Oh For Pete's Sake!

Saturday night after my performance I went out with BD to Blowoff.  I hadn't been there for two years because I didn't have the greatest impression of it, and quite frankly, nothing's changed.  I'm really not into going to places that are more of a "meat market" but that is not the point of this story.

So BD and I are there and we're mingling with some folks outside of the dance floor and BD runs into some folks he knows, including a guy named SR.  Now SR (all of this I would learn later) has always had the hots for BD, and he made it known he was still interested because he secretly told BD while I was away that he would "like to be the one making out with [BD] by the end of the night."

Later that evening, BD and I are out dancing and getting close, and there was a bit of making out going on.  Apparently SR saw this, didn't like it, and proceeded to go by and pinch BD.

What...the...fuck?!

Really, you get jealous that someone else is with a person you want, and so you proceed to pinch them?!  Come on now, little girls do that, not grown men.  Take off the dress, put on some pants, and man the fuck up.  That means you suck it up and deal with it in a more constructive way, you don't pinch a person because you're mad that they're not with you.  It also means you learn some boundaries and don't interfere with someone else's date.  SR is lucky that BD didn't tell me all this until after we had left, because there would have been words, or worse.

Ya know what though, this is the kind of drama queen bullshit that I have seen over the last few months from enough folks that when it comes to certain "communities" that I feel that they have more issues than National Geographic.  It's sad to see, but it is reality at this point.

And We're Back!

Two months ago, I had a situation happen.  Someone I knew contacted me out of the blue, and then was trying to get some personal information about me in a round-about way.  Not sure as to what the motives of this person was, I decided that I needed to go into a "lockdown" of personal things I had online.  That included this blog, my photos posted to online photo albums, my twitter account, and verifying that Facebook and MySpace were already locked up to outsiders (they were).

This lockdown represented taking a major step back for myself because I do try to be pretty open about my life because it's not like I talk about or post things would violate an employer policy.  Unfortunately, some people like to stick their nose into everything and then try to spin it into something evil.

Despite that, it's not like I stopped blogging, posting pictures, and tweeting, it just meant no one else could see it at this point.  However, I do like to write and put things out there, and see what people think, so I figured that this lockdown would not be permanent.  I would just let things get calm, wait until it looked like things were safe, and then come back online.  It has been 60 days since the initial lockdown, so I feel it should be fine by now.

The sad thing is it is not like this is the first time in my life I have had to do something like this.  I went through a similar lockdown a few years ago, and so to set up this lockdown was rather easy because I knew the steps I had to take.  I also had a number of things that were not easily seen by outsiders, so it was just a matter of tweaking one setting and increasing the privacy level.

Oh well, we'll see what happens.  If this person finds all this and tries to start trouble with this information, I believe it's going to come back to haunt them.  My life should be none of their damn business anyway.

On the other hand, it also gave me the chance to find a new layout for my blog and give it a facelift as well.

Worst. Timing. Ever!

What the fuck is it with DC clubs scheduling major DJ's and events the night before Easter?

Tonight one of my favorite DJ's, DJ Chris Cox is spinning at Town, and the 9:30 club is holding Blowoff, and so I am getting invites to head there as well.  It figures that it is on a night when I have other obligations, namely that I am participating in the Easter Vigil at church.  Besides that, I will be attending services in the morning.

So what the hell?  This is a night when many folks could be out of town visiting family, or if they're like me, they're attending Easter services.  Bad timing there DC clubs, not all the gays are against organized religion or hate their families.

Too bad, I would have given them my business.

Copyright Issues?

One of my hobbies is to take pictures, especially of the things going on in my life.  To satisfy some of my blatant attention whoring, I have a Flickr account where I post my pictures for folks to look at.  The pictures I put up there are copyrighted by me since I am the original photographer, and on occasion I do get asked for permission by someone if they can use a photo I've taken for their website or whatever.  I have no problem with doing so, as long as I get credit for being the one who took it.

Therefore, I was very disappointed to learn from another Flickr user that my sports pictures were being lifted and put on a website as part of their own galleries without my permission, and without credit to me.  I am not the only one this is happening to as other users are finding their pictures on this series of sites as well.

If you are a Flickr user and you have sports picture that are publicly accessible on your photostream, you might want to take a look at the following and see if any of your photos are on the sites:
NFL
MLB
NHL

At the bottom of the sites (once you can get past the barrage of ads) are links to individual teams so you can check your teams out.  They seem to be swiping the photos and using the same titles you used on Flickr, so just use your titles in searches and they should come up.  If you find any, you could try E-mailing the webmaster to complain.  I would also complain to GoDaddy by E-mailing copyright@godaddy.com since won't be happy to hear that some of the sites they are hosting have blatant copyright violations on them.  I have already filed my complaint and hopefully GoDaddy will either kick their asses so the photos are gone, or just take down the sites. I kind of hope for the latter because clearly they're just a way for someone to try and make money off of ads, plus then it means I don't have to spend another few hours trying to search for all of my Caps and Orioles photos.

