America The Horrible

O radical, for spacious cries,
For amber waves of pain,
For rich speculating majesties
Above the poor and lame!
America! America! God shed His homophobia on thee,
And crown thy rich with hypocrisy, from tax haven to the sea.

O discriminee, for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for unlawful beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God showed thine ev’ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self ridicule, thy discrimination in law!

O homophobe, for heroes mocked
In denouncing strife,
Who more than self their country loved
But stabbed with a sharp knife!
America! America! May God thy brains define,
Till all success becomes impossible, and ev’ry law malign!

O horrible, for equality dream
That sees beyond the years,
Thine politics as pretty as dog cream
Unimproved by human tears!
America! America! God shed His fallibility on thee,
And make thy poor just poorer, stuck in shit up to the knee!

OK, so why did I write this rather radical post? Two occurences:

#1 Bernie Goldberg appeared on Fox News and tried to smear Liberals/Democrats and tried to explain why Liberals hate Sarah Palin. His brainless hypothesis: “She has 5 kids. Liberals don’t have 5 kids. One of them has down-syndrome. Liberals certainly don’t allow that to happen.” I think Jon Stewart’s response sums it up very well: “Go fuck yourself”, later adding “Eunice Kennedy Shriver [one of nine Kennedy children] founded the Special Olympics because she wanted an organized form where she could mock children with down-syndrome. Of course the Special Olympics is to winners as Fox news is to experts. If you show up, you are one”

watch the entire clip of Stewarts coverage of the Palin hype here.

#2 A 10-year-old child from Arkansas refused to pledge allegiance to the flag of the US. His reasoning? The Pledge of Allegiance states “with liberty and justice for all”. The kid thinks this has not been accomplished yet since homosexuals are still severely discriminated in the US. What happened after that? He got mobbed by his fellow students AND teachers alike. I really do love some Americans and how to oversell their patriotism. If that’s not all some (fortunately not all) posters on a Christian forum picked on him even more. Some excerpts:

“These are the types of kids who grow up to be those ultra-jerky liberals who think they are smarter then everyone else because they can articulate well. The kinds of people who take Michael Moore and Richard Dawkins seriously.”

“Eh, the little punk needs to be slapped.”

“If you can’t pledge allegiance to this country get the heck out of it, or change it.”

I think it’s sad if somebody is mocked for a true statement. And some of these idiots should consider what psychological consequences their mocking might have. But well, criticizing the truth is one of mankind’s favorite activity… I’ve got nothing more to say to this…

“Sambora??? Aquele ingrato nunca agradeceu por tudo que fiz por ele. Se não fosse por mim ele ainda estaria na pegada hippie e tocando em bares de quinta categoria.”

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon hasn’t texted me for two days. I got “happy turkey” message from Ryan, Andy and Josh… from the ones I don’t care receiving greetings from or not. I get worried. I planed a little trip to Possum Woods Conservation Area on Saturday. I feel like crying. I found the place by accident when Michael ditched the concert and I was driving nowhere to distract my attention to something else c.f. this post. welp actually, where I drove was around this area and this place has a nice trek along Meramec river. I was google mapping to find where it was this morning and I realized that there is actually a conservation area nearby.

I think I’ll feel sad again if Jon ditches. I hope not. Or is he relevant to me still? idk.

I planned things (Bowoods, picnic at Possum Woods Conservation Area) because it’s for Jon. I wouldn’t enjoy doing it if it were for someone else. Even for Ryan.

I went to St. Louis wine cellars with Tony yesterday. I bought a pretty little bottle for Jon. Then we went to World Market and I bought a dark brown picnic basket and red buffet napkins. It’s probably not practical to picnic outside this time of the year but the basket looks just pretty with the napkins I got. Every gay man has to (and does) have a picnic basket anyway.

Jon makes me worried. Well, the absence of correspondence does, to be exact. Anyway, for all the people out there wondering as I do, happy turkey!

Click here to read Part I, “Farewell, USA”

15 October 2009

I realize that I didn’t keep you updated on my adventures in Vietnam.  Well I did send some tweets, but it is not like I forgot about you or don’t love you. I just decided not to post anything without pictures.  They do say a picture is worth a thousand words… Anyway let’s start at the beginning.

Somewhere over Southeast Asia

After an eternity, which is roughly 22 hours for those not in the know, I finally arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.  Knowing that Ho Chi Mihn City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s economic center, I was surprised to find that Saigon’s international terminal was empty.  The terminal was essentially a ghost town, except for the few passengers from my flight and three employees that x-ray your baggage upon exiting the terminal.  My only concern was if my fraternity brother, Loc, forgot me.  All of my plans in HCMC relied upon him and the small fact that I visiting him for his birthday.

I walked up and down the large windows in the airport terminal looking for Loc, I finally found him, and with confidence I stepped out of the airport.  That is when it hit me, my first impression of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City… it is freakin’ hot! I was instantly covered in a layer of sweat from the heat and the humidity.  It felt like a welcoming hug from a shirtless overweight man who just finished running a marathon.  At first it was uncomfortable, but you quickly get used it. After awhile it becomes a comfort and a reminder of where you are.  From the morning until you go to sleep you are embraced by the fat man who is HCMC.

