For the past week, I've noticed any pictures I post to this site haven't been appearing; all you see is a small black box where the pic should be. If you click on the box, the pic appears. Last night I switched to using Internet Explorer (normally I use Firefox as my browser) and the pictures were there. Weird!? This has also happened on some other Blogger sites, sometimes a few pics are there and others missing, with the black box instead, but only in Firefox. All other sites I've gone to seem fine, with pics, even videos working right.
Why this is happening I'm not sure--I do see where Blogger has just made it possible to post pics to your blog directly by clicking on the "add image" icon on the posting page, instead of having to use 'Hello' to post pics. Perhaps this change has caused Firefox to not recognize the pics, but I really don't have an answer as to why this is happening.
Is anyone else experiencing a similiar problem, or is it just me? I didn't do anything to my blog other than add a couple of links in the sidebar, so I'm baffled as to why this is occurring.
Please leave a comment if you've had a similiar problem as I am trying to find the answer to this mystery. Or maybe its just me...it wouldn't be the first time I was the odd one in the crowd. :)
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005
Odd...very odd
I've noticed that any pictures I post here aren't showing up on the blog...at least not on my computer. My profile picture is gone as well. Please leave a comment if you're seeing the photos/pics on here 'cause I don't know if they're showing up at all or if there's just something wrong on my computer. Pictures on other sites are OK, except on some other blogger sites/pages.
It's strange...I'm trying to figure out why the pics aren't appearing.
It's strange...I'm trying to figure out why the pics aren't appearing.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Free Zack Campaign Update
Tenn. launches probe of ex-gay camp
Teen's blog leads to outcry, charges of abuse at unlicensed facility
This is a recent headline from the New York Blade Online concerning the story of Zach, the boy whose parents sent to a Christian camp to "cure" him of his homosexuality, after he came out to his parents. The entire story is at the Blade's site, click on the link above.
Teen's blog leads to outcry, charges of abuse at unlicensed facility
This is a recent headline from the New York Blade Online concerning the story of Zach, the boy whose parents sent to a Christian camp to "cure" him of his homosexuality, after he came out to his parents. The entire story is at the Blade's site, click on the link above.
I'm Outta Here!.......In 3 Days!
That's right...I'm outta this one-horse town of Albany and going to THE city--New York City!
Well, its only for one day-Sunday the 26th-but its the first time I've been out of Albany in over 20 years, believe it or not! I'm going down to New York for the Gay Pride Parade and Festival this week. Last time I was in New York was w-a-a-a-y back in 1983 and that was for a convention of the National Libertarian Party to choose their 1984 Presidential candidate (David Bergland). Oh, by the way, we didn't win that election, in case you were wondering..ha ha!
I recently attended a number of local Gay Pride events here including the parade and festival on Sunday June 12th. Heard that about 5,000 people attended the festival although it didn't seem like that many to me, but it was quite a large crowd. I also went to a concert by a group called Girlyman, a folk/pop trio...they were really good and kinda funny too. Even bought their 2 CD's at the concert...figured I would try to expand my musical tastes a little and listen to something other than what I usually do.
Also went to a talk by Jeffrey McGowan who wrote a book titled "Major Conflict" about his life and experiences in the Army as a gay man. He served 10 years in the military and rose to rank of Major, served in the first Gulf War, but eventually found that he couldn't reconcile being gay with his life in the army, keeping his true self hidden. So he resigned from the army in 1998. He is also one-half of the first same-sex couple to be married on the East Coast. He and his partner, Billiam van Roestenberg, were married in New Paltz, NY in February 2004. I bought his book , which he signed, and have just started reading it.
I guess the last couple weeks I've been in "gay mode" with all these activities but I am trying to make an effort to at least get out more which is something, I suppose. Did I meet anyone at any of these events...well no, in fact, I didn't even talk to anyone. Really lame, huh? As I've said here before, I'm socially inept and totally at a loss as to how to talk to people unless I already know them. That's the result of spending your entire life keeping to yourself and not having to interact with anyone.