So I'll say it again, if you want to use my photos for something, you've gotta talk to me first.

Clerical Error Not In My Favor

One has to love when a typo nearly gets you sent to collections.

I just received in the mail today a bill from my doctors office. Here's the thing, the last time I was at the doctors office was in April. So this bill is a final notice that my account is over 120 days past due and if I don't pay it by December 19, they're sending my ass to collections.

Now how the hell did this happen? I always pay my bills on time, however, I never got notice of this bill, and why? They screwed up my address number. Someone over at 3A has been getting my bills for the past seven months; instead of it going to 5A, where I live. It just happened to be that today the bill was sitting in a spot where you couldn't read the apt number, but you could read my name, so it finally got to my Inbox.

So for seven months, I was likely being sent bills that I never got. Yet not once did I get a phone call informing me that I had a bill that was past due. The ultimate kicker? The bill is $5.64, so it's not like they would have sent the bill and I would have been unable to scrape together the cash to pay.

They are so getting a nasty letter with my check. Morons.

They Did What?

Before leaving Pasadena on Saturday morning I was reading a copy of the Baltimore Examiner and there was an article about a police investigation into a playground that had burned down in Baltimore. It looks like that the fire was set deliberately.

I have to know, who the fuck thinks it's a good idea to burn down a playground? I just can't wrap my mind around why a person would do something like that. To me a playground is a pretty innocent place, and by doing something like that, you're robbing kids of a place where they can go and have fun.

Who does something like that?

This Ain't Right...

http://cjonline.com/stories/080208/bre_fire.shtml

So a fence and a garage nearly burned down at the Westboro Baptist Church (Home of everyone's favorite homophobe, Fred Phelps), and while it could have been accidental, it could have also been arson.

If it was arson, I don't agree with it. Just because you dislike a person or an organization (or maybe you think the building is fugly) does not give you the right to set their property on fire. What is to stop someone from setting a GLBT-friendly church on fire in retaliation for this?

The worst is seeing comments from folks that they're going to be celebrating that this happened. This is not something to celebrate people. How would you like it if they burned down your place?

I hope it wasn't arson...

Faux Nightclub

Last Friday I went to Pasadena to hang out with JH. I got there a bit late and since JH had to work in the morning, we decided to skip our original plan of going to the Baltimore Eagle. His parents were out at one of the local places, except they were getting ready to leave because they were booted off of the patio. So we made a plan to all meet at Bamboo Bernies, which was down the road.

JH and I get there, and the immediate thing that happens is that I am refused entry. Why? Because I'm wearing my Baltimore Ravens (Ed Reed) jersey and they have a dress code that says "No sports jerseys" among other things. JH is refused because they say his shorts are "too loose." So fine, we go home and we change and go back, where once again we are refused entry. This time it's because JH is wearing camouflage shorts. When we asked why, all the bouncer would say to us is "We're a nightclub." So that made the both of us say "fuck this place" and head out of there.

In my years of going to clubs and bars in DC, MD, TX, and NM, I have never had to directly deal with a club that has had draconian rules like that on what you can and can't wear. The closest I have seen anything like it would be at a nightclub in the Adams Morgan area. However, this "club" is in a small town in Maryland that is not known for having a problem with violence. To go further with it, JH's bro thinks the bouncer had something against the two of us because he saw some dyke in there with a Yankees jersey on, and apparently there were underage girls in there as well, even though there was supposed to be an ID check at the door to keep under 21 folks out. JH thinks that the bouncer kept us out because we were homos, and I hate to say it, but he might be right on that one.

Perhaps a call to the ABC folks in Maryland is in order against this place if they're allowing underage folks in there. In the meantime, we won't be going back to Bamboo Bernies, especially if they're going to selectively enforce their rules.

So JH got the idea to hit a local liquor store and buy the cheapest beer possible, just because we were considered to be too trashy to walk into a bar in the middle of redneck central. I will have to say that if you want cheap beer in MD, go with National Bohemian (Natty Boh) in bottles. This is crucial because while the Boh is a cheap beer, it isn't nasty tasting if you get it from a bottle instead of a can.

So that's how we got to spend our Friday night.

To Paraphrase My Friend Serena

If I didn't know you*, I'd dislike all lesbians.
*KS and KW

--Thought that came to mind after reading an E-mail this morning

Taylor Swift = Homophobe?