Ho Chi Minh City

A typical scooter cluttered intersection

The heat was constant and didn’t let up throughout my stay in HCMC.  There were sudden rain storms in HCMC, it seems like the locals can tell when it is about to start.  Watch the street, you will see a sudden decrease in motor scooters.  The rain does nothing to alleviate your suffering. You just go from hot and sticky, to hot, sticky and wet.  You can literally be completely soaked in a minute.  It happened to me once and I was in the middle of nowhere with no place to escape from the rain.  I was already soaked so I said screw it and walked back to Loc’s.  I lost a good pair of Puma’s because I was caught unprepared.  The best advice I can give is to duck into a coffee shop and try some of Vietnam’s famous coffee or a bia hoi for a cold beer until the rain passes.  Just take that time to relax and to plan out the rest of your day until the rain stops.

Quick but heavy tropical rainstorms empty the usually scooter-packed streets

The Vietnamese alternative to a cozy fireplace on a rainy day

Jumbled power lines, an example of Vietnam's rush to catch up with the modern world

HCMC is a developing city; evidence of a quick unplanned growth is everywhere. It is the center of Vietnamese economic activity, and you can feel the energy of the city.  The city is trying to update itself and the noise of construction mixes with the traffic of thousands of honking scooters and millions of people going about their day. New and old are thrown together everywhere in no specific order.  HCMC has a long ways to go to be a modern city, there are freeways with on ramps that lead to a dead end, but it has definitely started its course.  Ho Chi Minh City’s charm is that despite all the chaos, it seems like a controlled chaos and the chaos has a life to it that is infectious.  I am sure things will be unrecognizable the next time I visit. I plan to go back even if it is only a couple of days to visit Loc.