I did "come out" to someone who had NO idea I was gay. I was chatting online with a guy who attends school at the campus where I work, in fact he worked in the same place as I do for a brief time last semester. He's from India, here studying computers/programming and worked with me before he got a better job doing student teaching at the school. Anyway, somehow the subject of porn came up and he asked if I had any. I said, "yes I have a little", and he asked if he could borrow it sometime. Now he has a girlfriend, whom I've met (she goes to school here too) so I told him I didn't think he would be interested in the porn I had. When he asked why, I told him it was gay porn...he was a bit confused by that and asked why I had that. He hasn't ever had any contact with gay people and didn't know anyone gay. Anyway, I told him I was gay and he was surprised, to say the least. But we talked a while and have talked since then and I've tried to enlighten him about the whole gay thing. He had some misconceptions, but I think he's starting to understand more. He asked me why I "chose" to be gay so I had to explain to him that it wasn't a choice, but just how you're born. He's a pretty cool guy so perhaps in telling him , its another small step in educating others about what it means to be gay.
Well, I hadn't planned on posting this much, but once I got going more stuff just kept coming to mind. Hope I haven't bored anyone too much, if anyone is reading this. If I could learn to talk to people in person as easily as I can on this blog, perhaps I would be more sucessful in meeting someone. Maybe I should just hand out cards with my website address on them next time I'm at a social event, then people could learn about my scary life without me having to say much. Hmmmm...just a thought :)
Well, its only for one day-Sunday the 26th-but its the first time I've been out of Albany in over 20 years, believe it or not! I'm going down to New York for the Gay Pride Parade and Festival this week. Last time I was in New York was w-a-a-a-y back in 1983 and that was for a convention of the National Libertarian Party to choose their 1984 Presidential candidate (David Bergland). Oh, by the way, we didn't win that election, in case you were wondering..ha ha!
I recently attended a number of local Gay Pride events here including the parade and festival on Sunday June 12th. Heard that about 5,000 people attended the festival although it didn't seem like that many to me, but it was quite a large crowd. I also went to a concert by a group called Girlyman, a folk/pop trio...they were really good and kinda funny too. Even bought their 2 CD's at the concert...figured I would try to expand my musical tastes a little and listen to something other than what I usually do.
Also went to a talk by Jeffrey McGowan who wrote a book titled "Major Conflict" about his life and experiences in the Army as a gay man. He served 10 years in the military and rose to rank of Major, served in the first Gulf War, but eventually found that he couldn't reconcile being gay with his life in the army, keeping his true self hidden. So he resigned from the army in 1998. He is also one-half of the first same-sex couple to be married on the East Coast. He and his partner, Billiam van Roestenberg, were married in New Paltz, NY in February 2004. I bought his book , which he signed, and have just started reading it.
I guess the last couple weeks I've been in "gay mode" with all these activities but I am trying to make an effort to at least get out more which is something, I suppose. Did I meet anyone at any of these events...well no, in fact, I didn't even talk to anyone. Really lame, huh? As I've said here before, I'm socially inept and totally at a loss as to how to talk to people unless I already know them. That's the result of spending your entire life keeping to yourself and not having to interact with anyone.
I did "come out" to someone who had NO idea I was gay. I was chatting online with a guy who attends school at the campus where I work, in fact he worked in the same place as I do for a brief time last semester. He's from India, here studying computers/programming and worked with me before he got a better job doing student teaching at the school. Anyway, somehow the subject of porn came up and he asked if I had any. I said, "yes I have a little", and he asked if he could borrow it sometime. Now he has a girlfriend, whom I've met (she goes to school here too) so I told him I didn't think he would be interested in the porn I had. When he asked why, I told him it was gay porn...he was a bit confused by that and asked why I had that. He hasn't ever had any contact with gay people and didn't know anyone gay. Anyway, I told him I was gay and he was surprised, to say the least. But we talked a while and have talked since then and I've tried to enlighten him about the whole gay thing. He had some misconceptions, but I think he's starting to understand more. He asked me why I "chose" to be gay so I had to explain to him that it wasn't a choice, but just how you're born. He's a pretty cool guy so perhaps in telling him , its another small step in educating others about what it means to be gay.
Well, I hadn't planned on posting this much, but once I got going more stuff just kept coming to mind. Hope I haven't bored anyone too much, if anyone is reading this. If I could learn to talk to people in person as easily as I can on this blog, perhaps I would be more sucessful in meeting someone. Maybe I should just hand out cards with my website address on them next time I'm at a social event, then people could learn about my scary life without me having to say much. Hmmmm...just a thought :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
20 Questions Game
The previous post was a test of 20 questions; here's a site based on the "20 Questions" game. That's the game where you think of something (anything at all) and others have to try to guess what it is you're thinking of. Usually you start out asking if its "animal, vegetable, or mineral".
