I was combing my social networking sites and noticed a reference from Anderson Cooper about “Gay Marriage”. I clicked on the link and read a thoughtful post in favor of eliminating discrimination in our great country.

I couldn’t resist reading some of the comments and quickly realized how much work the gay, lesbian and straight allies have to do. I don’t step out of the box all that much, but some of the insane rhetoric pushed me out of the closet and over the edge.

My response to one of the comments:

Cindy … When you peel away the layers of fear, discrimination against gays and lesbians is at the core of this issue. Let me share some of my challenges:

1. In many states, I can still be fired from a job for being gay, with no recourse.
2. I can be denied the right to visit or make health related decisions for my spouse if he is hospitalized.
3. My spouse can be denied bereavement leave when I die.
4. My spouse doesn’t get a share of my Social Security or pension after I die.
5. My spouse doesn’t automatically inherit my estate after I die.

As a gay man, these are only a few of the issues I have to think about everyday. Please tell me now how marriage between same-gender couples is so different from interracial marriage?

Two weeks ago I received a letter from the McCain Leadership Committee. I am baffled at how I was flagged as a possible Republican donor. Perhaps I should change my status to big FAG!

Then on Friday I recieved a brochure to purchase a Hoveround power chair. The Hoveround is way cool, but I won’t buy one until I can pop a wheely and burn some power chair rubber.

The real question … I wonder if the Rebulican campaign and Hoveround are using the same mailing list?

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-75646

RNC Speakers tonight have me ashamed … very ashamed!

I am not sure what happened. I’ve been busy at the office, enjoying the season and visiting with friends. This morning I woke up and realized Labor Day and the end of summer are around the corner.

Passing of Time

Night falls earlier
The air grows chilly
Green begins to fade

Fall is around the corner
Creeping in with each passing day
Brilliant colors emerge

Winds turn bitter
Dark when I leave
Dark when I return

I already ache for Spring

Reply to my friends greeting the other night:

“Oh, you know, I’m hot, old, gimpy and I have to pee.”

While on a quick run through Costco, I wheeled my cart past the snack aisle. There stood a extremely large gentleman giving out samples of the Think Thin high protein bar for an active lifestyles.

They were being snatched up as fast as he could put them on the tray.

I’m sure I will get a ton of crap from my good friends who are complete Potter-heads after a I drop this bomb …

The last book in the series was anti-climatic and ended with a sequel or another series as a possibility.

Other than that, I loved it.

Walking East
Heat engulfs me
Slowing my gate

The air, so still
Blacktop, concrete, skyscrapers
Radiate heat as the sun dips

The only relief
Passing by dark alleys and open doorways
Oozing cool air

I keep walking damp with sweat
Waiting for another dose
The cool ooze … a gentle breeze

Walking and waiting

Every so often I have one of those days. Not a day where everything goes right or everything goes wrong, but a day where I end up bruised and achy.

I knew it was one of those days where I turned around and bump into the counter, stubed my toe on the dog dish, droped the tub of frozen cookie dough on my foot, had my privates accidentally clawed when the cat jumped in my lap and hit the door while carrying a load of laundry. All that in the first two hours of my day.

I contemplated crawling back into bed. Then I realized that wouldn’t be safe. The dog would probably jump on me or scratch my face trying to get me to play. I took a deep breath, put some band-aids in my pocket and forged forth. The only thing I plan to avoid is operation of heavy machinery.