April
1 April 2008 Tuesday
Tim Keller wrote
me that it's retreat time for the Logan
Gay Club at Bear Lake and he wanted to invite me to come on up even though they
have all their presenters lined up. It’s this Friday through Sunday at the Bear
Lake Center. I replied to Tim “Thanks
for thinking of me. If the weather is good I will try to come up Saturday. It
would be good to see you again.” It all depends on how I am feeling then I
suppose.
2 April 2008 Wednesday
I went to the doctors last Friday and Stoneburner said I had made a 100 per cent recovery from the bell's
palsy. I went back to work about 2 weeks ago but I think staying home for two
weeks is what really made my recovery speedier. It did make March zoom by for sure.
Kimberlee Gile my
former neighbor and her daughter came down and spent two weekends with us but
like the old saying is you can never go home again.
I've spent much
of my time home doing genealogy. I can't leave those old dead people alone. Well
winter’s over; time to start thinking about yard work again.
3 April 2008 Thursday
As avid stargazers, the ancient
Maya were keen to an astrological cycle we call the Precession of the
Equinoxes. This is close to a 26,000 year cycle in which Earth transits through
each of the 12 signs of the zodiac for about 2152 years each.
Each of these
astrological ages represents one month of the grand, Cosmic Year. Sumerians,
Tibetans, Egyptians, Cherokees, Hopi, and Mayans refer to this same 26,000 year
cycle in their mystical belief systems and each have developed calendars based
on this great cycle.
It's the end of
the World as we know it 21 December 2012. Mark your calendars. Don't Drink,
Don't Smoke, What Do You Do?
I answered this
quiz on line regarding questions about Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude,
Justice, Temperance, and Prudence.
FAITH
1. What religion
do you follow? Live and let live religion
2. What religion
were you raised as? mostly Church of Christ, non Sunday School, joined the
Mormons during a particularly crazy time in my life, left that, went to Quaker
meetings for a while which I identify with the most, started a Radical Faerie
group called the Sacred Faeries for 4 years, and now am eclectic
3. Do you
believe that forgiveness is a religious property, or a human property? Secular,
because most religions are the least forgiving
4. Do you
believe in magic? real magic not magician magic
5. What was the
last promise you broke? I don’t make promises.
6. Do you
believe that anyone could be perfect? No put I have seen some perfect penises
in my time.
HOPE
1. Did you get
everything you wanted over the last holiday season? Didn’t want anything
2. Regarding
your future, what is the best thing you could hope for? Continued good health
and retirement in five years if the economy can bounce back under the
democrats.
3. Do you let
yourself get your hopes up for something even if you know that there is a large
chance of failure? What Gay man doesn’t?
4. Have you ever
bought a lottery ticket? Nope
5. Do you
gamble? Just the sluts I mean slots occasionally when I visit Vegas to see Mom
6. Have you ever
had something called off on account of bad weather, but then gone ahead and
done it anyway? No
CHARITY
1. What causes
do you support? Animal Shelters
2. What causes
have you given money or time to? Human Rights Organization, Utah AIDS
Foundation, Utah Stonewall Community Center, Humane Society.
3. Have you ever
worked in a soup kitchen or done another kind of outreach for the homeless?
Yes. I use to help serve Sunday breakfast to the homeless under the viaduct in
SLC.
4. Would you
ever consider joining the Peace Corps, Amnesty International, or another
travel-inherent worldwide charity group? Probably not at my age and couldn’t
leave my dogs.
5. Do you give
money to the homeless on the street? Occasionally
6. Have you ever
helped out a friend with basic needs, like rent or food? Yes
7. What's the
greatest extent you've gone to help a friend in need? I’ve taken people in, got
them jobs, bought clothes, shoes, did their term papers.
FORTITUDE
1. What are you
most afraid of? Dying before my dogs and not finishing all my writings.
2. What did you
do today that was really brave? Got up to face a new day of with 31 5th graders
3. Who is your
favorite super hero, and why? Superman. Need you ask. (actually it’s the curl
on his forehead more then the bulge in his crotch that made me go weak in the
knees for him)
4. Would you put
your life in danger to rescue someone? I once drag a kid in from a parking lot
that was having the shit kicked out of him by some Mexican gang back in 1972
and I attacked a gay basher who hit a friend of mine in the side of the face.
5. If you were
to face the Wizard of Oz, would you want more courage, more brains, or more
heart? More courage I have brains and a heart
6. Have you ever
gotten stage fright? I don’t perform and being a teacher I can generally steady
myself to talk to an audience.
7. Do you
consider yourself to be a leader or a follower? A leader but no one follows
anymore.
JUSTICE
1. Have you ever
been summoned for jury duty? yes, put I never go.
2. If they
reinstituted the draft (for both genders), would you go, or would find some way
out of it? I was in the draft. Stayed in college full time kept the 3.00 GPA
required and did term papers for John Cunningham so they wouldn’t take him.
3. Do you
support capital punishment (the death penalty)? Not sure. Probably not
4. Which should
be guaranteed legal: cocaine, marijuana, heroin? All taxed and regulated.
5. Do you
believe that Dubya is rightfully President of the USA? 2nd term yes first term
no.
6. What was your
favorite media circus trial? Watergate
TEMPERANCE
1. What do you
have the hardest time moderating yourself on? Diet coke
2. Do you
collect anything? Dead people
3. Are you
addicted to anything? Diet coke and sex
4. Have you ever
put anything on layaway or used an installment plan? Of course…ever heard of a
mortgage?
5. What's your
preferred method of paying for things? Debit card
6. Tell us one
thing you wish you hadn't let yourself do: get fat and bald too late
7. Do you feel
that you obsess over things? Writing letters to the editor
PRUDENCE
1. Who is the
wisest person you know? myself
2. Have you ever
participated in a vigil? Yes
3. Do you take
advice when it's given? Only from a close friend
4. What area are
you wisest in? people
5. Do you drive
defensively? One eye on the road one eye on the rear view mirror and I hate
people who drive and talk on cell phones.
6. Have you ever
had unprotected sex outside of marriage? Yes how else can you use a can of
Crisco?
7. What did you
learn today? ...surveys are long and I must be bored.
5 April 2008 Saturday
Moses aka Charlton Heston died
today. “Get your hands off of me you damned ape”… “Soylent Green is People”. I
liked him as a actor but was disappointed when he became a spokesman for the
National Rife Association.
10 April 2008 Thursday
I took the day
off which I usually do for my birthday. I don’t like the fuss they make over it
at school.
Michael Romero
didn’t even wish me a happy birthday. Mark Swonson wrote me wishing me a Happy
Birthday and I replied, “Thanks for remembering...turned 57. In March I had an
attack of Bell's Palsy and my left side of my face was paralyzed. I've
recovered but it wasn't any fun.”
Mark answered “I
am sorry about that I haven't heard. I hope your health is much better now. Let’s
get together now that spring/summer is here. Thank goodness for the warmth of
the sun and having those hot guys shirts off wearing tight shorts too.”
I responded, “it's
supposed to be almost 80 this next week maybe we will see some skin.”
My cousin Stephanie
also wished me a Happy Birthday. She
wrote, “I hope you are feeling better and you are doing something fun on your
birthday. I just got to work and I am going to be really busy here this week
and next.”
