End of September Update

Dear Jack,

Here's about all that happened this month.  I've been looking constantly for a new job.  Several other friends have joined me in similar pursuits.  It seems like I know just as many unemployed as I do employed.  Hopefully we'll all find something and soon.

I attended the Out to Work job fair, but the line was outrageous and down the street.  I doubt there were enough jobs in the fair for maybe 50-100 people.  Some exhibitors didn't even take resumes, but were just there to tell you to go to their websites and apply.

Sept 9 I traveled to St. Louis for IntegrityUSA's After Anaheim Conference.  We stayed in the Omni hotel in downtown St. Louis.  The trip was actually a lot of fun, and it was nice to get to know my colleagues as Provincial Coordinators.  We also looked into the possibility of joining the Welcoming Resources program for identifying welcoming congregations.  For the most part, I think they sold me on the idea.  I roomed with Neil, and as always, had a grand time with him.

I came back in time for the Democratic Primary.  I was very happy to learn that my ex-boss lost with only less than 1/3 of the votes.  I'm a Christian who believes in Karma.  I was also very happy to have participated in several successful campaigns.  The victories of Danny Dromm and Chris Quinn were the highlights.  Despite the fact that the lady I supported in my own city council district did not win, I am still very happy with the result of Jimmy Van Bramer.  I was never an anti-Van Bramer person, and I think he'll do a grand job.  I was very sad for the loss of my friend Bob Zuckerman in Brooklyn.  Michael and I attended the Victory Party for Danny Dromm in Jackson Heights, having helped hand out literature on election day.  It amazed me to see some of the anti-Dromm literature that was "anonymously" distributed--very homophobic, and outright lies.  I hope whoever instigated it is found and exposed for the homophobe they are.

On the 20th, IntegrityNYC had a celebratory Eucharist at St. Luke in the Fields, which was presided over by Bishop Roskam.  I was so grateful for all the people who helped to make it possible.  We had about 60 people...not great, but not awful.  It is a start yet shows the momentum we have to grown in the Diocese.

I have identified about 125 parishes in NY and NJ that are not yet Integrity parishes, but due to their policies and welcoming stances SHOULD be.  It will be my job as Province II Coordinator to help get them on board. 

Not having a job, I've found myself feeling reclusive.  Mind you, it could also have been the cold I had in the later half of the month.  Still, the idea of hanging out with large groups of people and being very extroverted seems a bit intimidating, especially since one of the first questions people ask are "what do you do for a living" to which I have to reply "I'm currently looking for a job".  Though, with so many people in the same predicament, most are understanding, and it doesn't hold the same perception that it did in the past.

My goal for October is to continue to push myself to be out there meeting people.  It will be my job with Integrity to do this, but also a responsibility as a leader in OUT Astoria.  Plus my friends are always trying to pull me out, and that really means a lot to me.

One of the biggest things that I have recognized is how wonderful and supportive my friends are.  There is so much love that I have received from them, and I hope that I can return it 10 fold.

Next Please

Dear Jack,

So Yesterday I was supposed to hear back regarding one of the jobs I interviewed for. As it is now Friday, and the job was to start Monday, and I have not heard anything, I am assuming I did not land that job. So it goes. I am still hopeful to find something, and will keep trying. According to one of the job seeking accounts I have, there are 6 applications that have been pulled for the next level of review. Any of those jobs would be wonderful.

Tonight I am making turkey chili and am a little excited at it. I guess I'll get the domestic bug out of my while I can afford to do so, and still under severance.

As far as everything else, not much going on. I created an IntegrityNYC blog and hopefully we can do stuff to update it and promote iNYC. We are also trying to get a celebratory Eucharist set up, but may have to postpone it till September. That is mostly, so we can raise funds to cover the costs.

Well that's all I have today.

Too Much Pride

Dear Jack,

This weekend was Pride in NYC. It was the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. I organized IntegrityNYC's marching contingency. This meant that I assisted St. Luke in the Fields with the Eucharist on the street, then marshaled the volunteers who held the IntegrityNYC banner.

Our friend Neil came down from Rochester-ways to attend. It has been great having a guest in the house. On Saturday we had some friends over for dinner. It was nothing special, just some pasta, salad, and fruit compote. All in all it was a good night.

Pride Day was busy. I arrived at St. Luke's at 9:15am. The trolley they wanted was unavailable, and instead, a greyhound-like bus pulled up. We were supposed to kick-off at 12:30, but we didn't actually step off till 1:30ish. By 5:30 we were at the end. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. It was probably the best pride march I've been in. Midway on down, we picked up Bishop Gene Robinson who was visiting the Presbyterians at 5th Ave Presbyterian Church.

After the parade, we rushed to St. Luke's for the Evensong and picnic. The sermon was very life-affirming, given by a priest from Long Island. Bishop Andrew St. John and Bishop Gene Robinson were also there.

We had dinner with Mike M. and Demetrius at Cowgirls.

My friend Neil's blog has some good pictures: "Marching With Episcopalians" & "And More...Down Christopher Street"

You'll note the good picture of me and Bishop Robinson that Neil took.

Anyways in all the excitement, I've injured my ankle, and find it troublesome to walk. I even called in sick today as a result, and spent most of the day with my foot propped up and a pad on it.

My Back

Dear Jack,

Friday at work I pulled a muscle in my mid-back. I had to get a shot in the back to relieve the pain, and have been taking it easy since. Also on Friday our friend Neil came in from IntegrityUSA so that he could speak at a special Anaheim Appeal at St. Bart's on Sunday. Friday night we did dinner with my friend Paul and Jason. Surprisingly, this was the first time they were in the apartment.

Saturday, we attended a Western Queens for Marriage Equality event. I had a hard time participating with my back. We ate dinner at Mojave.

Sunday we were at St. Bart's for IntegrityNYC's co-sponsored event for Anaheim Appeal.

I went to the doc today again, and have been relaxing. My back hopefully will get better soon.