Dream Revelations

Had a very vivid and bizarre dream last night. I was traveling by train with Mr. Schue from TV's Glee. We were with a group destined for a Baroque city, the only one in the Americas. The city is small with Romanesque, stone buildings, which were perched up on a hill. It's a pristine preserved ghost town, but a living museum. The skyline had a beautiful pink hue to it. There were ancient carvings in many of the walls between buildings. It was unlike any place I had seen before. Mystical.

Someone seemingly out of nowhere handed me a baby. They fled. I'm holding this cute baby in my arms. I wasn't sure what to do. Was I to keep it? I start to walk forward. Suddenly I realize I just stepped on something. It was another baby, a really, really small baby; a preemie. I was horrified! The preemie was burrowed face down on the ground. I picked it up. There was no sign of life. I was completely shock-stricken. I'm pretty sure this was the point when I awoke as I don't remember anything beyond this.

Of course I had to consult my dream book on this one. Here's the revelation I have so far:

"To see a train in your dream represents conformity. You are going along with what everyone else is doing. Or you have a need to do things in an orderly and sequential manner. If you see a passenger train, then it relates to mental work. Alternatively, your dream of trains may be a metaphor that you are "in training" for some event, job or goal. To dream you are on a train symbolizes your life's journey. It suggests that you are on the right track in life and headed in the right direction. Alternatively, you have a tendency to worry needlessly over a situation that will prove to work out in the end."

Well that's reassuring.

"To see a city in your dreams, signifies a sense of community. To dream you are in a deserted city indicates that you feel rejected by those around you."

Wow, that's pretty fucking accurate. I'll get back to that in a minute.

"To see a baby in your dreams signifies innocence, warmth and new beginnings. Babies symbolize something in your own inner nature that is pure, vulnerable, helpless and/or uncorrupted. If you find a baby in your dream, then it suggests that you have acknowledged your hidden potential. If you dream that a baby is neglected, then it suggests you are not paying enough attention to yourself. You are not utilizing your full potential. To dream of an extremely small baby symbolizes your helplessness and your fears of letting others become aware of your vulnerabilities and incompetence. To see a dead baby in your dream symbolizes the ending of something that is part of you."

OK, that went a bit below the surface right to the core. I'm really intrigued by that very last sentence, almost as if I know the answer. It just eludes me now.

I've been chronically ill for the past nine months. This has been the most traumatizing journey I have ventured to date. While I have a sense I am just beginning to really heal and restore my wellness, there have been many moments I thought I might possibly keel over dead.

This has also been a very isolating journey few can relate to in my sphere. I have friends who I am pretty sure don't really know how to support me in what I've been going through. Some don't really acknowledge or even check in to see how I'm doing.

The flip side of that isolation coin is having withdrawn quite a bit because I just haven't had the wherewithal to do much more than work through my health issues, perform my job functions (when I've been well enough to) and do what I can to keep the status quo at home (which has symptomatically been fairly improbable).

Here's hoping the part of me that's ending is the illness that has altered the course of my life and made me for a time a stranger to myself.

Another year, another reality ...

Before I started writing about equality, I noticed my last post before it was almost exactly a year old! Shit. What's up with me reconnecting with my blog perennially in June? Where does the time go?

Speaking of time, a friend of mine made this remark at a mountain cabin getaway last weekend: "We invented time so we can construct reality."

Yesterday I was driving through Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood. When I reached the top of the hill by the light rail station, I saw a large mural of Frida Kahlo with a quote: "I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality." I found these words profoundly inspiring.

My friend's comment and this quote caught my attention this week. On the heels of this I received a very emotionally moving email from another friend as he prepares to journey into his next life (I feel like "afterlife" is so void of life and possibility of a magical existence beyond this place).