“David has so
much going on with 2 science projects. One going to be a kind of robotic thing
we are going to build, the other a life science thing to see if a lizard is
drawn to different colors that refract thru an aquarium. Friday he is camping
out at school over night for an astronomy night. Gosh I wish I could go. Oh to
be a kid again. They do such cool stuff.”
“Mom is working
her tail off but is wanting to go to Vegas again with a friend. Me, I am just
work, work, work right now till I get a year in with this new position.”
“I got to check
in with everyone here, I'll hope to hear from you. You take care and I really
think of you often. I'm just terrible about writing. Love to you Cuz, Stephanie
Williams Integration Lead Space Simulation Lab, El Segundo.”
I wrote back: We
are all terrible about keeping up but the world keeps us busy and you are still
a "Mom" so you are super busy.
Sounds like David is doing great things.
I've recovered from the Bell's Palsy which wasn't any fun. Dr said I recovered fast so staying home and
resting paid off.”
Spring is
finally here and so yard work is rearing its ugly head. No I really don't hate yard work it's just
that I am getting older and it's harder to keep up a house and yard and four
dogs too....but it keeps me happy.”
I've been
playing on Ancestry.com a lot and putting all our genealogy onto that site and
playing with it. Genealogy is my form of relaxation. Kind of like jigsaw
puzzles and playing detective. If you hear from Terrie tell her bunch hi... nothing really new going on...
Mom's going in
for some bladder infection tests...I imagine your mom is busy as hell with tax
season...
Well I hope you do something fun and don't
wear yourself out working yourself to death. Our gene pool isn't the best...
for longevity that is...LOL Love ya and take care Cuz Jr.
PS thanks for
the BD wishes. I turned 57, fat and sassy...oh well can't complain...poor old
Larry Fagen and Greg Williams didn't get to make it this far. I think Larry
would have gotten really fat and Greg really bald...LOL.”
Chuck Whyte
wrote me asking whether I had any information in my files on who received the
Golden Spike Community Service Awards for 2002,2003,and 2004.”
I sent him what
I had then added,
“Why doesn't
your fucking organization keep track of this shit? Oh I guess because its
meaningless!”
Donald Steward also
better known these days as Ruby Ridges has started her own Bingo fundraiser. He
wrote “People! It's been almost six months since I last hosted bingo at first
Baptist Church and due to the large numbers of requests and messages of
support, I am glad to announce that I (Ruby Ridge) will be starting bingo back
up again at First Baptist Church next Friday (April 18th) with my cohorts Chevy
Suburban and friends.”
“The event will
be every Third Friday of the month, at the same location (777 South 1300 East),
at the same time (7PM). It will be similar to the Gay Bingo that I hosted for
the last three years for the Center but there will be a number of big changes
and surprises.”
“Third Friday
Bingo will feature entertainment and variety as well as our bingo games. Our
first guests performing next week are
the Salt Lake Men's Choir. The proceeds from Third Friday Bingo still go to
charity but the event is not a program of the Utah Pride Center or the Utah
Cyber Sluts. “
Their bingo is
usually held on the second Friday of the month and I would encourage you to
support them as well. The way I see it, there is plenty of demand and plenty of
audience to keep both venues full and prosperous. Please forward this news to
your friends, co-workers, and family, and we look forward to entertaining you!
Thanks.”
12 April 2008
Saturday
I was kicked off the Salt Lake
Tribune Comment board from fussing with the conservatives who complained about
my acerbic witty comments. The world will have to wag on without me.
18 April 2008
Friday
I finally broke down and went to
Bingo with Ben Anderson who went as Bunny his dizzy campy drag queen persona. Mattia
Lumaca didn’t want to go as I think he’s kind of embarrassed by Bunny. I wanted
to support Donald Steward’s new effort after he had a falling out with the old
Cyber Sluts.
19 April 2008
Saturday
I wrote to Mark Swonson because I
just read in the Q Salt Lake that the Pillar had folded and I knew that Mark
was still involved with Todd Dayley. I asked, “ What happened? Did Todd Dayley finally
say call it a day? Do you have a copy of
the last issue? BTW It was good to see you last night.”
Mark Swonson
replied to me: Todd hasn't published since last October 2007. He was under a
lot of pressure from work and that’s why he stopped publishing. Otherwise,
haven't talked to him to much since that time. He has kept to himself and his
boyfriend Randy. I have called but he hasn't returned any messages. It was nice
seeing you out and about at Bingo. Hugs,
Mark
I wrote then wrote Donald Steward: Just
wanted to say how wonderful you and Chevy played off each other last night and
know it was a lot of work for the 2 of you no matter what you say. I really hate bingo so for me to go out of a
Friday night to play it says a lot about your drawing power...and besides Ben
Anderson (Bunny), who left for Colorado
with his Italian husband for the weekend, wanted me to go with him so I did.
I met Bert, the wig maker, for the first time
last night and was fascinated that he had made the wigs for the Love Birds
too. I told him I first met you when you
were still a communication major at BYU from Australia. Met you at Beau Chaine's
Aardvark where you were volunteering; you red head flannel wearing handsome
devil.
I also read your
article in the Q and I love it and understand that it is tongue in cheek but I
just wanted you and Michael Aaron to know I was there from day one.
I even sent in
three articles to Brandon Burt prior to the April 1st deadline so he would have
them as he needed them... but he left me out of the first issues later telling
me that he misplaced them....
I want you to
know I was extremely let down after attending the Monaco Party kickoff party and
as I was expecting to see my column in print and then found out it wasn't
published, it felt like cold water in my face but still pressing on, principles
over personalities, I wrote a column for every issue of the Q ever since whether they got printed or not. That was not
up to me. They were turned in. I even had two featured articles The Lost Boys
and sealing Men to Men besides the column....
When Michael left the Metro to go start the Q
I went with him and he knows I've never received a dime nor asked for one. At a
staff meeting I was once given a W2 form and I said what for? I've never
received a cent for my contributions and told Michael that as long as he wasn't
making money I didn't need any either.
I don't know if you remember but I asked you
once if you were getting paid and you said you did but it was pittance. My column was still a part of my sense of
volunteerism.
I also want you to know I went on
"sabbatical" last September when I could not hold up any more after
learning that my long ago love of life had died, with Chad and Kathy having
died also. I was on the verge of becoming clinical depressed because everything
was making me weep.
I guess also it made me think who am I writing
for anyway? I never got any feed back on
anything I wrote unless it was Babs de Lay complaining.
My columns were
never me simply spouting opinions like but researched information that I wanted
to share about our community. It would
take me days to write and edit what I wanted to share. So yeah I guess after
writing this I am feeling hurt...that my contributions to helping Michael with
content for his paper doesn't seem to count and am not among the honored few.
When I stopped
writing I wonder why a couple of the old columns couldn't have been reprinted?
I know this community can be harsh but take a few months off and you are
forgotten?.
Donald Steward wrote back: Ben, Thanks for the letter. I always
appreciate hearing from you as I really respect your opinion (being one of the
real community lions with some well earned battle scars out there!).
