Off-Topic Discussion

Does anyone remember the cartoon, Beanie and Cecil? Cecil the seasick sea serpent. Yea I know I am old but come on. Even people that are older than me don't remember. They also don't remember Nestles Triple decker bar. Best candy bar ever made. Did I grow up in the twilight zone?

So I took a risk. My Mom's birthday was yesterday. We do have a good phone relationship, but my Mom is one that has never given me a pat on the back. So, I took a risk. Where I am getting into photography, I sent her a card and sent her a sampling of my photos. What I expected to hear was, "Why did you send me this? What am I supposed to do with this? I'm sending them back." Instead I heard, " Thank you for sending me these beautiful pictures. I can't wait to show all the girls. These are amazing." Wow. That is a first.

I viewed the 9/11 memorial service on tv this morning. I listened to all the names being read and kept thinking of all the folks lost that fateful day. After twelve years the feelings still resonates with many people. I can remember that day as if it just happened. I was supposed to be in the north tower at precisely the time the first plane hit but was delayed. While lives were affected negatively there were many positive aspects also. One is to settle any issues you may have with others. Be a positive influence on another person. Live life with passion and joy. This day we honor those who were lost on 9/11. Say thank you to the police/firemen/EMS personnel.Their …

Just went to the library and picked up the autobiography of Dick Proenneke. Wow, to have his knowledge and philosophy about life. To live the life he had. Yea, I guess I am a mountain man at heart. Hey, I still remember the theme song from Grizzley Adams. What can I say? I am an old fart.

I work nights. So at 10 pm last night I was outside having my morning coffee. And where I live, the sky was so clear that the stars were amazing. I even saw something that I have only seen once before. An exploding star. So, when I got my head out of the stars, I looked down, and standing about 4 feet away is a skunk. Kind of looking at me as if to say, "what are you staring at?" Knowing skunks do not have great eye sight, I stood up and told him, " Hey buddy, not so close." He took off and made for the back lawn. Oh the hazards of a bright sky.

St John's Anglican Church, Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada. Church Sign has Amazing Message for Christian Homophobes

Well, dealing with my old dog that has been sick for 3 days, and I don't have the money for vet bills, my dad who is getting worse, my vehicle that isn't working right and now, going to physical therapy for a pinched nerve in my back...and still having to work. Other than that, life is great.

So I have a lot of vacation time coming to me. I am hoping to take that time in November. Just keeping my fingers crossed that my old dinosaur passes inspection. No big output of cash. If that happens, I can take a week, have my long distance girlfriend (who is mtf), come down, and show her a good time. I am remaining hopeful. I do believe she is my soul mate. It would be great to spend time with her. Finger crossing time!

Was over to my dad's today. Drove him to appointments. Today was the first day I have seen my 86 year old Dad as an old man. He could hardly walk and a couple times I had to catch him from taking a nose dive. His memory is also fading . The most heartbreaking part, is my Dad sees it. He had always said he would never go to a nursing home. Today he told me, when the time comes, there is only one home he would go to, and made me write it down. He also, today, gave me legal power of attorney. It is heart wrenching. My dad has always been the epitome of health and strength. Today was the first day I noticed the change. Also noticed that when I left, he almost had t…

A six-year-old boy has found a creative way to explain why trans people exist and why they are normal 21 August 2013 | By Tim Heap "After hesitating, she explained it as simply as possible but ‘also said that it's a very complicated topic that sometimes even grownups struggle with’. "‘No, it isn't, Mom,’ replied her son." --gaystarnews.com Boy, 6, uses Lego to explain gender identity

Back when I was in high school, I always wanted to get into photography. Been thinking about making that happen for a while. Anyway, after 10 years on the same job, I was given a gift book and told to choose my prize. Selected an item made by Bushnell. It's a combo binoculars/digital camera. Received it in the mail the other day. Used my last few bucks to buy batteries and a memory card. So, hoping to get up onto the Connecticut river next weekend. Maybe get some pics of the eagles and other raptures that nest there. Psyched!

