Paris By Night

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T20:37:00.000-08:00

It's been quite some time since my last post. I just wanted to drop a line and to wish you a very Happy New Year's. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I hope that 2012 brings you much joy and happiness! I am personally looking forward to 2012. Spring Semester starts up a week from Monday, and I am only 5 semesters away from graduation. I am so excited about that prospect. 2012 holds a lot in store for me and I am excited about my future! I hope you are too! I wanted to share a quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer, which I think is great advice for the new year. Enjoy and Happy New Year everybody! Much love to all!

"Forget about those New Year’s resolutions in which you decide on the first day of January how you will be conducting your life for the next twelve months. Instead, set up day-to-day goals for yourself, and then resolve to begin living with present moment awareness for the rest of your life. When you get good at living your present moments one day at a time, you’ll see yourself changing right before your own surprised eyes. Remember, anyone can do anything for just one day, so tune out the sentences that keep you locked into your old self-defeating ways and begin to enjoy each day of your bright new year."

Wake Up America! Stop Buying into GOP Lies!

2011-10-20T17:34:00.001-07:00

Updates 10-8-11

2011-10-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

F&^&^ Is Not The Only Bad Word

2011-10-05T05:28:00.001-07:00

There is So Much at Stake Next November ... PAY ATTENTION AMERICA! - Part 2

2011-08-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Are Michele Bachmann's Views About Christian Submission Even More Extreme Than She's Letting On?

Is Democracy as We Know It On the Way Out?

Tea Party Pentagon?

There is So Much at Stake Next November ... PAY ATTENTION AMERICA!

2011-08-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

I Wish ...

2011-08-05T04:29:00.000-07:00

Absolute Truth

2011-06-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

I have replaced the former video blog I posted with this one. Amazing and beautiful. I had such a paradigm shift when I watched it. My attitude has changed so much because of this! Enjoy!

Once Again, Common Sense & Decency Rule the Day

2011-06-26T19:45:00.001-07:00

The G.O.P. Facist Machine Has To Be Stopped!!!

2011-03-07T07:10:00.001-08:00

When Will America Finally Wake Up?!

2011-02-03T12:39:00.001-08:00

Spring Semester 2011

2011-01-06T06:57:00.000-08:00

Well, Spring Semester 2011 has started as of yesterday. I'm sitting here in the classroom waiting for my Theater History class to begin. I am so excited for this semester. I'm taking 5 classes. Two each day, and one on Saturday (my computer class). It's going to be a relaxing semester and except for my computer class, I'm taking all theater classes! I didn't want to overload myself with GE's when I'm going down to L.A. next month as an Irene Ryan nominee to KCACTF (The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival), which I'm really excited for!

Things are going great for me, and I hope the same for all of you out there! Just wanted to update you! Have an awesome day! *big hug*

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T23:19:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011 everybody! I hope this year brings you much joy, happiness, success and wonderful experiences that take your breath away! This past year has been a challenging one, but I am so glad that I experienced it. And I am so looking forward to 2011! Mom and I watched the ball drop in Times Square just 20 minutes ago, my how time flies! LOL! This is a brand new beginning for all of us and I hope we all, including myself, will take advantage of it! Let's all go out there and have the best damn year of our lives! Love to all!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T19:16:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I love you all! *giant hug*

It Will Get Better!!!: A Personal Story

2010-10-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

It Gets Better

2010-10-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

It does get better! Your life is worth so much! The world needs you! Don't give up! I love you and you will find so many out there that will love you as well! God loves you just the way you are!

It Will Get Better!!!

2010-10-16T22:31:00.001-07:00

A Fresh New Start

2010-09-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Updates

2010-08-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

How Do You Measure?

2010-08-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight, my cousin Richard lies dying of cancer. I went to see him today and I told him that I loved him and that I was grateful for him being who he is and such a fine example of pure love. I am saddened that he has to be taken from us so early but I am grateful to know that he is going to a better place. My heart goes out to his family tonight. My eternal devotion and love to Suzie, Russ, Dodi and Debi. My heart is with you tonight!

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes. How do you measure a year in the life? How about love! Measure in love! Seasons of love!

True Compassion

2010-07-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is a note that was posted on Facebook by a young man named Isaac Higham. One of my dear friends shared this with me. I totally agree with it's message! I hope someday the world can come to understand how much damage it has done!

"Loud and Clear" by Isaac Higham

When I was a little boy, my beautiful mother would take me in her arms and together we would sing the words of the LDS primary song:

I am a Child of God
And he has sent me here
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

There was no qualifier of “unless I grow up to be gay.”

And yet nearly twenty years later things seemed to come full circle as I sat sobbing on the bathroom floor of a dirty missionary apartment where, after taking a knife from my hands and calling for help, my mission companion took me in his arms and began singing in a soft trembling voice “I am a Child of God”.

I had struggled since childhood to combat what I felt was my true nature in favor of what my church taught was the plan of God. Weary, beaten, and worn I couldn’t fight anymore.

I was lucky. I failed.

But sadly there are those we love who do not fail. Tearfully we learn of and mourn those who we cannot judge for being weary of the fight and succumbing to the constant barrage of lashes coming from Utah’s predominant religion and dominant political party; their invariable actions declaring that we are not worthy of the same treatment as everyone else—that we are less than.

When will we learn that this is not a game?

The harsh rhetoric is not something to be used to score political points or to climb the rungs on the ladder of piety.

When the stripping of legal status and protections from gay relationships is celebrated like a Super Bowl victory, what does the gay person feel? When a state senator tells gay adolescents they shouldn’t come together to talk about their struggles in accepting their sexuality, what message does that send? When a bishop stands at the pulpit and preaches that loving committed gay relationships will destroy their family and asks for time and money to ‘defeat’ them, what unimaginable fear shakes the soul of the gay child in the pews?

We MUST normalize gay relationships. Every day that passes where being gay is viewed as undesirable and gay relations viewed as abnormal, is one more day that pushes our loved ones one step closer to the edge—to the point of no return.

I’ve said it before and I reaffirm it now: This is a fight for life!

As an LDS missionary I was taught that my purpose was to “Invite others to come unto Christ.” The LDS Church has admittedly done much good and provided legitimate hope and peace to many, but my dear Latter-Day Saints, your actions as members and the actions of your church organization when it comes to your LGBT children, brothers, sisters, and friends has done anything but invite me to come unto Christ.

Gandhi put it beautifully: “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Your message on LGBT related issues is a message of intolerance, of hatred (both external and internal self loathing), torment, and of death.

And regrettably, too many children of God are hearing that message loud and clear.

Happy July 4th from a 3rd Class Citizen

2010-07-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a post from one of my friend's blogs. I happen to agree with him 100%! I hope someday this can change!

On a day that’s all about American flags, fireworks and hot dogs, I find my patriotism somewhat hampered: I am a first-class tax payer and a third-class citizen.

Yesterday, against the back-drop of this great holiday, my Canadian boyfriend and I had the conversation. We talked about what’s next for us, and what we’ll be doing once he graduates next year. Having been together for two years now, our relationship has grown quite deep and our connection is strong. For the first time, we talked about marriage and what we’d want to do.

Of course, the conversation is impossible to have without considering the limitations of our situation. As a gay man, none of the 1049 federal rights, benefits and privileges that accompany a legal marriage are available to me. Among those rights is immigration; my Canadian boyfriend wouldn’t be able to pursue a citizenship path as part of our union. We couldn’t live in the United States.

How can my country put me in the position of choosing between the land I love and the man I love?

Fortunately for us, he’s Canadian. And since Canada has marriage equality, we’d be able to marry in that great country up north. As part of that marriage, I could become Canadian. In actuality, when it comes to international gay relationships, we’re one of the lucky ones.

It just really, really rubs me the wrong way that my home country treats me differently than my heterosexual counterparts. In America, gay people are third-class citizens. Perhaps, then, we should be taxed as such? It adds insult to injury that we’re all paying the same amount of money (if not more – as we can’t file joint taxes) for a watered down citizenship plan. I don’t want to pay full prize for “US Citizenship Lite.”

So, Barack Obama: I’d like a discount. I’d also like reparations to be paid retroactively, as I’ve been aware of my homosexuality since before I started paying taxes at age 14.

234 years ago today, our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Its most famous line reads as follows:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

America, I’ll gladly drop my plea should you choose to honor this brave idea. If all men are created equal, please start treating us as such. You talk the talk, but now it’s time to walk the walk. -- Davey Wavey

A Bunch of Hypocrites

2010-06-17T14:04:00.001-07:00

As anyone that knows me well can tell you, I am a liberal Democrat through and through. So was my Daddy before me, my mother and her Daddy before her! And today the Republican Party sunk to a new low!

Today they called the President's calling for BP's accounting for their appalling and reckless behavior in the Gulf of Mexico, a shakedown and apologized to BP for the President's so called "shakedown." They stated that they should not have to pay the taxpayers back and pay claims from victims of this disaster! THAT IS COMPLETELY CRIMINAL AND APPALLING!!!!!!!!!

This makes me sick to the very core of my being! How can people in this country continue to support this "Bunch of Hypocrites" with their votes is beyond me. Yes they preach family values, and they preach pro-life, they preach against the GLBT community and call us perverts and terrorists, so that is why they get a lot of votes. Well people wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!!!!!!! This action today should prove where their loyalty lies. With the big oil companies!

No surprises here! I've been preaching this for years but nobody seems to listen or get it! They don't care about family values, they just care about helping out the big oil companies and fat cat corporate America. They just preach family values to get your vote! WAKE UP AMERICA! President Bush had the political clout for over 7 years to overturn Roe vs Wade, thus making abortion illegal again. He didn't even try! Once his lame attempt to create a anti-gay marriage amendment to the U.S. constitution failed he moved on never to speak of it again! Again, WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Stop listening to Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin and the teabaggers! These people are a bunch of hypocrites and morons! Who have no clue about what America needs to heal itself from the past 25 years of the REPUBLICAN AGENDA!!!!!!!

Wake up I say! WAKE UP!!! Glenn Beck has declared himself a Prophet of God, doesn't that tell you how insane he is?! The conservative movement in this country and particularly the Republican Conservative Movement is failing and will continue to fail this country! We need to elect strong independent leaders to Washington. Stop listening to the Conservative Republicans and their LIES!!! Today's action by them in regards to BP and the Gulf Disaster is living proof that they are hypocrites and liars!

