Prop 8 Upheld

Dear Jack,

Today, it was announced that Prop 8 would be upheld. The only benefit is that the 18,000 marriages that were performed before Prop8 would also be upheld. I am following on several blogs the reactions of people in CA, specifically in San Francisco. It is exciting and scary at the same time. Today, in NYC we will be having our own rally at 6 with a march from Sheridan Sq to Union Sq. Michael will be in attendance, and I'll be at work. My hopes and prayers will be with them all.

Now is the time to stand up, and to make a difference. How long can we continue to go sidelined? We are liked if we are campy and funny, or turning straight people into metrosexuals. We are demonized if we ask for equal rights. Now is the time of Rosa Parks, where we sit down and refuse to move, despite the fear we possess, or the consequences of our civil disobedience. We must act now.

Favorite Quotations (Updating Post)

Dear Jack,

Below are some of my favorite quotations. Some are notable, and some are mundane. As time goes on, I will be updating my quotations and re-posting this post to show the additions:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage. Render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the week; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

BCP

We do not live for ourselves, and all our energy, all our gifts are directed to abundant life for the other.

Right Reverend Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Colombo, 20 Jul 2008

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions XVII, 1623

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where there is charity and love, God is there

Early Christian Hymn

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation... It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

Robert F. Kennedy

Also, as truly as God is our Father, so as truly God is our Mother. And that he shows in all and namely in these sweet words, where he says, 'I it am'. That is to say, 'I it am, the might and goodness of Fatherhead; I it am, the wisdom and the kindness of Motherhood; I it am, the light and the grace, that is all blessed love; I it am, the Trinity; I it am, the Unity; I it am, the high sovereign goodness of all manner of things; I it am, that makes you to love; I it am, that makes you to long, the endless fullness of all true desires'"Also, as truly as God is our Father, so as truly God is our Mother. And that he shows in all and namely in these sweet words, where he says, 'I it am'. That is to say, 'I it am, the might and goodness of Fatherhead; I it am, the wisdom and the kindness of Motherhood; I it am, the light and the grace, that is all blessed love; I it am, the Trinity; I it am, the Unity; I it am, the high sovereign goodness of all manner of things; I it am, that makes you to love; I it am, that makes you to long, the endless fullness of all true desires'

Julian of Norwich

There are those who insist the Holocaust never happened - who perpetrate every form of intolerance — racism, antisemitism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, and more — hatred that degrades its victim and diminishes us all. Today, and every day we have an opportunity, as well as an obligation to confront these scourges.

President Barak Obama, 23 Apr 2009

Jury Duty

Dear Jack,

So this past week I had Jury Duty. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. A day of waiting, and then in the end, it all got settled out of court. Still, I am free from jury duty for 6 years now. I was also lucky that I had to go to the Queens County Courthouse in Long Island City rather than the one out on Sutpin Blvd.

On Friday, we went to the Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club Annual Dinner. We sat with Dirk and his mother, and he received an award. There was tons of food, and it was all pretty good.

Saturday I helped at church with a Memorial service. I was exhausted and tired afterward. My back apparently is still not completely 100%, as holding the torch for the short time I did, caused it to flare up.

Sunday was the AIDS walk and the Broadway Impact Marriage Event. That was fairly well attended. It was cold, and I wasn't feeling the best at that point. We had dinner with Daniel and Paul at Michael's Restaurant.

Not much else going on here.

Leaving Chase

Dear Jack,

I am fed up with Chase. I signed in my online account and saw that I was going to be overdrawn when some items posted. I immediately transferred funds from my other account (at Chase too). Imagine my shock when the pending items posted, but my in-house transfer didn't for another day. This caused overdraft fees. Before the fees I had 189 bucks in the account. With the fees I ended up over drafting again JUST on the fees. The fees add to the fees that the fees caused despite the transfer.

I called the bank to see what I can do, and I was told, nothing. They can put in a request to waive 1 fee, but that's not guaranteed. I told them that it makes no sense that an in-house transfer gets posted a day later, and that I'd like some resolution.

They told me that I can close my account if I am upset with the customer service. "People close their accounts every day", I was told.

Well, if that's the case, then I will make mine be a statistic. Any suggestions on a new bank? TD? Capital One?

