Siyanara Japan, Ni-how Taiwan

So this morning we are leaving Japan. Sigh. I had a blast here. Met plenty of cool people, saw many great sights, and had plenty to eat. I think it is fitting that as I write this that Sia "Breathe Me" is playing. I am excited to head towards Taiwan, but I am also saddened by the short amount of time I was able to share with this country and its people. I will be back. And yes I will catch everyone up on the trip so far with pics and what not. See you in Taiwan.

Tokyo Day 2

So Tues, was our first full day in Tokyo. We had planned to take a tour in the morning, but we were misquoted a time and missed the departure time. So we scheduled one for the afternoon. It was all tours are, hurried, usually focusing on what you do not want to see and boring. This one wasn't that bad. I am just more of a walk around the city and learn the layout myself kinda guy, and if I get lost it is all the more likely that I am going to remember my way around next time.

Some highlights was the Asuska Buddhist Temple/ shopping area. This is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, having survived past city fires and the devastation of WWII. Being such an old place it was so crowded, due to a local holiday, that I could hardly feel any spiritual connection whatsoever. The Imperial Temple was beautiful, well the outside was since it is closed off to the public. Dinner was great that night, except the experience was partly marred due to the family's close contact all day and jet lag. So what did I do, I went for a drink at the local gay bar(s).

It was a blast. The gay "area" was about ten minutes away from our hotel. We stayed in Shinjuku and the gay bars were present in an area called Shinjuku-Ni Chome (Two-Chome). The area has about two-hundred bars, including bath-houses, "sex cafes", and plenty of drinking spots. I went to several bars and got a good idea of the variety. Granted I was confined to bars that would welcome non-Japanese speaking tourists, it was still a good descriptor of the scene. I had soo much fun with some new friends that time slipped away (hey! I was still on Oklahoma time which is the complete opposite so I was wide awake at their 4 am!) that it was about 6 am before I made it back to the room. To my surprise, not really, my mom had gone to the police!! We soon got a hold of each other and after some bitching got things squared away. My sister, who was with my mom at the police station, told me that my mother told them I was 27 and they laughed at her. DON'T laugh at my mom. She yelled at them. They calmed down and asked her for a description, she said I had blue hair and they laughed again, and even harder!! She started crying! Poor over-protective mother. I love her, but jeez I am 27. Till next time.


Breakfast at hotel. American and Chinese style food. Pretty freaking good dim-sum.


My mom, sister, and the rain at the heart of Shinjuku, the "Shinjuku Subway/Train Depot."


Many delis are abound with loads of varieties of food for the picking.


Another view of Shinjuku station. This is not even near crowded!


One view of Japan from the 40th of floor.


Asuska Buddhist Temple (oldest in Japan) and market.


The Asuska market!!!


My Rickshaw staff awaits my return!! Notice the nicely shaped thighs!


Us outside the Imperial Palace. My connections couldn't come through that day.


Sushi Dinner!! Hhhhmmmmm, hhhmmm, hhhhhmmmm, good.


A view of a Japanese gay bar in "Shinkuju-Ni Chome", "Logos." Lots of fun!



New friends!! Carlos (an American) and Finn (from Germany, living in Japan). Thank you guys for showing me around and getting me in deep trouble with my mom.

Yo! Tokyo Day 1

So sorry about the delay of these postings, but my computer had a virus and I had to wipe it clean, which can be good and bad. Lose all your stuff, but hey no baggage! Anyway to catch up, I am here in Japan and I am doing postings to let everyone know that I am doing alright and how much fun I am having. The trip over here was about 18 hours total which is pretty nice considering that is a little longer than it takes to get to Taiwan directly. Yeah, had not really been able to sleep before I left and sure as hell didn't sleep on the plane. I have trouble sleeping anyway, especially on moving things, and the snotty kid whose parents didn't care really didn't help by kicking my seat.
So we finally made it and got to our hotel which is a business hotel. It has the basics but that is about it. The size of the room is about barely bigger than my living room. That's fine until I mention that I am sharing it with my mom and sister. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. walked learned the layout of the area and had some good food. and tried to adjust to the time difference. In case you are wondering, to those in OK (Central) time zone. Say, right now it is 10:17 pm here, in OK it is 8:17 am. Wednesday is over here and you guys are just starting your hump day. Alrighty, I had a looonnggg night last night and I am very tired so I will leave you with some picks and talk to you tommorow.
Ok it seems my computer is being a Chin chin and I am kinda busy now, so I will add pics later. Oh wait! Now it is updated!!!!


