2sides2ron

Twenty-three years now...

2008-12-12T17:05:00.002-05:00

It was 23 years ago on a gray Thursday afternoon that the phone rang and I picked it up. That call changed my life forever. It was my Infectious Disease doctor calling to tell me that she was very sorry to break the news to me that I had tested positive for HIV. I remember going into a kind of trance that was only broken when my office mate walked in and asked me what was wrong.

"You look like you have seen a ghost," he said to me.

Ha. My own.

I still see it now and then, but with all of this time, there are days when the specter of my death is vague and distant.

Categories: HIV AIDS HIV/AIDS anniversary testing

Fado: Mariza sings "Gente da minha terra" in a Special Fado Moment

2008-12-08T00:44:00.008-05:00

I just posted a note on a Facebook account to David da Silva Cornell. He shared a video of Fado performer Mariza performing the song "Gente da minha terra" or "People of my Land."

Here is what I wrote to him:

WOW! I wept! Thank you for sharing this here. I will post it on my blog as well. Those without Fado in their lives need to see this performance through to the end.

The lyrics listed below are taken from this page and indicate that this traditional Fado was written by Amalia Rodrigues. I have subsequently edited the English translation to try to better capture the bits of the original poetry that I can pick up.

Ó Gente da Minha Terra
by Amalia Rodrigues

É meu e vosso este fado
Destino que nos amarra
Por mais que seja negado
Às cordas de uma guitarra

Sempre que se ouve o gemido
De uma guitarra a cantar
Fica-se logo perdido
Com vontade de chorar

Ó gente da minha terra
Agora é que eu percebi
Esta tristeza que trago
Foi de vós que a recebi

E pareceria ternura
Se eu me deixasse embalar
Era maior a amargura
Menos triste o meu cantar

Ó gente da minha terra
Agora é que eu percebi
Esta tristeza que trago
Foi de vós que a recebi

People from my Land

This fado is mine and yours
Destiny that keeps us tied
The more we try to deny it
To the strings of a guitar

Each time we hear the groan
Of a singing guitar
We soon are lost
In our willingness to cry

Oh people from my land
Now I have understood
That this sadness that I carry
Came to me from you

It would look like tenderness
If I'd pack up my things
It would be the biggest bitterness
But less sadness for me to sing

Oh people from my land
Now I have understood
That this sadness that I carry
Came to me from you

If you don't know Fado, it is an amazing tradition. I have had to try to pick up as much information as I can from various sources and find myself trying to discern the lyrics in Portuguese that fulfill the requirements of the song structures. I noticed in this song, the form of a guitar is invoked. I am always amazed by the unassuming ladies who sing Fado with such strength in their voices and the pure beauty of the instrumentals. I recommend a number of artists, including Amalia Rodrigues, Misía, Madredeus, Lura, Mariza and Dulce Pontes for their work in the Fado tradition.

Categories: Mariza Fado video Gente+Da+Minha+Tierra Madredeus Misía Amalia Rodrigues Lura Dulce+Pontes

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC on Gay Marriage and Love

2008-11-11T16:16:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my friend Jhonny for sharing this video with me. Once again, Keith Olbermann speaks out in a way that makes me take note. I hope that you will share this editorial with those you know and love.

Categories: civil+rights LGBT marriage civil+unions Proposition+8 editorial Keith+Olbermann MSNBC gay, lesbian bisexual transgender love politics

North Carolina Goes Blue for the First Time Since 1976

2008-11-06T19:32:00.004-05:00

Left: A celebratory dinner North Carolina-style: Hickory Smoked pulled pork bar-be-cue, cole slaw and hushpuppies purchased from Allen and Son BBQ in Chapel Hill, NC, and homemade Carolina Blue-state potato salad, made with blue potatoes. Yum!

For the first time since I have been able to vote, North Carolina has gone Blue, electing a Democratic Presidential candidate. The final tally was very close. In fact, the race was so close that the results were not known until 2 days after the general election. However, the verdict is now officially being reported.

