LGBTech

Hmm.  I'll be in Toronto and Montreal in the next few weeks.  I wonder if I'd get run out of town for wearing this?



via ThinkGeek

 Remembering the 40th anniversary of Stonewall today. Thank you to the brave queens, fags and dykes who fought back that day.  You've made my life better for it and I am eternally grateful to you all.

What do you think? Honest critiques appreciated. I'm not sure that I'm satisfied with the way the text fades in and out, but I think it's not too bad for my first effort. I'll probably play with it some more to refine it.

So, in my last post I mentioned that I had an idea for an LJ icon that I wanted to make, with animations and everything. This is a rough draft of what I've been working on...



I don't remember how the original idea for the icon came to me. I may have just been looking at cool icons and thinking, I should try making one of those. I had just taken a zillion pictures (actually more like 1230, but who's counting?) of the Indigo Girls at a show last week in Northampton, so I think that imagery sort of coalesced with the whole icon idea along with the lyrics of one of their new songs, True Romantic (listen to it on Last.fm), which has been a recent favorite of mine.

( More details below the cut... )

Yet to be done...

I'm thinking of playing with the size and color of individual words to suggest the same emphasis that is present in the song. As far as animating it, I could keep it simple and just have one full phrase fade into the next, but what I really want to do is fade each word in and then out and, ideally, time the fades to the tempo of the phrases in the song.

If anyone has any suggestions for tweaking any of this, I'd be happy for the feedback. Also, if anyone knows of any really good, detailed tutorials for doing what I just described in GIMP with GAP, I would be eternally grateful for any linkage you might be able to provide.

Oh, one more thing. This is a work in progress. Please don't take any of the images. (The best pics from the show will eventually get posted on Flickr.) When the icon is done, I will gladly share as long as you credit me.

I just wanted to let everyone know that my gmail account got hijacked this afternoon. You may have gotten some crazy mail that appeared to be from me.  If you did, I'm sorry about that, even though I had no way to prevent.  My account has since been restored to my full control.  I will now return to my regularly scheduled lurking.

Swiped from Wil Wheaton who swiped it from here.

This is a list of 200 things, bold (and put explanation in parenthesis if you want) if you've done them before.



* edited to add a cut, as requested. :-)

CDGLCC
332 Hudson Ave, Albany
$10 / $8 Students, All Ages, Doors open at 7:30 PM
Call 518-462-6138 x-11 for information or reservations

Born and raised in by-God Arkansas and a direct descendant of Jesse James, this alt-country/folk singer-songwriter has steady aim with songs as gritty as Steve Earle and deft storytelling as poignant as John Prine. There are no vague poetic mumblings, just great straight-ahead lyrics about mama, church and politics; his influences ranging from the Indigo Girls to Johnny Cash, y'all. He's got four CDs under his gun belt, including his latest, Landlocked. It's a polished studio album that features popular touring singer-songwriter Namoli Brennet and local Albany, NY, favorites Almost Awake and the Bookdrop Bees.

Don't ask him his favorite places to perform. While he's played in venues ranging from Fagapalooza to coffeehouses, his favorites are the places where the audience really listens. Whether it's a big festival or a tiny bar, it's those folks with attentive faces who make it a good gig.

In 2006 Jeremy was a winner of the Shine Songwriters Contest, a benefit for the arts in schools. He also received an honorable mention in the 2006 PeaceDriven Songwriting Contest for the songs "Christmas in September," "Allegiance," and "The Back Row."

His first album, Wasted Youth, a studio album released in May 2005, was well received. His second release, Grey Gardens, came out in December of that same year. It's less produced, the simplicity of his guitar, voice and songs shining through. In September of 2006 he released Lost Souls, an EP of live and demo songs.

He's shared the stage with Chris Pureka, Adrianne, Namoli Brennet, Mara Levi, and Kris Landherr. His songs have been featured on regional radio as well as internet stations.