A Critical Crossroad

2010-05-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Glenn to the Mountaintop

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Fox News

PART ONE

PART TWO

An Amazing 8 Months

2010-04-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

A Long Three Weeks

2010-01-31T20:53:00.000-08:00

It has really been one of the longest three weeks of my life. It has been only three weeks into the spring semester and I can't believe it's not longer than that already! PMEO! For some reason with all the work I've had to get done this month has dragged.

I am so glad it's February and I can start fresh. I'm done working on "Urinetown" as a spot operator (the show closed Saturday), and now I can focus on "A Doll's House" and my schoolwork. Work has been a royal pain in the ass and I hope to remedy that situation in the fall when I return to school after the summer break. I qualify for work study so I am going to do that and finally quit my job. I have put body, heart and soul for four years into that company and they still are making foolish decisions and really not caring and concentrating on customers like they should IMHO! The company is firing upper management left and right, so everyone including my GM, Asst. Manager, Regional Supervisor and our Director of Operations are all in "survival mode" and I am sick of it! Experience has proven when people are in that mode, they make foolish decisions, they are cranky, uncooperative and just a plain "pain in the ass" to work with and I frankly am tired of it all!

I just want to focus on my schoolwork and not have to deal with the stress of all that bullshit! I realized tonight that my life lately has been filled with so much unnecessary stress and I just can't take it anymore! My schoolwork is suffering and I have to get refocused ASAP!

As I sit here writing and getting all my frustration out, I'm starting to feel so much better and refocused on what's really important in my life right now: family, school, and myself! Well, I have to finish my homework for tomorrow! Love to all out there! Talk with you soon!

Happy 2010

2010-01-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas To Everyone

2009-12-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my dear friends and family out there! I am so thankful for all of you! Words cannot describe how I feel about each and everyone of you! God bless us all, everyone! *big hug*

Truly Grateful

2009-12-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here at my dressing room table in between shows and I have been reflecting on 2009 and all that has happened in my life. It's been an amazing year. My decision to return to college to finish my degree has been the real defining moment for me though in 2009. I have finished my first semester, hopefully my grades will be OK *crossing fingers*, and I now do not regret my decision. I have been welcomed into an amazing theatrical arts department by a group of talented, gifted and amazing people! I really learned a lot from my courses this past semester, and I feel I have really grown from my experiences! It has been one amazing experience and I'm looking forward to January 6th and the beginning of a new semester. "Christmas Carol" has gone well this year, and I've really enjoyed being a part of it again after a year's hiatus. It has really given me the Christmas spirit again. It has also been a bit of a tough year, particularly financially, but I have come through it, scarred, but none the worse for wear. I'm very grateful for my blessings and looking forward to 2010 and all the adventures it will bring. I hope all of you out there have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year.

Quite The Adventure

2009-11-22T14:31:00.001-08:00

It has indeed been such a long time since I last posted. This first semester back in college has been quite the adventure. I've been so busy that I meet myself coming around the corner almost on a daily basis! LOL! ;)

This is the reason for my lack of posting this semester. I'm finally winding down and finishing up final assignments that I found some time to write down my thoughts for a bit.

I am so happy to be back in school! I truly feel my life getting back on track and that I'm truly moving forward for the first time in a very long time! The theater department is awesome, the faculty is great, and my fellow classmates are too! I have made some great friendships and I'm excited for the coming years at U.V.U. I'm currently doing "Christmas Carol" once again at HCTO and I'm so excited! We open next week! You can visit my website for more information!

I'm doing well health wise and actually feeling more flexible than I have in a long time. All that walking around campus is paying off! ;) I'm doing good in all my classes and I feel intellectually stimulated again for the first time in such a long time! I feel challenged as well!

Here's to a wonderful holiday season full of love and joy with loved ones! I hope your holidays are as joyful as I know mine will be! I'm so looking forward to it this year! God bless!

Just A Thought

2009-10-04T06:34:00.001-07:00

I happen to agree with Michael Moore in this article he posted on his website this morning. Not that I buy into ridding the world of capitalism all together and adopting a 100% socialist system, but I do agree that we need to think about how corrupt our current system is and how we as citizens can help to fix it. I personally feel we need to clean house in Washington. The problem is not our current president, but Congress. Republicans and Democrats alike are just not getting it! Yes, I Jason Evans did say that the Democrats are just not getting it! I am so sick and tired of the selfishness in this country of ours. It has to stop!

Click Here

Dreams Can Come True

2009-09-18T04:24:00.000-07:00

By now most people know about this remarkable woman. Her story is so inspirational. It inspired me a great deal. This past month has been a whirlwind of emotion. I dreamed of returning to school to finish what I a started over 20 years ago but got interrupted. That dream has become a reality for me. Classes are going well and I am settling into college life once again. It is a good place to be at this moment in time. I hope out there that anyone who is feeling down and out, feeling like no one cares whether you live or die, that your dreams are not valid, would take a look at the above video. Everyone has worth. Your dreams are always valid. Let no one or nothing stand in your way. It's truly a remarkable thing to dream something and then turn it into reality. You should try it sometime!

Whirlwind of a Week

2009-08-30T10:18:00.001-07:00

It has truly been a whirlwind of a week for me. I started back to college on Wednesday, which at this moment in time was a very wise move now that I'm in the thick of classes. I am so enjoying myself and feeling like my life is actually moving forward instead of a holding pattern. My professors are all great! This semester is going to be busy and a challenge, but I'm up for it and I'm happy that I made this decision. I'm sitting here at work on my break as I write this and things are really getting worse at work, but I'm going to make some tough decisions where that is concerned in the next few weeks. Life's next big adventure is turning out to be amazing as well as a little scary, but I can handle it! I need to make some adjustments in my life in order to achieve my goals and nothing is going to stand in my way, not even my job. There are jobs out there! I am so grateful to all my friends who encouraged me to take this leap. Chris Clark, Heidi Cochran, Jyllian Petrie, Jason Sullivan, Linda Hale, Barta Heiner, Neal Johnson. So many others in my family as well. Most important, my dear mother! She is and will always be the best mother anyone could ask for! She is selfless, understanding and loving. I love her with all of my heart! Well I have to get back to work! Talk with you all again soon!

The Eve of a New Adventure

2009-08-25T10:12:00.001-07:00

WOW, back in June when I started to pursue getting back into college I couldn't imagine it would really happen, but now it is.

Classes/Fall Semester starts tomorrow morning. I'm so excited and nervous all at the same time. I know this is an important milestone in my life, and an important decision I have made. A good one, I'm confident about that!

On Tuesday I went to campus to pick up my books, get my ID card and it was so exciting to be part of campus life again. I know that this will be a wonderful adventure. Lots of hard work, but I know in the end it will pay off!

The show is going well, we only have 3 more performances and then I can take a month off to adjust to school life and then be ready for "Christmas Carol" in October. I am so thankful to my mother for her support of this move in my life, and for all the support and encouragement from my friends! I know that this will make a tremendous impact on the second half of my life, one that I hope and pray will be a good life, I am confident it will be. The skies the limit. The journey is what is exciting and wonderful. And I'm looking forward to this part of the journey right now. The journey through U.V.U.

The Twilight Zone

2009-08-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

WOW, it's been over a month since my last post. Time does fly.

The past few weeks have been like the twilight zone. The show is doing well and I'm excited to open next week! School starts a week from this next Wednesday and I'm excited about that as well as a bit nervous, but that's normal! But my moods lately have been so up and down, it's kind of strange. Work has been driving me crazy, health wise I seem to be doing OK despite yesterday's 1:00 a.m. bout with food poisoning which was so much fun, grrrrrrrr! I just can't explain it. It's like I'm in a haze, watching the events of my life take place with me watching it all happen outside my body. Very weird.

As I'm writing this, it seems to be going away. I feel better this morning than I did yesterday, obviously ;). I had a setback with my financial aid, but I've got that covered now, so no problems there. I think it is mostly just starting a new chapter in my life that is kind of nerve wracking. I really thought long and hard about returning to finish my degree at my age. I know people around me, my friends and family keep telling me that my age isn't an issue. 41 is still young. And being in a show with mostly college age folks with one exception feels normal, like it usually does, but I guess I'm the one that makes an issue out of it. I feel sometimes that I shouldn't be friends with people who are so much younger than I, like it makes me some sort of middle aged predator. But I realized just now that that's ridiculous. I have so many wonderful friends in my life. Age is a non-issue where that is concerned. Friendship is friendship no matter what. I need to take the good that's in my life and celebrate it and be grateful for it every day! I need to let my friends know regularly how much they mean to me. And going to back to school is a good decision! It's a positive step in the right direction to change my life's course and bring on a new adventure and to help propel me into a better future for myself. No one is ever stuck where they're at! That is just an excuse! We can always change directions at any time, throw away all the excuses, and make those changes necessary to better our lives. That is what makes this journey called life so wonderful and exciting!

Here's to new adventures on the horizon and to wonderful friends and family!

Back Home

2009-07-27T18:24:00.001-07:00

Well we're back home from Cedar City and I'm back at work tonight. I'm on dinner break and wanted to blog for a bit. The trip was wonderful. Very relaxing and a wonderful time to just get away from it all. You can read all about it and see photo's, reviews of the plays, and blogs about the trip on my "The Sleeper Car" and "Beautiful Randomness" Blogs.

I was not looking forward to getting back to work tonight, but I'm OK now that I'm here. The trip was refreshing and I'm ready to get back to my life. I'm excited about starting back to school in just 5 short weeks, and I'm doing "The Imaginary Invalid" with A.R.T.E. and Neal Johnson. Life is good! I was artistically fed this past week and I am a more relaxed and pleasant person because of it. I'm a better person too!

Well, I only have about 10 minutes left on my break. Love to all out their in cyberland!

Updates

2009-07-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. Unfortunately I didn't get the car loan, but that's OK. One less payment to have to fit into the budget. I can keep my trusty Alero going longer. Full week now on all my new med's and I'm doing well. I'm actually feeling better than I have been in a very long time!

One more week to go before my annual trek to Cedar City. I'm so excited! I need a vacation badly!

Mom is doing very well. She had a checkup the other day and the doctor says she is great!

Just relaxing in bed and about to take a short nap before I have to get ready for a closing shift at work tonight.

Happy Summer everybody! I'll be creating a new blog for all my travels, so look for that in the near future! Now with my new mini computer I can regularly update my blogs and website from anywhere in the world. Yay!

New Horizons

2009-07-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

WOW, it's been a long time since I've blogged.

To give you some updates:

1. I've decided to go back to school and finish my degree in theatre. I'm really excited to announce that I've been accepted into Utah Valley University. I'm happy with my decision and I can't wait for this next adventure to begin next month.