In addition to the Presidential victory, we unseated Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole with a victory for Democratic challenger, Kay Hagan. This victory is particularly sweet to me as this is the first time since I have been able to vote that Jesse Helms or his hand-picked political successor has ever lost an election in North Carolina. When I used to travel for work, I would meet people from all over the world. On telling them that I hailed from North Carolina, their response was almost inevitably "Jesse Helms! Why??" This was particularly true on meeting friends in the gay community.

We have a long tradition of Democratic Governorships and this year is no exception with the election of Bev Purdue. Also, the Democratic Party has been able to maintain a rather good stronghold on other Council of State offices. Not all of the candidates that I supported were successful, but the vast majority of them were.

I am particularly proud of North Carolina, my home state, because as I approach my 50th birthday, I have seen the state grow more and more progressive. As a child, I lived through segregation and integration of the public school system. I can remember going to a medical clinic where there were separate waiting rooms for "Whites" and "Coloreds" Now I can proudly say that my state helped elect our first African-American President. My seventh grade history teacher, Larry Bell, was one of the young African-American men who sat in defiance at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro in the 1960's to protest segregated eating establishments. He now figures prominently in the North Carolina Legislature having just won reelection for yet another term and has held the office of Majority Whip of the NC State House in the past. I wish him the best and congratulate him on his latest victory.

The votes for many of these latest races were closely contested, but in the end, Blue victory was ours. I guess the truth is that we are more Purple than Blue. Nonetheless, for the first time in my life as a voter in North Carolina, I feel the pleasure of victory and the great pride in knowing that my fellow Tar Heels are becoming more open to change.

God bless the Old North State.

Categories: politics electoral+college President Elect Barack Obama North Carolina ballot vote election blue+state

Early Voting Began Today in North Carolina

2008-10-16T12:50:00.001-05:00

Early voting, also known as One-Stop Voting, began in North Carolina today, 16 October 2008. You can go to any of a number of sites in your home county to vote from today until 1 November 2008. If you have not yet registered to vote, you can also register and vote in a single stop. If you choose to wait for Election Day on 4 November 2008, you will have to go to your regular precinct to vote.

It is really convenient to vote early at the site and time of one's choice for the next 2 weeks or so. I also find it nice to know that my vote has already been counted and that there were no last minute irregularities with my registration that might have prevented or made it more difficult for me to vote. I urge each of you to consider voting during the early voting period.

Categories: politics early voting One-Stop+Voting North Carolina

Calculate your taxes for Obama vs. McCain

2008-10-16T09:03:00.002-05:00

The Obama campaign has launched a tax calculator to help you figure out whose tax plans will most benefit you before you choose your candidate for the Presidency. At this site, you can input an estimate of salary, your number of dependents, the outstanding balance of your mortgage and a few other minor details and then press a button to see the amount of tax savings you will have under the Obama plan and the McCain plan.

I just input my numbers and was amazed to see that I would save ~$1100 with the Obama plan and $0 with the McCain plan. This is consistent with what the candidates have been saying. Under Obama, 95% of America's middle class will see a tax cut. Under McCain's plan, tax cuts will focus on the rich and on businesses.

Have a look for yourself and leave a comment to tell us how you would fare under each plan. It is compelling to see how I would do, but I think it might prove even more interesting if many of us list our results and we can see a trend.

Categories: Obama McCain campaign tax taxes calculator comparison cut politics

Coach Dean Smith Endorses Obama-Biden Ticket

2008-10-14T09:53:00.003-05:00

There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option. That is why Linnea and I are writing to urge you to join Barack Obama's campaign for President.