Decided it's time to eat a more healthy diet. Two things I would like to add are turmeric and cayenne. I know both have great health benefits. However, I am no chef. My greatest achievement in the kitchen thus far is....I can work the microwave. Yea, time to use the pots and pans. Anyone have any good recipes to share? Remember, I am a novice here.

A Satanists Westboro ritual has not only alleged to turn a dead mom gay “for all eternity” this week, but has brought to the forefront new protests and debate set against the Westboro Baptist Church and their anti-gay agenda, Web Pro News reported this Saturday, July 20. Through the practice of a Pink Mass, Satanists from New York claim they were able to turn the leader’s mother of the Westboro Church, Fred Phelps, into a lesbian. http://www.examiner....k-mass-a-debate

Note: I wasn't sure where to post this. I didn't think it really fell under "general transgender discussion Depite being posted in the "O-T & H Forum," it is not meant to be humorous. -------------------------------------------- I'm sure, for those members who frequent the photo gallery, you are familiar with some of the images posted there. And of course, there are the occasional pix that moderators have to remove because they are not appropriate for the TGG forums. Now, it is not my intent to embarrass or offend anyone...but there's something that I have wanted to ask for a long time. I hope the topic can be discussed with respect as it is possibly a touc…

I work nights and bust my butt. There is another janitor that works the same hours and for 4 hours spends her time having breakfast...sleeping in people's offices that are on vacation...etc. And, we get paid the same hourly wage. I hate to be a snitch, but I am getting tired of it. What would you do?

www.huffingtonpost.com, 2/08/2012 As she endures an anti-gay group's fury over her new JC Penney spokeswoman role, Ellen DeGeneres has found an unlikely advocate -- Bill O'Reilly. The Fox News commentator came to DeGeneres' defense after conservative group One Million Moms, a division of the American Family Association, pressed JC Penney to replace the comedian and talk show host as their spokesperson because she is a lesbian. Read more, and see the video, Ellen DeGeneres' JC Penney Partnership Defended By Bill O'Reilly

Chan Lowe, 26 June 2013 Editorial Cartoonist, Sun Sentinal

Cartoon by Chris Michael

Not sure if any of you have ever done a search of the number one song when you graduated high school? I just did...and the number one song back then was John Denver, "Thank God I'm a country boy." How prophetic!

The following is from a letter written by Converge Orlando executive director, Mikael Audebert. He very eloquently laced his thanks to the Florida Family Association with a generous dose of sarcasm, and worded the irony produced by the situation with grace and diplomacy of the best kind... -Mike Zack Ford | Jun 4, 2013 9:00 am "Next year, why don’t you just write a check directly to Converge Orlando to further promote LGBT tourism to our region? While I doubt you will take me up on this suggestion, I nonetheless look forward to working with you again next year in supporting another successful Gay Days." --thinkprogress.org Florida ‘Family’ Group Thanked F…

A prominent member of the Westboro Baptist Church is drawing a link between the Oklahoma tornado's devastation and a local team's support for openly gay NBA star Jason Collins. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/westboro-oklahoma-tornado-_n_3312712.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/florida-teen-fights-expulsion-and-criminal-charges-for-same-sex-relationship As the summer of 2012 came to an end, the future looked bright for 17-year-old Sebastian River High School senior Kaitlyn Hunt. Voted the student with "Most School Spirit" by her peers, Kaitlyn was an active cheerleader, a basketball player, a camp counselor and cheering coach, and a medical assistant training to join the nursing program at Valencia College after graduation. She looked forward to a career helping others and a memorable final year of high school. At the beginning of the school year, Kaitlyn made friends with a 14-year-old freshmen girl in Seba…

Some people serious have no life outside their computers. http://www.examiner....s-to-east-coast

Some Klingons are gay. Get over it! UK gay rights campaign Stonewall’s iconic message goes intergalactic as new Star Trek film premieres in London 03 May 2013 | By Tris Reid-Smith " And Stonewall hopes it will encourage Trekkies to share the message and join the organization’s campaign for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality." --gaystarnews.com *Notice the "T" is missing......