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1 November 2003
Duncan's dad died last night. Of course he's been ill for a while but it doesn't seem to make it any easier. He welcomed me into their family from the first time I met him and has never been anything but nice to me. I don't care how much pain he was in, he was always smiling. His sister has told me how happy he was I was in Duncan's life. I was happy to be a part of his. Farewell Lawrence, I will miss you, I love you...breath easy now. .......... Duncan got home yesterday and tomorrow we head back down the long road to North Carolina again for Duncan's dad's funeral. Gotta pack and plan and all that fun stuff, and to top it off, a depression thing has moved in over the course of the day that I just can't shake off. My mom pissed me off with some unsolicited advice and instead of telling her to shut the hell up, I just sat there and listened. Duncan's dad has died and I'm feeling sorry for myself. .......... A long week has come and gone. Duncan's family continues to deal with what the death of a family member can do to you. Duncan's dad retired from the army, was a police chief for 10 years, a volunteer fire fighter for 30 years and did numerous other jobs around town. All these make for a most memorable funeral procession starting with a police car followed by a fire engine carrying his ashes. After that were the limousines, then the other cars, and then another fire engine at the end. I road in the limousine. That night, we all went down to Kure Beach and scattered his ashes off the pier. The wind carried the ashes away under the moonlight and the light of the pier. I've always wanted to be cremated, but this event made me sure of it. I also got pretty homesick for the first time while at the beach. I love the beach, it was 80° that day. Tonight, by the way, it will be 19° here. I guess my impatiens will be history. They will then match my big toe which I broke yesterday. After a couple of hours at the emergency room yesterday, the doctor walks over with the x-rays and says, "So you broke your toe?" I said, "You tell me." He said, "Your broke your toe." There are two people who know how I broke it and that's all that will ever know. Where's my Motrin? We did have to miss the election because we were out of town. This is the only place that I've live where all the local candidates come door to door and the mayoral candidates have vans with bull horns reminiscent of Barney Fife running for sheriff. .......... Who said drugs aren't good? Between my toe and my cold, I am fucked up. I think I could kick a football with this toe right now. And I was right about my impatiens. They're history today. Something so beautiful yesterday and completely dead today, so I also decided to bring my chrysanthemums and other potted plants to the basement today for the winter. Perennials will not survive in such a harsh climate in pots over the winter. 17 degrees tonight you know. .......... Let's here it for the veterans. I was very surprised to learn today that the National World War II Memorial will be open by Memorial Day next year. Several years ago I bought a brick for my dad and hopefully we'll be able to go see it together...Both Duncan and myself both noticed at the same time yesterday that the days seem to be shorter here. It only makes sense but I've never thought about it. Although the sun rises 12 minutes earlier here than in Charlotte, it also sets 43 minutes earlier making the day 31 minutes shorter. This appears to be the trend during the shortest days of winter but during the longest days of summer, the days are about 50 minutes longer here. Try it for yourself. .......... I think if you have an old house and need something for it, have a little patience and use a keen eye as you pass people's garbage on garbage day, you'll find it. We've been missing two wooden storm windows since we moved in so I decided to put my head to the problem. Last month I found one for the small window and with a few alterations and some painting, it was good to go. I found another for the big window yesterday. It's a bit more complicated because although the width is perfect, I have to add a couple of inches to the length. Finding the right piece of lumber was the first obstacle because it is not a standard size. Then I had to cut it to attach it to the bottom of the window which is probably a hundred years old, so it's not a bit straight. All went well and the glue is drying so I start on the top tomorrow. Side note, I like having a basement to work in when it's freezing and snowing outside. We got no accumulation today by the way. There used to be a time, let's say, last year, when I loved to see snow coming. Look what only one year of living through what natives call the coldest winter with the most snow they can remember can do to ya. I saw it flurrying and I could only sigh. Maybe it was just the day or the gash I put in my finger. Don't know. My toe is getting better but I shouldn't have unwrapped it last night. I banged it a couple of times. My cold is gone. Kaleb is sleeping. My mom had a happy birthday this week. I need bathing. .......... Happy Birthday Becky. I will start my mission soon. .......... Last summer we went by my aunt and uncle's house and caught up with them and my cousins. It was only the second time I've met my cousins and the first time it was brief. We had a good time that day and an invite arrived in the mail for Thanksgiving this week. We'll be in NC for Thanksgiving this year anyway but I thought the invitation was kind