings.

Now.....I don't think Meredith will "sink the ship" on the Today Show. I find her to be interesting and will enjoy seeing her performance over there. I just have my doubts on the overall viewer response to this whole transition.

I think Katie is getting the better deal out of the two moves. Her move to CBS is exactly what it needs to eliminate the stuffy old "men's club" atmosphere that has reigned CBS News for decades. Walter Cronkite appeared on Larry King last night and gave Katie high praise as the new anchor. Coming from WC..........it's worth its weight in gold.

Katie can't lose.

Where's the beef?

Ok.....so a couple of weeks ago I had this bright idea to give up meat products for Lent. I thought it was something more meaningful than giving up chocolate, soda or junk food. I thought.....what could be worse than hearing some pitiful woman moaning about not having chocolate.

I know what could be worse. Listening to myself moan everytime I hear a commercial for Longhorn Steakhouse or KFC! Yikes! This IS quite the penance! Typical things that I took for granted.......Skyline......chicken salad.......sausage.........all unavailable to me for the remaining two and a half weeks!

I have eaten fish anyway I can get it - on a bun, in a basket, on a stick. I had pizza last night with my girlfriend (aka. TC) and I tried imagining the sausage and pepperoni........but it just wasn't working. My biggest fear is that I am going to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat screaming "Where's the beef!". Seriously.....while I am intrigued about my obvious dependency on meat products......it's not enough to find this amusing.

Dieting is one thing. This is another. On a diet....or shall I say....changing your eating habits......you can still have a cookie every now and then. It's good not to deprive yourself of having a treat. It betters your odds of staying with your program. I suppose this is why I chose this "penance" in the first place. A little restriction in a lifetime of carefree eating could not hurt me.

Two and a half more weeks. Thank God the oysterfest starts on Friday I tell myself. A distraction from the madness for a little while. Keep your eyes on CNN.........if you hear about a woman who held up a Burger King at gunpoint only to run off with a dozen Whopper Jrs...................it will be me.


(Please pass the marshmellow eggs.)

Headline of the Week

Bush: Democracy taking hold in Iraq



and perhaps Bird Flu.......

:)

Observations for the day

Just a few observations from events nationally televised for our amusement............

• Our president now says that troops will not leave Iraq during his Presidency. Thanks George for letting someone else clean up the mess. To quote GW - " we are making good progress.......a lot of good people workin' hard" A lot of good people dead too.
• American Idol - I couldn't help but chuckle as Barry Manilow drooled as he was advising "Chicken Little" last night. Hmmm.....it appears that he likes guiding the young cute ones. While we are talking about "Chicken Little", I think he is the cutest thing on AI but he may not cut it as the big winner of the contest. What musical niche do we see him fitting into? Josh Grobin's or Aerosmith's?
• The L Word - it appears that Alice is wasting no time in comforting the greiving Lara. With the last few episodes being so neatly written and driven, we are back to the same old drama. Season ending episode is Sunday. Time flies..............
• Did you see the news story about the cat that dropped 80 feet out of a tree onto the ground and survived? The footage of it was remarkable. Apparently, cats stand a better chance of surviving a large fall than a shorter distance. My guess is that he used one or two lives that day.

TA TA!

Ding Dong the polls are low

So what more can I say about our fine President that is not currently reflected in recent poll figures? It has been interesting to watch and wonder………..how loooow can they go? It is truly a reflection of six years of the stubborn prideful ways of George Bush. The “my way or the highway” approach is not buying him anything these days.

It is simply amazing to see him continue to give speeches on how well the war in Iraq is going. Give me a damn break! There is now a civil war going on over there and we are caught in the middle!

Poor leadership, poor management and the stubborn resistance to change policy is killing this administration. The Republicans in the House and Senate are finally feeling the heat too as they now try to distance themselves from this guy to save their own re-election bids.

Now……if we could only get the Democrats to step up and take control of this parade!

Lenten observances

This may seem to be an odd topic to be posted in my blog but I found it interesting what people "give up" as their Lenten observance. Even though I am gay and I do have reservations about my faith from time to time, I do try to follow the spirit of the season and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. It is my personal resolve in honor of Jesus Christ and what I believe he did for all of us.

I would think that there is a poll out there somewhere that gauges the Top 10 things people give up during Lent. Invariably, chocolate would have to be number one. I think I know at least five people I work closely with that have decided that they must resist that temptation. Yes....I have thought about tormenting them by stopping by Frisch's (local restaurant) and buying a Hot Fudge Cake, but not being a huge chocolate person myself.....it would hardly be worth it.

I have decided to give up red meat completely for the next 40 days. While I thought this would be relatively easy and healthy, it has not been so easy. I guess old habits die hard. Lunch options center around fish or salads. Its odd to not reach for chicken or a turkey sandwich. Both would normally be considered healthy but not on my menu during Lent.

