cocktail-chatter
By Camper English
Bar-havioral Problems
Gay bar bartenders, who are not necessarily gay bartenders,
are usually the most efficient and fair intoxicologists in
the drinking universe. I say “fair” because at straight
establishments, hot women and rich-looking men (usually
jerks) get first priority, and the bartenders frequently take
drink orders out of order. Infuriating! This is not often the
case in gay watering holes, where the bartenders tend to be the
hottest people in the room and don’t need to impress you by
serving you first (you need impress them with the size of your
tips).
Also, gay bar patrons know how to behave (toward the
bartender anyway) and will often line up in an orderly fashion
at the drink well rather than shouting and waving like the
opening scene of The Love Boat all along the bar. I take
straight friends to my favorite gay bar and they are amazed at
the German-like efficiency in place. They are often jealous and
determine to start coming there every night, until they hear
the 14th Madonna remix in a row. I can’t say I blame them.
In a nightclub or other crowded venue, or anywhere with a
mixed crowd, all bets for orderly ordering are off. You need
to gain the attention of the bartender as well as make him or
her think you’re going to be a good (i.e., fast, non-annoying)
customer. Here are a few suggestions for attracting the
bartender and keeping his attention.
Look available. You want to make eye contact with the
bartender and have her give you the “I see you” nod. To
accomplish this, face the bar, not your friends behind you. If
you’re turned around chatting and using the bar as a leaning
post, you’re not giving the right signal.bitters.
Be ready. When you are trying to get the bartender’s attention,
have visible cash in your hand – but don’t wave it around
unless there is a row of drag queens in six-inch heels blocking
your line of sight. And if you’re planning to pay with a credit
card, you may want to keep that hidden. It takes longer to
process, so the bartender will serve the cash-holding folks first.
Also, be ready with your friends’ drink orders. Don’t wait until
the bartender gets there to turn around and say, “What do you
guys want?” As the person standing next to you, I’ll swoop in
and say “Three martinis please” when your back is turned. I’m
like that.
Strategize. Don’t shout to get the bartender’s attention.
Nobody likes to be yelled at while doing their job. A friendly
“Hi!” sometimes helps though. Make your first tip the most
generous one to help ensure prompt service and healthy pours
for the rest of the evening. And be respectful of others – if the
guy next to you was waiting longer but the bartender comes
to you, give him the “he was here first” point. The bartender
will remember that you’re next, and you never know if that
guy next to you will return the favor and pay for your drink.
Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer and publisher of
Alcademics.com.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Another Reason You Might Feel Sluggish Monday Morning
To think there was not anymore harm you could do to yourself with some weekend partying, here is yet another reason why you might want to slow down on your weekend shenanigans. Lord, like we didn't have enough to consider!!
THE FORMULA FOR FASTER FAT LOSS
If we told you about a secret way to dramatically increase your body's ability to burn fat calories, would you do it?
Don't agree to anything until we explain. Because we're asking you to make a sacrifice: Stop drinking beer and alcohol for 4 weeks.
The Belly Off! Diet recommends cutting out beer, wine, and liquor for a month for a good reason: doing so can turbocharge your weight loss, especially in that land mass sliding over your belt.
Yes, alcohol is high in calories, about 7 per gram. And that's before you add sugary mixers to your rum or vodka. But drinking has a greater effect than simply increasing the number of calories consumed. Alcohol reduces the amount of fat your body burns for energy.
Consider this study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition where eight men each were given two vodka drinks made with sugar-free lemonade, which they drank within about an hour. Their fat metabolism was measured before and after they drank the vodka. It turned out that the amount of fat the guys burned dropped 73 percent for several hours after they finished their drinks.
Why? Because when the alcohol in your blood is broken down by your liver, it is converted into a waste product called acetate. When acetate levels rise, your body burns acetate for fuel instead of the fat you are trying to lose.
The upside to all this is that you don't have to give up your favorite alcoholic beverages forever if you don't want to. Just for a month. That's enough time to reap big benefits.
Cutting out alcohol will make every other weight-loss strategy in this new book from the editors of Men's Health work even faster. Plus, maintaining your new fitness will be that much easier once you experience the power of maximizing your body's natural calorie furnace.
THE FORMULA FOR FASTER FAT LOSS
If we told you about a secret way to dramatically increase your body's ability to burn fat calories, would you do it?