The twist here is that a computer will attempt to guess what you're thinking of...the computer uses a type of programming known as a "neural net" which is similiar to the way the human brain functions. The computer remembers previous answers and builds up a knowledge base to allow it to be more accurate as it "learns" more, much the same way a person would learn.
It's a lot of fun but the computer is very hard to fool--it guesses what you're thinking most of the time. Give it a try!
Enough web-surfing for me, I've got to get some sleep, so Good Night, everyone!
The twist here is that a computer will attempt to guess what you're thinking of...the computer uses a type of programming known as a "neural net" which is similiar to the way the human brain functions. The computer remembers previous answers and builds up a knowledge base to allow it to be more accurate as it "learns" more, much the same way a person would learn.
It's a lot of fun but the computer is very hard to fool--it guesses what you're thinking most of the time. Give it a try!
Enough web-surfing for me, I've got to get some sleep, so Good Night, everyone!
Perception Test
Here's an interesting little test I came across that tests your science knowledge and visual perception. Even if you don't like science or taking tests, give it a try--its only 20 questions long and actually kind of fun. I got 8 out of 20 right when I first took it. Of course the second time I got all 20 correct.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Helpful Blogging Tips & Misc. Thoughts
Came across this useful information on blogging while web surfing and thought it might be of interest to other bloggers.
Been wasting time here all day on the computer because its been raining on and off and I couldn't think of anywhere to go anyway.
Saw "Batman Begins" last night--it's a great film, better than the other Batman pictures, at least in my opinion. I was never a huge Batman fan but the movie captures the dark nature of the original Batman as portrayed in the early comic book version of the "Dark Knight". I always preferred Superman or Superboy comics as a kid...guess I was hoping he would swoop down from the sky, pick me up and carry me away to his "Fortress of Solitude". Or in the case of Superboy, we could have gone to the barn on Ma & Pa Kent's Kansas farm where Superboy/Clark Kent was raised. Being a sexually naive boy, ( hey-we didn't have cable TV or the internet waaay back then) I wasn't sure what would happen after we got there, but I'm certain I would have gone willingly.
Writing that reminded me of this other item from the past. My oldest brother was a fan of Western or "Cowboy and Indian" movies (as we called them) and since we had just the one old B/W TV set I saw a lot of them too. In this one movie (don't recall the name) some Indians raided a town or wagon train and captured some of the white women. I remember the one scene in which this muscular Indian brave wearing nothing but a loincloth came charging up on his horse, reached down and grabbed this woman, then rode off to his village. Of course, the woman was kicking and screaming to be let go, but I remember thinking at the time "why is she making such a fuss?" I wouldn't have put up such a fight...I think I was about 11 or 12 at the time and really didn't know why but I knew I would have gladly gone with this good-looking Brave back to his village. Again I wasn't sure what would have happened after we got there, but I just knew there was something about him that I liked.
Of course I never told anyone that then or for that matter, until just now, but I can still see that image in my head.
So, Superman if you read this, I'm still available if you're interested...dump that bitch Lois Lane...she was always mean to Clark Kent anyway!
Stay tuned...next time maybe I'll tell about my G.I. Joe doll I had.
He was 11 inches.......
in height...what did you think I meant?
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Support Zach
I came across this blog on MySpace.com from a 16-year old boy named Zack in Tennessee. He recently came out to his parents and they shipped him off to a "Christian Camp" to have him "cured" of his gayness...this to me is absolutely outrageous! Many people have offered their support to him--he's gotten over 700 comments--but I think anyone who reads this should also go there to show their support for Zach.
Zach posted the rules for this so-called "camp" on his site and they sound very much like the typical brainwashing techniques used by religious cults or those used on prisoners-of-war. Do these idiots really think they can brainwash someone into being heterosexual--yeah, I guess they do. But all they'll succeed in doing is severe emotional damage to this poor kid. Hopefully, though he will be strong enough to resist their attempts to "cure" him.
Now I am an atheist and definitely no fan of religion but this kind of religious fanaticism is just plain insane as far as I am concerned. This IS the 21st century, not the Dark Ages! What's next--should we return to burning people at the stake because they don't conform to someone's particular beliefs?
I know many people truly believe in God and their religion, whatever that might be, and I respect that and don't try to impose my atheism on them. I'm not trying to offend anyone but it makes my blood boil when I hear of such nonsense being touted in the name of religion.
All Zach's parents will succeed in doing is losing their son because if they refuse to accept him for who is, when he's old enough to leave home, they may never hear from him again. How anyone can treat their children this way is a mystery to me.