Check back for Part III coming soon…

You’re stupid. You’ve admitted it, and now you’re seeking help. I want to congratulate you! That’s the first step towards making your stupid life better.
First thing’s first though; you are stupid and will be forever. This book will not change that. This book will however, mask your stupidity from the rest of the world and may lead to promotions, dating, new job opportunities, more friends, and definitely more confidence!
It’s not easy to fool people when you’re stupid. Especially people who aren’t stupid. Let’s call this type of people “Smart” people, shall we? Smart people are very quick to pick up on the fact that you’re stupid. You’ve got to be perfect from the beginning around them, or else they will see you as a sheep in wolf’s clothing. That’s an example of a “smart” idea: a truncated and intentionally-reversed extended metaphor using the structure of a simile. You scoffed at things like this in school, but metaphors, similes, and other clever literary devices are a fundamental part of smart people conversation. Similes and metaphors are discussed in detail later in this book, so we won’t worry about them now.
Instead, what we’ll focus on now is the face you made after reading that sentence about the wolf and the sheep. You scrunched your nose tightly and rolled your eyes around in the hopes that your brain would explain why I was talking about animals. If you are smarter, but still stupid, you waited to make the face until I started talking about all that simile and metaphor stuff. This frowny-eye-rolling is a common face that stupid people make when presented with something that bores them or something they don’t understand. This book is about fixing stupid habits just like that face!
Most of the stupid habits you have are based on your stupid instincts. Right now, I want you to close your mouth, and breathe through your nose. TRUST ME, you won’t suffocate! Go ahead and try it. You see? Now you know you can trust me.
It’s not necessary to understand WHY I want you to do the things I want you to do. The important thing is that you DO them and practice them, over and over, for the rest of your life. Most of these things will be difficult. Breathing through your nose alone will take years for you to master. You currently breathe through your mouth because the “instinct” part of your brain is looking out for your survival. This is because the cognitive or “thinking” part of your brain isn’t capable of making good decisions. Stupid people like yourself are prone to doing things directly opposed to your own survival. For instance, I’m sure you’ve found yourself at one time or another in a single-person competition for stuffing the most miniature marshmallows into your nose to see how many will fit. Since this is literally smothering yourself for no reason, your brain makes you breathe out of your mouth, since it figures you’ll live longer that way.
Don’t worry! You will still be able to indulge all of your fun, stupid impulses. I’ll simply teach you how to save them for “private time”, or “stupid friend hang-out time.” when you’re around other people as stupid, or more stupid, than you are. This book is full of helpful, good habits like “stupid friend hang-out time”. However, every habit will take practice to master, so I want you to make a promise with me.
Go ahead and read this out loud: “I promise that I will follow the instructions in this book. I promise that I will practice every day, and that I won’t give up, no matter how frustrating it is for my stupid brain. Sincerely, me!”
There. You’ve just made a promise to both you and I. You said it out loud, so you have to stick to it. It’s too late to turn back now, which is wonderful, because you’re going to have a great new life! (if you think you and I are the same person, or opposite people from when this introduction began, you’re still reading out loud. Please stop reading out loud.)
To create a sense of familiarity, which will subconsciously compel you to finish the rest of the chapters through recognition, despite your short attention span, Just for fun, I’ll give you a brief overview of the topics we will cover in-depth during the rest of this guide.
The first half of this book is all about breaking down and hiding the stupid things you do:
Chapter 1 is what you’re reading right now.
In chapter 2, I will tell you tricks to keep your stupid life separate from your new smart life. This will be an ongoing process. You will learn to enjoy top 40 music and Michael Bay movies secretly while alone or with a few select stupid friends, instead of loudly and in front of everyone.
In chapter 3, I’ll teach you how to shut your mouth before it says the stupid thing you just thought. You’ll learn to use silence with making faces to pretend that you’re deep in thought.
The second half of this book is all about the tricks you can use to pretend you’re smart:
In chapter 4, we’ll reread the first half of the book, because you’ll have skipped ahead, thinking you didn’t need to learn those techniques and “do homework from a stupid book”.
In chapter 5, you get a makeover! As fun as it seems, this will actually be one of the hardest sections of the book, and one of the most important. You will learn to dress in a “nerd costume” for the rest of your life. Calm down! Stop wrinkling your face, stop chewing your lip, quit punching whatever you’re punching, and listen up. You know deep down that “nerds” are the very smartest of smart people. The benefit of looking like a nerd is that smart people will assume you are socially awkward instead of stupid and will therefore more readily ignore whenever you slip up and do stupid things.
In chapter 6, I’ll discuss using props to appear smart. We will discuss scavenging techniques for smart props, including making habits for success. You’ll learn how to search local coffee shops every morning for partially-completed crossword puzzles to spend the rest of the day pretending to fill out. Tips like this will give silent proof of your “smarts” when people might otherwise see through your smart costume.
In chapter 7, I’ll help you get into the habit of saying smart things and inventing opinions. It DOESN’T MATTER what your opinions are. The only important thing is to NEVER CHANGE YOUR MIND about your opinions. You’ll learn to be condescending about other people’s opinions. I’ll even teach you phrases to use if you get into hot water with someone such as “I suppose we’ll just have to agree to disagree!” You’ll also learn to memorize a single generic quote to use at parties and whenever you want to impress someone of the opposite sex.
The third half of this book is all about using your newfound techniques to SECURE your future:
In chapter 8, I’ll give you a lie detector test to be sure you’ve read every chapter thoroughly. If not, i’ll remind you that you made a promise to me, and make you go back and read what you skipped.
In chapter 9, I’ll teach you about material investments. It’s important to invest in “things” and “stuff” that will make you appear smart for the rest of your life: a modestly large house, a slightly above-average car, and many more material things. Your stupid thinking is right in assuming the more things you own, the better; but you have to own the RIGHT KINDS of things! Filling your house with the right long-term props is very important. You’ll learn about chess and backgammon boards. You’ll check prices on pianos and expensive-looking (but not extravagant!) artwork.
In chapter 10, you’ll hire an accountant and do EXACTLY what they tell you do with your money. I’ll tell you briefly what a saving account is and why it’s better not to run out and spend every paycheck immediately on liquor and clubbing. Even though you won’t understand right away why this is bad; when you see how savings and investments lead to MORE liquor, you’ll be happy you listened.
In chapter 11, you’ll invent a new category of people you can look down on for the rest of your life, like “Liberal Elites” or “Right Wing Fascists”. This is a prime time to hire a writer to write a book with your name on it! Tell everyone you wrote the book. This is key.
In our last chapter, chapter 12, you’ll make the most important investment in your future; tricking a beautiful INTELLIGENT person into loving and marrying you. This will be the most difficult thing you will EVER do and it will take all the resources you’ve built and all the techniques you’ve learned. You will master keeping your stupid life and your smart life separate by passing off your stupidity once and for all as something else. We will discuss faking Asperger’s Syndrome, Social Anxiety Disorder, and the like.
By the end of this book, you will be a new person; a person you’ve invented. You will be successful beyond belief, and you’ll have someone who loves you for the rest of your life.
Does this sound too good to be true? Well guess what? I’M A STUPID JUST LIKE YOU! Or at least, I used to be. But following my own system, I’ve made a wonderful, explosive new life as a SMART! I’m CEO of my own Fortune 500 company, I have a syndicated talk radio show, I’m married to a supermodel, I live in a mansion in Beverly Hills, and I have three somewhat intelligent children. I’m sure you don’t believe me, but it’s true. All the “smart” phrases I’ve used in this book were painfully constructed over several years using a dictionary, a smart writer friend, and the help of my brilliant wife. My system worked for me! IT WILL WORK FOR YOU!!!

“Para ser sincero, acho que nunca agradeci minha banda por todos esses anos de convivio, mas eles nunca fizeram por merecer.”

Jon Bon Jovi

Mix To Go Magazine Presents

DANCE AFTER DARK | The Mix Show

The theme: “At A Classic Pitch”

Dance After Dark

Mix by DJ FREEDOM

Live at 632 Studios in Brooklyn, New York City

Monday, November 23, 2009

(DOWNLOAD LINK AT BOTTOM OF SONG LIST)

SONG LIST:

(1) Razamatazz (Free*Mix) – Quincy Jones

(2) Portuguese Love (Free*Mix) – Phil Asher’s Miami Samba Vs DJ Freedom’s Tribal

(3) You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration (Quentin Harris Remix) – Teddy Pendergrass

(4) Make Sure Your Sure (Quentin Harris & Timmy Regisford Remix) – Stevie Wonder

(5) Baby I’m Scared of You (Free*Mix) – Womack & Womack

(6) Still In Love With You (Masters At Work Dub) – Melisa Morgan

(7) Forget Me Nots (DJ Freedom’s Back To Basics Mix) – Patrice Rushen

(8) Club Lonely (Original Vocal Mix) – Lil Louis

(9) Everybody Dance – Chic

(10) Encore (Freedom’s Classic Club Vocal Remix) – Cheryl Lynn

(11) In The AM (Quentin’s Remix Vs DJ Freedom’s Remix) – Mary J Blige…dedicated to cousin Ann Douglas!

