March walkway
I went to leave my folks’ house today and my mom pointed out the walkway. We paused for a moment to enjoy the wonderous beauty and for a moment were grateful to not be rushing past.
Barbicide?
So I was getting my hair buzzed today (yup, for those of you who haven’t seen me in a while I have been growing my hair out – high & tight – nothing too long).
Anyway, there I was sitting in the barber’s chair when I noticed the print on the jar. I’m just sayin’ … it made this guy think. Perhaps that’s why I’ve kept my head shaved for so long.
A friend once said that people attracted to me should be called “Barbsexual.” Does that mean that people who would kill me would be guilty of Barbicide? I’m just wondering…
Our Fading Heritage
November 20, 2008
Also found on the American Civic Literacy website is a 33 question Civics quiz you can take. So of course I took it. Now, you would think that having grown up with a father who reenacts the Revolutionary War and is now a historian, I would know my USA Civics inside and out. I knew I hadn’t aced the quiz, but was surprised when I got a score of 73%. Take the Civics quiz and find out how well you know your USA Civics.
then shall the good life be yours
If you do the task before you always adhering to strict reason with zeal and energy and yet with humanity, disregarding all lesser ends and keeping the divinity within you pure and upright, as though you were even now faced with its recall – if you hold steadily to this, staying for nothing and shrinking from nothing, only seeking in each passing action a conformity with nature and in each word and utterance a fearless truthfulness, then shall the good life be yours. And from this course no man has the power to hold you back.
~ Marcus Aurelius (Meditations)
Prize-winning smile
(Foto: NATHAN FRIED-LIPSKI/METRO)
Gwen is my god-daughter’s sister and has been in and out of the hospital most of her life. This most recent stay seems like it has been forever and your prayers for her and her family are most welcome! The above picture was printed in today’s issue of the Metro: Boston paper. It’s great to see her smiling. Oh, and can I just mention how jealous I am that she got to touch the trophy???!
The 51st State??????
Thanks to minstrare for introducing me to this quiz. I had no idea that Iraq was a state!
You’re Iraq!
Don’t believe their lies… you actually have no control over your own
destiny. You were taking lots of steps to improve yourself, but no one would believe you
and they beat you up as a result. Now that it’s revealed that you were acting in good
faith and your enemies weren’t, you’re even more angry than you were before. Who could’ve
seen this coming? At this point, people will tell you for ages that you can decide things
for yourself until you make the decision they want you to. Just remember, all that
matters is what people who beat you up think. You have the freedom to do what you want as
long as it’s what they want, too.
Take the State Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Rating system queerphobic???
I am saddened that the reason this blog has been rated “R” is because of the frequency of the following words:
- queer (8x)
- gay (5x)
- lesbian (4x)
- pain (2x)
- steal (1x)
I suspect there is some queerphobia inherent in the rating system. Not sure how “pain” and “steal” factor in but I’m hoping there is a good logical answer. Though I doubt it.
Instructor Barb
I spent part of my day today speaking before the attendees of the 11th annual International Conference of Gay & Lesbian Criminal Justice Professionals. This year’s conference is hosted by GOAL/NE, which is the “Gay Officers Action League” in New England. A few months ago one of my congregants at Arlington Street Church, who is a retired police chief, invited me to be a part of a training that GOAL/NE was providing for the police department of Cambridge, MA. A team of us went in and taught a class of officers by sharing our personal stories and providing accurate information about queer people/life issues, particularly as they pertain to law enforcement.
My small piece on transgender identity was always a hit (according to the class evaluations) and as a result I was invited to be a part of the international conference. I sat as one of 3 panelists on transgender identity. I had a blast! We each shared a few minutes of our personal stories and then fielded questions from the participants. They asked great questions and we heard from some police officers whose departments are making great strides towards being understanding and respectful to transgender people they deal with (regardless of whether they are citizens, suspects, or victims).
I love doing this work and walked away absolutely delighted with all we did. And to top it off, I had a bonus moment of joy. I hadn’t actually looked at my name tag when it was handed to me, but did so once I was in my car and had taken it off. Wouldn’t ya know it – I’ve been promoted to “instructor” – now isn’t that just a fabulous surprise?! Check it out:
More SKSM Commencement Pictures
More pictures of me, my classmates, and friends at the 2007 Starr King School for the Ministry Commencement can be found at: http://www.pbase.com/bgreve/sksm_commencement
Enjoy!
