Author: duane

birthday parties and ghettoness in our house

Last night, James and I went to a party for a friend of ours birthday (happy birthday Rebecca). I had a great time (which I usually do at parties, I cannot help myself…), but I could not help taking away this one thing: I really do miss our group of friends doing things together. After James and I got together, and everyone started to get busier with work, and couple off themselves, it has just seemed that we all gradually stopped doing things together. And I miss that! It was great seeing people last night, and there were a ton of people that I haven’t seen in a while. But enough about that.

I totally missed it!

Two days ago (the 27th), was the birth of my blog! If you have been following it, you know that it has grown, by leaps and bounds, into what you see before you. I know that I am always saying that I am changing this, or changing that, but I really do like what I have, as of right this moment, and think that it really captures what I wanted to capture. All in all, I have transformed my site to be more blog centered, and I kinda like it that way. I guess I won’t ramble, but I did want to say Happy Belated Birthday, blog… any many more!!!!

up to the soap box, he walks…

Now, I normally don’t like to get up on a soap box, but I kind of feel the need to do so right now. This trip to the box will include a request, no, a plea, for everyone to get tested for HIV, and convince everyone they know to get tested. Now, I know what you are thinking, “this is nothing new to me, Duane, I have heard this all before”. Well, here is something that you need to hear then: In a recent study, it was found that anywhere between 35-50% (or more) of young men who are infected with HIV, don’t know it. In some groups, young men are testing positive at rates near or higher than 50%. That means that half of certain groups of young men are testing positive! And most didn’t know it! Think of those out there that have never been tested!!

is it just me?

Is it just me, or is it MUCH hotter this year in Atlanta than it was last year? James and I have noticed that, not only does our house’s air conditioning never get below 77 degrees (unless it rains, then we get down to the frosty temperature of 74), but it just feels like there is no escape. Now, we have ordered an extra AC unit, but it isn’t here yet, and it seems that this has been one of the hottest weeks of the summer. Does anyone else notice this “extra heat”, or is it just me? (here’s hoping that it ends soon, either way.)

80’s cartoons to be made into movies?

Talk about a blast from the past! Oh, watch out! It’s Gargamel and Azrael! I just read this on msn.com:

Everyone’s favorite little blue cartoon characters, the Smurfs, are coming to the big-screen. Variety reports that Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures will produce a 3-D CGI feature based on the classic Belgian comic-strip that spawned a popular NBC animated TV series in 1981. Producers hope to bring back Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Jokey and Grouchy in time for the characters’ 50th Anniversary in 2008. The film is also being conceived as the first in a trilogy of “Smurf” movies. Let’s hope there isn’t some “Dark Smurf” storyline worked in there.

dane cook: DOUBLE cd/dvd

Now, I don’t normally feel the need to post about every cd or dvd I buy (that would be lots of posts), and especially since I have pages for those things (see the media commentary link). But, this is one of those cases, where the information needs to be put out there; for one and all. Dane Cook’s new double cd/dvd, Retaliation, hits stores today, and since I got mine last night, let me assure you; this thing is well worth it. Get it. You will not be sorry. Dane doesn’t try to top his last effort, he excellently adds to his already impressive comedic work. I am in love with his brand of brash comedy, and this cd/dvd combo delivers. Do yourself a favor. Get Retaliation now!

never satisfied…

I am never satisfied, but I thought I would ask before moving forward. Should I keep the menu on the left (see fun flash that I made for navigating my rich, full website), or tank it, and just integrate the links somewhere on this blog? Suggestions? Also, if anyone can show me how to place “recent comments” on the right sidebar, I would be much obliged.

Atrocity in Iran: Two boys killed for being gay

I am sure that by now, everyone has heard about (and probably written about) the two teenaged boys that were hanged in Iran for being gay. Not only does writing this and thinking about this actually happening make my physically ill, it makes me wonder: what is it about being gay that is so wrong, that it would warrant such behavior or action? It also makes me question, and really being to look deeper at, the stance and direction the southern Baptist convention is taking in our American struggle for equality and civil rights. That�s when I begin to have scary thoughts like: Could it ever get this bad here in the USA? Could there come a time when people are hanging for being gay?

To the homophobic BIGOTS at 99x:

when does free speech become slander? When does free speech become hatred? Well, that is the line that 99x has been skating, and I believe that they have finally stepped over the line. I posted earlier about 99x?s bigoted and homophobic slander that they portray and laugh about during their juvenile morning show, and I feel the need to speak even further on the subject. I just heard a radio spot for the Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie morning show, and quite frankly, I was completely disgusted. In the radio spot, one of the DJ?s (either Toucher or Jimmy) made the proclamation that he would not like his kid being taught by a gay teacher.

stop the funk?!?

I am sitting here today, with not too much to do (since I have been in trainings all week), and I am really in a funk. I need to be applying for an FTE (see five hours of time writing KSA’s for a position that you will probably not have a chance in hell of getting), but I cannot bring myself to start. I cannot figure it out either. Why can’t I just do it? Well, other than what I said just a second ago? I guess that a lot of it is because I get into times of my life where one thing or another is not really moving forward, and it causes a sort of funk. Now, I am not saying that my life sucks and everything is bad, in fact, that is far from the truth.