(12) Horizons (Freedom’s Classic House Remix) – The Sylvers

(13) Nights Over Egypt (Freedom’s Nights Over Ibiza Remix) – The Jones Girls

(14) Super Constellation 2009 (Freedom’s Disco Pitch Remix) – Sousa & Mad

(15) Ecstasy (Freedom’s Classic Pitch Remix) – Barry White

(16) Ready 4 More – International Featuring Miss Lynsey

(17) The Night The Lights Went Out (The Black Science Orchestra Remix) – The Trammps

(18) Don’t Talk Just Dance _Free*Mix Project Featuring Jon B

(19) No One – Maxwell

(20) Bad Times (I Can’t Stand It) -Captain Rapp

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FIWPVCN4

Jordbaseret med Curt Cavin og Kevin Lee får JIGGY aften kl 7 Eastern på 1070 The Fan i Indianapolis og 1070thefan.com. Versus analytiker Jon Beekhuis vil være på showet. Indsend dine spørgsmål om wing vinkler og rack-and-pinion styresystem!

Curt vil blive forankring fra Indianapolis og Kevin vil deltage i for en del af showet fra Homestead-Miami Speedway for IndyCar sæsonfinale.

Der er masser af rygter om adresse – indsætte mange minutters Danica taler her – og mesterskabet vil blive besluttet på lørdag aften. E-maile dine spørgsmål til kevin@1070thefan.com.

He texted me later in the afternoon yesterday. Then we chatted online for a while. Looks like we’re getting slightly (very slightly) serious. I sure like Jon a lot but I shouldn’t have said “I like you a lot.” It’s just enough to say “I like you.”  One common mistake that an innocent Japanese gay boy who just started to live in America is that he uses “love” or “like” too easily. You should never ever say “I love you.” unless there is hidden consensus between you and your boyfriend that it’s time to say it. “Love” is not a stronger form of “like”. It is associated with a heavy commitment and responsibility. And you should treat the word as such.

Anyway, we’ll go to Bowood Farm this weekend for exhibition. I’m not sure how long it will last, so I’m not sure if I should buy movie tickets starting at 4. Or is there anything else we should do?  He said I could kidnap him, but I’m not sure if he wants to spend time from 2 all the way through to midnight. I feel like I should wrap the date up around 8 and go home. I’d like to spend time with him, but he may not.

There is a number of events at Columbia Bottoms next week. I want to take him out for these. I feel good about these events because Columbia Bottoms is something I took Michael to. Not the other way around. All these Sen Thai, Bowood, Bissinger’s and such, they are introduced to me by Michael. I need to show that I’m fine without his help. I mean, the places I know is combination of what I find and what not. Chocolate Bar, that’s Peter Cabrella thing. Peter (Jake) took me to Pho Grand, and Taste of Clayton and Moolah, these are Ryan Davis’ stuff. I don’t know what I’m saying and I should probably shut up.

