March 13, 2010 archive

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in default

Some say by printing.

From what I’ve heard about the vaults

I hold with those who say default.

But if I could go broke minting

I know enough of fear

To say that for destruction printing

Is always near

And equally unstinting.

Who is Your Fav Stand-Up Comedian?

Crossposted at Daily Kos

Over the years, I’ve heard many a comedian admit that performing stand-up comedy in a night/comedy club is one of the more frighteningly-difficult things to do.  Not only do comedians get instant feedback (good or bad) from a demanding audience but appealing to and holding the attention of a room full of (often) drunk people makes their job all the more challenging.

What exactly is stand-up comedy?



Rob Tornoe, Caglecartoons.com

:: ::

Stand-up comedy is a style of comedy where the performer speaks directly to the audience, with the absence of the theatrical fourth wall… It is usually performed by a single comedian, and usually with the aid of a microphone.  The comedian usually recites a fast paced succession of humorous stories, short jokes (called bits), and one-liners, typically called a monologue, routine or act.

Follow me for a few laughs.

Photographs and Memories: Going Back to the 1964-65 World’s Fair

Note: This being the anniversary of one of the best walks I’ve ever taken, I’ve decided to rework and re-post this essay , the second most popular piece I’ve ever written. Is is cross-posted at Firefly-Dreaming, La Vita Locavore and Progressive Blue.

Some things change. Some things, they stay the same. Time takes its toll but every now an then you can go back. On March 12, 2009 I went back to see what I could find from my childhood. I guess the reason I went was because another relic of that fair died that week when they pulled down the last tower of Shea Stadium. Many fond memories went down that day. One was from 1969 and another from 1986. Here let Louie Armstrong take you through a few stills from 1964.

There is a World’s Fair Stadium that is still standing. Did you know that Louis Armstrong Stadium, the main stadium of the U.S. Open until 1997 was the Singer Bowl during the World’s Fair? Singer as in sewing machines, which were a big deal in the 1960’s, so was the I.L.G.W.U.

There are still many fond memories to be found in the largest park in Queens. There were also a few questions about present day politics that were answered by looking back.  May I suggest that you watch the video above for a look back and then come below the fold to see a few not old photos and a little of my history below.  

Friday Philosophy: Trans News

Every once in a while, I try to share news of interest to the trans community with people from outside our community, in the hopes that people will get a better idea about what goes on in our lives.  It’s all part of that teaching effort that we have been told we must do before we can ever hope to be accorded equal rights.

What else is new? department:  

Item:  Transwoman killed in the East Hollywood portion of Los Angeles.  This was actually last summer.  What is really new is that the office of Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti is offering a $50K reward for information as to the whereabouts of Jose Catalan, who has been labeled a “person of interest” in the case.  Catalan may turn out to be a suspect or may be just a witness.  But currently he is a missing parolee and is considered to be armed and dangerous.

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