2. I finally broke down and purchased a mini-notebook from HP. I didn't want a full size one, and Verizon had a great deal on one with wireless Internet built in. I couldn't resist, and it was really affordable. In fact this blog is being published with my new toy. This will be a great asset to me in school!

Other than those two things, life is going along quite well. I've also applied for a loan for a new car. I doubt I'll get it, but it would be nice. I can afford the low payments and it's a 2009 Chevy Cavalier. Beautiful car. I'll find out tomorrow. My old Alero is getting old. I reached 100,000 miles yesterday.

My annual Cedar City trip is a go. Two more weeks. I can't wait! I'll be gone for a week again. I'm excited to see the shows this year.

Before I end, a final update about my health. I do have Type II diabetes. Fortunately I only have to take pills and the doctor says it's under control. Keep doing what I'm doing. I also was given a pill to lower my cholesterol. *sigh* The one positive thing I keep focused on is that all this has been caught early and I can add years to my life by doing something about it now!

Hope all is well with all of you out there in cyberland. Love to all!

A Very Sobering Reminder

2009-06-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Extremism is alive and well in this country and is a very dangerous thing if we continue to allow it to rear its ugly head!

CLICK HERE

Patricia Clarkson on Equality

2009-06-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

This actress is one that I particularly respect and admire a lot! Thank you Patricia for putting into words what so many of us want the world to know and hear!

Pride 2009

2009-06-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

A New Adventure

2009-06-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've updated on here about what is going on in my life.

"As You Like It" was a huge success and I really do miss it alot! On my "All The World's a Stage" blog I talked about my next venture in theater. Well it's happening!

I have been accepted into Utah Valley University as a theater major. I am really excited! I have always wanted to go back to school to finish my degree and I have finally taken that leap of faith. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. While I was walking across campus to deliver some paperwork to the administration building the other day, I was filled with such excitement and anticipation on this new adventure in my life. It's going to be hard work, but I know it will pay off in the end! This has all actually happened so quickly, but I'm glad for that. No chance to back out and have second thoughts. I am determined to succeed! Looking back, I should have waited a year after high school to start college, but hindsight is 20/20 and there is nothing I can do about that now. All I can do is take this new opportunity I have taken for myself by both horns and ride it all the way!

I personally want to thank my good friends Chris Clark, Jason Sullivan, Jyllian Petrie, Heidi Cochran and Page Petrucka for encouraging me to take on this new adventure. I am so blessed to have such people in my life.

Well, I'm off to bed. Pride 2009 is tomorrow morning. Can't wait! Maybe I'll be enjoying it in the rain, who knows! It'll be fun no matter what!

Enough Said

2009-06-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's Love

2009-05-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

Life Changes

2009-05-05T03:07:00.001-07:00

Well, yesterday I followed up with my doctor after my lab work I had done along with the ultrasound that fortunately came back positive with no blood clots in my leg. The diagnosis was painful to hear but I'm OK with it. Diabetes. At first it was hard to hear. Fortunately I only have to take medicine to control it right now. They've caught it early and I have a good 10-15 years to get it under control before it controls me. It was quite a wake up call, but like I said, I'm OK with it. It's a manageable disease. It takes discipline but I'm up to the challenge.

I kind of feel lately that life does indeed change, but at times lately I've felt like I've been out of touch with friends and focusing on what is important in my life. I was talking on the phone with my dear friends Jann and her husband Mark. I realized that it had been over 4 months since I had talked with them last. I felt so bad. I read my friend Foxx's blog and once again felt a bit guilty. I have seen several friends at the show lately and once again felt so bad that it had been so long since I had seen them and/or talked with them. I intend to remedy that ASAP!

For any of my friends out there who read this blog, if any, know that you are in my heart always. I think about you a lot. Please don't hesitate to call me at any hour if you need something! Know that I am truly there for any of you if you need me! I'm not just saying that! I truly mean that! Life is too short to not be able to truly care about the people in your life. All of you out there have made my life wonderful! I am so glad that I know you! I've made some really nice friendships with this current project I'm involved with! My life is so blessed with the people in it!

Let's all make a commitment to not let life changes pull us away from what truly matters in our lives. Let's focus on what makes us happy and brings us joy! Life is too short to not do that!

A Haze But A Light On The Horizon

2009-05-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

The past few days it seems as if I've been going through somewhat of a haze (a fog) so to speak. I've felt like my sugar has been really low, light headed and yesterday while I was driving I got so dizzy I had to pull off to the side of the road for about 5 minutes before I could continue my errands. It was terrifying to me. It's been over 25 years since I had my nervous breakdown that changed my life forever. A time when love came into my life and stayed. It's not a marriage/life long partner sort of love, but it is a love nonetheless. It's real and wonderful. Because of this breakdown, it doesn't take much stress in my life to set off my nervous system. I know this is the reason for this haze I've been going through the past few days.

Lately, and I'm breaking my promise to never talk about my job on this blog for a moment *slaps myself* to vent some feelings, I've really hated my job! Absolutely loathing! I am so sick and tired of dealing with immaturity everywhere I turn, the public who's never satisfied and thinks you need to cater to their every whim no matter how much shit they give you in return! I work for a company that is run by total morons! I can't believe this company is still in business! The marketing department is completely incompetent and I hold them entirely to blame for our low sales. At first, I blamed the economy, but other fast food companies are making it, doing fine. So I looked inward and realized the mistakes that have been made.

Basically, I'm tired. I am so blessed to be paid right now for what I love to do, theater. I am in a show at a theater that is filled with wonderful people. Good hearted people who are the antithesis of Christ-like love and compassion. It is a joy every time I do a show there. Now that I'm 41, I realize that I am now at an age that I can seriously start to look at a career in acting. I'm at an age that I can start competing for supporting roles (father's, uncles, brothers, next door neighbors, best friends, etc.) and when I am working in this crazy world we call show business, I'm truly happy. As with all artists, it's a financial gamble. But after performing the past two nights with this haze about me, not being able to enjoy those performances totally, even though they are the best two performances to date that our cast has given, has jolted me tremendously. Right now, I'm still a bit tired, but I feel way better than I have been the past few days. I'm going up to Salt Lake City to see "Miss Saigon" at PTC with my mom, which I'm really excited for, and then I have two very dear friends coming to see me in the show tonight. This is a world I want to spend the rest of my life in. This is my bliss. I also want to write and to direct.

There is a light on the horizon. Life is an awfully big adventure and I have decided to take that leap and to pursue those things that I love. For a time I need to put up with this horrible job I have to go to almost everyday, but soon I will be able to cast that aside and say goodbye to it forever! This is what motivates me! I'm even thinking about returning to school to finish my degree I never finished! All of you out there who know me personally, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'm going to need it. As always, I will keep all of you in mine, as I always do. I am so grateful for my friends and family, even those new friends I have made doing this current project.

To live, that would be an awfully big adventure! *happy sigh*

Repower America

2009-04-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Click Here

No More, Pt. 2

2009-04-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

No More

2009-04-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Click Here

A Country of Selfish Whiners

2009-04-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Glen Beck is one man that makes me completely sick to my stomach! How anyone with any amount of intelligence can listen to his bullshit is beyond me. His movement is made up of a bunch of selfish whiners that really need to get a grip and grow up! There are so many things in this life worth the price we pay for them. This is just one of these things that could be cut forever if people like Glen Beck and his followers got their way. Shame on you Glen Beck and all of you who follow him. You need to get a clue!

Click Here

The Truth

2009-04-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Roller Coaster Ride

2009-04-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been focusing on my blog with issues of the day, my feelings towards those issues and I noticed that I hadn't really talked about myself and what's been going on lately.

Yesterday was a big day for me. Being 41 has its challenges, particularly health wise. I'm not getting any younger and like everyone else out there, you face challenges with this frail thing we call our bodies.

I know that I am overweight. It's something I have been dealing with for many years. I have tried it all and nothing seems to work. I ordered a new program and I'm finally beginning to see results. Slowly but surely! But because of that weight and being on my feet for long periods of time with my job, I have noticed discoloration of my calves, particularly in my right leg. I went to my doctor yesterday for my biannual checkup for my high blood pressure and he took a look at this. This problem has gotten particularly worse since the last time I went to him. He was concerned on three fronts. One, that the medication I'm on for my blood pressure wasn't enough so he increased the dosage on my medication. Two, that he wanted to rule out a blood clot so he arranged an ultrasound test on my right leg. Fortunately that test came back negative. I was sweating that one out for a few hours yesterday. Third, that I may have diabetes. I'm still sweating that one out until I hear from him. That one scares me quite a lot. My father had diabetes. I actually cried myself to sleep last night thinking about that possibility and all it's ramifications. It made me feel old and the obvious life changes that would come about if I am diagnosed with the disease.

I am in a show right now and enjoying every moment of it. Theater is my real passion and it gives me a great outlet for the frustrations of my everyday life. Even rehearsal last night didn't do that for me. That really bothered me. I love the current production I'm in. My director is a truly gifted man who inspires everyone around him. He motivates me to be a better actor and I am so enthralled watching him work with my other fellow actors when I'm not on stage. I am surrounded by so much talent with this cast and it blows me away. Saying this, last night's rehearsal was a blur for me. We had a guest come in to help us with understanding the text more, which I really enjoyed. It gave me some great insights. My parts are small in this show, but it still helped me with the lines I do have and I know it will be a great resource in the future as well! But I still found myself preoccupied with the thoughts of the day.

Now at 5:30 in the morning I have come to the realization that this is so silly. I will deal with this, whatever the results are, as I always have. One day at a time. Diabetes is not a death sentence. My doctor told me that if it hadn't been for Parkinson's Disease, my father would have probably have lived to be 100. He had diabetes, had open heart surgery, all of his toes amputated, but even despite all those things, it was Parkinson's that did him in. I don't have that disease. It's not inherited. The doctor told me that there was no blood clots in my leg, that my blood pressure is actually good, my heart is sounding great and that the steps I'm taking with this new nutritional program I bought will insure that I will be here for a long time. So I realize that things aren't so bad. There are others out there that have far worse happening in their lives. I really am truly blessed and have nothing to complain about.