There are pivotal moments in history when the right decision by a nation can change its course for the better -- opening up new paths before us and providing future generations with opportunities that we had not thought possible. This coming election provides one of those moments. Linnea and I believe Barack Obama is the right leader at this critical juncture. I have written that when coaching a team, you must be prepared to make changes to meet new challenges and obstacles. We must be prepared to do the same as a nation. Now, it is the United States that needs a change in direction... and a change in leadership.

Join Barack Obama today by volunteering in your corner of North Carolina.

Linnea and I respect all that Senator McCain has done for our country. However, we feel strongly that it is Barack Obama who offers the real leadership our nation needs to tap its potential as a land of opportunity -- even as we face difficult times at home and abroad. Senator Obama is a patriotic American, a committed Christian, a good family man, and a man who shares the bedrock values that most North Carolinians have in common: fairness, hard work, respect for others, and personal responsibility. And he has the vision and judgment to help us push through this period of uncertainty to a time of greater economic stability and greater security from threats abroad.

If you believe America needs to set a new course, then the time to join us is now. If you are already an Obama supporter, please step up to help our campaign. There are only about three weeks left before Election Day, and if we are going to move away from the failed policies of the past, then we need your help now.

So we encourage you to get out there and get involved -- talk to your neighbors and sign up to volunteer today.

Get involved now by clicking here.

And pass the link to this message along to those you think might be interested. This election is too important to stand on the sidelines and watch history pass us by. Here is the link for you to copy and paste into your emails:

http://ronhudson.blogspot.com/2008/10/coach-dean-smith-endorses-obama-biden.html

Thank you,

Coach Dean Smith and Linnea Smith
Chapel Hill, NC

Categories: coach+Dean+Smith UNC Chapel+Hill Tar+Heels politics Barack Obama basketball endorsement

MC Yogi's Rap Video for Obama

2008-10-09T00:48:00.002-05:00

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Categories: politics Obama video rap MC+Yogi Vimeo Obama+08+Vote+for+Hope youth vote hope change

Judicial Races in North Carolina--Pary Affiliation Not Listed on Ballot

2008-10-06T20:53:00.003-05:00

The party affiliations of candidates running for Judicial offices in North Carolina this year will not be listed on your ballot. I think this is a huge mistake and that it leaves many guessing about whom they wish to support to reflect their personal values. The Judicial races are some of the most important elections in North Carolina as these are the people who will interpret the law, our Constitution and your rights. As a Democrat and a liberal, I felt it important to research the people running in this year's election. Finally, after much digging around online, I found a site that might help others decide how to vote in the upcoming judicial elections for the State of North Carolina. Please remember to make notes and take them with you when you go to vote.

Categories: judges democratic North+Carolina NC judicial races election 2008 politics

Video Must See: Historia De Un Letrero/The Story of a Sign

2008-09-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

My friend Florence has reminded me once again why we are so close in spirit. She shared yet another video with me this morning. This one was so touching that I felt compelled to share it with you.

In this video written, directed and produced by Alonso Alvarez Barreda, please note that the sign reads, in equivalent language, more or less, "Have Compassion, I am Plind" as a misspelling of the word "Blind". Watch for the twist at the end. What did you expect? How did you react to the ending? How can you alter your world in a similar way?

Click here to view the video.

Categories: video Alonso+Alvarez+Barreda Historia+de+un+letrero Story+of+a+Sign

Will Galison and His Orchestra: Campaign for Swing Voters

2008-09-29T14:00:00.003-05:00

Thank you, my friend Florence, for sharing this video with me. I would like now to share it with my readers. Nothing like a little swing to help get the swing-voters out there to help us repair this country.

