Milk

Surprise! Surprise! Gus van Sant has been nominated for an Oscar for his film about the first gay elected official, Harvey Milk. I read in the paper today that he didn't even wake up early enough to find out first-hand if he was nominated. He is quoted as not putting much value on the vote. I think it's because he knew he would be nominated. Hell, I did! Good for him. It was a very touching depiction of Harvey Milk and it sure made me think.

I wanted to see Milk Thanksgiving day, an early premiere for those in Van Sant's hometown of Portland. We got discouraged when a friend went early in the day and reported it to be madhouse. After that, we just didn't make it until last Monday. It was such a touching, inspiring film about a man who gave it all to make change, a man who found strength in a hostile world to stand up for what was right. He was an amazing leader and I hope our gay and lesbian community can gain inspiration and courage from his example. I also hope that straight people who saw the film can gain a greater acceptance for those individuals who are different and in turn support the gay community and movement.

Timing has made me think about this film on another level. The following day, our gay mayor admitted to having sex with a teenage intern and then lying about it. He claims he did not have sex with the teenager until after his eighteenth birthday. The city is freaking out and a lot of people are demanding that he resign or we get a recall election. The mayor has not made up his mind about what to do.

I feel very torn about my position on this topic. Mayor Sam Adams is a wonderful community leader and organizer and part of me wants to stand up for him. I feel bad that his personal life had been publicly scrutinized. Part of me feels like it is none of my business who he has sex with (as long as it is legal, of course).

The other part of me wonders what Harvey Milk, Gus Van Sant and other gay activists would say? Would they agree with the position above? Would they be concerned that this act is a step backwards for gay politicians?

I wish gay leaders wouldn't have to be scrutinized and I wish Mayor Sam Adams would have stood up for himself and the gay population and told the truth.

Marissa's Masquerade

Marissa's Masquerade party was super fun.  See for yourself:

Possessed

When I first got Taco I made a list of all of the things he can say expecting that he would expand his vocabulary as he got used to us.  I was also very optimistic that we could teach him words such as "Obama" and "Thank you".  Well so far, Taco has learned nothing from us and we have learned a TON from him.  Like don't put your fingers in his fucking face or he will fucking bite them off.  

I am, however, convinced that Taco has multiple personality disorder.  Among the cast of characters that possess my poor bird:

Regular bird voice (think "Polly want a cracker?")

Sweet little girl (when he wants some of your food)

Old Lady

Truck Driver

Me

Brandon

Regular gay guy

and my personal favorite,

Most Flamboyant Drag Queen in existence!

that's it for now:

Byyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (Flamboyant drag queen voice)

Beatrice Sevilla

Anne and Josh had their baby! Beatrice Sevilla Gibson was born on Sunday January 11th. I was so eager to meet her I just had to go to the hospital. She was so adorable. I usually think newborns are ugly no matter how close I am to the parents. But I mean it, this baby is CUTE! She's so tiny. Brandon and I don't want kids and I am so excited to have one so close to us now. Thank you Josh and Anne for bringing her into all of our lives, she is so beautiful and I already love her.

Rachel Getting Married

When my friend Delaney invited me to Rachel Getting Married, I went through a series of assumptions regarding what the movie might be like. It was playing at a VERY independent theatre in Portland. That is not to say "second run" where they show old movies for cheap, the Hollywood consists of independent films and live theatre. I doubt a blockbuster has ever played there.

Earlier, I saw a photo advertising the film and it showed a woman that appeared East Indian in traditional clothing. So, my first assumption was that it was a documentary about a young woman in a traditional arranged wedding ceremony. That was thrown out when, at dinner before the movie, Delaney told me Anne Hathaway was the main character. Anne Hathaway is no Indian! So, my next assumption came when I combined Anne Hathaway with the title Rachel Getting Married and in my head I might as well be going to see The Princess Diaries.

The actual movie is a bit like attending an awkward social function. Unwelcome moments are constantly highlighted and "felt" in this film and dare I say it is like real life. I didn't love the story nor was I particularly entertained, but I appreciate the creativity and I walked away with this message: conflict has two sides and lack of empathy and compassion can make both parties wrong, regardless the actual issue.

This brings me to my point: movies are very subjective and enjoyment is made when expectation and quality collide. I appreciated Rachel Getting Married because it was not a "chick flick" about a fairy tale wedding. Saying that, I would have preferred a social documentary about an Indian marriage.


My favorite movie of all times is Station Agent and I think it's because I went to a pre-showing and didn't have the slightest idea what was about. Expectations ruin experience.

Rosca De Reyes

Please read my blog in Novemeber titled "Dia De Los Muertos" before continuing to read this one. Yesterday's conversation with Pedro was similar, except I had never heard of the custom he was describing.

According to Pedro, every Jan.6th the peoples eat bread with "candies on top" complete with Jesus inside. The peoples who find the baby Jesus in their piece of bread will have good luck for one year. He continues to tell me that the peoples then put their shoes under the Christmas tree in hopes that the three wise men (from the bible, I'm gathering) will put toys or money in them.

I'm thinking to myself. Aren't the Holidays long enough with Thanksgiving extending into Christmas and then to drag it out until New Year's Day? Apparently not for the Mexicans, they really know how to party.

Pedro offers to take me to the Mexican Paneria to see the special bread. The paneria sounds fancy and European, but really it is a convenient store packed to the ceiling with plastic toys, pinatas, packaged food that doesn't look like food, Mexican cd's and an entire wall of calling cards. There is a line 20 people deep and I equate it to going to a florist on Valentine's day. The bread is stacked to the ceiling on the counter and comes in three different sizes and is not cheap. It looks like a french roll with a fruit cake twist. When I look closer to the toppings I ask, "are those onions and peppers on top?" I thought this sucker was supposed to be sweet. I had to buy one.

When I get home, Brandon won't even touch the foreign bread, which is okay by me because it means I have a 100% chance of having the good luck this year. ha ha SUCKER! Except, when I cut into it ,the first thing I notice is that I am actually attempting to cut the head off the tiny albino baby Jesus fetus. Do you suppose that is good luck?

Our New Cell Phone

Taco gets shy around the camera so he doesn't fully perform, but this is his annoying scream for attention followed by his cell phone ring. We can't find an off switch for him.