One last postcard

Thank you, Toronto

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

I had a blast! But I miss my man and must return.

To the lesbians at The Barn: Thanks for trying to sneak me in. I'll be your token male any day.

To the dancers at Remingtons: outstanding work!

To the performers at Play: Girls, you need to chip in for some A/C. That kind of heat melts away a lot of the illusion, if you get my drift. You are troopers!

To the guys from Boston: Thanks for exploring the town with me.

Postcards IV

Postcards III

Postcards II

Postcards

Stupid dreams

I had a weird dream last night. BR and I were out driving with a couple friends. We pulled over at a scenic overlook, and all climbed up a hillside to get a better view. At the top, there was a grassy outcropping and a magnificent panorama of hills and countryside. As our friends were fumbling with their cameras, BR walked over to the edge of the outcropping, turned, and smiled at me. Then he fell backwards and was gone.

Our friends panicked, but I didn't. I knew it was what he wanted.

The dream appears to be a combination of a couple of news stories I read yesterday, mixed in with my own inner turmoil.

Woman rescued after being swept into sea at Peggys Cove

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Pioneer's Helium Suicide

The Politics of Garbage

This UPI headline says it all: Toronto stinks on Day 4 of trash strike.

The key issues are pay raises equal to what was given emergency workers last year, and the city's desire to drop bankable sick days and replace them with short-term disability insurance.

I'm all for the right to strike when workers are being treated unfairly. I'm just having a hard time empathizing with a pay raise demand given the miserable fiscal condition of most cities during this recession. Where exactly is this money supposed to come from? When it isn't flowing in, it can't flow out. When the city goes bankrupt, nobody gets paid.

You say it isn't fair that the emergency workers got their raise last year? Times change. Budget forecasts get refined. Consider the emergency workers lucky to have negotiated their contract under sunnier economic outlooks.

I wish it weren't the case, but the timing of contract negotiations always adds a bit of chance to what should be a completely uniform process. Better luck next time, CUPE.

Bless the Drag Queens and the Leathermen

For in this world we have no voice
We have no choice

My apologies to the Carpenters, and in no way am I comparing Drag Queens to beasts, or Leathermen to children. At least not the ones bigger than me.

It may surprise some, but gays are largely a silent minority. The vast majority of homosexuals live their lives without discussing who they sleep with at night. Unlike different races and nationalities, we can hide who we are to avoid discrimination.

Well, not all of us.

I have long admired both Drag Queens and Leathermen. Despite society's dictates, they are compelled to live their lives as they are. In the open. Harming no one. And they are often the foundation of best part of the gay community. The part that gives. The part that puts together fundraisers and runs non-profits. The part that vocalizes the needs of the silent. They take no prisoners, unless that's your thing.

So this gay pride week, I tip my gay hat to the Drag Queens and the Leathermen. Thank you for all you do.



I shot this video with my cell phone (duh), so I apologize to Donnarama for the crappy quality. There's plenty better Donnarama footage on YouTube.

The American-in-Canada Diet