Governor Patterson interviewed by The Advocate November 17, 2009
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Governor Patterson gets a lot of slack. Mostly because he doesn’t like to play political games, and has a quiet (in terms of those holding major political offices) voice. Yet he likes to get things done. And he is an advocate for the LGBTQ community. It’s a shame we’re not giving him more of a chance. Here’s an excerpt from the interview in The Advocate by Kerry Eleveld – maybe this will bring up his ‘numbers’? It certainly changed my thoughts on our Governor.
Why is LGBT equality so personal for you? When I was a young person watching the civil rights demonstrations in Alabama and Georgia and Mississippi, I was always struck by the people who didn’t have to be there – the members of the clergy, the union leaders, and private citizens, who were white or Hispanic. And particularly, the whites were not targets of discrimination, but they were people who saw how it wasn’t just an issue of what was happening to black people in the South, it was what was happening to our country. And so I wanted to be someone who not only was an advocate for change within their own community but could leave that sort of bonded field and see the world in its entirety. But when I went down to Greenwich Village in 1975 when I was 21 years old with a friend of mine who was gay, and we poured cans of Florida orange juice down the sewer to send a message to Anita Bryant – this was not a popular thing to do.
What will it mean if delivering marriage equality is your biggest legacy as governor? I think it would be fine. I think it is probably the most significant human rights legislation that we’re addressing at this particular time in history.
Is there any thought that you would like to share with the LGBT community? I think as I’ve observed in the LGBT community, as I’ve observed in the African-American community, in the disabled community – both of which I’m a part of – there’s also a reaction, a reaction of perhaps not always feeling accepted even when one should be accepted. And I am hoping when marriage equality passes, that this will be the ultimate symbolic gesture that this society, at least here in New York State, accepts the mena dn the women who live in this society. But what will come after that will also have to be a culture change and an acceptance of victory. Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “Claim your victories.” And I’m hoping that people not only benefit from the legislation with their rights now that are brand-new that should be exercised as soon as possible but also with an enhanced spirit of recognizing that we too belong.
last sunday at the 2009 Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park October 8, 2009
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Lana & Jason started the day early to set up for the multitude of people that would be pouring through the festival. Keith and I met Angel & Paul a little later in the day for a walk around the festival. I’m glad we went early – the place gets mega-crazy! Here are some photos of the day:
Lana peddling her wares
my, my, my, what a busty wench
a knighting ceremony - pay no attention to the creepy wizard on the right
TURKEY LEGS!!!
to the death
MEAD!!!!
Paul at the jousting match just moments before we'd all had enough of the crowds and decided to head home.
mental map October 7, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in Inwood, My opinion - and my opinion counts, just me, randomality, specifically gotham.1 comment so far
Miligram defined the idea of a mental map of a city. He suggests that every inhabitant of a city has a different view/map of the city. He would have people draw a city from their memory. An example compared two women – one from Jersey City, and one from the upper west side of Manhattan, and they both drew Manhattan. The one from Jersey City showed detail and many more things (locations, stores, restaurants, etc.) in midtown as she frequently comes in to see a show. While the second woman’s map showed great detail on the UWS, and very little in midtown or downtown. So I decided to draw my own mental map of NYC. It’s very interesting, and you can certainly see where I spend my time. Inwood (where I live) is very detailed – and even includes two locations in the Bronx (Target and Planet Fitness…so true). Other than that, there is detail in the UWS where we do a lot of shopping & eating, some detail in Chelsea, and more detail in the area where I work. But according to my map, there is nothing on the east side of Manhattan. Pretty interesting view of the city. Try it for your city – I’d be very interested to see some other mental maps!
more from the Museum of Sex October 6, 2009
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Here are couple more that Keith took during our trip through the Museum of Sex. The book was from a ‘history of sex education’ section. And the other two photos are of the “Realdolls” that visitors are allowed to “handle” (Lana never misses an opportunity – neither did I!).
museum of sex October 4, 2009
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Lana & Jason are visiting this weekend. As a late birthday present for Lana, we all went to the Museum of Sex. 
Not sure what to expect beforehand, but we had a great time. The current exhibit is about the sex lives of animals. It was amazingly informative. Who knew so many animals masturbated as much as they do? That certainly makes me feel better…
Upstairs they have a large number of things from their main exhibit. Including homemade sex toys; outstanding BDSM items (including these Ballet Boots);
some interesting full body suits (such as the full body latex ‘woman’ suit, and this latex Rocket Tits suit);
one big piece depicting all kinds of robot sex (here are some robots sitting in a theatre jerking off…I really want a masturbating robot piece for my own home);
and great pieces from the history of sex and sex education in America. Cop of feel from one of the Realdolls (just like the one in “Lars and the Real Girl”) – they’re amazing lifelike and you’re allowed – no, encouraged to see just how lifelike their adult parts feel. And for anime fans, there’s a little theatre where you can watch clips from some of the greatest anime porn. Speaking of, one of the special exhibits going on right now is all about sex in the motion pictures. It’s a great walk through a history of movies and how sexual content changed throughout the years. And for the voyeur in you – there’s plenty of graphic clips. I was personally drawn to the gay porn clips projected on one of the tables.