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.

Eunuchs

Dear Jack,

I have mildly become obsessed with the nature of Eunuchs in the Bible. Jesus mentions in Matthew, that there are Eunuchs from Birth and differentiates them from Eunuchs that are created, and those who choose celibacy to glorify God. Some would say that Eunuchs from Birth may be hermaphrodites, but that is inconclusive. What is interesting is that various writers from the time refer to Eunuchs who are able to marry and pro-create (thus not created Eunuchs). These same Eunuchs are allegedly repulsed by the thought of sex with women, and some sources also show that they are inclined for sex with men. I found an in depth research paper by a gay Muslim on it. I found it interesting, and have come to the conclusion that Eunuchs from birth may just be the term for gay men used at that time of history. I recommend reading the paper above.

On a different note, I'm feeling sort of down in the dumps. So many things are going on in my immediate family that I am slightly overstressed by it. Not that there is anything I can do about the financial crisis and how it is effecting my parents. I hope this hurries up and is remedied soon. It scares me a little inside.

Onorato

Dear Jack,

So my senator, George Onorato, is failing to respond to his constituents regarding their desire to have him vote in support of Marriage Equality. If you call his office, they tell you now that he will not be speaking with anyone about that issue, because he has made up his mind to vote against Marriage Equality.

He is not representing his district, and should be removed. It is my understanding that some democrat will need to request a primary s that he can be challenged as the Democratic nominee. I am ready to throw my full support behind those who would be willing to do that. We need someone who will be responsive to his district, not practice avoidance and bigotry.

Slow Day

Dear Jack,

Today is a slow day. The phones are dead, there are no emails, and only two classes going on as I sit here bored out of my mind. I've reviewed our online profiles for the school. I've eaten dinner. I have now even begun blogging. I've updated our Agents list again, and created I-20s for future students. Yawn.

I hate this shift, because all the excitement happens in the mornings.

Easter 2009

Dear Jack,

I had a grand Easter weekend. Thursday I was on Altar Guild and got to witness Maundy Thursday at St. Luke's. We had Bp. Griswold visiting the parish, and he led the services for Triduum. After a foot washing, we had communion. Then the communion was placed in a ciborium and processed by the bishop to our chapel where it was placed in the Altar of Repose. From there we processed in silence to the gymnasium where a candlelight Agape dinner was prepared for us. We ate lentil/orange flavored soup, and then heard the final address of Jesus in the Gospel of John, before returning to the Nave and ritually stripping the altar.

Friday, we took it easy. I was intending to attend the Good Friday service, but chickened out because i knew it would be more Catholic than I felt comfortable with. I've never been much of a fan of the veneration of the cross. I won't stop others, but am not inclined to attend, myself.

Saturday I got to St. Luke's around 11, and was trained in Acolyting for the Easter Vigil. I then helped the Altar Guild with getting everything ready. After the work, a few of us went to Liederhosen and had sausages. Then we returned for the Vigil.

The Vigil was spectacular. I was the acolyte that carried the nails for the Paschal candle. I was nervous I'd drop a nail and never see it in the dark. It seemed to go without a hitch. Mtr. Stacey sang the Exultet beautifully, and I found myself able to worship. After the Vigil, there was a reception in the gymnasium with roast lamb and ham, deviled eggs, and a raspberry pastry.

The next day we ushered. Everyone kept on telling us that it would be so awful to usher, but I didn't find it too bad, and neither did Mike. I was also delighted to see the Easter bunny outside... it reminded me of the Vicar of Dibley.

Delays

Dear Jack,

It is a Friday, and I am fighting a migraine headache. I am home and medicated, but my neck and forehead still are tensed and pained.

There are some things of little note that I want to share.

The first is that we have a new bed, and I have been getting better sleep than I have in a long time. I know this is true because I am constantly dreaming. Mind you I have none that really stand out...as in I cannot remember any of the dreams beyond my initial waking up. I am not sleeping all the way through the night though. I wake up 3 times or so, usually in the middle of a dream.

There is an important notification that I am expecting, and today I received an email saying that the notification would not be given for another 2 weeks. At least I was told it would be another 2 weeks.