There is such truth and beauty (in some instances obscure) in my friend's closest friend's words. So I will share some excerpts with attribution:

 "Now, it’s time to be a bit more transparent. Although we had a great day, it was very taxing for him. He now has difficulty with the simplest things. Getting in and out of the car. Walking up stairs. Balance, dexterity – opening and closing things, handling utensils. It’s not easy just having a normal day. It takes a lot of energy for him to go out and about and just do normal things and it requires a lot of patience for those who are caring for him. His speech is slurred much of the time and confusion is a constant companion – which frustrates him to no end. There are other issues that make him very uncomfortable that I will not describe here, but have a big impact on his life. Fortunately, hospice care is providing relief for those issues, so his comfort is maximized and his pain is minimized.

Today, Erika, John and I met with his wonderful hospice nurse – Lisa – and came to a number of conclusions and decisions about his care and the time he has left. The focus now is on making him as comfortable as
possible so he can enjoy the time he has remaining. I can tell you that emotionally and spiritually, Johnny is in a good place – he has his difficult days – but he remains the wonderful, balanced human being we all love and draw strength from.

By mutual agreement with hospice, his family, myself, and John – we respectfully ask: That he receive no more visitors, phone calls, or requests for meetings. He is simply not physically able to accommodate this. It
really breaks his heart to do this, as we all know how social he is, but he physically cannot do it anymore and hospice has strongly recommended this course.

I will close this message with a thought about my best friend and my brother. When I think about what I would do for him and what he would do for me…a favorite scripture from the Bible comes to mind. It’s from
John 15:13…and it goes like this “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends”. If I could…I would. And he would too. I love you Johnny." - Kerry M.

John and I met through our local LGBT business chamber before I became contract staff there. He immediately did everything he could to support my copy writing craft. He was an established and successful ad man who came out late in life. Honest, hard working, passionate, very compassionate and generous. He was always upbeat and a pleasure to converse with. He's one of those spirits who's equal parts sagely wise and playful.

My last opportunity to see him was several weeks ago on April 21st (isn't that Earth day?). John's nearest and dearest threw him a grand celebratory party at a beautiful highrise apartment building in Downtown Seattle. I knew I had to go see him one last time.

What a turnout! No surprise, John is an extremely amiable guy. Of course he's loved by so many. His dream was to retire in Bali, which he had done for some time until he became very ill. His purpose for returning to Seattle was to receive the best possible cancer treatment and of course be surrounded by those who know and love him.

Unfortunately the treatment course was unsuccessful. John has subsequently accepted his fate, chose to allow the disease to run its course and live out the rest of his days with his family in Southern California. So this celebration was to be his final farewell to those of us he's leaving here in the Emerald City.

I waded through countless people in the great common gathering area on the second level of the Olivian lobby until I reached what appeared to be clearing. John was seated in the middle of this vast room, which felt cozy by all counts thanks to it being filled to near capacity with those like me who wanted to see John one last time.

He was bald, thin as a rail and dressed smart for a day in the tropics with a linen scarf draped losely about his neck. We caught eyes and suddenly he lit up, exclaiming, "Brad! You don't know how much it means to me that you made it!" He began to weep, and I found myself overcome with a mix of joy and heart-wrenching emotion.

It was clear he was comfortably seated, so I knelt down and we took one another's hands. I told him how wonderful it was to see him, and it was. His eyes sparkled like fine gems. We smiled at one another. He wanted to know how I was doing. Despite months of illness, I told him I was doing well and that life is good. While in some ways it felt as if we were able to connect for quite a while, I know it was in reality just a blink of an eye. He invited me to see him if I ever made it down to Southern California. I think this was a way of letting me know we may meet again on the other side or perhaps in another life. Or maybe he simply meant exactly what he said.

I could feel a presence at my back, so I turned to see what appeared to be a really long receiving line that stretched clear across the great room. I acknowledged how many other people who loved him were longing to see him, so I vowed I would look him up if I'm ever planning to head his way. He reiterated how much it meant to have me there, and I could feel his truth in his words inside my bones. Choked up, he brought his fist up to his chest, knocked gently a couple times and told me I would always be in his heart.

While I haven't known John terribly long, and I haven't known him well in the conventional sense, I feel I knew him profoundly.

