Weekend pics

NYC 2010

We had a great time. It was hectic, but New York shouldn't be any other way.

New York April 2010

We went to the Moma and the Whitney. We saw Frances McDormand and Maura Tierney (both of whom I am a huge fan) in The Wooster Group's "North Atlantic" and we saw Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes in "Promises, Promises". The musical was servicable, but the main reason we went, the end of Act I "Turkey Lurkey Time," was a little less than the Bennett/McKechnie extravaganza I was hoping for. However, the t-shirt I purchased is from that number. (Picture soon.) Bill and Derek saw "A Behanding in Spokane" with Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken. It sounded like a hilarious show. I wish I had tons of money and could see lots of shows but time and budget never seem to permit.

Curl up and dye

I love the nail salons and barber shops in my neighborhood. Fifteen total between my house and Market Street.

Dogs are barkin'

Went hiking Saturday morning.
Shot a cover for our upcoming folk album.

Big thanks to Earl and Bucko for letting us tag along.

Watched Perfume on Friday. It was ok. I just couldn't hook into the tone.

Watched the pilot for the new Bionic Woman. It is many layers of crappy.

Played the game on Saturday night. My boyfriend rules the universe.

Monday. Really? Yuck.

It's a family affair

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who has expressed concern and sympathy for my aunt's illness. Last week was very rough. A week ago Wednesday, my aunt recieved impossibly good news. The tumor, the doctor said, was benign. That euphoria quickly gave way to resignation when she learned on Friday that the benign result was from a fat deposit around a much larger cancerous tumor.

My aunt is the member of my extended family to whom I am the closest. I would not be who I am if it weren't for her--when I was three days old, she gave me the name Jeremy. I will choose to look at her illness in the best possible light until all avenues of treatment have been exhausted. Thanks so much for your kind words and prayers, she can most definitely use them in this trying time.

So, speaking of family, this weekend I saw 'For the Bible Tells Me So' at SIFF. It's a documentary that chronicles five families who have grappled with their faith when one of the children comes of the closet. The film hit very close to home, and tears were literally streaming down my face for at least the last half hour. The film is never condescending, but definitely looks down on biblical literalism. It features some great interviews with some of the world's most progressive Christian thinkers, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, Peter J. Gomes, and Rev. Larry Keene. They are beacons of sanity making the rational counterpoint to the hellfire and brimstone that Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Falwell, and their ilk espouse.

I truly feel that the reason I exist on a plane that is "less than" in my family structure is because of the church. My parents cannot reconcile my sexuality with their religion, and, as a result, I am not as worthy of their love as anyone else in my family. I have always placed the blame for this separation squarely at the feet of religion. This film helped me to remember that not all organized religion demonizes gays, and, in fact, the Episcopalian church recently confirmed a gay bishop.

I will be buying a copy of this film for my parents when it released on DVD--chances are they won't make it through the whole thing. They'll shut it off and consider it left-wing propaganda, but this film gave me hope that one day, I will be considered equal to my brothers. That's a hope I haven't felt in a very long time.

(Pictured is me and my niece at my dad's 70th birthday.)

Tuesdays with bloggy

I figure since realms are generally down on Tuesdays for patches, I can spend some time with ye olde blogge. Wow, between a Monday post about movies (who knows how long that will last) and a regular Tuesday post, you'd think I'd found some sort of routine or structure. Let me assure you, nothing could be farther from the truth. Nah, I think its just the spring time thing.

But enough about me, let's talk about me.

Last weekend was the debaucherous choir retreat. You can check out some pics here (WARNING: pics toward the end of the slideshow could be considered NSFW--but I assure you it was all harmless). Fort Worden was a great setting. I wish there had been more sunshine. It finally made an appearance on Sunday for the ferry ride home. Being out on the peninsula reminded me how much of this state I haven't seen and how I need to go on another outing with Earl and Bucko.

So, in other news, it is with a heavy heart that I relay news of Copacetique's going out of business sale. Janice is closing the doors and moving to New York to work at Fred Flare (check out how adorable she looks on their home page). I am very happy for her new job, but this is the end of an era in so many ways. It seems like just yesterday that she and Mike unpacked their belongings from the long move from Austin. We haven't seen each other a lot over the past year (I really haven't seen a lot of anyone), and I regret not spending more time with them.
Along with Copacetique, its zine-sister Copacetic, which was at one time in print and for which I was an on-again-off-again contributor, is also gone. I think the first issue came out in 1994. The first author Janice reviewed for it, Francesca Lia Block, later cited Copacetic in her non-fiction book Zine Scene.

I feel like I'm writing an obiutuary. I'll miss you Janice. Even though we should have spent much more time together, I really, really cherished each moment we had together. Whether it was walking down Market to Golden Gardens or going to shows like Ivy and Tahiti 80 and Belle & Sebastian (our first Seattle show together, then a year later with The Decemberists opening). It was nice knowing that you were close by. It was nice hearing your giggle behind Cheryl's show. I'll be in New York soon, I promise.

Next, though, I'm going to San Francisco. I'm going to see Booka Shade and hopefully an old friend.

After that is the choir concert. Phil's going on Sunday. When are you going?

Pics-n-stuff

That's my mom, me and my dad from the show on Sunday.

Risa and Keith--whose wedding I will be performing in February, me and Janice, my dearest friend from all the way back in the 8th grade.

Speaking of Keith, he has joined the blogging community--go check out Third Floor, Corner Unit!

Tollroad

Remember when I told you about the game I played with my nieces on my recent visit to Texas?

Well, my mom just found the pictures.

Here ya go!




They have two uncle Jeremys. I get the moniker "Fun Uncle Jeremy" for obvious reasons. They are very familiar with that maniacal look in my eye. I think they have so much fun with me because I am one of the few (only?) adults in their life who is not an authority figure. Plus, I talk Spongebob and Super Mario with them.

Get thee to a gymmery

Ok, so the birthday weekend is officially over--it is especially apparent because I am once again in the vault for another extremely long shift. Yes, I will be napping at work tonight.
Anyway, I wanted to thank all of the commenters for the birthday wishes! They are much appreciated.
Then I want to thank everyone who showed up at Chez Gaudy on Friday to celebrate with me. Roll call: Risa, Keith, Maria, Maggie, Tony, Steve1, Amy, Kelley, Bill, Derek, Geoff, Steve2, Emily, Joanna, Andy, and, of course, Matt.
I felt a little scatter-brained during the affair, and bouncing from table to table made me feel as though I wasn't spending enough time with some of you, but, seriously, I couldn't ask for a better group of friends. Thanks so, so much!
Below are a few of the pictures from the evening. The rest of the pictures revealed to me just how fat I've become, so you don't get to see them.

As for what you can expect to see on the blog in the coming week--reviews of The Lake House, Pirates of the Carribean, and A Scanner Darkly. Plus, a love letter to Chez Gaudy.

Oh! And Maggie, you have a message from Keith in the comments of the last post.