Alex (11/23/2009 21:09:29): meeeeeeeow >’-'<
Jon (11/23/2009 21:15:18): hey you
Jon (11/23/2009 21:15:19): how goes it
Alex (11/23/2009 21:15:30): not bad. you?
Jon (11/23/2009 21:18:39): oh, pretty good
Jon (11/23/2009 21:18:40): and you?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:19:21): not bad. you?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:19:36): (are we supposed to repeat this for infinite times?)
Jon (11/23/2009 21:23:33): haha
Jon (11/23/2009 21:23:33): yes
Jon (11/23/2009 21:23:35): b/c its fun
Alex (11/23/2009 21:24:09): okay…. how goes it?
Jon (11/23/2009 21:24:40): my ass is sory
Jon (11/23/2009 21:24:42): *sore
Alex (11/23/2009 21:25:07): oh please. i don’t even wanna know why.
Jon (11/23/2009 21:26:49): the gym
Jon (11/23/2009 21:26:52): lower body work out
Jon (11/23/2009 21:26:56): soooo many squats
Jon (11/23/2009 21:33:17): are we still on for this weekend?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:34:54): i thought you were riding on someone.
Alex (11/23/2009 21:35:10): sure if you’re still up for it, it’s this saturday.
Jon (11/23/2009 21:40:25): what
Jon (11/23/2009 21:40:27): no, haha
Jon (11/23/2009 21:40:32): silly boy
Jon (11/23/2009 21:40:37): yea, its a garden show right?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:41:40): yes sir. we’ll learn how to garnish and lighten up your garden during the dead-cold winter period.
Jon (11/23/2009 21:42:39): hahaha, wish i had one
Jon (11/23/2009 21:42:41): i will someday
Alex (11/23/2009 21:43:12): it’s for containers, so i think you can do this indoors. we’ll see.
Jon (11/23/2009 21:43:26): hooooray, i love containers
Alex (11/23/2009 21:43:34): i hate mine :/
Jon (11/23/2009 21:44:28): you don’t like yours?
Jon (11/23/2009 21:44:29): wh not?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:46:29): my friend and i planted mizuna leaves at the same time. she planted them outside and they grow up really large and soft. I sowed them in my containers and they’re still tiny and hard :[
Jon (11/23/2009 21:51:01): oh noes
Jon (11/23/2009 21:51:04): i is sorry kiddo
Alex (11/23/2009 21:54:32): it's okay =(
Jon (11/23/2009 21:55:11): what me to pat your head?
Alex (11/23/2009 21:55:27): that'll help :]
Jon (11/23/2009 21:57:23): come on over
Jon (11/23/2009 21:57:23):
Jon (11/23/2009 21:57:24): lol
Jon (11/23/2009 21:57:25): jk
Alex (11/23/2009 21:59:59): =P
Alex (11/23/2009 22:02:22): anygay, i’ll see you at around 1:30 on saturday?
Jon (11/23/2009 22:02:29): haha
Jon (11/23/2009 22:02:31): anygay
Alex (11/23/2009 22:02:49): =P
Alex (11/23/2009 22:04:13): and do you have anything else to do on saturday?
Jon (11/23/2009 22:04:52): i dont think so
Jon (11/23/2009 22:04:58): in fact, no i don’t lol
Alex (11/23/2009 22:05:09): so can i just kidnap you for that day?
Jon (11/23/2009 22:05:25): sure, if you want
Alex (11/23/2009 22:05:56): yay! i’ll get my rope and eye patches ready.
Jon (11/23/2009 22:06:12): eye patches?
Alex (11/23/2009 22:06:19): to blindfold you
Alex (11/23/2009 22:06:33): hello? haven’t you been kidnapped before?
Jon (11/23/2009 22:07:44): ahhhh
Jon (11/23/2009 22:07:45): i see
Jon (11/23/2009 22:11:59): nope
Jon (11/23/2009 22:12:00): never
Jon (11/23/2009 22:12:03): this will be a first
Alex (11/23/2009 22:12:15): i’ll be gentle
Jon (11/23/2009 22:13:15): did i say i wanted that
Jon (11/23/2009 22:13:17):
Alex (11/23/2009 22:13:33): or i can be rough upon request hehe
Jon (11/23/2009 22:16:06): haha
Jon (11/23/2009 22:16:08): do what you want
Alex (11/23/2009 22:17:57): be careful what you wish for. you just might get it.
Jon (11/23/2009 22:23:22): how about just you?
Alex (11/23/2009 22:24:19): awww
Alex (11/23/2009 22:25:12): *smooch*
Jon (11/23/2009 22:25:58): yes, i’m sappy
Jon (11/23/2009 22:25:59): i know
Alex (11/23/2009 22:26:31): lol. but you’re sweet
Alex (11/23/2009 22:26:37): (in the absense of jon b)
Jon (11/23/2009 22:28:32): gasp
Jon (11/23/2009 22:28:35): i thought you liked jon b
Alex (11/23/2009 22:30:25): i do. but compared to this lovable little jon a, jon b is nothing
Jon (11/23/2009 22:32:32): aww
Jon (11/23/2009 22:32:35): you hurt his feelings
Jon (11/23/2009 22:32:36):
Alex (11/23/2009 22:36:51): awww i said “comperatively”. jon b is still hotter than most of other guys except ted allen.
Jon (11/23/2009 22:38:35):
Alex (11/23/2009 22:39:07): why frownie?
Jon (11/23/2009 22:39:13): you dont like me
Jon (11/23/2009 22:39:15):
Alex (11/23/2009 22:39:27): i like you a lot.
Jon (11/23/2009 22:42:02): awww
Jon (11/23/2009 22:42:03):
Jon (11/23/2009 22:49:56): youre sweet
Alex (11/23/2009 22:51:05): jon a is sweeter. jon b is somewhere in between… or may be located in a completely different dimension.
Jon (11/23/2009 22:51:16): haha
Jon (11/23/2009 22:51:19): differnt dimention
Alex (11/23/2009 22:51:39): drat!
Jon (11/23/2009 22:52:36): why drat?
Alex (11/23/2009 22:54:05): oh wait, no. I thought I mispelled “dimension” and you corrected me by typing “dimention”.
Alex (11/23/2009 22:54:27): and i said drat!
Jon (11/23/2009 22:54:33): tisk tisk
Alex (11/23/2009 22:54:48): but i looked it up and it’s actually spelled “dimension”.
Alex (11/23/2009 22:55:25): don’t confuse me more than i already am!
Jon (11/23/2009 22:59:42): i’m sorry
Jon (11/23/2009 22:59:44): my bad
Jon (11/23/2009 22:59:46): i’ll be mean
Alex (11/23/2009 23:00:37): you will be?
Jon (11/23/2009 23:01:42): if you want
Alex (11/23/2009 23:05:13): from time to time. so that i get reasons to pinch your nose.
Alex (11/23/2009 23:05:36): all righty, it’s a beddy time!
Alex (11/23/2009 23:06:08): i hope you get your luandry done. i’ll think about how i kidnap you this weekend =)
Alex (11/23/2009 23:06:20): sleep tight jon. *kisses*
Jon (11/23/2009 23:12:26): night night
Jon (11/23/2009 23:12:30): sweet dreams