A few days after the party, John sent me the following private message via Facebook:
"dear brad...i cannot tell you how much your visit meant to me on Sunday. your spirit and enthusiasm inspire me. always has and always will. if you are ever in the Newport Beach area, let me know. would love you to meet the rest of my wonderful and whacky family. give my best to Matt when you see him. tell him i understand that he will always remain a special person in my heart--just like you are. much love and many blessings, amigo..."

I was so touched and moved by his message, I wasn't sure whether I had a worthy enough response. I didn't reply.

The email I received updating me on his condition was my call to action. While I may have missed an opportunity to respond digitally, I sure as hell wasn't going to miss an opportunity to create a tangible, loving thought for him to enjoy as he transitions out of this life. I began pondering some thoughts last night. This morning I sat down and began to write, and this is what I expressed to him:

"The joy you filled me with at your Seattle celebration overwhelmed me, John. Much like an outstanding note in an enchanting melody, it is those gilded moments which contain life’s very meaning. The space in between is so we can clearly hear when those notes are struck, appreciate them for the light they bring into our realities and reflect upon them fondly. It is my sincerest wish you have been savoring much more than the world’s fair share of precious moments. May love always light your way as you have so warmly lit others’. With much love, Brad"

The cover of the card was blank, so I thought a simple quote on its cover would be ideal:

"Everything you can imagine is real." - Pablo Picasso

Equality & Myths of Unicorns

equal·i·ty: the quality or state of being equal

I like to think of this as the "uniquality" symbol.

On the heels of an historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the Defense of Marriage Act and on eve of the country's birthday, I thought it timely to discuss equality. It's a seemingly simple word with far-reaching implications.

Take marriage equality for example. The sanctity of marriage under state and federal laws bestows a bundle of some 1,400 rights and/or immunities, until now not afforded to same gender couples.

Once upon a time Thomas Jefferson introduced The American concept of equality, "all men are created equal," in 1776. Since then, we have enslaved African men and women. We have disenfranchised women, mixed-ethnicity couples and homosexuals. Struggles, clashes, full blown movements and civil war have ensued over this simple, little word; equality.

Is it so profound our U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold a basic human right and principle clearly intended by those geniuses who founded this nation in the first place? I don't mean to downplay the far-reaching implications of this amazing, historic ruling. I'm just merely pondering how far we have to veer off course until the wheels fall off and then we find ourselves back at square one. Why must we lose sight of what was important to our forefathers to begin with? Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Almost sounds like a classic tagline for the travel industry. Well it's not. It's the promise America made to its citizens. How many of you out there are happy? Looking for happiness? Resigned you'll never be happy another day in your life?

The truth is, no one can intrinsically be equal. Not even Siamese twins. Russia discovered this through its little social experiment. Remember the U.S.S.R.? Even in a communist system there's a hierarchy, which is a complete paradox.

Look around the environment. All natural systems have a hierarchy, too. Top of the food chain. Bottom of the food chain. Things that feed on the bottom of the food chain. So how do we elevate ourselves from survival of the fittest? Equality? Maybe.

Do I as a homosexual male American feel more equal in the eyes of the law today? Maybe. I definitely feel like unicorns are more accepted as real. I know, you're thinking what is up with this guy. Why is he looking a gift horse in the mouth?

Is it really a gift? Or is equality very similar in proxy to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; a promise from America? You take away my promise and then reaffirm the promise. It's a little bit like cutting open my chest, ripping out my still-beating heart and then returning it to me wrapped up with a bow. That's not a gift. I was born with it. It was mine to begin with, so fuck you!

The reality is, these social issues are a complete smoke screen masking the more sinister issues plaguing our world. One of the nastiest is Corporate Sociopathism. I've touched on this in my last couple posts 'You Can't Handle The Truth I & II.'

Equality, like unicorns, is a beautiful concept in theory. In reality, the average American spends a quarter of their life working to support our federal government and the world's wealthiest banking families that lease every dollar to us. What do you call this? Indentured servitude comes to mind.

Just like unicorns, equality is still the stuff myths and legends are made of ...

