RSS
 

Sex Ed of the Past (1942)

08 Feb

OMG! The places I end up when I go travelling around Youtube… {shakes-head-in-disbelief} LOL

While sex education and protecting oneself against sexually transmitted diseases is very important (VERY important!), I wasn’t quite expecting to stumble across this 1942 US Navy training film about sex hygiene when I went online earlier today.

(I might add, God have mercy on my soul but I DON’T want to be sitting on one of those cold-ass seats built into the sink described as a “prophylactic station” back in those days either! Might just as well shove an ice cube up my ass and call it a day if my poor tushy has to be exposed to such a harsh change in temperature. ROFL)

All kidding aside, I totally agree with one of the comments made in response to the video.

“OMG!!! So ####ing awesome!!! Why can’t we go back to the days when they just gave people simple straight forward information that promoted general well being! Sure it should be updated for 2012 and include homosexual contact as well… but see the military knew from the get go!! Put on a ####ing rain coat!! No glove… no love!!”

~Adorendo

And the comment “made-in-China condoms are 20 percent too small”… Funny! (and true, sorry to say). At least this video was easier to stomach than the one about the death of Herman, the pimple Don’t click on that last link! Don’t. Don’t. (I knew you would! LOL)

Have a great day!
Michael

 
2 Comments

Posted in Health

 

Hindu Prayer Interrupted In Senate By Christians

07 Feb

I’m reposting the following here on my own blog because (in my opinion) it simply couldn’t have been said any better. A friend on Facebook shared this earlier tonight, along with a link to the video depicted at the right. The video demonstrates the hateful intolerance and disrespect afforded a guest chaplain offering a Hindu prayer in the Senate house. He was repeatedly interrupted by members of the senate; people we elected to represent us and who should be more adult than their actions seem to suggest in this video.

A little background: Some believe that simply because a number of the founding fathers of this country identified with Christianity, that the country itself was “founded on the principles of same.” No, whereas the subject of religion is concerned America was formed (in part) because its settlers were not allowed to practice a faith of their own choosing in the mother land (England).

The intent was not to form a country OF Christians but rather instead, a country that would embrace religious freedom and allow its citizens to worship as THEY saw fit to worship, free of the tyrannical rule of a government that would not recognize such rights.

I personally believe Christianity is a wonderful religion; I do not believe that every person who identifies him or herself as “a Christian” is doing the faith any favors, however.

Some (perhaps, far too many) are intolerant and closed-minded, going so far as to attempt to limit the religious and secular freedoms of others just as England did so many years ago when the settlers first arrived in this new land. One would think we would be reminiscent of that lesson and not make the mistake of repeating the very actions that led to our departure from Britain two-hundred and thirty-five years+ ago (but history does have a habit of repeating itself, sad to say).


Read the rest of this entry »

 
13 Comments

Posted in Attitudes

 

The Heart and the Divine

05 Feb

The Heart chakra (green)As I told a cousin of mine earlier today, I’m being pulled in so many different directions this year (i.e. making amends, getting my life in order, etc.) that it’s difficult to keep track of everything that I’m trying to change.

No, the “making amends” isn’t a clue that there’s something going on that involves a group like AA, NA or any other group that ends in an “A”. It’s just that my primary focus has, for much of my life, been on the things I needed to do in order to achieve something that “I” wanted and not necessarily on what I should have been doing in order to meet the spiritual obligations OF this lifetime and the gifts I have been given.

We are not in this alone

It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that all living creatures, great and small, are the creation of something much larger than ourselves (God/Spirit). I believe in evolution, yes, but my [own] faith dictates that everything resonates with the life force of the Divine.

Some would argue science and religion/spirituality do not mix; I disagree.

God gave us the brains with which to learn about and explore our lives, along with hearts to carry the life-nourishing oxygen (and the cells necessary to fight off infection) throughout our bodies to keep us alive and functioning. Oddly enough, those same hearts also “represent” our ability to feel passion, compassion, empathy [for] and our ability to forgive others. Our heart is the one physical organ we most readily associate with the sentiment of “Love”; perhaps because the organ and the sentiment (love) are both irrevocably necessary for us to be able to reach our full potential in this lifetime.

I’d originally intended to write about something else today but as often is the case, my heart is leading me to write about this instead. I’m encouraged to say, “Where love is present, so too is Spirit (or God).”

Use your head and all that you’ve learned over the years to make sound decisions but never underestimate the necessary influence of the heart. Allow your heart to play an important factor in the decisions you make and certainly, there you will find God (and as well, the experiences necessary to further your own understanding of the Life that surrounds you).

