Photo Friday: Religion

This my latest installment for Photo Friday! This was taken in a quiet spot at the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal

iPhone - Steps to Un-Jailbreak

I'm so excited about the new iPhone Software Release 2.0. Not just because I'm a geek, but I really love the gadget and can't wait what new stuff I'll be able to do with it. I've heard rumors that the new software release will be available on Friday. My Friday night just got a lot more crazy! I've had a jailbroken for the past few month. Not sure how it got that way. I did some research and I found the steps to un-jailbreak the phone. The steps were not quite complete, so I thought I would put them in plain English: Step 1: Plug your iPhone into your computer (preferably an iMac,) and make sure that iTunes is open. Step 2: Hold down the top button and the round "home" button at the bottom of the iPhone for approximately 30 seconds. Step 3: When the Apple logo appears, continue holding down the round "home" button at the bottom of the iPhone. Step 4: Hold down said round "home" button until the iTunes/Plug diagram (not show) appears. Step 5: Follow the steps. It will ask if you want to restore your iPhone. You do. If nothing happens, press the "Restore" button in iTunes. It will then take a few minutes to download version 1.1.4. iTunes will then clear the contents of your iPhone and install the newest release. Step 6: The software asked me if I wanted to restore from the lastest archive on my iMac. I selected "no" as I didn't want it to attempt to restore junk files from the old phone (probably no harm, but I wanted to have a prestine phone.) Step 7: iTunes will prompt you if you would like to syncronize your information (address book entries, calenders.) I chose "yes" as I have these things set up (and use .Mac.) Step 8: After all this, your iPhone is virtually empty! Re-add your music (via playlists, or whichever means you use to sync.) WATCHOUT: You will lose your basic iPhone settings, such ringtones, wifi settings, favorite phone number designations in the iPhone, etc.

Photo Friday: THE GREAT OUTDOORS

I took this photo at the Loveland Little Miami Scenic Trail that I took last Fall.

Opera - Supernumerary

Another show is over and gone! I had a very interesting experience being involved with the Cincinnati Opera, as a supernumerary or “extra” for their production of Madame Butterfly! My first impression was of how cool it was to with these professional opera singers! Many of the “artists” (the opera word for “performers”) were pretty well known, from New York and other large Opera cities. As you’d expect most of the people have very large voices. Even the stage managers, directors and stage hands whom I encountered were exceptionally professional. I especially liked the announcements from the stage manager, who had a calm, pleasant voice as she sexily made it known that the show was to begin in 15 minutes. Although there was a sense of formality, I was surprised at how grounded many of the people were! For the first rehearsal, the woman who portrayed "Butterfly" went out of her way to introduce herself and thank me for helping with the show. On down time, at rehearsals and at performances, I had some interesting conversations about their impressions of Cincinnati. Since I know Cincinnati pretty well, I offered up suggestions for food, nightlife, etc. (Although when asked about fun straight nightclubs in downtown Cincinnati, I was at a bit of a loss.) Because of this sense of professionalism, I took my two short appearances on stage very seriously. Although minor, I tried to really listen closely to the director for the initial blocking and tried to think about Japanese mannerisms. More importantly, I listened to the stage managers and tried my best to stay out of the way and not interrupt! My most memorable moment was right before the final performance. I offered the two female leads each an intricately folded origami flower that I made. They both were thankful and, despite being an hour before the performance, they were quite happy to talk not only about the show, but my interests, my theatre experiences, etc. I also talked quite a bit with the male chorus singers with whom shared the dressing room. I would love to audition to be a chorus member. All in all, it was an amazing opportunity, one that I hope to get again next year!

A Not-So-Normal Sunday and Three "Looks"

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to show off several new "looks." First, a couple of pictures of Troy/Romeo and Jason and I at the pre-pride brunch that Troy threw for our group of friends. (Neither Jason nor I could go to the actual parade as I had a Madame Butterfly performance and he had to work.) As I got home, Jason took a picture of me in Asiatic makeup, after getting out of Madame Butterfly: Later in the afternoon, Jason and I changed into trailer trash people, for a fund raiser for the Ensemble Theatre. Which look do you like the best?

