Humor today at Target!

Just a little something that made me laugh today at Target. I was passing by a mother and her son, who I would say was about 5 or 6. The mother picked up a dress and put it in the cart. Then the little boy exclaimed "Mom!, That is a cute dress"

Ahh the gays of tomorrow here today! :) or maybe the making of a Drag Queen..you decided lol

April Workout Update

Just a little update on the workout program. It is now over two months that I am back at the gym and at my heaviest (icky) i was 174 pounds and now i am 149 pounds. I have also begun to see these fun little bumps called biceps (very sexy). I did have a little set back last week when i pushed a little bit too much weight and strained a muscle in my lower back so I lost about a week at the the gym. Id like to settle around 145 pounds and continue to tone up and add muscle (which could add weight, but as long as its muscle, its ok)

Anyway, for those who have not seen me in months (i.e. Brad in November and my family in December) I believe you can see the difference...so you shall soon see...

Hope everyone is well :)

Happy Easter :)

Just a short note wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

Travel Travel Travel

Well this past weekend was a lil getaway to Fort Lauderdale...it is truly one of the most beautiful spots in the state and a favorite vacation spot for me. Its just three hours south of Orlando down the turnpike. I also have a great tan from the beach.

This upcoming weekend is Easter weekend and I am heading to Washington, DC to spend the weekend with my friend Mark, Brett and his boyfriend.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy St. Patricks Day! I am 1/4 Irish after all.... :)

Workout Update

So this is week seven (7) back to the gym and I am still highly motivated. I have really embraced the lifestyle change that just snowballs when you workout and also begin to watch what you are eating. It is really amazing when you implement all the factors and realize that eating the wrong things completely wipes out all the hard work that you put in at the gym.

Anway, in about 2 weeks I am going to have a re-assement of my measurements (weight, muscle growth and body fat content) so I will update you. However, from visual I can already see a big differnce. The key difference is that there were two size small shirts that I bought a while back that I just had no business wearing as it accentuated my stomach lol. This weekend (while on a lil trip to Fort Lauderdale) I was able to wear one of the shirts and it looked great! So those little moments keep me motivated.

thanks for stopping by! :)

Reflections on childhood and years gone by....

There have been a lot of defining years that have gone by in my life in relation to being gay. I reflect upon how difficult it was growing up in a small town and dealing with the fact that I was different from the norm. My town was very much the all American town where high school football was religion and being a jock meant you were the definition of all that was ideal in this town. I cant begin to tell you how much I look at certain things that transpired when I was going through school when other kids assumed I was gay. It was a difficult time to be teased, taunted and threatened. Unfortunately, in this time, I learned what hate really was. How could I be hated for my difference? The fact that I didn't fit this social norm meant that I was a threat to its core. I felt that I finally began to live when i went to college. I finally was able to spread my wings and fly. I met my first gay friend Brian and he was the first person I came out to. It was one of the most freeing experiences of my life.



Its amazing sometimes how I look how those experiences defined who I am today. Those who know me now and the man I am today know that I don't take shit from anyone. I am a very straight-forward poised man who is not afraid to speak his mind and make sure his audience knows it. That did come from the fact that one day I finally had enough and I said no one is going to define me or make me feel that I am less of a man or a human every again. Therefore I have a pretty tough exterior.



Anyway the reason for this blog is that I read recently about a young gay man in high school who was shot in the head because he wanted another boy to be his Valentine. This also reminds me of when Matthew Sheppard was viciously killed almost a decade ago. These are moments that make me scared for my sexuality and each have pressed deep against my heart.



I am however very fortunate to have some pretty progressively thinking parents who have always accepted me for being me and also it helps that my sister is also gay. I am very fortunate for that family foundation. Unfortunately, when you walk out the doors of your home the world is a much different place.



On a final note: It is simply time to put Hate Crimes Legislation to the forefront. Its also time to educate our children that hate is not a value.

Voices of Freedom

As mentioned in an earlier blog, I expressed my thoughts on the push to add an ammendment to the Florida Constitution to ban gay marriage in a state I have called home for 10 years. Through research I came across a wonderful speech the Prime Minister of Spain gave in 2005 when his country passed legislation for inclusion and acceptance. I wanted to share this speech with you all. I can only wish one day we have a President who has such an open mind and open heart.