" … a hallmark of songwriting talent." – CE Skidmore, Glens Falls PostStar

www.cdglcc.org
www.jeremyjamesmusic.com
www.nathanduprey.com

Thursday, November 1st, 8 PM

Girlyman with special guest Liz Stahler

The Linda: WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Ave, Albany, NY
$15. To purchase tickets call the WAMC box office at 518-465-5233 ext. 4 or visit www.wamcarts.org

Since touring with the Indigo Girls, and releasing their first two CDs (Remember Who I Am and Little Star) on Amy Ray's hugely respected indie Daemon Records, Girlyman has become a national headlining act, selling out major folk venues across the country, playing on internationally syndicated radio shows, and earning a loyal following who frequently drive hundreds of miles from show to show. Always the road warriors, Girlyman is hitting the highways in support of their current release Joyful Sign. "There are people out there who love this music but haven't found Girlyman yet. That's who we're looking for, and there's nothing more joyful than that. "

Special guest Liz Stahler is raw, real and undeniably talented. Her voice is mesmerizing, and truly unique. Her songs are memorable and beautifully crafted. In 2004 Stahler's debut EP "Turn the Lights Down" dazzled fans and critics alike: "Stahler is like a more genuine Sheryl Crow…blessed with gold for a voice and a penchant for songwriting…she can seemingly tell a story with one syllable".

This Event is supported by the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. And by the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council.

Stolen from Friday Fishwrap

This is Kitteh. He is a VERY affection adolescent male cat who desperately needs a home!

He found us late Saturday night as we were coming home from the last Progressions show. He was very happy and excited to have found people that would pet him and hold him (and feed him). Even though he was clearly ravenous, he was more interested in being pet than eating. We could feel his ribs and he had burs in his tail so we believe he was abandoned by people who moved out of the neighborhood. We have made a little "house" for him on the front porch using a cat carrier (minus the door) and a bunch of towels to make it cushy and keep it insulated and we are giving him lots of food and water. He has made himself right at home but we cannot keep him.

I thought I had a home lined up for him, but that fell through so I am going to start calling no-kill shelters today to see if I can get him into one of the adoption systems. I am also hoping that one of the shelters will help us get really cheap or free vet care for him. He looks perfectly healthy but we don't know if he is neutered or anything else about his health. Only a vet can determine that and they cost money that we don't have right now.

Ideally we would like to find a home for him ourselves. If you are interested in adopting a very sweet, lovable adolescent male cat let us know and we'll arrange a meeting.

I actually identify as a geek, but whatever. I'll take it.

Here is how it works. Copy this list. Leave in the bands you've seen perform live. Delete the ones you haven't and add new ones that you have seen until you reach 25. An asterisk means the previous person had it on their list. Two asterisks means the last two people who did this before you had that band on their list.

1. Patty Larkin**
2. Ani Difranco***
3. Suzanne Vega**
4. Mary Chapin Carpenter**
5. Cheryl Wheeler***
6. The Nields***
8. Eddie From Ohio***
9. Catie Curtis****
10. Patty Griffin***
11. Girlyman****
12. John Gorka**
13. Richard Shindell***
14. Erin McKeown***
15. Indigo Girls****
16. Lindsay Mac***
17. Dar Williams****
18. Ember Swift*
19. Coyote Grace
20. Chris Pureka*
21.Pamela Means*
22. Alix Olson*
23. Kris Delmhorst*
24. Fleetwood Mac*
25. Arlo Guthrie*

I got my list from indigocaz

Saturday, September 15th

Progressions Concert Series: Andrea Paquin and Arjuna Greist

Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Center
332 Hudson Ave., Albany, NY
8:00 PM, $10, $8 Students

All ages! Doors open at 7:30 PM. Reservations encouraged and appreciated. For information or to make reservations contact Carrie Knepp at 518.462.6138 x-11 or progressionsconcertseries@cdglcc.org.

Andrea Paquin's voice, at once intimate and powerful, pulls the listener in close to her private world of love, loss, and redemption. She brings positive energy everywhere she plays - her strong yet gentle presence always leaves you feeling refreshed.

Her latest album "Listen" is a collection of songs she has written over the last few years. Andrea's love of life and nature was an inspiration for the album's artwork. She continue to write, already working on ideas for her next album.

Over the years Andrea has shared the stage with Melissa Ferrick, Garrison Starr, Edie Carey, Pamela Means, Anne Heaton, Howie Day, Chris Pureka, Jess Klein and more.

