Olympics & Politics

I've always been a big fan of the olympics as it is inherently dripping in international stuff: people from all nations competing. I can't wait for it all to begin! While driving to Target today, I came across a great program on NPR, which dealt with the history of the olympics, and how different countries (including the US) have used the Olympics to further political gain. It was very well written and insightful. For the complete program, click here.

Weekly Roundup

PUERTO RICO - I'm really excited about our trip to Puerto Rico and quality time with Jason. The trip is just 4 weeks away! With Jason's school and work schedule (along with my schedule,) we have not been seeing so much of each other lately. This will be a week of walks on the beaches, sunbathing, snorkeling, etc. As an extra bonus, two very low maintenance friends, Glenn and Chase will be going with us (staying in separate rooms, of course.) POLSKA - On Monday, my boss gave me the ok to travel to Warsaw the week after next for a technical/training event. I've had my head down, concentrating on getting my past project done (which I largely did, on time, on budget, I might add.) This is a huge opportunity to meet people in my larger global group and learn about the technology for my new project. It's going to be a great opportunity. (Worry not: I'm bringing my DSLR with me.) MIA - Don't be surprised if I'm not Missing In Action for awhile. This is going to be a crazy 6 weeks. RELAXING SUNDAY - Both Jason and I have busy schedules at the moment and I was happy that Jason was able to take Sunday off for us to spend the day frolicking. We had a nice breakfast and long nap. Then went to the pool at Adonis with the Boys. Afterward, we walked from our home to Rock Bottom and enjoyed a couple of beers. THIRTY SEVEN - Another year slips by. On Monday, I turn 37. While I do have more grey in my beard, I feel I've become wiser in my old age.

First Annual Cincinnati Blogger Convention

I was invited to the event which took place in Cincinnati's Mercantile Library (a privately owned library which was founded in 1835 and hailed as one of the oldest cultural institutions in the Midwest.) Jason had to work so I arrived on the 11th floor of the Cincinnati building alone. I immediately saw someone I knew! Barry, of Queer Cincinnati greeted me as I walked into the tall, tastefully furnished antique room. I hadn't seen Barry in a while and we talked as more people arrived. Although the setting was a bit formal, the conversation was not. The conversation was light and animated. Soon, Albert spoke and welcomed us to the event and to his library. He encouraged us to talk, to share ideas and to network. I didn't know many people but I took some pictures and continued to mingle. I had a couple of glasses of wine and enjoyed talking to other bloggers. It was actually quite inspiring to meet others with the same passion for writing (and who mostly had ties to Cincinnati!) The library: I was excited to meet other people that I had read before! A while back, I mentioned Katy from Katy's Random Musings. She was there! As was 5chw4r7z and Dan! I had some nice conversation with Wine Girl and Beer Guy. They write about booze. After about an hour and a half, a small group realized they were hungry. There was a suggestion to break off from the group and go to Rock Bottom. Being a lover of beer, they didn't have to twist my arm very much to get me to go. At Rock Bottom: Julie demonstrating the new American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "brew pub." We laughed at this and planned a future (drink-encouraged) trip to the Creation Museum, which happens to be located just across the river in Northern Kentucky. We drank and ate for another couple of hours before saying our goodbyes. All in all a great evening!

Photo Friday: AWFUL

The theme for this week's Photo Friday is "AWFUL." What to put? I had some pictures of tragedy, and some pictures of things like funerals which document some pretty awful images. I decided to go the playful route and present you this picture: Two years ago, I let my hair grow out for a role in "Honk!" - when the show was over, I was left with an awful hairdo.

Weekly Roundup

CAPTURE CINCINNATI - CIN Weekly magazine is sponsoring another installment of "Capture Cincinnati," a sort of contest for residents of Cincinnati to submit pictures that will go into a hard bound book. Jason did this last year, but basically entered photography too late for it to be considered. We both started early this year. You can vote for my pictures here and, Jason's here. Please vote! Here's one of Jason's pics: WORK - Although I am being assigned to a new assignment at work, it is gratifying to see the rewards of the blood, sweat and tears spent on my previous project, as the software goes into production. It feels good to be recognized for getting results and moving the business forward! PSYCH'ED - At the gym today, I steped onto the elliptical machine; I was listening to the current audiobook, "Thousand Spendid Suns." Being a gay, I tried to tune into HGTV, but it just would not pick up channel 58 on the small TV. But channel 56 worked. USA Network. I watched it a show without the sound. I didn't know what show it was but I liked the way the people carried themselves. It made me smirk. I found out it was the show "Psych." I looked it up later. TWO ACTORS - At the moment, there are two guys that I really dig. OK they are not the best known. But they CRACK me up: James Roday - Shawn (at right) in "Psych" is cute, fun, very smart and a bit crazy. He manages to get out of some interesting predicaments. Interview on Nirali Magazine Maulik Pancholy - He's been in two of my favorite shows, 30 Rock, and Weeds. I especially love his role in Weeds, playing a young struggling, insecure, but hilarious drug dealer, catering to gay bars. In one scene, he wore ridiculous leather. SUMMER - Every year for the last few years, it has appeared that summer has gotten away from me. I look back and wonder where all those summer nights went. This year, although we have been camping twice, I feel the summer slipping away. WEEKEND - I'm generally so busy during the week, I often have to make time in the weekend to get small projects done, such as cleaning the garage. I'm happy to say that I made some strides! If I can get just a couple more hours in, I will be FINALLY ready to show my IKEA "before" and "after" shots for the area (as well as finally be able to park the GTI inside.) OK. I did manage to grab this quick shot of the garage. With the GTI inside. Notice the IKEA shelves on the right and how dirty the vehicle is.