Picture of a Shinto shrine outside our hotel.


Lunch at one the many Udon noodle shops and some
Inari.


I am not exaggerating when I say the room was small. Look at me in proportion the bathroom door!


A pic of the toilet controls. Every bathroom has a bidet and whatnot. These should be mandatory for all gay men's homes.

Forbidden Fruit

I have finally found this short documentary about gay Asians that I have been looking for a while now. Unluckily these films are mostly made for the academic circles and can cost upwards of $200 - $600 for a thirty minute film. Ouch! Anyway, this film is a short synopsis of all the studies I have researched or papers I have written concerning Gay Asians, how they are perceived and treated and how they perceive and treat other Asians and themselves. It is a good film for a primer, but doesn't dive too much into theory. This is aimed at people who know little or nothing of the subject and it works towards that end. And no, I am not a "Potato Queen", I am now on a no carb diet anyway.

Forbidden Fruit
Uploaded by nonightfan

Who Said Taiwan is Backwards?

Besides Japan, I will be visiting the motherland, Taiwan. My extended family, ala my mother's side lives there and I've made the journey about 8 times now. Yet, I have never been to a gay bar there, which is definitely going to change this time around. My extended family does not know I am gay, except for a cousin who came out to me when my family last visited me about two years ago in the states. This tidbit is from Utopia.com. A site that caters to gays and lesbians in Asia and those who plan on traveling there. It lists shopping, food, parks, clubs, sex houses, EVERYTHING! Plus it has handy comments from people that have actually traveled to these places and spots. The site has been extremely helpful in allowing me to make decisions of what bars, cafes and other places (teehee) to visit. Here is some of what they have to say about Taiwan.

Taiwan is one of Asia's most progressive countries as far as LGBT rights are concerned, and certainly the most liberal of the Chinese diaspora. Not only does the government of Taipei print up its own free guide to the gay community, but school children are taught about homosexuality and tolerance for sexual minorities. Taiwan's first Gay Pride Festival was held on Sunday, June 29, 1997 at 2-28 Memorial Park (New Park) in Taipei (a favorite cruise spot at night). Over 30 gay organizations chose to celebrate in the sunlight at this location of Pai Hsien-Yung's famous gay novel, Crystal Boys.

Taiwanese, especially in Taipei, are adept at cruising on the Internet and many prefer making a quick and easy online rendezvous anonymously rather than the expense and time required to hang around a bar or sauna. Even so, the quality and selection of gay venues has increased noticeably along with the new openness of gays and lesbians in society. Young Taiwanese are opening trendy and stylish shops and meeting places. Wednesdays are considered "little weekends" and clubs may be a bit busier on that night than other weekdays. There are lots of options these days for gay clubs, but many Taiwanese, especially the older generation, continue to socialize in small karaoke bars. When you order your first drink at a Taiwanese-style bar you are usually served two at the same time, plus a plate of snacks. Beer is often served warm with ice. Don't be surprised if the waiter or captain pours himself a glass and sits down with you. Drinking alone would be inhospitable. If you don't speak Chinese, everybody in the place will understand you are a foreigner and the staff will consider who should best communicate with you and who to introduce you to. They may even call up one of their friends who speaks English to come to the club and translate. This may take some time, so be patient. Also, if someone likes you they may ask a friend to talk to you first and then introduce you to their group. It may take hours to actually find out who wanted to meet you in the first place. Usually, verbal contacts are preceded by raised glass toasts from across the pub.

