Today is Boob Quake Day! (and why is it always about sex?)

I'm sure Pam Anderson is to blame...

If you haven't heard, today is officially Boob Quake Day, started by blogger Jen McCreight in response to yet one more fundie who says too much flesh is causing all these volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other assorted natural phenomenon. This time it was an Iranian cleric, saying that immodest women and the power of their boobs have EARTHSHATTERING effects!

Why is it that fundies always blame sex when something bad happens? One minute it's boobs, the next it's homosexuals. After all, there are other "sins" out there. Maybe Mother Earth is reacting to humans polluting her world, have they ever thought about that? Maybe Gaia is opening up to swallow us whole because we are damaging her body! Or, maybe some deity is punishing us because of all the violence and abuse we heap on each other. Isn't that a sin, all those murders and wars? Or what about greed, lying and hatred?

No,  oddly, it's always about sex. Just wait for the next natural disaster and some fundie will blame it on the gays or the loose women. Of course, it's NEVER the men. Perish the thought!

Seriously, somebody needs to be slapped.

I love Jen's reaction and her Boob Quake Day. Let's see if we can really rock the world today! (And, yes, guys can join in, too!)

Today is Boob Quake Day! (and why is it always about sex?)

I'm sure Pam Anderson is to blame...

If you haven't heard, today is officially Boob Quake Day, started by blogger Jen McCreight in response to yet one more fundie who says too much flesh is causing all these volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other assorted natural phenomenon. This time it was an Iranian cleric, saying that immodest women and the power of their boobs have EARTHSHATTERING effects!

Why is it that fundies always blame sex when something bad happens? One minute it's boobs, the next it's homosexuals. After all, there are other "sins" out there. Maybe Mother Earth is reacting to humans polluting her world, have they ever thought about that? Maybe Gaia is opening up to swallow us whole because we are damaging her body! Or, maybe some deity is punishing us because of all the violence and abuse we heap on each other. Isn't that a sin, all those murders and wars? Or what about greed, lying and hatred?

No,  oddly, it's always about sex. Just wait for the next natural disaster and some fundie will blame it on the gays or the loose women. Of course, it's NEVER the men. Perish the thought!

Seriously, somebody needs to be slapped.

I love Jen's reaction and her Boob Quake Day. Let's see if we can really rock the world today! (And, yes, guys can join in, too!)

Pneumonia, Taxes, Art, Home Repair--and Aliens--All in About a Week!

Wow, has it already been a week since I last posted?! It's a blur, really. Somehow in the last week (or so), I've managed to complete my taxes, take in a new local art exhibition, sand the walls of the bathrooms in my house in preparation for painting, see "District 9" (surprising!)--and recover from what my doctor says was the beginnings of pneumonia!

I'm tired! So today, with the weather irresistibly beautiful in that teasing way of an approaching spring, I blew off the afternoon and had a cocktail with a friend, sitting outdoors at a local hotel. VERY fancy, thank you.

Don't forget to grab life while you can!

Pneumonia, Taxes, Art, Home Repair--and Aliens--All in About a Week!

Wow, has it already been a week since I last posted?! It's a blur, really. Somehow in the last week (or so), I've managed to complete my taxes, take in a new local art exhibition, sand the walls of the bathrooms in my house in preparation for painting, see "District 9" (surprising!)--and recover from what my doctor says was the beginnings of pneumonia!

I'm tired! So today, with the weather irresistibly beautiful in that teasing way of an approaching spring, I blew off the afternoon and had a cocktail with a friend, sitting outdoors at a local hotel. VERY fancy, thank you.

Don't forget to grab life while you can!

Party at My Pad! Wrapping Up My Quest to Join the Illuminati With Final Steps 16-18

Ok, it's almost graduation time, kids, when we get to flip that Illuminati tassle over to the other side! Oh yeah, there will totally be a kegger afterwards (and Illuminati brothers totally have the best party connections). If you've been paying attention, then you know I've been acing this Illuminati application thing. I have a few steps to knock out but mostly, I'm in!

Finally, the last 3 of 18 steps. Drum roll, please!

16) Be judicious with what you tell people.

Hell, I do this already! As I've said before, I don't go around just telling anyone that I'm a shaman. So hiding my Illuminati ambitions will be a piece of cake!

17) Always appear to know more than what you are revealing. 

Ok, I can work on that. Typically, I like to play a little dumb to throw everyone off--but this should be fun. Get 'em worked up and leave 'em wantin' more! 

18) Be patient. You can only join the Illuminati after years of demonstrating your worth. This could take decades. 

Well, my partner has always said that I'm persistent and I never let anything go (hmmmm). And patience? See #1! 

Joining the Illuminati wasn't as difficult as I thought. As membership privileges roll my way, I'll be sure to let you know how I make out and how much power, money, influence I have. Don't be a hater.

