Escape American Style

In the wake of yesterday's news- a legal outcome that befuddles common sense and a suicide by overdose that just befuddles, I want to hide in the place that I have come to call my "temple": the Movie Theater. It is a good time to do that, in the middle of a film festival located down the street. But it doesn't mean that I wont be barraged with reality. Sure, last night while the verdict in the murder trial for the victim, Trayvon Martin, and millions of tweets were blowing up the blog-a-sphere, I was laughing my ass off, at the appropriately entitled "Ass Backwards" by and starring two amazingly talented, beautiful and FUNNY women, Casey Wilson and June Diane Raphael. But today I will not get off so easy. I will see a film about the lives of two people who are living their gay lives in Cameroon, Africa, called "Born This Way". And there are sure to be many more where the harsh realities of the world are depicted on the screen. But there will also be the uplifting. A short documentary about two Lesbian women who 15 years ago adopted two girls from Ethiopia. There will be 5 extremely well done shorts made by at risk LGBTQ youth. There will be more silliness and laughter about our mutual predicament of living. And there will be the fantastic feeling of community. Young, old, the human coat of many colors, straight friends who love the other and good film. That is the part of life I like to celebrate, while acknowledging that many people are victims of sad, mean troubled people. A foot in both worlds, if you will.


OUTFEST Opening Night Festivities

Assisted Living: When you just need to GET AWAY

Over the past 8 years, I have managed to go away several times. Early on, I could leave the Old guy alone, with some pre-made food, arrange for someone to take him out one night. If I was to be gone for a longer period, I would have him stay with the "sister wives". One time, I had people scheduled to stay a night or two at the apartment. But recently, I have been reluctant to ask for this help. Oh I know people would say, "Of course, I'd like to help" when discussed in the hypothetical, but, when it comes down to specifics, the discussion gets a little fuzzy. And since it is the American Way to be self reliant, I decided to do it the old fashion way: pay someone. There is a great advantage to this, and the obvious disadvantage (cost). But I am able to do it and it provides me with peace of mind (or is that a piece of a mind? both probably). Old Guy gets a companion for the time who will be nice to him (she is paid) and a different cook. But mainly it makes him very happy when I return. As for me, I get a good chunk of time to return to my swinging single life. (insert tire screeches here) Yeah, that's not really true. I have, sadly, aged 8 years, and so, funny in an ironic way, not haha way, I have slowed down too. But I did get to enjoy just taking care of myself.

All the experts will tell you that taking care of the caretaker is very important. The truth is, it is very hard to accomplish. But, when you do get the chance your heart and head will thank you for it.

Then, its back to the grind.

Upon return:
"How was the wedding?". "What wedding?" "Didn't you go to San Francisco for a wedding?" " No, I went to Sacramento. No Wedding." "Oh, my mistake"
Next day:
"How was the wedding?"