Categories: swing voters Will+Galison+and+His+Orchestra Takin'+It+Back+with+Barack+Jack politics music video Barack+Obama

Voter Registration Totals in NC as of 29 September 2008

2008-09-29T12:07:00.002-05:00

One of the things I just learned from visiting the State Board of Elections website is that there are 6,006,731 voters registered in the state of North Carolina (see the banner across the top of the page for updated totals). Breakdowns of this total by party are as follows as of 29 September 2008:

Democratic 2,724,021 or 45.3%
Republican 1,955,551 or 32.6%
Libertarian 1,432 or 0.02%
Independent 1,325,727 or 22.1%

It is clear from these numbers that if the Independent voters of North Carolina are leaning toward Democratic candidates as reported in the latest polls, victory for the Democratic Party could be within reach in November. It is even clearer that the focus of the Democratic Campaigns must be to reach out to Independent voters and to ensure that both Democratic and Independent voters actually go out and vote in the following weeks.

I am supporting candidates Senator Barack Obama for President and Kay Hagan for US Senate from North Carolina. I oppose the candidacy of current US Senator Elizabeth Dole because I have written to her campaign office with my concerns about the Bush Administration repeatedly over the past six years. The first response from her didn't show up in my mailbox until this year and I have to say that I was disappointed in her position. True to the points made in ongoing political ads, she fully supported President Bush and his policies, stating that she felt that "President Bush has the best interest of America at heart." Additionally, her appeals based on down-home country values are an insult to all North Carolinians, including those of us who grew up here in the countrysides of the State. Using phrases like "That Dog Won't Hunt" is no way to run a campaign about issues as important as your freedom, your economic well-being and your healthcare.

Please get out and vote for candidates who support your views and opinions, who promote a healthier economy and a more peaceful world. You can begin voting in North Carolina on October 16 at early voting sites. I will be there early myself.

Categories: politics voter registration party affiliation NC Barack+Obama Kay+Hagan Elizabeth+Dole

Voter Registration Deadline(s) in North Carolina

2008-09-29T10:08:00.002-05:00

The voter registration deadline for those who choose to vote on General Election Day, November 4th, is coming up on October 10th for North Carolinians. If you have not yet registered to vote in NC, please do so by then to ensure you have the opportunity to vote on Election Day.

If you want, there is a second option this year for North Carolina's voters. During the Early "One Stop" Voting Period of October 16th through November 1, you can register to vote and then vote in a single visit to the polls. Each county in NC has its own sites and times for Early Voting, so you will need to check your local county's Board of Elections to find out where you can go to vote during the Early Voting Period and when those locations will be operating. The North Carolina State Board of Elections has compiled this list of early voting sites by county for your convenience.

Categories: voter registration deadline NC, One+Stop+Voting Early+Voting

Voter Registration Verification and Much More

2008-09-25T23:24:00.002-05:00

The Obama for President campaign has organized a website where you can check to make sure that you are registered to vote in any state in the US. If you find that you are not registered, you can access further tools to make sure that you are registered before the deadlines pass. Please be sure to register soon so that you can vote in the upcoming election. Click here to visit this powerful new tool for the empowerment of voters in the US.

If you prefer, you can simply check your registration on that website and then register using paper forms by visiting your local Board of Elections. Additionally, many different events and organizations are holding voter registration drives in the days leading up to the deadline for registration.

Early Voting

In North Carolina, you can also register to vote and/or vote early in the "One Stop, No Excuse" voting plans for each county. To learn about the early voting options in your county, visit this page which shows the times and locations of early voting in your home county. To learn more about early voting and why you may want to take advantage of it, go here.

In general, early voting in North Carolina starts on October 16th and runs through November 1st, including Saturday and Sunday voting in many counties. The main requirements are that you are registered to vote and that you vote at a site in the county in which you are registered. If you decide to vote early, there will be a selection of sites from which you can choose to meet your schedule and location. If you prefer to vote traditionally on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th, you will need to vote at your assigned precinct's polling place.

Categories: voter registration verification Am+I+Registered+to+Vote US national elections online early+voting One+Stop+Voting North+Carolina sites times locations hours

When in Wilmington in Need of Flowers...