Party at My Pad! Wrapping Up My Quest to Join the Illuminati With Final Steps 16-18

Ok, it's almost graduation time, kids, when we get to flip that Illuminati tassle over to the other side! Oh yeah, there will totally be a kegger afterwards (and Illuminati brothers totally have the best party connections). If you've been paying attention, then you know I've been acing this Illuminati application thing. I have a few steps to knock out but mostly, I'm in!

Finally, the last 3 of 18 steps. Drum roll, please!

16) Be judicious with what you tell people.

Hell, I do this already! As I've said before, I don't go around just telling anyone that I'm a shaman. So hiding my Illuminati ambitions will be a piece of cake!

17) Always appear to know more than what you are revealing. 

Ok, I can work on that. Typically, I like to play a little dumb to throw everyone off--but this should be fun. Get 'em worked up and leave 'em wantin' more! 

18) Be patient. You can only join the Illuminati after years of demonstrating your worth. This could take decades. 

Well, my partner has always said that I'm persistent and I never let anything go (hmmmm). And patience? See #1! 

Joining the Illuminati wasn't as difficult as I thought. As membership privileges roll my way, I'll be sure to let you know how I make out and how much power, money, influence I have. Don't be a hater.

Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA"--the Gay Version

I know, I know--Miley freakin' Cyrus!? But this song is just so catchy and fun and happy, and it's forever stuck in my head! But I probably wouldn't have heard it if it weren't for this video by some gay guys frolicking in New York's Fire Island Pines. They basically did their own video to Miley's song, and it all just makes me happy. I'm only human! After all, who can resist a Disney teen poplet teamed with cute guys in swim trunks?



Why hasn't Disney tried this combo yet? Pure gold, baby. And to Miss Miley's credit, I do think this one has some talent and staying power. So thank you Fire Island Pines boys--and thank you, Miley. Peace out.

Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA"--the Gay Version

I know, I know--Miley freakin' Cyrus!? But this song is just so catchy and fun and happy, and it's forever stuck in my head! But I probably wouldn't have heard it if it weren't for this video by some gay guys frolicking in New York's Fire Island Pines. They basically did their own video to Miley's song, and it all just makes me happy. I'm only human! After all, who can resist a Disney teen poplet teamed with cute guys in swim trunks?



Why hasn't Disney tried this combo yet? Pure gold, baby. And to Miss Miley's credit, I do think this one has some talent and staying power. So thank you Fire Island Pines boys--and thank you, Miley. Peace out.

Naked Cowboy to Run for NYC Mayor!

This is too funny. Most everyone has heard of the guy in New York's Times Square who plays guitar in a cowboy hat and just his undies. Well, he is indeed running against Michael Bloomberg for mayor. He's supposed to make his official announcement today at 11 am.

Check out his web site--he has his own clever take on Obama's presidential campaign logo but using a guitar pick!

The Naked Cowboy may be too conservative for me--he did endorse McCain in the '08 election--but any guy who dances and sings in his underwear can't be all bad, right?

Naked Cowboy to Run for NYC Mayor!

This is too funny. Most everyone has heard of the guy in New York's Times Square who plays guitar in a cowboy hat and just his undies. Well, he is indeed running against Michael Bloomberg for mayor. He's supposed to make his official announcement today at 11 am.

Check out his web site--he has his own clever take on Obama's presidential campaign logo but using a guitar pick!

The Naked Cowboy may be too conservative for me--he did endorse McCain in the '08 election--but any guy who dances and sings in his underwear can't be all bad, right?

How Gay Are You?

I've seen these before but never taken one--and I'm SO bored right now. Yeah, kinda fun--but only 73%?

You Are 73% Stereotypically Gay

You are quite the stereotypical gay person, my friend. You're practically a Carson Kressley queer, but not quite. A few slow people don't know you're gay yet, but everyone else does. Might as well flaunt it.

How Stereotypically Gay Are You?
Take More Quizzes

How Gay Are You?

I've seen these before but never taken one--and I'm SO bored right now. Yeah, kinda fun--but only 73%?

You Are 73% Stereotypically Gay

You are quite the stereotypical gay person, my friend. You're practically a Carson Kressley queer, but not quite. A few slow people don't know you're gay yet, but everyone else does. Might as well flaunt it.

How Stereotypically Gay Are You?
Take More Quizzes

Did You Know It's Now Illegal--in the U.S.--to Sell Dirtbikes/Motorcycles Designed for Kids?

In a well-intentioned effort to prevent children under 12 from being exposed to lead in certain toys, the government has tripped up and made it illegal for your local motorcycle shop or ATV dealer to sell vehicles for kids. You know, they might start biting on that lead battery terminal or something.

Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to write about politics for a while, but I can't help myself on this one. This is stupid and shouldn't be happening. It prevents kids who enjoy bikes and ATVs from getting replacement parts when needed, or from getting that shiny new bike they wanted, and it effectively eliminates an entire revenue stream for local dealers!