My article was
seriously tongue in cheek/glib because I thought Michael was going to make more
of a big deal about the history and anniversary of the paper. I am in the same
boat as you. I got about 4 or 5 checks from Metro and was never paid after the
Lavender book debacle, and I never felt it was necessary (although Michael has
been really good to me by giving me ad space for the Dog Show which is nice).
I worry that the
new magazine format is going to make any article over 300 words a target, and I
personally think we have waaaay too many opinion columns and not enough
substance, but oh well.
I think the best
work Metro and Q ever did were the long research kind of articles like yours
(community history, meth, church issues) that no one else was doing. It was
amazing how many of those articles were picked up by City Weekly (God love
Brandon), other media and even the web & blogs. I'm surprised Michael never
pushed those further.
ANYHOO.....(to
quote Tony Hobday), what are you doing for brunch tomorrow? Dick and I would
love to take you out to graze. If you can make it, we will be at Salt Lake
Pizza and Pasta in Sugarhouse at 1PM (they make a mean huevos ranchero with
black beans and salsa!). Let me know (Cell 597-9844) or home/kennel 250-2553. Love.
Don.
I replied: I've
always wanted to try that place...I'll be there and I'll see if Michael (Romero
not Aaron) wants to come. Thank you for
wanting to buy brunch but save your money for the pooches that really need it
and let me buy my own okay? Your company will be the treat.
20 April 2008
Sunday
Mike Romero and I went out to
lunch with Donald Steward and his partner at Ambers on 33rd South
and 2nd East.
21 April 2008
Monday
I sent Rich Butler a Happy
Anniversary message .
Richard Butler wrote me: Our anniversary is on April 29th and all is well so far. thanks for remembering! You always have a knack for special days.
22 April 2008-30 April 2008
No Entries
MAY
1 May 2008-4 May 2008
No entries
5 May 2008 Monday
Jennifer Sanchez a reporter from
the Tribune contacted me for an article on Pride Day.
6 May 2008 Tuesday
The race for the Democratic
nomination for President is a tight one between Senator Hilary Clinton and a
black Senator Barack Obama. I would really like Clinton to become President so
that in my Mom’s life time a woman was elected President
9 May 2008 Friday
Dr. Kristen Ries Community
Service Award 2008 Nominees
Nominee: Stan Penfold
Nominator: Jackie Biskupski
Stan Penfold is
the Executive Director of the Utah AIDS Foundation and has served in this
position since 1999. He also served as Associate Director for UAF from
1994-1999 and in that capacity was directly responsible for their extensive
volunteer program.
Stan has been
heavily involved in the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt for many years and
helped coordinated the national display of more than 50,000 quilt panels in
Washington D.C. in 1996.
Stan is directly
involved in the planning and evaluation process for all Utah AIDS Foundation
programming. He has worked extensively with the United Way of Salt Lake and
serves on the local United Way Program Outcomes Mentoring Team, training other
non-profit agencies and staff in the use and implementation of Outcome
Measurements and Program Logic Models.
Stan also
provides Outcome Evaluation training for the Utah Nonprofit Association. He has
extensive facilitation experience and provides training to nonprofit boards,
agency staff, and volunteer organizations.
Stan is a past
president of the United Way Executive Directors Association and serves on the
National Library of Medicine Regional Advisory Committee. He is also a
professional mentor with the Fieldstone Foundation.
Stan is a former
board member of the Utah Stonewall Center and current board member of the Utah
Nonprofit Association. He is the Principal Investigator for the NLM Internet
Access to Digital Libraries Grant. He serves on the Utah Department of Health
Community Planning Committee and is past Chair for the Utah State HIV Housing
Committee (HOPWA). He is the Residential Chair for SLC Zoning Rewrite Committee
(ZRC) and serves on the Salt Lake City Community Development Corporation Board
of Trustees. This man is everywhere and helping our community at every turn. He
has earned the recognition.
Nominee: Ruby Ridge
Nominator: Laura Gray – nomination Seconded: Jane Marquardt
I would like to
nominate Ruby Ridge and the Cyber Sluts for the Kristen Ries award this year.
If this award can only go to an individual and not the Cyber Sluts in mass,
then I nominate Ruby Ridge. For years, Ruby Ridge and the Cyber Sluts have been
entertaining us and the greater community, at gay bingo and many other events,
and donating the proceeds to worthy GLBT causes.
Q Salt Lake
recently ran a story detailing their dedication and accomplishments (all done
in 6 inch heels, stockings and beehives, a feat beyond most of us) and I was
really impressed. Along with raising money for worthy causes, they entertain us
and help us keep our sense of humor. I hope they get the recognition they
deserve by receiving this award.
Nominee: Dr. Harry
Rosado Nominator: Kristen Ries and Maggie Snyder
We
enthusiastically nominate Dr Harry Rosado for the 2008 Dr Kristen Ries
Community Service Award. Dr Rosado is an Infectious Disease doctor at Clinic 1A
at the University of Utah. Although he seems shy, he is a long- term
compassionate caregiver to many people with HIV/AIDS. In 1986, just out of his
medical training, he arrived to practice in Belle Glade, Florida, an AIDS
epicenter at the height of the new epidemic now known as HIV. He worked hard
not only as a scientific medical doctor but was compassionate about what care
each patient got. He was very disturbed about how some of the HIV patients were
treated by others and to this day remains as a role model of providing the best
and humanistic care to all people. He came to Utah in 1994 to enter the U’s
training program in Infectious Diseases in order to provide better care to his
patients. We first met Harry in 1994 when we moved our HIV practice to the
University. It was immediately apparent that he was not only an excellent
doctor, but that he was totally sure to provide compassionate and trusting
patient centered care to all. He understands and respects all humans and is
especially sensitive to LGBT issues. He is sure not only that the care he gives
is appropriate but is a role model to colleagues and future caregivers in
genuine and compassionate care. He currently serves as a volunteer member of
the Salt Lake Valley Board of Health where he represents us well. He remains
passionate and never gives up in striving for improvements in the care of “Our
People.”
