Film Review

I'm terrible at writing reviews...of anything, so I'm going to keep this one brief. I just finished watching "Slumdog Millionaire"--I have been putting off doing so for quite some time now--and I have to say that it was an amazing film. How anyone could survive and ultimately thrive living a life such as that is beyond me. It just goes to show that I will never truly know what it feels like to struggle through anything major in life. We all struggle, yes, but not in any way similar to how Jamal Malik (the protagonist) struggled--or people that live in any impoverished nation or region. The soundtrack only further added to my enjoyment of the film. Check it out if you have not already done so.

Photo via Movieset.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage Coming To Washington State

During my walk today, I was thinking about something Washington state senator Ed Murray (D-43) said yesterday at the Prop 8 Decision Day rally in Westlake Park. That is, same-sex marriage will eventually come to be in Washington state, but we need to do our advocacy work outside of the Seattle area. We already have the majority vote in Seattle; but this is not only affecting the Seattle population and law. It affects the entirety of Washington state. What we need to do, as gay rights activists, as citizens, is to reach out to those who are as of yet undecided and uninformed about the positive aspects of legalizing same-sex marriages in our state.

If you have family or friends that live elsewhere in the state besides the greater Seattle region, please call them and tell them that you support the legalization of same-sex marriage. Tell them the reasons why they should too. We need all the support that we can get, and we need to garner that support before the anti-same-sex marriage advocacy groups can pollute their minds with extremely false and bigoted information on the matter. I'm sad to say that I unfortunately do not know anyone outside of the Seattle area. My family is a small one at that. But this is me calling on you, my hopefully loyal reader, to spread this information to as many people as you can, and soon.

Although there is no planned legislation for legalizing same-sex marriages any time soon, the sooner we get the support we need, the sooner it will become something more than a mere hopeful feeling. Let's get to work everyone!

Furthermore, if you are out and about, and someone asks you to sign a petition for a Referendum 71 to get on the ballot for this November's election, DO NOT SIGN IT. This referendum seeks to repeal the hardwork and dedication of Washington state lawmakers, as well as the further enhanced domestic partnership law that gives same-sex couples nearly every right and responsibility as those of heterosexual married couples. We CANNOT let this referendum of hate and bigotry get on the ballot. If there is any doubt, ask the person to explain to you what the referendum is for; read the actual text before you sign anything.

There is a Decline to Sign Referendum 71 Pledge form right here. I encourage you to sign it.

How Should I Get Home And Exercise At The Same Time?

It looks like I have a scenic six and a half mile walk ahead of me. I'll post pictures later. I'm looking forward to the walk across the Aurora bridge. Should be fun!

View Greenlake to First Hill Walk in a larger map

[Updated]: Now with pictures! I'm exhausted, and am in no mood to tell the entire story. I'll let the pictures do the talking. I'm only posting the few that I like. Also, I twittered the entire walk, but those 'tweets' are apparently not in existence on my page. WTF Twitter?

Book Review

I really need to stop reading FSG's twitter feed. Every time I do, I come across another book that I just have to read (and eventually own). Although, after finishing Stephen Amidon's "Security", I told myself that I really did not need to add it to my collection. It's a story of a quiet little town in Massachusetts, where crime is virtually non-existent. Except when, of course, a local female student is found with a broken arm and is claiming that the rich recluse in town attempted to rape her. The only problem is that her father is the town drunk, and has a documented history of criminal activity. It takes the courage and devotion of one man, Edward--who also happens to be the town's sole security proprietor--,to get the truth out of the people who know what actually happened.

I found the character and scene developments to be intricate at first read, but after delving into the plot, they seemed rather drawn out. It took roughly 161 pages of the 276 page book to introduce all the characters and their intertwined relationships. Eccentrics, divorced women with children, insomniacs, troubled students, and lecherous college professors--those are just some of the characters filling out this decent, but not great, story. It had a good storyline, and a mysterious plot to keep you interested, but the ending was a little over-the-top for my liking.

Book cover from Macmillan.

Decision Day Rally At Westlake Park

This was taken around 5:45pm. I'm sure there must have been a bigger crowd a little after that time. I stayed long enough to hear state Senator Ed Murray and state Representative Jamie Pedersen speak. There were two other women speakers whose, I'm sorry to say, names I did not hear or recognize.