The legislation took effect in February 09 and is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). I heard about it through my subscription to "American Motorcyclist" magazine. I'm all for protecting children from lead in toys, but when you're riding a motorcycle or ATV, it isn't the same as chewing on an old windowsill!

It appears a stay has been granted on enforcing the law, but that only means fines won't be imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Technically, sales of these vehicles are still illegal, and any state attorney general could prosecute a dealer or private individual if he/she was pissed off and felt like it.

Read more here and ask Congress to exempt youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. I've sent in my request! Just think about the dealers--like they really need another economic gut-punch right now. And the children--think of the children!

Did You Know It's Now Illegal--in the U.S.--to Sell Dirtbikes/Motorcycles Designed for Kids?

In a well-intentioned effort to prevent children under 12 from being exposed to lead in certain toys, the government has tripped up and made it illegal for your local motorcycle shop or ATV dealer to sell vehicles for kids. You know, they might start biting on that lead battery terminal or something.

Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to write about politics for a while, but I can't help myself on this one. This is stupid and shouldn't be happening. It prevents kids who enjoy bikes and ATVs from getting replacement parts when needed, or from getting that shiny new bike they wanted, and it effectively eliminates an entire revenue stream for local dealers!

The legislation took effect in February 09 and is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). I heard about it through my subscription to "American Motorcyclist" magazine. I'm all for protecting children from lead in toys, but when you're riding a motorcycle or ATV, it isn't the same as chewing on an old windowsill!

It appears a stay has been granted on enforcing the law, but that only means fines won't be imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Technically, sales of these vehicles are still illegal, and any state attorney general could prosecute a dealer or private individual if he/she was pissed off and felt like it.

Read more here and ask Congress to exempt youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. I've sent in my request! Just think about the dealers--like they really need another economic gut-punch right now. And the children--think of the children!

Beltane 2009: Growth and Foolishness--but No Naked Maypole Dancing

Yeah, the neighbors might frown on that naked dancing bit. But you don't have to have the maypole to enjoy a meaningful May Day celebration. We're halfway to summer (and I can't wait!), and as nature bursts forth with new growth, so we are reminded to take stock of our own lives.

To symbolize Beltane and growth, my altar contained a variety of flowers, a blackberry branch, a mayapple (or "witch's umbrella") and a photo of a monarch butterfly taken by a friend. I haven't seen any monarchs yet but they'll soon emerge from their cocoons. The 2 candles symbolize the Green Man and the May Queen, traditional images for fertility and growth.

To help myself get into the mood of springtime frolicking and revelry, I read an excerpt from a Rudyard Kipling poem that I like, "A Tree Song." You've probably seen it before:

"Oh, do not tell the priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring summer in!"

Next I wrote down 4 areas of my life in which I'd like more growth: growth in my writing, growth in creative expression, growth in my commitment to the Earth and growing deeper roots in my spiritual life. To add a little luck, I "washed in the morning dew." Actually, I used the small bowl of water on my altar, dipped in my fingers and symbolically "washed" my face. It's one tradition said to bring luck, health or beauty.

Because of its agricultural roots, Beltane is associated with fire, when people would purify the land to cleanse it, ensure fertility and ward off evil spirits. With the same intent, I then burnt the paper containing my goals for growth. To make sure I had the spirits' attention--and to add a little music to the occasion--I shook a rattle for good measure.

Occurring opposite Samhain/Halloween, Beltane is also associated with mischief and was traditionally a time when people were allowed a reprieve from acting so respectable. With that in mind, I mediated on the Court Jester. The meditation encourages us all to not to take everything so seriously--not even Beltane rituals. I so need more of this in my life. To create a little chaos, more surprises, to defy expectations and refuse to acquiesce to our dominant culture. In the end, most things we worry about are unimportant, and we could all use more laughter and levity.

Which means, next year I totally need to do the naked maypole dance!

Beltane 2009: Growth and Foolishness--but No Naked Maypole Dancing

Yeah, the neighbors might frown on that naked dancing bit. But you don't have to have the maypole to enjoy a meaningful May Day celebration. We're halfway to summer (and I can't wait!), and as nature bursts forth with new growth, so we are reminded to take stock of our own lives.

To symbolize Beltane and growth, my altar contained a variety of flowers, a blackberry branch, a mayapple (or "witch's umbrella") and a photo of a monarch butterfly taken by a friend. I haven't seen any monarchs yet but they'll soon emerge from their cocoons. The 2 candles symbolize the Green Man and the May Queen, traditional images for fertility and growth.

To help myself get into the mood of springtime frolicking and revelry, I read an excerpt from a Rudyard Kipling poem that I like, "A Tree Song." You've probably seen it before:

"Oh, do not tell the priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring summer in!"