Photo Friday: FLIGHT

Ah, the "Drag Races..." It all began years back when two Cincinnati gay bars decided to make a fund raising event/pride event around the time of the Cincinnati Gay Pride Parade. The "race" is done as a relay, consisting of teams of four (male) runners that don dress, purse, wig and high heeled shoes and race. The winning team gets a prize and a coveted title. I'm sharing this picture of one of the runners "in flight" at the 2007 Drag Race event--in this week's installment of Photo Friday!

Weekly Roundup

SAILOR, AGAIN? For the second time in my theatre "career," and for the second time with Cincinnati Music Theatre, I will once again be a sailor. This time dressed in turn of the century garb in CMT's H.M.S. Pinafore. I was offered the role on Friday and accepted! Rehearsals start in late August! NEW iPHONE 3G - Over 1,000,000 of the new iPhone 3G phones were sold this weekend! Interestingly, I don't own one of them. I had contemplated unlocking my my current one and sell it on eBay. Honestly, it would not have been that much of a financial investment. But, I decided against it for several reasons: I don't like the tacky backing of the Phone. Also, I don't think it is sensible to pay $10/month MORE just for the 3G service. That's $120 more per year! Finally, I bought an extended warrantee on my current phone which extends out another couple of years. By then, I'll be chomping at the bit for the latest and greatest. NEW iPHONE OPERATING SYSTEM - I'm really digging it. Although it doesn't have as much offerings as the jailbroken alternative, I have found some applications that I really like, such as a nice version of Soduko, a Weight Watchers calculator, AIM and a wireless remote control for our AppleTV. CAMPING - Jason and I left on Thursday for camping at Buckwood. We enjoyed a quiet evening alone on Friday night. The place was quite empty and pieceful: Glenn, Troy/Romeo and Paul arrived on Friday. I liked Pauls miniature, rather nelly purple tent: We spend hours and hours in the pool. We ate two meals at "El Rodeo," a Mexcian restaurant in Greenwood, Indiana know for its inexpensive food and mammoth drinks: It ended up raining fiercely on Saturday morning, but we surived the wind, rain and thunder and lightning.

Photo Friday: THE OFFICE

My old group at work contained several interesting "characters." I'm fortunate that I can share this cube farm picture in this week's installment of Photo Friday! There's something about the cropping that is a bit off putting about this pic.

Call Back Audition for "HMS Pinafore"

I got a casual voicemail message from the director of the show for which I had auditioned on Sunday. She called me back for a dance audition tonight. I showed up right on time, but people my age were already lined up, ready to dance. I dropped my hot tea and folder and joined them. I was expecting a cakewalk, maybe some light movement. It's for a Gilbert & Sullivan piece, after all. It was kind of warm in the basement of the church. The choreographer introduced herself and started showing us the dance routine. It began with a kind of skipping, then box steps, then other dance terms I was not familiar with. I wouldn't say that I struggled through it, but dance is not my forte. After 30 minutes of learning a the new routine, we were ready to split into groups of four to perform in front of Rick, the director. My performance was not stellar, but it was not the worst. And people know that I require rehearsals to be at my best. I need repetition. Repetition. Repetition. After I had had my "audition," a cast member from a previous show who would have no real reason to compliment me said I did relatively well. I wouldn't say that I was out of breath, but I was VERY wet with sweat after 30 minutes of dancing in this basement. Rick promised us we would know by the end of the week. Before leaving, we were asked for measurements. I hurried in line and was near the front of the door. I was so sweaty!!! Gash!

Weekly Roundup

BUSY WEEKEND - I didn't get to feel too much of the holiday in the holday weekend. I worked my derrière off, acting as a taskmaster. Most importantly, I did manage to spend some time cleaning the garage (pictures to be shown soon.) I also worked on my transition of photos to Adobe Lightroom. I also prepared for my audition of HMS Pinafore… GILBERT & SULLIVAN - I was first exposed to Gilbert and Sullivan as a prepubescent teenager, when my middle school attempted an abbreviated version of "The Pirates of Penzance." I loved it. It totally shaped my love for musical theatre (and, apparently set the path for me being in the chorus.) Among other music, my dad loved the musicals of Gilbert and Sullivan. He would be proud to know of my audition… OK, THE AUDITION - I crammed a bit to refresh my knowledge of "The Pirate King" song, as my audition piece. When I arrived in front of the producer, musical director, director and conductor for the show I was clearly nervous. I knew everyone in the room, including the accompanist. I smiled and I calmly stated my name and the piece I would be singing. Oh better far to live and die Under the brave black flag I fly Than play a sanctimonious part With a pirate head and a pirate heart. MY PERFORMANCE - My entrance was a hair too late, and despite practicing "brave black flag I fly" with a full trill and operatic intonation, I kinda failed and, to my disappointment, it came across normal. The next few strophes were better. I was a bit operatic for the next measures before going into the "Pirate King" bit in full force. It wasn't bad, but I wished I could have practiced the piece just once before with Mark F. beforehand. It would have been 200% better. WAITING - I should know in a couple of days whether I'm in the show, I have a minor part in mind, but I'd be happy just being in the Chorus/Ensemble, as well. PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Despite my boss not being supportive of me getting my project management certification, I've begin and will continue to study for the PMI exam. (There is a lot of down time at rehearsals.) I want to sit the exam in September. WEIGHT - It's there. I need to concentrate on getting it off before our planned trip to Puerto Rico. I want to look slinky in my bathing suit. Time is ticking.

Photo Friday: SPIRAL

This my latest installment for Photo Friday! This picture was taken during a spring walk in Boston, while on a business trip. This building is in the heart of Boston's financial district, but the average person would not take the time to look up and see this gem.