You Can't Handle the Truth PART II

This question around the goal of Capitalism is a poignant one. Without a goal, aim or mission, there are no measurable results nor a course to chart. And pray tell what course would that be exactly? Does anyone know? Do you know? Here's what Wikipedia has on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism. The one criticism notated in this encyclopedic definition; unpredictability. Really, is that all?

The point Timothy Killian makes about Capitalism; it's purely socially and morally irresponsible to:
1) Have any public system without a measurable result
2) Have a system established in any way contrary to serving the best interests of the greater good

Capitalism as a whole is indifferent, focused on one primary outcome; profit.

Then there's good old fashioned Democracy. As Killian states, this political system is purported to be the best known to mankind. Really? What exactly is Democracy the best at doing?

What is humankind doing here on Earth? What's our greater purpose? To live behind a veil of lies and corruption? To absolve ourselves from the truth by winding ourselves up so tightly in popular culture that our lives are so meaningless no one cares anymore? To destroy one another and take the planet we're feeding on with it? Well if those aren't the reasons we as humankind are here, why in God's name are we acting like these are?

I just became aware of a new HBO television program called The Newsroom. The first episode starts with a political forum on a college campus. A young woman asks the question: "Why is America the greatest country in the world?"

The most quiet of the three panel speakers, a news anchor, who is pushed into giving an answer by the moderator, ends up going into a very articulate and well-informed rant. He basically says there is no evidence to suggest America is the greatest country in the world. Though he did say America is number one in the world for three things:
1) The number of our citizens incarcerated  per capita
2) The number of adults who believe in angels
3) Defense spending (more than the next 26 nations combined)

The full episode is available for streaming here: http://www.hbo.com/index.html#/the-newsroom/episodes/1/01-we-just-decided-to/video/full-episode.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLlTPz0lxzEvMqSzJTA5ITE-1S8xN1SzLTEnNh4k65+eVpFaUcDIyskknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmsjGyMQIAUKwXOA==

Capitalism feeds on money. What is money? According to Wikipedia it's a system based on fiat money, nothing more than a government declaration on a note which must legally be accepted for all debts public and private. The intrinsic value of fiat money is zero, like trying to create something out of nothing. Certainly only God can accomplish such a task, thus likely why each U.S. monetary note reads the words, "In God We Trust." Well, one can certainly trust money as much as one can something that's completely fabricated and inauthentic.

"In God we trust" was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956 as an alternative or replacement to the unofficial motto of E pluribus unum, adopted when the Great Seal of the United States was created and adopted in 1782. E pluribus unum means out of or from many, one. What a novel idea; a collective or a collaboration. Certainly not the brand of unifying dogma our government and the powers that be feed us today. It's us vs. them; them against us. United we stand. Divide and conquer ...

You Can't Handle the Truth PART I

Ignorance truly is bliss. Unfortunately for me I've always been drawn to the truth, no matter how wonderful or how horrible.

On June 13th, 2012, one simple question Timothy Killian posted to his FB wall has since turned my world upside down. He wrote, "What is the goal of capitalism?" Suffice to say he received dozens of comments.

This last weekend, I was thumbing through Netflix looking for a good film or documentary to watch, this Capitalism question still burning in my subconscious. There it was, an award-winning documentary, Zeitgeist. Apparently this film was released in 2007. How have I not seen this until now?!

Zeitgeist examines the foundation upon which our "modern" society has been constructed, revealing hard-to-swallow truths that everything we've been taught to believe all our lives is a lie, including the notion we are in some way free.

If you've not seen this documentary, I highly recommend it (unless you can't handle the truth). The Federal Reserve, rather those behind it, are an invisible government comprised of the eight wealthiest families on Earth. American democracy is just an illusion to appease the masses. The federal income tax is illegal, and all the income tax collected is the amount needed to cover the interest payments on money the U.S. government borrows from the Federal Reserve. Each of us spends about three months working to pay this interest. We are all indentured to the uber elite. The system, no surprise here, is on the verge of collapse. That is, of course, unless we can chart a better evolutionary course to a future that works for everyone on the planet.

