July 1997

registered and getting ready to ride

Well, it's official . . . I've registered for AIDS/LifeCycle 7, a 545-mile trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles that will probably raise more than $10 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. The ride is next June, and there are a few things I need to do to get ready . . .

First, I'll need to raise at least $2,500, and second, I'll need to get myself in pretty darn good shape. I've done both before -- even though it's been quite a while -- and I have an idea of what it will take.

Over the next several months, I'll keep you up to date on my progress, write about why I'm doing this, and probably ask for your help.

Here we go . . .

how huge thou art

I drove home to Ohio a few weeks ago to visit my sister and attend a little reunion at my college alma mater (more on that later).

As you drive by on I-75, just a few miles south of my parents' house in Franklin and just north of where my sister lives in West Chester, is an amazing sight. No matter what your belief.


Exploding out of the ground in front of the Solid Rock Church (a 3,000-member non-denominational mega-church) is a 62-foot statue of Christ called King of Kings. According to Roadside America, church leaders believe the fiberglass and styrofoam sculpture is among the world's largest representations of Christ and have submitted it to Guinness for consideration. (But hello, what about the 130-foot Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro?)

Inspiring? Maybe. Creepy? Definitely.

I remember watching the progress of the sculpture's construction during several visits home in the summer of 2004. It was most disturbing at one point to see Christ reaching towards the heavens . . . headless.

paph and phal

It's been a while since the first orchid-of-the-month delivery -- Hauserman's grows the most spectacular plants around; however, their customer service and delivery reliability are somewhat less than stellar. So even though they delivered two fabulous plants on Friday, I (sadly) discontinued my membership. Not really a big deal -- it just means I'll have to travel out there next time . . .

The first plant is a new variety for me -- a paphiopedilum (according to the label, a paphiopedilum Hsinying Majukun '#4' hybridized with a paphiopedilum lawrenceanum 'Tradition').

Paphs generally will only have one bloom at a time and care is slightly different, so I've a little homework to do in order to take care of this one. Amazing, isn't it?


The second new plant is a phalaenopsis and its color is incredible. Of course, this image doesn't quite capture the depth of the purple/magenta, but you get the idea.

So, now there are nine phalaenopsis on the sill -- six are blooming, one will be shortly, and two are just visiting until they're ready to bloom again.

And actually, it's probably a good idea to discontinue the membership. I'm running out of room.

why we fight

I heard a program on NPR last weekend and Christopher Guest was being interviewed. He was asked what movies he had seen recently, and he mentioned Why We Fight, a recent documentary about the economics and politics of war as well as several Americans’ perceptions of why we’re in Iraq. It had been in my Netflix queue for a while, so I moved it up to the top. And I watched it tonight.

Dear god. Not that we need any more reasons to distrust the current administration. But dear god. Here's just a few quotes:

“Today, the United States spends more on defense than on all other discretionary parts of the federal budget combined.”

“The defense budget is three-quarters of a trillion dollars. Profits went up last year over twenty-five percent. I guarantee you that when war becomes that profitable, you’re going to see more of it.”

“Between 2002 and 2003, the Pentagon spent $1.2 billion on advertising intended to increase [military] recruitment.”

“During the first 6 months of the Iraq war, 50 precision airstrikes were conducted against Iraqi leadership. Of these strikes, none hit its intended target.”

“Most of the government’s decisions today are substantially dictated by powerful corporate interest. Clearly capitalism is winning.”

It’s just getting more and more difficult to be proud to be an American.

volunteering

Guess it’s been a while since I posted – recording sessions, holiday weekend, gardening, more recording, etc. Doesn’t leave much time for blogging . . .

Spent a good chunk of last weekend volunteering – first, my pals Linda, Chris, and I took last Friday off to help out up at the Frederick Stock School for their Family Fun Day.

Over the last couple of years I've helped to support the Stock School, a Chicago Public School early childhood center on the far northwest side that serves children (ages three to six) with and without disabilities. What an incredible place.

Both Linda (Stock's great-granddaughter) and I have been principals-for-a-day, helped out with their annual Leon's Gift benefit, and volunteered for their Family day. I was able to twist Chris's arm enough to convince him to join us. It was a perfect day, and we had a blast.

The day started out with a parade, and the three of us were invited to be the guest grand marshals.

After the parade, a group of about twenty girls had a cheerleading routine to share. This was definitely one of the highlights of the day!

Next, all of the kids – regardless of disability – participated in a relay race. As each child crossed the finish line, they were given a medal, and Chris, Linda, and I had the privilege of presenting them. There was such determination to cross the line and get a medal!

I wasn't able to get many pictures of the race because there wasn't a spare moment to grab my camera. However, I was able to get this shot of the final runner as everyone cheered her in.

The rest of the day included all kinds of activities for the kids and their families, followed by a cookout and live Calypso-themed entertainment. What a great place. What a great day.

Then on Sunday, I hauled out of bed early and stumbled down to Soldier Field for the closing ceremonies of this year's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Spent the morning loading giant tubs with bottled water and ice, filling up coolers with Gatorade (and a couple of the Soldier Field workers let us sneak onto the field for a moment), and unloading gear trucks.

Took a bit of a break to watch some of the walkers come in, most of them having trekked over forty miles in two days.

This year's was the biggest Chicago walk ever. There were more than 3,600 participants and over $8.3 million (so far) has been raised. Well done!

saint tinky winky

I couldn't resist . . .


Thanks to Daryl Cagle at MSNBC.

Lots more "Farewell Falwell" cartooons here. And Tinky Winky's response can be found here.