[When the Spanish parliament yesterday took its historic vote legalizing both gay marriage and adoption of children by gay couples, Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero -- who put the full prestige of his office and party behind passage of the gay human rights legislation -- made one of the most remarkable speeches in favor of full equality for those with same-sex hearts ever delivered by a head of government anywhere. Here are excerpts from Zapatero's speech -- Doug Ireland]

"We are not legislating, honorable members, for people far away and not known by us. We are enlarging the opportunity for happiness to our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and, our families: at the same time we are making a more decent society, because a decent society is one that does not humiliate its members.

"In the poem 'The Family,' our [gay] poet Luis Cernuda was sorry because, 'How does man live in denial in vain/by giving rules that prohibit and condemn?' Today, the Spanish society answers to a group of people who, during many years have, been humiliated, whose rights have been ignored, whose dignity has been offended, their identity denied, and their liberty oppressed. Today the Spanish society grants them the respect they deserve, recognizes their rights, restores their dignity, affirms their identity, and restores their liberty.

"It is true that they are only a minority, but their triumph is everyone's triumph. It is also the triumph of those who oppose this law, even though they do not know this yet: because it is the triumph of Liberty. Their victory makes all of us (even those who oppose the law) better people, it makes our society better. Honorable members, There is no damage to marriage or to the concept of family in allowing two people of the same sex to get married. To the contrary, what happens is this class of Spanish citizens get the potential to organize their lives with the rights and privileges of marriage and family. There is no danger to the institution of marriage, but precisely the opposite: this law enhances and respects marriage.

"Today, conscious that some people and institutions are in a profound disagreement with this change in our civil law, I wish to express that, like other reforms to the marriage code that preceded this one, this law will generate no evil, that its only consequence will be the avoiding of senseless suffering of decent human beings. A society that avoids senseless suffering of decent human beings is a better society.

"With the approval of this Bill, our country takes another step in the path of liberty and tolerance that was begun by the democratic change of government. Our children will look at us incredulously if we tell them that many years ago, our mothers had less rights than our fathers, or if we tell them that people had to stay married against their will even though they were unable to share their lives. Today we can offer them a beautiful lesson: every right gained, each access to liberty has been the result of the struggle and sacrifice of many people that deserve our recognition and praise.

"Today we demonstrate with this Bill that societies can better themselves and can cross barriers and create tolerance by putting a stop to the unhappiness and humiliation of some of our citizens. Today, for many of our countrymen, comes the day predicted by Kavafis [the great Greek gay poet] one century ago: 'Later 'twas said of the most perfect society/someone else, made like me/certainly will come out and act freely.'"

[Thanks to valiant gay journalist Rex Wockner for providing this translation.]

Back to the Gym!

Well, finally back to the gym! After my first day with the trainer, damn Im sore....my legs feel like they are going to fall off..oh well means to an end.....time to get all toned and in shape for summer. I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress!

Political Pulse: Florida to Vote on State Constitutional Ammendment to Ban Gay Marriage.....

The one thing that I have always loved about the state of Florida is its great diversity. This is a state that really provides an outlet to all different lifestyles of people. In the ten years that I have lived in Orlando, I have encountered so many different people and it has broaded my outlook and acceptance of so many differences.

However, the right wing Christian Conservatives feel different about embracing diversity and difference and instead believe in division and conformity. The one thing that I will always "preach" is that these conservative christians will admoish my lifestyle, my homosexuality, yet they will hide it within the structure of their church. They are one of the most hypocritical groups that takes up space in our great nation.

If you live in Florida, vote NO for this ammendment. As long as the vote is less than sixty percent, then freedom will ring for all Floridians. This movement which has taken shape over the country is a form of discrimination, plain and simple. I want to know why my ability to love someone will impact a heterosexual relationship? How will this impact the quality of your life and your ability to love your wife or husband or to raise your children?

also: If you want more information on this type of movement and also who signed the petition, visit: http://www.knowthyneighbor.org/ however, be prepared if you live in Florida to find some friends and neighbors on this list. I know i found some and it saddens me.