If you’re wondering what to do on an afternoon, I’d recommend the Museum of Sex. Embrace your sexual nature. Don’t be the prude that we’re all taught to be in this country. Sex is fun!
2009 NYC Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park September 28, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in Awww...friends, specifically gotham.4 comments
2009 NYC Medieval Festival
Sunday, October 4
Fort Tryon Park
11:30am – 6pm
Hear ye, hear ye…
This year’s Medieval Festival
is nearly upon us.
Set atop gotham
with nary a fuss.
Come fill with mead
and chomp some meat pies.
Turkey legs and sweets
stacked to the skies.
Costumes aplenty
with characters inside;
tights, cloaks and metal,
whatever thy stride.
But best of all
are the trinkets so fair.
Dazzling jewelry and fun-stuff
to stick in your hair.
And nay neglect
the clothing and the cloaks.
Dulcinea’s tent will please
both wenches and blokes.
So come find Lana,
the one with wares to hock.
She’s traveling from afar
of that you can take stock.
She’ll dress you up in finery;
she’ll make you feel so fine.
One cloak from her and
happiness will be thine.
sometimes you just get angry September 24, 2009
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good to know I’m not the only one
from Overheard In New York:
Angry woman, venting: Oh, but he doesn’t know I scrapbook like a motherfucker.
–M&J Trimming
Girl, screaming: Fuck you, International Baccalaureate!
–Brooklyn
Really angry guy on cell: I’m talkin’ about mothafuckin’ cookies and apple juice!
–23rd & 6th
Overheard by: Q
Six-year-old girl to mother, ready for day at the beach: Shit, mom! It’s fucking raining!
–Q Train
Suit on cell, cheerily: Okay, fuck you, bye!
–7th Ave & 50th St
Overheard by: dignell
notes from an A train : 9.24.09 : 7:13am September 24, 2009
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Strollers. Strollers in this city are my nemesis (at least this morning – see me tomorrow for a new nemesis). They overwhelm the upper west side – they take over paths in parks. And this morning a stroller was responsible for me missing a train. So from here on out I say we ban all strollers. Or at the very least, let’s ban mega-strollers. You know the ones I am talking about. Those architectural structures that dwarf what passed for a stroller a decade ago. Those monoliths of metal and fabric that protect a child while ramming and shoving people off of sidewalks. Those gargantuan strollers that probably cost more than my rent. I say ban ‘em! Get rid of ‘em! Learn how to carry your child like the animal you are! Or better yet, if they can’t keep up – leave ‘em! Life is hard, let ‘em learn it young! It’s the way of nature!
window washing September 15, 2009
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2 winters ago, an older Spanish-speaking gentleman came into my office on a Thursday afternoon. He explained (mostly with hand gestures as he spoke very little English) that he could wash the windows of both offices every week for a minimal cost. I agreed, and he’s been coming every Thursday since then – and every time he comes to clean the windows he gives everyone in the office a banana.
I just saw him on the street as I was coming back from the bank. It’s Tuesday. I hadn’t thought about it, but he probably cleans windows each day of the week. Conservatively, I could guess that he does 20 storefronts a day. That’s 100 storefronts a week. Conservatively it probably costs each of them $50 a month. That means he makes (conservatively) $60,000 a year in cash.
Smart guy.
weekend September 14, 2009
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Friday night, I made lamb. Lamb shoulder, to be exact. And a great side dish I saw on Smitten Kitchen – small Roma tomatoes roasted with cipollini onions (I added garlic, and balsalmic vinegar). We had a quiet night in.
Saturday – after a breakfast of scrambled eggs & toast with honey butter, we were off to do some shopping. First thing first – to the Apple Store to upgrade to the new 3GS phones. Our archaic original iPhones were just too last year. Although happily enough, we might be able to sell our old original iPhones for $200 a pop on Ebay. Woo hoo! Jake at Leatherman measured Keith for a vest, and I got a leather wrist cuff (I’m wearing it now). We had drinks at Boots & Saddle – and then tried in vain to catch a taxi for at least 1/2 hour. After a number of yellow cabs asked where we were going and then DIDN’T unlock the doors to let us in the car, I decided one of them needed to be made a lesson of (was that proper English)? So I pulled out my new iPhone and called 311 – filed a report, and had a confirmation emailed to me within 1/2 hour. That’ll teach those cocky ass taxi drivers – you gotta pick me up, bitch. I don’t care if you don’t want to go uptown. 
Saturday night we went north – Yonkers, to be exact. Angel & Paul had us over for Paul’s famous (and spicy) vegetarian chili and the OSU football game. Um…Angel and I played Yahtzee. And Angel made a cocktail with Limoncello, Cranberry Wine & Soda. Lovely.
Sunday we met Kate, George & Amber for brunch. Then off to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy some new guest towels. Lana & Jason will be here soon…followed immediately by my Grandparents…followed closely by Keith’s parents. Gotta be prepared! We did the gym (circuit training), took a bubble bath together, had dinner (more tomatoes & onions, then leftover Sloppy Joes made by Keith – and corn on the cob), and hung out the rest of the night.
Weekends always seem to go by so quickly, don’t they?