Because English is not commonly spoken or used on signs outside Taipei, visitors may have difficulty locating the clubs and spas scattered around the smaller cities. Use business cards to get around. Usually, one gay establishment will carry cards of others, or the staff may draw you a map of local spots. Ask your hotel concierge to call the numbers below and then write directions in Chinese for a taxi driver.

Summer Blues

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxzvb_summer-blues

Summer Blues
Uploaded by nonightfan

I am not sure who made this. A fan or a group, but it is lovely.

Call to Action

I know that as citizens in a consumerist nation, it can be hard pressed to feel like what you do has any weight. Everyone decides for themselves what steps they decide to take. You may choose a company that make environmentally friendly products, but are based overseas in workshop like conditions. Maybe you choose to buy American, but they have ties with unsavory political groups. We each choose our own, but I believe the information, regardless of your view, should be available nonetheless. So I am reposting this message I received from some local queer activists, that post on myspace from their page The Queer Revolution. Maybe it will spur some of you to be more conscious or where you shop or even better, make a phone call.

!!BOYCOTT!! HOMELAND GROCERY STORE @ NW 39TH AND PENN!!

Revolutionaries,

At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday June 24th (gay pride parade), a very good friend of The Queer Revolution was in the Homeland at NW 39th and Penn. She was waiting in line to pay and the woman in front of her was complaining about the traffic and huge crowd that had assembled in the vicinity waiting for the parade. She said that the lack of available parking was “bad for customers.” The manager, who was assisting the cashier behind the counter said, “Yeah, well … I WISH I COULD SHOOT THEM ALL.”

The following day (Monday), a phone call was made to the Homeland District Office to lodge a formal complaint. Judy (at 405-216-2200) with Homeland took the complaint and promised a returned call from a District Manager to discuss the situation. To date, this call has not been returned.

Based on this incident, The Queer Revolution is hereby calling for an official boycott of this Homeland grocery store, which is located in the middle of Oklahoma City’s Gay District. Not only has the manager of this store exhibited the type of homophobia TQR fights daily, but also Homeland’s district office has shown no interest in attempting to resolve this situation.

Revolutionaries, we ask that you repost this bulletin in hopes to spread the word of the kind of blatant homophobia that was experienced on (of all days) the year's most open celebration of gay pride.

Please feel free to contact Judy at the Homeland District Office and relate your concerns about this incident. She can be reached at 405-216-2200.

WE MUST SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE.


Please Repost!

We love you all,
TQR

Japanese Culture and Shopping

More info on Japan. Not only to show you, but to remind myself of what I want to see when I get there.



Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, one station north of Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for grown-ups and some historic sights.

The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.

In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc.





Shops, cafes and restaurants for all ages are found along Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue, sometimes referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees. Omotesando Hills, a recently opened shopping complex along the avenue, has been attracting particularly lots of attention.

However, Harajuku is not only about teenage culture and shopping. Meiji Shrine, one of Tokyo's major shrines, is located just west of the railway tracks in a large green oasis shared with Yoyogi Park, a spacious public park. Beautiful ukiyo-e paintings are exhibited in the small Ota Memorial Museum of Art.

Takeshita Dori
The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers.
Shops along Takeshita Dori tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.

Omotesando
Referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees, Omotesando is a one kilometer long, tree lined avenue, serving as the main approach to Meiji Shrine. Numerous stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including several leading fashion brand shops, stand along the avenue.
Shops along Omotesando tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.

To Add To the Last Post

Of course, part of the experience of eating is the liquid refreshment that accompanies your food. In this case, alcohol. I basically just split the posting into two entries. Knowing my friends though, they will probably take more interest in this one. Also from the same website, japan-guide.com.

A large variety of alcoholic beverages can be found in Japan. Some of the most popular ones are listed below:




Beer
Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan. The biggest Japanese beer breweries are Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo. Beer was imported to Japan in the early Meiji Period by foreign specialists who were invited to Japan for the development of the northern island of Hokkaido.

