TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas…

Well, yes it twas but I’m not Clement Moore either and I’m actually writing this Christmas Eve morn. It’s 530AM here as I sit typing this and making sure the pugs are behaving themselves. I’m at my Ex’s Parents home in Poulsbo, WA (across the Puget Sound from Seattle). It’s 30 and we have some light, wet snow falling silently through the firs, spruces and Western Cedars. Even the birds aren’t up yet to add their chatter and fight over his Mom’s suet feeders out front.

The pugs got me up and out to do their business and inside covered with moisture from their trek. Coffee’s not made as would be my want but I have a ‘cup at a time’ system at home that his Mom gave me for Christmas last year (a GODSEND!). He’s piled up on the couch in a semi-state of slumber biding his time before he’ll get up and turn on the news and complain about no coffee before heading to the bathroom. HEH! After 8 years together, I still know him so well.

He’s my family; as are his parents. I’m glad they are here for me and vice versa.

I’m writing this because another year has pass with me being a member of the TRH group. Things have changed in the world, people have come and come within their lifetime (living the life given them), and some have left sooner (unfortunately) than they should have, political times have changed and a new direction begins with the New Year.

It has been a little over three years since I started writing diligently again (although, I’m sure some would argue that its not fast enough). I have been very fortunate to make the acquaintance and then the friendship of a few people in the group that I greatly cherish. Without their support, care and, yes, brotherly love I would not been able to get through my own trials. And mine are minimal and minor to what others in this world face. I want to publically (yet not mentioning their names for privacy reasons) for that help and care. I love you all with all my heart. Thank you for being there for me!

I’m six months from 42 and I really don’t feel like it. My brain doesn’t think that way at times and when I look in the mirror, I do not see it; although the grey in the temples shows it. I will continue to fight getting older every chance I can. I’m still single and I still write about love and finding the person that one can call their own. Maybe my own ‘Christmas Wish’ will come true. LOL! We shall see…

Now, for wishes. It is my sincerest wish that this Christmas brings you peace, love and a sense of knowing that you are cared about. I hope the New Year brings you the blessings of fulfillment and that your needs will be more than met.

Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night…

TJay

Christmas Story

If anyone reads this then there is a short Christmas story I'm putting up on the Tickie story site called 'Christmas Wish'

KC (many of you know as TJay's parakeet) passed away this morning

This might be a weird post but you have to understand... KC was with me from the moment I moved to Washington State 12 years ago (within a week of moving into my new place). I knew that the time was coming and that he’d probably ‘pass’ while I was up at Den’s place. I told Den this morning that I thought he had. I just felt it.

It might be weird to be sad over the loss of such a little bird but, as many of you know, that bird was with me through being sick and recovery. I was almost heartbroken when I thought that I wouldn’t be able to have him back in my home after I got out of the nursing facility in 1999. I was so happy to have him back and then with Amy. Those two were my companions while Den was working.

I just wanted to let those of you know who remember me and my stupid bird that said “F***” only (LOL, thanks to him picking it up from Den grumbling about computer related stuff.

TJay

TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Yesterday marked a turning point for many in the GLBT Community. One that was driven by narrow minded beliefs, fear and vast amount of funding by a group of individuals whose own policies towards those who are Gay, Bi, Lesbian, Trans-gendered or Questioning is to Ex-communicate those individuals; something that goes against most every major theological doctrine within religious designations.

Whether or not you look at the idea of First Amendment beliefs (both within and outside of the confines of the pulpit), the 501-3c's and lobbbiests, one must look within and see that this nation was found in the expansion of civil and personal liberties and not the denial therein. One has to look no further than the repealing of Prohibition to see what occurs when there is an attempt to 'ban' a right.

I hear people say that the passage was done with the will of the people and that the majority ruled. Then I look back over the two plus centuries of this nation, the times of struggle and am reminded (as I remind others) that if it were left to the "will of the people" then this nation would not have:

- Title IX and the opportunities for women

- The Emancipation Proclamation

- The 19th Amendment of the US Constitution

- The end of Seggregation

- The Civil Rights Act of 1964

How then can someone say that Prop 8 was right when so many have benefited from these previous items?

It is called the "Seperation of Church and State" for a reason. And again, I will remind you of the follow... It says so much of what we struggle for:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

What follows are pix of the "March Against Prop 8" in Seattle. I, my Ex and his roommate all attended. Although, because of my legs and the issues of walking so far, I was not able to march the entire route. I attended the beginning at 945AM just until they started marching at 1PM and then I (and the Ex's roommate) joined my Ex (as many of you know is my BEST FRIEND) for the last few blocks of the march.

STARTED OUT WITH LESS THAN 1000

TJay at Volunteer Park before 'the March'

From 1000 to more than 6000.....

Burt and Ernie want their 'rights' as well....

I GIVE YOU HOMER'S REAL HALLOWEEN HORROR!

UPDATES, UPDATES and TIED DOWN

Yep, I'm updating and I've gotten some writing done. I've just finished the lastest chapter of 'BULL RIDER' tonight. Things took a bit but I was recovering from bronchitis. I've never had bronchitis. I went to see my physician last Monday and he was listening to my lungs. The 'F' word was uttered (that's FUCK for all who need it explained, LOL) with "At least it's not pneumonia again." I've been chained down a lot with subbing and then being sick again.

Now that I'm on the road to normality, it's all turning to be a bit better! I haven't been able to write as much with all the crap going. Then there is the need to be inspired by the characters. Inspiration is a hard thing to get. As I explained to someone recently, "You don't write the story, the characters do at their pace."

I see some light at the end of the tunnel with my move coming up next year and that's making things easier too. Well, I'll sign off here...

TJay

AGING PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IM

Yeah, this post is a little larger than most but there's a point to be made; aging/older parents should not have access to IM, especially if your Father is a cheap bastard and doesn't like paying a long distance bill. So any computer question comes from my 'beloved' (retching sound here) Mom.

"How do I do this?"
"How do I use Vista properly?" (Get a book or use the tutorial that came with the computer)
"I want to put my crap (my term for the stuff she makes) on Ebay. How about you put it all up for me?"

Ok, in all honesty here, she doesn't make crap. It's great sewing (quilts and such) and she's talented there but she's also lazy about trying things on her own. She always has been this way (a POINT OF ANNOYANCE with me).

That said, they've both have gone on a 'Religious Jag' again to the extent that if I hear or see over IM "have a blessed day" one more time I'm going to yak my meal up!

If you haven't gotten the gist by now and don't know me, then you can tell that I'm not very fond of my parents. I care but just not in a 'son' way towards them.

All of this leads me up to wanting to commit 'Hara-Kiri' by Motherboard this AM!

Writing: Ok, look, here's the thing. I've been subbing (needing the 'green' to live on) and I've gotten shit in my chest again from drainage (kept me home for 2 days) so I haven't written anything this week. This morning I'm dealing with a 'pressure gradient' headache. Strong low coming in off the Pacific creating hard pressure gradients and pushes on the sinuses in my head. Annoying and painful (much like talking with my parents) but like dealing with my parents (turn off the phone and IM), I can alleviate the problem by taking 2 Ibuprofen (which I did) and putting a wet, cold (preferably with a couple ice cubes in it) wash cloth over the eyes to shrink the blood vessels.

If anyone really wants to help me, they can come over and pay attention to Ella for the day or the weekend as I've just been 'snorted at' and currently being stared down (she wants to play fetch, sigh).

TJay