Said To Me At Work Today

From a coworker:

"And that, in a nutshell, is how a pap smear feels."

The Future Of Same-Sex Marriages In California Has Been Announced

The California Supreme Court voted in a 6-1 ruling that Proposition 8 did not constitute a constitutional revision, and therefore, is legally valid. This means that same-sex marriage in California is, as of now, officially illegal. However, on a brighter note, the Court voted unanimously to not invalidate the 18,000 or so same-sex marriages performed prior to its November 4th passage. You can read the court's legal opinion here.

There will be a (now)-protest rally in Westlake Center at 5:30pm today. If you support the right for same-sex couples to marry, we hope to see you there.

The Future Of Same-Sex Marriages In California Will Be Announced...

...in one hour. This is what we've been waiting for since March 5th--which was 81 days ago. The court will make three rulings:

"The court issued an order to show cause in Strauss, Tyler, and City and County of San Francisco directing the parties to brief and argue the following issues:

1. Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutues a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution? (See Cal. Const., art. XVIII, §§ 1 -4.)
2. Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
3. If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

Though make no mistake, we will win this one way or another. If we lose our rights today, we will not give up. All it takes is time. The older generation of closed-minded bigots is dying off, and our generation is becoming more and more a part of the bigger picture. Same-sex marriage will come to California, and America. If not today, then soon, and with greater support than ever thought possible. "Hope will never be silent" - Harvey Milk.

My Three Hour Walk Around Seattle

I really only had one point of destination in mind for my walk tonight, but it turned out to be an almost entire walk around Seattle. I first got off work, waited for the bus--I had not realized that the buses were running on a holiday schedule; therefore I waited an additional 20 minutes for my bus to arrive--, then made a quick return at American Eagle on 6th and Pike, and thus began my three hour walk around Seattle. I took several pictures, and if you click on the ones below, you can see a larger version of each. Enjoy.

I walked down Pike until I got to the Market. I recall that their staircase led one down to the waterfront. Instead, I was the asshole who went downstairs, walked a ways, found the sign that said "Exit", and then promptly walked back up a different set of stairs, putting me back where I started. That is when I just went with the familiar; I know that Post Alley leads down to the waterfront, so I took that route. I walked along Alaskan Way all the way past the piers up past the Sculpture Park, and through Myrtle Edwards Park. It also looks as though Norway has declared war on Japan (according to the second photo I took). Norway clearly has Japan in a choke hold. I also paid sad tribute to the now defunct Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

In Myrtle Edwards Park, I saw some giant stones. That was cool, I guess. There was quite a bit of grass--a good place for several people to be napping. Then I came to the Rose Garden, where, sad to say, there weren't any roses. Perhaps it's too early for them? That was as far as I've gone previous to this occasion, so I decided to push onward. I discovered a fishing dock, along with a very appropriately named bait shop: The Happy Hooker. At this point I wasn't sure how much farther the path would take me, so I decided to find my way over to Elliot Avenue. I thought I might have a walk up to (lower) Queen Anne hill.

There was a pedestrian bridge that went over a bunch of trains. See the pictures. The bridge design was rather impressive. So I walked up to Queen Anne Avenue, and decided to stop in to Kidd Valley for some dinner. I stuffed my face with a double cheeseburger, fries, and diet coke. Oy. Then I walked down Queen Anne Avenue to find the most amazing minivan ever. See picture. This was followed by a building announcement of something we do not need. Yes, I believe we do not need another church. Then the Pacific Science Center's outer exterior told me that King County's carbon emissions since January 1st are estimated at 6,804,769 metric tons. Is that a lot? Any science nerds want to help me figure that one out?

Then I continued up Denny Avenue to 5th Avenue, and then proceeded south. I came across the Wexley School for Girls, where a friend of mine recently interned. Quick note: it's not a school for girls, or a school at all, for that matter. It's an advertising agency. They're strange, but fun. I eventually made my way down to Olive, and could have gone home, but I was compelled to keep the night going. So I walked up Olive to Broadway, then up Broadway to Roy, and back down to Vivace for an iced latte. After that I walked down Broadway, and through Cal Anderson Park. I finally made it home, feeling pretty good, about three and half hours after I got off the bus from work. What a walk!

[Update]: I've added a customized map of my impromptu walk. It was my first time using Google Maps' customized mapping feature, so it's not perfect, but close enough. The total walk was around eight miles.