of funny. She mentioned how their dog is part of the family and how she knows that Kaleb is too. She then mentions bringing Kaleb but also tells how much of a disaster their last visit from a dog was because the dogs did not get along. In other words, don't bring the dog. .......... It seems every couple of months these days, this country gets a little closer to letting the gay folks have the same benefits, rights, and responsibilities as the hetros. I see today's ruling in Massachusetts as good news but I wonder if it will further divide both sides. It seems a state constitutional amendment is already being talked about. I personally know what my and Duncan's commitment to each other is and don't need a piece of paper to prove it. What I would like is a piece of paper that says I have the same rights when he dies as a married spouse. When one of us applies for some government or any other kind of benefit, I want it to be the same as if we were married. Even in areas with civil unions or similar laws, (useless but a good start) rights do not extend beyond that state or municipality or even to non-government employers. They don't have to call it a marriage, they just have to call it 100% the same and equal. .......... "I don't believe people of the same sex ought to be legalized in marriage," says NY Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. "People should have the rights, as adults, to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they don't intrude or impose themselves on others against their will." Yes Joe Bruno, when marriage for all becomes legal, our intent is to force all you heterosexual men to marry men instead of women. If it becomes necessary, we will do so by gun point. Now I know why the NRA is so intent on keeping their guns; to keep all the fags away when this day does come because I've noticed how hot most NRA members are and they should be prepared for the forced marriage...This could add a second definition to the term shotgun wedding. Joe, what I want is simply this, when my man is in a serious accident, (have you seen him drive?) I want to be able to unplug him if that's what needs to be done. If I'm in an accident, (it wouldn't be my fault because I am a great driver) Duncan should be able to unplug me. When we do die, the other should get all our stuff, tax free, without having to write a special provision will for a thousand bucks and still have to pay inheritance tax if you have accumulated enough for that to kick in. Yes Joe Bruno, NY is the most heavily taxed state in the country and the burden is higher in upstate than in the city. You've been in the State Senate a long long time. Maybe there are other ways you could use your time. Blah blah blah... As for my views on gun control, everyone over 21, not 18 should be able to own a gun. Not assault rifles, not automatic weapons, and serious punishment for people who violate the laws. ..........
The interchange of I-890 and Erie Blvd and State St and Washington Ave and Edison Ave and two or three GE entrances. How much crack was smoked while this thing was being designed? Lanes exit without warning, right lanes merge while the left lane must yield at the same entrance, three lanes merge into one without any signage at the same time other lanes are merging in. It takes months just to learn you way around this thing. Get behind and old lady and you're done for. As for my toe, it is getting better all the time. Walking with hard soled shoes or boots is good but I still can't run. I miss leaving the grocery store and running with the buggy and then jumping on and riding. I always wonder why someone would chose to push one across a huge parking lot as opposed to having a little fun with it. Who didn't stand up and cheer when Dr. Romano was squished by the helicopter on ER last night? .......... Can you tell the difference between Michael Jackson and me on Halloween?
.......... We were waiting in line for food tonight. There was this kid, maybe 14 or so with a pacifier in his mouth and he was with what seemed to be maybe an older brother and father. He couldn't talk, only grunt. He wanted french-fries and wanted em bad. He had reached that point in life where his size had become and issue for handling him. I guess he was autistic but I truly don't know. I thought he might throw a temper tantrum but he didn't. The line was unusually quiet as nobody was really saying anything, just watching. They got their order, including fries, and left. He was happy. .......... Turkeys spend their lives crammed together, breathing toxic fumes,
beaks and toes mutilated by a hot blade to prevent stress-induced
scratching and pecking, fed antibiotics, and bred to gain weight
quickly. Turkeys suffer painful, swollen joints, crippled feet and heart
attacks. Survivors are hung upside-down and dragged through an
electrified stunning tank, immobilizing them for conveyance past the
electric saw, where their throats are slit. Still conscious, birds are
boiled alive in scalding water to remove feathers. .......... What a wonderful Thanksgiving and day after. The weather has been wonderful though tonight is getting pretty cold. I have eaten more food than I thought was humanly possible. At Duncan’s family’s thing, we had two turkeys and about 15,000 pies. At my family’s thing, we had ribs. I am so sick of driving, tomorrow I, we, are going to take it easy. Kaleb is also ready to have a nervous breakdown. She has been beat upon, dragged around, locked up, screamed at and more. .......... |
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