Happoshu
Happoshu, a recent invention by Japanese brewing companies, literally means "sparkling alcohol". It looks like beer, contains the same amount of alcohol as beer, but is made with less malt than beer, giving it a different, lighter taste. As a result of its lower malt content, happoshu is not classified as a beer for taxation purposes and can be sold at a lower price.

Rice Wine (nihonshu or sake)
Nihonshu or sake (sake is the general Japanese term for alcohol) is basically made of rice and water. Besides major brands, there are countless regional rice wines. The alcohol content of rice wine is about 10-20%, and it can be drunken cold or hot.

Wine
Wine is very popular in Japan, especially among women. Most wines are imported from overseas. Yamanashi Prefecture is the most famous wine producing region within Japan.

Japanese plum wine (umeshu)
A sweet alcoholic beverage made of Japanese plums (ume).

Shochu
Shochu is a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content. Rice, sweet potatoes, wheat and sugar cane are some of the most common bases for shochu.

Chuhai
Chuhai are flavored alcoholic drinks with a relatively low alcohol content. They come in many different flavors such as lemon, grapefruit and pineapple, and are based on shochu.

Western style liqueur
Whisky, in particular, is very popular in Japan, where it is often enjoyed with water and ice.

Alcoholic beverages can be bought in supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, specialized alcohol stores (sakaya) and at vending machines. The minimum legal age for purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages is 20 years.

Drinking Manners

When drinking alcoholic beverages, it is a Japanese custom to serve each other, rather than pouring the beverage into one's own glass. You are supposed to periodically check your friends' cups, and serve them more once their cups are getting empty. Likewise, if someone wants to serve you more alcohol, you should quickly empty your glass and hold it towards that person.

While it is considered bad manner to become obviously drunk in some formal restaurants, for example in restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine), the same is not true for other types of restaurants such as izakaya, as long as you do not bother other guests.

Do not start drinking until everybody at the table is served and the glasses are raised for a drinking salute, which usually is "kampai". Avoid using "chin chin" when drinking a toast, since in Japanese this expression refers to the male genitals.

A Look of the Tastes to Come

As most of you know by now I will be leaving soon for my trip to Taiwan and Japan. I have been to Taiwan many times and I am excited to return. Although I must say that I am extremely excited about my visit to Japan. I have never been to Japan, but have done much research into various parts of Japan's history concerning male/ female relations, homosexuality and its treatment, and Japan's relations with the rest of Asia, especially concerning Taiwan. Besides loving Japanese food, Anime and segments of its technology, I am very excited to actually experience how the Japanese live and interact today. Since I have a very limited amount of time in one the biggest and busiest cities in the world, Tokyo, I am doing as much research as possible to fit in as much as possible. While I will be making postings from my trip, I figured I'de share some info, with some of you as to what I do not know, but will soon find out. Of course those that know me will find it no surprise that I am starting off with food. This plethora of information is from a handy website called japan-guide.com.

A large number of restaurant types can be found in Japan. Below is an attempt to introduce some of the most popular restaurant types in categorized form:

Specialized Japanese Restaurants

Many restaurants in Japan specialize in just one type of food.

* Sushi-ya
Sushi-ya are restaurants which specialize in sushi. In most sushi-ya, customers can sit either at a normal table or at a counter (sushi bar), behind which the sushi chef is working.

* Kaiten-zushi
Kaiten-zushi are sushi restaurants, where the sushi dishes are presented to the customers on a conveyor belt. Customers can then freely pick the dishes that they like or order dishes which are not available on the belt. In the end, the number of plates is counted to determine the cost. There are usually a few kinds of plates (differing in color or pattern), each being associated with a certain price. Kaiten-zushi tend to be less expensive than usual sushi-ya.

* Soba-ya
Soba-ya specialize in soba and udon noodle dishes. Most noodle dishes come either cooled with a dipping sauce or hot in a soup with different toppings. The menu often changes slightly with the seasons, with hiyashi (cold) noodles popular in summer and nabeyaki udon popular in winter.