View Seattle Walk in a larger map

The Fashion Police Are On Notice

There is a huge fashion faux pas that men in Seattle (and elsewhere) commit on warm and sunny days. That is, wearing long socks with shoes--or even worse, sandals--while wearing shorts as well. If you're legs are covered with pants, then we do not care. But please, for the sake of everyone, invest in some ankle-length socks. Your lower calf is not going to get cold and need warmth from your sock. Stop it. Just stop it. As of now, you're all officially on notice.

Thank you to my coworker for being a good sport and letting me take a photo of this atrocity. He is in the clear, seeing as how I had to have him hike up his jeans for me to prove my point. Regardless of that fact, these crimes of fashion must not stand. That is all.

Open Declaration To Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Even though I tend to avoid mean-spirited rants:

Shut up already! You had your chance to mold the American government into the mess that it is, and you did an outstanding job! But you're finished now. It's over. Accept it. Stop going on television and radio shows and flapping your lips. If you thought--or still think for that matter--that you could do a better job at being the President of the United States, then you should have ran for the presidency; but you didn't. It's time for you to just disappear quietly back into the general American public, such as your former boss did.

Said To Me At Work Today

From a coworker:

"My sixth-grade science teacher, Ms. Sanders, was hot. Much better than my homeroom teacher...whose name was Sorhide*. She was old Mrs. Sorhide."

*Pronounced 'sore-hide'.

Re: The Controversial Practice Of 'Outing'

Originally intended for publication on May 10th.

There is a new documentary being released by Magnolia Pictures called "Outrage". The film's official website provides the synopsis:

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) delivers a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. OUTRAGE boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers, details the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.

And after viewing this news interview, I started debating what my views were on the issue of 'outing'. I'll admit, there was a point in my life where I considered outing a former friend of mine to his parents. Did I ultimately decide against do so? Yes. I am personally opposed to outing anyone, because I think that that is a personal experience that the individual needs to make by his or her own choosing. However, a line can be drawn, I believe, where outing someone is absolutely necessary. This is the subject of the documentary.

Let's look at it this way: a politician actively and aggressively pursues legislation that would discriminate against homosexuals. This can include any and every thing. Whilst at the same time, he is choosing to engage in homosexual acts. Should this politician still retain the right to privacy? In my own view, I think not. Your thoughts?

Oddest Thing Said To Me Today

From a friend:

"You're a manwhore, but you're smart."

I Know I'm A Smart Guy And Everything...

...but why do people--you know who you are--insist on calling me to find out things such as this:

"What's a 'Rusty Trombone'?"

I feel like a parent whose child just came home from school and wants to know what the other kids were talking about all day long. If you don't know what a 'Rusty Trombone' is, well then I suggest you click here for the answer. I will not stoop so low as to announce it here. Good day.

Oh, and apparently that now makes me an expert witness in an HR sexual harassment case. Details pending.

The Best Thing I've Read Today

From "Security" by Stephen Amidon:

"Taking shots at Mark was a waste of time. It was like firing a rifle at a slow-moving cloud. So easy to hit, yet it made no difference. It still floated away, right over the horizon."

It's Difficult To Say Without At Least Shedding A Tear, But...

...Happy Birthday Harvey Milk. We'll never forget you and what you did for all us.

Link via Towleroad.

California Supreme Court To Annouce Their Ruling On Prop 8 Tuesday at 10:00 AM

So I was informed this morning, via email update. And Slog. And Towleroad. And SF Chronicle.

"If The Predator Monster Promised He Wouldn't Kill The Other Players..."

A Question Concerning The 1995 Thriller "Crimson Tide"

I know that they are on the brink of nuclear war with Russia, but why is every crew member's face in a constant state of perspiration? They are all sweating profusely throughout the entire movie. Except for Denzel and Hackman--they keep their cool. Is there no ventilation on those submarines? Is the temperature kept at a moderate 85 degrees?

Furthermore, let me ask everyone what they would have done in that situation. That is, you've been ordered to fire nuclear missiles at Russia. Then you get attacked by a Russian submarine, but before your radio gets severed, you get a message regarding your orders; but you don't know what the message is, because it got cut off during the attack. Do you try and re-establish communications and find out what the message says, or do you go ahead with launching your nuclear missiles relying on your last confirmed orders?