2008-09-25T16:44:00.001-05:00

My friend Lonnie Taylor of Wilmington has gone out on his own with the opening of Fiore Fine Flowers. He prepared the coffin spray for my Mom's burial services and has also provided numerous bouquets on many different holidays for my mom in the past. He is trained in traditional Japanese floral design and I can personally attest for his work. If you are in the Wilmington, NC, area and need flowers, please give Lonnie's shop a call and place an order. I assure you that everyone involved will be pleased with the favor.

Categories: Fiore+Fine+Flowers florist Wilmington NC Lonnie+Taylor Japanese+floral+design Ikebana

Cool video, cool sound! Fleet Foxes: "White Winter Hymnal"

2008-09-25T12:31:00.003-05:00

My partner shared this video with me today and I liked it so much that I thought that I would share it with you. I like the cosmic imagery and the idea it invoked in me that we all have a role to play in making the world continue to turn. Have a listen and a look and let me know what you think.

Categories: Fleet+Foxes music video White+Winter+Hymnal youtube

Voter Intimidation Alive in North Carolina--Stop the lies

2008-09-25T06:49:00.003-05:00

A new rumor is circulating in cyberspace. I had heard about this one from the Democratic Party, but now have received one of the emails personally from a friend who found it plausible. Please be aware that people who are feeling threatened by the recent poll numbers are going to start to increase the scope and volume of tactics to intimidate voters in North Carolina and elsewhere.

Here is the text of the email that is circulating:

PLEASE ADVISE EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN
NOT GO TO THE POLLS WEARING ANY OBAMA SHIRTS, PINS OR HATS, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW AND WILL BE GROUNDS TO HAVE THE POLLING OFFICIALS TURN YOU AWAY.
THAT IS CONSIDERED CAMPAIGNING AND NO ONE CAN CAMPAIGN WITHIN X AMOUNT OF FEET OF THE POLLS. THEY ARE BANKING ON US BEING EXCITED AND NOT BEING AWARE OF THIS LONG STANDING LAW THAT YOU CAN BET WILL BE ENFORCED THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY ARE BANKING THAT IF ARE TURNED AWAY YOU WILL NOT GO HOME AND
CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES.. PLEASE JUST DON'T WEAR OBAMA GEAR OF ANY SORTS TO THE POLLS!!

The following response from the Democratic Party was sent to me within minutes of the receipt of this fraudulent email:

Action Alert: Help Kill This Rumor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please help us dispell an election rumor that is spreading like wildfire. Let people know: It's okay to wear candidate apparel to the polls!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contrary to popular rumor: a voter who is wearing a political cap, T-shirt, or button and does not electioneer within the polling place will be allowed to vote in a normal matter.

People can wear buttons, T-shirts, hats, whatever, with the name or picture of a candidate but they can NOT engage in electioneering inside the polling place (or outside, within 50 feet of it). They need to proceed in an orderly manner to vote and leave without making any effort to bring attention to their campaign handout, clothes, etc. If they point to their shirt or tell others, "Hey, vote for [name on hat]," then they are electioneering and they will be asked to stop immediately, and if they persist, they will be asked to leave.

That's the response from the attorney of the State Board of Elections to a fast-spreading rumor that voters will be barred from the polling place if they wear a T-shirt with the name of a candidate on it. Here is SBOE attorney Don Wright's exact reply to the question. Please feel free to forward this to people you know:

From: Don Wright
Subject: another elections myth???

This is a false rumor that is growing like wildfire. Of course it is false.

The rumor started from statements made on the Steve Harvey Radio Show. I visited their website and looked at the e-mails and this rumor was there.

Our position is and always has been......

A voter may enter a voting place to vote wearing political items as long as they proceed to vote in an orderly and timely manner, and do not attempt to electioneer within the voting place. A voter wearing a T-shirt saying "Vote for X" who shouts "vote for X" or places his T-shirt in the sightline of voters asking support for "X" is obviously electioneering and will be asked to refrain from the conduct at once, and if they continue will be removed.