SNACK TIME!!! MY FIRST SUGGESTION OF 2008

Ok all, last year i provided you all with the great guilty pleasure of cracked black pepper triscuits and while they still hold the number one spot, i must bring a new snack into the mix. As they say, variety is the spice of life. Theses cheez-its are awesome, especially on the buy one get one free special! :) A must add to your snack cabinet!

I VOTED!

Well it was just Election day in Florida and I exercised my privilege to vote. My candidate did win Florida, however I am not pleased with the property tax amendment that passed. It is a half-assed attempt to pacify the citizens of Florida instead of really offering a reduction of the ridiculously high property taxes we already pay. Furthermore, it does not help new homeowners, such as myself. Unfortunately, since this amendment did pass, the focus will shift from this issue and thus put most of the homeowners back in the same situation.

The 2007 ToInspire Writing Contest: "How I Will Inspire the World"

Hey all....I havent had a lot of time lately to update my blog....I promise I will be back in the swing of things this week keeping you updated on my life, but I had to share with everyone some wonderful news of my sister. A very talented teacher, gifted writer and one of my closest confidants. She was selected as the winner of a writing contest and I wanted to share with you her wonderful piece! Congratulations Denise!!!

"How I Will Inspire The World"

By Denise M. Janssen

In the past 6 months, I have buried a cousin, only a few years younger than me. I have sat in a chapel with the doors wide open, watching as my best friend says good-bye to her brother. I have listened to news reports about a boy who was shot by cops as he ran towards them with a hairbrush, not a gun. I have heard my grandmother pleading, "Take me home. I want to go home," as she lays in bed after surgery on her hip. I have felt the cold hush of winter on the day she finally dies.

How will I inspire the world?

I will remember the kindness of my cousin Maria, who was the manager of a store that sold chocolates and sweets. I will practice kindness when a neighbor stops me in the middle of the sidewalk, the one whose daughter has ovarian cancer, lost her hair to chemo, and probably can't hold down her morning eggs. I will remember that all of us are lonely and looking for connection. I will stop what I'm doing, pet her dog Stitch, and ask, "How is your daughter doing? And how are you?"

I will remember the words of my best friend Cheryl who said, "The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and may we be blessed to see it." I will lay my hands on the earth and feel the cold of the melting snow, the water that seeps through my fingers, and the sun that warms my face.

I will try not to take my relationships for granted: my family, my friends, the cat who warms my bed, the God who touches my heart, and the one I have with myself. If it is true that all things are impermanent, then I will give my relationships time and attention.

I will listen to my mother when she tries to give me advice,well meaning words that I sometimes dismiss but later prove to be dead on true. I will soften the corners of my heart and let her in, let us be.

I will listen to the sounds of children playing and remember a boy who used to run, jump, laugh with his friends, and write poems, an endless series of rhyme. This boy they now call a statistic, another homicide, was a student at my school.

I will be there in the morning when my 3rd graders come into the classroom and I will remember to call them by name: Hello Joshua, Chalil, Sojourner, and Brandon. Delahnie who dreams of playing professional soccer and Alanis who reads well into the night. I will remember the words of a poet called Langston who tells us to safeguard our dreams, hold on to them tight, away from the too rough fingers of the world.

I will thank the little boy who shyly offers me a present: a mug that says thanks a million and a bottle of perfume for sitting with him at recess and listening to him read and telling him the words every student should hear: "Don't give up. You can do it. You're almost there."

I will listen when they have problems: the end of a friendship, their parents' divorce, who said what about their dress. I will listen to their jokes, even the one about what happens to everybody when they eat beans for lunch. I will remember that childhood can be a slippery passage filled with moments of laughter, discovery, and joy but also times of struggle and hurt.

I will apologize when I've hurt them, when I have been unkind so they will become adults who say words like, "I'm sorry. Let me explain. What can I do to make amends?" Words we need today for reconciliation and peace.

I will try to be at peace with myself: what I have done and what I have failed to do. I will not find peace if I see my life as a series of gains and losses because the scoreboard will always change. Peace is found in the middle, in the living, in the choice to live after a series of losses: to celebrate Christmas after your grandmother dies, to laugh in the company of family and friends, and to live each day with love and purpose.

This is how I will inspire the world.