* Ramen-ya
Ramen-ya specialize in ramen dishes, Chinese style noodles served in a soup with various toppings. Every ramen-ya has developed its own soup, the most crucial ingredient for a restaurant's success. Several other dishes of Chinese origin, such as gyoza and fried rice, are usually also available at a ramen-ya.

* Kare-ya
Kare-ya are restaurants that specialize in curry rice (kareraisu) dishes. There is usually at least one kare-ya inside or around any major railway station.

* Tonkatsu-ya
Tonkatsu-ya serve tonkatsu, deep fried breaded pork cutlets. Korokke and other deep fried dishes are also available at many tonkatsu-ya.

* Gyudon-ya
Gyudon-ya specialize in gyudon (beef domburi). Gyudon-ya tend to be inexpensive fast food style restaurants.

* Okonomiyaki-ya
Okonomiyaki-ya specialize in okonomiyaki and sometimes monjayaki. Customers are usually preparing their okonomiyaki by themselves on a hot plate which is built into the table.

* Yakitori-ya
Yakitori-ya specialize in yakitori, grilled chicken skewers. They are particularly popular among salarymen after work.

* Tempura-ya
Tempura-ya specialize in tempura dishes, such as tendon (tempura domburi) and assorted tempura.

* Unagi-ya
Unagi-ya specialize in unagi (fresh water eel) dishes such as unajuu and unadon (unagi domburi).

* Sukiyaki-ya
Sukiyaki-ya specialize in sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. They tend to be expensive and are not very numerous.




General Restaurants

The following are some restaurant types that offer a broader range of dishes than specialized stores.

* Izakaya
Izakaya are drinking places that offer a variety of small dishes, such as robata (grilled food), salads and finger food. It is probably the most popular restaurant type among the Japanese people. Izakaya tend to be informal, and the people at one table usually share all dishes, rather than ordering and eating individually.

* Family Restaurant and Shokudo
Family restaurants (famiresu) offer a variety of Western, Chinese and Japanese dishes in order to please all family members. Shokudo also offer a variety of dishes, however, the term is not commonly used anymore, and the difference to family restaurants is small.

* Teishoku-ya
Teishoku-ya are restaurants that sell teishoku (set menus). A set menu usually consists of a main dish such as a fried fish, a bowl of cooked rice and small side dishes. Teishoku-ya are especially numerous in business areas and popular during lunch time.

Foreign Cuisine

Many restaurants in Japan specialize in a foreign cuisine. Especially Korean, Chinese and Italian cooking, as well as American style fast food enjoys a great popularity among the Japanese.

* Yakiniku-ya
Yakiniku-ya specialize in Korean style barbecue, where small pieces of meat are broiled on a grill at the table. Other popular Korean dishes such as bibimba are usually also available at a yakiniku-ya.

* Chinese Restaurants
There are very many Chinese restaurants in Japan. Many of them serve slightly Japanized Chinese dishes, while others offer authentic Chinese food.

* Italian Restaurants
The Italian cuisine is very popular across Japan. Many Italian restaurants have Japanese flavored pasta dishes on their menus besides conventional dishes.

* Hamburger Fast Food
There are many hamburger fast food restaurants across Japan. They include major American chain stores such as McDonald's, but also various Japanese chain stores such as Mos Burger and Lotteria.

* Yoshoku-ya
Yoshoku-ya specialize in yoshoku ryori (Western Food). The dishes served at yoshoku-ya are heavily Japanized Western dishes, such as omuraisu and hayashiraisu.

* Ethnic Cuisine
In Japan, ethnic cuisine means South East Asian food, such as Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese food.





I will be giving a catalog of my eats from street vendors (good food and cheap) to nice restaurants. Yes, I will try anything while I am there, well except the walrus penis thing I saw Anthony Bourdain eat on his show "No Reservations".