Nominee: Mike Picardi
Nominator: Adam Bass -
To the past recipients of the Dr. Ries Community Service Award: There is no person in Utah more deserving of the 2008 Dr. Ries Community Service Award than Mike Picardi. I first met Mike at a meeting to strategize for hate crimes legislation in early 2002. Senator Alicia Suazo and Representative David Litvack spoke at the meeting. Representative Jackie Biskupski introduced me to Mike. I recall Mike working the room – and as I suspect everyone reading this letter will know already – it seemed like Mike knew everyone. Not only that, but he has a way of making everyone feel welcome, with his friendly and gregarious nature. At that point, Mike was already invested in the leadership of Utah Stonewall Democrats for years. He was also part of the core group of strategist that met on regularly with legislators to strategize for the eventual 2006 passage of hate crimes legislation in Utah. Mike has been an emissary on Capitol Hill and in City and County government buildings for the LGBT community of Utah. Mike is one of the most recognizable faces for LGBT equality among Utah’s elected officials. His partisanship never limited his leadership ability. Mike built strong relationships with Republicans, like Mark Shurtleff and Eric Jergensen to help push LGBT issues with those across the aisle. Not only did Mike dedicate a decade of leadership to the Utah Stonewall Democrats, but he’s been actively involved in numerous other community organizations. Mike has used his own upholstery furniture business to selflessly support other organizations behind the scenes. His company outfitted Equality Utah’s first offices – getting them up and running in style. M. Picardi Furniture is responsible for furnishing Queer Lounge in Park City. Hardly a silent auction has been held by any LGBT organization in the past 15 years that has not included at least one item from M. Picardi Furniture (formerly HMT). His generosity of time and talents are only surpassed by one thing: his heart. Mike Picardi has been the visible face in every crowd – whether that be at Coronation for the Golden Spike Empire or every Utah AIDS Foundation and People with AIDS Coalition event. He’s been a presence in every LGBT and political circle in Utah for so long that when he stepped down as Chairman of Utah Stonewall Democrats in 2006, his absence in those circles was noted by many. Mike Picardi is still active in the LGBT community – continuing his support of LGBT causes and issues from a less prominent role. There are many great community activists who deserve recognition, but as each of you know (as past recipients) there is a level of contribution that goes far beyond the average volunteer – beyond a contribution of time, talents, and money. That contribution of one’s passion, soul, spirit, and heart is what makes the Dr. Ries Community Service Award recipients stand out from the crowd. Mike Picardi is just such a giant in our community, and I hope you will honor that contribution this year, by selecting him to join your ranks.
Nominee: Mike
Thompson Nominator: Doug Wortham –
I nominate Mike Thompson. As
executive director of Equality Utah, he has lead our politics to the highest
levels of professionalism and efficiency. All of the state's political bodies
have high regard for Equality Utah. Whatever be the anti-gay legislation at
hand, the battle against it is always fought at the highest level of
sophistication and professionalism. As one of the founders of Equality Utah, I
can tell you that Mike has
accomplished all and more of what I and other founders had dreamed for this
organization.
13 May 2008
Tuesday
I voted for Donald Steward for
the Kristen Ries Award however I heard Stan Penfold got it. Donald Stewart
embodied the type of person for whom the
award was created, volunteer service to the community while Penfold is the paid
director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. The award wasn’t meant to be given to
people for doing their jobs.
I guess they are
only giving it to professional gays these days instead of people who truly do
community service.
I don't trust
the voting process anymore... Kevin Hillman, Kelly Byrnes, Brooke Heartsong,
Bruce Harmon and Barton, Val Mansfield, and Chuck Whyte weren't even notified
until I tracked them down (never could get a good email address for Mansfield)
and emailed them about the voting which Valerie Larabee gave only 2 and a half days
to look over the nominees and vote. Hell it took me a day just to contact who I
did so I wonder how many people actually voted or knew about it in time. I know
the Pride people didn't bother to check.
In fact Brooke
chewed me out about not being notified blah blah blah and I said look I don't
even have anything to do with it I was just being a good person by letting you
know, so bitch at Valerie not me.
Actor John Philp
Law died today. He was so beautiful in his prime and I remember him from
Barbarella and The Sergeant, the love infatuation of Rod Steiger.
14 May 2008
Wednesday
Today is the
first anniversary of John Cunningham’s death although I did not learn of it
until months later. True love never dies. Until we meet again.
15 May 2008
Thursday
California legalized Gay marriage
after the state's Supreme Court overruled a previous ban unconstitutional.
California is the second state after Massachusetts to legalize Gay Marriage.
Watch
for homophobic knee jerk reactions from the Mormon Church.
16 May 2008 Friday
I attended Gay Bingo at the First
Baptist Church and talked to Mark Swonson who is really depressed over being
out of work with no prospects. He was even talking suicide which alarmed me. He
was entirely broke so I took him to the ATM machine afterwards and gave him
$200. Dave Malmstrom once gave me $200 once when I was so broke and desperate
back in 1988 so I am just passing it on to another Gay activist.
After getting
home I wrote Courtney Moser: I thought Kelly might want to know that Bruce
Barton is back in the hospital
Courtney Moser
wrote me: Ben, Thanks for letting us know.
It was nice seeing you tonight at Bingo. Do you know any details? What's going On? All I have is Bruce Harmon's
E-mail address. Do you have any other
contact information? We need to get together sometime. Courtney
I guess Ben
Anderson’s "Bunny" persona made quite an impression at Donald Steward's
bingo that he's being requested to ride in the Gay Pride Day Parade. Whoops are we allowed to call it Gay Pride
anymore? I thought it was quite an
admission that Pride Day supposedly never made a profit under the direction of
the Center.
I remember when
the Community Council held Gay Pride Day committee accountable and always made
a profit to plough back in to for the next year Gay Pride. Oh well those days are gone.
17 May 2008 Saturday
I sent Nova Star [John Griffin] some
pictures I had of Chad Keller because he wanted to do a tribute to Chad for the
Coronation program.
Mark Swonson is struggling looking for work
so I wrote him: Mike Romero
said that Napa is hiring drivers and office workers....apply at HRC at 13th
South and about 2nd west big blue building. Use Mike Romero as a reference...
doesn't pay much but might help with bills until some opens up again...
ASC over here on
2200 West by 17th North has a big banner out saying they’re hiring...not sure
what they do. Have you applied for food stamps yet?
You're a good
democrat you've earned it and we have been paying in to it for years... Have
you been up to the U...they are a state job and usually have something going
on. Take Care and be of good cheer. You have nothing to fear but fear
itself!-FDR
Mark Swonson wrote back to me: Hi
Ben- I have applied up at the U of U,
State of Utah, as well other companies. I will try Napa for office workers and
see what I can find. No I haven't applied for food stamps yet? But really don't
want to if at all possible. I will try ASC to but I need to make at least
$12.00 an hour because prior to that I was making $15.52 so either way I still
might loose my vehicle or trade down depending on what I will be making.
I was going to
write you today and say "Thanks" again for the gift. That was very
sweet of you to do that for me. Thanks again for letting me open up about what
I am feeling inside about all this... Hugs and Friends, Mark
I replied, Mark I know what despair
is...but don't give up. The world is a better place because you are in it. In March 1988 I put $300 down to reserve
Camp Rogers for a summer retreat. It was all the money I had in the world
because the feds were garnishing my wages because of my ex wife.
I had bought a
car from a co-worker for $500 just a month earlier, but the very next week
after putting that money down my company folded within 3 days. It was Utah
Title. Never received a last pay check and although we were told to go file for
unemployment it would be nearly 3 weeks before I'd see a dime. I was stone broke, couldn't pay rent, no
groceries...and had no savings to my name because of Beyond Stonewall. I was living on people buying space at the
retreat but that was $20 here $30 there.
In May Bruce Harmon's family history company
hired me to free lance genealogy and I was making about $400 a month. I was applying every where for a teaching job
during the summer and kept getting turned down...finally in early August I was
hired to teach in Davis County at Sunset Elementary near Ogden. Three days later my car was stolen
in front of the In-Between.
Then my
emotional support John Reeve couldn't find work anywhere with his PhD and
bailed for Boston and I was crushed. I
found the bus routes to Sunset was an hour and 1/2 each way, that's with the
walking. I had to be at the bus downtown by 5:30 to be sure I was at work by
7:30.