Don't agree to anything until we explain. Because we're asking you to make a sacrifice: Stop drinking beer and alcohol for 4 weeks.
The Belly Off! Diet recommends cutting out beer, wine, and liquor for a month for a good reason: doing so can turbocharge your weight loss, especially in that land mass sliding over your belt.
Yes, alcohol is high in calories, about 7 per gram. And that's before you add sugary mixers to your rum or vodka. But drinking has a greater effect than simply increasing the number of calories consumed. Alcohol reduces the amount of fat your body burns for energy.
Consider this study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition where eight men each were given two vodka drinks made with sugar-free lemonade, which they drank within about an hour. Their fat metabolism was measured before and after they drank the vodka. It turned out that the amount of fat the guys burned dropped 73 percent for several hours after they finished their drinks.
Why? Because when the alcohol in your blood is broken down by your liver, it is converted into a waste product called acetate. When acetate levels rise, your body burns acetate for fuel instead of the fat you are trying to lose.
The upside to all this is that you don't have to give up your favorite alcoholic beverages forever if you don't want to. Just for a month. That's enough time to reap big benefits.
Cutting out alcohol will make every other weight-loss strategy in this new book from the editors of Men's Health work even faster. Plus, maintaining your new fitness will be that much easier once you experience the power of maximizing your body's natural calorie furnace.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Anger As A Weapon
Since I was young and having studied and been involved in social movements, I believe anger can be destructive or constructive. I've realized anger can be an excellent driving force in motivating people to get anything done, or it can destroy precious relationships with friends and family. This blog is from an online "green" newsletter I receive called "Care 2: Make A Difference" and I could not agree with the author's words more.
Anger is an Energy
posted by Eric Steinman Apr 1, 2009 5:00 pm
Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools. ~Albert Einstein
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha
“Anger is an Energy.” ~ Johnny Lydon of PiL
You don’t need your family, Dr. Phil, or even an expensive three-day anger management retreat out in the woods to inform you that violent outbursts of anger are generally frowned upon in society and are far from constructive. While we, as Americans, are probably angrier than we have ever been, being actively angry is still seen as an apparent lack of control, lack of good judgment, and a general lack of cool. Anger as an emotion is more or less considered useless, in its most benign form, and potentially harmful and destructive when allowed to run riot over our emotional landscape.
Grrrr! So, what the #@*≈ are we supposed to do with all of this anger? Just reason it away? Sublimate it with lots of TV, chocolate, reflexology or pop psych?
Well, as unpopular as anger may be as an outward emotion, we need not abandon it completely as a catalyst toward constructive change. As the less than exemplary Johnny Lydon defiantly chanted in the PiL song “Rise”, “Anger is an energy” and we owe it to ourselves to harness its power.
In the “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle wrote, “The man who is angry at the right things and with the right people, and further, as he ought, when he ought, and as long as he ought, is praised.” Extending this logic into the present day, we would be well suited to cultivate our anger into rational tangible change, at both the micro and macro levels. Instead of lambasting our friends and loved ones with fire-tongued invectives, we could approach the anger as propulsion toward change, positive change. This will give us the incentive, not to criticize and belittle, but to put into motion significant advancement in the inter-personal realm. This is anger at work on the micro level, and on the macro level would be something like the Equal Rights movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the Environmental movement, all of which had their roots in outrage as much as concern. Possibly, if we channel our anger appropriately and constructively, we might even be able to fix our ailing economy?
And lastly, as parents, we are no doubt privy to all sorts of feral displays of anger emanating from our children. This is undoubtedly energy that could probably power a small fleet of tanker trailers if harnessed appropriately. We owe it to our children, not to tamp down or stifle their anger, but to allow it to find a suitable expression and a worthy exploit.
How do you contend with your anger? Has anger ever served you, or is it something best rigidly controlled and mitigated?
Anger is an Energy
posted by Eric Steinman Apr 1, 2009 5:00 pm
Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools. ~Albert Einstein
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha
“Anger is an Energy.” ~ Johnny Lydon of PiL
You don’t need your family, Dr. Phil, or even an expensive three-day anger management retreat out in the woods to inform you that violent outbursts of anger are generally frowned upon in society and are far from constructive. While we, as Americans, are probably angrier than we have ever been, being actively angry is still seen as an apparent lack of control, lack of good judgment, and a general lack of cool. Anger as an emotion is more or less considered useless, in its most benign form, and potentially harmful and destructive when allowed to run riot over our emotional landscape.