Anyway. please show your support for Zach, we need to be there for each other. Janus Online has more info. posted about this camp. The Queer Action Coalition in Memphis is planning a protest today at the camp (called Love In Action) and more info. is available at their site.
Zach posted the rules for this so-called "camp" on his site and they sound very much like the typical brainwashing techniques used by religious cults or those used on prisoners-of-war. Do these idiots really think they can brainwash someone into being heterosexual--yeah, I guess they do. But all they'll succeed in doing is severe emotional damage to this poor kid. Hopefully, though he will be strong enough to resist their attempts to "cure" him.
Now I am an atheist and definitely no fan of religion but this kind of religious fanaticism is just plain insane as far as I am concerned. This IS the 21st century, not the Dark Ages! What's next--should we return to burning people at the stake because they don't conform to someone's particular beliefs?
I know many people truly believe in God and their religion, whatever that might be, and I respect that and don't try to impose my atheism on them. I'm not trying to offend anyone but it makes my blood boil when I hear of such nonsense being touted in the name of religion.
All Zach's parents will succeed in doing is losing their son because if they refuse to accept him for who is, when he's old enough to leave home, they may never hear from him again. How anyone can treat their children this way is a mystery to me.
Anyway. please show your support for Zach, we need to be there for each other. Janus Online has more info. posted about this camp. The Queer Action Coalition in Memphis is planning a protest today at the camp (called Love In Action) and more info. is available at their site.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Mysterious Photos
What could the pictures below mean? Has some alien life form landed here? Why are those plants glowing? What does the number 255 really mean?
Stay tuned for the answers to this mystery...
Stay tuned for the answers to this mystery...
Monday, June 13, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
Alien Invasion?!
Actually this is just a picture of a building known as "The Egg" which houses two theater/concert halls. Its part of a complex called The Empire State Plaza which is a group of state office buildings located in downtown Albany.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Views Of The Hudson River
I've been feeling very restless lately and have spent most of each day outside just wandering around. The weather's been great so it has been too nice to stay in. In my meanderings I've played around with the camera I bought recently and took some shots around Albany. Right now there's a thunderstorm brewing so I figured it be a good time to post something here.
The pictures below are some I took of the Hudson River which flows east of Albany to New York City where it meets the ocean. The Hudson River was explored by and named after Henry Hudson, an Englishman who was hired by the Dutch East India Company to locate a shorter trade route through North America to the Orient. Hudson explored the river in 1609 which was later named for him, but never found the route he'd been seeking. The top photo shows a half-size replica of Hudson's ship "Half-Moon".
OK--school's out for now--enough with the history lesson! :)
These past evenings I've been going out to take a walk or sitting in a nearby park and reading or just "people-watching", but it looks like its gonna be kinda wet tonight. Unless the sun comes back out after this storm and dries things up. Had my cable TV disconnected last week to save money over the summer so if I stay in I'll have to break out some of these old videotapes I made, but never got around to watching.
Tomorrow evening I'm going to a panel discussion at the New York State Museum titled "God, Gays, and Democracy" which is about what life is like in the 21st century for gays and lesbians. Its one of the events being held as part of the local Gay Pride weeks. Its also another small step in my effort to get out and perhaps get a little more involved in the local gay comminity. I have a real hard time meeting or talking to people, so I'm trying to at least make an effort in that regard. I can write about anything here, but when it comes time to talk to an actual person, I don't know why but I just have a hard time expressing myself.
Got more photos of Albany so I'll probably put up a few more later if anyone is interested, or even if no one is interested, I'll put them up anyway. I know--you just want pics of hot guys--sorry, I'll leave that up to 4 The Love of Boys . I don't want to infringe on their territory...besides, I'd look like an old perv putting up pics of naked guys. I know, I AM an old perv, but I just don't want to be that obvious about it! ;)
The pictures below are some I took of the Hudson River which flows east of Albany to New York City where it meets the ocean. The Hudson River was explored by and named after Henry Hudson, an Englishman who was hired by the Dutch East India Company to locate a shorter trade route through North America to the Orient. Hudson explored the river in 1609 which was later named for him, but never found the route he'd been seeking. The top photo shows a half-size replica of Hudson's ship "Half-Moon".