Remember Who You Are

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King Jr.
US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 - 1968)


Oppression can only survive through silence.
Carmen de Monteflores


Nothing is so good for an ignorant man as silence; and if he was sensible of this he would not be ignorant.
Saadi
Persian poet (1184 - 1291)

Another Reason to Thank Bush

Our Fair Leaders

Thank Your Mother

It is that time of year again and I think Mother's Day is one of the best times to show your appreciation to an important person in your life. Salary.com has put out what a stay at home mother's wages should be worth. Whether your mother works or stays at home her worth is often undervalued and more often overlooked. I do not believe a mother's (or a woman's for that matter) worth and contributions to your life should ever be overlooked. Cherish what you have while you have it. You are a fortunate one to have a mother that cares. We often forget how hard it is to raise a child or do tasks that require you to always be selfless. I think many gay men forget this aspect of life as they never see themselves having children and families themselves. While being a mother is not all about the financial gain, it would be nice for society to acknowledge one of the most important jobs in society.

My mother raised me as a single mother most of her life. Being an immigrant woman, she had a difficult time meshing her life with that of the world her children were growing. She made many sacrifices for my sisters' and I's sake and I will always be in her debt. Let your mother how much you appreciate her. Not just on mother's day, but as much as you can everyday. You only have one mother, make it count.

What is Your Mom Worth?
Families Can Customize Mom's Job Description and Create a "Mom Paycheck"

Are you wondering what mom should be paid for her work as mom? Salary.com has valuated the "mom job" of both the Working and Stay-at-Home Moms! Based on a survey of more than 40,000 mothers, Salary.com determined that the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $138,095 for a stay-at-home mom. Working moms ‘at-home’ salary is $85,939 in 2007; this is in addition to the salary they earn in the workplace.

The job titles that best matched a mom's definition of her work are (in order of hours spent per week): housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and psychologist.

Now moms and their families can use the Mom Salary Wizard to create their own "mom paycheck". The tool allows moms and their families to price the "mom job", based on location and mom's personal hours worked in each of the 10 roles. Users can create a hypothetical mom paycheck and mom pay stub, which can be printed and emailed to family and friends for Mother's Day.

For the second consecutive year, Abbott's Similac® brand is sponsoring a nationwide contest to reward America's moms for their hard work and nurturing. The Similac Mom's $135K Payday contest will award one deserving mom a check for $135,000 – the annual "value" of a mom's parenting activities as measured by Salary.com.

In addition to the grand prize of $135,000, Abbott will award 10 first prize winners with a week's salary worth $3,000. All moms who enter the contest will receive downloadable "Chief Mom Officer" business cards and Similac coupons.

For complete contest information and rules, and to enter, please visit
www.SimilacMomsPayday.com.

Reflections of the Tragedy

This is Margaret Cho's reflections about part of the coverage concerning the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Our Humanity

Whenever anything really bad happens around Korean people, that is when I would like to hide, go to Hawaii and eat spam sushi until it blows over. I don't want to comment on it because I don't want to escalate the situation and I don't want to implicate myself in it. I don't want to 'come out' as Asian because therein lies a tremendous responsibility that I never volunteered for, that I don't have any real control over, and that is as mysterious to me as it is to someone who isn't Asian.

So here is the whole terrible mess of the shootings at Virginia Tech. I look at the shooter's expressionless face on the news and he looks so familiar, like he could be in my family. Just another one of us. But how can he be us when what he has done is so terrible? Here is where I can really envy white people because when white people do something that is inexplicably awful, so brutally and horribly wrong, nobody says – "do you think it is because he is white?" There are no headlines calling him the "White shooter." There is no mention of race because there is no thought in anyone's mind that his race had anything to do with his crime.

So much attention is focused on the Asian-ness of the shooter, how the Korean community is reacting to it, South Korea's careful condolences and cautiously expressed fear that it will somehow impact the South Korean population at large.

What is lost here is the grief. What is lost is the great, looming sadness that we should all feel over this. We lose our humanity to racism, time and time again.