Grrrr! So, what the #@*≈ are we supposed to do with all of this anger? Just reason it away? Sublimate it with lots of TV, chocolate, reflexology or pop psych?
Well, as unpopular as anger may be as an outward emotion, we need not abandon it completely as a catalyst toward constructive change. As the less than exemplary Johnny Lydon defiantly chanted in the PiL song “Rise”, “Anger is an energy” and we owe it to ourselves to harness its power.
In the “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle wrote, “The man who is angry at the right things and with the right people, and further, as he ought, when he ought, and as long as he ought, is praised.” Extending this logic into the present day, we would be well suited to cultivate our anger into rational tangible change, at both the micro and macro levels. Instead of lambasting our friends and loved ones with fire-tongued invectives, we could approach the anger as propulsion toward change, positive change. This will give us the incentive, not to criticize and belittle, but to put into motion significant advancement in the inter-personal realm. This is anger at work on the micro level, and on the macro level would be something like the Equal Rights movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the Environmental movement, all of which had their roots in outrage as much as concern. Possibly, if we channel our anger appropriately and constructively, we might even be able to fix our ailing economy?
And lastly, as parents, we are no doubt privy to all sorts of feral displays of anger emanating from our children. This is undoubtedly energy that could probably power a small fleet of tanker trailers if harnessed appropriately. We owe it to our children, not to tamp down or stifle their anger, but to allow it to find a suitable expression and a worthy exploit.
How do you contend with your anger? Has anger ever served you, or is it something best rigidly controlled and mitigated?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Can You Feel Emotion In This Song?
Fists Up - The Blow
Fists Up! :
i have tried
my hopes have blossomed
and my hopes have fried,
i tried to cut them all down
but i found hopes were still living deep inside,
like a team of renegade lovers
working long hours sneaking around
with a belief in the life of our love,
like a light at the end at the end
of a long tunnel; a struggle
fist up!
for all their faith in one preceding a face,
they really do believe that if
they hang on long enough
that you'll come around
and finally let it show
and all their hopes will be rewarded
for their impetus to grow,
well utopian piece would fall across the land
you'll reach over for my hand,
you'll really want to hold my hand
And i don't want to come to the point of this song,
because the point of this song
would happen to be so long.
It gets hard:
the vigilantes can't agree on who's in charge,
they gave their souls for the cause
but the love that they were after is still at large
see this faith in which they found allegiance
ripping at the seams as hope is running it's course
the rebels just cant muster the force
to walk the thin line between belief and delusion
and
fists up! for all their faith
in one preceding a face
they really did believe
that if they've hung on long enough
that you'd come around
and finally let it show
and all their hopes would be rewarded
for their impetus to grow
utopian peace would fall across the land
you'd reach over for my hand,
you would've really wanted to hold my hand
and i don't want to come to the point of this song because the point of this song would happen to be so long[long long long long long long long]
It was perfect you know
with just one little problem
the fact that it turns out
you don't really want it
my love is a fortress,
my love is a Louvre
but it cant ever thrive
if i'm forced to keep proving it.
x3
Monday, March 02, 2009
I've Experienced This Plenty of Times
Hey kids, sorry I've been so busy as of late. I've been pulling 60 - 65 weeks between my two jobs. I've had lots to blog about but just not a lot of time. One little snippet of news that recently caught my attention was sent in one my daily Men's Health newsletters. I found this study to be quite interesting as that I have witnessed this many times in my life. Having been a waiter at a couple higher end restaurants and caterings you notice how people treat you and others quite quickly. This is also a problem I have when I date people as well.
Part of the reason I ask someone to a restaurant on a first date is exactly to watch how they interact with others, especially the wait staff. I believe that can say a lot about a person and their upbringing, as well as how they are to having their ideas challenged or just being open to new ideas. People that are interested in opinions, beliefs and cultures other than their own are generally more caring and sensitive to others and appreciative of what they have and what other people have to offer. People that easily disregard someone else's ideas, opinions or culture as beneath them or "wrong" often care little for others and have a sense of "entitlement." It is often the latter that get me worked up, and not in the good way. Anyway read this short news bit and I promise I will try harder to make more senseless postings....