Another aspect of life I've been dealing with is my own identity as a gay man. I am very happy. Yes, I'm single, and likely to stay such, unless I am fortunate enough to finally meet someone special, which I still long for. But despite all the obstacles this world places in front of all of us in the GLBT community, we are winning the war for equal rights. Slowly but surely. But I still find myself being oversensitive to jokes that others make from time to time. Guys in casts that I'm in and have been in making jokes, etc. Never directed at me personally, but in general terms. I want to say something, but then I don't because, even though I am very out to my close friends and my immediate family, I don't want to make others uncomfortable around me, particularly cast members that I have to work with closely for several weeks at a time. It frustrates me at times, but I have realized that I'm right in keeping quiet. That there's nothing wrong with taking the high road, and realizing that there's more important things to worry about out there. That my attitude that the show is the most important thing. I am not the issue here, the show is. That work ethic has always been a part of me as an actor. I am part of an ensemble who's job is to deliver a piece of art. That has always excited me, and that should always be my focus.

So I feel so much more at ease this morning. I can gladly put yesterday behind me and move on. The show is going to be great! My friend Jeremy has written some beautiful music for the show, and the cast is so awesome! I am so honored to be working with truly talented and gifted performers, ALL of them! I am so honored that Chris Clark cast me in this show. Albeit small roles, but he still trusted me with them, and I take that trust in me very seriously. And I intend to deliver a top notch performance every night! I have wanted to work with him, and I am so glad I have had this opportunity. I have learned a lot! And I get to be involved with a project with the immortal bard. I adore Shakespeare and I feel blessed to perform one of his finest plays!

Back to my own personal identity. I am at peace with who I am. I make no apologies. It is only a small part of who I am. There are so many other aspects that make up who I am. I am proud of my accomplishments in 41 years of life. Sure, I've fallen many times, everyone does, but the triumphs outweigh the losses. This past year, I have grown so much as an actor. My confidence has grown immensely. Thanks to a great director and lady, Kathryn. I love her with all of my heart! I have gotten the opportunity to play two great roles. They both have taught me so much! That is why I am an actor, and proud to be one! It has enriched my life beyond measure! I am surrounded by many people who I love, and who love me. Friends that are so terrific. I don't think they even realize how terrific they all are. Such a varied group of people. All so different and unique!

Forgive the length of this entry. It has felt good to let go of all this! God bless all of you out there! May you find the peace and joy I find everyday! Life is beautiful!

Passion Is Everything

2009-03-28T03:30:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched a documentary called "Show Business." It was fascinating. It followed an entire year in the life of 4 shows opening on Broadway back in 1993. "Wicked," "Caroline, Or Change," "Avenue Q" and "Taboo." New York theater is truly a cutthroat business and I'm certainly glad my little corner of the theater world isn't so much! A world where passion is everything. The passion for creativity is alive and well in Utah and it's absolutely wonderful! The current project I'm involved with is certainly a perfect example of this. I am so honored to be working with Chris Clark on "As You Like It." I have admired his work for a long time and he truly is an actor's director! His creativity knows no bounds! What's even more exciting about this project is that, with the exception of 5 people, everyone in the show with me is new. I have never worked with them before. That is so exciting! That is why I love this business! Last weekend we had our first run thru of Acts I-III and it was wonderful to see every one's creativity in action. The show already was taking a giant leap forward. Today we have an all-day rehearsal. We run Acts IV & V this morning and then this afternoon we will be running our very first full run-thru of the show. I'm so excited!

I truly believe that passion is everything! You've got to have that for what you do, or you truly cannot be happy! People who have passion accomplish great things. Where would medical science be today without the passion of the great doctors, scientists, etc!? Where would technology be without the passion of engineers, computer programmers, designers, etc!? The progress of modern society continues on with the passion of society for change, progress, new ideas, etc.

Have you found your passion yet? I hope so! If not, I suggest this little exercise! Write down a list of all of your interests, goals, etc. Take all the time you need! When you've finished, sit down when you have time and no distractions and read that list. When you come to an item that really brings out your emotions and gets you excited, that is probably what your true passion is! Try it for a while! If it doesn't work, go back to the drawing board again. That is what is so exciting about life. It's not the destination, it's the journey!

Live your life with passion!

The Real Heart of the Matter

2009-03-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

The Tide Is Turning

2009-03-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

Seriousness with a Dash of Humor

2009-03-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

I found this video on YouTube! I take gay rights issues very seriously, but this little video from Portia De Rossi, Ellen DeGeneres' partner is hilarious with a bit of seriousness at the heart of it. I think it's healthy to inject a little humor into our lives every once and awhile, even when it comes to serious issues. Enjoy! BTW, I agree with everything Ms. Rossi has to say! :)

Never Give Up

2009-03-06T19:29:00.001-08:00

This video was so inspiring to me when I first found it on YouTube. I hope it inspires you. This gentleman proves that if we never give up, we will never fail! That is one of the best philosophies of life I have ever found! God bless!

Don't Let Fear Rule Your Life

2009-02-26T21:19:00.001-08:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

As I talked about previously in my post "There Is Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself," stop listening to the conservatives of this country. Stop listening to Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, O'Reilly, Beck and others like them. It's fear mongering they are spreading, not the truth! The GOP has failed and lost in this past election, as well as the 2007 election when the Democrats took back control of Congress. The only way they can win now is to drag their feet, cry out "Pork" bailouts, "New Deal" socialism and try to convince us, the American people, that spending more money and increasing the national debt for a while longer is a bad idea. Well, for the past 7 years the GOP has spent this nation into debt, lied to the American public about its budget, taken away our fundamental freedoms and rights with the "Patriot Act" all in the name of safety. This is disgusting ladies and gentlemen! President Obama has only been in office for a little under 2 months. Give him a chance! Don't let the GOP win again! Hasn't the past 8 years proven anything to you? It has to me. Let's give our new President a chance. This bickering, partisan politicking and lies have got to stop!

When Will This End?

2009-02-22T21:35:00.000-08:00

I just want to add something. Whether or not you believe homosexuality is a perversion, this is not the issue here. Sen Buttars has made this the issue, but it is not the issue. This is the United States of America. All men are created equal with the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Just because you believe a person's actions are wrong doesn't give you the right to say that they should not have access to equal rights. That is the issue at hand ladies and gentlemen. Thank you and God bless.

There's Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself

2009-02-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

The Simple Joys of Life

2009-02-15T20:06:00.001-08:00

I have the next two days off which I am so happy for. I get to focus on getting my house straightened out and work on some overdue projects. We have had a pretty significant winter, weather wise, and as much as I hate driving and getting out in snow, this winter has been calming. I can't put my finger on why, but it has and I'm grateful for that. Maybe I'm mellowing in my old age. ;) LOL!

I got a new phone which I was so excited about and as you may have realized by now it has a video camera on it. The other night I was at Arby's eating out with my mom and she could not believe that my phone had a video camera on it. So I took this really quick video of her. It's hilarious. And it's touching as well. Finding the simple joys in life. My mom's silly sense of humor and her contagious laugh.

So many things bring me joy in this life. After reading my good friend, Heidi Aphrodite's blog entry on Valentine's Day it made me stop and think. I am happy. Single, maybe. Lonely, not at all. I have so much and so many people in my life to love and find joy in. This Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend has been a time for more reflection and I'm truly happy with my life right now. Sure, I have a few bills I need to pay off and I'm not making the kind of money I'd like to, but that's OK. I'm happy, healthy, and have so many things to be grateful for. I've taken a few short video's of the beautiful sky around my home the past week. Showing the awesome beauty of nature. I'll be posting those in a new blog real soon. Stay tuned to this blog for the link.

Life is truly a gift. It's beautiful. Wonderful! Fantastic!

A Day Of Hope

2009-02-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

It Breaks My Heart

2009-02-09T04:59:00.001-08:00

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Common Ground

2009-02-05T03:46:00.000-08:00

If you want to help click here to visit the Equality Utah website. There you can learn all about the Common Ground initiative as well as ways you can help get the word out as well as how to contact your local state representative. Thank you in advance for your help.

Video Blog

2009-02-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

New Leadership For A New Age

2009-01-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

America Is Beautiful

2009-01-19T16:48:00.001-08:00

I am so grateful to be an American. Tomorrow we will see the first African-American sworn into the highest office in this nation. My emotions are running at such a high it is so hard to describe my feelings. I thought I'd never see this day! We truly have hope again. Happy days are here again! God bless America! Let's pray that this is the beginning of so many wonderful things to come including equal rights for all!

A New Year

2009-01-19T07:14:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's already 19 days into a new year and I haven't blogged yet. *slap* LOL! 2008 was indeed a very stressful, and trying year for me. But it also had it's positive side. 2009 already is turning out to be a great one and I am really focusing on myself, my family, my friends, and what is important to me. I have set new goals and will not let anything stand in my way! I am not going to go through a list of my favorites for 2008, you can see that in the "Jason's World" section of my website. I will though acknowledge all of the trials and stresses of the past year as valuable lessons and stepping stones to a brighter 2009. I am determined to make more time for myself, my family, and my friends! I am going to try new things on the theater front, new venues. I am going to travel more this year as well. To experience new things. I for one am excited for 2009!

Winter 2008 in Utah

2008-12-24T20:15:00.001-08:00

Here are some more photos taken this morning. This last storm brought us over 1 1/2 feet of snow. Brrrrrrrr!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope today and tomorrow is filled with happiness and joy for all of you out there! Winter has hit Utah with a vengeance.

These were taken on Monday and last Thursday on my birthday, respectively.

It really is here in Utah beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It's really wonderful! Not wonderful to drive in, ;) LOL, but wonderful none the less. Today my mom and I are going to spend my day off going out for a bit before the next big storm hits and then tomorrow we're hopefully, weather permitting, going up to spend the day with my nephew Jack and his wife Marylee in Cedar Hills. I'm looking forward to this holiday spending it with family! I hope all of you out there have the same joy this season! May God bless you with everything you stand in need of! Love and big hug to all!

Gratefulness

2008-12-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

I was watching "60 minutes" last night as well as the evening news and I thought to myself how really blessed I am. This month has been challenging financially but I have a job, a beautiful home, and so much more. I look at all the people in Detroit that could be facing financial crises next month. That has to be terrifying! Over 80 thousand people nationwide are facing foreclosures in the new year. Been there done that! This nation is facing a "huge" crisis but still I have so much to be grateful for! I also watched a special "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on TV Land the other night and it involved past families that the show helped, paying it forward to help others. It was so inspiring. A lady who's home was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina helps to bring needed clothing and supplies to a community nearby her own in Mississippi. A young girl who suffers from an allergy to ultraviolet light helps to bring dreams come true by arranging for several families with children who were worse off than her (they cannot be in sunlight at all) enjoy an exclusive night out at Disney World. I cried when I saw those little children getting to hug all the Disney Characters. I relived my own childhood again! The show itself also helped build a new free clinic building in L.A. and also gave full scholarships to the three medical assistants so that they could pursue their dreams of becoming R.N.'s. It was truly an inspiring episode.

