"Not So Awesome" or "Another Reason Not to Smoke"

Same source as news below, but not so happy.

Smokers may be more vulnerable to HIV

by The Washington Blade

www.washingtonblade.com

ATLANTA -- Smokers may be at higher risk of contracting HIV infection than nonsmokers, new research finds, according to a report by HealthDay News. The new study was published online in the journal "Sexually Transmitted Infections."

Cigarette smoking has already been linked to an increased risk of infection in general, including sexually transmitted infections. In this most recent study, researchers identified six studies that investigated the association between smoking and becoming HIV positive. Five of the studies found smokers were at increased risk of contracting HIV, according to the study.

The increased risk ranged from 60 percent higher in smokers to a more than tripling of the risk. The researchers looked at another 10 studies that assessed the association between smoking and the progression to AIDS. Nine of these studies concluded that smokers were not at increased risk, according to the results.

Awesome!!! A Win for Us

I ran across this while reading Hard News Online. For anyone familiar with how hate crimes go involving those from the GLTB community, know how important this legislation can be. For far too long, especially like places in the midwest and southern regions, many people who enact violence on GLTB people get acquitted or their trials dismiss due to the "gay panic" theory. Most might remember this defense being used by Mathew Sheppard's murderers. Luckily, that jury didn't buy it.

Schwarzenegger signs historic 'gay panic' legislation

by The Washington Blade

www.washingtonblade.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law on Sept. 28 a bill that limits the use of the so-called "gay panic" defense.

The legislation, inspired by the murder of transgender teen Gwen Araujo, is the first law of its kind in the nation. "Gay panic" defenses typically arise in cases in which the victim's sexual orientation played a role in the crime.

Defendants argue that they did not intentionally kill the victim and that their rage was triggered after learning that the victim was gay or transgender -- meaning they should be punished for a lesser offense, such as manslaughter, reported the San Jose Mercury News.

Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) wrote the bill that states that it is against public policy for a defendant to play upon the bias of the jury, or for a jury to allow bias against the victim to enter into its decision, according to the Mercury News. The bill revises the current California jury instruction regarding bias, explaining that verdicts cannot be based on bias against the victim, defendant or witnesses, according to the newspaper report.

The bill takes effect Jan. 1 and asks the state Office of Emergency Services to incorporate training on the "gay panic" strategy into its training for prosecutors, as long as funds are available.

Happy Birthday Chris

This past week my friend Chris celebrated his birthday (he is the one in the red shirt). A couple of months ago on an Undie Mondies night, him and his boyfriend, Eric, celebrated "something" (unknown to the rest of the world) with a bottle of Jack. These pictures are a real life account of what followed next. Happy birthday biaatch!

Twainese Culture Goodwill Mission Troupe

So last weeek, Oklahomans were allowed a sliver of what Taiwan has to offer in it's culture department. The event was not widely publicized (outside the Asian media), which may have been a good thing for my sister in this case, and held at Classen High School. The troupe was celebrating the spirit of Taiwan's culture and on a mission to bring information about Taiwan to the rest of the world. In case you do not know, my mother's side is from Taiwan. Also, the Taiwanese people are in a quest for independence from China and since Bush has taken office, has received little support from this administration (rememeber Clinton and the cruisers he sent to the Straight of Taiwan?) in 1996 (Clinton has since received flak for criticism he has leveled at newly elected Taiwanese offcials for not being more diplomatic). Anyway, my family, David and I attended this event last week. It was also celebarting the upcoming Harvest Moon, which is a time many Asian and EuroAsian countries recognize as the changing of the seasons and one in which to give thanks (like Thanksgiving here). You might have noticed THE Harvest Moon last Friday night as the moon was 12% closer to the Earth than any other part of the year. The show itself was very entertaining, except it got to a late start. For some strange reason someone shot mace into the crowd. I wonder who that could be? If you notice the pics, the one with my mom and Willard is my mom giving her death threat eyes to my sister and David, behind her and next to me. The pic with Veronica and David was assinged the number value of "dsc01666", hhhhmmm seems very queer to me that they would get the marking of the beast. Then again no it doesn't. Needless to say, after the building was aired out, (luckily I was visiting the little men's room when the attack happened and not affected) and the four rows of people seated around us returned to their seats, the show got underway. Luckily for whoever it was, Governor Henry was not able to attend that night. Just think, macing the govenor. That would have been a story.