Some might believe this to mean the consequential experiences will always be enjoyable and pleasant; not so. Just as the blacksmith of the past would say, we are best served by the intense forging that is associated with heat and fire. Our struggles can help to mold us into a person of substance and integrity.

Those same struggles can help us to recognize the pain and suffering our brothers and our sisters endure every day so “Listen to your heart.”

Namaste and peace be with you,
Michael

 
3 Comments

Posted in Introspective, Religion & Spirit

 

Chickens, Meet Roost

31 Jan

Say NO to Anti-Gay PoliticiansThank you, Martha Boggs. My focus is on giving thanks for the precious things in life right now; I’m tired of being side-tracked by the politics of the day, the bad news as regards the economy, the automobile accident I was involved in last Friday, etc.

I want peace of mind; peace of body and soul (and let’s face it, being angry about the inequities in life doesn’t help to get you there)…

The change in my focus doesn’t mean I no longer have opinions on issues that have been important to me my entire life (such as tolerance, understanding and acceptance of LGBT persons), however.

It only means that I’m choosing just how much energy I’ll put into allowing these issues to affect how I myself look at the world around me.

Republican Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield has said some things while in office that are inflammatory and even downright damaging (to both, homosexuals and heterosexuals alike). What he has said about HIV are, in my opinion, downright criminal simply because a man in his position should be doing everything he can to “protect” his constituents; not put them at further risk.

By repeatedly claiming HIV is a disease that only affects homosexuals, Campfield lends a voice to the assertions that heterosexual men, women and youth need not be concerned about the virus. Any false sense of security those listening to him might enjoy places them at higher risk if their subsequent sexual activity doesn’t include condom use.

One woman has had enough and when the senator stepped into her restaurant, she kindly asked him to leave. As Martha Boggs says in her interview, she has the right to refuse service to anyone. I’m so very thankful to her for taking this stand.

Kudos to you, Martha! If I’m ever in the area, I’ll be stopping by for dinner at your restaurant. …and as for Stacey Campfield, “Sir, I faithfully pray that you’ll get your facts straight one day, release the hate and prejudice from your heart and choose to serve your constituents rather than putting them (and others) in harm’s way.”

Namaste and peace be with you,
Michael

Related: “Bistro at the Bijou owner boots, bans state Sen. Stacey Campfield for AIDS remarks (knoxnews.com)

 
1 Comment

Posted in In The News

 

Teilhard de Chardin

29 Jan

Spiritual beings having a Human experience

Teilhard de Chardin

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

Namaste and peace be with you,
Michael

 
4 Comments

Posted in Introspective

 

Our Deepest Fear

29 Jan

Our Deepest Fear

Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

Enjoy the “full potential” of your life and never feel so vulnerable you are inclined to dim your light in order to feel less conspicuous and/or to make others feel more secure around you. Your gift to the world IS your life, in all of its wonder and talented measure. You are beautiful and the world needs to see that beauty (for one of the greatest losses is a treasure that is hidden away, never to be enjoyed by others).

Just as importantly, realizing your own beauty and sharing it with others is a gift you give yourself.

Namaste and may peace be with you,
Michael

 
2 Comments

Posted in Introspective

 

Talent, drop-dead sexy and vulnerable…

29 Jan

Most think of James Byron Dean as the charismatic, troubled young actor whose life was cut tragically short at the age of twenty-four (car crash). However, it’s rumored that he was gay as well. (I think it’s more accurate to describe him as “bisexual” if in fact he was as much of a man’s man as he was a ladies [man].)

In a rare screen test for East of Eden, Jimmy displays a range of emotions on-screen that draw you in (I swear, that smile 24-seconds into the test will melt your heart). My bi-curious ex-neighbor had a similar smile and it had the same effect but never you mind about that.

Here is another screen test for the same movie, based on a scene between “Cal” (James Dean) and “Aron” (Richard Davalos) that never made the final cut. It’s a shame the scene wasn’t left in; doing so would have added a lot to the movie (not to mention there’s a great lesson to be learned if you listen closely to what’s being said).

Why the sudden interest in James Dean?

All because of a distraction. { chuckles-to-self }

I was sorting through some old magazines, deciding what to keep and what to discard when I came across an issue of instinct with a photo of Ethan Reynolds on the cover. I remembered reading the interview with Ethan where he spoke of his website featuring some “damned sexy eye candy” rather regularly. While bratboyschool.com is now defunct, Ethan does have a new site for his followers to enjoy.