We know we’ve been slacking here at Travelverse with not many updates in the month of November, but we are making up for it, we promise!  Jon has been hard at work at a 7-part series about his travels in Vietnam that include reptilian delicacies, soliciting hookers (actually hookers trying to solicit him) and overcoming the H1N1 flu virus (he’s all better now).  Keep checking back as his first blog will be published in the next 24 hours, but until then, enjoy this sneak peek of Jon and his friend scootering through the crowded streets of Ho Chi Minh City…

What a joke! Hey, we’re getting a divorce but let me bring you a dozen red roses to the arbitration hearing. Are you kidding me?  My girl Kate walked out of the court-house empty-handed, smart girl! Why would she accept a gift of anything from him? He destroyed their marriage and his image. It’s sad when you’re voted America’s Worst Dad like he was.

Oh and his on again off again girlfriend Hailey Glassman, well let’s just say she is off again, according to her tweet on Thursday: “I’ve been dating someone like Dexter – lol – it’s the most frustrating thing I’m going to write a book..lol. Welcome to my nightmare.” Glassman later tweeted: “I literally am almost done with my reading “How to deal with a Compulsive Liar. LOL no joke though! That’s the sad thing.”

So the big question should be: Who will Jon date next?

Wow. Just … wow.

Warning: swearing inside.

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1892014

Posted by Audiegrl

AP/Christopher Bodeen—Washington’s ambassador to Beijing hit out Friday at negative U.S. media coverage of President Barack Obama’s visit to China, saying it failed to take into account important progress on many issues.

Although producing no breakthroughs on key issues, Obama’s first state visit to the Asian giant that ended Wednesday was heralded by both sides as a success.

The trip was the top news story in China, drawing strong interest from the Chinese public who, surveys suggest, are largely positive in their view of the American president.

However, much of the U.S. media coverage was strongly negative, accusing Obama of failing to gain concessions on key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and climate change, as well as being weak on human rights.

Ambassador Jon Huntsman said the reports missed the fact that the visit had yielded important progress on cooperation in areas such as clean energy, military-to-military exchanges and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

“I attended all those meetings that President Obama had with Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao,” Huntsman said, referring to the Chinese president and premier.

“I’ve got to say some of the reporting I saw afterward was off the mark. I saw sweeping comments about things that apparently weren’t talked about, when they were discussed in great detail in the meetings,” he said.

Huntsman made the comments during a question-and-answer session with Chinese and American students attending an international relations program at elite Peking University.

He said criticism about limited Chinese exposure for Obama’s remarks at a town hall-style meeting with students in Shanghai failed to consider the ubiquity of the Internet and blogging in China, where 350 million people use the Web.

“Go check some time and see how messages bounce around from Web site to Web site and blogger to blogger for a very long period of time and you’ll get a sense of what the communication revolution is all about,” Huntsman said.

More @

Blaise’s heart was racing, she didn’t know what this meant, why she felt this way, but she didn’t want to think about it right now, she wanted to cry. I need… I need… Someone. I need someone. Who do I need? Who do I want.. Blaise shook her head to stop herself from going where she didn’t want it to. Who will help.

Blaise’s mind sorted through the possibilities, she knew Wyatt or Jon would help, but she didn’t want to got to them for this. They’ll just love to hear that Alex has upset me. Worse, even made me cry. UGH. Blaise couldn’t think, her mind was muddled with so many things, she couldn’t just focus on one. Her emotions overwhelmed her and she was in a panic. She walked into the first door she found. It was lunch, all the rooms should be empty.

Breath in… Breath out… Calm down, Blaise. Just make it through the day. Don’t cry over a stupid boy. You’ll be fine. Blaise closed her eyes and took deep breaths as she tried to calm herself. Put on a happy face and make it through the day. It’s going to be OK. It always is, remember?

Blaise talked herself down and went late into lunch. She sat a table of girls and just listened to whatever gossip they felt the need to tell her, because they always did. Alex broke up with his girlfriend, what would he do now? Matt got in a fight, they all feel sorry for the poor idiot who made him mad. Blahblahblah… At least there’s something to distract me.

Blaise made it through the rest of the day and she thought she had a pretty good mask on. No one had noticed that anything was wrong yet. Then Blaise passed Wyatt in the hallway. At first glance, he didn’t notice anything, but then he looked again. He stopped her.

“Blaise, you okay?” He looked her right in the eyes as he waited for her reply.

“I’m fine. Always am.” Blaise didn’t look away, but her tone was off.