READ ANYONE LIKE A BOOK
Wealthy people tend to appear more distracted than their less well-off counterparts
No one drives a Hummer to be inconspicuous. Yet intentions aside, the cars we drive, clothes we wear, and places we live all offer clues to our socioeconomic status.
But what about more subtle signs? A new study says it’s possible to tell a person’s class simply by glancing at his or her body language.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, studied videotapes of 50 conversations between pairs of strangers, and found that those with wealthy backgrounds fidget, yawn, doodle, and generally appear rude. But people who are less well-off make more of an effort to engage in conversation—nodding, laughing, looking directly at the other person, and raising their eyebrows when speaking.
It’s thought that those born into privilege feel less of a need to make a good impression when talking to others.
So seeing as you can say a lot without even opening your mouth, guarantee that you’ll stand out from the crowd and look (not act) like a million bucks—even on a tight budget...
Part of the reason I ask someone to a restaurant on a first date is exactly to watch how they interact with others, especially the wait staff. I believe that can say a lot about a person and their upbringing, as well as how they are to having their ideas challenged or just being open to new ideas. People that are interested in opinions, beliefs and cultures other than their own are generally more caring and sensitive to others and appreciative of what they have and what other people have to offer. People that easily disregard someone else's ideas, opinions or culture as beneath them or "wrong" often care little for others and have a sense of "entitlement." It is often the latter that get me worked up, and not in the good way. Anyway read this short news bit and I promise I will try harder to make more senseless postings....
READ ANYONE LIKE A BOOK
Wealthy people tend to appear more distracted than their less well-off counterparts
No one drives a Hummer to be inconspicuous. Yet intentions aside, the cars we drive, clothes we wear, and places we live all offer clues to our socioeconomic status.
But what about more subtle signs? A new study says it’s possible to tell a person’s class simply by glancing at his or her body language.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, studied videotapes of 50 conversations between pairs of strangers, and found that those with wealthy backgrounds fidget, yawn, doodle, and generally appear rude. But people who are less well-off make more of an effort to engage in conversation—nodding, laughing, looking directly at the other person, and raising their eyebrows when speaking.
It’s thought that those born into privilege feel less of a need to make a good impression when talking to others.
So seeing as you can say a lot without even opening your mouth, guarantee that you’ll stand out from the crowd and look (not act) like a million bucks—even on a tight budget...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year Baby!!
It is that time again. Have a good one, be safe and remember those people and things that made life worth being there.
P.S. Remorse is what happens when you can not accept that you made a mistake and then learn from that mistake. Lets start this new year with no remorse.
Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!
P.S. Remorse is what happens when you can not accept that you made a mistake and then learn from that mistake. Lets start this new year with no remorse.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday
Here is one of my favorite Sia songs for the last Sunday of 2008. Gotta love her videos. What a year it has been, but that is the next blog posting (if I can find the time). Enjoy!!
Sunday
For those who've slept
For those who've kept
Themselves jacked up
How Jesus wept
Sunday
Sunday
For those in need
For those who speed
For those who try to slow their minds with weed
Sunday
Sunday
For those who wake
With a blind headache
Who must be still
Who will sit and wait
For sunday, to be monday
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination run away
For those with guilt
For those who wilt
Under pressure
No tears over spilt milk
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination runaway
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination runaway
Sunday
For those who've slept
For those who've kept
Themselves jacked up
How Jesus wept
Sunday
Sunday
For those in need
For those who speed
For those who try to slow their minds with weed
Sunday
Sunday
For those who wake
With a blind headache
Who must be still
Who will sit and wait
For sunday, to be monday
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination run away
For those with guilt
For those who wilt
Under pressure
No tears over spilt milk
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination runaway
Yeah, it will be ok
Do nothing today
Give yourself a break
Let your imagination runaway
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
New Soul, New Attitude, New Results
So life is going pretty well for me. The new job is different and completely interesting, my friends are great, my family is in a better place and I am finding new things to keep me occupied. Mistakes have and will be made, but the point of life is to learn from these mistakes and become better people. So I posted this song cause I love it and I am in such a good mood, regardless if my apartment is freezing. I've got my hot tea and the love surrounding me to keep me warm.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Who Doesn't Love a Good Gay Musical...