Although I had a
job, teachers are only paid monthly and I found out that I wouldn't receive a
paycheck until October 1st even though I started working in mid August. Why I
am telling you this is that David Malmstrom who used to lead Affirmation sold
his Trans Am and he gave me $200 from the sale when he heard from Russ Lane
that I was going to have to go 1 and 1/2 month with out any money. He had attended Beyond Stonewall and it so
moved him that he wanted to help me.
Sometimes it
looks like everyone is getting what they want but appearances are deceptive.
People are in loveless marriages for the sake of a little security, people have
found true love but it's in Italy...
You are one of
the kindest people I know but I never mistake kindness for weakness... you will
get through this...it's only things, and new things come...you are bright...you
have your health...and believe it or not you are still young...
When I first
came out and I was beside myself because things were not coming as fast I
wanted or needed. This Gay acquaintance shared this poem with me. It touched my
very soul and I often repeat stanzas to myself when I feel the world has turned
bleak. It's called Waiting by John Burrough
Waiting Serene,
I fold my hands and wait, Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more
'gainst time or fate, For lo! my own shall come to me.
I stay my haste,
I make delays, For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the
eternal ways, And what is mine shall know my face.
Asleep, awake,
by night or day, The friends I seek are seeking me;
No wind can
drive my bark astray, Nor change the tide of destiny.
What matter if I
stand alone? I wait with joy the coming years;
My heart shall
reap where it hath sown And garner up its fruit of tears.
The waters know
their own and draw The brook that springs in yonder height;
So flows the
good with equal law Unto the soul of pure delight.
The stars come
nightly to the sky; The tidal wave unto the sea;
Nor time, nor
space, nor deep, nor high, Can keep my own away from me.
18 May 2008 Sunday
Mattia Lumaca had to return to Italy because his temporary
visa expired and he wrote to me his phone numbers so that I could contact him
in case Ben Anderson gets sick. “Hi Ben,
here are my numbers you can call me I case of emergency. My Italian number, compose +393202216125 My American
number, (I still will have it until Ben comes) 801 906 1238 My brother's
number, he speaks a little English, compose +393487485762 Ciao Ben and thanks
for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hugs and kisses, Mattia.
I wrote Mattia
Lumaca back : Hope you made it home safely and are getting some rest...Ben's
been resting too...Yesterday it was 95 degrees and now its 50 degrees a big
drop. Take care of yourself and
remember us. Your friend Ben Williams
24 May 2008
Saturday
Mike
Romero and I went and picked Ben Anderson up to go to Virgil’s fish house in
Taylorsville for lunch. He gave me all the spices that Mattia Lumaca left behind
when he returned to Italy.
I made a spaghetti
for dinner using them for Ben who spent the night.
Dick Martin of
Rowan and Martin fame died today. You can bet your sweet bippee.,
25 May 2008 Sunday.
Ben Anderson, Mike Romero, and I went
to a Vegan place called Vertical Diner for breakfast. It was awful. The
pancakes were tasteless and tofu for eggs with lots of curry in their fried
potatoes I guess to give them some flavor.... yuck...
Ben
left to go to the movie with his son Jared Anderson and his wife Megan.
26 May 2008 Monday
Today is memorial day so no
school. it rained and rained for much of the day so we all stayed home. Ben
Anderson said the Pride Parade wants him to ride in the Parade dressed as Bunny
his drag persona!
27 May 2008 Tuesday
Back to work but soon it will be
over, but not soon enough for the kids who have already checked out mentally.
Ben Anderson is
not feeling well today; has a touch of stomach flu I think He said he has
medicine and some soup so I will check in on him tomorrow.
I wrote Mattia
Lumaca to tell him about Ben and how he showed us pictures of Mattia’s home in
Italy. It looks warm and cozy for a bear.
Mattia replied: My
Ben is eating out …crap stuff without me, I knew that.....I am glad that he ate
with you sometimes! This is the first reason for his stomach pain. I am happy
that you like the home in Italy, yes it is very warm and country....it is small
but it is perfect for two, we always have upstairs! Your Italian friend bear,
Mattia.
I met with Jennifer
Sanchez the Tribune Reporter at Cafe Marmalade with the Pride Center on Third West. She was doing a story on Gays in schools. I
told her the reality is that many parents in this state do not want
their child being taught by a Gay person.
I said, I've
been on television twice.. the last time was speaking at the Matthew Shepard
vigil at the state capitol on hate crimes in Utah. After it aired my principal called me into
her office and even though she was supported of me she told me of the concern
of other teachers that I would be fired, and that she had to field phone calls
from upset parents.
The first time I
was on television it was in 1989 when I was reading names for the AIDS Quilt
and I had my students asking if it was me and I just brushed it off saying oh
everyone has a twin.
From that point
I vowed that it would be better for my career in Utah not to have a picture of
me in the paper where parents could stare at it and figure out that this Gay
man is Mr. Williams.
It was not that
long ago that Wendy Weaver nearly lost her job being out as a Lesbian and it
took the ACLU and her being dragged through personal hell for her to keep her
job and she was a secondary teacher. You
can imagine the uproar about an elementary teacher.
I know many,
many Gay and Lesbian teachers however I know of none except some at Rowland
Hall, a private school, that are out at work.
I am not totally
paranoid... I do have a picture that goes along with my history column, Lambda
Lore in the QSalt Lake... but I am not ready to have my picture in the SL Tribune
until after I retire.
In a state where
many equate homosexuality with pedophilia and recruitment I am not ready to let
my conservative predominately Mormon clientele at my school know that their
teacher is a big homo.
I once went to a Gay party where the father of
one my students was attending without me knowing it, and he was pretty
surprised to see me there too but I just went up to him and had a parent
teacher conference with him about his son.
I feel like I
can serve the Gay community better by being employed then being unemployed.
That is one of the realities of living in Utah.
Mattia Lumaca wrote me from Italy saying: Hello Ben I am MATTIA how are you
doing? I knew that you're calling BEN often, I am glad for that...you are a
very nice man!! Do you have messenger? if you have my address is mattialumaca@hotmail.com bye, hugs,
and kisses MATTIA
29 May 2008
Thursday
I wrote to Mark Swanson:
It was good to see you at the Pride Center. Sorry didn't get to talk. That
woman was a reporter from the Tribune who had been trying to track me down for
a story on Pride Day. I have been really busy with trying to wind up school for
the year. Tomorrow is my last day. Hope you are doing well and things are
starting to break for you.... take care
Mark Swanson
Replied: Hi Ben- It was good see you as
well. I have had 2 interviews last and this week and 3 coming next week. So I
am pretty busy it with that. I just want to land a decent job that pays well
and where I can finally stay for awhile and possibly retire from instead of job
hopping every 6 years. Otherwise getting ready for all the Pride activities and
all that good stuff. Lets get together for bite and conversation.... Hugs, Mark
Michael Aaron said that at Coronation some
people were being pissy about Chad Keller being memorialized in their pageant
pamphlet and he was deleted from it. I heard he called some people out over it
and I called Michael and said I was glad he stood up for Chad as he
stood up for a lot of us. Michael said “I’d love to have a bullshit session
with you! Let’s do it soon after Pride”
I got on the
horn to Chuck "Mr. Prince Royale Ass" Whyte and asked why the hell
Chad was omitted from the coronation program... I said who ever was responsible
should be held accountable and apologize. He said he didn't know who it was and
that he would personally take care of it and find out who it was.