It was on this new site whereupon I stumbled across an entry about “Joshua Tree 1951″ (IMDb), a movie based on the life of James Dean. Apparently, James Dean wasn’t just the ladies man (I knew about Rock Hudson but never realized little Jimmy was batting for both teams).

I’m looking forward to the release of the movie later this year. Meanwhile, if you’re interested here is a clip of James Dean’s first appearance on television (in a commercial for Pepsi cola).

Namaste and peace be with you,
Michael

Related: Mad about the boy

 
2 Comments

Posted in Entertainment

 

“Hair” by Lada Gaga set to video

28 Jan

Lada Gaga tweets and writes about Colton Boettcher’s video on her Facebook account:

“This is so AMAZING http://tinyurl.com/7jd638s #HairMusicVideo you guys did such an amazing job for #ItGetsBetter. The Choreo! I died!”

What more can I say? I enjoyed the video… and it does (more often than not) get better.

Namaste and peace be with you,
Michael

UPDATE: There is one thing… I want to encourage you to read this blog entry by SomethingBorrowd. The entry describes (so very well) the cliques that exist in High School; those who walk the halls with their heads held high, those who simply do what they must to get through the day and those who maneuver the halls with their heads down in hopes they can avoid notice altogether. I think back to my own years in Junior, Mid- and High School and I can recall being a member of all three subgroups at varying times over the course of my education. It was a low self-esteem, brought on by just trying to get through the days toward the end (without “too much” notice) that gave me cause to simply start my life in a new [larger] city and not attend college. (I just wanted to “be done with the having to fake my way through each day, never acknowledging who I really was [gay] in an effort to just stay alive.”) Looking back on that decision, it wasn’t such a great one for me to make; I now wish I had continued on with my education – but it seemed like the right call at the time.

 
2 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

St. Thérèse de Lisieux

26 Jan

Prayer/quote by St. Thérèse de Lisieux

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

― St. Thérèse de Lisieux

 
1 Comment

Posted in Introspective

 

Making Nice

24 Jan

To "make nice" (thus the olive branch)

Nothing has changed inasmuch as my intentions for the year ahead are concerned. I’d like to lose some of the weight I’ve gained in the last 5.5 years (would be nice to lose it all, but let’s be reasonable!) and I wouldn’t turn down the winning lottery numbers to a nice jackpot either. However, my primary intention – and it’s not even a new year’s resolution really – is I want to focus more on the things for which I’m thankful.

God has been great; He’s seen me through some of my darkest hours over the years, as I’m certain He has you as well.

The problem is I (just as others) remain unfocused and have been turning to Spirit more so only in times of crisis than as a friend who’s always there. I look to lean upon Him in times of need but would do well to to appreciate and graciously invite Him to walk beside me at all times (not that it takes an invitation).

I might sound like some middle-aged guy who’s having a mid-life crisis and is turning all religious. Not really; I’ve always had a faith in God. It just isn’t always as obvious to others (or even to myself for that matter and certainly, you’ll get no arguments from God on this) — but the faith is present nonetheless.

My faith is not your standard, run-of-the-mill traditional/orthodox set of beliefs though I was exposed to plenty of that growing up. To put it rather simply, it’s believing that God/Spirit is very real and has nothing but the best of intentions for all of us. And my faith doesn’t make me any more perfect than anyone else. It certainly doesn’t prevent me from making an ass out of myself when I lose my temper or am just being a bit too harsh and forthcoming with feelings I might have been holding onto for a while. (This is evidenced in one of my responses to a comment made on an earlier blog entry.)

While it’s no excuse, my shortcomings — just like those for anyone else — are just a part of the human experience. That others know just which buttons to push and might be perceived as going out of their way to do so, seemingly to knock one off-stride, isn’t justification (for being an ass). We are all responsible for the way in which we carry ourselves, as well as for whether our focus is on the positive (love) or dwelling on the negative.

I’ve allowed the matters that I take issue with to have entirely too profound an influence on my own Life for a while now; it’s time to take that power back. In my case, the motivation to do so is self-serving but if others see a benefit in doing so I encourage them to do the same.

It’s late; I’ve plans to have dinner with a friend this evening, after which I’ll be heading to church to walk the labyrinth (been doing a lot of that this past week) and pray. Unfortunately, the forecast calls for rain over the next couple of days and I heard a storm rumbling outside earlier so my walk will likely be a little … well, “wet!” LOL

Nonetheless, those walks along the labyrinth encourage peace and a much-needed opportunity to have some serious heart-to-hearts with our higher Self (in my experience).

Namaste and may peace be with you,
Michael

 
5 Comments

Posted in Attitudes

 
« Older Entries