In her acceptance speech for the 2004 Just Plain Folks International Songwriting Award in the Spoken Word category, Arjuna Greist enthused, "I am so honored, and so joyous... the fact that my queer-happy, anti-establishment, freakazoid, punk-ass manifesta passed the muster of my peers to win an award lets me know, in an official way, that messages of peace, and change, and hope, and non-violent revolution are both wanted and needed in this world... we just need to keep getting louder."

Arjuna has been getting louder every year, criss-crossing the continent to bring her deeply personal music and poetry to appreciative audiences at women's festivals, pride events, colleges, coffee houses and living rooms from Southern California to Toronto.

Cross-posted to albanyqueer  , pinkaloha  and folkfans 

via Morning Paper
One of the better things about the internet are the fun facts you run across in random email from others. Granted most forwards are loads of bullocks but some actually seem worth the time you spent reading them. This one for example:

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"

Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flinstone.

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S.Treasury.

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coca-Cola was originally green.

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs - Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace

Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession

Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.

Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey

Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on.
Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in- law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
------------------------------------------------------

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007 when...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

Can you believe it? Progressions Concert Series is kicking off its THIRD year and it all starts this Saturday! You do not want to miss this show! Keep reading for all of the details...

Saturday, September 16
Progressions Concert Series featuring Chris Pureka w/Jeremy James

8 PM Show, 7:30 PM Doors
3rd Floor of CDGLCC (332 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY Map)
$12 ($10 for students w/ID) - Seating is Limited! Advance Reservations Highly Suggested! (see below for more info)

Also, please note this show is the same day as Larkfest so please allow extra time to find parking, etc. (FYI: parking restrictions in the Lark St area end at 7 PM)

Chris Pureka is preparing to release her new cd, Dryland, on September 26, 2006. Be sure to join us for this very intimate performance by a songwriter who is truly making her mark in the diy singer/songwriter scene. She performed this summer at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival as part of the esteemed Most Wanted Song Swap - an honor that is decided by the votes of the Falcon Ridge audience.

"Chris Pureka is an excellent guitar player. Not an excellent 'woman' guitar player; but, an excellent guitar player, period. She digs in like a true natural. The feel, the tone, the chords, the vibe, the chunk-a-chunk-a, everything. I could listen to her all day. " - Pamela Means, Singer Songwriter

Jeremy James, a local favorite in the Albany acoustic music scene is back to help us kick off the 2006-07 season of Progressions Concert Series.

"James is an old soul whose new release is more colorful than its name suggests. With a voice like Loudon Wainwright's and lyrics like Joni Mitchell's, this one-time country boy is a welcome addition to the neighborhood." - CE Skidmore, Glens Falls Post Star

Reservations can be made via Progressions Concert Series MySpace or telephone (518-462-6138, x.11). Reservations for 5 or more require a credit card to hold the tickets. The credit card will be charged if your party does not show up. You can choose to pay cash the night of the show, or we can go ahead and charge your credit card. Reservations will be held until the start of the show.

I sent my mom email about the CNL Hotels thing asking her and my dad to not go to hotels owned by CNL and why.  I had to share her response because it was so great...

So I was catching up on one of my fave blogs, Friday Fishwrap, and came across a link to this story about Tom Hutchinson, the CEO of CNL Hotels and Resorts.  Apparently Mr. Hutchinson disapproved of his friend the Mayor of Orange County, Florida passing legislation that would protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in housing and pulled his support from the mayor's reelection campaign.  Hutchinson said the he was pulling his support because of the mayor "favoring the absolutely ridiculous vote on legal protection for equal housing for gays... I am not interested in supporting candidates with seemingly zero Christian biblical principals on the issues regarding the alternative gay lifestyle."

If you want to be sure that you never book a room at one of this asshole's hotels here is a list of all of CNL's properties.  Be sure to share this information with all of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, whomever.

Name five songs that begin with the letter you've been given.  indigokare gave me the letter 'M'.  If you want to play, leave a comment and I will give you a letter.

I think the hardest part of this game is limiting myself to only five songs.  Heck I could come up with five songs per artist in some cases.  So after much agonizing over my ipod, here's what I came up with.

1. Magnolia Street - Catie Curtis


2. Mama Louise's H&H - Caroline Aiken


3. Maori - Girlyman


4. Means To This End - Beth Amsel


5. Mystery - Indigo Girls

OK.  Who's next?