1984

Reagonomics, AIDS, K cars, extra-extra strength Tylenol, shoulder pads, Vice President Dan “Potatoe” Quayle…  Sure, the ’80s had many, many low points…  But there remain some happier legacies of those days of yore…

No Marriage for You, Homos!

The California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8 was obviously disappointing to me – but not really unexpected. I guess I’m having a difficult time getting into a lather about it for several reasons… I suppose this is largely because the decision did not really come as a surprise, especially given the nature of the questions the justices asked when the case was argued (they apparently view the people as sovereign – even when the people amend the constitution in such a way as to violate  Article I, Section 7(b) of said document).

And then there’s the complete weirdness and inconsistency of the two decisions: yes, it’s OK to exclude a class of people from getting married; but members of that class who got married during it’s brief window of legality may remain married – despite the fact that the very fact of their being married violates the state’s constitution. Huh? How did the justices manage to wrap their brains around this disconnect? Not that I disagree with the decision – but I don’t see how we can logically have one without the other.

But ultimately, I think I’m OK because this won’t stand. It might take a year or two – but I will eventually have the right to marry my partner here in California. I don’t like waiting – but considering it was something that just a few years ago seemed doubtful that I’d see in my lifetime, I can continue to have some patience.

For some reason, this photo from SFist really struck me. Yes, we gays still have a ways to go before we are guaranteed fair and equal treatment under the law – but look how far we’ve come… Quite a different police response than the one 30 years ago during the “White Night” riots.

San Francisco police officer Len Broberg, right, hugs Doug Mezzacapo, left, a married gay man, in front of San Francisco City Hall.

AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

1980

OMG – I cannot wait until it’s 1980!  So cool…

Seriously though – am I the only one who remembers the show “UFO” from the early ’70s? It’s from the same folks who brought us “Thunderbirds” and “Space 1999″ (another favorite of mine).  I loved it as a kid and just seeing the opening sequence again has me tempted to purchased the DVD box set.  Not sure whether I should be embarrassed or proud – but I still have my Dinky die-cast SHADO Interceptor (with launching missile).  And if you don’t know what a SHADO Interceptor is (but then really, who doesn’t?), here they are in action.  For reals, why couldn’t 1980 have been more like this..?

At any rate, apparently a movie version is in the works.  Please don’t ruin my childhood memories of this super-groovy show…

from io9

Quote of the Day

The Economist takes a look at which of the world’s banks are in the best shape, but starts off with this caveat:

Trying to work out which banks are the world’s best is a bit like awarding the prize for prettiest war-torn village.

Whack-A-Kitty

This looks waaaaaaay more fun than Rock Band – and I could play it with only one hand! I’d better run out and get it right now…

from Gizmodo

They Can Rebuild Me – They Have The Technology

Thank you, modern pharmaceuticals!

So I had surgery on Monday – and apparently all went well. I felt OK afterwards, due largely to the massive amounts of drugs I’d been given.  On Tuesday, however, the drugs had worn off and I must say I was having a pretty rough time of it – even with the Percocet.  But I made it, despite much gnashing of teeth, moaning and screaming (seriously, they all help).

Physically, I feel a bit better each day than the last.  Can’t say the same for the boredom and loneliness – they seem to increase each day.  Trying my best not to feel sorry for myself, but it can be a challenge, since all the things I enjoy doing are currently either impossible (e.g. playing Rock Band; preparing dinner; bathing myself) or very difficult (this whole “typing with one hand” thing, for example, is complete bullshit). But I’m hoping I’ll be sufficiently improved this weekend to maybe go out for a walk, see a movie or do some grocery shopping – you know, the glamorous life.

And to answer the most-often-asked question about this photo: no, I was not required to wear a catcher’s mitt during surgery.  That is, in fact, my actual hand.

And the answer to the second-most-asked question: no, I did not intentionally try to include a nipple in every photo of this ordeal.

What did you do for Bike To Work Day?