Has anyone heard Taylor Swift’s new single "Picture to Burn"? I happened to catch it on Surius Hits 1, the song has to do with a breakup gone bad, the way it is written is the typical crap that high school students pull on one another when there’s a breakup and drama behind it. However, my jaw dropped to the floor when I heard these lyrics:

Lyrics Page

So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy
That’s fine I’ll tell mine you’re gay

I couldn’t believe that this was what I was hearing. I know that it may be a song and it’s all about the drama, but damn, that’s screwed up to sing that you’ll go around telling your friends that your ex-boyfriend is "gay" just because you two broke up. The worst part is that I have known people who have done that kind of thing, and in high school when you're in that awkward stage of trying to fit in and such, words like that can be very destructive.

If Taylor Swift is really condoning that kind of behavior, well then she’s several unprintable derogatory words in my book. You can say I'm being overly sensitive, but before you do, think about your own life, I'm sure somewhere someone spread a false rumor about you just because they were mad at you, and I bet you were pretty upset about it.

Dumbasses...

State Dept. Fires 2 for looking at Obama File.

Oy, what idiots. The worst part is that they probably have a warning appear on their computer every morning when they would log in at work that essentially said "Only authorized activities are permitted, by using this computer, you consent to be monitored and recorded. THERE IS NO RIGHT TO PRIVACY ON THIS SYSTEM!"

I know that's what I have on my computer at work. I also know that if at any time I access confidential information, there is a log being kept of what I accessed and I can have my ass nailed to a wall if I step out of line. Besides, I can only access private information on a "Need to Know" basis, and guess what, I have no "need" to "know" if Barack Obama (or anyone else for that matter) answered any Decennial Census or other survey.

I know for me a violation like that will cost me $250,000 in fines and up to 5 years in jail. It also means I have a big fat felony to follow me around for the rest of my life, boy don't those look good to an employer? :-P

Fucking idiots.

Mind Your Own Damn Business

Years ago I used to belong to an online message board known as CustomersSuck.com. The story I am about to relate below is a perfect example of something that would land on the boards.

Background: JH and I were over at his parents house Friday night playing poker (I lost $20, oh well, I stayed in a good amount of time considering I haven't played any form of poker for a few years :-) ) After JH and I busted, we decided to head out to the Hippo in Baltimore for a drink. We were there for a bit before heading to get a bite to eat. We were going to go to The Paper Moon, but that place was packed, so we went to The Honeybee Diner.

At our table, JH and I were sitting on the same side because there were some TV's on, and we were watching the shows. At the table next to us were some customers who normally would have never even registered on my radar, but some of their later behaviors would change that.

So apparently one of their entrees did not turn out the way they wanted. The waitress was being apologetic and took care of things, but they continued to talk shit about her and pretty much were pricks to her the rest of the night. As they're getting up to leave, the husbands go up to pay and leave, but the ladies are standing there near the counter and then they apparently notice JH and I.

At this point JH and I are in conversation, I'm facing towards him so these ladies were not in my line of sight, however, JH notices that they're staring at us and then apparently start pointing, whispering, and laughing. He looks right back at them and says "You got a problem with something?" They freeze, and then make a beeline for the door, with one of them making a sort of comment about "having a bad day"

Now mind you that JH and I are just sitting there talking to one another. We're not doing anything to make it obvious that we're a couple, such as holding hands. It would be one thing to have them start staring at us because JH and I are busy sucking face, but it's another when two people are just sitting there in conversation. There was no good reason for the staring and the pointing. I don't stare and point at other people sitting at tables, but maybe I should start doing that to straight couples just to see how they would feel.

JH said they were lucky I was between them and him because he would have gotten up just to intimidate them with his size. Actually, they're lucky I had my head turned because if I had noticed, I probably would have said "You got a problem with something you dyke bitch?" Yes I know they were straight, but if they're going to point and gossip at us just based on appearance, then all gloves are off.

I'm glad that JH noticed and said something, maybe they'll think twice before pulling a stunt like that because people like us will notice and call them out.

I still think they probably stiffed the waitress on her tip, we made sure to give her an extra nice tip for putting up with their shit all night.

WTF Are They Thinking?!

So the big news today has been that the constitutional reforms in Venezuela that Hugo Chavez was pushing for were narrowly voted down. Considering what the man was planning, this was a good thing.

However, 365gay.com decided to bring up a little known part of the constitutional changes, as if it was some great and wonderful offset to the fact that the man wanted to be able to run for president until he dies and elect all of his buddies to make sure that whatever he says, goes.

I'm all for making sure that sexual orientation is not used in a discriminatory way, but I don't want them thrown in as a smoke screen to make it look like a politician is doing something nice when in reality they're working to take away the rights of all people. I find it very doubtful that even if it passed, that the gays in Venezuela would be treated any better.

So I have to wonder what the fuck 365gay.com is thinking when they report something like this, and it's in the tone of leaning supportive to the changes. Are they that fucking blind that all they see is the carrot being dangled of "protecting the gays" that they miss the man that's about to smash them over the head with the baton of a potential dictatorship?