A voter who is wearing a political cap, T-shirt, or button and does not electioneer within the polling place will be allowed to vote in a normal matter.

Help Us Get the Word Out

Anything that intimidates, discourages or confuses potential voters is bad for democracy -- help us knock down the false rumors and help people feel good about voting. If you feel like you are mistreated when you vote because of what you are wearing, or for some other reason, you can contact the national Election Protection hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE), Democracy North Carolina at 1-888-OUR-VOTE or call the State Board of Elections (1-866-522-4723). Thank You!

Sincerely,
Your Democracy North Carolina Team

Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, grassroots organizing and coalition building to promote voter participation and fair elections. Please visit us on the web at www.democracy-nc.org for more information on our activities.

While the US Constitution, although severely weakened under the stewardship of the current President and his Party, guarantees us freedom of expression (in print, in speech, in the clothes we choose to wear), it probably is illegal to spread incorrect or false information knowingly to influence voters on election day. Please respond to anyone who sends you the fraudulent email about what you can and can not wear to the polls and tell them that their information is incorrect. Use the "reply to all" function so that everyone on their distribution list gets the corrected information. If the person who sent it to you persists in sending out false information, please report them to election officials.

It is telling that this email focused solely on Obama supporters. Please know that if you support John McCain, you too, can wear any t-shirts, pins or hats to the polls on election day. Just don't cause a ruckus while there, no matter who you support, and your voting rights will be as protected as those of anyone else.

As a fan of the film Napoleon Dynamite, I guess I will refrain from wearing my "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt on election day, as that would, indeed, be seen as electioneering!!

Categories: politics lies voter+intimidation Obama t-shirts pins, hats election email rumor

Health Communication Survey re: Coping with Chronic Illness

2008-09-11T22:55:00.003-05:00

I received the following note from Justin Guild of Purdue University. He is conducting research on health communication with Dr. Jeong-Nam Kim to determine the role of internet sites in managing chronic illnesses. He has requested that I post this note to encourage my readers to take an online survey about how we use the internet to help us as we struggle to cope. I hope that you will participate and that you will provide feedback to him should you have any suggestions after completing the survey.

Ron

My name is Justin Guild and I’m a graduate research assistant currently working with Dr. Jeong-Nam Kim at Purdue University on a health communication study.

Specifically, our research explores how information sharing behavior through online communities (such as blogs) influences coping strategies among people with chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, AIDS, etc.

I’m contacting you to seek permission to place a link to our online web survey on your blog to invite readers and other visitors to participate. The survey is purely academic in nature and takes no longer than 5-7 minutes to complete.

The web survey can be found by clicking on this link.

In the survey, we use the term “blog” to refer to any online activity where you might read or share information in communities such as personal web logs, internet forums, and discussion boards.

The findings of this study could lead to better management capacities of chronic diseases as well as an increase in funding for research related to online communities.

If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Categories: health communication survey Purdue+University chronic illness HIV AIDS HIV/AIDS

A Perfect Bloom--La Dama de la Noche 2008

2008-09-07T08:55:00.001-05:00

This image of a double-flowering night-blooming cereus flower, La Dama de la Noche, was taken about two weeks ago. It is one of the most beautiful specimens of this plant's blooms that I have seen since my plant matured enough to bloom a few years back. Note the detail of the stamen and pistils inside the flower.

(click on image to enlarge it)

Categories: night+blooming+cereus flowers gardening houseplants photography la+dama+de+la+noche

New York City: See Rich Ferguson in the Fringe Festival

2008-08-05T14:18:00.002-05:00

I received the following press release from my friend and collaborator Rich Ferguson from Los Angeles. Rich contributed his work to the International Carnival of Pozitivities and we both appear in the upcoming release of the new 1 Giant Leap film, "What About Me". If you are in the New York metro area and can attend his show, I would be grateful if you could say hello for me.