This holiday season I have a lot to be thankful for! 2008 has been a challenging year! I only did 3 shows this year. It's kind of depressing, but those 3 shows were quality productions. Productions that I can forever be proud of! And long lasting relationships came out of those productions! I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store! As always, I know it will be challenging, but I know there will be so many exciting things happening and new horizons to explore!

Happy Holidays

2008-11-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to everyone out there in cyberland! I hope your Thanksgiving celebrations were wonderful and spent with family and loved ones! My mom and I spent the day with some wonderful friends from El Paso. We have known this couple my entire life. The Norman Family, Richard & Vada. The Norman's are an incredible family! My parents met the patriarch and matriarch of the family, Archie and Anne when they first moved to El Paso before I was born. So I grew up with this family. They had two sons, Richard & Robert. Both only about 10 years older than me. They were two men I looked up to my entire life. Gentle giants I called them. Non-judgemental, selfless, hard working, in fact good role models for a young boy. I will always love this family! Richard and his wife Vada moved up to Utah a few months ago to retire and so that their 3 daughters and son could all go to BYU. They invited us over for Thanksgiving and it was really nice to spend some time with old friends. We even got to talk on the phone with Archie and Anne. Archie has always been a second father to me. He was my father's best friend! I always called him Uncle Archie. A gentle man who always looked after me. I miss him terribly. He and Annie live near Dallas with Robert and his wife Vada. It was very emotional for me to talk with him yesterday. My father's birthday was on the 25th and so all the memories from so long ago came flooding back when I was talking with him. It will be 4 years since my father's passing on January 27. I can't believe how time has flown. It is still painful at times and I miss him oh so much! Especially during the holidays. But I am so grateful that we got to spend Thanksgiving with such wonderful friends!

Indeed this year I have so much to be grateful for! A decent job, good friends, my dear mother, a beautiful home to live in, the list goes on and on. Not doing CC this year has allowed me to take well needed time off to reflect and to enjoy the holidays a bit more. I hope this holiday season brings sheer joy to all of you out there in cyberland! I wish you all much love and the hope of a brighter New Year. This nation has and continues to go through a lot, and hopefully with new leadership things will start to turn around. I wish the best for a wonderful holiday season for you and yours. *big hug*

Fall Is In The Air ... Winter Not Too Far Behind

2008-11-15T03:15:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since I actually blogged. LOL! All this politics and stuff. But I needed to get some of my feelings out and I have.

We have had enormous amounts of rain the past few weeks. It's been wonderful! I can't remember the last time I saw rain last over 10 hours. Of course both times it has rained that long I was stuck inside at work *grrrrr* but it was wonderful to open the drive thru window and smell that beautiful moist air. Thanksgiving is approaching and Christmas is not too far behind. I love this time of year.

Well for the first time I have no shows. The next audition will not take place until mid-January. Unfortunately I didn't get into "Room Service" but that's OK. Onto the next one! "The Foreigner" is coming up with the P.G. Players. I can't wait to audition. It's one of my favorite shows and I think I have a good chance of getting cast. All of the male roles in the show are great roles! It's a fantastic ensemble piece.

I always believe that opportunities come when something you wanted doesn't fall through. In this case, I get to spend the holidays with my mother and my friends more. I finally get to settle down and get my condo in order. It's so out of order right now. I'm so lazy! *blush* I've been so busy this past year with shows and work that I have really let my home go to pot! It's always clean, it's just disorganized. I can also get down to doing some redecorating which is always fun! *wink* "Twilight" comes out next Friday in theaters. I'm seeing it on the 23rd. Can't wait! I love the book. I'm now reading the second book "New Moon." I know it's not fashionable to like this series. The haters of this series are bigger in number than the lovers, but I don't care. I like the series so far! Even my mother is now reading "Twilight" and loving it. I haven't seen her pick up a book in years. I love it! *wink*

"Blithe Spirit" was a wonderful experience! We had great crowds. It was so exciting to see that happen for the P.G. Players. I hope it continues to grow and grow with each show. Kathryn and Howard are so great to work with! Each new show is a wonderful experience and I feel I grow as an actor each time! I miss my fellow actors. We had such a tight cast this time around! They are each so special and all around great people! We decided to meet once a month for dinner just for the fun of it!

Lately my hours have been cut drastically at work and that has really been stressful on the financial front. Between my mother and my salaries we have been barely scraping by, but this too shall past. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?! I'm so grateful that I have a job in these perilous times! With Thanksgiving rolling around I've been reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. Great friends, a beautiful home, a decent job with fun co-workers, and health. And a beautiful environment to live in. Utah is so beautiful. And lately with all of the rain, it's really beautiful! I know, it's 4:30 in the morning, I have the next 4 days off, so what the hell am I doing up blogging so early. I don't know. I just woke up at 3:30 so I decided to get on the computer for a bit and I wanted to blog for a bit. It's been so long. *wink*

Love to all out there in cyberland. I hope this holiday season will be great for all of you. May you find sheer joy with friends and family. Remember, love is what it is all about! Relish in the loving arms of friends and family. It can't get any better than that! *big hug*

We Shall Overcome

2008-11-12T05:27:00.001-08:00

This is the final thing I am going to say on this subject. I'm moving on to support the cause for equal rights in this country and my own state. I thank Mr. Olbermann for his thoughts. He is right! Dead right!

Wake up America. Wake up Christian America. You really do not understand the true teachings of Jesus Christ as you think you do when you support measures like Prop. 8. This isn't about morality, this is about treating everyone fairly and with Christlike compassion. This was not done in California last week. This is horrible, cruel, and inhumane!

I am now off my soapbox. I am so tired of all of this!

A New Dawn

2008-11-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

WOW, what a week it has been! I woke up at 4:30 in the morning this past Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 to see this video on YouTube. I cried for a long time. Tears of joy that I never thought I'd be able to experience. After 40 years of life, I have seen a colored man elected President of the United States of America. But even more important, a man of integrity and passion. A man of kindness, gentleness and humility. I am so proud to have been a part of this man's campaign for the White House. I am even prouder of this nation for looking past race, fear, campaign rhetoric and all of the critics lies and deceit and choose to change the course of this nation towards a more positive direction. I am proud to be an American, always have been, and always will be. But I am even more proud today for a nation who has overcome at last, for the most part, centuries of bigotry and fear to elect a colored man to this nation's highest office. It is indeed a miracle!

Even with the passing of bigoted legislation such as Prop. 8 in California, or even more hateful legislation in Colorado and Florida, there is still hope for a brighter day! Change takes time. It took this long to finally see a colored man in the White House, change towards a more inclusive America and an America that chooses to accept everyone regardless, will also happen. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it will happen. The bigoted and hateful people out there who stand behind such legislation will pay for their crimes in the end. What goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. I am saddened to know that an organization like the LDS church, in which I was born into has chosen to reject its very foundations, reject the Lord's teachings of understanding, love, peace, compassion, tolerance, and allowing freedom of choice. I know that they too will pay dearly for what they have done in the end. So much was lost this week even in the shadows of such victories. But this too shall pass. These types of evil men who disguise their bigotry as morals may have won the battle, but they will never win the war! I am determined more than ever, "we shall overcome!"

Vote

2008-11-04T04:53:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted but I must today! I cannot tell you how important it is to get out there today and vote! Countless men and women have sacrificed their lives in war to ensure your right to vote today! Don't mock their sacrifice by sitting at home saying to yourself that your vote doesn't count! IT DOES! Don't ever forget that! Raise your voice, participate in this wonderful democracy of ours! I love this nation and am proud to be an American!

A Calm, Cool and Reasonable Look At The Facts

2008-10-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Once again, a calm, non-partisan, intelligent look at the facts at hand. Even though I disagree with what Gen. Powell did for our current president's deceipt campaign surrounding the war in Iraq, I know for a fact that he would not lightly do something like this and put his reputation on the line again if he didn't feel this in his heart. I admire him and know with ever fiber in my being that this is what this nation needs. The Republican party is corrupt. They have shifted so far that they cannot see wisdom, intellect, and plain old fashioned compassion. All they can do is smear, lie, and continue on their snow job of the American people. I pray for this nation every day, and I pray that this nation will do the right thing for itself and elect new blood, a fresh perspective, a leader who really cares for this nation and its future!

Whenever a Door Closes ....

2008-10-14T17:31:00.001-07:00

Wow, it has been quite some time since I last blogged. A lot has happened.

"Blithe Spirit" has opened to great success and I'm so happy and excited! It has been a tremendous experience with an awesome cast! Sadly though, I couldn't audition for "Christmas Carol" this year. It's strange to not be involved this year, but whenever a door closes, somewhere a window opens. I'm excited to be able to audition for "Room Service." It's a really fun show and hopefully I'll get cast. There are so many opportunities out there and that's what makes being a part of theater so exciting and rewarding.

With the economic situation in this country being at an all time low, I like everyone else has been tightening my belt and struggling financially. But that which does not kill us, makes us stronger. It makes me appreciate my job, my family, etc. And this too shall pass.

Wow, one day last weekend it was fall with all of the beautiful colors and then this:

It's amazing how things change so quickly. It's been freezing the past week! Brrrrr! Winter is on its way. I'm not sure if I'm ready for snow, but it's coming ready or not! LOL!

On A Lighter Note

2008-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

OK, now that I've rambled on about so much negative, let me focus on some wonderful things that exist in this world! I'm doing this because I know that despite the negative things I talked about in my last entry, there is a lot of positive things out there that need to be celebrated!

Since we remembered 9/11 this past week I was reminded about all of the wonderful men and women who answered the call to help the victims of this senseless tragedy. The countless firemen, policemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and ordinary men and women of NYC who opened up their hearts to so many during this rough time in our nation's history, as well as risking their own lives to rescue so many. It really touches my heart to think on those people.

With all of the horrible hurricanes of late I was reminded this week of Hurricane Katrina and the unfortunate people of New Orleans at the time. I was also reminded of all of the selfless men and women who risked their lives to help the victims of this tragedy as well as the people all across this nation who opened up their homes freely to the misplaced families left homeless because of this disaster! Again, my heart is touched thinking about these wonderful people!

The list goes and on with the countless people in this great nation of ours and in this world of ours who selflessly give of their time, money, etc. to help others. Despite all of the negative, there is so much positive as well in this beautiful world of ours.