Hey kiddies, sorry I've been very busy with the new job, and many others things as of late. I'll have to catch you up later, until I do, enjoy my random post like this one. Well, not that random, cause it discusses an important issue with a sense of humor. And no, I have not been up all night, just up this early on a Sat to try and maintain my new schedule. Till later.
See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Doing What Is Best
It has been that time again. The time when I evaluate my life and start chopping away at the cancerous parts that make it harder than it should be. In these last couple of months, I've done several things. I've remembered what it is that I love and gives me pleasure in life and I've gone after those things with a ferocity that made some of my friends wonder if I was loosing my mind. Concerts, great food, wine events, and some guilty pleasure shopping. I enveloped myself back into my spiritual beliefs and attended events with people that strengthen those views. I also reconnected with my philanthropic side and I have never felt better doing so. Whether they were complete strangers, a social cause, or just some attention to my own friends and family, most rewarding things in life start with your heart.
Those were the fun parts, the more difficult side of change and balance is finding the things that are not so beneficial to you in a mental, physical and/ or spiritual way. People that are constantly trying to bring you down with their pessimistic views is a problem I often encounter, especially in a place like Oklahoma. Most people fear change here and can react violently with harsh words or threatening gestures. They fear changes to their ways of thinking, they fear changes to the way they have known the social structure as it has existed and they fear change within themselves. I think most of these people fear change because it somehow negates a part of their lives they have grown knowing. Whether it be family, friends, the church, or just a view of how they treat and/ or interact with new and different people and ideas, it can always be disappointing and scary (whether your views fall to the left or the right) that what you thought once to be true is no longer.
As always, with this change comes introspection. A deep analyzing and critical look at your changed ways is always helpful and beneficial. Do the friends you choose to hang out with inspire you to be better or are they just the same as before with different packaging? Are your eating habits the best for you overall, or the most convenient? Do you have any ideological, religious or spiritual beliefs which are keeping you from being who you are and/ or keeping you at odds with other loved ones? Are there things (whether it be drugs, work, the gym, personal baggage, and/or personal views) in your life that are halting or completely stopping your short or long term goals?
Yeah, its not easy nor is it always pleasant. If anything, sometimes it is helpful to have someone you can talk to that will be encouraging and honest. It can be very hard to share your feelings and fears with people when you are afraid that you will be ridiculed, criticized, judged, or worse; that the person you trusted will try to use your shared faults against you at some point. Luckily, I've made in roads in a lot of these areas and have made some difficult and unwanted decisions. Mistakes will occur, but at least you are trying. If anything, be thankful for those in your life that uplift and love you. They are truly the best things in life.
Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.
Christina Baldwin
Things do not change; we change.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.
James Gordon, M.D
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr.
Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965), The Razor's Edge, 1943
Those were the fun parts, the more difficult side of change and balance is finding the things that are not so beneficial to you in a mental, physical and/ or spiritual way. People that are constantly trying to bring you down with their pessimistic views is a problem I often encounter, especially in a place like Oklahoma. Most people fear change here and can react violently with harsh words or threatening gestures. They fear changes to their ways of thinking, they fear changes to the way they have known the social structure as it has existed and they fear change within themselves. I think most of these people fear change because it somehow negates a part of their lives they have grown knowing. Whether it be family, friends, the church, or just a view of how they treat and/ or interact with new and different people and ideas, it can always be disappointing and scary (whether your views fall to the left or the right) that what you thought once to be true is no longer.
As always, with this change comes introspection. A deep analyzing and critical look at your changed ways is always helpful and beneficial. Do the friends you choose to hang out with inspire you to be better or are they just the same as before with different packaging? Are your eating habits the best for you overall, or the most convenient? Do you have any ideological, religious or spiritual beliefs which are keeping you from being who you are and/ or keeping you at odds with other loved ones? Are there things (whether it be drugs, work, the gym, personal baggage, and/or personal views) in your life that are halting or completely stopping your short or long term goals?
Yeah, its not easy nor is it always pleasant. If anything, sometimes it is helpful to have someone you can talk to that will be encouraging and honest. It can be very hard to share your feelings and fears with people when you are afraid that you will be ridiculed, criticized, judged, or worse; that the person you trusted will try to use your shared faults against you at some point. Luckily, I've made in roads in a lot of these areas and have made some difficult and unwanted decisions. Mistakes will occur, but at least you are trying. If anything, be thankful for those in your life that uplift and love you. They are truly the best things in life.
Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.
Christina Baldwin
Things do not change; we change.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.
James Gordon, M.D
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr.
Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965), The Razor's Edge, 1943
Friday, November 28, 2008
If Your Gonna Shop, Make It Count...
So the consumerist holiday season is upon us and it seems to be lacking that certain shine as previous economic times brought us. We all work hard for our money, and if you are like my friends and I, you want your money to buy well and some how do well for you or others. That is why I look forward to when organizations like The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) release their annual buying guide. They list the companies that help, support and give back to the GLTB community. If you care, it can give you a good feeling knowing that your hard earned dollars will not be used by a company to help thwart your rights, such as Cinemark CEO Alan Stock. Or how about the vice president of Manhunt, who gave money to McCain's campaign (and no, I've never had a membership on that nasty site!) Look at my friend Dan's blog to read about the Salvation Army and their homophobic actions. Keep informed and keep up the good fight. There is no reason for us to pay people to keep us from our rights. Here are some words from HRC why the guide should be important to you.
Buying groceries? Planning a trip? Making investment decisions?
With the economy as it is, the need to ensure that every dollar spent counts has never been more important. This year hundreds of businesses have earned the right to call you a customer with the commitment they have made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Buying for Equality guide will help you easily support companies that support equality for LGBT Americans.
Ratings in Buying for Equality are based on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual report card, the Corporate Equality Index. A record 260 businesses scored 100 percent on this year's report, which is a significant increase from the 195 businesses that earned a perfect score last year. From enhanced domestic partner benefits to transgender inclusion in non-discrimination policies, we are seeing a revolution in the American workplace.
More than 300,000 people have used Buying for Equality to make informed choices about their purchases. This year, you can do your part to support fair-minded businesses by requesting or downloading Buying for Equality 2009....
...“With this year’s economy, we need to make sure every dollar we spend goes to businesses that have earned the right to call you a customer,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Every day, we make choices that send a powerful message about our values, our principles and our ideals. We do it every time we make decisions on how to clothe and feed our families or what investments to make. Where we spend and invest our dollars has remarkable potential to positively affect the LGBT community because it reinforces what many companies know: fairness is good business.”
According to a Witeck-Combs/Market Research.com study, the buying power of the LGBT community is estimated to be $759 billion in 2009. During difficult economic times, our nation’s businesses know that every dollar spent by consumers figures into the success of their organization.
Get the Buyer's Guide on your phone. Text SHOP and the name of the company to 30644.
Buying groceries? Planning a trip? Making investment decisions?
With the economy as it is, the need to ensure that every dollar spent counts has never been more important. This year hundreds of businesses have earned the right to call you a customer with the commitment they have made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Buying for Equality guide will help you easily support companies that support equality for LGBT Americans.
Ratings in Buying for Equality are based on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual report card, the Corporate Equality Index. A record 260 businesses scored 100 percent on this year's report, which is a significant increase from the 195 businesses that earned a perfect score last year. From enhanced domestic partner benefits to transgender inclusion in non-discrimination policies, we are seeing a revolution in the American workplace.
More than 300,000 people have used Buying for Equality to make informed choices about their purchases. This year, you can do your part to support fair-minded businesses by requesting or downloading Buying for Equality 2009....
...“With this year’s economy, we need to make sure every dollar we spend goes to businesses that have earned the right to call you a customer,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Every day, we make choices that send a powerful message about our values, our principles and our ideals. We do it every time we make decisions on how to clothe and feed our families or what investments to make. Where we spend and invest our dollars has remarkable potential to positively affect the LGBT community because it reinforces what many companies know: fairness is good business.”
According to a Witeck-Combs/Market Research.com study, the buying power of the LGBT community is estimated to be $759 billion in 2009. During difficult economic times, our nation’s businesses know that every dollar spent by consumers figures into the success of their organization.
Get the Buyer's Guide on your phone. Text SHOP and the name of the company to 30644.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
iTunes Top Five Players
This post is in response to a post David put on his blog. I was surprised by my own results. I guess I use my iPod more than my computer.