Rich Ferguson & Paul Garrison Present:
“Nightlight Jesus”

The New York International Fringe Festival – Fringe
NYC
A production of The Present Company
August 8th – 24th
Tickets: $15. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

LA spoken word artist, Rich Ferguson, and musical
mayhemist, Paul Garrison, are proud to present
“Nightlight Jesus” as part of the 11th annual New York
International Fringe Festival – Fringe NYC .

“Nightlight Jesus” is a combination of spoken word and
music. It juxtaposes the personal with the eternal,
the sacred with the profane. It is the place where
sonic syllables and grinding beats rub up against one
another to create a chainsaw music for angels.

Rich Ferguson,
(click here for another of his websites ), has performed at the South by
Southwest Music Festival, at the Knitting Factory in
NYC with Patti Smith and Janet Hamill, at the Redcat
Theater in LA (part of Disney Hall). He’s been
published in the LA Times, and is also a featured
performer in the sequel to 1 Giant Leap--What About
Me--that also features Michael Stipe, Michael Franti,
KD Lang, and others. About Ferguson, Mitch Myers of
Amazon. com once said: “Spouting a peculiar blend of
spoken-word poetry, Ferguson has developed a poetry
style that is both intellectually challenging and
emotionally direct…”

Originally from Vancouver, soundscape artist Paul
Garrison straddles the fence between the improv, art
jazz scene, and the industrial, noise movement. He has
appeared numerous times on Late Night With David
Letterman, and recently toured with Rickie Lee Jones.

Ferguson and Garrison will be performing at the Jazz
Gallery. The address is 290 Hudson Street, New York,
NY 10013. They can be reached on the web at:
info@jazzgallery.org.

Performance dates are as follows: Tues 8/19 @ 7:15
p.m.; Wed. 8/20 @ 10 p.m.; Fri. 8/22 @ 3:45 p.m. & 7
p.m.; Sat. 8/23 @ 5:30 p.m.

Categories: Rich+Ferguson Paul+Garrison 1+Giant+Leap New+York+City spoken+word performance+art International+Fringe+Festival

Love Note or Homophobia? Vote now.

2008-08-03T22:30:00.001-05:00

More than many, I appreciate good art. I also appreciate freedom of expression. I especially appreciate freedom of expression in the form of art, and if that art happens to be somewhat prurient and spontaneous, it gives me the greatest pleasure. You can imagine the joy that came my way today in the form of a love note that was taped to the rear window of my truck.

I had gone to have dim sum for lunch and had parked my truck in the parking lot of the restaurant, an unusual circumstance in itself as the place is usually packed and the parking lot usually has not one available space. I spent about forty-five minutes inside enjoying a glutton's meal of shrimp-, pork- and tofu-based dim sum treasures. I prefer to go to dim sum with a group of friends as most of the dishes contain three servings, perfect for sharing with others when ordering a cross-section of the menu for variety. Today, however, I was alone and to satisfy my dim sum cravings, I needed a minimum of dishes including at least one order of turnip cakes. Today, I gorged on turnip cakes, fried shrimp balls, fried tofu in black bean sauce and roasted pork loin in barbecue sauce. It was too much for one person to eat, yet I finished it off. Walking to the register to pay my bill, it seemed as if my belly would burst. I paid my bill, walked out to my truck, climbed in and drove away.

About a mile down the road, on I-85, I looked into my rear view mirror and noticed something had been stuck to the rear window on the passenger side of my truck. I couldn't quite make out what I was seeing in its mirror image, but I thought that I could make out the image of a penis and testicles swaying in the wind. It was more of a Rorschach reaction that one of actually knowing what I had seen. There was no right answer. When I arrived home, I found this lovely little balloon sculpture double taped to my truck.