Despite my ramblings and my anger sometimes at the world and at this nation in particular, I want everyone out there in cyberland to know that I do recognize the good that is out there, I celebrate it, I myself try everyday to contribute something good to this world of ours and to help someone whenever and wherever I can. I know we must focus daily on what we have not what we don't have. Gratefulness is a trait to be celebrated and to be adopted in our own lives! I truly am a happy person despite the negativity out there! And I do have hope for a brighter tomorrow for all of us!

Living Proof

2008-09-11T21:43:00.001-07:00

Do you need any more proof? Why are the so many out there willing to vote this kind of stupidity, arrogance and willful dishonesty into the Oval Office? Wake up America!

A Confession

2008-09-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have been wondering of late if sometimes my posts, not just here but other places such as message boards, blog comments, etc. come off sometimes as angry, over passionate, etc. Well I have a confession to make. If they do, I make no apologies. I am angry of late, particularly when it comes to the current political climate and at the current state of affairs in this great country of ours.

I see an America that is full of self-centered individuals that care nothing about the people around them. Yes, there are so many wonderful people out there that do care, donate money and/or time to worthwhile causes and to family/friends, care for the environment, etc. There is always good in this world of ours, but sometimes the negatives get to me!

First example: the current election coming up in 2 months. The past 8 years has brought about a horrible economy, a war that shows no signs of ending that has destroyed lives unnecessaraily, a president/vice president that care nothing for the rule of law, ethics, etc. And we still have people out there that are not willing to take a leap of faith on a candidate that shows such wonderful promise, Barack Obama. The opposing side continues, like the current administration, to sling mud, lies, etc. at Mr. Obama, stand at the pulpit of the recent Republican National Convention and call average working class Americans whiners and that we need to learn to depend on ourselves and learn to be patient; push their own religious agenda on America with no respect for the fact that not all Americans share those religious views; the list goes on and on. When will this nation wake up and stop allowing fear to control who they vote for. Why do we have to always settle for the status quo instead of taking leaps of faith once and a while and maybe finding out that that leap will result in wonderful results.

Second example: A huge majority in this country that cannot understand that religious beliefs are personal not public. That they have no business being made into public policy just because that is what those convictions tell you to do. That the purpose of government is to serve all people, to remain neutral, and to make laws that protect all people, not the majority, and leave the minority out in the cold.

These two things are really what is getting under my skin lately. And yes, I'm angry. Yes, I'm frustrated. I feel very strongly about my views and sometimes you have to be passionate about those views and when you see injustices happening around you, you have to shout above all the noise to get something done. To get people to shut up and listen to you.

So I make apologies to anyone who I may have offended with my strong passions when it comes to my views and opinions, but I can't help it! Civilized conversation doesn't always work. Particularly in the current climate. There is so much injustice in this country right now. I am part of a minority group, the GLBT community which is being marginalized, demonized and disrespected, all in the name of religion. People just can't see how wrong they are! No matter how you feel about homosexuality, you have no right to take away my rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You have no right to make laws that only allow a certain group of people who you view as living a "righteous, God fearing life" access to those rights, and then turn around and accuse the GLBT community of pushing for "special rights." That's so hypocritical! The constitution is for everyone, not just "Christians." This is not a "Christian" country. This is a secular country, that is open to all viewpoints! Freedom of religion is not just for "Christians." I just don't understand how these so called "Disciples of Christ" think they are better than non-Christians. It sickens me!

This is just one example of the mess this wonderful nation is in. We are a polarized nation. We are in a "civil war" so-to-speak, and it's truly tragic. Why can't we just get along and respect each other instead of pursuing personal agendas in the public arena! Of course people will accuse me of doing just that. But there is a difference. Contrary to what the religious movement will tell you, they are not the victims here. They are not under attack. The religous movement's attempts to control public policy is what is under attack. In my case, the GLBT community is the victim here! They are being pushed into the background, lied about, demonized. That is so immoral and criminal! They are so many victims out there, not just the GLBT community. Women who want control over their bodies, instead of the government; immigrants who want citizenship but are being denied because of the current administration's appalling immigration policies as well as the criminal "Patriot Act."; workers who are suffering every day being ignored and discarded by corporate America and an administration allowing them to get away with it; the list goes on and on.

Back to the first example: We need new leadership. New direction! New ideas! I hope in November this nation elects Barack Obama, instead of continuing failed policies and corruption with McCain/Palin.

Time For Change

2008-08-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

I can't say anything more! This is the type of leadership we need!

Monday Blah's?

2008-08-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

It's Monday. Why does that conjure up depression, the blues or the blah's? I'm reminded of the classic "Carpenters" song "Rainy Days and Monday's Always Get Me Down." I thought about it while reading a friend's blog this afternoon and realized how silly this notion really is. I know in my last entry I vented and complained about my job and after a week back from my vacation and reading my friend's blog entry I agree with my friend. Yes, I deal with immaturity everyday in my job, in fact, in every aspect of my life on a daily basis I deal with immaturity in someway or another. Why quit over it?! In today's economy that's utter suicide. I see other friends of mine that are suffering financially right now and I realize how blessed I truly am. Yesterday I had to work a 9-hour closing shift at work and I steeped myself totally in my work and I found my strengths in my job and what a good manager I am. I still have much to learn, which is the way any job should be. There is always room for growth! I am on the verge of being out of debt and that really motivates me! I am truly happy right now, despite the aches and pains of being on my feet for long hours, the stupidity sometimes I have to put up with, the irritating customers I deal with everyday, etc. As my friend stated in his blog, you make your own bliss. I feel kind of silly for my last post now. *blush* I have made a decision to never again talk about my work in my blog! Other friends do this and I think it's wise! As for the advice my doctor gave me, I realized that what he was saying is that I need to either quit my job or lose weight. It's amazing how that last part I didn't really hear because I was looking for the easy way out. Sometimes we only hear what we want to hear. ;)

The weather is cooling down now that we're getting close to Autumn. My favorite season. *happy sigh* I'm auditioning on Wednesday night for "Blithe Spirit" and "Christmas Carol" auditions are coming up in September. I'm really excited! The 2009 season for theater is exciting as well! Loads of opportunities! I have also made a decision to follow my bliss no matter what! I don't care what anybody else has to say on the subject of my life. It's none of their business! I will do what I choose to do, and what brings me happiness.

Back to the Old Routine

2008-08-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry, it's been a couple of days since I've returned from my awesome trip to this year's Utah Shakespearean Festival, but I've been busy doing laundry, getting my paycheck and paying bills, etc. You know the old routine?! LOL! ;)

The last night of the trip was awesome. Two Gents was charming and so much fun! You can see my reviews of all the shows in the theater reviews section of the reviews page on my website, www.jevansonline.com.

My monitor was indeed gone so I had to get a new one. Grrrrr! I found a great HD one for $150 so that turned out OK. Yay for Best Buy!

Well, it's back to work today! *sigh* I've finally made a decision, I know here we go again ;), when it comes to my job. I am now in active new job search mode. I just can't take it anymore. The immaturity, no future unless I play their game, etc. But most important, I found out from my doctor that I need to get off of my feet. I've got edema in my right leg and he said that in another 10-15 years that could become life threatening if I don't find some other employment. He even suggested at home employment. So I'm in the mode and when I finally do find something, which I know is going to be a long way off, I'll leave Arby's. So I will continue on with my job and in my spare time be looking for something new in my future. I would prefer it be something in the performing arts. Even if it's office and/or backstage work. After being immersed in theater for a week, it reminded me of what my true passion is, and I just am not happy. That is the cause of most of my stress. And my stress of late has been extremely high! That doesn't help my physical health either! And I even am contemplating returning to school and finishing my bachelor's degree. Which frightens me, but I know it might be the key to finding better employment. So please send good thoughts my way and prayers. I can sure use it!

Big hug and love to all out there!

Summer Vacation 2008, Day's 5-7

2008-08-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been quite a couple of days. "School for Wives" was charming and a fun show to see. The actors were all quite good! But, "Othello" last night was absolutely stunning and terrifying to watch. Mind you, I've seen several productions of this Shakespeare masterpiece, but I have to say that this production is my favorite of all that I've seen! Magnificent cast and a first rate production.

I went to the seminars yesterday and it was fun to hear everyone's comments. And I attended a concert this morning which was lovely. Tonight is my last show. :( I'm always bittersweet when my trip comes to an end here at the festival. "Two Gentleman of Verona" is my last show, and then I return tomorrow morning.

I get to come home to a broken monitor, so I have to go buy a new one. Grrrrrr! So hopefully sometime tomorrow or Monday by the latest, I'll be back online and able to finish my blog entries about my trip as well as posting reviews and photo's.

Well, I'm off to dinner. It's been awesome this summer, I've run into old friends that I haven't seen in years. It's been great catching up on old times! See you soon! Love to all! *big hug*

Summer Vacation 2008, Day 4

2008-08-07T13:37:00.001-07:00

"Fiddler" was awesome! Jim Christian like always delivered a top notch production with awesome talent! It was simple and very humble! I loved every minute of it! This is the first production on stage I have seen where I really fell in love with Tevye.

The weather continues to be incredible! Cool in the evenings and not too hot in the day time! This has been a great vacation.

This will be short today! Have some friends to meet tonight for an early dinner! "School for Wives" is tonight, can't wait!

Love to all out there in cyberland! :)

Summer Vacation 2008, Day 3

2008-08-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was fun. I went to the Literary Seminar on "Cyrano" and it was very enlightening! It's always fun to hear different perspectives on a production you've just seen from fellow audience members. Some I disagreed with some I agreed with. But it's always fun to listen!

"Taming of the Shrew" was absolutely fun last night! It was updated to 1940's Italy. And, even though I'm a usually a traditionalist when it comes to Shakespeare, I really did enjoy this updated version. The acting was superb, the pace was quick and light, and the update worked for me! No concept to cloud the story being told. It was a fun production!

It's been raining every evening so far, but the cool air has been a wonderful welcome compared to the awful heat wave we've been having back home since June. We see "Fiddler" tonight, I can't wait! Hope your all having a great summer! I sure am right now! LOL! Love to all! :)

Summer Vacation 2008, Day 2

2008-08-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

My first day over and what a day it was! I saw "Cyrano" last night and what a magnificent production. Unfortunately My website program is acting up and I can't get it to load pictures, so I'm afraid I won't be able to post my review of this wonderful show or the others this week until I get back. :(

I will be posting though here, so you can check back daily!

The show last night was incredible! I highly recommend if you can get down here to Cedar City to come see this show! It was breathtaking, beautiful and moving! My dear friend Brian was wonderful as always in the title role!