“You’re lying. Don’t lie.“

Blaise sighed and repeated, “I’m fine. Really.“

“I’ll drop it for now, but you’re telling me later.” Wyatt had a determined tone and Blaise knew she would have to tell him, “Fine…“

Wyatt smiled and gave her a quick hug. “I’ll call you later.“

*-*-*

Jon and Blaise drove home without Wyatt today. Before they left, Jon pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Blaise rolled her eyes, “Oh my gosh.“

Jon looked at her, “What?“

Blaise scoffed, “Nothing.“

“Blaise, come on. It’s no big deal.“

Blaise disagreed, “It’s disgusting and unhealthy and Dad will kick your butt out of the house faster than you can say, ‘I quit’ and I’m sorry, but that’s not ‘no big deal’ to me.“

“You are overreacting.” Jon said as he shook his head in annoyance.

“I am not, but if you want to be a little girl about it, fine. Go ahead. Smoke and kill us both.” Blaise said in finality. She wasn’t planning on speaking for the rest of the ride and Jon knew it so the conversation died there.

When they got home, Jon waited until Blaise got out of the car, then drove away.

Blaise called him,

“Where are you going?“

“Out.“

“Out where?“

“Out.“

“When are you coming back?“

“I don’t know.”

“Whatever.“

Blaise hung up. She was fed up with Jon and his crap for today. She went inside and finished her homework. With nothing else to do, she blasted one of her playlists and cleaned her room. Jon came home and went straight into the shower. Mom came home just a couple minutes after.

“Where’s Jon?” She called up the stairs.

“In the shower!” Blaise called down, not willing to go downstairs and provide an opportunity to fight. Blaise heard the door open and close again, What is she doing.. Mom, please don’t do something stupid.

Blaise heard her mom come back in, and she didn’t sound happy. Jon was out of the shower in the next couple minutes. Jon and Blaise both heard their mother clearly as she called, “Why does Jon’s car smell like smoke?”

Blaise sat still, not knowing what to do. Jon called down, “What?“

“Your car smells like smoke. Why?” Their mom was standing at the bottom of the stairs with her hands on her hips, expectantly waiting a reply.

“I don’t know, Mom.” Jon said calmly.

“Do you smoke?” She asked.

“No.” Jon said plainly.

“Does Blaise smoke?”

“No.”

“Then why does your car smell like smoke? Huh? Explain.”

“I don’t know, but neither of us smoke.“

“That doesn’t make sense! Why do you have lighters??”

“I don’t know! Just because, Mom! Chill out!” Both Jon and Mom were starting to raise their voices. Mom shook her head and paced back and forth at the bottom of the stairs.

“If I find out you guys are lying…” She didn’t finish her sentence and walked off.

Jon went back into his room.

*-*-*

Jon knocked on Blaise’s door. “Hey, I’ve gotta pick up Dad from the airport at midnight, you wanna come?“

“Uhh.. sure.” Blaise called.

Mom came out of her room before Jon could go back in his, “Are you going somewhere?”

“Not now.“

“Where are you going? Why didn’t you ask me?” Mom’s voice was starting raise.

“Because I’m picking up Dad from the airport, I didn’t think it’d be that big of a deal.“

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Because I didn’t think it was important! Why does it matter if I’m picking up Dad?“

“You are not picking him up! You can’t drive past 12!”

“Then I’ll get there before 12 and Dad can drive back.”

“No. You are not picking him up.”

“Why not!?“

“Because I said so! He can take a taxi home!”

This is ridiculous. Blaise got up and opened her door, “Mom. Calm down.“

“He is not going to pick him up!”

“MOM! Just calm down, OK?” Blaise’s anger was escalating.

“You aren’t going either! You are both staying here!”

“What?!” Jon and Blaise chorused.

“If you go to pick him up, I will take away your cars!”

Jon and Blaise were quiet at that. They both slammed their doors and locked them. They went out on the balcony.

“What are you gonna do?“

“Nothing. She’ll take away our cars. We can’t do anything.“

“Better tell Dad, he’s gonna be pissed.“

“Yep. I already texted him.“

“I don’t understand her. Why does she have to be so difficult about something that stupid?“

“It’s Mom, Blaise.“

“Like that’s a reason?! She’s way out of line. He’s our parent too. It’s not just her.“

“Think she cares?“

“No, but whatever. She’s being ridiculous.“

“She’s being herself.“

“That’s not an excuse.”

“I know, but we can’t do anything.“

“You know if we don’t, it’s gonna cause crap with Dad, right?“

“I know.“

“Are you willing to deal with that?“

“We have to. We need our cars.“

“This is so dumb. I’m going to bed.“

“Night, Blaise.“

“Night.“

Blaise heard her phone beep when she was back in her room. She checked it and she had a missed call from Wyatt. Crap. She wanted to call him back, but she knew the conversation wouldn’t go well from the mood she was in. He’ll understand. I’ll explain tomorrow. With that, Blaise laid on her bed and waited past midnight for her dad to come home. It was 1:30 when she started to fall asleep and he still wasn’t home.. Tomorrow is going to suck.

I can’t help but laugh when I see these pictures. They’re just so absurd. Excuse my dust and unedited pictures but I just wanted something to laugh at. I need more wigs. I think this was probably around February 2008 or so.

Jon Gosselin sues TLC for 5 million… you go get it Jon… Kate & TLC have screwed with you for way to long… You deserve better!