Photo Friday- MOVEMENT

This is my first blog post for Photo Friday! Westfest, street fair and street party in Cheviot (Western Cincinnati,) 2004

Weekly Roundup

ANNIVERSARY – Amazing to imagine but I met Jason 2 years ago this week. We toasted each other in two different ways. Jason brought me a dozen roses: I offered him breakfast in bed, in the nude. I'm hoping we can have an official anniversary dinner here after a while. DANG - The high prices have really shown at the pump: TRAINING – I had a two day training in project management this week. Despite my workload, it was really worthwhile as I learned some techniques for dealing with projects that have gone a bit astray. Definitely applicable to current work. I've decided to team up with some people at work with the goal sitting the exam and eventually getting my Project Management PMP Certification within the next few months. WEIGHT - I am still in the downward slope for weight and I find myself at my 12 month (?) weigh LOW, at 195 lbs! This is despite pigging out while camping. While I have been watching what I've been eating, I have not been writing down my points. Also, I've been lazy with my gym stuff. OK. I've been eating a lot of soups and salads. Still, I was tickled and shocked that I had lost weight!

Another Technology Fatality

I bought an iPod Shuffle within a few days of it being available for sale at the Apple Store in Kenwood. I loved the sleek size of it—it was perfect for the gym. So small! But its strength was also its downfall. It was so dang tiny! I found that if I did not immediately put it into the small pouch in my gym bag, that it would be immediately lost. Sometimes I would lose it for a week or two. I mean, it’s so small you can’t feel it there! Another downfall was that I also hated the fact that I never knew what I was listening at the gym. If it was a good song, I would have liked to have marked it as good. Same for bad songs. Marking music is important to me as I have so much of it. As I was doing laundry, I put my hands into the rolling barrel of the (front loader) washer and grabbed onto something cold, with a wire. It was the iPod Shuffle. While I am REALLY good about checking pants/jeans pockets for items, I had apparently missed my gym shorts, so the poor thing went through the washer. He put up a fight. You can tell because the edges of the iPod were a bit worn. I was bummed. I dried it then tried to turn it on. No dice. I tried to plug it into my computer. No dice. He was dead. Forever. The upshot is that I took the plunge and bought a new iPod nano. Now, I could have bought the 4GB one for $150, but I decided on the black 8GB one. A bit of overkill for something I will almost exclusively use at the gym, but I did get a gift card to counter the cost. And it meets my needs better. (Yay for rating music!)

Introducing.. Gay Pride Month

I had an interesting beginning to gay pride month. It began with watching Sex in the City (with friends, see below.) Then my day today began walking into work and being greeted with a large gay pride month advertisement on the LCD panel at the entrance. (I was kind of surprised.) Then, on my way to lunch, I saw 2 known homosexuals. Then, at the gym, my iPod played a perfect mix of Andy Bell and disco hits from the 1970s. A few minutes from home, I honked to Chad, another known homosexual who was happily walking his dog on Central Parkway. Oh, and after my opera rehearsal, Jason suggested watching a movie called “Boy Culture,” which we watched holding hands. Understand, most of this stuff was not planned. It’s just gay fate. In observance of gay pride month, like last year, I'm posting Kelly's gay pride picture from this year. Kelly writes for Rambling Along Life... With a Stern Point of View.

Weekly Roundup

JUNE – It’s amazing to believe that June is already here. It seems like yesterday that we were celebrating New Year’s. Fortunately, the Winter and Spring in Cincinnati were not that painful. Indeed, summer is right around the corner. It is to be in the 90s by the end of the week. HOW TO SUCCEED IN PUTTING JASON TO SLEEP – Jason, Glenn and I scored tickets to Showbiz Players’ production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I’ve known the music for some time and was anxious to see the show. While my local theatre friends put on strong performances, I thought overall that the play had pace issues; with slow set changes, delayed entrances and slow tempos for songs, it span just under 3 hours. It was so long that Jason kept falling asleep. Also, because it ran so late, Jason had to leave at the intermission and go home to submit a project for school that was due at midnight. (He later drove back to Xavier to pick Glenn and I up.) SEX IN THE NATI – A group of 6 gay friends went to Newport on the Levee to see the new Sex in the City movie. We had supper at Claddaugh and enjoyed the beautiful weather, breezes and view of Cincinnati from across the river, in Newport, Kentucky. While the show had some great moments, I was largely fidgety. In case it’s not obvious, I get anxious when I sit thought long productions. It became almost a reunion, with various characters from Cincinnati gay bars taking seats around us, in the audience. WEIGHT – I’m still on a haitus for WW. I will weigh in next week. With the stress of the week, I didn’t subject myself to a Weight Watchers weigh in. I know it’s going to be hard to diet this summer. DOING THE BEST YOU CAN – I’ve not been optimal in the past month. It’s true, but I’m doing the best I can (weight loss, work, home life, my interests, etc.)