I'm seeing a non-traditional production of "Taming of the Shrew" tonight. I'll talk about that tomorrow!

The weather is nice down here! Breezy and beautiful! I love Southern Utah. The red rock on the mountains is so beautiful! I'm having a marvelous time! It's so great to get away for a while! Be back tomorrow! :)

Summer Vacation 2008, Day 1

2008-08-03T14:00:00.001-07:00

WOW, it's been a while since I last posted. "Footloose" is over. It was a huge success and lots of fun to produce. It was rewarding as well as a lot of hard work. It's bittersweet that it is over, but I'm happy it is.

Well I'm on Day One of my annual trek to Cedar City and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. It's a gorgeous day here in Cedar City. I'm so looking forward to this summer's offerings. Tomorrow night I see "Cyrano." My old college mate, Brian Vaughn is playing Cyrano. I can't wait! I'll be posting pictures when I get back on Sunday. I hope to post reviews each day of the plays. *crossing fingers*

Work has been busy and hard lately. This vacation could not come any sooner! I'm exhausted and need this vacation badly!

I hope all is well out there for all of you. I hope your happy, having a wonderful summer, and enjoying time with your loved ones! I'll post more real soon! Love to all out there in cyberland!

Exactly How I Feel

2008-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

2008-06-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. My gosh, time flies when your having fun! LOL!

I'm right in the middle of "Footloose" rehearsals at SCERA with Neal & Korianne Johnson. We only have 2 weeks and 4 days before opening. EEEKKKKK! I can't believe how fast we have to put this show together! It's going to be an awesome show and I hope all of you out there will come and see it! It's a great cast, the kids are all so energetic and so talented! And us adults are pretty darn cool too! ;) Because everything is happening so fast I haven't created a blog for the show, and I probably won't. So stay tuned here for any updates.

Work is swimming along! We placed 2nd in the company's "Silver Cup" competition. And we just had our Market Assessment, which is the big inspection of the year, and we were 2nd in the South Area. So now we have re certification to look forward to now, which is basically re certifying as a training store, and then our CEO pays a visit, and then we're done for the year. YAY!

Life in general is good! I've eliminated most of my stress factors and plan to do some more housecleaning in that area really soon! I'm sure everyone is feeling it out there, but the economy is really bad right now, and money is really tight. It scares me some days, but I just keep on keeping on! I just live one day at a time, that's basically all I can do. Let's hope we get a good man in the White House this fall so that we can begin to fix what the current administration has so royally (*&(*&(*&(& up! *crossing fingers*

Pride was last Sunday. It was so much fun to be up there in that atmosphere! I saw and visited with a lot of friends I hadn't seen in a long while! It was awesome this year! Things are going along pretty well! Love to all until I post again! Have an awesome summer everybody! *hugs and kisses*

A Sunday Rambling

2008-05-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a couple of weeks! Since we've lost a few people at work and because of some recent upper management meetings, I've been working some long shifts the past couple of weeks and I'm completely exhausted! I get today and tomorrow off, which is really nice! I finally was able to find some great arch supports for my shoes and that made my long shift yesterday so much more bearable. I'm not old yet, but I'm not young either, so being able to tolerate being on my feet for 8-10 hours a day really has made a difference in my whole attitude towards work. To be honest, I have really thought about quitting many times over the past few months. Not because of anything particularly or anyone particularly, just because I'm tired and the nature of retail/food service is rough on the body because of long hours on your feet. It takes its toll! But I do realize that the job outlook is not good right now, and balancing out the bad aspects of my job vs. the good aspects of my job, particularly the people, I really don't have it all that bad. Earning a living is vital and I'm grateful to have a job in this not so certain economy right now! This next week is a lighter schedule and I'm glad.

Tomorrow I'm going to see the new "Narnia" film which I'm excited to see, and then on Friday, YAAAAAAAY!, the new "Indiana Jones" film. I can't wait! Boy does that bring back a lot of happy memories from my childhood! Overall life is good! The weather is changing over to spring now, yesterday, even though I was indoors most of the day, was gorgeous! And today looks like it's going to be pretty much the same! I think I'll take a drive today and just enjoy nature! I'm happy to be alive and healthy! With all of the problems in this world, it's nice to have a nice home, good friends, a nice community to live in, and the beauties of nature all around me and so close by! Despite all of it's faults (socially, politically, etc.), Utah is not a bad place to live! I am proud of who I am, and I respect differences, even though others around me do not! I have plenty of people in my life that do respect differences and are great and loving people! I am so blessed that way! I'll be starting a new show in a couple of weeks with some good friends! I can't wait! Yes, life is indeed great!

This past week the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage in California. Now I promise not to go on too much of a rant here, but I just had to comment a bit! I am so happy with this decision! So many bigoted and closed minded people out there ridicule the court's decision and call them "rogue" judges who can't respect voters decisions. Well, get over yourselves people. That is what this country was founded on. The Supreme Courts of this country, including our nation's highest one, are put there to protect the "Minority" from the tyranny of the "Majority." I just don't understand why people who are against gay marriage can't see the damage they're doing to innocent men and women and their children! It's absolutely disgusting! You can have your beliefs, but don't push those beliefs on others through legislation! That is why the California Supreme Court made the decision it made. It sent a strong message to those radicals out there that you can't keep doing this! It's wrong! Even though those radicals are going to attempt to get a constitutional amendment in California passed overturning the court's decision, I am confident that it will not succeed, especially in light of the Governor's statement that he would veto any such amendment! It's time for people to wake up and get over themselves. No one has died and made you God! Allowing the GLBT community to marry is not going to invalidate or threaten your marriages. That's absurd!

OK, I'm done rambling! I hope all of you out there in cyberland are happy, healthy and enjoying life! Rejoice and enjoy the time you have with your family, friends and the world! Life is too short not to enjoy it! *big hugs and kisses* to all of you out there!

Yay Spring!

2008-05-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yay for Spring. This is a photo of Mount Mahogany from the Wal-Mart parking lot. It was such a beautiful spring rain yesterday. It smelled heavenly. The beautiful moist spring air. *content sigh*

Well, I'm back on the boards again. I'm going to be playing the Coach in SCERA's production of "Footloose: The Musical" in July. I'm really excited to work with Neal and Korianne again! Rehearsals start in a few weeks. I can't wait!

I've been so lazy lately! LOL! I get home from work and I just veg in front of the TV and watch my "Will & Grace" DVD's. I'm so bad! *evil grin* Work has been going fine. Unfortunately being the only certified shift manager, all the upper management has to go to a quarterly meeting tonight, so I'm stuck watching the store from 2 until close. Grrrrrrrr! I hate 10 hour shifts! Then I work from 10-5 tomorrow, and then open on Saturday. At least I get Sunday off, which will be nice. Not only is it Mother's Day it's also my mother's birthday. She's celebrating her 80th. I think it's incredible! Both my parents made it to 80. Yay! My mom wants to live to be 100, I hope and pray she makes it! I would love to live to be over 100! *crossing fingers*

I am so excited about this summer! It's going to be a blast. We've scheduled our annual trip to the Shakespeare Festival for right after I close in "Footloose." Yay! Can't wait! Because of work responsibilities, I'll only end up doing 3-4 shows this year. Which is OK! I don't want to burn out! It all depends on what the P.G. Players are doing for their fall show. "On Golden Pond" was such a wonderful experience that I look forward to doing many more shows with them in the future! And of course theirs "Christmas Carol." It just wouldn't be Christmas without that show! Call me crazy, but I love it! Unfortunately, Midtown Village has experienced some financial problems and the new theater won't be up in time for this year's production. I'm sad, but sometimes the reality of life sinks in and we don't always get what we want. I'm hoping and praying that Midtown's problems will soon be solved and HCTO can begin construction on the new theater! The tax rebates are going out now and I hope to get mine before the end of next week! *crossing fingers* I could sure use it right now!

Well later everyone! I've got things to get done before I leave for work! Big hugs and kisses to everyone out their in cyberland!

Happy Sigh

2008-04-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted. WOW, life's been pretty busy lately but going pretty well.

Today, WOW. I left work to come home and we got hit by this freak winter storm that only lasted about 1/2 hour. This was the view from my vehicle on my way home.

Welcome to Spring. ;) LOL! They say we have 90% of our water needed in our reservoirs, which is awesome news. We've been dealing with summer droughts for quite some time. It will be a nice change and a welcome one at that!

Work has been going well. We had our first silver cup for 2008 yesterday. It's basically like a basic inspection, but done at all the stores in our district and the store with the highest score wins silver cup. It's a great honor, a first, for our store. On the downside, like always in the fast food industry, we are losing several crew members over the next few months. Mostly to college. So my poor GM and AM have to start a massive hiring campaign again. Also, unfortunately for most of retail, the economy is really in bad shape right now, and so sales are way down, and that means hours have been cut. So I've been increasing my business with my home business lately to catch up with bills and the like. It's frustrating, but this too will pass.

I auditioned for "Little Women" at HCTO last night. There are a lot of prospects this summer and fall for shows, it's exciting. I also went to HCTO on Monday to see "The Miracle Worker." It was superb! One of the finest shows HCTO has ever produced! You can read my review by clicking here. The 2008 HCTO Thank You Party is coming up on Saturday evening which I'm really excited for. It'll be great to reunite with former cast members and the staff again! Plus, reminisce about the 2007 season. I love working at HCTO. It's such an awesome atmosphere and the producers and the staff are wonderful people!

Also on Saturday I get to go see "The Producers" at PTC which I'm really excited for! It's one of my all time favorite shows. Yes, life continues to roll along at a nice pace and I continue to enjoy so many blessings! I certainly have a lot of things to be grateful for! *happy sigh*

Evil Men

2008-04-10T06:04:00.001-07:00

This was a letter to Rosie O'Donnell by the president of PFLAG that she posted on her website. I wanted to share it with you on my blog today!

To hear Bill O'Reilly tell it, you'd think spending some time with your loved ones - especially your GLBT loved ones - was downright dangerous. Fortunately, you and I know better, and together, we're building a critical movement to counter the misinformation of O'Reilly and those like him.

On Friday night's The O'Reilly Factor, Bill included a troubling debate about R Family Vacations, the GLBT-friendly vacation provider founded by Rosie O'Donnell and her partner, Kelli. R Family, which has been a long-time sponsor of PFLAG national, brings together families of all kinds to celebrate . . . well, being a family.