OK--school's out for now--enough with the history lesson! :)
These past evenings I've been going out to take a walk or sitting in a nearby park and reading or just "people-watching", but it looks like its gonna be kinda wet tonight. Unless the sun comes back out after this storm and dries things up. Had my cable TV disconnected last week to save money over the summer so if I stay in I'll have to break out some of these old videotapes I made, but never got around to watching.
Tomorrow evening I'm going to a panel discussion at the New York State Museum titled "God, Gays, and Democracy" which is about what life is like in the 21st century for gays and lesbians. Its one of the events being held as part of the local Gay Pride weeks. Its also another small step in my effort to get out and perhaps get a little more involved in the local gay comminity. I have a real hard time meeting or talking to people, so I'm trying to at least make an effort in that regard. I can write about anything here, but when it comes time to talk to an actual person, I don't know why but I just have a hard time expressing myself.
Got more photos of Albany so I'll probably put up a few more later if anyone is interested, or even if no one is interested, I'll put them up anyway. I know--you just want pics of hot guys--sorry, I'll leave that up to 4 The Love of Boys . I don't want to infringe on their territory...besides, I'd look like an old perv putting up pics of naked guys. I know, I AM an old perv, but I just don't want to be that obvious about it! ;)
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Mid-Life Crisis Update
Still don't know what's going to happen this summer as far as my apartment or possible move. I haven't heard from my landlord as to when or exactly what they plan to do regarding fixing the front of the building or re-doing the interior. He said I might have to move out for a few weeks while the work is being done, but I don't know what their plans are yet.
I did look at one apartment and I liked it but didn't take it because I had no way to move my stuff. Only really have one friend who I could count on to help me move (and can't afford to hire movers) and he's been out of town.
I've called about several other places but it seems like everyone uses voicemail or answering machines, BUT they don't return their calls! Still waiting for a return call from about 6 people I contacted re: apartments.
I'm going to try to not worry about it all until I find out what's going to happen but I really hate not knowing what's going on!
Saturday will be a busy day for me. A friend is stopping by in the afternoon, and in the evening I'm going to a performance by a local GLBT chorus. All part of my plan to try to get out more often instead of sitting home by myself. I would offer to take my friend along but he's straight and I think he might feel uncomfortable there, even though he's cool about me being gay. Plus I don't think he's interested in that type of music. He's like me in that he's never had a serious relationship and doesn't go out much either. Just a pair of losers! :)
We finally are getting the kind of weather I enjoy--sunny and warm--it may reach 80 today! I've been spending a lot of time outside walking around or hanging out in the park reading & listening to music just to be outside. There's not a lot to do here in Albany (especially if you don't have much money). Starting today there are some free outdoor concerts; tonight's there's one down by the river (Hudson River) I'm going to attend.
Trying to re-organize my apartment a little so I'm going to go work on that for awhile now then get outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Got to get a haircut later so I don't look quite so scary. Shaved off my decades-old mustache the other day just to try a different look...it was getting too much gray hair in it anyway ;)
Bye for now--more later on my mid-life crisis as events unfold.
I did look at one apartment and I liked it but didn't take it because I had no way to move my stuff. Only really have one friend who I could count on to help me move (and can't afford to hire movers) and he's been out of town.
I've called about several other places but it seems like everyone uses voicemail or answering machines, BUT they don't return their calls! Still waiting for a return call from about 6 people I contacted re: apartments.
I'm going to try to not worry about it all until I find out what's going to happen but I really hate not knowing what's going on!
Saturday will be a busy day for me. A friend is stopping by in the afternoon, and in the evening I'm going to a performance by a local GLBT chorus. All part of my plan to try to get out more often instead of sitting home by myself. I would offer to take my friend along but he's straight and I think he might feel uncomfortable there, even though he's cool about me being gay. Plus I don't think he's interested in that type of music. He's like me in that he's never had a serious relationship and doesn't go out much either. Just a pair of losers! :)
We finally are getting the kind of weather I enjoy--sunny and warm--it may reach 80 today! I've been spending a lot of time outside walking around or hanging out in the park reading & listening to music just to be outside. There's not a lot to do here in Albany (especially if you don't have much money). Starting today there are some free outdoor concerts; tonight's there's one down by the river (Hudson River) I'm going to attend.
Trying to re-organize my apartment a little so I'm going to go work on that for awhile now then get outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Got to get a haircut later so I don't look quite so scary. Shaved off my decades-old mustache the other day just to try a different look...it was getting too much gray hair in it anyway ;)
Bye for now--more later on my mid-life crisis as events unfold.
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