Now, I wonder. Was this a love note from someone? Perhaps they saw my rainbow sticker, and my Equality North Carolina and Human Rights Campaign decals. Perhaps they decided to retrieve a red balloon, some tape and a sharpie from their handy stash and to make me a sculpture of genitalia to show their solidarity in the cause. Or, maybe, this was meant to be intimidating and embarrassing to me, showing the world that I not only care about civil rights and equality for all, but I happen to care deeply for cock. And balls. If so, you can probably imagine how mortified I was and still am. By the way, if you know how to make a balloon shaped like testicles, please let me know how that is done.

What do you think? Was this a love note or someone's attempt at a demeaning little joke? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Categories: dim+sum homophobia art balloon+sculpture penis testicles solidarity humor

Rains from Tropical Storm Cristobal in Durham, NC

2008-07-19T19:12:00.001-05:00

Rains from Tropical Storm Cristobal weigh down and wash away the flowers of the crape myrtle in my front yard.

Click to enlarge image.

Categories: tropical+storm Cristobal Durham North+Carolina NC crape+myrtle photography gardening rain

Help Reverse the US Government's Discriminatory HIV Travel Ban

2008-06-30T16:52:00.002-05:00

The following text is from a letter at the site of Change.org advocating for the lift of the US travel ban on HIV infected individuals. I hope you will join me in writing to your US Senator to ask them why HIV has been singled out for a travel ban and to urge them to vote to end this disgraceful and discriminatory restriction. If you agree that this ban should be lifted, please visit the site linked above and fill in the required information to send a letter to your US Senator.

The United States is one of only 12 nations in the world to automatically ban HIV-positive visitors from entering the country. Our peers: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Moldova, Russia, Armenia, and South Korea.

HIV is the only medical condition that permanently precludes admission. Not even leprosy and tuberculosis are grounds for exclusion. Only a record of terrorism, tax evasion, money laundering or child smuggling has the same effect.

This law, which is in violation of UN standards, has absolutely no medical rationale or basis in health policy. It is a discriminatory holdover from the AIDS panic two decades ago. Thousands of immigrants to this country live in constant fear of unjust deportation. Forcing them underground, where they cannot get treated openly for fear of discovery, only worsens the health risk and cost to society.

Now we finally have a chance to take this absurd phobia off the books. The Senate version of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reauthorization bill includes language that removes the statutory ban. There is bipartisan support but little political will. Urge your senators to demonstrate some leadership and bring this matter to a vote. Too many people have been denied the American dream for too long.

Categories: US immigration HIV AIDS HIV/AIDS travel+ban discriminiation politics

I'm Not About To...But Decide for Yourself

2008-06-24T10:36:00.002-05:00

A good friend, Paul, sent me the link to this video. It speaks for itself. I won't be voting for a Republican because of their terrible stewardship of this nation on their watch. Have a look at the video and form your own opinions. You can learn more about the filmmakers at I'm voting Republican: You'll Get What You Deserve.

Categories: politics Republican Democrat election 2008

The final edition of the ICP

2008-06-11T08:59:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities:

It is with both joy and sadness that I am writing to announce the final edition of the ICP. After you receive this notice, I will delete the mailing list for the ICP from my files and you will no longer receive announcements about the project. I was placed on a new drug regimen about 2 months ago and have experienced a serious side effect to the new meds. I am no longer able to continue to maintain the project as a result.

Please know that it has been a joy to bring you the ICP for the past 2 years and that I wish I could continue the project into the future. However, my focus has to be on my own healing now. For those of you who have contributed or hosted the ICP, my heartfelt gratitude can hardly be expressed. For those who blog about HIV/AIDS and who fight to end the stigma of this disease, I urge you to continue your work. We are all in the fight of our lives.

Many, many thanks to Sokari at Blacklooks for hosting the final edition of the ICP.

Please visit, read and leave your feedback for the host and the contributors in this, the last edition of the ICP.

I wish you all peace and health.

Safe Journeys!

Categories: ICP International+Carnival+of+Pozitivities HIV AIDS HIV/AIDS Mshairi blog carnival blog+carnival