The veil has been lifted. Welcome to the age of revelations.

What does that even mean?

The day after my Grandma's funeral, I went to lunch with my mom, her life partner, aunt, cousin and her two little girls. In the middle of lunch, my cousin says to me, "I don't know how you got through what you read."

Wow, a little acknowledgement, I thought to myself. And from Lisa? "Honestly, I don't either. I asked Grandma for her strength during the prayer and I re-read what I wrote dozens of times to numb myself to my words," I revealed.

"You could be an actor," she added.

Really?! What does that even mean? A part of me still thinks I should have asked, and I had for a split second considered insisting on clarification were it not for the emotional fragility of our bereaved mothers.

What crossed my mind was, "Lisa, you’re so the epitome of authentic, thoughtful and selfless. Now that was acting. Thank you."

Honestly, in hindsight, what would have been ripe for the occasion is to acknowledge how utterly sad a statement she made. If the purpose of her statement was to question my authenticity, all she really did was declare her own. I regard this in the only way her "sentiment" exists in reality; a revelation of self.

Admittedly, I stepped outside myself the day of the funeral, that week, possibly even since the time of my dear Grandma's passing. I am uber sensitive and vulnerable to my core. I know the delivery of my eulogy was stoic. It began with an emotional connection. Suddenly becoming stoic by the end of the first page was a defense mechanism necessary so I could deliver my thoughtfully crafted words without completely falling apart; so my voice, my truth about my Grandma, could in some way, shape or form be expressed to those dearest to her.

I had one of the heaviest of hands planning and coordinating my Grandma's final life celebration. To me, at the time, having a creative outlet I thought to be helpful. In hindsight, it was a distraction which seemed to have benefitted me the least. I didn't allow myself to grieve her. Yet I don't know that I would have done anything differently for this was truly my final opportunity to do something for my Grandma, and I wanted to do all I could to ensure she had a perfect day of remembrance.

I began writing my Grandma's eulogy about a month before she died, just as she was starting hospice care. I know myself well enough if I had waited until the day arrived, I wouldn't have had the wherewithal (a word my ex of seven years introduced to my diction) to construct anything worthy of how this wonderful woman touched my life so profoundly. My Grandma was one of the truest and purest sources of love my soul has ever known incarnate.

My heart goes out to Lisa. Only someone void of love could be so insensitive and heartless ...

Our Perfect Day

Peggy Manning (a.k.a. Grandma)

December 17, 1915 - April 10, 2012

Grandma took me on a special outing one day when I was 10. We didn’t necessarily go anyplace exotic. Then again, we could be almost anywhere and have such a wonderful time. As I’m sure you all know any time spent with her was very special. But this particular instance I remember fondly as our prefect day.

I probably shouldn’t confess this, but Grandma and I could have entire conversations just exchanging glances back and forth across a room. It was almost as if we had a little joke going between us, which we never let anyone in on. Of course, that seemed to make the game even that much funnier to us both, and we’d laugh despite ourselves. I’d like to think of us in that way as kindred spirits, kind of rascally ones who just got such a kick out of one another, as she would’ve put it.

Anyway, it wasn’t until 27 years later, during this profound time of remembrance, that I even thought to give special prominence to our perfect day, a few magical moments in time we stole together, just the two of us. This was a rare occurrence considering how many adoring people Grandma had in her life to spend time with each and every day.

Certainly at 10 years old I scarcely had a thought in the world about the eventual finality of life. I regarded that time with her, as special as it always was, also as granted, and felt entitled to always have my Grandma near me.

Though I’m sure it was late summer, the day of our special outing felt much like spring, which may explain why the memory of it recently came rushing back to me. The weather was pleasantly warm, well for Western Washington anyway, with crystal blue skies and big, puffy clouds sailing overhead.

Grandma took me to Kirkland’s Park Place Cinema where we saw Places in the Heart. This was by no means a light-hearted story, but it was real, an honest portrayal, and it moved us both nevertheless. We squeezed each others’ hand through the sad parts and smiled at each other through the joyful parts. Such is a wonderful life surrounded by those who care.