I rode my bike to work, just like I do most days…  Unfortunately (and somewhat ironically – you know, like rain on your wedding day), I was hit by a car whilst riding. So not only did I not go to work, most of the riding I did was by ambulance. I have a broken left elbow and I’m seeing the orthopedic surgeon later this morning…  And BTW, typing with one hand sucks. I may have to make Chris start taking dictation…

Chillaxin’ in Palm Springs

I had every intent of blogging over the week we spent in Palm Springs – but I forgot my media card reader.  And, really, what’s the point of blogging about a vacation if I don’t have photographic evidence to reinforce how vastly superior vacation life is to everyday life?  Of course, I was also quite busy taking naps, lying by the pool, perfecting my piña colada and margarita making techniques, preparing delicious dinners and dancing my ass off at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge.  In other words, I simply didn’t have time to blog…

Yes, in fact, this is the life...

Initially, I thought I’d just provide a chronological recap of our wonderful week.  But this would be something of a waste of time, as our days had a certain delightful quality of repetitiveness.  To wit:

• 7:30 – Wake-up.
• 7:31 – Realize I’m on vacation; go back to sleep.
• 10:30 – Wake up again; actually get out of bed.
• 11-ish – Breakfast…  Either make bagels and lox or head to Cheeky’s.
• Noon – Lay out by pool
• 12:01- Observe that it is now afternoon and therefore acceptable to start drinking beer and/or wine.
• 2:00 – Have a lie-down and/or rest my eyes.
• 3:00 – Observe that it is now mid-afternoon and therefore acceptable to start drinking cocktails. Continue drinking and/or napping until time for dinner.
• 7:30 – Head out to King’s Highway or El Mirasol for dinner.  Alternatively, stay home and barbecue something; discover I have rather a talent for grilling.
• 10:00 – Arrive at Toucan’s; dance until sweaty; drink beer; repeat.
• Midnight – Arrive home.  Optional: get into a fight with Chris over whether or not to listen the Pet Shop Boys (not recommended).

Should you find yourself in Palm Springs, I heartily endorse the schedule outlined above.

"Has anyone seen my Virginia Slims?"

As to some of the specifics of our stay, here’s some of the 4-1-1…

The House on George Drive

The view from the pool.

In a word, delightful.  A charming Alexander house, recently re-done – a wonderfully open main space with living and dining areas and a well-designed kitchen; three comfy bedrooms; two very nice bathrooms; and a lovely outdoor space with pool, lounges, firepit and dining area.  Seriously, it was fabulous – quiet, peaceful, relaxing.  This even despite the fact that we were pretty sure the ramshackle place next door – the one with the overgrown yard, a pool empty of water but containing a rusting mountain bike and some castoff gym equipment, a carport brimming with old sofas and a revolving assortment of brand new Lexuses parked in the driveway – was a meth lab (or at the very least a grow house).

Oh, and our place was a mere ten-minute stumble walk to Toucan’s and Dink’s.  Huge bonus points, obv…

Cheeky’s

We love everything about the place.  Well, except for the name.  And the sometimes meandering service.  But the food is fantastic.  I had chilaquiles one morning – very authentic, in that they did not contain eggs, just tortilla strips, chorizo and queso fresco in a homemade salsa.  It was both delicious and had amazing curative powers – my low-grade hangover was banished before I’d even finished my meal.  Another day I had a cheese-and-corn tamale topped with scrambled egg and napped with a house tomatillo salsa – simple and sublime.  This was the same day Chris declared his asparagus, corn and cheese scramble to be the best scramble he’d ever had – and I have to agree.  Too often scrambles are overwhelmed by their ingredients (especially gloppy cheese) – this one was perfectly balanced, with the eggs maintaining their proper place center-stage, the rest of the ingredients acting as the harmonious supporting cast.

We also shared the lemon-buttermilk waffles served with lemon curd and blackberries – and yes they were as delicious as they sound. Regrettably, I took no pictures – too focused on the amazing food, I guess…

King’s Highway

Chilaquiles at King's Highway

The Ace Hotel just opened in a former Howard Johnson’s down on East Palm Canyon.  Along with a hip re-do of the hotel, the old Denny’s coffee shop adjacent got the same treatment, offering simple locally sourced food at reasonable prices – and served by a team of super-dreamy waiters.

Had breakfast and a couple of dinners here.  Their version of chilaquiles, while very different than Cheeky’s, was also superb: eggs, tortillas, chorizo, crema, a zippy salsa.  At dinner, both the vegetarian black bean chili and the fish tacos were excellent.  Another night I had a steak sandwich, which I remember as being quite good – though I’d spent a bit of time in the Amigo Room, sampling margaritas, so my memory is not crystal clear…

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge

I suppose it almost sounds like it’s the only reason we go to Palm Springs.  And it might be close to that.  Chris and I have the most amazing time out on the dance floor – as does everyone around us!  For example, on our last night there, we had a total robot-off – with Chris winning per usual, since his skills doing the robot are unmatched and his lazy eye somehow adds to his authentic robotic-ness.