Healthy Knowledge

Yeah, so spinach is mostly safe to eat. Well the non-bagged from anywhere but southern California. So I made myself this spinach, red chard, romaine and radicchio salad with a trail mix I purchased from the fair and mozzarella. HHHmmmmmmmmm. For a liitle protein (teehee) I made myself a grilled tuna wrap with mozzarella and salsa. Protein-ey. But anyway, besides most spinach being safe and the culprits behind the mishap being closer to being caught, I caught wind of another way in which people are keeping themselves in shape, mentally.
This story will have gamers, especially David quoting this story for years as proof that gaming is good. Once again on CNN Headline News, researchers have found out that certain types of activity help stay-off the affects of Alzheimer's disease. That is old news. What is new though, is even video games, such as the Gameboy by Nintendo can help as well. Well, that is certain games such as the Gameboy DS's games Brain Drain and Suduko games. I do not think such games as Resident Evil or Grand Theft Auto fall into this category, but Resident Evil does scare the shit out of me. So much so I wouldn't play it alone or at night, especially alone at night. Scary. So anyway kiddies, keep those brains a rolling and don't forget your veggies. Sound mind, sound body, sound soul = long life and lots of great sex. j/k, or am I? Oh yeah, I think someone has forgotten that they said a certain CORAL PINK DS Light would be mine. I didn't forget!

Pics From AIDS Walk 2006

Good morning kiddies. Got up early and thought I should do some more catching up on this blog thingy. Here are some pics from this year's AIDS Walk. Since I volunteered I didn't walk with the masses and my view was often limited, as evidenced from the first two pics. The third pic shows me and Oske whom I worked with at one of the regirstration tables. She is cool and hopefully is succesfull in helping people with HIV and AIDS. Thank you all who donated time, money or support to this year's walk. We raised about 40,000 dollars, about 2,000 more than last year. Fuck you to all those that did none of these things and said you would. Two hours of your day and/or twenty dollars is not so much to ask for this fight. Sorry you would have missed your favorite show, some extra drug induced sleep, or a brunch session. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Spencer

He is in the ringer-t. Make him feel old next time he is out.

Cheesecake Factory...Don't Do It!!

So my family, some friends and I decided to try out the newly opened Cheesecake Factory in OK. So we get another chain restaraunt and more chain quality food. The main thing about these places (chains that is) is that they go for a gimmick or theme (cheesecakes, variety, family themed, or fast and cheap) at the expense of other comforts. The Cheesecake Factory is no exception. It was already at a disadvantage with me since it had already taken away about 150 parking spots (from the building alone!!) while being built from gym-goers at the mall. So David, Dann and I wait about 30-40 mins on a Tuesday night while the family gets there. Felicia, (AKA Fifi) is late and last as usually. Besides being ultra busy, bad for any first experience, we get a waiter whom we are about 99.9% sure has never waited tables before in his life. Between those at the table we have about 15 - 16 years of experience in the service industry (about 12 -13 between Fifi and I alone) and my sister's nickname when we go out to eat is "Ming the Merciless" to waiters and managers alike. Summary basics: appetizer sampler very good and could supplement a light meal for 2 - 3 people. Some of the favorites were the avocado rolls, pork dumplings, and corn cakes. Dinner was much more mixed. Fifi and David's meals got lost. Dann's salmon was cold (and it was suposed to be hot, eeeewwwww). My sister Veve and I ordered salads, good thing to do when in a crowded restaraunt. Her chicken ceaser came out chicken ceasery and my ahi-tuna seemed like it had just got done being frozen, but not quite there yet. No one had dessert except Fifi and she got that to go cause after two and half hours of being there that is all we wanted to do was go. Of course, she said it was good. Also, try the Pomegranate Margarita, it is very refreshing, and beware of wine prices. I paid a whopping $10.00 for a glass of Clos Du Bois Merlot!!!! Well, maybe the next excursion will be better. Most of the food pics didn't take cause my camera seemed to agree with the family that the food wasn't that great. Well the salads came out. Till later.

Asian Invasion (and some whities) Invade the Fair

About two Sundays ago, my sisters and I went to the fair. We allowed some others to come along in case we needed them to fetch any snacks and drinks or carry anything for us. In the case of Dann, it was so we could make fun of him. If you do not believe me, watch his progression in the pics. The sun was glaring and when caught off the right direction of my brother-in-laws head, Jeff, could blind anyone (pic # 4). Luckily, Veronica's friend did not throw up this year on a ride! Pic five is the whole crew in line for the space needle and pic six is right before Jeff almost got us thrown off the ride my getting up and touching the glass, which is a big no-no we found out. We then scouted off for David's fascination with all that is fried!! After a bite of my sister's funnel cakes, Dann's curly fries and David's fried snickers I almost had a diebetic coma. Unluckily for everyone else the sugar hit me as everyone else was winding down and I started bouncing up and down with a third wind. Pic #9: Dann + lots of semi-warm beer + heat + lots of okies = sunburnt, drunk Dann!! But pic 10 shows a much happier Dann when I tell him I'll buy him a drink at sushi neko and give him the latest Sean Cody Porn. What a day!

Happy Birthday Linh

Here are some pics from my friend's Linh's birthday party at the Conservatory and some other random pics at the Hi-lo and the Sidecar. Do not worry Linh, you still have a dinner raincheck.