So this week has been kinda interesting. I haven’t had a chance to really watch too much Reality TV, but I did see some snip it’s from Jon & Kate. I thought they were done, but this week coming up is the last show. I saw the after show of  The Real Housewives of Orange County, and laughed so hard at Vickie. Yes miss high and mighty insurance woman who is the most critical of them all and a b—-, raises her glass to toast getting some trivia the after party host Andy was doing and there it was bigger than life……”ARMPIT SWEAT”, a great big wet stain on her smokey grey dress. The camera couldnt get off that shot fast enough and I laughed so hard. The high priestess is human after all. (Housewives is a BRAVO TV show)

The Cake Boss is a good show. I think it’s amazing what he does with these cakes. I used to be a baker and a cake decorator and it’s not easy. He makes it look effortless. The Robot Cake, the Roulette Table Cake. I have a dream to travel to New Jersey and get Buddy’s autograph and a cake. I wonder if I could have my daughter’s sweet 16 cake mailed to me. HMMMMMMM, that’s cake for thought.(TLC)

Home on Holmes has to be my new favorite homeowner fix it up show. I believe it’s based in Canada and this man is amazing! He goes in after reading letter’s form homeowner’s who have been screwed over by builder’s or contractor’s that haven’t finished the job or did the job wrong and he corrects it all. The things he does are amazing. He is correcting mistakes that others made and the outcomes are breath-taking. (TLC)

I plan to try to watch OCC next week, hopefully I can remember to tape it. Someone also suggested I watch the Amazing Race, that show doesn’t do much for me, and I’m not a Survivor watcher. Sorry folks.

I haven’t heard from Jon for a while. Tony’s guess is he’s fucking someone in Philadelphia. That may well be the case. So I guess I should be fucking someone as well.

I played tennis this afternoon. My sick period is now officially over.

Why do I exhibit such a low resilience to guy things. If Jon is sleeping with someone, so be it. Why do I think if it’s not love at first sight, it’s not gonna work. It doesn’t work even when it worked first. It does work even when it didn’t work first. I just need to sit back and be myself….

Ryan texted me that he baked cheesecake for me. Doesn’t he understand how burdensome that is to me?  I thought Tony told him to back off, but obviously, he doesn’t understand it.

I like Jon for sure.

“Meu sucesso até hoje prova com todas as letras que o grunge era passageiro, mas o verdadeiro rock ‘n’ roll é eterno.”

Jon Bon Jovi

Brad contacted me again on a4a. We sent a number of emails each other and then he just stopped. Just like him. I wouldn’t worry about him.

I haven’t heard from Jon today. He must be having a good time in Philadelphia with his buddies.

If, and this is a big if, I have to choose Jon or Brad, I guess I’ll choose to be with Jon.

One thing that I regret the most is that for all this year and a half I spent with Michael, I could have been with Brad, and then break up with him and get ready for Jon. I don’t know.

Does age matter anymore? Brad is 36 and hot, but he’ll get old soon, Josh that I topped is 26, and he still wants me to fuck him, Jon is 25 and he’s sweet, Ryan is 23 and he’s clingy. Michael is 30 and should be dead because he acts like 80.

I went to Crate & Barrel this afternoon, to find a Christmas present for Ryan, but I think I was looking something for Jon. He likes to bake… what should I get for him?

I think if I see Brad again, I won’t miss him again. His picture is way better than he himself. So I need to see him again once and for the last time.

I miss Jon. But I don’t know if he’s capable of handling a long term relationship. For that matter, I’m not sure if I am capable of it either. The longest I had was Michael and I was so passionate at the beginning, and I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him.

I’m still having a little headache and I kept eating. I should be skinny as fuck when Jon comes back in town. Until then, getting better is of utmost importance and urgency.

“Tá vendo isso aqui? Tudo esculpido com exercicio e alimentação balanceada. Drogas BLAH!”

Jon Bon Jovi (nú)

All this recent stuff with the “Deadly Viper” controversy (see Soong-Chan Rah’s blog http://www.profrah.com) has made me think about this term that was used in the dorms of my Bible college life (78-81). Anytime a person played a practical joke (like dosing water all over you) it was called a “Jap”. Now I must have been awfully dense, because, though I know “Jap” is a derogatory racist term, I thought it was a term here in Bible School that originated from some other slang (I was young, naive). It wasn’t until much later that I was told it was a term originating from WWII in which the “Japs” would surprise attack from behind. That piece of news broke my heart. I knew the school was by no means progressive in dealing with cross-cultural sensitivities, but I didn’t believe this. With all I took away from Bible college in strengthening my faith, this was a big bruise.

But I want to end this blog with something very positive out of this. When I joined Facebook this past year, I got reconnected with old college dorm friends whom I haven’t seen in over 25 years. One of them, good ol’ Tim McClure, touched my heart. As we were reconnecting, he asked about the term “Jap” and how I felt about it. He was sorry and apologetic. He shared that a few years back, he went back to the school and talked to some of the students in the dorm floor we were on. He asked if the term was still used, wanting to change it if it was. It wasn’t.

I appreciate him taking steps.

Much love, Tim, even through these many years, thanks for making peace.

Jon