Unknown Sender

Dear Jack,

Today has been one of those "days". I received an ominous message from my supervisor. I'm not sure what to make of it. It doesn't really bother me, but still, not the way one wants to start the day.

What is weird, is that my assistant and I were discussing the message (as he was copied on it), and strategizing on how to respond this afternoon. Apparently while sitting at my desk talking with him, my computer sent me 7 emails. All of the emails were from "Unknown Sender" with the Subject "No Subject" and the body of "QUIT".

I found it a little odd at first, not knowing their origins. I spoke with our IT person and he said they came from my computer, while I was sitting with Jon at it (neither of using it). We ran a scan on the computer, and no virus or malware has shown up.

Probably nothing, but weird.

Trouble Sleeping

Dear Jack,

I am having trouble sleeping. I had a migraine headache all day today. It was awful, but luckily the first and only major one this year (2009). If I only get one a quarter, then so be it.

There is not much going on, really. Well there is a possible career change coming up... and I hope it goes well. If it does, you'll know because I'll publish it on here. Not that my current job is awful, but the atmosphere and compensation are insulting. I have been there exactly 1 year. Not much has changed other than all the people I started with are now gone, and I have pretty much absorbed most of their work, and NONE - ZERO - ZILCH of the pay. I make what I started making. And trying to discuss the options with my boss is difficult. I prefer not to at this point. All I can say, is that the job that is interested in me, my boss cannot match in compensation.

I'll learn soon what the results are. I'm going to try to get some more rest now. The meds stop me from being able to sleep well, and if I don' take them, I don't sleep at all because of the pain.

Edmund Fitzgerald

Dear Jack,

Every now and again I have times where a phrase or word or subject repeats itself within a short amount of time. I have often wondered why this occurs. Part of me wonders if it is a sign related to that word. I had once heard someone hypothesize that there was a mass thought process that allows multiple people to have the same thought or similar thought at the same time.

My most recent experience with this is the Edmund Fitzgerald. At home a couple of days ago, I downloaded the new Google Earth on our Acer computer. The new feature is "Oceans", meaning they've added more details about oceans and lakes. One such detail was shipwrecks were marked. For whatever reason, I started looking at the ones on Lake Erie. That moved me along the great lakes until I had reached Superior. On the east side of the lake was the Edmond Fitzgerald.

I had once thought I heard my uncle Mike mention that he almost traveled on that ship. I can't recall the context wholly, and it seems to fantastical to know for sure.

Well today, as I sit in the office at HWLC, I hear the Gordon Lightfoot ballad playing in one of the classrooms. I do not know the context of why the class would be playing his music, but it was eerie that it came so shortly after my reviewing of the wreck on Google Maps.

I know there is nothing to it probably but still it makes one think about coincidences. Is there more than just similar coinciding events...some link.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Dear Jack,

I'm a little down in the dumps. I feel sort of trapped in a track that is not progressing anywhere. My job pays enough to keep food on the table, and so I shouldn't complain, I know. There are worse things. People have a lot worse lives than I do.

I want to rest, and feel like I am so backed up on resting that I'll never feel like I can again. Most days I get home late and tired and have to pretty much just get ready to go to bed because I have to be back at work at 8:30.

I am disinclined to be active in politics...not even Stonewall... like I once was. I find the politics of it all to be reminiscent of Middle School. It is not worth the stress to me.

I'm worried about my parents a lot lately. With the economy, my dad is hardly working, and that makes me nervous for them. It was not like my dad made a lot before this "recession". It weighs heavily on me.

Yet there is always hope. I have hope still, and live in that hope and draw strength in that hope. There is indeed no journey gone to far that one cannot stop and change direction. The road may be toilsome and hard to bare. But in the end it passes. I think it was the Great Divorce that suggested that our misery that feels like Hell is only a Purgatory experience when compared to the Heaven prepared for us. Least that's my interpretation of one of the sub-themes.

This gloom passes and a new light breaks. Spring is still coming, not here yet...with spring is always the Resurrection and New Birth.

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing - James Weldon Johnson

Dear Jack,

Quoted today, and very poignant.

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring.
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast'ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee,
Shadowed beneath thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

--James Weldon Johnson