I extend my deepest sympathies to all those who lost their loved ones, their children, their friends and family, in this unimaginable tragedy. I send them all the love I have in me, and I encourage everyone to do the same.

"I Don't Recall"

I love Jenny Moos' commentaries on CNN. This is no exception. Fire the guy already.

No Comment Necessary

Realy Good News For Fruity Loving Alcoholics

This might be a bad thing posting this since alcohol has more detrimental effects for a body than good in large doses. Especially since I very rarely see anyone just have one drink. Oh well, you all are responsible adults...hhhmmm yeah.

Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds

Fri Apr 20, 8:49 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday.

Adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found.

Any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol, they report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture stumbled upon their finding unexpectedly.

They were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage. Treating the berries with alcohol increased in antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity, they found.

Any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of compounds called free radicals.

Berries, for instance, contain compounds known as polyphenols and anthocyanins. People who eat more of these fruits and vegetables have a documented lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects.

To the Pro - Choicers Who Don't Vote, Blame Yourself

Supreme Court OKs abortion procedure ban



By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court's conservative majority handed anti-abortion forces a major victory Wednesday in a decision that bans a controversial abortion procedure and set the stage for further restrictions.
ADVERTISEMENT

For the first time since the court established a woman's right to an abortion in 1973, the justices upheld a nationwide ban on a specific abortion method, labeled partial-birth abortion by its opponents.

The 5-4 decision written by Justice
Anthony Kennedy said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and
President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.

The law is constitutional despite not containing an exception that would allow the procedure if needed to preserve a woman's health, Kennedy said. "The law need not give abortion doctors unfettered choice in the course of their medical practice," he wrote in the majority opinion.

Doctors who violate the law face up to two years in federal prison.

Kennedy's opinion, joined by Bush's two appointees, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice
Samuel Alito, was a long-awaited resounding win that abortion opponents expected from the more conservative bench.

The administration defended the law as drawing a bright line between abortion and infanticide.

Reacting to the ruling, Bush said that it affirms the progress his administration has made to defend the "sanctity of life."

"I am pleased that the Supreme Court has upheld a law that prohibits the abhorrent procedure of partial birth abortion," he said. "Today's decision affirms that the Constitution does not stand in the way of the people's representatives enacting laws reflecting the compassion and humanity of America."

Justices
Clarence Thomas and
Antonin Scalia also were in the majority.

It was the first time the court banned a specific procedure in a case over how — not whether — to perform an abortion.

Read the rest of the article here.

Ohh Praise Jesus!!??!

So it is Good Friday for those of those of the religious type. Here is what some people like to do to confirm that they love Jesus.

Friday, 29 March, 2002, 15:48 GMT
In pictures: Philippines crucifixions
Millions of people in the mainly Roman Catholic country of the Philippines celebrate Easter every year, with some penitents following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ even up to the point of being nailed to a cross.



From left, Rolly Turla, Ruben Enaje and Emerito Baking re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by having themselves nailed on the cross
Thousands of locals as well as curious tourists turned out to see three men being crucified at Cutud, in Pampanga province


Cult leader Winnie de Vera (l) wants peace in Zamboanga while Amparo Santos (r) was the only woman taking part
Amparo Santos (r) was the only woman taking part - for her 15th crucifixion - while cult leader Winnie de Vera hoped for peace


An unidentified resident drives a nail on the palms of Apolito Manansala
Real nails are used for the crucifixions though the devotees generally stay on the cross for minutes, not days


Hooded flagellants kneel in front of a chapel at Mandaluyong, Philippines
Hooded flagellants mimic the crucifixion before whipping themselves with chains to absolve them of their sins


An old man hits the back of a flagellant in suburban Mandaluyong City
A flagellant aims to share the pain of Jesus as he is beaten by a man with glass fragments embedded in a piece of wood


A penitent, dressed as Jesus Christ, is hit by residents of Mandaluyong during a re-enactment of Christ's last days
Crucifixions are an annual event in the Philippines, despite opposition from Church leaders who want less violent ceremonies