Blessed Samhain!

That's pronounced sow-in, not sam-hane! Read ALL 'bout this magikal holiday at Blogikal. Be forewarned...it's written by a witch!

Halloween Eve

I have no costume, and I live about 2 miles from a 500,000 attendee Halloween block party. What's a guy to do? Suggestions for cheap insta-costume are welcome! The best thing about the evening will be Tiffany on stage!!!

Neither Winner Nor Loser

Yesterday, I won nada on the Price Is Right. (Yes, I was there!)
This morning, I didn't win the new car on Free Car Friday on KBIG. (Yes, I entered to win!)
Tomorrow, I know of no contests, so I'm sure I won't win anything.
HOWEVER, I am not a loser! Just a non-winner for the moment.

I took this shot at Gay Pride back in June. I LOVE her lips!

Eid Mubarak!

Greet your Muslim neighbors, friends and co-workers with a warm "Eid Mubarak!" today.

From islam.about.com: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).

Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.

After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday.

During Eid, Muslims give thanks to Allah for His bounty and mercy, celebrate the holy days, and wish each other well. While appropriate words in any language are welcome, there are some traditional or common Arabic greetings that one may use or come across:

• "Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair!"
  ("May every year find you in good health!")
  
  
• "Eid Mubarak!"
  ("Blessed Eid!")
  
  
• "Eid Saeed!"
  ("Happy Eid!")
  
  
• "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum."
  ("May Allah accept from us, and from you.")

Operation Migration

Every year, a troup of fantastic people teach a new flock of young whooping cranes the migratory path from Wisconsin to Florida. This is part of an effort to re-establish a viable whooper population, reversing the near extinction of these magnificent birds. I read the daily field journal each year, following the trials and tribulations of the cranes and crew members. They've had batch of uncooperative weather this year so far and haven't had many fly days.

You can follow their progress through the field journal. If you can donate to this operation, they need your help!

I follow enterprises like Operation Migration in order to retain a sense of hope. Iraq, Skid Row, melting ice caps and potential anguish are all trumped by the good works of good folks.

An aside...if you haven't seen Amistad, rent it this weekend. I finally saw it last night and was rewarded by the story of brave people all around.

End Poverty

Let's end poverty and let the people get on with living! Add your voice.

Day Makers and Breakers

Bob Shieffer's "Free Speech" segment on the CBS Evening News last night made me think.
He said:

There's been a lot of bad news this week but if you were in Detroit like I was, you wouldn’t know it.

The only thing I found in Monday’s papers there was that the Detroit Tigers were heading to the World Series. From the front page to the business section I found 23 — count 'em, 23 - stories about that.

That’s the great thing about sports. No matter how bad the news, when our team wins, the day gets a lot better.

In the long course of human events who wins a ball game really makes no difference, but it made me wonder. If we can choose things that don’t matter — like winning a pennant - to make us happy, how many times do we choose things of no consequence to make us sad or mad?

Like a car that cuts in front of us in traffic. That hardly matters, but its ruined the day of many a rush hour driver. Or that 15 seconds with a rude waiter or sales clerk that leaves us in a bad humor for 24 hours. Or sweating bullets over which college our kids get into when what matters is what they get out of it, not where they got in.

Too often we allow our emotions to be ruled by the inconsequential, which causes us to miss the things that do matter.

But for now, let's not bother Detroit's good people with any of that. After auto industry problems and layoffs, this is the first good news they’ve had in a while. They’re enjoying it while they can.

I know my whole day can be ruined, or a chunk of it anyway, by inattentive drivers, bad Starbucks service or webpages that are slow to open. Things that do matter get lost, things like my partner who loves me, my home which, though small, shelters me, my furry children who need head rubs, walks and cage cleanings, and a job that covers most of our expenses. So what if the Starbucks guy doesn't smile at me. I can still smile at him, as well as at the driver who cuts me off and the webpage that is taking a siesta.

Malibu Toby

Our boy turns 12 today! That's 74 in human years. Happy Birthday!

In case you were wondering, Malibu Barbie was introduced in 1971. The original Barbie hit store shelves in 1959.

$3.7 Million

AIDS Walk Los Angeles raised a record $3.7 million this year! I'm glad I could kick in my small donations total to help make this a great event. Here I am with the ICLA Stompers...I'm the big guy on the right. Need to walk 10K every day!

AIDS Walk Los Angeles

Sponsor me! Click here.

My crime-fighting cohort

Supergirl


Lean, muscular and feminine. Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Supergirl		85%
Green Lantern		85%
Superman		80%
Batman		75%
The Flash		75%
Spider-Man		70%
Wonder Woman		65%
Iron Man		65%
Hulk		60%
Robin		50%
Catwoman		40%

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Moses, our beloved calico ryukin

Our beloved Moses swam to the big, beautiful goldfish pond in the heavens yesterday. He gave us many wonderful memories, doing tricks and coming to see us when Narcisso called his name. We'll miss you, Moses.

Happy Coming Out Day!

Though you won't find it on mass-produced calendars, today is National Coming Out Day! What, you ask, does that mean? Well, October 11 is recognized as a day to encourage everyone - gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight - to talk openly and honestly about who they are and why gay equality matters to them.

In Los Angeles, being gay isn't really a big deal. But in Lufkin, Texas, or Birmingham, Alabama, or Cullowhee, North Carolina, or Seoul, Korea, being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or even a straight ally of GLBT people IS a big deal. That's why National Coming Out Day is important, because the more people come out, the less misunderstanding and fear about being gay there will be. Living openly helps make stronger, lealthier friendships and relationships. Living honestly is a realization of the truth that God made you the way you are and me the way I am.


Please visit the Human Rights Commission to learn more about being gay, living openly and the importance of talking about it.

Not the nerd I thought I was

Rats! I was hoping for a much higher score!

Grammar, please

From cnn.com today in a piece about Rick Santorum:

After discussing the threat of Iran, a frequent subject he broaches these days, he turned to the empty chair and said, "I'd like to hear what my opponent has to say about this." The crowd of several hundred laughed and applauded.

I don't think a subject can be frequent. A subject can, however, be broached frequently. Fire the editor, please.

Oh, and about Mark Foley, it's not a gay issue. It's an abuse of power issue.

Gay Pride...

...it's all about bridal drag queens. If this isn't a great argument for gay marriage, what is? A girl doesn't go all out like this unless she's SERIOUS!