The film takes place during the depression era. The main character, a widow, struggles to keep her home and family with the help of a disparate group of friends. Even at the time it dawned on me how much Grandma must have related to this film. Perhaps in some context, parts of her life, or better yet her dear mother’s life, were playing out on the silver screen right before her very, beautiful blue eyes.

Every person faces certain life struggles. Albeit, life isn’t about the challenges as much as it is about how we overcome them.

Grandma overcame her many life challenges, the least of which were financial in nature, with a strong sense of dignity and self worth. Arguably, her greatest challenges were her body’s eventual physical limitations, which she gallantly battled for several decades. Even when she lost her skilled knack for conversation, she would look at you with profound adoration and just say, "I love you." 

Like the graceful trooper she always was, she persevered so long for all of us as much as we wanted her to remain here and be with us all for as long as possible. I am certain she knew this. She was our matriarch, who for so long kept our family together. I’m sure she felt she had so much to keep fighting for.

During my own life challenges to accept and love myself for who I am and who I am not, she would always say to me, “I just want you to be happy.” If only everyone could model Grandma’s way of being, what an extraordinary world we could all aspire to enjoy in full self expression.

Even more important than overcoming our life challenges is acknowledging that which enables us to rise to the occasion, so-to-speak. In a word, it’s love. Simple as that. It’s just pure, 100 percent, honest-to-goodness, unconditional love free of judgment. Love is patient and kind. Love is forgiving. Love is essential. Love is never-ending.

On our perfect day, Grandma took me by a hobby shop and bought me a small model jet fighter, the kind requiring a bit of assembly. We then took my new toy and our lunch to a waterfront park on Lake Washington Boulevard. We sat together at a small, square picnic table by the shore and ate our sandwiches. The water was a solid, true blue on that day, as was the sky, as were her loving eyes. I pieced together my model while we chatted, smiling fondly at one another. Both of us were so happy and perfectly content. Honestly, I could’ve easily lived in that moment for a lifetime.

Throughout her lifetime, Grandma continued to evolve and nurture. Through what I had once thought of as some of my life’s greatest failures, even when she was well into her 90’s, she would say to me, “Only time will tell …”

I learned two important lessons from her wise words. The first is to just live in the moment. The second is to never curse your bad luck until you’re certain it’s not good luck.

During our last visit, which also was on a day much like our perfect day, I pointed out to her we were both wearing my favorite color, orange. She smiled in an approving manner and let out a little chuckle. I knew it was time for us to be complete with one another in this life. This was my intention for this visit.

I was fortunate enough to share with her my sincere happiness with my life; just the way it is and just the way it isn’t. Even bed-ridden, her whole face lit up as if she had just had her own, heart-felt epiphany. After all, this is what she told me she had always wanted for me. I know she wanted this for all her beloved. Such a selfless, giving and dare I say feisty soul.

Incidentally, I had also thought to ask her if she was comfortable. She nodded and very audibly repeated the word comfortable. I thought you would all want to know this.

About a month ago I saw my Grandma in a dream. I called my mom the next day to share this with her. In my dream she and I were blowing out candles together. Suddenly I was trying to help her navigate through an awkward house, which wasn’t at all right for her. I told my mom I knew Grandma didn’t have much time. Mom agreed.

I believe it was divinely guided Grandma passed on my birthday at just about the same time of day I came into the world. I had also planned to see her at that very time on Tuesday. Strangely ironic as it may seem, life delayed me.

Symbolism from my dream in hindsight appears to me now much more like foresight. Maybe there is some mystical design, and our company in life is somehow cosmically preassigned. Either way, I always expressed to her how lucky I was to have her as my Grandma, including at our last visit, despite feeling so entitled to her most of my life. Looking back, I’ve been an especially blessed person for such a long time to have had her with me all these years.