I am mad enough
to write a column on tacky moments in the RC history with the slight of Chad
Keller being one of them. They can honor a fire bombing Princess Royale,
forgive fiduciary indiscretions of former Empresses, elect a former felon as a
Emperor, shove enough coke up their royal noses to sink the Titanic but they
can't place an in memoriam to Chad who lived for that out fit.... what a sorry
bunch of royal jackasses.
When Bobby
Childers was stepping down it was all of Chad’s elegant crap that set the
stage. I know because I had to help Chad haul it all back to his place. They
sure knew how to use Chad when he was alive and now that he's dead... out with
the garbage? What a lack of class. Oh
well so much for ranting.
Bruce Harmon
said he put Bruce Barton back in the hospital. So I wonder if they make it to
Coronation this year.
Harvey Korman
the wonderful comedian of the Carol Burnett Show died age 81
30 May 2008 Friday
Chuck Whyte sent me his new Royal
Court titles; “Prince Royale: Chuck Whyte The Ruby Hearted Diamond Friendly
Dragon Prince Royale, Prince Royale XXXIII; Chuck Whyte DeBeers Cheesecake.
Chevy Bolinder’s
is “The Ruby Glittered Diamond Hearted Golden Dragon of Comedy, Princess Royale
XXXIII Chevy Suburban Vaughn DeBeers Cheesecake”
June
1 June 2008-2 June 2008
No Entry
3 June 2008 Tuesday
I called mom on her birthday. She’s 79 years old now. She said that
Charline and Dennis are okay and that Denise Wachs came up from Arizona last
weekend to spend some time with her. Mom said it’s starting to get hot down
there in Vegas.
Barack Obama won the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination securing
enough delates over Hilary Clinton. I really would have liked to have seen
Clinton as the first woman president but if Obama wins in November he will be the
first African American presidential and that's good..
4 June 2008 Wednesday
Mattias Lumaca must have been
horny. He sent me some nude pictures of himself and I sent him some back of myself.
5 June 2008 Thursday
Three-day event Utah Pride marks fight for acceptance
Decades-old festival expected to draw 25,000 gays and lesbians to state's
second-largest parade
By Jennifer W. Sanchez The Salt
Lake Tribune
It started with
a kegger. In 1975, about 300 people,
mostly gay men, and lesbians, drank beer and enjoyed hot dogs in City Creek
Canyon near downtown Salt Lake City. Local organizers called it "Gay
Freedom Day," and the event was a chance for the gay community in Utah to
gather - in public.
Ron Hunt, then 23, read a tiny ad about the
event in his college newspaper in Logan. So he hitchhiked to the gathering
because "I'd never been around other gay people in my entire life."
Hunt, now 55, recalls the picnic as "
an extremely uplifting and energizing experience."
More than three decades later, the event
now known as Utah Pride is expected to draw more than 25,000 people during its
three-day weekend celebration, which starts Friday and features what has grown
into the state's second-largest parade.
Still, as popular as the festival has
become, and as ecstatic as they are that the event continues to grow, Pride
veterans says they don't want the younger generations to forget the event's
history and the years that it has taken for the gay community to be
acknowledged in Utah.
"Pride is more than a party,"
said 57-year-old Ben Williams, the state's unofficial gay community historian.
"It shows we want equality. We want rights. We're not second-class
citizens."
When he moved here in 1963, Joe Redburn, a
gay activist and businessman, said he remembers that men were not allowed to
dance with each other at the city's only gay bar, Radio City Lounge.
Nikki Boyer, a 65 year-old lesbian who came
to Utah in 1970, said the only places she could openly visit with gay men or
other lesbians and feel safe were at a handful of bars, including the Sun
Tavern that opened in 1972.
"It was the only place we could meet
without getting the [expletive] beat out of us," Boyer said.
Pride originated in New York City in 1969
as a protest against discrimination and violence against gays, evolving into
gay pride festivals that are now held worldwide.
At that first Utah event in '75, there was
no stage, no entertainment. A crowd laughed over beer, burgers, and dogs, then
moved to the Sun Tavern to keep the party going.
In the ensuing years, the event was held at
various parks around Salt Lake County and has steadily attracted more people,
including and began to lure national gay activists.
But Hunt, one of the inaugural
participants, recalled that people were also terrified of rallying because they
feared the repercussions of attending Pride if their boss, co-workers, or
neighbors saw them.
"We knew we were being discriminated
against, and it was at least up to us to stop discriminating against
ourselves," he said.
During a Pride celebration in the late '80s
at a Murray a park, Boyer remembered about a dozen men showed up chanting
"queer" and "die fagot die." But the crowd turned its back
to them and the group finally left.
But beyond that incident and the occasional
verbal insult, she says Pride has been a safe event.
"The more we are out and people see we
are people too, it helps us gain acceptance," Boyer said. "We were
definitely making inroads."
Historian Williams moved to Utah in 1973 to
attend Brigham Young University. After marrying and later divorcing, he became
openly gay on Feb. 4, 1986. A few months later Williams attended his first
Pride celebration. His was one of just six booths at that festival, selling
what he called "whole-wheat fagot cookies" to raise money for a gay
Mormon support group.
"It [was] like a family reunion,"
he recalled. "You knew everybody."
This year, the Utah Pride Center, the
nonprofit group that runs the festival, is expecting 160 vendors.
Williams says the event has become too big
for his taste; he stopped going six years ago. But Boyer says she's proud of
how much Utah Pride has grown.
There was a time when she couldn't have
imagined that Salt Lake City would have a gay center with a coffee shop, or a
place where lesbians could walk down the street holding hands. That's what she
wants younger Utah gays to keep in mind.
"They're very fortunate," Boyer
said. "It's important they know whose shoulders they stand on."
For Hunt, this weekend marks 33 consecutive
years of going to Utah Pride.
"It's my Christmas and my New
Year's," he said. "It's truly an experience where none of the
vindictive and . . . dehumanizing things that have happened to me in my life
have any power."
9 June 2008 Monday
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender parade pride By Lesley Mitchell
The Salt Lake Tribune
There were the
gyrating men in tiny swimsuits and plenty of other eye-popping spectacles that
made Sunday's Utah Pride Parade a celebration like none other in Utah.
But there is far more to the annual
celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community than
tattooed stilt walkers and men in bright-colored wigs.
Utah Pride has grown into an event billed
as Utah's second largest parade and festival behind only the Days of 47
celebration in July.
The parade itself has grown to 65 entries,
including an impressive number of corporations not seen in many other parades,
including banking giant Wells Fargo and financial services conglomerate
American Express. The festival, put on by the Utah Pride Center, attracted
about 150 exhibitors.
"We've grown tremendously in just the
last couple of years," said Yana Walton of the Utah Pride Center, which
organized both the parade and festival.
The crowds too, have grown both in terms of
size and diversity compared with earlier years. In fact, many in the large
crowds of people lining 200 East from South Temple to 4th South said while they
aren't gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, they decided to come to the
parade and festival to show their enthusiasm for diversity and to enjoy a very
atypical Utah celebration. Many brought their children.
