What a Blast!

I got a new favorite movie. "Shoot 'Em Up" staring Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti and the incredible Monica Bellucci (Persephone in The Matrix Part II and III). Shoot "Em Up is a bullet-riddled action thriller by Michael Davis, who happens to have the most twisted sense of humor I've seen.

There is a lot of blood, guns and violence (although our hero never shoots women, children or dogs). I loved it! Clever, suspenseful and full or laughs.

Rent it today!

And the money keeps rolling in with every cough...

For a long time now I've had this idea that the "flu shot" is part of a big conspiracy. A conspiracy to give people the flu, so they get the flu in the winter months and have to buy tons and tons of cold and flu products. And it works.

American's are being led around by the nose and buying into it. More and more each year. The reason I am writing about this is because my Father got his flu shot this past October and consequently got the flu two weeks ago has now given it to me. The last time I had the flu was about 15 years ago when I got my last flu shot. Over the past few years Dad didn't get a shot and this year did ... and also got the flu. The cough and cold remedy business brings in big bucks for these mega corporations. I mean, a bottle of Nyquil will set you back about $6 or $7 bucks. And then of course, you'll have to have some accompanying decongestant or expectorant too. Big bucks indeed.

America's media buys into it, primarily because the drug companies sponsor the media. And then all you hear is, "Did you get your flu shot this year?" I mean think about it. Injecting you with the flu so you don't get the flu. Come on! And we wonder why these resistant strains of infections is running rampant throughout the country . . . because we have so overmedicated ourselves, the bugs have taken on new genetic forms. And it's all true too.

So while I drink my Nyquil, suffering from a cough, congestion, et. al., I can only be pissed that I too have fallen into being led around by my nose like the rest of the country. Just some food for thought while you enjoy your winter illnesses. And for he makers of Nyquil and the rest, the money keeps rolling in.

My dear friend Lena

I just ran across this priceless picture of a dear friend of mine from Berlin. When she was in San Francisco, we got outrageously drunk and had the best time lip syncing to practically every bluesy torch song ever written. The only problem was she only knew two songs, both by Marlene Dietrich - "Falling in Love Again" and "Lili Marlene", which she sang over and over. What a night!

Remembering San Francisco

I guess I officially left in October 2003, while I came back one month later, I spent the next few months selling and moving my essential belongings to Jamestown. I left for Paris on March 13, 2004 and returned some 8 months later only to find I had permanently moved to Jamestown.

Somehow I always thought San Francisco would be there for me but with Mark moving to Manhattan there was no place left for me to hang my hat, as it were. While I did return to the City a handful of times, in December of 2004, AMTRAK, in conjunction with Greyhound eliminated service between Sonora and Modesto leaving me stranded on the Western Side of the Sierra's with no way back to gay! I failed to mention, Dad's old Taurus blew a gasket in October, leaving him without a vehicle and me with no one to borrow.

Now while I have quite a few thoughts on the discussion of public transportation, private transportation and a way out of these backward little enclaves in the Sierra's, I won't get into that at this time. It is certainly a good topic, one worthy of further emaciation.

In any event, lately I've felt quite disconnected. I had my first and only visitor last month (some 4 years later). I also felt the need to pursue the purchasing of a vehicle in the near future. With that, only freedom can ensue. Think of the many places I can go. Berkeley, San Francisco, hell, I might even venture all the way into Modesto. I purchased my first car when I was 16 and this is the longest I've ever been without one. In the meantime, I will dream of talking on "hands free" equipment, listening to wonderful radio music while falling asleep at the wheel, playing with a sweet little Betsey Navigator, and enjoying the benefits of having a heater and defroster which actually clears the windows. (Unfortunately, the $500 Oldsmobile I found for Dad had none of these amenities yet continues to run on, quite well, at 235,000 miles). Blessings can even come in the shape of old white Oldsmobiles I guess.

So with that thought, I will continue to begin reading the "pink section" of the San Francisco Chronicle on Sundays and checking the Obit section of the Bay Area Reporter to cross off the names in my address book and look forward to one day rejoining the society of human beings I once was associated with..if any are left.