While I would do just about anything to have one more perfect day with my Grandma here on Earth, my heart knows we’re on the same path and we shall meet again. Until then, I willfully and respectfully let her go in peace to journey on with me in spirit. I will also from here forward honor April 10^th as just one of many of our perfect days together. Grandma, I love you with all my heart and soul; always, now and forever more …

A year of silence

Wow, a year has already passed since my last post, which truly wasn't much of a post. What it was was a regurgitation of global media pop culture. Since the advent of new media, I believe the world has experienced a very noticable dilution of traditional culture. Is this phenominon part of mankind's natural evolution? Who's to say?

Well, I'm not writing today to opine on our cultural anthropology. Rather, I want to briefly reflect on this year past before diving into it with more vigor in a series of posts to follow.

Last January, I reconnected with HIM, the man of my dreams, after we had allowed our lives to continue separately for two years without uttering as much as a single word to one another. For two people who were so much in love, two years is quite a long time to go without verbal acknowledgement.

So much can change in a year, let alone two. Suffice to say I couldn't be more pleased with the present, the path to get here and the amazing journey ahead ...

Water Fight!

Recession Proof Dining in Seattle

If you're too spoiled to eat at home or a hopeless bachelor who can't boil water, then these out-on-the-town splurges are guilt free:

Monday - Friday

McCormick & Schmick's
Downtown or Lake Union
(4:00 - 6:00 pm)
$1.95 1/2 lb. Cheeseburger or Salmonburger & Fries

Talarico's
West Seattle
(4:00 - 6:00 pm)
$3.50 14" Personal Pizza Slices


Mondays

Dragonfish
Downtown
(3:00 pm - 1:00 am)
$1.95 Sushi

Ohana
Belltown
(5:00 - 11:30 pm)
$3 Appetizers
$3-$4 Drinks

Two Bells Bar & Grill
Belltown
(after 6:00 pm)
$6.75 ALL YOU CAN EAT PASTA NIGHT (until they run out)
Spaghetti with red or pesto sauce, served with garlic bread


Tuesdays @ Chez Gaudy
Capitol Hill
(6:30 pm & 8:30 pm - reservations required!)
$5 Tapas
$8 Bottles of Wine


Wednesdays @ South Lake Grill
South Lake Union
(after 6:00 pm)
$5 Steak & Fries


Saturdays & Sundays @ Galerias
Capitol Hill
(Sat. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Sun. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm)
$8 Brunch (1 Entree w/Selection of Fruit, Yogurt & Pastries)

Observing 'Destruction of the Western Hemisphere Day' (a.k.a. Columbus Day)

Oh my, this image is more than a metaphor for the Spanish conquest on the Americas. European settlers to the New World thought they were so civilized when in actuality they were the savages who've raped, pillaged and plundered since long before 1492. Today, our modern society, shaped primairly by European descendants such as myself, is responsible for the ill state of our planet and its once vast resources. My, haven't we done well ...

Halloween '08 is a total bust

McCain leaves campain trail to help financial crisis, campaigns in Iowa today.

SNL Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin

Seattle's own Dina Martian reaching out to touch someone ...

cHHHool wHHHip (Family Guy)

Friends 'Scene' With Celebs

The paparazzi caught up with my San Francisco gal pal Kirstin while on holiday with her boyfriend and Italian TV personality Michele Cucuzza. Their photos appeared in European tabloids and gossip blogs earlier this month. This is one of my favorite of the "scandalous" photos the paparazzi hounds snapped of the couple on the beach in Mexico (spelled Messico in Italian):

In other news, another friend was amid Hollywood glitterati at an Emmy Awards after party. In this photo, Brian is seen to the right of Neil Patrick Harris (best known for his role as TV's Doogie Howser, MD).

BUZZ KILL | Remembering Tido | 02/07/05 - 09/18/07

Today marks the one year anniversary of my dog Tido's untimely passing. I can honestly say that was probably the worst day of my entire life; an extremely low point to say the very least.

I slept restlessly last night and recall a dream about my little pal. At the very least I felt it appropriate to acknowledge him ...

Quote of the Week!

"Your behavior is not your fault, it's mine for allowing it." - Chris

Emo or 'mo - You make the call ...

Is this guy emo or just plain 'mo (as in homo)?