"I'm not gay or anything but I wanted
to come to support everybody here," said Lupe Perez of Orem, who attended
the parade with friends and family.
Other parade-goers, such as Alex Wells of
Sandy, said he has noticed just how diverse the celebration has become in
recent years.
"I like the fact that this is a
celebration for everyone, not just the gay community," he said. "It's
come a long way."
Unlike some other pride parades held
worldwide each year, Salt Lake City's event is more celebration than
demonstration. Aside from a few floats, such as one questioning the U.S.
involvement in the war in Iraq, most parade entries were out to have a good
time or raise awareness of their group or organization, not to make a
statement.
"It's just a huge party," said
Walton of the Utah Pride Center, which provides resources to the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community, or GLBT for short. "We're here to
educate and celebrate the GLBT community."
Grand marshals were Salt Lake City Mayor
Ralph Becker and the Salt Lake City Council, who were chosen in recognition of
their support of a citywide domestic-partnership registry.
At the parade, Becker and council members
were joined by other Utah politicians, including Salt Lake County Mayor Peter
Corroon. Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's group also had a
presence.
Rounding out the parade were entries by
energy-drink companies, beer companies, a hotel company, radio stations and
numerous organizations that serve the GLBT community.
"It's great to see how large this
event is now. Two years ago, there were probably half as many people
here," said Adam Farrer of Salt Lake City, who has attended the parade in
each of the last three years.
Elena Nielson of Lehi said she too was
amazed at the spirit of the celebration.
"It's great to see an event like
this," she said. "It's not something you'd expect for Utah."
13 June 2008 Friday
I took Ben Anderson to the
airport where a sky cap took his baggage in for him. He went through the
handicap check-in so he's not having to go through the long lines... His
walker, and two bags are going directly to Milan. He's bringing on the plane
his C-Pap machine, his bag of medicine, and his backpack.
He's pretty
nervous about going off to Italy to live with Mattia. Mike Romero and I took his
car over to his apartment on 39th and 11th east tonight
and I checked out the place to make sure it was secured.
15 June 2008 Sunday
I went over to
Ben Anderson's apartment and did up all the dirty dishes in the sink so it
wouldn't smell. There wasn't any mail to
forward
17 June 2008 Tuesday
Ben Anderson wrote me:
Hi Ben, Well, I am here in Italy where it has been raining every day. I guess I am in the rainy season here. I have
had a runny nose since I got off the plane.
It is very green here with many, many trees and lots of large
hills. The culture and people are so
different here, but strangely, I do not feel lost. I almost feel at home here. I feel no fear or panic with not knowing the
language. He has taken me to the big
city of Parma, but I feel better here in the small village of Piantonia. I hope
you will find it in your spirit to come here for a visit, as I am positive that
you will love it. Ben
I wrote him back: It's probably good that its been raining kind of forces you to
slow down and get use to things. Have you met his Mama? I have been using a c-pap machine and have to
say I don't know if I feel any better and the pressure of the mask wakes me up
during the night when it presses on my sinuses but will give it a try.
My friend Jimmy
Hamamoto has been in town this weekend to visit old KRCL friends so I am taking
him to the airport tomorrow at 6:30 in the morning to go back to Boston.
It's turned hot
here. 90 degrees and will be all this week. At least its not a hundred. Yet. I
go in Thursday to have a crown put on a tooth that had fractured a while ago.
Thought I better do it before it causes problems. $305 ouch... but that's what
I am paying to have Buddy's teeth cleaned tomorrow so I am broke for the rest
of the month but with all the food you left at least I will be eating...LOL Do
you feel Italian yet?
18 June 2008
Wednesday
I took Buddy in to the vets have
his teeth clean and that was $300. When I took Buddy in, he lost 3 lbs. since
June 4, so I guess my food regiment is working. I hope Daisy just hasn't found
those 3 lbs. I am taking them both in on
July 18 to be weighed.
I made a
chocolate cream pie using instant chocolate pudding with chocolate cool whip
folded in topped with regular cool whip.
I made it because Jimmy Hamamoto was supposed to come over for
dinner.
I worked my ass
off polishing the furniture, dusting, changing the sheets on my bed, and fixing
dinner and then I didn’t hear from him until 9 at night when he wanted me to
come pick him up and bring him out to the house.
I was pissed
because Mike Romero has to be in bed by 9 and I knew when we get back home the
pups would make a racket. I had Jimmy sleep
in my bed downstairs and I slept upstairs. I went right to bed. I figured if he
wanted to visit with me then maybe he should have come over for dinner like he
said he would.
19 June 2008
Thursday
In the morning I took Jimmy
Hamamoto to the airport and we just made small talk. I am still kind of ticked
at him for being inconsiderate of me and just expecting me to chauffeur him
around. Well I am doing it for John Reeves as much as for him.
I went to the
dentist today to have a tooth prepared for a crown. That was another $300. Ouch
20 June 2008
Friday
Ben Anderson called me from Italy
and said he was feeling better and wasn’t homesick but before we could visit the phone
must have cut out this morning.
This morning I
went to Bountiful Chrysler dealership to drop off the Cruiser off because it was
still under warranty. It would sometimes just shut off. They called later in
the afternoon and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it except the
radio brought up a code which indicated that maybe the radio electrical stuff
caused the engine to shut off. Anyway
they are getting me a new radio and they did a nice car wash for free.
While waiting to
hear from the car dealer I had Mike Romero take me to Ben Anderson’s place to
check on it. He just had a bill from
Comcast and junk mail. The bill probably
was in the mail before he took care of it.
He left the back gate unlocked so
I locked that up for him.
I drove his car
back to my place just to keep the battery charged and to make it look like your
space is being used. Mike and I took it back home this evening.
I brought Ben’s
oxygen machine over to use while he is away. I am using it as I write.
I spent another
$100 renewing Mike and my Triple A membership.
I do it for Mike Romero's birthday which is tomorrow the 1st day of
summer June 21. I bought him a Marie
Calendar's lemon cheese cake pie today for his birthday. It was good but not as
good as the pie I made Wednesday.
Michael has his Netflix’s
box thing now, so he has unlimited access to movies so he's happy. He took
today off and will be off until Monday for his birthday. I doubt whether we
will go any where’s. Gas is $3.99 where I usually get gas. In San Francisco I hear it's $4.89
It's been hot around
90 degrees all week and things are starting to have that summer-time look.
I don't have a
clue what's going on in the Gay community.
I suppose tonight is Ruby’s Bingo but since Ben Anderson is gone it’s
not as much fun for me. Well that's about my week.
21 June 2008
Saturday
It was 97 degrees here on Mike
Romero's birthday. We didn't do much except go to Iceberg for a shake and
burgers. Then I went to the genealogy library
to look up a few things. I made a
English Pea salad for dinner and it was cool and refreshing.
I called Chuck
Whyte and he said he went to Friday
night bingo and they raised over $1000 for the bike club so I guess it's
starting to take off. Chevy Bolinder and
this guy named Chuck, who rode with Ben Anderson in the Pride parade helped
out. I guess people were asking where
Bunny was and so Ruby had to make an announcement that he was in Italy.