But according to O'Reilly and one of his guests, conservative radio host Marc Rudov, these affirming family get-togethers are patently offensive, and nothing more than a "fairly intrusive" way to "mainstream the gay lifestyle." And Rudov even goes so far as to compare R Family Vacations with smoking . . . radiation . . . and brain tumors! "I kind of look at this in the same way," he told O'Reilly, going on to proclaim that "children do form their sexual identities from their same-sex parents."

That's right. "Pro-family" O'Reilly and his ilk now seem to be anti-our families. But fortunately for us, we have PFLAG to get the facts right.

In fact, I recently returned from an R Family cruise with my wife and some other important members of the PFLAG family, including executive director Jody Huckaby and Straight for Equality endorser Cyndi Lauper. We were surrounded by hundreds of loving families who were onboard with their GLBT children and loved ones. It was an inspiring and emotional journey that I will never forget. Because of R Family, these families from across the country were able to come together, be appreciated and loved for who they are, and take part in a welcoming, inclusive vacation that - until Rosie and Kelli founded their company - was simply an impossible dream for so many people.

So when O'Reilly and his guests use shrill rhetoric - not far removed from Sally Kern's comparison of GLBT Americans to a "cancer" - we should all be alarmed. And we should all be grateful to have PFLAG fighting on our side. Because, as Margaret Hoover pointed out to O'Reilly on Friday, "We've got a whole lot of people and kids that are growing up that don't have parents that love them," and so we shouldn't be spending our time attacking those who do.

That's what PFLAG is all about: Bringing families together and celebrating who we are. And it's a common value we share with our good friends at R Family Vacations. So we're proud to stand with them . . . share their journey with them . . . and call out the O'Reillys and Rudovs of the world on their misinformation and false propaganda.

Just as we did with Representative Kern, and as we have always done, PFLAG will continue to show the true faces of every family . . . and we'll always stand with "R Family" and yours.

Because you and I know that loving our children is the most un-intrusive thing anyone can do. And isn't loving our families what being pro-family is all about?

Sincerely,
Cepek Signature
John R. Cepek
PFLAG National President

Why does this nation allow itself to watch and listen to evil men like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, women like Ann Coulter and Dr. Laura? WHY!!!!!!????? People like this make me sick to my stomach! People like this call themselves Christians when in reality they are not! They are so far away from being godlike it's tragic! Things like this make me so angry!

Winter or Spring? Huh?

2008-03-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is what I woke up to this morning. Can you believe it? LOL! Welcome to Utah, where it snows even in Spring. I sure hope this is the last, but it probably won't be.

Things are going pretty well. Golden Pond has closed, which was a really emotional experience for me. I will miss it alot! I finally got a raise at work after a whole year. I have reevaluated my feelings about my job, and the raise really didn't factor into this, and I realized that alot of my problems with my job has to do with my own attitude towards it. A job is a job! In this really bad economy right now, it's way better than the alternative! I am grateful I have a job and I really don't want to go through job searching again!

I am really looking forward to the summer! There are so many opportunities for shows this summer and I have decided to do a show just for fun! Money is and will not be an issue here! There are great directors I really want to work with and so I am choosing now what I'm going to try for. It's exciting! I do theater because I love it! Golden Pond taught me that. What it really is all about! I admire my friends who make a living at theater, but for me, I choose not to! I just want it to remain a true passion of mine and to do it because I love it, not because I have to in order to survive! I'm excited about taking my annual trip to Cedar City, excited about Pride this year, I plan to take time off of work to attend all three days of this annual event, and I plan to do more recreation this summer as well. Get out and enjoy what this beautiful state has to offer!

I feel really good about myself and my life! This summer is going to be awesome!

It's Been A LONG While ...

2008-03-18T04:01:00.001-07:00

Wow, March is almost over and I haven't blogged since January. Sorry folks.

Life has been really busy since January. I have been wrapped up in "On Golden Pond," work and family life. On top of that, I've been fighting this stupid virus. Grrrrr! I hate being sick! It's never gotten full blown, but just enough to be irritating as hell! I'm sitting here at my computer at 5 in the morning, coughing up a lung! I'm listening to Reba.

"On Golden Pond" has been such a rewarding experience! I adore this simple gem of a play and it's been such an honor to be a part of it as an actor. I will treasure forever my experiences with this incredible cast and our wonderful directors, Kathryn and Howard. I have such respect for both of them and I hope I will get to work with them again in the future!

Work is work. As I have posted previously, I am working on having a more positive attitude toward my pain in the ass job. It's been working OK, but lately it's really getting to me. I have decided, a very hard and painful decision, to actively pursue other employment. I haven't had to deal with that pain in the ass process for two years now, but I have to for my emotional and physical well being! Fighting this latest virus for over 3 weeks has brought that home to me. This job is not good for me. It's slave labor and I'm working with children. It's driving me insane and it's crippling to the spirit! Fast Food will always be a joke! I am starting a lot of new things and getting rid of the things in my life that hurt me and pull me down emotionally and physically. I have also severed ties with friends and family who are draining me as well. It's really hard but necessary. I have found a great program that I know will help me lose weight. I have never felt better! It's customed to my body type, and has really boosted my metabolism. I am so excited for the future! I may be 40, but it's never too late to better myself and to get healthier!

Spring is knocking at the door. I can't wait for winter to finally be over. It's coming on Friday. I can't wait! Of course, here in Utah we've had snow in June, LOL! So you never know! ;) But I'm looking forward to a nice Spring, *crossing fingers.* This has been a harsh winter compared to ones in the recent past, and I'm looking forward to warmer weather!

On the theater front, there are so many choices for summer work, I still don't know which direction I'll be going there. In reality, that's exciting in itself. Not knowing! I'm still planning to make my annual summer and fall treks down to Cedar City, but I have to work that around whatever show I can get into. There are a lot of opportunities, I just to have figure out which ones I want to try for.

I open all this week at work, which is a nice change of pace, so I'm going to go fix some breakfast and get myself ready. I'll try to get on here more often in the future. I can't believe it's been since January since my last post. WOW! Time really does fly by!

What A Wonderful World

2008-01-24T01:23:00.000-08:00

This video was posted on my FunWall on Facebook the other day by my good friend Maryann Hill. This so wonderfully reflects my feelings right now and what I talked about in my previous post. *happy sigh*

Life is Good

2008-01-24T01:05:00.001-08:00

Wow what a week and weekend it's been! I had some really stressful few days over the weekend dealing with my sometimes "pain in the *(&(*&( job" and I'm glad that's over! Like I said in a previous post, I have vowed to really work hard at not letting the stupidity of my job get to me. This weekend really proved that to me. This was bad. I almost had a complete nervous breakdown! I haven't had a raise in over a year. The company says it cares about its people. Well we know that's a bunch of bull(*&()&(*! The other night I was relaxing in the tub to wind down and I was listening to random music on my MP3 player and I came across "Astonishing," one of my favorite songs from the musical "Little Women." It reminded me of the fact that I'm not a prisoner of my circumstances. There is a whole world out there and if I want and need change, I can do something about it. It's my goal now to find some type of work that is better than where I'm at at this point in time! Where hard work is appreciated and recognized! I just have to go out there and find it! This past weekend really was an eye opener and I'm so excited and renewed!

Friday I have a cocktail party to go to, which I'm really excited about! I went out and did some shopping today for it as well as getting some new clothing for work! Some things to break the monotony and to help me feel better about myself! I'm really good at my job and I can deal with it until I find something better.

I spent some time last night with my good friend Jann and her awesome husband Mark. I miss spending time with them, and I've vowed to spend more time in the future. To take the time to do so. She can't make it this year to the cocktail party, I'm sad and so is she, but there will be other parties in the future! We have plans to get together very soon as well as hopefully getting in contact with some other friends and planning some future get togethers! I'm so blessed to have good friends in my life. Life is good! Really good! *happy sigh*

New Toys

2008-01-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

This was the scene out my office window today! Winter 2008 is here!

This picture was taken with my new toy. I changed mobile phone services and here's my newest toy.

And Santa brought me another new toy. My new 2GB MP3 player.

I just love new toys. Don't you? LOL! It's a beautiful day today! The snow is fresh and beautiful, the sky is a beautiful bright white, and the air is crisp and clean. I have to get some stuff and I think I will walk across the street to Walgreens instead of driving. 2008 is already turning out to be a great year! My new attitude towards work is allowing me to be happier than I've ever been before when it comes to my job, I'm auditioning this week for one of my favorite plays, and I'm going to be spending some time with friends this week I'm hoping! What an awesome day!

Paris By Night

Happy New Year

Wake Up America! Stop Buying into GOP Lies!

Updates 10-8-11

F&*^*&^ Is Not The Only Bad Word

There is So Much at Stake Next November ... PAY ATTENTION AMERICA! - Part 2

There is So Much at Stake Next November ... PAY ATTENTION AMERICA!

I Wish ...

Absolute Truth

Once Again, Common Sense & Decency Rule the Day

The G.O.P. Facist Machine Has To Be Stopped!!!

When Will America Finally Wake Up?!

Spring Semester 2011

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas 2010

It Will Get Better!!!: A Personal Story

It Gets Better

It Will Get Better!!!

A Fresh New Start

Updates

How Do You Measure?

True Compassion

Happy July 4th from a 3rd Class Citizen

A Bunch of Hypocrites

A Critical Crossroad

An Amazing 8 Months

A Long Three Weeks

Happy 2010

Merry Christmas To Everyone

Truly Grateful

Quite The Adventure

Just A Thought

Dreams Can Come True

Whirlwind of a Week

The Eve of a New Adventure

The Twilight Zone

Back Home

Updates

New Horizons

A Very Sobering Reminder

Patricia Clarkson on Equality

Pride 2009

A New Adventure

Enough Said

It's Love

Life Changes

A Haze But A Light On The Horizon

Repower America

No More, Pt. 2

No More

A Country of Selfish Whiners

The Truth

Roller Coaster Ride

Passion Is Everything

The Real Heart of the Matter

The Tide Is Turning

Seriousness with a Dash of Humor

Never Give Up

Don't Let Fear Rule Your Life

When Will This End?

There's Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself

The Simple Joys of Life

A Day Of Hope

It Breaks My Heart

Common Ground

Video Blog

New Leadership For A New Age

America Is Beautiful

A New Year

Winter 2008 in Utah

Merry Christmas

Gratefulness

Happy Holidays

Fall Is In The Air ... Winter Not Too Far Behind

We Shall Overcome

A New Dawn

Vote

A Calm, Cool and Reasonable Look At The Facts

Whenever a Door Closes ....

On A Lighter Note

F&^&^ Is Not The Only Bad Word

Happy Sigh