Moby: Where You End; 41 Plays
Robbie Rivera: Float Away (Rivera Remix); 14 Plays
Arctic Monkeys: D is For Dangerous; 4 Plays
Metro Station: Kelsey; 3 Plays
Moldy Peaches: Anyone Else But You; 3 Plays
Moby: Where You End; 41 Plays
Robbie Rivera: Float Away (Rivera Remix); 14 Plays
Arctic Monkeys: D is For Dangerous; 4 Plays
Metro Station: Kelsey; 3 Plays
Moldy Peaches: Anyone Else But You; 3 Plays
Monday, November 24, 2008
Worthy Of the Name "Hero"
I wanted to post this news clip that tells the story of a little boy who did more than I could hope to accomplish in my life. Truly touching, I was moved to tears by his courage and his handling of the situation. Much more mature than people twice or three times his age. Amazing.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Support Your Local Community
So today is America Unchained. Basically if you are gonna spend your hard earned money, try to do it at local establishments. Eat at that really cool mom and pop restaurant as opposed to the flavor and life sucking chain restaurant. Go have a drink at the hole in the wall you love that your friends pass over for some pub that you can find in most states. Go see a local production or visit your local club and see a local band. Whatever, just experience what we have here for a day and maybe you will find something new that's been there all along.
And you can support a local gay artist, Eric Himan, from Tulsa who plays acoustic/rock music tonight. He will be playing at Galileo's in the Paseo tonight at 9pm. He is really cool, down to earth, socially active and plays good music.
Here is a video of his.
"Little Boy Blue" Music Video
And you can support a local gay artist, Eric Himan, from Tulsa who plays acoustic/rock music tonight. He will be playing at Galileo's in the Paseo tonight at 9pm. He is really cool, down to earth, socially active and plays good music.
Here is a video of his.
"Little Boy Blue" Music Video
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Next Trip Goes to...
So maybe it is the wine or the fact my friends dragged me to a Blazers ice hockey game tonight, but I splurged (?) in spite of rent and bought tickets to see Cut Copy in Dallas in March. It is the day after my birthday and I thought it would be perfect since they are from Australia and I will probably never get a chance to see them again. I posted a previous song from them (Hearts on Fire), but here is another favorite.
Wine Fest 08
So I think this will have me caught up with my events for now. My friends and I attended the First Annual Wine Fest at 50 Penn Place. It was a two day event that highlighted Oklahoma's local wineries and some local eateries as well. A perfect event for a foodie snob like myself. I had a blast. There were some decent wines, some bad wines and some good wines. The point being I encourage all these small, self started businesses to keep doing what they are doing. Where ever you live, you should purchase and support local businesses, not that I don't buy imports, but it should even out.
I also applaud our local wine industry for recent local legislation that allows them to sell their goods to merchants without a middle man. That is a step for small businesses and for Oklahoma laws overall. See you at the next wine event, which is a benefit for cancer and leukemia hosted by my friend Charles and his neighbor's Jessica and Amber. It will be held at Bin 73, November 24th and costs only $25. Plus it supports a really good cause. Check info here. Anyway, here some pics from the event.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Stop the H8 Rally
So I am still catching up from this past weekend cause it was a doozy. On Sat, November 15th, rallies were held across the world to show support against the passing of Proposition 8 in California which would make all marriages between gays and lesbians null in the eyes of the law. This constitutional amendment is seen as a major set back for gay marriage, especially since it took place in California. I could care less if you believe in gay marriage or want to get married yourself, but I believe in accordance with the Fourteenth Amendment, that marriage is a fundamental right guaranteed to all citizens. People claim they don't care how the church views their relationship, nor do I, but this is in regards to the rights that all married citizens enjoy as ordained by the state and national government. If you don't want to marry the person you love, please don't, that will be one less present I will have to buy, but if you want to share a full and satisfying life with your partner without fear of being fully recognized in a court of law then get off your lazy, selfish asses and donate some time, money, effort or something.
Here are some pics from the local rally. I was impressed so many young people attended, but I was also disappointed by how many people I do know that did not visit this function. Seriously, get off your lazy butts out of bed and do something with your lives. It's not just about work and play. I will be working with some other local activists in the coming months. We have some big plans to get some things done in Oklahoma including local elections. We are tired of the stuffiness and self centered attitude of the older activists and we are disappointed in the apathy and cluelessness we see in the younger generations. And of course I threw in some Margaret Cho cause I can and I love this woman. Love the song.
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