22 June 2008
Sunday
I am not doing too much, just
watering the yard and working on the computer. Gasoline prices are $4.00 here now. I finally cashed
a gift card some student gave me and with the $10 it bought me 2 and a half
gallons of gas. You really are starting to see motor scooters and motorbikes
every where now.
Well its summer.
The people next door had a wedding in their backyard yesterday. the groom was
handsome. I Saw them taking pictures in their front yard.
The comedian and
social commentator George Carlin died of a heart attack.
23 June 2008 Monday
I have been doing genealogy on my
sister Donna’s husband side of the family. I can’t stand the Joneses but they
are the ancestors of my two nephews who I do love so I will do it for them.
Summer is in full swing now with the valley
being hazy. I've been a good boy about
the c-pap. I put it on every night and yank it off about 2 in the morning when
I start feeling claustrophobic so I
guess a few hours is better then none.
Mike Romero and
I went to Chuck a Rama in Bountiful for lunch today... that’s about as exciting
as it gets. Mike Romero took today off
also.
My roses are
pretty and the clematis on my front porch railing is all dark purple with flowers;
really spectacular.
Ben Anderson wrote me: Hi Ben, I am glad you are wearing
your c-pap. I hope it is working for you
and you feel more rested during the day.
I know it is difficult to get used to, but it really does help.
I do not get any
American news here and besides everything is in Italian so I could not
understand it if I wanted too.
I heard from
Jared yesterday and nothing is new with him. Tomorrow, we are going to visit
two gay guys who live on the beach in Tuscany.
Mattia has never met them in person, only on the internet with one of
them.
I guess Paul
(Paul and Bernardo) was on the sex line as was Mattia before Mattia met
me. (or so Mattia says). Anyway, Paul is from Portland and knows what
I have to do to stay here in Italy, so we are going to spend the day with
them. It should be interesting, as Paul
is a big boy and Bernardo is a chaser.
Of course Mattia
is jealous and is worried that Bernardo will try and have sex with me. You should come and join in the drama. Lol
On Thursday we have an appointment with an
Italian reporter who is doing an article on men who make quilts. Mattia has a
cousin who is a quilter and runs a quilting class, of which we will be joining,
and she set us up with the reporter.
Saturday is Gay
Pride in Bologna which should be an enormous event with people coming all over
from Europe.
Mattia Lumaca
added: Hi Ben, it is Mattia here, we have roses here, I am going to take a
picture of them next days and I send you them. For now enjoy these sea pictures
(hope). Hugs and kisses from both. You can also come here to spend your
vacation!
24 June 2008
Tuesday
I went to the Genealogy library y
to look up the genealogy of my nephew on his dad's side. I Found quite a bit
but I am about burnt out on genealogy now for a while.
Mike Romero and
I rented “10,000 BC” and watched it on
the big screen...it was mildly okay.
25 June 2008 Wednesday
Nothing new here. I worked out in
the front yard all morning trimming and mowing and pulling weeds. Things are
starting to dry up. It's gonna be 96
today. I picked up a copy of the QSL. Ben Anderson as Bunny and Ruby Ridge had their
picture in it, in fabulous living color.
The Mormon
Church is having a letter read over the pulpit this Sunday for its members to
give time and money to defeating Gay marriage on California... Going to go all
out like they did with the ERA.
Daisy was sick
yesterday and had the runs... but she is better today...perhaps too much heat.
Ted Cannon lost
the Republican nomination in Utah County for 3rd District Congress so he's out
of the picture now...but a right wing fascist is replacing him.
Ben Anderson wrote me: Today we went into Parma to do an
interview with a famous quilt lady. She
has written many books about quilting and is quite well known within that
circle.
Anyway, she is doing a piece on °men who
quilt°, and Mattia and I are here main subjects. So we took in our quilt and she interviewed
us for about an hour and we should be on the cover of the main Italian quilting
magazine with our story inside. It
should be out in the Fall, so we will send it to you.
She wants us to
become very good at quilting, as she thinks we can make a good living at it and
become famous. Sounds good to me!!
Tuesday, we
drove to Carrara, a city in Toscana (Tuscany) on the Sea. It is also very well known because it is
where the mine the famous Italian pink marble. We saw how that have cut away
half of the mountainside. It is really
spectacular. Other than that, it is kind of a dirty city and the Sea water is
kind of polluted.
Anyway, we went to see an on-line sex buddy of
Mattia's named Paul and his partner Bernardo.
Paul is from Portland, Oregon and until about a year ago, weighed
almost 500 pounds. He met his Italian boyfriend Bernardo
on-line.
Paul came to Italy so he could get free
gastric by-pass and hip surgery. Now he
is getting free plastic surgery. He
showed us his before and after pictures and he really looks like a different
person. They are a very strange couple, and we are not sure why they are
together as Paul really doesn't love Bernardo, but I think Bernardo loves Paul.
Paul says he had
a gay brother who was very- very- very °gay°, and died an early death of drugs
and AIDS, and says he is nothing like his brother. Paul thinks he is very °straight-acting°, but
my god he is SOOO gay! Paul is a big ole
queen!
Bernardo works
at the family restaurant, and one day Paul called Bernardoàs sister-in-law a °cunt°, and so he
was banned from stepping foot in the restaurant. He has quite the mouth on him.
They told us
that they wanted to cook us a nice Italian dinner, but when we got there, they
changed their minds and took us to a °Communist controlled restaurant° where we
had to fork out £40 which is about 65
dollars. Needless to say we won’t be
seeing much of them.
Sorry for the
typo's, but I amusing an Italian computer, which is not easy to write with.
We are thinking of going to the gay parade in Bologna
but may not go as we are running out of money. Oh well. We get paid next Tuesday.
So, that’s my
week. Send us a picture of me in the
QSalt Lake if you can. Or tell me if it is on-line. How is your car doing? Is it fixed?
I hope that Daisy is feeling better.
You should bring her here to get some Mediterranean sun. Love Ben
26 June 2008
Thursday
I went over to Ben Anderson’s apartment
to drive his car around the block and check his mail. He had two things from the IRS. One was
a letter and one a packet. Everything looked okay.
I met this guy
on a sex site called Bear411, named Ken, who wanted to meet me for coffee. He
has a partner and lives on 13th East but he's really cute. He use to bar tend
at Club Blue.
Anyway another
friend of his came over to his place and we sat in his hot tub and visited. After
getting out, I said to Ken that he looked like a man who needed a blow job so
we had a threesome. I almost forgot what sex was like. It's been since November
since I had sex with anyone.... Anyhoo that was a nice diversion.
28 June 2008 Saturday
Went to Chuck a Rama today with Mike
Romero and Steve Merrill and Richard Packer, his friends from work.
The Utah Arts
Festival is going on downtown and it looks really crowded this year...perhaps
people can't afford the gas so they are doing more in town things.
30 June 2008
Monday
Well June is
about over....I went to the Moran eye clinic at the Redwood Road clinic to have
an eye examination and I ordered new glasses
I am seriously
thinking of painting my house and do it just one wall at a time so I don't have
to empty out a room....
No comments:
Post a Comment