This is why I really can't stand the gay media or the groups that claim they're working for us, they always seem to put their emphasis on the wrong things, and then we look like a bunch of idiots.

Fucking PEPCO!

Utility companies suck, period.

In the latest installment with my saga with Pepco over my bill, I got to call and get bitchy with a customer service rep.

In early October, I received my bill and found that the final bill amount was transferred to my new bill. I call up Pepco and I'm told that it's fine because the amount is still under investigation and to only pay any new charges. I do so, paying for only the new charges. I'm thinking everything is fine, no problem, I'll pay whatever they want me to pay. I have already transferred the full disputed amount to my savings so I have it on hand in case they come back from their investigation and say "It's not our fault, pay the full amount."

Today, I get a notice that I am delinquent on my electric bill and to fork over the cash or I will be cut off. This is when I call and basically throw a fit at their CSR about this. I get transferred to the investigations department where my "caseworker" informs me that I should not have ever gotten these notices, and that I should not be in jeopardy of being cut off. He says that he will make a note in my account so that I don't get these notices. He also mentions that it looks like there will be a credit coming to my account, ballpark figure of $70. That's right folks, Pepco figures that their estimate overcharged me by $70. That's not chump change.

I also can't believe this, but he also suggested that if it will not cause hardship to just pay the disputed amount now so there's no other issues. Though considering that my latest usage was only $27, if I get at least a $70 credit, I'll have 3 months of no bill from Pepco.

They had better not ding my credit over this, I'll go after their asses for it if they do.

Saturday Night Dramafest

When I broke up with Mike the comment from my dad was to make sure not to date a queen. I learned this past Saturday that at times you shouldn't even be friends with one, or many.

*background: Ty is an ex of Joshua, and he's dating another Josh, for the purposes of this story, he will be known as Josh 2*

There were some guys I knew from around Annapolis, I hadn't seen them in a while so I invited them out to go bar hopping in DC. The plan was to meet at Zorbas Cafe in Dupont Circle and then go from there. So I'm heading down to DC and I get a text message, they're running late. Okay, no biggie. I get to Dupont, it's early so I head over to Lambda Rising figuring I'd browse until they told me they were at Dupont. I get another text, they're on 50, and oh, by the way, Ty and Josh 2 are joining us for dinner as well, and they're already there. So I'm thinking, "Great, this is going to be awkward, should I just leave, or suck it up and deal with it?" I chose the latter because I'm not going to have someone like Ty ruin my night, even if he basically doesn't like me. I take a walk up the block and back because it was a nice night.

So I go over to Zorbas and there's about 30 minutes of a bit of awkward conversation before the other boys finally arrive, and there's the usual catching up on stuff. Then as it goes on, the conversation gets really weird. One starts talking about this porn that he sent to Ty, and that there's this felching (NSFW Text) scene that was just so hot. So of course there's graphic discussion going on about various sexual practices along with what people like and do not like. I'm already on the verge of vomiting because of the felching discussion, and the last thing I really want to do is discuss my sex life and what my preferences are in front of Ty, because quite frankly, he and Josh are the type of people that if you want everyone in DC to know something about you, you tell them. About this point I should have sent someone a text begging them to call me and tell me their cat exploded or something just so I can get out of there.

So finally dinner ends, the first place to go is to Be Bar. Basically Be Bar is like one of those "classy" video bars that serve overpriced martinis that are so sickeningly sweet that you're just asking to make a sacrifice to the porcelain gods later. It really wasn't my scene, I like watching music videos, but I don't care for the "We're trying to look like the Queer Eye guys decorated our place" type of bar. Either way, so eventually we leave, it's too early to go to the Green Lantern, so they opt to go to the Eagle.

Anyway, so we get there, and basically I'm just hanging out drinking a beer and people watching, and they're around of course. I do get into a discussion with a rather cute tattooed guy and have a discussion about his tat's and also his nipple piercings. Mostly it's a curiosity thing because I have considered getting them pierced, but after talking with him, probably not since I could lose sensitivity. Either way, I'm pretty relaxed and just going with the flow.

So eventually these boys want to leave. So we're gathered over by upstairs and I basically say "Okay then, let's go" and I head downstairs. I wait, and I wait...I head outside to return a phone call to Joshua, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait some more. About ten minutes later I get this text message "Where are you?" And so goes the following text conversation:

Me: I'm outside waiting for you, what the fuck is going on?
X: We had to collect
Me: What the fuck is going on, he was right there with us when I was inside, you wanted to leave, so I went outside.
X: Well maybe if you hadn't bolted out the door, you wouldn't have had to wait
Me: You know what, fuck you guys. I'm not putting up with this shit of you wanting to leave and then you don't show. Pick up your booty call and go home.

So then I left, hopped on Metro, and headed home. Next time, I'm either going out by myself, or I'm going to be much more choosy about who I head out with. I don't want or need any fucking drama queens in my life.