Next I wrote down 4 areas of my life in which I'd like more growth: growth in my writing, growth in creative expression, growth in my commitment to the Earth and growing deeper roots in my spiritual life. To add a little luck, I "washed in the morning dew." Actually, I used the small bowl of water on my altar, dipped in my fingers and symbolically "washed" my face. It's one tradition said to bring luck, health or beauty.

Because of its agricultural roots, Beltane is associated with fire, when people would purify the land to cleanse it, ensure fertility and ward off evil spirits. With the same intent, I then burnt the paper containing my goals for growth. To make sure I had the spirits' attention--and to add a little music to the occasion--I shook a rattle for good measure.

Occurring opposite Samhain/Halloween, Beltane is also associated with mischief and was traditionally a time when people were allowed a reprieve from acting so respectable. With that in mind, I mediated on the Court Jester. The meditation encourages us all to not to take everything so seriously--not even Beltane rituals. I so need more of this in my life. To create a little chaos, more surprises, to defy expectations and refuse to acquiesce to our dominant culture. In the end, most things we worry about are unimportant, and we could all use more laughter and levity.

Which means, next year I totally need to do the naked maypole dance!

"It's Not Illegal to Own a Pillow": Or IS it?

You may have heard about the pillow fight that police broke up in Detroit--nope, not on the basketball court but between, well, pillow fighters. Turns out yesterday was World Pillowfight Day! More of these kinds of guerilla-style, public events are popping up. Click here for the official site, and here for even more similar events.

But police weren't too happy, for some reason, so they confiscated the pillows and spoiled the fun. Something about "clean-up concerns," which might be somehow, quasi-true, if someone was using old, crumbly foam pillows. But how much clean-up can pillowfights require? I would think goose down is pretty biodegradable--as opposed to those big, sanctioned annual beer-fests that most cities enjoy so much. Something about permits, too--but that flies in the face of these events which quickly appear and disappear without much advance notice, except for those in the know.

I had heard about a similar pillow fight nearby but it was simply too far to drive. Sounds like fun. Don't forget about No Pants Day next month!

"It's Not Illegal to Own a Pillow": Or IS it?

You may have heard about the pillow fight that police broke up in Detroit--nope, not on the basketball court but between, well, pillow fighters. Turns out yesterday was World Pillowfight Day! More of these kinds of guerilla-style, public events are popping up. Click here for the official site, and here for even more similar events.

But police weren't too happy, for some reason, so they confiscated the pillows and spoiled the fun. Something about "clean-up concerns," which might be somehow, quasi-true, if someone was using old, crumbly foam pillows. But how much clean-up can pillowfights require? I would think goose down is pretty biodegradable--as opposed to those big, sanctioned annual beer-fests that most cities enjoy so much. Something about permits, too--but that flies in the face of these events which quickly appear and disappear without much advance notice, except for those in the know.

I had heard about a similar pillow fight nearby but it was simply too far to drive. Sounds like fun. Don't forget about No Pants Day next month!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's--"Super" Riverwolf!

Ignore that it says "Talented One-Eyed Pirate"--I prefer "Heroic One-Eyed Modern Super Druid!" Or something like that. So over at Hero Factory, you can turn yourself into an actual super hero.

I'm off to help injured wildlife, rid the world of environmental toxins, urban sprawl, mountaintop removal and wetlands destruction, and return Mother Earth to a more balanced state. And why not look buff while doing it?!

I've got my nature-inspired green-and-brown spandex on, and an "R" on my chest (for Riverwolf). No, it doesn't stand for "Robin." I may have to hex you for that! The eye patch just looks cool; besides, my third eye is open anyway, and skulls actually symbolize the spirit self. The green gloves are very handy at picking up roadside litter. And the wooden staff? Every druid or shaman needs one--and if I find any litterbugs, I can smack 'em with it! *Pow-Wham*

Thanks to my buddy over at GLH Playground for the tip!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's--"Super" Riverwolf!

Ignore that it says "Talented One-Eyed Pirate"--I prefer "Heroic One-Eyed Modern Super Druid!" Or something like that. So over at Hero Factory, you can turn yourself into an actual super hero.

I'm off to help injured wildlife, rid the world of environmental toxins, urban sprawl, mountaintop removal and wetlands destruction, and return Mother Earth to a more balanced state. And why not look buff while doing it?!

I've got my nature-inspired green-and-brown spandex on, and an "R" on my chest (for Riverwolf). No, it doesn't stand for "Robin." I may have to hex you for that! The eye patch just looks cool; besides, my third eye is open anyway, and skulls actually symbolize the spirit self. The green gloves are very handy at picking up roadside litter. And the wooden staff? Every druid or shaman needs one--and if I find any litterbugs, I can smack 'em with it! *Pow-Wham*

Thanks to my buddy over at GLH Playground for the tip!