But seriously, this place has everything – drag shows (including a performance by Tammie Brown, our favorite contestant from RuPaul’s Drag Race…  and whom Chris stalked and chased into her dressing room introduced himself to and got some fab pix with…), piano bar nights (where my request for “Do, A Deer” was honored – both literally and figuratively), a tiny dance floor playing all our favorites (well, except for Pet Shop Boys – about which Chris got into something of argument with DJ Galaxy – again, not recommended to get into it with Chris when it comes to PSB…) and super-friendly staff and clientele.  Just fun, fun, fun…

Dink’s

The trademark red robe at Dink's - Kwell not included!

If Toucan’s is “fun, fun, fun”, then Dink’s is “weird, weird, weird – but still pretty fun”.  It’s kind of impossible to describe…  It’s a restaurant/bar/lounge with an outdoor lounge, an indoor lounge, a half-in/half-out lounge, VIP booths with bottle service (that no one does, meaning plebs like use can just sit in them drinking our Budweisers), live cabaret-style performances and a friendly staff.  And it caters primarily to old queens, retirees, cougars, middle-aged queens, groups of drunken twenty-something girls, young queens and yentas.  Oh, and the Dink’s signature? Providing patrons with hideous red fleece robes to wear on the patio – you know, to ward off the chill…  And the scabies are complimentary (I kid! I kid!).

Indian Canyons

Coolin' off our tootsies at an oasis...

A mere ten minute drive from downtown Palm Springs is the open desert, stark, mountainous, yet also dotted with some of the largest palm oases in North America.  We quite wisely chose to arrive at around noon on a day when the temperature topped out at about 103°.  Luckily for us, quite a few of the trails are easily walked and the palms of the oasis provided shelter and shade, as did the cooling water we found in a blessedly chilled rock cave and in a babbling stream further along.  It was a very nice visit – though getting an early start is probably a good idea.

Other Stuff

Always worthwhile to cruise the streets of the older sections of Palm Springs.  There are tons of beautifully restored and maintained Alexanders; the not-to-be-missed Kaufman House; the wonderful (though largely hidden) Dinah Shore Residence designed by Don Wexler; the charmingly quirky Del Marcos Hotel.

Also not to be missed is radio station KWXY at 98.5.  They have been broadcasting with the “beautiful music” format since the station was founded in 1964.  And it’s the perfect soundtrack for Palm Springs: 101 Strings, Percy Faith, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Mantovani…  My choice is to listen to it 24/7 – though Chris likes to play his Pet Shop Boys every now and again (best just to let him; see above)

At any rate, go to Palm Springs.  It’s hot – but it’s a dry heat…  Still not sure what that means, but I said it at least half a dozen times every day.  And as I sit here wearing a sweatshirt over a sweater over a shirt in my chilly apartment, I long to hear the dulcet tones of the KWXY announcer telling me that  “the current temperarture is 103° with a relative humidity of 9%”…

Do Ask, Do Tell – And Call the White House Today

Lieutenant Daniel Choi, a founding member of Knights Out, an organization of out lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) West Point Alumni, received a letter from the Department of the Army on April 23, discharging him from the Army due to his sexual orientation.  Today, he published an open letter to President Obama and to all members of Congress, which reads in part:

I have personally served for a decade under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: an immoral law and policy that forces American soldiers to deceive and lie about their sexual orientation. Worse, it forces others to tolerate deception and lying. These values are completely opposed to anything I learned at West Point. Deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a fighting force.

As an infantry officer, an Iraq combat veteran and a West Point graduate with a degree in Arabic, I refuse to lie to my commanders. I refuse to lie to my peers. I refuse to lie to my subordinates. I demand honesty and courage from my soldiers. They should demand the same from me.

It frankly boggles the mind that as the United States is in the midst of fighting two wars, highly qualified individuals are being booted from the military.  Dan Choi is both a combat veteran and an Arab linguist  – exactly the type of soldier we need in the Army.

I hope you’ll join me today in calling the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111 and urging President Obama not to fire Lt. Dan Choi; and to keep his promise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

from CNN via Towleroad