I do have one fishy option starting at the end of the month. A local restaurant has an event called "Oysterfest" and I place that high on my list of things to do during the Lenten season. Yesssss......say what you must. I have heard all of the oyster comments. Everything from simply "Ewwww" to "it looks like a bad cold". Oysters are an acquired taste that is for sure but at least try them once and form an opinion. The menu for Oysterfest is so varied (beyond just steamed or raw) that everyone has an opportunity to try one without even knowing that they actually are eating them!

So if you are one of those individuals joining me in the fishy fare for the next 40 days, good luck to you! However, if you are one of those die-hard chocolate fanatics and are giving up chocolate for Lent, please increase your therapy sessions, take your vacation time or resolve yourself of the fact that you will be inclined to cheat to maintain our emotional health!

Thanks Eastah Bunny! (bawk bawk)

Here's a twist..........

Plan would bar Ohio adoptions by Republicans


http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/13959850.htm


:)

Gay & Lesbian Adoptions

I was listening to NPR this afternoon and the topic was Gay and Lesbian Adoptions. The experts on the call - pro and con - raised all of the issues on why it should and why it should not be banned in all 50 states.

In Ohio, there is a bill on the table to outlaw Gay & Lesbian foster care and adoptions - one of the most stringest bills in the U.S.. Even Florida, who has had a ban on G & L adoptions since the 70's still allows Gays and Lesbians to participate in the foster care programs.

The first caller on this issue was a teenage girl named Loretta who spoke about her and her sister who were currently waiting for someone to adopt them. She said that she and her sister want parents so badly that they would gladly accept two women who wanted to adopt them and love them as their own. She continued to say that the "experts" should consider the feelings and seek the opinions of those children in orphanges and foster care that have been shuffling through the process for years without parents. The experts and lawmakers should not base their bills/laws on their "in the box" beliefs/practices because many of the experts and lawmakers grew up with the "perfect nuclear family". They don't know what it is like not to have parents.

I cannot agree that it is better for a child to remain in foster care than to be in a loving home. Yet.....that is what lawmakers are saying when they pass such bills into laws. The children are better off in orphanages and foster care than in a home with two men or two women.

Are we really so far to the left of the page that this is the thought process we support as American citizens?

I know many couples who would make marvelous parents and I know some who should not even think about it. But hey.......it's the same if you are heterosexual right? Some people are meant to parent and some are clearly not.

I believe that to provide a loving home to a child is the most admirable and self-sacrificing thing that you can do in your life. If you have the wherewithall to do it and can pass the rigors and expectations of the adoption and foster care agencies, it should be open to all couples who are willing to take that step.

Headline of the Week

Mother of caged kids denies cruelty




And their pets probably had the run of the house...............

Terrorism & GW

So here we are........years into conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq all based on the need to thwart the growth of terrorism. We have successfully captured Saddam Hussein and we are subjected to his "carnival court" proceedings each week. Osama is still "on the lam" and pops up every now and again to taunt us.

In a meeting with Italian journalists this week, GW said that Osama's video tape won him re-election. It reinforced to him that by Osama calling him "bad" it emphasized to the American people that Bush must be going a good job. Thus.....giving him the election. Wow.....that's giving a lot of credit to someone who deserves nothing from us.

Republicans will stress that there has not been another terroristic attack in the U.S. since 9/11. Obviously, this is because GW is in office. Again......a lot of credit for really being lucky.

Do we really think that we have stopped them? Now I believe some of our efforts have protected us to some extent but by no means are we completely "armored". Our best defense against terrorism has been average American citizens pointing out the stereotypical individuals who fit the mold of the 9/11 terrorists. I don't think we will ever be truly safe from this type of extremism - killing and maiming innocent individuals all for the sake of a religious calling.

However, today we are being asked to trust. GW was quoted the other day that "Americans don't need to worry about security". Trust in him........he knows what he is doing. This is why he has cut a deal with the UAE to manage our largest sea ports along the East coast. What he doesn't want to say.....or won't say......is that he is trying to keep his Arabian friends close.

The same friends from the same countries that bred the terrorists who hit us all on 9/11. We are being asked to trust and not worry about security. Who pays the ultimate price for looking the other way?

The same people who paid the price on 9/11 - average working Americans.

Scare of the week!

As I was out on my lunch break downtown on Friday, I walked past the local Broadway Series office and received quite a scare. A Broadway poster in the window read:

Cathy Rigby IS Peter Pan!

The first thing that came to my mind was......Isn't she a bit old for this? Honestly.....enough already. Here is a example of one of our Olympic finest not being able to say "When". I came back to my desk and just had to "Google" her so I could reinforce the fact that she is a bit old for the part.

Cathy Rigby is 51 and she is still playing Peter Pan! She started playing this role in 1974! Good grief people......surely we have another star who could take this role and allow this woman to retire! Let her prep for the Summer Olympics for crying out loud. The thought of her flying around in the air at 51 and wearing all that pancake makeup to look youthful is a bit frightening.

Time to move along Cathy. It's been fun and a good run. You saved us from Mary Martin's aging performance and now it is time for someone to save you!

Fly Cathy Fly!